Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Calathea wrote: "Just finished it like 30 seconds ago and I love, love, love it! I want to hug Brett and Neil. I'm still smiling and will be for quite a while. :-)"

Thank you. I'm so glad.

Josh, I have been an admirer of your writing since 2008 and this is the first time I have attempted a review. I think it's because the words don't come as easily as perhaps they do for others. But for this book...well here goes.

Last evening I read 85% of the story, and the rest at lunchtime today. I was in my office with tears running down my cheeks by the time I finished - not because the ending left me sad, but because the story was told so beautifully that my emotions were completely overwhelmed.

The scene in the alley was sheer poetry. I read it over 3 times before I could go on. "He wasn't a novice at anything but the gentleness." "He wanted to ask why Rafferty had done it. He wanted to ask him if he'd consider doing it again sometime." Heartfelt longing with your sure, gentle touch of humor. Delicious.

Afterward, Neil meets Brett's nutty family. "And what were you two gay blades doing in Chinatown?" I almost choked I was laughing so hard when I read that line. Sublime.

The entire story flowed effortlessly between the wonderful true-to-the-era dialogue and humor we associate with the best screwball comedies of the 1930's, and the historical reality of what it was like to be gay at that time; for me never shown more clearly than in Brett's seeming complete acceptance of spending the rest of his life being married to a woman.

What you did so brilliantly in Snowball in Hell when evoking the 1940's, you have achieved here with a delightfully lighter touch, in This Rough Magic. Simply masterful!

All,

FWIW, it was my understanding that the story discussion threads would include spoilers (as it's far too constraining and difficult to discuss a book without spoilers). Only the general threads -- e.g. the "Questions about any particular book" would be spoiler-free.

Did I mislead people when I asked people to read the book so I could post spoilers? Because the only reason I held off discussing details then was that only LA and myself had managed to (inadvertently) get hold of the book apparently a good many hours before it was actually to be released -- and discussing it before anybody had a chance to even buy the book seemed uncommonly discourteous.

So spoilers ok, here, right?

ns wrote:So spoilers ok, here, right?

I think so ns, I think everyone dropping by has finished the book...so go ahead and spoil :O)

Just finished a bit ago (*le sigh*) so spoiler away, I say. LOL.

The imagery...Wow, Josh, you really painted the picture with this one.

Fricking fracking storms. Will wax fangirl poetic tomorrow. Gah.

LOVED it!

Sorry, I think it was I that started the spoiler thing. I am always uncomfortable of writing in details of a book when it's only been out a few days. I was thinking of the people that might drop by only to gather info and accidentally saw a big revelation. Let's spoil away :)

Susan wrote: "Josh, I have been an admirer of your writing since 2008 and this is the first time I have attempted a review. I think it's because the words don't come as easily as perhaps they do for others. But..."

Thank you, Susan. That's such a lovely review -- such a wonderful thing to read. It's especially timely as -- I'd mentioned this before -- I'm going through one of those periods when I can't stand my own writing voice.

That's not a plea for reassurance so no need to respond to that comment. I know members of this group enjoy my writing or you wouldn't be here. It's just one of those quirky things. I don't usually ever reread my work, and this is the reason why. Well, and the other reason is I know how it all turns out. :-D

Anyway, it's a relief to see that the book is striking the right note with readers. That you're enjoying both the story and the writing.

Thank you for letting me know!

ns wrote: "All,

FWIW, it was my understanding that the story discussion threads would include spoilers (as it's far too constraining and difficult to discuss a book without spoilers). Only the general thread..."

I agree that in the distinct discussion threads spoilers are inevitable and even ideal for any indepth analysis.

One thing that has been nagging at me since I finished this book is Brett's parents...I don't know why, but I feel like there was something there that I did not understand, and I wonder what we will find out next and if Neil will be the one to tell us...

I've been wondering, with them moving on how their dynamics will work?? So far all the complications are on Brett's side, his family, his relationships, his financial situations...Neil is pretty transparent about things (at least in the now) I wonder how that will develop for them now that they will try things together...

Josh wrote: "Susan wrote: "Josh, I have been an admirer of your writing since 2008 and this is the first time I have attempted a review. I think it's because the words don't come as easily as perhaps they do fo..."

