Character Interview with Van Pierce of When Love Takes Over

Today, I conclude my two-part interview series with the main characters from my upcoming book When Love Takes Over. If you missed my interview with Zach Kelly, click here.

WhenLoveTakesOverORIG

 

Today, I’ll be chatting with Van Pierce, who lives in Provincetown, and who is most commonly known as adult film star Hart Throb from Nasty Boy Studios.

Van Pierce AKA Hart Throb

Van Pierce AKA Hart Throb

Van, thank you so much for sitting down with me today. It isn’t every day that I get a famous porn star on my blog. I’m thrilled to have you here!

Van: Thank you for inviting me. It’s always a pleasure to meet a fan. And to be interviewed. The press is good for business.

I bet! Although, I can’t believe that you need any press whatsoever. You’re one of the top performers for Nasty Boy Studios. Your last film Fucking in the Rain was quite a phenomenal success. Record sales were through the roof, and I hear there’s been talk of making you a Nasty Boy’s exclusive. Is that true?

Van: It is. I’m currently in negotiations with the studio about it. We have a few things to iron out, but if all parties are happy with the outcome, I think we might just be able to seal a deal.

That’s great news for you, the studio, and your fans, who adore you as I’m sure you are quite aware.

Van: (laughing) It’s hard not to be aware of it. I can’t even walk down Commercial Street without my fans surrounding me, wanting photos or autographs. And I’ve been asked to autograph some pretty interesting things.

Well now, you’ve got to tell me. Just what have you autographed?

Van: Let’s see. I’ve autographed life-sized posters of me, jockstraps, dildos, Flesh Jacks, and I even signed one guy’s cock. He just whipped it out right there in the middle of P-town, asking me to sign it.

Oh my God! Really? What did you do?

Van: What else could I do? I signed it. It was a nice cock too. Good girth to it. I told him he could have a promising future in porn.

What did he say?

Van: He said he wanted to do a scene with me. But not on camera.

And?

Van: Well, it was a really nice cock. I would’ve been stupid to turn down a free ride.

Does that happen often? Do your fans try to get you into bed?

Van: Not really, no. The guy whose cock I signed was actually the first and only one to ever try.

Why is that? I would think the guys would be lining up to have a chance at Hart Throb.

Van: I know, right? But I’ve found that hasn’t been the case. Nino, who’s my best friend, thinks that my job intimidates them. Which I could certainly see why. I mean, I have sex with hung, hot, muscled studs for a living. I’m sure most guys think they can’t compete with that.

I think that’s a fair statement. But is it true? Could an average guy compete with your costars? Would you ever date someone who wasn’t in porn?

Van: Those are two very different questions. Sure, an average guy could compete with my costars. Sex isn’t about having a perfect body or a ten inch cock. While I enjoy a nice body just like every other gay man, it’s not like a requirement or anything. Nobody’s perfect. We all have flaws. It just might not look that way in the adult film business because we have film crews and lighting that make sure we always look our best. That doesn’t happen in real life.

That’s true. Although, how awesome would that be? Having someone follow us around to make sure we are always in the best light or covering up all flaws with makeup? I could use that.

Van: I don’t know. All that lighting and makeup is good for the set. Because a good porn is all about fantasy. But there’s something to be said for reality. Besides, perfection is overrated. I’d take a good hot mess over perfection any time. It’s just more true to life.

Really? I find that a refreshing and endearing comment. Especially since I’m far from perfect and far closer to a hot mess. 

Van: (laughing) Aren’t we all?

Too true! So how about answering my other question? Would you ever date a man who was not in porn?

Van: No. But that’s just because I don’t date.

What? Don’t date? How is that possible?

Van: Dating’s too much trouble, so I don’t do it.

Is that because you are Hart Throb? Do guys have trouble seeing past your porn persona to the person you are?

Van: Again, you ask two different questions. No, I don’t date because of my job, but yes, I think most people don’t see Van Pierce when they encounter me. They only see Hart Throb.

