So. C.J.
It's easy to think he was introduced in this chapter.
Click here to read Laramie, Chapter 8.
Is there something familiar about him? Quite possibly. This
isn’t C.J.’s first appearance. If you want to recall when he first appeared,
you can go back to “November” in Coffee at 9.
Click here to read Coffee at 9, Chapter 10.
In Laramie’s story, many readers will find him to be
somewhat of a douche. In Cooper’s story, he freely admits that he was,
referencing the events of this chapter.
However, I don’t judge C.J. harshly. The gay world is full
of many types. C.J. was upfront with Laramie, so we can’t fault him for leading
him on. As evidenced by the AIDS pandemic of the previous century, there are
countless multitudes who just enjoy playing the field. It’s about sexual
gratification, not relationships. If that’s who a person is, then that’s their
decision to make. It certainly isn’t limited to the gay scene, either. A person
has the right to choose how to live their life. The invention of apps clearly indicates there are countless people just in it for the sex. That's where C.J. is in his life (in this chapter).
The sex scenes between two people just looking for lustful gratification
aren’t my favorite to write. I’m kind of an open book. “Love stories for the
gay male” is right at the top of the blog. Still, if. Every. Single. Sex scene. is
warm and loving, then the sexual content finds itself in a rut — from a creative standpoint. I don't want the writing to become predictable and stale. Granted, I freely admit the
passionate scenes between people in love turn me on far greater than the raw,
random hookups. But as an author, it helps me stretch, I suppose.
If I were able to live my life over again — and grow up in a
time with today’s freedom and rights — I sometimes wonder if I would have been
someone different sexually. Could I have a book like Mitch? (I have a friend
with a list a mile long. It makes me cringe.) I didn't have much experience in the dating world (gay-wise). But could I get addicted to … “variety”
for variety’s sake? One never knows.
Aside from C.J., Chapter 8 has a lot more to it. The
Christmas scene rips my heart out. While hard to write it, it continues to
define Laramie’s character.
One confession here, the scene with the couple making out and moving back
and slamming into the movie poster was something I actually witnessed in real
life. I was amazed it didn’t either shatter or fall to the floor. I felt the moment had
enough impact on me that I found a place to include it in the story.
I hope something in this chapter — Grayson, C.J., Christmas
gifts, Laramie’s emotions — was able to reach you and affect you in some way.
As weird as this might sound...I'm really hoping that Grayson gets fed up soon and unleashes some anger on his parents for how they treat Laramie. He keeps saying he cares about Larry and that he wants to make him feel welcome, to feel like still part of the family, yet he keeps making excuses for them. I want to like Grayson, I really do. But it gets tougher and tougher to see him defending their parents and not turning around and giving them a piece of truth.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting view. I've liked writing Grayson's character. I hadn't considered what you suggest, but it makes logical sense.
DeleteI love it – I love the story! And if I hadn’t already read “Coffee at 9” I would be so sad! Poor Laramie – what he has to experience and go through in his mind before he ends up with Cooper IS sad, but I know the ending of this for him! Wonderful end!
ReplyDeleteI like what you said there about creating this story – or any story. I think I’ve said before that there’s WAY more to two guys being together than the sex – even though that’s part of their being together. There’s a whole emotion-filled, gut-filled story that is the back-drop to the hot sex.
Whenever I go to NIFTY I now first look to see if there’s more “Laramie”.
I am greatly enjoying this story. And yes, the Christmas At Home portion tore my heart out as well. I know there are better days coming for Laramie, but I would like someone to set his parents straight. They've lost one son and will also permanently lose another if they don't wake up to Laramie's good heart and attempt to continually show him love for his family. Unfortunately their actions are probably more typical than should be and VERY destructive. D.
ReplyDeleteWhen you wrote in your blog regarding Laramie's family, that they "rip(s) my heart out", I couldn't agree more. This lukewarm shit just ain't cutting it. Better to be all in or all out. I don't remember Laramie visiting his folks in "Coffee". Good choice on his part!
ReplyDeleteYour story comes to life, and I often get emotionally involved, then have to remind myself it is just a story. A well written story. Thanks!
K.