"16"

Here we go again.

Click here to read "16" [Chap. 1] of Ascension: Jakob's Ladder.

I'm very happy to start a new book.

If this is the first time you have taken a look at this blog … welcome. I take it you just started reading the fourth book; Ascension: Jakob’s Ladder. Or maybe you’ve jumped into the other three stories and are checking out this blog. If you happen to be starting with Ascension and just want to continue from there, that's fine. The previous stories are there if you ever wish to enjoy them.

So far, my posted writings are:

[1] Extracurricular

[2] If It Weren’t For the Two of Us

[3] Hi, I’m Lance

[4] Ascension: Jakob’s Ladder

 

This first chapter, “16,” already shows you the format of this book is going to be vastly different than the previous three. Each chapter is going to be a year in Jakob’s life, so we will have about half his life on display by the conclusion. Longtime readers know that some tough times are ahead for Jakob, but please know, you will find the payoff very rewarding for sticking through the tough times.

This book is not as long as the last two. I know this initial chapter is on the shorter side, but chapters get longer as the book goes along.

The conversation with Trevor and each chapter being “a year,” makes this story very different. I hope that is a good thing. I always want my writing to be fresh. More importantly, I want my characters to be human. There is plenty of material out there featuring unrealistic caricatures of male perfection. People with flaws are much more interesting because a reader can relate to them. That’s why we all fell in love with Jakob in Book Three. I’m glad you will get to see all of Jakob now — who he is, why he feels the way he does, how his emotions were formed.

When I finished Hi, I’m Lance, I really thought it was a trilogy, and I was done. But I just loved Jakob and knew I wanted to see his full story as well.

Book One covered a time span of about three weeks. The second and third book took readers through another year and a half. Jakob's book will take him to the age of 30, so this will provide you a jump of three years following the conclusion of Hi, I'm Lance.

As always, feedback is welcome. You can comment directly on the blog (even anonymously).

Email: timothylane414@gmail.com

Hi, I'm Lance - The Final Chapter

 

The final chapter has been posted.

Click here to read Hi, I’m Lance, Meeting No. 130 [Chap. 34].

When I finished writing Hi, I’m Lance, there was a sense of relief. I was done. Actually, it was a swirl of feelings: rewarding accomplishment, sadness, joy. I suppose that is evidence to how deeply rooted the story was in my soul.

I never set out to write these love stories. When it started during the beginning of the pandemic, it was just a whimsical diversion. I had no intention of ever sharing them with anyone. We all know that changed. I wasn’t sure how to wrap up Extracurricular, so I left it simply “hopeful” and unwritten. But then I got the itch to write some more, and I started thinking about Mike and Trent’s story and thought it would be fun to look at it from the other’s point of view. So I started writing again.  Many readers will recall the flashbacks in this chapter from Trent's and Lance's college days back in Book Two. In the middle of If It Weren’t For the Two of Us, Lance grew on me. I loved writing about his struggles, and — as you know — splintered off his own story in the middle of Book Two. Hi, I’m Lance was a favorite of mine.

I considered those three stories the trilogy. All starting from the catalyst of that (cringey) shower scene, each one had his story told. We looked into the minds and hearts of Mike, Trent and Lance. I finally felt I had accomplished what I needed to do. I could put that writing to rest. It had been enjoyable. I was finished.

But.

But doggone it, Jakob was a character that became a part of me too. By the time Book Three was done, I felt we knew enough about Jakob to love him, but we didn’t know the full story, just the threads he shared with Lance.

If I entered into a story about Jakob’s life, we would need to see all of it. That would involve some dark parts. Was I up to something that different? Hopefully, readers are pleased that Jakob found love and happiness. Would they want anything further? Was where he left off enough, or would they like to know more of his future?

It wasn’t long before Book Four started. It’s different. But I wanted it to be. Many readers on this type of platform enjoy the raw, gritty, rough world of sex. Everyone has their own tastes, and those readers probably abandoned my stories, as I centered too much around love, rather than sexual hook-ups.

Book Four is titled Ascension: Jakob’s Ladder. It’s vastly different than the trilogy, not just because it has dark moments but also because of the span of time. The trilogy took place in a span of less than two years. Ascension: Jakob’s Ladder will take him from the age of 16 to a few years beyond Hi, I’m Lance. About half his life will be covered in the book. Readers will get the full picture of Jakob — where he came from, how he survived and where his life goes. So, no spoilers there, just a heads up to expect the unexpected in comparison to the first three stories.

I’m taking a short break from posting. I have a notification list that will be alerted when the next story begins posting. If you’d like to know when Book Four starts, drop me an email: timothylane414@gmail.com

As always, your support to go on these journeys with me has meant the world. I don’t believe I can convey my appreciation. Thank you. I hope it has been an enjoyable read for you.