Hi there!

Although I have a couple of questions and responses predating the ones in this issue, I felt these responses were time sensitive. The question came in soon after someone claimed Ask An Author only featured established, popular authors. Wrooong! The member who sent in in suggested asking it of newer authors and provided a short list of candidates.

Here’s the message I sent out:

In case you haven't come across it, the first Wednesday of every month I coordinate a blog feature. Ask an Author's predicated on readers sending in question and authors answering them. I keep the identity of the person asking confidential; some of our readers are truly shy, but one sent me a question to ask you and a couple other new authors. Would you mind replying to the one before and forwarding the response to me? Thanks!

As you're recently arrived at GA as an author, how have you found your experience posting and interacting with readers?

And here are the responses I received:

@James Carnarvon

I have found the whole experience incredibly positive and encouraging. Unlike many GA authors perhaps, I had sat on my finished story for many years before sharing it with the world, and I was pretty nervous about letting it out there.

The great responses I started to get right from the beginning gave me confidence to keep posting, especially knowing that the story gets better and better after the first couple of chapters. The 'Likes', 'Loves' and other reactions are great as far as they go, but the really fascinating feedback is the chapter-by-chapter comments, whether they are simply expressing appreciation for the writing or speculating on what might happen next. I think I mentioned in one of my own comments that to have people commenting with such insight and obvious engagement into the story and its characters, well, there's really no greater vote of confidence for a writer.

Comments that offer different viewpoints are also welcome. There was one particular plot development in my story that did not convince everyone, and it was good to see that the readers here are not afraid to offer constructive criticism as well as positive comments. In a way, it added value to all the positive comments I had received.

If I do find time to write anything else that fits GA's brief, I would have every confidence about continuing to post here.

@btaoc1963

So far, the experience has been great!  GA has more feedback options than I'm used to, and it's nice to see reactions as well as comments from readers 🙂.  As far as posting, GA is more structured than most sites, and as a creative person I'm not always good at following directions lol.  I sort of tend to 'wing it' which gets me into trouble.  I'm still learning a few ins and outs but I truly enjoy the site, and I'm glad I came across it.  GA is definitely a good home for my story.

@Mac Rountree

The experience has been totally positive. 

I am trying different writing techniques and readers are noticing and commenting.  I find that feedback very helpful as I work on new stories.  I was struggling with the ending to a story and a reader commented on the chapter I had posted that he hoped that the characters would return to where they started.  Bingo!  That was exactly what I needed.  I would probably still be struggling if not for that comment.

The generosity of people to read and comment has been very gratifying; especially when they are asking for more!

The bottom line question though, is: am I able to write a story that readers find compelling.  I think the answer is yes.  

I have three stories posted at this time.  One story has one more chapter and a second story has four more chapters.  The manuscripts are completed and I am posting them on a regular schedule.   The third story has just started.  I already have seven chapters written and couldn't wait to finish it before  posting it for readers to read and respond.  The response has been positive.  I am also working on a story that will start on December 1 and will have daily postings until January 6.  There is a through narrative of two men who fall in love in college.  This is layered with the Christian seasons of Advent and Christmas and the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.  There are specific scripture readings for each day during that time and I am weaving the readings and the narrative together. I hope that the readers enjoy it as much as I am enjoying writing it.  

I am grateful for having gayauthors.   I follow several stories on here and greatly admire the quality of writing I find. 

@GabrielCaldwell

Hi,

I haven't been here long, and I've only had one reader message me directly. This site is different to another site where I've posted because readers can comment at the end of chapters. I was a little nervous about that, as I imagined it might be like the YouTube comment section, but so far it's been great. All of the comments have been encouraging, and someone pointed out a minor error, which was helpful. I've been enjoying it so far!

If the individuals who didn’t respond in time do so in the future, I’ll feature their responses in a future issue. In the meantime, now that you’ve met these four, say hello to them at some point. You should also check out their work. I’ve read some and enjoyed.

We’ve established the blog is not limited to a certain type of author so send in questions for anyone. When answered, I’ll feature them.