Lou Harper's Blog, page 23
December 31, 2011
A Quickie
I've created a new blog on Blogger. I have friends who moved away from LiveJournal because of its tendency to be down sometimes for days. Simply find Blogger more user friendly and customizable. For now at least I will run both blogs simultaneously. I thought of copying over all my posts from here, but thought better, and copied only the last post.
December 30, 2011
N-ine Words of the Day
The English language is awash in adjectives ending in "-ine." They have Latin origins and usually serve to express their subject's relation or likeness to something, quite often an animal. Canine or feline are the most popular ones, but there are many others. Here are nine lesser-known examples:
pavonine adjective of or like a peacock.
porcineadjectiveof, affecting, or resembling a pig or pigs : his flushed, porcine features.
hircineadjectiveof or resembling a goat.
anserine adjective:
1. Of or relating to a goose.
2. Stupid; silly.
ovine adjectiveof, relating to, or resembling sheep.
ranine
adjective Relating to or characteristic of frogs.
leporineadjectiveof or resembling a hare or hares.
elephantineadjectiveof, resembling, or characteristic of an elephant or elephants, esp. in being large, clumsy, or awkward : there was an elephantine thud from the bathroom.
murine adjective Zoologyof, relating to, or affecting mice or related rodents.
December 24, 2011
May and December
As my favorite fictional hero, Gillibran Brown would say, "I feel a chunter coming on."My short story, Wintertide, in the Winter Warmers anthology features two guys who are pretty far apart in age. A couple of reviewers commented on the chances against such a relationship lasting. I totally see their point. "Opposites attract" is probably the most erroneous adage outside of the world of electrically charged bits of metal. In reality, people tend to get along best with those similar to them. Some gay couples take this to the extreme by even looking like they came from the same cloning factory.
However, there are exceptions. To write such a relationship I was inspired by the story of Don Bachardy and Christopher Isherwood. Isherwood was a British writer who moved to the US before WWII. He published novels and worked in Hollywood. He also was openly gay when homosexuality was even less accepted than it is now.Isherwood met Bachardy when the latter was sixteen or eighteen (accounts vary) and Isherwood forty-eight. They stayed together for the next thirty-three years until Isherwood's death. Of course, they had their ups and downs, like everyone else. The story is told in a movie, Chris & Don: A Love Story.
In the end, the May-December relationship in fiction, like several other themes -- rent boys, D/s, etc. -- hits the kinks of some readers, but turns off others. I'm not trying to make anyone like what they don't, only explaining why it works for me. I have plans for a sequel that would pick up the story maybe six months later.Since we're here, I have a few Isherwood related movies to recommend – all with a gay angle, of course.
In 1931 Isherwood went to Berlin "for the boys." Much later, in the seventies, he wrote about those times and the young German man he fell in love with.In 2011 the BBC adapted those stories into a TV drama, starring Matt Smith of Doctor Who fame. Christopher and His Kind is an interesting and enjoyable movie that gives a slice of history from a particular angle. It doesn't exactly have a traditional story arc, but there are a few joyous and unabashed (gay) sex scenes.
Cabaret (1972) is technically the same story, as it is based on the Broadway musical that was adapted from the same stories, however it is a more fictional, more stylized version of them, with a well-rounded story arc. Nonetheless, it still has a sharp bite. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, even if they don't like musicals.Cabaret has a great cast: Michael York, Joel Grey, and Liza Minelli in unarguably the best role of her entire career. Cabaret was directed by the legendary Bob Fosse. It's one of my all time favorite movies.
A Single Man is a far more recent film, directed by - of all people - fashion designer Tom Ford. It's an amazing movie, slow but powerful, like an ocean tide. Colin Firth, who is one of my favorite actors anyway, gives a beautifully nuanced performance. By the way, Isherwood wrote the novel about ten years into his relationship with Don Bachardy. They hit a rough patch at the time, it's the story of Isherwood imagining his life without Don.
