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Cia

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  1. Cia

    Writing Prompts #708 & #709

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    I think there can be some great spooky stories to come from these prompts. A party hat, crime scene tape? A costume party gone wrong? Or just what might you see when you're tired and passing by... well, what can you come up with? Let's see some creativity! 
     
     
    Prompt 708 – Challenge
    Tag – Description
    Create a scene where the main character is exhausted. Make it clear to any reader how tired the character is. However, you may not use the words tired, exhausted, sleepy, or worn out.
     
    Prompt 709 – Creative
    Tag – List of Words
    Use the following words in a story – a party hat, crime scene tape, a diamond earring, a puppy, and a book.
     
    Did you write a flash piece? Post a link in the comments!
  2. Cia

    Featured Story: The Web

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    Who's into a spooky story? It's October after all, and time for all sorts of shivery scary stories all set to send a chill up your spine. Check out what Puppilull thought about one of MrM's short stories from his flash collection of vignettes. Sometimes, it just takes a few words to truly bring out the heart-pounding fright... and he kicks it off with the title alone: The Web (eww!)
     
    Vignettes Collection: The Web
    MrM
    Reviewer: Puppilull
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 1,696
     
    Autumn is upon us and curling up inside with a nice read is high on the agenda. But deciding the right story can be difficult. Romance? Suspense? Hmm…
     
    Why not go for getting scared half to death? Read something that can very well give you nightmares of evil things dwelling in the dark recesses of your basement? Then The Web, a short, stand-alone story, part of MrM’s Vignettes Collection, is just the thing. Just remember, I did warn you!
     
    I’m not a particularly sensitive person and can often find myself drawn to the darker side of stories.  But even I found The Web to be a quite disturbing story of a spider living in the basement of a house. There it lies in wait for prey…
     
    As short as it is, this story was still terrifying enough to make the hairs on my arms stand at attention. It unfolds as intricately as the threads of a spider’s web, getting the reader increasingly ensnared, wanting to get away but feeling compelled to read it to the disturbing end. Throughout the story, you can feel the menacing hunger of the creature, which as any predator feels no remorse for sating its need for flesh. Then again, would you feel remorse over eating, say, a plate of pancakes?
     
    The story was written as part of a Newsletter Game Challenge, where the writers were instructed to pick the scariest creature imaginable and then write a story about it. And boy, did MrM manage to hit this one out of the ballpark! In only little over 1500 words, MrM manages to create a truly terrifying tale of that which lurks in the corners of basements.
     
    If you need anything from your basement, get it before you read this story. Chances are you won’t go down there any time soon…
     
     Category: Fiction   Genres: Free-Verse (Horror)  Tags: dark, serious  Rating: Everyone
  3. Cia

    Writing Prompts #706 & #707

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    October has come! It's time to enjoy some flash fiction this first Freaky Friday. What's that sound...? Is it... a creepy cackle? A spooky rattle? Maybe you can come up with a spooky twist to prompt #706 because I know that would freak me out and there's all sorts of paranormal premises that you could use! Hmm....
     
     
    Prompt 706 – Creative
    Tag – Sleep
    The patient has been in the hospital for longer than you’ve been alive. They barely look eighteen, and doctors keep running all sorts of tests. You were hired to exercise the patient’s muscles, keep them groomed, and clean. While bathing them today, the patient woke up. What happens?
     
    Prompt 707 – Creative
    Tag – First Line
    “But I’m never going to finish on time.”
     
     
    Remember to post a link in the comments if you've written a flash fiction piece to share with readers!
  4. Cia
    October brings us a nice long month to read, a full 28 days, so I wanted to feature a series. Carlos Hazday's Atlantis Shift series delves into the mystical world under the waves that so fascinates many due to the very mystery it still holds on the planet, and I couldn't pass it up. It's also another older feature from his early days showing his creativity from the beginning and his growth since then. You'll get to know more about these stories and Carlos in my interview at the end of the month, so make sure you read up and come back on October 29th! 
     
    Atlantis Shift Series by Carlos Hazday
     
    Tidal Power
    Length: 8,373
    Description: Two ancient species join forces to battle a common enemy.
    A Reader Said: I think I agree with most guys here in that you left us wanting more! After reading the story I have an entirely new appreciation for dolphins that I never even knew existed The wolves are still my favorite, though! ~albertnothlit
     
     
    Detskoye Porno
    Length: 8,858
    Description: The dolphins of Nova Scotia return in an all new adventure!
    A Reader Said: Definitely interested in more. I like all three of the shifter groups we've met - the wolves, dolphins and the dragons. Great story. ~avidreadr
     
    Don't forget to come back for the Discussion Day on Monday, October 29th! 
  5. Cia

    Writing Prompts #704 & #705

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    September has nearly fled, October is fast approaching, and the Extreme Halloween flash fiction stories are due. Did you write a prompt piece for that event? We're going to share it in the newsletter and more, so make sure you get that flash piece posted! If you didn't, maybe you can write something for these prompts, provided by GA's very own prompt guru, Comicfan! 
    Prompt 704 – Creative
    Tag – New Home
    You’ve bought a home that is over a hundred years old, but looks like brand new. You meet the previous owner to take the keys and are informed there is one small detail that must be done daily. They inform you, that no matter what else happens, make sure to leave a fresh bowl of cream on the kitchen counter every night. They stress this must be done for your own sake and leave. What does this mean? Do you follow the directions?
     
