Tag: authors

Why we are not “like Will & Grace”

Famous Author Rob Byrnes brought the following snippet from Michael Musto’s column in The Village Voice to my attention:

In other gay-straight news, MELISSA DE LA CRUZ (The Au Pairs) and TOM DOLBY (The Trouble Boy) are editing an anthology of essays about the friendships between straight women and gay men. It’s been described as a literary Will & Grace.

Book reviews to the contrary, Tim and I are not like Will & Grace because: 1. Tim has a penis that works. and 2. I have a marriage that works. I guess that means an essay about us wouldn’t make it into the anthology.

P.S. I’m a little confused, because I thought Robert H. Hopcke and Laura Rafaty wrote this book in 1999 and titled it A Couple of Friends.

About this writing thing…

In his Live Journal, Greg Herren said:

I am not really sure how I feel about writers who begrudge other writers any small success.

Without addressing Greg’s situation or whoever prompted his remarks, this particular statement did call to mind a conversation I had with my writing partner, Jim, the other day. I am often reluctant to comment on other writers’ books even on readers’ boards of which I am a member because while I may express dislike for a writer’s work to a few trusted friends or fellow authors, it’s just not in me to publicly belittle another writer or his work. As far as begrudging a writer success… It’s a tough business. In my opinion, anyone who can get an agent or a publisher or find a means for getting their writing to the public is already a success, regardless of how much they sell. Nor do I look down on writers who self-publish. The amount of perseverance it takes to write, to complete a work, to believe in it enough to pay for its publication, to market and promote and distribute it, is a huge accomplishment in and of itself.
Continue reading “About this writing thing…”

A Different Farewell


This is one of my favorite pictures I ever took of Timmy (TJB author Timothy Forry), made at Vincent’s one year when he and JM were here from NYC for a visit. We were a big and lively group: Tom, me, Timmy, JM, James, KK, and Lisa. At the moment I took the photo, Timmy was looking at James as he told a story. (James is a mesmerizing storyteller.)
Continue reading “A Different Farewell”

Greg Herren!!!

Greg Herren, did you ever know that you’re my hero???

Once again, Tim and I have been remiss about going to check the authorial post office box, so tonight on a run to Kroger’s to buy a big fat hen (me) and dog food (Tim), we stopped and…..

YES! Philanthropist Greg Herren answered the call of Sally Struthers on our behalf and shipped us Bar-B-Q Fritos™. If I had a digital camera, I’d take a photo of Tim and me, big smiles, each with our own bag.

Thank you, Greg! Jewels in your crown, karma points–and may all your books be bestsellers. =)

I really need to get to work

Things that intrigued me before noon today:

My LJ Friends’ entries. (And waiting for an update on R&L’s house closing.)

Meandering through comments on ‘Nathan’s Live Journal and giggling over a discussion of a live web cam that had a Book Crossing book on it.

Meandering through comments on Greg Herren’s Live Journal and finding a sort-of meme from Poppy Z. Brite, who got it from someone else, asking, “What would your Self of 11 years ago think of the Self you are today?”

Any takers on that one?

E-mail from FARB. Rob always makes me laugh. Yesterday I was talking to author Dean James, and we agreed that writers need to share more of their experiences with one another. Definitely over the past few months, other authors have helped me keep some perspective on this profession that is best suited for masochists.