My writing time has been infringed upon. We’ve hit some bumps in the renovations we’re doing so much discussion has been needed and this has pushed into my writing time. By the time we’re done discussing, I’m so tired, I’ve not been able to write much.
Tonight I put my foot down and kicked people out. In a little over two hours of writing, I’ve made progress. The first love scene is coming up and then from there, I’ll start adding a hint of danger and throw in a few conflicts and bumps (and probably another love scene).
I’m edging towards the finish line. The funny thing – the scenes I thought were absolutely going to make it in are probably not going to. This is why I don’t plot out my books – the characters take me on their journey.
Tonight that journey included about 2500 words pushing me up over 35K. I’m to the back half of the book. Hopefully by the weekend, I am done with the rough draft. Fingers crossed…. I won’t know until the characters tell me their story…
When I started this manuscript, I didn’t like it. I wrote and continued to write. I worried it wasn’t up to par. Now I realize it was nerves. I mostly knew it at the time but my inner critic was working overtime.
I’ve been annoyed about the low word count and frustrated with the things blocking my ability to write – day job, editing, life, reno… there are more. I’ve been up late every single night trying to write and get things off my to do list.
Yesterday I was up until 2 am working on client work. I slept until 9 this morning and was mad because I wanted to be up early in order to get some writing in while people were out of my house. When I finally woke up, I hadn’t written a thing before they returned.
We had breakfast. We talked more about the reno. I kicked them out. I wrote. I wrote and wrote and wrote. A scene I thought was going to be small and inconsequential turned into one that wasn’t and then into something more.
A conversation with my daughter led me to another scene. I had to write a bar scene. I’ve been in bars but I’m not a regular barfly. Ten people, pushing tables together. Drinking, talking, dancing… oh I need a song. Now if you know me, you’re laughing right now because you KNOW I do not know music. I like it and listen to it often but to remember artists and song names and such. Nope. I knew what kind of song I wanted but could I think of one in that category? Nope. Google here I come. I search and I’m not finding what I want.
In walks one of my daughters and she’s on the phone with another daughter – oh good. These two do remember names and songs… At Last by Etta James was suggested. Great song but a little too old. I listened to a lot of people – don’t ask me names! Oh wait – Amazed by Lonestar was one of them Shania Twain was considered. Faith Hill and more. Lots more. I needed a slow song. You know the kind where when you dance you just lean in and sway to it. But at the same time, it needed to be meaningful to both of them. So the winner – Let’s Make Love by Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill.
This scene was supposed to lead to their first love scene. Well they had a different idea. Or I should say another character barged in, caused chaos and changed the scenario. I think it’s way better.
I’ve added a chapter and half, 10,191 words. My main male character has taken a step he didn’t think he ever would. I’m enjoying the back and forth of the romance. I like the easiness between them. The trust they both want and need. It’s building nicely. My total words – 32,923. I need about 17K to make the 50K minimum I have.
I’m pretty sure I’m going over that number but I at least feel like I have a handle on this book now. The heat is ramping up but I think the sex will be sensual and drawn out to enhance pleasure for both of them. I want to step away from the expected. I actually have two scenes in mind.
I have ideas bouncing around in my head and I can’t wait to write more. But it’s getting late. While I have tomorrow off, I still have to be up early. I hope tomorrow afternoon I’ll be able to write more. I know what the next scene will be, maybe the next two or three scenes.
I’ve found the words. Now I need time to write them all down. I love writing!
So I set a goal of 5000 a night. So I could finish this book in a week. I’ve done that before so I know I can do it. The question is will I have time to do it.
So far – nope. Since the first, I’ve written 3903 words, bringing my total to just under 22K. Normally when I’m writing, I’m thinking about the story in odd moments. If I do this next, then… or what option do I have in this situation. My brain is all about the what ifs. With this one, I’m not thinking about it.
My day job has been particularly busy and I’ve been working on a ton of different things. This means I don’t have a lot of time for running scenarios. I’m busy from start of day to end of day. After work, I’m dealing with family stuff… mostly right now it’s all about the renovation going on. But there are other things, like paying the bills and making doctor’s appointments and checking with the family on certain things.
Then it’s supper and a bit of family time and then writing. Normally, they scatter after about 8 pm which leaves me a good 3 to 4 hours to write. Not this week. Reno discussions are ongoing. I’m not getting to write until 10 or 11 pm.
Now without thinking about the story during the day, I would normally not know what to write. This hasn’t been the case. I open my file and think – this isn’t going to go well. But it does. In a little over an hour, I wrote 2461 words. The scene which I’ve been writing in bits, just came together.
