The Adventures of Casper & Soren: A Book Update & Blog Comeback!

Hey everyone! It's been a minute, hasn't it? If you've been wondering where I've been, you're not alone! My blog has been a little quiet lately, and trust me, it's not for lack of trying. I truly love connecting with you all here with a daily post, but life, work and especially diving headfirst into the world of my upcoming book, "Under the Lifeguard's Watch," have really taken over in the best way possible.

Speaking of the book, oh my goodness, what a journey it's been! "Under the Lifeguard's Watch" clocks in at a hefty 33 chapters and I'm currently in the thick of revisions and editing. As of right now, I'm happy to report I'm up to chapter 27! My goal is to tackle a chapter a day, but sometimes I get a little carried away (in the best way!) because I just have to add a few more juicy details to the story. It's so important to me to do Casper and Soren some serious justice. I've completely fallen in love with them, and I really, truly hope you will too.

And here's a little secret for you, straight from the boys themselves: once we get to the end of this book, there's even more to their origin story! Yes, while this is just the very first installment in their incredible series, they have instructed me to go a little further within "Under the Lifeguard's Watch," where you'll find some awesome bonus features that'll give you a deeper look into each of our personalities. Yes, I'm including myself too – after all, they've entrusted me to tell their tale and it’s been an absolute honor to be brought into the alliance.

I'm going to do my absolute best to keep you guys in the loop on Casper and Soren's progress. You can also look forward to some extra special posts hitting the blog in the next few weeks! Get ready for the return of Saturday GLOWcase (finally!) and maybe even a sneak peek into what my dear friend Stig Ren has been up to. For now, I genuinely hope you're all doing wonderfully.

It really means the world to me to hear from you, so please don't hesitate to drop a comment below and let me know what you think. Your engagement and support mean everything and truly help keep this little corner of the internet thriving. If you enjoy what I do here and are able to, any support you might consider would be deeply appreciated and goes a long way in helping me continue creating and sharing these stories with you.

My toes are still dipped into "Under The Lifeguard's Watch" – Another Deep Dive into My Writing Journey!

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share another update on my book, Under The Lifeguard’s Watch. It feels like a lifetime since I started writing it and it's been a journey of twists, turns and a whole lot of soul-searching.

Life, as it always does, has a way of throwing curveballs, right? Between work commitments and those inevitable ups and downs that come with just, well, being human, the revisions for Under The Lifeguard’s Watch have been a slower process than I initially hoped. I haven't stopped writing, not by a long shot, just had to pump the brakes a little. It’s funny, sometimes getting back into the rhythm and truly stepping into the world of Casper and Soren can be a challenge. When my own mind (much like Casper) is buzzing with real-life worries, I really have to pause and make sure I’m not accidentally injecting those anxieties into their story. Though I’ve been there many times, their world deserves to be its own unique space, untainted by my immediate reality.


But despite the detours, I’ve been diligently working on some really cool and fun elements to truly immerse you, the reader, into Soren and Casper’s world. Get ready to be pulled right into their lives, the lives of those around them and their unforgettable experiences! I'm currently on chapter 26 of revisions and also developing fun extras that will be included in the book. And for those of you with a keen eye, keep an out for some neat little, historically accurate, easter eggs sprinkled throughout the book. They might just transport you back to a time and place that feels wonderfully familiar.

From the very beginning, my vision for Under The Lifeguard’s Watch has been to create a novel that appeals to a wide audience. While it’s certainly suitable for young adults, I truly believe it’s a story that resonates with all ages – from mature preteens to adults. If this book were to ever grace the silver screen (and a guy can dream, right?), I’d confidently say it would be a PG-13 rating. There’s a touch of violence, yes, but at its heart, it’s a romance – just not the "spicy" kind, if you know what I mean. If you’re craving something with a bit more heat, I’ve got a fantastic list of my favorite LGBTQ+ spicy reads I'd be happy to recommend! Oh, and this is just the beginning of Casper and Soren's adventures! I've already got the outlines for the next four books in the series, complete with some fantastic new characters who will be introduced along the way.

For those of you who’ve been following my progress from the early days, you know how this whole adventure began. It all sparked from a vivid memory of a summer trip to Tiki Island waterpark, specifically that exhilarating first time I dared to go down a free-fall waterslide. That memory then blossomed into a fantasy version of the lifeguard I had a crush on, evolving from a simple 13-chapter love story into the 32-chapter (and possibly 33, 34 or 35 chapter!) novel it is today. To break up the monotony of just words on a page, I’m thrilled to be incorporating some fun and special artistic elements into the book. It’s a little taste of my own artistic talents, and I have to give a shout-out to my amazing 8th-grade art teacher, Mrs. Janice Griffin. She had this wonderfully sarcastic way of telling us there was "no right or wrong way to create art" as she graded our work – classic! But truly, I loved her for it. Even though I wasn’t exactly a prodigy with a pencil or crayon, her lessons to think outside the box really stuck with me, especially during my performing days. If you’ve seen me sing, you know I'm probably not what you'd imagine.

