Video I love: The Delirium of a Writer

Posted on November 30, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I love …

I’ve had this episode of The Golden Girls saved on my DVR for a few weeks now. I just watched it again the other day. It’s one of my favorites. In this scene, Blanche is writing a romance novel and has been up for days writing. It cracks me up every time. I hope all you writers and readers of romance novels will find it funny too. Heck, if you’ve ever stayed up for more than 24 hours intensely working on one thing, you know where Blanche is coming from. That delirium that makes you either extremely funny or extremely annoying to others. In this case, Blanche nails the funny side of it. Rue McClanahan’s delivery is perfect.

Enjoy!

(embedded video below)

Some of my favorite lines from Blanche:

“I have too many earrings.”
“Buy me a present.”
“What could you possibly find to lie about on a farm?”
“I must publish a guide to go with my book.”
“It will be taught in universities.”
“Rose, what is this? Your eyeballs are staring at me.”

I’m amazed Rose could keep a straight face. I wonder how many times they had to shoot this.

Anyone else still love the The Golden Girls? Which episode was your favorite?

Sloan Parker
Free fiction available at:
www.sloanparker.com

For the love of: Photos of Couples

Posted on November 27, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else) that I’ve seen or read about recently. So here’s this week’s For the love of …

Due to my hectic multiple days of holiday fun this year (yes, I had three days of Thanksgiving), I don’t have a long post for today, but I do have some pictures of lovely couples to share. They are some of my faves from flickr. I hope you enjoy these beautiful, romantic images.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

What a year!

Posted on November 26, 2009 by SloanParker

Sorry this post won’t be all that interesting or funny or important to anyone really but me, but it’s a day for saying thanks here in the US. It was important for me to say this.

With everything going on today — cooking, cleaning, setting up tables and chairs, and doing so many dishes for my mom that my hands will pretty much be in soapy water all day long — it’s easy to put off thinking about what it is we are truly thankful for. So before we head off to my folks, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on this past year and all the wonderful people and things in my life I am grateful for. It’s not a complete list, but it’s who and what have made this year one of the best of my life.

My immediate family. For me that’s Rosie, my partner, and our three cats. They love me even when I’m an ass. Even when I’m crazy. Even when I get sucked into my world of fictional people and places and forget to get off my damn ass and live a little. Thanks, Rosie, for pulling me out of the chair once in a while. Thanks for always loving and supporting me. Thanks for giving me an unending supply of passion to put into my work. Thanks for making me laugh every single day. And thanks to the three little felines who are more entertaining than a little TV any day.
The rest of my family. Especially my mom and dad who are proud of me for my first book contract. Even though they will never read a single word of it, they give their unending support every day, and I love them for that. And sorry, Dad, that I can’t seem to write a book where, as you say, “I leave the sex up to the reader’s imagination” so that you can feel comfortable reading it. Thanks to both of you for loving me, not in spite of who I am, but because of it.
All my new friends in RWA. I was hesitant to join the national organization and local chapter, but you have all made it a wonderful experience for me.
My publisher (Loose Id) and editor (Antonia). Thanks for taking a chance on an unknown. Thanks for believing in More. And thanks for helping me make it better.
Luke, Richard, and Matthew and the muse that helped me find them. I’ve worked at my writing since I was in the second grade when I wrote my first book and entered a local competition. It hasn’t always been an easy path, but there’s something about me that makes me a storyteller. I’m grateful for that. It’s been one hell of a ride so far.

Happy day to everyone!
Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

Donate a blog post day: Matthew Shepard Foundation

Posted on November 25, 2009 by SloanParker

No regular post today. Instead, I’m donating my blog post to a non-profit organization — one that I think is worthy of attention from anyone interested in making the world a better place. So here’s my pick for “donate a blog post day.” Please take a look.

This week here in the US, we are celebrating Thanksgiving. I thought it was the perfect time to create a new section of my blog titled “Donate a blog post day.” I’ll be posting these occasionally throughout the year. So here’s my first selection…

The Matthew Shepard Foundation
Seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.

Even after all this time, I still can’t watch or read about Matthew and not cry. If you’ve never seen the video from the foundation’s site, take a look below. And also, please take a moment to think about what you can do in memory of Matthew. I know not all of us have a lot of money to spare, but you can help in small ways. How about sending out a tweet with a link to the foundation’s site so that others never forget the tragedy of what can happen to people like Matthew? Or adding a link on your website or blog to help spread the foundation’s message? Find out how to get a banner ad for your site here.

