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Cia

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  1. Cia
    September's Signature Feature is The Art of Being Gay by Cole Matthews. This story came about because Cole was wondering what it was like for middle-aged guys struggling with these questions. He wanted the story to be organic, fresh, and not planned, so he posted each chapter as it was written, using the feedback from readers to influence each chapter.
     




     

    Length: 83,473
     
    Description: Chad was outed, his life in shambles. His son, Justin, was his only lifeline to happiness.
    Roy had enough. His attempts to find love and happiness had failed. He decided to simply live without trying to find a companion in life.
     
    Together, they begin to learn what it really means to be gay.
     
    Reviews:
    Flamingo136 says... I've often wondered....just why is it so important to anyone as to what anyone's sexuality has to do with them as a person. Frankly, most people spend very little time having sex...sure we all think about it during our day but really it is not the only thing that defines us...gay or straight or anything in the middle.
     
    It makes me upset that a grown man, Chad, felt that he had to leave his home, family and friends in order to find himself. Shame on those who make it intolerable for Chad, making him feel that he must leave everything in order to find himself and happiness.
    Ok, I'm off my soapbox now....LOL...eagerly awaiting the next chapter and hoping that we get to ultimately see the butterfly emerge from his cocoon....Great beginning............Mike
     
    LadyDe says... And THAT's why I love cats!!!!! They bring people together. But Carlos said it best "a little lost pussy" Hilarious. Once again you put us on a rollercoaster, with no warning, and let us fly, with awkwardness, angsty nightmares, lost kitty and then yum yum!! Wonderful ending. Tyrell is an excellent friend who really knows his Roy Toy! Excellent chapter. Can't wait for the next chapter. Thanks, Cole
     
    Headstall says... Roy intrigues me like anyone does who is oblivious to themselves, yet understands what everyone else wants or needs. Sometimes we really are the last ones to know. Kendra's little talk with Roy was illuminating to both him and me. I love getting to know and understand a character as they interact with others...and I really enjoyed what and how you showed us about Roy through Kendra. Maybe I was wrong about the uplifting part...Chad's breakdown at work shows at the least that he is feeling guilt and the pain of separation from his son. His path appears lonely right now...like a broken toy.
     






    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Cole Matthews chose to share with readers!



    Want to show your support and enjoyment of Cole's story? Download the banner above for your site signature!


  2. Cia

    Writing Prompts #530 & #531

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    I'm Renee again! Not doing such a great job getting these out early, but she'll be back soon. In the meantime, who's ready to do some prompts? There's a featured prompt from last week, if you missed it, and 2 more for authors to be inspired by today. So, without further ado....
     
    Prompt 530 – Creative
    Tag – First Line
    “Pull over! I’m going to be sick.”
     
    Prompt 531 – Creative
    Tag – The flood
    You’ve been watching on TV as the storms have flooded large areas of the state. As news has warned the flooding is now entering your area. What has caused such storms and what, if anything, can be done?
     
    And now to feature a prompt response from the last. I've featured Sasha Distan's East-Jesus-Nowhere inspired by prompt #526:
     

    Read more here.
  3. Cia

    Featured Story: Napowrimo

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    Whoops! I forgot that I was supposed to Renee this week and was sidelined by a migraine, so this featured review is a bit late... which just goes to show that, unlike Mikiesboy, I could never remember to do NaPoWriMo. Unsure of what that is? Check out the review below by Aditus and then go check it out!!
     



    NaPoWriMo

     
     
     


    Mikiesboy

     
     
     
    Reviewer: Aditus
    Status: In process/Complete?
    Word Count: 3173
     

    Poetry. I thought I would put the word right into the first line, in case you’d rather leave, thinking something along the lines of ‘Nah, poetry is not my thing’. I dare you to read further!
     
    April is National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo): Thirty poems in thirty days. According to the author, his first thoughts were: Mental! NO WAY am I going to try it (too much pressure).
     
