Dirty Mind at Work

moving!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 19:06:00 +0000

Greatings, readers (and random people who stumble across this post),

I have moved my blog to my website. Click here to keep up with me.

Women and Gay Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Fri, 09 May 2014 23:31:00 +0000

Over the last few years, I've come across a number of discussions debating the role of women in gay or male/male romance fiction and erotica. There's no question this genre has grown a lot in the last few years, due in large part to women readers and writers. I was surprised to learn quite a few people are not happy about this.

The phrases I've heard tossed around are things like “culture appropriation” and “gay fetish” to describe the interest (presumably) heterosexual women have in gay romance. I've held my tongue when these debates have happened, partly out of self-interest (as a writer, reputation online is more important than ever these days) and partly because it's difficult to weigh in when I see both sides of the issue.

Of course, I don't feel like I personally fetishize gay sexuality. I like to read and write about all kinds of things, a great many of them having nothing to do with sex. But I can imagine how gay men feel when it comes to women looking at pictures and videos of men together and reading their comments. To be objectified like that, even if it's not about you, feels dirty. I've read comments that made me want to distance myself from the woman who wrote them. I've had women give my books low ratings because there wasn't sex on every other page, or what sex was there was tame compared to a lot of other books out there. It's disheartening to realize there are people who come across like that's all they're interested in – many of them may not even realize it. Naturally, this results in men who hate how women are taking up such a large part of “their” world – to the point of being openly hostile to readers and writers just for being a part of this group. Some of them feel any woman who reads or writes gay romance or erotica is wrong, just because.

I liken the situation to the major political parties in the US. There are extremes on both sides who feel strongly about their position and they can be the loudest when it comes to disagreements. But, as in politics, even people within the groups sometimes don't agree with how the extremists represent the whole.

I'm not an innocent when it comes to this particular issue. I've done and said quite a few things I'm not proud of and I can't imagine the kind of impression I've left on gay men I've spoken to, either online or in person. I used to say things like “that's so gay” because I was young and silly and it never occurred to me to question why I or others said it or how it may make someone feel. I'm more aware of how I speak to people now and I've largely changed the way I think. I'm cognizant of how connected I am to the world around me and the world I've aligned myself with, not because I'm a woman most presume to be heterosexual, but because I sometimes still feel I'm on the outside looking in. I want people to respect me and my opinions and know when they speak to me I am genuinely interested in them and not attempting to correlate them with a gay stereotype in the media. I don't know if thinking this way now makes me more mature or less self-absorbed. I like to think it makes me more open to getting to know people, across the board. I like to think it makes me more attuned to how people respond to me. I like to think my attitude will allow people (read: gay men) to get to know me as a person and not assume I'm a hetero woman ogling them as entertainment.

But I'm just one person. There are millions of other women out there with their own variation of this story. I can't speak for any of them.

Where am I going with this?

A little over a year ago, I got an idea for a story about a woman who gets to experience what it's like to be a man for a day. Naturally, because of what I write, I thought it would be fun if she tried to have a sexual experience with another man. I asked around and the majority of women I spoke to agreed: If they could do it, a lot of what they'd want to experience would be sexual, either by themselves or with another person. Once I knew I was going to write this story, I realized I couldn't do it without linking it to a larger argument: What would happen if this woman had a lot of preconceived ideas about gay men that were challenged by her firsthand experience?

It was difficult writing this story. There were a few times I flat-out quit because I was putting so much pressure on myself to get it just right, to prove certain points. I suppose I was writing it in lieu of responding to all those arguments I kept seeing online. I pushed myself and finally wrote a story that explains, in small part, how I think some women feel when they're reading and writing these stories. This is by no means an excuse for some comments and behavior. It's just one possible version of reality for some people wrapped in a story.

Is the main character Jamie really me? No. Sort of. She's a more extreme, sillier version of the me from three years ago. I learned a lot of the lessons she has to learn in the book a long time ago and I'm better for it.

I don't expect people to love this story. I expect it to get people talking, for better or worse. I'm still trying to convince myself I'm doing a good thing. It's not a romance. It's...general fiction/fantasy, for lack of a better description. I think I'm prepared for the various reactions the story will get. Maybe.

This is not an easy to read story. It's social commentary. It's a thinly disguised critique of my social group, groups we interact with, and a segment of our environment. I may hurt feelings. I may hurt my chances of selling books in the future.

