Gonzaga Escauriaza
asked
G. Russell Overton:
Russell, i liked very much your book but i have a question, why did you created the main character so promiscuous? And don`t you think that the sexual scenes are sometimes a bit too strong? Is there any reason for that. In any case in enjoyed reading the book very much. Thank you Russell for allowing us to ask you a question about your very good novel.
G. Russell Overton
Thank-you, Gonzaga, for your kind words, and I am happy to answer your questions. I am glad that you enjoyed reading my book, and I hope you will stay with the series when parts 2 and 3 come out. Part 2 should be published later this year.
I will attempt to answer your questions without spoiling the story for other readers. So if my answers seem a bit cryptic, that is why. I very much enjoy critical dialogue with readers and other writers. If you want more specific answers, or if you want to engage in particular dialogue about the book, please send me a friend request on GoodReads and send me a message (this invitation is for all readers and fans). I would be delighted to have extended dialogue like that.
Of all the questions and comments I’ve had about this book, the question about Rodrigo’s (main character) sexual activity has been most frequent. Some readers have thought that there wasn’t enough sex or that it could have been more graphic. Others have suggested that it was all a bit much. It is a delicate balancing act to determine just how many sexual encounters there should be and how graphic they should be.
My rule is that every encounter, sexual or otherwise, must be integral to the story. That is, if I remove a particular encounter how does that alter the nature of the story? I weighed each event and the details of each event until I felt that they were exactly as they should be. Whether I am right or wrong is for readers like you to decide! The fact that it sparks debate and discussion is great. If my books prompt readers to ask questions like this, I have done my job.
Now, for Rodrigo’s character (again, I will attempt to avoid any spoilers), He is a young man in his mid to upper twenties. He is in the prime of his life at the beginning of World War II. It has been my experience that many young men in their twenties think about and pursue sexual encounters a lot. It has also been my experience that such young men, regardless of their sexuality, tend to get into all sorts of trouble as a result of their sexual pursuits. Hopefully, most young men learn something of value when they run into trouble and mature just a little bit each time. If Rodrigo is to be a realistic character, his life should follow this pattern as he matures through parts 2 & 3.
In researching and writing this series, I drew heavily on the recollections of the people I knew who lived through the World War II era. In all of their stories, whether straight or gay, family or friends, the one theme that seemed most common was the fact that there was a lot of sex. I will leave it to sociologists and anthropologists to answer why that was the case. I do think that the sexual appetite of the members of that generation had a lot to do with the post-war baby boom.
Your question about the graphic nature of some encounters is tougher to answer. I have to rely on my previous statement that I carefully considered each encounter and made the descriptions as graphic as they needed to be. I can think of two encounters in the book that might have been unsettling to readers. In fact, it was my intent to make readers uncomfortable in those two instances. Again, I am trying to avoid any spoilers, but sometimes sex takes place in difficult circumstances, and participants may reveal darker aspects of their personalities.
I hope I have answered your questions. This sort of exchange is tremendously helpful to me as a writer. Thoughtful questions like yours force me to evaluate and reconsider my conclusions. It is through this process that I will become a better writer. Again, if you want to continue this dialogue, please message me, and we can discuss the book in more detail. Thank-you!
I will attempt to answer your questions without spoiling the story for other readers. So if my answers seem a bit cryptic, that is why. I very much enjoy critical dialogue with readers and other writers. If you want more specific answers, or if you want to engage in particular dialogue about the book, please send me a friend request on GoodReads and send me a message (this invitation is for all readers and fans). I would be delighted to have extended dialogue like that.
Of all the questions and comments I’ve had about this book, the question about Rodrigo’s (main character) sexual activity has been most frequent. Some readers have thought that there wasn’t enough sex or that it could have been more graphic. Others have suggested that it was all a bit much. It is a delicate balancing act to determine just how many sexual encounters there should be and how graphic they should be.
My rule is that every encounter, sexual or otherwise, must be integral to the story. That is, if I remove a particular encounter how does that alter the nature of the story? I weighed each event and the details of each event until I felt that they were exactly as they should be. Whether I am right or wrong is for readers like you to decide! The fact that it sparks debate and discussion is great. If my books prompt readers to ask questions like this, I have done my job.
Now, for Rodrigo’s character (again, I will attempt to avoid any spoilers), He is a young man in his mid to upper twenties. He is in the prime of his life at the beginning of World War II. It has been my experience that many young men in their twenties think about and pursue sexual encounters a lot. It has also been my experience that such young men, regardless of their sexuality, tend to get into all sorts of trouble as a result of their sexual pursuits. Hopefully, most young men learn something of value when they run into trouble and mature just a little bit each time. If Rodrigo is to be a realistic character, his life should follow this pattern as he matures through parts 2 & 3.
In researching and writing this series, I drew heavily on the recollections of the people I knew who lived through the World War II era. In all of their stories, whether straight or gay, family or friends, the one theme that seemed most common was the fact that there was a lot of sex. I will leave it to sociologists and anthropologists to answer why that was the case. I do think that the sexual appetite of the members of that generation had a lot to do with the post-war baby boom.
Your question about the graphic nature of some encounters is tougher to answer. I have to rely on my previous statement that I carefully considered each encounter and made the descriptions as graphic as they needed to be. I can think of two encounters in the book that might have been unsettling to readers. In fact, it was my intent to make readers uncomfortable in those two instances. Again, I am trying to avoid any spoilers, but sometimes sex takes place in difficult circumstances, and participants may reveal darker aspects of their personalities.
I hope I have answered your questions. This sort of exchange is tremendously helpful to me as a writer. Thoughtful questions like yours force me to evaluate and reconsider my conclusions. It is through this process that I will become a better writer. Again, if you want to continue this dialogue, please message me, and we can discuss the book in more detail. Thank-you!
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Feb 11, 2018 11:39AM · flag