    Luckily, he had nothing else to do (his words), and wrote a poem for Friday April 1, and then, while he was at it, for the other twenty-nine days too.
     
    Are you still here? Good!
     
    I can’t agree more and could go on and on about syllable count, rhythm, rhyme and many other formal poetry characteristics and forms, which Mikiesboy executes well but are just a means to an end to make us feel. He is a natural poet who concentrates of the essence of things—sometimes with brutal honesty. I will never forget Meat: Short— and so harsh it hurts. Or Baker Boy, which makes me smile each time I read it. For me, this collection of poems is a reflection of heartfelt loneliness and hope, grief and thankfulness, severity and playfulness, in other word(s): Life concentrated in small packages.
     
    So, even if you normally don’t read poetry, give it a try. If you do, but somehow missed this, I hope I made you curious. And if you already read it—why not do it again?
     

    Category: Poetry Genres: Comedy, Drama, Free-Verse, Haiku, Limerick, Prompt Tags: mature adult, teen, adult, bisexual, brothers, friendship Rating: Everyone
  4. Cia

    September C S R Feature: Thaw By Puppilull

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Are you ready for things to change? It's September so seasons and schedules are all out of wack for many people in the world, but one thing remains the same... we have great stories to feature for you to read! This month we're focusing on Thaw by Puppilull. Make sure you take the time to read this month's feature and come back on the discussion day to share your thoughts or questions.
     



    Thaw


    by Puppilull


     

    Length: 59,856
     
    Description: The story of Joel and Lucas, meeting by chance or perhaps accident.
     
    A Reader Said: A wonderful way to say 'until next time' to the guys and awesome for grandpa! He has a girlfriend And OMG you made JAR blush *high five* ~ LitLover
     


    This month's Discussion day will take place on Monday, September 26th!


  5. Cia
    August is coming to a close, and with it summer for the northern hemisphere--the last hurrah for many families having those family/friend barbecues and spending time together. But not all families get to do that--which is exactly what we see in Headstall's Treading Water. Did you have a chance to read it yet? If you didn't, well be careful of spoilers in the comments but you can still enjoy my interview with Headstall.
     
    Who do you like best: Tom, Jerry, or Huckleberry Hound?
    Huckleberry Hound, without a doubt. I loved his ‘voice’ and with him we also got Yogi and Boo Boo, Pixie and Dixie, and Mr. Jinx. Even back then, as a kid, I loved that these cartoons were presented as fleshed out stories.
     
    If you had 30 minutes of free time, what would you do?
    That’s easy. Write, read, give a friend a call, or ride my bicycle.
     
    If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
    Ironically, “Treading Water” would fit nicely, but so would “The Long and Winding Road.”
     
    Is there a literary character (in the whole universe of fiction) that you’ve read who you really identified with?
    One character? No. But there are many characters I’ve related to because I see bits of me in them or their experiences. A number of my own characters have traits of mine, but I don’t think I’d ever want to see all of myself in one character, or my entire life in a story. That would be a hard read to get through.
     
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    That’s a good question. I could be flippant and say time and typing, because those are real challenges for me. The world’s worst typist here, but I’m getting better, and that helps with the time factor. It used to be such tough slogging at the beginning… tedious and frustrating. The first time I used a word processor (Wordpad) was the day I wrote my first ever chapter for “Cards on the Table.” Anyway, I guess my more appropriate answer is that nothing stands out in particular. I love the overall challenge of writing. It’s hard work, but is so rewarding when people respond to it.
     
    On a personal level, I thrive on the challenge I give myself to improve. There are so many ways to say the same thing, with only the slightest nuanced differences, and I want to get to the point where I feel I mostly choose the best option… the one that most fits the voice, or paragraph, or the sentences and content around it. Actually, maybe my biggest challenge is keeping it short. J
     
    What’s the best part of being an author?
    Of course, the response and feedback from readers. But for me personally, I have always been creative. My original outlet was art, and I was one of a small group picked for an experimental five-year scholastic art program at the beginning of high school. Life got in the way, and my creative side took a back seat for a long time. There was an empty space where it used to be, and writing… being an author… has filled that back up. It makes me feel blessed.
     