I care about those things, but I still had to tell my story. If you're curious how I did that, click here to read the beginning and find out where to get a copy.

The Art of Teasing

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 16:12:00 +0000

A little while back, this beautiful specimen inspired me.

I wrote The Art of Teasing, a short m/m story available for free on Goodreads.

BTW, the photo is from the lovely and talented Dan Skinner, whose work you can find on Facebook and deviantART.

the food porn chronicles

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 18:46:00 +0000

Oh, Lee, you sexy, sexy beast.

Currently working on the sequel to See Right Through. Remember Lee, Sam and Devin's tall, athletic neighbor? No? Read the novella. It's free.

So, yeah. Working on the story now. Have finally figured out how most of it's going to happen, and I'm making a concerted effort to get it finished soonish. But there's an issue.

Bacon. Strawberry cream frosting. Peach eclairs. Chocolate ganache cupcakes. Chipotle chocolate crisps. In other words: Food porn.

In the (as of now, unnamed) sequel, Lee starts a new job at a bakery. It's a food porn romance. Just planning what my characters do at work makes me stop what I'm doing to search online for recipes and then I get lost updating my own recipe collection. Like this morning, I just thought, hm, for breakfast (for his love interest) Lee will be making bacon cinnamon rolls (or cinnamon roll pancakes with applewood smoked bacon on the side), fluffly scrambled eggs and strawberry-pomegranate tea.

This guy has to fall in love with him. I think I'm in love with him. And I realize writing this story is going to constantly make me hungry. Especially for sweets. How did I get myself into this? Now I'm wondering if I should include recipes in the book. Pictures. That would require lots and lots of testing. Help?!

Title suggestions (and recipes) are welcome.

Rainbow Briefs - a gift

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Sat, 02 Nov 2013 17:17:00 +0000

I don't often talk about why I write male/male romance. It's a bit of a convoluted subject for me. I suppose the best way I can explain it is to connect my journey as a writer with my discoveries about my sexuality. Looking back, I always assumed I would end up married to a man, have children with him and be happy with the existence I was taught was “normal” growing up. But I've always been attracted to women. Even as a little girl, though I dismissed it then as just acknowledging that other girls are “pretty.” As I got older, I realized there was more to my feelings with regards to some women. I'm not a fan of labels, but for those who are, they would consider me bisexual. I've never considered coming out, because as far as I am concerned, to my friends I am an open book and always have been.

Being able to talk about it is still something of an issue for me. When I spend time with members of the GLBT community in my hometown, I get the impression everyone either assumes I'm a lesbian or a hetero supporter of the community. I don't correct anyone's assumptions, because I often feel like I'm being nitpicky in emphasizing that I'm attracted to the person and not their parts. I suppose part of it is the stigma that comes with bisexuality. The urging to “pick a side” or the idea that I'm only claiming it because I'm at an experimental time in my life and I'll settle down with a man once I get it out of my system.

So, I don't talk about it. Not frequently, anyway. A few years ago, I started to get involved with my local GLBT community. First, I attended a Rally for Equality. The outpouring of love and community support I felt that day moved something inside me and I wanted more. Later that year, I volunteered for the Queer Power March. I think that experience cemented something for me. I had been so cut off from the people around me, from the sense of belonging I could have, without knowing it. In the years that have followed, I've volunteered for my local Pride organization and that sense of belonging and community has only grown stronger.

When I wrote and published my first gay romance novel, I still felt a little cut off from my community, though I was just becoming aware how much I was missing. I began talking to people online, spending more time with community members outside of big yearly events, getting to know how people were different from media portrayals of marches and rallies. I began to embrace individuals rather than ideas. I put what I've learned and what I love into my stories.

The last few years have been a revelation for me. Connecting with people in a way that I couldn't before, I have come to appreciate my community as a source of love and support. I have come to feel the way we rally to each other's sides – in spirit if not in person. When the It Gets Better Project began, I cried over each video, because that was the kind of outreach I wish I'd had when I was younger. I had the feeling it would be a valuable resource for years to come.

When Kaje Harper told me she had a group of Young Adult stories and was toying with the idea of putting them into book form under her other pen name, I was excited. I've been touched by her work so many times and I had the same sense I got from It Gets Better – that the full scope of what could be accomplished would be so much bigger than either of us imagined. So, I urged her to publish it. I found a collection of her stories in the Young Adult GLBT Books Group at Goodreads and formatted them into an ebook-ready doc, hoping she would take it seriously as something that would be rather than could be.

