Looking for a great book with a gay erotica twist that also presents realistic, deep and non-stereotypical characters?
Author, actor and activist Wyatt O’Brian Evans‘ new uncensored update to 2009′s Nothing Can Tear Us Apart is now available. Nothing Can Tear Us Apart: Uncensored is the exciting and compelling story of Wes and ‘Tonio – two masculine men of color (one African-American, one Latino) who confront daunting obstacles and struggles which jeopardize their monogamous relationship.
Sounds like a good read? It is. I am almost halfway through it (with some peeks at the final chapters to prepare for the interview) and have no plans to put it down. I had the pleasure to speak with Wyatt this week to learn more about his new project.
DanNation: Your main character seems to share many characteristics with you. Are you the inspiration for Wesley Laurence Kelly?
Wyatt: I always get that question. Yes – Wes and ‘Tonio are part of me but Wesley is the most like me. Both live in me and I know what lives inside them. And, there is a bit of a composite of others I have known in my life added in as well.
DanNation: What makes this book uncensored over the first edition?
Wyatt: I had a great response to the first book and was heavily scheduled with readings and seminars. In one of these readings, a roomful of people of diverse backgrounds gave me valuable feedback on the characters and story. I incorporated some of the feedback into a a rewrite of the entire novel. So this version is a reimagination – I believe in realism and wanted to beef up the erotic aspects of the book to coincide with how these men feel about each other and to reflect that extraordinary connection they had.
DanNation: Your characters deal with domestic violence, discrimination and other negative factors – is this a reflection of personal experience?
Wyatt: I’ve written extensively on domestic violence (on QBliss). During my life I’ve known men and women, both gay and straight, who were physically battered and emotionally abused in relationships. When I began this book, I wanted it to be realistic and a teaching moment. I wanted people to understand that domestic violence in our community is more prominent than you think and much of it goes unreported, especially for men. We strive for masculinity and the male tradition of “I need to be able to deal with it” without asking for help.
DanNation: Are you as much of a hopeless romantic as your characters? Do you currently have a partner?
Wyatt: First, I AM a romantic when I’m inspired. I’m an earthy guy. I am a romanticist and a romantic and when I am really into someone I am both.
Second, so many novels exist where two protagonists fall into lust – I wanted this story to have more of a slow burn. I wanted the reader to see who these two men really are. From the time they first meet, they are attracted to each other but apply the brakes to learn about each other first. Both had failed relationships and wanted take their own relationship more slowly. The face a challenge of mixing business with pleasure and hold off. This flow gives them a chance to fall in love and not in lust and this is the story I wanted to tell. I wanted to tell everyone that LGBT people can fall in love just like everyone else. We can find out what we have in common intellectually and at a spiritual level first. In Wes’ and ‘Tonio’s monogamous relationship, they experience internal conflicts and external factors that throw their monogamy into serious jeopardy. Antonio is a good looking and deliciously muscular bodyguard who has a horrible sense of abandonment. In the story, someone enters who exploits these feelings. This leaves Wes deciding that Antonio was unfaithful.
And I am currently single and interested parties can contact me via email!
DanNation: You have so much going on. How do you accomplish everything you do and remain sane?
Wyatt: I don’t know (smile). I’m a writer, communications consultant, journalist, motivation, voice-over, actor – I like to do a bunch of different things. It keeps me alive!
DanNation: No wonder you have no time for a relationship!
Wyatt: I’m very open to a relationship – if the right person comes along, I’ve always been able to adjust my schedule. You can’t have your life focused on only one area as you might miss that very special person. The ‘right’ people come around when you least expect it. If you are into each other, you know it and you work your schedules to make time.
DanNation: How do you choose your projects? Will there be a sequel?
Wyatt: I am finishing the novella “Sinnin’ in the Tha Citay.” It will be a short novel to be released in the spring of 2013.
In conjunction with QBliss, I will conduct workshops on depression, racism and domestic violence in the LGBT community later this year.
As for the sequel, I am writing it. This sequel, while tying up loose ends from this novel, is a total cliffhanger. The sequel will come out later in 2013 or early 2014.
DanNation: The way it is written, it would make a terrific film. Is that in the future?
Wyatt: I wrote the book like a screenplay and would love to craft into a television series or movie – it is structured for that. I really believe that this story has universal appeal because it is thought-provoking with twist and turns, romance, and drama. Women, men, hetero or straight can relate to Wes and ‘Tonio’s story as they are two people in love.
DanNation: How do readers get a copy of the book?
Wyatt: You can order the book from wyattobrianevans.com where you can order autographed copies. It will show up in bookstores in a few months.
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So now you have a great new book for your night stand – read it. You won’t be disappointed!
