Pia Veleno's Blog: piaveleno.com, page 9

Linkies

On Slash & Burn I wrote about writing when not physically writing in “Ring Drop”

Over on the blog story, Ash and Crandall aren’t sleeping when Mike leaves in “Ally or Enemy”

Click away, and have a great week. Go Pats!

Coming Soon

Oops! This blogging stuff works much better when I remember to click Publish. Ah well, just a couple of days late…

Coming up this month:

Slash & Burn: My monthly visit to the group blog will include nakedness in San Francisco. Don’t miss it this coming Sunday!

CRANK: The next installment will post on my other blog this Sunday. A late night surprise visitor gets calm and collected Ash all riled up, and it’s up to Crandall to settle his fury.

Hunger Games: Not the book or the movie, though both were great, but thoughts and musings on a journey to get healthy in a fat country.

Just for Fun: Damn them all. I’m weak…

On a Tangent: I never did finish the last one, but I’ll try to make it up to you in October.

Work in Progress: Untitled sequel

The End.

Wow. This was a long time coming. Coming, heh. I’ve finally finished the first draft of the second book in the Personal Demons series (the sequel to Man Whore). It still doesn’t have a title, but it does have a “The End”. There are at least two chapters that have a note that says “Incomplete Chapter”, and there are dozens of other notes about checking for consistency between the two novels and the ones to come later in the series, but overall I have a first draft completed. Yeah, I know, it’s a funny interpretation of completed, but other writers will understand.

Let’s take a look back. Man Whore was released March 12th, 2011. After a certain trollish incident that same week, I didn’t’ work on the sequel for about six months. The second six months were like pulling teeth – writing a few paragraphs here and there. After a while, I tried writing other things. I raced through edits for Hounded By Love. I wrote a freebie for the Goodreads M/M Romance group. Those seemed to be the speed bump I needed to cross. The remaining words were still tough to pull from my Muse, but they’re out now. They’re done.

Is it ready? Oh, gods no. While editing is tough work, getting that first draft down on paper is the magical part of storytelling, so the hard part is done. If you’d like a sneak peak, here’s a teaser: http://piaveleno.com/2012/08/16/teaser-work-in-progress/

It’s a cut scene, but I’m hoping to get it back into the manuscript – probably in one of the still incomplete scenes. Either way, its’ a fun scene. Go ahead and read, while I work on the second pass through the manuscript and continue to stress over what kind of name I should give the damn thing.

Have a great weekend, cari miei!

Once Upon a Time: CRANK

Once Upon a Time is a new blog feature I’m experimenting with. Through this feature, I hope to bring you glimpses and anecdotes about the writing process. Today’s post: a free serialized story called CRANK, available at www.thecrank.wordpress.com

The latest chapter of CRANK posted Sunday evening. I remember when I was sharing that story twice a week. Then, after the first arc completed, it was once a week. Now, as we near the end of the second arc, getting a chapter done every other week has become very difficult.

It’s been an interesting journey so far, and I hope it will continue well into the future. While I’ve struggled to keep up, I certainly won’t be giving up. I love Crandall Jacobsen and Mike Vranken way too much to let time constraints send them to a character graveyard.

If only I could say that CRANK suffers because other stories are taking precedence, but all of my writing has slowed to a glacial crawl this year. In reality, I’d feel much more guilt about the slowdown on CRANK posts if I was neglecting Crandall and Mike for another couple.

Alas, while I have much more to share about these two guys, I also am short on time this week, yet again. Perhaps I’ll share the story of their creation in a future Once Upon a Time post. That is, unless you’d like to read about something else? Let me know, dear Readers, and I’ll do my best to accommodate.

Two Quick Reads

Go Patriots!

Yesterday was my day at Slash & Burn. I shared my Just For Fun post there: Are You Ready? As in Are you ready for some football?! Even if you’re not a football fan, drop by and see The Gronk’s naked cover shot for ESPN. Football bodies are almost as fun as the game itself.

Everybody Run!

If you’ve ever been shy about starting an exercise program, or had that awful feeling that people are staring at you as you try to learn how to take better care of your body, read this. If you’ve ever thought, what’s that fat girl trying to do or, why do I have to share a gym with him? Read this. If you’ve ever smiled encouragingly at a fellow exerciser, read this. This blogger said what I’ve been trying to figure out how to put into words lately, so just click and read, and hear me in the background shouting “You go, girl!”

Coming…Soon?

I thought about it, but I didn’t think it through. “Coming Up Next Week” really just means me fishing around for something exciting to blog about every weekend. Let’s face it, I don’t write that fast. Certainly not fast enough to have a weekly blog update.

Let’s try this instead – Coming this month. Of course, as warranted, there will be updates throughout the month too. Or maybe it should be a Coming Soon feature? Ugh, I’m going with Under Construction for the whole revamping the blog concept. That’s the safest bet.

Anyway, without further ado…

Coming soon, this week AND next month

This Sunday: A new chapter of CRANK. Crandall leaves work behind, and you’re invited to relax with him, the Crank way.

Next Sunday: My monthly Slash & Burn visit. My notes for this blog post so far read: “Something fun.” Uhh…. What’d I get myself into?

On a Tangent: I have two topics rolling around in my head. As soon as I pin one down, I’ll write a Tangent blog post. It’ll be something non-writing related. I hope.

Work in Progress: An update on Man Whore’s sequel

Just for Fun: the inaugural post, Are you ready for…

Once Upon a Time: the inaugural post, on CRANK and writing an online serial

Teaser: Work in Progress

I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of writing. It’s been tough with the Day Job sucking up a lot of my brain power, leaving me tired and lethargic during my free time. Screw the Day Job! (No, not really, but I am working on better balance this month.)