I just need a lot more hours like that. A lot!!! I’ve got my main couple meeting. He’s pursuing her and she’s enjoying being pursued. They had a minor… not tiff but misunderstanding maybe… and she clarified a boundary for herself. No big fight, no drama – at least at this point. They’ve done a few things together… had breakfast after her overnight shift… babysat his nieces and nephews… and now she’s picked out two cats. I’ve thrown in some scenes from her work and some of his. Oh and something that is going to lead to an actual disagreement.
The thing is – I normally know which direction my stories are going but with this one… I still have two scenes in my head but other than those two, I’m clueless. Well at least until I pull up the file and start typing. Apparently my characters are being closed mouthed about the story until I’m actually working on the story. Annoying and yet, I’m enjoying the process.
Next up…. huh, normally I’d give some ideas but I have no ideas. I guess I’ll see when I get to the computer next. At least I’m having forward movement, not quite as much as I would like but forward movement.
Estelle Pettersen is an Australian author and former journalist whose romance stories explore empowerment, freedom, and finding one’s strength. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Journalism and Psychology, from the University of Queensland, Australia. Her second degree is an MBA from Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She is a member of Romance Writers of Australia and is passionate about history, languages, cultures, traveling, food, and wine. She is happily married and living in Norway these days.
Blurb
After five years of living in London, Olivia Bertrand returns home to Roma, in western Queensland, Australia, only to literally bump into sexy ex-football player Jack McCullen.
Close friends since early childhood, Olivia has always had a crush on Jack but was too shy to admit it. Having been through failed relationships and life changes, both realize that they want each other more than ever. Now, they’re only one step closer to taking their friendship to the next level.
Are Olivia and Jack ready to completely let go of the past for a wild ride ahead? Will they finally admit their love for each other, or will they go their own separate ways? Find out in this sweet and sensual erotic romance of friends to lovers in an Australian country town.
Excerpt
I knew where we were heading when I recognized a large sign on the old road to the McCullens’ cattle farm about twenty minutes later. Jack parked in front of a magnificent, high-set Queenslander home. It was built of timber, raised off the ground, with a corrugated iron roof and a spacious veranda. The front lawn was a gardener’s delight, with outback flora and an old eucalyptus tree, where Jack and I had carved our initials when we were about nine years old.
“I haven’t been to your house for a while,” I commented as we walked up the steps. “I’ll get a chance to see your mum and dad and say hello.”
“They’re visiting some relatives in Toowoomba this weekend, so it’s just us tonight,” Jack replied, then cleared his throat. “Come over for dinner next Sunday arvo. They’d love to see you.”
“Sure,” I said, stealing a glance at Jack’s athletic physique. “Does that crazy bush turkey still visit your backyard?”
Jack released a light chuckle, then tilted his head and flashed his megawatt smile. “Did you miss Fred?”
“He was a real nutter, that one! Fred would’ve made a good Christmas meal.”
“Fred disappeared shortly after you nicked off to the other side of the world. He’s never come back.”
“Well, good riddance!” I smiled, feeling the warmth of Jack’s body as he stepped closer toward me.
“Ah, you miss him,” Jack murmured, cupping my face with his rough, warm hands. He was right. I missed that crazy, feathered bundle of insanity, who was part of the McCullen farm. However, it was Jack who I craved—I felt his warm, minty breath on my neck as we stood in front of the door in heated silence.
“Livvy, there’s something I’ve wanted to do with you for a long time,” he confessed, pulling me tightly into him.
“I wanted it too,” I whispered, inhaling his spiced, woody aftershave. My fingers trembled as they touched his tanned face and traced the tip of his aquiline nose, down to his soft lips.
“Will you kiss me?” Jack’s deep ocean eyes begged mine.
Nancy Golinski is an American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer. She has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and has been a college professor for over 15 years. She is passionate about health and fitness and empowers women to make healthy choices. She is also a romantic at heart and writes romance fiction novels. She is married and lives in a small town in Ohio, close to Amish country. When she’s not writing, you can find her at the theatre or hiking one of Ohio’s many nature trails.
Blurb
When Jessica Thomas moves back home, sparks fly between her and childhood friend, Spencer Campbell. Jess can easily see herself settling down with a man like Spencer, but he’s married, and she’s no home-wrecker. She vows to keep her distance, but then an epic snowstorm throws them together. Can their friendship survive? More importantly, can they handle the consequences of that snowy night?
Alice lives in London, UK, with her husband and son. By day she’s a compliance manager for a pharmaceutical company. By night she writes fantasy romance about shape shifting mermen, water monsters and time-travelling witches. Her first book, “A Merman’s Choice,” was published in January 2019 by Black Velvet Seductions. It is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. The second and third books, “Music for a Merman,” and “Mermaids Marry in Green,” are out now. Alice has also contributed short stories for the BVS anthologies “Mystic Desire” and “Desire Me Again,” both available now, and “Cowboy Desire,” on pre order now, release date 1 April. Alice loves reading and writing stories, and sharing them with anyone who’s interested!
