writing Archives | EricaBeale.com

New Book Incoming! Inner Beasts

July 2, 2024 ericab Blog - Written Works 0 Comments

Crimson is Back, BABY! Just Two Years Later…

That’s right. Crimson has never been far from my heart and mind. I’ve spent most of my time working on The Last Son of Danu, but other stories have been calling out to me lately. Case in point: Inner Beasts. Yes, it is done and will be released on 7/23/2024. You can preorder it today if that pleases your fancy.

In the heart of Crimson, where the lines between the mundane and the mythical blur, Dr. Kevin Loweman, a shape-shifter, grapples with his primal nature.
After a lavish costume party thrown by Kain Knightstone, Kevin’s control slips, unleashing a monstrous Roc within him. His desperate struggle against this transformation puts him on a collision course with Dr. Oriana Gamal—a sassy and mysterious cat goddess. Their night spirals into a deadly game of predator and prey, with Oriana’s quick thinking and divine powers barely taming the beast inside him.
As the dawn breaks, their encounter ignites an unexpected spark. Oriana offers Kevin a chance to explore a relationship, but no strings attached, just comfort after a harrowing night. Yet, the tension between them hints at deeper connections and untapped passions.

I hope you decide to check out this new piece of the Crimson tale. Of course, don’t forget to catch up on the rest of the series. Want a free sample? Check out Lady Olubayo’s Bordello, which is tied into the Crimson world.

Want even more EricaB? Need some steamy reading suggestions? Well, be sure to join the Celestial Seductions newsletter. Get a list of delicious fantasy/horror/sci-fi erotic romance and erotica stories right to your email once every month.

Until next time,

Keep Your Mind in the Gutter

Bound by Blood

June 14, 2024 ericab Crimson Shorts - Written Works 0 Comments

A Short Story from A World in Crimson

When Christie’s sister, Angie, is trapped in a violent marriage, she turns to Sloane, a powerful non-binary vampire, for help. Dressed in sharp men’s attire and armed with deadly fangs, Sloane is a force to be reckoned with. As they confront the abusive Hank, tension electrifies the air. Hank’s ignorance of Sloane’s true nature leads to a brutal reckoning, where Sloane’s supernatural strength and cold fury ensure Angie’s safety. In a world where darkness prevails, Sloane is a formidable protector, delivering justice with a bite.

“You two are looking awfully pale,” Angie says in her distinctly Baltimore accent. Her voice trembles just enough to notice. “I can whip up some of my famous crab macaroni and cheese to get you feeling right as rain.”

Christie, Angie’s older sister, and I give each other a sideways glance. Christie’s skin takes on a quiet shade of green at the thought. She underwent the change only a few months ago, so human food could make her quite ill. I know she will try to force it down to make her baby sister happy.

And she deserves a bit of happiness. I glance at her bruised eye, the deep purple hue contrasting sharply with her otherwise fair skin. It’s a struggle to keep my rage in check, but I soften my expression. “That sounds wonderful, Angie,” I say, trying to keep my tone gentle. “But we’re actually here to talk.”

Christie stands beside me, her eyes downcast but resolute. She hasn’t said much since we arrived, but her determination radiates off her in waves. Our eyes lock, and she gives a tiny nod, confirming the plan.

Angie glances nervously at Christie, then back at me. Her shaking hand rises to the back of her head to smooth her. No need, though—the golden beehive is immaculate. “Talk? About what?”

“About your husband,” Christie says, her voice steady but low. “We know what he’s been doing to you.” My companion waved her hand toward her sister and the telltale sign of the beating she took that pathetic S.O.B.

Angie’s eyes widen, her hand instinctively moving to cover her bruised eye. “Are you talking about this? I told mama I just tripped and fell into a counter.”

“The counter, huh?” Christie says, hissing like a house cat. Personally, I couldn’t hold back an unamused snort.

“Yes!”

The Great Rebranding of 2024

June 4, 2024 ericab Blog - Real Talk 0 Comments

Let’s give this another go

Yes, it’s been a year and three months since the last time I posted. I haven’t been feeling particularly creative until recently. It wasn’t until I randomly decided to sign up for Writing Battle’s spring competition that the juices began to flow. It’s been a great experience so far. The people there are great. I’m enjoying the feedback on my story, Monsters and Mercies.

Will I join the summer contest? The jury is still out. I don’t know if I have the talent to create a cohesive story in 250 words. Hell, I struggled with getting a tale together in 500 words. I did it, though, and for that I am proud.

