Okay, this is really strange, and I'm not sure why I didn't notice sooner, but the last novel posted on Wednesday 'The Open Water Swimmer' and the novel today 'Going For Gold' are both about swimmers. What are the odds I'd book two authors, in the same week, who have written novels about swimmers? I'm not sure. LOL But it feels kind of Twilight Zone-ish. Anyway, welcome to BRB, sweeties! And, welcome, Whitley. Let's get this party started. Tell us about yourself.
I’ve worked in the
medical field for a couple of decades. About three years ago, started reading a
lot of M/M, (starting with Fair Game by Josh Lanyon) and decided I liked two
heroes better than one. Before that, I’d read and written M/F.
Where and/or how do you find the greatest
inspiration?
A story on the news, seeing a couple of people at the mall,
reading a story that triggers a memory.
What made you chose to write M/M contemporary
literature in particular? And, is there any other genre you’d like to write?
And, if so, why?
I like the opportunity to explore the “bare” emotions revealed
with intimacy—it adds to characterization. And M/M is hot. I’d like to try
writing outside the contemporary genre, adding a paranormal aspect. On the
other end, I have an idea for a children’s book—for two to five-year-olds!
Which appears first when contemplating a
new project: a character, the plot or the title?
The plot, followed almost
immediately by the two lead characters and the opening scenario. Sometimes I don’t
get the names right at first, and have to tweak those before I can really get
going. Title develops as I go along.
What’s the hardest part of a novel for you
to write: beginning, middle or end? Why?
The middle—when I’m twisting together
the suspense plot and the romance plot, balancing them out, and keeping the
subplots from taking over.
Has your own life influenced your novels?
If so, how?
I tend to like at least one character to have a medical bent—makes
me feel more in control. That “write what you know” thing.
Writing sex/romantic scenes can be a
challenge for some authors. Do you find it difficult?
Depends on the
scene—sometimes it flows naturally, other times I can’t get the
internal/external dialogue right at first, and have to come back to it. If yes,
how do you compensate? If no, where do you draw your inspiration? In my head is
a conglomeration of many M/M scenes and I’ve absorbed some of the techniques
that other writers have used to execute them. Most of the time, I use
characterization and ask myself “how would these guys react?”
Do you use a certain formula to write the
sensual parts? Nope. Do you prefer the sex to be open and bold? Yes. Or left to
the imagination?
Although 90% of sex is in the mind, erotic books are more
explicit, and that’s what I want—not a closed door. Once in awhile I’ll write
something to set the mood, and then let it fade to gray, like: Joe rolled over
in bed. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” Bill grinned and stretched.
“Breakfast?”
“Mmm, later.” With a smile, Joe pulled him
in. “After a little couple time.”
Bill grinned.
Who is your favourite character, which
you’ve created? Matt Justice, an Olympic shooter. And, why? Matt has emotional
baggage, but he also is open to risking his heart. He’s a fierce competitor,
but also seeking something beyond a casual hookup.
Tell us about your newest release.
It’s the
story of a doctor working at the 2012 Summer Olympics, who meets a competitive
shooter in need of medical attention. Both have baggage, but ultimately realize
the truths about themselves that are interfering with their relationship, and
they come together in the end—happily for now with optimism for happily ever
after.
---Shoot for the Gold (part of the Going
For Gold Olympic anthology from MLR Press).
Just for fun–
What is your favourite colour? Hot pink.
Which do you prefer a great hero or a great
villain? I prefer reading a great hero, but writing a great villain.
What is your favourite movie? And, why? I’d
say Love Actually, because it’s a nice integration of multiple love stories
with variable outcomes.
If you could be anyone in the world who
would it be? And, why? A world traveler with tons of material to spin into
fiction. I’ve never traveled.
Where do you see your writing career in the
next five to ten years? I’d like to have a couple of books/short stories out a
year, and get to the point the day job is a memory instead of a necessity.
