Blog Hop - 4 Questions & a Tag

I’ve been tagged in a rolling meme blog post by Facebook friend and fellow writer Lily G Blunt. The idea is that I answer four questions about my writing and tag more fellow writers who pass on the torch in their turn. 

Lily G. Blunt writes contemporary gay romance and erotica. She loves to explore the relationship between two men and the intensity of their physical and emotional attraction. Angst often features in her stories as she feels this demonstrates the depth of the men’s feelings for each other. Lily is forever writing imaginary scenes and plots in her head, but only a few ever make it to the page—there never seems to be enough hours in the day despite having left the teaching profession to concentrate on her writing! 

Lily discovered the wonderful world of m/m romance novels four years ago via fan fiction and went on to write stories in her spare time. With the encouragement of her friends and readers she decided to publish some of her work. 

Lily has several self-published stories available on Amazon. She is also published with Torquere Press and has a new story coming soon in Wayward Ink's 'Love, Loss, Laughter and Lust' anthology. Easily distracted from her writing, Lily makes videos using clips from gay-themed movies and posts gorgeous pictures of men kissing or making out on her tumblr and Facebook pages. Lily is also an avid supporter of GLBTQ rights and advocates equality for all. 

Lily lives in central England with her rather bemused husband, two twenty-something children, and a ‘mad as a bag of frogs’ Shetland Sheepdog.

I've known Lily for some time now, and am a huge fan of her work!  I can't wait to read her next story, 'Paint the Sky'. Go check out her Amazon page for some amazing m/m stories HERE.




Van Gogh's painting, 'Starry Night' inspired 'Paint the Sky'
So without further ado, here are the questions and my answers.

What am I working on? 

I've just finished with the edits on my contribution to Wayward Ink Publishing's m/m Bollocks! Anthology, due to be released 5th June 2014.  I'm currently working on a m/m novella, His Personal Assistant, release date to be advised - so watch this space!

How does my work differ from others in my 

genre? 

I write romance with a little erotica thrown in, both m/m and het. Some have a supernatural flavor, some don't, but they all have a good smattering of UST. I most enjoy writing the story of how a couple meets and falls in love. As far as my work differing from others in my genre, as do all writers, I lend my own personal voice and life experiences to my stories, so that would make every writer out there unique, no?

Why do I write what I do?

I write what inspires me, and inspiration can strike from anywhere (and at any time - I have no idea how many times I'm in the shower and an idea hits). My novella, Heart of Glass came about when I saw a man standing at traffic lights, cleaning car windows. Couple that with spotting an old Mustang driving along the highway one morning, another story was born.
Real life experiences can make their way into my stories, and the exciting part about that is I have no idea where the next idea will come from.

How does my writing process work?

Being the perfectionist I am , when in the zone, I tend to churn out several hundred words then go back and tweak them until I'm happy (and yes, in case anyone was wondering, I've tweaked this blog post several times already). I need to get the gist of what I'm thinking down first, then refine it later, and can't seem to move on until I get what's done just so. If anyone's in a shared document watching me write, I'm often apologizing for going back over what I've done, but in all honesty I wouldn't change it for a thing. Though my methods can slow up the process of moving the story along, it's what works best for me.
Now to hand on the baton to one of the most prolific and talented m/m authors I've had the pleasure of knowing. If you haven't checked out  N. R. Walker's work, you don't know what you're missing.
~~ Welcome to Sutton Station: One of the world’s largest working farms in the middle of Australia – where if the animals and heat don’t kill you first, your heart just might. ~~ 

Charlie Sutton runs Sutton Station the only way he knows how; the way his father did before him. Determined to keep his head down and his heart in check, Charlie swears the red dirt that surrounds him – isolates him – runs through his veins.

American agronomy student Travis Craig arrives at Sutton Station to see how farmers make a living from one of the harshest environments on earth. But it’s not the barren, brutal and totally beautiful landscapes that capture him so completely.

It’s the man with the red dirt heart. 

I've read several of N.R.'s stories, from the Blind Faith series, to Point of No Return, and everything in between. What I love most about everything I've read of her work is how I can't help but fall in love with the characters from the moment I meet them, and how every story is uniquely themed. My favorite read is one of her most recent, Red Dirt Heart. Set against the beautiful, but at the same time unforgiving Australian outback, this story is a compelling read. I fell in love with each and every character, and couldn't wait to peel back the layers of Charles Sutton and Travis Craig. Do yourselves a favor and go check it out. N.R. Walker's Amazon page is HERE.


Be sure to check out N.R.'s blog on June 3rd where she will post her answers to the above questions.


Cover Reveal - Bollocks Anthology


I'm proud to announce I have contributed my story, 'Just Like Pulling Teeth', to Wayward Ink Publishing's upcoming M/M anthology, Bollocks!

Bollocks! is due to be released 5th June 2014, so don't forget to watch this space! Here are the details:


Bollocks as a word is a little naughty. It’s a little cheeky. It’s a little rude.
And it’s the tongue-in-cheek theme for this collection of short stories celebrating all things English.
You'll discover a bonk is not a typo for somewhere to keep your money.A shag isn’t something thick and plush under your feet to keep them warm, though it is guaranteed to heat you up!
And as for a snog, the boys of Bollocks! can assure you it’s worth finding out what that Brit term means.The stories will make you laugh.
They’ll make you snort.
They’ll make you blush.
Sigh—they’ll probably make you shake your head.They may even make you want to catch the next flight to England to find something a little British of your own!It's not just cricket, or jolly hockey sticks, it's more… it’s the very British, Bollocks!



HEALING
Tabitha McGowan

Werewolf meets human healer, and snuggling ensues…
but not till the danger that’s threatening them both has been dealt with…

SHEEP’S CLOTHING
Elin Gregory

Meet Darren Murchison: self-employed plumber and reluctant werewolf…

NO WORRIES MATE
E.S. Skipper

“Who needs a partner when I have this?” Rangi said, opening his arms out as if to encompass the entire island and surrounding ocean.
Who indeed…

IT COULD BE YOU
Anyta Sunday

Ted has just won 15 million quid.
Or at least, he would have won 15 million quid if he could find his bloody lotto ticket…

JUST LIKE PULLING TEETH
L.J. Harris

A trip to the dentist has never been so… interesting…

DIY DELIGHTS
Taylin Clavelli

While renovating his first house with his partner, Mike, Duncan discovers a plethora of reasons to use his favourite word… Bollocks!

IN THE BLUE MOONLIGHT
H. Lewis-Foster

A bottom bared to a local bobby means a night out Simon will never forget.

IT’S WRITTEN IN THE STARS
Lily Velden

Who needs a holiday when your destiny is Written in the Stars?


Where to find Wayward Ink:


Where to find me: