How fast these months go! Is it nearly Halloween where you live? Are you ready for some tricks or treats? Or maybe you celebrate All Hallow's Eve another way? Or... maybe the whole thing freaks you out, and you'd rather read a story set firmly in the present? Maybe a little second-chance? If so, I hope you enjoyed Mitchelll's Mr. Brightside! Don't forget to share your thoughts in a comment below, but my first we have my interview with him!

What brought you to Gay Authors?

I liked the interaction between the users with the forums and the commenting on the stories.  I also liked that the stories focused more on storytelling rather than on sex.  I had read stories at Nifty for years, and always found their lack of story description and ability to search for specific stories problematic.  There are definitely gems there, but it can be a slog to find something I really enjoy reading.

If you could give yourself advice when you first started writing, what would it be?

To just get started.  To just sit down and write.  When I decided to try writing, I spent literally years thinking about writing, creating characters and plotting stories in my head before I finally managed to sit down at a computer and try to put those ideas on paper.

Do you have any writing rituals?

Not really.  I always write at a certain place, my grandmother’s table in the breakfast room, but other than that it varies.  My favorite time to write is very early in the morning while drinking coffee, but I haven’t been able to turn that into a real habit.

What do you struggle with most when you are writing a story?

Actually putting it down on the page.  I have entire stories plotted out in my head, huge swathes of dialogue, etc.  And I write a lot while doing other tasks like walking the dog or working, or at least think about my stories, but when it comes time to sit down and actually transfer it from my brain to a page, I find it incredibly difficult.  I think it was Truman Capote who said something like “I like to have written.  I hate writing.”  That pretty much sums up my feelings.

How long did it take you to write Mr. Brightside?

I’m not actually sure, but I know that it was more than a year.

How did you come up with the title?

I had started the story, which had already evolved a lot from its beginning.  I was thinking about a title when I happened to see the video for Mr. Brightside again, and I realized that the lyrics about jealousy, the feeling of the video, so much of it reflected my story.  In fact, I pictured Jason as looking very much like Brandon Flowers, and Viktor as looking like Eric Roberts.

What prompted you to set the story in New Orleans?

As a writing novice, at this point, I’m sticking to the old advice of writing about what you know.  I’ve lived here for almost twenty years, and I love it.  And I have, unfortunately, seen paths like Shane and Corey.  It’s a beautiful, fascinating city with a very, very dark side. 

Did you have to do a lot of research for Mr. Brightside? What’s your preferred method?

Honestly, no.  There were a few things I looked up online and verified.  Like luxury VIP hospital wings are a very real thing.  And Louisiana involuntary commitment laws, though not quite as easy to get around in real life, are in fact among the most lax in the nation.

Can you sum up the story in one sentence?

I think for me the main theme would be contained in Jason’s story arc:  When you refuse to be true to yourself and life authentically, it can lead to tragedy, both for yourself and the others around you.

When can readers expect more?

I am currently working on a follow up to Mr. Brightside, Smile Like You Mean It.  It’s not a direct sequel, and its main focus is on new characters, but Jason and Shane do play a role.