Well, it took Chapter 18 to get around to the title of the book.
I had asked a few of my readers to whom they thought the title referred. I think most people assumed it was Mike and Trent, but others thought the developing friendship between Lance and Trent might mean the title refers to them.
Now we know.
Heaven knows this book is far from over. Trent's life is beginning as a college graduate — and his first adult relationship.
By the time I reached this point, I admitted to myself that the first two chapters I ever wrote [Extracurricular, chapters 1 and 2] were my worst ever. Here's some background. When COVID hit and all of us found ourselves staying at home — and climbing the walls — I went on a cleaning rampage. I had found papers (yes, papers!) that I had scribbled down those two chapters years and years ago. At the time I wrote them, I was younger and, on a lark, just wanted to write something erotic and "hot." When cleaning, I figured it would make sense to just trash them. After rereading them, I thought: "Why not just type them up?" I did. Then I continued. It was the most rewarding diversion I experienced during shutdown. Who knew I would keep writing. I'm now close to finishing the fifth book.
But back to those early chapters. When I write about Mike just cringing when he thinks of that shower scene — that's me! Who those young men were (and where they were in their lives) in chapters 1 and 2 of Extracurricular seem nothing like the two men who eventually fell in love. That's why I despise those chapters. However, it was that very event that is the catalyst to all the Jackson Bend characters, so ...
Read Chapter 1 of Extracurricular here. The adjacent link will take you back to my least proudest moments.
But here we are. I'm curious as to how this latest chapter of If It Weren't For the Two of Us struck you. I hope you enjoy it — as well as the road ahead.
It is wonderful they are back together. Now it is time to grow up, Trent. I know he will.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased that Trent came clean to Mike about his sex with Lance, and that Mike was adult enough to accept it. I wonder if Trent will also tell Mike about his rape by Detrell.
ReplyDeleteNo surprise, but I enjoyed this chapter a lot, and happy there are more to come. I enjoyed Extracurricular too! Don't be too self-critical, Timothy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe next chapter is up at Nifty. My esteem for Trent took a bit of a hit in this chapter. For all intents and purposes, he had a form of sex with Lance again and didn't tell Mike. And then he blew up at his mom for being concerned about him. He's acting like a brat, in my opinion.
ReplyDelete