    Prompt 705 – Creative
    Tag – List of words
    Use the following words in a story – a lab report, a smashed vial, a pink shirt, a wrist watch, and a cell phone.
     
    If you write a flash piece in the last week, make sure you share a link in the comments below!
  6. Cia

    Plagarism and Protecting Your Stories

    By Cia,


    Writing Tips
    As a few authors might have noted, there was some cause for concern earlier this week in regards to unsolicited commercial interest in some GA authors' stories. We have shut that down, hopefully for good as the so-called author/eBook producer has pulled their content from sale as well, but I will be continuing to monitor content for a while to see if they pop back up again with any stories that have GA content in them stolen from the site. Which is what I'm here to talk about today... We don't just have the mod queue to protect from plagiarism happening when authors post new content on the site. I also help authors whose content has been stolen and posted elsewhere, either for free or for profit. I've issued takedown notices on behalf of the site and, unfortunately, a whopping 5 different times for my own content. 
     
    And while sometimes that alert comes from fans who are reading on alternate sites, other times I've been able to find my content stolen, for sale, or just posted on websites that I do not want my name or content to be associated with or 'hosted' on and hadn't given permission to do so. How did I know? I checked, and I continue to check, as often as I can. I'm not talking about Torrent sites, or free downloads, though those are a nightmare, but mostly about sites where authors are either flat out stealing your work as their own or trying to make a fast buck by ripping it off with a cheap cover and gathering royalties. 
     
    How to check your stories for plagiarism:
    1. Pick a distinctive phrase such as: Nyle looked up nervously as he rode under the portcullis.
    2. Search the phrase within quotation marks "Nyle looked up nervously as he rode under the portcullis.".
    3. Repeat search with a distinctive phrase without names: "The austere chapel and rigorous training had been a sharp contrast to his youth".
     
    Tips: Search on multiple search engines (Bing, Google, etc...). Search phrases from the first chapter and later chapters. Search distinctive phrases both with and without names in case those have been changed. DO ALL OF THIS OFTEN.
     

    How do I get the story removed if I find one or more that's been stolen?
     
    How to report plagiarism:
     
    1. Look for a report button or a contact us link.
    2. Copy the story link to the stolen story.
    3. Share the stolen story title, author name, and links to your original. Haven't posted online? Keep copies of all sent mail to beta readers/fans with advanced reader copies of your work to prove when the content was written and sent. Offer to provide a forwarded copy of said email. If you really want to protect your work, purchase an official copyright, especially if you might publish later. If the site requires it, fill out an official DCMA notice. 
    4. Follow up. Most sites will work with you to remove the content. Sometimes you have to take it further to the ISP.

    If you suspect a story or other content on site has been stolen, please report it! This not only protects the site, but protects the authors, and the original artists.
     
    How to issue a DMCA notice:
     
    1. Contact the site owners/ISP with the following information: Your signature, links to your copyrighted work, links to the plagiarized work, your physical and online contact information, a statement in good faith that the plagiarized work is unauthorized, and a statement that your information is accurate under penalty of perjury....
     
    There's a lot more to DMCA notices I don't want to outline here, but there is a great website which explains the process: The DMCA Takedown Notice DeMystified by Ken Liu
     
    Sample notice:
     
  7. Cia
    September was a short month week-wise for reading the CSR story, so we had a shorter selection (and much shorter than last month's!) with Remijay's Time Will Tell. Did you make the time to read this contemporary twin feature? That's one of the interesting parts of this--the story started posting years before it was finished. Make sure you share what you think in the comments below, but first I want to share my interview with Remijay where I ask him about writing over the course of years. 
     

    Chocolate or Vanilla?

    Chocolate
     
    If you were an animal, what would you be?

    I would like to think a Tiger.
     
    What brought you to GA?

    My favorite author, Comicality.


    Is there any quote or saying about writing that resonates with you?

    There is a lot of quotes that I could use, but the one I like the best is, "Without risks there are no rewards".
     
    What’s the best part of being an author? The hardest part?

    The best part would be inspiring others from your words. The hardest part would expressing yourself in a way that leaves you vulnerable

     
    You began writing Time Will Tell a very long time ago. Do you remember what prompted you to begin the story?

    I was in a very dark place at the time. The story Time Will Tell, originally was supposed to be a poem. But I couldn't shake the feeling that it could be much more.

     
    If the author you are now could give advice to the author you were then, what would it be?

    Listen to others. Write from your heart. Be passionate about what you write.

     
    If you could pick actors to play Devon & Josh, who would they be?

    Dylan and Cole Sprouse.

     
    What’s your favorite scene in the story? 
    There are actually two scenes.  One is when Devon is introduced to Trent, and the second would be the ending part of the story.

     
    What else are you writing or plan to post next on GA for readers to enjoy?

    I am currently continuing to write Twist Of fate, along with Modern High Take 3. Other than that, whatever comes to my mind as a story.

  8. Cia

    Writing Prompts #702 & #703

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    Flash fiction is a great way to help keep your inspiration juices flowing, especially if you're blocked on a long writing piece. Or you can use it to explore different writing techniques. Either way, just make sure you give it a try and pressure your author friends to try it too. In this case, peer pressure is a good thing, lol! Seriously, expand your repertoire and try your hand at something new if you haven't done it before. Or have some fun if you have but aren't really using it to push your skills in new directions. These prompts might be about ordinary things, but let's see what you can do with....
     
