Questions? =D

[Aiko]

See Dani. Your sparkly rainbow semen can't distract us! :D

[LenaLena]

Yeah, nice try that, btw.

You should have 5 reviews on Amazon any minute now.
NOW can I have your angsty chapter? *bats eyelashes*

[Dani]

[bribery]Then I shall bribe you with facts: If I put it up, I have to edit it, thoroughly, which means less time writing NSI and SP:[/bribery]

*gasp* Oh, look, hot menzes: http://vishstudio.deviantart.com/

[Aiko]

*hum on Assassins Creed song* That dude in the green flowy mask thing brings out the inner geek in me.

Ok...Hot men distraction almost worked!

But your bribery worked best of all. Don't want anything to take time away from NSI and SP.

[LenaLena]

If you e-mail it to me, I will edit it for you

Not distracted. The men in my head are always more fascinating than those in pictures.

[Aiko]

I can't edit, but I give my moral support to Marleen's counterbribary! ;D

[Dani]

lol but since it was taken out, it's missing some important things. =D It was meant to be chapter 9 and I just couldn't fit it properly.

I shall give in and edit it this week. *facedesk* I have lost the power of 'no'.

BUT while you wait =P muhahah I'll tease you with a letter from Cai to Riley. la~ (and keep in mind this might change by publishing time!)

(view spoiler)[
From the pocket of his leather satchel, he retrieved his electronic reader. Hidden between the cover and the device, was a worn envelope. The letter inside was even more frayed. He unfolded it and relaxed in his seat.

The elegant handwriting faded in the creases and oil from Riley's fingers had rubbed out some of the words at the edge. Only Cai, he thought. Only Cai would write an actual letter. Not an email. Not a text. Riley loosened his tie and rubbed his thumb over the last sentence as he read.

Dear Riley,

I'm coming home in two months for Christmas. I mean I'll be home for Christmas and forever after that. I think forever. Maybe. I was thinking that maybe I’d stop in New York again. To see The Starry Night.

I can't find another Starry Night. I've tried. On my way here to Europe, I mean. On my way to Europe I stopped in New York to see it. That's what I mean. I tried to feel it, but it's not there anymore. Do you remember? About The Starry Night? I can't feel it anymore. That beautiful Starry Night. It used to make me feel hope and love and…

I can't feel anything much anymore.

If I tell Peter he'll think it's my meds. It's not.

I can't This is my last letter to you. I met someone. A friend, I mean. I met friend. And I feel something. Not like that. But something. And I laughed. Yesterday I laughed. I won't find The Starry Night. I've given up on it. But I can move on. I can try to move on. I can laugh now. That's something isn't it? It's something.

I'll stay away. When I come back. I'll stay away when I come back. If you ever I will love you though. You can't stop that. I can't stop that. I guess that would be too easy. Wouldn't it?

Love,
Cai

Riley carefully folded the letter and tucked it back into the envelope, then secreted it back in its place. That was the Cai he knew. Not the calm voice of an eight-year-old boy who spoke of murder as if it was deserved. The boy in the letter was who Riley couldn't forget. After slipping the e-reader back in his attaché, he threw on his coat and headed home.

(hide spoiler)]

[Aiko]

Thank you thank you thank you! :D *bounce up and down in her chair clapping hands together*

Oh oh oh! Is Francisco Lachowski Cai?

[Dani]

No, Francisco was my first full length m/m novel which won't see the light of day until I remove the cliches, the bad pacing, the stereotyping and add a bit more drama to it.

It's not a bad story, but I learned something really valuable as I wrote SG. Never ever put your first story out there as your first book. lol. And actually SG was a rewrite and here's another spoiler:

(view spoiler)[Peter was always supposed to die. From the moment the novel was conceived, he was mean to teach Austin a lesson about love and life and then shatter him into a better person. (hide spoiler)]

[Aiko]

*GASP* I sweartogod you would have taken years of my life!

[Dani]

Aiko wrote: "*GASP* I sweartogod you would have taken years of my life!"

haha that's the reaction from my editor too. And my husband and my friend Sara. They were very adamant. My husband to the point of refusing to read anything I wrote again. It was very funny at the time. (probably not to them)

[Aiko]

My poor heart...
*squint eyes at* You're finding a lot of pleasure in our pain! :p

Your husband is now my new hero ^^

[Ami]

Whoa, that letter!!! Now you're going to just make me curious and start nibbling my fingers. As for that rewrite for SG; THANK GOD you didn't do that ((view spoiler)[I mean killing Peter (hide spoiler)] because I am not sure my heart can take it!!!

[Dani]

Aiko wrote:
Your husband is now my new hero ^^"

=D I told him that. He laughed. He's kinda my hero, too.

