@OBBookTours - The Pros and Cons of Outlining and Writing by the Seat of Your Pants

The Pros and Cons of Outlining and Writing by the Seat of Your Pants

by Sara Furlong Burr

Most writers fall into two categories: those who outline before writing and those who just write.  In my case, I tend to utilize both methods.  I like knowing ahead of time where I’m going and how I’m going to get there.  However, I also enjoy the freedom of taking a detour if the original road contains too many speed bumps.  No matter what method you personally prefer, there are pros and cons that every writer experiences during the writing process.

Let’s examine the pros and cons of outlining first.

1.         It’s too restrictive.  There are those who stick to the game plan and avoid the unbeaten path altogether.  If that makes you feel comfortable, then by all means stick with it, but there’s a certain sense of being shackled to an original thought that could potentially stall the formation of a better idea.

2.         There are no surprises.  Surprises in writing are always fun for the reader, but when they happen to the writer, they aren’t necessarily good things.  An outline eliminates any unwanted surprises such as a hole in your plot, the introduction of any unnecessary characters, or a storyline that’s choppy and doesn’t flow the way it should.

3.         They keep you on task.  Just like a ‘To Do’ list, an outline tells you where you need to go and what you need to do.  It allows you to plan out what you’re writing that day and helps make your storyline flow more seamlessly.

4.         Outlines ensure flow and help make for a more structurally sound plot. An outline is structure.  When you know exactly what events are going to transpire and when they’re going to transpire it makes for a better constructed plot and less of a chance of cracks in your overall foundation.

Although more spontaneous, writing by the seat of your pants isn’t for everyone, but for those who do it, the following positive and negative aspects may be encountered:

1.         Your creativity is allowed to shine through. Like a kid in a candy store, the possibilities are both endless and exciting when you write unrestricted and let your mind take you to places and people it wouldn’t have had you stuck with the original plan.

2.         More writing is accomplished in less time. I know when I write by the seat of my pants, I feel freer and the words just come to me more naturally than when I try to restrict them to the content of an outline.  Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes it’s more of a detriment, but I usually find that my word count for the day is higher and, for the most part, the content is solid when I write outline-free.

3          There’s more room for error. When you write without rules to go by, you’re more apt to break them.  An outline lays out scene by scene instructions, ensuring a more fluid, relatively smoother writing experience without the standard errors that come without proper planning.

4.         It can end up bogging you down. Even though you may write more when you let your mind take over, you may find that you end up doing a heck of a lot more editing.  More words equal more filler and less meat to your story, subsequently leading to the trimming away of more fat.. You may find that this causes you to take more time with editing than you first anticipated, making this method of writing less productive in the long run.

At the end of the day, there really is no wrong way to write and no one manner of writing is better than the other.  Different things work for different people.  What matters is that it works for you and that you’re actually writing something as opposed to just staring at a blank sheet of paper.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – YA / Science Fiction 

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Sara Furlong Burr on Facebook & Twitter

@OBBookTours - Why Selling You as an Author Sells Books by Deborah Plummer Bussey

Why Selling You as an Author Sells Books 

by Deborah Plummer Bussey, Author of They Still Call Me Sisterand The Family That Stays Together

I remember when I began the process of getting my PhD people told me that taking the GREs, the entrance exam for graduate studies, was the worst part.  Once you completed the GREs, then getting a PhD was smooth sailing. I heard the same when I was taking coursework, and then again when I had to take comprehensive exams, and then when I had to write my dissertation. Each milestone was “the worst part that if I just mastered that aspect, the rest would be smooth sailing.” I believe it is the same with writing a book — all of the stages seem to be the hardest part. However, with four books now under my belt (two traditionally published and two self-published), I know that marketing is the hardest part. There are so many good authors our there; so many good stories out there; so many self published books out there. Since 2006 Bowker reports that self-published books grew by 287% with over 140,000 titles published in 2011. Most self-published authors do not have the budget that traditional publishing companies have to promote a title. And unless you are a previously published best-selling author, even traditional publishing companies depend on the author to promote the book.  The author is the critical component of any book marketing plan.

That is where Authors in the House comes in…a small but big opportunity to promote authors who might have gotten buried in the 140,000 self-published titles. It’s like American Idol in that the audience pushes you forward. It’s like The Moth Story Slam in that you (or your surrogate) have to be a good storyteller or at get the audience interested enough in hearing more about your book.

