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Janet Eckford's Witty Ramblings and Salacious Prose

~ The creative space of author Janet Eckford.

Janet Eckford's Witty Ramblings and Salacious Prose

Category Archives: Writing

Getting my writing on

23 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by janeteckford in WIP, Writing

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I’m working on a new story and pecking away at its word count. I’d had a lovely winter break to add a bulk of what I needed, but I’m back to work and inspiration has started to lag. When I need a little pick me up, I often go back and read what’s been written already, not to edit, because that way usually leads to excessive revisions and stalling of the process. Instead, I do partial read throughs to inspire me to keep going, or let a project sit for another time.

Today, I’m still feeling good about my untitled third book in my Ambrose Family series. The first two books were previously released and are waiting for the third to help launch them back into the world. I’d always planned to tell the story of each sibling and really want to see this happen.

Today as I organize my day to include some writing time, I thought why not give you a snippet of what I’ve done so far. Out of order without much context, but I think a lovely tease none the less.

Enjoy!

Unedited and copyrighted excerpt by Janet Eckford.

Thomas connected the call from his sister and greeted her with a rough hello.

“You’ve spoken to Micah,” she said without a greeting of her own.

Anger burned in his chest at the mention of his brother.

“Are you calling in to check up on me?” He asked, his words crisp from brittle precision.

Charlie sighed deeply and muttered something under her breath to low for him to hear.

“I knew this would happen once Mia told me Micah went to help Dani.”

Thomas perked up at the mention of his brother’s fiancé and Dani’s friend. “What does Mia have to do with anything?”

“Because my idiot brother, she’s the reason Micah helped Dani out,” his sister replied, in a derisive tone.

“Why the hell am I an idiot?” He asked defensively.

Charlie snorted and said, “Because you’ve probably been at home throwing one of your epic tantrums because you’re jealous.”

The tips of Thomas’ ears burned, a reaction he had when embarrassed. It ratcheted up his temper more that his sister had called him out so effectively.

“First of all, I haven’t had a tantrum since I was about eight years old-”

“So you didn’t break anything in a jealous rage?” She interrupted him.

“Charlie,” he growled in warning.

The tinkle of her amused laughter on the other end smoothed some of the rougher edges of his temper. They could fight, and disagree with each other, but there was no denying the power one of his sister’s infectious laughs had on him.

“Micah is going to be so pissed when he finds out you thought he did you dirty over a woman.” Charlie said once her laughter tapered off.

“I didn’t think that,” he denied hotly.

The statement rang false and when he heard his sister humph with disbelief he sighed with frustration.

“Well, what was I supposed to think when he said he was helping Dani out with an emergency?” he asked, “Fuck, Charlie, Dani wouldn’t let me help her make a cup of coffee most of the time, and Micah gets to roll in white knighting for her and her son.”

His sister was silent at his declaration, and he could practically hear her brain turning over his words.

“Honestly, Thomas, why would she expect anything from a man that is only focused on a good time.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off before he could start.

“Hear me out, Big Bro. You’re the first one to admit your relationship was only required to meet the most shallow requirements. I wouldn’t have called you either if I was in Dani’s place too.”

“Yeah, well you also almost kept your husband’s child from him, so I don’t know how good you are with judgement.” He snapped back.

Charlie didn’t gasp with shock or even light into him as she usually did when he pushed her to far with harsh words. Instead she sighed deeply, and it sounded as if her very soul was involved with the action.

“Are you ever going to forgive me for that?” She asked softly.

“There’s nothing for me to forgive,” he replied.
“Really, because any time you get mad at me you throw that up in my face. So I’m wondering when you’ll get over it, because Grant, my husband and father of my children has.”

This time when she spoke there was a sharper edge to her words. Thomas knew he should back off, stop before words were spoken that couldn’t be taken back, but something niggled at him to keep pushing.

“It was a cold thing to do, Charlie. Knowing Grant even more makes what you were planning to do seem even crueler,” he admitted.

“It was shitty, yes I’ll admit that, but here’s a not so fun fact. He was just a fuck at the time, Thomas. The same way I was just a fuck for him. Yes, there was the possibility for more, but I wasn’t ready to open myself up to hurt from a person I’d only planned to sleep with and leave.”

