A New Old Short Story

Back when I first started writing slash, Linda Reilly told me about a submission call for m/m fairy tales. At the time I thought "Yeah, right! As if anyone would publish me. I only do slash." But I came up with a plausible story line for a Cinderfella.

Then Cinder wouldn't leave me alone. He insisted that I stop part way through a chapter of my Samurai Champloo slash and write his story.

And it just flowed onto the paper, metaphorically speaking, of course. In one night, I must have written about 5K. That was as much, if not more, than I had written in my entire "career" as a slasher.

By that time it was 3am, and I had to get up for work in another three hours. So I grudgingly told the boys goodnight and got some sleep.

Apparently my prince was a true prince. He took offense and wouldn't talk to me the next night. I struggled getting the last of the story down. In fact, it was so traumatic, that it colored my perception of the story. When I reread it a few days later I was pleased to see that it didn't suck.

I missed the call, but that's okay. I was still very new to the whole writing gig. (Read: the story is good, but needs reworking.)

His godmothers, Linda Reilly and Rebecca Leigh, encouraged me to keep writing and have always wanted him to find a home. So I am applying everything I have learned editing Alexios' Fate and will be submitting Cinder for consideration.

Wish me luck!