Guest Post: Michael Mandrake
Please welcome fellow Wednesday Blogger, Michael Mandrake. Michael is here to talk about I Love It Rough: N’Awlins Exotica Book 2.
When the Muse Speaks to You
Michael Mandrake
Greetings. Today I’m talking about muses. What’s that you say? You wonder how a muse could talk about his own muses? Well I can since I am however the writing muse and not the character muse in the book.
Authors, do you actually have moments where the muse has spoken to you directly? It’s true! Your friends and family have often thought you had screws lose anyway when you talk about how your characters speak to you when writing a story. Mine shake their heads and groan but in actuality, when the muse speaks to you directly, the story comes out better.
In the short time I’ve been writing, I’ve discovered how important it is to have more of a relationship with your main character. Learn what’s most important to him or her. What they like and dislike what they need and how they feel they can achieve their ultimate goal. So I figured why not interview the characters before I’ve written the story. I write down personal facts, traits, have a picture if possible, and have a “recorded” conversation with them to get everything down I possibly can about that muse.
Interesting right? In a sense, me, the author is talking to a fictional character and learning all we can to make a more complete book. In the beginning, I didn’t feel I did it enough. I had all their facts in my head but I didn’t really translate that to my readers and while it also makes for an interesting blogpost, meaning the character interview, it helps us as writers to keep the plot moving and cover all the bases in our stories.
For this series, the main character is played by Shemar Moore. For those who don’t know him, this handsome fellow plays on Criminal Minds, ironically as a detective. And as I stated, I “interviewed” the character I created which is Detective Frankie Choteau who works in homicide for New Orleans Police department. Other than the fact Frankie is a no nonsense detective, I figured out how much he loves sports, was very close to his late mother, and closeted cop who only wants to be accepted by his peers. Those were only a few details but just writing these into the first book of the series brought him to life.
I have others for the series but since he was the main character I used him as an example. With every story I write I do the interview as well as a character arc to move along the plot. In my opinion, both of these assist me in building a more complete book for you the readers to enjoy. No, it isn’t gospel but it’s one of the many things us writers use while we write our book and again, it gives us an excuse to talk to ourselves. *chuckles*
Thanks for listening to this muse ramble. Here’s more information on the series including book 2, I Love it Rough.
Blurb
Livin’ in N’awlins ain’t all that easy…
Kajika Fortier loves his job, the attention he gets from onlookers, and Frankie Choteau. However, his new partner’s jealousy, mood swings, and over protectiveness drives Kajika to the brink but at the same time, excites him to no end.
To complicate things further, a murderer is on the loose looking for blood. All three of the killer’s victims are strippers which not only makes Frankie nervous about Kajika’s safety but leaves him questioning his love for being a homicide detective. Coupled with the stresses of cold cases as well as some fellow officers shunning him for coming out, Frankie is having second thoughts about staying in New Orleans. Despite the encouragement from Vance, Kenina, and Orrin as well as new chief Quinn Murray, Frankie is wondering if his life’s passion really is to catch the killers.
Will the new couple survive these new issues that impede their nearly perfect union? Or will the relationship fail, thus leaving Kajika alone and a target for New Orleans latest serial killer? Detective Choteau and Kajika’s commitment to one another is being tested in more ways than one and they only have one another to lean on.
Buy Links
Excerpt (R-Rated!)
“Kajika, Kajika?” Frankie dropped his duffel at the door and locked it tight. The lights were dim and smells of vanilla incense wafted through his nostrils. “Babe, you here?” Frankie frowned and ran his hands over his smooth dome. “I thought you left me a message to…” He dropped his gaze to the floor and eyed a single envelope. “Hmm, what’s this?” Frankie picked it up and grinned, looking at Kajika’s beautiful penmanship. The light brown envelope smelled of Kajika’s sweet scent and a small set of lips were on the seam of the letter. “Ooohkay, baby, what are you up to now?” Frankie unfolded it and read:
Dear Frankie Choteau,
This ticket admits you to a special performance by Kajika Fortier, Native American Hunk D’ Jour. As soon as you arrive, please take a seat in the chair closest to the stage and feel free to enjoy the refreshments.
