On a lighter note, Questions from Ronnie

I got the following questions from Ronnie.

As an author, do you prefer to read actual books or use an E reader?

The choice between an actual book and my Kindle – this can turn into a serious battle between true lovers of reading. I love books, I love the weight, the smell, the solidness. I love seeing the cover every time I pick it up and knowing by both feel and sight know whether I’m near the end. But despite this love, I must admit, I prefer to read on my Kindle.

If, heaven forbid, I find myself somewhere without a book or my Kindle – I have the Kindle app on my phone. I can buy as many books as I want without thinking of my overstuffed bookshelves, I can take dozens of books with me on a plane or any vacation, I can make the font as large as I want and I can read in the dark without bothering anyone. I fear the loss of books and book stores, but I love my Kindle.

What book are you reading at the moment?

In spanking fiction I just finished Leigh Smith’s, Finding Home and Taylor Evans, Ami’s Courage – and loved them both. Right now, I’m reading Love Letters from Lady Bug Farm, the second in that series. This is a fantastic series by Donna Ball. The first in the series is ‘A year on Lady Bug Farm’. I just love the ladies in this book.  No spanking, but definitely worth your time!

 If cost was not a factor, where in the world would you most like to visit?

With everywhere in the world to consider, this is nearly an impossible question. I’m sure my answer will seem uninspired to some, but I would go to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. It’s my favorite place! I find it tranquil and lovely. Perhaps I lived there in another life. I love hearing the colonists as they explain how things were done then and I love watching their reenactments. Nick and I might go this fall when the weather is just beginning to turn cool. I can’t wait.

PK, Loved reading your answers to Jan's questions. You really do describe your characters very well. That's another question, how do you choose your characters?

I thank you for your kind words, Ronnie, but I laughed when I read this question. Choose my characters? I’ve never chosen a character in my life! They march in and say, “Write this.” And all I do is say, ‘yes ma’am’ or ‘yes sir’! The truth be known, I’m a typist, not a writer.

Nothing is more fun that writing away, believing you basically know where the story is going and suddenly have your characters take off in another direction. I think that’s why I love Lily so. She was not in my head, I’d never thought of her so, of course, had no intentions of writing her. And when I got to a point in the story, she walked into the room and took over. I’ve never been so surprised in my life.

All my characters speak for themselves – but no voices are more clear to me than Cassie, Sue and Lily.

Roz's other questing

I'm happy to have these questions to answer. If someone asks something I don't want to answer, I won't. But if I choose to answer I'm going to be honest and here goes.  Roz's last question was:

Is Nick helping you with your health goals?

Hmmm… no. Well sorta, maybe. He means to I think, and there have been a few spankings. But, being honest, I have to say, no. I missed my first goal. Close, but didn’t get there. We had an afternoon date for some fun time already planned and when he mentioned a spanking for not making my goal I told him, I understood, but that I hoped it wouldn’t have to get mingled with our fun time already scheduled.

I was expecting that spanking to come later in the day, after our ‘date’ or perhaps he next day. But nothing, I guess he decided to let it go – which is about the worst thing that can happen in TTWD. We talk about communication here on the blogs and over the past ten years one thing I think I’ve communicated thoroughly by email, in multiple posts and by looking him right in the eye and saying it – I do not like to mix fun, sexy spankings and discipline spankings. I know this will never be real for Nick, I get that. To him TTWD is, and will always be, a game leading to sex. For me that’s a lovely twenty-five percent of it.

However, for me to feel completely safe, secure, protected, understood – I need that other seventy-five percent. He has spanked me to help me ‘remember’ and I appreciate it. But I’m afraid it was the equivalent of a ‘bam, slam, thank-you ma’am’ spanking. It was out of the blue, I was in the middle of writing – my head quite far away. I was surprised but willing. It’s just that I had no time to get my mind involved and for me, a spanking where my mind is not involved is much like sex with no touching. Spanking over, he was gone with the briefest of hugs and little to no conversation.

I don’t mind the impromptu spankings – seriously, the man needs to walk around with a paddle in his pocket for the millions of little things I seem to do, or not do, daily. The quick impromptu spankings can be so useful for the little things. Unfortunately, Nick doesn't embrace the lifestyle. He doesn’t think like a spanker. He doesn’t look for or see obvious reasons to spank. Last year, we agreed I should have a minimum of 3000 steps by four o’clock daily – good general rule. Has he check or asked me about it in the last six month? No. The other night I left my keys in the door, I used to do this a lot, but rarely anymore. Did he spank? Hell, no. Just said “Be careful, you left your keys in the door again.” What kind of spanker doesn’t find that as an excuse for a quick spanking? (No I wasn’t testing him, I think I came in with my hands full and really forgot.) That’s when you use the ‘blam, slam, thank-you ma’am’ spanking – for things I just choose not to do or carelessly forget.

But for the things he thinks are really important, things like missing my goal, those spankings need to be different. How much more effective it would have been if he’d taken a moment earlier in the day to email or text something like, “You’re not doing what we talked about. Be in the bedroom waiting for me at four o'clock and we’ll discuss it further.” I would have had time to think, to look inward and see what had kept me from getting there, time to contemplate what was coming, time for TTWD to be real for me for just a little while.

