Writer's Block and Yard Work!

Okay, so I've had a rough time writing lately. Off and on, I've worked on Book 4 in the Eternity series for Ellora's Cave. I know where I want to go and kind of how to get there but I can't seem to get there with the word count I want. I want to push myself toward longer stories. Most of my published work is novella length. Only Past Lies made it over 50k. If I want to go beyond ebooks and anthologies, I need to learn to write longer stories. So the plan for Eternity 4 (I don't have a title yet...) was at least 50k words.

So being stuck, I do what I usually do... "Hi, my name is Shayla and I'm a procrastinator." Of course, my version of procrastination is to write something else. I managed to write two short stories and get them submitted--one for Cleis and one for Black Lace. Now, I'm back to Eternity 4. I made sure I left today free of any obligations with plans to write all day--at least 5k. So what have I been doing? Yard work...

I hate getting hot and sweaty unless there's a man involved. So needless to say, I'm not fond of yard work. I usually manage to keep the front yard looking decent. After all, I do have neighbors to consider. The back yard is another story. The joys of a privacy fence. However, when I start losing critters in the jungle, it's time to take action.

I started around 8:30 this morning. Ran the mower around the west side of the yard--the worst part. I don't have a "lawn". I have a yard. Tough water grass, well watered by lots of rain, encouraged by warm nights and hot days, can be a total bitch to mow. If I let it get too high, one pass just doesn't cut it well. I did the first pass and raked up the clippings. Ran the mower a second time to catch the stray clumps and then raked again. Ready to pass out from heat stroke, I took a break for a little while.

The east side of my yard is under a giant--GIANT--pin oak tree. It rarely sees the sun so it's hit and miss with the grass but it's fodder for fallen branches. Every time a storm rolls through, I have tons of limbs to pick up. So after a little rest, I started picking up the branches and pulling up some of the taller weeds. I have real issues with polk salad (also known as polkweed). If I don't pull them up, they can take over my yard.

Then back to the mower to finish off the back yard. And the freakin' thing wouldn't start. I tried everything--checked gas, oil, spark plug, checked the blade to make sure it wasn't clogged, kicked it a few times and called it lots and lots of really bad names. Nothing. Left it sit for a while and came back. Nothing. Came inside and called Momma to whine then tried to start it again. Nothing. Sometimes I wonder why I bought a house. An apartment with no yard work sounds really good right now.

So I'm procrastinating again by blogging. I'll try again this afternoon and if it still doesn't start, it's off to the lawnmower doctor.

Now, I have to get to writing. I won't have time tomorrow. I'm doing a "hair/nails/sushi" day with Momma and Lil Sis. Plus we're making a coffee run to Barnes & Noble after lunch. More books! Like I need more. My recent deliveries from Amazon include STANDISH by Erastes, DAMNED DELICIOUS & DANGEROUS by Delilah Devlin, Megan Kerans and Lisa Renee Jones, and PURPLE PANTIES-a Zane lesbian anthology which includes a fantastic story by Delilah Devlin. I've only read Delilah's story in that one and haven't started the other books!

I guess I could avoid my writer's block by reading... "Bad Shayla!"

Tagged by Delilah!

Delilah Devlin tagged me with a fun challenge.

The rules of the challenge go like this:

1. Find the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five other bloggers.

The book I chose was Best Gay Romance 2008 edited by Richard Labonte. The sentences are from The Rush of Love by Jack Fritscher.

Dan sat back and grinned, listening to us making our way through the small talk with steady gains toward discoveries of everything we had in common.

Kick and I were not strangers.

We recognized we were old souls.

Okay, now I'm supposed to tag five other people... Let's see...

Anna J. Evans
TA Chase
Elisa Rolle
Marisa Chenery
Darragha Foster

Post your own three sentences here if you like!

New Cover! And it's a hot one!

Another fantastic cover by the incomparable Les Byerley!

LONGING FOR ETERNITY

Coming to Ellora's Cave, July 2nd!

Although this story has some male/male interaction, the main focus is on the relationship between Serena and Zaki.

Blurb:

Serena’s love for Zaki surpassed death, but her transformation into a vampire has kept her separate from him for thirty-four years. Her heart and body crave him, but the natural enmity between vampires keeps their visits brief. Now fate twists its fickle fingers into her life and teases her with a solution. And a piece of her heart she’d thought lost forever.

