Nothing like a great summer road trip. Yesterday we drove 13 hours across the prairies from Winnipeg to Calgary. There were a lot of things to see and do along the way but this trip we were on a mission to get to Calgary as quickly as we could for a family wedding this weekend. Our only three stops for gas, food and bathroom breaks were Regina, Swift Current and Medicine Hat.

Here's the inside of the van at 7:00 am as we set out:

Here's the Saskatchewan border








Inside the van at 11:00 am






And what is this? Snow on the prairies in the middle of July?? No! It is salt! This is Chaplin, Saskatchewan.


Many people talk about how boring it is driving across the prairies, with nothing but flat open spaces, but I actually love it. I find the prairies so open and vast, stretching miles and miles in every direction around you. It's not completely flat - there are rolling hills here and there and there is a subtle beauty in the muted colors of gold and green and grayish sage. Occasionally there are fields of bright gold canola and the roadside is lined with yellow daisy-like wildflowers.The sky is enormous overhead and you really get a sense of what a tiny speck we are on this planet, in our van on the highway that stretches miles and miles in front of us and behind us in smooth ribbons. We left in sunshine; drove through overcast skies; more sunshine; a torrential downpour; more sunshine; another downpour with a wicked thunderstorm happening in the distance with lightning and black clouds.

On the way home we'll have a little more time to stop and see more sights.

Besides reading and writing, one of the things I like to do is garden. We've been having a bit of a heat wave here and my flowers are all growing like crazy. I was so impressed with some of my pots I decided to take some pictures and show everyone. Now, I am not a very good photographer so these could probably be a lot better but here goes:

My husband the professional photographer would be horrified by the flare in the back there and I don't know what's going on with that blurry spot on the deck, but oh well. This sweet potato vine is growing like crazy. There's also million bells, petunias and verbena in there.

Another bad job with the flare of the sun off the white wall. One of my window boxes.

I LOVE how this pot turned out! I love how the brown spike, the bronze sweet potato vine and the bronze leaves of the begonias all go so well together. There's also a lime sweet potato vine and a geranium with lime green leaves. I don't even know the name of it, I bought it on a whim because it was pretty and different, and now it's HUGE.

This is my mandevilla.It loves the heat and is climbing high.

I love the weathered look of the terra cotta pot that has developed over the years. Just a simple gernium but it's so pretty.

Today is release day for Power Shift!  Read more about Gabe and how my tortured hero tortured me at Nine Naughty Novelists. Here, I’m going to talk a little about the power exchange or...as it happens in my book, a power shift.

I’m fascinated by the whole idea of the power exchange and who really has control in a relationship. Gabe is a Dominant, who wants to be in control. Has to be in control. It’s often felt that it is really the submissive who has the power, because she (and I say she only because my story features a male Dom/female sub) gives the power to the Dom. If the submissive doesn’t submit, the Dom can’t dominate. But even so, there can’t be submission unless the Dom uses the power. So it’s not just one giving something to the other—it’s an exchange.

I came across this song as I was writing Power Shift. In fact, in the opening scene at le Chateau, I mention the music of Depeche Mode playing and this is the song. You can listen to it here (and I totally suggest you listen to it when you read that scene for the full effect!) but I’m including the lyrics because I think they’re fascinating. If you try to figure out who’s talking, is it the Dom or the sub? Really, it could be either. Because it’s about an exchange of power.

Depeche Mode I Am You Lyrics

Translation in progress. Please wait...

