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The fall of 2004 was a major turning point in my life, although I wasn’t aware of the significance. Quite simply put: I innocently stumbled onto Nifty, and it’s broad range and mixed quality of stories with gay male themes. Throughout the fall and winter, I discovered other websites and was able to narrow the scope of stories that I found interesting. I hereby admit being a hopeless romantic with ‘vanilla’ tastes.
When I found an author whose writing style and story were superior, I would send a positive email note. One writer – Evan Bradley (Ambush, listed in Best of Nifty, as well as other stories) – and I became quite friendly, on-line. He always was very patient and generous as he answered the questions I had about writing. In late March of 2005, I decided to create and write a story that might appeal to others. I labored over ideas, characters and rough plots/story threads for a couple of weeks before I sent a rough first chapter draft of my first story (Splash in the Pool) to Evan for comment.
With devastating frankness, Evan critiqued the written draft and offered valuable insight on story construction and techniques to hold the reader’s interest. Probably the best piece of advice was to start the story so that the reader instantly knows the name of the main character and a capsule view of the opening scene. He feels that we should have two concise paragraphs to ‘grab’ the reader before they glaze over and drift on. After a volley of emailed edits from Evan and others, I posted the story on Nifty.
Writing – and reading – has filled a void in my erratically scheduled life as a restaurant manager. Hospitality professionals generally have goofy hours and work while others play. When I return home late in the evening to wind down, reading takes off the edge. I now spend my mornings writing and find the experience rewarding. I freely admit that the fantasies I weave are just as important for the writer as they are for the reader.
My writing style is to visually create depth and dimension to the story. Evan also passed on advice he had been given. Another writer told him to think of writing a scene of the story as if you were watching a motion picture. I create the detail of the story with that in mind. I also want the reader to know the characters. However, this tapestry is a continuing process throughout the story. Nuances about the characters are continually revealed.
Achieving the ebb and flow of emotional levels between characters and situations is probably the most difficult skill for a new writer to achieve. It is very easy to forget that the reader is not privy to the writer’s thoughts. One of the ‘dude’ prolific writers has been helpful in suggestions to bring out the tension of the moment.
After a well-constructed plot, development of characters, and the ‘visuals’ of the story, erotic content is fourth in level of importance. It happens when ‘it’ naturally fits. To paraphrase a political Clinton-ism, ‘It’s the story, stupid!’ However, when a scene is appropriate, I enjoy being very descriptive. Fair warning.
The final step in the writing process is to find someone you trust for un-biased comments. I must commend two pairs of eyes for excellent editing and proofing skills that make my stories better. Brad in Denver and David in Chicago thoughtfully correct my boo-boos before the story hits the web.
Being a manager of a very select group of high-end, fine dining restaurants in New York and Chicago over the years has given me a unique opportunity to observe the candid actions of a very select group of international ‘movers and shakers’, as well as the masses. Now living in the Palm Springs area, I manage a very popular restaurant that appeals to the local residents, ‘snowbirds’, and weekend visitors.
The characters in my stories are a composite of people I have known and know.
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Other Avenues is really a valentine to Chicago…my favorite city in America. The urban architecture is the envy of other large communities. Each of the arts is represented by world-class venues and organizations. Private higher education institutions flourish throughout the city. Restaurants offer a broad range of nationally respected cooking and cuisines, as well as legendary deep-dish pizza and steaks. And only Madison Avenue in New York and Beverly Hills compete with the shopping available along Michigan Avenue’s ‘Magnificent Mile’.
On the other hand, it can be argued that Chicago is the most segregated city in
America, that the underbelly of poverty has been neatly hidden, and that the
corruption of local politics has lined the pockets of a few with gold. I’ll
leave it to others to address these social ills.
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The sexual temptations that Sammy dangles before Jerry cannot be resisted. Both are dealing with different emotional levels of need. As the story unfolds, each realizes that their association is best served by moving toward a friendly, non-sexual relationship. However, the corporate forces of Jerry’s management consulting profession and Sammy’s family business open new possibilities with other characters: Bill and Joe.
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Drama that unfolds in the corporate setting that runs in tandem with personal relationships. The trick is for Jerry, Bill, Sammy and Joe to walk a fine line between the challenges of the business crisis and developing love interests.
I’ve attempted to give the reader a realistic peek behind the scenes of corporate America, albeit with a ‘rainbow’ spin. Jerry is a moral man who also has ‘killer instincts’ if he is painted into a corner by an adversary. He easily moves through the pinnacle of social circles because this has been his milieu since birth. However, he has also been taught not to abuse status or power.
Throughout Other Avenues, achievement, family, love and acceptance are re-occurring themes. One reader sent me a note recently:
“Peering into these lives is
fascinating. So this is
how the other half, lives.
This is all pretty heady stuff for a guy who owns
a single-family house in Park Ridge, shopped today
at Jewel and drives a Scion.
I can't wait to see what happens next.”
I replied and said that it wasn’t the other half. Rather, probably less than 2%. However, his last sentence said it all. He told me that I have succeeded in my goal as a writer.
The photographs are images of the characters as I imagine them.
I do enjoy feedback. Don’t be shy. Your email and comments are the payment and reward for Internet authors.
Jack Scribe