Carlos Hazday

Against my better instincts (I usually skip stories where Romance is the primary genre,) I decided to try this one out. Pleasantly surprised and impressed with the technical improvements. Keep working at it. However, I won't be reading further for now. I've been burned too many times when authors post stories before they're finished and either abandon them entirely or are unable to maintain a regular posting schedule. I should return when you're done.

Not sure why, but I used murder of crows in last week's chapter and shiver of sharks in the current one. I forgot I also use pod of dolphins in a short story I'll post in late summer and bale of turtles in one coming in spring of next year. I'm a regular zoologist these days...

@Mikiesboy Forgot to mention a shiver of sharks during our previous discussion. Hard to believe I followed a murder of crows with that one.

Glad you enjoyed it, my friend.

Thank you! My writing has evolved since those first books along with my portrayal of the characters. Long series tend to get repetitive and I've tried to avoid that pitfall. I don't feel the need to revisit detailed meal plans or other activities unless it's something new which advances the tale.

By now you should know I like to inject lots of humor in my stories. The changes in CJ and Owen will continue, and the next chapter will show how the dynamics between them keep evolving.

Bingo! Most of the time, the two Cesars come to their senses, but now and then Brett has to intervene. And you're right, he--and to a degree, Owen--has learned when to stay in the shadows and when to jump in.

I think it helps they all get along. No weirdo Uncle Carlos in the mix to muck things up. The family gathers for a couple of holidays and special events, I try to make all those instances fun events. Even when some grownups act up. Do you hear me, Cesar?

You always seem to get what I want coming across. Brett used to be scared of being a father so was overprotective. The man's relaxed and realized CJ's got a good head on his shoulders. I've been working on the role reversal for a while and you'll see a bit more of it all the way to the end of this book. About, Liz... Sometime last year, I was criticized because I made the deathbed scene too short and didn't milk the drama enough. Little did those individuals realize the beauty of that final interaction was in its simplicity. I'd say readers went through enough tissues in that chapter. Or how much drama I've milked out of it since! The most important parts of her requests will be revealed in three chapters, on Thanksgiving Day 2019. Here's a hint: she uses the words of a Blood, Sweat, and Tears song to convey it. Thank you, Spikey.

The three will have another serious conversation coming soon. Maybe we can get Brett to go all Alpha again.

One of my well-known sprawling chapters. Readers either like them or hate them. Hopefully, people realize all the events are interconnected and they flow well. It's getting to the point I need to start wrapping up some story arcs and this chapter did a little. We now know where the grandparents will be for the next few years. And that Ritchie thinks his girlfriend's a shark!

Liz? Damn! I'd almost forgotten about her.

I try to humanize my characters as much as possible. Mine are feel-good, positive stories, but shit happens and people disagree. When we already know the two arguing have tempers, we can expect sparks to fly.

Y'all just like it way too much when there's a hint of violence. Unfortunately, CJ rarely resorts to fists these days. I miss the good old day when I could have him beat up people. He comes close in the next chapter

I'll have you know C&B will appear in the next three chapters again. Varying degrees of involvement, but they'll be there.

I kinda like it too. I keep trying to come up with scenes for them to go at it.

“How the fuck did you convince your mom to give up all this stuff?” CJ held his corner of the couch with a knee while adjusting his grip on the bottom edge. The sofa was not overly large or heavy, but getting it inside the elevator was awkward. “Bruh, I didn’t even ask. She offered. Dad grunted when she did. He claimed it was an excuse for her to get all new stuff for the den. Said I might be moving in with Tank, but I was still costing him money. When I first told them my plans, Mom teared

Carolina Marie Prado was born on the last day of June 2019. On the first day of July, CJ and Owen stopped at the hospital to see the newborn. “Hi, CJ. Hi Owen. Thanks for coming by to see us.” Cristina sounded tired but looked content. Her husband had gone to work, but her mother was in town. “She’s so tiny!” The newborn was ensconced in the crook of Cristina’s arm. “Thiago’s baby was so much longer. Who does she look like?” “Damien says she looks like his mother. Oh, and of co

