Weekend Writing Warriors – A Tender Touch

Posted on July 21, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click here to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Click the logo to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. 🙂 Once again, I’m sharing from my just started WIP.

Gina’s still healing from divorce. Although she gets along with her ex, it’s his best friend, Marcus, that’s the last person she’d want to see on her night out at the local BDSM club, but that’s exactly who she ran into at the spanking benches. Last Week: We learned Gina decided to take Marcus up on his offer and she bent over his spanking bench. This week: I’ve skipped nothing.

The paddle brushed over her lower back, across her hip, and down the length of her leg to her knee. His hand followed the paddle with a feather touch, allowing a soothing bliss to spread over her skin.

The room either quieted or she’d blocked the noise. She welcomed the peace, needing to remember why she was here. He repeated the pattern on the other side, drawing her in with his tenderness. She swallowed against the unwelcome thoughts threatening to break her concentration.

“I’ll give you twenty swats. I expect you to count them.”

This might be the calm before the storm, lol. She’s getting more than she bargained for. <~ You can <tweet that> if you want. Hope you’ll come back and find out more about these two. Poor Gina, she’s still looking for release. Maybe next week, maybe. 😉

Thank you so much for visiting me, it means a lot to me that you took the time to visit my little place on the web. Don’t forget to check out the other Weekend Warriors, the Snippet Sunday Facebook Group, and Saturday Spankings too.

ROW80 Check-in #67 A Silver Lining

Posted on July 21, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

The writing challenge that knows you have a life.

Last week I was over worked. This weeks seems to be a mixed bag of ups and downs… lots of words… too hot, too many distractions… Ugh.

Enough already.

By Saturday, I wanted to throw everything out the window. Okay, not everything. There’s no reason to harm the ereader. 🙂 I did need to step away from it all and I did.

I spent yesterday morning at a blueberry farm. It was beautiful and refreshing. By the time I got home, I was eager to sit down at the laptop and write.

Beautiful.

So, I’ll take this mixed bag. It might not have been my most productive week ever, but I made time for other things and I got some good words in too.

How did your week go? Are you finding your silver lining?

The Goals – week-3 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters – done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting – done. I made just a tiny bit of time for craft study this week and I still haven’t reviewed my notes from summer camp. Grr. I did finish a scene in my WIP by adding 2k words. There’s just the last chapter to finish and then the 1st draft will be done. So close.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep, and my calorie limit – done. I just did the minimum this week.
Weekly Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure) – kind of done. I did order three routines and I can not wait to dance them. 😀 WEEK 4 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities – done. Answered countless emails, trained my new co-chair, and made several deposits.
Organize something in the house each week & clean something in the house every day – not done. WEEK 4 PRIORITY
Spend time in the garden – kind of done. It was too hot this week. That’s totally an excuse. It’s mid-July, of course it’s hot. I dead headed lots of plants and that’s about it. The lilies are blooming though, so pretty.

What you might have missed here this week:

What’s in a title? With Doris O’Conner

Mugs and Honey with Siobhan Muir

A Blog Takeover by Carlene Love author of Sin’s Flower

Flash Fiction #45 Risk and Reward

Posted on July 19, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Thanks for stopping. Another picture…another 100 words.

Stockvault.net

“I have nothing more to say.” Julie turned, half hoping Matt would stop her. “I’m heading back to the house.”

“Come on, let’s talk. It took a lot of finagling to get you down here.” Matt grabbed her hand.

“What all did you do?” She pointed to the bucket. “Get Cliff to catch something?”

“What is that anyway, a lobster?”

“No, it’s a crayfish.”

She observed the crustacean sitting at the bottom of the bucket. It had no choices left, unlike her. Matt’s fingers slipped from her hand. She didn’t want to lose him.

“Can we go and observe?”

“Absolutely.”

Hope you enjoyed my flash today!! Don’t forget to follow the link to get to the other FFF posts. Flasher Fiction Friday. Or click away on the links below.

