Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
ARCHIVE (General Topics)
>
What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Josh wrote: "I'm doing a lot of stuff without the requisite nekkid menz on the cover. I don't know that they sell as well, but surely the studly man chest is all but invisible wallpaper by now? "For me they are "the studly man chest is all but invisible wallpaper" (m/m or m/f romances). I'm a face person, really. I'd rather see faces or clothed people on the cover a book. A lot of the new covers you've done for your books have been pleasant surprises and all the more enticing as a result.
Lady*M wrote: "Christine wrote: ""Angst," "torture," lack of a HEA... I keep thinking of Requiem for a Dream. That movie... I thought I was okay after watching that. I realized a few minutes later as my friend dr..."I agree, I won't ever watch it again. I listen to its soundtrack a lot, one of my favorites.
I'm always searching out gripping films, so I looked up Requiem for a Dream on Amazon. Is it really that difficult to watch? Why, exactly? As long as it doesn't contain scenes of physical torture, which I can't bear, I might be able to get through it. Or maybe not?
K.Z. wrote: "I'm always searching out gripping films, so I looked up Requiem for a Dream on Amazon. Is it really that difficult to watch? Why, exactly? As long as it doesn't contain scenes of physical torture, ..."There's a slow dissolution, or degradation, I don't know what to say. There was only one scene where I didn't shut my eyes quickly enough, but I think I hate feeling so helpless, watching train wrecks of this proportion.
K.Z. wrote: "I'm always searching out gripping films, so I looked up Requiem for a Dream on Amazon. Is it really that difficult to watch? Why, exactly? As long as it doesn't contain scenes of physical torture, ..."Well, I suppose it depends on what you would define as "physical torture." The end scene might count as that.
The movie is a downward spiral of desperation, drugs, mental illness, and dreams shot dead. I wouldn't un-watch it, but I probably wouldn't watch it again. If you're curious, I'd say go ahead--I'd be interested to hear your response!
I wouldn't call it "gripping." More like...I don't know. It's sick.
(Edit: But maybe it's not so bad if you're prepared. I went into it without warning. My ex-boyfriend called it a "beautiful movie." At the time, I didn't realize that was code for "a movie so effed up it makes me feel better about my own grey existence." -_- )
K.Z. wrote: "I'm always searching out gripping films, so I looked up Requiem for a Dream on Amazon. Is it really that difficult to watch? Why, exactly? As long as it doesn't contain scenes of physical torture, ..."It is a fascinating film about people who slowly go under. It is hard to watch, but it is in my opinion a very good movie. Not something I would like to see again, I only do that with feel good movies ( the same goes for re- reading) but it is definitely a movie I remember and I am glad I did see it.
Same goes for Brokeback Mountain, as Antonella says, it is a masterpiece, and for Precious, another one of those movies I am glad I got to see, that had a major impact but I won't want to see again.
I had never heard of ''Precious'', and I checked it now. Gosh, I don't think I want to see it, now that I know what is is about. In fact I even suspect I had heard of it and I removed it from my brain.
Antonella wrote: "I had never heard of ''Precious'', and I checked it now. Gosh, I don't think I want to see it, now that I know what is is about. In fact I even suspect I had heard of it and I removed it from my br..."It is very good though :). And as opposed to Requiem for a Dream, there are hope and humour in it too, and some amazing acting as well. But I understand how you would want to avoid it. I kind of forced myself to watch it with some friends, and we were all glad we did. But it is not something you do to relax and have fun.
Anne wrote: "And as opposed to Requiem for a Dream, there are hope and humour in it too, and some amazing acting as well."Ok, I'll reconsider ;-).
K.Z. wrote: "I'm always searching out gripping films, so I looked up Requiem for a Dream on Amazon. Is it really that difficult to watch? Why, exactly? As long as it doesn't contain scenes of physical torture, ..."I was unprepared for it and I had the most difficult time with it, but maybe Christine is right and it wouldn't be so bad for you, knowing what you are getting into.
It's the most realistic depiction of addiction I've ever seen and it covers the entire evolution - from recreational use to downwards spiral. The luckiest of them ends up in jail digging trenches and I mean that without any irony. So, think really, really well about it. I wasn't kidding about flashes and I'm not easily influenced, scared or disgusted.
Christine wrote: "Lady*M wrote: "Though, when I have children, I'm planning to save that movie for "say no to drugs" lesson."I fear for your children."
This reminds me of a film we were shown at school to warn us of the dangers of alcohol (although it sounds milder by a factor of at least 10!). A simple, joyful picnic and a boat-trip on a lake turned tragic (although not fatal, I think).
