Rainbow Snippets - 11th/12th August

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

I've had a bit of a snippet break--haha, months--but I'm back with another snippet from Under the Radar. Welcome to the start of Chapter 6.
#WIP #historical #WW2 #submarines

When Zach returned to take over for the afternoon watch, Albie had good news for him. The captain had, somewhat reluctantly, agreed to let the men topside for an hour before they dived late the next afternoon.

At eight o’clock the next morning Zach led ten members of his watch though the control room to the ladder at the base of the conning tower. Asking Chief Petty Officer Hillman to lead the way, he hung back, finally following his last man up the ladder. That the last man was Acting Leading Seaman Gethin Llewelyn was purely coincidental.

Even though the book isn't ready and I have no cover, I've created a Goodreads entry, because one way or another this book will be released this year, and this should spur me on (especially if people actually add the book to their 'want to read' shelf).

Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf here.

The Blurb

Having invited the wrong man into his bed, US Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Zachary MacKenzie has only one option to save his family name and himself from possible jail time; agree to be cast out of both his country and his service. Sent to Blighty, to ‘help the war effort’, Zach’s punishment is more severe than simply being exiled. For a man used to the freedom of the skies, Zach’s banishment to a life beneath the waves ensures he will be unlikely to see the sky, let alone fly in it.

The only bright spot in the oppressive atmosphere of the submarine is sonar operator and steward, Gethin Llewelyn. Despite the differences of rank, background, and demeanour the pair form a fledgling friendship. However, the tenuous threads of their relationship are sorely tested by Zach’s inability to ignore the thin ribbon of desire that ties him to his steward and threatens to expose all his secrets. Combined with the confusion of Gethin’s late-blooming epiphany, the path to a mutual understanding might be impossible to navigate.

Throw in mysterious miniature vessels that appear to be stalking the sub, some strange vibrations, and several suspicious crew members. With the very real possibility that someone on board is a spy, Zach doesn’t know what is in more danger, the vessel under his charge or his heart.

Rainbow Snippets - 24/25th March

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

I've had a bit of a snippet break but I'm back with another snippet from Under the Radar. Welcome to the start of Chapter 4.
#WIP #historical #WW2 #submarines

Standing to straighten out his back, Zach pulled himself up to his full height and felt his hair brush the ceiling of the wardroom. Taking a step to the right, he positioned himself in the tallest, and one of the few parts of the submarine where he could stand with comfort. How the guys taller than his five ten coped he had no idea. Maybe he should ask Gethin next time he brought a drink.

Zach cupped the back of his neck with both hands and twisted his torso. He relished the burn in the muscles down his side. A low cough interrupted his lazy stretch, dragging his attention back to the table.

Even though the book isn't ready and I have no cover, I've created a Goodreads entry, because one way or another this book will be released this year, and this should spur me on (especially if people actually add the book to their 'want to read' shelf).

Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf here.

The Blurb

Having invited the wrong man into his bed, US Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Zachary MacKenzie has only one option to save his family name and himself from possible jail time; agree to be cast out of both his country and his service. Sent to Blighty, to ‘help the war effort’, Zach’s punishment is more severe than simply being exiled. For a man used to the freedom of the skies, Zach’s banishment to a life beneath the waves ensures he will be unlikely to see the sky, let alone fly in it.

The only bright spot in the oppressive atmosphere of the submarine is sonar operator and steward, Gethin Llewelyn. Despite the differences of rank, background, and demeanour the pair form a fledgling friendship. However, the tenuous threads of their relationship are sorely tested by Zach’s inability to ignore the thin ribbon of desire that ties him to his steward and threatens to expose all his secrets. Combined with the confusion of Gethin’s late-blooming epiphany, the path to a mutual understanding might be impossible to navigate.

Throw in mysterious miniature vessels that appear to be stalking the sub, some strange vibrations, and several suspicious crew members. With the very real possibility that someone on board is a spy, Zach doesn’t know what is in more danger, the vessel under his charge or his heart.