Okay we’ll get back to this “no dating” thing in a bit. I want to talk about Hart Throb. Does it bother you that Van is being lost to Hart?

Van: Honestly? It does. Don’t get me wrong. I have the greatest fans in the world, and I really love them. But it would be nice if they saw the real me sometimes. Not just the fantasy I’ve created.

That must be tough on you. I don’t know how I would handle that. But I’m sure your friends see who you really are.

Van: That they do, and they are some of the best people I know. I don’t know what I’d do without them. They’ve seen me through some truly tough times in my life.

Since you bring it up, would you care to elaborate on that? And do your tough times have anything to do with why you don’t date?

Van: Yes, they do. I’ve been hurt a lot in my life by guys who I’ve fallen in love with. I don’t know why. Maybe I wear my heart too much on my sleeve or something. But my heart’s been broken too many times. It’s one of the reasons I do porn instead of dating. There’s no chance in hell of having my heart broken on set. Porn is about sex. That’s it. There’s no danger in being hurt, and I truly like that.

But that must make life quite lonely? Not dating, not opening yourself up to anyone, and having most people only see Hart instead of Van.

Van: It does. But I’m a big boy. This is the life I’ve chosen, and I’ll deal. Besides, it’s not like I want a relationship or anything. I live in P-town for crying out loud. This place is all about getting off, and right now, I’m quite content with that.

Do you think that will ever change? You might just meet the one man who might make putting your heart on the line again worth the pain of heartbreak.

Van: Never. No one’s worth it. I’ve been there and done that. And that’s the reason I’m Hart Throb now.

Well, you know what they say in Provincetown, don’t you?

Van: They say a lot of things in P-town.

Never say never, Van. Because in Provincetown–

Van: Anything can happen.

Exactly! Thanks again for being here, Van, but that’s all the time we have for today. I wish you and Hart good luck for your futures, and who knows? Maybe this summer, someone will trip his way into your life. It is Provincetown after all.

Character Interview with Zach Kelly of When Love Takes Over

Next week, on August 5th, my latest book from Dreamspinner Press, When Love Takes Over, releases. I’m SO excited. As many of you know, Provincetown is one of my favorite places on this planet, and that is why I’m so thrilled to finally be able to share the first book of this series with the readers.

I want to provide readers, who have never experienced P-town, with a sample of what life on the tip of the Cape is like. To experience the beauty of Provincetown, to meet the eclectic characters who live and visit there, and to see how the town can foster love even amid the obstacles the carefree environment can provide.

To start off the pre-release celebrations, and to help orient the reader to the Provincetown world and its characters, I’m going to be sitting down with the two main characters from When Love Takes Over, Zach and Van, and interviewing them.

To get us started, here is the blurb for the book:

Zach Kelly’s life is a shambles. His boyfriend of three years dumped him, and his writing career is going nowhere. On a whim, he heads to Provincetown, Massachusetts, to nurse his broken heart and figure out his next step. He’s expecting to find rest and relaxation on the sandy beaches of Cape Cod. Instead, Zach meets a hunky porn star during a chance encounter at a leather shop he mistakes as a place to buy a belt that is definitely not for whipping.

 

Van Pierce is smitten when shy and inexperienced Zach crashes through a shelf of fetish gear. Though Van’s got an insatiable appetite for men on and off the set, his porn persona, Hart Throb, hides a broken heart. He’s struggling to find the reality the porno set doesn’t offer, and Zach is fighting to find the fantasy that will set his writing on fire. The odd goofball and the suave beefcake may either find love amid Provincetown’s colorful pageantry where summer never seems to end—or more heartbreak than either can imagine.

WhenLoveTakesOverORIGFirst up on my interview couch is Zach Kelly, who lives in Houston, Texas. Zach is a college English professor as well as a struggling author.

Zach Kelly

Zach Kelly

Zach, thanks for agreeing to stop by today for this interview. I’m so glad you could make it.

