Maps!

Not sure about you, but when I read a novel and it has a map in the front, that book just got ten times better. Small details like that make the entire adventure more fun.

Making those maps on the other hand, is a royal pain. I'm still going to have one in the front of the Lionheart Abyss series, but maps aren't my cup of tea.

After all, I am more of a coffee drinker.

Give me your thoughts on fantasy maps in novels below and be sure to check back soon for more news about the upcoming Lionheart Abyss saga.

Hopeful plans

By this point I'm as tired of saying it as you all are of reading it, but over the next year I actually want to focus on my writing.

I want to get some books out, set up some daily habits. Really let myself have at the work that I love doing. Maybe even find a few rejection letters.

I have a lot of stuff from over the years all piled up. Some of it I believe is pretty decent. Some other things, not so much. The more I think about it, the more I feel drawn to write select stories and when I ask myself why. The answer is simple.

Because gay.

Told you, simple. It the world of stories you're told to wrote what you know. Well, I know a little about a lot. Doesn't mean I need to write a cookbook about 100 ways to use ramen noodles. Useful, I'm sure, but it wouldn't satisfy me. I need hope. I need struggle. I need the world to see a side of life that not everyone gets to experience.

I need to show someone that it gets better in a way that only I know. So stick with me friends. I'm working on some pretty intense lesbian stories. I can't wait to share them with you.

My Favorite part of writing Just Desserts

When writing there's always one moment while we work that stands out. My first short was no different. For me that moment came when I finally wrapped it all up. When I could see all the little details from the beginning tie into the final moments. It was then that the title even struck me.

I also greatly enjoyed the entire process of re-writing the novel years later. Some people asked why the second version that came out was changed so much and honestly, it was a simple answer. Once I got in there and started touching things up, I realized how far I had come with my personal writing style. So it got updated.

Check it out here:
Warning: saucy lesbian sex

Just Desserts- A History

Every story has a story. It has its own creation. Today I was to remember what made me start writing and a bit about my first published novel.

I had always enjoyed writing small gay things. My step father was my biggest supporter of those early days. He believed that I should get that stuff out to the public. He listened to me when I explained why I would ever want to be a lesbian author. This isn't that story.

He fell sick and while in the hospital things took a turn for the worst. He fell into a coma. I took my chance. I wanted to have a book published for when he came out. I was scared to push myself however, to finish it. In the end I waited too long. He sadly passed away while in the hospital. I published the first version of "Just Desserts" a week later.

Read the book here.
Warning: lesbian erotica. May not be appropriate for all ages.

What I've been doing

This is really gonna be a repeat of most posts with similar titles. Life happened is the short version. Last September I had taken a step up with the company I was with. Honestly, I loved my day job. However, it added 20 hours a week driving alone. Full time and toss in some overtime. The weeks were long. The days blended together. I finally sadly had to leave because it had become a toll on my health. Only now am I starting to feel myself again.

But have I wrote anything more in this time?

Kinda?

I did push out a few shorts. Links and more info of all my novles will be posted here over the next few weeks. Otherwise, not a lot was done. So again, I feel like I'm starting all over again, and it oddly feels good.

Writers and day jobs

I was chatting with one of my writing friends and found out that as of a few days ago, he quit his day job and is writing full time. I got oddly excited at the thought, even though I have no plans of quitting my day job. I asked how long it took him to get there.

"10 years I've been writing." He answered.

I could feel my heart break.

As someone who has only recently come to the conclusion that writing is my thing, I knew it wouldn't happen overnight. On the other hand, I didn't realize that it would take so long either.

As of today I've been published for about 3 years now, and honestly even with all the progress that I have made, I don't feel like I am anywhere near where I should be.

My heart breaks again.

The numbers hurt, I won't lie. The months with .35 cent paychecks from book sales, hurts.

I keep going though. I do it for myself. For my readers. I do it for the LGBTQ persons who have not found their comfort yet.

I will write on.
I will continue my journey.

'Day in June' Stays in the kids section!

