Hello everyone! Today I am thrilled to welcome the fabulous Taylor V. Donovan to the blog! Taylor is here to talk about her upcoming book, Disasterology 101, being released by MLR Press on July 19th. She is sharing some of her thoughts about the book, and has also brought us a great excerpt as well as a copy of the book to give away! So please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Realism is My Obsession by Taylor V. Donovan
I’ve been reading M/M romance almost exclusively for several years now, but it wasn’t until after I’d finished writing Six Degrees of Lust in April of 2011 that I started looking for online reading communities. I wanted to discuss books and talk about the stories I adored.
Goodreads was an amazing finding. Soon after becoming a member I met people who turned out to be invaluable friends, and joined what has to be the greatest critique group in existence. I discovered new authors every day, started commenting on reviews, and added an alarming amount of books to my shelves. I also discovered an interesting trend.
Turns out a significant number of MM romance readers wouldn’t bother with a story if graphic and frequent sex scenes weren’t guaranteed, and many others shied away from stories featuring kids. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. As they say, to each their own. Different folks, different strokes, and we are fortunate enough to have a rich stable of authors writing stories to satisfy all tastes and kinks. But this trend got me thinking about my own taste when it comes to romance and the tropes I want to read.
Give me the guys who meet at the worst time in their lives. The guys who are about to go their separate ways after five years together because one of them needs constant reassurance and the other is tired of being responsible for somebody else’s emotional state. The guy who’s dying to ask this other dude out but can’t because if he pays for a fancy dinner, he won’t be able to pay his rent.
Simply put I like realism, and I don’t believe it surprised anyone who knew me when I started projecting my reading taste into the stories I wrote.
When I read I want to see the struggle. The effort made to keep the fire burning while dealing with family issues and obnoxious friends. I want to see the love and support between the couple even when they’re stressing over finances and trying to make ends meet.
When I write I want to take my readers on a journey that, albeit filled with obstacles, will always be guided by the main characters’ hearts.
Relationships are hard work and require lots of dedication and compromising, and I’m jaded enough to not believe in love at first sight. To roll my eyes a little when I hear people say “all you need is love”, and to flat out snort at the notion that sexual desire translates to passionate boot-knocking every night.
What happens when people work too much? When raising children comes before anything else? When they’re too tired to even think about sex? For that matter, what happens when people can’t have sex?
A lack of libido or a non-existent sexual life is not something we see explored too often in M/M romance. No way. Nope. Hell no. We’re talking about gay guys, you understand, and gay guys think of nothing but getting laid… or so I’ve read.
But some gay guys are sick. Some gay guys are affected by germaphobia and obsessive compulsive disorder. Some gay guys lose their lunch if they become in contact with bodily fluids that aren’t their own. Some gay guys depend on medication and therapy to keep their compulsions at bay, and their medication has side effects such as nausea, insomnia, and a decreased sex drive.
Decreased. Sex. Drive.
Barely any sex.
Sometimes none.
Gasp!
Imagine that.
I wrote Disasterology 101 because I wanted to give the uncommon guy a chance. Cedric is a guy desperate to experience a normal life and have a lasting relationship with the man he’s crazy about. He wants a family of his own and a happily ever after, but he’s limited by his mental condition in the things he can actually do.
He’s not a stallion ready to have sex at the sight of a boner. He can’t even go out whenever he wants to. Every new day is a challenge for him, and he can try the patience of a saint.
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve to be loved.
What about you guys? Do you want realism in your stories, or do you prefer to escape? Let’s discuss, as I’m always curious about readers’ opinions and tastes.
Excerpt
Chapter Six
“I don’t want to go to a gay club ever again,” Cedric said the moment his head touched the fluffy cushion of Dr. Black’s blue chaise lounge sofa. He really liked that piece of furniture. It was comfortable.
“When did you go to a gay club?”
“Saturday night,” he said with an amused smile. He knew his doctor was astounded by his announcement but, as per usual, he didn’t react to it.
“Have a good time?”
“I hated it. I knew I would. I mean, all those sweaty bodies touching one another… I can’t deal with it. Not even when I watch it on the telly.” He shivered. “I’ll be forever grateful to whoever thought of cordoned VIP areas and bouncers.”
“Why did you go to the club?”