However, there are exceptions. To write such a relationship I was inspired by the story of Don Bachardy and Christopher Isherwood. Isherwood was a British writer who moved to the US before WWII. He published novels and worked in Hollywood. He also was openly gay when homosexuality was even less accepted than it is now.Isherwood met Bachardy when the latter was sixteen or eighteen (accounts vary) and Isherwood forty-eight. They stayed together for the next thirty-three years until Isherwood's death. Of course, they had their ups and downs, like everyone else. The story is told in a movie, Chris & Don: A Love Story.
In the end, the May-December relationship in fiction, like several other themes -- rent boys, D/s, etc. -- hits the kinks of some readers, but turns off others. I'm not trying to make anyone like what they don't, only explaining why it works for me. I have plans for a sequel that would pick up the story maybe six months later.Since we're here, I have a few Isherwood related movies to recommend – all with a gay angle, of course.
In 1931 Isherwood went to Berlin "for the boys." Much later, in the seventies, he wrote about those times and the young German man he fell in love with.In 2011 the BBC adapted those stories into a TV drama, starring Matt Smith of Doctor Who fame. Christopher and His Kind is an interesting and enjoyable movie that gives a slice of history from a particular angle. It doesn't exactly have a traditional story arc, but there are a few joyous and unabashed (gay) sex scenes.
Cabaret (1972) is technically the same story, as it is based on the Broadway musical that was adapted from the same stories, however it is a more fictional, more stylized version of them, with a well-rounded story arc. Nonetheless, it still has a sharp bite. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, even if they don't like musicals.Cabaret has a great cast: Michael York, Joel Grey, and Liza Minelli in unarguably the best role of her entire career. Cabaret was directed by the legendary Bob Fosse. It's one of my all time favorite movies.
A Single Man is a far more recent film, directed by - of all people - fashion designer Tom Ford. It's an amazing movie, slow but powerful, like an ocean tide. Colin Firth, who is one of my favorite actors anyway, gives a beautifully nuanced performance. By the way, Isherwood wrote the novel about ten years into his relationship with Don Bachardy. They hit a rough patch at the time, it's the story of Isherwood imagining his life without Don.
December 14, 2011
May and December
As my favorite fictional hero, Gillibran Brown would say, “I feel a chunter coming on.”
My short story, Wintertide, in the Winter Warmers anthology features two guys who are pretty far apart in age. A couple of reviewers commented on the chances against such a relationship lasting. I totally see their point. “Opposites attract” is probably the most erroneous adage outside of the world of electrically charged bits of metal. In reality, people tend to get along best with those similar to them. Some gay couples take this to the extreme by even looking like they came from the same cloning factory.
However, there are exceptions. To write such a relationship I was inspired by the story of Don Bachardy and Christopher Isherwood. Isherwood was a British writer who moved to the US before WWII. He published novels and worked in Hollywood. He also was openly gay when homosexuality was even less accepted than it is now.
Isherwood met Bachardy when the latter was sixteen or eighteen (accounts vary) and Isherwood forty-eight. They stayed together for the next thirty-three years until Isherwood’s death. Of course, they had their ups and downs, like everyone else. The story is told in a movie, Chris & Don: A Love Story.
In the end, the May-December relationship in fiction, like several other themes -- rent boys, D/s, etc. -- hits the kinks of some readers, but turns off others. I’m not trying to make anyone like what they don’t, only explaining why it works for me. I have plans for a sequel that would pick up the story maybe six months later.
Since we’re here, I have a few Isherwood related movies to recommend – all with a gay angle, of course.
In 1931 Isherwood went to Berlin “for the boys.” Much later, in the seventies, he wrote about those times and the young German man he fell in love with.
In 2011 the BBC adapted those stories into a TV drama, starring Matt Smith of Doctor Who fame. Christopher and His Kind is an interesting and enjoyable movie that gives a slice of history from a particular angle. It doesn’t exactly have a traditional story arc, but there are a few joyous and unabashed (gay) sex scenes.
Cabaret (1972) is technically the same story, as it is based on the Broadway musical that was adapted from the same stories, however it is a more fictional, more stylized version of them, with a well-rounded story arc. Nonetheless, it still has a sharp bite. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, even if they don’t like musicals.
