Too Many Things on My Brain. Behold! Brain Vomit!

Behold! Brain Vomit!

To Make the Sexy Times or Not to Make the Sexy Times, that is the Question

I just finished a book. It's called Broken Dreams, and it has some intense sexual moments, more than I have used before. My worry? I want my book to be plot-driven and not just sexy times.  I have asked to be sure, and my beta readers and editor think it's fine. Still, one beta reader did get me wondering. 

How much sex is too much?

I have to admit, when I read sex scenes in a book, unless that scene is filled with dialogue and significant to the story, my eyes will blur right through it. I've read so many books with so many sex scenes, and how many different ways can you say Larry fucked Ted?

So unless it's different, I'm gone. It's one of the reasons I work hard to ensure my own books are unique, that when the characters come together (no pun intended), they set those pages on fire. I also try my best to make sure the scenes are different in the book and when compared to my other books. I also do my best to make sure it's about the plot. 

A Facebook group posted a question about the hardest thing about writing. Do you know what the authors answered? The sex scenes. 

If Facebook was thinking it, I had to know who else was. So you know me, I Googled. Check out these articles:

https://careerauthors.com/how-to-write-a-good-sex-scene/

This one is written by Lia Barr and includes some pretty good pointers.

Oh, you have to read this one right here:

https://bit.ly/3eU23D7

This is for us writers on the spectrum. Love what Tara Lain has to say here. Check it out! 

Great advice. Will not disappoint!  

One of the most important things you can do as a writer is make sure what you write contributes to the plot, helping it move the story along. 

That includes the sexy times, so if it works, it works. I've been told that mine work.

I can't wait to hear if it works for you. 

What's Happening at Home

I don't know about you, but my family is anticipating a normal (or as normal can be) school year. To help, we took a vacation. As many who were also trapped at home, going anywhere is a novel idea for us, too. Do you have any idea how hard it is to separate a 13-year-old from his desktop? When he asked if we could somehow drag it with us, we told him no. He would have to leave Brawhalla behind.

 

Now, he acted like we were killing him, but he had fun. So we went to Florida, and though we didn't go to Disney World, we did go to Fun Spot and Tree Trek! 

And, of course, we had to stop by Triple D spots! 

Se7en Bites was awesome. Colorful restaurant, divine desserts, and awesome food. Loved it. 

Man! Taco Bus was the best ever! I wish we could have convinced them to move here. So good!

As soon as we got home, the 13-year-old went to his room, but it was nice for the week we had him. Occasionally he visits downstairs. The 9-year-old had a ball at the pool and hung out with us. We are enjoying her as much as we can before she disappears, too. 

Now, school. 

We don't know how it's going to go. We're wearing masks in Louisville, district-wide, and there's some question about a virtual school, but I think my babies are ready to go back. I'm a counselor, so I'm pretty excited myself. 

Writing and Promoting

I'm trying something new right now. Booksprout. Ever heard of it?

https://booksprout.co/

Reviews will make or break a writer. You will see requests for reviews in books, posts, and social media. Why? The more people who see them will read a book either to enjoy it as the reviewer did or see if it was as terrible as the reviewer said it was. You don't have to write a description. You could just leave stars, but anything helps. 

Plug for reviews complete.

So what this company will do is connect you with readers who want to review. Now, the reviews are honest, so be prepared. Still, in a world where reviews are hard to come by, options are a good thing. 

I post in Facebook groups, connect with my readers and fellow writers, share pictures I like, build relationships, and use the other social media I'm comfortable with to promote my work. I also share myself, who I am, and what I like. I have a thing for pretty pictures, so I share those, too. It's a steady stream of keeping yourself visible and being honest. Be yourself because if you're not, everyone will know. 

I added Broken Promises to Booksprout as an ARC. It was the last book published before Covid, so I'd like to get it out there again. 

Beta Kristoff Dumanovsky has loved his alpha, Jeremiah Tolliver, for years, but Jeremiah wasn’t ready to move on from the love he still had for his dead wife. When tragedy struck, Kristoff blamed his focus and left not only the Iroquois Pack but Jeremiah as well.

When Stefan Mukhankin, an enemy from Kristoff’s past threatens his safety, Jeremiah uses this as a reason to try and bring Kristoff home. It won’t be an easy battle.

Kristoff’s survived before and feels he’ll survive again. He was trained to elude the enemy even if it’s the man he loves, so Jeremiah is in for the fight of their lives.

Can an alpha help his mate believe their bond is true, or will his mate find yet another place to run?

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3kiYppE

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3kb3UHd

Publisher: https://www.extasybooks.com/978-1-4874-2382-7-broken-promises/

Now, if you're interested in reviewing Broken Promises, here's the Booksprout link. 

https://booksprout.co/arc/71734/broken-promises

That's it for me. 

Have a beautiful week! 

And if I haven't already said it, it is so good to be back! 

Love, 

Deja

Here To Stay

 

Hello, World!

So I just finished my first book since Covid began. A lot happened. I lost three cousins and my father-in-law, started a new job with a serious learning curve, and we moved. Let's not forget the global pandemic that rocked our world. 