Songwriters: GORE, MARTIN LEE

You have bound my heart with subtle chains
So much pleasure that it feels like pain
So entwined now that we can't shake free
I am you and you are me

No escaping from the mess we're in
So much pleasure that it must be sin
I must live with this reality
I am yours eternally

There's no turning back
We're in this trap
No denying the facts
No, no, no
No excuses to give
I'm the one you're with
We've no alternative
No, no, no

Dark obsession in the name of love
This addiction that we're both part of
Leads us deeper into mystery
Keeps us craving endlessly

Strange compulsions that I can't control
Pure possession of my heart and soul
I must live with this reality

I am you and you are me
I am you and you are me
I am you and you are me
I am you and you are me

There's no turning back
We're in this trap
No denying the facts
No, no, no
No excuses to give
I'm the one you're with
We've no alternative
No, no, no

In other stories I`ve written about the power exchange (that was actually supposed to be the title of Taming Tara, but someone had already used it  ) the characters are clearly defined, Dom and sub. And in Power Shift, Gabe is most certainly Dominant. But for the first time I explored a Dom who needs to give up control.

The exchange of power is based on mutual trust and respect. Part of that respect is respecting the partner’s fears and doubts, needs and wants. It’s about connecting on a different level. In Power Shift, Reagan has an instinctive sense for what Gabe wants and needs. But Gabe is in denial. Gabe believes he has to be in control, always, and he refuses to give it up to Reagan. For a Master Dom, Gabe still has much to learn. As he says, the journey never ends. Gabe learns that there will be times when Reagan needs and wants to submit to him, to give up control. But there will also be times when she needs to take control, when he needs to shift the power to her. Does he need to give up the power —or does she need to take it?

The fluidity of this in a relationship where both partners are in tune with each other’s needs and wants struck me as a power flow. This endless flow of back and forth, giving and receiving, seemed to me more like a shift of power than an exchange. When both partners are open to each other, when they care and trust and respect each other, they know what the other needs and want to give it. Or take it. And if there’s love and commitment, trust and respect, it will balance and shift back and forth.

Here are two short excerpts from Power Shift. The first is Reagan submitting, because that’s what Gabe needs at that moment:

She followed him willingly, knowing what was going to happen, wanting what was going to happen, but unsure of exactly how it was going to happen. Nerves rippled inside her and uncertainty slid down her spine. She was still confused about what had occurred at her apartment, how one minute he’d been all into it and the next pulling away, and then he’d turned all alpha and had basically fucked her brains out on her couch.

Whoa. She went all warm and liquid inside remembering. Even though it hadn’t been tender, it had still been damn hot. And she’d felt the need inside him, driving him, the need for utter control when she could see how out of control his world was feeling. So she’d given it to him, given him what she sensed he’d needed. It made her heart squeeze for him. Which was why she was there. Though she worried a little for herself, she had to do this...for him.

And here’s another excerpt where she needs Gabe to give her the power:

The point was making him feel...something. Anything. Even mild pain was something and the fact that he’d submitted to this was the most important thing. That he’d trusted her, that he’d given this gift to her so she could in turn give it back to him.

Understanding washed over her, an instinctive comprehension of what had just happened, of the gift submission was that she could give to him, and the gift his domination was in return. Tears ran down her face and she dropped the belt and stepped up to him, pressing her body against his. She leaned over his back, wrapped her arms around his big chest and sobbed against him. “Gabe, oh my god, Gabe.”

He straightened immediately, loosened her arms around him and spun around, wrapping her up against his chest. He kissed her and his face was wet too, tears gleaming in the dark stubble on his jaw. Their mouths fused and she dug her fingers into his shoulders, into the back of his neck as she clung to him, tried to climb up on his body to get close enough.

When the kiss ended, she pressed her face to his neck, both of them still holding each other so fiercely she could hardly breath. “Are you okay?” she whispered.

 

As usual I’ll give away a free book to newsletter subscribers (including any new ones who join this week and leave a comment) 

Click to join KellyJamiesonnewsletter

Men have Movember – the month of November when they grow a moustache to raise funds and awareness for men’s health. Now we women have Julyna, a month for raising funds for the research and prevention of cervical cancer. But are women growing moustaches? Oh no... the idea for women is to choose a style for their hair “down there”. You can choose to leave it au naturel, select a design from their website or create your own.

 

The idea arose from a group of women wanting to do something similar to Movember. Apparently ideas that were ruled out were muffember, bevember, and vulvember. Eventually Julyna was arrived at.

