Big Decisions

This chapter was a tidal wave.

Click here to read Laramie, Chapter 19.

Every couple has disagreements. How they handle them is key. Far be it from me to act as a therapist. But the more I hear and read, listening is the key to resolving conflict. So often, people get caught up in "who is right/who is wrong" instead of how each person feels about it.

Laramie and Cooper have a fight — their first. How it affects Laramie is huge. He has many pivotal points in his journey to true love, but this night is one that I feel — as the author — will stick with him for the remainder of his life. Most of us have said things we wish we could take back.

I probably should have titled this post "Why Do I Always Ruin Everything?" It has almost been Laramie's motto since his adolescence. He really stepped in the poop this chapter.

But from that, the reader sees some big decisions. In writing this book, I could have stopped it at many points. I could have ended it right where Coffee at 9 ended and we could have just seen it from his perspective. But just as I did with Book Four, Jakob's full story really went beyond what we saw in Hi, I'm Lance. Laramie's complete story isn't done yet. He still has some growing to do. Several chapters, in fact.

Anyone reading this hopefully fares well in resolving disagreements. No matter what, keep the big picture in mind. Do you love this person? Are you listening to what they are feeling? When making your point, is it "I feel..." or is it pointing fingers: "You did this!"? The big picture is the two of you are in this relationship together.

It was kind of a turbulent chapter. What stirred within you? Share with me.

Mitchell, Marriage and Stomachs

So, after the first passage in Chapter 18, there was this M-7 in red. What was that? Actually, that was a note for readers where the seventh book begins. Click here to read Chapter 18.

If it were a perfect world, I'd have Book Seven ready to go. But ... work, things, life — it all gets in the way. A couple of months from now when that story is ready, I'll let you know, along with its title. Mitchell will be the lead.

I have tried to make every book somehow different than the others. Each has its own identity, whether it be journal entries or time spans or AA meetings or alternating narratives. That book will too, but it also has a twist the others do not — not everyone likes Mitchell. Several readers were pulling for him and Cooper to work things out. Some still wanted that to happen even when Laramie entered the scene. But some just thought of him as a cheater and wrote him off. No matter what feelings may exist, I hope everyone will still see where the story goes.

This chapter wasn't as long as some, but I found each of its parts essential. The wedding scene certainly moves the narrative along as it should. Each character's views on it varied. Cooper's perspective was the most fun to write.

Before the "year" is out, another marriage comes into play.

A moment that really touches me is when Laramie and Corey have a bonding conversation. For reasons of his own, Corey finds it easier to open up to Laramie more than he does with his father. Not that I routinely see it, but every now and then, I will find a pair of individuals who will lie perpendicular, one with his (or her) head on the other's stomach. It makes me smile. Tummy talk. Corey felt comfortable enough to do that. In my own mind, I enjoyed picturing that.

The amount of affection Corey has received growing up compared to how Laramie was raised is vastly different. Although teenage hormones are bound to kick in, Corey has an emotional depth to him that is fun to observe. Expect it to evolve.

I'm not sure if you noticed, but the first "date" on this chapter is pretty much NOW, if you check when this was posted. We are now moving into the future. Quirky.

I'll leave it at that. Oh, Chapter 19 is a doozy.

Tampa

 

I hate to become a broken record and keep saying “I enjoyed this chapter.” Maybe because I am pouring so much feeling into Laramie’s character, it is reaching me as much as you. I just embraced Laramie feeling new things this chapter.

Plus! For the remainder of the book, Corey continues to develop as a principal character. I had always liked Corey, but since he had never really had much opportunity to be a realized “voice,” I just thought he was a necessary — and likable — secondary character. But as so often happens in my books, secondary characters grow on me and soon develop into major characters. Expect that in this situation.

Click here to read Laramie, Chap. 17.

But let's talk about Laramie. Between plane flights, roller coasters and time on the beach, the story lets us see more vulnerability in our Kansas-born protagonist. One thing about Laramie, he can be quite the open book to those in his circle. It's that vulnerability that creates more emotional depth.

Now and then, I do something goofy on the blog. Recently, I provided a playlist of sorts. Now I am offering a few photos from the trip to Tampa.

Henry B. Plant Museum

Spiral staircase at Salvador Dali Museum

Abraham Lincoln far away, a naked woman up close.

SheiKra at Busch Gardens

Iron Gwazi

I am sorry that I have no pictures from the beach.

Before I let us go, I hope you are intrigued with seeing Mitchell again in this chapter. I haven't quite finished with Mitch yet — not by a long shot.