Jon Michaelsen's Blog: Ramblings, Excerpts, WIPs, etc., page 33

Spending time with the author of the BOYSTOWN mystery series; Marshall Thornton

This week I got to spend some time with the author of the highly popular, BOYSTOWN, series: Marshall Thornton. I love his sexy character, Nick Nowak, a former cop turned private investigator, during the 1980s in Chicago.

Where do you live? City, town, island, country?

I live in Long Beach, California about a block from the beach. I’ve been in Southern California for twenty-five years. Before that I lived in Chicago.

Writer’s rarely like to toot their own horn; seriously! What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?

Well, aside from simply still being alive, I’d have to say that my Boystown mystery series is what I’m most proud of. I suppose, I’m also quite proud of the fact that I put myself through college; several times.

Without getting too personal, can you share a little about your home life?

I live in a very large apartment with two roommates, two step-dogs and one pampered pedigree cat.

What inspires and challenges you most in writing?

I think the best writing advice I’ve ever seen is to write something you’d like to read. I find that both inspiring and challenging.

You’ve probably answered this question a hundred times, but please indulge as our readers (and fellow writers) would like to know: Do you fly by the seat of your pants when writing, or plot out your storylines?

It depends on the project, but generally I start an outline before I begin a project and then never finish it. Sometimes if I loose my way, I stop and re-outline. I will admit that the first five Boystown books have an arc that was unplanned and completely seat of your pants writing. I have actually thought through an arc for the next three or four books… I don’t want to trust in luck twice.

How do you deal with the constant distractions such as blogs, FB, promo and real life (like that dreaded daytime job)?

I’m a multitasker by nature. I don’t have the patience to just do one thing at a time. As I write this I’m also checking my sales numbers, playing World of Warcraft, and considering ways in which our government could become functional.

I have been listening via audio book to the first Nick Nowak novel: Boystown: Three Nick Nowak Mysteries. I am looking forward to the next release in audio book. How do you sustain serialized, continuing characters? What are your thoughts about print versus audio book?

I think the best series, whether in book form or on television, are stories in which the main character has an unsolvable internal conflict at the center of their character. An easy example of that would be the TV comedy Everybody Loves Raymond. Raymond is a guy who hates his family and loves them at the same time. That’s a problem without a solution. In my series, as in many detective series, the main character’s central conflict has to do with the desire for justice and the inability to get justice in an unjust world; in a gay mystery series this internal conflict mirrors the external conflict of our community’s fight for justice.

There are some big differences between audio and print. With audio, I think there’s a temptation to spell everything out for the listener and I’m trying to avoid that. I prefer the listener feel that they’re being told a story rather than having a story acted out for them. Some of the books I’ve listened to go too far with elaborate voices and characterizations; personally, I have trouble finishing those.

Your first book in the Nick Nowak series Boystown: Three Nick Nowak Mysteries was a 2012 Lambda Literary Award finalist. Can you share how you learned your novel was a finalist and how you felt?

Honestly, I don’t remember how I found out. I think I saw that the finalists had been announced and went to their site and saw my book. Of course, it felt great. I think I’ve wanted a Lammy since I first heard about them twenty-five years ago – years before I was even writing fiction… It was very exciting to come close.

After your book(s) come out, have you ever had to deal with homophobia, and if so, what form has it taken?

No, I wouldn’t say I’ve dealt with any homophobia. Or at least, not homophobia with a big H. The books are pretty clearly labeled so I wouldn’t expect to. I’ve had a little pushback from some m/m romance readers who aren’t comfortable with Nick’s unrepentant promiscuity. But then, I’m not trying to write that kind of book and I think readers have figured that out by this point.

On behalf of the Facebook Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense Fiction Group, thank you for giving us a little of your time today, answering questions fans of the genre really want to know. And a huge congratulations on your Boystown 5: Murder Book making finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category.

Thank you!

Last question; will you share with us a little about your current release and/or WIP?

Before the end of the year, my next book The Ghost Slept Over should be out. It’s a romantic comedy for a change of pace.

 Here’s the blurb: When failed actor Cal Parsons travels to rural New York to claim the estate of his famous and estranged ex-partner he discovers something he wasn’t expecting…the ghost of his ex! And, worse, his ex invites Cal to join him for all eternity. Now. As Cal attempts to rid himself of the ghost by any means he begins to fall for the attractive attorney representing the estate. Will Cal be able to begin a new relationship or will he be seduced into the ever after?

