I’ve often asked myself what would happen if I mixed this with that. How would you write about a paranormal who could shift between being a woman to being a man? Could you have a successful romance between a feline shifter and a bird shifter? Some of my best stories have been the outcome of such questions. One such story began back at the end of 2017 when S.E. Isaac and I began deliberating on a possible anthology project. Thinking of ourselves as “scaredy cats” since both of us were nervous about doing the anthology on our own, we soon created the “A Guide to | Claiming a Scaredy Cat,” a fundraising anthology. We had ups and downs on the project but we and seven other authors created some fun, erotic romances. However, near the end of the project, we lost one of the original ten authors. Promotions had been shared saying that we’d have ten brand new stories to share. S.E. and I had some long conversations about how to handle the situation – publish with only nine stories, delay the publication, or find a way to obtain a tenth story. At the same time, my PA came to us with a unique promotion idea. Create an over-the-top story idea with a cover and blurb. Then promote it like a real story but when the readers click the link it would actually take them to the anthology page. The idea was to snag the reader’s curiosity with the shiny object and then show them what they can get for only ninety-nine cents while supporting a great charity. Needless to say, we thought it was a great idea. Jennifer, my PA, loves lions and her husband loves flamingos, so why not have characters in the story shift into those animals? To make it even more fun, the male main character (MMC) would be the flamingo. How would a guy handle being a pink bird? So, we didn’t want to release the anthology with only nine stories when we promised ten, so S.E. and I tasked ourselves to write a story that met the criteria of the anthology in a very small window. This was our first co-authored story which led to four years of working together. That story was “Pride & Flamboyance: Captured Hearts 1”. Then two years ago, S.E. and I decided to no longer work together. Until recently, all of our co-authored releases were delisted. Over the next two years, I dealt with a lot of personal upheavals and medical concerns, I lost my love of writing. Then at the end of 2022, I decided that I didn’t want my words in those delisted books to go to waste. So, I began the journey to rewrite those stories. Wanting to release them in a unique way, I debated how I could change the stories. Since I first began writing, I’ve let my creative side have free rain when it came to my stories. I let them go in the direction they wanted to go, whether that meant being a paranormal or contemporary story or the story wanted to be a male-female couple or a gay couple. A typical heterosexual couple or a ménage, or even a reverse harem. I feel that love is love and my stories reflected that concept. The defining factor in all of my stories is that the romance comes first and often includes a bit of humor. My catchphrase, Love is Love, raced through my mind as I debated how to rewrite the stories. Then I decided, I would change them from their original pairings to the opposite. Heterosexual couples would become gay or other LBGTQA+ couples. In all honesty, I love gay romance. I enjoy reading and writing it. I’m addicted to Boys Love manga, anime, and dramas. So, the idea of writing “Pride & Flamboyance” as a gay romance lit a fire under me. Near the end of the rewrite, I once again came into contact with S.E. and after a bit of discussion, we decided to relist our co-authored books. This is exciting news, especially for readers who missed out on one or more of the books in one of our series. However, it also brought up a few concerns about my release of the rewrite. This story brought my muse back to life. I desperately wanted to release it. However, it was felt that having it be too similar to the original might distract from the original story, even if it was released in a different sub-genre. But I was in love with this new version. So, I made some further adjustments. And I adore this new version even more. I switched out the original flamingo for a crimson sunbird – think of a bird very similar to a hummingbird. I changed up several of the names of characters. Girl characters became guys, one became transgender, and it opened up some amazing next-in-series ideas. These next in series are mostly thanks to Jennifer. She really does fuel my muse. And, today, five years after the original April Fool’s joke turned story, I am super excited to announce my first release in something like two years – “Crimson Pride: Captured Rainbows #1” a humorous paranormal gay romance.
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Just wanted to post an update. The past two to three years have been extremely difficult for me on both a personal and professional level. Last year alone we lost my mom, her sister, one of my nieces, and my son-in-law's grandmother and step-grandmother. Not to mention Covid and everything it kept me from being a part of since it began. The worst was watching my mom's decline from heart disease. Professionally, my mental state has kept me from writing and my co-author chose to dissolve our relationship. It's been rough to find my joy. But... I did go back to work in the retail industry at the end of 2021. I've also been seeing a therapist and have since been on a medical journey which has taken me to the rheumatologist and a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Hopefully this helps my health to improve. Everything is so interconnected that I'm not sure if I'm coming or going most days.
However, things continue to move forward -- some good and some bad. I've finally began writing again and have completed a short story. However, I have chosen not to use it for the anthology but to publish it, so it means I need to add a minimum of 10,000 more words. I know I can do this and I'm excited to hear what readers think of it. It will be a M/M release. This month I turn 50. I'm not sure if I should do a happy dance that I made or cry because I'm getting old. (Insert tears and laughter here.) Next week I will be celebrating my birthday with my granddaughter. Can't wait to get my cuddles. Their is no better way to rejuvenate the soul. Since 2019 it seems like it's been one thing after another. My mental and physical health has seen better days. We've had too many losses and not enough of the happy moments. I'm working on my health and striving to find my way back to my writing. I hope some of my fans are still around once I'm able to begin publishing again. Love you all.
