CSR Book Club C S R Discussion Day: The Window Washer By Zenith
Entry posted by Cia in CSR- Can't Stop Reading
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This month we're featuring Zenith's story, The Window Washer. Did you have a chance to read it? Hard to believe the discussion day is already here, but it is. Check out my questions to Zenith, where I pump him for vital information like his clothing habits, and he reveals his favorite places to plot! 
Have you ever gone out in public, realized your shirt is on backwards, and just don’t care?
Not backwards, but inside out. Unfortunately I cared. I was embarrassed. I like things to be ‘perfect.’ Publishing a spelling mistake in a story is like discovering my shirt is on backwards; it really bothers me. Although, I should learn to forgive (or get over) myself—it’s darn hard to write and edit your work, especially if you’re in a hurry to get a chapter published.
What's your favorite room in your house? Do you plot or write there?
Living room, for sure. I love to flop on the couch and read, although I wouldn’t describe myself as a couch potato, it’s just my favorite posture for reading.
I do a lot of my plot development in bed. Either before going to sleep or first thing, early in the morning.
The physical writing usually takes place while sitting at the dining table using my laptop. I like an uncluttered workspace. The only other thing I have there is my iPhone which I use as a dictionary/thesaurus.
What brought you to GA?
I was looking for good quality gay fiction. I’m a real fan or gay romance whether it’s contemporary, science fiction or fantasy. GA has tons of high quality stories that appeal to me. It’s a well run site, so thanks for that!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I like traveling. If I could afford to, I’d do a lot of it. Unfortunately, with my budget, my go-to pastime is reading. I often read several books a week. I rarely watch TV, for some reason it agitates me.
Where do you get your ideas?
From all over. Often it’s a wannabe fantasy. Jerome connecting with Rob, the hunky window washer, was straight out of a personal fantasy. I used to love it when the window washers would swing by in real life. Sometimes I’m inspired by things I read—not to copy them, but to stretch my writing. What I find as I read best-selling authors is that they create almost impossible coincidences, which readers overlook because they’re absorbed in the plot. Readers will call you on factual mistakes, but rarely do they say ‘that’s too much of a coincidence.’
What’s the best part of being an author?
Writing relaxes me and helps me process my emotions. I truly do write from the heart. My stories have HEE endings because that’s what I’d like in my life. Although ‘real life’ is often full of surprises and disappointments (as well as many, many good things, of course). And writing is a creative outlet, much the way painting might be to someone who has that talent. It’s fun and good for me at the same time.
Did you decide on the window washer job before or after you got the idea for the accident scene?
As I said above, the story was inspired by real window washers occasionally coming by my office window. My first ‘inspiration’ was to write a dark little piece about a window washer and an accountant who ‘connect’ then the window washer falls to his death. Now aren’t you glad I abandoned that ending?
Do you have a favorite character in The Window Washer? Why or why not?
No, I don’t have a favorite. I love them all equally. The nice thing about writing is that you can imbue your characters with traits you like. There were no villains in this story, so pretty much everyone is likeable.
Your story has a lot of things in it like the careers of the characters, settings in different cities, etc... Is that all research based or did you use things from your own life for inspiration?
Ah, good question. Pretty much 100% from my own life. I, like Jerome, was a bored accountant—only he was much better looking and got rich. My daughter is a flight attendant, which would really have been my dream job, so I know a lot about employee flying.
The building where Jerome works is in Vancouver. In fact, it’s 900 West Georgia, where I used to work. I worked on the 9th floor, but I figure Rob would survive a 5 story fall a little easier. There’s really a glass canopy above the sidewalk and a coffee shop inside, just like I describe.
Jerome’s condo is in Coal Harbour, Vancouver and there is a seawall and yacht sales place there too. (Although I don’t live in Coal Harbour.)
I’ve only visited Santa Barbara once, but fell in love with it. I used Google Earth to locate the spot for Rob’s parents’ fictional home. (And, BTW, who wouldn’t fantasize about owning a Porsche convertible?)
I’ve visited Venice Beach many times and always enjoy its bohemian vibe. It’s one of my fantasy ‘to live there’ places.
Sailing: well, growing up on the West Coast of Canada I’ve done my fair share of sailing. I enjoy it, although it’s not really my thing. But it was a great way for Jerome to escape his troubles.
One of my readers helped me with the finer details of the surrogacy process.
The internet is used to fill in many blanks. And I wouldn’t survive a minute without my dictionary and thesaurus.
Can you share a little of your current work or future projects with us?
Well, there’s ‘Special Forces’ which is done. I’m working on two other stories and have one more in my head. The first story is about a guy whose b/f is framed for drug trafficking. The second one is about an otherwise colorless guy whose life changes when gets transferred to Honolulu. Both those are in process. The one in my head is about a kid whose life is ruined when he gets caught sneaking into the neighbor’s swimming pool….
One of my favorite themes is people who aren’t necessarily what they appear to be. Like Rob not being just a window washer. I try to use that ‘trick’ whenever I can. And I love recycling my characters. Giving them cameos in the next story.
*****
Thanks for giving me an opportunity to answer these fun questions!
All right, people, you know what to do! Have fun, share your thoughts on the story, or ask Zenith more questions!
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