Cabaret has a great cast: Michael York, Joel Grey, and Liza Minelli in unarguably the best role of her entire career. Cabaret was directed by the legendary Bob Fosse. It’s one of my all time favorite movies.
A Single Man is a far more recent film, directed of all people fashion designer Tom Ford. It’s an amazing movie, slow but powerful, like an ocean tide. Colin Firth, who is one of my favorite actors anyway, gives a beautifully nuanced performance. By the way, Isherwood wrote the novel about ten years into his relationship with Don Bachardy. They hit a rough patch at the time, it’s the story of Isherwood imagining his life without Don.
My short story, Wintertide, in the Winter Warmers anthology features two guys who are pretty far apart in age. A couple of reviewers commented on the chances against such a relationship lasting. I totally see their point. “Opposites attract” is probably the most erroneous adage outside of the world of electrically charged bits of metal. In reality, people tend to get along best with those similar to them. Some gay couples take this to the extreme by even looking like they came from the same cloning factory.
However, there are exceptions. To write such a relationship I was inspired by the story of Don Bachardy and Christopher Isherwood. Isherwood was a British writer who moved to the US before WWII. He published novels and worked in Hollywood. He also was openly gay when homosexuality was even less accepted than it is now.
Isherwood met Bachardy when the latter was sixteen or eighteen (accounts vary) and Isherwood forty-eight. They stayed together for the next thirty-three years until Isherwood’s death. Of course, they had their ups and downs, like everyone else. The story is told in a movie, Chris & Don: A Love Story.
In the end, the May-December relationship in fiction, like several other themes -- rent boys, D/s, etc. -- hits the kinks of some readers, but turns off others. I’m not trying to make anyone like what they don’t, only explaining why it works for me. I have plans for a sequel that would pick up the story maybe six months later.
Since we’re here, I have a few Isherwood related movies to recommend – all with a gay angle, of course.
In 1931 Isherwood went to Berlin “for the boys.” Much later, in the seventies, he wrote about those times and the young German man he fell in love with.
In 2011 the BBC adapted those stories into a TV drama, starring Matt Smith of Doctor Who fame. Christopher and His Kind is an interesting and enjoyable movie that gives a slice of history from a particular angle. It doesn’t exactly have a traditional story arc, but there are a few joyous and unabashed (gay) sex scenes.
Cabaret (1972) is technically the same story, as it is based on the Broadway musical that was adapted from the same stories, however it is a more fictional, more stylized version of them, with a well-rounded story arc. Nonetheless, it still has a sharp bite. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, even if they don’t like musicals.
Cabaret has a great cast: Michael York, Joel Grey, and Liza Minelli in unarguably the best role of her entire career. Cabaret was directed by the legendary Bob Fosse. It’s one of my all time favorite movies.
A Single Man is a far more recent film, directed of all people fashion designer Tom Ford. It’s an amazing movie, slow but powerful, like an ocean tide. Colin Firth, who is one of my favorite actors anyway, gives a beautifully nuanced performance. By the way, Isherwood wrote the novel about ten years into his relationship with Don Bachardy. They hit a rough patch at the time, it’s the story of Isherwood imagining his life without Don.
December 11, 2011
Gay Day, Excerpts, Promo, and Free Books
Ethan Day's Gay Day is happening today, and there is a book giveaway galore going on. Just look at this smorgasbord:
December 9, 2011
Bloggity Blog Blog
Naughty or Nice?
The Winter Warmers team is over on Chicks and Dicks today prattling about how we like our men. In fiction anyway. needless to say, I like mine naughty. I realized at a tender age bad guys were some much more exciting and had so much more fun. Of course, they can't be two-dimensional villains, that would be boring. No, they need to be complex characters with a touch of nice to keep pulling you in. Kinda like Spike in Buffy. Yumm.
The Winter Warmers team is over on Chicks and Dicks today prattling about how we like our men. In fiction anyway. needless to say, I like mine naughty. I realized at a tender age bad guys were some much more exciting and had so much more fun. Of course, they can't be two-dimensional villains, that would be boring. No, they need to be complex characters with a touch of nice to keep pulling you in. Kinda like Spike in Buffy. Yumm.