And, of course, Boystown 6: From the Ashes will be coming out in the spring of 2014.

Have any questions to ask Marshall? Feel free to post them here and Marshall will be happy to respond!

 

http://marshallthornton.wordpress.com/

Two Words Describe Author P.A (Pat) Brown’s Writing; Prolific and Spellbinding!

Sit down and join me as I have a chance to pick author P.A. (Pat) Brown’s brain, one of my most admired writers of gay mystery/suspense/thriller and crime novels.

Where do you live? City, town, island, country?

In reality I live in London, a small city in Canada. In my heart I live in Los Angeles. London is about the 10th largest city in Canada even though it only has a population of about 360,000 which tells you how low a population Canada has—about the same as the state of California. It’s a pretty parochial, staid place, although we do put on a good Gay Pride week every July complete with a good sized parade.

Writer’s rarely like to toot their own horn; seriously! What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?

I think my greatest accomplishment is being willing to take great leaps on faith. Not having a clue where I’m going to end up. Leaving London, which back in the 70s was really white bread and moving to Los Angeles. I was only 22, which was probably the equivalent of a 15 year old in LA. I did outrageous things and by all rights shouldn’t have survived the experience. But I never thought anything of what I was doing at the time. At 40 I did the same thing, went back to school after being out since I was 18 and totally changed my career. When I was offered a job in Bermuda I took it without hesitation. Sold everything once again and left.

Without getting too personal, can you share a little about your home life?

It’s pretty darn boring these days. I spend my day writing or editing, watching TV – I’m a huge fan of The Walking Dead, Soutlhland (of course), Under the Dome, Restaurant Nightmares and Judge Judy. Plus documentaries and good stuff like that.

When I can afford it I love to travel. Right now Toronto is in my budget, but I’m so hoping to get back to LA again, if only for a couple of weeks.

What inspires and challenges you most in writing?

To keep it honest. Fiction is lies, but at its core the best of it is about truth. I tell the truth about people as I know it. My characters aren’t me, but each one carries a small part of me and sometimes that means bringing things up that aren’t exactly my best side.

You’ve probably answered this question a hundred times, but please indulge as our readers (and fellow writers) want to know: Do you fly by the seat of your pants when writing or plot out your storylines?

I can’t plot a hole in a donut. I’m hopeless. The couple of times I attempted even a vague outline I was off course instantly. I love my stories growing organically.  I don’t know where they’re going and sometimes the characters surprise me and take me into a story I never meant to write. But it’s so much fun to explore the story landscape and see where it takes me.

How do you deal with the constant distractions such as blogs, FB, promo and real life (like that dreaded daytime job)?

I’m lucky in one respect, I don’t have a day job. I don’t do anywhere near as much promo as I’m told I’m supposed to. And frankly I’m not convinced overloading Facebook or Twitter with tons of promo ever sold anything. It’s been shown again and again that the only thing that really sells books is word of mouth. I have a couple of blogs and I write for my local writer’s society on their blog.

You have two running series currently; The L.A. series and Geography of Murder series. How do you sustain serialized, continuing characters to keep the plot and characters fresh, reader coming back for more?

I think I get inside my characters heads so well I know them. I know how they think and act. I’ve lived with one version or another of Chris and David for almost 13 years. Spider and Jason less so, but writing Geography of Murder was such an intense experience it ground them into me so I can’t forget  either of them.

After your book(s) come out, have had you ever had to deal with homophobia, and if so, what form has it taken?

I’ve been very lucky. I’ve never had anyone email me or get in my face about my books or characters. Except for the online battles I pick in some of the news groups I’m in, I don’t face it very much.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate all the way. With fudge and chunks of dark chocolate and those little toffee bits you get out of crushed skor bars. If you give me vanilla you better at least have chocolate fudge sauce for it.

On behalf of the Facebook Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense Fiction Group, thank you for giving us a little of your time today, answering questions fans of the genre really want to know.

Can you share with us a little about your current release and/or WIP?

My most recent novel is Latin Boyz. Unfortunately, I gave it a lousy title so I don’t think people know what sort of book it really is. It has romance in it, but it is by no means a romance. It has suspense and an LAPD cop in it, but it’s more than a crime novel. It’s more about a young Latino man tortured by the death of his mother in a drive by shooting that also left his sister mentally challenged. Gabe, the young man, is the sole provider for his sister and his old uncle and at only 21, he’s not ready for the responsibility.

