National Coming Out Day

When I was a kid (just saying that makes me sound like an old lady. Grey hair on my head has nothing to do with it. Lol.) Anyway, when I was a kid, I had several gay friends. I toured with a singing and dancing troupe, al la Young Americans (and no one will know who they were, either!) and out of the thirty guys, more than twenty of them were gay. At that point in time, (the late seventies; see? Old.) coming out was potentially dangerous. Families could be a whole lot less accepting back then, too.

My friend Danny was this small person. In fact, when I read Rick R. Reed's book Big Love, Truman reminded me of Danny. He was slender and blond and so, so sweet. I loved Danny. We'd been getting ready to go on tour and suddenly Danny just wasn't there. Our director didn't know where his was, his really close friends didn't know. It was a week before we found out. Danny had been caught by his father with another boy, and his mother threw him out of the house. There weren't cellphones then and someone thrown out of the house, with no money, nothing but the clothes on his back.... I wish this story had a happy ending, I really do. But it doesn't. Danny hung himself in his dad's garage.

I'll never forget finding that out for as long as I live. I remember where I was, what I was wearing even. It changed something fundamental inside of me, like a switch was flipped. I think my future was set in that second. It made me a different person. I made my other friends swear to me they'd never do that, that they'd find a way to me before they did. I think it even made me more open to my husband. He was openly bi-sexual and from the moment I met him, I couldn't have cared less. We even checked out the same men and laughed about it. Patrick was the love of my life, his sexuality was a very minor part of that equation. My daughter used to bring her gay friends to come out to me, because she knew I was a 'safe zone' for them. One young gay couple came to cuddle on my couch, because they knew they could. But this isn't about me, not really.

The point of this long monologue? Today is national Coming Out day. For anyone coming out today? Good for you! I'm glad the world has changed enough that there is even something called 'national coming out' day. I hope it's a positive thing, that it's a safe thing. I hope if it isn't, you'll reach out to a friend and let them help you. There are families bogged down in a misunderstanding of Christiand teachings or political doctrine that still make coming out a scary, dangerous thing. Be safe, please. Be happy.

Above all else, be proud. Know that somewhere in Eastern Washington there's a middle aged lady who writes gay romance who is really proud of you.

Yeah, it really is that random.

I love Fall. Actually i love all of the season except summer, but Fall is my favorite. And, surprisingly, it has nothing to do with pumpkin! I love the colors. Having grown up in Southern California, we didn't really get fall colors. We had green, and then we had dead. But up here, fall is stunning. There are neighborhoods with massive trees that change into the full fall color palette, and I love to drive through them, listening to the leaves crunch under my tires, feeling the brisk change in the simple feel of the air. That's another thing that I noticed up here; there is an absolute change in the way the atmosphere 'feels' when fall is slipping in. I'd always heard that 'fall was in the air' but never really understood it.I do now!

I'd love to be able to say that when I sat down to write my new book, David, Renewed, I chose to place it in fall because of -- reasons. That would be a bald faced lie. In the same way I knew A Reason to Believe would take place during winter, which is to say, I didn't. I knew it started Christmas Eve because that was just how the story came to me. I hope my stuff is character driven, and those characters wanted it to be snowy. And yes, I know that sounds weird. I've come to the place where I just accept that weirdness is an integral part of my makeup. I hear voices telling me stories. Nothing is ever as calculated as 'this book will be my FALL book'. Nope. David loves fall, therefore, fall it is.

David bought a lovely house in the neighborhood where he grew up because in his mind, it was the perfect place to spend fall. It said 'home' to him. The giant trees above were turning to the burnished shades of fall, he could visualize huge pots of burgundy and burnt red mums on the steps leading up to the porch, he could imagine a porch swing with cushions in earth tones, accented with bronze and orange. The colors of warmth. The colors of home.

If this book is about anything, it's about that feeling; the desire to find our home base, to find something, someONE who gives us that and to find our joy there, our peace there. We might fall in love with the sexy, but we stay for the belief that the person who catches our heart is our home. All of my characters are searching for that, ultimately. I had that, once. It was worth everything it took to get it. When I write my stories, my main characters are all looking for that. And once they find it, they're striving to believe they deserve it. If there's an over-arcing theme to what I write, I guess that's it. Finding that place where we just fit, and doing what we have to in order to hang on to it.

