Carlos Hazday

You know me sooo well! What was that line about not selling a wine before its time? I feel the same way about my writing: I won't post a story before its time. The more experience I gather, the more paranoid I become about sharing sub-par stories. Yes, there'll still be errors; with your help and that of the other team members, they're not as frequent as they would be otherwise.

Thank you! This was a difficult book to write. It was important to cover CJ's involvement in the presidential campaign; it helps shape his future. At the same time, I needed to show growth in how he dealt with his family and his political convictions. I wanted to show him moving away from the black and white views he once held and which led him to say all Republicans hated gay people. Some of it was written before election day; the results didn't affect this book a lot but I did have to scramble and make revisions to my outline for the next book. There went the inauguration balls and dancing all night. My intent from the beginning was to write a feel good tale. I didn't want characters full of angst and self-doubts. CJ and the supporting cast are meant to be take-charge type of people who deal with adversity in a straightforward manner. Trump's election was the ultimate in adversity but I don't think that fiasco will keep our young man down for long.

@jwh6868 I've been known to begin posting new books on Jan 1 so the second wouldn't be that out of the norm. But not this time around. Over The Rainbow is written and in the process of being edited. It'll go live a little later than you suggest but when it does, there'll be no interruptions in posting.

@chris191070 Thanks for the comment and the review. CJ and Owen will return in a few weeks and there'll be big changes in their lives. Stick around and I promise there'll be a few surprises in the next installment.

@wkramer Thank you! This book ends on a sad but hopeful note giving us a bit more insight on how CJ thinks. The next one will focus a bit more on his first year in college and the gigantic changes coming for him and his family. I think you'll like that ride even more.

@bikerman LMAO! Dude! 2018's only two weeks away. You make it sound like you'll have to wait an entire year or something. Thanks for reading. Thanks for commenting. And most of all thanks for trusting my storytelling and sticking with me.

Smoke tendrils rose from César and Brett's lit cigars as they came outside and joined CJ on the courtyard. The intoxicating aroma of tobacco battled the more robust tang from logs burning in the fire pit and lost. Owen was next door, his nose stuck in a book, studying for an exam. Ritchie was running around Georgetown with two friends from school; they dressed up but instead of asking for candy, they were collecting funds for UNICEF. CJ fondly remembered doing the same his first Halloween in Was

@Bft We'll delve a bit more into CJ's freshman year in the next book. This one focused on his involvement in politics and once the election is over with, he'll have more time to spend with family and friends.

@Defiance19 Thanks, Def. Oh, ye of little faith... There'll only be one Harley, no way could we mess with that man. I agree institutions of higher learning must continue to foster open speech and Georgetown's a good example. Earlier this year, they hosted the Attorney General even though there were plenty of students and faculty who objected to his presence. The appearance by the Speaker of the House in an earlier chapter was based on a real event so the university is not adverse to hosting conservative voices even though it's known as a somewhat liberal institution. Carson's going to be around in the future and I'll try to give him his own personality. Hopefully, you'll like what I do with him.

@jaya1968 Thanks, man. One more chapter to go on this portion of the story, ut CJ & Company will return in January after a break for the holidays. Hope you enjoy the conclusion of Roar.

The moment someone shares a story with the public, they're no longer writing 'just for fun'. I constantly research while writing, particularly for the CJ series so strongly grounded in the real world. Doing anything less would be insulting to readers who decide to spend their time reading what I wrote. Same reason I don't go long periods of times between chapters. I'm not taking for granted anyone picking up what I write if I treat them as so unimportant. I treasure comments from readers who are reminded of a place when I describe it accurately, and comments like the one someone made about retracing characters' steps while on a visit to Washington and eating at a restaurant I used as a setting. I'll repeat myself: it's all about respect for the readers.

Thanks, bro. Sorry this chapter didn't have more political content...

That's the whole idea! I want to show CJ's just like the rest of us! LOL

I think even the most casual of baseball fans were moved by them winning the series. In 2016 we were all Cubbies. Earl's a product of my twisted imagination. Sometimes I scare myself!

He gets drunk and throws up in a NYC gutter in a recent chapter I wrote. Does that count?

There's two main scenes in the next chapter. The first one is the day before the election and I tear up each time I read it. The second one takes place election night and I smile when I read it. I had to make some serious change to the original outline to that scene and a few to subsequent chapters. It's been an interesting challenge.

@BlindAmbition Yeah, CJ's definitely not typical. That's what makes him interesting and the story different from most teen tales. Let me tell you, something, I'm experiencing whiplash because CJ @ 18 is posting and I'm writing CJ @ 21. Interesting how those 3 years make a big difference.

It was one of the World Series I've paid close attention to since the Marlins beat the Yankees and then sold off the team. I gave up on baseball then. Let's see what Jeter does with Miami and I'll consider following the sport again. I did think of you while writing this chapter, I knew if nobody else would, you'd empathize with the emotions from Rod and by extension CJ and Ritchie.

The first scene was fit for the book. Subsequent ones, although keeping the political theme in the background for atmosphere purposes, were designed to show CJ being a college student while still advancing the story. Funny you mention the wines, I recently created a new winery! Writing stories is as much fun as playing with Legos: you get to use your imagination and create whatever you want!

Screweup priorities if you ask me. I would have jumped at the chance. But then again, I think it showed CJ's character. He made a commitment and he's going to see it through.

The 2017 World Series was one for the history books so I thought it should play a part in this story. As for Earl, I tried to make him sound as lame as possible. Hopefully I succeeded and in the process showed how repeating slogans doesn't say much unless you have the facts to back them up.

Yeah, CJ's time may be in short supply, but if he can relate to the likes of the people he's met, he can definitely still deal with kids his age. I wanted to show he's still a student first.

Thanks, avid! Carson we met before but this is Gina's first appearance. She'll be back and play a significant role in the story. Get ready for next Friday, the election takes place and it's the end of this book!

@chris191070 Thank you, my friend. Glad you liked it!

@tor200534 Thanks, bud! Where the heck do you live or when do you go to sleep/wake up? You're always one of the first to read and react right after the chapter goes live.