Behind the Story: Another song for Kyle & Evan

Posted on July 13, 2011 by SloanParker

I found another song for TAKE ME HOME. “Chasing Cars” from Snow Patrol. I can hear these lyrics coming from both Kyle and Evan with some definite overlap on which lines work for which man. I won’t say more than that for now. The video below is just the song with lyrics. I’m nearing the end on this manuscript. These men feel so real to me now, it’s like they aren’t my creations, but real men I’ve had the privilege of following on this journey.

I shared these a while back, but I’ll include them again. My inspiration for Kyle and Evan.

Quote I Love: First Time

Posted on May 16, 2011 by SloanParker

I love reading about first times. Stories of first love, new love, or old friends taking a chance on more. The last four lines of this quote remind me of Kyle from Take Me Home, my current work-in-progress. He’s at the point in his life where he has to make a decision: accept what he’s feeling and move forward, or lose the person who means everything to him. I’m enjoying taking these men on a journey of firsts as they explore a new, but long-desired aspect of their relationship.

“We’re both looking for something
That we’ve been afraid to find
It’s easier to be broken
It’s easier to hide
Looking at you, holding my breath,
For once in my life, I’m scared to death
I’m taking a chance, letting you inside.”

Lyrics from First Time by Lifehouse

More about Matthew Stewart

Posted on November 5, 2010 by SloanParker

I’ve already posted some of my original character details and pictures for Luke and Richard (from More). Now I’m sharing about Matthew.

These are directly from the original character sketch sheet, including the photos I used for inspiration before writing the book.

Matthew Stewart

Photos for Inspiration
The final result of what a character looks like may be nothing like the photo, but an image gives me something to visualize, making him a bit more real.

Sampling of Character Sketch & Personality Traits

Full name: Matthew Stewart
Nickname: his mom calls him Matty.
Works at a music/book store in the mall.
Lives with his mom whom he adores.
His parents are divorced. Hasn’t seen his father since the man left, when Matthew was in high school.
Came out in high school.
Doesn’t like Chinese food. Loves Italian.
Doesn’t have much in the way of a savings account.
Strengths
- Lively, energetic, funny (despite his shyness)
- Always has a smile
- Laughs a lot
- Empathetic
- Inquisitive. Curious. Asks questions.
Weaknesses
- Shy, nervous, self-conscious
- Trusts too easily, even when others have failed him
- Doesn’t speak up when he should
- Speaks with uncertainty
- Has issues with people who drink alcohol around him.
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio (Source)
- Life Pursuit: To survive against all opposition
- Scorpios lead fate filled lives and have intense and dramatic personal relationships.
- Old and wise beyond the average, Scorpios often know all the answers, except sometimes; they too often have difficulty finding what they need to develop their own happiness.
- Coming to grips with their extraordinary emotional depths and sensitivity isn’t easy for those around them.
- They are different from all other zodiac signs and this difference has them walking, working and loving to a different beat.
- Their eyes often blaze with feelings that words never express, and beware on the days or nights they hide their feelings behind dark glasses, there is likely to be a storm of some kind brewing.
- They often wear a mask. Too often they say “no” when they really mean “yes.”
- Once they find true love they can be the most faithful dedicated of all partners.
- When they are negative about something or someone, or critical of themselves, they can tend to get in their own way.

All my blog posts with behind the story information are also archived on my website at www.sloanparker.com

Hope you enjoyed a look at some of my initial ideas for Matthew.
Sloan

Image source (first picture): I can’t recall from where I purchased or downloaded this one. If you hold the copyright and wish to have it removed, please contact me.

Character Pics for a New m/m Erotic Romance

Posted on October 1, 2010 by SloanParker

This week I took a short break from my regular writing to work on character sketches for my new friends-to-lovers story about two best friends since high school, Evan and Kyle. It’s a contemporary m/m erotic romance, and at this time I have no plans for a suspense element. There’s no title yet, but the outline is pretty much done. I also started the first draft of chapter one (just to get all the ideas down).

Here are the photos I’m using for inspiration (not that the character descriptions will be exactly like this, but it gives me an idea to work from).

Evan

Kyle

I’ll keep you posted on the progress. Next I’m going back to working on Walter’s story, but will work on this one as any new ideas come to me.

Have a good weekend,
Sloan

More about Richard Marshall

Posted on September 10, 2010 by SloanParker

Here are some more behind the story details about More, specifically some of my first notes for the character of Richard Marshall. These are directly from the original character sketch sheet, including the photo I used for inspiration. (Side note: The final result of what a character looks like may be nothing like the photo, but an image gives me something to visualize, making him/her a bit more real. Also, some of the character traits change as I write the story. Some become no longer relevant.)

Richard Marshall

Photo for Inspiration: This is not exactly what he ended up looking like in my mind (especially the hair), but here’s the first photo of Richard.

And here’s his bod.

Sampling of Character Sketch & Personality Traits

Full name: Richard Marshall
Graduated from NYU with an MBA
Doesn’t hide who he is for any reason.
Sleeps naked.
Neat, orderly, tidy.
Clears his throat when he has something to say he doesn’t want to mention.
Does not apologize for who he is. Or what he does.
Strengths
- Confident
- Successful in business
- Caring
- Loyal
- Conscientious
- Smart
Wants to make the world better for those he cares about. Does it by changing their immediate world, affecting change in their daily lives.
Fears most: Losing people he loves. Not being what they need and watching them walk out. Not being successful, losing business.
Zodiac Sign: Leo (Source)
- “Life Pursuit: To lead the way”
- “Love triumphs over all for this sign, which is ruled by the heart and operates from this dimension too. Leo’s are born fortunate.”
- “Charismatic and positive-thinking they attract…an abundance of friends and opportunities.”
- “Once a Lion is committed to a relationship, they are totally devoted and faithful. Should their heart or trust be broken they never forgive or forget.”
- “For a Leo, when a relationship is over, really over, it is over for good.”
- “The second soul-evolution of the Leos is the Lion, King of the Jungle, ruled by ego but always protective and sustaining of those they love.”