What I Wrote This Week
I spent the majority of this week working on two things: An overhaul of Finding Zen and the Shadow Phoenix prequel (which as of now is tentatively named Shadow Phoenix).
Finding Zen was my first ever novel, and as a writer I think I’ve come a long way since I wrote it, even though I started it almost exactly one year ago. I learned tons through the whole process and while I still love the bones of the story, I think there are some things that could use tightening up—plot holes I missed the first time around being one of them.
So, I’ve been meticulously going through each chapter with a lot of help and polishing up the story to make it better. As of now, I’m more than halfway through it and would really like to have uploaded the new version by next week.
As far as Shadow Phoenix… This one’s going to be intense. It’s a prequel and will be a novella, so it won’t be quite as long, but it centers around the band’s formation and the main relationship focus is on the guys’ friendship. Now, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. The debauchery in this book isn’t quite like anything you’ve seen me write before. But that’s what makes it fun!
Exploring all sorts of dark angles and themes has been a blast so far. I still don’t have a release date for this one, yet, but as it gets closer I’ll let you know. The story is told from four points of view—Maddox, True, Zen, and Jericho. You’ll get a deep dive into the personalities and inner workings of each guy and the stuff they’ve gone through to get to where they are.
You’ll get to watch their rise to stardom and experience their ups and downs along the way. And let me tell you, you’re in for quite a ride. So keep your eyes peeled to future posts for more sneak peeks and details as I hammer this one out.
And if you want to read an small (unedited) excerpt, keep scrolling.
Maddox
I held up the bottle I’d swiped off of the shelf next to the office door on my way out, tilting it side to side. “Want a drink?”
Zen sat back down and I sat next to him, crossing my ankle over my knee as I leaned back into the cool leather and twisted the cap off of the bottle. I took a giant swig before passing him the container. He lifted it to his lips and took a sip before lowering it back down. “Are you going to get anything done while we’re here?”
Shrugging, I grabbed the bottle back from him. “Not ink. I’ve always wanted to pierce something, though.”
He raised his eyebrow. “Really? Please don’t say your cock.”
I tossed my head back and laughed. I hadn’t been considering it but now that he mentioned it, it wasn’t the worst idea. The thought of some long-ass needle being stuck through my dick was cringeworthy, even if it meant greater pleasure later. No fucking thank you.
“Nah, maybe my nose like True. Or a nipple.”
“A nipple,” Zen repeated incredulously. “Why the fuck would you want to pierce your nipple?”
“Why not? I think it’s hot when guys have their nipples pierced.” I took another pull from the bottle, feeling the effects of the liquor as it warmed my blood and I relaxed further into the sofa.
“If you say so.” Zen reached for the bottle.