Size Matters

Length for length’s sake is not good.

If a tale can be told well in 45k words, it should be told in 45k words.

Bulking up a sex scene to absurd duration just to meet your publisher’s 50k wish is not worth it. Trust me on this. Even the most voracious of your readers will tire of manhood grappling, bosom nuzzling, derriere pinching/spanking/biting/etc. if they are all piled on top of each other in a single horny romp.

If you must find that extra 5k somewhere, add an entirely new scene.

Remember: when it comes to sex scenes, no matter what they say, bigger is not always better.

Until Monday (another travel day tomorrow, I’m afraid)…

Chloe

Post-note: I still struggle with this. In fact, I’ve been known to cover up the handy-dandy word counter with a post-it note while writing. Only once I’m thoroughly happy with the scene will I peek.

The Pedal to the Metal

Reached a bit of a milestone yesterday.

Thought about throwing a party, inviting a few of the local cats over to give my four-legged muse a thrill, but decided against it. With so much work left to be done on The Hushing Days in this final month of its “production,” celebrating passing a checkpoint really sounded absurd. (Besides the cats were being ornery and demanding fresh squirrel meat as party favors. How gauche.)

So, instead I would like to simply announce the following… The Hushing Days has officially become my longest work ever!

I blew by my previous record with a grin upon my face, my dog’s head out the window and my foot firmly down on the pedal. It was fantastic!

Now, with a grateful nod and a decided lack of squirrel parts littering things up, I hereby bring this celebration to an end.

Until tomorrow…

Chloe