Authors in the House™ is a two-hour interactive event held four times a year in the Greater Boston area. We will also plan to host events in Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, and San Francisco. Three authors are chosen to present a live synopsis of their book in fifteen minutes or less. Authors are encouraged to make their story come alive for the audience so that they will want to hear more about the story and ultimately buy their book. At the end of each author’s presentation, using social media, the audience scores each author.

In the second hour, the author with the highest score for the evening is interviewed about the work and him/herself as a writer. The audience participates in the interview through in-person questions, tweets and text messages. Hard copies and e-copies of the authors’ books are available for purchase at the event. Three winners compete for the annual Authors in the House™ Award with a grand prize of a marketing contract.

Please visit the Authors in the House website to learn more. www.authorsinthehouse.com If you are a self-published or indie author or have been traditionally published and need more support, please apply. Encourage others to apply as well. You could be the next Author in the House!

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Cozy Mystery

Rating – PG13

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Deborah Plummer Bussey on Facebook & Twitter 

Website http://www.dlplummer.com/

Follow the tour

25th June - Book Review at Teena in Toronto

2nd July – Book Review at Bookworm Babblings

9th July – Book Review & Feature at Reviews by Karen

16th July – Guest Post & Book Feature at Guiltless Reading

23rd July – Book Review at The Book Connoisseur

30th July – Book Review at Kindle Nook Books

6th August – Book Review at Lonely Heart Reviews

7th August – Orangeberry Book of the Day

8th August – Tweet Me A Storm with OB Book Tours

@OBBookTours: Write Yourself Right out of Stress…at Home or Work! by Leona DeRosa Bodie

Write Yourself Right out of Stress…at Home or Work!

by Leona DeRosa Bodie

I’m currently unsupervised. I know it freaks me out too! But, the possibilities are endless! Be patient! I will eventually say or do something interesting! The purpose of this Write Yourself Right out of Stress…at Home or Work guest post is to help you develop the understanding, commitment and the skills necessary to de-stress using various techniques, including the creative therapy of personal writing.

Stress and heartache have fueled many great stories for us. But you don’t have to write a best-seller to get stress-relief from writing. Dealing with it can be healthy, natural, and even fun. So, get ready for a stress-less great time! You will learn how to use writing as a tool in your stress management toolbox. Plus, discover 10 more things you can do to instantly de-stress.

High levels of stress can be a barrier to making healthy lifestyle changes. Follow your heart but take your brains with you! How? Increase awareness of de-stressing techniques and how it affects the quality of your life. Identify barriers and facilitators to stress management at home as well as work, enabling better self-treatment. We’ve always been taught to treat others with kindness, dignity and respect. Now let’s give ourselves the same courtesies we’d give any other human being. Expand awareness of writing styles and use these skills to maintain a healthier YOU!

This is a no-brainer: many people experience stress over the course of their days, for a multitude of reasons. In fact, 22 percent of Americans reported experiencing extreme stress, according to the American Psychological Association.

Feeling stressed out can do more to your body than make you feel anxious; studies have repeatedly found stress to be the root of chronic diseases, such as depression, cardiovascular disorders and infectious diseases. Finding ways to reduce stress can improve your mental well-being in the moment you’re feeling stressed and beyond.

“When you ‘feel’ stress reduce, you are feeling your heart rate calm, your brainwaves organize, your vessels dilating, and your physiology and emotional state return to neutral” after the body’s ramped up response to a stressor, said Dr. Cynthia Ackrill of the American Institute of Stress and WellSpark, a leadership development firm. “A number of activities have stress reducing effects for multiple reasons.”

Here are ten things you can do to instantly de-stress.

1. Streamlining your activities and tasks can be an effective time-management strategy.

2. Proper breathing called “belly breathing;” breaths are slow and deep and fill the abdomen, not the chest. This is one of the oldest and cheapest forms of stress management known to mankind! Mindful breathing resets brain patterns, increases heart rate coherence, lowers blood pressure and many more effects.