I’ve also been trying to keep up with my blog, sharing memories, reviews and other stories I'm eager to tell. However, my absolute top priority right now is getting Under The Lifeguard’s Watch published. So, my blog posts will slow down just a tiny bit over the next few weeks as I push towards the finish line.

And speaking of cool news, beyond the progress I've already shared, I’ve officially acquired the ISBN number for the paperback edition, along with the Library of Congress Control Number! It feels so incredibly real now. My initial plan is to release the paperback edition and once that's out in the world, I'll definitely explore releasing it on the various eBook platforms. Since this is a self-published venture, the printed edition will be truly special for that nostalgic feeling of holding a physical book, especially since the story itself is a delightful dive into the late 1980s. Just a heads-up, you might need your device handy to scan a few QR codes sprinkled throughout – adding a modern twist to a nostalgic journey!

I'm pouring my heart and soul into this and I can't wait for you all to experience the world of Under The Lifeguard’s Watch. Your support means the world to me, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and what you're most excited about in the comments below. Every little bit of encouragement helps fuel this journey!

You can also find me on the following social media platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/adrianduarte
https://bsky.app/profile/adriansknitwits.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/adriansknitwits
https://www.threads.net/adriansknitwits

From GLOW to "Under the Lifeguard's Watch": My Secret Project Revealed!

Hey There, Fellow Dreamers!

You know me, right? Saturdays are practically sacred—usually devoted to all things GLOW, The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. The ‘80s neon, the sheer spectacle, the crew, fans and the cast of women who defied expectations—it’s a world I could talk about endlessly. But today? Today, I need to break routine. Because something incredible has happened and I can’t hold back any longer.

If you've been following this blog, you know it’s my digital scrapbook—a place where I share stories, memories, passions and the occasional deep dive into pop culture rabbit holes. We’ve talked about family legends, movie obsessions, music that moves me and those random sparks of nostalgia that demand to be written down.

But what most of you may or may not know is that behind the scenes, I’ve always had one story waiting in the wings—the raw, unfiltered memoir of my life as a teenage runaway and hustler. For nearly 30 years, I thought that would be the book that marked my grand entrance as a solo author.

I was deep in the trenches of writing it, peeling back the layers of memory, capturing the truth of those years—the good, the bad and everything in between. But then, something unexpected happened.

Somewhere along the way, another story began whispering to me.

At first, I thought it was just a creative detour—something small, something fun. A short fantasy, inspired by a lifeguard I crushed on back in 1988 at Tiki Island Water Park. Just a few pages, intending nothing more. But the more I wrote, the stronger the pull became.

Casper and Soren weren’t asking me to tell my story. They were calling me into theirs.

And so began Under the Lifeguard’s Watch.

What started as a few pages turned into 13 chapters, then 23, then 29. The book took over. It demanded more, as if the characters themselves had decided that I was the one chosen to bring their story to the world.

My journals filled with ideas, my 1967 Smith Corona Galaxie Deluxe typewriter clacked away with urgency, and suddenly, this fantasy world felt as real to me as the streets I once walked.

Casper—a dreamer aching for more than the static in his head.
Soren—a dangerous enigma wrapped in sunlit skin and waves.

But this isn’t just my story—it’s for everyone who has ever wanted to be the authentic vision of themself, no matter the odds.

If you’ve ever fought to carve out space for yourself in a world that didn’t always make room for you, if you’ve ever wanted to live boldly and love freely—then this book is for you. Under the Lifeguard’s Watch is a love letter to every, not just LGBTQ+, person who has faced adversity and dared to dream anyway.

Their world, Crestlake Springs, feels like a place I’ve been to before. Like a memory I’ve stepped into instead of a fictional creation.

Now, after months of obsessing over plot twists, grounding the story in the heartbeat of 1988, and ensuring every character has a place in this world, the book is real. It’s here. I’m deep in revisions, fine-tuning their town, their lives, their fate.

The memoir I once thought would be my defining story is still waiting in the wings. But for now, Under the Lifeguard’s Watch has claimed me and I have no choice but to see it through.

There’s still work to do—adjusting timelines, refining details, maybe even adding visual elements—but I’m committed. And if self-publishing means I have to fund it all myself? So be it. The alliance chose me for a reason and I intend to honor that.

So, what do you think? Do you want to step into Under the Lifeguard’s Watch? Have you ever felt a story take hold of you so deeply that you couldn’t let it go? Let’s talk in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And hey, if you feel like fueling this final stretch with a little caffeine or a shiny new notebook for the next adventure, know that it’s always appreciated. But more than anything, thank you. For listening. For being part of this evolving journey.

Until next time—keep dreaming big.

You can also find me on the following social media platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/adrianduarte
https://bsky.app/profile/adriansknitwits.bsky.social
https://www.instagram.com/adriansknitwits
https://www.threads.net/adriansknitwits