Then, I waited.

A few months later, she contacted me to tell me the book was a go. She'd rewritten several of the stories and added new ones to round out the collection. When Kaje emailed me the draft of the ebook, I sat down to read the stories and something came over me. I smiled. I laughed. I cried. And I got a good feeling. The feeling that people reading these stories would be touched, would feel loved, would know there was a bigger message, a greater purpose, a worldwide community that loved them, just because. As we worked on editing the stories and getting the book ready for publication, that sense we were doing something greater than merely putting out a collection of short stories grew until the book took its final shape.

Rainbow Briefs is finally ready.

It has felt like a long time coming. From April 14th, when I first suggested it, until November 2^nd. It feels like a lifetime. I don't know if everyone will get what I get from reading these stories. I don't know if everyone will feel the love and support behind the words, the meaning behind the broader messages, but I hope someone does. If just one person feels more loved, more accepted, more hope for a brighter future, all of the work we put into the book will be worth it.

I find it difficult to put into words just how much this collection of stories means to me, but I hope you've gotten a sense of it today. I am so proud to have been a part of publishing Rainbow Briefs and I'm ecstatic that I get to share it with you. The best part of all? The ebook is free. Go to your local retailer – Amazon*, All Romance Ebooks, Smashwords, Goodreads, and others – and download the book. Share the links with your friends, your family, someone you know could use an uplifting message. Help us bring this gift to the community. And please, leave a review. Let the author know how much you appreciate her effort. I, for one, will not be able to thank her enough.

*A note. Because the book cannot be listed as free on Amazon, it will be 99 cents until enough people vote that it's available for free elsewhere. All author proceeds from the sales will be donated to The Trevor Project. There is also a paperback version of Rainbow Briefs available on Amazon and CreateSpace. The author will not be taking a commission from those sales.

inspiration and one-handed reading

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 21:21:00 +0000

I know it's been a while, but I have some news. I have a new story! Short, sexy and to the point, but it's a new thingie from me and I'm excited about it.

A few months ago, I decided that one of the things I would do to make myself more excited about my own writing would be to be more active in my writing group. One of the members suggested a section of writing prompts. Some of the prompts are written, some are pictures like this one:

He's quite inspirational, isn't he? I'd add copyright info, but I have no idea where the pic came from, other than a friend on facebook. Anyway, he's pretty, but I didn't feel the urge to write even after I'd posted the picture and this prompt:

I almost didn't believe it when he'd said yes. But he ended up back at my place for what turned out to be one of the greatest nights of my life. Now we're both up and I need a way to make the awkward morning after a little less painful. Does waking up have to end in a walk of shame?

I looked at it again a few weeks later and got an idea. A dirty, sexy, fun idea. And wrote all of 33 words on it. Yeah, my muse wasn't feeling it that day. But the next day? I sat down and wrote something so hot my computer screen got all steamed up and I had to put the laptop on ice after I finished - the story, that is. A few passes through my betas and several cover changes and I present you with Morning.

If you blush easily, I recommend not reading this one at work. Morning is available from All Romance Ebooks, Amazon and Smashwords.

still alive, etc.

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 12:47:00 +0000

I've been a bad, bad girl. I know, shocking right? I didn't mean to neglect my blog for nearly eight months (almost long enough to have a baby), but, life happens. I don't really have any excuses. Actually, that's not true. I have a long list of excuses, but nothing I want to type here. (Like Google screwing with the posting format on blogger. I swear, they buy every website I like and systematically take away everything I like about it. Hello, feedburner.)

So, what have I been up to? Writing, writing issues, work, therapy, being more active in my critique group, lurking on facebook, neglecting twitter, more work, sprained my ankle, moving, an epiphany or two, less writing, broke my ereader, wondering why I haven't updated my blog, chastising myself for not releasing any new stories in nearly a year, crying over ER bill, putting too much pressure on myself to write, trying to get back into the groove of writing, whining a little about my absent muse, a little (okay a lot) vodka and tequila, watching Supernatural, watching Bleach (loving the anime) and generally waffling about life.

Sounds fun, yes?

