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Cia

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  1. Cia

    CSR Feature: Silverwolf by Wayne Gray

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Welcome to 2020! Well, no one wanted to revolutionize the CSR posts, and the author interviews still seem to be popular with blog readers enough to get at least a few comments each month, so I'll keep this going on to Year 8 of monthly suggested reads by yours truly! One of the best parts of this blog is I get to feature new and experienced authors and stories of all different types and styles; the only criteria for the CSR is that the story is 1) complete and 2) between 10,000 to 75,000 ish words preferably (though we do make short story exceptions from time to time). This lets people have a different variety of lengths to read, but we want to make sure they can finish the story. I occasionally get story recommendations to feature, but I ALWAYS am happy to get more! And yes, YOU can recommend YOUR story to me via a PM. 
    Now, for this month's feature... I'm going with one of my favorite genres to kick off the new decade and the new year! Paranormal stories really make me wonder what might be lurking just out of sight of 'normals' or creeping about in the dark waiting to pounce. So let's see how Wayne Gray treats the genre in...
    Silverwolf
    by @Wayne Gray
    Length: 43,705
    Description:  Jed is a man of interesting talents used to life on the northern coast of California.  Things are fairly sedate until a spate of murders begins to occur, bringing an interesting stranger to town.
    There will be sex between consenting adults in this story.
    This story is dedicated to @Mikiesboy, who encouraged a cider-drunk Wayne to take on such an erotic take on the werewolf genre.
    A Reader said: That was a great wrap-up to an amazing and thoroughly engaging story!  I can't imagine a better vehicle for my first read into the paranormal genre.  I kept waiting for the new Conduit, but Shane's reveal caught me totally off guard.  Looking forward to lots more.
    Tom 
    Don't forget to come back to read my interview with Wayne Gray and share your thoughts on the story on Monday, January 27th, 2020! 
  2. Cia
    In the past, I've done Caption This Challenges in the newsletter, and since we have an open blog today, I thought we'd have some Halloween fun with one on the site blog. It's a super simple challenge that helps get your creative juices flowing... write a caption for this image below that tells the story in a minimum of words and share it in the blog comments. You have just 30 words or less to share what you think is happening in the picture. Narrate the scene, share what's going through the viewer's mind, give us a peek at the events about to happen... Is it exactly what it looks like? Will there be a twist? 
     
    You tell us! 
     

    CAPTION THIS
     
     
    Remember, authors, you can get featured in the site blogs with several author features but you have to sign up for them! 
    Story Critique: Open to all GA authors. Sign up here
    Story Recommendations:  Open to all GA authors & readers. PM your recommendation and why you recommend it to a Site Admin.
  3. Cia
    This challenge was so popular two weeks ago and we have another open blog today, so I thought we'd have some more Halloween fun. It's almost here! It's a super simple challenge that helps get your creative juices flowing... write a caption for this image below that tells a story and share it in the blog comments. You have just 30 words or less to share what you think is happening in the picture. Narrate the scene, give a spooky reason why those jack-o-lantern's are clustered there, or give us a peek at the events about to happen... Are they about to get revenge for the carving? Eeek!  
     
    You tell us! 
     

    CAPTION THIS
     
     
    Remember, authors, you can get featured in the site blogs with several author features but you have to sign up for them! 
    Story Critique: Open to all GA authors. Sign up here
    Story Recommendations:  Open to all GA authors & readers. PM your recommendation and why you recommend it to a Site Admin.
  4. Cia

    Members Make a Difference!

    By Cia,


    News Archive
    If you receive GA's monthly newsletter, you know we’re looking for feedback from YOU! Now’s the time to share your thoughts on site features and potential future changes. *Let’s be constructive and give ideas on what will help encourage new membership and activity among current members, not just what you don’t like, please!!*

    Forum Moves and Shake Ups
    There have been changes to the forums. Some forums were moved or removed with their content moving to new places, some Clubs removed or consolidated, and Myr shared the Fluid View option in last week’s announcement.
    So now that it’s been a week or so, how’s it working for you? Have you gotten used to the new locations? Never really noticed the change? Like it way better?
    Share your thoughts below!
     

     
     
    Stories Comment, Review, and Chapter Comment Guidelines
    These guidelines are pretty intuitive to long-time members, but there’s now a pop up field at each section for comments and reviews on stories. They explain what each section is for and how to best support authors by readers. The idea is to have the information ‘on the spot’ for users to encourage them to use the features.
    Do any of the guidelines not make sense to you? Thoughts about them? Comments in general? Share them below!
    Example of Story Review Guidelines below in the Spoiler! 
     