It is hoped that the added attention drawn below the belt will inspire women to take care of this area in other ways, i.e. through scheduled Pap tests or by discussing the HPV vaccine with their family doctors.

Of course this begs the question, how will people know? It’s quite obvious when men are growing moustaches, but how will people know if women are supporting Julyna by styling their er...muff?

The article I saw about this in the newspaper had indicated that there would be a pin you could wear if you were participating, but when I visited the Julyna website I didn’t find anything about that. 

I certainly support the cause and trying to raise awareness and funds for cervical cancer. I definitely support the idea of women having regular Pap tests and my daughter did get the HPV vaccine. But despite the fact that I write romance and include some pretty explicit sex scenes, I’m not sure that I’m comfortable going around advertising how I’ve groomed myself down there.  How about you?

Do you think blogging is falling by the wayside in favour of other types of social networking?  

I have to admit I’ve gotten out of my blog schedule. For a while I was pretty good about keeping my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule. Mondays I’d talk about my writing. Wednesdays I’d talk about what I’m reading. Friday’s would be various things, sometimes little excerpts or sneak peeks of coming books or news about new contracts.

But I haven’t had much good to say about my writing lately and I hate to write negative whiny blog posts. I keep track of what I’m reading on Goodreads, so if anyone’s interested in what I read, you can find me there. The Friday excerpts and news are still good. 

I do love Twitter. It’s short. It’s immediate. It’s interactive. It’s fun. Yes, I sometimes feel constrained by those 140 characters, but you can link to longer things if you like. Facebook – I’m still on the fence about. I like it for some things, but I have to admit to frustration about the changes they make without telling people. I find Twitter easier to interact with people because I can make lists, where in Facebook I can’t and it seems hit or miss if I actually connect with people. 

So maybe it’s time to rethink the blogging thing. 

I’m going to try to post a weekend blog with bits and pieces of things I’ve been thinking about during the week. It might be my writing. It might be articles I’ve read or other blog posts. It might be personal things. It might be things I’ve already Tweeted about or put on Facebook but can talk about at more length. It might be news about covers, releases, excerpts. But I’ll try to do a post every weekend. 

I also haven’t ruled out the idea of another serial story on my blog. I’ve done that twice before and readers seemed to like that. So stay tuned about that. Also I’ll still be blogging with the Nine Naughty Novelists every couple of weeks and we have a GREAT serial story there too! 

So...come follow me on Twitter. We have fun there! And I’m on Facebook and I’ll try to be there more often too. And I’m keeping my reading list updated on Goodreads. And check back here on weekends! There are lots of ways for us to connect!

I have a cover and a release date for Power Shift!

Power Shift will be out JULY 13.

I also did a trailer for Power Shift. I didn't plan to, it just kind of...happened. This is the firs time I've done a trailer using small quote from the book to tell the story rather than a "blurb".  You can see it here.

Here's the blurb and a sneak peek excerpt:

Gabe’s lifestyle as a Master Dom is leaving him empty and cold. Everything else in his life seems to be falling apart too. Taking a break from the BDSM scene seems like a good idea—until he meets the perfect submissive.

Reagan has started a new life as a strong, independent woman. The last thing she wants is to be trapped in another controlling relationship. Letting a dominant man like Gabe into her life could cost her everything she’s worked so hard for. But Reagan sees the emotions Gabe is keeping locked up inside, and somehow she knows how to unlock those feelings.

Gabe is determined to never lose control, show weakness, or reveal the secrets he’s hiding . But the lust he shares with Reagan breaks through his walls. Faced with a bleak, lonely future or shattering those barriers permanently, he must somehow find the strength to let himself be vulnerable so he can experience the joy and sweetness of love.

EXCERPT:

She arrived back precisely on time, an hour pretty much to the damn minute, and he grabbed his camera and his laptop.

“Do you want me to drive?” she asked.

