On the Mind of the Universe

It's been a wild and interesting week here at Chez Chase. I find myself on the mind of the Universe. I'm not exactly sure if I put it out there myself, but it seems as though a line has been cast with my name on the hook. And I've been getting bites!

Of course, the week started spectacularly with a contract for my new cowboy romance novel -- still happy Snoopy dancing here!

Out of the blue, I received a couple random bites from the visual arts world. The first from a winery in Idaho requesting to use one of my rodeo drawings on their new wine labels. Two days later came an invitation to submit a new drawing for the program cover of a wild Mustang adoption event in Texas.

And if I hadn't already reeled in enough, I heard from three old friends who I've been out of touch with for almost a decade. In the space of five days. And each email started the same: Been thinking about you...

I'm feeling very googled.

But I realized something valuable, as I was zoning out to the hypnotic groove of a blues guitar solo during a rock concert last night: Someone somewhere is always thinking of us. Our moment in the life of another does not go unnoticed. Our time on this planet leaves permanent impressions in the minds and hearts of everyone we've come across. Its a little reminder, I think, to try and make sure the memories we leave behind are good ones. Its also a good reminder to not let too many years slip by without you yourself looking up those who've left their mark on you.

And with that, I'm off to let a few cherished old friends know I'm thinking about them.

Cowboy Up!

Somebody pinch me! And maybe throw some body armor my way. I'm getting bruised bouncing off the walls around here.

Late last fall I began an M/M contemporary western for an anthology submission call. I wrote to a specific theme and word count, even though my cowboys complained the whole time that I wouldn't let them say or do what they really wanted to. And as much as I thrive under deadlines, I came up on that one too fast. As soon as I'd sent the story out, I wanted it back. It wasn't ready to ride. So when it did come back, I wasn't too heartbroken.

I hopped right back in the saddle and, with some valuable feedback from my amazing critique partners and a fabulous beta reader, fleshed out more depth. Ready to ride once again, I sent my cowboys back out on the trail. And guess what those boys brought back? A shiny new contract for Mama! Yeee-haaaaw!

Tentatively titled, Long Tall Drink, be watching for Ray and Travis riding the range on a ranch near you soon! :-)

And a big shout out to Chris, Melinda, Lisa, Kristi, Ally, Donna, Charles, Harper, M.J., Xara, Lissa, Lynn, Sean and Thorny. Couldn't have done it without you. Y'all rock!