So tell us about yourself. What got you interested in writing?
I’ve always loved to write but never really saw it as a viable career option. My thirty-year career with cooperative extension required me to do a lot of different kinds of writing ranging from news articles with financial management tips for consumers to research grant proposals and academic journal articles. Years of reviewing fact sheets, curricula, and academic papers helped me hone my skill as a writer. I learned to be concise, precise, grammatically correct, and if necessary, readable by someone with less than a high school education.
Quite by accident, I started a blog in 2008 and with encouragement from my “fans” (friends I’ve known since grade school mostly), penned a memoir in 2010 that led me to the Athens Writers Group. Two years later I have a contract for my first novel. I’m still in shock.
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What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Give it a shot. You’ll never be sorry you did, but you might regret that you didn’t at least give it a try.
Give it a shot. You’ll never be sorry you did, but you might regret that you didn’t at least give it a try.
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
The memoir that brought me to the Athens Writers Group is, obviously, all about me and riddled with technical problems I knew nothing about when I wrote it. The original idea for the story that became Until Thanksgiving was inspired by a discovery I made reading back through the journals I’ve kept since 1979 for the memoir. I lived in DC when the story is set, and most the locations are real—including Josh’s apartment. The story I’m working on now doesn’t have a thing to do with anything in my life. I see this as a natural progression for someone with a background like mine. Somewhere in the middle of writing Until Thanksgiving, I figured out what I was doing. I know future novels will draw heavily from my life. But I don’t think it will be obvious to anyone—at least, not until my memoir gets published!
The memoir that brought me to the Athens Writers Group is, obviously, all about me and riddled with technical problems I knew nothing about when I wrote it. The original idea for the story that became Until Thanksgiving was inspired by a discovery I made reading back through the journals I’ve kept since 1979 for the memoir. I lived in DC when the story is set, and most the locations are real—including Josh’s apartment. The story I’m working on now doesn’t have a thing to do with anything in my life. I see this as a natural progression for someone with a background like mine. Somewhere in the middle of writing Until Thanksgiving, I figured out what I was doing. I know future novels will draw heavily from my life. But I don’t think it will be obvious to anyone—at least, not until my memoir gets published!
What's your guilty pleasure?
Ice cream and the Jerry Springer Show—but never at the same time.
Addicted was the working title for my first novel. I didn’t have an outline, just an idea for a story about a newly single, middle-aged gay man with an addiction to relationships. When that title no longer fit the story I wrote, coming up with a replacement was painful. I tried out a hundred different ideas, each worse than the one before and then just set it aside. Research for a prequel set in 1966 reminded me how much gay life has changed in the last 50 years. I started thinking about a series of romance/thrillers that would revolve around the same family of characters with the changing times as a backdrop. Somewhere along the way I decided each novel would include the name of a different holiday. Addicted became Until Thanksgiving, and I’m better than halfway finished writing the prequel, After Christmas Eve.
Do you prefer hot or cold weather and why?
I hate cold weather and refuse to travel north of Athens, GA between November and April.
I hate cold weather and refuse to travel north of Athens, GA between November and April.
Want to tell us about any projects you have in the works? Or any releases coming soon?
Until Thanksgiving will be released by Dreamspinner Press in December or January. Here’s the blurb I submitted with my query:
Gay and pushing forty, Josh Freeman knows his best years are behind him. After his partner of seventeen years has an affair with a younger man, Josh buries himself in a pile of take-out boxes, empty bottles, half-smoked joints, and self-pity. His best friend, Linda does what friends do—gently kicks his ass and encourages him to give the job he’s been offered in Washington D.C. a try—at least until Thanksgiving.
Thad Parker, a DC-based relocation expert, rarely dates and has never fallen for anyone. But when he meets Josh Freeman and shakes his hand, a spark hits him like a lightning bolt. When Josh takes an active interest in someone else, Thad decides to wait.
While he waits, misunderstandings about Thad’s relationship with his older roommate, a reckless encounter with a serial killer, and a brush with death conspire against Josh and Thad’s chance at happiness.
Where can your readers find you on the web?
My blog (http://rupured.com)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichaelRupured)
Twitter (https://twitter.com/CrotchetyMan)
I have to say I'm really looking forward to this book. :) The cover and buy links will come later. Thank you, Michael, for stopping by!
~M