“No.” He would drive. That road through San Marcos Pass was insane and there was no way he was riding as a passenger with someone whose driving skill he had no knowledge of or confidence in. “My vehicle’s right over here.” He led her to his old Jeep.

“I don’t mind driving.”

He stopped dead. Turned and looked at her. “Do you have to argue with everything I say?”

She blinked at him. “I’m not arguing. I merely said I don’t mind driving.”

“You’re doing it again!”

She stared at him, her pretty lips pressed together. Her caramel-colored eyes flashed sparks. “What do you want from me?” she asked coolly. “Do you want me to lie down and roll onto my back like a submissive dog?”

Oh hell, she did not just say that. He stared at her, taking in the pulse fluttering beneath the thin tender skin of her throat, the flicker of her eyes.

“You’d like me to just agree with everything you say, wouldn’t you?” she continued. “Just defer to you on every decision, no doubt. Let you control when our meetings are, where our meetings are and who should drive.”

Uh, yeah. That was what he wanted. He wanted control. He was the Master Dom of Le Château and he set the scene.

But this wasn’t a scene, and he’d walked away from all that until he got his head on straight.

He sucked in a long breath, breaking eye contact with her for a brief pause. He was acting like an idiot, yet again. Gathering up all his self-control he looked back at her. He smiled reluctantly. “Yeah,” he said. “That’s pretty much what I want.”

Several beats of tense silence passed. And then she smiled too. “Well, at least you’re honest.”

Last night something really good happened.

Heh.

I was having a bath, reading a book, and my mind kept wandering from the book to my own WIP.

That hasn't happened for a long time.

Since Friday morning I've written about 8000 words and that hasn't happened for a long time either.

As I was reading, I kept thinking about my characters and what they believe in and some things that are going to cause problems for them, and that made more more excited to keep working on the story so I can find out how they deal with those problems  :-) And that makes me feel so good because I haven't been that excited about a WIP for quite a while.

Okay I don't know if I ever did a sneak peek for this book - Power Shift. I think I was waiting for the contract to get all signed and sealed but we had a small problem due to the postal strike here and I ended up having to resend it to the Ellora's Cave office. I don't have my copy back yet, but apparently it arrived and we've already started edits, so I think we're good to go!

This could be Gabe

The hero of Power Shift is Gabe Pejovic. You may remember him from Power Struggle -- he was the Master Dom of Le Chateau who was Tori's play partner and then helped her and Dev figure things out. A number of readers and reviewers commented that he should have his own story, and I thought so too, so this is it!

I'll write more about this book closer to release (the date of which I do not know, but I expect it won't be too long) but for now here's a tiny unedited excerpt:

The bathroom door opened and light spilled briefly into the room before he flicked the light off and walked back toward her. He was incredibly beautiful, big, strong, his body perfect-male shaped, wide at the shoulders, narrow at the hips. His face was in shadow as he approached her and she watched, made herself sit still despite all her confusion and misgivings.

“I’m sorry,” he said, stopping in front of her.

She had to force herself not to stare at his groin, which was where she wanted to look. Even unaroused, he was impressive, his cock resting on his testicles, still thick and beautiful. She tilted her head back and met his eyes.

“You don’t have to apologize,” she said. “But you could tell me what happened.”

His mouth tightened just slightly, his face drawn into austere lines. “It’s nothing.”

“Oh Gabe.” She reached for his hand, so big, calloused on the palms, rough on the fingertips, so masculine and strong. She pulled him forward and he sat beside her. “Just talk to me. Tell me what you were feeling. You know...” She hesitated.

“What?”

“I could take it personally. I could think that you had big regrets about sleeping with me.”

“Christ no!” His shock reassured her, gave her confidence to push forward.

“But you can see why I might think that.” She still held his hand, in both hers, rubbing her thumbs over the back of it.

He sighed.

“So for that reason alone, I deserve to know it wasn’t me,” she continued. “Right?”

“Oh Reagan.” He sighed. “There are thing about me...you don’t want to know.”

