Cia

Welcome pmdacey! It's always great to have new authors join the site, especially ones that like to participate in site events like the prompts!

Same basic product, though polenta is actually made from corn meal and grits are made from ... well, the parts of the corn that isn't chaff but doesn't grind up small enough to be cornmeal.

If you have it, soak your chicken in buttermilk for 20 minutes before breading and cooking. It does make for very tender meat. I just start with free range, never frozen, chicken breasts off the ribs and make sure I don't over cook it. LOL. I have been thinking about writing a food based story.

Yeah, that sort of thing holds true for just about anywhere though. Don't even get me started on Northerners trying to make grits! *shakes head* I was born in the south and raised on southern food, even though I mostly lived in the Pacific Northwest. Different regions of the US make a distinct variety of food. Of course, there is a lot of cross-food making but I have never gotten a good bowl of grits, fried okra, or hushpuppies outside of my own family or actually going down south. My own food is a blend of the style I grew up with and the style of my region, the Pacific Northwest, that focuses a lot on natural food and healthy options. So, while I make a kick ass fried chicken, I prefer to use an egg wash and panko bread crumbs over bonless, skinless breast meat drizzled with olive oil and baked instead of a buttermilk wash, wet breading, and deep frying mixed pieces, on the bone, like Grandma always did.

Lemon curd is really good with homemade shortbread cookies. It's a really nice spring dessert. As for my biscotti:

I bake when I need stress relief, or am upset, or just feel like pampering folks. I love carbs ... but I don't think I have a single favorite 'food'. Probably one of the best things I make? Cranberry white chocolate biscotti. They look pretty, and yes, they are time consuming to make but truthfully they're very easy to do as well. They taste wonderful with a mocha.

Can you believe summer is almost here? Well, it is! But first, first we get to discuss some very interesting anthologies from the last few years voted as the best of each year ... by you! Well, the yous that were around each year when the site voted for the Reader's Choice Awards. In this case, we're discussing 4 stories from 2010, 2011, and 2012. Welcome to May's CSR discussion day. 2010: A Chance Encounter by Jian Sierra (tie) (Contemporary Drama) 2010: The Search for Pandora by Graeme (tie) (Sci-Fi) 2011: It Was A Holy Day by Lugh (Sci-Fi) 2012: A Friend In Need by Andy021278 (Contemporary Drama) So, the first thing we decided earlier this month to do was to share our favorite lines for the stories we read. So, what were your thoughts? Favorite lines? Do you have any questions for the authors? That was the second element of this month's discussion day. I didn't get any questions in advance, but authors promise to try and reply if you readers have any pressing NEED to know inquiries. As always don't forget to post your thoughts for next month's selection!

Welcome to another look back at the week here on GA! Happy looong weekend to the USA'ers too. Monday we featured TMmCallahan's Dust & Ash. Wicked Witch reviewed this truly wonderful, and looooooooooong story! lol. Trust me, you want to read this! Wednesday we had the very sad news that a long term member of GA, NaperVic, passed away. A member from nearly the very beginning, Vic was always here to help others and touched many lives of members new and old. He was a mainstay in chat, where his presence will be sorely missed. Friday brought 2 new prompts this week from our guru, Comicfan! This week's prompts include a themed prompt about a community service project and a first line prompt! He also featured Jo Ann's prompt response to first line prompt #230. My fav part of her response ... When Joann got back with the wax she spit out her beer when she looked at KC. "Those are my Victoria's Secret panties. LOL Oh yeah, it's all fun in love, war, and satire! Anthology Announcements: Roll the Dice: Summer Anthology Due June 8th! *PAID* Premium Anthology: 3 Summer Themes Due June 15th! New Reading In Premium: Binding by Lugh From Our Hosted Authors This Week: Line of Sight by Renee Stevens Recovery by Nephylim Adverse Effects by Cia 9.11 by Mark Arbour Odyssey by Mark Arbour Flash Fiction Second Shot: The Senior Year by Andrew Q. Gordon From Our Promising Authors This Week: Pour Me Another by K.C. A Cook's Tale by Mann Ramblings The Talents of the Fallen by JMH Juvenile Feelings by Sid Love Well, that's it! A long week, to be sure. Remember, read, rate, review! Also, the CSR book club this Monday is all about the RCA winning anthologies from the last 3 years. Pick your favorite line from the stories, one or all, to share and authors will answer questions if you have them, as they can!

