Between job changes, long commutes, and family obligations my writing time has been severely reduced. I still write most days, but where I used to write 500 words a day, now I'm lucky if I can get 50. And with two novels going at the same time, with an average of 3000 words each chapter, I'm struggling to get enough done to post regularly.
That being said, I've just submitted chapter 11 for both The Tutor and Sucky Vacation. Hope you like them! I started both stories at the same time for a reason, but the current political climate has taken what I'd intended and turned it upside down.
The Tutor isn't just a sexy story about a college girl tutoring a couple of high school guys. It's my exploration of the complex concepts of consent, sexuality, and gender identity wrapped up in an erotic novel. The story has been plotted out since I started writing it, but now I'm finding key elements of my story playing out in the current political news.
I'm posting this blog entry just as the Senate begins voting on Kavanaugh's confirmation. I'm not going political here, but the parallels with my story are obvious to me. The idea of being sexually assaulted and then being forced to open your whole life for public scrutiny to get to the truth is real.
The next few chapters of The Tutor will involve a Title IX hearing about Alicia's sexual assault. Her life will be laid open for judgement. Because we see her POV, we know what really happened in Dillon's room, but no one else will know with any certainty.
Writing this story at this time has definitely influenced my opinions on what I'm seeing in real life. I suppose the cliche that truth is stranger than fiction is true because it really does seem to happen sometimes.
Whatever the outcome, happy reading!
Cotton