“Oh.” She considered that. Truthfully, she didn’t need anyone else’s crap dumped on her. She had enough of her own. And yet...she’d found an amazing way of dealing with her own problems had been by helping others. And also...she found she wanted to know. And wanted to make things better for him. Was this one more challenge in her journey? “So did I just sleep with a psycho? Or is it your midlife crisis again?”

He choked on a laugh and her insides warmed that she’d made him do that. “I’m not a psycho, but I am a bit fucked up.”

She sighed. “Jeez, Gabe, aren’t we all?”

I so wish I had a WIP to tell you about. Really in a bit of a slump here. It's not like I haven't been working mind you...last weekend I did some brainstorming with a couple of the Nine Naughty Novelists and I was excited to get started but then I got first round of edits from one editor, and cover art forms to complete from another editor (my goodness these are time consuming and brain-straining!).

The last two months have been a real challenge for me as an author. When an author says that, you can figure it is:


a. Bad review(s)
b. Rejection(s)
c. Writer's block.
d. All of the above.

When I have one of those times where I feel like I'll never be able to write again, my husband just rolls his eyes, because it's happened so many times and I always do. So hopefully...this too shall pass!

It's been a great week! Three of my books were reviewed at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews - all of them wonderful reviews! Check them out:  Sexpresso Night, Taming Tara and Rigger.

Also  - another contract offer!! This means I now have three more books "coming soon" so I'm really happy about that.  As usual, I don't like to share details until all is signed and sealed so stay tuned, but I will share a little sneak peek excerpt from Rule of Three (and can I just add, after the contract offer I reread this book, and it is HOT!):

            Then Chris was striding toward them, joining them on the dance floor. He pressed against her back, his erection hard against her, and nuzzled her neck. The three of them danced together, hard bodies pressed against her front and back.

            Chris pulled her hair aside to mutter in her ear. “That was so fucking sexy.” She pressed her ass back against him, tightened her fingers on Dag’s shoulders.

            “Your girlfriend is hot, Chris,” Dag said.

            “I know.”

            The music picked up pace again and they continued dancing, still close, just changing the tempo. Heat sizzled up and down Kassidy’s spine and she felt hypnotized by the beat of the music, the hot desire of two men, lost in the utter sensuality of it. She lifted one arm above her head and hooked it around Chris’s neck, four hands on her body. Her breasts swelled and her nipples tingled. She ached to be touched there.

            By the time they decided to leave the dance floor, every nerve ending in her body was on fire, sizzling and snapping with sexual tension.

            The three of them sat on the couch side by side again, damp with perspiration and a little breathless. Some of their friends had already left, others had disappeared perhaps into the crowd on the dance floor, and they were alone. Chris set his hand on her bare thigh and picked up his drink with his other hand.

            “I should get going,” Dag said. “I’ll come by for my car tomorrow.”

            “Why don’t you just stay at our place again?” Chris said. “Saves you a trip tomorrow.”

Kassidy’s blood surged in her veins, hot and scary, as she waited for Dag’s response. A response that seemed...significant. Weighty. A response that took forever.

            “Okay,” Dag finally said.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Lost and Found

by Kelly Jamieson

Giveaway ends June 07, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I just finished reading My One and Only by Kristan Higgins. I'd reviewed a review of this book that wasn't so great, and I was worried that maybe there was a Kristan Higgins book I wouldn't like. But I'm happy to say that was not the case! Also happy I didn't let that review turn me off of reading this.

This book has all the usual humor and quirky charactes of a Kristan Higgins book, but I'm a sucker for a reunion story. I'm also a really big sucker for a story where the hero falls in love with the heroine at first sight and loves her forever. He knew the moment he met her he would marry her and he did. Their marriage didn't last, and I could see how they both contributed to that, and also how they were both in denial about their role in the breakdown. I loved Nick and I loved how her loved Harper.

I just started reading The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis, which as it turns out, is another reunion story!

