Does order matter?

The famous Chronicles of Narnia are out of order. Or, rather, they have multiple possible orders.
Do you read them from book 1 to book 7? Makes sense.
Except that is not the sequence in which the author wrote them.
Nor is it the order in which he wanted them read.
No, the sequence is numbered based on the passage of time in the Narnia world. Mostly, at least.

The topic is on my mind this month because my strip poker series - granted in a whole different category and level of writing skill! - is coming together in a different order than I meant.
One is ready to go, publish as soon as I say to throw the proverbial switch.
Alas, I meant it to be #2.
And one is almost ready, just waiting on some final revisions.
You guessed it, I meant it to be #3.
But I like some of the developments the characters have shown me in these later stories. So I am returning to do some overhaul on #1, delaying it a few more weeks.
They are, like Narnia, numbered chronologically in my head. But they are largely stand-alone, not depending much, in my opinion, on what came before. So no reason why I could not release the one that  is ready, #2, any time. But all the years that these fantasies have been in my head, it has been second.
To release or not. In sequence or not.
Does order matter?

Strip poker delay

My dreams of having my latest project, a multi-part series based on a group of friends and lovers who play strip poker, is behind schedule.
I had hoped to have at least a couple out in March. But that is looking unlikely. Two are in revisions, and may see the light of published day soon if all goes well. More details to come.
Thanks for your patience!

My Sweet Comforter now available

I'm very excited today!
Not only did my birth nation win Olympic gold in both men's and women's hockey this year, but my latest short story is now done and published!
A bit early, too. I was expecting the proofing, cover, etc to be ready in March. But as of today it is now available at Smashwords.com
I will provide a direct link from this blog in a little while, need to remind myself how first. But any time you can go to Smashwords.com and look for me, or search by title, "My Sweet Comforter."
Ok, maybe not quite as exciting as the men's hockey game, but darn close for me!

iBookstore mark-up

I have just discovered that my novel costs an extra dollar throught the iBooks boostore. It is listed there at $3.99.
Grab it there, if you like. I have used the store a few times and find it reasonably simple.
But I was surprised, since it is listed at $2.99 elsewhere, including Smashwords, where the links to the side will take you.
I have no illusions needing disabusing; I know I am an unknown, self-published hack of a writer. To me, 3.99 is too high a price point. A buck cheaper may be, too. But if you'd check out my book fot $2.99 but not $3.99, check around. You might just avoid the iBooks markup!
Love saving you $$!

Separating Fantasies

The grapevine has brought to my ears news that an acquaintance of mine is separating from her husband. Another family falls victim to the relentlessness of our modern pressures and expectations, and our diminished sense of commitment and dedication.
A tragedy, for them and for their child. And a shock; they seemed like the last couple who would split.
And yet..
Part of me weaves their story into my constantly operating fantasy mill, material that blends in all the easier since I may already have brought the spouse into the mill. A light initial introduction, yet his newly available status will feed the fantasy machinery more regularly now.
Maybe I need to write another story.

2014 Discovery #2

... is Red Velvet acake ice cream.
My very favorite cake would surely make a fantastic frozen dessert. Why had I not heard of it till now?
I have not yet sampled it, but this one sounds particularly delish: Ben & Jerry's version.

Starting 2014 with Torture

A few days ago I discovered the fascinating show and podcast 'Stuff You Should Know.'
I enjoy listening to the odd couple hosts, as they banter with varying degrees of wit about the topic du jour. One fellow reminds me, by voice at least, of a good friend from my youth.
Tonight, While browsing past episodes, what should I find but a podcast on medieval torture devices!
While inflicting pain and suffering to the point of death does not interest me much as a topic, the notion of mild pain via interesting and artistic bondage does, and there is certainly overlap between the two classes.
If, like me, the topic is of  passing interest, here is the link:
(I am still learning this blog-stuff; I hope the link can through this time.)

Think I will work more bondage into my next stories.

Torture stories. What a great way to start the year!