Anyway, I'm going to try to post again... hm, let's say before the end of the year. Can't guarantee I'll stick to it otherwise.

friends and inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:36:00 +0000

I think as far back as my first attempt at novel writing (age 14, 1996 for those keeping track), I've always used my friends for inspiration for my characters and the situations in my books. That first book had some teen pregnancy, back stabbing, two week relationships, violence, kidnapping, secret videotaping, you know, because high school was boring that way. (Hey, at least 60 percent of that story was fiction.) Now, I've gotten a lot more subtle about writing people I know and things I've seen and heard into my stories. (Yes, I said I'm subtle. Don't let anyone tell you different.;-) )

The second book in my Savannah series is coming along well. It's a lot different than I expected it to be. Longer, for one thing. After I finished See Right Through in June, I thought the sequel would be done by August and I'd be well on my way to finishing the third story by now. Well, Derrick, one of my main characters, has a lot more to say to me than I'd anticipated. Apparently, he didn't feel my plans for a novella length story were doing him justice. Especially since he's quite slowly working his way towards the fun and sexy Lee, who featured prominently as one of Sam's friends in the first story. Let's see, See Right Through was a shade over 24,000 words. So far, the sequel is a little over 35,000 words and I think it'll reach 60-70,000 when it's done. It's been a while since I've written something that length (Hooked was 50,000 words), but I'm excited about the story I'm telling.

This story is different for me partly because I'm telling the people I've based the characters on that I'm writing about them. For some, their influence will be obvious to anyone who knows them, for others, the references are more subtle and something only they would notice. One of the people I'm using as inspiration for Lee is Cody.

Cute, right? I did create the basics of the character before I got to know Cody, but as I learn more about him, the more I realize he is quite like the way I'm developing Lee in the story. Now, he has nothing to worry about. I'm not actually planning to put his life story in my book. But he shares some great similarities with my character and I'm looking forward to drawing on that more. Plus (and here's the exciting part) if I'm lucky, Cody will agree to be on the cover for the sequel. Granted, I'm still trying to talk him into it, but I'm hoping he'll grant me the honor of agreeing once he sees the final picture.

So, I have a kinky side

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Yeah, kinky (mind) = me. I'm sure the people reading this who know me will be shocked to read that. Shocked, I tell you. And yet, I am the most boring person when it comes to adventurous pursuits. All my creative energy goes into my stories. Some of it is more adventurous than others. And goodness knows I've written some things I have no practical knowledge of (in spite of that the fact I've had three different people who don't know each other say I'd be a good dominatrix).

Right now I'm reading Whip Me, Beat Me, Make Me Write Hot Sex! in an attempt to get a more factual basis for things I've written about in the past and at least one book that's in the works in the Savannah series. The book is fairly straightforward so far, and I'm hoping it goes into more detail later. (Shut up. Yes, you. No laughing in the corner there.) I'm all about the educational books. Especially if they have pictures.

my year in retrospect

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:02:00 +0000

It's been an interesting year for me. I've done less writing this year than last year, but I feel like I got more accomplished. I finally got a game plan for my Savannah series nailed down. Sort of gave up on my writing/critique group (though I have hopes it could come back). And I published my favorite story.

I know, I know. Any writers who are reading this are probably screaming that I can never pick a favorite one. It's like telling my other babies they are unloved. Well, maybe. It's not that I love it more than my other stories, it's just my current favorite. It's the one I put the most blood and tears into this year. It's the one I drove myself crazy getting as close to perfect as I could. And it also got the least attention. (Cue the whining about underrated artistry or something along those lines.)

That's probably my fault. Because an early (shorter) version of The Strength of a Man was available last year, I didn't do a huge promo push when I released the full version on ebook and paperback. And I meant to take out some advertising and do some giveaways, but I got caught up with other things. One of the drawbacks to self-publishing is that I have to manage my time between writing and promoting - social networking can be a gift and a curse. But I love this book and I want more people to read it.

So, this is it. I've decided to give away as many copies as I can between now and Christmas day. My baby is now my gift to you and whoever you choose to share the links with: Smashwords (use code RR73V) and All Romance Ebooks.

Next year, I hope to get a lot more done, both in number of stories published and in feeling more accomplished. In the meantime, I think I'm growing as a writer with every new story. I hope you will take that journey with me.

BTW, if any of you are stuck for ideas for Christmas gifts, honest reviews are my favorite gift.

Winding down and gearing up: a ramble

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 01:57:00 +0000

So, what's going on with me you ask?

