Lee Rowan: Writing SIN (Speak Its Name)

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Hello, Elisa!

1) Could you tell us about your writing "process"?

Not in great detail. I usually get a 'what if' or a 'why not' – a basic idea – then put together characters, then decide what kind of things they would do together and who or what could complicate their lives. With the new novella, Gentleman's Gentleman, I wanted to write a story about lovers who could find a way to live together without incurring social wrath. What sort of man could live with another without anyone thinking twice? A servant, of course—servants were practically invisible. Of course, that meant breaking another taboo of British custom—the class barrier—so for that I needed an upper-class gentleman who recognized prejudice for what it was and rejected it—and a lover for him who had all the qualities (except social standing) that would make a compatible partner. Then it was 'what would they do?' and inventing a background that brought them together, and of course the research for the place and time of the story. I always have a file of research notes for any story that's more than a few pages long.

For one that's really long or complicated, like Ransom, where there were three separate plotlines that had to converge, I often have to make a timeline chart. But process as such…I just don't think about that too much; it would be like taking apart a watch to see how it works, and hoping I can get it back together. I think every writer's process is slightly different, and sometimes my own will vary from one story to another. 

2) What are the best and worst aspects of being an author?

The best - doing something I love that brings some joy or hope into the world. I was in my 40's when I discovered the love of my life, so I think it's important to say 'don't give up hope." The worst – getting distracted. The flexibility of a writing schedule can be a real drawback at times, and it's hard to say no when something really needs to be done and my wife's working her buns off too.

3) Once your book is finished do you rely only on the editor feedback or do you take also other measures to be sure that your work can be enjoyed by other people?

My wife always reads my stories. I can trust her to be a tough critic—she can always spot the weaknesses in a story—but she's very kind about telling me what they are. I also have a couple of British friends who read my stories to catch the Americanisms, and a gay friend I rely on to make sure my characters are believable as gay men. Now, he's in his 40's and has been with his partner for 23 years, so his feedback is different from what I might get from a 20-something guy—but that's unavoidable. Besides, I want feedback from a man who has found a lifemate, as my characters have.

4) What are some taboos subject you will not write?

The usual, I suppose. Portraying rape, incest, child abuse, or anyone inflicting physical damage or humiliation as romantic. And bestiality, of course—I love animals, but they're no more able to be consenting sexual partners than a child would be. I don't really care that the subjects are taboo—to some people, writing two men as lovers is an enormous taboo! It's that these are subjects I personally find unappealing.

5) Are your loved ones and friends supportive of your writing?

Yes, I'm incredibly lucky, especially in being married to my biggest supporter. I really can't thank her enough.

6) What do you do to celebrate after finishing a story?

Take a day off to clear my head—then decide what's next on the list. I usually don't celebrate until the story is accepted. When it goes to print, I open a bottle of wine.

7) Have you ever cried as you wrote a story---if so which title?

I got a little sniffly during Winds of Change, when Will and Davy are saying goodbye, not knowing if they'll ever see each other again. I wasn't sure, either, in the first draft. One friend told me it was a stronger story, and more realistic, to tear them apart that way, but I just couldn't stand to do that to them.

8) What attracted you to writing gay romance?

I love adventures and mysteries, and I've always enjoyed 'buddy' shows with characters who care for each other more than anything—so adding romantic love to that combination heightens the emotion and makes the story complete.

9) What do you find most challenging about writing gay romance?

Finding believable ways to get to the happy-ever-after. Even today, it's more difficult for same-sex couples to have that – though I read a survey recently that says a majority of young gays and lesbians today do want to find a life partner. To romance readers, that may seem obvious—but when I was growing up, the common belief was that same-sex partners almost never stayed together, that we were unable to have valid, lifelong relationships, and until very recently the surveys of GLBT folk reflected that attitude. Most just didn't believe they could have a happy-ever-after.

There was some truth to the idea that gay and lesbian couples often split up, though a lot of couples flew under the radar, and some more visible show-biz people like George Takei, Lily Tomlin, Richard Chamberlain, and John Barrowman are showing that same-sex relationships can outlast many conventional Hollywood marriages. I think a lot of that instability was due to the lack of support from friends and family. Conventional marriages have the approval of family, church, and society, but gays and lesbians have had a hard time even finding partners until pretty recently, and being able to live together was difficult, too, because of legal discrimination—can you imagine happily ever after if you could be fired or evicted or beaten up if someone found out you were in love with the 'wrong' partner?

I don't like to dwell on the dangers and difficulties in my stories, so acknowledging the issues and getting around them is what I find the most challenging. On the other hand, the idea of a love worth risking everything for is, I think, universally appealing, and it's one of the strongest factors in gay romance.

10) What is your favorite character from all your stories and why?

My favorite character is still probably David Archer, from Ransom and Winds of Change. He's such a brave, loving person—he's gone through hell and still managed to stay positive. But I've grown very fond of Jack Darling, the title character from Gent's Gent. I think the characters I like best are those who have to hang tough and work just a little bit harder to win their happiness.

Gentleman’s Gentleman
Trilogy No. 111: Speak Its Name
By: Lee Rowan, Erastes & Charlie Cochrane
ISBN # 978-1-60202-125-9
Word Count: 71,949
Categories: Gay / Lesbian, Historical, Drama, Erotica, Trilogy, Series
Available in: Adobe Acrobat, HTML, Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket

Lord Robert Scoville has lived in a reasonably comfortable Victorian closet, without hope of real love, or any notion that it’s right there in front of him if he would only open his eyes and take notice of his right-hand man, Jack Darling. Jack has done his best to be satisfied with the lesser intimacy of caring for the man he loves, but his feigned role as a below-stairs ladies’ man leaves his heart empty. When a simple diplomatic errand turns dangerous and a man from their past raises unanswerable questions, both men find themselves endangered by the secrets between them.

Excerpt:

Jack said nothing. He didn’t dare. The truth was stirring in him like a living thing, but he simply did not know what to say. No, he wasn’t mistaken. I would love to have you take advantage of me! That would hardly do. In fact, he was grateful for his lordship’s integrity. How wretched it would have been to serve under an officer who expected sexual favors, if the attraction were not mutual.

But was it mutual? Jack could not deny what he himself felt. And hope stirred again, a tenuous thread of possibility. A man who would not take advantage might be exercising self-restraint, not indifference. Did he dare speak?

Lord Robert was still fuming, oblivious to Jack’s dilemma. “He must have thought me absurdly naïve. I suppose I was. It had never occurred to me that anyone would stoop so low as to make such an assumption about me. Or about you!” He looked up, his eyes full of some unspoken emotion. Anger? Guilt? “My dear fellow, I am deeply sorry. You must believe I never intended to subject you to anything like that. I can’t do a damned thing about my own nature, and I’m grateful beyond words for your tolerance. I had no idea you would be offered such an insult.”

“Insult, my lord?” Jack’s chest felt tight, and his heart was suddenly pounding. Here it was, then—the chance of fulfillment or the destruction of all he had come to know.

“That you were my—that I would—” Lord Robert flung a hand into the air, helplessly.

“The only insult he offered,” Jack said carefully, “was the assumption that I would be willing to lie with him.”

It was Lord Robert’s turn to hesitate. “I’m not certain I understand.”

Their eyes met once more, and Jack could not look away. “He was not mistaken about my nature.” And, since at this point there could be no going back, he added, “Nor my feelings for you.”