Tag Archives: Benefits

I’m Starting a Monthly Newsletter

One of the things self-published authors and other “content” creators struggle with is the constant need to feed the publicity machine. So, in addition to the usual social media outlets of Instagram, a Facebook Page, and this blog – I’m Starting a Monthly Newsletter.

One of those things where you have to opt-in and actually request it. (Here’s a link right here.)

A writer in the morning, wondering what he’ll dream up.

To (hopefully) prime that pump and quite frankly, bribe you to sign up is a free gift. (Wait, is that an oxymoron, aren’t gifts by definition, free?) In this case, it’s the original (and award-winning) screenplay of Kept, which is a yet-unmade movie I wrote about love, lust and real estate scams in Palm Springs.

This screenplay is also totally the basis for my novel Kept. So I’m hoping that if folks read the script – a fairly quick read of an hour or so — they might want to read other things I’ve written.

Ah, downtown Palm Springs, shown here at Gay Pride in 2013.

What will be in the Newsletter?

I’ll talk about current projects, novel-in-progress, that sort of thing, of course. I’ll remind readers of my books already written – Benediction, Benefits, The Forest Dark, Kept — and that salty memoir Wanderslut 1996: A Gay Road Trip Across America.

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Along with that, I’ll cover any ancillary writing things like events, books I’m reading or might recommend, writers I particularly like.

Filling the Well

Additionally, I hope to elaborate on what I do to “fill the well,” that is, fill my level of life experience that a writer needs to sustain imagination. I find that’s a constant challenge for me, to go out into the world and experience all that’s there and all that’s new for me personally (especially in the ongoing, and seeming never-ending, pandemic).

Perhaps I’ll throw in a recipe or two (if Mr. Bouie can do it. . .). And of course, there will be loads of photos, maybe even a few videos if I get thusly inspired.

So I hope you’ll sign up to get this monthly missive. Promise that you won’t hear from me more often than that, unless a book launch is imminent.

Jim Arnold Books

Here’s a current list of my books, which I publish through Eureka Street Press.

Working Biography for “Benefits” Character Karen Kling

National Librarians Day is coming up on April 16. This is a perfect time to highlight the working biography I wrote for “Benefits” character Karen Kling (since she is a librarian), who is main character Ben Schmidt’s best friend.

Working Biography Purpose

This is another in the series of working biographies I’ve posted for characters in my novel “Benefits“. She is not an original character for “Benefits”; she had a huge role in the predecessor book “Benediction.”

As with so many of the working biographies for fictional characters, I used this sketch to draw from but did not use all of it. Additionally, I invented other aspects of character not in the working biography at all. So it’s best thought of as resource and starting point.

Karen is very loosely based on someone in my real life, not a librarian but a (now retired) teacher. This is the working bio I concocted for her prior to writing “Benediction”:

Karen Kling Working Biography

Karen (Ben’s producer and confidante):

She wants the movie Hell for the Holidays to be a success, and a springboard for her to go on to other projects, with or without Ben, She wants to assist Ben as he’s going through Cancerworld, She wants to find out if her husband (Dennis) is having an affair, and if so, who with.
She has an off-again, on-again weight problem, yo-yo.
She’s 46, blond, blue eyes. SHE’S 55 IN THE SEQUEL.
She would shop at Macy’s, but not Nordstrom.
Her day job is as a librarian for the SF Main Branch public library.
Her desire is to become a movie producer. She caught the bug going to the Castro Theater for years.
Married to Dennis Carstens, who is chasing the dot-com boom in SF, and has made some good money at it. Karen drives a new Mini-Cooper that was paid for by this.
IN THE SEQUEL, KAREN HAS GOTTEN RID OF THE MINI AND HAS A TOP OF THE LINE PRIUS, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE RICH PEOPLE IN SF DRIVE. SINCE BEN AND JAKE HAVE A BLACK ONE, KAREN’S IS RED.
She suspects that Dennis is having an affair (he is) and she’s really curious about finding out the source of this affair.
Karen’s a San Francisco native, that rare bird. Oddly, she’s not what you would expect, some “granola” girl with extreme leftist tendencies. She’s surprising “normal.”
She loves Ben because he brings things to her life that she would never normally experience.
She’s also extremely nurturing, helping, and can very much be in charge and throw her weight around when she wants to.
She doesn’t talk much about her family of origin, though they are scattered about the Bay Area. Her parents are dead, her mother was sick for a long time and that really affected her having fun as a girl. She has a younger brother, Jim, and a younger sister, Peaches (nickname for Persephone) who has two children. Karen’s somewhat jealous in that she’ll never be a mother, “but that’s the choice Dennis and I made.” That’s a lie, they married too late to have kids.