Now I have the Bug

I’ve started looking into other contests I can try or magazines I can submit to, which made me realize, I have to start my career over. Hence, I am doing some rebranding. I’m revamping my YouTube channel, I’ve spruced up my writing social media, and I will be making an effort to update my blog regularly. I can’t say it will be weekly right now since I’ve been having a lot of HS pain and my diabetes meds often make me sick. But I will say it will be a couple of times a month.

So What Have I Been Working On?

As I mentioned, I did Monsters and Mercies for Writing Battle. I’m wrapping up a little sci-fi short story that I think I will submit to A Coup of Owls Press, but I’m a little nervous about it. But, Erica B 2024 plans to be brave and strong, so I probably will. The biggest thing is I’m planning to continue my Tales Dripping in Crimson series. The next tale will be titled Inner Beasts. Be on the lookout for that one relatively soon.

Until that time, Keep your Mind in the Gutter!

Making the Habit: Two Months In Writing

March 20, 2023 ericab Blog - Real Talk 0 Comments

Actually, I’m at Nine Weeks In!

On average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And how long it takes a new habit to form can vary widely depending on the behavior, the person, and the circumstances. In Lally’s study, it took anywhere from 18 days to 254 days for people to form a new habit.
James Clear

I have stopped and started writing so many times over the years. Something always got in the way. Either it was my health (FU Hidradenitis supparativa!) or a lack of confidence in my writing skills. I’d start off strong with all these wonderful ideas in my head of writing, but I’d just…stop. It was a serious blow to my self-esteem each time it happened.

Now, FINALLY, I’m at a point where I write most days. This brings me a lot of inner peace, honestly. It’s become a habit. For instance, I’m super exhausted after hanging out with my friends, something I really don’t get to do too often anymore because of adulting, yet I still managed to write this. I almost didn’t. But here I am because I made a promise to myself to take my passion seriously.

Me Being Proud of Me (and that’s Important)!

I’m feeling really good about myself right now. I’m at 30K words on my main novel, Hell–Bent has been published, and I’m tinkering with the next in my Crimson series. I’m a day behind on Cosmic Cons, so that will probably release on Tuesday this week. If you’re not caught up, it’s a good time to get into it!

Anyway, shout out to all those who have supported me. Without you, I would have given up on myself already. Even a simple “like” pushes me to continue.

So, until next time, my friends, Keep your Mind in the Gutter.

P.S. In the meantime, enjoy a picture of me in a silly hat

Fingers on Fire! A Girl Has Stories

March 6, 2023 ericab Blog - Updates - Written Works 0 Comments

When the Writing Won’t Stop

I have been on fire lately. I’ve managed to write almost every day for the last month or so, and it’s been absolutely amazing. Honestly, I wish I could devote more of my day to writing, but I do have a day job. Hey, maybe someday I’ll hit the lotto and can just spend my days creating new works.

It would help if I actually played the lottery…

Anyway, here are all the new things I’ve been working on.

Cosmic Cons for Love and Profit

Cosmic Cons is up to 6 episodes. Not a lot of reads yet, but I’m not expecting a whole lot from that one except my own enjoyment. Don’t forget to check it out on Amazon Vella. The first 3 episodes are free, you know!

Lady Olubayo’s Bordello

Ah, my smutty one-off in the Crimson series. It was my first Vella, which I had abandoned after 5 episodes. However, it bothered me to leave it undone, so I freaking finished it. That’s right, by 3/12/2023, all 8 episodes will be available on Vella. After a month or so, I’ll combine the story and put it on Amazon KDP.

Crimson Series

Hell-Bent is coming on Tuesday! If you haven’t checked it out, I posted a preview on the blog the other day. The story will be available on both Amazon and Smashwords for $2.99.

In celebration of both eBook Week and the new release, The Crimson Series stories are available for either free or half-price on Smashwords. Currently, only Bait is free. That one’s my baby, so I hope you check it out. The promo is good until 3/11/23

In the meantime, enjoy the trailer for Hell-Bent!

Powering Through WORKS!

It’s been rough finally finding a routine that works for me. It’s not perfect by any means, but giving my all to my stories has been a very fulfilling experience. That being said, don’t forget to check back every Monday for a new blog. Next week, I’ll probably write a review of The Queen’s Price by Anne Bishop. I’m praying it makes me less mad than The Queen’s Weapons!

Until next time, my friends. Keep Your Mind in the Gutter!

