What I Learnt While Writing Broken Triangle
Broken Triangle is the first book I have ever considered sharing with the world. In fact, it is the first story I have ever completed and it took me the better part of two years to finish it. To put it in perspective, I am freelance writer by profession and I can probably write about 10,000 words a day; so a 60,000 word novel with everything figured out should take no more than 10 days, tops. But no matter how much time, I put into writing the story; I just couldn’t finish Broken Triangle.
I loved the characters (if you read the story, I hope you love them as much I do) and the story is compelling. But I kept second guessing myself at every turn. I would write a scene or chapter and then go to Google looking for writing advice. As you can guess, I would find an article telling me “that’s not how you develop characters” and that my story structure is all wrong.
Therefore, by the time I was able to power through the story and finish it, I began obsessing about just how much potential readers would hate the story. Thus began one of the most extensive revisions I think I will ever do. I tore the story apart, changing whole sections based on “advice” I found in numerous “how to write a novel” articles and books. But at the end of the disheartening process, I discovered a few things and the most important is; no one could tell my story the right way expect me.
The sheer number of writing advice out there is clear evidence that a lot of authors struggle with this. We want to make our stories the next big thing that we forget the most important part of this process; telling the story, like only “you” can. The story, the setting and the characters come to you and uniquely you, because you are the one who can tell it “right”.
The fear that people will hate it is always there for every author. I feel it every day and it threatens to mess with my other WIPs. But I remember this lesson and realize that as long as I am true to the characters and their needs, it’s impossible for readers to hate it. Sharing Broken Triangle in its original form made me realize this and it is a lesson I hope to carry for as long as I write.
EDIE HAD LEFT HIM A WHILE BACK BUT BEN was still not ready to head back and face Riley, much less Jamie. He sat on a raised mound overlooking the river and hugged his knees to himself. What was he going to do? He couldn’t disobey His Majesty? The King would forgive him, but he needed to prove just as capable as his two brothers. If only the witch would show herself. He would capture her and finish his mission.
But that resolution, he knew without a doubt would be bittersweet. He was certain he would never meet someone like Jamie if he lived forever. The young man was kind, caring and a joy to have around. Ben was not above admitting he would miss Riley.
He sniffed, resisting the burn of fresh tears behind his eyes as he accepted his bleak future. Then he felt it, an interference in his Cloaking Spell that shouldn’t be possible. He started to get up when he felt Riley’s unmistakable power-presence within his hiding place.
He turned around and both Jamie and Riley stood before him. Jamie’s beautiful brown eyes caught his and guilt overcame him. He shifted his gaze to an angry Riley. “How did you? How…”
“Be quiet and come here!”
Ben’s body began to obey the command, until he remembered Jamie’s presence. Shame washed over him and he met the younger man’s eyes, “Jamie, please don’t hate me. I didn’t…”
Riley’s voice rose, Ben felt the intensity of his power, “I said be quiet and come here.” Ben gasped, Jamie smiled. He had no choice but to obey, his feet carrying him to stand before the man. He turned back to look at Jamie who nodded his encouragement. He couldn’t fathom what was happening even as he obeyed.
His heart beat faster when Riley raised his hand and cupped his jaw, guiding him to look up. His hand was so warm, large and protective, Ben could only hope he wasn’t dreaming. Riley’s eyes spelled dangerous anger in sharp contrast to the gentle way he held Ben’s face. Then their lips met. Ben was ill-prepared for the abrupt movement, the kiss nowhere as gentle as the touch.
He opened his mouth, welcoming Riley’s tongue even as he became aware the kiss was a punishment. That didn’t deter him from seeking to get closer to the big man, wanting to feel every part of his body. He moaned, holding on to the man’s wide chest. Riley’s hand didn’t move from his face, his other hand a gentle but firm anchor on his hip. Ben swayed into the kiss, unable to hold himself steady and then the kiss ended.
He was breathing hard, Riley’s breath wafting across his face. His hand moved into Ben’s hair and he felt Jamie behind him, hands on his shoulders. He tried to turn to Jamie but Riley’s hand pulled on his hair. He winced and met the man’s eyes. “The next time you run away from me, I won’t be welcoming you with kisses. Am I understood?” Ben could only nod before he was on the receiving end of another kiss. This time it was gentler, thorough. Riley pulled him even closer. He could feel the strength of the man, his arousal just as evident as his own. He could feel Jamie’s touch move to his back. Riley pulled away. He whimpered in protest. Riley smiled, “Turn around now, My Sweet. Jamie needs you.”
As soon as he did, he was caught between the two men. He smiled at Jamie who smiled back before raising a hand to touch Ben’s face. Jamie stared at his lips, his voice soft, “I can feel everything you feel.”
Ben gasped, his eyes widening. So, Edie had been right. He sighed, “I can feel everything you feel.”
