The Lost Blog of Don Juan

Gangsta Rap & Writing Sex Scenes

I just finished an interview with Bill Marx of TheArtsFuse.  His questions were very interesting, especially one about whether gangsta rappers—and their debasing sex and violence—were the new Don Juans of today.  The stereotype of Don Juan is as a user and abuser of women very much like the gangsta rappers.  In Mozart’s opera, Don Juan has raped a woman and killed her father practically before the curtain has risen.  What I said in reply is that sexuality has always been fused with power for men and that most pornography and the lyrics of most gangsta rap (that I’ve heard) is more about power (and the fear of weakness and disrespect) than it is about sex.  Many of the portrayals and fantasies around Don Juan (not to mention the men who fashion themselves as real life Don Juans) are about power fantasies.  What I was interested in portraying and exploring in the Lost Diary is real passion and ultimately real love.  The plays and movies of Don Juan have only allowed us to see the man from a distance; a diary lets us go into the body, mind, and heart of the man.  What we find is someone who really did see passion as an art and for whom sexuality was art.  As I have said in a number of interviews, it is a 16th century Don Juan that is worth recovering in the 21st century.

How Young is Too Young

I was recently in  Portland —what an amazing book city.  There were tons of bookstores, Powell’s of course being the most famous, but it seemed like stores were everywhere and the booksellers smart and engaged.  One bookseller bought a book while I was telling her about it for her grandson who is on his way to college.  I inscribed it for her right there.  What a perfect time to read The Lost Diary.  So many of us learn about passion groping in the dark in our culture.  How much better to have the world of passion and pleasure opened up by a master who understands the holiness of pleasure.  Another bookseller who worked in Young Adult was interested and said you’d be amazed what teens are reading these days.  Honestly, I wrote the book for adults, but it is not so explicit that it is not appropriate for teens, who no doubt are being exposed to a far more debasing sexuality through the Internet.  Newsflash: I just received an e-mail from one reader who said that her 12 year old son read it from cover to cover in two days only begrudgingly stopping for school.  Now that is a real complement.  My son is twelve as well, and while that might be a little young for most kids, having written other books about sexuality and love, I am a firm believer that kids will only be drawn to what they are ready to know.  (Unless of course, it’s flashed into their memories on the TV screen or Internet.)   We ask our children what they want to know about sexuality, and they are very clear when they are not interested. 

Don Juan Reveals His Secrets of Love and Passion on Morning TV

On Monday I did my first television show; a great program called AM Northwest (the Good Morning America for Portland).  The hosts, Helen and Dave were very nice and the interview was on what I’ve learned from Don Juan about love and relationship. 

They wanted me to add some practical examples for viewers (and readers).  I am definitely not too high and literary to talk about relationship, since the book was inspired by my own question of how I could stay happily and passionately married to my wife for the rest of my life.  This was the question that Don Juan came to answer and so I am happy to share his secrets.  While the book is not a self-help book and can be read simply as an adventure love story and historical thriller, I do hope that reading the book will transform people’s understanding of love and passion. 

Don Juan Appears in the United States

Today the book is publishing in the U.S.—the day has finally arrived—and I’m starting on a three week tour.  I can’t believe that after a few short years—like 29—the day has come.  I’ve been writing fiction and wanting to publish a novel for almost three decades, and it has happened.  I was quite nervous as I prepared to go on Michael Krasny’s show, Forum.  Michael Krasny is the Teri Gross of the Bay Area and has interviewed all of the great authors of our time.