Zach: Well, thanks for asking. I’m not really sure why you want to interview little old awkward me. But, hey, this could be fun.

That’s my hope too. And you do have some time on your hands, don’t you? You are visiting Provincetown for the first time. Isn’t that correct?

Zach: It sure is. It’s been an adventure already, and I’ve only been here one day!

Well, that’s P-town for you. I just love this place. Besides it being an adventure, what do you think of it here so far?

Zach: Honestly, it’s taking some getting used to. I’m not the kind of person who just goes places by himself, so it was a bit of a jump for me to fly all the way to Massachusetts and vacation somewhere I’ve never been before. Much less a place like P-town, where there are tons of hot men and lots of parties. So far, though, I’ve been pleased. The guys who I’m renting the condo from, Gary and Quinn, have been really great. They are going to take me to something called the “tea dance” later. Whatever that means! But they’re good guys. In fact, everyone I’ve met has been pretty great so far.

That’s not unusual. Most of the people I’ve met in Provincetown have become lifelong friends. I think making lasting friendships here just happens naturally.

Zach: I can see that. Which is weird for me. I’m not someone who makes friends very easily, so it’s been a nice change of pace.

Why is it so hard for you to make friends? Are you super shy?

Zach: Super shy isn’t the right term. I’m more of a shut-in. At least that’s what my ex-boyfriend used to say about me. I’m quite happy staying at home and having nights in. That’s typically how I spend my time after work. I come home, attempt to write, and just veg on the couch.

That can be good on occasion, but every night? Really?

Zach: Yeah. Pretty sad I know.

And what do you mean “attempt to write”? I thought you were an author.

Zach: I am. Or at least I’m trying to be. I’m not very good at it apparently.

Really? Why do you say that?

Zach: (shrugging shoulders) I’m not really sure. Maybe I don’t devote enough time to my writing like I should. I’ve got a full-time job teaching English, and there’s lots of work that goes along with that. Grading papers, serving on committees, and doing a lots of other things that comes with the job. It takes a lot out of me to just find the time to write.

Well, I did find the books you self-published online, and I noticed that some of your reviews weren’t exactly spectacular.

Zach: That’s being very kind. They were awful. You can say it.

Let’s just say they were constructive. Do you mind if we talk about the reviews?

Zach: (groans) Do we have to?

Yes, but only because I’m a pushy bitch.

Zach: (laughing) Okay, fine. Let’s do it then. Since you’re a “pushy bitch” and all.

Great! I promise to make this as painless as possible. Besides, an author can sometimes learn from negative reviews. Like this one for example. This reviewer says, and I quote, “Zach Kelly’s book is filled with one-dimensional characters, who evoke no emotion from the reader whatsoever.” Another reviewer said, “The plot for this book was predictable, and the manufactured angst was over-the-top and unrealistic.” Do you think these reviews are warranted or is there some truth to what these reviewers have said?

Zach: At first, I thought it was just the reviewers, but after a few more reviews, which all said pretty much the same thing, I can’t pass the buck to them, can I? The problem is with me. I’m obviously not very good.

I disagree. I’ve read both books. You have promise. Your writing style is actually quite good, and your prose is sometimes quite beautiful.

Zach: Why do I feel there’s a but coming?

How about a “however” instead?

Zach: (smirking) Isn’t that just a fancy but?

Perhaps. But I like fancy buts!

Zach: I like butts in general.

I think you’ve switched buts on me. Haven’t you?

Zach: Maybe.

We can talk about your butt fetish later. Let’s deal with the issue at hand right now, shall we?

Zach: I’d much rather talk about my butt fetish.

Based on what I’ve read, you seem to have some trouble with characterization and plot development as the reviews have picked up on. You can obviously write very well, but when it comes to people and situations in life, you fall just a tad short. Why do you think that is?

