Laramie: The Conclusion

 

Hello everyone. This has been an emotional journey. When I finished Coffee at 9, I thought it just might be the best thing I could ever attempt to write. Judging by feedback, many of you put Laramie right up there with it. It’s just downright humbling.

And sort of sad.

Yes, I hate to see it come to an end. When I began posting Book Six, I feared that the split narrative would be annoying to readers, and the time leaps would be too big. It would appear that you all were fine with it — or at least didn’t email me to give me grief. Thank you for being flexible so that this book could have its own writing style.

Click here to read the final chapter, Chapter 24.

For this story to make sense, I had to include dates. I had never done that before. When I did Extracurricular during the pandemic, 2020 was my reference point, and things just flowed from there. Projecting Laramie and Corey and Cooper into the “future” is slightly quirky, but mentally, the dates are just placeholders. Technically, I could have backed it all up four years. But with Lance’s AA meetings and Trent’s journal, it all just worked this way. I just planned all along to end it with Corey's graduation.

I’ll share with you that when I write something and continue to the end of the story, I usually don’t go back to proofread it until it is time for that chapter to be posted. It had been close to half a year since I read this final chapter. Sure, I knew how it ended, but some of the details were refreshed in my mind as I went through it — and I enjoyed it! I hope you felt it was a satisfying conclusion too.

While we have given Laramie a complete arc to his story, there were moments with other characters that touched me personally as well. I liked seeing Judith in this last chapter. I liked revisiting Lance’s insecurities and the love shared between him and Jakob. Roman made another appearance, as did Laramie's father. I enjoyed bringing these people into the conclusion.

So, thank you, thank you once again for your support. There truly are no words that can convey how much it means to hear your kind and thoughtful comments — and predictions and wishes and criticisms. If these characters seem real to you, then I know we have something in common. I care about them, fictious as they are.

But are we really saying goodbye to them? Nope, not really.

With Books Seven and Eight in the works, we will definitely see these people again.

So, here is some information about those two stories.

Book Seven is Mitchell’s book. I’ve provided slight hints into this story. It will be very challenging as Mitch is the one who cheated on Cooper. But he still has a story of his own. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you will give him a second chance. Book Seven’s title is Say Goodbye to Sparkleland. Yep, it is my weirdest title, to be sure. It will make sense as it unfolds.

Book Eight will be my first foray into “College” stories. Okay sure, Books One and Two had the last few months of Trent’s and Lance’s years, but this story starts with Corey and Aiden as freshmen. It will have its own take as well (as each of my stories typically have a niche of their own). This book is called A Bed, A Desk and My Unfortunate Soulmate. So many readers have become attached to Corey as he has grown up. Our little valedictorian is still fairly messed up and insecure, so he and Aiden have a journey together.

Mitch's book will probably be a little more sexually charged, while the young men going to college will have a deeper story about friendship. Of course, there will be erotic passages in both and also emotional reflection in each.

If you are not on my notification list and would like to know when these new stories begin, please drop me an email: timothylane414@gmail.com

Both stories are in the works — and I would never recommend working on two stories at once, but I’m “into” both stories currently. They have a long way to go. I prefer to be finished before I start posting. We’ll see how long that takes. It won’t be August. But I hope early fall. In the meantime, your emails are still always welcome.

Thank you, my friends. You are the best.

Mom

I just wanted to be clear on something. Many of my readers know my mother passed away in May. This chapter is not in response to that. I finished writing Laramie over the winter, so all the text was already in place when my mother actually passed.

Click here to read Laramie, Chap. 22.

Writing about death is not easy. One's personal feelings get tied up in it. When applied to fictional characters, it is easy for an author to let their own inner thoughts on death creep into the wording, regardless of who the character is in the created setting. As well as health issues, relationships ... and joy.

When I wrote Coffee at 9, the driving force within all the plotlines was Cooper's desire to succeed in fatherhood. I loved writing that even though I am not a father. I feel I am more like Laramie who doesn't see himself as a father figure, but when placed in the role, develops a rapport with a young person. I have loved evolving the relationship with Corey and Laramie. My time-hopping narrative might let us see it at a rate a little too accelerated, but it is necessary to see Laramie's (and Corey's) full arc.

Had I not wanted to write into "the future," I could have shoved everything back four years, but since I started writing — all the way back to Extracurricular in 2020 — I've used the current calendar for things: Trent's journal, Lance's meetings, etc.

Corey and Laramie have been able to experience a lot. At home, Laramie has been an adult figure he can confide in, but a further bond has been established on the road: Christmas at Cooper's parents, Tampa, the beach, Vegas... Seeing how Laramie fits into his role with this "son but not my son" shows a maturity on both their parts. I never considered Laramie to be immature, but his soul as an adult has expanded. His heart has grown by becoming a "parent."

And, of course, there is the "oops" moment this chapter.

In this chapter, we see Corey becoming more of a teenager. Didn't we all torment ourselves during our teen years? I'd like to think I wasn't a prick to my parents, but my brothers and I were all different, so I'm sure my own parents had challenges. My intention here is not to turn Corey into an asshole but to realistically portray a human being who is going through body changes, self-esteem struggles, doubt and life's pressures. Fear not, I'm not going to make you hate him.

I have enjoyed sharing this story, but I'm truly saddened to know that only two chapter remain. The encouragement from readers has removed all doubts that I had when I first began posting this story. I am so grateful for you.

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.

Big Decisions

This chapter was a tidal wave.

Click here to read Laramie, Chapter 19.

Every couple has disagreements. How they handle them is key. Far be it from me to act as a therapist. But the more I hear and read, listening is the key to resolving conflict. So often, people get caught up in "who is right/who is wrong" instead of how each person feels about it.

