Since I’ve been successfully avoiding all forms of paid work lately due to the dramas of real life, cruising bookstores and publishing houses, lurking on other people’s blogs, checking out reviews, writing my own… oh, and reading books *g*, I’ve begun to notice certain characters popping up again.
I’ve already mentioned the gay bookstore owner here. I think he’s definitely still hanging about, but what do you think about these guys:
=> the gay veterinarian (awww, such a sweetie)
=> the gay cop (either closeted or keeps his sexuality to himself)
=> the gay stalker (or should that be the stalker of someone gay? stalkeree??)
=> the arty gay guy (photographer, artist, actor, chef, etc)
=> the gay health worker (sometimes a doctor, a nurse, or a paramedic depending on the level of beta-ness)
=> the gay uni professor, lecturer, whatever (if a student is involved this can get squicky)
=> the gay bartender or bar/nightclub owner (HOT!)
Again, I’m not dissing, because – and let’s face it – as long as the story is good and the characters convincing… who cares!
Just me wanting to know if anyone else has noticed the above or whether it’s me again.
And let’s not start on the female characters in het romance. I have declared this a rant free week and such topics are to be avoided.
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
Yeah, but there is also the gay prostitute (a la pretty woman), gay lawyers, gay athletes (usually closeted to some degree) and of course the ever elusive gay rich “businessman”. 🙂 Oh and cowboys. Actually I think I’ve read most every career out there except for mine (boring government worker drone – talk about unexciting). LOL Oh yeah and gay foodies (chefs, restaurant owners, etc. – one of my faves). Maybe you find yourself drawn to those characters? Because if I read a blurb that has a college students, goth boys or food in it I’m likely to buy it no matter what so I probably have a disproportionately high percentage of books with those. I guess there are only so many sexy careers out there. 🙂
I think that’s it exactly, Tam. The concept of the character having a sexy (aka interesting) career.As I was writing this post, I was thinking to myself “but Kris would you REALLY be interested in reading a story about a postman or an office clerk or road worker”. Makes me sound like a snob yet when it comes down to it aren’t we reading books to ‘escape’, be entertained, etc and we want something different from our own everday lives. Right??
I’m with ya. But like most things, I’m sure lawyers, “businessmen”, chefs and others would say their career is soooooo not sexy. Its all in the hands of the author I suppose to make me think its sexy. 🙂 And I would read a story about a road worker but I tend to like them paired with the sexy rich lawyer, the opposites attract thing. Two garbage men? Sigh, yeah, I’m a snob. I’m still waiting for someone to write or point out to me the book with the goth boy chef. Guy-liner in the kitchen. Sigh. 😀
Now, I have this image in my head of a skinny goth boy in a funky version of a chef’s uniform with bangles, leather cuffs and black polish putting the finishing touches on a beautifully decorated cake. Pretty.
There are a lot of gay cops. Possibly because it lends itself so well to being in the closet. I suppose many of the professions you have mentioned also imply a certain level of intelligence. We don’t like stupid heroes, so they have to have a job which shows that they’ve either been to university or worked their way up, using their brains, to positions of responsibility. Even the books which have heroes who are buiders, have them as foremen or assistant foremen to show that it’s not just all brawn.
PS Are you doing a review of the new ZA Maxfield for Wave’s blog? I’m not too keen on girly heroes, so I can’t decide whether to get it. :Z
Lightbulbs went off when I read your comment, Jen. How the hell I missed the whole ‘a cop lends itself to being in the closet and thus insta conflict’ I will never know?! *snort*And you’re right. We all prefer intelligent heroes. :)Yep, I’ll be doing the review for Wave’s blog. It’s on my ‘let’s do it today so as to avoid the EDJ’ list.
I'm sorry were there words on this post? I'm just drooling over the picture.I'm a fan of the gay vet & the gay handyman.
So easily distracted, Tracy. Hee, hee.The gay vet is always such a cutie. The gay handyman… HOT! It’s the toolbelt slung low on hips and framing… certain body parts. 🙂
Who would have thought I’d ever drool over a tool belt! lol