NaNoWriMo was... interesting. Meh. I write at a snail's pace these days, so no, I didn't get 50,000 words in November. I did add nearly 26,000 to story, which is more than I've written on it since February of last year altogether. (Yes, I know that's a really long time, but technically I just wrote the idea down so I wouldn't forget it and actually started on the story this year before I put it down to write the first in the series.)

In other words, the second book in the Savannah series is coming along. See the little widget down the page there? --> I'm sure it's going to be longer than 50,000 words, but that's a good indication of how it's going so far. I'm in love with this one (aren't I always?) and I'll start posting excerpts as soon as I get a finished first draft.

What else? Rereading Daron's Guitar Chronicles. Falling in love with Daron's story all over again. Annoyed with Ziggy. Remembering things that happen in later parts of the story as I'm rereading and getting excited because I'd forgotten some of the details. Oh, and people? We're being blessed with Volume 4 ebook! Get it. Now. You like m/m? Music? You want your life to be sucked away while you catch up with the rest of the readers and anticipate the next chapter? Buy the ebooks, the paperbacks, audiobooks or just read the series online. (Oh, but take my advice, buy the ebooks from the website. You'll get more fan satisfaction out of that.)

I did mention Daron and company inspired the serial I've been working on for eons. I'll have to give the story a shoutout in mine somehow. Ooh, maybe my characters can be Moondog Three fans. Let me write that down somewhere so I don't forget...

love, tears & inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:02:00 +0000

I've finally done it. I've finally written the first scene in this book that made me cry after I finished it.

NaNo is...going. I've have had some starts and stops, but mostly it's been success. There have been times when I want to pull my hair out in frustration, but then there are days when I just hit my stride and it all just falls together (like today!). I'll consider it a job well done if I can get this book finished by the end of the year. Shooting for an early March release.

So, what was I saying? Oh, yes. The tears. My main character's mother is suffering from early onset Alzheimer's and I have her sitting down with her son to discuss her wishes for him - finding love and enjoying life, etc. There's more to it than that, but I can't post it without crying again.

It's crazy. These heavy emotional scenes are so easy for me to write because I just open the document and let the emotions pour onto the page. This scene in particular is nearly word for word what I want to say to someone in real life, but can't because we're not that close anymore. Which is a shame because this person needs to hear it from someone, though it would be awkward coming from me.

So, there you have it. Carol Sharp, a woman who only exists in my imagination and in an unfinished document on my computer, made me do something I've been fighting off for over a week. I cried - over love, the lack of it and my wish to give it someone else though I'm not in the position to right now.

Ah, the life of an introvert has ups and downs. Pro: Being able to write fantastic emotion into a story and make readers feel it as much as I do. Con: The inability or difficulty of interacting with people in the real world. I suppose that's a good trade-off, if you're at least recognized for the brilliant writing that results.

NaNoWriMo and the Ambitious Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:43:00 +0000

It's that time again. I'm going to tie up my muse, strap on the caffeine IV and attempt to cram 50,000 words of awesome into 30 days of crazy. What does this mean? Well, I'll finish the second book in the Savannah series for sure next month. And possibly finish the first part of the serial I've been toying around with for months. For the record, those stories have several chapters and quite a bit of notes between them. I just need a major push to get both finished. NaNo also means I'll be crazier than usual. I wonder if anyone will notice.

If anyone wants to follow my progress, I'll be here, hopped up on leftover Halloween candy and overdosed on hope.

short and sexy

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:41:00 +0000

Looking for something quick and hot to sink into during your lunch break or commute? My new short story Getting In Deep is now available from Amazon, All Romance Ebooks and Smashwords.

In her years of working as a journalist, Catherine O'Malley knew one thing above all others: getting to the heart of the truth requires unfailing integrity. Shaun Stone's embezzlement trial was the story of the decade and she'd been lucky enough to receive an exclusive interview with him. When the interview is done, will Catherine risk everything she's worked for or will the temptation Shaun provides prove too much to handle?

Hot off the presses!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 15:28:00 +0000

The Strength of a Man ebook is now available at a megaton of places (check my website for details about your favorite retailer) and it's now out in paperback!

See Right Through, my LiAW story and the first in my Savannah series, is also now available from CreateSpace. If you have an Amazon account, you can sign in using that.

Six Sentence Sunday - Aug 26th

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 11:53:00 +0000

It's that time again! Six sentences from my novella, The Strength of a Man.

