Guestpost: Dreams by Erastes + Giveaway

Filed in Erastes , Giveaways , Guest Post , The Geeky Lover Posted on July 4, 2011 @ 6:00 am 21 comments
We are very happy to welcome Erastes here at Book Lovers Inc today. she writes gay historical fiction and her latest novel, Muffled Drum, is released today. Today she will tell us about dreams and what it feels like when they come true. Please be sure to stay till the end for your chance to win. 

Thank you Susi and The Book Lovers Inc for allowing me a guest post here.

I’m Erastes and I’m a female writer of gay historical fiction. My first book was published in 2006 and I’ve had a real blast ever since, meeting some really amazing people.
I’d like to talk about dreams a little before I introduce my new novel which is out today(!). Dreams are funny things, you can go around thinking “wouldn’t it be nice if…” but not really thinking about anything happening and then suddenly you find you are actually living your dream and you don’t know how it happened.
I always wanted to write but never thought in a million years I ever would, and as for writing full-time? Well that was never going to happen was it?

But I wrote a gay Regency-(Standish)-and sent it out–and after a year of rejections (because this was 2003-4 and no-one really knew what to do with it) it finally got picked up by PD Publishing and wonder of wonders–it sold! People were reading it! People were emailing me and telling me what they thought of it! (another dream–if you’d told me back in 2003 that I’d ever have readers’ letters I would never have believed you)

I remember chatting to my mother about the whole process and she would say “oh well, in a few years you’ll be writing for Mills and Boon” (who are Harlequin in the States as you probably know) and I’d say “Yeah, right…”

And here I am, just a few years later, writing for Carina, an imprint of Harlequin! So it just goes to show, that life takes us funny places but having dreams can help you keep going when you’ve had that 40th rejection, and you really want to give up.

Don’t Give Up.
And talking of not giving up, that’s one of the themes of my release today – MUFFLED DRUM.

It’s set during the short but bloody war of 1866–The Austro Prussian War and is the love story of Mathias, an eager young lieutenant in the Prussian Cavalry and Rittmeister Rudolph von Ratzlaff. They decide to resign their commissions, to avoid any scandal landing upon them, because they are sure someone will notice their affinity with each other. Resigning during active service was tantamount to cowardice–although an officer could do this–and it would have been social suicide for them both, so it’s a massive step. They meet on the morning before the battle, agree to meet up afterwards and leave in the evening.

As anyone with any knowledge of narrative causality, this is bound to mean something goes horribly wrong–and it does. Rudolph takes a blow to the head which knocks out two years of memories–including every single memory of Mathias, and Mathias has already resigned.
The story follows the decisions the men have to make and the trip they take together as they get to know each other (on Rudolph’s side at least) all over again–and the complications that two years’ missing memory can cause. Does Mathias give up on his lover?
You’ll have to read the book and see!
Have you ever felt like giving up with your writing? Or if you aren’t a writer, have you ever wanted to give up on something? Or perhaps you have? How did it work out for you? 
I’ll be interested in hearing your stories.
One commenter will win a copy of Muffled Drum, so don’t be shy!
Thanks for listening!

About The Author:
Erastes is the penname of a female writer who lives in Norfolk in the UK. She has written eight novels and over 20 short stories. She loves cats and cheese but only one of those is any good with toast. Check out her other novels on her website www.erastes.com
She can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

About the Book:

Bohemia, 1866
They met in a port-side tavern, their lust-filled moments stolen from days of marching and madness. After eighteen months, Captain Rudolph von Ratzlaff and First Lieutenant Mathias Hofmann have decided to run away from everything they hold dear. Resigning their commissions is social suicide, but there’s no other choice. Someone will eventually see Rudolph’s partiality toward Mathias.
Now their plans have gone horribly awry… When Mathias goes to Rudolph’s tent after their last battle, his lover looks at him without a hint of recognition. Mathias can hardly believe the man he knew is gone. He wants to fill in so many of Rudolph’s missing memories, but the doctor says a shock could result in permanent damage. The pain of seeing Rudolph on a daily basis, when Rudolph doesn’t remember their love, is excruciating. Now Mathias must decide whether he wants to fight for the man he loves or forget him completely…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~

Erastes generously offered an ebook copy of Muffled Drum to a lucky commenter.

All you have to do is answer at least one of Erastes’ questions: 
Have you ever felt like giving up with your writing? Or if you aren’t a writer, have you ever wanted to give up on something? Or perhaps you have? How did it work out for you? 
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email address or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, July 17 and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good luck!
Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

About Susi


Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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21 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • debbie July 4, 2011 at 8:10 am

    I have actually not given up on much. (Does housework count- LOL).
    The one time I did give up, was a business I had started to sell my folk art. It was quite successful, but a tree fell through my apartment, and I lost everything. I had to stop, but I am now thinking of starting it again.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  • Celine July 4, 2011 at 8:29 am

    Hi Erastes! Great guest post (:

    I actually am someone that gives up quite easily, even though I know I shouldn't. I'm bored very quickly, so I tend to abandon ideas after a short while.

    There are some things in life where you don't give up on though. If something is your dream, you stick with it, even in the bad times.