The gang member who led the drive by used to be his best friend. When he comes back and tries to finish the job to stop Gabe from complaining to the cops all the time, Gabe calls the police again. This time he meets Alejandro, a patrol officer who is immediately attracted to Gabe. But Gabe can’t admit he’s gay so it’s up to Alejandro to show him it’s a good thing and keep Gabe and his sister safe from the gang.

It’s not a light hearted story and has some dark moments but it’s a book I’m very proud of since I really pushed myself on it.

I also have a novella coming out in November called The Dragons of Winter. It’s my first shapeshifter story since The Bear and came out of my love of dragons and science fiction. I wrote the story as a quasi-SF, set on a fully developed planet with an alien culture. There are people called frails some of whom can shift into dragon form. It was fun to write and hopefully just as much fun to read.

Find Author P.A. Brown here:

http://pabrown.com/

 Coming Soon

 

Sitting down with a long celebrated Writer of Gay Mystery & Suspense. My Interview with Author Mark Zubro

I have been making up stories since I was about eight or nine; writing them down since about ten years old (this is a guess since my mother actually reads my postings from time to time). The first “A” I can ever recall getting was in an English class where we were asked to “make up a story”. The rest, as they say, is history – though it took me almost forty years to consider publishing, and I’m glad I did.

The reason for my ramble is because twenty years ago, I marshaled enough courage to write a fan letter to an author of gay mystery novels I really enjoyed reading, asking advice for a gay writer just getting started. Remember, the old fashion way of putting pen to paper, signing your name at the bottom, affixing a stamp and knowing you’d never get a response? Well, believe it or not, I actually received a response dated March 18, 1992 (yes, I’ve kept the letter all this time!) from the writer who responded with a full page of advice, who was none other than Mark Zubro.

Please join me (excuse my giddiness) as I get to interview one of my favorite gay mystery writers, who helped to influence my own writing.

Where do you live? City, town, island, country?

Mokena, Illinois, USA

Writer’s rarely like to toot their own horn. Seriously! What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?

Having twenty-five books and five short stories published, and the first volume of my great gay sci-fi epic – after working on it twenty-three years, is just out; these are my greatest accomplishments.

Without getting too personal, can you share a little about your home life?

Mostly I read books, write books, nap, and eat chocolate (Jon:I am so there!). Not always in that order, but pretty much that’s it. I’m good at dull and boring. They say ‘be the best you can be’, ‘find out who you are’, ‘do what you’re good at’. Well, I’m good at dull and boring. It’s who I am and I’m comfortable with it. (Recommendation – read Quiet by Susan Cain – great analysis of this.)

Where do you write, and in what format? (computer, tablet, paper, recorder)

I write in my office on a PC. I can do corrections from my editor on the PC. I haven’t learned to do them on the MAC yet.

What inspires and challenges you most in writing?

The most challenging thing in writing is making myself sit down and to get to work. That hasn’t changed in all these years. The old cliché, boring as it is, 90% of life is showing up, is true. I’ve discovered that writing is a whole lot more like real work than most people realize.

The most inspiring thing or things: well, with most mystery writers – okay, with me – we are very busy getting even with people we don’t like. Any number of women have told me they wrote their first mystery to get even with their ex-husband. And with a gay person, there are just a whole lot of homophobes out there who need their comeuppance. There’s not a lot any of us – okay, me again – can do about the homophobes, not in real life. But in my mysteries, by gosh, they can have all kinds of problems. In fact, if you are racist, sexist, homophobic, or a school administrator in one of my books, if you aren’t the corpse – and you are quite likely to be – but if you aren’t, then rest assured bad things are going to happen to you by the end.

I’m also inspired by other people’s stupidities. For example, if the gun nuts are right and we all have to be armed to the teeth, then what happens if at a convention of gun nuts if…oh, wait, that’s the beginning of the plot for the next Paul Turner mystery. I can’t tell you more because I don’t know more. I’ve only got a paragraph done on it. And I won’t be starting on (the novel) until I finish the new Tom and Scott, which I won’t be starting on until I get done with the edits on the books coming out in the next few months.

You’ve probably answered this question a hundred times, but please indulge as our readers (and fellow writers) really want to know. Do you fly by the seat of your pants when writing or plot out your storylines?

