John B.

Interesting story but not all that unusual."If at first you don't succeed, try, try..." It is possible, on both sides of the fence, to find lasting relationships. I have been together with my friend for nearly 39 years, without having to bring other partners into the relationship. It sounds like you have managed to move on and build your own long term relationship. If you work at it, it will last. My only book to date, Skeletons Of A Murder, has composite characters based on the people I have met and people I have known. It wasn't until late in life (31+ years in the computer industry and 12+ years in the independent film production industry, yeah, I'm old) that I finally got around to finishing my book and getting it published, self published on Kindle. Relationships of all types, good and bad, are a great resource for character development in a good novel, that and a vivid imagination. The above are the ramblings of an old, gay man that is trying to start another career.

Ricky, Thanks for the welcome! At this point, its mostly read and learn. Even old dogs can lear new tricks (no pun intended)!

I just wanted to introduce myself. I write under the name of Michael J. Banni and my actual name is John. I grew up in the mid-west. While my life in the parochial schools I attended was rather uneventful, my tour in the US Navy couldn't be considered mundane as I was in the Submarine Service stationed on a submarine out of Pearl Harbor. After the Navy, I spent many years in the computer industry engaged in program management before retiring from that line of work. My next adventure began in 2010 when I entered the entertainment industry working on independent films. Although I worked as a director, writer, producer, and general crew member, my real enjoyment came from acting. I was featured in six feature films as well as many student films, short films, and many short videos for internet distribution. My writing credentials include a number of computer related articles and white papers which were published in various technical publications and trade publications during the mid to late 1960's; writing and directing a short film "Man Can Cook"; writing a number of other short films; writing several "Smidgits" (short, 3 minutes or less, films that were for internet distribution); and writing the script for a feature length film that, while it has been discussed with several directors and some casting work has been completed, has not yet been produced. Although I have published technical articles and white papers in technical publications, I have written only one fiction novel. I joined GA to make connections with other first time authors as well as established authors. Being a new author, I have a great deal to learn and, hopefully, being a member of GA will help me with my education in writing gay theamed fiction.