Today we give a warm Love Bytes welcome to Author Whitley Gray joining us here @ Love Bytes to talk about Artistic Endeavor. Whitley talks about doctors, offers a excerpt and there is a giveaway to participate in.
Welcome Whitley
Blurb:
When friends ask one-night stand connoisseur Michael Esteban to introduce college professor and virgin Cobey Miller to the joys of sex, Michael balks. Lust is his thing, not leading a twenty-five year old novice. But shy Cobey has problems meeting men, and their introduction fuels Michael’s decision to help Cobey become a gay-sex-loving guy. It’ll all be fun and games—unless someone falls in love.
Length:
118 Pages
Buy Link:
Doctors as characters versus real people, or how to write a likeable doctor
By Whitley Gray
Thank you Love Bytes Reviews for hosting me today.
Here’s a snippet of a recent conversation with a friend:
“I’m writing a novel, and my hero is a doctor. I work in the accounting field, and know nothing about doctors or medicine. What’s the best way to find out what a doctor does?”
(upslanted eyebrows and pleading look at this point from friend). Ever think about character careers? What’s high powered? What’s wimpy? What draws you to a book? Does the word “doctor” in the title get your engine revving? Working in the medical field, I have to say medical personnel are sexy. What they do is sexy, and if they look good doing it, so much the better. But what is it about doctors that we like? What’s true, and what’s not on the page? “They have interesting jobs,” you say. True, but not everything is glamour. A lot of it is drudgery, especially in the middle of the night. In a book, ever see a bleary-eyed doctor drag in at 2 a.m., cow lick sticking up and shirt buttoned crooked? Not likely. Our hero charges in gallantly in time to save the patient. He’s kind, witty, and doesn’t make snide comments to the staff. After all, we want the reader to like Dr. Tall dark and handsome, right? “Okay,” you say, “but the doctor has that saving lives thing going on.” True. But in between is a lot of day-to-day paperwork and rounds to see grumpy patients. Some doctors—like pathologists—don’t see live patients, but can make excellent characters. Even Emergency Department doctors don’t see a lot of life-saving action. Mostly it’s like a giant walk-in clinic interspersed with the occasional car accident, stabbing, or cardiac arrest. What if you want to write a character and know nothing about his/her particular career? If you can’t write what you know, one word: research. Now I know some of you have broken out in a cold sweat, the likes of which are only exceeded by the word “synopsis.” I’m not proposing you check out a hundred pounds of medical books from the public library. Most of your book will likely not require medical scenarios—doctors have personal lives too. For the occasional vignette or life-saving scene, consult with a professional, someone who’s had a front-row seat to see doctors in action. I can’t emphasize this enough. There are sites available to do this, or maybe you know someone in the medical field who can answer your specific questions. It will save you time, give a more authentic flavor to your story, and have the reader turning the pages instead of saying “That could never happen!” So to my friend with the pleading expression, I smiled and replied, “What would you like to know?” Want to read about hot doctors in action?
Check out the Meredith Medical Center serial in Everything Erotic. LINK: Everything Erotic
In the dimly lit bar, Michael drummed his fingers on the table. “Maybe you should have let me meet him somewhere without you two along as chaperones.”
Eli chuckled. “It took me a week to convince him to meet you. He’d never go for the blind date thing.”
“Well, he’s late. Sure he’ll show?”
“Relax.” Burke massaged Eli’s neck. “He’ll be here.”
Ordinarily Michael looked forward to sizing up a new man. In fact, he’d already taken stock of every guy in the room. If Cobey didn’t show, the bartender looked like a good prospect. Prolonged eye contact, a big grin, and a wink when serving Michael’s beer. Yep, good prospect. Someone new.
Of course, Cobey would be new. Too new. Michael sighed. How was he supposed to introduce himself? Hello. I’m the guy our mutual friends have asked to be your sex instructor. How’s it hangin’? Yippee.
“There.” Eli nodded at the entrance. “Just coming in.”
For a moment it was too crowded to see much, but the herd of patrons parted. Michael licked his lips. Well, well, well. The picture hadn’t done Cobey justice. Nicely wide shoulders, narrow hips, hair a man could get a grip on. Dark eyes. A perfect mouth—full but not too full. How was it possible this gorgeous male specimen had never been intimate with another guy? And Michael had the opportunity to be the first one.
I can certainly sacrifice myself for the greater good by teaching him.
WHITLEY GRAY’S
Once upon a misspent youth, Whitley read and wrote stories under the covers at night. At some point, real life intervened, bringing with it responsibilities and a career in the medical field. After years of technical writing, Whitley became enamored of romance and took on the challenge of giving it a try. Inventing characters and putting them through paces in interesting ways turned out to be addictive, and along the way, Whitley discovered having two heroes is twice as nice. A pot of coffee, quiet, and a storyline featuring a couple of guys makes for a perfect day.
LINKS:
Website: Stop by www.whitleygray.com and feed your fix for heat between the sheets with erotica and M/M romance.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitley.gray
Blog: www.whitleygray.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whitleygray
Rafflecopter Prize:
- 1 Winner will take away a $20 Amazon Gift Card.
- 3 Winners will get a free e-copy of “Artistic Endeavor” each.
Tour Shedule
Jan 5th – Joyfully Jay – Guest Post
Jan 6th – Hearts on Fire – Guest Post
Jan 7th – J. P. Barnaby – Guest Post
Jan 8th – MM Good Book Reviews – Promo Spotlight
Andrew Q. Gordon – Author Interview
Jan 9th – The Novel Approach – Guest Post
Jan 12th – Chris T. Kat – Promo Spotlight
Prism Book Alliance – Guest Post
Jan 13th – Charley Descoteaux – Author Interview
Jan 14th – Inked Rainbow Reads – Book Review
Jan 15th – Carly’s Book Reviews – Book Review
Jan 16th – Wicked Faeries Tales and Reviews – Book Review + Spotlight
Jan 19th – Love Bytes Reviews – Guest Post
Jan 20th – 3 Chicks After Dark – Promo Spotlight
Jan 21st – Charlie Cochet – Promo Spotlight
Diverse Reader – Promo Spotlight
Jan 22nd – Rainbow Book Reviews – Book Review
Jan 23rd – BFD Book Blog – Book Review
Jan 26th – Sue Brown – Promo Spotlight
Jan 27th – Multitasking Momma – Book Review
Because Two Men Are Better Than One – Author Interview
Jan 28th – Gay Media Reviews – Book Review
Jan 29th – Fallen Angel Reviews – Promo Spotlight
Jan 30th – My Fiction Nook – Promo Spotlight
Feb 2nd – Foxylutely Books – Book Review
Feb 3rd – Elisa: My Reviews and Ramblings – Promo Spotlight
Lisa Worrall – Promo Spotlight
Feb 4th – Queer Town Abbey – Author Interview
Feb 5th – Eyes on Books – Book Review
Feb 6th – Molly Lolly – Author Interview