It’s changed over the years. I used to start a mystery and not have a clue about how it would end. I’d follow the characters as they bumbled through the world looking for a solution. I’d realize over time, that if this event happened in the early part of a book, then there must be an explanation somewhere near the end of the book. So, no outline and no notion except what logic dictated.

Nowadays, it’s different, sort of; still no outline, really, but I know, usually early on, (what) scenes that I want to put in the book. For example, in the next Tom and Scott, I know there are two murders. One many years ago. I know who didn’t commit that murder, although I don’t know who did. But the person who didn’t commit the murder thinks he did. Tom has to figure out, discover that this person didn’t commit that murder. How he does that, I have no idea. So, I’ve got a structure that I now fill in that leads to the conclusion I want. Sometimes when working this way, lots of things have to be rewritten, changed, and edited. And I have no idea who did the second murder. I’m pretty sure it’s not the first guy, who is innocent of the first murder, but I’m not absolutely sure he didn’t do it. I’ll have to see. (Jon:Confusing to say the least. I doubt most readers realize how much goes into developing a tightly woven mystery, suspense/thriller.)

In the Paul Turner example above, I have the whole gun-nut convention thing. I also know I want a scene in the book at home where Brian, Paul Turner’s older boy, has gone to college. His younger son, Jeff, four years younger, misses his older brother, but would never admit it (OMG, I have loved Jeff all these years since first reading, “Sorry Now”. I love the way you have developed his character; so real and true, regardless of his challenges). But the younger boy has taken to wearing his older brother’s letterman’s jacket. It’s a tender, nostalgic moment that I want in the book. I have no idea where it fits in with the plot, with the momentum of the book, but I think it’s important to show Paul as a loving dad, and I think it’ll fit. And then, in that same to be written in a year or so – Paul Turner – he needs to confront one of his colleagues who betrayed them in… Well, again, I don’t want to give too much away.

With so much releasing and in the works, how do you deal with the constant distractions such as blogs, FB, promo and real life (like that dreaded daytime job)?

I wrote twenty-three of the books while I was teaching full-time. During those years of being published while teaching, I was also president of the teachers’ union in my school district. So there was always a paper to grade, or a student to help, or a teacher in need of assistance or union contract negotiations with the school board; well something. But I’ve discovered with writing, there is always an excuse not to write. Always. It can be trivial or monumental, life changing or mundane, but there’s always an excuse. It goes back to an answer to an earlier question, making myself write every day is the key.

As for promotion, I know a few authors who get their book published and just think the world will then rush to buy their books. Then, there are those of us who slog through every promotional possibility we can find. It’s part of the job. The writing is the key, but selling is vital, painful as that can sometimes be, and I’m an intensely private person (again – read Quiet by Susan Cain – brilliant book on just this very subject), but I do the promotion. I try to do it right. I learn new things; all this techno selling for example.

How do I get them all done? I don’t know. I just plod through. I get one thing done and then I go on to the next.

You have two long-running serials, affectionately known by fans as the Tom & Scott series and the Paul Turner mysteries. How do you sustain the awesome Paul Turner, gay Chicago cop/investigator series and the incredible couple, Tom & Scott, series to keep them fresh and to keep fans returning?

There are several key elements to keeping them fresh. I rotate writing them – one year a Tom and Scott, the next year a Paul Turner and so on. Tom and Scott novels are written in the first person; Paul Turner in third person. This is a big help in switching my mind into the different worlds, the structure of the books themselves. Tom is, by definition an amateur sleuth. This brings into play what I call the “Jessica Fletcher syndrome”. No cop in his right mind would allow an amateur such access. The ‘too interested’ person is, in your average cop’s mind, at the top or near the top of the suspect list.

Although after all these years, I think it would be a hoot, in the very last final two hour episode, if it was revealed that Jessica did them all. But, that’s just me. The point here is, I have to always give Tom a reason to be involved and an in. This influences the whole plot. The Paul Turner books in that sense are simple; it’s his job. But being his job brings in its own set of complications.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Have I mentioned chocolate yet? Can chocolate ever be mentioned enough?

 

On behalf of the Facebook Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense Fiction Group, thank you for giving us a little of your time answering questions fans of the genre are would like to know.  Will you share a little about your current release and/or WIP?

My current release is Alien Quest, a volume of one gay sci/fi epic and love story set in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. An alien comes to Earth and enlists the help of a gay waiter to assist him in his quest to capture the evil scientist from his home world. They have numerous wild adventures as their relationships blossoms. The next book in the Paul Turner series, Pawn of Satan, will be out at the end of October 2013. My first young adult book, Safe, will be out in January 2014.

