When I wrote this, I thought it was just a breezy, silly (but true) story. I’m sincerely glad you responded because it has taken this whole story in a new, unexpected (more important) direction.

I do hope you might find the courage to share your thoughts because I think men are looking for guidance, too, on how women really feel and what they are looking for. (OK, not the jerks and entitled guys, but the other guys.) My guy friends are good people and they are confused, too!

I struggle with that right line, too: I’m interested in a guy but don’t want to sleep with him. That middle ground existed for a long time, but it doesn’t seem as socially acceptable these days. Now I’m seen as being uptight or a prude and guys quickly lose interest.

It’s still terrifying for me to make my work public. I had my character called into question today, have inadvertently irked a bunch of cat lovers (I just shrugged- oh, well), and have had a bunch of people read one story and make a plethora of assumptions about me, my dating life, and blithely judge me for being judgmental.

Well, I AM an INTJ! So, yes, I judge! But these same folks lack self-awareness: they are busy judging me for judging something else. Fortunately, I can see the humor in that!

In any case: I would LOVE to hear your voice and hope you will tackle this subject (and any other topic you feel passionate about). Best wishes to you!