Sloan Parker's Blog

Thanks to my fabulous and wickedly smart uncle (Hey T!) I learned how to play Pandemic a few months back. It was my first time playing a cooperative board game where players work together rather than compete against each other. We just got our own copy of Pandemic and have been playing the two player version. I have to say, I love cooperative games like this!

Maybe it’s the romantic in me that prefers the non-competitive nature of the game. I really hate seeing my sweetie get frustrated when I’m kicking her ass in a game. I mean, all we have to do is mention the game Clue and I can see her get all serious like she might actually be able to beat me this time, then her expression falls as she thinks, Nope. She ALWAYS wins that game.

Then there’s the other night when we decided to play Monopoly, something we haven’t played in years. I think I ended up in jail 42 times. My mood was pretty good the first 40 times, but I hit the 41st and it was no longer funny. It was just sad.

At least with Pandemic if we go down, we do it as a couple and have some laughs at ourselves at the same time.

Now if we could just figure out how to always get us a happy ending in Pandemic, all would be right with the world. (I do love my happy, all-is-right-with-the-world endings.)

What’s your favorite board game? I’m a game geek and would love to try out some new ones.

I only have a minute to post today, and I know I’ve posted on this topic before, but I wanted to give a shout of thanks out to everyone who has taken the time to write and let a romance author know when you’ve enjoyed one of their stories. Please know, authors really do appreciate the effort.

I’ve received some amazing emails lately, and no matter how often it happens, there is nothing sweeter and more rewarding than knowing when one of my stories was an enjoyable experience for someone. And even better is knowing that story touched the reader in a meaningful way. Your words of appreciation and encouragement mean more than I can say.

Thank you!
Sloan

If you haven’t checked out Goodreads or the M/M Romance group you should take a look.

What is Goodreads?
“Goodreads is the largest social network for readers in the world. We have more than 4,600,000 members who have added more than 130,000,000 books to their shelves. A place for casual readers and bona-fide bookworms alike, Goodreads members recommend books, compare what they are reading, keep track of what they’ve read and would like to read, form book clubs and much more.” (source: Goodreads)

What is the M/M Romance Group?
“The #1 resource on the internet for M/M Romance fans, this group has something for everyone.

• Book and Series Discussions
• Daily Updates on New Releases and Author News
• Book of the Month Group Reads
• Reading Challenges
• Author Info & Writing Discussions
• Erotic Photos
• Games, Contests & Quizes”

(source: M/M Romance group)

The group currently has 2700 members, and they estimate they’ll have 3000 by mid June. They are also the top 20th most popular group on Goodreads which totally kicks ass when you think about the fact that this group is based on such a small niche market. Definitely a sign that readership and love of the genre is growing.

As a reader of m/m romances, I only wish I had more time to hang out there. If you’re a reader of the genre, you should definitely think about checking out the M/M Romance group.

Sharing a couple links today…

• Earlier this week I blogged about my love of audio books at my RWA chapter blog. The post is titled What Else Can I Clean? I’d love for you to stop by and let me know what you think of audio books. Do you listen to them? If so, do you find you lose yourself in the story as much as if you were reading the book yourself? Or perhaps more?
• Author SJ Frost has written a fabulous article about the unsung heroes of the publishing world: the editors. Definitely all true, so I’ll take this opportunity to say another huge thank you to my editor at Loose Id, Antonia, and the line editors and proof readers who have helped with my stories. Your insights, time, and effort are greatly appreciated!

This post is dedicated to my mom, a small-town librarian from the time I was four until she retired earlier this year, who took me to work with her during my youth and shared her love of reading with this curious dreamer.

I recently had dinner with a friend who works at a public library here in my home state, and she told me about a very interesting program she had just finished teaching. It was a creative writing course for veterans. The class was made up of men of varying ages who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. Most came for two reasons: to learn creative writing techniques that could help them share their stories with others and to learn how to write for their own therapeutic needs.

She called it powerful watching the men slowly open up to her–and each other–about their experiences and why they needed to write about them. As she talked about the class, I could picture the mix of old and young men from very different wars all nodding in understanding as common themes were explored. My friend said she was certain she learned more from them than they did from her. Hearing about the class and the experience it must have been for everyone reminded me how much I love libraries.

