The Coming Out of Billy Washington

I have written previously about the fact that most of my characters have been running around my head since childhood. This is certainly the case with Billy Washington. However, I never really understood exactly who he was.

Growing up in the South in the 1970s, open homosexuality was an absolute taboo. Not to mention, as a small child, I had no real concept of it. I created Billy, but he never really worked.

I played Billy in my head as a silly, funny, flamboyant character who had a tough time maintaining romantic relationships with women. Ha, I wonder why.

I am so grateful that Woven Branches released in a time where Billy could be Billy. It was important to me that he be funny, but that he would not be a joke. I hoped to show that his humor and sarcasm were traits that he used to mask his extreme sensitivity and vulnerability. I hope readers think that I succeeded.

Thank you for making Billy Washington the most popular Woven Branches character. I think he'd dig that.