The west Chicago library board agreed to keep a book called "This Day in June" on its children's shelf. They held a meeting that drew in more than 150 people. Some residents thought some of its content wasn't appropriate for young readers.

The book was written by Gayle E. Pitman and is described on the library's website as "a wildly whimsical, validating and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, that welcomes readers to experience a prude celebration and share in a day when we are all united".

I personally haven't read it, but you can bet yourself I'm going to now! If you have read it, let me know in the comments below and tell me what you thought!

Just Desserts Re-release!

Today I'm beyond happy to announce that my original story has had a face-lift. If you have enjoyed any lesbian fiction (or lesfic) please take a few moments to check out this book. I know you'll love it.
Click here to get your hot copy today!

Realization and Self Imposed Deadlines

     I've come to the recent thought process that I should have no problem at all getting one rough draft done every two months. That's about what I did during the holiday season while working two jobs. I can then take two months to work on edits and I should be able to get at least three books out per year with those numbers. 

     Time to impose some self infliced deadlines. This will also hopefully keep me on track with updating things and keeping my 'coming soon' page current. Here is my current line up of things that have already been in the works for too long. There is no order to theses. 

-Between Heaven and Hell

-A Good Cup of Coffee

-Lionheart Abyss short collection

-Kira and Danaca Holiday Short

-Nymph-Elf Romance Short; A errotica from the Lionheart Abyss series

-Lionheart Abyss

-The Adventures of Ragnar

-Silver Mane

-Lesbian Vampire Romance

Again, all of these are in different places right now, but it feels really good to see all of my current projects. Quite a few of these have been NaNoWriMo projects and are fairly far. Some will be full length, other's shorts, still others just collections. I can't wait.
By the end of 2018 I will have at least two of these done and released. Let me know what you are looking forward to.
x

I love being Gay

Like really. Girls are so pretty and I just can't help myself.

It also never stop amazing me the ways that I impress them. Story time!

I'm at my day job and working with all females. No big deal, I get along great with my co-workers. This one however, super sweet girl, breaks a nail. I ask if she needs some nail glue. "Yeah." She says a little heart broken. I tell her no worries I have some in my bag, I'll go get it. Her face is priceless and her nail is saved. You don't have to want anything from a woman other than her happiness.

Transgender in the Military

     I want to take some time today and talk about something that’s pretty big right now on the internet. How our President tweeted about his opinion as if twitter was part of the Government process. He did not take those words through the white house and even his own cabinet was a bit shocked at the posts.

For those of you who haven’t seen it, I’ll give you the short version. Our President stated that the US military will no longer accept Trans because they are mentally unstable and a burden to our healthcare.

We all know that’s nothing but a pile of crap Mr. President. He never served in the army, and doesn’t seem to know anything about how the Trans people of America even effect the health care system. He has no right to ban a group of people from serving their country.

A few others have spoken up about this all backing the wonderful Trans community.

Now here comes my own personal rant about this entire thing. It’s bullshit. Our president cannot make decisions over twitter for the entire country. That’s not how this works, for starters. Second, saying that an entire group of people will be a burden on the rest? The fuck? Like our old people are not sucking the system dry as well. Like Trump going golfing every week isn’t draining our economy. Or the fact that his wife lives apart from him and needs body guards. All of course being paid for by our government.

I’d rather pay the extra few dollars a year to see a Trans person get the meds they need for a safe transition. I don’t see them as the big American burden. If they want to serve in our military and can do so physically. Let them!

Mental stability isn’t exclusive to any one set of people either. I know normal straight people, on no meds with massive anger issues, who are racist as all get out and I personally wouldn’t want them behind a trigger. But they have served. Woman, once considered to be mentally unstable for battle, are now serving and coming home to care for their family. Trans people have been serving for years and this has never been a problem before.

To sum this all up though, I doubt that the tweets have any real traction. If you let those words hurt you, then realize that you let some internet bully tell you how to feel. Together we are stronger than he will ever be.

You are loved.

You matter.

