My Family vs My Writing #MFRW

Hmm...What an interesting title for this post. I simply typed what came to mind as I sat down to address this week's blog challenge: 'How my family survives my writing,' and the above is what tripped off my fingers. Verses. One against the other. But, it's true.

First, I need to identify my family. It consists of three parts: Immediate (spouse and kids), my side (parents, siblings and their families), and my husband's side (parents, siblings and their families). 

I'll go ahead and state that no one on my husband's side knows of my published status. They may know that I like to write, but that's as far as it goes. The reason for this is what I write. Erotic Romance. While a couple individuals may give me nods and a high five if they knew, most wouldn't. 

My side of the family knows I write and knows what I write. A couple have even read some of my books because hey, I wrote them. At first I received the congratulations, but now it's old hat. No one on my side is a huge fan of erotic romance, so it's a subject that's simply understood, but never discussed. 

My immediate family is about the same way as "my side." The kids all know I write, and as they're boys and hitting teen-age years, I simply tell them I write romance and love stories. It keeps them away. They know my pen name and I've threatened them to keep it mum. As for my husband, he's a silent supporter, even though he wishes I'd write in a different genre because he doesn't read erotic romance either. He's never even read one of my books! lol  I don't know if it's because he can't handle the heat or can't handle that his wife is writing the heat or what the issue is--he refuses to confess his reasons. 

Aside from who knows and who doesn't, when I actually write, my family can be understanding. They know if I'm writing I need total silence and absolutely no distractions. My kids will keep themselves quieter at bedtime and DH will hie off to the den for his TV fix. When I can swing several hours with no obligations (not as often as I'd like), I "disappear" somewhere away from everyone to write. It may be into the cottage on the property (even though it's so not set up to be writer-friendly), it may be to the library or coffee shop. But they know it's mom's writing time and no phone calls, no distractions. 

The crunch time--and where the family vs. writing comes into play--occurs when I'm meeting a deadline and when I have a new release. Then it's harder to get understanding because my writing time will interfere with the wacky order of the day. It's no longer a night-time or get-away-time thing for me, it's an I-don't-have-a-choice-time issue in which I get bombarded with "check this test," and "you should have finished that already," to "remember I have an appointment today," to "you don't have to do promo." Ugh! 

Despite the seemingly negative odds that face me sometimes, I find comfort and solace in that I'm doing something I want. For me. And the fact that I can share this with others is a huge bonus and keeps me doing what I'm doing. The family, I love them all. Yes, they don't truly "get" the whole writing thing, but that's okay. They don't have to. Would it be easier for me if they did? Absolutely! But I'll take what I can get. And if it's a few hours here and there to lose myself in my story, I'll grab it with both hands and hold on tight! 

Thanks for hopping by and don't forget to swing by these other blogs to discover their survival points. 

Visit Me Today

I'm over at Kate Hill's blog: Compelling Beasts, sharing a snippet from my latest re-release, Party Girl. 

http://kate-hill.com/compellingbeastsblog/2017/01/11/story-sample-party-girl-2nd-edition-soul-debt-by-ayla-ruse/

Stop by anytime!

~Ayla

Do you re-read books? Truly?

I have in my possession, in either print or e-version, thousands of books. Every one I have read and loved and yes, read over again. And I still go out and buy more. My DH doesn't understand this. He doesn't believe me when I tell him that yes, I do re-read my books. I compare it to his love of purchasing movies. You see, we're the opposite there. I'll watch a movie and enjoy it, but I don't have to OWN it. If it was a good movie and I happen across it in the future, that's fine. If not, no worries. But my husband has to own the film. And yes, he'll watch his movies repeatedly--just as I'll read my books repeatedly, I tell him.

I've learned, however, that not many will re-read a book. Wait, let me clarify, books. Plural. There may be a particular, singular book that some people will turn back to time and again, but to have a virtual library on hand to go back to...takes a special person. Like you and I. 😉

My dream is to have my own library. I did have one, briefly, in the short year and a half between getting married and having our first child. We had the space then, and I had an entire room that I lined with bookcases and all my books (that was over fifteen years ago. My book collection has obviously grown exponentially since then). I remember the joy of setting the books on the shelves. I arranged them by genre, by author. Some by size. But, as usually happens, life goes on and when we knew a little one was on the way, my library went the way of a nursery. Now with seven people in-house, I may not get another "library" until I'm a little old lady. 😄

Since the little ones started coming along, my book collection went the way of boxes and storage. I have these boxes scattered all over, too. Some in the attic, some in a cottage out back, some tucked away in closets or in corners here and there. Every so often, I'll dig one out and I'm like a toddler discovering a box of toys he'd forgotten existed. I coo and sigh over the titles, the smell of paper and words, and then I'll start stacking them into the order I want to re-read them, then I do. And once I've gone through the box, I'll tuck it away again. 