“Roberto, my self-appointed big brother, said it’d be a good exposure exercise.” Cedric grabbed a throw pillow and pressed it against his chest. “I needed a reprieve from my thoughts, so I agreed to go. At the time it sounded like a good idea.” He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “I should’ve never shared that list you gave me of things I can do to increase my tolerance level. He doesn’t stop pestering me about trying new things.”
Which annoyed the bloody hell out of Cedric at times, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“You sound frustrated.”
“Not with Roberto.” He’d been left to his own devices at a rather tender age. The kind of concern and support he got from Roberto was something he’d always craved. Plus, they got along, and Cedric loved being treated like a younger brother. “But yes, you know I’ve been frustrated for weeks,” he confirmed.
“Same reason?”
“I really don’t understand how a person can disappear like that.” Cedric glanced at his watch, threw the pillow away and got up. “He hasn’t been back once. Why is that? Doesn’t he like coffee anymore?”
“It could be that he isn’t from the area.” Dr. Black didn’t need to ask who “he” was, as Cedric hadn’t stopped talking about him in weeks. “We’ve discussed this before.”
“I know we have.” He picked up the throw pillow and placed it on the chaise lounge, then glanced at his watch again. Only twenty seconds had passed. Shite. “I let Roberto talk me into going out not because I wanted to work on my issues, but because I thought a change in scenery would help me stop thinking about him.”
“And how did that go?”
“I found myself thinking about him even more.”
“Why do you think that happened?”
The crystal landmarks on Dr. Black’s coffee table were out of place again, but Cedric looked away. He was determined not to touch them. If he succeeded he’d be able to reward himself. That book with photographs of Soviet architecture he’d added to his favorite online bookstore account’s wish list sounded like the perfect prize.
“I got to the club hoping someone would catch my attention.” Cedric adjusted his tie and went to stand by the office window. “But every chap in there reminded me of the reasons why I‘m so attracted to him.”
“What reasons are those?” Was what Dr. Black asked, but you’re bloody obsessed, was what Cedric heard. “Why are you so attracted to him and not any other man?”
Could he even be “attracted” to a man he’d only seen once?
I am.
Cedric groaned.
“He’s understated.” Cedric really hated not knowing his name. “I watched him for a while at the coffee shop, and I could tell immediately he has no idea how attractive he is.” Cedric closed his eyes and let a vision of solidly-muscled, dark-haired perfection fill his mind. “There’s something about him, you know? His eyes are the prettiest blue, and kind. He likes kids.” Cedric had no idea why that mattered to him, but it did. His favorite memory of the bloke was when he had smiled at that little girl in the coffee shop. “He’s passionate, when he isn’t getting pushed away, but based on how long he hesitated to step into the shop I’d say sex isn’t everything to him. Not like it appeared to be for those chaps at the club.”
“How did you feel in that club?”
“Out of place,” he mused. “Most of those chaps reminded me of peacocks. Tall, short, young, older, shaved, waxed or scraggy looking… They had different looks, but they behaved like peacocks. Are you familiar with the peacock mating ritual?” He didn’t wait for an answer before he continued. “They put on a show to attract the peahen. Or another peacock, as this case would have it. They flare out their colorful tail feathers and shake them. If the other peacock takes interest, they mate. One peacock mounts on top of the other peacock’s back and deposits his sperm into the sexual organ. And they’d try to mate with anything.” Cedric flicked his lip ring several times and looked at his doctor. “I witnessed a lot of tail-shaking Saturday night, and not many of those peacocks were concerned about decorum or privacy. They shook their tails, displayed their goods, and proceeded to do some mounting right there on the dance floor. It was absolutely disgusting.”
More so than the sex shop?
Yes! I’m not talking about the place. I’m talking about the people.
“Anything positive come out of your visit to the club?”
“I realized I could never be a peacock. I’m more of an Emperor penguin. They take long trips to find a mate, and are serially monogamous.”
Cedric glanced at the messy surface of Dr. Back’s desk and stuck his hands in his trouser pockets. There were papers everywhere. If he didn’t know better he would’ve thought his doctor left everything in disarray just to mess with Cedric.
“Also, I think the frustration I’ve been feeling has set in,” he admitted after a couple of minutes of careful reflection. “I found a man I liked, and I approached him in the worst way possible. I haven’t seen him again, therefore I haven’t been able to make amends….” He rubbed his face and sat across from his doctor. Maybe the blue chaise lounge sofa would offer some comfort. “I feel like I had this tremendous opportunity to interact with him in a normal way, and I failed.”
