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Several people have asked why Jean-Claude has only been on the phone, or asleep, for the last two books; Blood Noir and Skin Trade. My answer, well the books take place out of town and Masters of the City don’t travel lightly and without a lot of political planning. But it was only as I sit down to make notes for Bullet the next regularly scheduled Anita Blake novel that I realized what my subconscious had been playing with. Remember in Blood Noir where we talk about needing to let the other vampires think that Jean-Claude is happily doing the other men so that’s why he keeps not adding women while Anita keeps adding men? Well, its one thing for the men to let the rumor flourish, and another to try and play up to that rumor. Asher would be fine however it was played as up close and personal as possible, and lets face it we need to either fish that particular handsome pond or cut bait. He’s not going to wait forever on the edge of the action with Jean-Claude. I can’t even blame him, but what of the other men? How does the rumor change things?

First, how do the men greet Jean-Claude? Remember we’re not just trying to fool out of town vamps, but our own larger in town, in suite, vamp community. Vampires are great gossips and if our men don’t sell the rumor its not going to work. It’s still going to be that Anita is cuckolding Jean-Claude and he’s allowing it, which makes him appear weak. I’ve been making notes this week about greetings. The proverbial two kiss on the cheek, very European. (By the by men if you’re going to do the kiss cheek please either shave or have a beard, stubble hurts) Or a full kiss on the mouth. I have friends that are gay and they kiss each other in private, and semi-private. Which of the guys would be okay with that? Richard? So not. Not without a fight before, during, or after. Micah, maybe. Nathaniel, probably yes.  Damian, no. Let me add, hell, no, on his behalf. Haven, no. Jason, why not? I think we may have in past books. *laughs* The ones most secure in their manhood will be more comfy with intimate-ish greetings. Or people who have worked through their issues on it. Or men who really would be willing to pony up. How to act like a couple when you’re not, and the sexual orientation of the "couple" isn’t your cup of tea?

Another reason to be out of town for last two books is the size of the cast in town now. So many people, some who haven’t been on stage in books. What happened to Elizabeth? Valentina and Bartolome, the children vampires? Damian hasn’t had a good scene in several books. Richard hasn’t had a strong on stage presence in several books really either. Blood Noir was almost a cameo. How do I do such a large and interesting cast justice? Again, I’ve been making notes. Plus we have new people and more new people coming into town. Ah! As a writer I’ve made my life very difficult, but it’s either that or devise some horrible happening to thin the herd of characters and it seems a crappy reason just because I feel challenged. So, not planning on that. So, I’m left with my two deliminas.

I’ve got my notes made. Some plans laid down, but Anita and the gang have taught me again and again that my best laid plans mean nothing when they hit my characters and their personalities. So, we’ll see what happens. I’ll see if my notes hold up, or if Anita, or Richard, or Micah, or Nathaniel, or Damian, or Jason, or Requiem, or Ronnie, or Rafael, or even Jean-Claude throws them all to the wind. My Master Vampire is oddly one of the most cooperative of characters. Either that means he usually gets his way, or he’s planning to hit me all at once with some big demand the way Jason did in Blood Noir. Oh, dear.