Category Archives: Gay Fiction

National Peculiar People Day — Breezeann Jasczek

It’s National Peculiar People Day!

January 10 is, apparently, National Peculiar People Day. My novel “Benefits” is full of interesting characters, but one in particular stands out as peculiar. (At least in my humble opinion.)

This peculiar person who deserves her very own day is Breezeann Jasczek. She works as housekeeper/cleaning lady for Ben and Jake at their Noe Valley house in San Francisco.

Street Scene in San Francisco, California, to illustrate Jim Arnold's novel "Benefits" for National Peculiar People Day. — San Francisco: A city full of Peculiar People?

Breezeann is an aging hippie who never got the memo that the ’60s ended, and that’s a good thing. At least to her it is. She can’t resist offering her often-wry opinion on just about anything. Or, she might bake some THC infusion into your muffins — without mentioning it. The rumor is she’s a former rock groupie. No one really knows and she ain’t telling.

Peculiar Person Breezeann Jasczek Working Bio for “Benefits”

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This is what I wrote for the character description in “Benefits,” short and sweet: BEN AND JAKE’s housekeeper, BREEZEANN. Jasczek. She is mid-60s, natural long gray hair in braid, often. She’s white, pale, blue eyes, 5-6, thin. She alternates jeans with long dresses. She is a contrarian.

That’s much shorter than my usual bios for main or secondary characters. Breezeann is a relief character, on the sidelines, but I think it’s fun whenever she shows up. Of course, there’s the umbrella fight she has with Ben’s mom Margaret. Wait what? You’ll have to read the book.

I found this definition of Peculiar People Day on the web: Peculiar People Day is celebrated on January 10 of every year. Peculiar People Day is a day to celebrate the leaders of the unusual and strange, the peoples (sic) who refuse to succumb the world idea’s which is sane and reasonable. They challenge the status quo and rebuke the concept utterly which is out of the ordinary is wrong (sic). It may be in their style, they simply dress or having ideas of which is right and reasonable (sic). So Peculiar People is a day for Peculiar peoples to shine.

Shine on, Peculiar People!

How the Great Recession Inspired My Novel “Benefits”

Remember the Great Recession? It was hard to miss and for some of us, it’s never really ended. My mom used to say that when life deals you a lemon, make lemonade. So I used the Great Recession to inspire ideas for my novel “Benefits.”

I’ve never worked full time since that last layoff, which was right at the end of 2009. I was the Director of Communications at the local branch of a national non-profit. The powers that be axed of the entire statewide Comms staff all at once (there were only four of us). In retrospect, I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did — the non-profit had been hemorrhaging jobs since early 2008.

My Recession Jobs

Conveniently, in 2010, Census jobs were available (I really can’t believe that’s upon us once again — it seems like yesterday, truly), so I walked the hot pavement of Palm Springs as an enumerator for awhile, as well as got some freelance writing gigs, as well as some background acting work — but the job from the Great Recession that inspired my novel “Benefits” the most was working at an antique store (which I still do, part-time as of this post).

Antique Store Becomes Office Furniture Outlet

The antique store inspired Refuge, the made-up office furniture store in Benefits. Plot details at the store are, of course, fictional. The very idea of a former Comms exec (Ben Schmidt) working in retail, however, comes from real life. As a writer, I’ve learned that personal circumstances of many kinds can go a long way in filling up that crucial well of ideas every writer needs to draw on.

This is just one small example — obviously there’s more to the plot than just the store. There’s polyamory, white collar crime, children and family issues — but that’s how this part of the Great Recession inspired “Benefits.”

Scene in antique shop
Author and a tempting serpent
Every day was hat day.
Bend over.
Every day was hat day.

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Working Biography of Character Tony Ochoa in “Benefits”

In “Benefits,” main character Ben’s partner Jake is caught fooling around with Tony Ochoa, who Ben recognizes as someone he’s seen in his work neighborhood! A younger man – thus, I had to concoct a working biography for Tony Ochoa.