I know I'm not alone in this. Getting to a normal is hard. Right now, my family is still more comfortable eating take-out in the car. We are still unsure about wearing and not wearing the mask. The little one is always in hers, while the rest of us play this on-and-off game. We are still nervous about coughs and sneezes, still worried about the next form of the plague. Finding a place that serves our spiritual needs and answers questions is a must. 

For the first time since Covid, we're getting a visit from my parents. I'm so excited, but the intense house clean I used to do when guests came doesn't even matter to me as much as it used to. 

We're different. All of us.

I'm more interested in relationships and reflection. Connections.

That's where I am. 

And then... 

Writing. Typically when I put out a book, I'm focused on character development. You want to know what I was worried about this time? Dialogue tags and different words to use related to sex. Why? Because that hasn't been on my mind at all. 

Just in case you need some help there, check these out:

https://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2011/06/10/sensual-word-menu-2/

The list included here was fabulous. I kept getting stuck on moan, moaning, and after a while, it reminded me of zombies. That was not the feeling I was going for, so I had to search. 

https://writinghelpers.tumblr.com/post/618573472395821056/list-of-vocal-sounds-for-smut

The title for this one was... List of Vocal Sounds for Smut.

It was pretty good. Be sure to zoom out or in, whichever helps you to read the tiny script better. At 47, these eyeballs don't see like they used to. 

And then...

I had to contact my betas. Ya'll, it's been forever since I spoke to my people. I wasn't sure who was available, who still read, and who had time. I mean, COVID. Here I am with a book trying to gather people who have better things to do than to read my work. But guess what? They said yes. 

They're reading right now, and you know what I'm doing? Doubting. Can I still write? Am I any good? Did I lose something along the way? Is it hopeless? Should I have even sent it?  But guess what? You can't get anywhere just doubting. You have to try. 

What Did I Write? 

Broken Dreams, the fourth in the Broken series. This one is about Darren, Samuel, and Dailon. It's that trio at the top there. I wrote when I had time. At night, in the morning, and sometimes when I was waiting in line. But it's finished. If you're not familiar with this series, see the books and blurbs below. I'm going to be posting about them in social media to remind my readers because again, Covid. They had and probably still have more things to worry about. 

Dan Tolliver, the adopted son of Alpha pack leader Jeremiah Tolliver, has suffered his last moment of abuse by his lover Keith Mulligan and finds himself in the hospital. There he meets dark and sharp-tongued Dr. Aiden Kavanaugh, who believes Dan needs some of his straightforward kind of medicine. Still, there is something different about the doctor.

Aiden is a sandman, a weaver of dreams, and has been on Earth far longer than even he knows. He's at the end of his time, ready to transition, and needs a human mate to keep him connected to the world he's grown to love. Only he hasn't found a special person who makes him want to stay. He doesn't despair, because not every Sandman has the chance to choose, but he knows if he doesn't find a partner, he will soon lose his physical form and exist only in dreams.

When Aiden realizes Keith is a far greater monster than Dan has any idea, they grow and work together using the support of the pack―and Dan's inner strength―to overcome impossible odds.

A detective and the future leader of a deadly coven. What can go wrong?

Remi Devereaux is a Louisiana born detective working murder cases in Louisville, Kentucky. While shopping for game-day with the guys, he spots the most amazing person he has ever seen. Peter is a man Remi wants with his whole being, a man he just can’t let go.

Peter Romanoff is a photographer who possesses the spirit of two creatures. Two beings that are slowly tearing him apart. He needs a Supruga, a mate, to help give him balance. When he meets Remi, there is a magnetic pull he can’t deny.

The next in line to lead a powerful coven, Peter is hunted, and the people he knows and loves are being killed. It will take Remi’s love and Peter’s skills to combat the enemy after them. Can Remi be the balance Peter needs before the coven destroys them both?

Beta Kristoff Dumanovsky has loved his alpha, Jeremiah Tolliver, for years, but Jeremiah wasn’t ready to move on from the love he still had for his dead wife. When tragedy struck, Kristoff blamed his focus and left not only the Iroquois Pack but Jeremiah as well.

When Stefan Mukhankin, an enemy from Kristoff’s past threatens his safety, Jeremiah uses this as a reason to try and bring Kristoff home. It won’t be an easy battle.

Kristoff’s survived before and feels he’ll survive again. He was trained to elude the enemy even if it’s the man he loves, so Jeremiah is in for the fight of their lives.

Can an alpha help his mate believe their bond is true, or will his mate find yet another place to run?

(If you click on the book, it will take you to the publisher's website. You can also check Amazon.)

Why Am I Writing?

With everything that's happening, why the heck am I writing? Well, because people need hope. They need a distraction. They need to believe in love. That there is good in the world. At one point, I wanted to stop. I said to a friend< "Why does what I do matter?" She said, "Because you give them something else to focus on, a reason to live. You take them away from their problems." 

I honestly believe that. There are so many signs that have pointed me here doing what I do. I am compelled to tell my stories and infuse them with love. I am necessary, and in my own way, making a difference. It matters. And I hear from those who are touched by those words. 

It's why I couldn't leave. It's why I'm still doing this. Returning to the world is weird, but here I am.

I'm here to stay. 

Thank you for being here with me. 

All the love, 

Deja