Irish Spring!

Five Rounds of Questions for Author Chris Beakey

How could I not love Chris Beakey? He's adorable, he's talented, he knows how to spell his name (see above), and, most important, he indulges me just when I'm starting to feel insecure. I caught up with C.Bo at cocktail hour, but...not to worry, I got what I needed before he passed out (oh, and I also got some questions). So here we go again...straight up from the Man of Mystery.

1. You take writing extremely seriously. So, naturally, the first question I have to ask is, What’s your favorite cocktail?

Funny you should connect writing and cocktails—and smart too, since they often go together. My favorite cocktail for most occasions is bourbon and soda; Booker Single Barrel when I’m celebrating or just want a treat. Jim Beam otherwise.

2. You’ve said that you don’t “get” Barbra Streisand, Cher, Liza, Madonna, etc. But you love Bette Midler. Why her?

Because she’s so funny and has such a wonderful heart. And she starred in one of my favorite movies—For the Boys—about the power of music amid the tragedy of war. My beloved dad is a retired Army colonel, and the movie had a tremendous effect on both him and my mom. Call me a dreamer, but I’m absolutely certain that she would be every bit as kind and funny if she were having dinner with my partner and me in our home as she is up there on the stage or screen….I hope that I am really gay even if I’m not into these other ladies; probably a little late to be rethinking that though, don’t you think? *

3. There’s a prevailing view in this world that, if you’re a gay man, you must write about “gay” issues. You write mysteries. Why?

I write about what scares me; what makes me laugh or cry; what affects me on a gut level. I don’t write about any issues. I write about people—good people caught in terrifying circumstances. Plus if I am rethinking the gay thing it’s probably smart to diversify, right?

4. What would a book about your life be called, and who would play you in the movie?

Simply Happy, and Driven To Be Better. And I’d probably play myself. My life is already a movie, full of sudden, heart-racing accelerations and moments of pure quiet bliss, mostly because of all the great people in it. I wish it was already on DVD so I could slow it down and play some of the most wonderful parts over and over.

5. Why do you write?

I have to…can’t not write, and can’t really do much of anything else. Plus, I’m absolutely determined for other people to experience the things that keep going round and round my fanciful Irish brain. And, not incidentally, because I’m so often inspired by all of the people who do it so much better (aka David Toussaint). **

“This One’s On Me” Bonus Body Shot Question: If you were writing a book about Barack Obama, what would it be called?

Chris: Work in Process (in the very best sense of the term)…Work in Progress, not “process.” (I am already into the Jim Beam and soda.).

* I don't think Chris has a whole lot to worry about in that area.
** When he's right, he's right!

Want to go a round with Chris? Contact him at Chris Beakey.

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Neil E. Feria
Jake Gyllenhaal
Keith Lamont
Jeff McElhaney
Mo'Nique
Meryl Streep
Fee Waybill
Evan Wolfson
Farhad Zamani

I'm in the Book

--David Toussaint