So even if my darling movie-loving husband doesn't believe I actually re-read the books I've bought, you and I know the truth. As avid readers, how can we expect to go on without the pleasure of rediscovery? 

*photo from fotolia

My Favorite Things (so far) #MFRW

Welcome to the MFRW Blog Hop! This week's theme is A Few of my Favorite Things. My Favorites are below the picture below.

A Few of my Favorite Things

I *love* this prompt. Just the name brings to mind the classic song, 'My Favorite Things,' from The Sound of Music. Da-da-da-da-da-da... Now you're singing it too, right? It's been playing in my head ever since I read the theme. Hard to concentrate on MY favs, though. But I did. After brainstorming and musing and listing, I came up with the following 5 things that I consider...My Favorites!

1. Sunsets. But not just any sunset. I live in the sunny south and out of the entire year, nothing can compare to the sunsets in September and October. During that last thirty or so minutes before the sun disappears completely, the surrounding sky is an explosion of color: reds, oranges, yellows, and even shades of violet. It's also how these colors streak and bunch and blend across the sky. Every evening brings something unique and different.

2. A Good Book. What constitutes a Good Book for me? Probably the same things that are for most of you: great characters, engaging plot, something that will draw me in and KEEP me in. A story that will make me physically react with something like an out loud laugh, tears, a surprised gasp, or even an exclamation (as I did in a recent book I read) like, "he did NOT just do that!" Any genre can be Good Book. It's not exclusive to Romance (even though romance is my favorite genre 😉).

3. A Yummy Snack. Or, should I say, an indulgent snack. This is something that my taste buds love, my mouth waters as I make, but that I don't often have on hand. As a bonus, a Yummy Snack is usually something my kids will turn their noses up to, which makes it even more, mine-all-mine. I usually enjoy said snack in the evening, after the kids are in bed, when I can lounge and have those few rarefied "me" moments. A couple examples would be a freshly made, hot apple tart, a cup of flavored hot tea with honey, or a nice plate of cheese and crackers paired with a delicious red wine.

4. My Kindle. I know nearly everyone in the world has one by now, and I only picked mine up about a year ago, but I love my Kindle. I can write with it, I can read (of course), and I even have a few ridiculous games to play. I can surf the net, watch movies, I mean--you know what I mean. I carry mine with me everywhere, and every person in my household knows my Kindle is mine, and it means: hands off!

5. PJ's. Especially with long sleeves. And fuzzy ones, too. Despite my geographical location, where temperatures range in the 90's over half the year, I. Freeze. All the time. Maybe I'm part reptile? No telling. But I never go anywhere, at any time of the year, without a jacket of some kind. And when I'm at home, I want to be comfortable and cozy, so I dive right into my pj's as soon and as often as possible. Right now, my fav's are a pair of fuzzy purple-plaid bottoms paired with a loose, long sleeve top. Another best part of cozy pj's? No bra required. 😀

I've had fun coming up with favorite things to share with you. What is one of yours? Want some ideas? Remember to visit the other authors in his hop to see some of their favorite things.

Enjoy the hop, and thanks for stopping by!
~Ayla

Party with Demons!

Welcome to Hump Day Humps (sponsored by Marteeka Karland). Click on the link at the bottom of the post to read more "humps" in this mid-week blog hop! Enjoy! 

Party Girl

(Soul Debt)

2nd Edition

by Ayla Ruse

Santos, a Collection demon from Hell, finds himself drawn to a human. He doesn't want to corrupt Erin, he simply wants her, but he doesn't understand how humans interact. As he tries to blend in, his demon partner tricks Erin into bartering her soul.

When the time comes for Erin to regain her lost soul, Santos is chosen as her debt collector. He is bound by rules, yet he finagles options. One choice will corrupt her soul forever, but the other choice could spell her death.

Caught up in a situation neither wanted, Santos and Erin form a bond with one another, but will this be enough for them to survive and find love?

Here's the "Hump"...

"Erin, darling," Nirvana said soothingly. "We only want to help. We know you want the popularity. You want the men. You want the sex. You want to be noticed. We can make that happen for you. No one will be hurt."

The woman's words lulled Erin, leading her into a place of acceptance. "You make it sound so possible, but I can't pay you to teach me these things."

"We don't deal with money. We contract with something else."

"What?"

"Your soul. Think of our arrangement as a loan. I'll help you gain what you want while you put your soul into my care, as collateral. After a certain time, you pay your debt, and you'll be able to regain your soul."

Erin felt like she'd been drugged, and the substance shooting through her veins was Nirvana's voice and Santos' touch. It was difficult following her terms because Santos would not stop touching her. His warm, rough hand trailed down her V-shaped neckline, teased between her breasts and smoothed over her belly. She squirmed as their closeness turned her on, and a part of her wasn't sure if this was something she should be turned on about or not. "My soul?" She giggled, feeling a little drunk, which was funny because she'd only had soda tonight. "That's crazy talk. You guys must be high or something. And what are you doing to me? I'm not feeling like myself."

