Secret Author Stories Contest 2024 Talking Topic

[W_L]

Ceramic Dreams is a classic story for gay men of the past. It's something that reminds us where and why our medium exists, between the fragility of hope and the merciless abyss of despair. 

[Mikiesboy]

4 hours ago, chris191070 said:

I haven't got a clue as to who could write such a heartbreaking, sad and wonderful story. A fantastic writing style.

There's a few who could write that..  AC Benus, Cole Matthews, come to mind.. likely there's a few more I can't bring to mind right now. They make me wonder what the hell I'm doing. They also make me want to be better.

[Gary L]

52 minutes ago, W_L said:

Ceramic Dreams is a classic story for gay men of the past. It's something that reminds us where and why our medium exists, between the fragility of hope and the merciless abyss of despair. 

I love this comment except for the words, “of the past”. A considerable percentage of guys cruising around the Mediterranean beaches are those still forced to conform to the demands of a significant percentage of Spanish society, even thought we have equality laws, same sex marriage etc.  I suspect Latin America is much the same to a certain extent.
 

BTW, the quality of the second sentence is rousing my suspicions @W_L!!!!!!!   

[CassieQ]

5 hours ago, chris191070 said:

I haven't got a clue as to who could write such a heartbreaking, sad and wonderful story. A fantastic writing style.

I have an idea...but I need to see if this author is one of the listed before I commit.  Beautiful style.  

[BendtedWreath]

Friends, I walked into work with tear streaks down my cheeks. Whoever wrote Ceramic Dreams is officially on my black- I mean, my reading list.

[W_L]

21 minutes ago, Gary L said:

I love this comment except for the words, “of the past”. A considerable percentage of guys cruising around the Mediterranean beaches are those still forced to conform to the demands of a significant percentage of Spanish society, even thought we have equality laws, same sex marriage etc.  I suspect Latin America is much the same to a certain extent.
 

BTW, the quality of the second sentence is rousing my suspicions @W_L!!!!!!!   

While I have written short stories like this one in the past, I will not lay claim to Ceramic Dreams (unless the paternity test proves it otherwise on a trashy talk show  )

I do agree a lot of guys have to remain closeted and marry to conform to social norms still. It's a lot better nowadays than it was, there is an option to be out and live your truth.

[BendtedWreath]

3 minutes ago, W_L said:

 It's a lot better nowadays than it was, there is an option to be out and live your truth.

Though it depends on what country/island/state/region/city/county you live in when it comes to safety.

[kbois]

It honestly breaks my heart that same sex/interracial/polygamous/ etc., couples can't just live their lives freely in many parts of the world. 

Shame on those who pass judgement on anything they deem "out of the norm". Those who judge can go straight to heaven with all the other religious zealots. I'll be heating things up down below if there is such a thing as an afterlife. 

What is normal anyway? I know damn well I'm not and I'll never apologize for being who I am. 

Today's SA did a wonderful job describing the love loss so many people have experienced, whether it's because of their orientation, race, religious values, cultural values, or just because of family expectations. Kudos.

Spoiler

I wonder if it's @kbois??

 

[BendtedWreath]

10 minutes ago, kbois said:

 

  Reveal hidden contents

I wonder if it's @kbois??

 

You can't have written all of them. 🤣 On the other hand, your writing is so versatile and enjoyable that I hope you feel flattered by how many times yours was the first name people thought of half the time.

Edited August 1, 2024 by BentedWreath

[kbois]

2 minutes ago, BentedWreath said:

You can't have written all of them. 🤣 On the other hand, your writing is so versatile and enjoyed that I hope you feel flattered by how many times yours was the first name people thought of half the time.

I'm honestly not that good of a writer. I'd love to lay claim to Ceramic Dreams, but I can positively affirm it wasn't me. (Or was it?🤔)

I did my angsty, hit-you-in-the-feels story with last year's Baring My Soul. That one was tough. 

[W_L]

13 minutes ago, BentedWreath said:

Though it depends on what country/island/state/region/city/county you live in when it comes to safety.

Very true, some places would see you stoned to death literally for kissing a guy.

Still, it's nice to be able to have countries, where you can travel with your partner without fear of being attacked.

On a side note: I follow Nonstop Dan, a gay youtuber and aviation enthusiast, who does videos with his partner about airlines and travel. He won't go to certain countries due to their LGBT policies. Twenty years ago, I doubt airlines would be as welcoming to gay couples or allow them to enjoy turned down services in a couple section.

[Cane23]

Author of 'Ceramic Dreams' is poet! I would have always vote for happy ending but, this is such literary masterpiece that it is nr. one on mu current list. Exceptional style indeed.