Not a reassurance, don't worry. (isn't that idiosyncratic? lol). Anyway, I am wondering if you feel uncomfortable with your voice now because your voice has evolved? I haven't read all your works, but I can't help comparing Adrien English and your latest works.

I think your characters have become more ... vulnerable. You write their emotion more deeply and profoundly, I can feel their emotion more deeply. The personal battles and growth are more personal and intimate.

I know this wouldn't be easy to write because when we get into the head of someone who is that vulnerable and even broken, some parts of that vulnerability stays with us.

Cleon wrote: I think your characters have become more ... vulnerable. You write their emotion more deeply and profoundly, I can feel their emotion more deeply. The personal battles and growth are more personal and intimate.

I know this wouldn't be easy to write because when we get into the head of someone who is that vulnerable and even broken, some parts of that vulnerability stays with us.

Cleon when you said that I immediately thought of Nathan in Snowball in Hell...he has been one of the hardest character for me to read in a while his pain was so palpable...I can imagine writing a character like that must put a you in particularly vulnerable place...

There's also the issue of how relationships were back in the times TRM is set, there is always that underlying sense of 'What we're feeling, what we're doing is not right, WE'RE not right' that "Why can't I be normal angst" with both Brett in TRM and Nathan in SiH was heartbreaking...It really affects me to read about it...Writing it...

Lauraadriana wrote: "Cleon wrote: I think your characters have become more ... vulnerable. You write their emotion more deeply and profoundly, I can feel their emotion more deeply. The personal battles and growth are m..."

Yup, Nathan is the first one on my mind. I also think of Brett, who is, in many ways, similar to Nathan. However, Colin, in the Darkling Thrush, was also vulnerable when he found out Septimus was going to execute him. Jake was also a lot more vulnerable in the Dark Tide compared to previous books.

I don't even dare touching Out of Blue, yet, lol, coz I am afraid I am gonnna cry. I usually don't touch war stories with a ten foot pole, but hey, this is Josh'!

Brett seemed younger than he is, more fragile than what you'd expect from someone his age. In romance books we usually read about characters whose sexual prowess and stamina is legendary, but Brett and his quick orgasming was really moving - and he made me think more of a teenager than a 27-year-old (or 26? sorry I can't remember) man. I really felt like an intruder in Brett and Neil's intimacy. Believe me, I have a lump in my throat right now.

But Neil really made me laugh when he went to the Chinese guy and asked for herbs or a potion to cure THAT problem. It's for a friend of mine. Huh huh, yes, sure :)

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: But Neil really made me laugh when he went to the Chinese guy and asked for herbs or a potion to cure THAT problem. It's for a friend of mine. Huh huh, yes, sure :)

I know I loved that, I thought Neil was so sweet and brave...And again agree with you on Brett and how he seemed so young, and how their coming togethers was awkward, and a bit embarrassing...it was so much about the finally opening up to it and what that entailed then as you say the sexual prowess...

In Josh's books the intimacy is at a complete different level, it's this healing powerful thing...I think that's why I'm a bit bothered by the hunky covers for his books, I feel they're so off the mark.

Cleon wrote:I don't even dare touching Out of Blue, yet, lol, coz I am afraid I am gonnna cry. I usually don't touch war stories with a ten foot pole, but hey, this is Josh'!

Nathan is by far the character that has most affected me from Josh's books (Adrien is still my fav though :O)) I was truly hurting for him, Brett was so similar to him, but with him there was this feeling for me like he can do it again, he's opened himself before, he's just hurt, but he KNOWS how to do this. With Nathan it's like EVERYTHING about his sexuality for him is this sick twisted thing...

Ohhh Cleon and what about David and Julian??

Lauraadriana wrote: "Cleon wrote:I don't even dare touching Out of Blue, yet, lol, coz I am afraid I am gonnna cry. I usually don't touch war stories with a ten foot pole, but hey, this is Josh'!

Nathan is by far the..."

David and Julian from The Dark Farewell? I haven't read The Dark Farewell, yet. Will save it for rainy days. ;-)

Cleon wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Cleon wrote:I don't even dare touching Out of Blue, yet, lol, coz I am afraid I am gonnna cry. I usually don't touch war stories with a ten foot pole, but hey, this is Josh'!
..."

