A Tribute to Oscar.

My Beautiful Boy, Oscar.

As some of you already know, my much loved cat Oscar died of Renal Failure last Friday in the early hours of the morning. I had to take him to the vet’s surgery at 11:30 on Thursday night as he had deteriorated so rapidly and, looking back now with a clearer mind, I think he was dying then.

I chose to give him a chance however slight, on an IV drip to rehydrate him because I couldn’t make that awful and final decision and have him put to sleep. But alas, Oscar’s time had come and I believe he cannot have lasted much longer after I’d left him at the surgery. Apparently, they hang on to life in response to our presence and by leaving him, I made it easier for him to go.

So I have not been able to write anything except bits and pieces and replies to friends posts; but today I feel a great deal better thanks to all the messages and emails I’ve had from friends, and the Pet Grief Support Forum which helps all those grieving for a lost pet. And a wonderful job they do as well.

So, I am now working on a story which will be a little tribute to my Oscar Boy. I did the same for my friends cat Dave when he died and consequently Josh the vet and his partner Simon were born. That story can be read Here and Oscar’s story will feature Josh and Simon.

So watch out for that one. I promise it won’t be morbid or a “Three Hankie Job” just a celebration of cats really and Josh and Simon’s love of animals as well as each other.

Sod off and let me sleeeeeeep

The Olympic Torch 2012

As the Olympic Torch travels around the UK on it’s journey to London, a group of GLBTQ authors have got together and will be writing stories, poems and all sorts of interesting articles to coincide with all the towns, villages and cities through which the torch passes.

There are already some smashing posts covering everything from cream teas to sexy guys on narrow boats; and as the torch wends it’s way up the west country and beyond it promises to get even more interesting (and perhaps a little saucier) So to catch up on the Torches progress and for some very entertaining reading into the bargain, visit the site right here and enjoy.

To all of you who’s blogs I follow……

This is just to let you all know that I am NOT ignoring your posts. There seems to be a problem and when you post I don’t receive any notifications in my email.

Consequently I have to dig through that abysmal Reader that everyone is complaining about. And frankly I don’t blame em; it’s a bloody nightmare.

I have adjusted my settings and so on but all to no avail. I have asked for help with the problem on the help forum but as yet no one has answered. Hmmmm!

So, as I say, I’m not ignoring you and I hope to have this sorted ASAP.

Love to each and every one of you. May your spirits soar like the Swifts above.

Jess.

Why?

When I tell people I’m a writer and they ask me, ‘What do you write?’ and I tell them Gay Fiction/Romance; I usually get one of the following reactions;

1-Oh, that’s interesting.
2-Why?
3-Oh!
4-Hmmm!
5-Why the ‘bender’ stuff?
6-Why can’t you write something more mainstream/traditional? (in other words, ‘straight’)

Or they react with silence, an uneasy embarrassed silence, a raised eyebrow and then they move swiftly on to other topics.
In my experience, it’s the men who usually react this way, maybe because they think they will be ‘infected’ by ‘gayness’ if they either show an interest, or, God forbid, they should read it.

And for those who really want an answer, I tell them; it’s because I love writing in this genre. It’s as simple as that.

This time last year I had barely heard of the M/M Romance genre and I really thought I was unique for wanting to write this kind of story. Maybe even a little odd if the truth be known. And then I discovered a web site dedicated to M/M Historical Fiction and to say I was astonished at how popular it was is something of an understatement. I was thrilled to realise I wasn’t a bit odd or unique or kinky. I was just one of hundreds of authors who write in the genre.

The web site was Speak it’s Name and what a wonderful find it turned out to be. And, as a beginner writer I received so much help and advice from many of the wonderfully talented authors who’s books have been reviewed on the site.

And a nicer bunch of people I have yet to ‘meet’. All keen to offer advice based on experience and so happy to have a floundering, fledgling writer on board.

And I’ve come a long way in the past year. From raw beginner who was as nervous as hell when family members read my stuff, to blogging and allowing half the world to read my it. And I’ve made so many friends along the way. On web sites, through my blog and via other net working groups dedicated to this growing genre.

All of them have two things in common, they are all without exception thoroughly nice people who are passionate about what they write, and are dedicated to spreading the word that Gay doesn’t necessarily mean erotic, porn or page after page of sex. It is as varied in it’s plot lines and sub genres as any other genre.

Long may it continue. And have a lovely time blog hopping everyone.

For other blogs taking part see HERE

I will make a donation, in the name of one commentator to the Albert Kennedy Trust which provides help and support to LGBTQ teens who have been disowned by their families.

URGENT!! STOP THE HANGING OF FOUR MEN FOR “SODOMY” IN IRAN Petition | GoPetition

Homecoming

This is so beautiful and moving. I do hope you like it.