You see, today is the first day back at school for the kids, and Renae Kaye officially has both children in full time school. This means I have to go back to part time work (not only my government’s rule, but also my husband’s) and I need to find a new career. I’ve decided my career will be writing, and today is DAY 1 of giving my time to this profession.
So I thought I would write a quick blog and update you on where I am with things, just in case you needed to know.
NEW RELEASES:
Yes, I have one more book coming. It's called Shawn's Law and it's crazy, zany, weird. And if you were ever scared to visit Australia, then I'm sorry, you may be terrified by the time this book is finished. **wink** Yes, there are a HUGE amount of animals that attack our poor hero.
Blurb: Shawn is single, twenty-nine, the full-time carer of his Alzheimer’s-stricken mother and a frequent victim of Murphy’s Law—although his family call it Shawn’s Law. Other than caring for mum, his day consists of painting nude men and spying on the guy who walks his dogs along the street every day at four o’clock. When he takes a spectacular fall on his front steps, who is there to witness it other than the man of his dreams?
Harley doesn’t believe in Shawn’s Law – but he soon changes his mind.
The two men make it through a memorable first date and Shawn’s sexual insecurities to begin a relationship stumbling toward love. But when Shawn’s Law causes Harley to be injured, Shawn is determined to save Harley’s life the only way he knows how—by breaking up with him. Not once, but twice. Throw in a serial killer ex-boyfriend, several deadly Australian animals, two dogs called Bennie, a mother who forgets to wear clothes, an unforgiving Town Council, and a strawberry-flavored condom dolly, and Shawn’s Law is as solid as if it’d been written in a legal manual.
This book is due to hit the Coming Soon pages of Dreamspinner at the end of the week. I'll be having a cover reveal on Saturday. Sit tight - it's coming!
WHAT ELSE IS COMING?
This may shock some of you – but yes, once upon a time I wrote an m/f story. It’s called Windmills of My Mind and is a little romantic comedy that features an early version of Jay. Stef is just a secondary character, but he steals the show.
I submitted Windmills to a couple of publishers, but it just doesn’t quite fit their publishing parameters. You know how it goes: not erotic enough, too erotic, not long enough, too long, etc. So I’ve decided that (with some urging pushing shoving from some friends), to look at self publishing. I’m taking some steps along that route, so we’ll have to see how it goes, now that my career is in writing. **wink**
WHAT HAVE YOU FINISHED?
Just last week I finished writing a spin off of The Blinding Light. It doesn’t have a title at this moment, so I’m just calling it “Davo’s story.” I’m tidying it up a little, then it will be submitted to Dreamspinner for consideration in the next week or so.
IF Dreamspinner like it, I anticipate it will be published the end of this year.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?
I’m a terrible writer. I am. I’m easily distracted from writing a story by major events that happen in my life (like releasing a new book). As a result, I’ve started several stories that I haven’t finished. These are going to be my top priority to finish now that I have a new career.
Spin off to Loving Jay: I’ve started a story (whose title is a big secret!) about a friend of Jay’s, and I’m about a third of the way in. His name is Kee, and he’s been off the scene for 12 months while his heart mends. His confidence has been rattled big time. During the story, Kee is getting to know Liam, so we get a lovely peek into Liam and Jay’s new living arrangements. The problem for Kee is that he’s changed since Matt-the-rat. He’s grown. He’s no longer a twink. What does a guy do when he no longer identifies as the person he was before?
Spin off to Safe in His Arms (Paul and Andrew’s story): In Safe we were introduced to Paul who was in love with a married man. Yes – Andrew is married and cheating. Do you think he can be redeemed? I’m a third of the way into this story and I’m loving it. Andrew keeps his life so compartmentalised that it’s about to unravel. I feel so sorry for this guy, and his life is about to blow up in his face. The big question is, will Paul still love the “real” Andrew?
Crossing the Nulla: Remember when I said I was easily distracted? I was finishing up Davo’s story when this song would NOT get out of my head. After days of it, I suddenly realised that holy moly – this song’s story would make a great m/m romance. Of course I’d have to change the setting and time period (the Wild West is just not me), and I’d have to make it HEA (because duh!), but it could be done. 12k words later, I’ve laid the groundwork for a good stand alone. Now to finish it!
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED?
Spin off to Safe in His Arms (Ash and Devon’s story): By far, the most asked about sequel has been Ash and Devon – do they have a story? GOSH YES! The minute those two appeared on the page I knew their story. But it takes place about 5 years after Casey and Lon, so Paul and Andrew’s story had to come first.
Spin off to The Shearing Gun (Mickey Ryan’s story): A reader asked me if Mickey Ryan had a story and BAM! There is was in my brain. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t plan it, but it came to me. This one will take a little research, but I’ve already started taking books out of the library to lay the foundation of knowledge for me. You see, Mickey’s been searching his entire life for something that was under his nose the whole time…
Other ideas: Readers have made some requests that I’m getting around to. May wants a bad-arsed musician story (okay!), and Theresa wants to know what happened when Quackle introduced Hank to his mother. Someone else once asked me to write another story with a MC with a disability (check! Researching now) and then another asked for Neil and Brett’s story (from Bear Chasing).
So there are nine stories already for me to write! I’m going to be busy! But now that I have my new career, I’ve got plenty of time. Right?
<laughs loudly and leaves her computer to go and make dinner>