Ami wrote: "Whoa, that letter!!! Now you're going to just make me curious and start nibbling my fingers. As for that rewrite for SG; THANK GOD you didn't do that ([spoilers removed] because I am not sure my he..."

I'm glad I didn't give anyone heart failure then =D.

[LenaLena]

Ouch! I would have ripped your book to pieces in my review if you'd done that! Thank god you are surrounded by sane people. It would have changed the book completely, turning it into one of those depressing having-to-make-peace-with-the-will-of-god-to-be-able-to-stomach-this books that want to be Literature.

Or it would have to be 800 pages long, because you'd have to continue the story until he'd have an HEA with Darryl *evil grin* Actually, that might have been fun.

[Aiko]

No killing of Rabbits! *glare at every murderous person that's suddenly surrounding me*

[Dani]

Marleen wrote: "Ouch! I would have ripped your book to pieces in my review if you'd done that! Thank god you are surrounded by sane people. It would have changed the book completely, turning it into one of those d..."

Eep! @@ It wasn't really about having some epic tragedy, but more about what I had to do to make Austin really understand that all of his actions have consequences and that he couldn't coast through life with only his ambition in mind. The original write never got past 75k words, and by the time I sat down to rewrite it, Austin had done enough, in my eyes, to deserve his HEA. Plus, Peter had become such a voice in my head, which helped seal the decision. I actually hate sad endings. They make me crazy. That's all I read in the 2000s, so I really preferred having a true "romance".

[ElaineY]

Dani wrote: "Thanks so much for the compliment. Alas, I'll never know if they'd turn me down or not. I decided way back when I started that I wanted to self-publish. It was mostly (you'll probably laugh) that I wanted the control over my covers."

I'm so glad I decided to take a chance buying your book as I haven't always been pleased with my self-pubbed titles. Yours beat just about every book I've bought from a publisher the whole of last year to now.

Have you written anything else? I can't believe Shattered Glass is your first effort! Congratulations, anyway, on such a successful launch, if this is your first published work.

[Dani]

ElaineY wrote: "Dani wrote: "Thanks so much for the compliment. Alas, I'll never know if they'd turn me down or not. I decided way back when I started that I wanted to self-publish. It was mostly (you'll probably ..."

Hey Elaine,

I'll just be up here, floating on air from your comments, okay? =)

I have written another story - unpublished and m/m (more in young adult genre). I'll post it some time in the future, when I get another chance to edit. It was my first full-length story, full of cliches etc, so I'd like to publish a book worthy of the characters. I'll probably offer it for free on my website, but it'll be way way way in the future. The shorts I have planned for continuing SG, and NSI, then SP will all be first and foremost.

And my husband wants me to post a short story about Cai in Europe. Cai seems to be his favorite character =D. lol

[Ami]

Tell your husband that I love Cai too, and just like him, I will be ecstatic if you have short story about Cai's adventure in Europe, while trying to cope with being away from Peter (and Riley, maybe :p)

[Dani]

Ami wrote: "Tell your husband that I love Cai too, and just like him, I will be ecstatic if you have short story about Cai's adventure in Europe, while trying to cope with being away from Peter (and Riley, may..."

I'll tell him. So that's 2 votes for Cai in Europe. √
:)

[LenaLena]

Three

[Aiko]

I want to be counted too! four :D

[Dani]

Four it is! √ √ √ √

I'll put it on my to-do list for when I'm writer's blocked with NSI!

[Mandapanda]

Thanks for the letter!! This little discussion is well worth checking up on from time to time. You never know what treasures we'll find. Your husband sounds like a very sensible man! I'm glad he protected our boy P!;)

[ElaineY]

You couldn't not fill in the gap about Cai in Europe! When I got to the part where he returns from Europe, I was wondering why the heck we weren't given anything about that!

And hey - where's my hawt sex between Peter Rabbit and Austin?

And which one is Cai's book? Not So Innocent or Shatterproof?

[ElaineY]

Dani wrote: "I have written another story - unpublished and m/m (more in young adult genre)."

I'm too old to be interested in the young adult genre so I'll wait for the sequels to Shattered Glass.

[Dani]

MandyM wrote: "Thanks for the letter!! This little discussion is well worth checking up on from time to time. You never know what treasures we'll find. Your husband sounds like a very sensible man! I'm glad he pr..."

=D I'll try and post here and in my MM romance group folder. Hubs is definitely sensible and practical (I am definitely not lol)

ElaineY wrote: "You couldn't not fill in the gap about Cai in Europe! When I got to the part where he returns from Europe, I was wondering why the heck we weren't given anything about that!"