(embedded video below)

Matthew Shepard Foundation Organizational Video from Matthew Shepard Foundation on Vimeo.

Thanks for taking a minute to read about this important organization. It’s people like you who care who will help make a difference.

Have a great day!
Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com

Video I love: Great ways to use a condom

Posted on November 23, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I love …

Have you seen this one yet? It’s an ad for Durex condoms. I must admit, it had me giggling. And almost blushing (which, considering what I write, is weird, I know.). Friendly warning: If mock animal sex using condoms bugs you, don’t watch. If not, enjoy! I’ve also included three outtakes. I love it when they make outtakes of a video that doesn’t use live actors.

(four videos embedded below)

So what did you think? Come on, tell me…did you blush a little? Comment or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

And on a more serious note, I do think this type of thing makes condoms fun and approachable for teens. Not something they should shy away from. And that’s a good thing.

Have a great day!
Sloan Parker
Free fiction available at:
www.sloanparker.com

For the love of: Gus and Waldo

Posted on November 20, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post about something I’m loving (tv, movies, books, art, photos, romances, authors, or anything else) that I’ve seen or read about recently. So here is this week’s For the love of …

Today I’m loving Gus and Waldo, two gay penguins in a monogamous relationship. They are silly but cute enough to make me smile.

If you haven’t seen them before, check out their site at: www.gusandwaldo.com. They have books, T-shirts, and a video on YouTube that is adorable with a sexy way to deal with spiders. I haven’t read the books (just seen the previews on their site), but the YouTube video is fun.

So has anyone out there read the books? Have you seen Gus and Waldo before? Comment or send me an email. I’d love to know what you think.

Thanks for stopping!

Sloan Parker
New free fiction available at:
www.sloanparker.com

I was tagged today. Here’s my M/M meme

Posted on November 18, 2009 by SloanParker

I was tagged by Devon Rhodes to complete this m/m meme. Thanks for including me. Devon! These are some good questions. And thanks to Kris at Kris ‘n’ Good Books who started it all.

Rules:

1. Answer all the questions below in either the comments here or post it on your own site. If you post it on your own site you have to come back and give the link here so I/Kris can mosey on over and see if you have a sticky beak.

2. You have to tag two other people once you’re done and pester them relentlessly until they do the meme too.

3. Instead of a meme image thing you have to post a cookie, preferably a twofer. It is an m/m meme after all. ;)

Questions:

1. How long have you been reading GLBTQ fiction?
Two years this past October. Not sure I had read any romances with main characters who were GLBTQ before that.

2. What was the first book you read in this genre?
Lee Rowan’s Ransom

3. Are you ‘out’ as a reader?
Oh yeah. I’m out all over the place. As a writer too. Of course my dad wants to know how come I can’t leave the “sex stuff” up to the reader’s imagination. He’s so cute.

4. Ebooks, print or both?
Mostly ebooks, but I will buy my favs in paperback or some that are not available in ebook format.

5. Do you buy direct from publishers or from secondary sellers?
I buy from both. I’ve been trying to make an effort to buy more direct, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out (due to pricing and discounts or format)

6. Prove you’re a Book Slut. How many books would you say you buy a week?
That varies. I’ll buy a ton at one time then go a couple weeks or even a month without buying anything. It averages out to maybe 10-20 a month. Sometimes more if there’s a huge sale.

7. Are you a cover, blurb or excerpt buyer?
A nice cover can pull me in. But I always read the blurb before buying (if it’s an author I love). For new-to-me authors, I read an excerpt to see if I like the writing style.

8. Yeah, you read reviews, but do you actually take notice of them?
I do. I have a database of all the books I own/want to read. Sometimes I’ll add links to reviews with the book’s entry in the DB, especially if the review made it sound like something I’d like to buy.

9. Who’s your fave publisher?
Loose Id (Was I supposed to say anything else? They’re publishing my debut novel hehehe. Seriously, they’ve been great to work with)

10. What about authors? Your top two only!!
Oh man. Only two. That’s tough. Okay, off the top of my head, Josh Lanyon and JL Langley and WA Hoffman and Tere Michaels and Jordan Castillo Price and…uh, I can’t stop.

11. Is there a sub-genre you particularly dis/like?
I don’t read much fantasy, but will if I’ve heard enough good things about a book. It’s hard for me to get into the story and characters when I’m trying to figure out the world.