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Like I’ve done with other working biographies, here’s a few rando photos from the Internet to illustrate what was in my mind when I thought of Karen (but blond):

Anonymous Librarian
Anonymous Librarian
Librarians

“Benefits” Working Biography of Character Danny Fernandez

Here’s another in the series of working biographies I’ve posted for characters in my novel “Benefits“. This working biography is for Ben’s sidekick Danny Fernandez. He is an original character for “Benefits” in that he did not appear in the predecessor book “Benediction.”

We’ve all had coworkers we grew to be fond of and depend on in various jobs we’ve had. I don’t think I drew on specifics of any of those people for this working biography, but the spirit is there.

Danny Fernandez

“He is 29. Has Latino background, dark brown hair and eyes, 5’6”. He’s a cub, enthusiastic baby bear. Danny’s an aficionado of what remains of SOMA’s underground gay sex culture. Fetish, gear, leather etc., and does lighting and other behind-the-scenes stuff on wild porno, think Treasure Island Media. His unstated dream is that he wants to be a conventional filmmaker. He has a steady boyfriend, an older bearish guy. They live together. Ben calls the boyfriend BEAR MOUNTAIN, somewhat condescendingly or at least in a teasing manner. His real name is something innocuous, like John Ralston. Danny is also an acquaintance of Tony Ochoa; occasionally they’ve gone after the same guys.”

The working biography in this case is this short. The relationship that evolved during the course of the writing was that of a zany work duo, and probably owes as much or more to my memories of Lucy and Ethel as it does to anything in the gay world. Sisters, out to solve a harebrained scheme.

Here are a couple of images pulled from the Internet to illustrate how I conceived Danny:

Cub #1
Cub #2
Cub #3

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It’s National “Take a Walk in the Park Day”

Monday, March 30 is National “Take a Walk in the Park Day.” This year, it has an added significance. For most of us in the U.S. and indeed, around the world, walking in the park is one of the few activities open to us in the time of coronavirus quarantines.

In my novel “Benefits,” Ben Schmidt and his crew make good use of Golden Gate, Buena Vista and Jack Early Parks — for walks, yes, as well as other things. Like cruising. Like surveillance. Or just for taking in the view.

In my already solitary writerly life, taking walks is one of my constants. Often, they are in a park here in Los Angeles. Could be Griffith, which is giant, or North Hollywood Park, closer to where I live. Also l love to walk/hike in Fryman Canyon, which is part of a string of mountain parks here.

I’ve included a little gallery of park walks from here as well as recent travels. Hope you enjoy — and make sure to get out and Take a Walk in the Park! Wash your hands and stay six feet from other humanoids!

The blogger in Griffith Park
Mississippi River Levee in New Orleans
Audubon Park in New Orleans
Mission Dolores Park in SF
Mission Dolores Park in SF
Blogger in Griffith Park
Fryman Canyon Trail (LA)
View from Fryman Canyon Trail, LA
Oak Leaf Trail, Milwaukee
Herman A. Zeunert Park, Cedarburg, WI
Washington Park, Chicago
Blogger’s sister and brother, Herman A. Zeunert Park, Cedarburg, WI
Blogger in Jack Early Park, SF
Buena Vista Park, SF
Blogger in Griffith Park
Historical photo of blogger baring midriff in a park overlooking SF

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“Benefits” Working Biography of Glenda Bourne

Here’s another in the series of working biographies I’ve posted for characters in my novel “Benefits“. This working biography is for antagonist Glenda Bourne, who also appeared first in the novel “Benediction“.

For some reason, when writing Glenda, I had the image of Princess Diana in my head. Though I clearly state Glenda had long hair, was from South Africa, etc. I think it’s because at the time of writing her initially, I worked with a Brit who had a Diana haircut. So I offer these photos of Diana with short hair channeling Glenda Bourne:

Princess Diana with short hair
Princess Diana with short hair

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Glenda Bourne Working Biography

Glenda Bourne is Ben’s film editor, that’s the starting point of their relationship.

She wants a Baby – but, she’s a single lesbian and she doesn’t want a relationship with a man, she just wants some good sperm!

