Cia

Now that I have your attention Rules state that no one can win the Cliffhanger award more than two years in a row. I joined late 2009. Since I began writing that November I was shocked to win a Reader's Choice when the voting FOR 2009 came about. I clearly remember that year's King of Cliffies being Mark Arbour... since he complained about how strongly CJ's goat smell clung to the crown since he'd been in possession for the last 2 years (I used my sneaky admin powers to verify). Now, for my point before the conflagration erupts further from CJ's clear prevarications... he rightly reclaimed the crown this last spring when the voting concluded FOR 2010. Count that as win #1. Pretty sure 2011 is only one year more than 2010... so.... VOTE FOR CJ FOR KING OF CLIFFHANGERS! because he IS eligible, no matter what lies he spouts!

Thank you Conner. I didn't want to have to write a long story or write those differences in from my viewpoint as the author. I'm glad that what scenes I did write worked well to bring those issues to the fore from the character's viewpoints. Thanks so much for review!

I couldn't imagine the horror of a childhood without affection and I can't begin to explain the callous nature of an adult who could do that to a helpless kid but I know it happens all the time. Dav is a product of his upbringing but he shows he's capable of so much more. I'm glad you liked this chapter; I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

There is a reason for the quick mating in this one and you'll see why later. Usually I wouldn't do a we meet and instantly click story but since it has a purpose in the plot I decided to go with it. I'm glad you liked the scene, if not necessarily the timing. Thanks for the review!

Thanks for telling me Sam! I'm glad you enjoyed reading the story.

Enh, write what you know right? I try at least. I'm glad it worked with this. Thanks so much for reading Comic, you're so great at leaving feedback and I always love reading what you thought about my stories. Thanks again!

Thank you WL. I think when a person is different it becomes not about being 'normal' but making your reality 'your normal'. How people go about that is personal but its something that has to be done. I just wanted to show the other side of the person who is in the chair; the face behind the scars or that walks with the limp. With a sweet bit of romance added in, of course. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

I didn't want a lot of drama or angst in this, just the coming together of two guys who like each other but face obstacles because of how they view themselves. Once they confront that together, things come together. Thanks so much for the review Carrington, I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

Thank you, as always! I truly do appreciate all you do when you read and comment on my stories. It's helped me become a better author in a lot of ways.

I was stuck in a wheelchair for a bit after a car accident. I also walked with a walker, crutches and a cane. I found out first hand how people can react when they think you're disabled so I tried to keep that true here in this story. As for continuing... well, it seems most of my short stories can be expanded on, lol. I just need more time to do them all! If you find it for me, I'll do my best to fit this one in, lol. Thanks so much for the review Bill!

LOL! I love that! I had this grin on my face the whole time I read it. You made it immediate by incorporating something we've all faced; how crazy we all feel the very first time we click that submit button! The interaction between the characters was so very real and your dialogue flow was awesome. Great story and an excellent job, well done!

A cool premise, I thought the overall plot was very interesting. I'd like to have seen more of the changes wrought in the Fades and why. Has the incident created a big upset in those who changed way of life? Other than build and coloring, are they the same? Maybe you'll continue the story later with those thoughts in mind. I would suggest that you work on creating consistent characters. The personality of your lab technician and the quack doctor seemd to fluctuate quite a bit though Randall and Lethon were realized very well as characters.

I really love the honesty between these two guys. With teenager does he or doesn't he like me angst we often get games or the characters trying to sneakily find out how the other person feels. I love the way Brian can just ask Greg to talk without getting super upset and how they communicate and reassure each other. Before they move to 'really' reassure each other about how they feel, that is, LOL. That's what I love about adult relationship stories. Well done! Oh, and I said it before but I really do love the picture you made for this story.

Kinky sex while one partner thinks he's sleeping! Yikers usually but that just works with this story. Jude is on a new evolution and I love how Henri is guiding him, even though he's on the same path. I love the dancing scene-great visual-so very hot!

Happy Birthday!!!! Hey hun! I hope you have a great day!!!

Happy Birthday!

Great story and a real spin on the aspect of vampirism! I like the way you introduce the characters and the process through time until we get to modern day and see 'Jude' as he is now. It makes you wonder at how much more violent and indifferent the world is now that his actions can be so easily hidden and 'every day ho hum' than the very violent episodes you showcase in the past.