It is always great to have existing members offer to talk with new members/authors about joining the site and posting, but I would ask that any new member take the time to read the site FAQ themselves. It can be found through the ? tab in the menu bar, and there are topics there from how to join, to the forum guidelines, to posting a story. We do have site staff geared toward specific site areas; contact information for them can be found in the Help Questions and Answers forum. If, after all that, a new person cannot find the answer they need, the Help Questions and Answers forum is the best place to 1) scan the topics to see if someone else has asked your question and 2) post a new topic if you can't find it there. A lot of the time, fellow members will chime in and help out there too!

<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15843233-the-plain-of-bitter-honey" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Plain of Bitter Honey" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365862414m/15843233.jpg" /></a> This story was full; full of danger and peace, hatred and love, bravery and fear. I want to go on and on about the story, but I absolutely refuse to post any type of a spoiler at all. To be honest, this book sat on my to read shelf for a while because I expected there to be a lot of philosophical treatise and political ranting. <br /><br />What I found was an emotional tale with intriguing characters ... mixed with some philosophical and political ranting. However, it only came in when it was relevant to the story and to the character's motivations and personalities. I never felt lectured, I felt enlightened. The romance wasn't very prominent, but I found I didn't really need it. <br /><br />That isn't to say that this wasn't a great, entertaining story just to read for fun. If you're fond of dystopian style plots, you'll love this. It doesn't have anything really 'new' but what the author chose to include in the story was very real. There was a great action theme and some serious suspense. With so many elements to include, the weaving along the plot arc could have become muddled, but I felt that it was seamless. <br /><br />Now, before this appears to be all vague and general praise ... there were a few flaws. I found the minor protagonist's journey�of self to have taken too abrupt of a U-turn. I also would have liked to have seen the ending�of the story a bit more drawn out. It felt like the climax wasn't quite ... climactic. Still, I enjoyed this story immensely. I've already recommended it to several friends who have placed it on their to buy shelves. <br /><br />A solid 4.5 rating from me, and I've definitely found an author I wasn't sure of to add to my buy list myself. <br /> <br/><br/> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5881541-alicia-nordwell">View all my reviews</a>

I'm all for sequels. When I read the original ending of Born Wolf, I kept expecting there to be more. You gave us a resolution to Kurt's personal feelings about submitting to Tahryn, and some resolution within the pack structure. However, I just felt like it wasn't complete. I'd prefer to see a different epilogue and more story in the 'world'.

I've known Vic since I joined a few years ago, but we never became really good friends like many others who knew him. Still, the shock of what happened to him hits hard. I miss seeing Vic in chat, and getting his messages in private to slow the hell down so I'd stick around without getting burned out. Vic was always dedicated to watching out for others and helping however he could. He's irreplaceable, and he will be missed by everyone he touched.

Hi Redlady! Mark away ... just read the new author help, how to post a story, though the ? tab in the menu bar. Doing so means I don't have to make that 'under review' mark on your story til you fix posting issues, LOL! The site is full of eclectic writers and varied styles, so don't worry about fitting in! Welcome to the non-lurking members.

I know I'm guilty of this. *shrugs* I try not to let it affect me enough to treat anyone badly, until I know they are deserving of that based on their actions. You know what I find hardest after having been staff on this site for a while? Trusting anyone to be who they say they are. I know we've all been burned personally a time or two, but I see so much of it online over and over ... it's really hard to allow myself to believe other people, especially if they have extraordinary personal stories. Unfortunately, that means while I try to be friendly, I find myself keeping a distance from some people I would like to get to know better. It's really a shame.