    I hope someday I can stick to one story enough to write a full novel (:

    (Repost because I forgot my email addy, oops :D)

    Celine
    nyxbookreviews@gmail.com

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  • Jen B. July 4, 2011 at 10:02 am

    I don't hesitate to give up on minor things. But when it comes to the major things, I dig in and hold on. I worked hard for eight years to finally earn the career of my dreams. Then I gave birth to my son. I called my boss to set up my return to work. Instead, I said I quit. I gave up the career and have never regretted it. I was an auditor and the hours were brutal. I just couldn't raise my child and be a good auditor. On the other hand, my father got sick last year. I dug in and did what was necessary. Even though my dad screamed and yelled that he could do it himself. I have backed off a little now that he is better but I have successful forced my way in to his medical care and I don't intend to let go. Your story about being a writer is quite inspirational. I have seen your books posted at a couple of sites and I have added you to my wish list. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

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  • Elin Gregory July 4, 2011 at 11:48 am

    It I'm writing just because I feel like it, because I have a story I'd like to tell, there's no problem. If I'm writing with the intention of showing the story to someone else then every time I put my hands on the keyboard I have a little voice telling me not to bother, it won't be any good, nobody will like it. So I pretend that nobody will see it but me. Daft, but whatever works, eh?

    Erastes is a great inspiration to a whole bunch of young [and old but novice] writers. She has blazed a trail for the rest of us to follow. She's a star!

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  • Erastes July 4, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Hi Jen

    I gave up on housework a long time ago…

    SO sorry to hear about your tree problem – I hope you get it started up again!

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  • Erastes July 4, 2011 at 11:50 am

    Hi Celine and thank you for commenting!

    Hi Erastes! Great guest post (:

    I surprised myself with writing, because I am notorious for "nine day wonders" and I get crazes which I'll do to the exclusion of everything else and then drop it, only to start something else. Writing has surprised me because I'm still slogging away at it. Perhaps it's because I was successful at selling a book–if I hadn't after a year or two I may have given up too. Don't tell anyone!

    I hope you get that novel done! Remember, just 300 words a day means a whole novel in a year.

    Thanks you!

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  • Erastes July 4, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    I don't blame you at all. I gave up working a few years ago due to a vile working place and horrendous bosses and like you, I don't regret it one bit. I'm poor as a church mouse but I'm HAPPY.

    I hope you like the book _ because your name came out of the hat, and you won! I wilL email it immediately and thank you so much for commenting.

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  • Erastes July 4, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    Elin -beleive me, we all have that – and if you don't then you are probably too arrogant for the business. Just do the best YOU can, and don't worry about anything else.

    Thank you so much for commenting and I know you can do it.

    xx

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  • Ju Dimello July 4, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Hi Erastes!

    I usually never had thoughts of giving up on writing..but the more we learn and find that the writing still needs loads of improvement…there're days when I just want to give it up..

    During those times I just take a break, go on a reading binge and forget the fact that I'm writing… This "refilling" the well, so to speak, has kept me afloat so far… But it doesn't get easier at all!

    Thanks for the giveaway.. Count me in : judimello AT gmail DOT com

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  • Jason July 4, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    I think everything worth doing is tough enough that at some point we think of giving it up. yes, to writing and to many other things. Even life at the darkest of moments. 🙂

    ~smooches~

    Jase
    vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com

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  • Erastes July 4, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Thank you, Jason – I agree with you wholeheartedly and thank you for commenting.

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  • Erastes July 4, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Ju – you are doing the right thing – reading reading reading is the best way to inspire you. Keep up the good work! and thank you for commenting!

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  • Meredith July 4, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    Yes, I gave up on my algebra class last semester. I wasn't learning anything, so I'm going to try again next semester!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  • Tore July 5, 2011 at 10:14 am

    When I was in high school, I gave up on my geometry class because I wasn't learning anything from the teacher. I took it again and did better with a different teacher. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

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  • Erastes July 5, 2011 at 11:13 am

    Thank you, both – Meredith and Tore. I'm afraid you didn't win – but if you do try the book, I hope you like it!

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  • Erastes July 5, 2011 at 11:39 am

    ignore my last comment – I didn't read the rules properly… the draw stays open for two weeks! Good luck everyone!!!

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  • Chris July 7, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I'm a reader, not a writer. And I often give up on things without much fuss because I'm kind of lazy. Something I haven't given up on is my blog, even though it takes quite a bit of work.

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  • Erica Pike July 8, 2011 at 3:15 am

    My first full-length manuscript was a 125,000 word YA that I wrote even before I'd read a word about how to write. I was so proud of it and edited the best I knew how. I got so many rejections, lol (the query letter was also horrific). I've improved worlds since then, but when I realized I'd have to shorten it by roughly 35,000 words in order to be able to have a chance, it all got so daunting that I still haven't gotten around to it. I will re-write it someday though. Anyway, since I discovered the wonders of gay lit it's a little difficult to get back to the YA world 😉

    Erica.

    eripike@gmail.com

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  • Erastes July 8, 2011 at 3:24 am

    Hi Chris,

    I know how you feel, I do feel like givingup a lot, but the writing urge kicks me in the pants, thank goodness!

    Thanks for dropping by!

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  • Erastes July 8, 2011 at 3:26 am

    Heh – I know just how that is. My first query letters were horrendous! I wish I'd had someone to mentor me back then.

    Hope you manage to dust off that novel one day, and thank you for commenting!

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  • June M. July 9, 2011 at 1:07 am

    I am not a writer so I can't imagine how hard it is for you all to keep from giving up from time to time. However, there were times in college when I would consider it, especially when I was working full time, going to school full time, and going through some serious sleep deprivation. Luckily I did not though.

    GFC follower: June M.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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