3. Adequate sleep is a major element of coping with stress
4. Laughter is a great way to manage stress and stay healthy. Don’t forget every now and then to be silly. Taking a bath calms our physiology and relaxes the vessels.
5. Drinking water can be soothing and a way to help our bodies handle all the reactions that happen when we’re stressed. When we are stressed out, we tend to get dehydrated.
6. Snuggling with puppies or any pet for that matter lowers blood pressure and increases immune responses, counteracting the negative effects of stress, but your puppy isn’t a stress cure-all. Don’t live a life filled with stress then love your dog — make changes and love the dog! When you walk the dog you’re hitting three stress reducers in one activity: exercise, and being around animals and nature.
7. Getting a hug. Don’t underestimate the power of human connection. We need more touch to release anti-stress chemicals.
8. Listening to audio-books. When you listen to an audio-book to de-tress, you’re usually shifting focus. But if the stressor is still looming, this may only be procrastination. If it sparks creative thinking to deal with a stressor — to expand thought patterns — it may be helpful.
9. Dancing is an excellent way to instantly reduce stress. Movement releases stress reducing chemicals as well as chemicals that support brain growth. Exercise rivals antidepressants.”
10. Creative Therapy. Use the act of writing and processing the written word as therapy. Writing your feelings gradually eases feelings of emotional trauma. Writing will give you a shield, and comes with other added-value benefits.

Writing therapy focuses on expressive writing and its value in processing life experience, particularly trauma and transition. I encourage you to write about your “deepest thoughts and feelings” regarding a particular subject (e.g. illness, recent loss, life transition). Research results are impressive.

Expressive writing has been shown to increase both the working memory (how we hold information in our minds to connect and use) and academic performance of college students. The benefits don’t stop there. Having given language to traumatic experiences, we’ve in a sense contained their potency. The chronic stress they’ve induced – and the corresponding physiological impact like weakened immune function, systemic inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and impaired cardiovascular function – diminishes.

Writing, more than speaking, presents us with a slower, solitary means for reflection. Unlike conversations, we’re less concerned with another person’s reaction. We listen more intently to our own voices and catch glimpses of subtler stirrings. We own our words in a more definitive way.

In the course of a lifetime, telling our stories can help us discover our passion, navigate complicated patches, and ultimately define our legacy. We can struggle freely with whatever plagues us, or envision a new and perhaps fearful path. We can delve into the parts of ourselves we don’t consider appropriate for public display. We can clarify the meaning we’ve found in our years, the rewards and regrets that inhabit our lives in hindsight. You can keep a journal or a diary or files on your computer or you can blog or write stories, poems or novels. And an unexpected benefit is you might even be paid for your creativity. Creativity is your intelligence having FUN!

About Leona DeRosa Bodie:

Some years back, she was a senior training specialist for the University of Miami/Jackson medical Center, presenting 400 seminars in two years. Most recently, she served as a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of the Florida Writers Association. Currently, she’s their Regional Director for the Treasure Coast of Florida. 

Today Leona is an Amazon Bestselling Author. She started doing the happy dance when her debut thriller ‘Shadow Cay’, won First Place in the Mystery/Thriller/ Suspense category in the Reader Views Annual Literary Awards, and hasn’t stopped yet. Her biggest surprise and most memorable milestone . . . When Gelati’s Scoop recognized ‘Shadow Cay’ as one of the top thirty-five novels of the year, she landed on the list alongside such giants as James Patterson, David Baldacci and Daniel Silva.

Feel free to stop by her web site at www.leonabodie.com; she is also on Twitter (@ShadowCay) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorleonabodie), where you are more than welcome to follow her, friend her, and/or tell her to stop being distracted by the Internet. She has a life outside of Facebook but can’t remember the password for it!

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Thriller / Suspense

Rating – R

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Leona Bodie on Facebook & Twitter & GoodReads

Runaway Groom Giveaway from AToMR tours

Title: Runaway Groom

Author: Sally Clements

Release date: June 4, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult/Adult

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Goodreads - Amazon

Seven years ago, Matthew Logan ran out on his wedding to June Leigh.
Life is good for fledgling dress-designer April Leigh. She couldn’t be happier that her sister has found a new love, and is excited about her very first commission, June’s wedding dress. When April discovers June has invited runaway groom Matthew Logan to the wedding, she has to intervene. Matthew’s presence will ruin everything – her father hates him, and just the sight of him in the church might give her mother a heart attack.
Matthew Logan has no intention of going to June’s wedding, but when intriguing April arrives on his doorstep, he can’t resist getting to know her better. When a disaster forces them together neither can deny the passion that combusts into a red-hot affair.
Discovering the truth about the past shifts April’s feelings from lust to love, but bitter experience has taught Matthew to guard his heart.
When it looks as though Matthew will lose her forever, will he fight or flee?