You are not a burden to us.

Stay strong. ~Skadia

I Saved My Girlfriend by Not Kissing Her

  In today’s world most of us don’t think twice about kissing out loved ones. Especially if they are about to leave for a trip or just away for a few hours. I don’t live near my girlfriend. She lives up in the city, I live outside, but we both go back and forth a lot. My day job is up there in said city, so it’s not like we don’t see one another often. The other day I was taking her to the train station, making it easy on my car instead of back and forth, and we got there early and sat in the car just talking. Sounds normal right? You would again in today’s world not think much of it. If you’re gay, or lesbian, or even trans however, you do actually think twice on things.

     I didn’t kiss her goodbye. It killed me and broke my heart, but let me tell you why.

     The entire time we sat there, two guys in a car next to us watched us. Intently. Not gesturing, not saying anything, just watching. It made my stomach knot. Fear crept into the back of my mind and warning bells went off. Something in my gut told me not to kiss her that day. Something told me not to be gay. She left on the train and I watched her walk through the doors. The moment she got through, one of the guys got out of the car and walked in after her. No bags, luggage, not even a backpack at nine o’clock at night going up to the city. It was odd. It scared me. I actually was afraid that something would happen to her.

     Did anything? No. But then again, I didn’t kiss her either.  

Hi, My Name is Skadia and I'm a Lesbian

     This isn't how the world works, when someone introduces themselves. It is however, how the world judges. I wanted to talk a bit about how I've been seen differently as a lesbian in just every day normal life. Some of my friends can't believe when I tell them things like this, but when they see it, they all seem to understand a bit more.

     "I don't want a dyke to touch my food." So my day job when I'm not writing is working at a movie theater. I really do love my job and the company is the most accepting that I have ever worked for. Being a lesbian doesn't matter to them. They are even super cool with Trans and just about anything else short of illegal activities. I have honestly had guests waiting in line, only that when I call them they wave me off or ignore me. Only to go to someone's register next to me and gripe 'under their breath' that they cannot imagine why anyone would let 'people like that serve food'. I've even had co-workers hear people talking about the 'stupid dyke who wouldn't -insert whatever rule I followed here-' It happens, a lot more than people realize.

     "You people should all just go die." Again another extreme thing, but I've heard it more than once.

     "Fucking dykes!" This gem is generally yelled out of car windows most often while I am walking with my girlfriend just holding her hand and talking. Or playing pokemon go. Sitting too close will also get the came reaction. I've even had some homeless guy harass me just because my hair is short and for once I actually 'looked gay'. That was a long bus ride.

     I could honestly go on and on about what other's have said or done to me all over the simple fact that I love someone, but I won't. That's not the message I want to send. It's not about hate, it's about love. It's about not being alone in this world. I wanted to share these with you all because you are not alone. Don't let their words control you. Rise up. It sadly won't be going away, you will have to deal with it, so don't let words bother you. They truly don't matter. I mean come on, these people aren't paying your bills, their opinion shouldn't matter one bit. Sure, it can still hurt, but don't take these things personally. You're better than that.

     ~Skadia, the writing panther, who just happens to be gay.

Day of Remembering

     I want to step back and take a moment to talk about something. I didn't even realize we were at the one year mark of the Orlando Pulse shooting. I still remember seeing it. I remember reading the stories about the EMT's showing up and the only sound being cell phones ringing. It still brings tears to my eyes. One year ago, someone decided to take lives just because he didn't agree with how they lived. It still hurts. This month is LGBTQ Pride month, and I cannot be more proud to stand up for the rights that we have fought for. We have come so far, but we also have a long ways to go.

     Be brave, I know it's scary, and events like what happened at Pulse really drive it home on how hard some of us fight. But we can do it. Together. With love. Don't forget, you are never alone. Reach out, talk to friends, family, call a help line if you need too. I know I'm always here to talk to if you need to vent, or cry. Hit me up on Twitter or even message me on Facebook. You are loved, and you matter. Never forget.

All my love
~Skadia