"That's because you're starting to see things our way," Nirvana explained. 
"Tell me, Erin. What do you want more? The popularity, the sex, the notoriety?"

Erin felt like the world opened up before her. The party around them faded. Santos shifted behind her, making her sway. His erection pressed against her ass and she couldn't help it -- she pushed back, loving the hard feel of him. "Umm, I don't know. I guess I want it all."

"Good girl. Kiss me, then," Nirvana whispered close. "Kiss me to begin the deal. This night you will give your soul in exchange for popularity, sex and notoriety. This time next year, Santos will come to collect. You will pay him on his terms, and in doing so, you'll be able to regain your soul. What harm is there in this?"

Erin stared into the woman's mesmerizing eyes and couldn't find one thing wrong. "None. I want to do this. Sign me up."

Nirvana pressed her lips to Erin's and both women sighed at the contact. Santos still held her bound, his free hand now on her thigh, easing her dress up her legs. A part of her warned her to stop, that this wasn't right, but before she could push away from her partners, Santos' hand cupped her throbbing pussy, and with a defiant shove, Erin pushed that annoying inner voice into a deep, dark corner. At this point, she scolded that do-good part of her, at least someone wants me.

The next moments passed in a haze. Santos let go of her to pull her dress over her head. Nirvana pulled down the cups of Erin's lacy bra and fondled the tender mounds. With every touch from these people, Erin's body swayed and she floated on the growing fires within her. There were two people who wanted her. Two. She wanted to pinch herself to see if she'd died and gone to heaven.

"Wrong direction, lover," Nirvana told her with a chuckle before kneeling at Erin's feet. "Santos, dispose of these, please."

Santos hooked his thumbs along the sides of her panties and pulled them down, kneeling behind her in the process. He helped her step out of the clothing, then pushed her ankles apart, making her teeter in her heels.

"Isn't she the sexiest thing ever?" Nirvana said loudly. The shout made Erin blink and look around. Santos and Nirvana were touching and kissing her legs, and as Erin gazed around the room, her heart gave a hard kick.

The party. The guests. The music still pumped hard and the partygoers danced, but most of them faced their little trio.

Erin had a sudden urge to cover herself and back away. This couldn't be right, could it? She'd be ostracized. No one really had sex in public, did they? She'd been to dozens of parties with these people, and not once had anyone ever had public sex.

She twisted and put a hand to each head below her, meaning to tell them to stop, but as soon as her hands sank into their thick hair, both mouths moved up and wet tongues pushed into her moist parts.

Erin groaned long and loud, frozen at the unbelievably delicious feelings. Nirvana's tongue slicked through Erin's pussy lips, teasing her clit at every pass. Santos had pulled her ass cheeks wide and his busy tongue flicked over her puckered hole.

"Look around you, Erin," Nirvana said between licks. "Everybody sees you. Notice how it excites them. Look at them, then give yourself over to us. To me."

Erin glanced down at Nirvana, meeting her eyes. The woman below her grinned, spread Erin's pussy lips then set to feast. Erin shuddered at the erotic sight and feel, then lifted her head to look again at the guests.

She blinked.

No one pointed or laughed. No one turned their backs on her. Instead, people were getting naked to touch and kiss and fuck each other.

It's because of me. The delicious thought wormed into her head. Seeing me is turning everybody on. This is great. This is better than great.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Party Girl is available now at Changeling Press

Enjoy the hop! Click Here to read more "humps." ~Ayla  

Visit me at TRS Parties today!

Stop by and visit TRS Party Site today. I'll have a few posts throughout the day about the re-release of Party Girl, including a scandalous NSFW excerpt and some fun, party recipes!

See you there! ~Ayla

http://trsparties.com/


*photo from fotolia.com

Stretching and refreshing

Like any time you begin an exercise, you stretch. And any time you go back to something you let fall to the side, you refresh yourself as to where you were. 

This past week I've been doing my mental (and writing) stretching and refreshing and it's been so much fun!

I've been writing every day and I cannot begin to tell you how great this feels. I'm currently working on a paranormal story that'll be fun, funny and hot. I've also been re-reading my stories. I know, I know, maybe I shouldn't do that. Yes, I do see plenty of places where I'd write something different--be it a word or even a completely new motivation. But, despite all that, it's helped me get back to the frame of mind of creating.

I miss the creative process and its a huge reason I returned to writing. I like making up stories. The background information I pull together which the reader never sees, but it's important to make the characters who they are. The places I either make up or research that gives the setting of the story foundation. The plot: what is going on and what's the problem and how will it be solved. And of course, the romance. Who falls in love first, who wants to kiss the other first, how their relationship develops and comes together to make those falling in love have their own special happily ever after. 

Please stick with me. I promise this year will be great. 

See you soon
~Ayla