I have no 'good' news but what I have is plans to see everyone on this side of the country in my family for the holidays, my health back to normal finally, and a gingerbread house to make this afternoon with my kids. Life mostly as usual... nothing spectacular but I'm quietly satisfied and happy. I wish for your sake that you can get to this point at least, in the meantime, big

Hun, chalk this up to one of MANY conversations you'll have that will be sensitive and probably upsetting to one or both of you. Maybe not on this scale but in a marriage, when you really work at communicating, they happen. You had a situation that was iffy, you dealt with it and I"m guessing things will go back to normal for you both very soon. If you hadn't mentioned it how long would it have bothered you? In retrospect it's always easy to say oh, I shouldn't have worried but logic doesn't always drive emotions. I'm just glad things all worked out.

OMG, my ocd is killing me, I want that mirror clean. You've cleaned it, right? Cause yeah... that's just... GAH Oh, nice picture, btw

I agree with practically everything you said Graeme, except for the part about Nephy not being a romance writer. Granted, most of the pairings are anything but ordinary, but most of her stories include some type of love affair. It's the way she varies them and really challenges the idea of romance that I think makes that aspect of them seem so unromance-like. In that, I think she is doing exactly what you said, taking a 'cliche' type of story and going beyond what the reader expects to receive when they start reading. That also supports your theory as to why they have been so popular.

Do you offer your critiques via pm? Because by checking your content I saw 1 story topic that you replied to and not a single review. So... I don't know you and I would guess most members here don't 'know' you since you've only been here just over 2 months. I've been accused of coming across wrong to people who don't know me so I can see how that would happen. As far as I could tell you didn't critique anyone's work specifically in this but those comments you made certainly judged the site. That will get to those of us who work so hard with the writers and the story portion of this site. I'm part of the Writer's Support Team, I help moderate GA Stories; I also often help guide new members in how to post and try to review and offer advice on their stories. There is a reason why I've beta read the most stories on GA and I'm in the top 10 for editing. I want to help writers by offering whatever I know to them. I think everyone has room to improve but no one can without someone being honest when commenting. Pointing out flaws or offering advice is a great way to connect with the writers on the site and I would hope more readers would do so. I get what you were trying to do here; I'll even agree with you on those cliches, I've seen them time and time again. Asking for help finding the types of stories that aren't full of them that was even a good idea. But you should watch HOW you ask, especially when you're a relative stranger to most of the writers on the site.

Okay, you say you don't want anyone suggesting stories to you but I'm going to in order to refute your point there is little variety on this site. Myr pointed out DK. There are other hosted that don't focus on teenage angst driven drama, look at Gabriel Morgan's work or Mark Arbour's historical series or Topher's sci-fi work Falcon Banner that is heavy on the not so modern high school drama. Promising includes Androgene who writes stories about adult couples primarily; Bugeye who writes poetry and short stories that rarely revolve around high school, or Corvus' story Mike and Winston about a 30 something and a college guy. I found all of the authors and specific stories I quoted, that I've read before since I'm willing to look at many different authors and types of stories on GA, just by clicking on the Sci-fi genre and scrolling through 1 1/2 pages. That's it! The thing with the genres is that you can pick more than one. Quite of my stories have drama in them so I use that along with fantasy or mystery or whatever else I use. So yes, drama tends to get glutted. That doesn't mean it's all teenage angst, even my high school story was focused on the fact the dad was trying to kill the son for a multitude of reasons well beyond the fact that he's gay and meets a guy. If you're not finding anything but gayngst stories, you're being lazy and not looking. They're here on the site and I'm sure if I were to spend another 10 minutes looking I could point out a dozen or more that I've read that go well beyond your basic high school coming out angst that everyone seems to be denigrating.

Ah yes... this one is a real teaser. You get introduced to the characters and the plot but there's so much left to find out. I hope you enjoy it! Keep reading.

Yes, I'm posting this on Lit with the chapters condensed. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. The Carthera stories are some of my favorites. It's a fun world to explore and write. Thanks so much for joining and leaving me reviews!!