Today, I have author Stephen G Hardy in the interview chair. We’re discussing his latest release Search for Complete, an LGBTQ+ speculative fiction.
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1. Hi, Stephen. First off, readers have an idea of the writer you, but what about the everyday you? Can you share about your personal life?
Stephen: I have been with my husband for 20 years now, married for 17 and we have two sons whom we adopted in 2008. They were 6 & 7 at the time. I was fortunate that my husband earned enough at his job that I was able to be a stay at home dad now that our sons are out of the house, I am developing my writing career. My days are filled with the usual tasks of taking care of the home, but I make sure that I do things for myself such as working out at the gym and Pilates, and doing some volunteering. Currently I am helping Ballet Arizona grow their subscriber base. My husband and I are involved in supporting the arts in Phoenix, attending performances at many small theatre companies and larger ones, along with the opera and ballet. Like many writers, I try to devote some time every day to write and often will go away for a long weekend to Flagstaff or Sedona to get away from daily distractions.
2. Your latest release is Search for Complete. Can you tell me what inspired you to create this novel?
Stephen: The inspiration for writing this novel came from a conversation I had with some friends, a straight couple, over brunch. The husband had made a comment about how similar I was to his wife and that got me thinking about gender traits. It also made recall how many times a woman had said that she wished I were straight so I would sleep with her or marry her. What was it about me that caused this reaction? And then I remembered something I had once said 35 years ago which was that I would make the perfect wife for any man and the perfect husband for any woman, if sex were not in the equation. This became the description I used for my protagonist, Christopher. The Aristophanes Myth aspect came in as I realized it fit the concept of a person with the essences of both sexes.
3. Let’s talk about the main character. What do you love most about Christopher and what makes you want to shake him?
Stephen: I absolutely adore Christopher. To me he embodies the type of person I strive to be, kind, empathetic, observant and philosophical. He has his flaws, but he is a decent person, the type of person I wish there were more of in the world.
4. Let’s move on to Laura. What made you want to include her in the novel?
Stephen: Laura was needed to reflect what other people thought of Christopher, but also, she is a large part of the plot-line in helping Christopher find completion. In addition, as Christopher is attracted to both sexes, I needed a strong female character as a counterbalance to David. Laura is also on a journey, one that continues in the sequel to this novel, and Christopher helps her with this this journey.
5. And we can’t forget David. How did you develop his character?
Stephen: David appears as the opposite of Christopher in every aspect, overtly masculine and sexual, but also emotionally stunted. I wanted a character that would show the reader more clearly the type of person Christopher is, and David did this. David also allowed me to show Christopher’s fallibility and uncertainty, as he can come across as too perfect sometimes.
6. Without giving away any spoilers, what was your favourite scene to write, and why?
Stephen: My favourite scene to write is the New Year’s Eve scene between David and Christopher. It came together so easily and yet was so emotional for me to write, that I often fought back tears. I believe this chapter held so much tension and emotion that the reader with finding themselves let out a sigh at the end as Christopher does.
7. If a reader asked you why they should read Search for Complete, what would you tell them?
Stephen: Search for Complete is a story that I hope will give you some ah, ah moments, making you think about who you are as a person. It is also a story about understanding oneself, but most importantly it is about how conversations can often be a catalyst for change.
8. Readers love hearing about WIPs. What are you working on now?
Stephen: I am currently workshopping the sequel to Search for Complete, which I hope to publish at the end of the year or early 2024 and I am writing the third book in the series.
9. I enjoy doing random questions, so humour me:
- What’s your favourite movie?
Amelie - What book is currently in your e-reader?
Angel on My Corner, by Kyle Scafid - Who’s your favourite musical group?
Tennis - What song puts a smile on your face?
Talk Talk’s It’s My Life
10. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Stephen: I began my working career in fashion. I worked for Levi Strauss, Perry Ellis and Hart Schafner and Marx. During my career I traveled extensively throughout Asia my favorite countries being Thailand and India. I gave this career up when I became a parent.
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Title: Search for Complete
Author and Publisher: Stephen G Hardy
Genres: LGBTQ+ fiction, Not a romance per se
Tropes: Speculative fiction inspired by a Greek Myth
Themes: Interpersonal relationships, sexuality, and gender norms
Release Date: June 4, 2023
Heat Rating: 1 flame
Length: 81 320 words/350 pages
Blurb: “Why do I get the feeling that Christopher is the type of man that would make the perfect husband for any woman and, at the same time, the perfect wife for any man?” Laura says shortly after Christopher begins his new job at the TV station. Laura’s statement would turn out to hold more truth than she could imagine. No one who meets Christopher, especially not Laura, as well as David, a gay man he meets at a party, understands what it is about him that draws them to him. They also don’t realize that Christopher is searching for something, a search complicated by their desires for him.
