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GRL 2015 And New Friends

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*wistful sigh* My first GRL has come and gone…and the experience couldn’t have been better!

Those who know me in real life will vouch for my insane introvertedness. Thus, attending a convention with hundreds of other people was enough to have me barring the condo door, turning out the lights, and hiding away. Indeed, the only comfort I took was the knowledge that I’d have a wingman (or wingwoman, in this case (love you bunches, Beth)) at my side the entire time. But, when serious family issues arose for Beth, I was left alone…and just a hair away from breaking out the two-by-fours, the hammer, and the nails. Then, luck struck: I got a nasty cold which turned into bronchitis. Yes! *fist pump* Now I had a reason not to attend!

For those outgoing folks (I’m looking at you, Hubz), I get that it’s difficult to understand folks like me. Folks who feel much more comfortable on the sidelines taking it all in…watching the extroverts laugh, and dance, and drink without a seeming care in the world. Those folks who’ve never met a stranger. This. Is. Not. Me. Not that I’m not pleasant enough to be around – once I get to know you. Hell, some folks, perplexedly enough, even enjoy my company, LOL!

Added to my own innate shyness was the whole JLT factor of GRL. People were actually wanting to meet me…to meet Joseph Lance Tonlet. As my new friend Katie would say, “What. The. Fuck?” Yeah, that had me wiggin’ the hell out and about ready to pick up the phone and inquire about Home Depot’s lumber delivery service. (I’ve said it in other posts, so I won’t rehash it here, but I’m forever grateful (and completely dumbfounded) by the support and success of Grif’s Toy and Brothers LaFon. C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E-L-Y! Again, each of you have my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude.)

So, take all of the above, mix together, and I’d nearly talked myself out of attending. Then Katie, who’d I’d met in a Facebook group for the Netflix show Sense8, and I started chatting via messenger. She graciously ended up inviting me to hang out with her and her friends – some of whom I’d met online as well. That single, kind gesture changed not only my GRL experience, but gained me an entire group of new, amazing, real life friends. Katie, Jen B, Jen G, Karrie, Tracy, Lin, Luna, and Mary, I can’t thank you enough for your company, for your willingness to welcome a complete stranger into your group, and for our new friendships. You turned something I was fearing into an absolutely unforgettable experience and I love each of your for it!

Peace,
JLT
#pleasurethroughdenial #grl2015 #grl2016 #newfriends #newexperiences #steppingoutofthebox #thankful
JosephLanceTonlet.com

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Change is da bomb!

LifeChange

Hey Guys!

I know I’ve been quiet the past several weeks, but there’s a fantastic reason behind it: I’ve been sequestered in utter writing euphoria! More on that in a bit…

You know those moments in life, everyone has them, where you’re just tooling along, minding your own business, and something big happens? Something that alters your present course? Something you never—in a million years—saw coming? That happened to me about four weeks ago, and I’m fucking thrilled beyond words.

I’d met Louis Stevens online a few years back. I’d read a few of his awesome books, and we also share a few Facebook groups in common, so I’d bump into him occasionally. A nice enough chap and talented author is the way I would have described him a month ago…someone who I thought of as a very pleasant online acquaintance.

What started out as a rather random FB Messenger chat—one who’s origin I’m not even able to recall right now, but likely born out of some kinky pic or gif—turned out to be exactly one of those ‘alter your path’ moments in time.

Since that wonderful conversation, Louis and I have not only become fast friends, but we’ve also penned a sweet (but naughty), stand-alone novella together, tentatively titled Quillon’s Covert. In addition, we’ve mapped out a completely twisted, taboo series…but I’ll write more about that in another post *winks*.

Quillon’s Covert is now in the hands of our extraordinary beta team, and then it’ll be off to our editor. And, speaking of editors, we’re completely thrilled at the prospect of working with this individual. (I’m not quite sure yet how this potential editor would like to be credited…but yeah, we’re so incredibly stoked.) I’ll follow-up with more details about Quillon’s Covert and release dates, etc. as soon as we have something more concrete. But, one thing we do know is it won’t be available on Amazon…it’s a bit too spicy for their rather vanilla standards.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my guys, Grif and Wes. It had been my plan to release Wes’ Denial this fall, but you know what they say about best-laid plans *goofy grin*. However, to those of you who’ve sent me ‘kind and patient’ messages and emails regarding its release, please know that the boys’ story is coming…I just don’t have a firm date at the moment.

As always, the depth of my gratitude for your support can’t be measured in words. Y’all continually astonish me, and I couldn’t love you more for it!

Connect with Louis on FB here.

Peace,
JLT
#pleasurethroughdenial
JosephLanceTonlet.com