Welcome back to Lov
e Bytes! Over the past several weeks, I’ve been writing and editing nearly 24/7 to bring you my upcoming novel, Slaying Isidore’s Dragons, and to co-write a new novel with Shira Anthony, tentatively entitled Solitary Man.
One of the edicts we often hear as authors is: only write what you know. While I have written quite a bit about what I do know, I don’t shy away from writing about what I don’t know. I take time to do research, speak with people in the know, put my story to pen, and listen to my beta readers and editors. It’s tough writing about something we don’t know and it’s terrifying to put our heart and soul into a work, and then throw it out there for all to see. We wait with ‘bated breath in hopes our work is well received and pray we don’t have a nervous breakdown in the process. Yet, in the end, the reward is often much greater than it might have been had we written familiar content.
Now try doing all that at the age of 13.
During the time that I’ve been pounding away at the keyboard, my good buddy, Timmy, put together an incredible short story about an intersex character—something he knew nothing about until he came to know me. Though he has spoken with me at length, he took the time to do hours upon hours of research, put his pen to paper, go through the editing and beta reading processes, and now waits with ’bated breath to hear what all of you think.
As with anyone, no two intersex people have the same experiences and, while it has become fashionable of late to write about intersex people, rarely do authors capture the uniqueness of being born…well, unique—good, bad, or indifferent. Join me in celebrating Timmy’s wonderful story, And It’s Only Just Started.
And It’s Only Just Started
Damn! If my hands get any more sweaty or shaky, I’m going to drop my books. Taylor said he would meet me tonight to talk, and I really don’t think I can go through with it. I know I need to tell him, and our relationship is moving so fast that I’m afraid he will find out before I get up the nerve to say anything. No! I can’t let that happen. Taylor is my first boyfriend. He is everything I want, and I can’t lose that by being a coward. Besides, doesn’t he deserve to know I’m not what or who he thinks I am? Of course, he does, but shit, it’s so hard. I try daily not to think about it myself, not that I can forget it. How can you not think about your differences when you are in a constant battle to hide them? When I started school in the sixth grade six years ago, I didn’t know I needed to hide. That was a mistake, and it ruined my life for 3 years.
I remember the first day I went to school. I was so excited. I was eleven and starting my first year in middle school. Before that I was homeschooled. I didn’t go out much, but Mom did a lot of field trips. I really should have known something was different. Every time I had to go to the bathroom, it would be time to go home. Just like that, in the middle of the trip, we would leave. She said it was because those bathrooms were dirty and full of germs, but she used them just fine. That first day in middle school was when I learned just what the reason really was. Continue reading here.
Raidean’s Story ©2015 Timmy Ashton. All Rights Reserved.
It goes without saying that this story is very special to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing it, Timmy. A special thanks to all of you for reading Timmy’s story.
See you back here next month on Tuesday, March 17th!
Coming in April 9th from Harmony Ink Press
Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing.
Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.
Available from: Harmony Ink Press
Όμορφη. Ómorphi. Greek. Meaning pretty
Pretty. adj. /pritē/ Pleasing by delicacy or grace
~*~
High school senior Michael Sattler leads a charmed life. He’s a star athlete, has great friends, and parents who love him just the way he is. What’s missing from his life is a boyfriend. That’s a problem because he’s out only to his parents and best friend. When Michael accidentally bumps into Christy Castle at school, his life changes in ways he never imagined. Christy is Michael’s dream guy: smart, pretty, and sexy. But nothing could have prepared Michael for what being Christy’s boyfriend would entail.
Christy needs to heal after years of abuse and knows he needs help to do it. After the death of his notorious father, he leaves his native Greece and settles in upstate New York. Alone, afraid, and left without a voice, Christy hides the myriad scars of his abuse. He desperately wants to be loved and when he meets Michael, he dares to hope that day has arrived. When one of Michael’s team-mates becomes an enemy and an abuser from Christy’s past seeks to return him to a life of slavery, only Michael and Christy’s combined strength and unwavering determination can save them from the violence that threatens to destroy their future together. Read an excerpt of Omorphi
Available from: Harmony Ink Press
Caleb had one mission in life.
To keep his boyfriend safe.
They met at ten, kissed at twelve, and were madly in love by eighteen. Caleb Deering is the captain of the swim team and the hottest senior in school. He comes from a loving home with a kind father and a caring, but strict, mother who is battling breast cancer. Nico Caro is small and beautiful, and has a father who rules with an iron fist—literally. One morning Caleb forgets himself, and he pecks Nico on the lips at school. A teacher sees them and tattles to the Headmaster. The accidental outing at school might be the least of their problems, because the ball set in motion by the school’s calls to their parents could get Nico killed. In the face of that very real danger, Caleb knows he has only one mission in life: to keep Nico safe. Read an excerpt of Safe.
Check out Cody’s Blog here. Like Cody on Facebook, find Cody on Goodreads, Twitter @CodyKAuthor, Tumbler, Pinterest, and read Cody’s free serial story, Fairy.
O.M.G. I have no words to express how this made me feel. I have the tears!! and the heartbreak. Timmy are you sure you’re only 13? The maturity you show… Phenomenal.
I am sure of my age. It’s on the birth certificate. LOL Thank you for the complement, and for reading the story.
