Hello dear readers,

June was crazy busy, how were you?

Things that happened this month:

– Drove around a bit, nothing too serious happened. (Driving anxiety days are the worst.)

– Finished edits on Red Letters, Sinful Sunrise. (Plans to edit book 2 are July NaNo Camp goals!)

– Sent out my first query attempt… Going to wait and see what happens there.

– Managed to have a vacation to Connecticut, with pictures floating all around here lately. (Including some that make me think of my Twitter friends, like these)

– Of course, thru it all, I maintained my daily games! As usual, here’s the list in one place, in case you want to catch up.

1- Productivity depends entirely on heat levels. Most of the time I will say more productive, and a good portion of that is writing related productive too!

2- Sometimes. When it’s rainy too long, I definitely do not write. I think weather and mood go hand in hand when trying to write.

3- That has changed over the years, depending on job and needs… There were travel the world years, others that the perfect vacation was making it to the beach, but now I’m enjoying this visit a state for a weekend thing I do with my aunt.

4- So… Many… Times… I think the longest I’ve gone without writing was a year? Trouble is that writing has its hooks in me, and I keep coming back. Too many great (imaginary) memories to break up for good. Even breaks aren’t total breaks.

5- You mean my TBR pile that makes a nightstand? The latest editions are both of @m_arbanassi books. There are also 5 writing books and a few romance copies in there.

6- There’s a book @PSLiterary has been promoting on Instagram, called When The Beat Drops that has me watching the library’s website, in case I can put a hold on that before I have to buy it myself.

7- Since I work every other weekend, sometimes I don’t know what to do with myself on a Saturday home. Lovely days, with sun and good temps, I might just grab an mp3 player and walk for as long as it takes, then pick up a treat on the walk home.

8- Photos mostly, not with me in them, but of stuff, I want to remember. Usually on my Instagram nowadays. Really great memories become part of some writing project too.

9- Handwriting depends on the speed of thought. I write in that half print half script font as is, but it is nicer when I am thinking slowly. Those moments where your mind goes faster than your hands, well that’s hard to read, and ends up really tiny too.

10- Honestly? I didn’t decide to be a writer until I figured out I can’t give it up. I flirted with the idea, but always knew I had to be practical. Younger me never saw being a writer living the #librarylife, and yet it fits me so perfectly…

11- Not yet. Not really. I mean there are bits and pieces of things on my blog, and half a life ago I occasionally posted poems. With luck, the pub journey will be my focus this year, so self isn’t off the table yet.

12- I have more trouble knowing when to end a book, simply because I have too much left to say. That’s how I became a series author. But I will say that the first book beginning is hard too. Once you have the ball rolling, beginnings get easier.

13- Not really, just the writing community here, in the hashtag games, and some #NaNoWriMo people too. That’s my writing groups.

14- Does remembering high school German count? That’s about it really. I am getting better at sorting my accents for my #WIP. Cockney and Scottish are the rougher ones…

15- Not really, just some creative writing class in high school.

16- Nighttime writer all the way. Having so much trouble trying to change it to afternoon, since the best words come at like 9pm when I have to be up early the next day. Who needs sleep to math anyway…

17- Beach. Day trips are easier, plus I remember camping as a kid… Do not miss the bugs and the campgrounds as much as I miss the beach trips.

18- When we were all younger, we went every summer. Back when there were no cell phones, and you could communicate by CB radio. Yes, I know this may date me, but that’s what I remember. It’s been a long time since camping days.

19- Besides my birthday you mean? The long days make it feel like there is more than enough time to get everything done inside a day, so it’s ok to do fun things like make ice cream runs.

20- I have a few. Usually either something coffee, cherry, or like vanilla with gum or M&Ms in it. Looking forward to a bubble cone at the end of this month on my vacation trip.

21- Burn… beet red lobster pretending to be a pale chick. Last Sept we burned so so very bad. Now we try to remember to apply sunscreen like good kids before my mom calls/texts to check on my aunt and me. Reminds me I have to get a new bottle before road tripping…

22- Always. More than one love story going on, and there are just a bunch of flirty daring sorts in my WIP.