Naomi Shaw: www.authornaomishaw.com
Doris O’Connor: http://thetardisscribbles.blogspot.co.uk/
Sherri Hayes: http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/
Pablo Michaels: http://www.pmmanmanromance.com
J S Morbius: http://morbiussworld.blogspot.co.uk/
Gemma Parkes: http://gemmaparkes.blogspot.com/

Weekend Writing Warriors – A Vulnerable Moment

Posted on July 14, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click the logo to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. 🙂 Once again, I’m sharing from my just started WIP.

Gina’s still healing from divorce. Although she gets along with her ex, it’s his best friend, Marcus, that’s the last person she’d want to see on her night out at the local BDSM club, but that’s exactly who she ran into at the spanking benches. Last Week: Marcus offered to put their past aside and help her with her needs. This week: I’ve skipped several paragraphs. She and Marcus have come to an agreement. This might be the smartest or dumbest moment of her life. To say she’s vulnerable is an understatement. The first lines are his.

“Since we’ve never played together, I won’t be restraining you. We certainly don’t have that kind of trust. You understand how important it is not to move, correct?”

“Yes, Sir, I understand. I won’t move.” It pinched her last nerve to call him sir, but he was doing her a great service. For these few minutes, she’d give him the respect any Master in this club deserved.

He flipped her shirt up over her back, exposing her round ass.

He’s got her where he wants her. <~ You can <tweet that> if you want. Who do you think will be most affected by this scene? I’m not even sure, but I can tell you it’s been fun finding out. Hope you’ll come back and find out more about these two. Poor Gina, she’s still looking for release. Maybe next week, maybe. 😉

ROW80 Check-in #66 Deep Beautiful Breaths

Posted on July 14, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

The writing challenge that knows you have a life.

Some days I wish there were two of me, but I think I’ll faint if I try to do anything more. There are only 24-hours in a day and this week I’m happy for that, lol.

By midweek I was feeling pretty frustrated. My to-do list was growing and writing wasn’t going well. Since writing is my priority, it’s easy for me to push other tasks aside while I spend more time on writing. But if writing is going no where fast, maybe I’m doing it wrong.

By getting up and out of the chair to knock off other things on the list and then coming back refreshed will help me to accomplish more in the end. Staring at the screen gets me no where and makes me want to pull my hair out. As long as I come back and try again, I will make progress. Deep breath, I will finish this WIP.

Once again I’ve found inspiration from SYTYCD. This week I’ve selected the piece performed by Malece and Marko and choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. They remind me of all the beauty to be found in the simplest of things like breathing. It’s breathtaking. The dancing begins about 40-seconds in. Enjoy.

The Goals – week-2 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters – done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting – done. I worked on my WIP from last summer again this week. I read through several chapters and then began writing one of the last two scenes needed. Writing was hard and frustrating this week. I have a strong sense of how I want this book to feel. It’s been with me for over a year. I’m struggling, but I’ll push through. I read more of Writing Love this week and I’m attending the MFRW Summer Camp this weekend. I’ll share some highlights from camp next week.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep, and my calorie limit – done! Six workouts and all the other goals too. Nice!
Weekly Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure) – not done. Although I did Nia twice this week, I didn’t make any progress on the teaching side. Through my teaching license for this year, I can order three more routines. I’m going to go ahead and order them. Maybe the new routines will lift my spirits and get me motivated to find the time for this goal. WEEK 3 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities – done. I only had to pick up the mail, answer a couple of emails, and return one phone call. Score!
Organize something in the house each week & clean something in the house every day – not done. WEEK 2 PRIORITY
Spend time in the garden – done. I cut back more rose bushes and the front bushes. I did a bunch of weeding and snacked on more raspberries. Yum. I’ve included a picture of my favorite Lavender rose, it blooms just outside my dinning room where I write, and two of my balloon flowers. It’s pretty obvious how they got their common name, lol.