Note: It is the first in a series of at least 3 books and does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
I began to question accepting Laura’s invitation when I heard the noise coming from the backyard as we approached the house. I disliked crowds, and it sounded like an immense crowd was on the other side of the gate.
People were everywhere—seated on lounge chairs scattered around the patio or at the rectangular dining table or milling about in various groups—talking loudly over the blaring music. Laura’s voice broke through the noise.
“I don’t see Peter anywhere. He might be inside. Shall we find him?”
“By all means. I would feel uncomfortable attending his party without meeting him.”
I followed Laura into the house. As we passed through the living room, my eyes fell on a few framed photos of a handsome couple on the wall.
In the kitchen, a solitary male figure was removing a tray of croissants from the oven.
“Hello, Peter.”
As he turned around, I recognized Peter as one of the men in the photos. Tall and slender, with dark hair and a mustache waxed into handlebars, there was a dapperness to him that I found pleasing.
“Hey, Laura. Lovely to see you!”
After setting the hot tray down, Peter hugged her.
“Peter, I want you to meet Christopher. He just moved here from Seattle and works with me at the station.”
“How do you do, Peter?“
Having grown used to the reaction my presence caused, I smiled patiently as Peter, unable to speak right away, shook my offered hand.
“I hope you do not mind my crashing your party. Laura assured me that you would not object to her bringing me.”
“No, of course, I don’t mind.”
The words tumbled out one on top of the other.
“Is there anything we can do to assist you?”
“No, I have it all under control, thanks. Please help yourself to the food and drinks out on the patio.”
“We will. Thanks,” Laura said, taking my arm and steering me back through the living room.
“Peter is very nice,” I commented as we stepped through the doors and headed towards the drinks table. “Can I make you something?”
“A mimosa, thanks. Yes, Peter’s a sweetie.”
We stood sipping our drinks as I scanned the crowd of mostly men, a mix of young and old, before Laura took me around, introducing me to the people she knew.
I instinctively searched their eyes for the essence of another while ignoring Laura’s scrutinizing gaze.
Laura needed to use the bathroom, so she left me standing under the large Ficus tree where we had sought shade from the sun. Within minutes of her departure, I was surrounded by a large group of people vying for my attention. Carrying on multiple conversations was challenging, but I did my best to make each person feel they had my full attention.
He caught my attention on the periphery of my vision: tall and well-built, resembling the small statue of the god Mars that sat on the table in Joseph’s shop. Our eyes met, and I felt my heart skip a beat, seeing something flash in his eyes. Smiling hopefully, I extended my hand to him.
“Hello, my name is Christopher Dunn.”
As he shook my hand, I took the opportunity to search his golden-brown eyes. My initial hope turned to disappointment, for while something was there, it was not another’s essence. Though disappointed, I was intrigued.
“Davidmartelli.”
He slurred the two names into one in his haste to get the words out.
As I gazed into his eyes, the feeling of a purpose to our meeting appeared—first Laura and now David.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, David Martelli,” I said, saying his name distinctly.
David blushed attractively, causing a twinge in my heart.
“Can I get you a drink?”
He looked so crestfallen when I held up my cup that I was tempted to down my drink and ask him for another.
“Oh, you have one.”
“I do, but I appreciate you asking.”
I gave him a smile to back up my words. It was apparent that David was struggling to find something to say, the frustration evident in his handsome features. I wanted to get him away from the people surrounding us and talk to him alone, but I did not see how I could do so without offending everyone else.
Conscious of the eyes watching us, David blushed again and backed away.
For some reason, I knew that this behavior was out of character for him. Watching him walk away, I hoped we would meet again as I wanted to discover what I saw in his eyes.
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Stephen Hardy was born in the San Francisco Bay Area but grew up in the Pacific Northwest. His career as a fashion designer took him back to San Francisco before he headed to New York City, where he met his husband of twenty years. Tiring of the hectic pace of the fashion industry, Stephen gave up his career to become a stay-at-home dad for his and his husband’s two adopted sons and a quiet life in Connecticut.
Now residing in Phoenix, Arizona, and with the kids grown, Stephen returned to university, where he rediscovered his love for writing. His focus is on contemporary fiction, examining social issues regarding gender, sexuality, and relationships. Search for Complete is his first novel, and a sequel is expected in early 2024.
Follow Stephen: Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram
Maggie Blackbird 