Where to get Mark Zubro’s books:

www.mlrpress.com
www.amazon.com
Website:

www.markzubro.com

My interview with Ethan Stone, an incredible writer of tough, sexy, strong gay men

This week, I had the opportunity to interview the incredible writer, Ethan Stone, author of several novels featuring tough, sexy, strong gay men. I first discovered Stone’s writing through his gritty Cristian Flesh series, his non-nonsense, no-holds-bared tough detective, but one helluva sexy guy!

So join me as I ask Ethan to share a little about himself, his life and writing career – and what we can expect next from him.

 

Where do you live? City, town, island, country?

Salem, Oregon. USA

Writer’s rarely like to toot their own horn; seriously! What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?

My children are by all means my greatest accomplishment. I am also proud of making the decision to pursue my writing full time. Additionally, I am quite proud that I dumped my ex and have not fallen off the wagon as far as he is concerned.

Without getting too personal, can you share a little about your home life?

I’ve already shared a lot about my personal life on social sites. No secrets, really. After my job situation changed suddenly in Nevada, my son and I moved into my dad’s house in Oregon. My older brother also lives here. My dad is kind enough to help me out for a while, while I see if I can make a living at this author thing.

Where do you write, and in what format? (computer, tablet, paper, recorder)

Always on my laptop. I used to write only on my desktop but I’ve switched it up. I’m hardcore like that. I sit in my recliner, tune out the world and write.

What inspires and challenges you most in writing?

I get my inspiration from all over the place. People I meet, guys I…hang out with, pictures on the net. Beauty inspires me, but I don’t mean just the model gorgeous people. Inner beauty inspires me as much as outer beauty. As for challenges, I’d say I’m my own worst enemy. I procrastinate like crazy and constantly find reasons (excuses) to not write. If you’ve seen my motivation, send it back to me.

You’ve probably answered this question a hundred times, but please indulge as our readers (and fellow writers) want to know: Do you fly by the seat of your pants when writing or plot out your storylines?

I am a total pantster. I usually know where I want to go and let the characters take me they need to go. If I do write an outline it’s a short one and sometimes I don’t follow it all.

How do you deal with the constant distractions such as blogs, FB, promo and real life (like that dreaded daytime job)?  

Well, I don’t have an evil day job, but I still manage to find all sorts of things to distract me. I’m on Facebook most of the time, but I don’t know if it counts as promo. I bullshit with my buddies and Words With Friends is a great time waster. I totally suck at promo. I’m just lucky enough to have an awesome group of core readers.

You have a terrific detective series featuring the very sexy, Reno Detective Cristian Flesh, with three novels so far. Do you plan writing more with Flesh, and will he ever get his chance at true love?

 

Flesh is still in my head and I will re-visit him. The right plot hasn’t come yet but soon—I hope. I want something more than just a police procedural. It has to be something that affects Cristian personally. He’s met his true love in Colby, but will they live happily ever after? I think their relationship is one of ups and downs with big fights and hot make-up sex. They’re not the type to go for a big, splashy wedding. Gabe and Drew, however, are another story. I think Gabe would love a traditional wedding, if only to get Cristian in a tuxedo. (Jon: Now that, I would love to see!)

Recently, you released a novel about cops, security guards, correctional officers set in a maximum security prison who experience regular, almost daily dangerous situations, and some even fall in love. I understand this is the first novel in your second planned series. Have you planned ideas for the upcoming novels, and how many are you planning?

I’m not sure how many Uniformity books there will be. The second—Damaged—is due out soon. I’m working on the third at the moment. I have several other ideas for the characters, but also want to work on follow ups to other books, like Past Tense and Bartender, PI.

On behalf of the Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense Fiction Facebook Group, thank you for answering the questions fans of the genre would like to know. 

 

Last request, can you share a little about your current release and/or WIP?

Damaged features Zane Davis, who was a big part of Compromised, finding his true love, Brett Emerson. Zane and Brett both work at a maximum security prison, Zane as a correctional officer and Brett as a caseworker. The attraction between them is instant, but there’s the little matter of Brett’s girlfriend. While dealing with his feelings for Brett, Zane proves himself an excellent officer by helping stop a corrupt guard. But the dirty officer is just the beginning off the corruption in the prison and Zane ends up in the middle of it all.