Charlie’s words hit him in the gut. “Is this your way of saying I’m only a fuck to Dani?” He asked.

“Maybe,” he could hear rustling as she adjusted the phone. “Thomas, honestly you’re confusing the rest of us. You have been a notorious bachelor, but now…I don’t know. We don’t know what you are.”

“So the three of you are talking about me behind my back?”

“As a matter of fact yes.” She said with a humorless chuckle. “This thing with Dani isn’t like you.”

Her admission annoyed him mostly because she was right. This wasn’t like him. Throwing glasses, putting off work, and planning to flee the city. He’d always been good with beginnings, middles, and ends with his relationships. He’d never had his heart broken before.

Thomas’ heart sped up as his last thought sank in.

“Thomas,” his sister whispered.

He couldn’t do this right now. “I’m good. Thanks for checking in on me.” He heard himself say, as if from a distance.

“Thomas, talk to me, please,” his sister pleaded.

He couldn’t though. His heart was beating too fast and he was finding it hard to breath.

“I love you, Charlie.” He paused before adding. “I gotta go.”

Charlie’s silence was deafening and he wondered if he was going to have to hang up to make her stop.

“I love you too, Big Bro.” She finally said.

He didn’t wait to see if she’d say more and instead disconnected the call. He suddenly felt raw, as if he’d been left out exposed to the sun for too long. It left me feeling shaky and uncertain. When the thoughts of broken hearts and love tried to force their way into his consciousness he mentally flailed and walled them away.

He looked over at his overnight bag, gaping open on his bed. Should he stay or should he go, the words twirled like a dervish in his head. Fatigue creeping up, he decided he didn’t need to make any decisions right now. He’d take a nap and clear his head. He’d be able to make a better decision once he’d had some sleep, he decided and curled up on top of his comforter, not bothering to slip underneath. Thankfully his brain agreed, and instead of plaguing him with thoughts and memories, helped lead him into the dark bliss of sleep.

New release and new beginings

09 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by janeteckford in Books, new releases, promo, Writing

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Tags

Destined for Love Series, Janet Eckford, More Than My Everything, new release, writing

Today is a special day for me because it’s the 4th anniversary of my very first blog and the announcement of my first published short story. Today’s milestone is even more exciting because it also marks the announcement of my first self published short story. It’s amazing to see how I’ve grown when I look at that first blog. Continue reading →

Sunday kind of love

04 Sunday May 2014

Posted by janeteckford in Writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

contemporary romance, paranormal romance, sequels, writing

I don’t think it has ever happened, but I have two new releases out that are both sequels. I can’t begin to describe how excited I am by this. I’m the first to admit I’m terrible at following up with secondary characters I’ve introduced. Continue reading →

A little bit of romance

01 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by janeteckford in Books, WIP, Writing

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Tags

contemporary romance, new series, The Ambrose Family Series

I’m “this” close to finishing the next book in my Ambrose Family Series and I’m beyond excited. I love the contemporary genre but find myself constantly pulled away to darker stories that involve fangs, fur, and things that go bump in the night. There is a darker edge to the love stories I craft for those stories and I revel in my characters ability to wield a sword or some high powered machinery. Therefore, it has been a bit of a surprise that I’ve immersed myself so completely in the telling of this particular tale.

I’m actually in love with the love of sweet romance and plan to see how far I can carry out this new infatuation of mine. There is something delightful about a love story set in real time. There is also a pressure to make sure the story is more authentic because my suspension of disbelief has narrower parameters. I’m up for the challenge and steadily typing away. Fingers crossed!

The writers blues

14 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by janeteckford in Writing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

pirates, WIPs

Recently I’ve been a flurry of creativity and purpose. I’ve completed two stories that had been relegated to the forgotten WIP pile. I’d signed up for NaNoWriMo and have diligently worked on completing another forgotten WIP. Also, I’ve recently received my rights back for three of my stories and began the process of self publishing them. I’ve been on fire and it has been fabulous. Continue reading →

I’m filled with the spirit

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by janeteckford in Writing

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Tags

NaNoWriMo, WIPs

I decided to throw my hat into the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) fervor and have been pleasantly surprised that I’m doing something. I do try very hard to get a little writing done a day but the days are either too short or I’m too busy and time passes by without my doing any writing. This month I’ve finished a sequel to my paranormal romantic comedy (that is a thing) When Opposites First Attract and finished a WIP that had been sequestered to the pile of forgotten work. I’ve been so good about getting stuff checked off my list I realized I hadn’t started the main novel for NaNoWriMo. I’m odd like that and let my muses lead me until I finally found my way back to where I started. Continue reading →

Self Care Adventure

24 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by janeteckford in 30 days of self care, Writing

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Hello Sweets!

