Joseph Jarrett

There’s something really special about being a gay man. Especially in this day and age, when it is so much more commonplace. There’s still work to be done for my community, but we’re moving towards a good place. I feel it in my bones.

            With that being said, I have the amazing opportunity to bring my own sexuality into my work. In high school, there was a major lack of LGBTQ+ novels, movies, and shows. I loved writing, even back then. I always wanted to write gay stories to help guys like me get. I was curious about my sexuality and had no real way to explore it in a cultural sense. Now, I’m making up for that.

            Mishaps & Mistakes is not necessarily aimed at late teenagers, but it could help those young adults questioning things, I suppose. However, I do not plan to stop at Mishaps & Mistakes. While there has been such an increase in access to LGBTQ+ art, I still want to fulfill my younger self’s dream of contributing to it. I always have a million-and-one story ideas racing through my brain. There have been many nights that I have woken up to type out ideas in my Notes app before going back to bed. And maybe, just maybe, I will bring those to fruition one day. I have ideas that may feel familiar and some that are so utterly unique that I’m not even sure how my brain developed them. I’m insane, so I shouldn’t be shocked.

            I’ve always loved a Hollywood ending, where the lead characters kiss as the credits roll. I would love to see more gay couples kissing in the rain or as they watch the sunrise happen. I want to see reflections of the life I dream about in art. Is that totally selfish, or is it totally fair? Why is it that my straight friends have way too many options and I have so few? Doesn’t make sense, does it?

            It is crazy to see the heavy impact that the new series Heated Rivalry has had on the world. The show is absolutely phenomenal. Probably one of the best-produced series I have seen in ages. But I also have to give credit to Rachel Reid and her incredible writing. The characters she created are so unique from what everyone else has done. Who knew gay hockey players could be so interesting? Reid developed plotlines, romances, and sexual encounters so wonderfully crafted. It doesn’t have to stop there. There is room for so much growth now. Books and series that are gay centric finally have a place at the table. It is so long and overdue.            

I am so excited to see what other gay writers rise up now. I’m so honored to even have a fraction of this opportunity to do what I do. I don’t think I can ever truly express how it makes me feel. Stay tuned for my next adventure, or maybe the adventures of some fictional men. You never know what I’m up to.