They Have Meds for That

By C.A. Szarek (Guest Blogger)

So, the first time I told my husband my characters talk to me, he told me “They have meds for that.” I just had to giggle. Even though he’s my other half, he struggles to understand me as a writer. It’s difficult. 

In my experience, that’s pretty common. No one else except another writer can understand fully.

But that’s all right. Because I can still share my stories with the world, whether people like them or not.

When people ask me how I decide what to write about, or how a particular story goes, it boils down to this: My characters tell me more often than I decide.

I am a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t plot. I just sit down and write and hope the words flow. Sometimes they do. Sometimes I struggle. Sometimes I think I know what’s going to happen, and they throw me for a loop. Sometimes I’m write and the story follows the lines I assumed they would. But so far, if I listen to them, they let me know what the story will be.

Promise I’m not crazy!

When I’ve tried to plot, I haven’t been all that successful. I made decisions and when the story changed, I didn’t deal with the change in my structure. It just stressed me out. So I had to convince myself the way I have been doing things, my process, isn’t wrong. That every writer is different. And that’s OKAY!

Whatever works to get the words on the page is the correct way.

I guess that’s what I would tell other writers: Don’t mess with what’s not broken.

You know how I said my characters talk to me? Well, sometimes they can be difficult. As in…they won’t/don’t SHUT UP! Or give me peace of any kind.

One in particular, Cole, the hero of Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book One) feels as if he should be the center of my universe. When I was writing the book, he haunted my dreams. One might think that’s helpful to a pantser like me, but he wouldn’t let me even think about anything else! I suppose it’s handy that he’s so hot. 6’4, black hair, gray eyes, and of course all the right muscles. Hehehe. He’s funny, too, which is always a plus.

But I figured I would get relief when I was done with the book. Not so much. I KEPT dreaming about him, and his heroine, Andi. The positive thing in all that is, I suppose that they gave me the idea for a very cute Christmas story!

When I moved on to start book two, Cole insisted he needed an “important” role in the book, so for all those who read CF and like him, be assured you will see him in the second book as well.

I’ve always been a writer, but the road to publication has been an adventure. I’m so glad I get to share what’s in my head with readers!

By the way, I'm giving away a copy of Collision Force to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment that includes your email to be added to the drawing.

Blurb

Bad boy FBI agent and feisty widowed police detective collide pursuing a human trafficker in small town Texas on their way to true love.

Bad boy, married to his job FBI agent Cole Lucas always gets his man. So when the unthinkable happens and one gets away, Cole grits his teeth and hunts human trafficker Carlo Maldonado all the way to Antioch, Texas, where he collides with Detective Andi MacLaren.

Cole doesn’t do small towns and doesn’t get involved with women he works with, but Andi tempts him in ways he doesn’t want to acknowledge.

Two murders, her partner shot and leading the investigation on her own, the last thing Andi needs is a cocky FBI agent who sees her as no more than a tagalong.

Widow and single mother Andi is used to being on her own. When Cole gets stuck without a place to stay, crashing on her couch puts them in dangerous territory.

Attraction and passion bring Andi to a place she’d left behind when her husband died. Her three-year-old son quickly wiggles his way into Cole’s heart, and he starts contemplating things—family, love—that he’d never planned for himself.

Can being forced to work together make them stronger or will their differences jeopardise their case and their hearts?

Excerpt

 

“Goodnight, Cole.” Obviously, she didn’t want to talk to him about anything, let alone his overdue apology.

“So, that’s it? You’re not going to accept my apology?”

“Not tonight. I’m tired, and we have a long day tomorrow.” She turned to go.

“Andi, wait.” Why was he calling her back? He could respect that she was still upset with him—she had every right to be. He’d gone a bit overboard with some of the things he’d said.

Keeping Cass’ phone call from her had been unnecessary from the start. He hadn’t needed to carry it on in the car after they’d left the warehouse. It’d only served to get her so pissed off at him she’d barely uttered a word all day. So much for getting somewhere on the case.

Andi glanced over her shoulder and Cole grabbed her wrist. He yanked her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.

He hadn’t intended to kiss her but as her soft, warm lips caressed his, Cole couldn’t have changed his mind even if he’d wanted to. Her curves hit his chest with enough impact that should have jarred him back into his head, but he was lost and overheated immediately. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and kissed her harder.

She fought him, but his mouth was demanding over hers, and Andi opened for him, melting against him, surrendering to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and Cole bit back a groan. Her taste, sweeter than he’d imagined, was like ripe berries. He needed more.

Andi whimpered against his mouth, her tongue dancing with his. His cock stood at attention, straining against his zipper. He moaned as her body melded to his, breasts to chest, hips to hips. Cole had to have her.

As he walked them back towards the couch, she pushed hard against his chest, breaking the kiss and shoving him away from her. They both panted hard.

“Don’t…don’t ever do that…again,” she stammered, the gorgeous swell of her breasts lifting and pulling her shirt taut as her chest heaved. He could see peaked nipples. His erection throbbed and he struggled for coherent thought.

Cole dragged his gaze to her face. Blue eyes wide, cheeks rosy, freckles noticeable, her lips swollen from his. Though she’d been appealing before, how she stood before him now blew that out of the water. She was gorgeous.

He needed to say something. Anything. Apologise? He wasn’t sorry in the least. Speechless just about covered it.

She trembled and rubbed her arm. It took all he was made of not to pull her back to him and kiss her again.

There was no chance to answer. Andi turned on her heel and fled down the hall, slipping into the room farthest away from the living room. She didn’t even pause to look at him as she slammed the door.

He winced. What the hell should he make of what had happened? He stared down the hallway for a moment, his heart pounding. Never in his life, not even when he was a teenager, had one kiss stirred him to the point that Andi’s had. Then she’d run from him. His body shook with unfulfilled need.

Cole couldn’t blame her, really. No way should he have given in to the urge to kiss her. But he had the sinking suspicion he would have to do it again—and more. He wouldn’t be able not to. And hell, she’d kissed him back.

The voice of reason chided that he didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but his cock certainly disagreed. He ignored them both and dragged his hand over his face. The morning would bring complications.

Cole sighed and glanced at the couch. It looked comfortable, but would he be able to sleep?

About the Author

C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. 

She works with kids when she’s not writing.

She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world

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Sword's Call (King’s Riders Book One) is C.A.'s first book, and published by Gypsy Shadow Publishing. C.A.'s Collision Force (Crossing Forces Book 1), published by Total-E-Bound Publishing, was released June 28, 2013.

Where to find C.A.:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caszarek

Website: www.caszarek.com

Blog: www.caszarekwriter.blogspot.com

Twitter: @caszarek

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5815085.C_A_Szarek

Get your copy of Collision Force today!

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