    Site Membership, Activity, and Clubs
    Hello, members! Can you tell us what prompted you to join GA? Literally, why did you click that button and make an account? Were you browsing for stories and decide, why not join? Did you see an ad or a pop up? Did you want to comment on a story you were reading? Reach out to an author?
    We need YOUR ideas about how to encourage readers and lurkers to join the site. Share them below!
    Favorite Areas-Features of the site…
    So when you joined, what areas or features of GA kept you coming back? Where do you spend your time? What can we do to keep those areas active or create more activity in other areas or features that you enjoy or think would encourage more lurkers to join the site to take part in?
    Share your favorite site spots and ideas below! 

  5. Cia

    Halloween Hunt is On! Scary Short Stories

    By Cia,


    Fun Stuff
    It's the Halloween Hunt Short Story Reveal Day on All Hallow's Eve eve! Which story will scare you the most? The rule was for authors to check their comments, then write a story being chased by their story creation. A criminal cyborg, a vengeful spirit... Who did they get? Read the following and find out. Don't forget to share your appreciation via some likes, comments, and reviews! 
     
  6. Cia

    December CSR Feature: Hypno-trouble by Palantir

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Can you believe we're at the last month of 2019 and our final CSR story for the year? I've yet to hear any suggestions from members/readers on what they'd like to see on the first/last Mondays of the month blogs as an alternative... any ideas? In the interim, we have a great story for this month, an oldie but funny from Palantir, Hypno-trouble. Sure, I could have picked a holiday story or something light-hearted, but I totally thought something from the naughty list might be more fun. Enjoy!! 
    Hypno-trouble
    by @Palantir
     
    Length: 27,436
    Description: A relaxed and light-hearted take on the Erotic Mind Control genre. Hopefully you'll get some smiles from the ridiculous situations portrayed.
    Warning, explicit scenes throughout.
    A reader said: Lmao payback can be such a bitch but they so deserve it. Thanks for a great story. ~ Daithi
     
    Don't forget to come back with your thoughts on the story, Monday, December 30th, to comment on the Discussion blog! 
  7. Cia
    This is it, the final Classic Author feature of 2019. I've picked another story that tugs at the heartstrings for this month, one by a currently posting Classic author, Ronyx. A coming out story, one where the choice isn't always made but taken, and the consequences that one teen faces at home is something many of us can relate to--especially at this time of year. Read on to find out just how it turns out! 

    Length: 22,819
    Description:  Gary gets outed at school by his best friend. After his mother discovers his 'secret,' will he still be the apple of her eye? Find out as Gary discovers love, friendship, understanding and forgiveness in this heart-felt story.
    A Reader said: If you’re looking for a Ronyx story in easy to digest bite-sized chunks, this is the one to read! Chapters are much shorter than in his later work, but this was his very first story. Ron’s talent shines even from the beginning.  ;–)  ~ droughtquake
    If you want to spread the word about Ronyx's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!
    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!

  8. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's blog where I featured this month's story by a site Classic Author? Keeping in the mood for family and drama, I couldn't pass up the story Apple of Her Eye by Ronyx. Did you check it out? Have you read it before? What did you think? 
    This month's excerpt was chosen because I can't help but know just how realistic it is (being the mother of teenagers). The drama and angst, the total horror of a moment that can't be taken back, the feelings of ups and downs... those are all so very UP and DOWN. I think Ronyx captures it very well in this scene...
    Want to read more? Click here. 
  9. Cia

    December CSR Discussion Day: Hypno-trouble by Palantir

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Wow, the last Monday of 2019! And what a CSR Discussion to end it on with Hypno-trouble. Did you happen to read this laugh-out-loud horror of hypnosis? Not sure if it's horrifically embarrassing or hilariously endearing at the way the couples are acting in the story. What did you think? Before you comment, of course, enjoy this interview with Palantir first! 
    Chocolate or Vanilla? - Chocolate is ok but I'll put myself in the vanilla camp.
    If you were an animal, what would you be? - If we're going by characteristics I'd say a labrador. If we're going by choice, I regard dolphins with wonder and awe, so I'll go a step further and say orca.
    If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? - Good grief! It takes me months sometimes to decide on a story title. - Hm! I've made a snap decision on 'No Man's Land' as it gives a sense of the otherness of my orientation (strong for my generation) as well as the otherness of my outlook.
    Is there a literary character (in the whole universe of fiction) that you’ve read who you really identified with? - I'm one of those readers who gets so immersed in a (good) story the characters are real, so in a way I identify with the heroes/protagonists of all the great novels I've read. - Yes, Will Stanton in the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper.
    What’s the best part of being an author? - This changes with time and situation. Sometimes it's a sense of achievement. At one stage when I was confronted with my mortality it was a sense of legacy. Sometimes it's that special gift from a reader when they share that something has touched their heart or mind. 
    Many of your stories have a lighter element, but Hypno-Trouble takes that even further. What prompted this fun teenager take on the theme of hypnosis?  - I was purely and simply trying my hand at a new genre. At one stage there were a number of 'mind-control' sites and Hypno-Trouble was my take on what was usually a much darker story-line.
    Where did you get your information about the hypnotic elements for the story? - In my younger days there used to be shows by hypnotists travelling the countryside which amazed me, and in my late teens I read a number of books on the subject out of curiosity. 
    What would you say this story is more about… revenge, karma, or hilarious fun?  - Purely for fun, with a bit of a plot-line to hold it all together.
    Do you have a favorite scene in Hypno-Trouble?  - The imagery of the situation and what's going through the Jerry's mind when he's sitting in his car, realising he's walked past several groups of people while wearing his jocks outside his jeans.
    Is there anything you’d like to share about your current or upcoming work? - My current work, Widderkin, is my first attempt at the 'Fantasy' genre and is very close to a finish.  It has adventures in Australian wild settings then the Realms of Faerie. Life matters have interfered recently and I'm also battling with a bout of writer's block but that will pass.
    Don't forget to share your thoughts on Hypno-trouble!
  10. Cia