The recent years have been difficult for everyone. I am no exception. Nothing that I'm dealing with is special or different from others when you reduce situations down to their essence. However, I am unique. I am my own person who deals with the world at large in my own ways. This being said... Please be understanding of your friends and family, co-workers, acquaintances, and others you interact with as we all take each day a step at a time. We are not mind readers and don't know the internal turmoil of others. We also shouldn't push our values and will on others. What is easy for one person isn't easy for another.
One of my goals once I hit my 40's was to improve myself. To understand and accept all that has made me... me. It is not always easy. Social anxiety, difficulties with relationships, OCD - control issues, and of course depression make it extremely difficult more often than not. My brain is constantly whirling. So, there have been tons of changes in my life since the pandemic began. My granddaughter was born and my son got married. We lost one of my aunts recently. Discovered that my mother has severe heart issues. Some family members came down with Covid. Book signings have been crazy as organizers try to reschedule and make adjustments to keep everyone healthy. I've missed deadlines. My depression hit a low that I've only had happen once before. I pulled into my shell and tired to heal from the inside out. However, not everyone understands... One of the biggest hits was when my approximately four year partnership with S.E. Isaac ended. My published work is now half of what it once was since all of our co-authored work is now de-listed. I a trying to figure out a way to move forward. Trying to find a way to get back four years worth of work. All while trying to find a way to coax my muse out of it's hidey hole. Others may be able to separate emotions from their writing. I can't. My emotions are a large factor in my ability to write; which is why I struggle to write so often. This month I celebrate my birthday. Not sure how I feel about turning 49. However, I'm still trying to work on making me the best me I can be. Cliché I know, yet it's a cliché for a reason. One step at a time. It's okay to be me. XOXOXO Josette This past year, 2021, has really thrown me for a loop. Lots of changes, some good and some not so good. My mental health has been really struggling and I've had to step back from a lot of projects because of writer's block. My partner, S. E. Isaac, has decided to break away and move forward on her own at this time. Our co-authored books have been removed from the market. However, I am in the process of putting those titles through a massive rewrite and bring you stories crafted entirely by myself. Timing is unknown for these re-releases but I will post when I have more information.
I am working with my doctor and therapist to find some answers and to help me get past the anxiety and depression that has caused me so many issues over the past year. In other news, I did begin working in retail this past November. It has been hard work but I'm enjoying being out of the house and meeting new people. As of right now, I plan to continue working and I'm not sure how this will impact my future writing. Sincerely... and with much love... XOXOXO Josette
Coming this August a new multi-author erotic romance series! The stories are dark-ish stalker romances with an HEA. Heat up your summer with these unique and steamy reads.
Welcome back to my blog and to another installment where I answer questions and provide insight into how I write. Today I'm talking about those who support a writer. Having someone who you can discuss ideas and provide feedback is invaluable for any writer. Many have what is called a critique partner -- someone who reads your story before anyone else. My critique partner is amazing. She often reads along as I write and provides corrections and feedback which improves the quality of the story. A critique partner is a fellow author who knows the ins and outs of the genre you write and the readers you are targeting for your story. Therefore, they can provide a level of feedback unlike beta readers, family, or friends. It just so happens that my critique partner and I also write stories together. I was very lucky to meet her a few years ago. We hit it off pretty quickly and wrote our first story together purely by accident. We needed a story written quickly for an anthology. We decided to write it together so neither of us had to write the entire unplanned manuscript. Luckily, we work extremely well together. My critique partner writes under the name S.E. Isaac and is not only one of my favorite people, my nonbiological sister, but also one of my favorite authors. As I also mentioned, many authors also have beta readers who read their stories. A beta reader can provide a variety of levels of feedback. Some are simply readers who love the work of the author. Some may be other authors, editors, or other professional level person who can provide a much higher level of edit. Critique partners are typically the first to read a story where as beta readers are some of the last to read a story before it is published. In between these two sounding boards, an author will have various editors who also provide feedback. Family and friends can also fall within any of these levels of support.
My personal assistant (PA), Jennifer, is typically one of my first readers. She is part of what I call my alpha team. Her and S.E. both function as a sounding board for ideas, inspiration when I'm stuck, and provide editing services as well. They have both even made suggestions that turned into story ideas. Jennifer has actually helped me get past writer's block several times. Writing is a creative-based career and as such can have many stumbling blocks. Having those who can help motivate and support you is vital to keep you refreshed and inspired. I am extremely thankful to everyone on my team.
As an author, I hear a lot about Kindle Unlimited. There are a lot of readers who only read a book if they can grab it on KU. Sadly, as an author, there is a lot of give and take when making the decision to list in KU. Mainly because you have to be exclusive to Amazon while it's listed on KU. In the past, I always worried about alienating some of my readers who used the other vendors, so I published wide. However, the one thing I've discovered is that to stay viable you have to be willing to change and adjust. So, all of my solo offered books are now available exclusively on Amazon. You can purchase any of my stories in ebook or print.
** Please leave a comment or contact me directly with your thoughts on books listed on KU. |
AuthorJosette is a storyteller, artist, wife, mother, and grandmother. Archives
April 2023
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