I'm excited because I know many Betwixt fans have eagerly been awaiting more of the unassuming hero, Dale. It has been so much fun working with him again and writing about his "bad boy" years.
Here's why I'm nervous. This is the riskiest thing I've ever written. In order to capture Dale's true story, I felt it was really important to show him going through some of his experiences. Having never written sex scenes before and always being very careful about the language I use, I had to throw caution to the wind on this one. It was a struggle, but I kept coming back to the same point - glossing over Dale's experiences stole some of the impact from his story. I needed to be realistic and show the readers what it was really like for him.
Now don't get me wrong - the sex scenes are not detailed and the language is there, but only when necessary. This is still a YA story and I was very mindful of that. I have tried to be wise with my writing choices, however the book has a warning. Before is written for mature readers due to its content. I really hope everyone who loved Betwixt will also love Before. Dale is a fantastic character and knowing his history makes him all the more loveable, in my opinion.
If you're a writer - have you ever pushed the boundaries with scenes and characters you never thought you'd write about?
As a reader - have you ever read something you thought you never would and been pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable or moving it was?
If you'd like to win a copy of Before, you can enter the September Countdown to Christmas Giveaway.
And don't forget about the September Sale I currently have running. You can check out my website for purchase links and further details - www.melissapearlauthor.com