Space Cowboy Blues
Josh is a space cowboy. His job? Taming alien species. But on the blue planet Albastra, the beautiful Melynas is more than a match for him. He’d love to get close to her… but everything on Albastra is lethal to humans. Including her!
MERMAIDS MARRY IN GREEN – “Exciting, adventurous, swimming in passion…” Goodreads & Bookbub 5 STAR REVIEWSMUSIC FOR A MERMAN – 5 STAR REVIEWSA MERMAN’S CHOICE – 5 STAR REVIEWS
R.M. Olivia likes her writing hot and her characters even hotter. In case you couldn’t guess, she writes erotica and erotic romance. Where does she get her ideas? She credits her muse for whispering in her ear and pouncing on her keyboard. She gives her utmost gratitude to this little vixen of creativity. She believes in letting her passions be her guide and in throwing caution to the wind. R.M. Olivia does not discriminate in her choice of characters or story lines. Keep reading, keep loving, and keep dreaming.
Riva Stewart is living her very own nightmare when she flees her abusive boyfriend. In a twist of fate, a broken down car places her in the path of two very hot cowboy mechanics. Now only question is which man does she want more? How about both?
Cowboy Desire is an eclectic assortment of short stories.
It includes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and even outer space romance, Cowboy Desire offers fourteen stunning short stories.
These fourteen authors provide a range of sweet to sexy stories all with a Western cowboy theme. They feature strong men and women battling the weather and dangerous terrain, here on earth and in outer space.
The collection is as diverse as the authors who wrote them. Here’s a chance to discover new talented authors and the characters they create. Within these pages, there are blends of tender, often moving, thought-provoking and downright sexy stories.
Daisy O’Reilly will someday inherit a prosperous ranch…
But what she desires even more than wealth is to marry the man she loves, and to start a family. But Life, it seems, has a way of ruining even the best-laid plans. As Daisy’s dreams of motherhood slip away from her, it also seems likely that her beau Orion might disappear just as strangely as he appeared – on the night of a strange astronomical phenomenon.
Daisy thought she was riding straight towards her ‘happily ever after’. Now she’s not so sure. Will Orion make her into the wife, the mother that she wants to be…?
Or will the stars reclaim him as abruptly as they sent him?
General Description
Cowboy Desire
Cowboy Desire is an eclectic assortment of short stories.
It includes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and even outer space romance, Cowboy Desire offers fourteen stunning short stories.
These fourteen authors provide a range of sweet to sexy stories all with a Western cowboy theme. They feature strong men and women battling the weather and dangerous terrain, here on earth and in outer space.
The collection is as diverse as the authors who wrote them. Here’s a chance to discover new talented authors and the characters they create. Within these pages, there are blends of tender, often moving, thought-provoking and downright sexy stories.
Among a group of humans, Mae must hide her true self in order to avoid a lifetime of horrors. She must escape from the hyena shifters who plan to sell the humans for hunting. But how can she overpower a cackle of hyena shifters. Good at hunting they are persistent and once they get her scent, they won’t stop until they catch their prey.
Chance grabbed with the other humans wants to put a stop to the hyena shifters but can’t take his focus off the beautiful Mae. He knows she’s not human but he cannot tell what she is. As they work together to reach safety, Chance cannot resist a bit of flirting as he’s drawn to her. She’s a puzzle and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding.
Will Chance and Mae escape the hyenas? If they do, will they be able to overcome old prejudices in order to be together?
I’ve got a short story up in this anthology! I’m so excited to join this really talented group of authors!
My story is Mail Order Mate
On a planet ravaged by death, Jack is left alone to raise her niece Molly after the rest of her family succumbs to a pandemic sweeping through several sectors of space. Jack lost her parents,, sister, two younger nieces, brother in law and fiancé. She struggles to run a ranch of jumbos, a mammal large enough to feed a family for a year. They provide milk, fiber for weaving, and meat. Too valuable to abandon, the ranchers on this planet need more hands to survive.
Ido with his brother Gwan and his mate Zira, an alien race newly discovered, escape an overcrowded planet in the hopes of a better life. He’s drawn to Jack but grief hangs heavy between them.
Can the green horns adapt to ranch life? Will Jack put her past to rest and love again?
Here’s the overall description of the book:
Cowboy Desire
Cowboy Desire is an eclectic assortment of short stories.
It includes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and even outer space romance, Cowboy Desire offers fourteen stunning short stories.
These fourteen authors provide a range of sweet to sexy stories all with a Western cowboy theme. They feature strong men and women battling the weather and dangerous terrain, here on earth and in outer space.
The collection is as diverse as the authors who wrote them. Here’s a chance to discover new talented authors and the characters they create. Within these pages, there are blends of tender, often moving, thought-provoking and downright sexy stories.