Coming Septermber 21, 2016

David, Renewed

Blurb:

To Pre-irdeerWhen interior designer David Snyder buys a beautiful century-old house in eastern Washington, he is reeling with heartbreak and looking for somewhere to put down roots. Unfortunately his new home comes with a laundry list of problems: electrical, plumbing, heating… things David knows nothing about. When his mother offers him the business card of a local handyman, David pictures an overweight, balding man in his fifties. But Jackson Henry couldn’t be further from that stereotype.

Dark-haired, muscular, and handsome, Jackson left a large construction firm in Seattle to take care of his sick mother. However, his hometown still has an active “good old boy” network, and finding employment in construction is almost impossible for an openly gay man. Determined to persevere, Jackson takes odd jobs as a handyman. He’s exactly what David needs—in more ways than one.

David isn’t ready for his attraction to Jackson, not considering the way his last relationship ended. But as the two men get to know each other, it becomes clear that the heart often knows best, and it rewards those willing to listen.

To pre-order - https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/david-renewed-by-diana-copland-7541-b

Today, I'm excited to be hosting one of my fellow 'Dirty Dozen', T.M. SMITH!!!

Hello, all!

First, I feel like I ought to clarify who 'the Dirty Dozen' are.  We are twelve authors who have joined together who are appearing at GRL in Chicago this year as 'Supporting Authors'. Supporting authors, by GRL's definition, are at the beginning of their careers in LGBT romance or still attempting to build a backlist and fanbase. So, new kids.  Like me.  And I'm so proud to be in this company.  Max Vos, JC Wallace, Wade Kelly, Carter Quinn, Morticia Knight, Jeff Adams, Rafe Haze, Tempeste O'Riley, Ethan Stone, L E Franks, and the lovely T.M.Smith. See, awesome company, right?

For the next month, we will all be making appearances on each other's blogs, giving readers a chance to get to know us. Today, I'm proud to host T.M. Smith!!

Author bio:

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. She now calls Texas home from her small town on the outskirts of the DFW Metroplex. Most days you can find her curled up with her kindle and a good book alongside a glass of something aged and red or a steaming cup of coffee!

At 42 years young, she's decided to enter the next phase of her life by adding the title of "author" to her list of accomplishments that includes single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Smith is and outspoken advocate for Autism and equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

Her Opposites series is based outside the normal parameters of social acceptability, examining a 'what if'... What If to be gay or lesbian were the norm? What if to be straight labeled you as an Opposite and made YOU the Outkast?

And now, T.M.'s answers to the interview questions:

~ What inspires you most when you are writing?

Music first and foremost for me. While I like to research the web, books, TV, movies and music; I have several playlists ready for when I’m writing. I especially like to listen to David Garrett, he just gets me in the mood.

~ What brought you to write m/m? What keeps you writing in this genre?

It’s one of my favorite genres to read, so I merged that love with my interest in writing to create my stories. For the most part the fans and my fellow authors are so kind and supportive, it really keeps me going. When a review ends with “Can’t wait for the next installment in this series!” it really makes me want to write it for that person even more.

~ Of all the characters you've written, who is your favorite and why?

While that is like asking me which of my children are my favorite, Aiyan and Kaden, my soul mates, are at the top of the list. Their relationship is probably the most balanced of all my couples. They are versatile and strive to be complete equals in every way. They also have a knack for breaking things, which can be quite fun to create.

~ Many of us have pen names that we use and there are an infinite number of ways and reasons behind them, but I doubt many of them reflect the names we wish we’d been born with.  If you could micro-manage the ultimate do-over, what birth name do you want? What nickname?

First, I do write under a pen name, but it’s not because I don’t want people to know that Tammy Middleton is actually TM Smith. TM Smith is my birth name, the name my parents gave me, so I use that name for my writing to pay respects. Second, I don’t think I would change anything. My name has so much meaning. My mother’s favorite movies when she was a little girl were the Tammy movies, with Debbie Reynolds. And my father’s favorite song for a time was Michelle my bell, so my name reflects a lot of personality from both my parents and I’m proud of that.

~ Name one unusual fact about yourself that you think your readers would be surprised to learn.

I have to bless the house before I watch scary movies, don’t want to let the devil in.

~ What do you do that most injurs the progress of your writing, and why do you do it?

Social Media! It’s a black hole I swear. I think, “I’m just going to check my facebook really quick.” and three hours later. I need to find a way to block facebook and twitter while I’m writing.

~ If you had to trade writing for another creative pursuit, what would it be?

Graphic Design for sure. I’m actually pondering the idea of buying a better design program and working my own covers. I love to create banners and promo pics online, the little finite details fascinate me. And I’m always so happy when I make something pretty or eye catching.

~ In one sentence, write the beginning of a sex scene using some kind of food. Think of it as your hook.