Jamie’s touch was light, and he closed his eyes, enjoying what he had craved for so long. Jamie’s fingers grazed his still tingling lips, “Can I kiss you?”
Ben opened his eyes, Jamie’s pretty face was so close he could feel his breath on his face. He brushed his lips across Jamie’s and an explosion of desire caused him to tremble. He opened his mouth just as Jamie opened his, their tongues met and Ben had no choice but to deepen the encounter. He held on to Jamie’s hips, their cocks brushed and he needed more.
He moaned into Jamie’s mouth when Riley pushed his hair to the side and placed opened mouthed kisses on his exposed neck. Between Jamie’s hard cock brushing his and feeling Riley’s on his lower back, they overwhelmed Ben but he still craved more. Jamie abandoned his lips and latched on to the other side of his neck. He ground their hips together, seeking more friction as Riley tilted his head to the side to devour his lips. He heard Jamie’s moans and tightened his arm around the man.
Riley’s hand reached to unfasten his trousers, and he broke the kiss to do the same to Jamie’s. But just as his hand closed around Jamie’s length, they heard a cackle.
Ben reacted, turning so fast, he almost knocked Riley to the ground. The man moved to his side, so together they shielded Jamie from the source of the sound. Ben felt a source of power unfamiliar to him, yet he knew it could only be Ethel. She laughed again, unable to breach the barrier of their Cloak but seeking to intimidate them.
Ben knew of Jamie’s fear, he felt it. She cannot breach the spell, Jamie. I’ll protect you.
Uncertain, he could infiltrate both their minds, he sought entry into Riley’s. She’s here! Can you feel her?
The man nodded. Where is she?
Maybe an Invisibility Spell. She’s close though…
The cackle sounded again before she materialized outside the barrier. Jamie gasped, Ben reached a hand behind him to latch on to his hand. The other man squeezed his hand tight. Relax, Mi Precioso. It’s all right..
It was clear the ethereal beauty standing before them didn’t fool Jamie. Ethel, like all witches was a sight to behold, even more so because she was a Water witch. Her dark tresses flowed to frame a pretty face, no man could resist. All Water witches used their beauty to their advantage. Their main power in seduction as a Fire witch’s power was in anger.
She touched the invisible barrier, her power causing the magic to crackle around them. Ben knew she couldn’t break it. Edie was a Fire witch, aside from Adella, one of the best he knew and this Cloaking Spell had been her creation. Fire witches trumped Water witches in strength. But still Ethel was undeterred. As they watched, Ben knew she couldn’t see them. She must have been able to just feel their presence.
Riley seemed to reach the same conclusion, “What is she….”
Ben’s attention snapped to him, “Shhh…” But it was too late, the witch had heard him and judging from her demeanor felt what she was dealing with. She stepped back, a shocked expression doing little to mar her pretty face. It was astonishing. He could have sworn she knew about Riley. But her expression belied that fact.
He reached for Riley’s arm when he sensed the man’s patience was running thin. She doesn’t know!
Jamie gasped, a sign he had infiltrated both their minds. The witch’s face scrunched up in concentration and then her eyes widened. She can see us now!
She squinted and put up a brave face, even smiling in that seductive way only Water witches could and put her hands on her hips. “Hello there, Vampire. Looks like His Majesty won’t be pardoning me after all.” Her attention shifted to Riley and Ben felt her fear as well she should. Riley’s power cracked just under the surface, a response to the threat. Ben tightened his hold on the man’s arm. There were innocents on the property. He didn’t want them caught in the fight. “And what do we have here? So Adella lied to me? I should have known that bitch was hiding something.”
At the slur, Riley stepped forward. Ethel betrayed her fear by stepping back even though the barrier protected her from him. “Nobody insults my mother. I will kill you!” Ben felt the man’s power, his eyes shone with his Fire. He stepped forward, ready to at least try to hold Riley back.
Ethel sensed and assessed the danger, taking another step back. “Oh! Not today. Though I will give you the chance to try soon enough.” She smiled and waved her fingers at Jamie. “Ta my lovelies. I will see you soon.” Then her smile faded before her Invisibility Spell swallowed her form.
Ben breathed a sigh. Jamie rushed into his arms, burying his face in Ben’s neck. He vowed to never put Jamie’s life in danger. His hand found Riley’s forearm, and he felt the man’s power around them. Riley engulfed them in his arms. In the three-man hug, Ben had never felt so secure. Yet, he still couldn’t come to terms with his failure. He should have been able to capture her. His own Cloaking Spell protected the witch. He tightened his arms around Jamie. The men he loved would never be safe with her around.
The cover is very eye catching.
Sounds great. The cover certainly catches the eye.
OO I like the cover. It is nice to study.
Good luck with the release!