October 1, 2019.
Unable to visit with friends, two of whom were out of state, I decided that I had time to tackle a big project of a sort I had been thinking of for sometime.
Looking thru some image folders, I found a picture of a red-headed tomboy. Her freckles gave me the name for my project and I typed my title into the editor: Butterscotch. Over the next 48 days, I wrote 41 chapters of my saga, each about 1750 words, 74K+ total. I took a one week break for a planned vacation to Florida, then back in California and five more chapters before Christmas. 46 chapters and more than 84,000 words. It was finished except for a chapter or two to tie things up for an ending.
The pandemic hit and I didn't write anything for about three months, worried about friends and family and myself.
I started workshopping the story with my writing group, Taking Pains. These are not TG authors and the usual stuff I showed them was my thrillers and general fiction, but they had seen Love Less in previous workshops. They loved Butterscotch and helped me polish the prose and untangle the plot. We were meeting electronically but the wonderful rapport we had with each other continued.
I wrote chapter 47 in March of 2020, the week the lockdowns began. I had reached a different ending than the one originally planned but it was a pleasing outcome.
I started posting the workshopped chapters to BC in May, 2020, because I needed some cheering up. At first I posted two a week, then slowed down to one a week, then one every ten days or so. Readers seemed to love the adventures of Kissy, the redheaded transgirl with the butterscotch-flavored freckles.
I wrote the last chapter in May of 2021, a year after I posted the first chapter to BC. Today, I posted that chapter. There's a setup there for a second book, tentatively titled "Butterscotch Remedy".
Goodbye, Kissy, until we meet again.
Love and hugs to all,
Erin
Comments
In love
I fell on love with Kissy at first read and can’t get enough. The characters have a wonderful rapport and meld together so well. Kissy just can’t help herself being propelled by influences beyond her control but she seems to be in for the ride. I would love to read about Marjorie and Rory’s viewpoint and especially what is really driving him. It’s fairly straightforward for Marjorie but Rory must always be aware of Kissy’s true gender and the reality of their affair. Are they really in love and will it ever be consummated? To use a cliche Kissy is on a rollercoaster and when it stops she will think hard about her future. I live for the day when the first words of the next book is published. Thank you Erin.
Glenda Ericsson
When stopping...
When stopping your own personal roller coaster, try not to do it on a hill. :)
I don't know if it's love like in the songs but Kissy and Rory have something she doesn't have with Armand and Marjorie, who do both love her. It's complicated, ain't it?
Thanks, for commenting.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
A look behind the curtain
Thank you so much for letting us take a peek behind the curtain. So much went into the production of this wonderful story. But foremost is the creation of the delightful Kissy. The ugly duckling turns into a swan trope is beautifully buttressed by comic characters out of a Billy Wilder film. I await the second book with bated breath. But until then I expect I'll need to gargle with some mouthwash.
Hugs,
Sammy
Billy Wilder, huh? :)
I love the compliment!
Thanks, hon, and hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
I've been sad,
ever since that last chapter dropped, and now I'm a happy girl again! Kissy will be back and I'm dancing in the streets.
So much story
Butterscotch has just too much story for one book. :)
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
The Kissy Story Is Special
For me, the story rates high in plausibility. I just don't remember if she had undescended Testies, or if they were absent. Since the Doctor offered either male or female hormones and she chose female, that provided all the validity I needed. The story was very readable and I did not detect any editing errors. I do hope that you do a sequel.
I wish I had an accessible writing group. Before the pandemic, I was attending a small one through the church but I could not have done anything that was not very conservative through them.
Very good then.
Gwen
Medical plausibility
Kissy suffered, if that is the right word, from delayed puberty due to hypogonadism and perhaps some underlying condition not explored. The usual treatment would have been hormone therapy based on natal sex. Kissy chose a female puberty instead. I tried to keep things plausible.
I appreciate your comments. :)
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Can't Resist
I found the first chapters so I'm reading it again. :)
Gwen
:)
Go for it. :)
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.