Friday, October 12, 2012

Full Term

Some authors often compare writing a story to having a baby.

I am one of them.

The original plot is like a fetus that I will grow and nurture in my wom— I mean, flash drive, until it has fully developed. The editing process is like going into labor, and after hours of sweating, cursing, and swearing not to ever write another word, the baby will come out and, hopefully, every organ — story line— and limb — characterization, setting and pacing— will be exactly how it should.

This year has not been easy for me, and quite frankly, I feel like I've been pregnant forever with twins named Six Degrees of Separation, and Disasterology 101. As many of you know, they were supposed to be born months ago, but alas, they refused to come out. I could have used forceps, but I chose to bear the pain —of disappointing my readers— and keep them inside for as long as needed over pushing them out too soon only to have them being deformed. 

Growing these babies has been an arduous labor of love, and several times I feared I wouldn't be able to carry them to term. I either didn't have the time, or the strength, but I did have a serious case of prepartum depression for quite some time. Needless to say, it was bad. But I am lucky. I have the best support system ever, and they held my hand while I pushed, took a breather, and pushed some more until finally the first baby was ready to come out.

I know you all have been waiting for my next story, and I can't even begin to tell you how much your patience and understanding means to me. I want to thank you for your emails and kind words, as they are the motivation I needed to see things through, and I promise you, I will make it up to you.

Six Degrees of Separation is still growing some limbs, and it'll be a few more weeks before I can give you guys any details, but progress has been made, and we're getting closer every day.

In the meantime, I want to share with you the blurb and ultrasound image of Disasterology 101, a story that holds a very special place in my heart.



Le Blurb:


Kevin Morrison had it all. A house he worked hard for, a loving wife, and three beautiful children. But it wasn’t until his marriage ended that he realized what the void he’d felt almost all his life meant. Coming out as a gay man at thirty-six is not an easy feat, but he is determined to be true to his heart. Meeting a man who shares his values, and is good with his children would be a bonus, but when the guy arrives in a uniquely wrapped package, and has very specific handling instructions, Kevin needs to decide if he’s up for that kind of love. 

Obsessed with order and symmetry, and a paralyzing fear of germs, Cedric Haughton-Disley has lived with isolation and loneliness as long as he can remember. Desperate to be normal, he makes some much-needed changes in his life. If he can commit to his treatment, he might very well be able to procure some quality of life… even if that’s all he can get, as finding love and having a relationship are only possible in Cedric’s wildest dreams. But when a chance encounter leaves Cedric wishing for more, he decides to take a leap of faith, and pursue the guy he wants.

Together the two men make an unlikely match. Cedric needs organization, and Kevin represents chaos.  In order to stay together they both need to compromise, but will they be able to deal with Cedric’s issues and the potential disaster, or let it break them apart?