<3 Timmy
Aloha Timmy and Cody… Wow. I am just blown away by this story Timmy. I also think that too, Younela… are you sure you’re only 13? 🙂 You’re amazing Timmy. What a well written, deep story. Sobering, insightful, thoughtful, sad, deep, heartfelt and heartbreaking… No words really.
Thank you sincerely for writing this story Timmy and to both you and Cody for sharing it… It’s so important for people to read.
It clutched at my soul.
Love and aloha Meg 🙂 <3
Wow, so many compliments in there. Thank you so much for reading it. This story is nothing without the readers to help spread it’s meaning. Thank you.
<3 Timmy
Bravo, Timmy. The finished product is amazing. Such a heartfelt, emotional story. It shines a bright light on the many problems the concept of normal causes for the human race… it makes us hate ourselves for not being the same as others and it makes people look at us differently because we do not conform to some arbitrarily chosen template. How much better the world would be if we could all just embrace each other’s unique qualities and look inside a person’s heart and mind to see their true self and the beauty that lies within us all. Thank you for this wonderful story. <3
This story would not be what it is without all your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the time you spent helping me brainstorm, edit, and beta. You are the best.
<3 Timmy
Timmy, a very moving, insightful,emotional story – great writing!
Thank you
Thanks so much suze294! Thank you for reading.
<3 Timmy
This story just shattered me. The parents, the kids at school, the boyfriend, everybody, I want to take all of them and shake some sense into them.
Especially for not seeing the beautiful person that this boy is, just looking at his parts—never SEEING him.
Kudos, Timmy, for your storytelling skills! There was obviously a whole lot of research going into this story, and you have woven the facts into it so well, it is seamless.
Also, it is really difficult writing in the first person, especially in the present tense, and you managed to do a really cool switching to past tense here and there. Very well done.
I am impressed, but not at all surprised! You continue to grow and do things your own way. You rock that. You rock that so hard. <3
Thank you My Anna. It is hard to write first person! I am unsure I will do that again. It’s a big thanks to Mel for helping me keep my tenses straight. 😀
<3 Timmy
OMG Timmy!!!! You’re a natural writer my dear friend. Some ppl write Lots of books and are not able to bring their characters to life or to write a story that will touch the heart of the readers. YOU DID IT! It was a gut wrenching story and please tell us that we’ll read a sequel and see more of Raidean… I’ve tears in my eyes and my heart hurts for Raidean’s pain. You’re on the right path hun. I’ll wait anxiously for your next story. You did extremely well. Loved it so much!
Claudia, I’m so glad you liked the story. Writing it was as hard as it probably was to read. I was in tears many times.
<3 Timmy
Timmy, I read this story twice, and I can’t get over the pain I feel for Raidean, “I wanted it to be over. I wanted to be over.” Not only that, I felt his loneliness. I was angry with his parents, though I knew they loved Raidean, they sheltered him from the truth which only proved that they felt shame. I was angry at the school for looking the other way. Every child should feel safe at school, not to feel like “School was my punishment for being born.”
This was a great story. Timmy, you really conveyed the reality of life for intersex teens. And I hope that stories like this will help educate us about acceptance so that kids won’t have to ask their friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, or their parents to “please overlook these and love me anyway.” Fantastic, Timmy!
Kari, I was angry with his parents as well. Sadly their love did not mean they were comfortable with how their son was born. Love is not always the same as understanding. They did care, but they also cared very much about themselves and their public image. the school was not so made up. This happens all the time. The school looks the other way while kids are bullied and tormented. It’s sad and unfair, but very much the way things have gone for me.
<3 Timmy
That’s the impression I had of Raidean’s parents. By the way, how did you come up with that name? I’ve never seen it.
As always Timmy, incredibly brave and beautiful words for one so young! You are such an important voice for your generation! I am truly humbled you would share this with us! You’re voice/words will impact so many! Well done young one! Very very well done!!
I truly hope that is true, Jess. I hope everyone that has read this story, now has a little better look inside Raidean’s head, and the other intersex teens that they may encounter.
<3 Timmy
Congratulations Timmy, you brought me to tears but also made me feel proud of Raidean.
Thanks Deeze!
speechless that is what comes to mind after reading your story Timmy.
Breathtaking is what i think reading what you are capable of with your words
I am hurt for the hurt i read and the pain and suffering in the words but even more within the words not being said.
Thank you Cody for sharing this and Timmy I sure hope Raidean will have his much deserved happy end
hugs Dani
Dani, I’ma take a minute to return your hug. (((Dani))) Thank you for taking the time to read my story. He will have a happy ending at some point. I need to finish a story I already have started, then I will return to Raidean.
<3 Timmy
I am so glad to have read this story. Just absolutely heartbreakingly amazing. Very talented writing by Timmy. I would love to read more about Raidean.
Thank you Beth! It means so much to me that you read my story. It was hard to write, because it was sad. However, I needed to get his story out of my head and on paper.
<3 Timmy
Wow! Timmy you certainly are a talented writer. This short story is so real and although incredibly sad, I want to know more… I hope to read more from you. Thank you for sharing and Cody too!
Thanks for the compliments Sara! I do hope you will have a chance to read more from me. I’m working on a novel, and hope to write more on Raidean.
<3 Timmy
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