The first Wednesday of the month, you know what that means! It's time for a visit from Dark with the ever popular, Ask an Author! Enjoy!!! Also, don't forget that today is the last day to get your stories sent to the Anthology Editing Team for inclusion in the 2014 Spring Anthology!
Welcome back to another quirky question and answer session with your favorite authors!
In AtA #13, we had questions for authors Andrew Q Gordon, Layla, and Nephylim.
In AtA #14, we hear from authors Comicality, Stellar, and dkstories.
For their protection, the members who asked these questions shall remain nameless (unless they choose to reveal themselves). 
Please note that all author replies are copied as is, spelling errors and grammar eccentricities original to the individual.
Today’s first author is one of GA’s founding members: Comicality. Legend says that Myr was a big fan and dragged Comicality kicking and screaming to the fledgling teen fiction website. Truthfully, GA would not be what it is today without the support and fabulous writing of Comicality. If you have a premium account, go check out Comsie’s horror/sci-fi story Empty Corners. If you don’t have a premium account, well, you’re missing out.
To Comicality:
In your opinion, what is the best character you've ever come up with and why?
Hmmm...honestly, if I had to choose one, I think I would pick 'Cyrus' from the story "Savage Moon". I really have a lot of fun writing for him because I can really take myself to a dark place when trying to bring out his view of the world. He can be really harsh, but in a pleasant way. It's the seduction of darkness that makes his character so much fun.
To take things that are so socially unacceptable, so morally wrong, and almost make them seem like a 'good time', it's tricky, but I enjoy it. So Cyrus is one of my all time favorites. Because even though he might approach you with a smile and a warm brotherly hug...there's real danger present with him. He's the kind of guy that you know would have no problem ripping you to shreds if he felt the urge. here's nothing holding him back. No moral obligation at all. And that can be frightening.
Next up today is Author Stellar, who proudly admits both his sexuality and the fact that he is one of our many “Aspies” here on GA. He says, “… my sexuality and my atypical 'condition' make me who I am, in a very big way. I'd be a much different person if they weren't present. My preference is that people know that there is a fundamental reason for things being the way that they are. It's all about understanding.” He’s also a computer guy and a New Zealander, and how can this man not be beautiful when he writes things like Hidden Sunlight?
To Stellar:
our story
Hidden Sunlight
is quite complex; did you set out to do that? Are there character outlines, or chronology? Or is it more a case of setting off writing and letting those things develop as it goes?
Yes, the complexity was intentional. I have detailed ideas and notes for lots of things that make up the history of the world. Most of that will remain notes though and probably never see the light of day as far as anyone else is concerned. The broad plan I use for plotline is that I know where I am going and the major points to hit along the way, so the writing is more around rounding out the plot with plausible fact and appropriate detail.
Today’s final author is dkstories, the writing name for GA Hosted Author dkstories. A new generation of GA members have been able to discover the joys of a dkstories story this year as Dan returned to us after a lengthy absence. Dan likes politics and sci-fi, two things you find plenty of in his stories. For example, in Dreams of Humanity, a simple premise becomes more and more complex with each chapter as the villains and behind-the-scenes politics are revealed. Knowing this, I had no qualms about sending him one heckuva question, as you can see…
To dkstories: Historically, being gay has been considered a trait amongst the poor, lower class, artists, bohemians... only recently with the advent of gay rights have gays been more culturally accepted. In the m/m genre, a lot of gay stories seem to revolve around the main characters being on the more wealthy side. Do you think this is a reflection of our culture and a desire to be more rich, or is it easier to tell a story when the characters are not poor?
Cinderella, Snow White, the legend of King Arthur, and a thousand other stories we grew up with all deal with main characters being on the wealthy side. There's a simple reason for this, and one that a lot of people don't like looking at directly. It also borders on the political. People write, and read, these types of stories because they are fantasy - something that we can dream about but only a very few of us will ever attain. Fewer than two percent of us are ever to a point where we are wealthy so being able to escape from the dolldrums of daily life and dream about what it's like to be rich is enjoyable. There's nothing wrong with this. As an avid reader myself, being able to escape into other worlds, other realities, or into being rich all help me to deal with the stresses of every day life. Since I also write I even get another avenue of escape.
As a writer, wealthy characters are usually able to whisk someone off into the world of fantasy is a good tool to bring the reader along as well. Who doesn't dream about being able to take a private jet to Paris for a moonlit dinner on the river Seinne? Having wealth, these characters make it possible for other characters, and the reader, to fulfill their dreams in fantasy. The same is true of almost any book.
So in the end, the answer to the question is: both. Wealthy characters allow the reader to fantasize about what it is like to be rich, and they allow the author more options in what the characters can do in the story.
That’s it for now! For more info on these authors, go check out their stories, post in their forums, and/or catch them in chat!
Coming next time: CassieQ, James Savik, and Libby Drew.
Want to ask your favorite author a question? Simply PM me (Dark).
Please note that all author replies are copied as is, spelling errors and grammar eccentricities original to the individual.
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