    November CSR Discussion: Those Cerulean Eyes by Arran

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Happy November! Are you ready for Thanksgiving, my US friends? Maybe you can take some time this break week (if you have one) to enjoy this story, if you haven't already. I hope you have, though, and can share your thoughts on Arran's story, Those Cerulean Eyes, after you enjoy this interview! 
     
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?

    Definitely. There isn’t a fruit or vegetable that I don’t like.


     
    If you were an animal, what would you be?

    Probably a puma because it is a stealthy, patient and efficient hunter.


     
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?

    Florence, Italy because of its rich history associated with the Renaissance.


     
    What brought you to Gay Authors?

    Dom Luca’s stories. I enjoyed every one of them.


     
    If you had to only work on one writing-type project for the next year... what would it be?

    I enjoy Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books, so probably something of that nature.


     
    Why cerulean?

    Because blue is my favorite color and cerulean is the most beautiful shade of blue for me.


     
    Okay, are you a fan of Starbucks or do you prefer local joints?

    I am definitely not a fan of Starbucks. I chose to use Starbucks in Those Cerulean Eyes because the story takes place in downtown Portland, Oregon where there seems to be a Starbucks on every block. I don’t make a practice of going to either because I have a Keurig at home that makes the best coffee that I could ever want. However when Borders Books was in business, i spent a fair amount of time sampling books over a great cup of Cafe Americano.


     
    Do you ‘identify’ with one character better, Mark or Mickey?

    Mark, because I wrote the story from his perspective; however, I think both characters have their own merits and goodnesses.


     
    What is your favorite scene in Those Cerulean Eyes?

    The scene between Mark and Mickey’s mother at the end of the story.


     
    Would you like to share a little about your current or upcoming work?

    I am currently working to get I Will Sing for You published. While it has already been written, I am editing each chapter before publication to make it as good as it can be. I’ve gotten good comments relating to some stylistic problems of my writing, so I’m trying to incorporate them into the final product. I guess the one thing that I can share is that I, like Callan, am a geologist who finds Arizona geology fascinating, from the very ancient 1.75 billion-year-old Vishnu Schist at the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the remnants of the very recent (less than one million-year-old) San Francisco Peaks stratovolcano near Flagstaff. And I find the Arizona-Sonora Desert one of the most thrilling and beautiful places on earth.
  11. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's blog featuring Duncan Ryder's short story, Sorry Mom, from the 2010 Anthology "I'd Never Do That"? Maybe you read it before, or maybe it was a new to you story. Or maybe I wasn't able to convince you to read it yet... maybe this excerpt will do the trick! 
     
    I picked this part of the story first because I didn't want to give away the whole story and second because I wanted something that shows the poignancy of this story and Duncan's writing. Enjoy!
    Want to read more? Click here!
  12. Cia
    November is here, and with it a story that many readers enjoyed back in 2010 during the Spring Anthology. With a theme like "I'd Never Do That" and a title of Sorry, Mom the story could have gone anywhere. Well, I'm not going to tell you! I'll feature a reader's thoughts below, but then you'll just have to check out the story yourself to find out. 

    Sorry, Mom
    by Duncan Ryder
    Length: 2,042
    Description: When you find your future, you shouldn’t have to give up your past.
    A Reader said: The nervous anxiety is brilliantly portrayed, you can feel the relief at the end.  ~ cognac69
     
    If you want to spread the word about Duncan Ryder's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!
    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!