Awww, thank you Sandrewn. It's all right, I do get quite a few comments via the review system and my personal blog off GA for non-members. And unfortunately, my life has been crazy this last year with family health issues and other projects, so I haven't been posting nearly as often as I should. That all being said, thank you very much for the reviews today, and I appreciate the forum comments as well!

Once upon a hot rock band ... a new author came to GA. Dust & Ash is an incredibly popular story following the Boys of Summer band as they face all sorts of challenges, both personal and professional. Dust & Ash by TMcCallahan Reviewer: Wicked Witch Status: In Process Word Count: 379,861 Dust & Ash is one of the most complex romances I've stumbled across, the work of master writer TMcCallahan. It keeps you hooked in an endless, dizzying plot of epic proportions full of emotional scenes. By the end of each chapter you'll most likely want to hit one or more of the characters over the head with a frying pan for their stubborn refusal to behave rationally, yet at the same time it makes you realise just how much trouble we let our pride, lust, stubbornness or tempers get us into. Dust & Ash is the story of the band Boys of Summer, focusing on lead singer Ash and the new drummer who joins the band for the summer season after the normal drummer injured his arm. They soon hook up and many eventful months follow. However it brings with it a host of delightful characters who all have their own dramas and emotions. The story is of the trials and tribulations that Dust, Ash and Co. go through as they all explore love, life and try to get themselves back on the tracks. I've laughed and smiled and cheered and cried as I've read Dust and Ash; TMcCallahan has a gift for putting the reader in the characters boots. I can only say: I can't wait for more in this book.

Welcome Eilias, Sierralem, and Lawus! We love new members, old or young, male or female, authors, readers, forum visitors ... whatever you like to do you can find a niche for you! I hope you enjoy your membership here at GA!

No, this sort of situation does not violate the 'same stage in life' rule. We're somewhat flexible on teens, since the gamut varies with the ages (a 19 and a 17 year old isn't a bad gap though 19 is not a minor and 17 is, but a 19 year old and a 14 year old would be reviewed as possibly violating the rule). A story that focuses solely on the sex, or a 'PWP (plot, what plot?) story' is not allowed here on GA, however. There has to be a reason for the sex to be in the story and there must be some sort of story beyond the main character's sex life.

*Ughs* My hubby's family was doing all sorts of racial slur comments when my kids were in the house when we were visiting 2 weeks ago, and then my dad made a comment about 'faggots' when we were visiting him on the way home. I had to ask politely for them to knock it off at my in laws ... but my dad was pierced with a nasty glare. He apologized. I can't help but wonder wth is wrong with people. I know that sort of thing was rife when older people but damn it, they live in THIS day and age, so get with it! And pay attention to the message they are sending to the youngest generations! I'm so glad your grandson knows better. He's been raised right!

Are you having a good weekend? I intend to spend mine relaxing and writing! I might even fit in an answer to one of this week's prompts! Or maybe I'll read some of this week's updates from our Hosted and Promising Authors. Running Far Afield by Libby Drew was our featured story on Monday. This 17k short story was reviewed by Fishwings. A huge fan of hers, he had this to say: I was more than just pleasantly surprised. “Running Far Afield” proved to be one of the best stories I have come across all year. Check out his other thoughts about this teenage fiction in his review. Libby also provided us with a great tip this week with an article, Editing Isn't for the Weak. She shares her thoughts on editing, author's prerogative, and the relationship between the author and editor when it works well. In Prompt Me this week Comicfan brought us two new prompts, #230 First Line and #231 List of Words. The list of words prompt includes silk, leather, and a dog dog among other words. Quite the combo! James Savik took on prompt #229 which involved entering a contest to spend a day with a favorite 'star'. Check out his take on the prompt and all the comments. Then why not try your hand at a prompt? Site Announcements: Please welcome Andy021278 as GA's newest Promising author. Congratulations Andy! Don't forget to check out 2010-2012 RCA Anthology winners for CSR's Book Club this month! Anthology Announcements: Roll the Dice: Summer Anthology Due June 8th! *PAID* Premium Anthology: 3 Summer Themes Due June 15th! New Reading In Premium: Binding by Lugh From Our Hosted Authors This Week: Legacy by Altimexis Line of Sight by Renee Stevens Waiting Outside the Lines by Comicality Second Shot: The Senior Year by Andrew Q. Gordon 9.11 by Mark Arbour Odyssey by Mark Arbour From Our Promising Authors This Week: A Cook's Tale by Mann Ramblings The Talents of the Fallen by JMH Pour Me Another by K.C. Have a great rest of your weekend, and remember, if you're going to read rate and review! It's the least you can do for our site authors to let them know what you think about the stories they work so hard to write.