What You Use a Character Biography For

A novel working biography is used as a resource for character development. The process I’ve used over and over again is to answer a series of questions about the character. Include as many facets of the fictitious person that you can – physical, emotional, psychological, practical and so on. Figure out their tastes, hobbies, loves and hates. The novelist won’t use all of a working biography – but it’s there to draw from down the line. It can help provide an answer to the question “What would Mr. X do in this situation?” Invaluable, because that question keeps popping up throughout a story.

Got my original list of character outline ideas from one of the great all-time writing bibles, The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri.

Working Biography for Tony Ochoa

SWEATER BOY, aka ANTONIO (TONY) OCHOA. Tony Ochoa. So, he’s Latino.

Sex: Male Age: 28 Height and Weight: 5-10. 175 or so.

Skin: light brown. Hair – black. Eyes: brown

Posture: lanky, slim. Body hair? Yes, some, very dark.

Appearance: He’s actually kind of slender. He looks young, maybe even younger than 28.

Defects: No defects, but I’m thinking that he has tattoos that he might regret, that might have been done in college under the influence. He wouldn’t regret them, tho. He has a rose on his ass.

Heredity: His father is from Mexico. His mother is from Puerto Rico. He was born in the U.S., in the Bay Area – say east bay, city of Alameda.

Class: He’s middle class now, he has a tech job.

More details . . .

Occupation: He has a tech job at a startup in SF that makes apps for financial concerns.

Education: BS, San Francisco State University

Home Life: starts out by living with some roommates in the Mission. It’s a bunch of people since the rent is so high. It’s a 3 bedroom type railroad flat, 15^th and Capp in the Mission. He has 1 male and 1 Female roommate.

Race/Nationality: Latino, Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage.

Place in Community: He’s not involved politically yet, too young. He wonders what all that is about, though. There may be some nascent leanings.

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Amusements, hobbies: He does play some video games. He likes older guys! So he looks for them where they hang out.

Some hobbies – he likes going out to Ocean Beach. Plays an instrument – the guitar. But not well. He tries to play Spanish guitar. (like flamenco?) He has taken lessons, maybe he still does.

And the personal, very personal . . .

Sex Life, Moral Standards: he’s gay, has been around quite a bit. First experience was with an older guy and he’s just stayed there. With that group. He’s versatile, but likes to top more. Unlike Ben or Jake, he did start out living a “straight” life.

His personal premise: He wanted to find a husband, so he was surprised when he found 2. He’s probably more conventional than either Ben or Jake in that he wants a solid home life.

Frustration, disappointments:

Temperament: Somewhere between Jake (who’s very chill) and Ben (who is very dramatic) – so generally easygoing, but he’s deep and you can’t always read him.

Attitude toward life: an optimist, rather than a pessimist, and this is one of the main things that attracts Ben and Jake to him. He’s fun. Definitely has quirks of youth and his specific generation that Ben and Jake don’t/or no longer possess.

Complexes: He doesn’t like cats. Some minor symptoms of OCD – like closing open drawers and cabinets, other “checking” type stuff. Afraid of fire, always checks stove before leaving and unplugs appliances, the small ones.

Abilities: there’s the guitar. He might be handy – that is something Jake in particular would feel comfortable with. Can fix minor things. Would make him handy around the house.

Qualities: kind to kids – Logan in particular will love him. He might giggle. LOGAN might like him more than he likes either Jake or Ben.

IQ: high.

Photo Inspiration for Tony Ochoa

Here’s a few random images of guys (stolen from you, the Internet!) that I think of when I dreamt of Tony Ochoa. Plus, it’s fun to look at pictures of cute Latino-looking guys and beardos, is it not?

Goodreads Giveaway for “Benefits”

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Benefits

by Jim Arnold

Giveaway ends October 14, 2019.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

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Hello Readers! I’m giving away 10 paperback copies of my new book “Benefits” via a Goodreads.com Giveaway. Please hit the link in the ad to enter the drawing. For those of you who don’t know, Goodreads is a great site for readers to find out about new books and interact with other readers and authors, and yes, to get free books!

