Author: Chris McHart

Author of Gay Romance

Meet my Character Blog Tour

~ Chris McHart ~ Leave a comment

Meet My Character

Thanks to Matthias Williamson for inviting me to introduce one of my characters.
Last week was Matthias’s turn and you can read his post about Drum here: http://www.bastardgenres.net

I decided on introducing Jeff. He’s one of the main protagonists in my novella ‘Never Wrong’

This are the questions about him:

1.) What is the name of your character?
Jeff Andrews

2.) Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
He’s fictional

3.) When and where is the story set?
The story is set in Chicago, Illinois, in 2014

4.) What should we know about him/her?
Jeff is a man in his forties who just recently stopped hiding how he feels. He spent a lot of time with doing what other people thought was right.
Jeff has very mixed feelings about a lot of things, and just because he accepts something doesn’t mean he is comfortable with it. He has to learn that, though.

5.) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?
Jeff spent 42 years doing what he thought was right. As he realized his mistakes, he changed a lot of things, but he is definitively not ready to meet someone new.

6.) What is the personal goal of the character?
To make a new life and move on. Jeff wants to leave his past behind him.

7.) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
The story is called Never Wrong. I’ll post the blurb as soon as I’ve got a release date.

8.) When can we expect the book to be published or when was it published?
The book will be released soon, coming from MLR Press.

I hope you’ll love Jeff and Dean (the other protagonist) as much as I do and enjoy their story once it’s available.

The next author introducing one of her characters is JT Hall:

J.T. Hall has a bachelor degree in Creative Writing and a Master in Education. She has long been active in the LGBT community and does charity work including AIDS education and suicide prevention. She currently works as a technical writer and lives with her partner and teenaged daughter in sunny Arizona.

The Foreman on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Foreman-Hardcore-Gay-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00MQDHMVY/

Marc talks about his Bisexuality for #BiWeek

~ Chris McHart ~ Leave a comment

I think it’s important to be aware of it, and Marc said everything that’s to be said about it.

Well written, Marc!

Rainbow Gold Reviews

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Mom, Dad, Dear Readers,

I have to tell you something. … I’m Bi. Well, actually, my boyfriend and my parents and my friends already know. But when I was casually talking with one of my best friends and said something along the lines of ‘since you know, I’m bi’ and she told me didn’t have a clue and that it might be a good idea to do a post about it during the current Bisexuality Awareness Week. Now, she knows that I have ex-girlfriends, but that doesn’t mean too much given I came out after our relationship ended. The fact that I was drooling over half-naked, bare-assed waiters at UK GLBTQ and have been with my boyfriend for almost four years might have something to do with her assumption that I’m gay as well.

However, it probably mostly was the fact that I often don’t say I’m Bi. I say…

View original post 1,443 more words

Blog Tour: The Hard Act to Follow Playlist by Kimber Vale

~ Chris McHart ~ 2 Comments

Thanks to Kimber for stopping by at my blog today.

 

Kimber, your turn:

 

The Hard Act to Follow Playlist: Fall Out Boy’s Where Did the Party Go

by Kimber Vale

 

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Hey, there! It’s Kimber Vale getting this party started with a little Fall Out Boy. Actually, I’m winding this shindig down with my next to last playlist song. Sob! In case you haven’t seen any of my Hard Act to Follow guest posts yet, honestly where the hell have you been? I feel like a machine cranking these puppies out. There are plenty of playlist tunes out there for the listening, but this one could very well be my favorite of the bunch.
YouTube link to FOB’s Where Did the Party Go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9hESWfeXG0
Creeptastic video, right? Watch the entire album in song order for a strange, gory, and semi-coherent FOB movie.

