People have asked me if I’m a “gay writer.” I never quite know how to respond to this question. Is the person asking if I’m gay and a writer? Or are they asking if I write about characters which happen to be gay? And further, define “gay?” I actually quite dislike the word “gay.” It’s like the new buzz word that generates hate and noise where ever it goes. Because of these questions I’m often tempted to just say no to the original question and walk away altogether to avoid drama and misunderstanding.
My sexuality has very little to do with what stories I write. It doesn’t make my writing any different to anyone else’s stories or change the genre simply because I may or may not be “straight.” Yes, I have some characters with same-sex love interests, but that’s like the frosting on the cake of my novel. I don’t write books focused on the sexual relationships of the characters. I write books about action, survival, the little guy sticking it to the Man, and the discovery of one’s self and potential in certain situations. Just because one of my two protagonists is in a relationship with another man doesn’t mean it has any bearing on the story itself. That would be like saying because he’s wearing a suit for most of the book it must be a “suit novel.” (Which is obviously ridiculous.)
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