LOL it was a really long book as it was. The Cai story would have taken ages. And then been repeated all over again for his story. (Not So Innocent is Cai's story)

ElaineY wrote: "And hey - where's my hawt sex between Peter Rabbit and Austin?"

Doh! I thought the parking lot sex was pretty hawt! No? >8D

But anything further than that would have been out of character. Austin really wasn't ready for much more than they already did. It took them a year to get more intimate and for Austin to feel comfortable identifying as gay to the outside world. He seems to take it well in the story, but there's a constant state of confliction that comes up all the time with him.

ElaineY wrote: "Dani wrote: "I have written another story - unpublished and m/m (more in young adult genre)."

I'm too old to be interested in the young adult genre so I'll wait for the sequels to Shattered Glass."

No such thing as too old =D. But I know what you mean. I have a hard time with YA novels because they skip a lot of what I love in romance novels: the sex. *snort*

I just wanted to add here at the end to everyone: You all have just been so awesome and wonderful and I'm so crazy lucky that you read and liked Shattered Glass and came in here to discuss it! It was really hard to let that story go, so having a forum to talk about it is such a boon.

[Mandapanda]

Dani can you put a link to your MM Romance Group folder here? That group is so big I can't even find you over there! ;)

[ElaineY]

Dani wrote: "Doh! I thought the parking lot sex was pretty hawt! No? >8D"

Umm. No. Not for me because I think at that point I was still fixated on Austin's newly-realized 'gayness' and how he was dealing with it, I was wondering about Peter's feelings about Austin...on top of trying to get a fix on everything else!

I was expecting at least one scene where they took their time making love - and I mean going the whole way, not just groping in public (like the parking lot) or blowjobs. I wanted them to take it slow, for Peter to show Austin how good it can be. I think that was the only thing I felt was missing from the story at the end.

[Ami]

I think it is better to put the free story here, or maybe put it on Smashwords too or just your website, Dani. The M/M Romance Group is way too big (and sometimes too cluttered) for me.

[Dani]

MandyM wrote: "Dani can you put a link to your MM Romance Group folder here? That group is so big I can't even find you over there! ;)"

Hey Mandy, here ya go. http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...

I haven't been terribly active there. I fail at spam =(

ElaineY wrote: "I wanted them to take it slow, for Peter to show Austin how good it can be. I think that was the only thing I felt was missing from the story at the end. "

I can see how that might be a niggle for you (and maybe others). It has nothing to do with me being prudish, because the first novel had some pretty racy scenes with Austin and Peter. But when I started getting more in character and in Austin's head, it just never made sense to me.

In fact I think to this day, in my head, that Austin & Peter never really had romantic sex (not what I'd call it). They're pretty down and dirty. But actual anal sex? It's not something that Austin was ready to do for a good long while. And it would have meant ending the book with a sex scene, something that didn't fit in my mind (if that makes sense?). (It really was a long time before they got into it-at least in my head it was a year.)

That doesn't mean I won't write a short story about their first time. But to be honest, I'd expect it to be awkward and probably more moments of Austin's mouth getting in the way of a really sexy moment lol.

Ami wrote: "I think it is better to put the free story here, or maybe put it on Smashwords too or just your website, Dani. The M/M Romance Group is way too big (and sometimes too cluttered) for me."


Yeah, Ami, I'll probably cross-post, just in case people are watching different places.

[Aiko]

I think the sex was just right in the book. It wouldn't have made much sense to me if they jumped into bed together and started the x-rated show right away.
And I'm a tension-slut ^^

Oh and Dani, you could just make your own group! :D

[Dani]

Aiko wrote: "I think the sex was just right in the book. It wouldn't have made much sense to me if they jumped into bed together and started the x-rated show right away.
And I'm a tension-slut ^^"

=D I'm glad that worked for you. I also love tension in a story. Sometimes my leg jitters as I read because I'm like OMFG KISS ALREADY!

Aiko wrote: "Oh and Dani, you could just make your own group! :D "

My own group? oO

[Aiko]

Dani wrote: "My own group? oO "

Mhm..a place where you can gather and collect your little minions. And you know...post news about your books and I dunno. Place where I can show off my excellent skill of making discussion-threads go totally off topic :p

[LenaLena]

Or join the Rainbow Writers group. It's much smaller and less cluttered. http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/5.... I personally left the M/M group after the whole trans* debacle a few months ago and I know a few more people on here aren't part of that group either.

[Mandapanda]

Aiko wrote: "I think the sex was just right in the book. It wouldn't have made much sense to me if they jumped into bed together and started the x-rated show right away. And I'm a tension-slut ^^ Oh and Dani..."

I'm with you on this one Aiko. In fact I was confused at first when someone mentioned there wasn't a big sex scene. It all just seemed so hot to me. I love UST and a slow burn romance!