Zach: Well, that’s probably because I’m pretty shy and withdrawn. Like I said earlier. I don’t just jump into life feet first. I take a more casual approach. More of an observer really. People make me uncomfortable and nervous, so I tend to just fade into the background.

Why is that?

Zach: Learned behavior I guess. My father was pretty hard on me and my sister. He’s a successful doctor who climbed his way out of middle class to make something of himself. He expected my sister and me to do the same thing. Make lives that were even better than the one he provided. I sometimes think he wanted us to be perfect, and I could never be what he wanted me to be. I tried, but I never really succeeded. At least I never felt that he saw me as any sort of a success. Especially since I was a pretty clumsy kid. Still am really. I can trip and fall down at the drop of a hat. It used to drive my dad crazy. Falling down all the time. Breaking things. The look in my dad’s eyes was typically one of disappointment. At least that was the way it always looked to me. Seeing that look in his eyes made me quite a rebel there for awhile, but doing things my way never got me anywhere. Just in hot water. So I just go with the flow now. I do whatever people expect me to do. It’s a lot easier, and it saves time.

That sounds like you live your life for other people. Would that be an accurate statement?

Zach: Yes, I guess it would be.

That doesn’t sound very healthy if you ask me. Sure, we have to consider other people in our lives, but we also have to live for ourselves. If not, then we aren’t really living, are we?

Zach: Maybe not. But it’s worked for me so far.

Has it? What was it that brought you to P-town again?

Zach: I was waiting for that question. My boyfriend dumped me, and I needed to get out of town. So I left.

And how long were you two together?

Zach: Ben and I were together for three years.

And do you think you lived your life for him? Like you used to do for your father?

Zach: (nodding) Yes, I did. We did things Ben’s way. If we didn’t, there was hell to pay. It just made life tons easier to give in.

I see. So, your boyfriend of three years dumped you, your writing career is going nowhere, and you are so unhappy with your life that you’ve fled your home to Provincetown. Do you really think living for others is working for you?

Zach: (flinching) Well, when you put it that way, I guess not.

But seeing that is a good thing. In order to grow, we all have to see what’s not working for us. To change whatever we need to change in our lives so we can find happiness. We all want to be happy. We all want to be successful. I think that’s why you’re in Provincetown. To find yourself.

Zach: I can’t argue with that. After Ben dumped me, I needed a change of pace. To get away from all the shit that seems to keep raining down on me. Maybe I’ll find what I’m missing in Provincetown. I don’t know. I’m hopeful. Provincetown is a beautiful place, and with people like Gary, Quinn, and Tara here who’ve taken me under their wings and offered me their friendship, well, it’s been what I’ve needed. It’s been good to connect with people. It’s really the first time I’ve made friends in quite some time.

That’s because you’re living for yourself finally. Making friends on your own. Without anyone else. And in Provincetown, there are many friends to be made. And hot men to meet.

Zach: (laughing) That’s true. There are hot guys everywhere. In fact, I met one today. His name is Van. God, he is probably the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. But he would never be into someone like me. I’m far too goofy and imperfect for someone so confident and attractive.

You never know, Zach. It’s P-town. Anything is possible.

Well, Zach. That’s all the time we have for today. I wish you the best of luck in Provincetown, but somehow I have a feeling that you’re not going to need it. 

Cover Art for When Love Takes Over

I can’t believe the cover art for When Love Takes Over is finally here, and it’s beautiful!

WhenLoveTakesOverORIG

The artwork is from the wonderfully talented Michael Breyette, whose works will be gracing the covers for the entire series. I’m so excited about that! His work is absolutely stunning!

When Love Takes Over, which is the first book of The Provincetown Series, will be released on August 5, and I’m super excited about that too! This series is one that is very near and dear to my heart. If you’ve followed my blog at all, you know that Provincetown is a special place for me and my husband, and I wanted to write a series that captures the unique personality of the town as well as the eclectic cast of characters who live and visit there.

