COCKTAILS AND COCK TALES with MICHAEL MANDRAKE

Well, I know I have been gone a bit from the virtual bar--the place I like to do my interviews-- but I'm back with a bottle of Jack and m/m author Michael Mandrake. I heard he's got a soft spot for Jack Daniels so (((giggles))) I got a nice fifth I plan to tempt him with.

WHAT WE'RE DRINKING

Jack Daniels straight!



Deanna: Welcome Michael! Can I interest you in a shot of Jack?

Michael: Oh, I thought it was just rumors we had to drink during the interview!

Deanna: Nope! ((((pours a couple shots))) Bottoms up!!! Now that we got the first one down, tell me: where are you and what are you wearing?

Michael: Haha, really? Stretch pants and a long unsexy tee. Not that sexy… I'm in the kitchen where I can be away from my kids so I can concentrate.

Deanna: (((pours another shot and passes it over))) I think you need this.

Michael: I usually do vodka, but apparently you really want me to party! Bring on the Jack Daniels! (((downs his shot)))

Deanna: (((laughs)))You;re too easy! Well, now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book?

Michael: My latest sole author book is THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE out from XOXO publishing but I’m currently in 11 out of 14 anthologies that I’ve been accepted to. The latest of which is LONGING FOR A NORMAL STATE OF VERTIGO inside the RIDING THE ROCKET ANTHOLOGY.

Deanna: Ha ha, you said riding the rocket. Okay, I'll be mature. Must be the Jack. (((pours another round which, despite protests, Michael downs easily))) Now, where did the idea for this story come from?

Michael: For VERTIGO, I knew I wanted to do a different kind of story other than contemporary. I was thinking of a paranormal, non vampire and I came out with a historical which was originally a steampunk idea but it didn’t turn out that way.

As far as TRUE MEANING, it’s just an everyday contemporary tale about a gay couple that has a disagreement and it results in an accident. Through that occurrence, they learn how to love and respect one another more.

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing these stories for you?

Michael: Nothing hard about TRUE but for VERTIGO, because it’s a historical paranormal, trying to find facts on the early 20th century. Also, about the speech which I might have slipped up on a couple… lol For the most part, I did okay.

Deanna: What’s the easiest thing about writing these stories?

Michael: VERTIGO, my characters. The story development was linked directly to my main character. My supporting one seemed to fit right in. (((grins)))

Deanna: What is your dream story, your opus, if you will? The one you dream about writing but haven’t don’t it?

Michael: Hmm, well, I have the story written but not edited or released. I have a paranormal gay romance ménage sitting in my Stories Not Done folder. I’d love to be able to get that out. I love the story, as well as the characters.

Deanna: SHOT TIME!!!! (((pours another round and holds up for a toast))) May you have a Republican's money and a Democrats sex life!

Michael: I'll drink to that! (((clinks glasses and downs the Jack))))

Deanna: So Mikey...can I call you that?

Michael: (((shrugs and blows a raspberry))) Sure! Why not? (((giggles)))

Deanna: Hmm, I guess the whiskey's taking effect already. Lets get back to business before poor Mikey passes out. When did you first discover you were a writer? Were you like sitting on the toilet and just said, “Ya know, I think I’m gonna write a book.” Or was it more profound?

Michael: (((laughs and hiccups))) Nope not on the toilet but it was a time I was sitting at my desk at my last job. I’d received a letter from an editor of an anthology who saw my story on the Erotica Writers Association list and wanted to present it to the publisher. Now, it didn’t make it in but, it did tell me that I might be good enough to do the writing thing.

Deanna: What helps you when you are stumped on a scene in a manuscript? I usually have a cocktail or three. But that’s just me. (((holds up her shot glass in illustration)))

Michael: (((laughs))) No, I don’t really get stumped. I always just look back at my work and if the characters don’t like it, I change the course of the story. I’m a very characters driven writer.

Deanna: Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Michael: Wow, that’s ingenious.

Deanna: Its the liquor

Michael: Well, I may have a particular song in mind when thinking of the story. If it’s not an 80’s pop tune then it’s a heavy metal song that I can’t get out of my head.

Deanna: Ah, a boy after my own heart. Love me some Heavy Metal Now that I have you a little bit schnockered, tell my readers about a scene that you have written then afterward, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Michael: (((laughs))) You’re hilarious. Um, I would have to say, the scene I’ll have to edit out, unfortunately but as a story on its own. It’s an M/M/F scene in Masquerade, that is featured in this month’s Cocktails, Gossip, and Fiction Mag. I’ll give the link at the end.
Basically, the scene includes double penetration on one woman. (((laughs))) I’m still shocked I did it and for those that have read, they say it’s written well. Hey, I watch a lot of porn, not as much as I used to but, having that and an active imagination helps.

Deanna: Wow!!! Finally someone gave me the naughty answer I was looking for! I should give Jack to all my guests. It really loosens up the tongue. But from how steamy Michael's book sound, I think more than tongues are being loosened! LOL

Thanks again for stopping in today Mikey. You need to stick around. We still have half a bottle left! I want to hear more about this DP scene!

Michael: (((laughs))) Okay! Thank you, Deanna, for this fun interview. I’m sure it is the funnest one I’ve done!

Deanna: It's the Jack, baby. It's the Jack!

Now while the rest of you check out Michael's links, me and him are gonna finish off this Jack and find some Frat party to crash! Later!



Michael Mandrake - http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com
Rawiya - http://rawiyaserotica.blogspot.com
Facebook and Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/rawiyamikembl
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3542690
Its Raining Men Blog - http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com
Livejournal – Taboos and Perversions http://desiresdd.livejournal.com/

The Cocktails Mag Fiction and gossip – Story, With Menage Comes Insecurities
http://www.wix.com/cocktailsmagazine/fictionandgossip#!erotic


THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE

Blurb:

Brandon McFerry and London Davies are a couple that has been together six years. After having an argument over the importance of Brandon's event at his art gallery versus London's party at his club, London is involved in a serious car accident that makes him temporarily incapacitated. During his rehabilitation, Brandon and London will learn the true meaning of love thus bringing them closer together.