Zaki has spent two millennia living by the rules of vampiric nature—alone. Sex was a means to blood, not love, until Serena entered his life and enslaved what was left of his soul. Now his longing for eternity with the one woman who captured his heart may become a reality. If they both survive long enough for the cure…

I Bought A Man!

Stop by the Liquid Silver Blog on Wednesday, May 7th, for all the details!

http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com/blog/

Shayla

DESTINATION PLEASURE Available in Print!

This anthology includes my story DOUBLE DEUTSCH--one of my few non-male/male stories! *cackle*

DESTINATION PLEASURE is now available in print at Amazon.com!

Ever fantasize about going somewhere exotic? Want to make a memory that burns long after the trip is over? Nine women. Nine countries. Nine erotic adventures. Join them as each embarks on the trip of a lifetime. Sometimes it's the journey. This time it's the destination. Destination Pleasure Erotic moments in exotic places.

DOUBLE DEUTSCH by Shayla Kersten

Needing a fresh start after her husband divorces her for a younger woman, advertising exec, Catherine Lakeland, takes a position in Germany. Curious about sex with a man other than her husband but wary of the complications of a relationship, Cat trades places with her new friend, a sex worker at a brothel, for one night of pleasure but double the fun.

MADE IN MEXICO by Desiree Holt

Gabrielle, a former DEA agent, has safely retreated from the world, living in a tiny room in the Yucatan and making her living as a guide for tourists in the Quintana Roo jungle. Then her old boss asks her to find an agent stranded in the jungle with no way to contact anyone, and help effect his retrieval. Luis Aguilar is her former lover, a man who ignited her passion and stole her heart, yet she ran from the lifestyle he offered. What will happen when she sees him again after a year has passed?

WICKED IN WALES by Eve Savage

Ever had one of those days? First a train strands hotel manager Leia Weisman in a Welsh town with a 54 letter name, her best friend won’t get off the “you need to get laid” wagon, and she practically attacks the zipper of the sexiest man she’s ever seen. Lucky for her, Maddock Cyndyn has the cure. Him.

DEEP DOWN UNDER by Myla Jackson

On vacation to Australia, Lucy is left with a bad taste in her mouth when her boyfriend dumps her because she won't go down. A twist of fate, a kamikaze kangaroo, and Lucy is on an outback adventure she'll never forget when she lands in the arms of sexy Aussie cowboy, Jack Kenner, where she learns the magic of going Deep Down Under.

SULTRY SAUDI NIGHTS by Allie Standifer

The past is supposed to stay in the past, right? Tell that to Sheik Damon E’Darvue. He showed up in Ariel Lake’s life after a one night mistake three years ago. With amazing amounts of bad luck and bad timing, Ariel finds herself married to a man she’s never been able to forget. But this time will she find the courage to stick around and find out what happens once passion is satiated?

TAKE ME AGAIN SAM by Megan Kerans

Belly dancer Dove Rickland travels to Casablanca to improve her dancing. But she never expects to receive hands-on lessons from sexy restaurant owner Samir Macias, or that they’d be so pleasurable.

NAUGHTY IN NORWAY by Layla Chase

A job promotion temporarily relocates Texan Dissa Booth to Oslo, Norway where she treats herself to a weekend mountain trip. The athletic moves of her blond, blue-eyed Viking of a ski instructor, Rolf Torger, set her lustful thoughts racing. Dissa cuts loose and lets him know she’s interested in any moves he might make besides on the slopes. Will one night of sexy naughtiness be enough? Or does a chance exist for more?

NAKED BLUFF by Betty Hanawa

The friendship with privileges relationship of American professional poker player Clarisse Jones and Prince Makis has bloomed into a love as beautiful as the roses his small country exports. His parents, the Prince and Princess of the island Principality of Renoun, have come to Monaco to pressure him into marrying. The American professional gambler is not what they wanted to be the new princess.

MI TORO by Brenna Zinn

In Seville, Spain for what should be an easy shoot for the final pictures of her Men of the World – Revealed photo book, Diana Walters quickly discovers her model is not the usual pushover. But if she hands over control to matador Philippe Cordova, will she leave with Spain with more than what she came for?