I’ll be kicking off a blog tour for WLTO around the book’s release date, and I’ll also be doing some pre-release promotions here on my blog in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned for more information.

But for now, enjoy the cover, and here is the blurb for When Love Takes Over.

Blurb:

Zach Kelly’s life is a shambles. His boyfriend of three years dumped him, and his writing career is going nowhere. On a whim, he heads to Provincetown, Massachusetts, to nurse his broken heart and figure out his next step. He’s expecting to find rest and relaxation on the sandy beaches of Cape Cod. Instead, Zach meets a hunky porn star during a chance encounter at a leather shop he mistakes as a place to buy a belt that is definitely not for whipping.

Van Pierce is smitten when shy and inexperienced Zach crashes through a shelf of fetish gear. Though Van’s got an insatiable appetite for men on and off the set, his porn persona, Hart Throb, hides a broken heart. He’s struggling to find the reality the porno set doesn’t offer, and Zach is fighting to find the fantasy that will set his writing on fire. The odd goofball and the suave beefcake may either find love amid Provincetown’s colorful pageantry where summer never seems to end—or more heartbreak than either can imagine.

 

Top 5 Prank Videos

My husband inspired this blog post with a recent video he shared on Facebook. For those of you who know me, I LOVE scaring people. Why? Well, there’s something about the thrill of lying in wait and jumping out to scare someone that really makes me happy.

Maybe it’s all the scary movies I’ve watched since I was a child, but I’m a terrible prankster. Just ask my husband, children, and pretty much anyone else who knows me.

That’s why I decided today to share the top 5 pranks that I’ve had the pleasure of viewing  on YouTube.

#5–The Ring Style Wake Up Prank

This prank was the one that my hubby shared on Facebook. I thought it was ingenious. Not only did it require a tremendous amount of preparation, but it showed this man’s dedication to the art of pranking. He’s a man after my own heart.

While The Ring itself wasn’t a terribly scary movie in my opinion, I did think that little girl climbing out of the television was pretty freaky. That’s why I just love this video. This man managed to capture the essence of the truly creepiest part of the movie, unfortunately for his wife. 🙂

#4–The Grudge Prank

This prank was inspired by the movie The Grudge. Once again, not a terribly scary movie, but the concept had promise, and the Japanese television show capitalized on that aspect. The video is a bit long, but the victims’ reactions are worth it. If you can’t watch the whole video, the first two scares are pretty darn good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0onLurNv4s

#3–The Zombie in Miami Prank

This prank was one of my favorites because the man in this video took a real life event that occurred in Miami and used it to scare random people. He’s also got a big pair of balls to chase around some of the big fellas he does. I sure as hell couldn’t have done that! When he gets his comeuppance in the end, well, that was pretty darn funny too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjEV6hoKMkI

#2–Ghost in an Elevator Prank

A Brazilian television show combined two common fears shared by many–getting stuck in an elevator and encountering a ghostly little girl. Now, I’m extremely claustrophobic, so that fear comes naturally to me. I also have a healthy respect for ghostly apparitions. If I ever encounter one, I plan to leave it be as soon as possible. But being stuck in an elevator, well, there’s just nowhere to go is there?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fogfkz23WdM

#1–Man Scares His Aunt

This prank has been my all-time favorite ever since I came across it a couple of years ago. What makes this video so great is not the prank itself, which is pretty darn good, but the aunt’s reaction to the knife-wielding intruder. It’s truly priceless!

So there you have it. Those are my favorite pranks of all time. Naturally, I’ll be on the look out for more, and if I find them, I’ll be sure to share them with all of you. 😉

Why Authors Need a Genuine Online Presence

When I first ventured into the writing business professionally last year, the advice I heard most often went something like this: get online, build your website, use social media, and develop an online presence. Naturally, I took that advice to heart, and I thought it would be

easy_peasy_lemon_squeezy_tshirt-p235329431000297187z7tqq_400

Guess what?

The story of my life!

The story of my life!

