I feel like I should post something since I nominated “Josh’s Blog” for discussion.  I wanted to check out a story by a Hosted Author and unlike Cia, I’m a huge fan of epistolary writing. Blogs, I suppose, fall into that category.  Reading someone’s letters (or blogs), fictional or not, invites me to identify with a character in a way that feels intimate and immediate.  Out of everything that happens in their lives, what we’re being given in the letter or blog is what matters to them, what’s important to them to share and, usually, what they think about what they are sharing.

The premise of “Josh’s Blog” is promising. Josh is plunked down in a small town to finish out his last year of high school.  Soon Josh learns that he not only has to deal with coming into adulthood in the real world, he must also learn to function in an alternate fantasy world filled with mystical creatures who are part human, part beast and who are teaching him to manage his magical powers.  Carl Holiday does a good job at building a fantasy world and weaving that in with the everyday world which we all recognize.

Now, however, I’m in a conundrum of what to say.  The spirit of GA, and one that I respect, is to leave complimentary public reviews.  Criticism is withheld or addressed privately for the most part.  That said, the purpose of the CSR group is to discuss a story and discussions of this sort are bound to contain both the positive and the negative.  When it comes down to it, we’re not all going to like or dislike the same thing for the same reasons. 

I read a number of chapters into Josh’s Blog, but the character never resonated with me.  I didn’t feel a connection with his life or his trials.  If I hadn’t been told Josh was 17, I would have guessed the blog posts were being written by someone no older than 14.  The immaturity of the narrative voice threw me off and was, I think, part of the disconnect for me.  I couldn’t follow Josh’s reasoning, even allowing for his youth, and that was a source of frustration. 

For example, Josh’s father is gay and dating a man.  Josh is also gay and there’s no sense in the blog that he’s bothered by his sexuality. He is, however, bothered by the fact that his father might be a bottom.  Fair enough.  No one likes to imagine their parents as sexual creatures.  If Josh had a pervasive sort of disdain for a submissive (in his view) sexual role, this discomfort might make more sense but that never comes through elsewhere in his blog.  He’s also angry with his father when the man tells his boyfriend that Josh, too, is gay.  Huh? That’s what he views as a violation?  Yet, Josh shrugs off the mystical, dreamlike nocturnal visits of some half human creature that sodomizes Josh while telling him it’s necessary for Josh to receive his “essence”.  Were these encounters real or dreams?  Was the sex consensual or not?  Why isn’t Josh more concerned about how sore he is after these weird, half remembered nights?  I couldn’t follow why he was so nonchalant about his other worldly experiences.

After a half dozen chapters, I realized this simply wasn’t a story I was interested in finishing.  I dare say that if you like the fantasy genre and are comfortable with the fits and starts of a teen-age brain, then “Josh’s Blog” would be a fun read.  Carl Holiday has a strong following and a number of stories offered on GA, but this particular one wasn’t a good match for me.

Constructive critique is always helpful, and depending on what someone's views and background, there are always going to be stories that some enjoy, but as in your case, the characters fail to connect with other readers. Overall, I think what you wrote is not only honest but also very helpful. Thanks Percy!

I agree with Trebs.  I tried to read it just for the discussion and I have to say, I had a hard time understanding the main character and his way of thinking.  Never one to leave a negative review, I am of the mind that this piece may well be enjoyed by some of the younger readers here. 

I wasn't a fan of the abrupt ending. When reading this, I thought it was cruising along quite nicely until...*crash* Suddenly, it's over.

Lol Cia!

If no one speaks up, feel free to use one of mine, Cia.