Even today, with the vast amount of information available on-line, libraries are offering services that are hard to replicate. Those veterans came together in one room, face-to-face, and learned ways to share their tragic and heroic pasts with others and how to use writing to heal their own hearts.

Libraries still offer so much to those who may not otherwise be able to afford or locate certain resources.

So if you haven’t been by your own local library lately, take a look and see what they are offering. You might be surprised.

Sloan

Since the release of my first book, More, I’ve heard from many wonderful readers via email, Facebook, Twitter, various groups, blogs, and other sites. It’s amazing to me how many people take the time to let a writer know a little something about the experience of reading a book.

So today, I wanted to send out a message of thanks to everyone who takes the time to let authors know which books you’ve enjoyed and why. I can tell you, it means a lot to the writer. We spend so much time in our heads, in our writing caves, editing and polishing a story that means something special to us. For you to take a moment and offer a compliment or word of encouragement is pretty damn cool to me. Thank you, all!

Side note: I try to respond to all emails (except the obvious spam). If you send me something, and I don’t get back to you in a week or two, I probably didn’t get your message. Feel free to send again or use my contact form.

Have a great weekend!
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Last week I finally had a chance to watch Shelter. I had heard enough about the film that I had no doubts it was something I’d like. And like it I did. Actually, I loved it. It’s on my favorites list for sure. A romantic story with a lovely ending. A “must see” for anyone who enjoys m/m romances.

Here’s a description and the trailer if you haven’t had a chance to check it out:

“Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe’s older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach’s selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family.” (source: Amazon)

Anyone else seen it? If you haven’t, I highly recommend this movie.
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

On a personal note this week, I want to wish my mom a happy retirement! And a happy second retirement to my dad who’s about to finish up with his job too! They just bought a motor home and GPS. I’m thinking we may never see them again.

In all seriousness I wish them a relaxing, joyful, and entertaining retirement. They deserve it.

I owe both my parents a huge thanks for teaching me the value of hard work. They have strong work ethics and give their all to whatever they do. I’ve always admired that about them. Well, actually when I was little I thought that was how everyone went about their work. Then I grew older, got out in the real world, and realized not everyone is like that.

So thanks, Mom and Dad. I owe part of my determination and dedication with my writing to you. Happy retirement to you both!

And just for fun I’m including a pic of the folks. And since they’d probably kill me if I posted anything recent, it’s one of my favorites from their earlier days.

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Here’s a fun joke that had me smiling. Thanks to the lovely Silver Pixies for sharing this one.

Found on the Refrigerator One Morning:

My Dear Wife,
You will surely understand that I have certain needs that you, being 54 years old, can no longer satisfy. I am very happy with you and I value you as a good wife. Therefore, after reading this letter, I hope that you will not wrongly interpret the fact that I will be spending the evening with my 18 year old secretary at the Comfort Inn Hotel. Please don’t be upset–I shall be home before midnight.

When the man came home late that night, he found the following letter on the dining room table:

My Dear Husband,
I received your letter and thank you for your honesty about my being 54 years old. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that you are also 54 years old. As you know, I am a math teacher at our local college. I would like to inform you that while you read this, I will be at the Hotel Fiesta with Michael, one of my students, who is also the assistant tennis coach. He is young, virile, and like your secretary, is 18 years old. As a successful businessman who has an excellent knowledge of math, you will understand that we are in the same situation, although with one small difference – 18 goes into 54 a lot more times than 54 goes into 18. Therefore, I will not be home until sometime tomorrow.

Silly, silly man.
Sloan

Once a week I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else). So here is this week’s For the Love of…

Today I’m loving this story:
Long Island lovebirds celebrate 60-year anniversary at Waldorf Astoria – and at 1950′s prices!

“These 60 years were the happiest years of my life,” Robert said to his wife at the altar of the Lady Chapel in the rear of the majestic Fifth Ave. cathedral.

“I love you and will marry you again if you want, for another 60 years.”

It’s nice to hear about love still going strong after 60 years. Cheers to Robert and Edith!!
Sloan Parker