About the Author

Sally Clements writes fun, sexy and real contemporary romance, partnering hot heroes with heroines who know what they want, and go for it!

She lives in the Irish countryside, and when she isn’t writing can usually be found in traffic, driving ‘Mum’s taxi’.

Always a voracious reader, she considers writing for a living the perfect job—the only downside is saying goodbye to her characters at book’s end!

Author Twitter

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Sweepstakes ‘Giveaway’: (1) eBook copy of Runaway Groom

Just leave a comment with your name and email to enter.

No purchase necessary. Must be 13 years of age and older to enter. Must reside in countries able to receive books gifted from Amazon.com.  The retail value of the eBook is 2.99 USD. Winners will be selected after June 20th, 2013 randomly. My blog and AToMR Tours are not are not liable for purchasing, shipping or emailing the items, winner not receiving the items, or lost items shipped/emailed. This sweepstakes is sponsored by the author and eBooks will be gifted from Amazon.com by the author. If the items are not claimed via email within 24 hours of receiving notification the item will be forfeited with no winner or an alternate winner may be selected at blog’s discretion with email verification by June 22, 2013.

Any taxes associated will be paid by the author unless otherwise stated. I have the right to obtain and publicize the winners name and likeness. Void where prohibited by law.

Excerpt

“Drink your cocoa before it goes cold.” Matthew drank his, leaving a milky chocolate trail across his top lip.

She couldn’t stop staring.

Matthew’s eyes darkened. He cupped her cheek. “What?” His deep voice was just a murmur.

Attraction hung in the air. Reflections cast by the flickering flames in the darkened room changed the shadows on the side of Matthew’s face.

April held her breath. If she said nothing, if she leaned forward he would kiss her. Part of her wanted him to more than anything.

He leaned in.

“You have milk on your top lip.” She pulled back.

“Ah.” He wiped his lip. “Milk moustache, huh?”

She breathed out. Tried for casual to lighten the moment. “It’s a good look on you.”

He took another deliberate drink, letting the foam cover his lip again. “Sexy?” he murmured.

His fingers smoothed over her soft skin, then slid into her hair. His gaze held hers as he swiped the foam away with his tongue, leaving his mouth clear.

April swallowed. Yes, it was sexy. He was beyond sexy. Taking what she wanted, what she needed couldn’t be bad—anyone could forgive her under the circumstances. Her chin tilted up.

His hand cupped the back of her head, bringing her closer. Her eyelids fluttered closed a moment before his lips met hers.

She’d needed comfort. The touch of his mouth against hers gave a lot more. Maybe it was because of all the men in the world, he was the one she couldn’t have. Maybe it was something different. As her mouth opened and their tongues tangled, she gave up wondering and just let herself feel. She breathed him in with every exhale, the scent of citrus, vetiver maybe, mixed with man. He held her face so tenderly her heart melted.

@OBBookTours - How to Avoid the Rejection Blues by Calinda B

How to Avoid the Rejection Blues

by Calinda B

I’m a creative. I create. Creatives put their creations out into the world saying, “Look at me! Look at what I did! Isn’t it wonderful?”

Some will agree. “Yes, it stirred me! It’s brilliant!” Some will disagree. “Gah! Pure garbage!” The critics will put on their knowing smiles and cite why your work is worth nothing to them. Or, if kind, they’ll say, “It’s good but not what I was looking for.”

When I got my first 1 star rating I was devastated. That person had rejected my hard work. She made fun of it. It didn’t matter that I got 10 times as many positive reviews. It didn’t matter that person after person said, “Great book! Really descriptive! Wow!” That ONE person called me out. She knew I was worthless as a writer. She was the one with The Truth. I was crushed. Humiliated. Beyond repair.

Well, guess what? People have opinions. Many reviews later, many opportunities and rejections later, I’ve learned a better truth than the one star reviewer – I’ve learned that a) I am a really good writer. b) There’s always room for improvement. c) If feedback is specific or helpful, I learn from it. d) If feedback is mean or spiteful or just plain wrong, I thank that person in my heart and move on.