Given what everyone is saying about the film (and the effect it had on you too) could I put on a plea for your children? That you only make them watch it if they ignore all your other warnings about drugs, and you find they're dabbling with them?
Lou wrote: "Christine wrote: "@KZ: I feel like I'll never get over being a whippersnapper. It's like I'm always the youngest one in every group! :P "Don't worry, it'll go away. :P"
Hahaha! I can COUNT on it!
Lady*M wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "I'm always searching out gripping films, so I looked up Requiem for a Dream on Amazon. Is it really that difficult to watch? Why, exactly? As long as it doesn't contain scenes of physi..."Almost sounds like PTSD from a movie?
Anne wrote: "Becky wrote: "Candice wrote: "I get these samples and by the time I apply myself to read some, I have no idea what it's about, why it appealed..."I figure that saves me a bunch of money. If I've ..."
Amen. I'm a terrible compulsive shopper for books, or rather I'm wonderful at that. It's my skill. Those samples are a lifesaver for someone like me. Add to that, they now and then put me on to a writer I hadn't been aware of and who offers something special.
Speaking of which. I've been reading the POINTS books by Melissa Scott and a cohort. POINT OF HOPE is the first of what come to three books to date.
I'm trying to be more careful about my recs. I don't want to enthuse, etc. and then disappoint. These 2 writers have a lot to offer, a lot. Their world-building is fantastic. You know how when you enter a foriegn city, you see not only what it is now, but it's history, everywhere, what it's been. They write about this place and its culture like that.
I've read all 3 books, and I'll be looking for the next one. So, I'm sold. The 2mc's are men you believe in, root for, and find sexy and appealing.
I have one minor and one serious buggaboo, and I'm no friend of yours if I don't tell them both. The former is re only the first book. I knew right away that it was going to be worth reading. But it went on far too long without getting the story, the mystery, moving. I was about 75% through it before it caught fire. From there on, I couldn't put it down. Both of the following stories moved very well and kept up the pace from beginning to end.
The bigger gripe I had was in how the authors brought about the mc's romance. The first book only lets you know that Nico is interested, attracted to Eslingen. I recall no indication of the reverse and none at all that Nico caught a hint of it. Now, this is fine of itself because I love to be made to wait for it. However, neither sequel addresses that issue. Rather, when we resume, they are already lovers and we're told it happened in the exhileration following the successful resolution in book one.
This is just stupid. And from 2 obviously smart authors, incomprehensibly foolish of them.
But look, that's the worst. And there is so much to enjoy in the books and in the grownup, good hearted progression of their love story. I DO recommend the books.
PS-They actually make me think of the Nightrunner stories; I can't say exactly why.
Susinok wrote: "Josh wrote: "Do you all feel that the way you discover new stories and new authors has changed? It seems to me that it must have changed a bit given how much is out there now in the way of new re..."
Maybe in San Francisco. Talking just about what they carry on their shelves, here, Cocoa or Orlando, or in Fresno, CA, I can tell you the m/m or GLBT selection is minimal, and always to me looks rather haphazardly selected. B&N used to carry Yaoi manga, but discontinued that completely. I'm not impressed.
And you know, we're not alone. What annoys me so is that I think, I believe, that this is the latest untapped market. A section, like the romance section in bookstores, for m/m and f/f fiction might really reap some bucks. But I guess people are afraid to step out.
Candice wrote: "I've been reading the POINTS books by Melissa Scott and a cohort. POINT OF HOPE is the first of what come to three books to date."I think the first book is Armor of Light.
As Flewelling pointed out in talking about her earlier Nightrunner books, when the Point books first came out, there wasn't such an open market or obvious fandom for m/m books. It would have been fun to actually see their courtship develop, true, but to be fair, the glimpses we do get are quite satisfying (at least for me - I don't always need the sex to be on screen). I will be looking for Scott's Point of Knives: A Novella of Astreiant.
Lou wrote: "I like the way Tamara Allen handles anguish. She understands that the character doesn't need every possible misfortune to pile on them to feel it. Consequently, the HEA or HFN is believable and sat..."Same here. Maybe it's too hard to write about the happy ending with as much conviction as was invested in all the torment. A writer I think has to want that saving release and relief as much as the reader does in order to tackle it successfully. Some writers take the ending too much for granted, in effect patting ones' readers on the head.
Lori wrote: "Candice wrote: "I've been reading the POINTS books by Melissa Scott and a cohort. POINT OF HOPE is the first of what come to three books to date."I think the first book is Armor of Light.