    Prompt 702 – Creative
    Tag – List of words
    Use the following words in a story – text books, new sneakers, a bus, a cup of coffee, and a ripped bag.
     
    Prompt 703 – Creative
    Tag – First Line
    “Is that a baby crying?”
    Did you write a flash fiction story last week? Make sure you share a link below. 
  9. Cia
    A classic tale with a twist by a Classic GA author? How about that?! Check out this month's Classic Author feature, The Son's of Memory by Stefan Schmidt, a nearly 24k story all about sacrifice, monsters, misunderstandings, and maybe some mischief. Okay, we're talking about the Greek Gods, so there's going to be a whole lot of mischief! 
     

     
    Length: 23,966
     
    Description: This is the ancient tale of Theseus, prince of Athens, who tries to stop Athens' tribute to Crete. He will not only meet a monster in a labyrinth but perhaps the love of his life. But the Gods are not always friendly. Being a plaything to the moods of the Gods, Theseus and Arian are stranded on the isle of Naxos where they will meet their fate and a God's private competition.
     
    If you want to spread the word about Stefan Schmidt'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!

  10. Cia

    Featured Story: Pour Me Another

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    A very popular story in its day, many of our current readers might not have read this latest story to be reviewed by the team combing through the stories on the site to bring you recommendations like Pour Me Another by K.C. A winner of a Reader's Choice Award from when we polled site members for their favorite story content, see if spikey582 agrees with the voters and would have chosen K.C.'s story back then too! 
     
    Pour Me Another
    K.C.
    Reviewer: spikey582
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 72,802
    Last year when we did our review feature on Classic author stories, I knew at the time that I really wanted to do a review for more than one story. Unfortunately, at the time, I didn’t have enough time to get more than one story covered, so I’ve been wanting to go back through the GA archives and find another somewhat forgotten gem to draw attention to. That being said, I was happy to run across this story by K.C. that I actually had forgotten I read back in my first year on GA.
     
    In Pour Me Another, we are introduced to one Asher Burkhart, an openly gay bartender working in an upscale business center. At the same time, we’re introduced to Michael Waters, a seemingly straight, arrogant businessman, and frequent patron of the very bar in which Asher works. A series of encounters early on in the story, in which Asher finds himself rendering aid to Michael more than once sets a pattern of these two men to cross paths again and again.  
     
    As they continue to meet and interact, both men are taken on a journey of discovery together. We are treated to the ups and downs of their interactions, as they get to know each other and we get to discover who they truly are right along with them.  
     
    What I really enjoyed about this story was how well K.C. develops both characters. They have a depth to them, and they have to overcome some seemingly insurmountable challenges through their journey. This story handles some pretty heavy issues, and complicated situations, and does so in a subtle way. A simple boy-meets-boy story this is not.
     
    I’m not sure I can do this story justice in such a short synopsis for how good it really is. It is engaging right from the first chapter, and had me binging to read what happens next, even upon revisiting the story just this last month. Something I thought was interesting upon rereading this story was a notation on the title page. Pour Me Another was the winner of the 2013 Readers Choice Award for Best Story by a Promising Author. I joined GA in 2015, and as far as I am aware, there hasn’t been such an award voted on since joining. So, this is something that apparently was done on the site a few years ago. Either way, Pour Me Another was very deserving of such an award. It’s a great read, so go check it out.
     
    Category: Fiction   Genres: Romance  Tags: gay, urban, anal, masturbate, oral, modern  Rating: Mature
  11. Cia

    Writing Prompts #700 & #701

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    TGIF! Yes, yes, it's Friday! Prompt Day! Thanks to Comicfan, we have many more for you to enjoy. What sort of selections do we have for you this week? Well, it's nothing so interesting as what's for dinner. Oh man, do I hate getting that question at the end of a long day when I have NO idea so sometimes my answers can be a tad... interesting, lol. Did you write a flash piece with some interesting answers as well? 
    Prompt 700 – Creative
    Tag – School
    You’ve just taken a class at the local university as a way to better yourself and get ahead in  your career. However, when the professor walks in you realize you might have taken the wrong class. Who is the professor and what are they teaching?
     
    Prompt 701 – Creative
    Tag – Curse
    Before you born, your mother pissed off the local witch. The witch went beyond a normal spell and a curse was laid upon her unborn child, which is you. The curse keeps you silent, ugly, obedient, and can only be broken if the meanest person in the town kisses you, and begs you to speak. If it happens you will regain your speech, the looks you should have had, and be free to make up your own mind and follow others demands.
     
    Did you flash for us? *gasp* Post it below! 
  12. Cia

    Writing Prompts #698 & #699

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    Well, I don't want to promise any heat this week (those weirdos in Canada already getting hail and snow, what's up with that?) but maybe down in the southern hemisphere, they're enjoying the weather shift as we begin September. Perfect weather to sit on a bench and ask a ton of questions, like in last week's prompt. Did you try it? Or did your ex crash your big engagement... from beyond the grave? *shivers* That's an October-worthy prompt right there! Make sure you share your prompts below if you wrote last week, or maybe this week's selections will inspire you! 
     
