I haven't written on my blog for a while. Several reasons for that. I've been working on a piece for my personal blog, one I've been doing for a fair amount of time, and been thinking it through much. Work has been pretty hectic to be fair.

I been able to catch up on some reading this week too. It is some of this which I choose to write about today, and pay tribute to some of the amazing talent that comes freely to us here on GA.

Each of us has something that makes a story, book, narrative or whatever written work it is, something unique, special and memorable. For me there are three things that a story must do to stand out to me as something I will remember fondly into my twilight years.

I will delve into what these things are a little later, but first I must say that as an amateur writer, very young into my experience with writing, I have really come to admire the people who do get it right and make it seem so flawlessly easy. Writers have their own genre of writing, and us readers too have our own favourites when it comes to what we enjoy reading about and what we just don't. It is the ones that can take us into their world and make us get lost in there with them that are the masters of this game.

There is so much information out there detailing what to do and what not to do, it is pretty daunting from an authors point of view. It is naive to think that writing is simply putting an idea onto paper, something I've discovered myself since joining GA. The technical parts of making a work flow, the use of english, the plot and all the other bits and pieces that come together into a well rounded work of fiction have stopped me in my tracks frequently. Yet for some, the words just tumble off their fingers it would seem, and this is a skill I look up to with admiration and a desire to be something even close to that good one day.

I recently read a medical story written by Andy here on GA and it took me to a place I like to be when I finish reading something. I can't say I was happy, the story was moving, sad and emotional, but that is exactly what a story should be. I don't mind if a story does not have a happy ending, as long as it have moved me. This for me is the first thing that I look for in a story that will stand out from the crowd. It must invoke some kind of reaction emotionally within me.

Lilansui wrote of a hairdresser that was not all he seemed, and had a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. There were moment within the story I was ready to shout at the characters despite them being totally unable to hear me, regardless of the fact they were a work of fiction. I was lost in the moment, and caught up in the excitement. That skill with words is wonderful to experience as a reader.

The next thing that I look for is plausibility. That does not mean that everything has to be completely possible or take anything away from the realm of fantasy. What I mean is, make your characters believable. Ashi recently wrote a brilliant blog entry detailing how we should seriously consider showing our character's flaws, and this so effectively demonstrates what I am trying to say. The best example of this I have come across is a story by Layla. She writes about a family of brothers, who are struggling to survive day by day. Each day is different filled with crazy characters, curve balls, fast balls, arguments, insecurities, family feuds It is complex in its depth in that you are drawn into their world and relate to what is happening within it. You can feel it, smell it, sense it and despite its complexity, it is so simple to read and easy to relate to.

Sean Halford has a story set in Cape Town in South Africa on GA. I first came across it on another site, and he was pointed me here to get the latest chapters. I didn't even realise he was posting on GA, it just shows the wonderful wealth of great writers we have here, so many I've not yet even discovered. The beauty of the story written by Sean that I refer to is the attention to detail that has gone into the work. Cia is another great example of this. Tiny little quirks within a story, a tiny fact that you almost question the reason for its presence while your reading, but extra's that add authenticity to the story. Descriptions that paint the picture with clarity in your minds eye.

I am guessing the trick here is to write about what you know. C James includes such detailed descriptions of sailing in Circumnavigation that someone who's never been near a catamaran like me feels as if they could almost climb aboard one and set sail from the knowledge he imparts to us through his story.

Some of us will choose to write about stuff we don't know all that much about, yet still I would argue, the ones that make this work, are the ones that include a part of themselves within the characters of the story, thus in a way, indirectly investing much of what they know into the people we are reading about. A good example of this is Fleeting Rainbows who writes about a lad coming home from a re-educational facility, something she admits she had to research carefully, yet so much of herself is invested within the characters that despite her careful research she is able to write from within the minds of the people in the story. She does this so convincingly too. It is this that gives that much craved plausibility to a story.

Lastly. Dialogue. This is a tricky one. The minefield of grammar with dialogue is enough to put most people off, yet it is an integral part of a story. It is what brings humour to a character, fun to a situation, excitement to an adventure. Dialogue is a tool, that if used correctly is pure joy to read. It will give flavour to the personality and bring a paragraph of text alive to a reader.

Cassie and KC Grim are both masters at the use of dialogue. I love reading their work for this reason alone. That is not to say that there are not others who use dialogue well, Nephy is another great example of what a well written conversation can look like when you read discussions between the central characters of her story about memory loss.

Another way to grab attention within your story is to be quirky. Try things that are not common. A risky strategy but a good example of what I mean is the style used by Michael in his story about a teenage boy who feels isolated and ignored by his family. Not an uncommon theme, but made so enjoyable by the quirky style with which he has written his story.

I've mentioned a good few stories that are already posted, and am lucky enough to be working with authors that are producing some amazing stuff that is yet to come. I have till now not really mentioned the one work on GA that right now, for me, brings all three of these things together to make a terrific story. Stellar's Hidden Sunlight is something ordinarily I wouldn't have been interested in. I am not much of a scifi person, but for one reason or another I decided to check this one out. Rapidly I became besotted by the story, and then lucky enough to become a beta for the author. I guess this does make me slightly biased, but credit where credit is due. I have come to know the man behind the work, and he is a perfectionist. He fusses about the smallest detail, thinks, sees, talks through his characters. He knows them intimately. He's created a world I am certain he could sell realty for. He can tell you about the childhood of the Captains third henchman and has written email dialogue between a world of scientists about something I've never heard of, don't fully understand, yet believe completely.

The key is Stellar knows his stuff. He believes it, is attentive to the way he presents it, and because of it, we get to enjoy an amazing story that has had me on the edge of my seat cursing more times than I care to admit. He has me loving the central characters, routing for the good guys, hating the protagonist and determined that happiness will come to those that deserve it. I love listening to the people of his story talk. I have imagined their voices in my head, have an image of their faces worked out and a layout of their home, surrounding land, and world all figured out mentally. That is the kind of story I love.

There are wonderful artists of words here on GA, too many for me to mention them all, and many I have not even discovered yet. Some I have only just begun to read, and find myself woo'd into their stuff, others I have not checked out in a while. I guess I kind of figured that it is only fair when I've enjoyed reading something to share it, pass it on so to speak. If any of these stories have pricked your curiosity and you want to know the title or url, drop me a message, I am certain you will find them well worth your time.

Thought for today - "When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice. solutions or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand." - Henri Nouwen

Song for today (I adore this song) Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap