Minor spoilers for 2x21-2x24.
To: GinaT blackpawnpublishing dot com
From: richardcastle dotcom
My dear, devoted slavedriver: no, I most definitely am not suffering from writer's block. I don't believe in it, as you well know. Even if I did, I'd defy any man to keep himself from writing volumes of poetry—or painting dozens of canvases, or carving goddesses out of marble, or making butter sculptures—when faced with tall, dark, and eyeroll. And her handcuffs. Trust me, I don't have time for writer's block; I'm too busy figuring out how to fit everything in.
I'm on track to turn in the first draft of Naked Heat in a month. How about that title, huh? Marketing's going to love that. I just need to revise the last four chapters and see if I can shoehorn any more sex scenes into the book. Of course, there's the minor detail of Detective Beckett possibly strangling me with my own entrails if those scenes pass your exacting eye (and exacting taste; let us not speak of that night in Puerto Rico, and remember instead how impressed you were by my salsa dancing mere hours earlier). But the fans are eating it up, and there's no way I can keep characters who have that kind of chemistry apart for long.
Please tell me that gorgeous Ann-Marie is still coordinating the cover art. I may need to stop by the office and get her to explain color theory to me again, and perhaps tell me all about the latest version of Photoshop.
Well, back to the grindstone. Who am I kidding, I love my job! And that comma splice was deliberate (as was beginning that sentence with a coordinating conjunction), so keep that red pen where I can see it.
Best,
Rick
P.S. On this one, could you maybe not fix all of the semi-colons? I am aware I overuse them frequently, but they're such delightful creatures.
To: GinaT blackpawnpublishing dot com
From: richardcastle dotcom
Got your last email. And the one before that. And the one before that. Sorry, I wasn't ignoring you; I was busy catching criminals.
I do realize the deadline is closing in. The muse has made some recent, not entirely welcome changes in the book's dramatis personae, and my concentration has been somewhat adversely affected. I'm trying to work this new character organically into the book, but he's giving me some trouble. I'm not sure he fits into Nikki's life and I don't know how readers will feel about a rival for Jameson. This new character doesn't have much of a personality. I'm not sure why he's here, actually. Hmm. The muse works in mysterious ways.
Anyway, I'd better send this email and get back to writing. Making progress!
Best,
Rick
To: GinaT blackpawnpublishing dot com
From: richardcastle dotcom
Gina:
When I said "progress," I meant "brainstorming," "experimenting," and "revising." I don't exactly have something concrete.
Did you have any more comments on the draft from two months ago?
Rick
To: GinaT blackpawnpublishing dot com
From: richardcastle dotcom
What do you mean, we need to talk? Isn't that what we've been doing?