Over the past few weeks, I’ve had a number of messages and comments from readers—some curious, some thoughtful—about how and why I write the stories I do. Rather than replying individually, I thought it might be interesting to bring a few of those questions together here and answer them in one place. So, if you’ve ever wondered about the shift towards shorter stories, the outdoor settings, or how much of it is real—this one’s for you.
Why are you writing shorter stories now?
Over the past few weeks, a few readers have asked me why I’ve been writing shorter stories more often than I used to.
The simple answer is—I haven’t stopped writing longer ones. I still have bigger projects in progress. But over time, my approach has broadened.
Short stories allow for a tighter emotional build-up. They let me focus on a single moment, a single shift, and explore it with intensity. At the same time, they give me the freedom to write a wider range of scenarios and characters. That variety is something I’ve really come to enjoy—and, from what I’ve seen so far, readers do too.
That’s part of the thinking behind my recent collections, including my Her First Time: A Collection of Short Hotwife Stories, with Volume 2 coming soon. Volume 1, which I published in January, has already shown me that there’s a strong appetite for this format.
Some readers have also wondered whether this shift is purely commercial.
Not entirely. To be honest, I didn’t start writing with money in mind—I started because I enjoy telling these stories.
That said, there is a practical side. Both readers and the algorithms tend to reward consistency and frequency. A longer project can take months to complete, and during that time there’s very little new for readers to engage with. Shorter stories allow me to stay present, to keep sharing, and to keep building that connection.
But more importantly, I think they fit modern reading habits quite well. Many readers want to be drawn in quickly, to feel that emotional pull without a long wait. Short stories make that possible—while still leaving room for depth and intensity.
So for me, it’s not about replacing longer work, but complementing it. I’ll continue writing novels and longer pieces, but alongside them, you’ll see more short and medium-length stories.
In the end, it’s a balance that I find both creatively satisfying—and, I hope, more enjoyable for readers too.
Why are so many of your stories set outdoors or in nature?
The straightforward answer is simple—I enjoy being outdoors.
I’m fortunate to live in a place with direct access to a park, and whenever the weather allows (and sometimes even when it doesn’t), I go for a daily walk. Partly to keep my step count up—but also because that’s when my mind tends to wander.
As I’ve mentioned in some of my previous posts, many ideas begin during those walks. There’s something about being out in the open—away from screens, away from routine—that allows your thoughts to drift more freely. A passing moment, a couple sitting close on a bench, a glance, a gesture… and suddenly a what if begins to form.
Travel plays a big part as well. My wife and I try to explore different places whenever we can—whether it’s a short staycation, a cruise, or time spent in the mountains. Each setting brings a different atmosphere, a different kind of energy, and naturally, different stories.
That doesn’t mean the domestic or everyday world isn’t present in my writing—it absolutely is. You’ll find plenty of that in my stories, along with influences from the corporate environment I spent many years in. But when it comes to something more intense—something emotional, erotic, or transformative—I find that outdoor settings offer a certain kind of freedom.
There’s an element of escapism in being away from the familiar. People tend to relax, to let their guard down. And in those moments—when routine is left behind—they may be more open to new experiences, to taking risks, to exploring something they wouldn’t normally consider.
That sense of stepping slightly outside the ordinary is often where my stories begin.
Perhaps that’s why so many of them unfold in nature, or during travel. It reflects not just the way I live, but the kind of moments where change feels possible.
And for couples, especially those taking a first step into something new or unfamiliar, the setting can make all the difference.
Are your stories based on real events?
This is another question I’m asked quite often.
The honest answer is—partly, but probably not in the way some readers might imagine.
There have been real moments, real encounters, or simple observations that sparked an idea. But most of them begin as just that—a glimpse, a possibility. From there, the story takes its own direction.
Travel has been a big source of inspiration. I’ve written before about how certain stories were born—Christmas on the Great Wall is one example, and more recently I’ve shared a few short posts about the stories coming into Volume 2 of Her First Time. Sometimes it’s something as simple as a walk in the park, a passing moment, a look between two people that makes you wonder what if.
Boa Vista is another good example. My wife and I did meet a charismatic stranger on the beach—but what followed in the story is, of course, where imagination takes over. The real moment opens the door; the story walks much further through it.
So while there’s often a seed of reality, what you read is ultimately shaped by fiction—guided by emotion, possibility, and the direction the characters take.
Are you publishing anywhere other than Amazon?
This is something readers have asked about more recently.
The short answer is—yes, in part.
Most of my work is still on Amazon, but some titles—such as Her First Time: Volume 1—are already available more widely on platforms like Smashwords, Apple Books and Kobo.
As for other avenues—not at the moment, though it’s something I’ve considered.
Many fellow authors are active on platforms like Patreon or Ream, and for them it works very well. I can absolutely see the appeal of sharing chapters, drafts, or ongoing projects with readers in a more immediate way.
For me, though, it comes down to both time and style.
I tend to focus on the final product. I feel more comfortable taking a story through its full process—drafting, refining, polishing—and only sharing it once I’m confident it’s ready. That’s simply how I like to work.
That doesn’t make other approaches any less valid. In fact, I often admire how effectively some authors build engagement by sharing work in progress. It’s just a different process—and one that doesn’t come as naturally to me.
That said, I wouldn’t rule it out entirely. I may explore those platforms in the future, but I can’t promise when, or in what form.
In the meantime, I do share some additional content through my blog and newsletter. There’s a free short story available there, and occasionally I post shorter pieces or glimpses into my writing—such as the Jeff’s Corner entries.
So while I may not be everywhere yet, there are still a few ways to explore more of what I write beyond my books.
I always enjoy these questions—they often make me reflect on things I don’t consciously think about while writing. If there’s anything else you’ve been wondering, feel free to reach out or leave a comment. And if you enjoy stories that build slowly, explore real moments, and occasionally step just beyond the ordinary, you’ll probably find more of what you’re looking for in the stories to come.
If you’d like to explore more, you can find a free short story and occasional updates through my newsletter on the site.