For this Friday sneak peek I'm thrilled to announce that I've signed a new contract with Samhain Publishing!  One Wicked Night will be out...well, I don't know when, but I'll announce the release date as soon as I do. So here's the blurb and a tiny, totally unedited excerpt:


If she's going to risk it all to be bad, it better be good... 

Ten years ago, Kaelin spent a hot, steamy summer home from college, hanging out secretly with her best friend’s younger brother, the town bad boy Tyler Wirth, and his best friend Nick. She thought she was falling in love until she walked in on Tyler, Nick and another girl in a shocking scene of ménage sex and bondage. That scene has haunted her safe, predictable life ever since.  

The fallout from that night tore Tyler’s life apart and he left Mapleglen in disgrace, disowned by his parents. He’s made a life for himself now in Chicago, with a successful advertising career and a unique and complicated relationship with Nick.

Now Tyler’s sister, Kaelin’s best friend, is getting married. The last thing Tyler wants to do is go home to Mapleglen, but his sister wants him there for her wedding. Kaelin doesn’t want to see Tyler or Nick again. Tension is high in the Wirth home, with undercurrents of secrets, sins and sex. But when Kaelin gets fed up with her good girl reputation and, in a crazy act of rebellion, spends one wicked night with Tyler and Nick, the web of secrets starts to unravel ― and none of their lives will ever be the same.

 Excerpt:

Tyler automatically lifted a hand to his smarting cheek and rubbed it, stunned into speechlessness. Kaelin stood there, big brown eyes wide, mouth in an O of horror.  The chatter of the guests faded into silence, only the faint saxophone strains of the jazz CD playing quietly on the outdoor speakers drifting on the evening air.

            Jesus fucking Christ. She did not just do that.

            The two of them stared at each other, the air around them hot enough to burst into flames.

            “Omigod,” she said. She closed her eyes. Opened them. “Omigod.”

            She turned as if she was going to run, and he reached out and grabbed her upper arm. “Oh no you don’t,” he said through gritted teeth, heat still stinging his face.

            “Tyler.” His mother appeared at his side and he became aware of everyone around them, gawking at them as if they were a car wreck on the freeway. Shit. He glanced at his mom, took in the tightening of her mouth, the snapping in her eyes. “What are you doing?” She hissed the words out quietly.

            What was he doing? What the fuck? He was the one who just got decked!

            Nick appeared now, too, calm, controlled. He looked back and forth between him and Kaelin.

            “I am so sorry,” Kaelin whispered to Tyler’s mom. “I didn’t intend to cause a scene.”

            Mom looked at Kaelin. “What did he say to you?”

            Kaelin just stared back at her and shook her head. “It...it wasn’t his fault,” she finally stammered, shocking Tyler. His mom cast a look of disbelief his way. Of course it was his fault. It was always his fault.

            “I’m outta here,” he muttered, trying to push his way past Nick. “Let’s go.”

With apologies to Beth Kery, I had to put her book on hold because last week was the release of Old Sins, Long Shadows by PG Forte. I've been waiting for this follow up to In The Dark for a long time and I couldn't wait to read it! I think I was even more eager after reading a little teaser PG sent me last year, a scene that she knew was going to really get me (and it did!).

This story moves from 15th Century Spain to present day San Franciso and back again. I loved reading the beginning of Damien and Conrad's love story and agonized for both of them, for the miscommunications and pride and hurt that keeps them apart when they so clearly love each other.

There are still secrets to be revealed and love to be found. I cried for Marc, near the end, but I love how he is changing and maturing. I sense there is a bigger role for him coming up in this vampire war -- and I can't wait to read more!!

Since I don't have much to talk about in terms of a WIP (I spent the last week polishing some finished mansucripts and doing research for an idea I have) let's talk about hockey. Or rather, hockey players!

I've been watching the Vancouver-Nashville series and the Vancouver player who's really been playing well is Ryan Kesler. So let's have a look at Ryan Kesler.

