Greetings readers. Welcome to Michael's! Another amazing author is here today. How can we follow up fab writer Angel Martinez. With another great one and fab friend, Lisa Worrall. Let's see how she answers my probing questions!
Before you started, had you done any fanfiction? If so, what fandom?
God yes. I love fanfiction. My friend got me into reading it and then asked me to write a fic for her birthday and the rest is history J Those who know me will not be surprised to know it was in the Supernatural fandom J
*For Fanfiction writers, did you ever do any Real Person Fan fic? If so of who, if not do you think it’s wrong to do that?
Fanfiction is where I started in the Supernatural Fandom as stated above, and I didn’t always write AU (alternate universe). In fact, most of my early stuff was definitely real person. I certainly don’t think it’s wrong to do so. We all have different tastes, we all have different things that float our boats and, quite frankly, having attended quite a few Supernatural conventions, the actors know of its existence and don’t read it, but don’t object to it either.
What is your favorite subgenre to write?
M/M is the genre I write in.
What is your opinion on the “chicks with dicks” analogy? In your opinion, is it wrong for your males to be emotional or romantic?
I think the “chicks with dicks” analogy was started by men who find it difficult to express emotion in their own relationships. Why is it okay for a heterosexual man to tell his wife he loves her… or hold her hand… or kiss her in public… or call her baby… whatever—but we’re supposed to think that a gay man wouldn’t dream of expressing the same endearments to the one they love? It irritates me when, and it’s usually men, state that all gay men are interested in is sex and that emotion doesn’t come into it. And I’m sure there are gay men out there who are only interested in that… just as there are women out there who feel the same way. However, I can’t believe that that is what every gay man in the world is the same.
Your first published book?
My first published novella, which I class as my first book because it wasn’t a short story… was A Nanny for Nate with Silver Publishing.
Who are the authors that you look up to?
I adore Sue Brown’s writing. It’s fluid and seamless and grabs you from the first word until the last. I also love Stuart Wakefield’s stuff. I don’t usually go for fantasy, but he does it so well. Patti Logan, of course, knocks it out of the park with a splendid mix of romance and BDSM. And I confess to being a huge Andrew Grey fan. He hits the spot every time. Oh, and there’s Laura Harner, I might have a bit of a soft spot for her… this could go on for some time.
What books are you reading at the moment? It’s okay to give a fellow author a plug!
I just finished reading Stolen Summer by S.A. Meade. The tale she wove was amazing and I was sucked in straight away. So much so that I could not put it down! Totally recommend it.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a couple of things. I have a three book series called Barty, Me & Daddy Makes Three. It’s about a guy, Evan, who works at Dreamland, a theme park in California, where he is the star attraction… Barty Bear. One day he meets a little girl who has lost her Daddy and his life is changed forever.
I’m also working on a story revolving around a cataract sufferer who runs an assisted camp for the blind. When a particularly happy camper shows up, things don’t quite go as planned.
When creating your characters, do you have models in mind or are they totally fictional?
I’d like to say that they’re totally fictional, but most of my leading men have a little of the Jensen and Jared’s about them… with a change of hair colour and eye colour… although green always seem to sneak in there. *blushes*
If you write gay romance or erotica, just how descriptive are your in their sex scenes?
I think they’re quite descriptive. I find the sex scenes the hardest, because you want to make them different each time, but obviously there are standard moves… shall we call them lol. I like to concentrate more on the emotional side of it while keeping it hot. I hope I manage to do it!
What is your opinion as to why publishers only want to group all manlove stories under erotica?
Do you feel this is a hindrance to our genre?
I do actually. As I said above, I write M/M erotic romance, heavy on the romance. Not that there isn’t a place for purely erotica… but not everybody wants to read a book about two sweaty blokes wrestling naked and shagging like there’s no tomorrow without even asking each other’s names. When I read a book, I like plot to be the priority and the sex almost secondary.
Do you believe it’s important for you to know the gender of the author?
No – what difference does it make? As long as the writing is good, who gives a monkey whether you’re Arthur or Martha?
Recently, a writer sabotaged her career by answering a bad review on a blog. How would you have handled this and do you think authors should answer their reviews?
I don’t think we shouldn’t be allowed to answer reviews. But as my dear old dad used to say… there’s a difference between scratching your arse and tearing it. I’ve had bad reviews or reviews where the reader has asked questions or not understood what I’ve meant and I’ve answered them. At the end of the day, it’s like someone telling you your kid is ugly… you wouldn’t ignore it would you… but you would get yourself arrested either.
As a fellow fem in the genre, what is your stance on the difference between male and female gay writers?
As far as I can tell… the only difference between male and female writers of this genre is their anatomy.
What are your thoughts on the fact that some gay male writers discriminate against women?
Insecurity, stupidity, knobheaditis. What it all boils down to is that they don’t want girls pissing in their paddling pool. But it’s kind of tough, because it’s not up to them, it’s up to the reader.
What is your stance on issues in society like same sex marriage, DOMA, etc?
I have only one stance on same sex marriage. It’s all about love. I was brought up to believe that you grow up, meet someone, fall in love and get married and live, hopefully, happy ever after. Nowhere did it say that a woman had to fall in love with a man and a man in love with a woman. Love is love and it should be celebrated, whatever package it comes in.
Why do you feel homoerotic images are not acceptable on place like FB?
