Jay Bell Books

Metallic Flowers and Butterbirds

We visited the neighbouring town of Tübingen this weekend, and while there were a lot of things going on, it was the flowers that I was distracted by. Check them out, they’re full of silvery, shiny, sparkles! They’re like something out of a fantasy novel!

I promise you these aren’t covered in glitter or anything. They appear to be natural, although I don’t know the species name. Flying around these bizarre flowers was what looked like a humming bird but what turned out to be a really big butterfly. The camera couldn’t capture how fast it’s wings were flapping, they were a blur.





This particular flower box was hanging over a river. Gorgeous!

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The World’s First: Photograph

This series will document the first know existence of items that are considered common place. The best example of this is the world’s first photograph. With digital cameras built into our phones and always accessible, it’s rare that we regard the capturing of images as anything special. Back in 1826 it was unheard of. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce was the first to snap a picture using pewter plates and an exposure time of 8 hours. That’s a long time to say “cheese!” This was the result:





Er, yeah. I guess it’s obvious why this hasn’t become an iconic image. Dali would have liked it. This is actually a view of the French countryside taken from a window. Niépce called his captured image a heliograph. If he had gained more recognition, we might be running around yelling “Quick! Take a helio!” Unfortunately no one was very impressed.





Easier on the eyes is the first photo of a human. Dutch chemist Robert Cornelius took this portrait of himself back in 1839 at the ripe old age of thirty. That would make Robert 200 years old today. I have to be honest with you, I think he’s hot. The intentionally messy hair, the casual “I’m making history, so what?” expression on his face. The jacket is pimp too. I heart you Robert Cornelius. I heart you forever!

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Lost in Suburbia – A Gay Love Poem by Jay Bell

We two boys, lost in suburbia. Nobody knows how I love you. Car parked two blocks down. Heart pounding hard in waiting. Barking dogs, ethereal train horns in the distance. My footsteps echo.

Over the backyard fence like a thief, robbing the house of you. Steal away your affection, take away your loneliness, make your riches mine. Fingers pressing on sliding glass door, uncertain until it gives way. All the invitation I need. Air conditioning blowing over me, a whisper from your mouth. Skin tingling. It always does when you are near.

So close now. I with you and you with me. Cat brushing up against my leg. Scratch it on the head, grateful it can’t tell our secret, the need hidden from their sight. Slowly up the stairs, dreaming of running. The door to your room and the softness of your breathing.

Undressing. Watching you sleep, the ritual ends with my lips on your neck. You pull me down, expensive sheets rustling and the scent of you. We show the night how two boys can become one. Our murmured promises escape the room. Your parents, wrapped in sandman’s chains. This moment is for us, alone, together. I take everything that you’ll give me.

Your smile, my sigh. Drift off again, me as your blanket. The suburbs sleep. Drowsy moon, singular witness, us shaping lonely silent hours into perfection.

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I’m a Twit!

Just signed up for Twitter, but man is it lonely over there! I could use some friends, so anyone with an account please come visit me so we can follow each other. Thanks!

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Humble Beginnings

Every blog must start somewhere and nothing can be done but to jump right in. I’m Jay! After moving to Germany to marry my deliciously sexy boyfriend, I found myself gleefully unemployed. A limited amount of housework combined with an aversion to daytime television meant I needed something to do. I had always liked writing, but school/work usually slowed most projects to a halt. Now that I was free it was time to live the dream. A few manuscripts later and I managed to sell my first book.

The Cat in the Cradle is a fantasy novel and is due out later this year. There will be plenty of time to discuss as it being prepared for printing, but for now there is this quick summary:
    
“A faceless killer terrorizes the five lands, extinguishing from great distances the lives of even the most powerful men. It is from this murderer that Dylan is forced to flee. Only Tyjinn, a brash and unpredictable bodyguard, stands between Dylan and certain death. Rather than play it safe, Tyjinn makes an unusual proposal; to hunt the hunter. This isn’t the only unorthodox idea he puts forth as an attraction blooms between the two young men. In the midst of uncountable obstacles and unforgiving odds, can Dylan really afford to recognize his own feelings?”

I’m really excited about this story and I’m anxious (terrified!) to hear what the general public think about it. I hope you’ll revisit this sight often to witness my terror first hand as I go through the editing process and beyond.

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