  13. Cia

    Featured Story: A Vampire to the Rescue

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    Well, you get an extra dose of me this week, since it's a US holiday and I had some time to spare to help out with the blog this morning. Speaking of, thank you to any and every veteran who has ever served to protect the freedom and security of their country! And, without further ado... please enjoy Aditus' review of @comicfan's story, A Vampire to the Rescue! 
     
    A Vampire to the Rescue
    Comicfan
    Reviewer: Aditus
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 3,949
    Halloween is over, and all the creepy folk are back behind the veil for one year with the help of fireworks and Jack-o’-lanterns. Except for one vampire. Him we still want around because he is a hero.
    Terry is out to get some food when he overhears a heated conversation between two men in a darkened street. Just when he is about to turn away, he hears something that reminds him of how cruel humanity can be to a child. How cruel it has been to him. This is why there is no way Terry will allow what is about to happen.
    While he is still considering what to do the argument turns into a fight, and one of the men kills the other. When the survivor pulls a frightened kid out of the trunk of a car, Terry sees his suspicions confirmed. He can’t wait any longer to intervene. An epic fight enfolds, and Terry finds out he’s battling an old enemy.
    In the end, Terry is still hungry, but the kid has the perfect idea of how they could change that.
    The story has some nice twists and surprises I really liked. There might be some parts where I want to know even more, but that’s because I’m greedy. And now I have that damn song in my head: Oh..someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah.
    Category: Fiction  Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi  Tags:  teen, mature adult, were-creatures, vampire, modern  Rating: Everyone
  14. Cia

    November CSR Feature: Those Cerulean Eyes by Arran

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Happy November! Just 2 months left until 2019 comes to a close, and I thought I'd feature a story that just came to a close as well, Those Cerulean Eyes by Arran. Long-time member of the site, this is one of a few stories Arran posted this year. Did you read it? If not, here's your chance before the Discussion day at the end of the month! Also, I'm still looking for ideas on how to feature site stories and authors to change up the first/last Monday of the month blog. The CSR format has been going on for about 7 years now, since we first started doing weekly staff blogs again, and I'd love to ensure we're keeping things fresh and fun to encourage member participation. 
    Do you have an idea of a blog format? A new type of feature? Share it with me via PM! 
    Those Cerulean Eyes
    by Arran
    Length: 32,605
    Description: Mickey is a rather shy twenty-year-old first-year college student majoring in interior design and Mark is a more worldly twenty-two-year-old first-year law student. Mark has an eye for Mickey from the moment that he sees him and strikes up a conversation with him as soon as Mickey seats himself at the table next to him in Starbucks. As fortune would have it, Mickey moves to Mark's table and they forge a friendship. But sensing that there is more to this enigmatic young man than meets the eye, Mark sets out to confirm it, hoping that he and Mickey can become more than just friends.
    A Reader Said:  This is a tale about two college students Mark and Mickey. Mickey is a rather shy guy whilst Mark is a more worldly guy. We follow them as they meet in a coffee shop and forge a friendship which develops into more. What follows is the wonderful tale of there time together and the problems that they overcome.
    A truly wonderful tale that I recommend as a fantastic read. ~ Chris191070
     
    Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, November 25th!
  15. Cia

    CSR Discussion: Spirit & Spare Parts

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    So begins the week of Halloween short stories!! We featured several stories this month and welcomed members to decide why they liked them to share with other readers. What drew you in? Title? Description? Type of monster-riffic plot to enjoy? Well... I can't wait to hear it! Share your thoughts and comments below. 
     
    me Zombie
    Tired of the same old zombie thing? Looking for different?  Well drop in to visit with Stephen and family. Nice twist on this well-worn genre. Great job, tim!   ~ MichaelS36 June 30, 2018
     
    Shepherd's Crook
    I have been waiting for this story to be posted in full in order to read it, and as the number of reviews grew I figured it must be a good one! You write very realistic dialogue, K.C., which I admire. So easy to be taken out of the story when the dialogue is stilted. There were a number of surprises in here, definitely an original tale. They kept me turning the pages...or scrolling down in this case. Engaging characters throughout though I would have liked a little more insight into the foundation of Amanda's cruelty and lack of remorse. Pure mental illness or were there other factors? Well done K.C. And I look forward to your next. ~ Percy September 30, 2012
     
    Z is For Zombie
    It may say "Z is For Zombie," in the title, but don't let that fool you into thinking this is just another Walking Dead clone. It's not. Geron creates a world that feels alive in the post-apocalyptic sense of what happened during the Changes. It follows a brief period in the lives of a group of survivors who after two years, are more family than just a collection of people. And they are all under the age of 18.
    Five stars for this terrific tale. ~ Brayon September 29, 2018
     