Just like I had learned about setting goals and creating my brand, I also learned that fostering an online presence wasn’t so easy. Just like with everything else that is worth doing and doing well, it requires time, effort, and finesse. And if you know me, I like to speed through projects and often do so with the grace of a bull performing the Nutcracker in a China shop.

That's not quite what I meant

That’s not quite what I meant

Now that's a bit more accurate!

Now that’s a bit more accurate!

Why is an online presence so important for an author?

It’s important because in this fast paced digital world, an online presence can generate word-of-mouth advertising. Naturally, when people really like a product, such as a book,

See how much she loves that book!

See how much she loves that book!

they will discuss that book with their friends

You have just GOT to read this book

You have just GOT to read this book

Their friends may even buy said book on that recommendation, and if your writing is good, all these readers will soon want to

Buy-All-The-Books_zpsdfa382b1

 

Readers have voracious appetites. They know it, and they freely admit it! 

Well, if an author has an online presence, then more readers are aware when new books by that author are out. If readers are unaware, how are they going to find a book, much less buy it? Sure, they might stumble across the book.

Go ahead. Find your book.

Go ahead. Find your book.

Readers have tons of authors and books to choose from. Just hoping they stumble across it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble isn’t very efficient marketing. Is it?

declining_sales-100032713-large

Before genuine online presence

Take me for example. When I self-published my first book, I had a less-than-zero online presence. Book sales reflected that. Even though the book received some great reviews, people just didn’t know about it. Why? Well, I hadn’t done the advance work of creating an online presence.

Image-2

After genuine online presence

When I built a better social media presence, the sales for my next book 3 were infinitely better! By the time, my next two books, The Gifted One and Moral Authoritywhich was a second edition of my self-published book I mentioned earlier, were released, sales were even better because my social presence was that much stronger.

Because of my online presence, more potential readers were aware of my books.

Because of my online presence, more readers were talking about my books after they read them.

Because of readers’ word-of-mouth, other potential readers heard about my books and became aware I existed. In turn, they started buying my books.

See how that works?

It sounds easy. Right? Well, it’s not. There is a catch, and it was a lesson I needed to learn–an author’s online presence must be genuine!

What does a genuine online presence mean?

It’s quite simple really. Authors need to interact with their readers, fans, and other authors in their social media networks, and those interactions must be sincere.

Let me explain

Let me explain

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen authors blast their Facebook, Twitter, Google +, or other social networking site with their self-promotions.

Yeah, it can sometimes feel EXACTLY like that!

Yeah, it can sometimes feel EXACTLY like that!

While touting our books is part of the profession, it cannot and should not be all the author does with his or her social media.

Self-promotion isn’t genuine at all, and it can be annoying. Think about the constant advertising you see in print or online. How much attention do we pay to those?

That about sums up my reaction too

That about sums up my reaction too

That’s why authors have to do more than just blast their social media with their latest release, review, or blog stop.

If that’s all, an author gives, they will likely not see much in return.

How does an author establish a genuine online presence?

It really comes down to these five tasks:

  • Share tidbits about your life–What’s happening in your life? What movie did you just see and love or hate? What photos would you not mind sharing with the public? What made you laugh today? What did you hear in the news that made you angry? Offer the reader parts of your life that show you are a real person. Readers love that, and they respond to it
  • Comment on your readers posts/updates–By doing this, an author involves her/himself in their readers lives. Is a reader upset about something? Offer some words of comfort. If a reader is celebrating some milestone, offer congratulations. If readers say something funny or touch upon a topic you enjoy talking about, join the conversation. This builds rapport and helps readers remember you. Just keep in mind that you can’t only talk to the same five people all the time. You should diversify who you talk to. If you have a huge list of friends, there’s no way you can reach them all, but if you cycle through the list, especially those who post constantly, you can reach a good number of them.
  • Join online writers or readers groups–This helps increase your presence substantially. A readers group puts you right with the people who you want to be with. Find a group that loves the genre you write and join. Get involved in the conversations. Explain why you love this book or that book. That will also put you on a reader’s radar, when they are contemplating what book to buy next.
  • Promote other authors–When you promote other authors, you show that you are a part of a community. It shows that you are not just looking out for yourself, but that  you genuinely care about the success of your peers. Also, when an author promotes other authors, those same authors will remember you and will promote your latest release, review, or blog tour. This means you will reach all their friends and could garner some new readers.
  • Be real–Readers and authors can spot a fake quite easily. They can tell when an author is simply going through the motions instead of taking a real interest. That is why all authors should work to foster sincere relationships online. Be yourself and be polite. Remember, social media is not the place for authors to air their drama or attack other readers/authors/review sites. If you must vent, find a loved one or a good friend. Authors shouldn’t broadcast their discontent for all to see. Doing so has a way of coming back.