As Fle..."
Point of Knives was good. It was supposed to take place chronologically between 1 and 3, so I read it second.
I only took a quick look at Armor of Light's synopsis and might have been mistaken about it. I think, however, that it was not actually of this series. Points takes place extra-terrestrially--and I believe Armor occurs in Elizabethan England w/Marlowe as a character.
Lori wrote: "Candice wrote: "I've been reading the POINTS books by Melissa Scott and a cohort. POINT OF HOPE is the first of what come to three books to date."I think the first book is Armor of Light.
As Fle..."
Lori, I agree about not always having to have the sex "on screen." What I was referring to might be more a just-me kind of thing, but I doubt it. I'm always excited to get to that point that occurs when two people without any previous flirtation shift and see each other. Maybe one was being too careful and cagey. How does he reveal himself? That's a key moment for me. By skipping that entirely I felt they were escaping a moment for which they had no great inspiration.
A terrific example of clever and effective handling of that special moment is in Josh's first Adrien English book. Remember at the end how Jake grabs Adrien and asks if he's okay? "Baby"? And Adrien initially wonders who he's talking to. Then, in the car, all Jake says is that it's not going to be easy.
Now, THAT was inspired.
Josh wrote: "Do you all feel that the way you discover new stories and new authors has changed?It seems to me that it must have changed a bit given how much is out there now in the way of new releases and insta-pubs."
For me it's exploded. I've discovered authors and even genres of books I never knew existed before.
I think having so much, easier, access is somewhat detrimental to my reading habits (I'm already an impulsive buyer of books), not that I'm complaining, mind. Now I have both a virtual and hard copy TBR piles!
One major thing that has changed for me is how I buy books - mostly online these days because what I want to read isn't available in the local, brick-n-mortor bookstores.
The nice thing is, though it started out purely as ebooks, I've moved back into reading hard copy books, but now I'm hunting down writers who've been around for a long time after having read a few of their books in e-format or by hunting for them through the books at the library.
Thanks for all your input. I might give it a try. And Lou, I'm going to look up those movies, too. A couple of the titles sound familiar.Have any of you seen Priest (a gay-themed British film)? It's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! (And gut-wrenching, but with comic relief.)
Candice wrote: "I only took a quick look at Armor of Light's synopsis and might have been mistaken about it. I think, however, that it was not actually of this series. Points takes place extra-terrestrially--and I believe Armor occurs in Elizabethan England w/Marlowe as a character."I must have misread something along the way, then. =0)
Candice wrote: "Lori, I agree about not always having to have the sex "on screen." What I was referring to might be more a just-me kind of thing, but I doubt it. I'm always excited to get to that point that occurs when two people without any previous flirtation shift and see each other. Maybe one was being too careful and cagey. How does he reveal himself? That's a key moment for me. By skipping that entirely I felt they were escaping a moment for which they had no great inspiration."Perhaps, for some, their courtship is too slow? I thought it appropriate. Also, Point of Hope is the first book of the series and the world building takes up quite a bit of text. I'm a sucker for world building and found the idea of planet in a binary system fascinating, but SF is my first love when it comes to reading. Point of Dreams is quite satisfying and now there's really a third book coming out in the series? Sweet!
The reveal between Rathe and Eslingen is rather subtle and easily missed, but it is there, at the end of the first book.
For the record, it would be fun to watch them, uh, canoodling in the balcony when they go to plays ...
Candice wrote: "Anne wrote: "Becky wrote: "Candice wrote: "I get these samples and by the time I apply myself to read some, I have no idea what it's about, why it appealed..."I figure that saves me a bunch of mo..."
I read the two, Point of Hope and Point of Dreams several years ago and didn't know there is a third one. Yay, now I must have it! Thanks for telling, I was quite taken by the storytelling and world- building and have read them several times. I do agree that the romancing part between the two men is a little underdeveloped, but from the synopsis here on Goodreads it seems it might be described more in Point of knives, which is set between the two other? And is there yet another coming?
Christine wrote: "Almost sounds like PTSD from a movie?"It was unpleasant, but it faded after a couple of weeks when I started forgetting the most gruesome details. I'm sure it's not that easy for the people with real PTSD.
On-topic - I just finished Kim Fielding's Brute and it's a fantastic book. Brute/Aric is one of the most compelling characters I've read about lately. Wonderful.
Lady*M wrote: "On-topic - I just finished Kim Fielding's Brute and it's a fantastic book. Brute/Aric is one of the most compelling characters I've read about lately. Wonderful."When I read comments like this, made by people I trust, it is hard for me to avoid the ''buy-and-read-now'' compulsion...