Good, good, good...Will say no more :O)

Merith wrote: "Seeing his mother and then finding out the people he was trying so hard to protect and preserve their way of life for all intents and purposes betrayed him, it was the wake up call he really needed. I'm so glad Brett made his choice. So happy for Neil as well.

That was the most heart-breaking moment of them all, right? The decision made by his mother (and father) in the name of saving their "family reputation" had a devastating impact on his life.

And so the learning of it, the whole shock of it, finally forces him to think about the personal costs that were paid, the toll that it had taken on everybody around. He was the collateral damage, if you will. And it's only then he begins to think about whether he wants to make a similar sacrifice with his own marriage. Seen through Neil's eyes, at least, it starts the cracks in the rigid edifice he's maintaining -- the stoic, responsible, "desparate to remove the stain of his evil ways" edifice...I loved that whole scene with his mother.

Lauraadriana wrote: "One thing that has been nagging at me since I finished this book is Brett's parents...I don't know why, but I feel like there was something there that I did not understand, and I wonder what we wil..."

There were quite a few things that were left open, but I was aware that this was going to be a series, so I figured they were intentional and yes, all of them seem to be pretty interesting threads that make you want to read more.

Thankfully, however, this book was a satisfying, complete story in itself. I think we've all established that we (as readers) severely look down upon the practice of ending books on cliff-hangers with no HEA or HFN. :).

ns wrote: There were quite a few things that were left open, but I was aware that this was going to be a series, so I figured they were intentional and yes, all of them seem to be pretty interesting threads that make you want to read more.

There certainly were thread that left me wanting a lot more...but if I'm being honest I'd read ten more books just to read Neil calling Brett Sweetheart *sighs*

Oh, the language...So lyrical, some of the turns of phrase were almost poetic. Concise, with that laser-focus on just the right detail to paint the picture with an economy of words. Evocative. Wow. As a writer, I'm pea green with envy. Green, I tell you. LOL.

Rafferty ended up being entirely different than I expected and in such a good way. No stereotypical bruiser and his tenderness was so touching.

Neil's family reminds me of my family. Except respectable. ;-) I adored Neil's little...ahem...eagerness problem. LOL.

I will definitely have to re-read this when "Kari, you're supposed to be doing x, y and z (simultaneously)" isn't boiling the brains inside my skull.

Cleon wrote: "Anyway, I am wondering if you feel uncomfortable with your voice now because your voice has evolved? I haven't read all your works, but I can't help comparing Adrien English and your latest works.

I think your characters have become more ... vulnerable. You write their emotion more deeply and profoundly, I can feel their emotion more deeply. The personal battles and growth are more personal and intimate.

I'm not sure I'd entirely agree with that, although there may be some kernel of truth there. I won't compare the lighter stories with some of the heavier ones, if that's fair to say -- but certainly, AE had some of the most personal and intimate struggles (and moving dialog) that he's written.

It just might be a slightly less explicit style -- I think it was a more subtle approach, rather than dousing us with the saccharine. I have to say I prefer the subtle, as it can be even more powerful -- sometimes it's just more powerful when someone is very reticent and does something rare -- like say "I love you, hell I worship you," when they've gone nowhere near that chasm before.

Another key difference is that AE is first person, and to me that's a much more intense, constrained approach. You get all of Jake's thoughts and feelings through Adrien's eyes. In my opinion, it's infinitely more preferable than the constant switching of PoV. If you have a skilled writer, you don't need to switch PoV. Seeing the other MC portrayed through the primary MC can be even more powerful (I feel AE was a testament to this -- I love Jake as much as Adrien does).

You definitely lose some intensity and focus when you switch PoV, although it helps some readers.

Lauraadriana wrote: "There certainly were thread that left me wanting a lot more...but if I'm being honest I'd read ten more books just to read Neil calling Brett Sweetheart *sighs*"

You are the stereotypical m/m reader, I'd say -- a soft-hearted, extremely compassionate and expressive woman who's hopelessly romantic :) :).

Mea Culpa.

ns wrote: (I feel AE was a testament to this -- I love Jake as much as Adrien does). "

Oh my yess...I still have trouble remembering he's not an actual person :O) I truly do love him...

ns wrote:You are the stereotypical m/m reader, I'd say -- a soft-hearted, extremely compassionate and expressive woman who's hopelessly romantic :) :).