    Prompt 698 – Creative
    Tag – Witch
    Today you woke up in house you didn’t know. When you went outside you met a bunch of little people, a talking scarecrow, and a walking robot who keeps saying he is the army of this nation. The big issue is your house seems to have killed someone and they want you to put on some large silver sneakers that look like they weigh a hundred pounds each. Not only that, but they keep calling for some woman, and telling you that you’re a with like the little girl who came last time. Are you mad or caught up in something?
     
    Prompt 699 – Creative
    Tag – First Line
    Mom, what’s for dinner?
     
    Did you write a prompt response last week? Make sure you post it as part of a collection if it's under 1,000 words in length! 
  13. Cia

    September CSR Feature: Time Will Tell by Remijay

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Time Will Tell... will you read this month's CSR story by Remijay? This recently finished story is one that also stood the test of time. It began six years ago with chapter one and just finished in August with chapter fifteen. There's a tale to tell about writing the story just as much as there is in the story itself, I'm sure, and I can't wait to bring more about both to you on the last Monday of the month on the Discussion Day, September 24th. 
     
    Time Will Tell
    by Remijay
     
    Length: 35,267
     
    Description: Two twin boys, and gay. How to tell this story is simple but complicated. Devon a boy of 16 struggling with difficulties of a home life. Josh a boy of the same age, that has everything he wants, but one thing, his brother. Both are struggling with their past and maybe present. Hopefully they find each other. Together they might overcome, what is to come.
     
     
    A Reader Said: Well you did end with a bang and it was a good ending.  ~ NimirRaj
     
    Don't forget to come back on Monday, Sept. 24th, for the Discussion Day. 
  14. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's blog featuring Stefan Schmidt's novella, The Sons of Memory? This tale of Theseus brings out a lot of the old classic stylings with all the trappings of the Greek mythology, including a minotaur who needs... well, what he needs. And this story isn't shy with the details. I decided to share the excerpt from the very beginning, because as with all good stories, that sets the plot and the first glimpse of the character.  Care to check out... the maze?
     

     
    To read more, click here. 
  15. Cia

    Writing Prompts #696 & #697

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    That's it. August is done. Finito. Wait... the season change doesn't come for 3 more weeks? There's still more warmth or the heat from H-E-double hockey sticks (depending on your locale) or smoke (I'm out west, it's awful!) to go? Well how about we stay indoors and read and write flash fiction? Yes, that's just the ticket!  Don't forget that stories under 1,000 words must be posted as part of a collection.
     
    Prompt 696 – Creative
    Tag  - The bench
    A bench appeared in the middle of town out of nowhere. Ever since the first person sat down on it, there has been a line of people waiting their turn. Whoever sits spends an hour with one person, alive or dead and answers their questions honestly except, if they are dead, what happened after they died. Your turn is next. Who do you sit with?
     
    Prompt 697 – Creative
    Tag – The Ex
    The table was set, the place was ready, and you were excited. Tonight you were going to announce your engagement to family and friends. You were just starting to pass your sister some more snacks for the kid’s table when the doorbell rang. Your mother ran to open it for you and screamed. You found her passed out in the entryway with someone kneeling over her. As you looked into the doorway you understood why. Your ex was the one holding your mother’s hand, and he was dressed in a tux. Only the big problem is he died in a car crash ten years ago. What is happening?
     
    Did you write a prompt response last week? Don't forget to share it below.
  16. Cia

    Another Opportunity for Learning: Plotting!

    By Cia,


    Writing Tips
    As with a few weeks ago, this Wednesday we're lacking any submissions for the author self-promotions and self-improvement blogs (shown below) so I thought we'd focus on some information and questions shared on GA by members and authors and maybe some other help I could provide when it comes to another vital aspect to writing to build on last week's post. The earlier exploring characterization explored past blogs that had different angles for writing characters as well as two file downloads I've used over the years to create characters. This week, let's take a look at what most people is the other essential aspect crafting a story (for some authors, it's primary aspect, but I'll let you decide that for yourself!)
     
    First, the author improvement features, so you can sign up if you're interested. Don't miss out on these, guys!
    Story Critique: Open to all GA authors. Sign up here.
    Ask An Author: Send your questions for your favorite authors to Carlos Hazday (no questions = no Ask An Author)
    Story Recommendations:  Open to all GA authors & readers. PM your recommendation and why you recommend it to a Site Admin.
     
     
     
    Of course, you can find information on writing books as far as length (a vital part of plotting) and so much more in a lot of other places, such as:
     
    Writer's Circle Club
    Book Lengths - Writer's Circle Club
    To Structure or Not to Structure Your Stories - Writer's Circle Club
    Ideal Chapter Length - Writer's Circle Club 
    The 8 Point Story Arc or What My Story Was Missing - Writer's Circle Club
     
    Writer's Resources Forum
    Ten Ways to Hook Your Reader
     
    Places to Plot - Websites/Programs
    Do you mind map or use notecards? You can sign up for free accounts with Onedrive and GSuite to access Powerpoint or Slides. Or you can use Trello after you check out this YouTube tutorial. 
     
