Cia

Did you have a chance to read Renee's three chosen short stories for this month's CSR? No? Well why not? Go, read now! You can do it, but make sure you come back here and leave a thought or two on what you read or Renee's writing in general. First, though, we have an interview to share with our very own site Blog Host, Anthology Coordinator, and Signature Author! Friends First Line of Sight More Than A Pact Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point? I usually at least toss the blankets up over it, because my dogs and cats like to jump on the bed, and if I don’t, then I end up with lots of dog hair and dirt between the sheets. It drives me nuts and makes me itch, so I try to prevent it if I can. If you were an animal, what would you be? So many choices that it’s hard to choose just one. Based on my love of the outdoors and hunting, I’d have to say maybe something like a wolf or a bear. Natural hunters who get to spend their entire lives enjoying the mountains. (Though sometimes I think it would be cool to be a shark, I mean, all the things you’d see!!!) What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know? I’m actually very shy and really hate confrontation. I’m the type of person that goes to a bbq (or other gathering) and keep to the people I know. It takes time, but if I’m around the same people a few times, then I’ll start to get to know them, but it’s really hard for me to do. And, while I will stand up for my family, there’s very little that I’ll actually confront someone on. I prefer to try and keep the peace. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? That kind of depends. Outside of spending time with my husband, it kind of depends on the season. During the fall, I’m usually hunting on the mountain with my family. During the summer, I love to go camping and fishing. And while I haven’t been doing it as much, throughout the year I also enjoy sewing and designing quilts. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Coming up with names. Whether it’s the name of a character or a title for a story, it’s always a struggle because I want to find just the right one. Outside of that, I think lately my most challenging thing is focusing enough to actually write. I’ve very easily distracted, so sometimes that makes it hard to actually just sit down and write. What’s the first thing you do when you start to write a story? It depends. It’s rare that I plot out a story from start to finish. For me, I basically just sit down and start writing. I rarely even have the entire cast of characters in mind when I start something new. I basically have an idea of where the story starts and where I want it to go. Now, if it’s a sequel, the first thing I do is go back and skim through the first story, because I want to make sure I don’t have any annoying little continuity issues. Are any of these stories based on a personal experience? None of these ones, but I do have a couple stories on here that are. I think my most personal story on here is “Take a Ride”, which is based on when I had a dangerous drop in blood sugar and scared the crap out of my hubby. Is there a particular character or theme in these stories who you most identify with, and how so? Not really. I guess if I absolutely HAD to choose, I’d say maybe Keith from Friends First, but only because we’ve both been cheated on and found out through friends. Can you sum up each of these short stories in one sentence? Eek, that’s a difficult one, but I’ll try. Friends First: Keith’s life is falling apart around him, thanks to his cheating bastard of a boyfriend, but things start to look up when his best friend reveals some truths that he’s been hiding. Line of Sight: Brad was devastated when his boyfriend walked out on him, but, thanks to his six year old son and his son’s teacher, he finally starts realizing that the future he envisioned is within his grasp. More Than a Pact: Paul and Mac made a pact during college about when they both turned 35, but Paul had forgotten about it until Mac shows up on his doorstep on his 35th birthday, ready to make the pact into reality. Can you share a little of your current work with us? I have a lot of projects in the works, but the one that has most of my focus is Studly Ranch Hands. It used to be called Rough Stock Wranglers (love that title!) but thanks to some major plot changes, the title no longer works, so AJ came up with the working title of Studly Ranch Hands. Here’s an excerpt from close to the beginning:

We all start somewhere.

I know, right? Poor repressed guy stuck seeing all that flesh. I could see it being weird with the inlaws, though. lol Thank you! Synchronicity is an anthology short story. You might have missed it based on that.

I don't search for a lot of inspiration and motivation in my day to day life as I write. I just try to do the best job I can to tell a story that will make others feel what the characters and story have to say. As I was taking a break to enjoy a snack before striving to finally finish my latest contemporary novella, I was struck by the perfect quote to what I want this story, and all my writing, to embody. This is the epitome of what I'm trying to do... and it was right there on the lid of my yogurt.

Did you miss Monday's blog where we announced Nephylim's Damphir is this month's Signature Author feature? You can still check it out here and see what her reviewers had to say about the story! Don't forget to download your copy of the signature graphic if you want to support Nephy and promote her story. If the reviews weren't enough to tempt you to read Damphir, Nephy has picked an excerpt to share with readers: Check out the very dramatic beginning to Nephylim's story in this excerpt she picked to share: Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!

That is always the greatest compliment when someone reads something they might not otherwise try, and they find themselves sinking in and enjoy the story. This was all about creating a world in the background while connecting with Sudal as he faces the pressures of his life, so I'm soo happy it worked for you even through it's paranormal. Thank you so much for the review, Lisa!

This was definitely not a run of the mill story. It wasn't a happy ending, and there are a lot of questions left... because I left the door open for him to survive. The question really will be how, definitely. I don't know about landing in a human's backyard, but I'm thinking he's going to come down somewhere. Thanks for the review, jfalkon!

