Sneak Peek: Lab Rats

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Delilah Night

Today I have a little taste of a story I just sent off to a submission call–Lab Rats.

Dr. Benjamin Wells is close to creating a serum to expose the werecreatures that have been hiding among us. But the distracting new intern makes him feel like an animal…

serum

Ben tried to focus on his microscope, but found himself distracted, yet again, by the intern. The local university provided research funds in exchange for one student placement per semester.  After ten years of a mutually beneficial arrangement, Diana Lutz made Ben question whether the funding was worth the effort of dealing with her.

Everything about Diana scraped at him.

The gaping lab coat, buttons strained nearly to the breaking point by generous breasts. What had been her reaction at being told her to wear a garment that fit her properly?

“If you’re too cheap to buy one that fits, how is that my problem? You’re the well-funded scientist. I’m a broke grad student. You want me to wear something else, buy it yourself!”

She rubbed her femininity in the face of Ben and his two male post-docs, Derek and Peter. She twisted her hair back in a respectable braid, but secured it with a colorful clip. Beneath her safety goggles, her lips were always a slick, shiny red. Earrings never failed to sparkle at her earlobes.

All of that made Ben itchy, but it was nothing compared to the way she smelled. Her perfume seduced him, drawing him closer to her as a courtier paid homage to his queen. Ben was nearly forty, far too long in the tooth to be attracted to an undergraduate barely old enough to drink. It had to stop.

 

Wish the story luck as it goes off into the world in search of a home…

Thank you to Tamsin Flowers for the beta reading!  (Are you reading her A-Z challenge? You should be!)

Filed under: In Progress, Submitted, Writing | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Blitzen

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Delilah Night

If you’ve read my currently free story, “New on the Naughty List” you’ll have met one of my favorite characters, Blitzen the Reindeer.

Blitzen is nerdy and sardonic and I appreciate that about him.  Which is why, every since writing “New on the Naughty List,” I wanted to write his story.

IMG_4838

Here’s a snippet of the story I just submitted to an anthology

Good deeds never go unpunished. I agreed to fly Elf Girl to Boston on Christmas Eve eve instead of carbing up on chips and hay in my stall, and what did I get? This lump of coal of a comic book store. What self-respecting employee would comingle Star Trek and Star Wars merchandise like they were the same fandom?

The holiday shoppers seemed unperturbed as they browsed, with one exception. A tall Indian man seemed to be taking in the entire store with a baleful stare. His navy pea coat was open just enough to afford a glimpse of a shirt with the telltale MIT logo. His gaze met and held mine. I looked away first, glad relieved dark skin wouldn’t betray the blush burning my cheeks.

Focusing on the display instead of the eye candy, I began separating the miniature tricorders and light sabers.

“See anything you like?” I looked over to see Mr. Gorgeous smiling at me.

Reminding myself that he was probably straight, I gestured toward the shelf. “I see blasphemy.”

Brown eyes glittered with amusement. “And you’ll help them see the error of their ways? One man alone against the kind of ignorance that would allow a Tribble to molest Yoda like that?”

I freed Yoda from hirsute clutches. “Traumatized, you are.”

Snorting with laughter, he offered his hand. “I’m Nik.”

“Rob.” Blitzen didn’t tend to go over well in the human world. “Is that an Enterprise-shaped pizza cutter?” At least I could take that home.

“Yes, like the one at my apartment. Want to come see it? Unless you have a boyfriend? Or other plans?”

Not straight. Hot, nerdy, and not straight.

“No boyfriend at the moment. I’m waiting for a coworker, but I have no idea when her meeting will be over.”

Nik’s lips curved. “That makes it my lucky day, then. Want to go get coffee? Maybe I’ll get even luckier.”

 

For the record, you can buy the Enterprise pizza cutter from Think Geek here. Yes, I have one.

Filed under: Submitted, Writing | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Happy Holidays

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Delilah Night

Two days ago I had the honor of being included in Tamsin Flower’s Superotica Advent Calendar.  If you like erotica (and why else would you be here, darling?) you should be reading this.  My entry is an excerpt from “Plunder”, aka the pirate story I’ve shared a snippet from before.

Screen Shot 2014-12-15 at 6.39.32 pmThe sexiest pirate on tv…

Here’s a snippet from what I shared with Tamsin

This would be far more comfortable if they weren’t standing. Bree looked up at William. “The bed?”

“Yes, there is a bed. Very good. What would you like to do on it? Recite a sonnet?” He was a bit breathless, but apparently he wasn’t going to give her any quarter.

“At school they didn’t mention sonnets. Something about closing your eyes and thinking of your duty. Would you like me to close my eyes and think of my ship while declaiming a specific sonnet?”

William picked her up and tossed her onto his bed. “I wonder what perversion causes me to find you more enticing with each insult you lob my way.” He paused to remove her boots and then his own.