See, I’m a creative. I was put on this planet to create. I might learn from your comments about my creations. I might ignore your rejection of my creations. But in the end I’m going to keep doing what I was born to do. I’m going to create, I’m going to take joy in my creations and maybe, just maybe, you will, too.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Romantic Suspense / Thriller 

Rating – R

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Calinda B on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.calindab.com/

Follow the Tour

18th June – Guest Post at Darlene’s Book Nook

25th June – Author Interview at Top Shelf Books

2nd July – Book Review at High Class Books

3rd July – Orangeberry Book of the Day

Girl with Guitar by Caisey Quinn excerpt and giveaway

Title: Girl with Guitar

Author: Caisey Quinn

Release date: May 22, 2013

Genre: Romance

Age Group: New Adult (Mature 17+ content)

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes and Noble

After Kylie’s dad dies in a freak accident, he leaves her with nothing other than her crazy step-mother, Darla, and the ability to play guitar. When Darla kicks Kylie out and she loses her job all in the same day, she hops a bus to Nashville determined to make her late father’s dreams come true. Waitressing and saving her pennies to record a demo, her big break comes when she’s asked to join a tour going down the tubes with once platinum album-selling country music superstar Trace Corbin. But touring with Trace is hardly a dream come true since he’s pretty much drinking his career down the drain. If Kylie can’t pull Trace out of his rut, he’ll pull her and her dreams down with him.

About the Author

Caisey Quinn is a wearer of cowgirl boots, writer, and avid reader. She is a lover of wine and is addicted to chai tea lattes. She is also the brand spanking new author of several New Adult romances including Girl with Guitar and soon to be released Keep Me Still (which may or may not include spanking).

Caisey is a Gemini, wife, mom, and former high school English teacher living in Birmingham, Alabama, who spends her days chasing a three-year-old and hiding away with her MacBook. She spends her nights writing and is a firm believer that sleep is overrated. Currently she is hard at work on Girl on Tour, the second book in the Kylie Ryans series. 

Website - Twitter - Facebook - Goodreads

Giveaway 

(1) eBook copy of Girl with Guitar. Books will be gifted from Amazon or epub emailed available. To enter, just comment on here with your name and email. Please ‘Like’ the author on Facebook as an entry option: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caisey-Quinn/112590918936422. Ends June 17 and gifts will be sent after June 20 (may take up to 2 weeks).

Excerpt


She cut the song off before the last chorus and opened her eyes. “Well?” she asked, looking up at Tonya. Who had tears in her eyes. “Whoa, hey, what’s wrong?” 

“That was beautiful, really. It was like you knew my whole life story, which you don’t, thank God.”

“Thanks.” Kylie beamed. 

“But you can’t play that tonight,” Tonya said evenly, dabbing her tears away with a bar napkin. 

Her heart sank into her stomach. “I can’t?”

“No.” Kylie watched Tonya’s eyes harden as she gripped her shoulder. “Listen to me, kid. I know a few things. Like for one, your life’s goal is probably not to be a waitress in a honky tonk. And for two, I know that all you really want is to make it big in country music like every other kid in this town, and that’s all fine and good and I’ll say I knew you when. Matter of fact, hold up, sign this napkin.”

Kylie’s mouth gaped open at her friend’s blunt observations. And she was seriously holding out a napkin and a pen. Slowly, Kylie took it and scribbled her name across it. 

“But here’s what else I know. If you go play that sappy song that no one knows the words to, everyone will smile and nod and keep right on drinking. The managers and talent scouts that show will keep texting on their phones and someone somewhere might say, ‘That was a nice song,’ or ‘She was cute,’ and that will be it.”

“Okay, so…” Kylie was still too stunned to say much of anything. Tears threatened behind her eyes. This was the song she’d worked so hard on, put so much of herself into. Wasn’t it a good thing to be original?

“So you get your cute little butt out there, you sing some Taylor Swift or Kelly whoever cover, and you shake it up and make it your own so the audience can sing along while not comparing you to whoever really sings the damn thing.” 

“Oh, is that all? Well, that should be a piece of cake. Thanks for the advice.” Kylie rolled her eyes and left them focused on the ceiling so her tears wouldn’t fall. 

“Look, you can sing, you play good enough. You’re kinda sexy and all that stuff they want. I wouldn’t waste my breath or my time, Kylie, if you didn’t just blow me the hell away, but I know this town. If this was your first day of meeting with a label exec, I’d say bust that song out. But this is a bar, and you need to get their attention fist. The guys who come in here are looking for one thing. Acts that bring in money. People want to hear that song that makes them stand up and sing along and stay up drinking and partying all night. Think you can do that?” 