    X-Mind a visual mind-mapping resource for free
     
    Scrivener: very popular and well-known, but this is something that authors have to pay for
     
    Resources for Authors - Direct Downloads
    Elements of Literature - This is actually a PDF guide for analyzing literature for readers, but I find it's a primer for what authors should show readers as well. Source: TeachersPayTeachers
    Download: ElementsofLiteraturePowerPoint.pdf
     
    Story Idea Map - Basic Idea with character addition PDF
    Download: 30Days-Story-Idea-Map.pdf
     
    Three-Part Plotting Worksheet - Word file with 3 Act plotting outline with conflict prompts
    Download:  Plotting-Worksheet-by-Annie-Neugebauer.doc  More in-depth guide: Plotting-Worksheet-with-Prompts-by-Annie-Neugebauer.doc
     
  17. Cia
    Holy mackerel it's Monday, the last Monday of the month! How did that happen already? Well it's a good thing we're ready for it, right? Did you take advantage of the time you had to read Aceinthehole's story, The Hidden Ones: The Spotlight? I know it was really long! Hopefully you made a dent. I will caution you, if you're still mid-read, there are some questions below in the interview that have answers that might be a tad revealing about the story, so I've hidden them with spoilers. Or maybe they will just entice you to read it! Your choice.
     
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?

    I can’t say I always did, but I’ve gotten a lot better about it! I recently graduated college, where I used to only eat frozen pizzas, chicken nuggets, take out and the like. However now that I’m onto the next chapter of my life, I’ve tried my hardest to make a strong commitment to my health, both mental and physical.

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

    The Eighth Circle of Hell: How to Survive in a House with Four Sisters.

    I’m just kidding. I love my sisters and the chaos that comes with a packed house. But sometimes, it does feel like the eighth circle of hell!

    What don’t we know about you?  

    In addition to loving sports and music, I’m a gigantic nerd. I love comic books, video games, T.V. shows and movies. These mediums are really what inspired me to become a writer. I’ve read and watched so many amazing stories, that I hope to one day contribute one of my own!

    Is there a literary character (in the whole universe of fiction) that you’ve read who you really identified with?

    I’d have to say Tyrion Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. I’m nowhere as smart or tactical as he is, but I closely relate to him being an outcast. I’ve always been blessed with family and friends, however I grew up in an area where being gay isn’t widely accepted. His words and wisdom really meant a lot to me, especially when I was coming out to those close to me.

    Did something specific in your life/history inspire you to write The Hidden Ones: The Spotlight?

    I’d say my experience in High School was what really sparked the idea for this story. I can’t say I was bullied much, but I was also never that popular. Instead I was an anonymous kid who kept to his friends and simply observed everything that was happening around him. Yet what I observed always ate away at me. For no specific reason, certain kids got made fun of for the same qualities the ‘popular’ kids had.

    In addition, at every High School I knew, there was always one kid at the top, usually the captain of a sports team or school president. This kid always tried his/her hardest to seem perfect at every turn. Worst of all, they always offered help without ever actually intending to follow through with it. They rarely got their hands dirty in terms of bullying, but turned a blind eye to it. They pretended to be friends with everyone, but in reality they were in it for their own selfish gains.

    I guess what I’m trying to say is that the popular kid isn’t all that different from the kid with a target on his back. This hypocrisy was what really inspired The Hidden Ones: The Spotlight. I wanted to show what would happen if that popular kid ever learned just how much they had in common with the bullied kid.
    Is there anything you found particularly challenging while writing this series?



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

    Stop overthinking it, and just keep writing.

    There were a lot of moments when I was writing that I just wanted to give up. I often doubted the story, and where it would go. I felt silly trying to create my own rock star, and citing music I’m not sure many people had heard.

    But now looking back, those doubts were silly. I was so worried about how it would be received, that I almost lost the story I wanted to tell. It may not be perfect, but I’m proud of it. I got to write about a genre I love, and about an issue that always seemed to bother me.

    I credit @JayT, who edited the story, with helping me through my doubts and even brain storming along with me during certain parts. By the end I was able to get to a place where I was really having fun with this story.  

    What do you think makes The Spotlight stand out compared to other “similar” stories?

    I think what separates it from other stories is how dark and gritty it can get. This is not a light hearted, feel good story. It explores the boxes we force ourselves into, and how much damage that can do to a person. Even when things get better, the damage is already done.

    I understand that many people read stories to escape certain realities. After all, I read certain stories for the same reasons. However, we don’t always get the happy endings we dreamed of. Life has a way of warping our endings, and giving us what it feels we need.

    I always try to keep this in mind while writing, and to me that whole concept sets this story apart. I wouldn’t say this is a dark story, there are a lot of light and happy moments within it, but I tried my hardest to keep it as realistic as possible.



    What do you like best about the story?

    This is a very tough question for me, as this story is perhaps the most fun I’ve had writing so far. I got to combine my passion for writing with my passion for music. Often before writing a chapter I would sit down and watch music video after music video to help me get into the right mindset. It was like I got to take messages from the bands I loved and let it flow through me into my own story.

    However, after looking at the whole of the story, the thing I like best...



    Can you share something about your current work or an upcoming story?

    So I have a current story I’m writing along with the editing help of OzLoGo called The Golden City, and two upcoming stories Tales of the Underground Book four: Vision and an unnamed The Hidden Ones third book (although this book is more for fun!). 

    The Golden City is very unlike anything I’ve written before. I’m not too sure where it came from. It’s just been this really fun and vibrant story. It’s the journey of Arthur Price following the loss of his single mother and his move to San Francisco. It follows him exploring his new city as he begins to discover his true self. It feels like a lot more of an adventure than anything I’ve written before.