Glenda is a lesbian, 37 years old, originally from Capetown, South Africa, has lived in SF for almost 10 years. Film editor. Highly regarded in the Indie production community. Lives in small apartment in the Tenderloin, off of Ellis street (note, she moved to Haight in the sequel, to a place on Steiner.)

She’s 5-7, long brown hair, which she often keeps in a ponytail or up on top of her head. She has brown eyes, always seems to have a tan, like she’s outdoorsy, which is odd in SF. She must spend a lot of time in Marin or some other sunny place. She is fit, not fat and not skinny.

She has a lot of anger, and is not the most pleasant person to be around. But she can be persistent and even sweet when she has to, to get something she wants. She originally came to SF rather than LA or NY (more traditional centers for film editing) because of the lesbian scene. But, sadly for her, she’s been unable to really connect with one woman for any long-term thing. She’s had lots of girlfriends, but nothing has seemed to stick.

Now she has angst, because of her age, the ticking clock, and she really wants a child. She’s estranged from her family in S. Africa, perhaps there was some abuse at home growing up.

Her respect for Ben is mostly put-upon, she pretty much thinks his film Hell for the Holidays is shit. It was her ex-girlfriend CJ at Film Artists Foundation who referred Ben.

Her opinion of him has changed recently since she now sees him not as a filmmaker to deal with, but as a sperm factory she can order from.

In the sequel, “Benefits”, Glenda has a car. It’s an SUV. Older, say 1998 black Ford SUV Explorer.

Cover of Jim Arnold's "Benefits" is a street scene in Cole Valley, San Francisco, used here in blog post Glenda Bourne Working Biography.

In the Novel “Benefits”: Two Truths and a Lie

Here’s a little teaser for your day. I’m going to give you three statements about my new novel Benefits; two truths and a lie. Can you figure out where I’m fibbing?

If not, you may have to read the book. If so, you should read the book anyway to enjoy the circumstances of the statements that are true.

Statement #1

Protagonist Ben Schmidt seems to have a definite love/hate relationship with work. In fact, this guy can’t seem to hold a job. His ego most often gets in the way, and it’s a major character flaw. Good thing he has partner Jake to pick up the pieces! In fact, Ben lost his jobs in both the first novel Benediction (marketing exec) as well as in the sequel Benefits (office furniture salesman).

Statement #2

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Ben’s mother, plumbing company heiress Margaret Kanner Schmidt, decides to move to San Francisco as she’s nearing 80. She surprises Ben by doing this, leaving her beautiful home on the shores of Lake Michigan for an uncertain West Coast future. But even more than that, Ben is shocked when Margaret meets and marries Davis Sternberg, who not only is a younger doctor who treated Ben in Benediction, he’s also a bisexual man Ben had an affair with.

Statement #3

In stark contrast to Ben and his ongoing work dramas, other half Jake Brosseau seems to continue to move up that ladder of life without obstruction. From a part-time job designing window displays for a high-end men’s store, to repping edgy street artists to finally having his own art gallery, Jake has a lot of success. Even when his current enterprise faces economy-related problems in Benefits, a wealthy colleague comes to the rescue to bankroll yet another venture in a new, even better location.

Figure It Out?

So, did you figure out which are the two truths and which is the lie? Good for you! If not, read the book! Hey, even if you did, also read the book. Till next time. . .

Working Biography for Character “Logan Bourne” in “Benefits”

Even for children characters, it’s helpful to write a working biography. Here’s what I wrote for nine-year-old Logan Bourne in “Benefits:”

Logan Bourne

His name is LOGAN BOURNE. Ben or Jake joke that she named the baby after their favorite porn star.!

He’s 9 or 10 in Sequel 1. 4^th grade?

Sex: Male Age: 9. Height and Weight: LOOK UP AVERAGES FOR KIDS: 65 lbs, 53 inches high. Conceived in September, born in May or June. Gay Pride day?

Skin: white, light brown hair. Blue eyes – he got these from Ben.

Posture: Normal for a kid, he’s skinny.

Appearance: He looks like Ben would as a kid. Cute but also an every kid sort of look.

Defects: cowlick

Heredity: Half American, half South African, Dutch. Generic White Kid.

Social background:

Class: He’s part of a struggling family. But gets lots of help from Ben and Jake. Glenda doesn’t always do well with money and her income can be sporadic.

Occupation: he’s a kid in grade school. The Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in San Francisco.