 

Damaged will be available for pre-order at Total-e-Bound on October 4th, up for sale at TeB on October 18th, and available everywhere else on November 15th.

 

Check out Ethan Stone at the links below:

http://www.ethanjstone.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ethan.stone.54?fref=ts

Twitter: ethanjstone

Interview with the Amazing Lori L. Lake, Author of The Gun Series

This week, I had the awesome opportunity to speak with the incredible, Lori L. Lake, author of both The Gun Series and The Public Eye Mystery Series.

Where do you live? City, town, island, country?

I’m in the city – currently Portland, Oregon, where I’ve been for the last four years. I lived in the Twin Cities in Minnesota for 26 years, but after the break-up of my 27-year relationship, I returned to my hometown four years ago. I’m loving it! I still go back to Minneapolis/Saint Paul at least once a year, but I am extremely happy I returned to Portland.

Writer’s rarely like to toot their own horn; seriously! What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?

Perhaps my greatest accomplishment is having the endurance to work for fifteen years, honing my craft, reading How-To manuals, taking classes, and submitting manuscripts until finally in 2001 my first books were published. There were times I gave up for a while, but I always came back to it. (If you want to read a long piece about my writing quest, go here: http://www.lorillake.com/quest.html.)

Without getting too personal, can you share a little about your home life?

My sweetheart and I live seven blocks apart in entirely differently decorated houses, and we end up coming back and forth to each other’s places. It’s an interesting arrangement! She’s an extrovert, so her house has a lot more guests coming and going. I call my house The Fortress of Solitude.

Where do you write, and in what format? (computer, tablet, paper, recorder)

I have done most of my writing sitting upright at a desktop computer, but in the summer of 2012 I hurt my back and couldn’t sit upright very well. I was on a deadline to get JUMP THE GUN written, so for six weeks, I wrote on a laptop on a lap-desk while sprawled in my recliner. With an ice pack. While watching NFL football. I wrote 65,000 words! My new writing method is in the recliner. I still like to edit and revise at the desktop, but the laptop and comfortable chair really worked for me. Yay – football’s back on again, too. (Oh, you and writer Max Vos will get along so well!) I’m on a deadline again for the next book!

What inspires and challenges you most in writing?

I’m inspired by many other writers who have also worked extremely hard to get their words out there. Lee Lynch, who has been publishing her writing since she was in her late teens, is one such inspiration. I call her my Fairy Godmother. Her 40+ year career of dogged determination is a monument to hard work – and she did this while working a day job the entire time. I find inspiration from writers like Lee – and Ellen Hart who has been a mentor to me as well. Ellen has managed to navigate the troubled waters of mainstream publishing with her lesbian protagonist for over 20 years. Her Jane Lawless series is on book #21. Now THAT is extremely inspirational!

What challenges me most is my willingness to help others. I love to teach and edit and coach aspiring writers, but doing so puts me out of the frame of mind I need to be in to get my own writing done. It’s a challenge for me to say, “No.” I really have to work very hard at that.

You’ve probably answered this question a hundred times, but please indulge as our readers (and fellow writers) want to know: Do you fly by the seat of your pants when writing or plot out your storylines?

When writing a mystery, I try to figure out the Story Behind The Story, as James N. Frey calls it. I usually start with a character and a situation, and I work out the way the crime occurred and usually the reason(s) it happened, and then it’s a matter of trying to bring the two storylines together. The crime is under the surface; the solving of it or the hunt for the killer is the part that’s usually out in the open. Unearthing the clues and following the footprints is what my sleuths have to do. It would be a lot easier if I could plot that all out in advance and know the red herrings and the misdirections and all the little details…but I don’t. I fly by the seat of my pants every time. I will say, however, that the minute I figure out who the criminal is, the whole thing goes a lot easier!

How do you deal with the constant distractions such as blogs, FB, promo and real life (like that dreaded daytime job)? 

I’ve been told repeatedly that I MUST write a blog. No way. I’m far too easily distracted, and I’d spend all my writing energy working on it. I look at Facebook a couple of times per day, but I probably do not use it very effectively for promotions. I’m mostly interested in people. They fascinate me, and I get caught up in their lives and forget to write!

Everything about promotions has changed so much that what I did the first decade of being published pretty much became obsolete with the explosion of ebooks in 2010. Still, I’m very lucky because I haven’t had a full- or part-time job outside the writing field since 2009 when I moved to Portland. By then I had a backlist of books to which I owned the e-rights, and I’ve been able to scrimp and save enough from month to month to meet my bills and not have to work the dreaded day job.