He followed the trail of ice cream that was trickling out the corner of Aiyan’s mouth with the tip of his tongue, before diving right back in to the warmth of his mouth for another sweet kiss. {psssssst. I wrote an entire chapter around this actually, Secret’s and Ice Cream, it can be found in The Library an Opposites novella}

~ Name one of your favorite characters of all time that someone else wrote. Can be M/M or any genre.

Rosalee Hale, the Twilight Saga. I do LOVE a bitch on wheels!!

~ If you could be one of your characters, who would you be and why?

Maeve, again, I love a bitch on wheels.

~ How many versions of a book do you usually write before you arrive at ‘the

one’, and how does your editor impact that?

I’m self published so I don’t have an editor. As far as how many versions, I’ve never kept an actual count but thirty or so I’m sure. I write the book in pieces and then go back and put them all together, which sometimes means I have to rearrange things to fit them in order. I’ve never been able to write chronologically because the ideas come to me sporadically.

~ If you came with a warning label, what would it be?

Fiesty!

FIESTY!!!  Ha!  I dig it!

You can find T.M. Smith at the following links:

Author Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/T.M.-Smith/e/B00D8N818Ehttp://www.amazon.com/T.M.-Smith/e/B00D8N818E

Author website: www.ttcbooksandmore.com

Author Twitter - https://twitter.com/TTCBooksandmore

GoodReads book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17619257-opposites

GoodReads author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6997897.T_M_Smith

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTMSmith

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ttcbooksandmore/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJjm1BpCFi7kCt_KK_VyReA

To participate in a giveaway from several of the 'Dirty Dozen', please click the link below!  

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

When packing 69 years of someone's life.

My dad is settling into his new home, a Clare Bridge facility in our local Brookdale Assisted Living complex.  He's doing really well, although I think sometimes the staff forgets the residents are people who still have the capacity to be embarrassed.  My father has always been a very private person; even after taking care of him for more than a year I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen him without his socks on, let alone anything else.  It was what made the assisted living decision for us, ultimately.  He was uncomfortable having me help him dress and undress and use the bathroom, and so was I.  So I had a little 'come to Jesus' meeting with the staff today, and told them to take an additional two minutes to explain to him what they're going to do, rather than just grabbing him and taking care of things like changing his clothes or showering.  Hopefully, they'll listen.  If not, we'll just be doing it again until they do!

After visiting with Dad, I came home to continue the work of packing my parents house.  I can only take so much to a two bedroom apartment, especially when my daughter already lives there. But today I found things I simply cannot bear to part with.  Today, I found the story of my parents lives.

My dad went into the Army when he was nineteen years old and was sent almost immediately to Europe.  He spent the next 291 days in a war zone.  He was a half track commander with two vehicles and ten men under his command, and the top rank he reached was Sargeant. None of his men were killed, even though they fought in the Battle of the Bulge and several other conflicts. Until I was over fifty years old, he never discussed it.  But two years ago we wrote a family history, and he outlined his war time experiences in an essay he titled 'Tales From the Last of Three".  It took me a while to understand what it meant.

My Dad had two brothers, Edward and Robert.  All three of them served during WWII, before the law that 'Saving Private Ryan' is based on came about.  My Grandmother had three gold stars hanging in her front window, in honor of her son's in the service.  What a nightmare that must have been, to send all of your boys into harms way.  I can't even imagine.  By the time Dad wrote his 'tales', he was the last of the three sons left.  Hence the title.  But that short, succinct telling of his time in France, Belgium and Germany didn't tell even half the story.

Today I found a tattered, much taped box of letters.  Every single letter he sent my mother while he was deployed, every single letter she wrote back.  The paper is aged and darkened, and the edges are frayed, but the words leap off of the page.  My parents at 18 and 20, desperately in love in a time and place where the whole world had gone mad.  He called her 'my darling, beloved girl'. She called him 'my sweetheart'.  They bring tears to my eyes, but they also reinforce something I've always known.

I was blessed to know that my parents loved one another.  Every day of their marriage, good and bad, they loved each other.  And I know why my dad's dementia became so much worse when she passed. He never had wanted to live in a world where she wasn't. Now his world is a little blurry around the edges, but it's so much less painful for him that way.  She was his everything.  To love and be loved like that is such an amazing thing.  And I watched it, every day until the day she died. My mom didn't grow old gracefully; she hated every minute of it. But my dad remained devoted to her, remains devoted to her still, and after reading just a few of their letters I understand why.

I feel like I've been given a gift.  One I'll cherish as much as they did when they first tied the ribbons around the letters and placed them in the box sixty nine years ago.  