    The fourth and final Tales of the Underground story, Vision, will be released after The Golden City is finished. It’ll take place a good twenty to thirty years after the first three books and will focus on Matthew Sanders-Taylor’s journey to find who he really is. This journey will require the help of many characters from this series and in many ways will mirror the first book, Velocity, that sparked my love for writing.

    Finally, the third The Hidden Ones which is still unnamed will follow the rising of a new rock star. It was a story I was uncertain about at first, but after receiving requests from some of my readers, is something I will happily begin. It will be a running story I update throughout the year. It’ll help people stay updated on their favorite characters, while also allowing me to continue writing characters I miss! 
  18. Cia
    August is winding down! How about some end of summer fun with these prompts?  If you're stuck, or you're considering writing for the first time, these might be perfect for you. Don't forget that stories under 1,000 words must be posted as part of a collection.
     
    Prompt 694 – Creative
    Tag – First Line
    I’m tired of this, so I’m going home!
     
    Prompt 695 – Creative
    Tag – The role
    You’ve been asked to guest star on your favorite show. What is your role like and on what show ?
     
    Did you write a prompt response last week? Don't forget to share it below.
  19. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's blog post feature of this month's Classic Author story, My Jump Off by Nickolas James? There's something to be said for reading about flawed characters who have a real life and problems they might not handle like you would want a character to do... since real people and real life so seldom follows a script. And that's just what this story has going for it. I picked this month's featured excerpt for that reason as well. You can really see the 'teenage drama' and the self-involved focus Jarred has even as you want to reach into the computer and smack him upside the head for being an idiot. Or maybe that's just the mom in me, lol. 
     


     
    To read more, click here. 
  20. Cia
    This month we're keeping the theme going with another teen story by one of our site authors. This time it's My Jump Off by Nickolas James, one of the site Classic Authors. All too often authors write their teenage characters as if they are minor adults--a little more impulsive and stuck in high school still--but with all the wisdom and maturity to make the "right decisions". Well... what happens when right doesn't feel right and wrong feels so much better? I think Nickolas James's story features that aspect teens struggle with all too often in a very real way. Check it out!
     

     
    Length: 32,999
     
    Description: Jarred Fedina's a high school sophomore who's got a problem....his boyfriend. Jarred's been thinking about leaving him for another guy for a while. Then, one day during a chance encounter, Jarred has an epiphany.
     
    A Reader said: I was there engulfed and sharing in all the emotions and love, confusion, and frustrations.indeed A VERY WILD RIDE for me...it brought Reality in its finest moments to me...(meaning I have some unfinished business. To handle there...... My heart goes out to you and your abilities and skills THANK YOU SINCERELY. .HUGGS  ~ Dmrman (Ch. 20 of Staking My Claim, series book 2)
     
     
    If you want to spread the word about Nickolas James'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!
     
     
  21. Cia
    Happy Friday, prompt authors! How do a few creative prompts sound for this week's challenge? There's something very, very wrong with both of these scenarios, and you have to figure out what that is... have fun! 
     
    Prompt 692 – Creative
    Tag – The trunk
    Aggravated, you march out to the garage looking for boxes to pack your belongings in. You spot the trunk in the corner, grab the handle and go to drag it out, only to nearly dislocate your shoulder. Stopping, you open the trunk only to stand there screaming into the night. What was in the trunk?
     
    Prompt 693 – Creative
    Tag – Twin
    This morning you got up and knew something is was wrong. A minute later, your mother calls demanding to know if your twin is okay. You have no idea, because as far as you know, because you’re an only child. What’s going on?
     
    Did you write a prompt response last week? Don't forget to share it below.
  22. Cia

    Featured Story: Losing Kevin

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    One thing many readers have in common here on GA is that, at one time or another, we've had to grapple with the fact that we're not quite what everyone expects us to be when we're growing up. We're different. But others can't tell. And sometimes, when you're reading, that's a good thing! There are a lot of teen coming-of-age stories on GA, but BlindAmbition really connected with this one for his review. Read on to find out why! 
     
    Losing Kevin
    Ronyx
    Reviewer: BlindAmbition
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 57,913
     
    Choosing a story to read can be difficult, whether you’re craving a certain genre, or a specific mood. Deciding which story to review can be just as difficult. GA has a vast library of stories and authors. I gravitate more to stories that evoke reaction, or real emotion. Losing Kevin by Ronyx is one of those stories. This story has your typical teenage angst, but there's so much more complexity within these characters and their relationships. It’s a binge worthy pleasure from one of GA’s Classic Authors.
     
    Losing Kevin centers on Kevin Williams. A boy who is coming to terms with his sexuality, and what exactly that means for him going forward. A difficult moment for any teenager. Add in his identical twin Devin, and well, it’s a recipe for disaster. The brothers have become increasingly distant as they grow older.
     
    Kevin is a master at blending in and keeping secrets, while Devin is Mr. Popularity juggling a social climbing girlfriend. The only thing these two have in common is pleasing a demanding father. Each has their own way of dealing with him. This has created a certain level of sibling rivalry.
     
    Kevin has kept a low profile. That was until new student Cameron Lynch enters the picture. There’s instant chemistry. Something which hasn’t gone unnoticed. Brewing storms from multiple fronts are ahead for Kevin and Cameron. The realization of secrets and truths will pit brother against brother, friend against friend, parent against parent, parent against child in this complex tale.
     
