Have you taken a second look at @MericCotton's completed story if you read Second Chances once before? Or was this your first time reading it? Either way, this month's CSR selection was something a little different than the usual teen or twenties or even thirties fair. Sometimes life passes before we know it (How is it almost April already?) and things happen.... Make sure you share your thoughts about the story in the comments, but first, as always, my interview with the author first! 

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
** I make the bed when it absolutely must be made – usually after the sheets have pooled on the floor…

If you had 30 minutes of free time, what would you do?
** Walk the dog … take a short horse-back ride … or maybe just play piano – though all of those are better for at least an hour J

What brought you to the site?
** I was searching for somewhere to share my writing that often touches on gay/straight issues.  Mostly somewhere with other writers sharing the same.  Somewhere to grow my skill by interchange with other like-minded people. 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
** As mentioned couple questions ago – spend time with the puppy.  Actually full grown, just loves to act like a puppy – reminds me to think young.  Can spend hours at the piano.  Right now recovering from shoulder surgery – so puppy gets most of my attention.

What’s the first thing you do when you start to write a story?
** Hardest part for me seems to be that opening hook.  How to say enough without saying too much.  I’m sure I’ll anger my past English professors – but I almost never do an outline other than mentally.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging when it comes to writing?
** Opening and closing.  Whether the book or chapters.  If there’s a break inside a chapter, that’s always been a challenge.

Did something specific inspire you to write Second Chances?
** I lost my partner to cancer a few years ago.   I was actually thinking of a long “chapter story” kind of thing – not sure what got me to go with a married man in a straight relationship – but it seems to have worked.

Did the characters or the plot come to you first?
** Story idea came first along with the main character.  Not really the full plot.  Certainly didn’t know where it would end when I started.  That came like half way into it.

What do you think makes Second Changes stand out compared to similar contemporary stories?
** Awkward question … I read a lot of historical fiction or SciFi.  The thing that comes to mind might be the story deals with both straight and gay relationships for one character.

Can you sum up this story in one sentence?
** A recent widower learns to follow his heart while keeping his mind and soul open to what life presents to him.