“Is this incident making you doubt your progress?”
“Yes,” he whispered.
“What do you want to do about it?”
Nothing.
I’m stuck no matter how hard I try.
I’m done. I give up.
Don’t you dare. Not yet. Not ever.
Cedric lay down and grabbed the throw pillow.
“Let’s discuss my strategy to blast through my frustration.”
“Excellent choice.”
Cedric knew he didn’t imagine the satisfaction in Dr. Black’s voice.
Giveaway
Taylor has brought a copy of Disasterology 101 to give away to one lucky reader. The contest will remain open a little longer than usual since the book isn’t out until later this month. So be sure to leave a comment below for your chance to win! The contest closes on July 20th at 11:59 pm EST.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Disasterology 101 sounds like a great story and I would love to read it! Please count me in for the giveaway 🙂
Taylor, to answer your question, I do prefer to have realism in the stories I read. Sometimes I will read a shifter or paranormal romance, but contemporary has always been my favorite genre. A story with realism is more relatable to me.
You know what I love to read if I ever feel like escaping for a bit? Time traveling. I live for the day when a MM romance author takes it on and becomes the Karen Marie Moning of the gay fiction world 🙂
I think, for me, everything I read has to have a bit of realism in it. Even if the story is one in which I have to suspend belief in order to accept, there has to be something, some tidbit or characterization that is grounded in realism I’m order to to allow me to do that. If there is something I can relate to, then I can jump into any story.
This book sounds great, Taylor. I can’t wait to read it!
I’m with you. I need to relate to the story, otherwise it’s just “meh”.
Thank you for your interest in reading D101! I hope you enjoy it when you do 🙂
We read fiction, so it is definitely about escaping into another world, but I do agree that there needs to be an element of realism for the story to be relatable and to really work. The book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks, Antonia. Good luck!
I think it depends, most of the time I prefer realism but every so often a bit of escapism can be fun. There isn’t anything I won’t at least try to read; the quality of the writing is really the most important thing to me. This sounds really interesting, thank you for sharing the excerpt!
I agree, Allison. It’s the writing what makes stories shine or flop. An awesome idea can be under-developed, and a tried trope can be unique. It all depends on the author’s take and their personal twist 🙂
Count me in for the giveaway.
I read for the escapism. But there needs to be some realism in people’s personalities and reactions.
Exactly. Otherwise I question what planet they came from LOL But that’s just me *g*
Hi Taylor 😀
Love the sneak peak! And Cedric’s English accent! Yum! As with most things in my life I like variation. I love realism in the stories I read but also enjoy para/fantasy/historical (old realism :P).
I appreciate that you chose an area in the M/M Genre that may not be popular yet still deserves an audience. From reading Ch 6 I can already tell Cedric is going to be an awesome MC – his ocd issues may be intense and may even drive me crazy at times but OCD is very real. And who knows.. if he finds this mystery guy he may get an HEA even with all his OCDs!
Hi, Trish 😀
Cedric… *sigh* I can’t decide if it’s the accent, the hair, or the quirks, but I have a thing for him 😉
For me, it’ll depend on the mood I’m in. Sometimes, I don’t want realism because my life is already difficult as it is. I just want some good ole fashion insta-love. More often than not, I just want something that’ll make me feel good from the start and, unfortunately, that rarely happens with books that are realistic. It’s why I enjoy scifi, fantasy and paranormal more than contemporary. Other times, I want to struggle through scenarios that could happen and know that it’s a real possibility and that it COULD happen one day. Throughout all of that, though, I don’t like books that are focused so much on sex. To me, you can’t get to know someone when you’re having sex nonstop, even when the book is as far from realism as it can get, I still want my characters to love each other for who they are and not for what they do in bed.
But great post, Taylor!! And please don’t count me in the giveaway, Jay 🙂
That’s an interesting point about wanting escapism because life’s hard enough already. It definitely is, but I think writing difficult situations and ways to deal with them is cathartic for me. It helps me clear my mind and make decisions about things that have been bothering me, so it works for me 🙂
I’d love to win a copy! Count me in.
You’re counted! 🙂
I love realism. Yeah, once in awhile a “happy, happy, joy, joy” romance is nice for the escape factor, where all the conflict is outside of the couple. But I’m never going to have a relationship like that and most of the time reading that kind of story is just frustrating.
