I suppose with any good writing and interesting characters, you can have that awfully overused word: a journey. —Alan Rickman

I am sending Cutting to the Chase out into the big wide world. It is difficult to let it go. When writing a story, I am immersed in the world and the characters become very real to me. It is difficult to say goodbye to them. I believe it is why I think of my stories in clusters. Raven's Path, my historical fiction, is the first of a three-part saga. Love Denied, my Romance, is one of an interconnected series dealing with taboo subjects of the Regency era. And, Cutting to the Chase introduced characters that are screaming for their own stories.

I am currently knee-deep in Mags' story, who I met in Cutting to the Chase. I talked in an earlier post about how difficult it was for me to throw her off the cliff, but I did and we are now currently climbing out. Not a quick scale, mind you. There is a lot for her to figure out before there will be any resolution or peace in her life. I am full of angst as I write, but we're in it together, Mags and I, and we will come out on the other side.

Becky's storyline is beginning to blossom too. What started out as snippets and scenes is quickly evolving into a full story arc. I am trying to keep her quiet while I focus on Mags, but she is one determined girl and keeps pushing into my thoughts. So, I capture snapshots to pacify her and hope that she backs off for a bit and gives me some space.

That's two connected but very different stories sprouting from Cutting to the Chase, and I have been quite satisfied with the situation. I mean, three is the perfect number, right? Well, it seems that Stu doesn't think so. He has started to tap on my shoulder and remind me that he too has a life. I've explained to him that writing from the point of view of a teenaged guy might be a bit much for me. He just takes off his cap, runs his hand through those ridiculous curls of his and winks. Says I'm up to it. He's got his own file now, because who am I to argue?