I’ve been working on Partners and Crime lately, trying to expand it to a longer, single piece of, oh, perhaps 8000 words or so when done (for comparison, the three parts already posted here came to a total of about 3300 words combined). I have actually found it a little bit slow going, partly because I’m still figuring out where this story is supposed to end up (remember, it started as flash fiction and was never supposed to be more than a thousand words or so), and partly because I originally intended it for posting only to the blog, which I generally keep at no more than, um, somewhere between PG-13 and R rated, perhaps, and yes, it has now definitely crossed that border firmly into R territory, maybe even a little NC-17 in there.
Which is odd, because it’s not as if I haven’t written some very explicit scenes in other stories before (Switch). Why is this one different? Perhaps it’s because I’m actually thinking about how this one could appear as a short novelette on Amazon? Because I’m already thinking about potential beta readers and their reactions? Because when I first started writing Switch (which, so far, is much more explicit) a year ago, I didn’t ever expect to show it to anyone?
Or perhaps I’m just massively overthinking it.
Or spending too much time on social media. Yeah, there’s always that. Having trouble wordsmithing the next sentence? No problem! After all, someone just favorited my latest rambling tweet, and I need to go check that out. Oh, and look, someone just posted a very interesting article on — wait for it — social media strategy for authors; I’d definitely better read that. And hey, some of my favorite authors just got published in a new anthology; mmm, reading that sounds like much greater fun.
(On a side note, Chemical [se]X, edited by Oleander Plume, really is great fun to read.)
The blog could use an overhaul, too — really, I should put my excerpts together on an actual page — and gosh, I haven’t posted anything in a long time, and… well, I’m taking care of that problem right now, aren’t I? And distracting myself from finishing up a measly few thousand more words in Partners and Crime.
Ok, though, seriously, where do you think the story should go? When last we left them, Eileen McConnell and Daryl Travers had to dash into a shower stall in the women’s locker room at the police department where they both work because two other officers had just come in to the room. Oh, and Travers had been wearing Eileen’s handcuffs for most of the action up to this point, though she has just taken them off him (though that story point could change — what do you think?). Now, if you aren’t exactly clear on how these two ended up in this predicament, this would be an excellent time to go back and read the three installments I posted to the blog.
On another side note, Jade, I really did not have you in mind when I named one of the two officers entering the room Waters — the name just appeared from thin air as I wrote — but, hey, what would you do if you were in your namesake’s position? And yes, I know you aren’t nearly as crude and crass as the Waters in the story. You’re far too nice, and she’s… well, she’s not. At least, not yet.
Finally, I’ll leave you with a very brief snippet from the continuing story:
He tugged, and with a wiggle of my hips my panties slipped down my thighs. I tried to kick them away, but only succeeded in tangling them about my ankles. If Travers noticed, he gave no sign, and very quickly I forgot all about them too when…
When what? Ah, I’ll leave that to your imagination… for now.
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This is incredible and great presentation!
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Thanks! So nice to hear from you again. 🙂
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Like Wise, I deeply enjoy your classy composition:)
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Very much looking forward to seeing how this one develops…
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Me too! 😉
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Don’t overthink it! It’s going beautifully! Just trust the story and Amazon and beta readers and all the rest will sort itself out. It’s a great, fun, sassy story – it won’t steer you wrong! (Ps- really looking forward to seeing where it all goes)
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Thank you so much, Malin! You’re always a great inspiration for me. 🙂
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Ooh, love the little snippet. 😉 So, since they’re cops and you’re looking to expand the story to 8K, my first inclination is to ask if you’ve thought about introducing a side story surrounding a case. Maybe something that would force them to work intimately, perhaps posing as a couple. You could introduce it at the beginning or even use it as an excuse to interrupt their little shower scene, unless you want them to “go all the way” so soon (keepin’ it PG-13 here). Maybe they’re about to take things to the next level when the captain demands that they report to his/her office to discuss a new, potentially dangerous assignment. Then they can spend the next third of the story caught up in sexual tension and questioning their professionalism and lusting after one another and…well, I’m sure you’ll think of something. 😉 Anyway, that’s just what jumps to mind for me. Good luck with the project and I can’t wait to read it once it’s done! (You know I’ll be buyin’ a copy.)
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Wow, there are enough ideas here to make it a lot longer than 8K! Hmm, perhaps this might turn into the first part of a serial, after all. I do like the idea of building sexual tension, frustration, and of course a misunderstanding or two. You’ve given me some inspiration, and yes, I now think I know where the scene needs to go next, and even how to get it there. Yay!
If all goes well, I hope to have the first draft completed this weekend.
Thank you, Rachel! You’re a doll! 🙂
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You’re welcome! I often have more ideas than I know what to do with, so I’m happy to share. 😉 I hope it all comes together for you. Oh,and Happy Thanksgiving! A post-holiday writing weekend sounds just about perfect.
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Happy Thanksgiving, to you, and to all of you! ❤
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