23- Tweet loves those that get her. Reach her through music, then pass the test by thinking outside the broken record box she’s used to. Call her bluff and make her blush. A sexy accent or smart mouth addle her brain and allow her some bad decisions… Why she writes them down is a different question.

24- Tankini with an extra layer of short shorts for me, for the MC Tweet? That woman rocks a string bikini like a weapon, and the fact that it’s a seldom used part of her clothing collection makes it all the more tantalizing when in use.

25- I have an aunt (I have a few of them) that used to own a house with a pool. I used to spend most of my summers there, living the little mermaid/fish/are you ever getting out of the pool? dreams. Usually had hurricane/storms for my birthday, sometimes for the party too.

26- I can’t pick one, I have two playing in mind (well narrowed to two)

Under the Boardwalk- the Drifters  https://youtu.be/GeZZr_p6vB8

Love is like a Heat Wave- Martha and the Vandellas  http://y2u.be/lFYvVd3ntLA

27- Cold stuff. Ice cream, Slurpee, iced coffee. Also, summer is not over properly, not without having at least one funnel cake connection. I blame the Italian festival labor day weekend for this end of summer requirement.

28- Board games? I loved Monopoly, or Trouble.

29- Star gazing in what sense? I loved to go walking my area late at night when there was no traffic (2-4 am) and enjoying the night sky in the quiet. But official star gazing or in a field is a not yet.

30- I loved Rizzo, especially with Kenickie. Her best char defining bit for me is the song there are worse things I could do. Sorta wraps her whole story up nicely in a song, who and what she is.

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1/6- “General Manager Frost at yer service mate. Th’ wee lasses are haudin’ Bebe fae this round o’ questioning, ‘n’ Sly said something aboot bein’ a vampire. Guess that leaves me tae speak fur the Red Letters group.”

2/6- Frost- “It’s a’richt. Th’ weather’s nice. Mah ulcer juist acts up fur th’ 2 wee lasses share a birthday. That’s mah hell, hotter than it whiles too. Breakin’ cameras ain’t always fun.”

3/6- Frost- “It’s a laugh, bit whin ah stairted oot, ah thought ah wanted crowds. Noo that th’ wee lasses brought that intae mah life, all a’m wantin’ is calm ‘n’ steadiness.”

4/6-Frost-“Now listen ‘ere! Ye dinnae gang round asking howfur undressed anither bloke gets! Fook is wrong wi’ ye?” *the lil ladies glare* “Fine. A’m in mah kilt ‘n’ combat boots til th’ day ah die. Nooyin gets ony peeks, but ah michttak’ mah top aff if tae hot.”

5/6- *a random “naked” shout tries to overpower the interview* Frost- “Ah dinnae need tae avoid crowds, thay avoid me, or mah boots will gang…” *more glares cut that rant short.* “…where th’ sun dinnae shine.”

6/6- Frost- “Malta ‘n’ ah baith prefer th’ rocky sort o’ land that reminds us o’ home, even if she is a wee Sassenach sort. Noo ‘n’ then we fin’ common ground.” *small rusty chuckle from the large man, sometimes scarier than his menacing side.*

7/6- Frost- “A’m a red headed Scot, whit dae ye think happens if a’m in th’ sun tae lang? Nae that ah care whit mah skin looks lik’. Git bigger responsibilities mate.”

8/6- *Tim laughs* “I know Lady S was scheduled here this week, but I decided to take this interview instead. She’s not strong enough to take over, just like I took over #CharactersHell. Some people complain, others find a way to thrive.” (I think he means fester)

9/6- Tim- “Black Cherry, Cherry Garcia, Vanilla Cherry… I have a thing for cherries, especially ripe, juicy, fresh ones.” *Winks like the creepy sort he is*

10/6- Tim- “When you work at what you love to do, it’s not really working. So no, I don’t vacation often, but I am looking into properties to visit for a little while… Planning ahead you know?”

