"30" The Conclusion

 

And so it ends.

But not really. Jakob and Lance will continue to love each other, and we will continue to see them in the following stories.

I knew going in that Ascension: Jakob’s Ladder was very different than the original trilogy. The darker edge of the first half put off some readers. I can’t say I blame them. In this instance, the book was more about the character — and the growth of the character — more than the erotica. For readers who stuck with the whole story, I hope you adored this final chapter. In my heart of hearts, I sincerely hope you felt it rewarding as you made it to the end. What did it make you feel? This book really did have a long-reaching arc, but the payoff delivered, particularly with the slight twist in the last chapter. Or at least it did for me. Now that it is all posted, I think it would be easier to sit down and read it from start to finish over a few days and really get the full impact.

What’s also interesting about this book is that you could read the story from beginning to end and NOT read any of the blue flashback text. It would just be the discussion between Trevor and Jakob, and it still works. That would probably be easier for people who couldn’t handle the tough parts. Or at least until Jakob and Lance find each other.

Click here to find the final chapter of Ascension, Jakob’s Ladder.

This final chapter was a longer one. Hopefully the conclusion was worth the investment of your time.

So… thank you, Jakob fans. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you.

 

—

But now what?

Next up is Cooper’s book. Most of you will remember Cooper from Hi, I’m Lance. He was a strong secondary character, and now he will receive his own story. Each of my writing efforts has had its own unique take, and Book Five definitely will. Writing a character of a father coming to terms with his sexuality is very different for me. The father-son dynamic gives the book a feel all its own.

The title is Coffee at 9. I hope you will keep an eye out for it. I’m stepping away for a few weeks though. If you would like a notification when it drops, just send me an email at timothylane414@gmail.com and I’ll send you a quick note when it posts in September.

Not only is the father-son storyline different, I include a few new characters, one of which is in his 60s. I enjoyed writing a character older than me.

If you don’t remember Cooper much, it won’t be necessary to still enjoy the book. But it might be more engaging if you wish to review some of the final chapters of Hi, I’m Lance.

Coffee at 9 starts off a few months after Jakob and Lance move to Von. There are 12 chapters, and each chapter is one month (contrasting to Jakob’s book being in years).

So until we connect again, please drop me an email. I enjoy hearing from you. It is the best reward for an author.

Wishing you a pleasant close to your summer.

Timothy

"29" Signposts, radio and dick privilege

I enjoyed writing this chapter. It was a personal favorite. Yes, the next one is the final chapter. I expect it to be quite rewarding for those who have taken Jakob’s entire journey along with him. I feel you will be glad you did. Still, this chapter has some great moments for me.

Click here to read Ascension: Jakob’s Ladder, “29” [Chap. 11].

Let’s start with the play. Writing the scene where Jakob is at the radio station was fun, as was the premiere of Signposts itself. There were a lot of emotions stirred there.

When Jakob’s father arrives unexpectedly at the house, I could have taken that moment in numerous directions. I hope I wrote this with some authenticity. Mr. Morgan had been quite a dick in both Lance’s book, as well as this one. Had I written him showing up on the doorstep to punch Jakob in the jaw it would have painted him more in the villain role, but I felt treating him as a human being — flawed — made him more interesting as a father when his mistakes were being portrayed before his own eyes on stage. The fact that Jakob wasn’t quick to wash everything away in the past, to me, was the realistic approach more than the “let’s wrap this up in a happy bow” scenario.

When I started Extracurricular, I had no idea I would ever write four books (currently working on Book Six). The dynamic there was Mike’s age difference with Trent. When If It Weren’t For the Two of Us continued their story, each was troubled and human and likeable in their own ways. Of course, Hi, I’m Lance took a secondary character, originally conceived to just be kind of a dick, and made him a much deeper personality. Jakob was introduced there, and I felt I had a diverse set of characters. Backgrounds were different, parental acceptance was different, and they were physically different.

Dick size isn’t something brought up a lot in gay erotica. Most of it is eye-rolling in the implausible notion that every man in the story is unrealistically endowed. Of my guys, I’m pleased that everyone is represented. Lance is huge, Trent is nicely hung, Mike is average and Jakob is short. The line about “dick privilege” both amuses me and also rings true. The emphasis on size is a detriment to our community. There is more to that in the upcoming book as well. I’m not sure if readers approve of my diversity in this regard. Perhaps they would love to read when all penises are ten inches. I don’t know. I at least like seeing ALL men in my writing. [Book Five even introduces a character in his 60s.]

Hopefully, this chapter has touched you in some way. It was a joy to write. I hope the following chapter does the same.

The conclusion awaits…

"28"

 

This chapter had a lot for Jakob to contend with. One thing that is so rarely mentioned in such literature that you find on platforms like this (or maybe I just don’t read enough) is peer pressure among the young.

Nowadays, it’s hard to find a television show or movie where people kiss one another for a mere moment without them removing their clothes seconds later. Peer pressure to have sex is drilled into young people at an early age. I remember hiding that I was a virgin from coworkers, but it all came down to me not wanting to be intimate with a woman — I wanted a guy! Simple exploration in high school tripped me out, basically because neither of us talked about it. It may sound preposterous for an author such as myself to say I have the greatest respect for people who choose to wait until they feel the time is right for them. That takes an unbelievable amount of courage, particularly to state it. So many mistakes are made owing to peer pressure. It’s sad.

But there is more to this chapter. “28” has highs and lows, with Dr. Owens and New Year’s Eve traditions being the extremes at both ends.

Click here to read Ascension: Jakob’s Ladder “28” [Chap.10].

As Jakob and Lance build a life together, ups and downs are understandable. We are now in chapters that I can actually enjoy writing about married characters. Perhaps readers who favor animalistic one night stands are less than enthusiastic, but people with those tastes probably abandoned by work ages ago. 😊 The original trilogy dealt with Mike and Trent and Lance finding the right person to be with. I’m enjoying writing about people in committed relationships.

It is my hope that those of you who have followed Jakob through his entire journey are now enjoying the rewards. Two chapters remain and the next one just may be my favorite. But I honestly believe you will be glad you invested the time in following Jakob once you get to the end.

Peace.