Monday 7 January 2013

OCULUS by Michael Offutt




I am honored to be part of Michael Offutt's book tour. There's an awesome giveaway and bookmarks to be had so be sure to read on to the end.  Today, Michael is going to talk a bit about Jordan Pendragon, the main character in Oculus, the second book in the series. In the books, Jordan is many things, for one he's a drop dead gorgeous mathematical genius. But he's also a brother, a friend, a lover, a hero, and he also happens to be gay. Why did Michael decided to make his protagonist gay? Well, let me move over and let Michael tell you.




Why did I make Jordan gay?

Why did I make Jordan gay? That’s an easy question that is answerable in multiple parts. First, I’m living vicariously through my character. Jordan (unlike me) has it easy getting a relationship and a good-looking, smart boyfriend with a job. Second, I imagine a world where people can just exist and go about their everyday business without people condemning them for being queer, or bi, or transgendered. And last (and I mean no offense to the gay authors out there who write romance) but I don’t like to write friction fiction as much as I do like to read it. I just wanted to put together a story that had a serious speculative fiction element to it and all the things that I like, i.e. good vs. evil, magic, science, and great sword-fighting sequences. Cute guys as characters were just a bonus.

I also am tired of reading so many novels written in first person. I didn’t mind it for a few years, but it’s just crept into every aspect of fiction writing. So when I set out to pen this series, I really wanted a return to the good ole days of third person omniscient…you know, the kind we see on display in Herbert’s sci-fi epic of Dune.

In the end though, I wanted to make a truly different character in Jordan. One that broke through practically every stereotype, one that made people pause and ask themselves “what’s going on here?”, and to cause them to think about whether they really liked him (or didn’t like him) and why. I know there’s enough complexity to his background that clashes with his sexuality that I’ve been called a “blasphemer.” I really don’t mind since I’m atheist anyway. But it shows me that I’m doing something right. It tells me that I moved someone. Sure it was moving them in the direction that they hated my book, but how many people truly get that kind of reaction with their writing?
I kind of feel flattered by it.


To check out Oculus purchase options or explore my writing, click on the link below:


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Genre: Sci-fi/ GLBT
Book Description:

Autumn has arrived in New York, and Jordan Pendragon attends his first classes as a freshman at Cornell. Born with a brilliant mathematical mind, he balances life as a research assistant with that of a student athlete.

But Jordan also has a quest. He must find the Black Tower, a monolithic edifice housing a thing that defines the very structure of the universe. Jordan believes it is buried somewhere in Antarctica under miles of prehistoric ice.

October finds Jordan earning a starting position with the Cornell hockey team. But a dark cloud gathers over his rookie season. Unexplained deaths, whispers of a cannibal cult, a prophecy, and a stone known only as the Oculus, cast a shadow over his athletic ambitions. It is the start of a terrifying journey down a path of mystery, murder, and to a confrontation with an Evil more ancient than the stars.

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And don't forget, you have the chance to win a great looking bookmark designed by Michael himself that features some of his artwork. All you have to do is leave a comment below and I get to pick a random winner!   

Good quality bookmark with a smooth plastic finish.
And, and, and, sign up for your chance to win a signed copy of Oculus!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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You may also want to check out:

Buy the book that critics say
is “a mind-blowing sci-fi read from
start to end.” $4.99 from Amazon
now. Begin your journey today.


35 comments:

  1. Thank you, Elise, for hosting me today. You are awesome.

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  2. You wrote what you knew. And it does seem first person has taken over. I couldn't write it though. I don't want to be in my character's heads THAT much.

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  3. I love how you wanted to write a book with a gay protagonist that wasn't just about relationships. Good for you. I have it on my Kindle all ready to read!

    Thanks, Elise!

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  4. Looking forward to reading this one!

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  5. nicely done, mike... always best not to be yet another "me too" writer! :)

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  6. Exactly, Michael. I wrote a gay protagonist in one of my books that has nothing to do with sexual orientation. I wanted the viewpoint of people are people, with the same feelings as everyone else. I applaud you!

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  7. I'm old school too. I prefer 3rd person too. Best of luck to you Michael!

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  8. Jordan is one of my new favorite characters for those reasons and more. Looking forward to plowing into book 2. :)

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  9. I'm tired of 1st person, too.
    So tired of it.

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  10. The amazing thing about Michael is that he really does think outside of the box, and it shows in his writing. Good luck with Oculus!

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  11. Since I already have Michael's book, I won't enter to win. However, your post has made me want to get started on his book and soon.

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  12. Very cool! I like your thoughts on writing fiction. And I love this:

    "a drop dead gorgeous mathematical genius" I'll read about that :) Even if he he does play for the other team!

    Good luck Michael!

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  13. Nice bookmark. I'm looking forward to reading the novel too.

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  14. Congratulations and best of luck to Michael! It was interesting to learn more about his writing. I need to catch up with book one and then get started on this one.

    I just discovered your blog, Elise, it's great to meet you!

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  15. Wow, Michael, still out there touring around. Good for you. I hope this is a huge success. You're good and you deserve it.

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  16. Congrats, Michael. And LOL on the friction fiction. Guess I hadn't heard that one before. Best of luck with book two!!! BTW, we both have Pendragons in our novels (only mine is Pen Draig in Welsh). :)

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  17. I like seeing characters who are different and enjoy reading their stories more than the standard. I'm looking forward to reading book #2 in your series, Michael.

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  18. yay for michael! i like seeing your cover pop up!

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  19. You guys have been awesome today, thanks for showing your support! (:

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  20. You had me at sword-fighting sequences!

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  21. Uh-oh... My three manuscripts are in first person. But you're right, Michael, about not enough third-person omniscient books being out there.

    I also liked how in Slipstream Jordan is gay but this doesn't really matter (at least to me) because much more important things are going on, like how he has to save the world.

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  22. I'm with you on the first person thing. It drives me insane. I have found a couple books that are okay written that way, but for the most part, it's just terrible.
    I look forward to reading your story. Way to not let other's opinions keep you from writing what you want!
    Great bookmark.

    Hi, darling Elise!!!

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  23. I love how you dare to be different and unique with your writing. :)

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  24. Excellent post. Loved Michael's take on his character. Loved the book mark too. LOL!

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  25. I love the complexities of his characters. Looking forward to the third book!

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  26. You have a vivid imagination that shows in your writing. Best wishes, Michael. :)

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  27. Thanks everyone for being so supportive. :) Elise, I have no doubt Copperfield could make the rain clouds disappear.

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  28. Good luck to Michael and Oculus! That's a really cool book marker. All of the art associated with Mark's books is top notch.

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  29. Cool bookmark! Michael is multitalented. The blurb is really exciting, too.

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  30. so...if i leave multiple comments, is that multiple entries:D no? drat!! it would be nice to have such a cool bookmark. the book sounds great! congrats

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  31. Cute guy characters is always an added bonus. :D

    Nice bookmark!

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  32. I love the artwork! It's really captivating!
    Such amazing talent!

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  33. Mmm... I didn't really see blasphemy in Slipstream. Maybe because I didn't really go looking for it? *shrugs*

    Or maybe because what other people think and believe about God doesn't really bother me all that much.

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