So, why did Fall Out Boy make the playlist, you ask? Okay, maybe you didn’t ask, but I’m answering anyway. This song is actually referenced in my book. After Kyrie and Greg finally reconcile (the first time—or is that the second?) Kyrie sings this song when they’re walking back to his apartment. Most of the lyrics work in one way or another and I can’t say no to a song with the term “naked magic” bandied about.
I managed to catch a Fall Out Boy show this summer. They totally kicked ass and I jumped around like a teenager in front of a bunch of teenagers. The only down side was that they didn’t play Where Did the Party Go. 😦 Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to see them again. Yes, I’m a concert slut. We all need hobbies; I knit, sew, garden, and go to concerts. So what?

 

Excerpt:
Greg’s head snapped up and a slow smile lit his face even as his cheeks went pink. He licked his lips, staring at Kyrie’s all the while.
“You don’t need to get back to work?” Kyrie schooled his voice, attempting a stern look to go with it. He didn’t want Greg getting in trouble for running out today or for missing tomorrow.
“Nope.” Greg didn’t hesitate, but his jaw tightened. “I told them I had a family emergency. Someone else can pick up the important stuff. My secretary will reschedule the rest.”
“You’re sure?”
“Never been more.”
Kyrie cackled as he looked down at Greg’s messy clothes. “If that’s your only outfit, you’ll definitely have to be naked the whole time you’re here.”
Greg blushed redder, and Kyrie leaned over to kiss him again.
“So fucking adorable. Come on. Let’s go see how much tequila’s left.”
“Nah nah-nah nah nah nah nah-nah nah nah.” Kyrie sang Fall Out Boy’s Where Did the Party Go as he danced his way up the stairs, occasionally turning to knock his hip against Greg’s despite his eye-rolling and snorts of laughter. Out on the street, Greg walked stiffly beside him. Kyrie continued to hum, but toned down the show for Greg’s benefit. He also smothered the need to reach for Greg’s hand. Looking down at Kyrie, Greg cracked an exasperated half grin that didn’t mask his unease.
It was difficult to make sense of everything. Greg pinned Kyrie with that mixture of amusement and mortification all the time. He’d been doing it for years. Only now things were suddenly and insanely different, but still exactly the same. Weird and wonderful, yet normal. Kyrie felt like Dorothy stepping out in Technicolor after a lifetime of monochrome.

 

Blurb:
Kyrie is an actor with a physical aversion to telling lies, a one-eyed cat, and horrible taste in men. His ex-brother-in-law and best friend, Greg, harbors a secret crush he can’t shake. After denying his feelings for Kyrie for too long, Greg finally gives in to desire one drunken night. Come the morning, the facts get twisted. Kyrie pretends he doesn’t remember a thing—a lie that eats him alive—and Greg can’t stop thinking about how he screwed up the best thing in his life.
Before they can clear the air, Kyrie follows his dreams to New York City, but could he also be running away?
A mistake from Kyrie’s past detonates their silence, and Greg is forced to confront the man he loves. Is their new truth strong enough to support a relationship, or are they doomed to crumble under old fears? Their friendship could evolve into something a million times stronger, but maybe Kyrie’s act is just too hard for Greg to follow.

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Bio:
K. Vale writes erotic romance of all stripes, from hot hetero to mouthwatering manlove. Find her MF work published under Kimber Vale. Come for the sex. Stay for the story. Stalk Kimber on Facebook and Twitter @KimberVale, and check her site for updates, new releases, and freebies at http://www.authorkimbervale.com. The blog: http://www.kimbervale.me.

Buy links:
Liquid Silver Books: http://www.lsbooks.com/hard-act-to-follow-p937.php
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Follow-Shooting-Stars-Book-ebook/dp/B00MUF78WQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1408454573&sr=8-7&keywords=Hard+Act+to+Follow
All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hardacttofollow-1599620-149.html
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hard-act-to-follow-k-vale/1120133637?ean=9781622101337
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hard-act-to-follow
——–
Kimber Vale is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to celebrate her new release!
Rafflecopter code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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The Foreman from J.T. Hall

~ Chris McHart ~ Leave a comment

Today I have the great pleasure to introduce you to a writer friend, J.T. Hall. She published The Foreman recently and you’ll find info and an excerpt here.