    Purpose
    "To borrow a famous quote, this story is "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma" with deadly and frightening consequences. The two main characters are bonded by forces outside themselves and it takes luck, persistence and danger to tease out the meaning of it all. It is wrapped in a love story between two men. So those who are repelled by homoerotic love should be warned, but love scenes are not explicit. Their journey to self-awareness and knowledge of the forces that bind them is tense and dramatic. I heartily recommend this story for everyone with a sense of danger and adventure."  ~ Daddydavek August 8, 2017
     
    Don't forget to share your thoughts about these stories in the comments below. And on Wednesday, we have even more coming with the Halloween Hunt short stories! And Thursday's the Anthology Haunted look back. 
  16. Cia
    Did you see Monday's blog post featuring this month's Classic Author story and ad? This month's selection is a short story, so I don't want to share too much of it with you because that might spoil too much before you read it. Andy has a real knack with writing one shots that draw you in and make you want to know (and force him to write) more, and The Leanai Scath is no exception. 
    So much of this story seems like it's just a normal tale, but then there are nuances that let you know that something is very, very different about the characters... and you wished you knew more. This section gives you a taste of that along with insight into the characters. 
    Want to read more? Click here. 
  17. Cia
    This month we have a one shot story competition, and it's the last full month before your short story is due for the Fall anthology, so I went with a Classic Author One Shot story that features something from beyond the normal... aliens! Or are they? Well... let's see what Andy78 came up with in The Leanai Scath. 
     

    The Leanai Scath
    by Andy78
    Length: 1,774
    Description: The Leanai Scáth appeared on Earth two centuries ago. They have been herded into colonies on the outskirts of cities, and are subject to the most punitive of laws. Michael violates the laws he sees as unjust, and risks everything for a race seen as nothing better than vermin.
    A reader said: The cultural mores  this story shares are so interesting... and the reader could imagine the plot going in so many directions. I'd love to see it expanded. ~ Cia
     
    If you want to spread the word about Andy78's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!
    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!

  18. Cia

    October CSR Feature: Spirits & Spare Parts

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Wow, it's October 2019, and I've been doing the CSR blog every month for 7 years this year.... 7 is one of those spoooooky numbers. Or is it lucky? Guess it depends on who you ask... or if you're in Vegas? When the holiday season comes around, I like to change this up, or really, any season where I can theme the stories or give readers a chance to try something a little different. I've been doing interviews, a LOT of interviews, over the years as well. Well, this month it's going to be a little different.
    I've picked several stories, and I'd love for readers who enjoy the CSR to tell me which story they'd pick to read/comment on this month and why it grabbed their attention. Just a sentence, or two, or four if you really want to go on and on. You can do that as soon as you read this blog. Especially if you've read all these stories and know you love one of them, or you like one type of paranormal plot-type, or if you check out all the stories and try reading the first chapter and one sucks you in, or... I don't know. You tell me and your fellow readers!
    These comments will be featured on the Discussion day, and then everyone can still share their comments on the story plot/characters below the blog feature. And since it's the month for all things spooky and fun, I've chosen the theme of Spirits and Spare Parts (Zombies, of course!) with 4 stories of varying lengths. (Is that one aspect that matters to you?) 
     
     
     
    How many people like the CSR blog as it is? How many people have the 7 year itch and want a change and have an idea for me? You can share them below too! I'd love to keep featuring stories on the site and authors, but we want to keep this activity interactive and what people want to see/read/take part in! 
  19. Cia

    September CSR Discussion Day: Willpower by northie

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    How did the month end so fast? We've passed the equinox, the seasons are changing, and it's time to share your thoughts on northie's story, Willpower. How did you feel when you read it? Then check out some of northie's feelings, thoughts, and maybe a few things you didn't know. Like... Why was northie frustrated after finding GA? 😲 You'll have to read on to find out! Of course, make sure you share your thoughts on the story too! 
     
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

    It depends. I live in a small flat where an unmade bed isn’t out of mind. However on work days, I’m not one of these people who get dressed early to go for a stroll / walk the dog / have a leisurely breakfast. I emerge about 20 minutes before I’m due out the door with lunch made. If you think that’s not enough time to eat breakfast as well, you’d be quite right. The bed gets left to air until I return (or so I tell myself).  On non-work days, I allow a couple of hours before giving it a cursory going over.
    What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know?

    I’m not one for disclosing much about myself. From my writing, photos, and status updates, people can get a reasonable sense of who I am and what I’m interested in. Other than that, I’d struggle to find something surprising about my life to tell, because there isn’t anything.
    What brought you to GA?

    Reading gay fiction / erotica connects with me for reasons I’ve only recently unravelled. Like so many people, I started with Nifty. Once the novelty wore off, I became increasingly dissatisfied with the general standard of writing there. Browsing through their ‘Best of Nifty’ introduced me to other sites, of which GA was one. I lurked for a while, then joined, hoping nobody would notice me. Although I enjoyed the reading, and slowly coming out of my shell, the overriding emotion in those first few months was frustration. Why, I didn’t know, until I was introduced to writing. And all became clear.
    (I thought) This was the longest story you’d written (or shared) on GA when Willpower was posted for the anthology. Had you written anything this length before and was it a challenge?