There is not much to add to the end of the story but, I would love to read about main characters 30 or 40 years later. Not necessarily second chances but, in new world, new circumstances...it would be interesting to see where they are and to explore their encounter. 

[BendtedWreath]

5 minutes ago, kbois said:

I'm honestly not that good of a writer. I'd love to lay claim to Ceramic Dreams, but I can positively affirm it wasn't me. (Or was it?🤔)

I did my angsty, hit-you-in-the-feels story with last year's Baring My Soul. That one was tough. 

I am slowly catching up. I can only take so many breaks at work (but rest assured I will totally read Baring My Soul too). Remember that you are not competing with anyone but yourself. Everyone has their strengths and talents. My reading list just keeps getting longer and longer.

I just finished outlining my first story and I know I'll be pleased with how awful it will be because without a starting point I can't grade my improvement from then onward. (Also you may have inspired the genre)

[Lee Wilson]

18 minutes ago, BentedWreath said:

I just finished outlining my first story and I know I'll be pleased with how awful it will be because without a starting point I can't grade my improvement from then onward. (Also you may have inspired the genre)

You just have to jump in the water, no hesitation. If you think the story is good enough, that's all that matters just to put it down on paper, so to speak. If others like it too, all the more special. But you have to write for you. One of the most prolific and popular authors of our time, said pretty much the same thing. The author is Stephen King, by the way.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/stephen-kings-top-20-rules-for-writers/

Quote

1. First write for yourself, and then worry about the audience. “When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story. Your stuff starts out being just for you, but then it goes out.”

 

[BendtedWreath]

4 minutes ago, Lee Wilson said:

You just have to jump in the water, no hesitation. If you think the story is good enough, that's all that matters just to put it down on paper, so to speak. If others like it too, all the more special. But you have to write for you. One of the most prolific and popular authors of our time, said pretty much the same thing. The author is Stephen King, by the way.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/stephen-kings-top-20-rules-for-writers/

 

Thanks so much for sharing! I enjoy reading your work, too. I'm unfortunately the kind of person that slowly walks into an ice cold river instead of diving in and acclimating all at once. 🤣 But I will still get there even at my slow pace.

[kbois]

21 minutes ago, BentedWreath said:

Thanks so much for sharing! I enjoy reading your work, too. I'm unfortunately the kind of person that slowly walks into an ice cold river instead of diving in and acclimating all at once. 🤣 But I will still get there even at my slow pace.

If you ever need to chat just pm me. I'll help if I can. 

[Lee Wilson]

2 minutes ago, kbois said:

If you ever need to chat just pm me. I'll help if I can. 

Same goes here. And I would be surprised if anyone you interact with here, even a little bit, would turn you away if you needed help. Having a place to share your stories is nice, but it's the community that makes GA great.

[BendtedWreath]

Very true, I've felt at home at this forum from day one. I'm very grateful to be reminded that even in less-than-tolerant spaces, I just have to check my phone or laptop to see that I'm not alone in my thoughts and beliefs.

[CassieQ]

1 hour ago, Lee Wilson said:

You just have to jump in the water, no hesitation. If you think the story is good enough, that's all that matters just to put it down on paper, so to speak. If others like it too, all the more special. But you have to write for you. One of the most prolific and popular authors of our time, said pretty much the same thing. The author is Stephen King, by the way.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/stephen-kings-top-20-rules-for-writers/

 

I believe most of these rules were taken from On Writing, which is a fantastic resource. 

[Gary L]

And now to an English setting, bases in Birmingham (central England) and then Lake District (north west England, not too far from Scotland). There is a style which seems v familiar of not finding out the supernatural/sci fi element until well into the story.   Now I just need to remember the author’s name.  😱😱I have got two possibilities…

I’m thoroughly enjoying reading a new story daily in between (a very late) Spring clean!

[Mancunian]

Theran's and holographic G.L.A.R.I.C. Whoever thought of that? It's going to be interesting to find out, now where's my thinking cap? 👑 👒 🎩 🎓 🧢 🪖 ⛑️ Why can't I find anything when I need it?

[Cane23]

This sounds like @lawfulneutralmage...unless it's @kbois of course! 🙂

[Mancunian]

2 minutes ago, Cane23 said:

This sounds like @lawfulneutralmage...unless it's @kbois of course! 🙂

With such a variety of genres and styles @kbois must be very talented. 

[Mancunian]

Is it just me or are the stories getting longer every day?

[kbois]

4 hours ago, Cane23 said:

This sounds like @lawfulneutralmage...unless it's @kbois of course! 🙂

This one is out of my wheelhouse. It's a cookie jar.. not a biscuit bin!