    Ronyx masterfully dissects these relationships layer by layer, giving the reader multiple views of situations. He does this with extreme neutrality, leaving the reader the opportunity to form their own opinion.
     
    I’m usually not a fan of too many teenage coming of age tales. Ronyx is an exception. He tackles tough and taboo subjects. Sometimes the issues are hard to read about, but they are handled with an honest and delicate curiosity. The teen characters are well formed individuals. You know they are teens, but there is a level of maturity there. Losing Kevin is a good introduction to Ronyx’s stories if you’ve never delved into his library of work. Happy Reading!
     
    Category: Fiction   Genres: Drama, Romance  Tags: teen, gay, coming of age, university  Rating: Mature
  23. Cia
    Friday is here! Busy week for me yet again, with the CSR on Monday and the post about crafting characters on Wednesday. But maybe you can use some of that info to help you when writing for one of these great prompts supplied by our guru, Comicfan! 
     
    Prompt 690 – Creative
    Tag – The horoscope
    Imagine reading a horoscope and having it come true, but only in accidental ways. What happens?
     
    Prompt 691 – Creative
    Tag – Fairy Tale Gone Wrong
    You’ve been trying to make your father happy, but your first three quests have gone wrong. The frog you kissed turned into a three hundred pound woman who ran immediately back to her husband. The cat you saved and gave boots to, well she turned out to literally have been a witch’s lover. You won’t even tell your father about fighting to a ruined castle to save some sort of sleeping beauty only to arrive moments after some other guy got there. Now he is sending you on a quest he found. What happens?
     
    Did you write a prompt response last week? Don't forget to share it below.
  24. Cia

    July CSR Discussion Day: The Tampa Chronicles by BHopper2

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Well this was a nice long month between Mondays, so I picked a short story and the novella continuation of the tale written by BHopper2 in A New Life and a New Home and My Son. Did you have a chance to read them before or this month for the feature? Make sure you share you thoughts below! You might also consider writing a review for the story or copying your comments there; authors always appreciate those! But first, as always, I have an interview with BHopper2. 
     
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

    The short answer is no, and yes. Back when I was still in college, I took a course in Human Reproduction and Development. One of the assignments we had involved reading over a report from the CDC about the dangers of making your bed in the morning. Basically, it is better to not make your bed so that it can air out during the day, and get rid of the sweat and germs you slept off overnight. Of course, I do make it if someone is coming over that might see my room, but overall, nope, I don’t make the bed.
    If you were an animal, what would you be?

    I’ve been called a cuddly bear many times by my Ex’s, so I would be a bear. LOL. In the nomenclature of the Gay Culture, I would be classified as a bear. However, I’ve been partial to cats most of my life, and I’ve always liked Snow Leopards, Florida Panthers, and good old alley-cats. So, I think I would be a cat of some sort while hoping it was a Snow Leopard. Which is odd, because my native Floridian self can’t stand the cold. Or a bear… LOL
    If you had 30 minutes of free time, what would you do?

    I have too much free time as it is. I’m disabled, and not currently working. But if I had 30 mins to spend on anything thing I want, I would look for a nice quiet place to perform meditation. I’ve started to get back into the practice of doing meditation daily, and I feel that it helps. Just need to find the quiet, which is hard when all the family is running through the house. Especially now during summer.
    What brought you to GA?

    I first came to GA in early 2016. I was over on Nifty, reading some stories, and it was Comicality’s story called Shelter that I wanted to see if there were any more chapters. I did a Google search, and that led me to GA. I started reading the stories here and eventually created an account to interact and post my own stories.
     
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

    Depends on the day, and if my disabilities are getting in the way. But, if it’s a good day… watching sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico, sipping coffee with some friends while talking about various topics, hockey, taking a stroll on Bayshore Blvd and the longest sidewalk in the world, hockey, watching the military men that use Bayshore as an exercise trail, hockey, watching some good shows, reading, and of course my Tampa Bay Lightning hockey.
    What’s the best part of being an author?

    Creation. Being an author it lets one create a world, fill it with dynamic characters, and tell a story (or stories) set in that world. Yes, some may use the real world, and take elements from real people to make a character, but the bottom line is storytelling is creation. We are making something from nothing. I recently relearned that according to one study it is estimated 75-80% of Gay Men have some form of Mental Illness, with the primaries being Anxiety, Bipolar, and Depression. I have all three. The feeling you get from creating a world, even if you don’t share it, can help with these issues. Most gay men will never experience the birth of a child that they help create. Not to take anything away from that experience, but writing can help fill the gap with the creation of stories and characters. My stories are my children, my legacy if you will.
    A prompt inspired A New Life and a New Home. What led you to expand the storyline in My Son?

    When I wrote A New Life and a New Home, I had just finished talking to the real-life person that inspired the character Chandon. I was looking for an idea to write about and saw the first line prompt. It reminded me of how the real-life version of Jill met her son’s boyfriend, and the rest they say is history. I changed the names of my friend, his boyfriend, and mother, and wrote the story. (They liked it btw.) It was the first story I worked with @Kitt on with her as my Editor. Posted it, and got some good feedback.

    When I started My Son, I was actually struggling with a different story. I was posting in tim’s Chat Thread @Mikiesboy Drop-In Center about struggling, and tim’s husband Mike (@MichaelS36) suggested I try something different from what I usually do. I had notes and an outline from a story I was planning on doing, that I felt could be used.

