I spent this morning talking with the good folks at Authorhouse regarding the continuing process of turning The Handyman's Reality into an actual book.  After discussing the cover, the galleys, and promotional ventures, it occurred to me that the proposed launch date is only a little more than a month away.  Hmmm, I thought. Maybe it's time to let folks who are looking forward to the new book know a little bit about it.

 

Obviously The Handyman's Reality is a follow-up to The Handyman's Dream, but I swear to God this is the last time you will see me use the word "sequel" because it simply isn't appropriate.  I have a tendency to think of a sequel as a book, movie, or record that was created in response to the success of the first project, and the bulk of what makes up The Handyman's Reality was thought out and written long before The Handyman's Dream was ever published.  As I've written previously, The Handyman's Dream came from a series of short stories I wrote about Ed Stephens and his growing relationship with the new mailman, Rick Benton.  When I had twelve of these stories I decided to turn them into a full-length novel.  However, my brain had not stopped with story number twelve; I was already looking ahead to the experiences Ed and Rick would have after they decided to live together. 

 

Oh, there were changes -- some big ones, in fact -- from my original vision.  Most of the changes involved the character of Mrs. Penfield.  Some folks might be surprised to learn that Hilda Penfield didn't even exist in the original short story series.  I had an idea about a character like her, but she didn't come to life until I was working on the novel, and when she did, she came to life full-blown and ready to go like the other characters in this story.  That's how I knew the former English teacher was a keeper.  When I finished The Handyman's Dream and began work on what would become The Handyman's Reality a few weeks later, it was obvious that the important role she had begun to fill in Ed's life had to continue.  And, of course, there was the nagging business about that wedding gift.

 

I had no idea what a hornet's nest I was poking when Mrs. Penfield innocently mentioned her desire to give Ed and Rick some sort of gift to celebrate their decision to live together.  Frankly, it wasn't that big of a deal to me; I just thought it was something she would do out of fondness for the guys, and I didn't intend to create a cliffhanger of any kind with her comments.  It was one of those instances where the writer knew more than the character did at the time.  Mrs. Penfield simply didn't have a specific idea in mind, and although she didn't say so, she wanted to talk to them both before she made any decisions.  I knew she'd get around to it eventually, but it didn't have any real bearing on the events that I was covering in The Handyman's Dream, so I left it where I did.   However, from the first time anyone read the book until now, two years later, the question I'm always asked is: What is she going to give them?  Speculation on her intentions has reached such a fever pitch at times that I've quietly retired to my study to giggle in private.  Who knew?  I think as I laugh to myself.  

 

Well, for everyone who is wondering, I promise you will get your answer in The Handyman's Reality, and it is my sincere hope that the answer will both surprise and please.  And I can honestly say that reader speculation had little or no influence on the outcome of that situation.  I knew what would eventually happen all along, but a little research I did when I was working on the rough draft of the continuing story turned what could have been an anticlimactic resolution into something with a marvelous twist to it.  And that's all I'm gonna say about it for right now.

 

Considering how happily the first book ended, why would I even bother to continue Ed's story? Coming to the last page in The Handyman's Dream, one almost expects to see the words:  And they lived happily ever after.  Although things have a tendency to work out better for Ed and Rick than they do for us citizens of the non-fiction world, I couldn't help but think the day-to-day reality of living together might knock a few of the stars out of their eyes.  That reasoning was really the muse that prompted me to continue their story.  I really wondered what would happen after Rick moved into Ed's house.  Would it still be romantic weekends with slow-dancing to Ed's old records?  Would there still be pretty declarations of love over Norma's chocolate chip cookies?  Or would the day finally come when "Baby" would get pissed off and smack "Darlin'" across the head with a stack of 45's?  The transition from courtship to marriage can be something of a letdown, and since both Ed and Rick were a little full of themselves and their deep feelings for each other, I had a strong desire to take 'em down a peg or two with that reality.  Yeah, the new book is called The Handyman's Reality for a good reason.  It was time, I thought, for Ed to see exactly what he had gotten himself into with his Dream Man. 

 

The book begins the morning after the last one ended, Sunday, April 5, 1981.  Ed's thrilled that his original dream has come true, and he gets to enjoy it for a while before some nagging doubts begin to creep into his mind about the whole thing.  Essentially, the book is the same day-to-day account of his continuing relationship with Rick; expected and unexpected things both occur as the weeks and months go by, and the theme of the story is pretty simple:  The readjustments that have to be made to one's thinking and outlook in the first six months of a marriage.

