What does male sexuality have to do with Martin Brant Novels?
Within the general brotherhood of man, concerning male sexuality, a significant percentage of men live with a closely guarded secret. More common than most people think, these men are dealing a same sex attraction. Most people, other than those they may have shared their secret with, don’t realize how many men have some degree of sexual attraction to other men. Contrary to most moral codes and various religious beliefs, these feelings are quite common and natural. They are feelings that number among the human emotions I deal with through the characters in my novels.
A writer’s first priority, mine included, is to tell a good story. Any writer worth his or her salt wants to create a thoughtfully written story and entertain those who read his or her work. It could be a murder mystery like my latest novel, Copperas Cove, where Jonathon Scott, recently divorced, leaves Pittsburgh to start a new life and finds himself entangled in the bigoted dramas of 1950s Mississippi; or a WWII action/adventure like The Partisans, where two men on an important mission in France stumble upon a bright new future; or a tale of romance like A Song in the Park, where two men at odds with their past cross paths and start facing life’s challenges together. Good stories have characters and characters have personalities, personalities that are very much a part of the whole and make for a more intriguing book. Often the character’s personality can be a story within a story, or it can be the story itself, as in books such as Catcher in the Rye, or my first novel Five Married Men.
Why the element of same sex attraction?
For me it’s a fascination with the vast diversity of human nature. It’s a part of the human race that, for various reasons, many don’t understand. Many of us have been indoctrinated to belief there is something wrong with being attracted to a member of our own sex, which includes the majority of those who are. These are the men who keep secrets, who often feel guilty, who somehow believe there is something wrong with them. Though you may not feel attracted to members of your own sex, you know someone who does. It may be your brother or sister, your neighbor or a colleague at work, your cousin or best friend; it may even be your husband or wife. And chances are you don’t know their secret exists.
Considered a blessing or a curse, or both, the degree of same sex attraction varies from one man to the next; from a mild curiosity that leaves him feeling either guilty or warm inside, to a full blown and exclusive attraction to one’s own sex. Though the same holds true for both men and women, my focus and my novels are about men (and the women in their lives). And for some reason, same sex attractions seem more prevalent in men, though it is also considered by many as more unnatural and less acceptable.
So why would an author that wants to write a compelling mainstream tale include characters with a same sex attraction? Maybe I believe human sexuality in itself is compelling. Maybe, through my novels, I would like to help broaden human understanding. Maybe a part of me wants to say it’s okay.
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Men like us – so beautiful and other things in common.
As one delves further into the quality of ones bi-sexual nature, there come layers of what might be called intangible appreciation – the unspoken love of our male physique with all its spaces and places.
What is its inner nature I wonder.
Each time I visit the gym there a motivation to look after the body in kindness toward others. That someone might notice and be inspired by the radiance that comes from maintaining good health of body, and qualities that are not so easily discernable.
It is true that as we age we cannot hold back the tide of time and change. This body too shall one go back to the earth – of that one can be sure – it is just the timing that is unknown.
Not sad or bad – simply the nature of life. All things like flowers in spring must pass.
So as we live our lives in the sun what is this inherent beauty that when nurtured brings us to gasp and sigh with joyful appreciation. Prompting the well spring of desire for proximity and touch.
The images in Masculine Nuances and Shadows so beautifully captures and prompt these feelings.
The outline of the figure behind the curtain – the thought of ones hands gliding over his body, without need of words; the humility captured in the pose where the line of the arms lead your eye to his penis and genitals; what is it about the another mans buttocks spread to see his anus so inviting that draws my attention; the form of the penis pearing out from the towel, something I feel only a male of our nature – whether gay, bi or other does truly enjoy.
These are feeling nothing more or less than the quality of being who we are as men of freedom.
So begins a deep love for ones own physique – so beautiful.
Dare I say it is the flowering of love for oneself.
So these nuances and shadows can if we wish them take us far beyond the surface and the urge of gratification, though that is no doubt a wonderful place to be, and to a place far more peaceful.
In a song sung so beautifully by Sarah Brightman in her Harem Tour the words ‘do you know you’re beautiful’ reaches out to whisper – it is true.
How can one be anything other perfect the way I am, at this very moment, I am beautiful.
Enjoy the nuances and shadows, momentary as they are, they are yours to behold and enjoy.
Enough. J
It is interesting that on realising something about oneself, that has always been there, somehow pushed to oneside, that is begins to flower.
Here’s an example, today I bought some new underwear – some briefs; one black, one grey one a vibrant tangerine. Nothing particularly special about that, and not quight as lovely to wear as boy shorts made for women.
But thats another story.
So on the front cover of the underwear packet is a picture of a male torso from the thighs up well fitting wearing red briefs. His body is simply beautiful, hairless, contoured, well proportioned, and the shape of the briefs describes his maleness more than adequately.
Always having been someone delighted by the female form, now the male form does just the same. Oh what bliss.
Now I also find there is a sweet curiosity, ‘he’s nice, I wonder…?’ Well enough for now.
Thank you Martin, the images here on Male are superb. The last I love; the holding in the third last is beautiful; the fifth with hands above and below is a delight I relate too; the golden tone of the third from the top is simply worth bottling; and the black and white in the mirror all embracing.
So here’s to this special quality so happy to know who I am. Who you are. J
Who am I, you ask? … I’m a writer who writes novels about men like us. My friend, we have things in common. A beautiful expression of your thoughts, by the way.
What beautiful men, pleasure for the eye. Bring on more !!