Antonella wrote: "Lady*M wrote: "On-topic - I just finished Kim Fielding's Brute and it's a fantastic book. Brute/Aric is one of the most compelling characters I've read about lately. Wonderful."When I read commen..."
Me also, I downloaded the sample at once :). At least the sample function saves me for buying immediately, I need to slow down the buying of books a little and start buying Christmas presents for my big family in stead. Since I just recently started knitting again, the home made gifts had to wait until next Christmas...
Candice wrote: "Speaking of which. I've been reading the POINTS books by Melissa Scott and a cohort."More original fic where the mc's are modelled on the Professionals Lads :D
I found the first one quite heavy going. It was the fact that it had been recommended to me that kept me reading and I'm glad I did, because the world-buildiong was spectacular. I don't mind there not being any sex scenes, but I would have liked to have seen more affectionate touches and lingering looks between the two.
Lori wrote: "For the record, it would be fun to watch them, uh, canoodling in the balcony when they go to plays ... "
That, too :D
Anne wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Lady*M wrote: "On-topic - I just finished Kim Fielding's Brute and it's a fantastic book. Brute/Aric is one of the most compelling characters I've read about lately. Wonderful."..."
I am reading Brute as well and really enjoying it. It has a kind of fairy tale feel to it but at the same time is deeply gripping and has a fantastic way of weaving social issues into the story. I am enjoying the way Brute/Aric is grappling with social injustice and the issue of poverty and wealth. It is a fab story.
Candice wrote: "Now, this is fine of itself because I love to be made to wait for it. However, neither sequel addresses that issue. Rather, when we resume, they are already lovers and we're told it happened in the exhileration following the successful resolution in book one."Whaaa...?
I dislike when authors do that. It's like...but...you skipped the STORY! :/
Man, I was pretty upset when an author killed off some characters that way. One book, alive and happy--next book, DEAD! Urrrgggh. (Obviously, they were not main characters. But they were supporting characters that I loved.)
Mod
...."
Yes. In fact, a romance novel is, in fact, a journey. Which is why there MUST be some conflict, some legitimate and meaningful obstacle to the Happy Ending.
This can be difficult for writers who come from fan fiction where just a vignette between two beloved characters is enough. And if all you're doing is a Christmas Coda, it is enough.
But there also has to be a balance. To me the weight of the happy ending has to be commensurate with the trials and tribulations of the characters in getting to that resting point. I know I get critcized by some readers for not giving extra sugar at the end, but I think my endings are very much in keeping with the rest of the rest of the stories. I write lean. All the way through. But I do try and keep a careful balance between joy and sorrow.
Josh wrote: "But there also has to be a balance. To me the weight of the happy ending has to be commensurate with the trials and tribulations of the characters in getting to that resting point."Yes, I'm with ya there.
" I write lean."
Yupyupyup. Salmon and Kobe beef hamburger, baby. I do love me some subtext. ;-)
Mod
Come to think of it...didn't Scott came back after the death of her partner and write another book in the series? And...don't I have that book somewhere?
Hmmm. I'd forgotten all about it. When I first got my kindle I went on a book buying rampage that lasted several months. And I'm just now going back to see what I all I have stored there!
Mod
I figure that saves me a bunch of mo..."
The legend in The Professionals was that the Point series started out as fan fiction -- or least were heavily influenced by Pros. I don't know if that's true. If it is, I never came across the original fics.
Mod
..."
I think this had more to do with the publishing climate at the time -- and the fact that books were aimed at a mainstream fantasy audience, not the gay fiction market. Much the same as with Llewellyn's series. To have a same sex relationship at all was pushing boundaries.
Mod
..."
That's an odd decision given the way the market is developing.
I've just read the third coda:http://joshlanyon.blogspot.ch/2012/12...
Aww! I know I keep saying this, but this is my reaction!
Mod
More original fic where the mc's are modelled on the Professionals Lads :D
I found the first ..."
Ha! Confirmation. :-D
Josh wrote: "Plainbrownwrapper wrote: "Yeah, but see, the HEA isn't really meaningful unless the characters had to fight to get there. The HEA redeems their suffering (and Aleks, if you're reading this, that's ..."I agree that without a degree of conflict, there is nothing to get us rooting for our couple. What's a HEA if they didn't have to fight to get there. But surely our job as authors is to hide the angst within a believeable storyline so that the reader doesn't feel like they are being thrown and kicked from one angst-ridden situation to the next.