 

Since Ed and Rick are now living together, their eyes open a little wider to the world around them.  I've noticed from both observation and personal experience how a couple retreats into their own world during a courtship, and slowly return to the bigger picture after they make a commitment. As this happens for our guys, the supporting characters from the first book get to spend a little more time on the stage.  Norma, as always, has plenty to say about what's going on, and a sneaky peak into Norma's past toward the end of book will be a real treat for her fans.  Ed's sister, Laurie, still has good, practical advice for Ed whether he wants to hear it or not, and even has a dilemma of her own which allows her to confide in Ed for a change.  Rick's sister, Claire, and his nieces and nephew are still very much in the picture, and continue to play important roles in his life, and Ed's as well.  Rick's parents may be stashed away in Indianapolis, but they make a few appearances in this story, and as readers of The Handyman's Dream learned, Rick doesn't always see eye-to-eye with them, and trust me, some things don't change. 

 

And what about Gordy Smith?  Ah, good old Gordy, the ex-football playing, not-so-closeted postal clerk who quickly became Rick's favorite co-worker and Ed's best bud toward the end of the first book.  Gordy, like Mrs. Penfield, was another surprise to this author.  Originally he was supposed to enter the action, speak, and quickly leave the stage, never to be seen again, but the minute he opened his mouth I knew I had discovered gold.  There was no way he would go quietly into the night.  I don't get questions about Gordy.  I get demands.  Let Gordy have a boyfriend!  Give Gordy a story of his own!  Give Gordy his own book!  I'm happy to say that once he came into the story I had every intention of keeping him around, and thankfully I had his plotlines for the second book mapped out before those demands began to land on my desk.  Writing about Gordy Smith is a definite joy, and I didn't deny myself in this book.  Gordy fans will be, I think, very pleased with the ups and downs of his own romantic journey.

 

So what about Ed and Rick?  What happens to them?  Well, remember that long talk they had at Spruce Lake?  They had some great ideas and set some goals for themselves, and when something unexpected happens early on in this book, at least one of the guys is very eager to get moving on them as soon as possible.  Yes, gentle readers; the nasty word "conflict" will enter the vocabularies of our starry-eyed lovers.   

 

All in all, I'm really excited about this book.  The Handyman's Reality is very true to my original vision, and it really is a seamless continuation of the story so many people loved in The Handyman's Dream.  If I thought for even a moment that I was compromising Ed or his story by telling more of it, I would have dumped the manuscript in a drawer and would never have let it see the light of day.  I've allowed three people who read the first book before publication to read this one, and they all agree:  The boys are back and they don't disappoint. 

 

It's been a long wait, but if all goes according to plan, I'll soon be counting the days until Ed and Rick return to their fans in a wonderful book with the kickass cover they deserve.  The Handyman's Reality WILL become a reality itself in spring 2007.

I just finished reading Under The Rainbow - Growing Up Gay by Arnie Kantrowitz, a book originally published in 1977.

 

It fell into my lap in an unusual way.  My friend Diana was rummaging through some old books at the Goodwill store and came across it.  She passed it on to me thinking I might enjoy it.  I am ashamed to admit my first thought was, It's thirty years old.  What relevance would it have to my life now?

 

Yeah.  Stupid.  Very, very stupid. 

 

Let me say right now Under The Rainbow is one of the best coming out stories I've ever read.  Mr. Kantrowitz doesn't spare any emotions or details regarding his 1940's - 1950's youth in Newark, New Jersey, and his tortured path to accepting his sexual orientation, but what could have been a truly grim read is absolutely delightful.  He finally "came out" in Greenwich Village in 1969-1970 following the Stonewall Riots, and was an active member in the Gay Activists Alliance.  Talk about gay history!  He was at the epicenter of the movements that largely influence the freedoms gay folks enjoy today. 

 

However, Under The Rainbow isn't about the history of the gay rights movement.  It is a personal memoir of one man's journey toward personal acceptance.  The coming out experience is never easy, but I can't help but think reading this book puts the increased acceptance of sexual orientation in the 21st century into some pretty good perspective for those who think little progress has been made.  In other words, those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.  In that respect, Arnie Kantrowitiz's book is an important piece of recorded gay history.

 

I checked out my favorite used book store on the web, www.abebooks.com.  There are a few copies of Under The Rainbow out there, so I strongly suggest you grab one of them for a emotionally uplifting reading experience, and a thought-provoking one as well.  And, if like me, you whine that the damn book is thirty years old, you'll just have to trust me.  Under The Rainbow is just as relevant today as it was in 1977.