Wednesday, June 5, 2013

TnT Confidential: Andrew Q. Gordon



Happy Thursday lovelies!

It's TnT Confidential day and today I have a new visitor to introduce you to! Please welcome Andrew Q. Gordon and his upcoming release Purpose.



Welcome to In A Dream beyond, Andrew!

I’m going to ask you the typical question: When did you start writing and why?
My first real attempt at writing occurred in college. I took a writing class that required a novella length story by the end of the semester.  After that, I realized I enjoyed it and wanted to do more.

For the moment, you only write gay themed novels, how come? What attracts you about this genre?
I haven't come up with a good straight character to base a story on, is that a good answer?  Honestly, I write stories around characters and the main characters I 'see' at this time are gay [or lesbian – in book two of Champion of the Gods, I'll introduce a lesbian couple that will have a major role the rest of the story.] In some odd way, I'm not totally drawn or attracted to the genre as much as that's where my characters 'fit.'  I don't think I've set out to specifically write a gay novel. Thus far, that's the story I see, so that's what I write. Maybe soon I'll set out to write a non M/M themed book, just to see if I can.  

You've written books in several different sub-genres – which is your favorite?
I've always loved fantasy, but I think contemporary is my favorite now, especially with a paranormal twist. I'm not into shifters or vampires, or even wizards [although I could and should include magic in a contemporary book some day] – but people with abilities or traits that aren't found in 'normal' people, always seems a bit interesting. It adds something to the story that makes it unique.  I think next however, I'm going to do a regular college age story and extend my repertoire.

What’s your favorite part of the writing process? And your least favorite?
Being able to get a character just right, the scene how I want it and then make everything flow properly so that it's an easy, enjoyable, engaging read, that's my favorite part.
My least favorite – everyone always says marketing, and I suppose that's probably mine too, but I'll go with something else – rewrites/editing. Some people love editing; I don't. When I write the last words, I'm usually ready to move on to something else. Having to put a current idea on hold to re-write and edit something generally kills the urge to create something new while I'm going back over the older manuscript.

Now, tell us about your upcoming release…
The blurb is probably better than anything I can do now so I'll use that as a base and flesh it out here.
Purpose is a bit dark. The Spirit of Vengeance – the Purpose, (It) – compels its host to kill the guilty.  Not exactly light and fluffy, eh? But the book is not about killing – though there is some of that in it – it's about Ryan helping Will regain his soul and the consequences that brings. 

Blurb:
Forty years ago the Spirit of Vengeance—a Purpose—took William Morgan as its host, demanding he avenge the innocent by killing the guilty. Since then, Will has retreated behind Gar, a façade he uses to avoid dealing with what he’s become. Cold, impassive, and devoid of emotion, Gar goes about his life alone—until his tidy, orderly world is upended when he meets Ryan, a broken young man cast out by his family. Spurred to action for reasons he can't understand, Gar saves Ryan from death and finds himself confronted by his humanity.
Spending time with Ryan helps Will claw out from under Gar’s shadow. He recognizes Ryan is the key to his reclaiming his humanity and facing his past. As Will struggles to control the Purpose, Ryan challenges him to rethink everything he knew about himself and the spirit that possesses him. In the process, he pushes Will to do something he hasn't done in decades: care.

What was your inspiration?
I saw a movie where a character says, 'Someone died tonight' and I saw Gar/Will.  After that I tinkered with it a bit, had a few long chats with someone who had been beta reading for me, and then I tabled the story for about a year.  Does that count as inspiration? 

In three to five words, why will we fall in love with the main characters of this novel?
Through love comes redemption.

If the lead characters of your novel had a dirty secret it’d be
Kept a secret even from me. Really. I don't want to make one up just to put one down and I can't think of anything that they'd have that would qualify.

Tell us something about the book we won't find anywhere else?
I've lived in all the major locations mentioned in the book and been to everyone at some point in my past.  It made it much easier to visualize the scenery when I could draw on a specific memory.
 

Now, let’s get a lil' dirty! Tell me…
 
Favorite time of day
Morning. I'm a total morning person.
Coffee or Tea
Coffee – all day, even right before bed.
Sweet or spicy
Sweet. Never been a real fan of spicy
Left or right
Left – for many reasons.
Top or bottom
Depends. Best answer you'll get from me.  ;-D
Best song to make love to
Oh wow, something that blends into the background so you don't notice it. I've never been a music sets the mood type.
A personal anecdote…
This one stumped me – I really don't have anything interesting to share that I can share.



Forty years ago the Spirit of Vengeance—a Purpose—took William Morgan as its host, demanding he avenge the innocent by killing the guilty. Since then, Will has retreated behind Gar, a façade he uses to avoid dealing with what he’s become. Cold, impassive, and devoid of emotion, Gar goes about his life alone—until his tidy, orderly world is upended when he meets Ryan, a broken young man cast out by his family. Spurred to action for reasons he can't understand, Gar saves Ryan from death and finds himself confronted by his humanity.
Spending time with Ryan helps Will claw out from under Gar’s shadow. He recognizes Ryan is the key to his reclaiming his humanity and facing his past. As Will struggles to control the Purpose, Ryan challenges him to rethink everything he knew about himself and the spirit that possesses him. In the process, he pushes Will to do something he hasn't done in decades: care.

About the Author:

Andrew Q. Gordon wrote his first story back when yellow legal pads, ball point pens were common and a Smith Corona correctable typewriter was considered high tech. Adapting with technology, he now takes his MacBook somewhere quiet when he wants to write. 

He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his partner of eighteen years, their young daughter and dog.  In addition to dodging some very self-important D.C. 'insiders', Andrew uses his commute to catch up on his reading. When not working or writing, he enjoys soccer, high fantasy, baseball and seeing how much coffee he can drink in a day and not get the shakes.  

Follow Andrew on his website: www.andrewqgordon.com,
On Twitter:  @andrewqgordon,
Or just email him: andrewqgordon@gmail.com

4 comments:

  1. Elyzabeth,

    Thanks for having me and letting me use your blog to talk about the new release.

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    1. You're welcome any time Andrew! It was great having you :)

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  2. Lol, I'm totally with Andrew on the editing/rewriting/marketing comment. :P Feeling him there!

    Thanks for the blog post! I'm looking forward to reading!!! :D

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading and I do hope you enjoy the book. :)

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