In a recent post, I noted that in future books I don’t want
to have to “catch up” to established passages. Jakob, Laramie and Mitchell all
have backstories that had to catch up to chapters in previous books.
Much to my surprise, I found out something odd with the this last
chapter.
Click here to read Say Goodbye to Sparkeland, Chap.
22.
As I was working through the last few chapters, I knew I had
to go back and research a scene. In Chapter 19 of Laramie, we find
Cooper picking up Laramie from The Black Stallion. It is actually Carter’s
first appearance. I was trying to recall when all that happened. Much to my
surprise, the point in time was right where I was in writing Sparkleland.
When I wrote Laramie last year, I had no idea how Book
Seven would unfold. Since Mitchell has become a regular at The Black Stallion, Carter would have figured out who Laramie and Cooper were from things Mitchell has
shared in recent weeks following his sessions.
Carter has a secret!! He knew Cooper and Laramie had a
fight. Was he keeping out hope for Mitchell? Obviously, he didn’t say anything.
On the humorous side, I’m going to try to avoid moments like
this in the future. Not that Carter knowing about Cooper’s and Laramie’s
argument changes anything vital, it was just important for me to know as I developed
this story.
So, you might ask, “Why keep writing books that overlap?”
The answer is easy. When writing one, a character comes to life for me. Their
story feels like it needs to be told.
Mitch was a trickier subject. I figured most of my readers
just didn’t like him. Period. For him to have a compelling story, I had to make
him human. All my characters are flawed, but he needed redemption more than
anyone else. Cooper’s story was about being a good father. Laramie’s story was
accepting oneself. Mitchell is a tale of self-forgiveness.
We have several more chapters to see if Mitch will find what
he is looking for.
Loved this chapter but I think it highlights something interesting. It’s seems everyone sees Mitch as a saint. Sure most knew what happened but it’s like ok things are now like this but we want you back. Cooper especially. I sort of have hopes for a major reconciliation and friendship between Larry and Mitch. I’ve known ex partners and new partners to be friends. This book has become amazing,
ReplyDeleteTimothy, bravo! No sex, just hopeful emotion--the perfect chapter. I loved it. So exciting to see Mitch and Cooper interacting again.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that you thought many of your readers didn't like Mitch supposedly because of his having cheated on Cooper. Mitchell's sadness and his taking responsibility for his actions has endeared him to me. We may all have betrayed someone at some point in time. Your writing develops the characters' personalities perfectly--for good or for bad. Cooper's forgiving Mitch brought fruition to the situation.
Your writing style does elicit endearment toward your characters. You bring them alive in the reader's mind. I feel like wanting to get to know them personally.
I just want to see how Larry reacts to all this. I can't imagine he'd be violent or rude towards Mitch, but I know I wouldn't want to be around my ex partner's new lover. But at the same time if Larry makes the effort Mitch needs to accept he will, at least for a while, be paranoid about being near Larry. I know there have been hints in other stories Larry seems to be ok with Mitch. We will see but yes it is a great story.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind if this never happened in the stories but imagine if Cooper and Larry asked Mitch for a three way and then Mitch got over it all. Cooper is wonderful, I'm not suggesting they do that but I'd love the likely outrage if it was my story and I wrote that in. The four way with Lance et al was one of the hottest things ever even though Jakob with a K refused to get it only saying Lance could do that but look who cares, orgy or no orgies, Mitch has been a fascinating character to read. It is just a shame it's only after we make the mistakes down the track that we go well maybe should have not done that, but self-forgiving is crucial.
DeleteVery enjoyable and the lunch with Cooper was moving. Clearly there are different types of love,
ReplyDeleteSo, I’m now rooting for Mitchell.
ReplyDelete-ka
100% the same.
DeleteYou say in future you don't want to have to "catch up", but I'd be here for a Lorenzo back story.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should say that. I'm thinking Lorenzo might have a place in Book Nine.
DeleteI have to say, I was one who wasn’t sure about a story based on Mitchell. I was thrilled that Cooper chose Laramie. It just made sense.
ReplyDeleteBut, as usual, in Timothy we trust. This story is awesome. As good as anything else. Mitchell deserves redemption. Interesting characters: Carter and Logan. Looking forward to see how you flesh them out. If you do.
Thank you again for entertaining us. I look forward to more.
tg
I agree but the choice to forgive or not or see the person who cheated on the person again is the decision of the person who got hurt. I just know quite a few men who got new husbands and partners yet stayed friends with the cheating ex and defend that person to the hilt.
DeleteCooper to me has this obsession with making things right with Mitchell. I know they are fictional characters, but personally, and as we found out in other books, Cooper is doing the right thing. I noticed a few posts about past lovers and being cheated on. I know one man and his husband of ten years who worked tirelessly to have his ex who cheated on him friends with both of them again. By coincidence was reading Sparkleland at a venue while waiting for others and who walked in? All three of the guys. What a moment.
ReplyDeleteThe tension between Mitch and Larry is growing. The latest instalment hints at that. But it’s not tension of hate it’s of why Larry does not stop Cooper from seeing Mitch. I have my own views but we will find out.
ReplyDeleteI'm like others I can't wait for the Larry and Mitch showdown, and them rolling around in mud beating each other to a pulp while the others cheer it on. Nah just joking, I think Larry wants friendship with Mitch as I recall from past writings Larry wasn't pushing him away.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be funny as hell but I don't think that's the way Tim's work is. He wants everyone to work everything out and be one happy family, huge family and that includes Mitch. Maybe they can have a dream fantasy where Larry and Mitch get in a boxing ring and beat the **** out of each other and Cooper wakes up and goes it was just a dream :)
DeleteI love how it's become tense, more so for those around Mitch are starting to see the cheating in a oh that happens way whereas he's OMG I can't face Larry et al. That's what's making the store so good.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that we put a price on partner cheating yet some on here have done what Cooper does, that is, not letting go of Mitch. I'm the same, like my ex who is married now brought up the subject when I was discussing go and read Sparkleland etc, and he cheated on me just on 15 years ago and me and his husband and my partner had to spend a while recently reassuring him it was in the past. My partner has no issue with what he did, but my ex still does. It's just something we will work on and this story helped.
DeleteWhat Cooper is doing in Sparkland is common. If someone wants to be friends with the guy who cheated on you I see no issue with that, I wouldn't but if I ran into them now it's years later I'd be nice, but that's just me.
DeleteI refuse to talk to the guy who cheated on me, I got someone else, but one day the guy was at a party and we just talked as if nothing happened. It's not about forgiving in my view but I was not going to fight with him over something that is decade or more old. That's why I like Mitch so much. I think this story may not change some's minds about cheating but if Cooper wants Mitch in his life and Larry does not mind there is no issue really. You don't have forgive cheating but it needs to be a boundary you discuss with your partner before you marry.
DeleteI so want to see how Mitch resolves the Larry situation.
ReplyDeleteLike others I am totally team Mitch and yes I was cheated on and hurt but I just felt better being friends with that person, that was just me. I too want to see how Mitch and Larry get on or don't, but Cooper obviously isn't going to let Mitch get away.
ReplyDeleteWant to add my thought when I found this blog after so much time ready the collection about all these drama queens and their issues. I too want to see how Mitch and Larry get on. It is like Cooper as the other poster says does not want to let go of Mitch even though it's all changed. Roll on next chapter. Sparkleland has always been insightful and gripping but now more so than ever.
ReplyDeleteSo waiting for next chapter, my goodness it's getting gripping.
ReplyDelete