Preach it. That’s exactly how I feel 🙂
I like realism for the most part, though sometimes it depends on how I’m feeling. Sometimes if I’m a little tender, I can’t take those stories where life just seems to pile onto somebody (even if that’s accurate). This story looks very intriguing!
I know what you mean. It’s like rubbing salt in an open wound, and that’s not good. Thankfully not every serious subject translates to misery and angst, right? We can still find stories that deal with every day issues but don’t leave us with a bleeding heart 🙂
I love realism! of course, I also love complete escapism, as well, but I tend to look for the escapism in really old books — I have a particular thing for pre-WWI girls’ school series. The main characters tend to be Too Good To Be True, but there’s something innocent and almost utopian about their experiences. But when it comes to something written in or about a more modern time, I like grittiness. I don’t object to kids, especially if they’re Holy Terrors and/or have special needs (or just don’t learn to sleep through the night till they’re a year old). I like people who do completely stupid out-of-character stuff and regret it immediately afterward.
And sex can be good, but not really necessary. Sometimes it gets in the way of the story.
I have a thing for fanfiction, lord help me. It’s been my guilty pleasure for years now 🙂
And yes about people doing stupid things. Many times I’ve read complaints about MCs acting out of character, but that’s the point, isn’t it? It’s all about meeting that one person that will shove you out of your comfort zone and make you do foolish, stupid, unprecedented things cause you’re just soooo in love 🙂
I am slowly learning to appreciate fanfiction. I’ve found that it’s easier for me if it’s a fandom I’m entirely unfamiliar with. For some reason my brain is unable to cope with characters that I know from elsewhere in fanfiction. I dunno; I’m odd.
&…yeah, I mean, we’ve all done stuff that’s just completely ridiculously not something that our dearest friends would EVER EVER IN A MILLION YEARS expect us to do, in the name of love. Why would we expect fictional characters to do everything perfectly the first time? There wouldn’t be any story like that. Although, that doesn’t mean that the real, honest-to-God TSTL isn’t obnoxious as Hell, too. I think there’s a difference… TSTA is constantly an idiot; a good hero is occasionally ridiculous. 😀
This sounds like a great read,loved the excerpt.
Thanks, Cornelia.
Lovely name, BTW 🙂
i love realism in books. I also love escaping the real world for a few hours at a time but realism is still important
your books sounds very different and nothing like i have heard heard about before!!
good luck with the book launch
Thanks, roro 🙂
Count me in please. Cedric sounds like someone I once knew, quirky and sweet. I like my realism but I also like scifi and paranormal and fantasy, ah heck I’m an equal opportunity reader. Just give me a good story and I’m happy.
Hi, Nancy. I love fantasies, too. Actually, I love elves. I wish I could write some.
This one sounds interesting. It really depends on my mood whether I want realism or escape. I like both as long as the story is good and the characters interesting.
Thanks for sharing, Debra 🙂
This excerpt makes me want to read this even more!
As to realism – sometimes that’s what I really want in a story, other times I’m after pure escapism. Depends very much on my mood at the time 🙂
Hey, Sarah 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway, count me in please.
My reading depends on my mood, though a good plot with strong characters and writing are what interest me. I mostly stick to contemporary but too nice and ‘fluffy’ are not my favourites. i do read some paranormals, but they have to be mostly based in the now and only mild otherness. Also like a good historical!
Vampires *are* yum! hehe
Definitely like a premise of realism in the novels I read although I prefer character realism over anything else. This sounds like an awesome novel, Taylor. It’s going on my TBR right this moment. 🙂
Thanks, AF. Character realism is a must when it comes to my own writing 🙂
Then it promises to be a fantastic read. 🙂
Please count me in!! I would love a chance at winning the book. It just sounds too good to pass up.
Good luck!
Very interesting post. I really enjoyed reading. :3
Please count me in.
Judi
arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Judi and good luck 🙂
This sounds really good.
Please count me in.
sally h
halliday.sally@yahoo.co.uk
Very intriguing premise! Glad to see a new Taylor Donovan book 🙂 It’s been a while and I’m still waiting for that Six Degrees of Lust sequel 🙂
I’m one of those readers who prefers a realistic contemporary (for “unrealistic” I read fantasy or paranormal) and I like books with few sex scenes and more concentration on character development, so this one seems to be right up my alley!
Thanks Stormy, and that sequel is coming soon 🙂
Great excerpt, it has me intrigued. Count me in please 🙂
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks!
Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to win a copy. I definitely want realism in my stories, even if I read to escape.
schan26.wisc(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Sounds great – count me in (pretty please)! I like realism in fiction – does that even make sense? – and I like stories about people who overcome or live well in the face of challenges. BUT I don’t like those challenges framed as ‘brokenness’ – I have severe PTSD, but I’m not broken – I live well, and have a successful relationship – it just takes more work sometimes.
I love books about ‘real’ people – they don’t have to be sensitive supermodels, just ordinary guys with ordinary lives. Stories that reflect the world I live in.
I can’t wait to read Disasterology 101!
I couldn’t agree more. We have issues, we deal, we enjoy life.
Your comment made me happy, Marc. Thank you for sharing with us 🙂
Sounds interesting ,different and funny for me, thank you for the excerpt!!!
Thanks, Loren!
Taylor, I loved your introduction to the book.
I admit I often seek in books simple pleasure of reading about happy couples – something far, far from reality. However I would say it’s because theres is a gap in the market between ‘light, funny fluff, with perfect MC and insta-love’ and ‘angst-fest, crying-jag fiction, full of PTSD heroes’. Everyday problems like money shortage and child rising challenges have little representation in M/M romances. I would gladly read about more down-to-earth couples.
Please count me in the draw for ‘Disastrology 101’.
0401romance(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, Joan. You have a point about the absence of a happy medium when it comes to the story lines. It’s either one extreme or the other and, in my opinion, we should do something about that. I want to write for the regular guys 🙂
Sounds great, count me in please.
Good luck, Debbie!
I’d love to read Desasterology 101 first hand! The story sounds very interesting and hot as hell. Please, let me be the Lucky one!
Good luck, Monica!
I mean, Disasterology (bad typing)
This sounds like a great book. Please count me in! I enjoy realism in stories, and I’ll confess that I enjoy the escapism of a happy ending. Congratulations on your recent publication!
Thanks!
Great post, Taylor. I’m a fan of realism. I am a lover of human nature in all its messed-up, weird, crazy ways. So, to me, it’s wonderful to read fiction (and romance) that features realistic people and situations. I don’t need anyone to look like a Greek god or be a millionaire or be the type of person everyone falls in love with. Sure, that stuff is fun, and I read it, too, but I always embrace the ordinary and the screwed up and the messy. I understand escapism, but escapism to me is found in a book no matter the subject. Just because the book might be dealing with heavy issues doesn’t make me turn away. I love seeing how someone else makes their life work, even through the problems, even though those “people” aren’t real. I understand that it’s not every reader’s cup of tea, that real life should intrude into their escape, but I will always take that cup and ask for more!
Thanks for the chance to win Disasterology 101 and for sharing your thoughts with all of us!
Hi, Carolyn. Thanks for stopping by and share *your* thoughts with us 🙂
I enjoy both realism and escapism in my books. I prefer realism in my contemporary reads, but with a more hopeful/positive tone and a HEA. I don’t prefer insta-love and too sugary in my contemporary stories.
We have very similar tastes 🙂
To answer your question, I love to escape in fantasy stories and adventure and stuff, but I prefer realism in characters. I don’t love it when books feature flawless, larger-than-life characters. They have to seem real to me or it starts to get old.
Count me in for the giveaway, please!
In my opinion, flawless, larger-than-life characters are fantasy.
Good luck!
Thanks for the post! I get into reading moods and sometimes I think you need to read a book with an MC that isn’t perfect. Flawed characters are so much easier to relate to! In real life sometimes it isn’t easy to find love, sometimes it’s not really a HEA, it’s just contentment. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
OceanAkers @ aol.com
Good luck, Juliana!
I would have to say, a little of both. Gritty realism and pure escapism both have their place depending on my mood. I guess, for the most part though, I want a story to be believable but not without hope.
Hope is a must. We write and read romance, after all 🙂
This sounds really interesting. I have experience of OCD in my family and it is a tough thing to overcome.
Good luck to you and your family, Dianna. 🙂
What a great job you’ve done showing real, flawed people, and a really nice ex (female) for a refreshing change.
I’d love a chance to win, so please add me too.
Thanks, Sue. Good luck!
I love realism in stories I read, along with damaged heros. It is all the more satisfying when they overcome their obstacles to find love. *sigh*
Please count me in – I’d love to read this!
Good luck, Susan and everybody else!
Thank you J for having me over. It’s been great 🙂