What you might have missed here this week:

Daily Picspiration – Memory Box

Spotlight: The Wolf’s Moon by Rebecca Brochu

Weekend Writing Warriors – One of the Good Guys

Posted on July 7, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click the logo to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. In case you missed my big news from a couple weeks ago, my debut is coming to Evernight Publishing. You better believe I’m still celebrating, lol. 😀

Once again, I’m sharing from my just started WIP…Gina’s still healing from divorce. Although she gets along with her ex, it’s his best friend, Marcus, that’s the last person she’d want to see on her night out at the local BDSM club, but that’s exactly who she ran into at the spanking benches. Last Week: After basically calling Gina a liar, Marcus stopped her from leaving and offered to help. This week: I’ve skipped nothing.

Once again, Marcus proved he was the good guy. She’d never liked him because he had a tendency to call her out on her mistakes and her latest was a doozy that ended her marriage.

“That’s nice of you, but it’s okay.” She took a step back.

“I can see that it’s not.” He took a step forward. “We can push past our history and live in this moment.” He grabbed her hand. “Let me help.”

He won’t let her take the easy way out. <~ You can <tweet that> if you want. Hope you’ll come back and find out more about these two. Poor Gina, she’s still looking for release. Maybe next week, maybe. 😉

ROW80 Check-in #65 Out with the Junk

Posted on July 7, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

The writing challenge that knows you have a life.

How often do you find stuff in your life that you do NOT need? All that junk can slow you down. It’s even been known to slow the creative process. Of course, I’m not just talking about the physical items around you, but let’s not go there.

This week I read through a WIP I wrote last summer. I definitely put enough distance between writing and revising, lol. The end eluded me last summer. This week, I cleared away the junk and found a way to the end I’ve had in mind. Now, I just have to finish writing it.

As I clear away the cob webs in my mind and get rid of the junk in this story, I’m finding it’s fast past and has fascinating characters. Score! By the end of this round I want this WIP to have a finished ending, but I also want it to shine. I want a crisp and clean manuscript that’s ready to be sent.

It’s SYTYCD season. So, I went there looking for some inspiration and I have to share what I found. Makenzie and Paul performed a piece choreographed by Sean Cheesman and it’s the epitome of crisp and clean. If they can do this after just a couple days then I can clean my WIP this summer. The dancing begins 1 minute in. Enjoy.

The Goals – week-1 results

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters – done.
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting – done. I moved my blog feeds over to feedly about a month ago, but this week I categorized things. It’s so much cleaner. I haven’t read Writing Love since May, but I got back to it this week. Nice. I also edited everyday this week.
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep, and my calorie limit – done! The last couple rounds I’ve done the minimum here or less and I’ve been slowing gaining weight. Boo! For the last eighteen days I’ve been back in it and I’ve lost weight two weeks in a row. 😀 I got in 5 workouts this week.
Weekly Nia study (i.e. studying the song/movement structure) – 1/2 way done. I did a practice teaching session and it went okay. WEEK 2 PRIORITY
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities – done. The new fiscal year has begun and this year I have a co-Treasurer. 😀 She has a degree in Finance and has experience in QuickBooks. Sweet. Every month I’ll teach her something new and slowly this task will go away. Wahoo!! 😀
Organize something in the house each week & clean something in the house every day – not done. WEEK 2 PRIORITY
Spend time in the garden – done. I cut back my rose bushes, staked my blueberries, snacked on some early raspberries, took Lavender cuttings before they bloomed and hung them to dry. I also took lots of pictures. I’ll continue to share them each Sunday.

ROW80 Round 3 2013 Goals Progress, Persistence, and Balance

Posted on July 1, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Be the best you can be was my goal for Round 2. I added 14k to my WIPs. Typed “The End” twice, finished many rounds of edits, and hit send twice. A couple days after the round ended, I received my first ever accept! Quite simply, this was my best round of 80 days ever. I wasn’t looking for perfection. I was looking for progress. I didn’t achieve perfection, but I certainly obtained progress. Be the best you can be is a great motto, but every motto needs balance and I’m still struggling with balance.