Guilty on all counts, ns :O)

Cleon wrote: "I don't even dare touching Out of Blue, yet, lol, coz I am afraid I am gonnna cry. I usually don't touch war stories with a ten foot pole, but hey, this is Josh'!"

Cleon, you really should read it, at least, I hope you do (ok, no shocker there, of course I'd like everybody to read all his books so I can talk about them :)).

But really, it was very rewarding. Sure, there were some parts that alluded to the shockingly high loss of life during world war II amongst the British flyers. But believe, me, I've read a lot of fiction around those times and British air force in particular, and it was actually fairly gently done, and certainly isn't the key thrust of the story. If you need more of a write up let me know :).

ns wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I don't even dare touching Out of Blue, yet, lol, coz I am afraid I am gonnna cry. I usually don't touch war stories with a ten foot pole, but hey, this is Josh'!"

Cleon, you really ..."

I just recently read Out of the Blue...and with that book I was 100% sold on the fact that Josh can write any genre well...Cowboy was a great character...*sigh* I only have Vintage Affair left to read...I'm a little scared of the menage :O)

Lauraadriana wrote: "I just recently read Out of the Blue...and with that book I was 100% sold on the fact that Josh can write any genre well...Cowboy was a great character...*sigh* I only have Vintage Affair left to read...I'm a little scared of the menage :O)"

See, here's the interesting thing. I don't even particularly care for explicit sex in my books. It takes a really good writer to do it well enough that it doesn't repel me with the whole sleaze factor. And god knows I have no interest in menage or other such situations. And I don't think the author enjoyed writing that scene, it felt uncomfortable.

But it still was very simply done, and it felt completely integral to the story -- the whole point of it was that the MC was going through something he found unpleasant, undesirable, not unlike the scene in AE where he sleeps with Kevin, the psycho-killer.

That wasn't fun either, but it was one of the best scenes in Fatal Shadows. It was particularly intense because Jake is out in the corridor with his gun, and you wonder if he's going to rescue Adrien in time..I have always thought of that as a pyschological menage of sorts :).

I'm not sure if my thoughts make you want to read it more or even less, now, but I had to share...

ns wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "I just recently read Out of the Blue...and with that book I was 100% sold on the fact that Josh can write any genre well...Cowboy was a great character...*sigh* I only have Vin..."

Ahhh started reading it this evening LOL...because I'm a Josh Lanyon crackhead and I'm out of books and doesn't come out for a while...I have problems...thankfully no one can actually commit me for reading :O)

Lauraadriana wrote: "ns wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "I just recently read Out of the Blue...and with that book I was 100% sold on the fact that Josh can write any genre well...Cowboy was a great character...*sigh* I on..."

I've bought it. By accident, of course, I didn't know it hadn't been released yet. lol. So, all I need to do is wait for the release.

ns wrote: "not unlike the scene in AE where he sleeps with Kevin, the psycho-killer." "...it was one of the best scenes in Fatal Shadows."

There is no character named 'Kevin' in Fatal Shadows. You are referring to Bruce Green, a.k.a. Grant Landis.

Sms wrote: "ns wrote: "not unlike the scene in AE where he sleeps with Kevin, the psycho-killer." "...it was one of the best scenes in Fatal Shadows."

There is no character named 'Kevin' in Fatal Shadows. ..."

Spoilers! Spoilers!

ns wrote: "Sms wrote: "ns wrote: "not unlike the scene in AE where he sleeps with Kevin, the psycho-killer." "...it was one of the best scenes in Fatal Shadows."

There is no character named 'Kevin' in Fatal..."

I'm loving Vintage Affair ns...but then again, isn't that just what would happen...only Josh could take me right out of my comfort zone and still make me love it :O)

Lauraadriana wrote: "I'm loving Vintage Affair ns...but then again, isn't that just what would happen...only Josh could take me right out of my comfort zone and still make me love it :O)
"

So glad, LA! :)

ns wrote: "Spoilers! Spoilers!"


What spoilers? You're mentioning a book that was written over 10 years ago and this isn't even the Adrien English series thread.