Please read and enjoy

Chris

 

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Title: The Foreman
Author: J.T. Hall
Genre: Short M/M Contemporary (bear/twink, some domination/submission)

Buy links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Foreman-Hardcore-Gay-Short-Story-ebook/dp/B00MQDHMVY/
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theforemanagayhardcoreshortstory-1611056-340.html

My blog: http://jthallwriting.wordpress.com
Twitter: @jthall7

Blurb:

Tim’s got a problem with his new job as a carpenter. His foreman, Gary Zucker, is just too damned sexy. With a mustache, hairy arms, and a solid gut, Gary exudes power and confidence, and it’s driving Tim crazy. When Gary notices Tim’s attraction, he figures it’s all over. The foreman will probably fire him for having the wrong kind of wood.

Then Gary surprises him. He shows he knows how to be the boss in more than one way. The question remains if this will be a one time thing, or something more. Tim’s got one chance to show the man how good he can be, before his dream man slips through his fingers.

Excerpt:

“You realize I’m probably fifteen years older than you,” Gary said, leaning even closer, so that their lips were only inches apart. Tim swore the guy must be able to hear the pounding of his heart by now.
“Don’t care,” Tim whispered. He licked his lips, feeling hot and cold shivers going through him, almost desperate to be touched. “It’s the mustache,” he added impulsively. “I really like it.”
Gary responded with a deep rumble in his chest, almost like a purr, as he closed the distance between them. They kissed, hot tongues sliding together, slightly scratchy brush of hair against Tim’s lips contrasting with the softness of moist lips. Tim groaned, longing to reach over and grab Gary’s hand, but he forced himself to stay still, communicating his need only through their kisses.
When the kiss ended, Gary chuckled. “Should have just said so. Just this for now. Anything else will have to wait until work’s over.” He stroked Tim again, no nonsense this time, fist pumping his dick hard, demandingly.
Tim bit his lip to keep from crying out. Too much, too fast. He could feel his control slipping away. He nodded as Gary continued to jerk him off, feeling it approaching, the intensity making his eyes water. With a soft cry, he thrust up into Gary’s fist. Hot cum splashed over the foreman’s hand, and onto Tim’s jeans as the waves of pleasure ripped through him. A second pulse, and then a third; his orgasm finally passed, and left him panting for breath.
Just as Tim started to come back down to reality, Gary roughly wiped his hand on Tim’s jeans, making him jump. He stared at the foreman wide-eyed, trying to process what had just happened.
“Get yourself together and be back on the job.” Gary’s tone allowed no argument. Tim stared at the man, wondering if he was angry. With a grunt, Gary hitched up Tim’s jeans.
Then he stalked back over to the worksite, leaving Tim still woozy with the aftershocks.
For a moment, all Tim could do was stare at Gary’s retreating back, appreciating the curve of Gary’s ass as he walked. He blinked, and tucked himself back in, fixing his underwear and zipping up the fly. Had that really happened? Tim looked at himself in the rearview mirror, at the sweat beading his upper lip, the look of shock on his face. He wiped off the sweat with his shirt, feeling boneless. Spent.
Back to the job, boss had said. Reluctantly, Tim climbed out of the truck and slammed the door shut.
So what happened now?

 

Linguistically Challenged

~ Chris McHart ~ 2 Comments

 

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A writer friend, Helena Stone, had an idea about a blog after she saw that there were writers like her who are writing in a second or third language – English.

She asked around, and it seems we are quite a few! We agreed on answering some questions, and the first two posts on Helena’s blog are live now. Check them out, it’s quite funny to read.

www.helenastone.blogspot.ie

I’m quite happy to see I’m not the only one who struggles with grammar sometimes. And I don’t feel strange anymore because I think in two languages and have to “switch” in my head.