When William leaned over Bree, she pulled him down to her. The feel of his skin against hers was more intoxicating than grog. Her legs parted and his thigh pressed against her. The insistent pressure of his rod at her hips sent another wave of desire through her body.

William’s mouth was everywhere. He possessed her lips. He nibbled and nipped at her neck. He feasted at her breasts. He pressed kisses against her arms, her stomach, her face.

“William,” she gasped. “Parlay. My breeches. Remove them. Touch me.”

“No truce,” he growled. “Make your choice. Are you mine?”

Brianna reached down and grasped him through the rough material of his breeches. “Why not say you’re mine instead?”

Finish reading the excerpt here

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Tamsin’s wonderful project got me thinking.  What gift could I give all of you for Christmas?  (Christmas, Solstice, Hanukkah, Thursday, whatever you like.)  I’ve decided that between now and December 26, I’m going to make my story “Baby it’s Hot Outside”–a Christmas story set here in sweltering Singapore–free to you on the website.  You can scroll to the top of the page and select “Free Stories” or click here.

As we joined the thronging Christmas Eve crowds along the retail mecca of Orchard Road, Erik took my hand. The electric shock that flew from my fingers to my clit could’ve powered the Christmas lights displays that stretched as far as the eye could see. Had to be my imagination that his thumb was caressing my palm.

Cannot.

We stopped to people watch and enjoy ice cream. It wasn’t the dessert I pictured as my tongue lapped at the dripping cream.

Licking. Stroking. Suck—

“Is that band playing ‘Let it Snow’?” Erik interrupted my train of thought.

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t snow on the equator be a sign of a nuclear winter?”

I snickered. “One of the malls does a nightly show where the Christmas tree shoots soapy foam out of the top, and they call it a snow storm. It’s a big—but, likely chemical-laden—hit with the kiddos.”

Maybe you’d like to discuss dengue fever as an encore, Carrie? No wonder you haven’t been laid in forever. Cannot.

For the Holidays

I have one final Christmas themed news to share.  Coming Together for the Holidays is now available.  My story “New on the Naughty List” is included.

Gemma cleared her throat.

‘What?’ Kendra snapped.

‘I have a Naughty that can’t be video verified,’ Gemma said cautiously.

‘Repeat Naughties don’t need video verification,’ Kendra rolled her eyes. ‘It’s not like there’s variation at this point.’

‘It’s a new Naughty. The rules require physical verification,’ Gemma replied.

Kendra heaved a sigh and rubbed her temples. ‘Take Blitzen. Go down and do the verification yourself, but get it done tonight… It’s already the 23rd.’ She made a shooing motion at Gemma. ‘Give the rest of your list to Andrew; he was bragging that he’d finished his. That should shut him up.’

Gemma stammered, ‘But I’ve never done a field assignment. I’m—’

‘Are you kidding me?’ Kendra’s head whipped up. ‘You’re going to bitch about a field assignment on the twenty-third? THE TWENTY-THIRD? Get your ass down there, do the verification and get back here. GO!’

Gemma wrung her hands as she trekked out to the reindeer complex.

Every stall but one was buzzing with elves as they attended to the whims of Santa’s team.

Blitzen was alone in his stall, watching Star Wars. She saw a bag of potato chips half-hidden under some hay.

‘Um, Blitzen?’

Blitzen grunted, but didn’t look up from Leia’s pleas to help her.

‘I have to go South and verify a new Naughty? The video system isn’t working? Kendra suggested that you give me a ride? To Boston? I know it’s the twenty-third, but it’s a new Naughty?’

A long-suffering sigh was his only response.

Gemma twisted her ring around her finger. She couldn’t screw up her first field assignment. She pleaded, ‘Come on, Blitzen, please?’

From the next stall, Dancer began to shriek that the bells on her harness were tarnished. ‘DOES NO ONE CARE ABOUT STANDARDS ANYMORE?’

Blitzen rolled his eyes at her. ‘Fine. Let’s get the hell out of here,’ Blitzen said.

Filed under: Published, Submitted, Writing | Tagged: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

2014 in review

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Delilah Night

2014 was only the second year in which I have felt like I could legitimately call myself a professional author.  Inspired by Lynn’s far more impressive year in review post, I decided to do my own.

2014

This year I wrote four new short stories and edited a story from 2012 that’s been sitting on my hard drive.

Two stories that had been accepted in 2013 were published this year

I created my official Goodreads author page and added my books to it.

Ghost Novel Progress (aka That Damn Novel I STILL haven’t finished yet)

I’m pretty disappointed that in 2014 I only made it through chapters 3-6 (and I hope to update this at the end of December with several more chapters–7 is mostly written, and I have outlines for most of the novel’s chapters).