Sms wrote: "ns wrote: "Spoilers! Spoilers!"


What spoilers? You're mentioning a book that was written over 10 years ago and this isn't even the Adrien English series thread."

There might be people that haven't read AE (gasp!) and don't know about the (view spoiler)[double identity (hide spoiler)] :)

I must confess that I read Kevin and didn't even blink. So now I'm wondering: "which Kevin was I thinking about?", lol

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote:So now I'm wondering: "which Kevin was I thinking about?", lol

Me too E!!! *says Laura as she frantically searches through her Joda Yosh collection on the Kindle*

Lauraadriana wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote:So now I'm wondering: "which Kevin was I thinking about?", lol

Me too E!!! *says Laura as she frantically searches through her Joda Yosh collection on the Kindle*"

Let me know, thank you! I'm driving myself crazy. The only Kevin I can think about at the moment is that of and it's by ZA Maxfield!

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote:So now I'm wondering: "which Kevin was I thinking about?", lol

Me too E!!! *says Laura as she frantically searches through her Joda Yosh collection ..."

Yeah we have the SAME BRAIN!!! I was about to tell you "I wonder if I thought of Kevin from LWH?"...WEEIRRDDD :O)

Sms wrote: "ns wrote: "Spoilers! Spoilers!"


What spoilers? You're mentioning a book that was written over 10 years ago and this isn't even the Adrien English series thread."

Er, I wasn't aware there was a time limit on the spoilers -- would you tell everybody who the killer was in Psycho? The individual story threads (ie. therefore the AE thread for AE) would be the place where we discuss/include spoilers openly, right?

Not that I want to be pedantic about this, it's just what I'm used to being more of a mystery fan then a romance fan, quite frankly.

ns wrote: "Sms wrote: "ns wrote: "Spoilers! Spoilers!"

What spoilers? You're mentioning a book that was written over 10 years ago and this isn't even the Adrien English series thread."

Er, I wasn't aware ..."

Of course, I was pretty stupid, though -- I thought I was picking random name, but of course, there is no such thing as random, is there? I swear I don't know any psycho-killer Kevin-s -- but it's possible I hate some characters more than I had suspected! :).

ns wrote: "I thought I was picking random name, but of course, there is no such thing as random, is there? I swear I don't know any psycho-killer Kevin-s -- but it's possible I hate some characters more than I had suspected! :)."

Lol, it's like when your mind auto-correct. I knew exactly who you were talking about, I didn't even think that you were picking a random name, lol

Lauraadriana wrote: "Yeah we have the SAME BRAIN!!! I was about to tell you "I wonder if I thought of Kevin from LWH?"...WEEIRRDDD :O)"

Lol! Kevin ... yoga butt ... mmm mmm

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Yeah we have the SAME BRAIN!!! I was about to tell you "I wonder if I thought of Kevin from LWH?"...WEEIRRDDD :O)"

Lol! Kevin ... yoga butt ... mmm mmm"

Yummss indeed...:O)

There's a Kevin in A Dangerous Thing. :-D

Josh wrote: "There's a Kevin in A Dangerous Thing. :-D"

Not that this question really belongs here, but... Josh - how do you come up with names for your characters? I can understand how some names would have to be thought up carefully, like Brett - it fit him and his station. But the other characters, do you have a method? Or just randomly look through a phone book or a baby naming site until you find one you like?

Josh wrote: "There's a Kevin in A Dangerous Thing. :-D"

That's of course who I was referring to, I figured this crowd would get that right away (or else they didn't hate him as much as I did, that loser :)).

ns wrote: "Josh wrote: "There's a Kevin in A Dangerous Thing. :-D"

That's of course who I was referring to, I figured this crowd would get that right away (or else they didn't hate him as much as I did, that..."

Yeah we DO NOT like him...

Merith wrote: "Josh wrote: "There's a Kevin in A Dangerous Thing. :-D"

Not that this question really belongs here, but... Josh - how do you come up with names for your characters? I can understand how some names..."

I thumb through a baby book for the main characters. I look until I find something that feels right to me -- it's hard to write them until their names feel right.

Side characters...I grab from whatever is around me. So it's actually kind of fun because I'll snatch from cartons, TV shows, books on the table, you name it.