Hi!

Some folks have been writing lately to find out why there hasn't been a posting on NCV.  Well, there are several reasons. 

First, my 82 yo mother broke her hip and was in the hospital for 3 months.  I flew to Las Vegas where she lives and ended up loading her in a car (after she was released) and took her to live with my sister in So. California. 

Almost immediately after I returned, my partner, Louis, became very ill.  He had been fighting a bout of sinus infection and broncitis, but it became much worse.  With the help of a very close and appreciated friend, he entered a hospital two weeks ago.  Without going into graphic detail, he was in extremely bad condition.  I've been spending most of my time at his bedside.  Yesterday, he was transfered to a rehab hospital to continue his recovery and get some strength back, and that's where I am as I write this.  He should be able to come back home in about a week. 

Another item on my plate is that, with Louis' deteriorating health and strength, we'll have to sell our two-story house.  It's very large and historic, but we've both resolved that it's the better part of wisdom to downsize and have a single story house.  I'll have to do a lot of cleaning and deal with a lot of deferred maintenance to make it salable, so that will take a lot of my time. 

The bottom line is that a new chapter of NCV is not a priority for me right now, so if all of my fans can find it in their hearts to be patient, I promise that Alan, Tim, Stevey and the boys will return as soon as I can get them from my mind to the keyboard.  In the meantime, hug someone who needs it, and love someone unconditionally. 

      - Lance

Chapter 41 was uploaded by Nifty yesterday, but I forgot my blog password, so I couldn't post an announcement!    Fortunately, Bruce, my webmaster, saved me, and I'm back up and running.  Thanks, Bruce! 

This chapter is a little shorter than most, but I felt that it was right for the subject matter.  I'll make it up to you in Chapter 42. 

Be sure to sign in and let me know what you think.  I'd like to get a dialogue going here, so feel free to post your comments! 

Lotsa hugs!   - Lance

After a lot of soul searching, I've decided to work on a completely new project. The current working title is "Love is a Four Letter Word." I kind of like the title, but I'm not sure I'll keep it. I'll have to wait until I get closer to finishing it.

I'm a little more than half way through with it, and I like the way it's turning out. It's something of a belated "coming of age" story. The main character, Matt, returns home for his ten year high school reunion, intending to come out to family and friends. His risky investment, while working as an investment counselor, turns out to be both a blessing and a curse. Matt's best friend in high school is Kyle, a straight jock, when faced with the revelation of Matt's orientation, his first reaction is disbelief, but he quickly sees the wisdom of Matt's delayed disclosure and seems to accept Matt, completely. Matt's meeting with his homophobic mother goes slightly better than he expected, but it's still not good. Matt's father, having gone to his well-earned Heavenly reward two years prior, still has a positive influence in Matt's life through his godfather, and namesake, Matthew, and his wife, Teri. They are the source of parental stability remaining in Matt's life. Along the way, Matt meets Billy, a throw-away, eighteen year old, who needs only a break to realize his great potential. Roger, a contemporary to Billy, becomes an unexpected force in Billy's life, as they both find the love they seek. Problems arise as Matt returns to the west coast with Billy in tow. He intends to use the return on his investments to fund Billy's education and help with Roger's as well, but he hasn't anticipated some of the complications he'll face. Will Billy and Roger find the love and stability they both deserve? Will Matt's legitimate investments lead to incarceration? And will Kyle discover why Matt's orientation and relationship with Billy give him heartburn?

I intend to submit this book to a publisher that might help with publicizing it. Cross your fingers and hope that it works out!

Hello, again NCV fans!  The story is moving right along, but probably not as quickly as some would like.  I might have to post a little more often, if enough people write and ask for it!  Let me know what you think, and I can always use ideas about what you'd like to see happen in "NCV-land."  Thanks for reading, and as the Brits are wont to say, "Keep your peckers up!"

     - Lance

Hello again, NCV fans! 

I've just sent Chapter 39 to Nifty.  It should be uploaded by tomorrow night. 

Some people may be a little disappointed that Andy and Marty won't be getting together.  Several people have written to me, encouraging that match, but it just isn't in the cards. Andy's been telling me that the Muses have something else in store for him, but that's for a future chapter.  There has been only one fan that actually guessed at the match for Marty revealed in this chapter, but I'd better stop there, or I'll give it away!

I hope everyone enjoys this latest installment!  Let me know what you think, and let me know where you think the story should go, next.  You never know if your ideas will make it into print!

Love & hugs,

     - Lance

Chapter 37 is just a couple of days away from being ready to post on Nifty!  For those of you watching this blog, get ready. 

I want to give a special "thanks" to all who write to me, both here and privately.  The only thing that keeps me writing is the very positive feedback I receive on a regular basis.  I've even had some readers tell me how much they "hate" my writing, then they go on to say that they can't get enough of it while laughing, crying, and becoming angry at some of the characters.  It's the stuff that makes me want to write more! 

I've just sent Chapter 36 to be posted on Nifty.  I've also been working on future chapters, and it's coming together quite well!  The only problem is that there's no end in sight, so all NCV fans will just have to put up with more and more of the story line.  ;) 

Be sure to let me know what you think!  Add to my blog and let others know what you think as well!  Hugs,  - Lance

Chapter 35 of "Nudist Camp Vacation" is now posted.  I've already received several private emails from fans, and I'm looking for more!  Everything I've read recently says that writers very rarely make any money from their work (most of the cost of a book goes to the printer and publisher), so feedback is that much more important!  If you really want me to keep writing, please let me know!  Thanks to all who write! 

Several people have asked me how I come up with the ideas for my writing, specifically, for some of the stuff in NCV.  Well, a lot comes from personal experience, or is related to personal experience, but most of it just happens!  It's as if the characters take over and write it.  I've heard the same story from other writers, too.  There have been many times that I can't stand to interrupt my writing, because I want to see what happens next!  I know how odd this sounds, but it's true! 

There will be several more chapters of NCV, but I'm not sure how many.  I'm not completely sure how it'll end, but I have several ideas.  If you want to encourage me to write an ending you have in mind, write to me and let me know.  I'll consider any reasonable suggestion! 

Until next time, many warm hugs!     - Lance

I've been talking about it, I've been blogging about it, and I've even been boasting about it, but now it's finally happened! I'm published!It may not be conventional publishing, as by a mainstream publisher, but it took some doing to bring it about on my own. Once I finally got together the stories for "Roses in the Desert," it wasn't difficult to prepare the first 20 chapters of "Nudist Camp Vacation" for publishing as well. A lot of the regular readers of NCV had been asking for it in print, so now it's available! The second part of NCV will be ready for publishing in about a year (if not sooner). Now that I've got two books out, I've got the fever to publish more of my writing. I've said before that writing, like acting,is a narcotic; once you've done it, you want to do it again and again. Well, I'm finding that making your work available for others to read is almost as adictive! I have immediate plans for two more books. Of course, one will be NCV, Part 2, and that will be the focus of my immediate attention, and the second will be another collection of short stories, some of which I've already written. Then, down the road, I'll rework the first book I wrote (yes, it's still unpublished!), then I plan to put to paper a sci fi book that's been floating around in my mind for quite a few years. For now, pray that these books sell. It'll make it a lot easier to keep writing! Love & hugs - Lance

I've just sent Chapter 34 of NCV to post.  The posting contains an announcement of my new website, so I'm hoping that I'll have some visits, here.  If you're visiting my blog for the first time, be sure to sign up for updates.  I'll be posting updates on my writing to my blog on a regular basis, now. 

For now, WELCOME TO MY BLOG!!!

     - Lance