Starring

Whoops, the Monday holiday slipped me up, and I almost forgot it was Wednesday! But not quite.

Last week, I'd been bitten hard by a story -- did it stick? It did, mostly. I had one night where I just wasn't feeling it, but the next night I rallied and managed to finish the story. Sent it off to Lynn for the quickest beta-read ever (but she still managed to ask why X had happened, and I'd explained that all in my head but somehow forgotten to move it to the actual story, so a million hugs to Lynn, the best beta reader EVAR), fixed the hole, and then shipped it off for submission.

It's called "The Sinner's Star". Here's the quick-and-dirty blurb more or less as I pitched it to the anthology editor: Five years ago, Dope's best friend, Rat, died as they were fleeing the scene of a crime they'd helped commit... or so he thought. But now Rat's turned up on Dope's doorstep with a .45 and a prison tat on his face -- and Dope's not sure which one he finds more frightening.

How'd you like another little taste? The first one was in last week's post, if you missed it. (Do recall these are both unedited; the final result, if they take the story, may be somewhat different.)

"Girls are fine. Fun. But there's no meaning. I've never fucked a woman and then wanted to do her again."

Rat moved, finally, straightening his spine and lifting his chin, though he still didn't turn to look at Dope. "And with men?" he asked, his voice so soft Dope had to strain to hear the words. "You ever keep a man around, after you've gone to bed with him?"

"Yeah," Dope said. "Yeah, sometimes. Had a few partners, the last year or so. Last one stuck around for almost six months."

Rat stiffened, and Dope knew he'd said the wrong thing, though fuck if he knew why. Rat jerked the door open before Dope could stop him. "Fuck you, Dope," he spat. "Just... fuck you!" He stalked down the dim hall.

Dope never did know when to keep his big damn mouth shut. He leaned out the doorway. "Wish you would!" he called. Rat might have twitched, but he didn't turn around. Dope had lost Rat, he realized suddenly, for the second time. Really lost him. And this time, he didn't even know why.

Sounds like true love to me... ;-)

And don't forget! This is Torquere's anniversary month, and they have a whole snootful of prizes to give away! Books and gift certificates and silly gift packages, all donated by Torquere authors (including me -- check out the complete list at http://www.torquerepress.com/anniversary/). Their grand prize, at the end of the month, is going to be a Kindle Fire, for petesake! And all you have to do to enter (...did anyone else just hear the strains of "Alice's Restaurant" start up there? And all ya gotta do to join... No? Just me? Ah, well.) ...All you have to do to enter is click on over to that page and enter your name, your email, and my name as referrer! No, really!