12. Short or long?? *rolls eyes* And, no, I’m not talking about cocks.
Usually long. I want the read to last a few days, and I want to really get into the characters’ heads. Some authors can pull off short fiction with great characterizations, but a lot of the time, I’m just left feeling like I wanted more.

13. Anything turn you off about m/m or is all just glorious smut to you?
I can’t think of anything I’ve actually read that was a turn-off in terms of the sex. Maybe too much of the same sex over and over. I”ll probably think of something later that creeped me out. I don’t like cheating, but if the author is really good and redeems the story/characters with huge emotional payoffs, then I can keep reading (and yes, that includes Jake Riordan. He’s on his way, and I’m hoping he sees the light and gets out of other people’s beds in book 5).

14. Finish this sentence. You know it’s m/m twu wuv when…
They get a tattoo or piercing together

15. What trope or theme are you heartily sick of in m/m romance?
Not sure. If an author is really good at his/her craft, I’ll read any trope/theme again. It’s all in how well they build the characters within the plot.

16. If you could choose any 3 characters for a m/m/m who would they be?
It’s probably so wrong to say this, but I’d pick Luke, Richard, and Matthew, the three guys from my book More, an m/m/m tentatively due out in March from Loose Id. :)

17. What new GLBTQ release are you most hanging out for right now?
I’m looking forward to The Dark Tide by Josh Lanyon and Matt’s story from JL Langley. Oh, and the final Raised by Wolves from WA Hoffman.

18. What GLBTQ book has completely blown you away this year?
The Adrien English books by Josh Lanyon (they were new to me this year) and Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels.

19. What do you think we’ll see more of in m/m romance in 2010?
Vampires. And more short stories and novellas rather than novel length.

20. Don’t you agree that author Josh Lanyon should kill off arsehole character Jake Riordan?
Not kill. I want him to tell Adrien what we all know he feels for him (and grovel…A LOT!). I’m a sappy romantic. I want them to have their happy ending.

Tag, you’re it:

Kathy Kozakewich

SJ Frost

Quote I love: Happy 40th Bert and Ernie

Posted on November 18, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a quote that I’ve read/heard recently. So here’s this week’s Quote I love …

Sesame Street recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. I saw this quote and just had to post.

“Happy 40th Anniversary to Bert and Ernie. You can’t get married yet, but your love inspires us all. Congratulations!”

Kate Clinton
Via Twitter

I grew up watching the show, and I have to say Ernie was one of my favs (as well as Oscar and Snuffleupagus). There was just something about Bert and Ernie’s relationship that I really liked as a kid. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized…”hey, they were gay.”

One of my favorite books when I was first learning how to read was The Great Sesame Street ABC Hunt. It was one of those buy-a-book-and-we’ll-insert-your-kid’s-name-and-other-info-in-the-text books.

My best friend’s mom bought it for me and signed his name on the inside cover. I loved it because it was a gift from him and, of course, I was friends with Big Bird in the book! I still have it on my bookshelf. A huge thank you to my friend’s mom and Sesame Street for helping me enjoy reading.

Happy Anniversary Sesame Street!! And Bert and Ernie (my first m/m romance)!!

So who was your favorite Sesame Street character? And did you think Bert and Ernie were gay when you watched? Comment or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

Have a great day!
Sloan Parker

Free fiction: Gay erotic story posted to my site

Posted on November 17, 2009 by SloanParker

I posted a free gay erotic short story on my site titled More Than Just a Good Book. It’s a light, sexy story. It’s less emotional, less romantic than my book More, but I enjoyed writing it for that reason. It was a lot of fun to throw Scott and Mark together and watch the sparks fly. I hope you enjoy it.

More Than Just a Good Book
Scott is a big geek and Mark is a little controlling between the sheets. During one afternoon at the university library, they’ll find they are the perfect match. And they’ll prove some things are even more enjoyable than a good book.

Friendly warning: This work contains graphic language and explicit sexual content between two men including some light spanking. Intended for adult audiences only. Not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

Video I love: Playing for Change

Posted on November 16, 2009 by SloanParker

Once a week, I post a video I’ve seen recently that I’m loving. So here’s this week’s Video I love …

Today I have two videos I wanted to share. They are both from Playing for Change. If you haven’t seen them yet, take a look. Very inspiring. I LOVE the concept, the music, the inspiration of it all. Here’s what the website says:

“Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. And with this truth firmly fixed in our minds, we set out to share it with the world.”

(videos embedded below)