“You sure?”

“Just touch me already!”

James's laugh was smothered as Kurt kissed him again, pushing him back onto the bed. Kurt held James's head in place with a shaking hand, his kisses going from pushy to soft in the amount of time it took James to run his hand up the back of Kurt's jeans to the bit of skin bared by the back of his shirt. Kurt slowed the kiss until it was nothing more than torturous little pecks, soft bits of himself he shared with James, a little flick of his tongue, a pant of hot breath across his cheek, the slide of lips against stubble and hot skin.

James ran his hand up Kurt's back and Kurt arched into the touch like a preening cat, his lips breaking contact with James long enough to whisper, “Tell me how much you want me.”

For today only, you can download the novella for free from Smashwords. Use code: KE44U at checkout.

give me strength (oh look, good reviews!)

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:18:00 +0000

It's been a colorful summer. Not sure I need to get into all of the drama (a good deal of which was the voices in my head arguing about stories), but things are looking up. I'm getting reviews in for The Strength of a Man, which is awesome. The story goes into some heavy territory, so I was worried about how it would be received, but sometimes I worry for nothing (please remind me of this after I release my next story).

After the great reviews from The Armchair Reader and Hearts on Fire, I was sure I'd reached my quota. Then I remembered genies grant three wishes, so I got another gem in response to my novella. Check out the review from Outlaw Reviews by clicking here.

I've also been getting some great responses to See Right Through on Amazon. Three five star reviews. Wow. I hope people are this responsive to the next in the series. Lee's story will be finished...okay, I'm not crazy enough to give a date. lol I'll keep updating. I did make significant progress on it this week. Apparently, Lee may not be satisfied with a novella length story, so the next in the series will probably be novel length.

Just a reminder: you can find buy links or read samples for all my stories (that aren't free) on my website, sarawinters.net.

new stuff and free stuff and linky stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Yeah, I keep meaning to update my blog, but...I'm saving my words for my stories. Yeah, I know that's not an excuse. Well, it is, but not a good one.

Anyway, what am I doing now? Getting ready to release another erotic short story. Yeah, I've been doing quite a few shorts the last year or so, but my longer projects are in various stages of completion so I like to stay busy with the short stuff in the meantime. This story is a (much better) rewritten version of something I published in 2006. I'm really excited about 1. because it's smoking hot! and 2. because it's the first male/female story I've put out since...I'm not even going to guess what year that was. It's fun to get back to where I started, writing male/female erotic romance. I'm looking forward to seeing what people will think of it.

Speaking of awesome, people are actually responding to See Right Through on Amazon. I've gotten a couple of amazing reviews (yay) and it's being downloaded a LOT. If you're curious, you can get the novella for free from there, Goodreads, Smashwords and a number of other sites. Because it's free, you don't have to register an account to download it from Goodreads or Smashwords, but you do need an account to leave a review.

Want to help a great cause? Try GoodSearch. For every legitimate search you conduct, you can raise money for the charity of your choice. I use my account to benefit The Office of Letters and Light - the nonprofit behind ScriptFrenzy, NaNoWriMo and a number of programs for young writers. If you'd like to help them, you can use my link or register an account, find their name on the list of charities and make sure your efforts go towards helping them. The search engine is pretty effective and it's an easy way to help a charity that you can do every day.

all over, everywhere

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:18:00 +0000

My brain feels like it's in 100 places at once right now. I can't focus, let alone figure out what to say in this thing. Surprising, right? I suppose that's what comes from averaging four hours of sleep a night the past few weeks. What's keeping me up? Wish I knew. I've tried all kinds of remedies (mostly legal) and I keep coming back to the same thing, lack of sleep + not as much writing as I would like = cranky me.

What does this mean? Writing everything is harder. Even a To Do list requires a few deep breaths and tons of caffeine. And I can't think straight (what else is new?). Meh. It'll get better, right? Sure. Maybe. Eventually.

It's only fitting that I'm finally getting my Savannah series off the ground now (because I like making things difficult). When I first got the idea for this series, I was going to set it in Atlanta. Not because I have a particular affinity for the city, but because it's more popular/well-known outside of Georgia. But when I got the prompt for my Love is Always Write story, I realized this would be a perfect way to introduce a number of my characters and a city I love. I've already partially written several of the stories in the series (of varying lengths), and I hope to have the next one out soonish. The original plan was for August, but as I've *ahem* slowed down a bit, that might not happen. Oh well. I was planning a giveaway for the summer (among the items is a beach tote), but I suppose I could still do one, even if it's particularly late in the summer. It'll certainly still be hot enough for the beach in September.