    Funnily enough, it wasn’t. My first ever anthology entry, ‘The Bard’s Tale’, all 16,500 words of it, has that honour. Was it hard work? Oh, yes. With only 4-5 months writing experience (most of which was spent writing the quite simple opening chapters of ‘Never Too Late’), I embarked on this massive experiment.  For reasons I can’t recall, my muse wanted the story to appear as a quasi-playscript. So I had to get my head round that, invent my alternative Earth, write American dialogue, and plot across a much wider canvas than I’d ever done before. It’s a piece I regard with affection, and I learnt a huge amount while writing it.
    Do you prefer to write any general length of story over others? Why/why not?

    Currently, I write everything from prompted microprose (stories of less than 50 words), through short to medium size, standalone pieces, to longer, multi-part stories. I enjoy all of them, otherwise I wouldn’t write in the forms. They each challenge me differently, making individual demands on my creativity, and allowing for experimentation. 
    If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing, what would it be?

    It’s been such a short time since I first put pencil to paper (3 years), I’m not sure there’s much stored advice to give. I remember bristling the first few times my writing was edited, though even then, I took in the comments. So maybe, just to accept constructive criticism positively from the start.
    Other than the prompt for the anthology, how did you come up with the idea for Willpower?

    One theme that occurs is my writing is that of getting older; the problems which may accompany this aspect of life also concern me. Another theme is concealing who you are, or maybe discovering what it is that’s been concealed. With an ageing population, dementia is a fearsome condition, robbing people of their cognition and dignity, and there is little-to-no medical solution. Put that all together with a good dose of drama and you have ‘Willpower’.
    What do you think makes your story stand out compared to other “similar” stories using timeline jumps to alternate the main characters and tell more than one story?

    Does my story stand out for that reason? I have no idea. Certainly I worked hard to make both timelines work on their own, and together. The flashbacks weren’t decorative; they served to push the plot forward as much as the present day storyline, until they joined. When Saul speaks to Max’s son, what he says becomes the flashback, taking the reader again back to the early 1990s. 
    Do you have a favorite line or paragraph in the story that you hope evokes emotion/response in readers the most? What is it, and what emotion were you going for or have readers told you it created?

    This is the crux of the story, the reason for everything that follows. There should be shock, sadness; anger, perhaps. And recognition of the impossible situation the two men found themselves in. Several readers commented on this aspect of the story from personal experience. It told me I’d got that element right.

    ******

    “So, it was the guy in the bar? The one who caused the trouble.” Will was back talking to the image of Saul Edwards. He was amazed at the details the older man could still recall.

    “We'll never know for sure. But a few weeks later, Max told me that rumours were starting to circulate about his sexuality. One of his acquaintances in the City had mentioned it during the course of a conversation the week before.”

    Will saw the sadness etched on the other man's face.

    “Max let the comment pass…”

    Will couldn't believe it. “What? He should've denied it, categorically.”

    “And, so… deny our love? Deny who he really was? For once, your father didn't know what to say. Put on the spot like that? He was damned either way, in his mind, so he let it pass. I kept my counsel, and offered what support I could.”

    ******

    How about a favorite story among all the tales you’ve posted on GA? Which one would you pick and why (you can pick a current story if you are in love with something you are currently writing/will post soon)?

    God… while I’m not an author who loves everything they write, I have a number of favourites. It means that when I get asked this sort of question, I can change things around. This time I’ll go for the ‘Never Too Late…’ series. Eric Whitehouse, the older, lonely principal character, is someone close to my heart. He appeared, fully formed, in my imagination early on in my writing career. As you might expect, he mirrors some aspects of me. He also embodies some of my concerns. Little did I realise when I posted the first chapters, just how unusual a character Eric is in the GA milieu. Against the odds perhaps, he has garnered a following; some of those readers honour the story by sharing their life experiences in the chapter comments. It is a privilege for me, the author, to read and respond to their thoughts and reflections.

  20. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's blog featuring Luc's novella What Might Have Been? There's a banner there if you want to download it and share it in your signature, maybe along with a link and promo to help fellow readers find the story? You never know what sort of gems the older stories are hiding! Clearly this emotional story fits in with the CSR story, Willpower, and that's what I chose to share this month because holding on to your memories and never knowing where life will take you and what choices will create which forks in your path... well, What Might Have Been was a perfect of a bittersweetly poignant tale. 
     
