Author J.P. Bowie interview and 4 give-aways

My guest today became my self-appointedmentor at Gay Rom Lit. I snagged him on the boat cruise and made him talk to mefor over an hour. J  J.P. Bowie is as wonderful in person as hischaracters are in his books. He has two new releases at the moment, ChristmasWishes that came out November 30, and He Ain't Heavy that came out shortlyafter – both from MLR Press.
Welcome, JP. I promise not to fangirlover you like I did at Gay Rom Lit but I am still waiting for that WarriorPrince t-shirt you promised me. (I made that up but we'll see if he takes thebait – gosh I love that book) J.P. also wanted me to include his pic – so hereit is. -->
1.     Howdid you get started writing m/m romance? Did you always want to be a writer?
I wrote my first 'novel' at age 14 - it was adirect pinch from Edgar Rice Burroughs - except with men who loved men - so itwas always there I guess. Later I tried my hand at some mystery a la AgathaChristie, again with gay characters. None of these I ever sent to a publisher,just as well really - they'd have been scandalized no doubt. My first publishedwork was A Portrait of Phillip - not really m/m, more gay fiction with romance- the rewrite recently released by MLR Press is much more in the m/m genre, asare all my more recent novels.
2.     Whatwere your early influences either in this genre or any other?

Armistead Maupin who wrote Tales of the City - notreally an m/m writer but one who knows how to weave interesting stories withflesh and blood characters was a big influence on me. I hope I've been imbuedwith some of those same traits as a result. Characterization is hugelyimportant in any story, and I think, especially in m/m romance. I don't want mystories to be one sexcapade after another. That can get boring, after a while.The plot and the characters have to be interesting in any story I write - orread - or my mind strays to what I have to make my partner Phil for dinner!


3.     Whatis the hardest part about writing for you?
I have a tendency to write myself into a corner,then have to find a way out of the pickle I've created for myself. Sometimes itworks, other times it's the delete button being struck quite forcibly and a lotof curse words emanating from the den. I envy the writers who know exactlywhere the story is going from page one - not me - flying by the seat of mypants is more my style - did I just hear muttering of "You're telling me!"?  4.     Doesany one of your books hold a special place in your heart more so than the others?
My first book - A Portrait of Phillip - becausealthough far from perfect, it made me realize I could actually do this!
5.     Tellus a little about your Christmas story and your new release. Are either part ofa series or are they stand-alones?
ChristmasWishes is set in England in 1922 and tells of two Oxford professors in lovehaving to deal with spending their first Christmas together - apart - if youcatch my drift. Both have family commitments, but somehow Fate intervenes, asit so often will, to remedy the situation. 


HeAin't Heavy couldn't be more different, although again it's about love andthe twists of Fate. Two brothers, best friends and business partners find thatsecrets their parents had been keeping from them all their lives come to lightin a brutal fashion. Murder exposes a brother they never knew existed, a manwithout a conscience who is out to destroy them, but not before he reveals tothem something that will not only change their lives forever, but also makethem come to terms with the feelings for one another they have suppressed foryears.




6.     Doyou have any writing quirks? (ie computer has to be facing a certain way, cupof coffee on the left, certain music playing, etc)
Not really, but I do like peace and quiet. Somelight classical music or instrumental jazz is okay - no lyrics because I startlistening to the words.  7.     Doyou have any writing or reading squicks? Things you don't like to read andcan't see yourself ever writing?
BDSM is something I couldn't write about - I haveno objection to it other than it's not for me personally, and one or two of theBDSM books I've read have made me  giggle- not very manly I know, but there it is.
8.     Iheard a rumor that some readers were sure you were a woman because of yourwriting style. What exactly did they say your style was and do you think itmatters if the writer of a m/m romance if male or female?
One reviewer referred to me as Ms. Bowie. It was agood review so I thanked her and pointed out the JP stood for James Peter. Myfriend Carol Lynne before we became better acquainted thought I was femalebecause my writing was 'so romantic'. Well, I am a romantic, can't help it, sorry. It's all about love, afterall. No, it doesn't matter if the writer is male or female as long as the storyis good and the lovin' is hot!
9.     What'snext on your plate? What are you working on?
I've just submitted Book 7 of My Vampire and I forapproval and I've started a new Nick Fallon Investigation - no title yet - oh,and MLR is assessing A Self Portrait, a rewrite of the 4th in thePortrait series.
1.     Finally– a few quick choices:

a.     Coffeeor tea…………….bothb.     Dogor cat…………………again, bothc.      Beachor mountains…..beachd.    Pecs or abs…………….both!!e.     Smileor eyes……….smiling eyesf.      Cowboysor rockstars…..no contest - cowboys!g.     Whowould win in a fight – vampires or werewolves? And why…Vampires -their bite would seduce the werewolf and he'd be putty in the vampire's hands -just made that up by the way, but hey, I might use it next time!
J.P. has generously offered 4separate prizes to commenters. One copy each of Christmas Wishes, He Ain't Heavy, plus 2 of his backlist titles, A Special Christmas and A PresentChristmas. Random.org will be busy drawing 4 numbers this time – prizes awardedin the order listed (or something like that :P). 


PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVEYOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT.
CONTEST WILL BE OPEN UNTIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 19.
Be sure to check out J.P.'s website for information on howto buy all his fabulous books, J.P. Bowie