Rainbow Snippets - 3rd/4th March

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

I'm running out of reworked chapters. This is the last one so I might head elsewhere next week. Welcome to the start of Chapter 3.
#WIP #historical #WW2 #submarines

Gethin stood by his berth uncertain what to do next. They’d been at sea a little over eight hours and he’d just finished his first four-hour watch in the control room. Everything seemed to have gone well. He hadn’t missed anything important on the ASDIC and he’d been able to answer any requests for information that Lieutenant MacKenzie had made. It seemed strange to be reporting to an American officer, but the lieutenant seemed personable enough and was obviously still finding his feet in a submarine full of more experienced men, just as Gethin was. Which only made the Captain’s request return to the forefront of his mind.

Even though the book isn't ready and I have no cover, I've created a Goodreads entry, because one way or another this book will be released this year, and this should spur me on (especially if people actually add the book to their 'want to read' shelf).

The Blurb

Having invited the wrong man into his bed, US Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Zachary MacKenzie has only one option to save his family name and himself from possible jail time; agree to be cast out of both his country and his service. Sent to Blighty, to ‘help the war effort’, Zach’s punishment is more severe than simply being exiled. For a man used to the freedom of the skies, Zach’s banishment to a life beneath the waves ensures he will be unlikely to see the sky, let alone fly in it.

The only bright spot in the oppressive atmosphere of the submarine is sonar operator and steward, Gethin Llewelyn. Despite the differences of rank, background, and demeanour the pair form a fledgling friendship. However, the tenuous threads of their relationship are sorely tested by Zach’s inability to ignore the thin ribbon of desire that ties him to his steward and threatens to expose all his secrets. Combined with the confusion of Gethin’s late-blooming epiphany, the path to a mutual understanding might be impossible to navigate.

Throw in mysterious miniature vessels that appear to be stalking the sub, some strange vibrations, and several suspicious crew members. With the very real possibility that someone on board is a spy, Zach doesn’t know what is in more danger, the vessel under his charge or his heart.

Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf here.

Rainbow snippets - 24/25 February

Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook Group that invites authors to post 6 sentences of their work each weekend. It can be from anything you like, your current WIP, a recent release, the golden oldie that even you had forgotten you had written, or just a scrap of an idea (as long as it has 6 coherent sentences). Nothing of your own work worth mentioning? How about a 6 sentence review of your favourite LGBTQ+ story.

I'll be running out of reworked chapters at this rate. Welcome to the start of Chapter 2. (Don't tell anyone but it's slightly more than 6 sentences)
#WIP #historical #WW2 #submarines

Dodging past the kissing couple at the gates, Zach tried to ignore the pang of jealousy that often flared within him at the sight of that simple show of affection. Knowing he could never have that with someone he cared passionately about, he pushed it away, burying it back under lust and the chase for sexual gratification. A chaste kiss, more so than many he had seen, Zach had to wonder if the departing sailor had yet to deflower his flame-haired beauty. It could have been the fiery colour of her long wavy hair, in the style of Veronica Lake, but the girl seemed less demure than the kiss would give her credit for.

Within moments of flashing his credentials to the guard on duty hurrying footsteps echoed behind him.

“Morning.” Slightly breathless in his attempt to catch up with Zach, the young man who had been saying goodbye to his girlfriend sidled in beside him and tried to match Zach stride for stride. “Lieutenant Timothy Noble. Everyone calls me Ginger.”

Even though the book isn't ready and I have no cover and only a draft blurb, I've created a Goodreads entry, because one way or another this book will be released this year, and this should spur me on (especially if people actually add the book to their 'want to read' shelf).

Add it to your Goodreads bookshelf here.

What's happening in the writing cave

It’s been a while since I did a round-up of what I’m planning and the start (ish) of the year is as good a time as any.

Let’s recap on last year first. I had four releases, three new and one re-release.

Renaissance was released in April
Just Hanging Out was released in June
Calamine & Christmas Cake was released in December
And Lesson Learned was re-released in August

Not bad for someone who only writes part time, and slowly.

