New Arc

As Emory's book begins its downward slope to the conclusion, Chapter 12 introduces a new arc.

Click here to read Chapter 12.

Within this chapter, the book's title comes to light.

After writing several books that featured Emory in it, I knew his story should be told. I had done divorced, college, alcoholic, etc., but I hadn't done a full story of people of retirement age. Just as I knew when I wrote Say Goodbye to Sparkleland, many of my readers would shy away from a story of someone who had cheated on their true love. But those that stuck with it, I feel, learned to embrace Mitchell in all his mistakes. Likewise, I'm sure some of my readers were disinterested in a story of "older" guys. Hopefully they realize that men are still sexually active as they age. Every age can be "hot" and loving and tender.

Now we have Emory's idea. Heart and Soul has given him purpose. I am not aware of such groups. I might hear from someone who says, "Timothy, don't you know of this and this and this?" If so, I'll just say (with a smile) none of those groups have existed in Jackson Bend. His idea is small, but as Lorenzo has conveyed, it was something important and meaningful. And for that reason, I'm glad Emory has a new direction.

I have known people who felt lost once they retired. They just sat around the house feeling like there was nothing to do. Even some wives have nudged them to do something with themselves. Having a wide open canvas sounds amazing to me. I'll be happy when the day comes that I have no deadlines. I long for the day when someone asks me when I let go of everything: "What will you do?" Like Emory and Don, whatever I want, whenever I want. Retirement scares some people. I find an absolute freedom to it. One day.

When I first created Emory in Coffee at 9, I just wanted an older gay guy to befriend Cooper. I had no real backstory for him. Even when I teased Don in the final chapter of that book, I had no grand vision for Emory's book — or even if I would do one. But once I envisioned Heart and Soul as a fellowship group, the big picture came into focus for me. I just had to figure out how it would overlay Books Six, Seven and Eight.

Would you attend such a group?

The Stroke

So. 

Read Chapter 10 of Heart and Soul here.

Those with good memories or who simply looked at my timeline in the previous post knew this chapter was coming. We saw Emory's stroke in Chapter 21 of Laramie. At the time, I didn't necessarily know I was going to do a book with Emory, but since I did, not only did I have to include this, I think it is very important to the plot.

While there is erotica in my work, I write LOVE stories not just sex scenes. I'm sure many people will see the title of the chapter and think, "Well, that's not sexy." Nope. It's not. But the companionship between the two men should be. I felt this chapter really showed the depth of both characters and their relationship.

And look who's back? Lorenzo Barker. Readers might recall his introduction in Chapter 22 in Say Goodbye to Sparkleland. When I wrote that book, I knew I was going to make use of him.

For anyone who didn't think they would care for this chapter and wound up liking it, I hope you tell me. After writing so many lovemaking scenes, crafting these passages was different.

Showing affection, love and sex at ALL ages is pleasing to me. The young studs (well-hung, 6'5'', quarterbacks — yeah, they get their share of stories) make for easy j/o material, but I hope these senior men show authenticity.

Tell me.

Fitting Together

If all my stories were told in a linear fashion, then it would be so much easier. But many readers will remember the tornado from three books ago. I realize that makes it confusing to go back and forth.

Same event, different houses:
Heart and Soul, Chapter 9
Laramie, Chapter 20

Why would I do this? Well, as secondary characters get their own stories, then you have to make sure things align. To tell the complete story, it is necessary to go back. 

Some of you probably flat out don't care. You read the story because you might like a certain character. Or you just want the hot scenes, but it isn't important enough to commit to memory or keep the timeline straight.

But do you wonder if I do? After several books, I had to create a spreadsheet. That doesn't work well for this blog, but this is a synopsis if it interests anyone. If you've read the previous material, then there are no spoilers here.

Notes are by book and chapter:
5: Coffee at 9
6: Laramie
7: Say Goodbye to Sparkleland
8: A Bed, A Desk and My Unfortunate Soulmate

2022
Feb - Emory spills coffee on Cooper 5,1
March - Coffee at 9 meetings begin 5,2
July - Cooper meets Laramie 5,6
Oct - Corey goes to coffee for first time 5,9
Nov - Laramie and Cooper kiss 5,10
Dec - Cooper's love triangle 5,11; Emory and Don meet 9,1

2023
Jan - Cooper chooses Laramie - 5,12
Feb - Emory and Don have sex - 9,3
May - Don meets Don 9,5, Tampa 6,17
July - Natalie's wedding 6,18
Sept - "Signposts"; Isaiah dies 9,7
Oct - Corey and Laramie fight, Carter's first appearance 6,19
Nov - Mitch finishes therapy 7,23
Dec - Mitch and Layton date 7,24

2024
Jan - Mitch returns to coffee group 7,25
Feb - Mitch and Carter 7,26
March - "L.B." 7,28
April - Tornado 6,20; 9,9
May - Jakob's magazine 4,12
June - Mitch moves in 7,29
July - Vegas 6,21
Sept - Corey's license, Emory's stroke 6,21

2025
Jan - Mitch and L.B.'s new house 7,29
Feb - Aiden spends emotional night with Corey 6,22
Aug - Laramie's mother dies 6,22

2027
March - Corey and Laramie argue 6,24
May - Art exhibit 6,24
June - Corey's graduation 6,24
Aug - Notre Dame begins 8,1
Nov - Cooper and Laramie marry 8,4; Mitch's tattoo 7,29

Obviously there are more details than just this, and there are holes to fill in (eventually).

This is more of an informative blog post than an interesting one, but the tornado in Chapter 9 made me think that some readers would remember it and wonder how things fit together. One of my favorite television shows of all time was This Is Us. It was told much like my Jackson Bend series. I often wondered if they had a huge timeline over many years and slowly filled in the spaces.