After being refused by truly every publisher in the world, Nick Alexander self-published his first novel, 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye, in 2003 and hasn’t looked back since. Now re-published by BIGfib Books, the novel has been followed by Sottopassaggio, Good Thing, Bad Thing, 13:55 Eastern Standard Time and the just-released Better Than Easy.

This time around, the hero Mark is caught between cute Tom and a seductive Latino in a tense tale of betrayal and a warming exploration of the mix of courage and naivety required if we are to choose love and happiness – if we are to continue to believe against seemingly impossible odds.

We spoke to Nick Alexander about making people laugh, making people cry and what goes on in his head when he's writing those sex scenes!

So tell us a bit about yourself, then.
Ooh, that’s always the most terrifying kind of question, really, isn’t it? The sort of thing Americans find so easy, but that makes us Brits just clam up and go a bit pink. So I suppose I could start by saying that I’m still pretty English even though I have been living in France for nearly 20 years. In fact, I think the longer I live away, the more English I get - certainly, the more I appreciate coming home to visit.

What’s your new novel, Better Than Easy, about?
It’s the fourth installment in the 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye series, which follows the life and loves of gay 'everyman' Mark. In previous books, he settled down with a cutey named Tom and they had some pretty exciting adventures together. In Better Than Easy, he meets a gorgeous Latino and it somewhat puts the relationship to the test! It’s really a novel about the tough choices you have to make if you want to find the right relationship.

What has the response been like so far?
The first reviews are only really coming in now, but they have been really positive. Paul Burston, the author and Time Out critic, actually said that it was his favourite so far - that it made him laugh and cry. I don’t think an author can hope for much more than that.

Is it autobiographical in any way?
In many ways I suppose it is - I always create all of my characters based on the characteristics of people I have known, but not in a literal way. Things have to be much more black and white in fiction, whereas in life, people are much more of a mixed bag. So I tend to take all of the sexy aspects of those around me and put them into a single, rather lucky, character. And all the irritating ones go into some other poor sod. I find I get much better fictional tension that way.

Friends spot certain characteristics and think that it’s all true, though. “So did you really do that?” they ask. And the answer is sometimes, yes, but more often than not the truth would be, “No, but I would if I had the nerve!”

"I think these are pretty universal themes for we gay men - dating hell, how to balance our sexual desires with our need for security and respect. I think that’s why the books get such a positive echo amongst gay readers."

What is your favourite scene in the book?
I think it would have to be one of the final chapters, when Mark is re-evaluating his life choices whilst listening to the sound of Brief Encounter coming from the TV in the other room. It’s one of my favourite films - the dialogue is very telling and strikes a remarkably similar arc to Mark’s own story. I can’t really say more without giving too much away, but that bit always makes me cry!

Better Than Easy is the latest volume in the 50 Reasons series – tell us a bit about the earlier volumes.
Well, 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye was really a collection of short stories that slot together to create a whole novel. The form worked perfectly at that time because that is pretty much how I was experiencing life back then - as a series of isolated disastrous dates!

And then in Sottopassaggio and Good Thing, Bad Thing, the hero Mark starts to mature and struggle for longer-term relationships, so the form of those is more novel-like. I think these are pretty universal themes for we gay men - dating hell, how to balance our sexual desires with our need for security and respect. I think that’s why the books get such a positive echo amongst gay readers.

Is it fun to write sex scenes, or - if you’ll pardon the pun – is it hard?
To be honest, I find the sex scenes probably the easiest and the most fun of all. And the critics say that it shows. One Australian critic said that he found them, and I quote, “uh, stirring.”

What’s toughest about writing is all the emotional turmoil it drags you through - so when writing a depressing bit you feel exhausted, and when writing a sad chapter, I can end up feeling quite tearful. So with a sex scene, well yes, it gets hard! It’s certainly the most fun I get when writing a novel. Actually, if a sex scene that I'm writing isn’t “stirring”, then it isn’t working, so I give up and re-write it another day.

Which comes first for you: sex or love?
Oh, love. I’m what they call a hopeless romantic. Not that I think it’s a particularly hopeless way to be. Rather the opposite, in fact. And, of course, sex is right up there at number two. I don’t think that a relationship can be successful without plenty of both. But, unlike some of my friends (who I suspect think I’m a freak), I’m much more prone to love without sex - unrequited love, I suppose you call it, than sex without love. I was never that good with quickies behind the bike sheds, or behind the beaded curtain, or whatever...

"With a sex scene, well yes, it gets hard! It’s certainly the most fun I get when writing a novel. Actually, if a sex scene that I'm writing isn’t “stirring”, then it isn’t working."

Had you always wanted to be a writer?
I’m not sure I ever wanted to be a writer as such. Truly, there are much easier ways of paying the bills. But I have always written, even as a child. And as an adult I have always loved telling exaggerated stories to entertain everyone. That’s what it’s really about for me. Making people laugh is fabulous. Making them cry is quite cool, too. Hum. That sounds a bit sick, really, doesn’t it?

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I’m not sure about a specific piece. I did these Californian-type psychological courses in the 80s called Life Training which were weird but wonderful. They really opened my eyes to the fact that what we think and what we perceive about other people sometimes (usually) isn’t true, and that was a real eye opener.

I think that maybe 80 percent of all human interaction is based on misunderstanding. And that’s something that, as an author, you really need to get your head around. So maybe, “Don’t trust what your mind tells you about other people. Ask them for their side of the story", would be the best advice.
 
What makes you happy?
Lots of little things, I guess - sunshine, chocolate, cuddles, cats, a positive bank balance, a cup of tea in bed, marmite, motorbikes, maybe more motorbikers and, of course, coming up with a good idea for a novel.
 
What are your plans for the novel and beyond?
Well, right now I’m working full time promoting Better Than Easy. I need it to do well, otherwise I will have to go back to some kind of drudgery to pay the bills and I’m really trying to avoid that.

I have some readings lined up in London in March and April (dates below) which are a new, terrifying kind of fun for me.

I’m also working with a London TV production company called Reckless Entertainment on a project to turn 50 Reasons into a TV series, which is incredibly exciting. And then after that I will be scratching my head and praying for the next big idea to pop into my brain.

Better Than Easy, by Nick Alexander
Published by: BIGfib
Released: 5 March 2009
ISBN: 2952489971

Nick Alexander will be reading from and signing copies of his novels including Better Than Easy on Thursday 19 March 2009 at 7pm at Gay's the Word, Marchmont Street, London, and on Wednesday 15 April 2009 at 6.30pm at Polari, Freedom Bar, Wardour Street, Soho, London. Find out more at www.nick-alexander.com.

Get your hands on a copy of Better Than Easy online now. You'll save some money to put towards some earlier volumes in the series, including 50 Reasons to Say Goodbye and Sottopassaggio.