“Benefits” Trailer Drops

Got a surprise this afternoon, “Ben Schmidt” himself dropped into the studio to record a short little trailer for the novel “Benefits,” which releases on Labor Day, September 2. Who doesn’t love a little slice of San Francisco?

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“Benefits” trailer 1

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“Benefits” Coming in the Spring! (2019)

Finally, I’m confident enough to tell you that my next book, “Benefits,” the sequel to “Benediction,” will drop into the physical world next spring, certainly in time for you to throw it in your beach bag before you head to the sand.

It’s been a long process. Therapy, you might say as well, helping me get through the hellish months from November 2016 to the present. I know you know why! But the one thing I’ve internalized about writing is that it has to be consistent. So it was with “Benefits.”

What’s it about, you ask?

Ben Schmidt and his world. He survived the prostate cancer, and is now living with the aftermath. His relationship with the studly Jake Brosseau has continued, though now it seems it’s Jake who is the main breadwinner in the family. Tables have turned! And, if you read “Benediction,” you might recall that Ben had banked some sperm, just in case he might want to “use it” at a later date. I think that later date arrived.

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Benediction

San Francisco, Noe Street, a locale in “Benefits”

Homo-centric Readings, January 2018

From lower left, Laura Houlberg, John Boucher, Larry Buhl and Hank Henderson

Great readings last night at Stories in Echo Park.
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John read a bittersweet memoir of helping ladies living in a hospice with their hair appointments; Larry read some sexy fan fiction revolving around the gay characters from “Mad Men;” Laura read a number of her poems. Thanks to Hank as always for putting this on and to Stories for the venue. It’s always inspiring AND motivating for me to keep keepin’ on.

What I’m Reading: “Grief” — Andrew Holleran

So I did love this little description, found in Andrew Holleran’s “Grief.”

I can relate to this, not saying it’s every day, but I can relate. Let’s just say things in that realm are different than they were when I was 30 years younger than I am now. Quite a bit different!
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Highly recommend the book, however. It’s about a man taking a summer temp job teaching in Washington, D.C. after the death of his mother and how he moves through that grief. It also involves the people he meets along this way, principally his landlord who is used as kind of a sounding board or foil, even for the protagonist. It’s not maudlin at all, despite the title. In fact, it’s quite funny in parts. All of us have gone through grief and also, increasingly aging, and I think there’s something there for any reader, no matter which gender or orientation. We can all relate, can we not?

It’s also short!

KEPT Character Biography: Andreas Alvarado

Another in the series of character bios for my novel KEPT. Here we have Andreas Alvarado, the corpulent and criminal manager of the tribal casino in Palm Springs (Montana Grande).

Who inspired me for this, who was I thinking of or who did I have in my mind’s eye while writing? James Gandolfini, Joe Mantegna, they come close. If they were Native American and lived in Palm Springs and were devious and bossy.

James Gandolfini

Joe Mantegna

Sex, Age, Ht. and weight: Male, 45, 5-9, 200+ lbs.

Black/gray hair and black eyes.

Posture: good, pot belly though.

Appearance: dresses very nicely in the tribal executive style.

Has no visible deformities other than that he’s heavy.

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Social:

He was lower middle class, now with the tribal casinos, he’s upper class in income.

Occupation: he’s the tribal manager of the casino. He’s the big boss. He knows the governor!

Education: he’s a college graduate, a local college (San Bernardino) liberal arts marketing degree. His favorite subject was California History. He also did well in math, surprisingly. Good for counting money.

Home life: his aged mother is still alive, she’s revered in the tribe. The parents were also tribal leaders. His father is the person they named Andreas Road after in Palm Springs. Andreas himself is divorced and has 3 grown children. Two of the girls work at the casino, and the boy is away at Stanford. He’s so proud of his boy. (which is just another reason Jacy Martin hates him).