Alas, Ryan is not a Canadian hockey player, which the majority of NHL player are. He was born August 31, 1984, in Livonia, Michigan. He began his first professional season here in my home city Winnipeg with the Manitoba Moose, the Canuck's AHL farm team, but not for long, as he was recalled by the Canucks in November and made his NHL debut on November 24, 2003.

Holding his daughter...aw!

In this series against Nashville, two goals on Saturday, and five goals and four assists in the last four games have people talking Conn Symthe trophy.

If you didn't see this earlier this week, check out the review I got for my book Love Me at Dear Author. The review sparked a little discussion there, which is always good! Love Me was the first book I sold and the first book I published so it's a thrill to get such a good review for it at Dear Author!

AND...this week is the launch of the next serial story from Nine Naughty Novelists!! Check out Love's Savage Whiplash...warning! Do not consume beverages while reading! Spew alert!

There's a contest, too! Find out more here!

This week I finished Sweet Possession by Maya Banks. Great characters in this story. I liked how Connor has things pretty together and Lyric is the one with "issues". He's so steady and solid for her.

I just started reading Explosive by Beth Kery. I've wanted to get my hands on this book ever since it came out but it wasn't available to me at the Sony Store. But when I recently discovered the Kobo store, this was on my list!

After struggling with the spin off story I'd been working on, I set it aside and tried to figure out something else to work on. I have so many ideas, and some of them are spin off stories of books I've written but which haven't sold yet and I have to admit that I wonder if I should bother working on them until the first story sells. What if it never does sell? Spending all that time working on a spin off story would then be a total waste.

Of course I shouldn't have the idea in my head that my stories will never sell. But realistically that is a possibility.

So I started working on some ideas for completely new stories. I got a couple of flashes of inspriation, like for one example, I have the basic story idea but I needed careers for my hero and heroine, and they had to be just the right career - and then the idea hit me! It's going to take some research, and I have 3 books at the library to pick up to get started on that, but that's okay, I really love this idea!

Then as I was sitting on my deck in the sun Friday afternoon drinking a glass of wine, the idea hit me for the spin off story I'd been struggling with - the perfect solution! Why didn't I see that sooner! So now I have a few projects I'm excited about and want to work on and I have to narrow it down to one to focus on...which one will it be?

Hello Monday, and time to blog about my progress on my "work in progress" or rather, this week, LACK of progress. Actually I don't even have a WIP, unless you count the two manuscripts I started months ago and haven't gone back to.

I started working on a story idea for a spin-off story of a recently completed manuscript. I really want to write this story, I do, but...it's giving me a hard time. The funny thing is, I tried to do this once before - write a spin off story for a character who appeared in one of my books. The last time I did this, it was the story of Gabe, who appears in Power Struggle - the Master Dom who helps Tori and Dev figure things out. Many readers asked for his story, and I did plan to write it, but when I sat down to actually do it, it was really hard.

I wonder if it was hard because I had some parts of the story already predetermined, and also the character, so I may have felt a little constrained by the things already in place. For example, with Gabe - I knew he was a Master Dom who belonged to the club Le Chateau. I knew he had developed feelings for his play partner there, Tori, but he had to let her go when she fell in love with another man. I knew that Gabe had a difficult past and had tried to live a lie...but I didn't know exactly what that difficult past was.

I also had a hard time finding the right woman for Gabe. I went through several characters, developing them and then rejecting them as they weren't right for him. At one point, I envisioned him becoming involved with another couple and the story being a menage story...but that didn't work out either. I finally had to put Gabe's story aside for several months while I worked on other things, and then when I went back to it, I think I at last got it right.

Now I'm having the same problems with this story - I know some things about my character (his name is Dylan). I know he's been hurt by a woman and feels betrayed by his best friend. I know he's recently had an experience that threatens his career, which is all important to him. But as with Gabe's story, I can't seem to find quite the right woman for Dylan. And I can't seem to find the right reason to bring him home again after leaving, hurt and in pain.

So, as with Gabe's story, I may have to put this one aside for a while and work on something else. But this time I feel more confident that the perfect woman for Dylan will come to me, and so will Dylan's story.