Cia

In no way did I suggest we don't have very skilled writers here. We also have writers that are just starting out. I don't care about critique to my own work or to individual pieces based on their merit; I welcome it because I prefer honesty about my stories, good or bad. However, when I see someone say, "Actually, I was about to give up on GA altogether and just dismiss it as place where semi-illiterate teens come to get cheap thrills. Just kidding. Or not. Ouch!" I'm not inclined to think that they have read all that much on the site and if they're going to make condescending comments such as that, perhaps they shouldn't. That's not a critique, it's an insult to both the writers and readers on GA, imo.

I blinked at the doctor's explanation. I tried to let go of Dav's hand, but he wouldn't let me, tightening his fingers until I stopped trying to pull away. He relaxed and caressed the back of my hand with his thumb, making me shiver. Dav's voice was steady when he spoke, “So, you're saying that all I have to do is bite Ellis, and he'll get better?" "That's what we think. Even with his type of migraine, his episodes were not severe enough to explain the damage to the vessels in his eyes."

Strong, schmong; you can be whatever you want here with us. The other commenters have said everything else so I'll leave it at that.

"The nature of this site" is acceptance, imo, Sidd. Accepting that not all authors have a message or feel the need to quote philosophical masters and write a masterpiece in order to post a story. Accepting that is true; sometimes authors have to learn how to be better by working their way up to it. We have teenagers who are writing their first stories, twenty somethings who have been trying for years or just dipping their toes in literary waters; some of our writers use life experience that they've garnered over the years to let us see times and attitudes of years gone past. Everyone writes in their own way. Not everyone is 'good' by commonly held opinions, granted, but don't dismiss the site just because YOU don't happen to like the genre/style a lot of the members do. How much have you read on this site? Have you been lurking long or have you just sampled a few stories and judged the lot by those few? Did you pick up a pen or keyboard and instantly write the type of story you are wishing for, if that's what you write, or did it take time, trial and error, and a lot of work before you got to that point? Talking about this subject is good. It is always good to discuss styles, skills, plot fallacies or strengths along with characterizations. People learn this way. But you might want to watch the tone and manner of which you speak of the authors on this site, even if you don't name names. Also, perhaps you are finding it difficult to find the types of sites you are looking for because authors who tend to write the type of fiction you prefer publish. Have you checked your local bookstores' LGBT sections?

First off, I'm sorry you're dealing with this now, rough timing on top of a sensitive issue. I've been married for 11 years and have 2 kids. So... I sympathize with your situation in that regard. You have time invested and a bond to your husband above and beyond love for him. BUT there's a commitment that you both made to each other and that issue is beyond the act of what he is doing if he is cheating with a male co-worker. It's not the fact that he would be cheating with a man, don't worry we don't think that's what would be bothering you, it's that he's cheating. My personal take on it is this. You HAVE to talk to him. You can't sublimate this and not say something. You'll just always wonder and that will damage your marriage too. He's eroded your trust and without talking to him, you won't get it back to rights. Practically, I would get a sitter for your child or send him/her to a friend or family member for a night. Then sit your husband down and talk to him. Don't accuse him but tell him what he said, tell him how you feel and how you have reconsidered his actions based on those comments he made. Again, DON'T accuse him. No marriage will survive without open lines of communication and honesty. You have to talk to him about this imo. Good luck and if you ever need to talk or vent my pm box is always open or you can email me.

That's on National Lampoon's Christmas, my kids love it. I also have an ornament I got on my honeymoon from Maui with it on the tree. Fun song. The very first song I remember learning for Christmas, I was 7 and it was for our 2nd grade Christmas program: . Needless to say I got stage fright and burst into tears and had to be taken off the stage before it started... but I still have it memorized today. Dean Martin's voice just does it better than any other I've heard.

Hi Natasha, Welcome to GA! This is a very accepting place so I would hope you don't experience any stigma. I sometimes get asked by some of the guys why we are here as women but it's always been honest curiousity on their part. So again, welcome! Hi Nomoretears00! I'm glad you were able to register and get started on the site. I'm always happy to see new authors join, especially ones that I enjoy reading so much.

So interesting! I expected this wonderful utopia to be this wonderful place that everyone else should strive toward and yet you made it a weakness, not a strength for the Laurelians as a people. A good play on the controversy of whether or not pacificism can truly work in a world such as ours. Nice job Dolores!