Happy 18th birthday, Ask an Author! After today, our little feature can vote but is still unable to drink legally in the United States. I think someone has been slipping it beers behind my back, though. I found it passed out in my computer complaining of a hangover. Since Florida is flatter than an eight-year-old’s chest, I decide to stick to the mountains and head north. When I hit the Trans-Canada Highway, I turn east until reaching the Toronto area for a visit with @Mikiesboy. • You put a great deal of feeling and emotion into your work, which you have stated is down to your own personal background, but does it sometimes also get in the way and work against you? In other words, are there subjects which you feel you cannot write about? • • • The simple answer is no. If something appeals, or comes to me and I feel it would make a good story, I'll write it. My past still haunts me, you just do not ever get over that stuff, not really. You learn to deal with it. I put things into boxes and stack them in the corner. These days mostly it stays there. Pretending it didn't happen is no way to deal with it, so I'd write about it - have written about it in Levko, in Street Words and My Life in Pieces. I don't know if I'd write more about that life, I mean there is only so much you can say. Maybe but there'd have to be a very compelling reason to do it again. These days I'd rather write about other things, not necessarily happy ones just different I guess. I love writing comedy, prompts are a lot of fun and make you think. Poetry of course, is my one true love. I think you should try everything... every genre. I'd love to write a good mystery or horror. It's something I think about a lot. I may have even done some planning ... possibly. Thanks again for the question. • • • • • @Nephylim is in Wales. Since my superpowers do not extend to riding my Harley over the pond, I catch a plane to visit her. I made sure it was not a Boeing 737 Max! • What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex? • • • I don't mind answering questions about anything. Any interaction is welcome. To be honest, I haven't thought about this. Given that I've been non binary all my life (although I haven't actually "named" this until fairly recently) and that my inner dialogue has always been entirely male, I think, to be honest, that writing a female character is more difficult. It's almost that female is the opposite sex if that makes sense. As I am autistic I find understanding all people, whether male or female, quite difficult and to some extent I rely on television, films, books etc to give me basic understanding of how people interact with each other. Having been a solicitor for many years in the field of family law, I have also had the opportunity to gain more insight into what motivates people on a deeper level. Sometimes it's difficult to separate the real from pure fiction, but I hope I manage it well enough. I hope that's enough to answer the question. I tend to wander off topic sometimes. If the person who asked the question would like more information or to discuss it directly, I'm more than happy to do so. • • • • • Back home in Florida, it’s a skip and a jump to Tampa Bay and @BHopper2. We get the final answer to a set of questions we asked at the end of last year. • What would you like to be? A successful businessman, and a professional writer. With a great husband that understands me and two adopted teens that we both love. Living in a high-rise condo in the middle of downtown Tampa, and living comfortable lives until we grow old, retire, and pass-away. • • • If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome home, and well done. The party district is this way, it's been a lot livelier since you gays started running it. • • • • • That is it for this month, my friends. My inventory of questions and answers is severely depleted. If you have questions for any author on the site, send them to me instead of them. I’ll chase them down, get a response, and share it on AAA for everyone to enjoy. Happy 420! ps - @Myr who do I send all my travel expense receipts for reimbursement?

@Nahrung Thank you! If you read my author's blurb, It does mention a love of travel and wanting to share my experiences with readers. The guys have spent time in Wisconsin and in Chicago; coming up (one way or another) CJ and Owen will be in the Twin Cities.

You nailed that one!

@quttzik I posted something recently about loving binge readers. You snuck under the radar, didn't figure out you were doing it until you left a reaction for Spring. Thanks for the praise. I've tried to create characters we can like even if we don't always agree with them. Something akin to real life. Even with close friends, there will always be differences of opinions. Surmounting them is a sign of maturity.

Thanks, bud. The beach house interactions were designed to show a more serious side to the characters involved. It should also reinforce few relationships are the same and that CJ's willing to accept and not judge those with different approaches.

Good luck, Boss.