Cupcakes, Hot Guys and Writing with Insomnia

At five forty-five Saturday morning, I was making zucchini cupcakes. They are a lot like carrot cake cupcakes save for the central vegetable. The spices are similar. I was making them for our film partner, Ralph, to pick up around 11 am to pass along to the food show producers. He would be in the area. I was awake anyway having defied all of the meds that warned of making me drowsy. So, instead of watching another true crime show, I started grating zucchini. Believe it or not, I've never made cream cheese frosting. That was a tasty experiment – even at that early hour. What an evil thing veggie based cupcakes are – full of fiber, vitamins. They almost off set the fat and sugar! There is a trend toward sweet treats that aren't horrendous for health. I'm giving them a try to get more veggies in the Hubs. There aren't many circumstances that I could see him asking for a big ol' handful of shredded vegetables save for in cupcake form. I wanted to try using avocado as a replacement for butter in the frosting, but I don't have a lot of experience with using that as a fat. I didn't want everything to go wrong and spoil all of that baking.

Bishounen Joys

This past week was full of minutia. Lots of paperwork filled last week related to the next magazine and some government issues that are personal. There is still much to do with all of that. There is some fun though. I am working with a group of incredibly good looking and talented young men whilst putting together the calendar for our fundraiser.

I am guaranteed at least a smile and most likely a belly laugh from one of them. I haven't had such fun with a creative collaboration since I last worked on a film. Creative and humorous interactions really can propel a person through the worst kind of day. And upbeat connections like these can  have a ripple effect, I believe. Wonderful and achievable plans have developed since we began the calendar project. It all keeps me upbeat – and that has not been an easy feat. I did say these guys are very talented?! I will be talking about them a lot in the next few weeks. If you want to get in on all the news for our 2016 Bishie Cosplay Calendar (Including the launch party and prizes), you can sign up for the Newsletter here: http://yaoiagogo.com/Calendar.htm

Writing Updates! Warning!! Erotic Content!!

Rent Boy Magic

Writing is never the kind of magic where things are conjured from thin air. The magic comes from thoroughly figuring out the characters and the journey they will take through the story. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. (tee hee) I've been living with Tristan and writing about his mishaps and love affairs for months now. I have a basic outline in my mind for where the story will wind up. And I know the characters really well now. When Jon and I started spit-balling the latest volume, the ideas were coming a mile a minute. The jokes were sharper. The sexual tension was high long before anyone got near a bedroom. For a while, I was channeling the fun I had when I was bartending. It was magic. Joyful, gleeful magic. Jon is a great sounding board for sharpening the plots in general. For Rent Boy, he's awesome for the uber rude joke or a sexy set up that is organic but surprising. Just a few hours on Sunday afternoon last week set me off writing at such speed that I'm barely keeping up with what's coming out on the screen. The cover photo that features one of our Calendar guys is also adorable. So exciting!

For those readers who wonder, I have the same kind of magic with Ensnared. I've written so much more with those characters that I know them and their journeys very well. Currently, Darius is on the sideline muttering about why I'm paying attention to the vampire AGAIN while Andreas is trying to calm him and get him to be more patient. He's not patient. I'll be sketching the cover of the print version while working on this Rent Boy.

Library News

I was checking out available ebooks in the LA Public Library system. Along with a score of cookbook titles I want to explore, I discovered a few hundred Yaoi Manga titles! That was exciting enough. I also discovered that two of the titles I worked on are among those manga! My name is in library meta data! Here they are:

I had a meeting with the head librarian at my branch about submitting some of the yaoi novels and story collections for consideration in the system. That would be sweet!

Book Sales

Don't forget that Ensnared Volume 1& 2 are available on ALL formats and at half price on Smashwords.com. Clcik the link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/95691

For those who are not familiar with this epic erotic fantasy, here are the details:

In this world, even the most powerful are captives

Lord Darius Galatea seems to have all the power in the world. He is Leader of the Cosimo or Cosi,

those who keep order in an advanced civilization built upon a strict caste system. He could have a city razed with one call or have the most high born citizen put to death for the slightest transgression. Andreas Hesper comes from the lowest caste. He used an agile mind and just the right amount of muscle to become the most successful leader of an underworld gang. A chance encounter between the two men not only upends both of their worlds, but also ultimately puts their lives in jeopardy. It is custom that some of the Elite citizens of the world class city of Amara owned their lovers as playthings for a time. But those trained playthings or Damis were from a specific caste bred for their obedience and loyalty. Never had a gang leader become a Dami and thus privy to the secrets of an all powerful Lord. But there is more to the streetwise young man who agreed to be a plaything despite the objections from his caste and those from his Master's world. Andreas felt bound to the Cosi from the moment they met. He sees and hears more than even Darius himself. Andreas knows that they must tread very carefully in both of their worlds or the attraction that so closely binds them together will cause their destruction.

An incredible twist of fate means a drastic change in fortune for Andreas. This change also tears Darius

and Andreas apart. While they both cope with being apart, Andreas is faced with all manner of unexpected dilemmas. He has to find a way to be a success in his new role to have a chance at returning to Darius. Andreas also must fend off sexual advances from all manner of surprising people -- including another, very determined Cosi. He must also watch with dread as those close to Darius once again seek his favor, including an infamous ex-lover. Meanwhile, Darius has found that not only is any future relationship with Andreas in jeopardy, his rule as a Cosi may also be in peril. Both men’s freedom and their lives are at stake. Neither can afford the slightest misstep. Passion, however, will not be denied. Darius and Andreas are determined to find a way back to each other no matter what the cost.

At this point, I have not slept since Sunday morning and I only had a few hours then. I'm hoping to stay awake while swimming. Stay tuned!