My writing therapy program has come to fruition. I finished chapter 1 of 319 Winesap Lane and it came in at over 5,600 words. I suspected all I needed to do was get a good storyline and a couple characters to get this thing going, but it’s been much easier than I thought. Though I have to admit the it didn’t go without a few hesitations. It definitely didn’t help I was trying to get caught up with 18 Weeks of Twoey by skinnydragon. It’s an interesting story and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in young gay love and angst. It does have quite a bit of sex in it, but they’re all teenagers so it shouldn’t be a problem to anyone. Unless, of course, you're one of those people who thinks children (for some adults that includes anyone under the age of 25) shouldn't have sexual contact of any kind.

There was an article on newyorker.com about juveniles on sex-registries that can last far into adulthood. The author was of the opinion that any sex play among children is detrimental to their mental health and can have lasting effects including depression, suicide, and PTSD. When I grew up Dr. Spock was the rule of the land and playing doctor was a given and adults shouldn't get overly upset little Johnny showed little Sally his little willy. I certainly didn't have any problem seeing little Johnny's little willy other than his little willy was heck of a lot longer the my little willy and he could get a stiffy, too. Damned little bugger.

I’m going to handle 319 like I did The G.M.Os. and write nearly all of it before starting to publish just so I don’t get hung up somewhere in the middle with a real block and can’t write for months. I don’t think I’ll have a problem because I’ll be looking at a four-year time period for the story. In theory that could take up to 48 or more chapters at a minimum. This thing could go on forever. With Sharon’s new job and longer commute, it now takes longer for my edited stuff to get back so that just might help, too. I could write 10 or so chapters to see how it’s going and if it’s a viable project and then start publishing while I write ahead. The only danger to that is running into a wall and ending up having to force myself to write, which definitely does not work anymore. That’s the one thing I’ve learned about this new mental state. I can’t force myself to write, I have to be content to write when the muse taps me on the shoulder and tells me it’s time to sit down and write for a spell. Like I’m doing today, 2,500 words on the story and, now, a blog entry.

I posted Chapter 1 of 319 on Sneak Peeks, so if you want to read it, it’s there. I hope you like it.

Now, do I turn on the TV or try to start the next chapter? I could go try to find a story to read since the new anthology is out. No, I think I’ll try to work further on 319. I’ve got the music going and that’s kind of soothing, too, though I do catch myself sometimes listening a little carefully when a particular song comes up. Today, one such song was Dave Edmund’s “Born to be With You.” I think for the first time ever I really listened to his voice. The recording is one of his early ones when he was using the Phil Specter echo chamber and Dave’s tenor comes across almost angelic.