A book release and... real life.

I have a book release today.  And I'm very excited about it.  I love the 'Secrets of Neverwood' Anthology, I love my characters in 'The Growing Season', and I love the two writers I wrote the anthology with. G.B.Lindsey and Libby Drew are both people of prodigious talent, and I'm honored to have my name listed with theirs.  So, yes, I'm excited.  I'm also sad.

I'm sad because yesterday I moved my Dad, who I love more than anything on this earth, into assisted living for memory care and Alzheimer's.  Over the last year, I've been his full time caregiver.  And I've watched this wonderful, kind, brilliant man slowly fade away.  I promised him I would keep him home as long as I could, and I did.  But when he looked at me today, and I saw fear in his eyes...  God.  I may never be able to erase that from my mind.

I'm happy about the anthology release.  Very happy.  I believe all three novella's tell compelling stories about love, and loss, and growth.  But today, it's tempered with a heavy heart.

The first book in the Anthology is called 'One Door Closes'.  It seems particularly appropriate to me right now.  Man, I hope somewhere a window opened.

Pollyanna's got nuthin' on me!

Someone on my Facebook had one of those little 'sayings' things posted on their page this morning.  I'm not a huge fan of the *IMPORTANT SAYINGS* ones.  I like the funny ones, or the ones with the warm and fuzzy animals.  But this one caught my attention.  I'm para-phrasing, but there was a picture of an arrow and it said: You have to pull an arrow back to launch it.  When you feel as if you're going backwards, just remember it's preparation to be a launched forward.  Or something like that.  And all I could think was, God, I hope so!!

My entire immediate family is on the cusp of change.  I'm moving Dad into a memory care unit this weekend. I've taken care of him at home for the last several years, but his needs have outdistanced my skills. Yesterday he suffered a seizure, which is apparently pretty common with Alzheimer's patients, but scared the beejezus out of me.  Alzheimer's is a hideous disease, and I've watched him slowly disappear inside a little old man who in no way resembles my dad.  I think he'll do better where he has a chance to make friends and the workers there already dote on him, which is great.  It's still breaking my heart.  I know it makes no sense, but I feel like I've failed him somehow.  My siblings have insisted I haven't, philosophically I KNOW I haven't.  Doesn't matter a damn.  It still hurts. But I can feel the outside edges of my patience fraying, and I hate that I'm not bigger than that, too.  And why yes, I am looking for reasons to feel sorry for myself.  Why do you ask?

I'm moving in with my daughter until she gets married in November, and then I will live alone for the first time in my life.  Ever.  How weird is that when you're my age?  My son is moving out of his apartment where he's lived for the last four years and nearer to his college.  I wish someone would explain to me how it is that two full time students don't qualify for low income housing?  I find this just another excuse my government uses to try to balance the budget on the back of college students, but don't get me started on THAT.  And I'm having spinal fusion surgery in August to hopefully deal with the crippling pain I've been living with for going on ten years. And just typing that makes my palms sweat.

I've had surgery before.  Appendectomy, hysterctomy, two c-sections.  I am not unfamiliar with just how 'healing' hospitals are.  But all of that was before my mother mysteriously developed a MRSA infection when she had her hip replaced.  And before my dad came out of anesthesia after he had HIS hip replaced on the slippery downhill slope of Alzheimer's.  And with previous surgeries, they weren't messing with my spinal cord.  And building an erector set inside my body. And telling me I'd need to wear a back brace for three months.  To be honest, I'm completely wigged out. And I don't do wigged out well.  Blargh.  Enough about that.

For the next three weeks, I'll be packing, packing, packing.  Getting Dad moved, then going through 68 years of accumulated junk.  Have I ever mentioned that my mother was a pack rat?  Well, she was.  There is so much crap in this house, but we are going to have one EPIC yard sale when it's over.  And then Goodwill.  Because my mom didn't buy inexpensive junk.  Just lots of it.

The new anthology, "Secrets of Neverwood" comes out on Monday, and I'm very excited about it.  Pride Promotions is doing an awesome job of publicizing it.  I see our very pretty covers everywhere, which is awesome.  And so far its reviewing well at Goodreads.  I don't pay a whole lot of attention reviews after the week of release, but it's very, very nice to see something you've slaved over being well received.

So, my Dad, my children and I move forward.  Things are very, very busy and challenging right now, but I know it's all going to be better.  Whole sale life changes can be difficult, but I know we're going to come out happier on the other side.

And why, yes.  I do answer to the name 'Pollyanna'!