My goal had been to finish the entire first draft and it didn’t happen.  Part of this is that my time management sucks and I own that.  I’ve also been afraid to suck, which I talked about in this post.  I’m starting to work past that anxiety so I can make forward progress.  I’m also learning that it’s okay if the story doesn’t always get written in perfect order.  These may seem like obvious things, but they’ve become personal hang-ups.

The ghost novel was first written for a Literotica Halloween short story contest over a decade ago.  (Sidenote-Delilah Night wasn’t the name I used there, and I have since deleted that account and the related stories from Lit.)  The characters have been haunting me since–no pun intended.  This is the third or fourth time I’ve tried to write it as a novel in the past 10+ years.  I always seem to hit a point where I (a) am frustrated with my slow progress (b) freeze because I refuse to move on until I’m completely happy with the existing chapter or (c) I write myself into a corner and can’t figure my way out.  So I put down the metaphorical pen and move on with other projects both writing and otherwise.

I’ve wondered if this is the wrong first novel to try to write professionally–perhaps there’s too much baggage associated with it?  However, I’ve let some people read what I’ve written thus far in this attempt and they’ve encouraged me to keep going.  At this point, I’m my own biggest obstacle.  Part of me feels like finishing this book in particular—regardless of whether in the end the book is publishable, or ever sells a copy, or needs to be burned because it sucks—the act of successfully taking a novel from writing to publication once will allow me to do it again without needing a multi-year process.  Also, this book needs to get out of my head so I can focus on the other books I’m dreaming up.

When I see writers like Lynn, Alison, Sommer, etc doing as many projects in a year as they do I feel intimidated.  Just how do they do that?  I’m sure, though, that the answer is experience will bring improvement.

How do I think I did?

I had hoped to write more stories this year, but I am really happy with where my skills are today versus a year ago.  I’m learning to identify and short circuit some bad habits (ex.–characters begin to do things instead of just doing them).  My start to finish speed on short stories has improved.  I’ve made a number of friends online this year within the community.

Overall, I’m pleased with 2014.

2015

Goals for 2015

I said it before, but I’m saying it again–by the end of 2015, I want AT MINIMUM a full first draft of the Ghost Novel

I would like to write around 10 short stories.  I haven’t been good about writing stories without a specific call in mind, but I’m hoping to do so even when there’s no call out that speaks to me.

I want to look at where I am a year from now and to know viscerally that I am better at my craft then than I am today.

Filed under: acceptance, In Progress, novel, process, Published, Submitted, Writing | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments »

WIP-Choices

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Delilah Night

This week I submitted a story unlike anything I’ve ever written before.  It was the first non-erotic piece of fiction I’ve written since high school or my early college years, which pushed me pretty far outside of my comfort zone.  While my novel has two distinct stories happening in different time periods, there are clear time lines and what has happened in the past can’t be changed.  “Choices” has multiple timelines and the past can be changed…at least once.  It went through many iterations before my editor and I found a way to tell the story that worked, instead of being a bunch of random scenes, making it a story that went through a very different writing process than my work typically does.  Finally, it was a different experience for me in that it was the first time I’ve been asked to write a story for a specific anthology rather than submitting to an open call for submissions.

The story was inspired by a fairly unlikely source–the movie Kate and Leopold. It occurred to me that the only real difference between Leopold and someone diagnosed with mental health issues in the real world is unbearable hotness.  Why else would you believe his story?  What would happen if I started swearing that I was from the future?  I would most likely end up medicated and/or committed.  But what if that happened AND I was right?  What then? Thus “Choices” was born.

kate-and-leopoldI think we can all agree I wouldn’t get a commercial

You will hopefully be seeing “Choices” in print before the end of the year–more information as I have it.  Today, though, you’ll get a sneak peek

Temporal Authority Central Processing Center – Admiral David Smithson’s office

“Do you know why you’re here?” The admiral raised an eyebrow at Commander Jenna Robinson.

“Because my fourth request for a starship captaincy was the charm?” At least, she hoped that was why she’d been called in.

He glared at her. “Try again. You took Charlotte Donnelly into custody today, didn’t you?”

Uh oh. Should’ve known he’d find out.

“Yes. I removed her before she could splinter the timeline.”

“Commander. The guidelines clearly state you can’t interfere with your own lineage until you are at least 10 generations removed. You are four generations—”

“Five.”

“Commander!” She’d witnessed volcanic explosions with less heat than his eyes were emitting.

Jenna ground her teeth. “Sorry. Sir. But can the record state that if I hadn’t interfered, I wouldn’t be standing here to have this argument with you—”

Smithson cut her off. “Let’s go see your granny. Her records are now designated OEO.”

Our eyes only.

“Yes. Sir.”