    I sat down at the kitchen table and was looking at House Design plans for a cousin that was building a house. While I was there, that’s when I spotted the house that I would use in My Son. It was gorgeous, and it sparked the first paragraph of the story. I excused myself from the family, set up my laptop, and immediately started the first chapter. Later, I took the notes and New Life and combined them as I kept thinking about Chandon and Brayon, while I was writing about Adam, Duncan, and Rob.

    I had originally only planned for one chapter for My Son, but the readers wanted more. I had the notes ready to go and finished out the story of Adam and Robert coming together.

    I now have Tampa Chronicles 3, which is about Duncan’s Nephew Jeremy Isen, and getting ready to start writing Tampa Chronicles 4, which will have all the character together.

    I must give credit to two people though. Without @Mikiesboy’s and @Kitt’s editing help, neither story would be as good as they are.
    If your story were made into a movie, could you picture anyone playing the main characters parts?

    I can see Christian Bale playing the part of Adam Smith, and Duncan Isen would be played by Chris Pratt. As for the kids, Tom Holland would make a good Robert Turner. Brayon Hopper could be played by KJ Apa (Archie for Riverdale). For Chandon Bolton, I can see Cole Sprouse playing him.
    What was your favorite part of the stories?

    Showcasing my hometown in My Son. Tampa is just as much of a character as the rest of the ensemble. Also, the sense of love and family, I’ve tried to convey.
     
    Can you share a little idea of your currently working on/future projects with us?

    I’m currently working on three projects.

    Getting Tampa Chronicles 4 plotted and planned. I do High Overviews in long arc stories, and I have a list of places I want the boys to go see. I have to give credit to @BabyXander1990, a fellow Tampa resident, for giving me some places for them to visit, that I hadn’t thought of. It will start off with a train trip that has Adam and Duncan taking Robert, Giles, Brayon, Chandon, and Jeremy to Boston for a bit, and then other places around the country before coming back to Tampa.

    Freedom Station is a new SciFi story that I’m working on. It tells the story of Twin Brothers who were separated and adopted by different families at birth. Their biological mother was part of a government gene-therapy program, and her pregnancy wasn’t discovered when they started. So the twins are more than they seem. They are a successful splicing of Human and Alien DNA. While the story is character focused on the Twin’s reuniting and developing a relationship, in the background Earth is in danger from an alien armada which will reach the Sol System in 36 months. Earth and her alien allies are trying to mount a defense, and Freedom Station a space station in lunar orbit, will be the shield.

    The last project is called Timeless, and it’s about Garrett. He’s a former US Army Ranger who was a career military officer until a roadside IED caused him to lose both legs at the knee. He’s an avid gamer and went to college to be a computer programmer. Garrett wakes up inside the game Timeless a VRMMORPG. He doesn’t know how he got there, and the story is about him escaping. Think TRON or TRON Legacy, but inside an MMO game, with other players playing normally. This is my first attempt at a LitRPG story, where it’s a story within a story, and when writing the game-world portions, there will be a discussion on game mechanics, the damage being dealt, etc. It’s a fairly new genre of stories that a major motion picture was made of one of the books called Ready Player One.

    Of course, there is a lot of shorts, practice pieces, and others I’ve done that don’t get published. I would say, about 90% of what I write, doesn’t see the light of day.
  25. Cia
    This week we have something a little different for today's blog post though we're keeping it all about improving and encouraging authors. Remember we have various opportunities for authors to be featured such as: 
     
    Story Critique: Open to all GA authors. Sign up here.
    Ask An Author: Send your questions for your favorite authors to Carlos Hazday (no questions = no Ask An Author)
    Story Recommendations:  Open to all GA authors & readers. PM your recommendation and why you recommend it to a Site Admin.
     
    But since last Wednesday was the Ask An Author post, and we don't have a story review to post, and no one has signed up to do an Improve & Encourage Story Critique, then... what could we do? I wanted to continue to feature content for authors, and I'm all about improving writing skills. My focus is often on grammar and the stickier rules relating to line editing, but today we're going to focus on an older blog post that Lugh added way back when we first started sharing site blogs to help encourage authors to improve their craft, and I also have a few Word files for authors to to use while crafting characters to download if they want so make sure you scroll to the end of the blog post! 
     
    There are two minds as to if a story should be plot or character driven. But, no matter which way you pick, you need to ensure that your story is crafted to its fullest potential on both elements. This week we're going to focus on characters. First up, we're going to take a look at a blog post Lugh shared in 2012 about physical descriptions for characters:
     
     
    CassieQ shared some thoughts about character motivation and stereotypes: 
     
    How about creating a villain? Renee shared her thoughts on the bad guys here. 
     
    There are a ton of great articles like these, all about writing and editing, in the writing tips blog especially toward the back of the blog and last pages. These are just a few to whet your appetite! And, now that I hopefully have you hooked, I'm going to share a few Word files below. The first is a Blank Character Bio Sheet. You can use this to fill in your character's physical characteristics, age, birthplace, background, religion, family, habits, likes/dislikes, skills, home-life, job, fighting ability, backstory, etc... it's as comprehensive as I could make it and open enough to cover just about any genre. And, to help you fill it out, there's a character interview question file to make you think about what your character might answer if asked more abstract thoughts to help flesh out their personality and beliefs. 
     
    Blank Character Bio Sheet.docx
     
    Character Interview Questions.doc
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