A Round of Words In 80 Days or ROW80 is the writing challenge that knows you have a life. Join in at any time. State your goals and check-in on Wednesdays and or Sundays.

Progress, Persistence, and Balance <~~ what I want for Round 3.

What does that really mean? What am I really looking for this round? I want to read books. I want to study my craft. I want to finish polishing my two almost ready WIPs. I want to type the end on a brand new WIP. I want to find a way to finally fit Nia studies into my week and I want to have some fun. I also don’t want my life to crumble around me as I work at getting my debut ready for its release.

My ROW80 goals are all in addition to my already full schedule of evil day job, mom, and home maker responsibilities. It’s up to me. The power is in my hands. It’s my choice to be here. It’s my choice to show up and push for my dreams.

Good habits have been my friend the last couple of rounds. Although I have no plans to try and cement my day with rules, I’m looking to build on my healthy patterns and take advantage of my day.

My goal is to be the best me I can be in my balanced life. I may not always be perfect, but I’ll keep showing up.

Do you have a strategy for the next 80-days? Kait’s post today to start the round is a great place to start.

The Goals – Round 3 2013

Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters
Daily progress in writing craft, word count, editing, and/or plotting
Complete tasks as they are sent to me by my publisher
Workout a minimum of three times a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep, and my calorie limit
Weekly Nia study (i.e. studying the theory or song/movement structure)
Stay on top of my co-op preschool Treasurer responsibilities
Organize something in the house each week & clean something in the house every day

Here’s to a fabulous round of 80-days.

Weekend Writing Warriors – What She Needs

Posted on June 30, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Click the logo to go to the Weekend Writing Warriors blog

Welcome friends old and new. I’m glad you came. In case you missed my big news this week, my debut is coming to Evernight Publishing. Wahoo!! 😀

Once again, I’m sharing from my just started WIP…Gina’s still healing from divorce. Although she gets along with her ex, it’s his best friend, Marcus, that’s the last person she’d want to see on her night out at the local BDSM club, but that’s exactly who she ran into at the spanking benches. Last Eight After basically calling Gina a liar, Marcus stopped Gina from leaving and pulled her around. This week. I’ve skipped nothing.

Her chest pushed into his as he held her against him. From under her lashes, she looked up into his light blue eyes and, for a second, wished she could forget why she hated him.

“I’m sorry.” He stepped back and let his hand fall. “You came to this area because you needed something from the benches. I’m the only one free right now.” He raised his hand and brushed away the hair hanging in front of her eyes. “I can give you what you need.”

I just bet he can, lol. Here’s a tweet, if you want to share. Hope you’ll come back and find out more about these two. Poor Gina, she’s still looking for release. Maybe next week, maybe. 😉

Flash Fiction #44 The Unknown

Posted on June 28, 2013 by S.J. Maylee

Thanks for stopping. Another picture…another 100 words.

With the blindfold on, Anya could only hear the brisk footsteps and labored breathing of their captors. Her heart thundered with the thought that tonight could be her last. The thought wasn’t unwelcome. She longed for a break from the sadness holding her tighter than the invisible bonds keeping her imprisoned.

Warm sour breath floated across her cheek and something sharp tore at the skin on her hand.

An explosion shook the room. She stumbled to the floor as her hands struggled with their freedom.

“Captain, here! Is this the one?”

She blinked as the blindfold was pulled away.

“Anya?”

Hope you enjoyed my flash today!! Don’t forget to follow the link to get to the other FFF posts. Flasher Fiction Friday. Or click away on the links below.

Sherri Hayes: http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/
Doris O’Connor: http://thetardisscribbles.blogspot.co.uk/
Pablo Michaels: http://www.pmmanmanromance.com
J S Morbius: http://morbiussworld.blogspot.co.uk/