Ask the Author: Michele Fogal
Answered Questions (5)
Michele Fogal
First of all, I feel called to write about queer men. There's a million reasons (below) but perhaps the main one, the hardest one to pin down, is just that... I feel compelled. Writing is half logic, and half magic so let's honour that first.
As for logic, I have LGBTQ members of my family, and am pansexual myself, so that is part of my attraction and interest in queer voices. I also believe that our diversity as people is part of a divine pattern, or a law of nature. The more diverse an ecosystem, the more healthy it is. I believe this to be true for voices in fiction as well. We need diversity not invisibility!
While I don't identify as male, I feel that our world is sadly lacking in male perspectives that include internal monologue and emotional struggle, especially about intimacy and love. I feel as a femme woman, that I've been immersed in the workings of the heart and our relationships for my whole life and have some perspective on these things that might be of use.
I believe that men of the new generations are challenging their toxic inheritance of patriarchy and misogyny, and breaking new ground as friends, fathers, partners, and people. I feel passionate about this cultural shift and want to support it.
As for research, I read, interview people, and watch movies, shows, documentaries, YouTube, etc. Enough? I don't think you ever get to the end of learning. Do I represent men as a whole? No way! I'm not attempting to. I'm hoping to tell a person's story that means something to someone, be they male, female or other rainbowy goodness. I want my work to feel emotionally true, and compelling. I never really know for sure how well I'm doing that, so feel free to let me know. :)
Thanks for your awesome questions, MA!
As for logic, I have LGBTQ members of my family, and am pansexual myself, so that is part of my attraction and interest in queer voices. I also believe that our diversity as people is part of a divine pattern, or a law of nature. The more diverse an ecosystem, the more healthy it is. I believe this to be true for voices in fiction as well. We need diversity not invisibility!
While I don't identify as male, I feel that our world is sadly lacking in male perspectives that include internal monologue and emotional struggle, especially about intimacy and love. I feel as a femme woman, that I've been immersed in the workings of the heart and our relationships for my whole life and have some perspective on these things that might be of use.
I believe that men of the new generations are challenging their toxic inheritance of patriarchy and misogyny, and breaking new ground as friends, fathers, partners, and people. I feel passionate about this cultural shift and want to support it.
As for research, I read, interview people, and watch movies, shows, documentaries, YouTube, etc. Enough? I don't think you ever get to the end of learning. Do I represent men as a whole? No way! I'm not attempting to. I'm hoping to tell a person's story that means something to someone, be they male, female or other rainbowy goodness. I want my work to feel emotionally true, and compelling. I never really know for sure how well I'm doing that, so feel free to let me know. :)
Thanks for your awesome questions, MA!
Michele Fogal
YES! I've got a whole series planned and many stories in various states of completion. SF series is a big challenge for me however, as it requires a huge amount of focus and time. So many details! My brain has not been up to this lately, but eventually I hope to finish and release the whole series. Your interest is actual fuel for me for this project so thank you for asking! :)
Michele Fogal
Thanks so much William and I'm so sorry that I missed your question! YOW! And YES! There will be more stories for the West Coast Boys. There is so much more to share, for all the guys. Book 3 stars Kodi, with cameos from the other 4 friends, but I'd also like to do 1.5 and 2.5 types of stories. I've gotten distracted from the Boys with other projects and well... life, but they are not forgotten! They are all beloved to me and still hold a large part of my heart. I hope to get back to these stories soon.
Michele Fogal
I'm sorry I don't seem to get notified when there are questions here! Yikes and oops and sorry! YES, the West Coasts Boys are still bubbling away in my brain and I have more stories planned. I really care about Jeremy and Logan too and there will be more about them. They have a hard road, but are such great strong people. There will be good things for them.
Michele Fogal
Well maybe we should ask the young male readers whether or not the experiences I wrote down speak to them to really answer that question! It's my hope that the stories are relatable and heart filling.
For me, sliding inside of a character and seeing the world through their eyes is the most compelling and addictive part of writing. I don't think it has to do with gender or age; I think it has to do with having empathy for them. Most humans are struggling to figure out intimacy, on many levels, and these characters speak directly to my heart. I feel that being young and male means they need to be amazingly brave in order to really get close and connect.
I guess that's the long answer. The short answer is: getting inside any of the West Coast Boys characters is a joy and not the hardest part of the novel writing process for me.
For me, sliding inside of a character and seeing the world through their eyes is the most compelling and addictive part of writing. I don't think it has to do with gender or age; I think it has to do with having empathy for them. Most humans are struggling to figure out intimacy, on many levels, and these characters speak directly to my heart. I feel that being young and male means they need to be amazingly brave in order to really get close and connect.
I guess that's the long answer. The short answer is: getting inside any of the West Coast Boys characters is a joy and not the hardest part of the novel writing process for me.
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