I try to avoid cliched aspects but even I'm guilty of using some occasionally. Most authors are, I think. I try to write unique stories with strong characters, or characters that learn to be strong. I strive to make them realistic, even when writing fantasy. I'm not super keen on teenager stories, especially with sex though I do write it into some of my older character's stories. I want my stuff to be original, even if it's been said that it can't really be done since all plots have already been written already. Sometimes I think I succeed, sometimes I fail. *shrugs* Oh, and anyone who wants to see some really non-cliched vampire romances non-Bella Swanesque (and doesn't mind mostly mf) should check out the Black Dagger Brotherhood. One of the best adult series out there with very strong characters that all have flaws and problems, even while rich and beautiful and blah blah blah. Perhaps even despite it. With good sex scenes

The ignorant will always show their true colors, as it were. Honestly, I think as a society, Americans tend to be way too involved in what other people are doing in their love lives. Relationships, sex, and marriage should all be equal regardless of sexuality or skin color. They are all personal decisions that shouldn't be anyone's business but those involved unless someone is being hurt who doesn't want to be. Live and let live is my philosophy because I don't want to be judged so why should I get to judge anyone else?

Well wasn't that a creepy little story? Well done! I thought it flowed rather nicely, even when the characters were a bit oblique about the whole thing. I also liked how you showed the difference between close minded and open minded people. Sometimes... strange things just happen, lol.

Pervs! I don't get rap, I mean, what's the point when it's barely intelligible? Then again... I don't think this video is about the rapping so again... Pervs!

"No!" "Yes!" "But I don't want to!" "But... but... you said anything!" I sighed. I had said anything. "Why did you have to pick a balloon? You know how I feel about being high up. Why can't we go swimming in the ocean or on a camel ride through the desert?" It was Jack's turn to sigh. That sounded way older than his six year old attitude should be able to come up with. He squinted up his eyes and pointed at me. "You said it was my choice!" "You are entirely too spoiled," I said. Jack

I know, I know! (thanks for reading)

I hope you had a good birthday! Sorry I left you hanging sort of, lol. Good drama right?

"Dude, you're acting all giddy, like some chick. What the hell is going on with you? Get a little estrogen in your vitamins this month?" "Shut up!" Kiron said. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at his roommate, annoyed at the description. "I am not." Ramiro just snorted. "Whatever. Let me know if you're going to start dancing around again after you check your email, I swear you ran over my toes twice before I got away from you." Kiron flipped him off. "Did not." "Wow, all that c

Out of everyone who stares at him, Kiron hopes that one person is staring for all the right reasons. With his best friend pushing him to take advantage of college life and finally meet someone, Kiron is tired of being lonely. It's just not as easy as Ramiro makes it sound.

Ummm... honest opinion... nope, not going there boy lady bits? *shudders*

My dad loves to tell about him swimming with the gators in the swamps of Florida. I just think he's nuts. I have been in springs where we had to get out every 2 hours to check for gators down there but that's it. I don't mess around with things bigger, stronger, and faster with bigger teeth than me! Certainly not in a canoe! You did have a lot of descriptions. At a few points it was a little more detailed than I needed for visualizations but that might be because I know what similar areas to what you describe look like already. To someone unfamiliar with that type of landscape it would definitely seem alien and your writing helped show that. Relationships come with moments of irritation and doubt, especially when one person screws up. If you don't harangue your partner, you're doing good!

Look at all the perving on you Yang You didn't intend that at all when you were umm... playing, did you? *nibbles* cause you look tasty (I couldn't miss joining in on the perving, you know you love it! Great pics Dee, you look so cheerful in the 2nd pic, lol.

Well the next chapter is out... what do you think? Did I give you enough answers or just more questions? The emotional ups and downs are vital to getting the characters where they need to be before things really start happening. More to come soon.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Okay, that was annoying. It was a sound I was familiar with though. I tried to open my eyes, but they wouldn't work. I shifted, the hard mattress underneath me and the chemical smell that seemed to coat my tongue confirmed it. I was in the hospital. "Ellis?" Feelings of relief swamped me, and it took me a minute to realize they weren't mine and remember why. I'd been blocking our bond, and Dav had convinced me to pull down the walls I'd built between us without even knowing

Aww, you're sweet hun. 'Tap that' snickers

You didn't read between the lines about the Weyrs in the Pern series did you? Also the Robenton, Menolly, Sebell triangle. Remember how only male candidates impressed other than the queens? Remember how greens often went 'proddy' and bred because they were females but chewing stone to fight thread made them sterile? So... what happens when those greens mate and their riders are caught up in it through their bonds? It was subtle but it was there. There was a subtle thread of disapproval about the licentious weyrs because of that and the freedom the women had in choosing partners as well on the parts of the Holders, sometimes it wasn't so subtle, lol. I grew up reading McCaffrey. When I was 11 my teacher loaned me every book she had written at that point and I devoured them. That began my love of science fiction and it's still going strong almost 20 years later. I've most of her Pern books and quite a few of her other ones as well. Such a shame to lose and author as well loved as she is by her fans. Oh, and I suggest you read Dan's Rider's Pride if you love Pern. I'm not big on fanfiction but it's seamlessly fit into the world and her writing style imo. A wonderful read that I've gone back to time and again.

Wow, that was incredibly emotional. A tad confusing during the tree scene but very well done with the emotions of the characters. Noel's confusion and upset definitely came through.