    I picked this section of the story because of a few reasons. It shows the method the author used, sharing two different yet parallel stories with flashbacks, which is really hard to do. It also brought back in the theme in so many ways. We have a memory, an analogy, a disconnection... and that analogy and family disconnection is so immediately apt. It's subtle, but there all through the story... what happens when the people we are so lost in our memories that we create that situation in real life with those around us, because we're so caught up in 'What Might Have Been'. So many thoughts and words!
    To read more, click here. 
  21. Cia
    Oh, the summer has passed, yet another school year begins, and I'm forced to acknowledge that my children have grown older and made me older. It's so strange to watch them grow up and remember my own youth in contrast. We make memories, I try to help them make memories, but it's so true that you can't go back and you never know... what might have been. This is just one more of many amazing stories posted by the promoted authors who have been shifted to Classic author status that new site readers might be missing out on, so go give it a read if you haven't before! 
     

    Length: 15,991
    Description: Memories can be beautiful and painful. What they say is often true, “You can’t go back again.”
    The song that inspired this story is "What Might Have Been" and is by Little Texas. The lyrics, properly credited, are at the end of the story. Listen to it sometime. It's a beautiful song. A reader said: This was such an emotional overload. I am so glad I read it. Thank you for sharing! ~ Tomcat in NC 
     
    If you want to spread the word about Luc's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!
    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!

  22. Cia

    September CSR Feature: Willpower by northie

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Well, September is the start of Fall in the US, and this story was written for the 2017 Fall anthology "The Fall Out"... so this is the perfect month to feature it! Plus, I don't know about everyone else but with school kicking back off, September is a rude shock to my system. I have a routine to get back into, kids to nag back into their routine, and a school full of K-5 students ready to run me ragged. Naps are a biological imperative! Much like Will's father in the beginning of the story, it's hard to tell if I'm asleep or comatose when someone stops by to visit at the end of my days. So, how about we enjoy this sure to be emotional novella (even I can stay awake through 10k!) or refresh your memory if you read it before and can't recall all the fine details? Just make sure you come back at the end of the month with plenty of comments for the Discussion day!
    Willpower
    by northie
    Length: 10,819
    Description: Will Carmichael is visiting his father who lives in a nursing home. One word which his father keeps repeating, holds the power to change Will's life. During his journey to uncover the word's meaning, Will makes discoveries that affect both him and his father.
    A reader said:  The story is cleverly told without being maudlin.  However, if you are a sympathetic old softie like me, you may want to have a tissue handy.  
    As I said in my chapter comment:  Stories that convey important truths in a warm and loving way are the best and this was a gem!   
    I highly recommend this story.  ~ Daddydavek
     
    Don't forget to come back to share your thoughts and comments for the Discussion Day on Monday, September 30th!
  23. Cia
    How's your August? Happy to be over? My summer vacation is rapidly coming to a close, with this being my last week "off" so I am cramming in everything fun and relaxing I can. Of course, I spent a couple of hours this month completely absorbed into Mike Arram's story, The Heart of Oskar Prinz, which was a thoroughly enjoyable escape. Did you? If you did, I'm sure you have some thoughts to share in the comments. And you CAN'T miss the answers he shared!! Make sure you read on, comment, and prompt your fellow GA readers/fans to come visit this blog too! 

     
    If you had 30 minutes of free time, what would you do?

    I retired from my academic job last year, so this is a question that I’ve been daily confronting since.  I no longer have the daily 120 administrative emails to deal with and one remorseless deadline after another, which is quite the relief, but I now have the odd experience of free time.  It’s pushing me in unexpected directions, like for instance birdwatching.  I never knew I was interested in birds, but apparently I am, and they’re such demanding little creatures.  They fill in quite a few half hours, and though it shouldn’t surprise me, there are birding apps, and I’ve bought books!  Also there are author questionnaires.

    If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

    ‘Adolescence is the weirdest time’

    What brought you to GA?

    Ah well, that was a personal invite from Wildone, which was very kind.  But it did hit my particular anxiety which is the longevity of existing posting sites, which in most cases depend on the commitment and enthusiasm of single, devoted individuals for whom there cannot be enough praise.  But in the end that makes them vulnerable.  GA has the advantage of a broader base of support and an institutional framework, as well as its large and enthusiastic base of writers and fans.

    Is there anything you find particularly challenging when you write?

    Not now I have so much free time.  Though maybe the lack of routine demands on me may remove that need to balance commitments I used to find made me productive, hopping happily from one activity to another. 

    If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing, what would it be?

    Sex scenes really do move the process of writing along, just remember that an excess of graphic details isn’t necessarily erotic.

    What’s the first thing you do when you start to write a story like The Heart of Oskar Prinz?