Religion: Roman Catholic with some of the tribal beliefs thrown in.

Community: He’s head of the tribal council. Also a member of many local civic organizations that have nothing to do with the tribe.

He is a Democrat, but has a lot of successful dealings with Republican congressmen and the former governor, etc.

Amusements: he’s very much a businessman, so he reads those kinds of magazines. He likes going to the movies. He’s odd that way, an independent film fan, who goes to arthouses. He also has a girlfriend (on the sly) who lives in Joshua Tree. She is an artist, a white woman. She makes jewelry, and he wears a lot of it.

Psych: He’s straight.

Premise, ambition: The face he shows to the public is very much a straight shooter, believes in doing what’s best for the tribe. Wants to build up the tribal holdings in Palm Springs to be very lucrative for the tribe — and himself. Works well with the white folks in town.

Frustrations, disappointments: Andreas is one of those people who are actually quite contented at his successes, legitimate and otherwise. He’s a little arrogant because of that. It’s only when Jacy starts trying to fuck him up that he has to go on the defensive.

Temperament: generally optimistic

Attitude: very militant. He gives orders, he is in charge.

Complexes: Superstitions. Andreas has a whole complement of superstition from the tribe. Gods on the mountain, of the desert plain, etc etc. He really believes in this stuff, as opposed to Jacy, who knows it’s bunk.

He’s an ambivert.

Abilities: Very good at math. He, unlike Jacy, does speak Spanish. And French. And Italian, and German. Even Swedish (for those Scandinavian tourists)!

Qualities: he has a really good business sense (as in new opportunities) and a low tolerance for bullshit. He can smell it a mile away. Distrustful of Jacy, as he should be.

IQ: High

Kept Character Biography: Jimbo McLaughlin

The Marine — the Marine in the closet. Until he’s not in the closet any more. I was thinking more in the realms of all the blond boys who do porn as gay for pay — as guides to envision the twins Timbo and Jimbo. I did two separate bios for them, only including Jimbo’s here as he’s more of a character in the actual book.

You get the idea.

Jimbo McLaughlin

Jimbo – Marine
Sex: Male, Age 23. IDENTICAL TWIN OF TIMBO McLaughlin
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5-10, 170.
Posture: Military
Good-looking, almost mean looking, a sneer.
Class: lower class, educated in military to be something more.

Occupation: truck driver in the Marines, stationed Twentynine Palms. Did a tour of Afghanistan already.The TWINS DRIVE A JEEP that they co-own.
Education: High school and marine schooling.
Home life: They are from Texas. Their parents are still there, in Fort Worth. They have 2 older sisters, both married with kids, both in Texas. Their parents are conservative, Republicans.
Religion: Southern Baptist upbringing. Jimbo is less religious than Timbo.
Race: Blindingly white.
Politics: Timbo is almost reactionary right wing. Jimbo doesn’t really know, can be swayed either way.
Amusements: They like to get drunk, pick up girls. They don’t read. They do watch TV sometimes. Both much more interested in criminal activity. Although Timbo is more violent.

Sex: Says he’s straight. Jimbo is really gay, hides this from Timbo, from everyone.
Personal premise: It’s “I ‘m gonna get mine and fuck you in the process.”
Too young to have ever been disappointed. He’s terrified that Timbo will find out he’s really gay.
Temperament: highly volatile, not someone you’d want to cross.
Attitude: he’s always right, you’re definitely wrong, and, you’re an asshole.
Complex: Mistrustful of anyone not white. Very prejudiced, that’s why his attraction to George is so hard for him to understand.
Ambivert – he’s more outgoing than Timbo.
Abilities: lies well. Speaks a few words/phrases of Pashto.
Qualities: Can sense pros/cons of any situation very quickly.
IQ: Exactly the same as Timbo, higher than it would appear by their gruff presentation.