Thank you
KF
“Oh yeah? A special performance hmm?” Frankie stroked his newly trimmed goatee and headed for the basement where Kajika’s practice area had been installed for the past couple of months. Despite his disdain for Kajika’s occupation, he fully supported his need to perfect his craft.
“Alrighty, then.” Frankie sniffed the note once again and made a sharp right to the basement door. Anxious to see what his man had come up with, he bounded downstairs and sprinted to the seat closest to the platform as asked. “Nice place.” Frankie chuckled and slid into the chair, sighing when his butt touched the covered seat. Fully relaxed, he grabbed one of the Heinekens out of the ice bucket and popped it open with his personal opener. “Now, I’m comfortable; where is the entertainment?” Frankie loosened his jacket and leaned on his knees, tapping his feet against the hardwood floors. Regardless of their dispute or his fascination with Orrin, Frankie knew he was still head over heels in love with Kajika Fortier. He’d been looking forward to getting back with his baby after the successful capture of Surenthia Jakes’ killer. Their reunion was the perfect way to end a dangerous but great day.
Frankie took another swig of his beer and several red and blue lights went off over his head. A familiar bass line filled the room, causing a smile to come to his face. “Mhmm, more Janet Jackson and, damn, I love this song.” Frankie nodded to the beat and eyed the stage, watching his lover come out dressed in a black g-string and thigh high black boots with silver buckles. His long black tresses were tied back in a ribbon with the rest flowing over his muscled shoulders. “Damn, baby, whew!” Frankie fanned himself, knowing he was in for a treat. Yeah, he hated that Kajika showed his pretty ass off to the masses but when it was just for him, he didn’t have one single complaint. Kajika was by far the most gorgeous individual on earth.
“Baby, do you mind, touching me…” Janet’s sweet voice filled the air along with heavy breathing and a slow, fuck me beat.
Kajika spun on one heel and kicked one leg up in the air, touching the silver metal pole in front of him. He wrapped his arms around it and held on, twirling around until his plump ass hit the stage. He moved to the electric thump, shifting his shoulders from left to right and winking at Frankie as he did so. The look in his eye was wicked, playful, something that drew Frankie and many others in.
“Damn, babe. You know I love it when you dance for me.” Frankie finished his beverage and set the empty on the table. He pulled his jacket off, tossing it to the side while he continued to ogle his man.
Fucking Orrin is hot but not like my man.
Frankie still didn’t feel guilty for his actions, nor was he ready to let go the notion of the two of them getting together. However, he knew he’d never leave Kajika for anyone else, despite the temptation. He’d found his soul mate, the man he’d always been wishing for. No way would he ever let that go. “Baby, I’m all yours, I promise.”
Kajika didn’t say a word, only kept dancing and moving along with the tune. He did a backwards somersault and a split with his legs outstretched, humping the floor. Kajika grinned at Frankie and wagged his tongue while he pulled at the thin strings covering his most treasured prize. Once he got them all undone, he flicked it at Frankie and stood up straight, not even covering his erection.
“Whew!” Frankie watched it fall in front of him. He grabbed another beer and leaned back, running his hand over his crotch. He was rock solid, practically bulging out of his pants, wanting to get into Kajika right away. Fuck the routine. Frankie stroked himself through his polyester slacks, running his fingertips over his swollen balls while the other tilted the bottle towards his mouth. “Holy shit, babe. You are…”
Kajika kicked his leg up again, still keeping in rhythm for the last parts of the song. He wrapped his leg around the pole and swung until he was upside down, spreading his thighs to give Frankie a better view.
“Fuck baby!” Frankie cursed and yanked his pants apart, busting the zipper. He took his swollen dick in hand, dragging his thumb through the pre-cum seeping through the slit. Frankie plopped the bottle on the table, forgetting about wanting another beverage. In front of him was something a lot more satisfying. “Holy shit, Kajika! I swear you got me so hard right now.”
Kajika leaned his head back and stretched his legs out again. “Really, Choteau? You want me?”
Frankie stopped jerking and spat on his hand. When he took hold to his dick again, he sped up his movements. It wouldn’t be too long before he was ready to explode. “Fuck yes, Kajika. Get your pretty little ass over here and ride my cock, baby!”
