Synopsis:
Perfection isn’t everything,
although it’s everything Leo wants. His desire to become the perfect chef may
keep him at the top of his class, but it drives his friends and family crazy
while keeping love and passion on the back burner. That is until he meets Dock,
owner and chef of the new and popular restaurant, The Birches. Although
Dock isn’t a trained chef, Leo finds the food he cooks delectable and the man
behind the food irresistible. The lessons taught at the hands of an
untrained cook may be just what this uptight chef needs to let go.
Today we welcome author and guest poster Xavier Axelson. Please give him a warm welcome and stay tuned after his post for information on how to enter for a free copy of The Birches ebook!!
Personally, I'd like to say Thank You to Xaxier for coming by Fictional Candy and guest posting. It truly is appreciated, and I wish you the best of luck with your book!
So without further delay, I present you Xavier Axelson!
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The Writer’s Garden
By
Xavier Axelson
Gardening
is about discovery
Writing
is also. It is a journey. Some of us have maps and some of us
don’t. Some ask directions, some don’t. Some stop along the way, some don’t. I find the garden to be most like writing
when it comes to making what my mother calls, “the cruelest cut.” Cutting with abandon the excess to allow for
new growth or in the case of writing, anew character, a new plot twist or
simply trimming and dead heading unnecessary words, phrase and descriptors. Luckily, I’ve come to understand the need to
make cruel cuts. I’ve seen plants
literally cut down to the root and rebound in the Spring as if it was what they
expected or waited for. I’ve come to
really appreciate the art and necessity of editing. Yes, I still compare the process to being
plagued by “an editing demon,” but I’m not at all apprehensive about it. I understand the need and look forward to
seeing what will pop up once those fragments and extra words are cut out of the
way.
Gardening
is about patience.
Writing
is also. It is about time spent and time
allotted to make something happen.
Character development, plotline, description, and generosity are all
part of what makes up the root system of a story. You need to break up the roots before you
plant something to allow for new roots to grow and a strong root system to
form. I think this is the most exciting
part of writing, the destruction, and reconstruction of ideas, characters,
places, things, and words. I love the
realization knowing I can do something better, write it in a more interesting
way and make the story and foundation of the story better for it. I think waiting is a bitch. I hate waiting and am impatient. This is NOT an asset in the garden or in
publishing, or in Hollywood. It’s all
about, “hurry up and wait.” Not
fun. It is a stern mistress, Patience
and one we must all bow to when handling our writing, waiting for the buds to
swell and open in Spring and get the perfect shot in a scene.
Gardening
is about generosity.
Writing
is also. Is there anything or anywhere
more generous than a garden in the Spring?
Is there anywhere more fertile than a writers mind when they are
creating and combing words, phrases and experience to make something mean
something to someone? The main thing I
would tell students in a writers group I led last year was “be generous with
your readers!” Share with them what is
really inside your head and the words inside your mouth. Slow down and stroll through the garden,
don’t run because when you run you risk tripping or missing something you’ll
need later. I’m in the middle, well,
more towards the end of editing the first book in an epic erotic horror trilogy
and I don’t know how many times I’ve stopped and had to go back because I
rushed through something and forgot a plotline I had to weave through to make
sense. This usually happens at 3am or
when I’ve just sat down for beer and mussels in Malibu.
Lastly,
Gardening is about forgiveness.
Writing
is also. The garden forgives. It forgives because it wants to grow and
continue to produce and live. Writing is
not a science. It is an art. It is a craft and with any craft, there is
error, bad decisions. The wrong plants
were bought, you planted a sun plant in the shade, you killed a cactus (They
always look thirsty to me.) Remind me to
tell you about my theory about Ivy and Lavender. You cannot give up because of cruel words,
mean retorts, rejection or mistakes because in the end we will get up tomorrow
(hopefully) and keep on doing IT, because we want to produce and live.
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Contest is open Dec 4th - 10th, open internationally to persons aged 16 and older. Winner will be notified via email and a winners post on Fictional Candy. Thank you for stopping by Fictional Candy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Xavier Axelson is a writer of erotica
for Silver Publishing and Seventh Window Publications. He is also the Los Angeles Sex Advice
Columnist for Examiner.com, contributes regularly to Queer Magazine Online, and
writes a column for All Bear Online Magazine.
Xavier has worked in the adult industry for over 15 years. During this time, he has assisted countless
people with exploring their healthy sexual needs, questions, and
lifestyles. Xavier has several degrees
in fields such as communications, library technology, and literature.
Where to find Xavier Axelson:
And be sure to stop by the previous stops on the tour for more fun!
11/29: Book Bags and Cat Naps
11/30: Chocoholic Bookie
12/1: Full Moon Bites
12/4: Fictional Candy