This year I’ve got off to a slow start, the mad rush to get Calamine & Christmas Cake out in time for a Christmas release and several beta reading projects taking its toll. Plus I find I can get sucked into reading and dragging myself away from my TBR to produce something to add to someone else’s can be hard.

This year I plan to finish a manuscript that’s been hanging about in one form or another for nearly a decade. Under the Radar is set in a submarine during WW2 and I started revisions last week. It’s a slow process but I’m definitely going to get it to the stage where I can send it out for submission.

The other story I definitely want to write this year is Village Love #3. This will be Trevor’s story, there was a hint at the end of Renaissance as to where Trevor’s love life was heading and some strong hints of his past relationship and both of these will hopefully be explored more thoroughly in his own story. I say hopefully because I’m a pantser and I’m never quite certain what might happen. I’m looking at starting that about April with hopefully a September/October release date.

Barefoot, my story from the Taste of Honey, will be re-released this year. It’s more or less ready to go if you don’t want smut but I’m being goaded by one of my beta readers to stop teasing and put my money where my mouth is, or something similar. I certainly want to revisit these guys for Christmas this year, so I may save the smut for then.

As for anything else, well that would be a bonus. I’m currently collating all my scrappy notes in various notebooks into one large ideas notebook so that I can find everything easily. The effort writing these notes longhand is making these ideas start to take root in my mind again, so who knows whether one of these may germinate into my next manuscript.

Bip, Bip, Bip... Oops, I appear to have dropped off the radar

By micadew from US (Happy New Year 2016) [CC BY-SA 2.0 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Firstly, a very belated Happy New Year to you all.

Sorry I've not been around much for the first couple of weeks of the year. Hopefully I can make up for that over the next few weeks.

What had me distracted from blogging?

Well, to be honest, I think I was all blogged out from my A- Z of Christmas. That was an exhausting feat for me, researching and writing 25 blog posts over 25 days. During that time I didn't write a word that wasn't connected to a post, and my manuscript languished in that almost but not quite completed stage because of it.

Consequently, I took the time between Christmas and New Year to finish off the first draft of my WIP. This is the follow up story to Resonance and catches up with Rick and Mal several weeks after the weekend they first met. The manuscript is now with several beta readers brandishing red pens and I would normally spend the next few weeks taking a break from writing. However, one (or more) of the side characters wanted a story, and wanted it now, so I have already made a start on Book 2 (assuming Resonance is Book 0.5).

Anyway, enough with the excuses, I plan to make several posts over the next couple of weeks. Subjects may or may not included: wrapping up last years' reading recs, promo and reviews for New Lease of Life, reading plan for 2016, writing/publishing plans for 2016, I might even remember to take part in Rainbow Snippets one of these weekends.

See you all in a couple of days. I hope!

K is for

Kisses

By G.dallorto (Own work) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

and Kinda finished

I've typed The End on my current WIP but, honestly, it isn't really finished. Before it can go off for the first round of beta reading I've got loads to do.

Those pesky sex scenes that are so far just line sketches need to be filled in and colour and life need to be added. 

While tackling the end I had an idea for a scene earlier in the story, but I've no idea if it will fit and I doubt if I'll know for sure until I've written it. 

There's some fact checking to do on both Muslim culture and plants.

I also need some names for side characters. Normally I wouldn't fret too much about side characters but this one might end up getting his own story so I need to get his name right.

And I need to put a name to the fictitious town that is closest to Slopy Bottom.

Any suggestions on those last two would be gratefully received.

Morning, sucker

Just a quick word to let you know how things are going in the land of Lillian.

With RL stuff happening, writing of new material has been slow. Progress hasn't been helped by the regular interruption of edits for New Lease of Life. Luckily these haven't been too intensive, more the occasional rephrasing (or debating the existing phrasing) rather than any rewrites. NLOL has now been through three rounds of edits with Dreamspinner and that part of the process is over. The blurb is pretty much finalised and now I'm just waiting on a cover. As soon as I have a release date I'll let you know.