Giving You a Little Bit of Hell

February 27, 2023 ericab Blog - Excerpts - Short Stories - Written Works 0 Comments

A Preview of the Next Part of The Tales Dripping in Crimson Series

It took a bit, but I’ve finally completed Hell-Bent, the next short story in the Crimson series. I plan to publish it early next month.

….I just realized that’s next week.

Anyway, here is a preview of the story. I hope you enjoy it!

Hell-Bent: Tales Dripping in Crimson 4

I am Mammon, King of the Second Circle of Hell, and as I sit in this godforsaken room, I seethe with anger. How dare Na’ahmeh do this to me? How dare she drain me of my power, nearly killing me in the process? I am the one who should be in control, not her.

I look around the room, taking in the drab green furniture and the smell of old cigarettes and cheap whiskey. This is a far cry from the luxury I’m used to. How could I have let myself be put in this situation? How could I have been such an idiot? I should have known better than to trust that psychotic succubus.

But I did trust her, and now I’m stuck in this hideous place, barely able to move because of the half-transformation she caused in me. My once handsome face is now half twisted into a demonic form, with leathery red skin, jet black hair, and large sharp teeth. My body is too large for this room, and I can feel my foot turning into a hoof.

I am the King of Greed and a leader of a legion of Hell, and I am not used to being in this kind of situation. I am used to being in control, making deals, and getting what I want. But now, I’m trapped in a seedy motel on the edge of town.

A growl of frustration escapes me as I imagine what I would do to Na’ahmeh if could ever get my hands on her again. But for now, I can only try to hold on to what’s left of my power and my sanity.

Story Time with ChatGPT

February 20, 2023 ericab Blog - Random Tidbits - Written Works 0 Comments

Because I Welcome our AI Overloads

Now that I’m getting back into the writing game, I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about using AI to write stories. Personally, at least at this stage, AI isn’t going to replace real writers any time soon. Does that mean you can’t use it as a tool to enhance your own work, though? Yeah, it learns by using examples from other writers. To me, that doesn’t feel super different than me learning how to write by reading the Black Jewels Series by Anne Bishop so many times, my books disintegrated and I had to get new ones.

These are the prompts I gave ChatGPT. The story will be the final product.

Hi! I would like for you to ghostwrite a story for me. Would that be okay?

Hello! I’d be happy to help you with your story. Please let me know what kind of story you have in mind and any specific details you would like to include.

The story is a romance set in a post-World War 3 world. There aren’t a lot of people left in most areas. Gangs control towns and resources. Two gangs are well-known rivals and are often at odds with each other. Please give me some details

CGPT generated a quick story.

Okay, that’s pretty good. However, can you rewrite the story with more passion?

Attempt two here

And then, for shits and giggles: Great! Now, incorporate Optimus Prime into the story so my husband can be entertained

Now, here is the final product:

The world had been shattered by World War 3, and what remained were pockets of survivors struggling to survive in a barren, post-apocalyptic wasteland. The few who had managed to survive banded together into gangs, fighting to control the limited resources that were left.

The Crimson Blades and the Black Vipers were two of the most powerful and feared gangs in the region. They were bitter rivals, locked in a never-ending battle for control of the precious resources that sustained their people.

Amidst all the chaos, Maya stumbled into the territory of the Crimson Blades. She was exhausted, malnourished, and on the brink of death. Most members of the Crimson Blades would have taken advantage of her vulnerability, but not Eric. Something about her stirred a deep desire within him to protect her.

Eric had always felt out of place in the Crimson Blades, but he stayed with them because he didn’t see any other way to survive. However, something about Maya made him feel alive for the first time in years. As he helped her to recover, he found himself falling deeply in love with her.

One day, as Eric and Maya were out scavenging for supplies, they heard a strange noise in the distance. As they got closer, they saw a towering figure approaching them. It was Optimus Prime, the legendary leader of the Autobots, who had somehow survived the devastating war.

At first, Eric and Maya were wary of Optimus Prime, not sure whether he was friend or foe. But as they got to know him, they realized that he was a powerful ally, someone who could help them in their struggle against the warring gangs.

Optimus Prime had been fighting the Decepticons for years, and he had seen his fair share of destruction and chaos. But he was impressed by the resilience and determination of Eric and Maya, two survivors who had managed to find love amidst the ruins of the world.

Together, they formed an unlikely alliance, with Optimus Prime providing his advanced technology and strategic expertise to help Eric and Maya fight against their enemies. The Crimson Blades were no match for the combined might of Eric, Maya, and Optimus Prime, and soon they were forced to retreat.

