There is only one beard in Naked Hero - her name is Carrie-Anne. We never meet her, she is only referred to - the ex-wife of Scott Taylor.
Scott's sexuality is a big factor in the first book. I have him as bi-sexual, although suggest he would probably find more satisfaction with men. He has never gone there however, electing to hide behind his beard for the sake of his career.
It's a common enough practice. I know a lot of gay men who got married because that was society's expectation. Away from big cities, or even in some cultures within them, there can be so much pressure to fit into the norm. I did it myself for a number of years - trying to be 'normal' and date women. It was only when I left Scotland and went to London that I found the courage to embrace my true sexuality and live what for me was a normal life. But I've worn my beards, so I can relate to Scott Taylor. I know the sort of pressure the character must have experienced. And after so many years of living the lie, and being in the public eye, it would be so much more difficult for him than it was for me to make the leap and come out. I wanted at times to wave a magic wand in the book so that Scott could just be true to himself and the world, but life is never that easy, even in a piece of fiction if you want it to ring true.
Here's a snippet about Scott and his beard....
Carrie-Anne was her name – a physiotherapist with very strong hands and even stronger Christian beliefs. Scott found her innocence charming, and convinced himself that he’d fallen in love – and more importantly, he convinced Carrie-Anne. She was perfect for him: pretty and sweet; naive to the core; and a virgin who wanted to stay that way until she gave herself to a husband after he’d put a wedding ring on her finger and legitimised the act. That happy event took place six months later – Scott giving a performance that was far from champion, but good enough for a woman who’d no experience to judge by.
It kind of worked for them both. Scott had his ‘beard’ and Carrie-Anne had a husband who was totally faithful, her only rivals for his affections being the sports of tennis and golf which he’d taken to playing as well. They muddled through for a few years, Scott battling with the injuries that were now plaguing his career, Carrie-Anne biding her time, waiting for the end and a new beginning, which inevitably came when Scott was forced to retire.
But instead of the child that Carrie-Anne passionately wanted, she saw their marriage fall quickly apart. If there was a child then Gentleman Scott would be tied through obligation, and that wasn’t something he could inflict on either of them. He wasn’t prepared to turn the rest of his life into a jolly facade which would hide the misery that lay beneath. Carrie-Anne looked to the church,
praying for guidance and an immaculate conception, because her husband certainly wasn’t doing his duty anymore. Scott spent most of his time on the golf course praying for a hole in one and grounds for release. ‘Irreconcilable differences’ was eventually agreed, and divorce was granted just over a year ago.
Scott's sexuality is a big factor in the first book. I have him as bi-sexual, although suggest he would probably find more satisfaction with men. He has never gone there however, electing to hide behind his beard for the sake of his career.
It's a common enough practice. I know a lot of gay men who got married because that was society's expectation. Away from big cities, or even in some cultures within them, there can be so much pressure to fit into the norm. I did it myself for a number of years - trying to be 'normal' and date women. It was only when I left Scotland and went to London that I found the courage to embrace my true sexuality and live what for me was a normal life. But I've worn my beards, so I can relate to Scott Taylor. I know the sort of pressure the character must have experienced. And after so many years of living the lie, and being in the public eye, it would be so much more difficult for him than it was for me to make the leap and come out. I wanted at times to wave a magic wand in the book so that Scott could just be true to himself and the world, but life is never that easy, even in a piece of fiction if you want it to ring true.
Here's a snippet about Scott and his beard....
Carrie-Anne was her name – a physiotherapist with very strong hands and even stronger Christian beliefs. Scott found her innocence charming, and convinced himself that he’d fallen in love – and more importantly, he convinced Carrie-Anne. She was perfect for him: pretty and sweet; naive to the core; and a virgin who wanted to stay that way until she gave herself to a husband after he’d put a wedding ring on her finger and legitimised the act. That happy event took place six months later – Scott giving a performance that was far from champion, but good enough for a woman who’d no experience to judge by.
It kind of worked for them both. Scott had his ‘beard’ and Carrie-Anne had a husband who was totally faithful, her only rivals for his affections being the sports of tennis and golf which he’d taken to playing as well. They muddled through for a few years, Scott battling with the injuries that were now plaguing his career, Carrie-Anne biding her time, waiting for the end and a new beginning, which inevitably came when Scott was forced to retire.
But instead of the child that Carrie-Anne passionately wanted, she saw their marriage fall quickly apart. If there was a child then Gentleman Scott would be tied through obligation, and that wasn’t something he could inflict on either of them. He wasn’t prepared to turn the rest of his life into a jolly facade which would hide the misery that lay beneath. Carrie-Anne looked to the church,
praying for guidance and an immaculate conception, because her husband certainly wasn’t doing his duty anymore. Scott spent most of his time on the golf course praying for a hole in one and grounds for release. ‘Irreconcilable differences’ was eventually agreed, and divorce was granted just over a year ago.