Hopefully I should be able to get back into a regular writing routine because I'm eager to get back to Rick and Mal and the rocky road at the start of their relationship. Who are Rick and Mal? Well, if you were at the UK Meet their initial story is on the USB. Don't worry if you weren't, one of my jobs over the next few weeks is to sort out a cover and get that story uploaded to ARe and Amazon.

Property of Lillian Francis

Why the abusive header? You do me a disservice, I was saying hi to my fishy friend.


Okay, that's all there is from me. What are your plans for the coming months?

Snippet 4 & 5

These final snippets are for shinya_diey over on Dreamwidth. The request read, "May I ask about WIP of your choosing? 7, 19, 79"

Since I didn’t have any more manuscripts ready that ran to 79 pages I’ll can give you two snippets. Both are very rough and nothing more than partially written paragraphs in a vague layout.

The first is 19 lines from the 7^th paragraph of something currently referred to as ‘cafe french’.

Opening his mouth to speak Adam realised that his mouth was inexplicably dry. He flicked his tongue out, wetting the centre of both upper and lower lips in one swift movement. Luckily, the gorgeous creature in front of him was still concentrating intently on the board above his head and didn’t notice the aborted attempt at speech, which Adam suspected had left him gaping like an idiot.

Before he could make any further foray into communication, the swarthy man shifted his focus to Adam. Pale brown eyes, the colour of the hazelnut syrup in the bottle behind the counter, regarded Adam warily, the expression heightened by the frown which still carved deep furrows above the thin straight nose.

“Bonjour.” The man’s voice was deeper than Adam had expected, rich and velvety.

With just one word it seemed to seep into Adam’s chest, spreading out and dripping down his spine until it pooled low and warm in his groin. Damn, he needed to get laid, if that was the response one word from a swarthy stranger could instigate.

It didn’t even register that the one word hadn’t even been English or that, without thinking, Adam answered in kind.

“Bonjour.”

The furrows in the stranger’s brow smoothed and he smiled; a brilliant flash of white teeth in full lips. A string of words emanated from the Frenchman’s lips, so fast that Adam caught nothing but the sil vous plait at the end.

The second is 9 lines from the 7^th paragraph of something tentatively titled ‘RH Pillock’.

Spread-eagled on the bed, in a manner most unbecoming a man of his station, Toby wore a towel, wrapped loosely around his waist, and nothing more. Moisture still clung to his skin and droplets of water shimmered in the soft burr of hair that ran between his nipples, the remainder of his chest and abdomen as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Unless he allowed his gaze to dip lower where the pale brown hair started again in earnest just below his belly button, the soft sweep of an inverted V spreading ever wider. Although, on pain of death, Jacob would swear he had never ever looked with any degree of interest.

He should really reprimand Toby for lying on the bed whilst still wet from his bath.

Snippet 3

Today's snippet is for Elin Gregory, author and all round good egg, who is always ready with words of encouragement and inspiration. This is for you my friend.

17 lines from the 4th paragraph of p.68 of my WIP, Under the Radar.

Emboldened by Gethin’s last response, Zach knew his next question would push all acceptable boundaries of behaviour, but the laughter had left him feeling light-headed. Reckless, even. He ignored the small voice in his head that told him to mind his own business and ploughed on.

“This Meredith, did she give you a parting gift?” Zach said, adding just the hint of a leer. Gethin’s eyes widened, but they lacked that flash of amusement he’d previously displayed. Regardless, Zach pressed on. “You know? A present for a young hero going off to war?”

Gethin’s expression ran through a myriad of emotions. Shock. Disgust. Disappointment. Slack-jawed, Gethin stared at Zach, his mouth open sufficiently for Zach to glimpse the white of his teeth and a flash of pink. Maybe he’d pushed too far again. It was this sort of behaviour that had previously goaded complete strangers and colleagues alike to take a swing at his well-chiselled jaw line. A quick glance at Gethin’s hands, lax and comfortable in the dense fabric of Zach’s jacket, lead Zach to believe that violence wasn’t Gethin’s intention, to Zach’s relief.