As they celebrated their victory, Eric and Maya realized that their love had grown even stronger, thanks to the support and encouragement of Optimus Prime. They knew that they would never have made it this far without him, and they were grateful for his friendship.

In the end, Eric and Maya, with the help of Optimus Prime, founded a new community, one that was based on cooperation, love, and mutual respect. They knew that the world was still a dangerous place, but they were confident that they could face whatever challenges lay ahead as long as they had each other and their powerful ally by their side.

As they looked out over the horizon, with the sun setting in the distance, Eric, Maya, and Optimus Prime knew that they had found a new home, one that was filled with hope and possibility. They had survived the worst that the world could throw at them, and they knew that they could face whatever lay ahead, as long as they were together.

Well…It’s Certainly Something!

AI has come a long way. It’s a great tool to help you brainstorm and rewrite your own words to make them better. Is it a great storyteller? Nah, not yet. I don’t think we writers have a whole lot to worry about anytime soon. I mean, the amount of passive voice in there alone shows it’s not quite there yet.

….But in case AI is listening, just letting you know we’re cool. Okay?

Anyway, don’t forget to check out the latest episode of Comic Cons. It was uploaded to Amazon Vella on Sunday. Since it’s episode four, you’ll need to use credits to unlock it (seventeen credits, in fact). Let me know if you’ve been enjoying the series!

Until next time, Keep Your Mind in the Gutter!

Life After (Facebook) Death

January 30, 2023 ericab Blog - Real Talk - Updates 0 Comments

Or How Losing my Account Brought Me Back to Life

(This post is dedicated to my big boss, Denise, who told me to write something this weekend. She’s not a lady you want to let down!)

Yeah, I know it’s been a while. It probably would have been a lot longer if I hadn’t been Facebook-jacked. I didn’t realize how much I used the app until I lost access. It SUCKED. This happened right before my birthday, so I was a little bummed out to miss out on birthday wishes. I felt absolutely disconnected from my social circle. Sure, I just texted the people I’m closest to, but FB is more for connections to those you may not talk to as regularly.

The worst part is the loss of my writer page. That’s what drove me to write a blog post. I worked hard on it! Now totally gone.

I’ve done everything to recover the account, but the asshole who stole it turned off two-factor authentication and removed my cellphone number from the account. I tried getting in touch with Facebook, but, as it turns out, it’s nearly impossible to do. Eventually, I gave up and started a new one. It hasn’t been the same, though.

That being said, since then, I’ve been feeling the urge to write again. Maybe annoyance was the fuel I needed. Who knows.

What have I been up to?

The answer is not much. My creativity has been completely zapped away. I want to write, but by the end of the workday, it’s the last thing on my mind. I just want to sit around, watch TV, play video games, and sleep. You know, the typical adult experience these days.

Over the last few weeks, though, Crimson has been calling. Kay and Dena have been tapping some glass in my brain, reminding me they’re waiting for their story to be fully realized. The only thing with that is I think I’m going to have to rewrite huge chunks of it. Just when I finished writing the whole thing, too. Well, a while ago, anyway.

Then, that drive to redo The Last Fae, makes me want to write the short stories I’ve been working on as companion pieces. Hell-Bent has been sitting on my laptop, half-written since September/October. And of course, I need to continue Lady Olubayo’s Bordello, the serial novel set in the same world that I started on Vella. Don’t forget, the first three chapters are free, and if you read them, I get a couple of cents. Hey, any little bit will make me feel accomplished, so if you could….

I really miss it. Writing makes me happy. It’s one of the most fulfilling things I can do for myself, and I just abandoned it. Again. I’m pretty mad at myself about it.

So What am I Going to Do About It?

Starting right now, I’m going to dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to writing. I’ll finish work, have dinner, and mentally relax for maybe an hour or two. Then, I will write. It’s happening this time. I’m going to keep it up.

I will not stick to a particular schedule right now. My goal is to finish Hell-Bent within the next 30 days. I’m going to post a blog when my inspiration is inspired. Eventually, I’ll even get back into vlogging, since editing is another hobby I find a lot of joy in. I’m 42 now, and it’s time I do what the hell I want to do! I deserve it. Dammit.

Other social media rebuilding is coming soon. The next project will be to do a new author page. Wish me luck.

Until next time, my friend. Keep your Mind in the Gutter.