    Tough question.  That particular story came out of ... ermm ... a deep fascination with the products of the Belami studio and a fixation with one particular model of the time, the amazing “Josh Elliot “.  Like Will, I got all the videos and trawled the basement shops in London’s Soho; this was just before online streamed porn revolutionised the activity of male masturbation.  When I finally emerged from the erotic daze the man inspired, as one does, it left me with a different sort of curiosity, such as how such an industry worked, what might get such an amazingly beautiful man involved in gay erotic films, how could such a remarkably fit and intelligent-looking man get tied up in having sex with strangers for the voyeuristic amusement of the likes of me.  Surprisingly, it was possible to find quite a bit about it if you have the research skills and the odd half hour you steal from doing something else.  And it was that research which stimulated my imagination towards a story to further explore that world.  It linked with several of my enthusiasms: exploring a fictional east European nation (as first created by Anthony Hope), and how it might have developed into the 20th century; its history, nobility and language.  So the story of the trapped, driven and tragic figure of Oskar Prinz emerged, and he told his tale.


     
    Do you have any ‘interesting’ online or in-person research anecdotes from writing this story to share?

    I think you can guess where a lot of my research happened and perhaps we need not go there.  But I travel a fair amount, and since I was in Prague I could not resist looking up where the offices of Belami were on Wenceslas Square.  They’re as described as Falkefilm’s Rodolferplaz HQ, off a pasacz.  You probably don’t need to be told that very few young Czech (or Slovak) men actually measure up to Belami standards, so mooning around that pasacz is a waste of time, as well as being creepy.

    Who is your favorite secondary character in the story [not Will or his lover(s)] and why?

    If you take out Will and his various partners, then you’re left with Friedrich Franz, or Fritz, Oskar’s little brother.  In due course he became an even more interesting character to explore than his driven brother: Imagine a boy with every gift of personality, full of love and humour, and with looks far beyond the ordinary, yet with one defect of character caused by his early poverty and loss of his parents: a need to possess utterly those he loved and too ready a need to love.  No human can be perfect and one small flaw can darken every aspect of a life.

    What is your favorite scene in the story?

    The whole story’s plot is highly contrived, which you can take as a homage to the ultimate inspiration of Anthony Hope, who wrote in the romantic Victorian vein which made much of the unlikely coincidence.  But I really did enjoy crafting the double coincidence of Will meeting both his erotic heroes in Strelzen, and finding them not at all what he expected, rather more so than less.  You can see it coming a way off, but I don’t think that lessens the fun.

    Can you share a little about your current story or future projects?

    I can’t not write by now, so there’s always one on the go.  My three Crown of Tassilo historical novels were always intended to be more, but for years I’ve failed to find the plot and characters that would carry the story on into and beyond the Second World War era.  But recently it occurred to me that prequels can be as important as sequels.  So early this year I began the epic tale of Sergius von Tarlenheim-Olmusch, a young nobleman who arrives at the court of Ruritania in 1690 to join the household of the 16 year old Crown Prince Henry and there meets the prince’s bastard cousin, which is the pairing that energises the story.  It will take you across the battlefields of the Hapsburg wars with Louis XIV and the Ottoman empire.  Meanwhile something is definitely amiss in the Marienkloster of Medeln, and on the streets of Old Strelsau the ragged street boys of the Conduit meet an elf on a quest, the nature of which only slowly becomes apparent.  It’s about three-quarters done, and one of the things that’s moving it along is the good fun of working with my current editor, Peter, who shares many of my personal manias as well as being a very gifted linguist.

  24. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's blog featuring Bill W's story, Consolation Parents? It's a short story written for the 2014 Summer Anthology The Backup Plan. The story is one of many of Bill's short stories written for the anthologies. Have you read them? He explores many different themes, social conventions, and more all packed into tiny bite-sized plots that can capture readers. This one pulled me in as a parent. 
     
    I picked this scene because it resonated so well with the emotions and showed just how things can be, even in the midst of an emotional upheaval and trouble in family. Sometimes authors can be tempted to take the drama too far, or make things just that much more complicated that creates a situation that goes beyond rea life, but Bill's story felt like a story I could have told or been told by a friend who needed a sympathetic ear through a tough time. 
    To read more click here. 
  25. Cia
    Here we go again, another day, another author feature! We hope you guys enjoy getting a glimpse at some of these favorite stories from the past that kept readers enthralled in earlier days of the site. This nearly 200k story is a perfect example. Monday's graphic teaser should've whet your appetite, now let's see if I can hook you in completely with an excerpt. 
     
    There is a LOT of drama going on in this story... but that's because the story starts off with a bang and the hits keep coming. You get a good look back at the action and an idea (though, omg, a run at the gate is crazy!!!) of what is to come with this excerpt. And, of course, Topher's stellar writing style and clean editing. 
     
    If you want to read more, click here. 
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