<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17450349-prince-claimed" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Prince Claimed (Thresl Chronicles #2)" border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362032155m/17450349.jpg" /></a> This story really is a 3.5 star rating for me. I liked Soldier Mine quite a bit ... but was really anxious for the overall story to be further in the sequel. When it finally came out as Prince Claimed, I was very excited. <br /><br />That being said, I felt a bit let down when I finished reading Sarler and Bleine's story. There was so much potential story left not shown, I felt a bit disappointed. We got a heap of info about the Thresl society and their history, which was absolutely fabulous. I felt like a lot of that was missing in the first book in the series. However, the author went a little bit too far in that direction. <br /><br />I feel like we lost a lot of the relationship between Sarler and Bleine. One of the fascinating things with the Thresl's is how they bond and change to match their 'person'. We didn't get to see that, and I missed it. The set up with all of Bleine's history, his past partner's, and his new 'gay for you' relationship was under-written, imo. <br /><br />I dearly enjoy Amber Kell's writing, however, and will buy the next book in this series, probably the same day it comes out, lol. I just hope that when she writes that one, she balances the characters' stories along with the underlying plot a bit better. <br/><br/> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5881541-alicia-nordwell">View all my reviews</a>

I'm so sorry hun. Recovery takes time, long ... frustrating ... time. But you can do it. You can get to a point where things don't hurt so much, I promise. I won't promise pain free, but things WILL get better. I can't offer too many words about the other stuff ... but know that when you're in pain, sometimes things can be harder to take. Cut yourself some slack when you consider how you react, but you can't always help it.

I'm against a single drink and driving! I was almost killed by a drunk driver, and ended up with bad enough injuries that I'm in pain every single day. For once, the drunk paid the ultimate price during the accident and he died instead of me or my husband, but there is never, ever, any excuse to drink and drive. I enjoy alcohol, so it's not that I'm against drinking in general; I just don't think people need to put others at risk when they make poor decisions and that's exactly what driving while impaired, even 'just a little buzzed', does. That being said, while I agree it won't stop people from driving impaired, maybe it will make those who think it's okay to drink a little and drive lose their licenses just that much faster. Though, in an ideal situation, anyone that blew any measurable alcohol after being pulled over would lose their licenses completely. I know that seems a bit extreme, but it only takes being trapped in a car for over an hour while being cut out, worrying the whole time and moving your toes just to make sure you can even with a broken hip and shattered femur, to make me a pretty firm advocate for sobriety while operating machinery that has such potential for tragedy.

I edit how I would write a story, as that is the only way I know how to do it. I phrase things and write my way, and the only way I know how to suggest improvements to an author's story is by sharing that perspective. Plot elements, character flaws... those are tricky, just like phrasing. In the end, I typically point out issues with an explanation about why I'd change something along with a 'I'd do ...' and hope my insights help the author. I also explain actual errors when it comes to grammar and punctuation rules, but those I pretty much expect authors to either agree/do the changes OR discuss with me why I'm wrong. I make no bones about being pigheaded about the way I believe writing should be done, but I'm always open to learning. I haven't had too many authors complain about my style, and I get requests to beta/edit often enough to think that it does help.