Gethin exhaled sharply and, having gathered his wits, he made his objections. “What? No! If that were the case I would be compelled to return to her.” A sigh escaped from his lips. “I don’t want to go back. Not for longer than a visit to see my Ma and sister.”

The omission of his father from that list registered with Zach but he decided not to push that particular line of questioning any further.

This is an MS that has been hanging about for a while. It's almost completed and I should get my finger out and finish it so that it is submission ready. *adds it to things to do list*

Snippet 1

Last week I offered up the chance for people to request snippets from my work, either on-going projects or published manuscripts.

Here's the first one for one of my original online friends, idamus.

She gave me 9, 15, 82 and asked for something from a WIP.

Here is 15 lines from the 9th paragraph on p.82 of my recent submission, New Lease of Life.

A barrage of giggles from the next table broke through the palpable tension, ripping it asunder. With a grin, Colby turned toward the laughter and addressed the women sitting there. “I’ll have what he’s having.”

As a group, they laughed in unison.

Pip frowned around the straw, reluctantly letting it slip from his lips in order to speak. “But it’s yours.”

An astonished look passed over Colby’s features and he shook his head. “It’s a film quote. When Harry Met Sally?  No? Best rom com ever. And you call yourself a gay man.”

A chorus of sighs emanated from the next table. Did they agree with Colby’s assertion? Who knew? Certainly not Pip, who felt as though the conversation was slipping away from him.

“I’m disappointed. Please tell me you’ve seen Priscilla.”

Who? “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I wouldn’t know a rom com if it got up and bit me on the bloody arse.”

“Interesting thought. Love the way you say arse. That long stretched out R.”

Whispers of conversation drifted over from the other table. So sweet.

Enjoy ;)

Still more radio silence...

Since I haven't been blogging, what have I been up to?

Well, I've been reading, but more about that tomorrow.

Mostly I've finished up the WIP 'New Lease of Life', prepped synopsis and blurbs, and sent it off for submission. After all the additions and tweeking that MS is out of my hands at least for now. I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to Pip and Colby just yet. While the publisher decides yay or nay, I've had an idea for a promo piece which I might as well get written now because I'll forget all about it come release time.

As a mini celebration of sorts (because any finished MS is a victory) give me three numbers, one less than 10, one less than 20, and one less than 100, and I'll give you a snippet from one of my stories. If you want to you can specify published or WIP (because there are many started MS on my desktop), or even a particular book title.

So, bombard me with your requests.

FYI: It doesn't have to be on this blog, I'll check each of the other platforms I've posted this on for responses (Twitter/FB/Goodreads/Dreamwidth/LJ).

First draft in the bag

I have finally finished the first draft of New Lease of Life. This story started life with the intention of being a short for a dreamspinner anthology submission. I missed both the deadline and the maximum word count by a mile because it somehow morphed into just under 60K.

I was going to post this tomorrow as a Christmas present to you all but I remembered that I'm blogging over at Guys Like Romance Too and nobody would expect two posts from me in a day :)

So to celebrate the end of the first draft I decided to do one of those 7 from 7 things but instead I'm doing 12 from 23 (the date, see).

Twelve lines from page twenty-three.
(this is first draft and unbetaed)

“You have a website,” Colby said, the phrasing making the words a statement not a question despite his hesitancy. 
“Of course. I work online. It would be poor business practise not to have a website.”
“Uh-huh.” Colby shook his head and made a show of chewing.
Obviously, he had more to say on the subject and Pip tried to avoid staring, casting his gaze back to his lunch rather than watching and waiting for the undulation of Colby’s throat when he swallowed. Or the way he licked his lips to catch the oil from the semi-sundried tomatoes.
“The blog. Tweedle’s about. Nice play on words by the way.”
Fuck. The brioche seemed to expand to clog his throat. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 
“I found it. Your blog. I was researching tweed and you came up.”

Enjoy.

And it's your last chance to enter the giveaway for When Love Flue In. 

Tick tock

Thought it was about time I updated my works in progress page.

http://lillianfrancis.blogspot.co.uk/p/work-in-progress.html