Blog Tour: Disasterology 101 by Taylor V. Donovan

Kevin Morrison had it all. A house he worked hard for, a loving wife, and three beautiful children. But it wasn’t until his marriage ended that he realized what the void he’d felt almost all his life meant. Coming out as a gay man at thirty-six is not an easy feat, but he is determined to be true to his heart. Meeting a man who shares his values, and is good with his children would be a bonus, but when the guy arrives in a uniquely wrapped package, and has very specific handling instructions, Kevin needs to decide if he’s up for that kind of love.Obsessed with order and symmetry, and a paralyzing fear of germs, Cedric Haughton-Disley has lived with isolation and loneliness as long as he can remember. Desperate to be normal, he makes some much-needed changes in his life. If he can commit to his treatment, he might very well be able to procure some quality of life… even if that’s all he can get, as finding love and having a relationship are only possible in Cedric’s wildest dreams. But when a chance encounter leaves Cedric wishing for more, he decides to take a leap of faith, and pursue the guy he wants.Together the two men make an unlikely match. Cedric needs organization, and Kevin represents chaos. In order to stay together they both need to compromise, but will they be able to deal with Cedric’s issues and the potential disaster, or let it break them apart?

Bio:

Taylor V. Donovan is a compulsive reader and author of m/m romantic suspense. She is optimistically cynical about the world; lover of history, museums and all things 80s. She is crazy about fashion, passionate about civil rights and equality for all and shamelessly indulges in mind-numbing reality television.

When she is not making a living in the busiest city in the world or telling the stories of gorgeous men hot for one another, Taylor can be found raising her two daughters and two terribly misbehaved furry babies in the mountains she calls home.

Interview:

Hello, everyone. Thanks for hosting me today!

Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m from NYC, where I live, work and raise my two daughters. I love museums, I love going to the movies… and I wish I had enough time to actually do more of that. J

Tell us about your book? How did it get started?

A while ago, and by “a while” I mean almost two years, I read a discussion thread in a yahoo group about the importance/necessity of sex in MM Romance and how children don’t belong in the genre. Some argued MM was pretty much synonymous with sexy times, and elements such as children, family, et al only distracted from the storyline. I shook my head so hard at those comments I think I hurt my neck. I thought about my gay friends and how their lives didn’t revolve around getting laid, and I wondered what would happen if a gay guy couldn’t have sex. Two hours later Cedric was born. He was so clear in my mind I didn’t have to “create” anything about him. I knew he was sick from the get go. I closed my eyes and saw the way he looked and moved. I heard the way he spoke, and felt the desperate way in which he wished to belong. Then I got busy finding him a guy. J

How do you create your characters?

They usually come to me when I least expect it. Their main issue is the clearest part, then looks and personality start shaping up. Once I have a pretty solid idea of who they are I sit down and do a character profile. Date of birth, siblings, occupation, favorite color and food, pet peeves, bobbies… the list goes on and on, but when I’m finished I have a three dimensional character.

What inspires and what got your started in writing?

Nothing in particular inspires me… yet everything does at the same time. I know it doesn’t make much sense but the list is long, varied and definitely random. I can only pinpoint “what” got me going when it actually happens.

A dear friend asked me to collaborate on a story with her. None of us were authors at the time. She wanted to be, but it never crossed *my* mind. She told me it’d be fun, and it’d keep her focused, so I agreed and I liked it! And here I am. J

 Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)

I write mostly at home, late at night… sometimes the office if I can squeeze in some time. Don’t really need anything, but I tend to listen to music that either fits the characters or the storyline.

How do you get your ideas for writing?

I think really hard about the situations, and I plot. I make everything up.

What do you like to read?

I read M/M romance almost exclusively, but love heterosexual paranormal romance. Black Dagger Brotherhood, Immortals After Dark, Midnight Breed, the Demonica series… I’m a big fan. Then there’s Isabel Allende, Paulo Coehlo, Deepak Chopra… I read a lot.

What would your advice be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?

Find your own voice and stick to it. Never try to copy anyone’s style, regardless of how successful the other author may be. J

Anything else you’d like to share?

Once again, thank you for having me and hope you’ll try Disasterology 101 J