[Dani]

@Aiko, I'm not sure I could hold an entire group on my own lol. I tend to insulate myself when I really get to writing. Right now I'm trying to format for the paperback edition, so I'm chatty, but when I get into NSI, I probably will be days away from talking to real people.

I did take Marleen's advice and joined The Rainbow Writers =). I like both groups. (all three actually, I'm already in queereaers and YA LGBT Books. But I don't spend much time in any of them, except the rare occasion when I poke my head out of my writing (read: writer's block).

And yeah, Mandy, slow burn is just so much better for me, too. Though I'm not sure how that's going to work with Cai. He's 19 and *hangs head* he won't let me write without slipping in some image of him bent over a dining table @@.

[LenaLena]

A dining table, huh? Not at Austin's place then. Or did he get one in the meantime?

[Anke]

Dani wrote: "@Aiko, I'm not sure I could hold an entire group on my own lol. I tend to insulate myself when I really get to writing. Right now I'm trying to format for the paperback edition, so I'm chatty, but ..."

Hey, I'm totally selfish in being with you on not spending too much time in any group - so Cai's story can be finished soon :))

[Dani]

Marleen wrote: "A dining table, huh? Not at Austin's place then. Or did he get one in the meantime?"

LOL Cai wouldn't even think about sex in the same house as Peter. Peter was very smothering over-protective of Cai.

And I think at some point Austin had to buy a dining room table, because once that idea of doing it on the table came into his head at the hospital - yeah, tables became a priority.

Anke wrote: "Dani wrote: "@Aiko, I'm not sure I could hold an entire group on my own lol. I tend to insulate myself when I really get to writing. Right now I'm trying to format for the paperback edition, so I'm..."
LOL Anke, I would love Cai's story to be out soon. But i fear we have a while. Especially if I can't get this stupid formatting done >8( lol I need to write *growls at paperback formatting* *shakes fist* Damn you, paperback for being more difficult!

[[deleted user]]

I agree with Mandy and Aiko on the sex in 'Shattered'. It was hot and it fit the characters and where they were in their heads as well as where they were with each other.

But 19 yo Cai? That's a whole 'nother ball game. :D

[Anke]

Dani wrote: "Marleen wrote: "A dining table, huh? Not at Austin's place then. Or did he get one in the meantime?"

LOL Cai wouldn't even think about sex in the same house as Peter. Peter was very smothering ove..."

I'm pretty confident, that after smashwords you will win this battle hands down :)

[Dani]

Kate Mc. wrote: "I agree with Mandy and Aiko on the sex in 'Shattered'. It was hot and it fit the characters and where they were in their heads as well as where they were with each other.

But 19 yo Cai? That's..."

19y/o Cai is breaking my brain right now with his needs. And ofc Riley is all about the "no" so I just end up facedesking and banging my head repeatedly against the wood. (uh oh, I said 'wood')

Anke wrote: "Dani wrote: "Marleen wrote: "A dining table, huh? Not at Austin's place then. Or did he get one in the meantime?"

LOL Cai wouldn't even think about sex in the same house as Peter. Peter was very s..."

I think you have more confidence than I do =D

[[deleted user]]

Dani wrote: "And ofc Riley is all about the "no" so I just end up facedesking and banging my head repeatedly against the wood. (uh oh, I said 'wood')
"

Ya know, when these difficult people get messed mixed up with one another they always take it out on the author. But Riley? Cai needs to take the stick out of Riley's butt....and maybe replace it with something else.

Heh. That probably wasn't a help, hmmmm?

[Dani]

Kate Mc. wrote: " Cai needs to take the stick out of Riley's butt....and maybe replace it with something else.

Heh. That probably wasn't a help, hmmmm? "

@@ that did not help at all! And now I have to go to sleep and Cai is going to be all about sticking things places!

[[deleted user]]

*tries really hard to look contrite*

[Aiko]

Kate Mc. wrote: "*tries really hard to look contrite*"

I on the other hand, thanks you for the mental images :D

[Dani]

Had to drink six cups of coffee because I was tossing and turning with Cai going "uh uh uh" in my head for hours. It's going to take a lot of work to make this book not about sex sex sex sex sex. >8(

Kate, I have a stinking suspicion you're about as contrite as Austin was after the biology class incident. oO

[Dani]

Lisa wrote: "I agree with everyone about what a gem Shattered Glass was! So I saw Shattered Proof is about Darryl and Julian. Did we meet Julian? I'm having a brain freeze....."

Thank you so much, Lisa. I"m so glad you enjoyed it.

Shatterproof is indeed about Darryl and Julian. We'll meet Julian in the beginning of Not So Innocent and he'll be a major player in both books. =)