I’ll keep you updated on new posts, and I hope you enjoyed reading about us linguistically challenged writers as much as I did. My turn to answer these questions will be soon, too!

 

Chris (who’s way too tired today to write anything else, no matter which language.)

 

A little update from Never Wrong: The line edits are done, and it will no go into proofreading. I don’t have a release date yet, but I hope I can show off the cover soon!

How I Develop My Characters. Or Not.

~ Chris McHart ~ Leave a comment

I thought I’d tell you something about my writing process today. For me, it’s always exciting to find new characters, see their good and bad sides, their quirks and habits. But how exactly do I create them?

I don’t. Period. I don’t create them. Or sit down and think about how I need a character X.

But how do I get them then? That’s what I’ll talk about today.

The first thing when I get an idea for a new book, is a scene I have in my mind. It just pops up and I see something happen. (No, I don’t need my meds, that’s pretty common among authors!). So I have a scene or two. And based on this, my mind develops more and more of the plot line. I have, at this point, no real clue what this story will be about. Nor do I know anything about the characters. Just a general feeling and something that is best described as vague direction.

Soon after the first scenes come up, I start to feel how my characters are. Some special traits develop, like I suddenly know why a character reacts to certain triggers. I get more and more of the past of my characters, what they experienced and how they deal with certain things. What they like or don’t like. These points, how small they are, are jotted down on my notepad. Then I start plotting in earnest. I posted about that recently, so I will not talk about that again (don’t want to bore you more than necessary 🙂 )

As soon as my piece of art is done, I know basically where I want to go and what should happen in the story (it never does, since my guys refuse to believe this is the way to go, but I still try!). I also have, thanks to plotting, a better idea how my character should be. Please notice the ‘should’. I’ll tell you why soon.

I can start writing then. Or better, I just do. I sit down and crank out say something between 5000 and 15000 words. And sometime during these thousands of words, something happens. My characters stop behaving the way I think they should, and start to actually act. (Still not time for meds! Just writing reality…) This is the point at which I feel them, where I ‘get’ their voice and their emotions. It’s a magical moment, because until then, the character was there, in my mind, but he was flat and boring.

At the moment he takes over the story, he tells HIS point of view, not mine. He has his voice, his opinion.

Although, I admit that this is usually the point where I seriously start doubting my writing, since I can forget all my plotting.  My character dictates what happens now, and it might be that I have to write the story from only one POV (happened in Never Wrong). Or that I seriously have to rework the beginning of a novel (see my post of Plotting my novel More again). This is usually the part I don’t like, but I know that my characters simply do know better. 🙂 Or refuse to listen to me.

Now you know how my characters find me, and how I don’t do much to develop them. I just hand them over the reins and they say what needs to be said.

I hope you found it interesting. I would love to know how you do it, if you are writing yourself. And if you’re a reader, is it interesting for you to see how it works?

 

I wish you a nice weekend from Germany, which is way too cold tonight.

 

Chris

 

New plotting of my novel More

~ Chris McHart ~ Leave a comment

My novel with the working title More has given me some troubles lately. It just didn’t feel right, and at about 16000 words, I had no real clue how to go on.
So I sat down the last days and drawed. I’ve heard other say they do this with a program, but my mind refuses. I need a pen, and a paper, and then I can start.

I listed the main characters, the plot and the subplots (four!! at this point).
Then I started drawing in which connection the characters are to each other.
I’m working with four equal protagonists, so that alone is sometimes a bit confusing.
My working sheet looked like this when I was done:

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Nice, isn’t it?

But I wasn’t done. I started jotting down notes on possible scenes. That was another page:

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Now I think I figured out where I need to tweak a little in order for this story to work. I’ll have to expand a few scenes, cut others (I HATE cutting already written scenes) and overall rework it.

I’ll keep you updated how it goes and if my protagonists behave a bit better now (or not, depending on what I want them to do… 😉 )

Wish you all a good day!

Chris