Maybe he did, maybe he did. It's pretty unanimous, so I'm thinking I'll have to keep writing. Thanks for the review, Craftingmom.

Thank you, Defiance! Those are such great compliments. I think we definitely have to have more.

I do like doing paranormal/contemporary mixes rather than making them feel more like a paranormal fantasy story. You picked up on the clues, well done!! There is a ton going on behind the scenes that definitely needs to come out. Thanks for the review, Gary.

Thank you, Wayne! Those are all questions I wanted readers to ask. I'm definitely going to have to do more.

LOL! Hopefully you remember what happened the second read through.

This month we're featuring a story I happen to personally enjoy very much: Damphir by Nephylim. There are a lot of twists and turns, and a ton of really interested characters to meet along with the main character, Glory. Length: 61,144 Story Description: A werewolf called Rover, a cat who can fly (among other things) a confused vampire, a spiteful faery and a testy human all confined in the same house and trying to learn to live together. A strange mix and a strange story. Story Reviews: CW Prince says... I get so wrapped up in your stories that when I get to the final chapter I almost want to stop reading so the story never ends. This story was no exception. A wonderful story and one I am sure to revist again soon. You never cease to amaze me with your talent and ability to wrap me into the story and take me into the very folded fabric of each and every character. Thank-you! Seraph74 says... Awww, what a beautiful ending to a beautiful story!!! I'll admit that I'm one of few gay men who don't actually appreciate sex scenes within a well-written story; it's a bit like a musical can be - the storyline stops while everyone sings (fucks), and then resumes once the music is over. But this chapter... wow. Beautiful music all it's own, and I didn't skip over one bit of it like I normally do. This chapter alone puts you into a league of your own, Nephy; well done!! And while I should be satisfied that I have just read a fabulous story that I will enjoy reading again (especially now that I know it has a happy ending; I am a sucker for happy endings), I must admit I am gloriously (no pun intended) happy that there will be a sequel to enjoy. Keep up the great work, Nephy... 'tis truly a treasure to behold!!! Michael9344 says... I think what interested so much in this story is how fascinating Glory is. So fascinating that each and every thing about him is intriguing; including his future i have no idea where Glory and Sar are headed, but I'm sure as hell going for the ride;). Did I mention how good a story teller you are? Kitt says... It may seem odd to add my review such a long time after you published the last chapter, but i have just recently found the sight and am now working my way through. I love your quirky characters and the crazy situations they find themselves in. I find myself reading "just 5 more minutes" till i am late leaving for work or up till the wee hours, So, will we see our little cat getting into more trouble in the future? Thanks for sharing your work. Comicfan says... I wonder if I am the only one who caught your last comment. But can it last? Nephy, that is just cruel. Glory is remembering far more than ever before. In the beginning there was just his name and the dim memory of blanket. Now he had a mother who died when he was ripped from her arms and at ten someone he loved who died to protect him. It appears that Glory is gathering glory in the rest the world. I wonder if that is what brought such a change to Pixie. Still want to see/hear more of what happens to Valentine. The sucker deserves the worst. Till your final chapter, I simply sit and wait. Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Nephylim chose to share with readers! Want to show your support and enjoyment of Nephylim's story? Download the banner below for your site signature!

Thank you, NDG!! Something did cause that fall, but whether it was something unknown or the audacity of flying before the ceremony...? That will remain to be seen.

Duty doesn't always disappear with failure... so he might be able to live for himself--if he lives--but his clan might still have plans for him. I'm glad you want to see more. Thanks for the review, Aditus!

Thank you, Emi! I wanted there to be a push/pull in the character and these hints of drama outside his actions. I'm so glad readers picked up on it, because it would all tie into a much longer story.

Thanks! I wanted to leave the reader with a lot of questions, even if at first it appears to be a devastating end for Sudal. Glad it worked.

There are hints as to what happened, but you have to be reading very carefully to see it, because you're right... he was successful before. That could all come out later though. Thanks for the review!

You're very welcome! I loved the mystical feeling of the story, and once the tenses were changed it was a lot easier to follow the flow of the drama from the present to past to torturous journey through the past to the present. You twisted various mythos from ancient cultures to modern and demonology to reincarnation, but it all blended seamlessly into a new world to explore and a wonderful journey for your readers. I can't wait to see what the next story in the series will be.

Ahh, but was it a failure on his part? If you read carefully... there are questions as to what REALLY happened. Thanks for the review, LitLover!

There's a lot more to know, but the short story was about crossing the line, so I felt this was a good short story to set the tone for the future. Thanks so much for the review, Jmgal.

Thank you, Daithi! I have so many ideas, so much technical fun for the paranormal world yet to come out. Just how to save Sudal is the question. Raptors are one idea.

Thanks, Llina!

Duty. Bleh! I wanted to leave readers with a lot of questions but still have a complete scene. Glad it came across well.

Great burst of action hooking the reader before it leads to a story that is really more about the mental line Brady struggles to protect. There's his father on one side, the boy he likes on the other, and a life he has no idea how to live without hurting someone, especially himself.