I don't even notice the angst in Harper Fox's books since it is written so in keeping with the storyline and the characters.
I'm always wary of joining conversations like this incase someone points a finger and cries 'But that's exactly what you do!'
Lillian wrote: "But surely our job as authors is to hide the angst within a believeable storyline so that the reader doesn't feel like they are being thrown and kicked from one angst-ridden situation to the next. I don't even notice the angst in Harper Fox's books since it is written so in keeping with the storyline and the characters...."
Absolutely. Perfectly said, both about how authors should manage the angst and about how Harper Fox does so.
Mod
The thing about Brokeback Mountain was that even though there was a lot of angst and no HEA, the story was brilliantly written. You got into the setting, into the characters heads. It was gritty. It was realistic. You were there. In that setting, with those characters, in that time period. You felt everything. And the same is true for the movie. It was superbly acted. You felt like you were there, you understood what they were feeling and going through even if you'd never been in their positions before.
Also keep in mind, this was one of the first (at least for me) mainstream movies shown in theaters across the country that featured a gay couple and a gay romance as the main plot. That was also something that helped its popularity.
Granted, I've been known to write stories where both MCs died in the end, but I loved this movie. It moved me to tears, and showed a romance that couldn't happen. I dunno. I just loved it.
Mod
You've got a good balance, and I like your endings. You give us just enough to bring our imaginations into play. Plus, you write the endings to go along with how the actual characters would act, and that's an important thing to note. I loved how Jake ends the first book, because it's sparing, but we understand what he's talking about, and it's all that much more meaningful.
Jordan wrote: "Hj wrote: "Christine wrote: ""Cowboy" reminds me...I'm curious: what do you guys think of Brokeback Mountain? ...""Also keep in mind, this was one of the first (at least for me) mainstream movies shown in theaters across the country that featured a gay couple and a gay romance as the main plot. That was also something that helped its popularity."
Do you think it is possible that it was easier to sell the idea and to get funding for the film *because* it didn't end well? i.e. did it make it more acceptable to some who were more conservative?
Josh wrote: "I think this had more to do with the publishing climate at the time -- and the fact that books were aimed at a mainstream fantasy audience, not the gay fiction market. Much the same as with Llewellyn's series. To have a same sex relationship at all was pushing boundaries ..."That makes me think of Marion Zimmer Bradley and her Darkover books. She had several same sex relationships (both between two man and two women) all through her entire series, and that was way way back in the 70s and 80s. At the time, I also remember them being very popular with the SF/Fantasy crowd (of which I was/am one).
Speaking of endings (and bad endings...as in badly written). In a romantic suspense book I read, it was mainstream m/f romance, the epilogue was so over the top sugary sweet and ridiculous it was laughable.The woman had a hard life and worked very hard to become a top reporter at a newspaper. So romantic suspenseful high-jinks ensue and when it gets to the epilogue, she gets the husband, 2 kids, and a dog named Scout (because as a kid she was denied a dog names Scout). She also quits her high powered (hah) newspaper job and writes freelance so she can stay home with said 2 kids and dog.
It was a WTF?!! epilogue for me. It was so over the top sweet and silly and had two chapters! The epilogue went so against the story that it pretty much negated my enjoyment of the book.
10 points if you can identify the book, LOL.
Susinok wrote: "and a dog named Scout (because as a kid she was denied a dog names Scout)."Ahem. We all know and love a certain bookstore owner who also got a dog named Scout -- also because he had been denied one as a kid. So watchit there. ;-)
Susinok wrote: "That makes me think of Marion Zimmer Bradley and her Darkover books. She had several same sex relationships (both between two man and two women) all through her entire series, and that was way way back in the 70s and 80s. At the time, I also remember them being very popular with the SF/Fantasy crowd (of which I was/am one). "Yeah, I don't really know how she got away with that. OTOH, Heinlein did incest at roughly the same time period...
Lou wrote: "I started reading 
. It was on the many samples on my reader, so old I couldn't remember why I downloaded it, but the story grabb..."Oh, wow! I read the blurb. That sounds very interesting!
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Q&A with Josh Lanyon
Books mentioned in this topic
Chained Melody (other topics)The Far Pavilions (other topics)
Death in Kashmir (other topics)
The Flame Trees of Thika: Memories of an African Childhood (other topics)
Mistress of the Art of Death (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
M.M. Kaye (other topics)Elspeth Huxley (other topics)
Lauren Willig (other topics)
Charlie Cochet (other topics)
Damon Suede (other topics)
More...
I fear for your children.