Here’s a sneak peak at book two of the Personal Demons series. This sequel to Man Whore has been a long time coming. (No pun intended.) I’m about three quarters of the way through the first draft, but I’ve also been doing some heavy edits and revisions along the way, so I’m hoping once I hit The End, it won’t take quite as long as usual to get it ready for submission to my dear acquisitions editor.

It will get done, dear Readers. I promise.

(SPOILER DISCLAIMER: This is a sequel. I have chosen this passage because I believe it to be vague enough to not spoil anything for this work, or for Man Whore, but still be interesting and fun. However, if you’re very particular about minor spoilers, read on with caution…)

~*~

Adam paced with his phone pressed to his ear. “They’re not answering,” he said.

“I didn’t expect them to.” Morgan poured more whiskey into his glass and then set the bottle on the floor beside his foot. His other leg was folded underneath him on the futon, but he wouldn’t pick comfortable as the word to describe his position.

“It’s Adam. Call me.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket and scowled at Morgan.

Morgan said, “They said they’d call when they had something. They will. I may not be able to tell them apart but I know Cayne and Layne, and they do what they say they’re going to do.”

“I need to know what is going on!”

“So do I.” Morgan swallowed the last of his whiskey and reached for the bottle at his feet.

“For different reasons,” Adam mumbled petulantly.

“Fuck you, Adam. I want to know because it’s you. Sure, I have selfish reasons, but mostly, I want you to be happy again. You’re not exactly the best company lately.”

“You wouldn’t let me be miserable alone in my apartment.”

Morgan set the bottle aside without opening it. He stood and crossed the room, dropping the empty glass on a table before reaching the spot Adam was wearing into the cheap carpet. “Come on, baby. I’m not good at finding the right words. I don’t want you to be miserable. I don’t want to be miserable. We’ve done all we can do for now. Sit down with me and relax for a while.”

“How can I relax?”

“Well, with that attitude, I doubt you could.”

Adam glared at Morgan. Morgan trailed his fingers down Adam’s chest. “Let the twins do their thing. They’ll find answers, or a direction for all this energy you’ve got pent up. You’re still the same guy you were a month ago.”

“Am I?”

“Are you?”

Adam scowled, and Morgan pressed on. “Play devil’s advocate. Show me your great lawyering skills. Argue the other side for a while.” Morgan slipped his fingers into Adam’s waist band and tugged him towards the futon. “Tell me why we shouldn’t sit around being wretched assholes to each other all night.”

Morgan’s fingers slipped away when Adam stopped moving. They stood perfectly still, staring at each other for several seconds. Morgan lowered his eyes, his gaze travelling down Adam’s body like a lewd caress. The barbell through his tongue clinked against his front teeth as he licked them. He looked up again, saying nothing. He looked expectantly at Adam watching him slowly surrender as his posture slumped in defeat.

“Okay, you win. I want to do more research but the library is closed and so is Between Dimensions. I believe Cayne and Layne when they shot down my idea of talking to my priest. I don’t want to tell too many people I’m losing my mind anyway.”

“You are not… what’s that term? You have to represent your side to the best of your ability?”

Adam laughed, but it was weak and wary. “You watch too many Law & Order reruns.”

“Exactly. I know the law. Don’t make me hold you in contempt.” Morgan propped his fists on his hips and cocked an eyebrow. A smile snuck across his lips as he attempted to look stern.

“There is nothing left to be done tonight. Plus, counselor, being a cranky jackass to my cute boyfriend isn’t accomplishing anything.”

“Cute? Pft! Is that the best you can do?”

“He’s cuter on his knees.”

Morgan’s mouth fell open and Adam laughed – really laughed – at Morgan’s surprise.

“A good orgasm or two would not deter my progress, and may even distract from the annoying fact that I can’t do anything about this tonight.”

“That’s much better.” Morgan sauntered closer and hooked his fingers in Adam’s belt loops, pulling him forward. “Let’s have a good orgasm or two.”

“Two.” Adam cupped Morgan’s face in his hands and drew him into a long, heated kiss. He didn’t break it until Morgan pressed against him, his fingers digging Adam’s shirt from his waistband.

Morgan moaned, throwing his head back as Adam worked his way down his neck with wet, open-mouthed kisses. “Mm, yeah, baby.” Morgan tugged Adam’s shirt up. “That’s more like it.”

~*~

Oh yes, I would stop right as it’s getting steamy.

Have a great weekend, dear Readers.

Loose Id

Loose Id’s new site is up and running. Not only is is easier to navigate and easier on the eyes, LI is also celebrating the new look with 25% off all purchases made through August 19th.

Check it out!   http://www.loose-id.com/

Winners!

The winner of Hounded By Love (drawing at Friskbiskit, aka Jessica Freely’s blog) is JBST. 

The winners of Fallen (RJ’s anniversary celebration) are Tina and Anas.

If you haven’t heard from me yet, please email me at piathewriter at gmail dot com to claim your prize.

Congratulations Jbst, Tina, and Anas!

I hope the rest of you will consider clicking the Bookshelf link and checking out my publishers directly. Thanks to everyone who dropped by for both events. Without readers I am just another crazy person talking to herself!

Ciao,

Pia

Coming This Week

I’ll be drawing winners for two contests Monday – One from Jessica Freely’s blog and the other from here during RJ’s celebration – You have until midnight to enter.


A new chapter of CRANK is up: “Cupcake Conspiracy” (If you have yet to discover this online story, start here: Table of Contents)


Work is progressing slowly for the current WiP (untitled sequel to Man Whore) but watch for a Teaser this week.

Have a great week, cari miei!