Adventures in Writing: Review of 2018

Looking back over 2018 and heading into 2019 with some major interesting prospects (some I can’t share just yet, but hey, you know you enjoy being teased.)

If you want to start with stats – and who doesn’t love stats? – my stats this year compared to 2017 sucked ass. How so? Looking back, this will be my 49th post for the year. In 2017 I had 128 posts. I’m fairly sure that most of those were Masturbation Monday posts (and there’s nothing wrong with that). Writing for Masturbation Monday kick-started my writing into high gear. Challenging myself to write something each and every week helped keep me moving forward. It kept people coming back to read more, especially my top story at over 500 views – Stolen Moments. I’m not sure what spurred people to this super short story, but it’s apparently much loved and something people have returned to more than once (or so I assume.)

I slowed down this year to focus on non-free writing, but haven’t put anything out. It’s all in the works, several stories with various characters and themes. I am working on a novella and have plans for a couple of stories for Bellesa I think you’ll truly enjoy.

My top story of All Time with almost 1000 views is Orgasmic Awakening. I never thought either of these stories would be so well loved, but they are and that just shows me readers know exactly what they want. I hope that as time continues, I keep giving you exactly what you want.

Tease made it to number 4 in the top ten list at Bellesa this year. Tease Part One is number 5 in the All Time stats on my own site. I plan to write a sequel and revisit with Piper and Mack for Bellesa in 2019. Also, I’m truly excited about this idea and can’t wait to get started. And I already have some notes and a few beginning paragraphs which will most likely be cut and reborn into something else. These two lovely characters continue to flit in the back of my brain tormenting me with their lusty ways.

Without the dark, we can’t find the light.

This past year has been up and down for me and I know a lot of people have felt the same way. I also know many have had more downs than ups. Don’t fret, though. Every day you get up and do the things that need to be done is another day you got something done – even if it’s just getting up and taking a shower and getting dressed. You did that. If all you could do was make it through the work day just to crawl back into bed when you returned home, it’s okay. You did what needed to be done. You can always get up the next day and do one more thing than the day before. Keep pushing forward. Find that sparkle of light in the dark, but don’t fear the dark.

Are you ready for Just One More?

On top of working on stories, I’ve also been a part of a major anthology with my Sisters in Smut – Chemical [se]X: Just One More. It’ll be coming out in 2019. We have 14 authors with an idea and several stories full of decadence and delight with a lovely range of genres. If you haven’t read the first anthology, you’re definitely missing out. There’s so much sex and chocolate and debauchery! Who wouldn’t want just one more?

Looking at the stories while editing and creating my own, and then creating promotional images for those stories, it’s been one hell of a ride. We’re doing our damnedest to put out a good product – pun intended! We hope that you’ll snatch it up as soon as it comes out. Stay tuned!

Nothing Takes Only Five Minutes

“It’ll only take you five minutes… just do it.” This is the thing I dislike hearing. Sure, it’ll only take me five minutes – if you want a really shitty finished product. I hear this a lot from people at the day job when they have no idea what it is someone actually does. They see wonderful things coming out of a department and have no idea that it actually took 3 hours or 3 days or 3 months. You can’t rush a good product because that’s when mistakes happen, people get disappointed – because they said only five minutes and then got what they asked for – a crappy ass product.

So as I look back on the things I’ve done, the things I’m working on, the things I’ve procrastinated on – I remind myself that nothing takes five minutes. Good things take time to be created and cultivated. You can’t plant tomatoes and expect them to appear the next day. If you want perfect sweet corn, you have to be patient. Writing is like gardening – the more you work with it and take time to work the soil, the better the finished product will be. Don’t be afraid to say ‘I’m going to take an extra week (month, whatever works for you) to really fine-tune this (insert thing here) because I want to put out something really great.’

Social Media Pitfalls

Many things are happening across the board when it comes to social media. One of my Sisters in Smut went through a blacklisting episode not too long ago and all she did was share her own page posts to her own profile. Yeah, figure that out. Most of that is now fixed, but it doesn’t mean they won’t be keeping an eye on her. It’s a scary social media world for anyone having anything to do with smutty goodness or even just sex education.

I think what really irritates me is that people can spread false medical advice, tout guns and violence, but they can’t mention the word SEX without being told to shut up and sit down (by being shadowbanned or blacklisted). I feel if the world were more open to sex education and creating loving, lasting relationships, there’d be less violence and less divorce among other things. Stop hiding the sex and start sharing the love.

Tumblr so kindly removed my header image and avatar photo as they continue to flag people for inappropriate adult content… and yet, they’re also removing content that doesn’t have anything sexual about it. They’re also flagging profiles and posts by romance authors who write sweet novels. It’s ridiculous. I’m waiting patiently for the dark ages.

Rediscovering Music

If you follow me on Twitter… Well, if you don’t you probably can’t find me as I appear to be perma-shadowbanned right now. Anyway… I’m on a music-binge ranging from Eminem to X Japan and even Yoshiki on his own with his classical music, plus bands he’s produced through his label. It’s kind of nuts. I have a deep love of music just don’t let me sing around you, okay?

The emotional range I’ve been going through because of my music tastes has been a roller-coaster all on its own. Someone introduced me to X Japan back in the mid-90s. I fell in love with them then and after watching the documentary on Hulu, I’ve fallen in love with them all over again. I highly recommend watching it with a box of tissues and a floof to snuggle. X Japan has a new album that’s almost done or actually done, but hasn’t been released yet. I cannot wait until I get my paws on it. Listening to their music can be inspiring, painful, heart-wrenching, and yet I never feel more alive.

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Try them out today by watching the video for Born to be Free by X Japan on Youtube.

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How has your 2018 gone? Look back at the good things. Then take those good things into 2019 with you and nurture them so they procreate more good things. However, don’t be afraid to share the hard times you’re going through. One thing social media does help with – you’re never alone. There’s always someone out there who can relate to what you’re going through.

Blessed Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Bah Humbug to those who are Scrooges – you know who you are.