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.
Pre-order: Purpose from Dreamspinner Press
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
Elyzabeth,
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me and letting me use your blog to talk about the new release.
You're welcome any time Andrew! It was great having you :)
DeleteLol, I'm totally with Andrew on the editing/rewriting/marketing comment. :P Feeling him there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blog post! I'm looking forward to reading!!! :D
Thanks for reading and I do hope you enjoy the book. :)
Delete