My very dear friend Alexis Marbach has embarked on what she has coined “The Self-Care Adventure Series: 30 days of wholehearted self-love” and has encouraged a group of us near and dear to her heart to join in the fun. When I first got the email, I’ll be honest, I let out a sigh. One of those fully expanded diaphragm sighs. I just couldn’t see myself fitting in with the group on this one. I don’t do yoga (too much breathing), I don’t like to run (unless it’s for my life), and nature gives me hives (no seriously, I have some major allergies). When I’m seeking out self care it usually involves alcohol, sex, and some other vice that won’t get me arrested. I started to picture my comments in the email chain or posts on FB or even the guest blog I might have done on Alexis blog and I giggled manically. Too say the least, all of my thoughts were inappropriate (self-love is in the title…I mean clearly).

I was so tickled by my imaginary scenarios that I almost dismissed participating at all, but I eventually gave it some thought. Although I’ve been extremely busy in the last few years with job changes and career additions I have found a constant form of self care for myself, writing. As most of you know, I use a pen name because having to explain 1) I don’t write porn (if I did I wouldn’t need two jobs), 2) sexuality should not be co-oped by men (women actually do enjoy it quite a bit…when done properly), and 3) Let me be great! With my alter ego I’ve made new and fabulous friends and participated in activities that have helped me grow personally and professionally. Most importantly, I’ve realized that each time I put my smexy ideas down on paper I’m participating in a form of self care. My imagination has always been an outlet for me, and even if some of the little stories I scribble may never leave the confines of my computer storage, I did something for the sole purpose of making ME happy.

Now, I don’t know how active I’ll be in this 30 day adventure of self-care (come on Alexis, only so much can be expected from one like myself) but instead of sighing when I think about it, I instead smile and know I’m doing my part.

Janet

Getting the word out!

05 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by janeteckford in new releases, promo, Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Glad Tidings!

The 4th of July has come and gone, but the firework extravaganza that happens in my neighborhood is still lingering (they’ve been setting them off since May and are still enamored by fire in the sky) and I’m finding it difficult to fall asleep (shocking). With two new releases out I thought I’d spend some time searching for places to promo while I wait patiently for the fire bugs supplies to dwindle or a house catches fire (I could use some hottie firemen as inspiration). What I’m soon discovering is there is just so much out there. From professional sites, semi professional blogs, to folks that just like to read. I love it all but I must confess I’m a bit overwhelmed.

I believe this has a lot to do with the fact the two new releases I have are just so different. Slow Hand and Fire & Ice are examples of how eclectic I am as a writer. I took some risks with both of them and like a mother with her children, don’t love either one more than the other, but damn they really are making me work to promo them.

Fire & Ice in particular has me biting my lip and wondering, “Now what am I going to do with you?” If Slow Hand had me exploring the boundaries of my erotic writing skills, Fire & Ice is a story that required strong character development and emotional upheaval. I want readers to sigh and cry and quite possibly shake their fist at me as they threaten bodily harm when reading Fire & Ice. If my writing is a flower, Fire & Ice is the bud that will eventually blossom into the type of stories I want to tell more of. Longer (as God as my witness I will write a novel length book one day), mystery element to the story, and darker with a light at the end of the tunnel eventually. I’m really excited for Fire & Ice and want to make sure it gets the attention it deserves as my special baby (okay no favorites but sometimes you do have one that particularly special).

The clock is rapidly raising towards early morning and I unfortunately have to work. So I’m going to put my musings out into the universe and wait patiently for answers to come to me in time. Until then, I plan to keep writing this crazy mixed up brand of prose I enjoy.

Janet

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