 

I do want to state up front that I don’t mean to make light of mental health issues.  I have bipolar disorder and I know all too well that medication can be the thing that makes it possible to live instead of barely survive your day to day life.  However, one of my deepest fears is losing the line between fiction and reality; of one day needing more help than medication can give me.  So, in some way, taking someone who has been considered beyond help and validating that they were right and the world was wrong I’m also attempting to defang that fear.  Sort of.

At any rate, this has been an at times painful learning process, and I hope it won’t be the last time I publish something non-erotic.

Filed under: acceptance, In Progress, process, Submitted, Writing | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Acceptance!

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Delilah Night

I didn’t tell you guys, but I submitted a story a few weeks ago. It was an expanded version of a story that didn’t find a home last year.

Few things make me more nervous than seeing a response to a submission in my email inbox.  Just before I was about to go to bed last night I saw an email from the editor…and it was an acceptance!  Below is a fairly accurate representation of my reaction.

Screen Shot 2013-01-28 at 12.48.57 AM

There was much rejoicing, and I’ll let you know details as I learn them.

Now, onwards to the next anthology, next story, back to the novel.

Filed under: acceptance, Submitted, Writing | Tagged: | 3 Comments »

Geek Love: An anthology of Full Frontal Nerdity

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Delilah Night

Today is the last day of a kickstarter drive that I am excited to have contributed to as a  supporter, and I have also submitted a story (no idea if it’s been accepted or not).

Geek Love-Full Frontal Nerdity–the more money they raise, the better (and bigger) the book.

Filed under: books (non-review posts), Submitted, Writing | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Challenge Accepted!

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Delilah Night

I noted in my last entry that I’d sent out my Xmas story for submission, and turned my attention to a story set in King Arthur’s Court.  This was the case until Rachel Kramer Bussel tweeted that her orgasm themed anthology of super short stories (1200 words or less) needed more stories.

The deadline was a week or so away (yesterday, in fact), so it was a huge challenge to get a story submission ready in that short a time.  Both my previous submissions had sprawled out over weeks or months, with lots of breaks in working on them.  However, my goal is to give my erotica more of my writing time, and as much as possible.  This seemed like exactly the kind of challenge I needed to push myself into putting my erotica higher on the list of priorities.

In the words of Barney Stinson–CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

I did manage to write a story that I am proud of, and submitted it.  Doing so was partially that I had an idea that worked well in terms of staying inspired.  I got lucky with the BG’s naps, and was able to focus on my laptop during that valuable 3.5 hours a day.  My husband (who is always my primary beta-reader) was able to give me a nightly read and feedback.  I didn’t blog as much on my primary blog (3 entries as opposed to 5), I got behind on social media and blog reading/commenting.

I also didn’t have enough time to ask my friend who is a professional editor to take a look at it, and had to trust my own instincts.  However, I know my weaknesses (run on sentences, a deep love of uncessary ellipses, too much back/side story before the sex) and I ruthlessly policed myself on those.

!200 words isn’t much.  According WordPress’s word count, I’ve written 303 words already just in this blog post.  RKB doesn’t do sex without reason–she still expects character development and plot.  So for me, the hardest part was cutting down to her word count while trying to meet those expectation.  In the end, it was a really good exercise for me because I had to really weigh the value of the words I’d chosen–how could I convey tone with one word instead of four, not overusing the same descriptors, that sort of thing.

I have no idea if the story will make it into the anthology, although of course I hope it does.  I’m proud of it, and if it doesn’t find a home in that anthology, I think it will eventually find a home, whether in that form or as part of a larger story.

But the exercise taught me a number of important lessons.

  • That I *can* write erotica every day.
  • That having three or four stories going at once is a very good thing because when I get stuck on one (or have reached a point where I need another set of eyes, but can still write for an hour, or even fifteen minutes) I can switch.
  • That I am better at recognizing my weaknesses and to be merciless about them when evaluating my own writing
  • That I don’t need months on end to get a short story into shape (also a lesson I need to internalize and get my act together on with regards to the novel) and can/should be working under deadline
  • 1200 words is far more challenging than I expected

So thanks, Rachel–it was a great exercise regardless of outcome.

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A step forward

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Delilah Night

I submitted the Christmas story last week, and won’t hear until late October or in November.

Yesterday I did something I never thought I would do.  I began to take steps to erase all of my work at literotica.  Literotica was my first home for erotic writing, and it’s where I cut my baby teeth 10 years ago.  The problem is that today I’m unhappy with most of that work, and what I’m not unhappy with, I’d rather take down and rewrite/submit professionally.

It feels momentous, like a major step forward, even if all it actually amounts to is deleting a bunch of stories from a public site.

In the meantime, I have started a BDSM short story set in King Arthur’s court.

 

Filed under: In Progress, Submitted, Writing | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

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