11/6- Tim- “Once I was, but since the hole in my thigh, swimming isn’t exactly my thing anymore. Never fully recovered from that one. She’ll get hers tho, I don’t have a rep for no reason.” (White Whale complex is showing there Tim)

12/6- Tim- “Actual scuba diving? No. Under water play with goggles and a snorkel? Many, many times indeed.”

13/6- Tim- “Nah, sharks get a bad rap. Just because they are higher up the predator list, means nothing. They are good at what they do, it’s not the shark’s fault most don’t like being the prey instead of the hunter.”

14/6- Tim- “Sharks? Live sharks no, as most of my plans are in bars, not water. But if you’re meaning sharks like snakes? Then yes, my men hide in plain sight very well, but are trained to be just like me. Dangerous predators in camouflage.”

15/6-Hippy-ish man with cat ears & functioning tail jumps out the jukebox shell, smelling of burnt fur. “Oh hey there! Don’t tell anyone I did that, they hate when I poke around in there. Something about messing things up? IDK I’m Deej aka Catman. Can I help you?”

16/6- Deej- “Pride month isn’t about lions? I might be the wrong man for this interview… Hey, I may not be LGBTQ, but there ain’t nothing wrong with that man. Tho now I want BBQ.” Shakes head, making ears wiggle “I get mistaken for a furry a lot, does that count?”

17/6- Deej- “Man, I’m a man that raised lynx cats in the semi-wild, living off the land & weed I find. I’ve questioned more than my sexuality a time or two. That was all before I found acceptance at Soulful. Tweets treats ya as a person no matter what crazy you do.”

18/6-Deej-*blushes scratching his ear* “Tweets & I have an odd relationship, but she’s too smart for me. So no? Tho, last night Roger brought home a drunk chick who’s confused about us. She thinks we morph into each other? IDK, not stoned enough to follow it yet.”

19/6- Deej-“Yes. Oh, this not animal pride thing? Nah, got furry worries. I don’t think it’s an issue at Soul. Wee lasses are bi, gay men run around, & I’m guessing Sly’s hermaphroditic” chuckle hisses while corrected “Asexual? Not as funny for Mr. Straight Lace.”

20/6-Deej- “My family is 2 cats. Roger’s smarter than I am most of the time, and the cub is an ankle biting baby. They’re more difficult than I am! Tho, Soul is giving me a family beyond them, and if they accept my messy dishwashing, I think they’ll accept anything.”

21/6- Deej- “Roger and I are pretty stable, except when he knocks the stool out from under me.” *scratches head* “Oh, no, no relationships beyond the boys. Just friends, cuz it’s like being a single dad. At least Tweets watches them for me sometimes.”

22/6- “Oh, the interview starts now? And it’s good for my Soulful business?” *confirms* “Alright then, I’m the old wise man behind the bar. Also known as Gus. My bar and I share a lot of the same history together.”

23/6- Gus- “Pride month? Yes of course it does. Doesn’t much matter to me though, some of us old men are stuck in our ways, but I have no issues with it.”

24/6- Gus- “All sorts of diversity. I was a young man when segregation was a thing. Now, in my old age, I meet men with colored hair. Men in cat ears, women who like women. As long as its not yuppies, I’ll manage.”

25/6- Gus- “I run a bar, so diversity is equality really. Each and every person walking thru my doors gets the friendly fast service we are now known for. And if anyone needs an ear or a bit of my experience, I willingly share that too.”

26/6- Gus- “People? *I* can’t accept this aging thing. My mind plays tricks on me, my beautiful wife died of disease and left me lonely. The frailty of the human body, that’s my gripe.” (Gripe? Sounds like #CharactersHell too! )

27/6- Gus- “Absolutely. I will not say much, because I have too many people around me to admit to my health issues, but I’m old enough to have quite a few problems. Some I fix with pills, some that will only continue to deteriorate.”

28/6- Gus- “Activism has always been a thing. I was in my 20’s with a baby boy in the American 60’s, and it’s only continued from there for me. Heck, in a weird way, I think my resident Soulful kiddos are activists in their own way, and I’m proud of them.”

