So I’m in that place. I call it “the place” because I can’t think of a more precise term which captures the combination of anxiety and exhilaration that defines the last few days before I finish a project. In this case, the project is another novella, scheduled to be released by 1,001 Dark Nights in February of 2016. (If you don’t know what 1,001 Dark Nights is, here’s the short version: a monthly series of cross-marketed novellas from some of the top names in erotic romance.) It started out as another installment in my paranormal-ish, New Orleans-set series, The Desire Exchange, and about halfway through, it turned into something entirely different. Something not paranormal. Something Texas based. Something with a gorgeous cowboy (see above!) and the kind of fast-paced, snarky dialogue I love to write (and read). And yes, something straight. It introduces a fictional town in the Texas Hill Country called Chapel Springs, where I plan to set multiple snarky, sexy stories. And in this one, there are no magic candles or supernatural beings who can make your deepest sexual fantasy manifest in your immediate environment just by pressing their lips to yours. (For that, buy ‘Kiss The Flame’, out this November.)
About this straight business. Let me get something clear. Some people freaked on my Facebook page when they figured out my first erotic romance novella, ‘The Flame’, was going to have a lady in it. So what if the novella was essentially a bisexual ménage romance! They didn’t care. And I guess given their initial reaction, they didn’t bother to actually read the thing. ‘Cause if they had they would have discovered some serious man-on-man action within its pages. But that’s their choice. And guess what? Writing about heterosexual relationships is mine. If that bothers you, that’s fine. Don’t buy it. Don’t read it. But please, holster that wagging finger. I can think of so many better uses for it.
Let me be clear about something. My intention from the first moment I started writing romance was to create series universes (series universi?) in which I could depict all types of romantic configurations. That’s my plan for The Desire Exchange. That’s my plan for a little town in the Texas Hill Country called Chapel Springs. Forgive me if it all sounds excessive. But Kim Davis could be in jail for a long time. I have to give her something to read.
Point is, I’ve never been one of those people who says you can only write what you know. You start with a foundation of what you know, a layer of emotional authenticity you bring to the work. But you can write anything you feel. (Thanks to screenwriting guru Richard Krevolin for this last line, which I would love to claim as my own.) One of the great challenges of being a writer is stepping outside of yourself, of trying to hone your powers of empathy and compassion to create genuine and believable characters who aren’t exactly like you. Who don’t think exactly like you. Who don’t love exactly like you. This is, to my estimation, the very definition of writing.
Anyway, back to the “place”. The I’m-almost-finished-place. The anxiety-and-exhilaration-place. The way-too-much-caffeine place. That stretch of days where I decide after swearing off coffee forever after my last book tour that I should try some espresso again, just, to, you know, see if it still causes heart palpitations and dizzy spells, and oh, look, IT DOES! So I’m in that place. I’ve only got one thing scheduled this weekend. An appointment at my local Genius Bar for an iPhone that got all like, “I’m sorry. You want to do WHAT with this touchscreen?” And then that’s it. It’s all writing for the rest of the weekend, until this puppy is done! Wish me luck. With the phone and the novella. I think it’s a good one. The novella. Not the phone. The phone sucks right now.
Good luck, Christopher! Can’t wait to read the results.
Thanks, Scott. There are no yachts in this one, alas, but maybe next time.
Forget the shirtless pic- just show up on my doorstep with a signed copy of one of your books and be shirtless!! That’s not too much to ask!
Let’s see if I have enough airline miles to afford the ticket! ; )
Mr.Rice, you never cease to amaze me with your commentaries. I have a wonderful family of friends in which comedy is currency, and you, my dear, would be a billionaire! Thank you for always giving me a laugh, especially when most feeds make me want to cry ( or Hulk Smash depending on how insane it is). Looking forward to your finshed product! Much success, laughter, love and health, sir. 🙂
What a lovely note, Cindy. Thank you.
As an aspiring writer, these are the sort of stories that I love to hear about. I’m in the process of writing a mystery(and, okay, since I have the attention span of gnat, I sort of switch back-and-forth between the book and its sequel), and this is what I want to know. I won’t to know that a writer is jacked up on espresso and that the iPhone is a piece of crap. Not these “How-To” books that tell me that I have to have the murder in chapter four, etc. Thanks for the insight Christopher, it’s really appreciated!
Honestly, I love switching back and forth between several projects. For the most part, I do it for stretches of several days. But there have been rare instances where I’ve worked on two different projects in the same day. I think it’s great fun to be “developing” future writing projects while adding to the word count of another.
I love all your books , The Flame was actually one of my favorites out of your novellas, The Snow Garden and The Vines are my favorite out of your novels I’m looking forward to this new one, you’re a great writer and I look forward to stacking my book case with more of your books. Thank you for all the beautiful words.
Sound like an interesting read, as a Texas myself. I have enjoyed all you have done so far I am sure I will feel the same about this when it is done.
Thanks, James. My father’s entire side of the family hails from Texas. Texas is actually where my parents met as teenagers after my mother’s family moved out of New Orleans. As a child living in San Francisco, we spent summers at Cedar Creek Lake outside of Dallas, where my grandparents lived at the time. Coming from Northern California, it seemed magical to me, this idea that you could go outside and play in the rain because it was still warm. This particular novella I’m working on was inspired by a return trip to Dallas for the Romantic Times Booklover’s Convention this past April. But I’ve always had a connection to Texas.
Stepping outside of the box has yet to destroy a life, however stepping into the box, you have a 50/50 chance of survival. I think you should lay off the coffee and eat chocolate and drink wine because your soul is about to get HOT and heavy this weekend Woohoo yeah you go Christopher and can I be your beta reader on your exotica’s? I need to read these stories 🙂 hugs
…unless the box is filled with Eric’s cookies, in which case, stepping inside the box is a great idea.
I for one applaud you and I can’t WAIT to read what you have written. You write what comes to you, what inspires you and what those pesky characters in your head tell you to do. I have no doubt this series will be awesome! Congrats!!!
You are so sweet, Slick. I can’t thank you enough for all of your support.
Hey Christopher, getting this in before the writing marathon begins! Thanks for a great blog. Lots of giggles. And hey, remember to switch the cell [from sucking] to vibrate so you won’t be disturbed. And if a hot cowboy (who happens to be gay) wanders into Chapel Springs, write him in a side-trip to visit The Roundup in Dallas! Lots of hot (gay, shirtless, two-steppin’) cowboys there!
Happy writing!
I’ll make a note of that, Matthew. Thank you.
Love this. Christopher glad you linked it to face book . Eager to read this series
Thanks, Anthony. When I saw how much positive feedback my longer Facebook posts were getting, I decided to try my hand at blogging again.
You are a literary genius and true testament to your talented profession. And you are committed to your own style and make no excuses for it to those question your actions. You are REAL!! And, oh yeah, Goodlooking!
*blushes*
Great pick to use Colin Wayne as your hot cowboy Christopher! I’m looking forward to a new story from you.
Ha! I just did a Google search for ‘hot cowboy’ and he was one of the first images to come up. But I see he’s got quite a resume as a fitness model.
https://instagram.com/colinwayne1/