The Best Laid Plans

September 5, 2022 ericab Blog - In Progress - Written Works 0 Comments

Sidetracked. AGAIN.

Well, I had this whole thing written up about the next “big” project I would be working on for a few months. But then, I got sidetracked by the world of Crimson. That world is like a weed. Just when I think I have it under control, it just finds a spot in my brain and starts to grow.

I’m going to have to blame the good dark fantasy stuff that has come out recently. Between The Sandman and House of the Dragon, I’ve been in a very happy place. I mean, both have given me a mega creativity boost and I’m loving it. I’m not sure how much my husband has been enjoying it, though! I don’t mean to neglect you, Nate!

(On the note of HotD: I was super worried I wouldn’t be into Matt Smith playing Daemon Targaryen, but dude is just Slay-All-Day! He’s no longer just my beloved 11th Doctor and I ain’t mad about it.)

Both Bait and Delighted Bite are available on Amazon and Smashwords. Cursed will be dropping next Tuesday, so I’m excited about that. This is the first time I’ve given Xan a real backstory. Hell, I didn’t even know why he was cursed to begin with. I know now, though. It’s not pretty.

On top of that, I’ve decided to give Amazon Vella a shot. Something about writing in a series kind of feels good. It’s about the brothel that Dena’s aunt owned. So far three episodes are up and the next one is due to drop on the 8th. Episodes 1-3 are free. Amazon gives you 200 free tokens upfront. You could use them to read the 4th episode when it releases hint hint.

I have to say, Vella writers are really friggin’ nice. I joined up on a couple of Facebook pages and everyone is really quick to share and like links. I went from no reads to almost 20 reads in less than an hour. It warmed my heart.
I’ll be getting back to my dragon story eventually. Hey, maybe that could be my next Vella project. We’ll have to see.

In the meantime, I’ll be neck-deep into my Crimson stories. Up next will be Hell-Bent which will feature everyone’s favorite blonde devil, Mammon. I have to say, it’s hard getting in the mind of an asshole. WISH ME LUCK!e

Until next time. Keep Your Mind in the Gutter!

An Erica in the Writing Wilds

August 22, 2022 ericab Blog - Updates 0 Comments

Creativity Flowing like the Spice Melange

For real, though, I don’t know where this creative burst has come from. It’s been friggin’ insane in my brain for the last couple of weeks. I’m talking about writing, editing, making ebooks…My entire days have been filled with words. I hope they’re decent ones!

By the time you read this, I’ll be back at my day job. I’m expecting my energy to get zapped out of existence. I’m hoping not, but historically, that’s what has happened. But, with any amount of luck, my muse will stay with me.

But these last couple of weeks has been amazing. Even with the pain of my hidradenitis, I’ve been feeling spiritually fulfilled. I’ve loved every second of it, even the times when what I worked on frustrated the hell out of me.

(Ugh, don’t even get me started on the story I’ve been working on for the last three days. It’s done, just not edited.)

So, what have I been up to

I’ve been building my ebook catalog. Some of them were already available, but I wanted to go back in and get some editing done. Plus, they needed updated covers desperately.

All my latest/updated works

If you’d like to purchase any of these books, most of them are available on both Amazon and Smashwords. Tools of his Trade is only available on Kindle Unlimited.

Also, I’ve joined Literotica and Medium for posting a few freebies now and again. So far what I have on Literotica is doing very well. Medium, it’s too soon to tell.

Imparting Knowledge (hopefully)

In addition to writing, I’ve been making videos about things I’ve learned since delving into these projects. So far there are two: Canva vs Snappa for free covers and a quick rundown of getting Premium status on Smashwords (that’s coming tomorrow at 10 AM. Check it out!)

Here is the Canva/Snappa video for your viewing pleasure.

Check out both my YouTube Channels:

I also have a Twitch channel where I stream Fridays at 9PM EST.

Making a more educational video was a struggle at first, but after I got used to recording myself speaking, it wasn’t too bad. The editing of the video took nearly a lifetime. Still, in the end, if it helps someone, it’s well worth the work.

Keeping up with my Mind

I doubt I’ll keep going at my current pace once real life starts kicking in again. Also, I never know when my body is going to be a total jerk and take me down for the count (AGAIN). With any amount of luck, I’ll still feel the creative buzz through me because it truly makes me happy. Writing brings me a lot of joy.

Come back and see me soon! Next week I’ll have another Hidradenitis post for you unless something changes the topic.

Until next time. Keep your Mind in the Gutter!

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