~Cindy
Story Obsession
Have you ever
become obsessed with a book? Has a story ever pulled you in where you forgot
the time, forgot eating, forgot to pick up the kids, everything because you had to finish the book? Well in my case,
a story idea got stuck in my head while I was working not two jobs but three
and I ended up writing the story, Love
Games in an amazing ten weeks. I look back at it now and I can’t believe I
did that. I don’t think I can do that now even if you had me at my best health
and gave me chocolate!
How did this
happen? I was working two bartending jobs and a day job as a medical assistant.
I was online a lot, doing some online role playing games and just starting my
writing career. I hadn’t sold yet, but I was plugging away after my first book
had been submitted and rejected by Harlequin. It was a fantastic rejection—one
that lives on my wall above my desk. It really encouraged me. So when this
story came to me—this story actually hit me hard as it started as a lark to
what was going on to one of my characters online, and I asked myself, “What
if…what if I could make this work for pretend since it can’t in real life? Could
I write it and make it happen?” What I hadn’t counted on—just how all consuming
it would become.
Every day after the
first job, I’d go to the second job for five hours. Then, I’d come home and
write. One the weekends, I’d write—then go to work until midnight, come home
and write more. I poured onto paper the way I wanted the romance to work out. There
were ups and downs, I hadn’t planned on adding in the smaller subplots of the
other romances—which I ended up removing in the final story which is out now.
But in the end—the story ended up over 70,000. And I was dazed, confused, and
emotionally wrung out to dry. Yet, I felt triumphant—I finished the book!
Now, it’s years
later and the story after some major editing is so much better than I can ever
imagine. I look back at that time of obsession with fondness and amazement. The
story still thrills me when I read it. I enjoy the depth, the breadth of it.
Most importantly, I love how I get to incorporate some of my favourite things-
role playing games, bartending, and erotic romance. For me- there’s nothing
better than being able to bring those things together in a way that not only
showcases them in a way that people can understand them—but can see how people can
fall in love while playing online games like Everquest, Starcraft and the like.
It’s a way of honoring my friends I’ve made online through the years and those
I know I’ll make in the future. This story is probably the one that people are
the most surprised about because most people know me for my paranormal work,
but the one I’m most secretly proud about. Love Games was a labour of love, a
badge of courage, and it marked me in a way I might never be able to accomplish
again—it showed me that sometimes obsession can lead to something positive and
beautiful. This is why I’m so glad that Etopia Press has released it online at
major retailers.
Role-playing games.
Dominance and submission. Who knows the games love plays?
Who knew that an online role-playing game would lead to romance and then heartbreak? Certainly not Cierra Jade Connelly or Ryan Foster. Circumstances and lack of trust have kept them from meeting in the real world, but when they cross paths several months later, things begin to sizzle. But it’s not easy to go forward after a rocky start, especially when well-meaning friends just don’t get it. When it comes to dominance and submission, trust is everything.
Who knew that an online role-playing game would lead to romance and then heartbreak? Certainly not Cierra Jade Connelly or Ryan Foster. Circumstances and lack of trust have kept them from meeting in the real world, but when they cross paths several months later, things begin to sizzle. But it’s not easy to go forward after a rocky start, especially when well-meaning friends just don’t get it. When it comes to dominance and submission, trust is everything.
At a costume ball decorated in honor of their online game, Cierra and Ryan put their love on the line. Everyone thinks it’s all part of the fantasy, but for Cierra and Ryan, their love games have never been more real. If only they can make it last…
Cynnara Tregarth
3 comments:
Oh wow!!! I want this book!! My goodness, I remember those frantic days of speedwriting. Some days it feels like a blink in time.
HUGS!
Dawn
I'm hoping to feel those days again, though I don't think I ever want to do that pace again! I look back on those weeks and think, "How did I manage to EAT, much less SLEEP?"
I was consumed by the story, I so needed it out of my head, out of my life and into another place and time. Once it was on paper, it was like a weight was completely lifted off my shoulders and off my heart.
I loved the first version, so the revised version must be mega awesome! I also remember the excitement of free writing - the obsession of spending all my free time at the computer...getting up early to write before work. Going straight to the computer when I get home. Forgetting to feed the kids LOL I think it's a rare and wonderful story that does it for us, and I can't wait for another one to come along :-) Congratulations on the new version and release Cyn. Love that cover too...of course, I'm a cover whore LOL
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