Another odd Lou Sylvre post title? I suppose so, but more importantly, here I am on Love Bytes again, and that’s what I’m going to write about.

In a minute.

First, there’s the continuing saga of the contest for two months ago. We don’t yet have a winner. Here’s the thing, neither I nor Dani (of Love Bytes) can figure out why the comments won’t open, but they won’t, so people trying to comment couldn’t. One person commented on last month’s post, and that’s fine, but I’m sure some other’s tried too. So. The Final Solution. Anyone who tried to enter the Kinky, Kinkier, Kinkiest contest and couldn’t, please comment below, “I tried.”. That’s all, unless you want to add more. Please do make it a separate comment from this month’s entry, though, and thanks for being patient and persistent.

Last month’s contest—“Tell me a story”—got some creative responses! I loved them, and was glad I got to pick randomly rather than having to judge.  The lucky draw is Trix, which might have something to do with the number of times her name went in the hat. Thanks for all the stories, Trix. I’ll contact you to arrange your (fabulous) prize.

Speaking of fabulous, this month’s prize is an actual, get-it-in-the-mail paperback of any Lou Sylvre book. EXCEPT I can’t send you Loving Luki Vasquez (because I don’t have any copies). But if you win and you haven’t read LLV, you can get an e-copy. Another caveat, paperback prizes only for USA. Replacement international prize, of course, is an ebook.

Here’s the contest challenge: In comments, use the phrase, “love breaks.” Restriction: You can’t use the word “heart” or any synonym. (Antonyms and homonyms are fine.) Doesn’t have to make sense, won’t be judged. Random pick as always, but this could be fun, I think.

So now back to the Why Why Why.

Why do I write gay characters, romance, and suspense?

1. Because romantically minded (or romantically challenged) and sexy gay men keep introducing themselves to my imagination. And writing love stories makes me happy (even when they make me cry).

And I like being a tiny pebble (or bean as the case might be) in the giant, brilliant, mosaic moving the world toward embracing the truth: it’s normal, people are people, and love is love.
2. Because I like to see the good guys grow, feel their strength manifest, and I don’t just mean the badass characters. I like to let them win.
3. Bad guys (and good badasses) are fun to write. And heckle.

Why haven’t I written a new book yet?

I’ll be frank. (Tangent Alert. No capital on frank. That’s what makes it not mean: Lou is Frank, if you get my meaning.) So, frankly, I’ve written nothing in any genre at all, nothing more than these Love Bytes posts in a great, long while. Life, you see. Life is at fault. It cut me down for a while. (Cue tiny violins.) Yet (to be delivered in a deeply evil, ominous, voice) I Will Rise!

Why am I not writing it now?

Because I’m writing something different this time. Gay men, sex, romance—yes. But it won’t have any… uh, well. It’s going to be about… um. Okay, never mind. I’ll keep you posted?

All of you who read my posts and play my games, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU. (Here’s where you think, “Calm yourself, Lou!) And for the awesome crew of Love Bytes, here’s a big box of appreciation tied with a bow.
…Well, not a box. Here’s a cat with a bow instead, but I am grateful!