Secret Author Contest "Reveal the Secret" - Guess the Author

[BendtedWreath]

3 minutes ago, Cane23 said:

And you, my friend, supposedly not in a 'comedy mood', managed to write the most charming and uplifting love story. Care to explain yourself?

That wasn't what I'd call comedic. Only one line was chuckle worthy, I think, as it's not my main focus. I have so much I still need to learn, and I'm grateful for the help I've been getting from everyone I've reached out to. My first drafts are very rough.

[Lee Wilson]

25 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

I don't know. Mine are man-sized, walk on two feet and live in B.C.  Are they like that? 

No. Larger than man-size mutants, still use 4 legs, and in Kentucky. Minor spoiler, hellbenders.

Edited August 12, 2025 by Lee Wilson

[Cane23]

Oh, come on @BendtedWreath - it’s classic rom-com material! And honestly, a really good one! 

Edited August 12, 2025 by Cane23

[Mikiesboy]

9 minutes ago, BendtedWreath said:

That wasn't what I'd call comedic. Only one line was chuckle worthy, I think, as it's not my main focus. I have so much I still need to learn, and I'm grateful for the help I've been getting from everyone I've reached out to. My first drafts are very rough.

First drafts should be rough. You're doing great, in my opinion. 

[Thirdly]

9 hours ago, Jack Poignet said:

The first album I ever "produced" will be released on August 29. "Ambient Tomorrow" with "Tomorrow") so I just had to include this.

Wow. Congratulations! I'll be keeping an eye out for it.

9 hours ago, Jack Poignet said:

The alien encounter itself: I actually had written a geeky description of it that I then cut. It just distracted from the main topic. The story just meandered too much (it still does) with Alien Encounter, Body Horror, Meet Woman...  When we authors get the stories back, I might extend mine again, but only if it actually enhances the story and be more about establishing the feelings of the guys.

Nope. Didn't meander too much to me. I was just grasping at straws, as there was nothing in the story I didn't really enjoy reading about (even the graphic descriptions, as it totally made sense). 

[Cane23]

And you, @Lee Wilson -  I kept suspecting at least four stories were yours… and then you suddenly went all serious on us  (though, in hindsight, your style was a giveaway)! That said, I absolutely loved the optimism in your story - proof there’s still hope for humanity

[Lee Wilson]

1 minute ago, Cane23 said:

And you, @Lee Wilson -  I kept suspecting at least four stories were yours… and then you suddenly went all serious on us  (though, in hindsight, your style was a giveaway)! That said, I absolutely loved the optimism in your story - proof there’s still hope for humanity

Aside from my own, there were indeed 4 stories that at least one person guessed was mine. Imagine that, I didn't even know I had a style, unless 'writing by the seat of your pants' qualifies. Anyway, glad you, and others liked it.

[Thirdly]

1 hour ago, Mark Arbour said:

Thanks!  That scene was tough for me to write, but I felt it was important to show just how disconnected Tim was from the people in his life.  

And it totally showed that. Dave was the only one who tried to help him out. I was narrowing down on insignificant things on purpose. If I seriously thought those small things ruined the stories, I wouldn't have had such a hard time choosing my favorite out of all of them. They all made me feel something.

[Thirdly]

1 hour ago, Mikiesboy said:

It could have been chapters long, but I wasn't writing a novel, just a short for Secret Author.  Mysteries are not at all my thing, but you can do what i did and marry a detective.   He is useful sometimes. 

You are one versatile writer. My jealousy knows no bounds. 😂

[BendtedWreath]

37 minutes ago, Cane23 said:

Oh, come on @BendtedWreath - it’s classic rom-com material! And honestly, a really good one! 

It never really crossed my mind to describe it that way, but I trust you. I may also need your help to figure out the genre and tags to give my big project.  🤣  

[Mikiesboy]

17 minutes ago, Thirdly said:

You are one versatile writer. My jealousy knows no bounds. 😂

i just try things. Lots of them don't work out. If you want to write something, just try. 

[BendtedWreath]

22 minutes ago, Lee Wilson said:

I didn't even know I had a style, unless 'writing by the seat of your pants' qualifies.

I think that's why it was tricky to narrow it down. No two of your stories are the same. Great reads, but not the same.

[Lee Wilson]

1 minute ago, BendtedWreath said:

I think that's why it was tricky to narrow it down. No two of your stories are the same. Great reads, but not the same.

Thanks. If they were all the same, they'd be Perry Mason episodes.

[Inkognito]

1 hour ago, Thirdly said:

No no no! Gah. I was only provoking to get different views from everyone. It was really fine as it was, I swear. Making you spiral was not my intention at all. I'd have never commented or reviewed if I didn't love it. 

I’m fine, I’m just funny.

 

 

Me, seeing all the heartfelt reactions to my Cheeto-fueled comedy chaos.

 

 

My intention: “Haha, look at me spiraling in a fun way. Laugh with me, losers.”

What I got: “Your words gave me feels, poet-saint of the gays.”

 

... Bruh.

[Thirdly]

  

14 minutes ago, Lee Wilson said:

Thanks. If they were all the same, they'd be Perry Mason episodes.

And I'd have still read them. Now I'm curious to see what a Perry Mason episode written by you would look like. 🤔

19 minutes ago, BendtedWreath said:

It never really crossed my mind to describe it that way, but I trust you. I may also need your help to figure out the genre and tags to give my big project.  🤣  

I'd be zero help at this. I've been miscategorizing my work for years.

12 minutes ago, Inkognito said:

What I got: “Your words gave me feels, poet-saint of the gays.”

Wait a minute, I have friends and family members who say similar things when they're on a manic curve. 🤔 Ink, are we related?

Edited August 12, 2025 by Thirdly

[Inkognito]

1 hour ago, Thirdly said:

Wait a minute, I have friends and family members who say similar things when they're on a manic curve. 🤔 Ink, are we related?

Doubt it. I don't know anyone who would say that besides me.

[Lee Wilson]

1 hour ago, Thirdly said:

And I'd have still read them. Now I'm curious to see what a Perry Mason episode written by you would look like. 🤔

I might have to put that on my todo list, which seems to get longer every day.

[Aditus]

On 8/12/2025 at 12:42 AM, Thirdly said:

to have both characters there at the lab seeing the results

Arden doesn't enter a lab, he works in administration. Imagine something would drip on his new shoes.!

[Thirdly]

3 minutes ago, Aditus said:

Arden doesn't enter a lab, he works in administration. Imagine something would drip on his new shoes.!

So true!! 🤣