Gayfoundland

 

Chapter 21 is rather site specific. From the jokes about Gayfoundland to the real settings of Las Vegas, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, the fictional world of Jackson bend is left behind for real vacation destinations.

Click here to read Laramie, Chapter 21.

I have to admit that the whole skit about Gayfoundland makes me chuckle. I could just picture a group of my friends enacting the same scenario. Gay people can be a humorous bunch.

The vacation, however, has many rewards for me as an author. As this is Book Six, I’ve never really had opportunities for the main protagonists from all six books to have a lengthy passage where they are all together. With Corey thrown into the mix, it was a fun bit to write.

I also liked using Mike in the dual narrative. I haven’t had the opportunity to find his “voice” since the very first book, Extracurricular.

(Not familiar with it? Click here to go back to the very beginning: Extracurricular, Chapter 1. I do hope to revise it one day.)

Mike was my original guy. The origins of all my writing date back eons ago to when I just wanted to write a little erotic smut for the heck of it (just for myself). The first two chapters — which I really don’t like — were discovered during the pandemic. Stuck at home, I wrote another chapter, then another. I learned to like Mike as his character developed. More importantly, I liked the relationship that evolved between Mike and Trent. Who would have ever thought I’d be working on a seventh and eighth book back then? Certainly not me. It was writing that original story that I found the pleasure in crafting characters I liked and situations where love entered the picture. The sexual stuff was fine, but it took a quick back seat to the narrative of the relationships.

But then there is the final act to Chapter 21. Why include it, you might ask? I assume — at least hope — that I will eventually get to Book Nine, which will be Emory’s book. This creates some foundation that will be essential in his full story. Also, if everything is always hunky dory, then the story gets a bit too syrupy. Since I am taking a particular interest in Corey’s adolescence, I feel it is necessary for him — and all the characters — to have to respond to the highs and lows in life. There’s more heart to the story that way.

With such a multifaceted chapter — one that will have an impact on Laramie’s life (stay tuned) — I hope you found something to like about it.