Parachutes Not Included

Three couples are portrayed in PARACHUTES NOT INCLUDED. Two of the couples are interracial and one couple is gay. To depict six characters well in one compact story requires economy, precision, and other laudable skills. Trouble is, if I claim any of these virtues, you will think that I’m hopelessly vain. (Unless, maybe, I wiggle off the hook as a delusional weirdo.) Of course, if I was selling widgets, it would be acceptable to brag—however obnoxiously—as to how fantastic my widgets are. Yet the poor, blushing artist (regardless of his or her medium) is expected to keep hat firmly in hand. A bowed head is also compulsory. (Foot scraping is optional.) If an artist does not conform to these unofficial dictates, he or she is labeled an egomaniac, a narcissist, or worse. So, here I am, trying to sell my book without singing its praises—tap dancing as fast as I can, while spinning circus plates in the air. Until the world decides that I’m a Kung Fu writer, and that “PARACHUTES NOT INCLUDED” delivers a rompish read. (Also, I wouldn’t mind if somebody would assert that asterisks, parentheticals, and dashes are good, clean fun.) I lack the clout to do so myself, as I’m not “trending.” Alas. The origins of “PARACHUTES NOT INCLUDED” trace back to several drinking sessions with my grandfather. The man kept his past under his hat, but a fifth of scotch set his hair on fire, as he recalled true love lost and re-wooed. Thus, the creation of “PARACHUTES NOT INCLUDED” focused on my grandfather’s 86-proof memory, although imaginary tangents were welcome. Another inspiration for my novel, was a movie I saw about human sexuality. I read the book that the movie is based on and learned that it’s not that rare for a heterosexual male to become a homosexual, as he ages. This inspired me to create a character, who leaves a conventional marriage for a gay love affair. (Oh, and before I forget, Sean, Javier, Greg, Johnny, and I invite you to join us for a night of bar-hopping fun.) I wouldn’t want the character of the husband to lose interest in his wife, simply because of the familiarity that marriage fosters. That would be plausible, but unacceptable to most readers. I thought that if the husband died, or turned gay, there would be more story potential.