A question from Roz

Roz asked,

How was the writer's conference?

How are you enjoying retirement?

Is Nick still 'helping' you with your health goals?

The writing conference was fine – but not thrilling. I really do want to go to a Blushing Book conference sometime. As for this conference, I went with my friend, who knew many of the women there. I only knew her. The speakers were interesting, but said nothing earth shattering or enormously helpful. And then there is that feeling of being the red-headed, step child among the writers. I mean they can write explicit sex, they can write horror, murder, rape and everyone just nods along. Then when they come to me and I tell them I write Domestic Discipline – spanking stories, there are raised eyebrows and several ‘Oh’s’. I’m not the least embarrassed by what I write, but I will feel much more comfortable at a BB conference where TTWD is not only accepted, but encouraged and loved.

Retirement is fantastic!

 It ranks right up there with marriage and having my kids. I sleep until I want to get up. I can spend several hours a day writing. I can get groceries or run errands in the middle of the day if I want. Mollie has needed me to help her with some things lately and I’ve loved having the freedom to do this running around. So far retirement has fully lived up to my expectations and I’m loving every minute of it.

As to your last question Roz, it needs to be a blog all its own. It may be up in a couple of day or I'll mull over the answer while I answer the other questions.

Question from Jan

I appreciate all your questions! I think I can do a post for most of them. I got one from Jan first.

How did you get the idea for your new book series Cal's Law? Did you find it hard to get started after so many Cassie books? Oh, and when is the next one out? 

Thanks for the question Jan. I’ve heard writers called plotters and pantiers. Some have the whole plot in their minds and they can write it all that way. Other writers write ‘by the seat of their pants’ and that’s me. I might put my characters in a situation, but then I just sit back and listen to what they say and write it. That’s pretty easy with Cassie, and it’s getting easier with Jenny.

Cal and Jenny really began as a Fantasy Friday story and just continued to grow. Cal has showed up in several Cassie books so far, although people probably pictured him as older. Cassie always said he looked too young to be a sheriff.

The next Cal and Jenny book will be out in just over a month. Sometime in early May. There will be at least one more Cassie book and possible one after that. I’m on the fence about that one. But Cassie, Tom and all their friends live in the same town as Cal and Jenny so…

Cassie's Space

Cal's Law

I'm still open for any questions you might have.

Never one to be left out

I really had forgotten what March was all about – questions! I’m glad Meredith and Katie T reminded us. I always have loved questions. I like talking to my readers for one thing. Another thing is that questions can lead to blogging ideas. After so long, new ideas are always welcomed. If you do have any questions, please feel free.

You gotta read this

When I started blogging here the first friend I made was Eva. I knew way back then what a great writer she was. She was writing Fantasy Friday stories before I was even hosting it. She's not around all the time these days, but we've remained friends and with a tiny bit of badgering  from me that she should write again, and her basic love of writing finally got to her and this past summer she wrote her first book, Ami's Courage. It's now been published by Blushing Books, under her pen name, Taylor Evans. And I really love the cover!

Blurb:

After ten years of refusing Jay's proposal for marriage Ami works up the courage to tell him what is holding her back. Ami loves Jay and she knows Jay loves her, that’s not the problem. Ami's struggle to accept her deep-rooted sexuality and desire to be dominated is proving difficult and, at times, she wonders if she really needs it or if life would be easier if she just ignored her needs.

After finally sharing her desires with Jay, he finds it puzzling to say the least. Some of what Ami is asking him for, he may be unable to accommodate. He turns to his friend Michael who convinces him that what Ami is asking shouldn't be a road which Jay should travel. Jay begins to question himself, his relationship with Ami, and their possible marriage.

Meanwhile, Michael decides to make Ami his in ways which no one could see coming. The night he decides to make her his own is a night Ami will never forget. Eventually, Jay comes to the realization that what Ami is asking of him might work for him, too. But he realizes it might be too late. He may have already lost her to Michael, in a very traumatic way.

Is Ami strong enough to pursue her needs and desires?  Is Jay strong enough to put aside his fears and give Ami what she needs?  Are they strong enough together to grow, heal, and find happiness together?

Publishers note:  This book contains elements of domestic discipline, sexual scenes, and some elements of unlawful, life threatening events. 

And here's a little excerpt:

“I have told you. I love you. You’re perfect the way you are. There’s just this little bit more I need in our relationship.”

“A little bit? This is hardly a small thing, Ami. This is huge!” exclaims Jay. 

“I know.”
“Let me see if I understand. You want me to spank you?” Jay questions. 

“Yes.”
“Why? Help me understand why you need this?” Jay pleads.

“I need a man with a strong hand who will keep me in line, who will discipline me... punish me... not just spanking... it can be anything you want it to be, because I want you to be in charge.”

“Is this for real? Or just a playful fantasy? What? What is it you want?”
“Would you think I’m out of my mind if I said it’s both?” Ami giggles.
“Yes. You’re out of your mind,” Jay laughs.

Here's the buy link: Amazon

Here's Taylor Evans Blog:http://taylorevans623.blogspot.com