Countdown to

Hot Target

12/22/04

6 days (and counting to Hot Target, in stores on December 28th)

Note from Suz: Today we're going to talk about the audio book version of HOT TARGET.

I had the opportunity to get an advance copy of the audio book, read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Eubanks, and I have to tell you, it's really terrific.

Because I use only one point of view, or perspective, per scene in my books, it's possible to have two different readers.

See, Patrick reads all the scenes from the male characters' points of view, and Melanie reads all the scenes from the female characters' points of view.

For example, Chapter One, scene one of HOT TARGET is from Cosmo Richter's point of view. We see the world from his eyes in that scene. Things are described with his voice, his vocabulary. The "point of view camera," so to speak, is inside of his head, and it stays there for that entire first scene of the book.

The next scene is from Jane "Mercedes" Chadwick's point of view, so Melanie reads that scene. And so on.

The end result is really compelling. Melanie does a really awesome job of "portraying" Jane. She also reads the scenes that are from Patty Lashane's point of view. (Patty is Jane's college intern.)

Patrick has quite the challenge with this book, since there are so many male points of view. Not only does he read Cosmo's, scenes, but he also reads the scenes from the point of view of Troubleshooters Team Leader Lawrence Decker, Robin Chadwick (Jane's brother), and FBI agent Jules Cassidy.

I had the opportunity to speak to Patrick on the phone before he went into the studio to record Hot Target. It was really important to me that he not "play" Jules Cassidy too much over-the-top. He understood completely and did a wonderful job.

I'd also sent him a list of pronunciations (things like "Paoletti = Puh-lett-ee" and "SpecOp = Speck Op") but he proved to be a very attentive reader. He'd already read through the book once, and had caught some additional hard-to-pronounce words, as well as a typo or two! He'd also caught a small mistake I'd made in describing some equipment used by movie stunt men. (What a bonus! LOL!)

He was charming, and friendly, and oh, have I mentioned how much I love his voice? It's a total pleasure listening to him read my books.

I highly recommended the audio book of HOT TARGET. It's available from Brilliance Audio, in both tapes and CDs. (I think they have an MP3 file version, too.) But be sure to get the unabridged version! (It's also available abridged on CD -- they cut out about half the book! Yikes!)

I asked my best bud, Eric, to give Patrick a call and interview him for this countdown! Here's that interview:

Eric: Who is your favorite character of Suz’s and why?

Patrick: While I like all of the characters of the two books I’ve read so far, I really liked Cosmo. He’s a warrior poet, a gentleman’s gentleman. And multidimensional. But so is Mercedes Chadwick. I especially like her twin personality, the difference between her private life and her public life. It reminds me of Los Angeles. I know of some actors who live those two separate lives. I like how Mercedes, or Jane, really takes control and keeps the outside world at arms-length. Actually, a lot of the people in “Hot Target” reminded me of people I knew in Los Angeles, a lot of similar characters.

Eric: Are there any of Suz’s characters that you find hard to read?

Patrick: No. Frankly, they’re all very well written and clear. People ask about Jules, but I love him. The gay thing was never an issue. And I think it’s really important to remember that being gay is only part of Jules. He’s also an FBI agent and a tough guy.

Eric: Can you give us some background on your acting experience?

Patrick: I was never a movie or television actor. I’ve done a lot of stage work and some stunt work. Most of my stage work has been off-Broadway or regional.

Eric: What’s different about reading and recording a book from acting on stage or screen?

Patrick: Recording an audio-book is often an eight-hour-a-day process. You spend those eight hours sitting in front of a microphone in a small room. It’s physically challenging, like running a marathon. Reading “Hot Target” was actually a week of twelve-hour days. Also, you have to remember that in other acting, you really try to flesh out the character. In reading an audio-book, you want to bring forth a character, but not so strongly that you keep people from using their imaginations or get in the way of their already existing notion of the characters. Still, you have to differentiate between different characters enough to eliminate confusion. I think it’s important to read the book before you “read” the book. It helps you avoid pitfalls such as information late in the book that should be used throughout when performing, such as learning someone has an accent.

Thanks Patrick and Eric!

Gay 101: Tolerance is a Fabulous Value!

"Reparative" Therapy or "Ex-Gay" Ministries

Ex-gay ministries use out-moded medical theories and radical religious beliefs to justify trying to alter gay and lesbian peoples' natural sexual orientation. Originally, these ministries were a small group of religious people who were virtually unknown. However, because of high profile ads, campaigns and conferences sponsored by the radical right, these ministries have become a political tool in the ongoing fight to deny gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights. It is important that we have the information to answer these organizations. Ex-gay ministries believe three main things:

they are called to love gay and lesbian people "struggling with sexual orientation";
homosexual orientation is chosen or is the result of bad childhood experiences; and
they cannot condone this "sinful" behavior that was chosen by their loved ones, and therefore "cannot accept their gay, lesbian and bisexual family members".

"Ex-gay ministries believe that homosexuality is not innate and is treatable through the combination of sound Christian psychological teachings and therapy." (Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays)

Many PFLAG parents have seen firsthand how damaging this "therapy" has been to their children. It is important that we recognize and educate based on facts and reputable professional opinions.

Facts on "reparative therapy"

Sexual orientation is not a disease. In 1973, The American Psychiatric Association removed the term "homosexuality" from the list of mental and emotional disorders. Therefore, it does not need to be cured.

"Reparative therapy" doesn't work. In 1990, the American Psychological Association stated that scientific evidence does not show that conversion therapy works and that it can do more harm than good.

"Reparative therapy" is dangerous. In 1998, the American Psychiatric Association stated it was opposed to reparative therapy, stating "psychiatric literature strongly demonstrates that treatment attempts to change sexual orientation are ineffective. However, the potential risks are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior..."

According to the American Medical Association, "most of the emotional disturbance experienced by gay men and lesbians around their sexual identity is not based on physiological causes but rather is due more to a sense of alienation in an un-accepting environment. For this reason, aversion therapy is no longer recommended for gay men and lesbians."

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior (2001) asserts that homosexuality is not "a reversible lifestyle choice."

When responding to questions on "reparative therapy," it is important that we empathize with the gay and lesbian people, who are involved with these ministries, as well as their families, because they all are the victims of misinformation.

Religious Beliefs

It is important to let people know, however, that many religious leaders and people of faith see sexual orientation - heterosexual or homosexual - as a gift from God. Moral sexual behavior is neither limited to nor necessarily true of heterosexual people.

Conclusion

Lastly, it is important to affirm the mission of PFLAG:

To support our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered children, family members and friends and promote their health and well being.

To educate others about the facts on homosexuality and the negative and divisive effects that misinformation has on gay, lesbian and bisexual people and society.

To advocate to end discrimination and to secure equal rights.

It is critical that we answer the lies about "reparative therapy" and "ex-gays" in our local communities, whether in the media or in conversation. The damage that can be done by reparative therapy is real. It can destroy someone's self esteem and faith and may lead to self-destructive behavior. It is important that we provide the truth about gay, lesbian and bisexual people and the positive contributions that they make to our communities, the country and the world.

Source Link: http://www.pflag.org/education/reparative.html

That's all for now! Be sure to come back for tomorrow's installment in the Countdown to HOT TARGET.

See you tomorrow.

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