Thanks to the authors of Fiction with Friction for inviting me by the blog today. My first release is available at Loose Id this week, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The book is titled MORE and is the story of a confirmed loner who breaks all his rules for two men he meets at a sex club. Too bad his father will do almost anything to put a stop to the relationship.
Writing and submitting a book was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. And with its release I’ve been thinking a lot on life and goals and love and risks.
Thinking about all that took me back in time to my very first love.
He was an older boy who lived down the street from me and wanted to play “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” Uh, get your minds out of the gutter, folks. He was talking about my horse and his goat.
And no, those aren’t some special code words for penis and vajayjay. I grew up on a farm. I really had a horse. And he really had a goat.
There was much discussion on the deal. I think it went like this…
Gary: “I’ll bring my goat tomorrow.”
Me: “Okay.”
Gary: “You can show me your horse.”
Me: “Okay.”
I think I mentioned he was older than I, and I was seriously crushing on him, so words weren’t my forte right then. I was lucky I could form single syllables.
The next day, he dragged that goat almost a mile from his house to mine along a major two-lane US highway. I can just imagine all the truckers and summer vacationing families laughing at this kid walking his goat down the center of the ditch, the blazing sun beating down on them, sweat dripping off his brow, the stubborn goat stopping every few steps, and Gary dragging it by the little rope he had looped around her neck. You really would have thought Gary was getting a piece of ass for how much effort he went to with that goat. That boy loved horses.
I would’ve loved a kiss, but I never did get to kiss Gary.
After the horse/goat deal, we didn’t see each other as much. When it came time for me to go to the same high school as he, I decided I’d work up the nerve to talk to him again. It was my chance to get him to notice me. I had it all planned out. I was going to be lost, wandering by his locker and have to ask him how to find my next classroom. Not the greatest setup, but I was fourteen. Give me a break.
Never did get to try it out, though. Gary was killed in a car crash before the school year started. As far I know, he never did get to ride a horse.
That’s a regret I still carry with me. I should have asked Gary if he wanted to take my horse out for a ride, even if it meant I’d get in trouble when my parents got home. I should’ve offered. I should’ve asked.
I should’ve kissed him.
If I had only known that summer we spent together was the only one I was ever going to have, I would have taken a chance sooner.
Sometimes taking a risk is the best option. So my advice…if there’s ever something you really want to try but are afraid to, don’t let the fear stop you. I wanted to write a novel about three men who meet on the same night and fall in love. I guess…dreams really do come true.
So what was your first love? Your first crush? Did you kiss? Hold hands? Come on, I’m feeling nostalgic. Share…
Thanks again to Fiction with Friction for letting me share today. If anyone wants to know more about MORE, you can read an excerpt and sample chapters at my website: http://www.sloanparker.com/books-More.htm
Many thanks. And good luck to each of you on making your own dreams come true.
Sloan
Written by Sloan Parker
Sloan Parker has been writing stories and playing with the characters in her head for years and is thrilled to finally have her work available for others to read. She loves to explore the romantic lives of everyday people…people who are growing as individuals, living as true to themselves as they can, and of course, falling in love.
Visit The Author's Website
Tags: guest, sloan parker










Tam wrote,
What a funny and yet sad story. Great advice though.
Hmmm. The first real crush I had was a guy named John in high school. The closest I ever got to the brass ring was sitting with his arm around me at a party, but we were both totally drunk so not sure it counts. LOL I was way to shy to try more and probably still am. Good luck with your new release.
Link | March 25th, 2010 at 5:37 am
Sloan Parker wrote,
Hi Tam. Hope my story didn’t bum you out too bad. It was a big lesson for me.
Hey, his arm around you counts. It doesn’t matter how drunk you were. That’s body contact — it always counts. ;)
Thanks for the comment and best wishes!
Sloan
Link | March 25th, 2010 at 11:01 am
KathyK wrote,
Sloan, that’s … beautiful and sad, and a lesson for us all. Sometimes it’s all to easy to let things slide rather than take a chance, but after reading your blog and — even more importantly — MORE, it’s definitley something to live by.
My first great love? Elementary school; Craig… grades 5 and 6. I crushed on him soooo bad. But that was the time of my life that depression started taking bits and pieces from me. But even now, 40+ years later? I still remember the feelings that I had when I saw him… and I think that I used those feelings as a measuring stick when I would find myself attracted to someone. The only man I ever loved and could see me spending the rest of my life with is my husband. I liked other guys, but Joe was it and I knew it. I think my younger self was much more on the ball than my younger adult self. *grin*
Link | March 26th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Sloan Parker wrote,
Hi Kathy,
It sounds like you and Joe have a beautiful thing together. And that’s one powerful crush after 40+ years. I can relate.
Thanks for sharing,
Sloan
Link | March 26th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Jet Mykles wrote,
Oh man, so sad he was killed before you could get a chance with him. I did take a chance with my first love. Asked him to our school’s Sadie Hawkins’ dance. It was great and I got my first kiss. That’s as far as it went though. We weren’t meant to be.
Good advice on the taking the chance though. You never know.
Thanks for joining us, Sloan, and mega-congrats on your first release!!
Link | March 28th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Sloan Parker wrote,
Thanks, Jet! I’m glad to hear you did get a kiss from your first love. A first love and a first kiss…a wonderful combination!
Thanks again for the congrats!
Sloan
Link | March 28th, 2010 at 11:53 am