https://media.giphy.com/media/pzyeeNVjwuu4w/giphy.gif After watching highlights of the Golden Globes (I no longer have the time to watch in full), one moment out of the many clips really struck a chord with me: Kate McKinnon’s words about Ellen and the road she paved. The talented SNL standout expressed a simple, funny, and emotional tribute that really connected … Continue reading My Tribute to Ellen and The Puppy Episode
The Mixtape to My Life Character Profile: Santos
Every high school story has a villain, someone who makes our hero's life a living pain. In The Mixtape to My Life, that person is Santos, a mean take no-prisoners type of person that is so dynamic people actually think he's a nice guy. What's he like? Santos is short, but you wouldn't know it … Continue reading The Mixtape to My Life Character Profile: Santos
Music Monday: Angel by Aerosmith
https://media.giphy.com/media/2wTP9zNYjlbRS/giphy.gif Nope, this isn't from the song. Are there ever times when you feel so low that you just don't know what to do, then all of a sudden you hear a song on the radio that suddenly speaks to you? It's words resonate so hard that you start and to breath again can't help … Continue reading Music Monday: Angel by Aerosmith
Revisiting Disney’s Gargoyles
https://media.giphy.com/media/B1rMaUszsjdoQ/giphy.gif As an 80s/90s guy, I was ecstatic to hear the news that Disney was going to have almost all their shows/movies available in their new streaming service, Disney +. I wasn't too enthusiastic about signing up for one more thing, but after a friend of mine showed me the list of shows that I … Continue reading Revisiting Disney’s Gargoyles
Music Monday: Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
https://gph.is/2M3pB8G Don't let the gif above fool you; this particular Music Monday song, Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue, is actually pretty sweet and a departure from the image of sex and drugs that one associates with hair metal of the 80s. It also comes at a critical moment in the book, The Mixtape to … Continue reading Music Monday: Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue
The Mixtape to My Life Character Profile: Lila
Justin from The Mixtape to My Life never thought he needed anyone else beyond his best friend Benny. But life often brings people in who make quite a splash. That certainly is the case for Lila, Justin’s bandmate who suddenly shares quite a connection with him. Who are they? Lila is a fellow cymbal player … Continue reading The Mixtape to My Life Character Profile: Lila
To Ask for a Blurb or to Not Ask
So one thing I’ve had in my mind lately is whether or not I should ask more established authors if they would like an advanced copy of my book in the hopes that they will love it enough to give me a glowing blurb. There’s a lot of fear that goes into it, and also … Continue reading To Ask for a Blurb or to Not Ask
Music Monday: Poison by Alice Cooper
Everyone knows someone who they can call their own personal poison. Songs have been written about it, and I had plenty to choose from. But when I really thought about which one Justin would love, I immediately went to Alice Cooper. Released in 1989, Poison was featured on Cooper's eighteenth album Trash, and would go … Continue reading Music Monday: Poison by Alice Cooper
The Mixtape to My Life Character Profile: Benny
Most MC's have a best friend, a confidant that they can share their deep innermost thoughts with. For Justin, that would be Benny, his happy-go-lucky joker of a friend that he would do anything for (as you will see in the book). Who are they? Benny is that sweet, cute, chubby, funny guy that never … Continue reading The Mixtape to My Life Character Profile: Benny
So is it or is it not a coming out story?
Lately I’ve been reading a lot of reviews and requests for YA LGBTQ books and a theme seems to be emerging: people want to see more than coming out stories. While I may one hundred percent agree, which may be due to my age and the time I grew up in, I can see why … Continue reading So is it or is it not a coming out story?
Jake Martinez - Author 