29/6- Gus- “Of course! Who do you think made those stained glass pieces in Soul’s windows?” *proudly smiles*

Frost- “Malta is ma wee artist. Mah talent is putting a fist sae far intae yer face ye cannae eat fur a munth.”

30/6- Deej- *scratches head* “IDK about people kids, not thinking about it. The furry kids are enough right now.”

Tim- “No, unless I were an absent sort of father. Or if I got a specific person knocked up. Nothing says control better than 18 years…”

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#RedLettersTeasers 

1- So it went, and she even picked up a black and red clearance beach towel. When they got to the car, she gave it to him, with the slick little comment. “It’s a theme, I know how much you like red things.”

2- Collar stepped up to the sink, like he would wash out his shirt, careful to slur his speech as well. “Swell party, til your drink ends up on your gut, not in it.”

3- “Or we could head out a few hours early, and go down the shore. We could watch the sun rise over the sand?” Just like that the walls started to fall back down, leaving a very confused looking woman.

4- Of course not, not a woman like her. She practically hung the moon and beamed sunshine and sparkles. Though if it was even possible, well, that proved Tweety was human after all.

5- She didn’t wait for a response, heading off the stage, trying to avoid the inevitable. Malta was coming right for her, swimming through the dance floor.

6- He guessed they were night owls, though probably not like him. His day started around the time the sun set, and sun up was his end.

7- “Let them trample all our little moments together, fact is I had you to myself before they came around today, and when they all go I’ll have you again,”

8- The sun peaked in the window, and she swore for just a moment, he was a fallen golden angel.

9- Malta looked like she could have come from some kind of prom, with the fluffy looking skirt sticking out from under a large suit jacket.

10- With the exception of his music career, he supposed he sailed through life, coasting from one thing to the next.

11- The man devoured her, his eyes scorching the path from her heels up. His hands dug into her hips, his voice barely audible, it was so low and husky.

12- "Ballentine Rajneesh Siyamak, but you can call me Sly for short.” In an old school fashion, Sly held her hand and kissed the back of it. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance Tweety.”

13- “Don’t think I forgot about that, swiping out my stool while I went to sit in front of Tweets. Not cool man, I don’t block your chances like that, no matter how much she laughed at us.”

14- If worry wasn’t keeping her mobile now, she’d treat the day like a vacation, sleeping as she saw fit, healing and trying to rewrite the memories in her mind with music.

15- It flared out in the right places, a summery feel to it, classic time period, if not pin up-esque. She didn’t mind the skirt to her knees, she just missed all her pockets.

16- Unfortunately it was Malta who took his compliment, despite his eyes traveling Tweet’s form as discreetly as he could.

17- “I was thinking more of a salty something to go against the cupcakes they have delivered here, but if you were looking to make those brownies, I guess that would be ok too.”

18- She did not want Tim knowing she started to feel the fear creeping in her, making her heart race.

19- People go to bars to get drunk, drowning their problems in the bottoms of glasses. If they really wanted help, they would go to professionals and work through their issues.

20- Woods worked the clasp, while her eyes gravitated to the colorful things, purples being her biggest weakness.

21- NO CANTER

22- Tweet tilted her head, confusion in every line of her face. She tried to both remember what happened, and then forget it just as fast, through the wicked kind of dizzy in her head.

23- Sly felt it again, that spell that Tweety could weave like a blanket.

24- When they started playing together, I could take them all down one by one without breaking a sweat. Now they grow in music, confidence, and attitude, rocking new looks to go with their new images, and it’s a gang up of four against one.

25- Roger was like a child, and (Deej) felt like the single parent always getting him out of scrapes or taking him on long scavenging journeys that made stable abodes a hard thing to come by as well.

26- He thanked her in return for the course of the night, and added his room number, if she wanted to drop by.

27- NO VOLLEY

28- He had missed a chance that other men seemed to be begging for, so she had cast a wider net, even if she kept an eye out for her ghost guy, unable to close the door on him.

29- The line up the back of her legs had his hands itching to follow it.

30- Yes a good portion of it was how she looked, but Tweety had a way of fashioning her presence in a real way, making you believe she bordered naughty and nice all the time.