November 28, 2011
It's Alive!
Thanks to Jo's hard work, Winter Warmers is available on Amazon, Amazon UK, All Romance Ebooks, and Smashwords. There's also a blog event on Jenre's Well Read blog. C'mon by.
November 16, 2011
Showing Off
I can't help it, I must. I made this picture from scratch, all of it, from the design on the ornaments to ornaments themselves, and the gold background too.
November 14, 2011
Winter Warmers
I have a confession to make: I'm an absolute, utter, unapologetic Grinch. My motto for the whole holiday season is Bah, Humbug! That said, when the idea of this seasonal anthology came up, I merrily jumped on board. It sounded fun, plus they let me design the cover. :) The book is scheduled to hit the ether in two weeks, on November 28th. Till then there's a little teaser:
WINTER WARMERS - a seasonal anthology
Mulled wine. Butterscotch kisses. Hideous sweaters. Candy at the beach, or a trip to a sex shop in Amsterdam. And the man of your dreams, wrapped around you...
Winter warmers come in many shapes and sizes, from the tongue-in-cheek to the hot-as-hell. Enjoy a quintet of heart-warming tales of men loving men from Clare London, Chrissy Munder, JL Merrow, Josephine Myles, and Lou Harper that are guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.
One thing's for sure—it's going to be a red-hot Christmas!
Lucky Dip by Clare London
Andy Jackson always knew that class 2C's help in preparing for the annual Christmas Fair would be a mixed blessing. Then he's paired up on the Lucky Dip with Greg, the man who dumped him but now can't keep away, the pupils are either lecturing him on his lovelife or losing bladder control, and no one's fixed the broken handle on the storage room. It may all be one whoopee cushion too far for him.
Butterscotch Kisses by Chrissy Munder
Matthew Morrison is determined to conquer his fear of heights and achieve a winning outcome. At least, that's what the best-selling, self-help book he's listening to promises. Being stuck on a three-story tower in the middle of a snowstorm wasn't part of the plan. With no St. Bernard in sight, it's Cute Ticket Guy Adam to the rescue, and an outcome Matthew never anticipated.
A Pint of Beer, a Bag of Chips, and Thou by JL Merrow
What's the best gift a young man could get for Christmas? Mohawked saxophonist Liam wouldn't have picked the hideous collection of knitwear he's presented with by his mum and his aunties. He'd rather have the gorgeous older man he sees every day while busking at King's Cross. But with a little Christmas magic in the air, maybe those garish garments are just the thing for attracting a silver fox...
When in Amsterdam... by Josephine Myles
Brandon is on his first visit to new boyfriend Jos's home country, just in time for their Sinterklaas celebrations. But an unexpected detour into a sex shop leads Brandon to new discoveries about himself, and a whole new dynamic to their relationship. The weather may be cold and damp, but Brandon and Jos soon heat things up!
Wintertide by Lou Harper
May meets December when Jem and Oscar chance on each other at the Santa Monica Pier, only weeks before Christmas. The two men are separated by age, social status, and their taste in candy, yet if they are both naughty and nice, they might just find holiday cheer together.
November 13, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday
The first six sentences of my holiday short story (coming soon to an internet near you) also happen to make up its first paragraph:
Jem hated Mariachi music. Its bouncy, overblown beats made him think of cartoon mice hopped up on meth. Speedy Gonzales: The Lost Years. Jem wondered if it made him racist or something, but he decided against it; he hated polka too and he was half-Polish. It was those bouncy Mariachi tunes reverberating through his apartment building, courtesy of one of his neighbors, that chased him all the way from Hollywood to the Santa Monica Pier on that particular afternoon. That was one way of spending his day off.
As one might expect, things of the romantic nature will happen on the pier. The title of the story is Wintertide, and it will appear in a mini-anthology alongside tales from Clare London, Chrissy Munder, JL Merrow, an Josephine Myles.
Lou Harper's Blog
- Lou Harper's profile
- 341 followers
Lou Harper isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
