Music Monday

The moment I started writing about a secret affair between two beautiful men this song became even more special to me. I like the Glee version more than I do the original, but I've always loved the lyrics. And what do you know, they are the perfect set up for that secret place where my guys used to meet.  

Visual Inspiration Friday

Today's image got my creative juices flowing for the short story I am working on, as it is a perfect depiction of both my characters and the place where their affair began. I now have names and a solid plot with room for a sequel and better yet, I am excited to write it and see where it leads.

Chapter One, here we go...

May I have your attention, please...

Blogger is being a pain and for whatever reason is not showing my followers. If you were one of them, could you please follow the blog again? Hopefully that will take care of the problem.

Thanks!

Hot July Days

Gorgeous picture, isn't it? It grabbed my attention the moment I saw it, and although I had decided not to participate in this particular event, I changed my mind in a second when I realized the image had not been taken yet and I had the opportunity to give these guys a Happily Ever After. 

Hot July Days M/M Style is a wonderful event taking place at the Goodread's M/M Romance Group where authors will write stories inspired by pictures posted by other members of the group. If you are not a member yet, I recommended you check them out. The people are nice and fun and the goodies (ie the pictures) are all kinds of sexy. Here's the link http://tinyurl.com/43xvx9n

My plan for today is to research, create profiles and background, plot and outline. I really want to keep the story under 15,ooo words and considering I have a tendency to go for longer arcs, I know it will take some serious concentration and maneuvering to achieve my goal.

Visual Inspiration Friday

Okay, I will fess up. More than inspiration, this picture represents a fantasy of mine. I have had the biggest fascination *cough* crush on *cough* with X-Men's Gambit for as long as I can remember, and after seeing him interact with Logan the first time I watched the movie Wolverine, I haven't been able to stop thinking: "What if my Gambit got hot and heavy with Wolverine?" So you can imagine how did I react when I came across this picture I am about to share with you. Seriously, it got my creative juices flowing and my plot bunnies working like they had not been in a long time. Maybe some day I will take the time to write some fun Fanfic.

This is just amusing

Music Monday

There is something about this song that totally soothes me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I listen to it and just lose myself in the lyrics. Maybe it will have the same effect on you guys. Enjoy!

Snippet Sunday

Leeway

Part 1 

          Mathew Sanders stuck his head out of the cab's window and took a deep breath, smiling when the light fog tickled his nose and the damp wind filled his lungs. He had spent years dreaming of getting out of the small town he grew up in. Years looking forward to leave behind the mockery and disdain he had been a subject of from the moment the town folks noticed he was different... Years fearing he would get bullied or beat up to death before he managed to save enough money to buy a train ticket to Freedom and rent a cheap motel room until he was able to find a job.

        It took him three years longer than what he had planned on and countless hours of arduous work at the local mart, but he finally had enough to pack his bags and leave. He had done so in the middle of the night; not because he was afraid his family would try to stop him, but because he'd much rather not see the relief on their faces once they realize he was getting out of their way. His family had never been able to accept, or even understand, that his sexuality wasn't a reason for them to be ashamed of him.

         It was also midnight when he made it to his destination, but people were all over the place and the lights of the marquees and billboards all over Times Square made it as bright as the afternoon would be. Taking a cab was something he probably should not have splurged on but, not being familiar with the subway system, he had decided it would be safer if he had someone drive him to that cheap place he had booked online using the public library's computer back home. Besides, he wanted to experience this. He wanted to be able to see his Dream City in all its glory before the cab left it behind and took him to a part of town he was sure would be a far cry from the magic that was Manhattan.

          He knew it would take a while. That he would have to work his ass off before he could afford to even have dinner in the City, but some day he would.

           Step One: Get settled and find a job...

Visual Inspiration Friday

I absolutely love this picture, as it moves me deep within. Ten minutes after seeing it for the first time I went to write one of my best scenes to date, and all because of the tenderness captured in it that spoke volumes to me.

Inspiration is everywhere nowadays. I could be walking down the street to my very stressful job, mind occupied with all the things I need to do and the deadlines I must meet, and suddenly find myself shaping up a scene in my head after just glancing at something that got my muse going. I like that even more than when I sit down and create specific scenes. Also, I love the fact that the more I write, the easier it gets (for the most part). Hopefully I will still be saying the same when I am well into my tenth book :-)

By Degrees

For those of you who didn't know, By Degrees is the name of the  M/M contemporary fiction series that I am currently working on. Outlined to be four books long, it will cover not only the lives, love and tribulations of the characters, but several social issues as well.

From the first line I typed it has been my goal to explore certain topics and bring them to a conclusion that not only will make both my characters and readers happy, but also deliver a message of hope. Love might not conquer all, but it certainly gives us strength to continue fighting for what we want.

The inspiration came from everywhere. Friends, the news, the papers, the internet... And the more my characters grew, the louder their voices got. It's been an amazing, often frustrating, but highly satisfactory journey to tell their stories, and I hope many others will get to read about them soon enough.

Food for Thought

Yesterday I saw a video that gave me hope that maybe we will be seeing some progress regarding civil rights and equality for the gay community. I can't post it here, but basically, Representative Steve Simon asked fellow voters during a round to make constitutional amends in Minnesota the following:

        "How many more gay people does God have to create   

         before we ask ourselves whether or not God 

         actually wants them around?"                                                                                                                                                                                          

Sadly, nobody had an answer; but seriously... how many?