Education: see above

Home Life: Let’s say precarious. He lives in a one bedroom apt with his mother. He sleeps in the living room, in an alcove she made up just to be his room. They curtained off a bay window area, so he has a view and light. It’s a beautiful San Francisco view, not Tenderloin; let’s say she moved to The Haight. The apartment is: On Steiner Street at Waller in the Lower Haight. 210 Steiner St. Yellow building, 4 story, 1 bedroom apartment with a big bay window which is curtained off and made up as Logan’s Room, facing west.

Race/Nationality: White, Irish, German, Dutch

Place in Community: He’s a kid in school, he’s medium popular, ok at sports but not spectacular, a good student, plays video games.

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Politics: none

Amusements, hobbies: video games, is a fan of the SF teams, the Giants, the 49ers. Has some swag from those teams (a backpack).

Sex Life, Moral Standards: he’s a good kid. Likely straight. Ben is agonized that the kid shows no signs of impending queerness.

Personality Aspects:

His personal premise: he wants to “write code.” He only says that because he hears that constantly in the midst of SF’s tech boom. This horrifies Glenda, horrifies Jake. Maybe Ben thinks maybe the kid will strike it rich and support them all in their old age. It’s all undecided.

Frustration, disappointments: He’s better at math than at English.

Temperament: Like all kids these days, he has trouble focusing and on attention to things. A bit scattered, ADHD.

Attitude toward life: Happy kid. Wished he had a live-in Dad. Knows many gay women for a kid.

Complexes: Not an extrovert or an introvert. He can speak up, speak his mind.

Abilities: Won spelling bee two years in a row. Ben is very proud of this, being in marketing and all.

Qualities: he’s affectionate and he smiles a lot. Likes cats. – his one lesbian trait. Still hasn’t gotten one of his own.

IQ: very high.

How Working Biography Was Used

Some of this working biography I used; much I did not. It’s best thought of as a go-to resource when a question comes up, such as: What does he like to eat? What does he play with? What (if anything) does he like in school?

I’ve always thought of myself as knowledgable about children and what they’re like. That’s mostly from my own upbringing as second oldest in a family of eight kids. However, my childhood and teen years were a long, long time ago now. I’ve never had children of my own. So a lot of this is vicarious observation of nieces and nephews and friends’ kids, along with random behaviors I might observe out in the world. In a word, imperfect. Hopefully, it was good enough to seem real.

Why not read the book and find out?

Part of the facade of Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, the real-life school of a fictional character, Logan Bourne, in Jim Arnold's novel "Benefits." — The Harvey Milk Civil RIghts Academy in San Francisco, where the fictional Logan Bourne attends school.

“Benefits” Backstory Element: Prostate Cancer

One of the major backstory elements in my novel “Benefits” is the fact that the main character, Ben Schmidt, is a prostate cancer survivor.

“Benefits” is a sequel to my first novel “Benediction.” (Although I don’t think it’s required reading to understand “Benefits,” I’m sure it helps.) That first novel was written as a way for me to process what was going on with my body. Indeed, I am a prostate cancer survivor myself.

Why “Benediction”

I’d written creatively prior to the novels — but the fiction was limited to movie and TV scripts. I didn’t think my cancer story lent itself to those forms. Hence, “Benediction.” The action in that novel is primarily the story of Ben Schmidt working his way through prostate cancer treatment. Of course, there’s a few side plots involving sex, work intrigue, family relationships, and what not. Did I mention there was sex?

The cover of Jim Arnold's novel "Benediction" prior to a reading at the now-gone Different Light Bookstore in San Francisco, 2009. — “Benediction” on display before a reading at the (now gone) Different Light Bookstore on Castro Street in San Francisco.

Why “Benefits”

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Sex and lots of it. Because I like it and also because that’s one of the things that changes a lot for men post-prostate cancer. Thus, while “Benediction” took Ben through diagnosis and treatment of his cancer, “Benefits” follows Ben in the aftermath. As in: what is it like to live with the long-term effects of incontinence and ED (erectile dysfunction)?

So in “Benefits,” these side effects are just ongoing parts of Ben’s persona. They’re the things he deals with every day. Should he drop an erectile dysfunction pill in his pocket just in case the opportunity for sex presents itself? Will he be doing something sufficiently physical (working out, walking a lot or standing for a long time, etc.)? Stuffing a thin incontinence pad in his underwear might be a really good idea.

Those are just two of the realities former prostate cancer patients endure. In presenting a character that has this history, I hoped to enlighten those who are unaware as well as acknowledge those of us who live as prostate cancer survivors.

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!