Of Ink and Quille

The Cowboy and the Bronc, written December 1995 This is a repost of an early blog that was damaged. They stand looking at each other, Each silent as death.Lost in their own thoughts, they judge the other in ways we cannot understand, they speak silently. One is first to turn and walk away, the silence unbroken. Soon enough they will duel, in a circle of dust. The metal bars clang, the sweat rolls down his back, He stretches and climbs the bars. spurs upon his boots jingle, his leather chaps flutter, His dueling parnter moves about restlessly. The tension is high,the rope is taut, His hat sits on his head as he settles in His head bobs up and down. The gates open and out they fly. Nearly a ton a waged against a couple of hundred pounds, In a malestrom of fury and sweat, man vs beast the battle rages on.

When you start writing the epic novel most people have an idea of what they're going to put down. Some do a full length outline, or write a novel that covers the novel plot. but regardless of what you write most of us have at one time or another taught ourselves to write a scene that squicks us out. Yes, it does happen. For example I write romances. I'm comfortable in the genre, with the warm, sensual love scene. However, to challenge myself I set a goal. I decided I'd write a novella, one that's hot, and sexy. I don't do erotic - I don't feel comfortable with writing it. So, now I have a challenge, a goal that I've set for myself and I'm having find a way to do it. Now you may think there's no difference. It's easy. Just get on with it. But let me put it this way, pick one thing that you know you're uneasy doing. Be it writing an explicit sex scene, or bungee jumping, or riding a bike. Now, focus on it. What exactly do you feel? Nervous? Sca...