How does an author do all this and keep up with his/her writing?

I won’t lie. Fostering a genuine online presence takes time and dedication, but it is a must. Thirty minutes to an hour every other day can do wonders. Yes, it takes time away from writing, but if all an author does is write and doesn’t get involved with her/his social media, then who will read the finished product?

Believe me, I have noticed a difference.

Why I love…Channing Tatum

Today, I thought I would revisit my “Why I Love…” series that I began last month with my post on Provincetown. It’s a series of posts, where I basically talk about random things that I love and why I love them, and today I’m going to talk about

Channing Tatum

Channing Tatum

Just why do I love Channing Tatum?

Well, have you seen him? I think this man is HAWT! Don’t believe me? Well, here’s more proof!

Still not convinced? How about this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YljvbUm6EMc

But there’s more to Channing than just his looks, and I like him for more than just his bod.

Oh, please! Stop looking at me like that. It's true!

Oh, please! Stop looking at me like that. It’s true!

Here’s why.

He’s Fearless

When news of Channing Tatum’s stripper past came floating to the surface, he didn’t deny it or try to hide it. He embraced it and even made a movie based on his life as a stripper. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.

The movie wasn’t exactly a great moment in cinematography, but honestly, did we think it would be? No.

Still, the fact remains that he didn’t try to sweep it under the rug. He admitted it, and he jokes about it. Isn’t that what most everyone does? Laugh about the mistakes of our youth?

He’s Gay Friendly

In fact, he’s so gay friendly, Channing has even appeared on the cover of the popular gay magazine Out.

channingtatumoutjune2012

He embraces his entire fan base, which obviously includes gay men, and it doesn’t bother him that gay men find him sexy. He’s even admitted that he’d have sex with George Clooney. How’s that for confidence? He doesn’t care if people question his sexuality. He knows who he is and doesn’t need anyone else to define him. Now, that‘s extremely sexy!

He Doesn’t Take Himself Seriously

Channing accepts he isn’t the best actor in the world, and he doesn’t pretend to be. Yet, that doesn’t stop him from trying. He accepts many projects to grow in his craft, and that’s what a lot of us regular people do as well. We want to be good at what we do, we acknowledge that we might not be the best, and we grow because of the people around us.

And while he may be the butt of some jokes because of his looks, he’s the first one to jump on the bandwagon and help make fun of himself. He even did a music video with Jamie Foxx, courtesy of Jimmie Kimmel called “I Wanna Channing All Over Your Tatum.”

So, not only is Channing Tatum a good looking man, he’s also fearless, confident, gay friendly, and humble. Who doesn’t love that combination in a man?

 

Moral Authority: Blog Tour–Stop #6 Tonya’s Tales

I’m over at Tonya Kinzer’s blog today for my final stop on my Moral Authority blog tour. I talk about my writing rituals, offer some advice for writers, and answer some fun questions about what I like to eat. 😉 There’s also a giveaway. One free commenter will win a free copy of Moral Authority.

If you’re interested in the interview or the contest, click here and be whooshed away to Tonya’s site. I hope to see you there!