Kylie swallowed hard, pushed her tears back behind her eyes, and forced a smile. She’d grown up without a mother. Buried the only man she’d ever loved less than a year ago. Lost everything in the blink of an eye. Surely she could do this. “Yeah. Yeah I can.”

“Good, ‘cause no matter what they call it, this shit ain’t for amateurs.” Tonya stood, offering her a weak smile before leaving Kylie all alone to figure out what the hell she was going to do.

Giveaway for Profolla Silk Kit!!

Enter to win a Profolla Silk Kit from HEALTHY HAIR PLUS. Love this site with lots of great products for healthy hair and tips too. healthyhairplus.com a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beauty from Surrender Excerpt and giveaway!

Beauty from Surrender (Beauty #2) by Georgia Cates

Release date: May 30, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Adult

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

How do you move on when he’s every song you sing?
After Laurelyn Prescott walks away from the love of her life, she returns to Nashville to pursue the only dream she has left. Determined to find a distraction from the pain of losing Jack Henry, she immerses herself in her music. But with her old life comes old acquaintances and new expectations. When Laurelyn refuses her record producer’s outrageous demands, she finds herself without a career—until an unforeseen opportunity presents itself. From there it’s a rocket ride straight to the top where Laurelyn finds the success she’s always dreamed of. Will it be enough to bring her the happiness she so deserves, or will the absence of Jack Henry leave her wanting more?
Jack Henry McLachlan never expected to fall in love with Laurelyn Prescott—but he did. After he foolishly let her slip through his fingers, he spends three months searching for her, but their reunion doesn’t come easy. The woman he finds isn’t the same one who drifted away without a goodbye. No longer an insecure girl on an Australian adventure, this Laurelyn is a successful musician with a promising career. Her dreams are becoming a reality, and Jack is terrified his American girl won’t have a place for him in her new life. With only a month to convince her otherwise, will it be enough time to make her visualize a life beyond the glitz and glamour, a life that includes him?

Giveaway

(1) eBook copy of Beauty From Surrender. eBooks will be gifted from Amazon or Barnes and Noble only. To enter, comment on this page with your email. Please ‘Like” the author’s Facebook page as an extra entry option: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgia-Cates-Young-Adult-Author/213130102082500. Ends June 6th.


About the Author

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful  daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before deciding to pursue her dream of becoming an author. Despite the struggle, she has no regrets in her decision to try this crazy life. She can honestly say that she’s living the dream.

Twitter | Facebook

Excerpt
Laurelyn Prescott’s POV

He holds out a red rose for me. “You have an admirer.”

I take the rose and bring it to my nose. Being given a bouquet of flowers isn’t unusual after a show but I’ve never been given a single rose before. It seems so intimate. “A fan, I suppose?”

“I found this dude standing outside the door looking in here just now. I asked him who he was but he didn’t say. He just told me to give you the rose and this guitar. Oh, and tell you he enjoyed the show—that you were ‘fan-fucking-tastic.’” He puts the case at my feet and the world around me begins to spin way too fast.

It’s my Martin. That can only mean Jack Henry was here. Right outside that door—that cracked door—while Charlie was kissing me.

I dash off the couch and run down the hallway, calling out for him like a maniac. “Jack Henry! Jack Henry!”

I have no idea which way to go, but I run toward the auditorium. It’s empty other than the cleaning staff, so I run toward the lobby and out to the street where I pray I’ll find him standing on the sidewalk.

It’s storming and the raindrops pelting down sting as they hit my face. I reach up to push my wet hair from my eyes and that’s when I see him. He’s getting into a cab up the street. “Jack Henry!” I shout at the top of my lungs but he doesn’t hear me. He’s too far away. “Jack Henry!”

I run toward the car screaming his name and I reach the cab as it’s leaving. I slam my hand across the top of the trunk as hard as I can before watching it pull away, taking him out of my life again.

“Nooo!” I scream so loudly, my vocal cords spasm. I drop to my knees there on the cold, wet concrete. I try to scream, and again, nothing comes out because my breath has been taken from me.

Please, don’t leave. Please, don’t be gone out of my life forever.