I think they’re perfectly acceptable on your own page with the appropriate privacy settings. If anyone has a problem with anything I post, then unfriend me, I won’t be offended. I will be offended if you knowingly friend me because I am a writer of M/M and then get pissy because I post revealing pictures.
Fun questions pick at least 3
Name one celeb that you wish was gay and why?
There are celebrities I wish weren’t gay, but I can’t think of any I wish were.
Name two male celebs that you’d like to see in a hot make out session?
God help me… Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki (now I have to lie down)
Your favorite gay tv show or movie?
Shelter, starring Brad Rowe and Trevor Wright
Your favorite gay celeb?
John Barrowman…Captain Jack Harkness himself. Although Mr Bomer is edging up behind him, if you’ll pardon the expression.
Do you feel that celebs who are gay or bi should come out the closet?
I see no reason for anyone, famous or not, to be ashamed of who you are. But at the end of the day we all make our own decisions.
For the men in your books, commando or underwear?
Boxers….
Favorite character in one of your books?
Kaleb, Always Hope.
If you’ve watched gay porn, tell me your favorite movie and or star.
I have a huge thing for Parker London… and he has a bit of a huge thing for me…
Blurb:
Ash Watts has his life exactly how he wants it: burgeoning career, gorgeous boyfriend, and an apartment with a fabulous view of LA. But his perfect world comes crashing down around his ears when he learns of his only sister's untimely death. A small town isn't all he finds when he lands in Freedom, Alabama for Annie's funeral. This small town is brimming with secrets; secrets that could change Ash's life forever.
Kaleb Gibson, honest-to-God cowboy, and native of Freedom, born and bred, found his best friend the moment Annie Watts breezed into town. Her death left a gaping hole in his heart, and while Annie's brother may have her same dark hair and green eyes, Kaleb refuses to lose his heart all over again, and he can’t forgive the man for neglecting his sister when she needed him most.
Revelations from Annie's Will throw Kaleb and Ash together in ways they never imagined. Will Kaleb be able to carry out Annie’s last wishes without killing her beloved brother and without revealing a secret from his own past that could destroy everything? And will Ash stick around long enough to see that Freedom may hold an even more perfect life than he could have imagined?
EXCERPT:
Kaleb tossed the suitcase in the back of his truck and then climbed in behind the wheel. He started the engine and opened his window to let in the warm summer breeze and waited for Ash to hoist himself into the passenger seat. “You might wanna open your window, it’s hotter ‘n a whorehouse on nickel night in here.” As Ash fumbled with the inside panel of the door, Kaleb rolled his eyes when he realized what the man was looking for. He leaned across him and his lips curled at the gasp from Ash when his arm brushed against a firm thigh. Kaleb gripped the lever and wound the window down until the pane had completely disappeared into its housing. “This is a mint condition 1969 Chevy C10, City Boy. There ain’t no electric windows here, you’re in the South now.”
After negotiating the traffic around the airport, Kaleb pulled out onto the freeway and headed towards home. He glanced over at Ash and frowned at how pale the guy was. “When did you last sleep?” The question was out before he could stop it. Not that he’d planned to be anything other than civil, he’d merely decided he wasn’t going out of his way to be nice. This was the guy who’d left Annie high and dry, and he was the guy who’d seen the sadness in her eyes as she’d made excuse after excuse for the man who didn’t return her calls.
“Excuse me?” Ash turned to look at him and Kaleb was struck once again by the green of the man’s eyes. Now that they were out of the harsh fluorescent lighting of the airport, he could see that while there were obvious similarities between brother and sister, Ash’s eyes weren’t as vibrant a green as Annie’s. More like the ocean on a stormy day, and— what the fuck does it matter what color his eyes are? You’re giving him a ride, not painting his fucking portrait.
“You look like you’ve been put through the mill and hung up wet,” Kaleb said gruffly, returning his gaze to the road, angry with himself for being sucked in by the air of fragility about the man, despite his tall, lean frame. “Didn’t you sleep on the plane?”
“Oddly enough, no,” Ash snapped. “I was too busy thinking about my sister’s funeral to catch a few 'z’s'.”
“Shame you didn’t think about her more often when she was alive,” Kaleb countered, unable to keep the venom from his voice. Nice, Gibson, kick the man when he’s down why don’t ya? Kaleb ignored his inner voice’s scathing retort. Ash wasn’t the only one who was down, but they all had to keep going. Was he supposed to treat the asshole with kid gloves? Watts wasn’t the only one who was grieving. He’s her brother! He didn’t care. Just because Ash and Annie shared the same blood, didn’t mean anything. He, Kaleb Gibson, had been more of a brother to Annie Watts than this sack of rich city boy shit. His own heart weighed too heavy in his chest to care about Ash’s feelings.
“I beg your pardon? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Ash said in stunned amazement, turning his now angry gaze on Kaleb.
“You’re the writer, figure it out,” Kaleb spat, his fingers tightening on the wheel.
“You don’t know anything about me, or Annie.”
“I know she sat by the phone night after night waiting for your calls… calls that never fucking came. I know she cut out every clipping of every article you ever wrote. I know she was prouder of you than you had any right to.” The look Kaleb shot Ash was filled with disgust. “So quite frankly, City Boy, I already know more about you than I care to.” He knew he’d hit a nerve when spots of red flamed in Ash’s pale cheeks and for a nano-second, he wanted to take the words back—for a nano-second. Maybe it would do the man good to hear some home truths.
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