How do you sustain serialized, continuing characters?

I think about them a lot. They seem real to me in so many ways, as though I could drop by the Saint Paul Police Department and meet up with Dez Reilly or track down Leona Reese doing her investigations job out in the field. I did start a character “bible” to help me keep track of details for The Gun Series after the first three books came out (2001, 2002, 2005) because there was such a gap in time between those earlier books and this fourth one.

I think one of the secrets to keeping the characters interesting is to give them subplots outside of the mystery/thriller realm – things that they’re grappling with in their personal lives. Those issues can carry on from book to book while the main plot – the mystery solution and/or capture of the perpetrator – must be resolved. People in trouble, terrible, terrible trouble, is what makes a book interesting for me, and apparently that’s the case with most readers.

What are your guilty pleasures?

I’m far too fond of series TV: Dexter, Downtown Abbey, Major Crimes, Rizzoli & Isles, Burn Notice, Nurse Jackie, Breaking Bad, and too many more. I get hooked into a compelling storyline, and I’m all over it. I can’t stop watching. This happened with The Wire and The Shield and many other series that revolved around crimes, ethical dilemmas, and people in very, very bad trouble. I also like to read military sci-fi and apocalyptic epics. I love space opera science fiction and would love to write a big, long series like that one day. I’m working on an apocalyptic series right now, off and on. That thing’s been taunting me since 2008. I hope that in the next year or two I can get it done.

After your book(s) come out, have you ever had to deal with homophobia, and if so, what form has it taken?

The thing that comes immediately to mind occurred when I worked for county government in Minnesota. There were about 3,500 employees there, and the HR Department had a Diversity Program and a variety of activity groups to support and encourage GLBT people and people of color. The queer group got wind of my books being out and arranged to do a lunch-time reading and signing to show their support. An email invitation went out to the county staff. Someone I knew fairly well, from my own department (!), replied to the email so that it went out to those 3,500 staff and administrators. The person wrote a rant about gays getting special treatment. This was followed by another rant from a religiously intolerant person who threatened a lawsuit and all kinds of bad PR for the county. This was followed by a string of supportive emails that poked fun or attacked the initial posters about their intolerance. The anti-gay contingent fired back more emails which the pro-gay employees responded to with vigor (and venom). It was about three hours before The Powers That Be decided to turn off the email system. (Jon-I can’t image such an attack; how horrible!) By then, I felt pretty damn crushed by the attacks and negative commentary, especially from a few colleagues in my department. I will say that I had an endless stream of visitors to my office, though. People came by for the rest of the week, and every single person was supportive. After that, no one but a few special individuals were allowed to post to All Staff, so that changed the culture somewhat. (Jon-so incredible you received such support after such nasty hatred.)

On behalf of the Facebook Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense Fiction Group, thank you for giving us a little of your time today, answering questions fans of the genre really want to know.

Thank you for having me here, Jon! (Jon-I’m honored, and really enjoyed getting to know you better!)

Last question; will you share with us a little about your current release and/or WIP?

JUMP THE GUN is the fourth book in my Gun Series, and it came out in July. It’s about Dez Reilly and her partner Jaylynn Savage and what they go through when a police colleague is murdered on the job. I mentioned earlier about my break-up which occurred in 2008, and that caused a real slowdown in my writing this novel. It’s been over seven years since #3 (HAVE GUN WE’LL TRAVEL) came out, and I lost some momentum with the series. I think it may take readers a while to trust that a fifth book will come out. And one will. I’m already pondering on it. In fact, I want to do a mash-up of my Gun characters and include Leona Reese and her sidekick Tom from The Public Eye Mystery Series. I think Dez and Leo could do a bang-up job investigating together, and it’d be quite a challenge to write. Dez has made cameo appearances in both of the Eye books (BUYER’S REMORSE [2011] and A VERY PUBLIC EYE [2012]).

But first, I’m working on a romance that I hope to see published in June 2014. Stay tuned for that. I’ve got four NFL games taped and the recliner is ready and waiting. Wish me luck with my laptop!