Laramie and Cooper have a fight — their first. How it affects Laramie is huge. He has many pivotal points in his journey to true love, but this night is one that I feel — as the author — will stick with him for the remainder of his life. Most of us have said things we wish we could take back.

I probably should have titled this post "Why Do I Always Ruin Everything?" It has almost been Laramie's motto since his adolescence. He really stepped in the poop this chapter.

But from that, the reader sees some big decisions. In writing this book, I could have stopped it at many points. I could have ended it right where Coffee at 9 ended and we could have just seen it from his perspective. But just as I did with Book Four, Jakob's full story really went beyond what we saw in Hi, I'm Lance. Laramie's complete story isn't done yet. He still has some growing to do. Several chapters, in fact.

Anyone reading this hopefully fares well in resolving disagreements. No matter what, keep the big picture in mind. Do you love this person? Are you listening to what they are feeling? When making your point, is it "I feel..." or is it pointing fingers: "You did this!"? The big picture is the two of you are in this relationship together.

It was kind of a turbulent chapter. What stirred within you? Share with me.

Mitchell, Marriage and Stomachs

So, after the first passage in Chapter 18, there was this M-7 in red. What was that? Actually, that was a note for readers where the seventh book begins. Click here to read Chapter 18.

If it were a perfect world, I'd have Book Seven ready to go. But ... work, things, life — it all gets in the way. A couple of months from now when that story is ready, I'll let you know, along with its title. Mitchell will be the lead.

I have tried to make every book somehow different than the others. Each has its own identity, whether it be journal entries or time spans or AA meetings or alternating narratives. That book will too, but it also has a twist the others do not — not everyone likes Mitchell. Several readers were pulling for him and Cooper to work things out. Some still wanted that to happen even when Laramie entered the scene. But some just thought of him as a cheater and wrote him off. No matter what feelings may exist, I hope everyone will still see where the story goes.

This chapter wasn't as long as some, but I found each of its parts essential. The wedding scene certainly moves the narrative along as it should. Each character's views on it varied. Cooper's perspective was the most fun to write.

Before the "year" is out, another marriage comes into play.

A moment that really touches me is when Laramie and Corey have a bonding conversation. For reasons of his own, Corey finds it easier to open up to Laramie more than he does with his father. Not that I routinely see it, but every now and then, I will find a pair of individuals who will lie perpendicular, one with his (or her) head on the other's stomach. It makes me smile. Tummy talk. Corey felt comfortable enough to do that. In my own mind, I enjoyed picturing that.

The amount of affection Corey has received growing up compared to how Laramie was raised is vastly different. Although teenage hormones are bound to kick in, Corey has an emotional depth to him that is fun to observe. Expect it to evolve.

I'm not sure if you noticed, but the first "date" on this chapter is pretty much NOW, if you check when this was posted. We are now moving into the future. Quirky.

I'll leave it at that. Oh, Chapter 19 is a doozy.

Tampa

 

I hate to become a broken record and keep saying “I enjoyed this chapter.” Maybe because I am pouring so much feeling into Laramie’s character, it is reaching me as much as you. I just embraced Laramie feeling new things this chapter.

Plus! For the remainder of the book, Corey continues to develop as a principal character. I had always liked Corey, but since he had never really had much opportunity to be a realized “voice,” I just thought he was a necessary — and likable — secondary character. But as so often happens in my books, secondary characters grow on me and soon develop into major characters. Expect that in this situation.

Click here to read Laramie, Chap. 17.

But let's talk about Laramie. Between plane flights, roller coasters and time on the beach, the story lets us see more vulnerability in our Kansas-born protagonist. One thing about Laramie, he can be quite the open book to those in his circle. It's that vulnerability that creates more emotional depth.

Now and then, I do something goofy on the blog. Recently, I provided a playlist of sorts. Now I am offering a few photos from the trip to Tampa.

Henry B. Plant Museum

Spiral staircase at Salvador Dali Museum

Abraham Lincoln far away, a naked woman up close.

SheiKra at Busch Gardens

Iron Gwazi

I am sorry that I have no pictures from the beach.

Before I let us go, I hope you are intrigued with seeing Mitchell again in this chapter. I haven't quite finished with Mitch yet — not by a long shot.

Kansas

 

Readers on my notification list know that my mother passed away two weeks ago. She grew up in Kansas. Although she had not lived there in several years, her gravesite service was there.

As I drove through numerous small towns, I couldn’t help but think about Laramie’s situation. While he is (obviously!) a fictitious character, I pictured those like him. I wondered what it would be like to be in such a small town and know you are gay. Who would you confide in? Who could you trust? And if you did, and it was received poorly, would you have anyone at all to turn to if your trust was shattered?

Click here to read Laramie, Chap. 16.

It would be nice to think times have changed, but certain cultures are fairly dug in. My heart broke for anyone growing up in such a small town where they had so few options. Not for boyfriends — which, okay, there’s that — but just the human need to share and confide with someone close to you.

For me to say this is somewhat misleading though. It’s not like a grew up in some big city. It was a city, but certainly not gigantic. It’s not like I talked to a lot of people about things. Of course, I still debated if I was or wasn’t gay. But there was a friend who certainly helped bring me to the conclusion that I was.

I am grateful that young people today know that they are not alone. It’s better, at least. Even those in rural areas can hopefully find support online, even if they feel cut off out in the farms and ranches. Things are different, but some feelings always remain the same.

The contrast between families was an overreaching arc to this chapter. Cooper and Laramie not only help each other weather these situations, but they are building a depth to their relationship that will serve them well.

I enjoyed writing this chapter. Laramie’s story continues to grow, and I think there was much development here. Long chapters are rewarding to do, but I know that sometimes they are probably too time consuming for several readers. I’m grateful that you indulge me.