To start us off, here’s a great line from As You Are by Ethan Day. It’s Julian’s reaction when asked to play a little touch football with his roommate (and the man he wants more than friendship with), Danny.

“Images from the two weeks of high school phys ed I’d suffered through flashed before my eyes. Luckily, thanks to Mom and the very cooperative family doctor, the torture of PE hadn’t lasted any longer. It always baffled me that as much as I loved to suck balls, I sure as fuck couldn’t seem to catch one.”

From As You Are by Ethan Day

You can check out this title and all of Ethan Day’s work at his website.

Sloan

Enjoy,
Sloan

Video embedded above. If you can’t view in your reader, try the original blog post.

“There’s this place in me where your fingerprints still rest, your kisses still linger, and your whispers softly echo. It’s the place where a part of you will forever be a part of me.”

Gretchen Kemp

This one reminds me of Jay and Lincoln from Breathe.
Sloan

Video embedded above. If you can’t view, try the original blog post.

Wasn’t it great?
Sloan

Lincoln McCaw lost everything — his home, his job, his partner — after he caused a fatal accident. A year later, he’s drowning the guilt and despair in whiskey, but he needs to move on. His sister and her kids are counting on him. Then he meets a man who ignites a passion Lincoln thought he’d never find. Too bad one night is all they can have together. Now he needs to figure out how to turn away from the only person who makes him feel alive…before whoever is sending him threats decides Lincoln needs to suffer more than he already has.

Jay Miller is surrounded by grief and misery until he finally gives in to all those years of sexual fantasies about being with another guy. Realizing he’s ended up in the arms of the man who caused his wife’s accident, he tries to pull away. But can he give up a friendship he needs more than anything — a friendship and a love that could save him? Or will someone else destroy it all?

Excerpt and cover art coming soon.

Thanks to everyone who’s expressed interest in my second novel. You guys rock!
Sloan

“A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy.”

Edward P. Morgan

“Perry v. Schwarzenegger plaintiffs Paul and Jeff discuss how they met, how they fell in love and why marriage matters to them. This case is about constitutional principles, but it’s also about real people and real stories. This video, and their story, is why we’re in this fight.”  Source

Video embedded above. If you can’t view, try the original blog post.

Cheers,
Sloan

Speaking of ideas…

Today I’d like to share some of the behind the story details about More, specifically my first notes for the main character of Luke Moore. These are directly from the original character sketch sheet, including the photo I used 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/her a bit more real. Some of the traits change as I write the story. Some become no longer relevant.)

Luke Moore

Photo for Inspiration

Sampling of Character Sketch & Personality Traits

• Full name: Lukas Moore
• Zodiac Sign: Taurus
• Best Friend: Walter Simon
• Parents: are well-off. They have live-in staff.

• Sleeps in his underwear
• A programmer
• Likes things that are logical with one solid solution
• His apartment is in a low-rent area. It’s small and shabby, but he doesn’t need much. He spends his money on the security system he’s put in place.
• He doesn’t have much in the way of possessions. He moves a lot. He likes to keep his life simple. Uncomplicated. Physical stuff just bogs a person down. Ties them to a time and place. He doesn’t want to be tied to anything.
• Doesn’t own a car
• Independent, self-reliant, private
• Detached
• Successful at work
• Logical
• Determined
• Strong willed
• Thinks only of himself (unless he’s in bed with someone).
• Focused on self-preservation (and winning against his father) to the point of keeping everyone at a distance, even his best friend, Walter, at times.
• Fears most: Being like his father

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 my original ideas for Luke.
Sloan

Writing When the Muse Is Asleep

I was having an off day earlier this week and I walked by a TV, saw the Golden Girls were on, and even though I couldn’t hear the sound, I smiled. The girls are just that awesome. They always make me laugh. So today I’m sharing one from the fantastic and sexy Blanche Devereaux.

Blanche: I do love the rain so… it reminds me of my first kiss.
Dorothy: Aww… your first kiss was in the rain?
Blanche: No… it was in the shower!

The Golden Girls

Still love that show!
Sloan