I'm excited about this series in part because I'm writing about my friends. I know, not really good for business, but I mean well. (Road to hell and all.) I'm not saying the series will be full of 100% true stories, but maybe 60 % true with some creative mixing of personalities on my part. What can I say? The people in my life inspire me. I'm really excited about the next one because Lee is one of the first characters I fell in love with and he's based on someone I care a great deal about. It'll be fun giving him a happy ending. Stay tuned.

hey, kindle users (and other news)

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 20:17:00 +0000

I've finally taken the plunge and uploaded a few of my stories to Amazon. Suppose it can't hurt to have yet another place carrying my stuff.

In other news, I'm working on the sequel to my story, See Right Through. Lee is one of my favorite characters from the first story, so I'm happy to give him his own story next. Click here to find a place to download the novella for free.

links and updates and a review, oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:38:00 +0000

The Strength of a Man is now available at Diesel Ebooks and Amazon (yes, I am slowly working my way over to Amazon. I'll probably have the rest of my stories there next week).

Ooh, you know what's awesome? The great review I got from The Armchair Reader this morning.

This is the first book that I’ve read in quite a while that I felt really hit the college mark. It isn’t just about getting in college parties and classes and details right, but it is really about getting the characters right. College, for most people, is such a pivotal part of growing up that is all about emotional growth, especially for a freshman. Kurt was written really, really well, I thought, and I liked that as he progressed under James’ tutelage that those details were covered as well, friends, roommates. It isn’t easy going for these guys either. The author gives both characters’ points of view in a way that works to show their different levels of maturity. Even though James is constantly in the shadow of Kurt’s problems, it also shows that he’s subtly facing problems himself. First off, how to control his raging libido and not hurt Kurt. How to deal with the real possibility that he could so easily manipulate him, and how hard it can be not the let the first overshadow the second.

It has got to be difficult to write a story like this and make James a supportive boyfriend without coming across as too perfect, and while I worried about that while I was reading, I never really felt like he was too perfect. He did just what he needed to do for Kurt while also looking out for himself, and I appreciated that. It helped keep the balance in a relationship that is often outlined by their imbalance in power and emotional maturity.

This really made me smile because I love it when a reader gets what I'm going for. Click the link to read the rest of his review.

What am I working on? A sequel to See Right Through (and a bajillion other projects). What? You haven't read that yet? Well, click on over to Smashwords or All Romance Ebooks or even Goodreads and download the novella for free.

See Right Through - free novella

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:21:00 +0000

My story for the M/M Romance Group's Love is Always Write Event is up. Click here to read See Right Through if you're a member of the group (and to read tons of other great, free stories). You can also download the novella from the book's page at Goodreads (you don't have to be a member), All Romance Ebooks and Smashwords.

Devin Salvo has always remained three steps ahead: in chess, on the pitch, and in his love life. His every desire is within arm's reach, except the one person Devin has always wished would be his in the end. All it takes is one conversation to open his eyes to a new possibility, one moment to change what Devin believes about friendship and love and one person to change the rules of the game.

Sam Marshall has been fighting his feelings for his friend and roommate for two years. When an opportunity presents itself, he makes his move, only to be faced with the very real fear that what he sees in Devin, the potential waiting to be realized, may be more than their friendship can handle.

A Four Heart Review!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:19:00 +0000

So excited. Hearts on Fire gave The Strength of a Man four hearts. Click here to read the review.

Hello, Apple users?

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 02:31:00 +0000

The Strength of a Man is now available in the Itunes store.

The Strength of a Man ebook

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Winters) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:16:00 +0000

The expanded version of my story Starting Over, The Strength of a Man, is now available at All Romance Ebooks and Smashwords.

Kurt Dennings learned one life lesson the hard way: love, even between a parent and child, is not always unconditional. After coming out and experiencing a painful rejection from his parents and friends, Kurt feels as if he's lost everything that mattered.

James Theard comes into Kurt's life when he needs someone the most. A friend first and boyfriend second, James becomes his shoulder to lean on, a voice of reason and helps Kurt learn he is stronger and more capable than he imagined.