 

A new Gay Mystery, Thriller/Suspense author interview posts each Saturday at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/518503111562540/

 

Sitting Down With Author Mark Zubro

Title: Sitting Down With Author Mark Zubro
Location: Gay Mystery-Suspense-Thriller Fiction Facebook Group
Link out: Click here
Description: Sitting down with author Mark Zubro for an interview
Date: 2013-

Interivew with author, Ethan Stone

Title: Interivew with author, Ethan Stone

Location: Gay Mystery-Thriller-Suspense Fiction Facebook Group

Link out: Click here

Description: Interview with gay author, Ethan Stone

Date: 2013-09-14

 

 

SWITCH HITTER – Now available at Amazon & ARe websites

Now available at Amazon and All Romance Ebooks (ARe);

Purchase links:

http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Hitter-ebook/dp/B00EWN5SNU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378041963&sr=1-1&keywords=switch+hitter

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-switchhitter-1273230-354.html

 

Loose zippered, tough talking and violent ex-Marine Dan Stagg is a likeable character

The Hardest Thing: A Dan Stagg Mystery

Written by James Lear

Reviewed by Jon Michaelsen

If you have read author James Lear before, you know he is a prolific erotica writer, and you also have come to know is how effortlessly Lear can reach out, grip you buy the neck and pull you into his story before you have a chance to realize what is happening. THE HARDEST THING: A DAN STAGG MYSTERY proves no different, and if I may dare say, one helluva thrilling ride.

The novel has all the elements a good mystery, suspense/thriller should have; a hard-ass, down on his luck ex-Marine with violent tendencies robbed of a stellar twelve year career because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, an well-connected organized crime connection abled by dirty cops and even shadier men, an extraordinarily sexy and talented boy-toy, a bunch of ready cash…and lots of sex!!

Did I say lots of sex? THE HARDEST THING is the first Dan Stagg mystery to be released featuring the hardened ex-marine, and Lear has done a superb job developing such a damaged character readers will quickly fall for, and cheer on as he batters his way through brutal circumstances to simply stay alive and keep his human “package” breathing. Only thing he didn’t count on ever again, never hoped for again was to fall in love.

But for all the loose zipper, tough talking, heavy handed bravado, Stagg is very likeable, one that reminded this reader on more than one occasion of the more mainstream hetero heroes like Lee Child’s “Jack Reacher”, Barry Eisler’s “John Rain”, or David Baldacci’s “Lee Adams”.

One thing is for sure, this reader eagerly awaits the next Dan Stagg mystery.

UPDATE: New Releases, Re-releases and Current WIPs

Many of you know my former publisher, loveyoudivine, closed its doors for good June 30, 2013 and I had to move quickly to figure out a plan for my published titles and future works. I needed to wait until the rights for FALSE EVIDENCE (Murder Most Deadly I) and SWITCH HITTER returned to me before looking for a new publisher. I have found a wonderful publisher who not only agreed to re-release these novellas, but also offer re-editing and new covers.

The re-release of SWITCH HITTER, a sexy erotic thriller novella co-written with author, Alex Morgan, was released by my new publisher, Wilde City Press (http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-erotica/switch-hitter/#.Ug7CiO7D_IU) this week, which you can pick up currently at their website, and in a couple weeks at other fine etailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks, and others.

For those curious about the sequel to FALSE EVIDENCE (Murder Most Deadly I), I am happy to report that I have signed a contract to release both parts I and II with Wilde City Press. After much discussion with my editor, we’ve decided to release both parts combined in one novel with the title, MURDER MOST DEADLY. In fact, my current WIP is the second and final portion of FALSE EVIDENCE, which we are targeting for release later this year. I will keep you updated via my blogs here, GoodReads, Amazon, Lazy Beagle Entertainment

False Evidence: Murder Most Deadly 1

(http://www.lazybeagleentertainment.com/murder-most-deadly-1–false-evidence.html), as well as on Facebook and share the new cover with you as soon as I am able.

More exciting news! I have also signed a contract to release my debut full-length novel, PRETTY BOY DEAD, the first in a planned series with Wilde City Press (http://www.wildecity.com/). Check out the first peak of the blurb at Lazy Beagle Entertainment: (http://www.lazybeagleentertainment.com/pretty-boy-dead.html).

Though straddled with a little setback this year, I’m really excited about my upcoming releases and new projects. Once I have finished with my current WIP, I plan to finish PRINCE of the SEA, which is a southern gay romance set in the beautiful coastal town of Tybee Island, Georgia, and includes a supernatural element that I’ve really enjoyed writing. Of course, in keeping with my style the story does include a mysterious and thrilling theme.