Website Link: www.whitleygray.com
Going For Gold
Blurb:
Matt Justice has worked for years toward
his goal of winning Olympic gold. Three decades ago, his father won an Olympic
shooting competition; he was Matt’s biggest supporter until he said two little
words: “I’m gay.” If he can emulate the feat his father accomplished in the
past, maybe Matt can mend their fractured relationship.
Physician Levi Wolf and his partner Brett
had looked forward to attending the London Olympic Games, until the car
accident that left Levi unscathed but killed the love of his life. It’s been
three years, and Levi has kept his heart under wraps. He’s attending the
Olympics alone—as a physician instead of as a tourist. The last thing he wants
to consider is letting go of Brett’s memory.
When Matt has an accident that threatens
his ability to compete, Levi uses his skill at acupuncture to treat the
blinding headaches. As the competition comes down to the wire, Levi discovers
that sometimes the prize is right in front of you.
Excerpt:
Matt squinted at the map. God, he hoped
he’d taken the right direction to find the shuttle to the shooting venue at the
Royal Artillery Barracks. For the last month, he’d anticipated seeing the
unique decorations for the Olympic use of the buildings. The equipment
should’ve arrived, and until he saw with his own eyes that the firearms had
made it, he wouldn’t be able to rest. The campus made no sense. Where the devil
was the exit to this place? The Olympic Village might as well be a labyrinth. Matt
turned the chart to the side. North? Which way was —
Clang.
Pain exploded in his forehead and nose.
Matt staggered sideways onto the grass, lost his fight with gravity, and fell.
The vision in his right eye blurred, and the inside of his head reverberated
with pain. “Fuck.”
“Okay, mate?” The voice came from above,
concern wrapped in a Cockney accent.
Matt clapped a hand over his eye, which
made the pain worse, and pulled his fingers away smeared with red. Blood? No
fucking way. What’d he hit? He turned his head, and hissed as pain thumped his
skull. Bad idea. “What hit me?”
“Ye ’it the scaffold.” Feet clanged on
metal, clopped on concrete, and muted on the grass. “Yer bleedin’. Shite.”
Through bleary eyes, Matt squinted at the
workman who squatted next to him. The man’s wooly eyebrows knit in concern. He
fumbled in his pocket and held out a handkerchief. Matt watched himself take
the cloth. A wave of nausea twisted his gut, and he flipped on his side and
retched, head pounding. Jesus Christ.
“Ye okay?”
Kidding, right? Wiping the back of his hand
across his mouth, Matt rolled to his back and opened his eyes. Overcast sky,
smell of grass, and ringing in the ears. Just dandy.
More footsteps rustled across the grass,
and a blond man came into view. Lips tight, he frowned and knelt beside Matt.
“Hey there. Looks like a nasty cut. Can you open your right eye?” Midwestern
American accent. A fellow athlete?
“It is open. Isn’t it?”
“No.” The hanky was pulled out of Matt’s
hand, and Blond Guy dabbed at the cut. “Better get you to the clinic.”
Aw, shit on a biscuit. Clinic? Doctors and
X-rays and needles? He’d never live it down. Matt groaned. “It’s not that bad.
A little clean up and an ice pack and I’ll be fine.”
Blond Guy’s frown deepened, twin creases
forming between his eyebrows. He leaned in. Nice eyes, blue like the steel of a
shotgun. “That’s not going to do it. Too deep. Looks like you rang your bell
when you connected with the post. You might have a concussion.”
Matt struggled to sit up, and the scenery
took a drunken swirl. Nausea burbled in his throat. “I don’t have a
concussion.” He clamped his teeth together and took a couple of deep breaths
through his nose. Don’t vomit. Sit for a minute, reassure the Good Samaritan,
and go check on the guns. “I need to go.”
Purchase Link: MLR Books
Thanks you for stopping by, Whitley! All the best of success for your future projects!
~Blak Rayne
Excellent post (though I might be a little biased!). I enjoy reading what brings writers to the genre and what compels them to tell stories in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThat write what you know thing is important! I'm going to smile every time I read something where one of your characters gets hurt now. :-)