After Writer's Block by Janice Seagraves

 After I experienced writer's block a few years ago, I decided to be nicer to myself. 

But so far this year, I have been having the worst time writing. 

Some days, well, at least I put a couple of words down on the page. 

Sometimes all I can do is research. And you wouldn't think there would be much research for an urban fantasy series set in the modern day. But then, even though I live in California, I've never lived in Los Angeles, where the story is set. 

I even made one of those boards to help you think about your story.

A few days ago, all I could do was work on the blurbs for the three-book series. 

The three books are finished, but I need to finish polishing the first and second ones and then revise the third one. The third is still basically a rough draft at the moment. 

It's frustrating since I have a high typing speed, and when I was doing NaNoWriMo, I was able to write a 50K manuscript in a month, and I did that for ten years. 

Man, the struggle is real. 

My last release:

Amazon.com: Alien Rescuers: Chronicles of Arcon eBook : Seagraves, Janice: Kindle Store

The night before he’s to be sold in a slave auction, the Arcon, Saber Daystar, is rescued by the human, Mouse, an independent, scrappy thief.
Zinnia Field, a.k.a. Mouse, needs the hunky Arcon’s remarkable night-sight to help her steal information on where her mentor is being held prisoner.
As they race to the rescue, will the sparks that fly between them get in the way of the rescue attempt?

Excerpt: Saber Daystar had an itchy, creepy sensation crawling up his spine. His attention swung to a pair of piercing blue eyes, watching him intently through a small hole in the window. He gave a start then scrambled to his feet. Someone’s outside my window? “How did you...? That window is constructed from thick, escape-proof plas-glass.” 

“Never mind how,” said a female in a soft voice. “Is it true Arcons can run fast, make excellent bodyguards, and see well in the ultraviolet range?”

“Who are you?” He approached the window with tentative steps. “What are you up to?”  “Answer my question, then I’ll answer yours,” she shot back. 

“Seems an odd way to inspect the slaves for tomorrow’s auction. So, you checked the auction catalogue and found me. The last Arcon in the galaxy.” He peered through the opening, observing the female’s button nose and fringe of brown hair.

“Hell no. I hate slavery.” She moved so she could stare at him with one eye, then arched an eyebrow. “You’re wasting time.”

“An exchange of information then?” He paused. What do I have to lose? “My people can see in the dark and well into the ultraviolet. We are known for our speed and fierce in our duty. 

Your turn. Now start talking.”

“Awesome sauce, that’s exactly what I need.” She bounced up and down. “I’ve got a laser cutting tool that burns through all this shit. So, do you want to get out of here or what?”

He tensed. The audacity of the proposal had him momentarily speechless. Does she need a bodyguard or a free slave? “Who wouldn’t? I’m being sold in the morning.”

“Agree to help me, then I’ll rescue you from this hellhole.” She turned slightly away from the window like she might leave. “Your choice.”

“Hey, stop the chatter in there,” yelled one of the guards stationed down the hall. “You need to get your beauty sleep for tomorrow’s auction.” The guard snorted. “Big day for all you slaves getting new masters and all that.”

“Or would you prefer entertaining us for a few hours instead?” The other guard chuckled. “We promise not to bruise you up too much.”

Saber rotated toward the clear front of his cell. With his stomach in a tight knot, he hoped the guards didn’t come seeking a playmate. He’d heard the screams of their victims. The sadistic guards weren’t known for their bedmate selection. Anyone or anything would do. 

The scuff of the guard’s boots got closer.