    Did the scene relating to the title, or the actual title, come to you first?
    I don’t know why, but the titles have always come to me first, for every story. I should say though, I hear voices. J The story percolates in my head to some degree, and even lines of dialogue pop out of nowhere, but before I write anything I have the title.
     
    There’s a lot of general contractor re-design elements in Treading Water. Did that come from life experience or research?
    Life experience. I have completely rebuilt two houses all by myself, including large additions, and I have the same designer gene Craig has.
     
    Do you have a favorite scene of the story?
    Yikes. Toughest question of all. I loved the garage scene because it set the tone, and I loved the pond scene for the emotion and tension of it, and then there’s the diner scene and the freedom of it, but for some reason, the scene when Jared wakes up thinking he’s alone, and runs down the stairs in a panic is one that has always resonated with me. I think it’s the vulnerability he shows that makes it stand out to this day. That was only one, right? J
     
    Do you have any sneak peeks or future stories you can share with readers?
    Crap. My head is so full. I’ve had a lot of requests for Jeremy’s (from CotT) story, and it’s all pretty much written in my head (probably not at all what people are expecting). And then there’s the one about two horse trainers. Yes, I have its title already, but I can’t tell you. There’s also one about a man struggling to hold onto his farm, and another about a man who might or might not be swept downriver in an early spring storm. The most ambitious one floating around in my head takes place on another planet, but after “Morningstar,” it might be too much to take on. Did I mention the vampire with a difference? Yeah, he’s in there too. I also have a story for the ‘Blindsided’ anthology. My main goal though, is to get back to “Cards” and bring it to its close after I finish up “Morningstar.” That’s it… a partial look inside a very crowded head. Cheers.
  6. Cia
    Monday we featured Renee Steven's story, Reece's Choice, with a few of her favorite reviews. There's also a signature graphic you can download if you want to share your love of her story. Didn't see it? Don't worry you can still get it here.
     
    Renee says... I chose this scene because it's honestly my favorite scene in the entire story. I've actually had the spider thing happen to me, except I didn't have anyone else there at the time. I love putting some of my personal experiences into stories, and this was on that I was just waiting to use and I loved the way it turned out.
     

    Want to read more? Check it out here!
  7. Cia
    Usually Renee's the one who posts the blog, not the person being featured, but if you didn't know, she's also one of our Signature Authors! This month we're featuring her story, Reece's Choice. Inspired by one of the prompts, this morphed into a longer story for readers to enjoy.
     




     

    Length: 25,461
     
    Description: When confronted with his family’s bigotry, Reece is faced with the first of many choices. He can continue to tolerate the caustic atmosphere or he can walk away and finally focus on making himself happy. His cousin’s friend Dave unintentionally becomes the catalyst that forces Reece to make a choice. He can only hope it's the right one.
     
    Reviews:
    Valkyrie says... I really enjoyed this story. It was a nice, feel-good story that was a nice contrast to some of the darker stories I've been reading lately.
     
    Aditus says... Wonderful story, Renee! It was just the right dose of love and drama. I really enjoyed this.
     
    Skinnydragon says... Thanks Renee for a wonderful story. I'm happy it ended here.
    Maybe there can be future adventures the boys will get into, but it's certainly not necessary.
    The title actually says it all. Reece's choice. He made a good one!
     
    Cannd says... I enjoyed this alot. I loved these two characters. I would have loved an epilogue to know if they made it past the first year, but I guess it is a more realistic view of a new relationship that has all the signs of being right. They have high hopes and time will tell. I guess the hope for a definite success can't be helped by some of us romantics though. It had a nice ending and it seems like Dave's parents will help make up for his shitty parents. They seem to have a good chance. Thanks.
     




     
     
     
     
     

    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Renee Stevens chose to share with readers!



    Want to show your support and enjoyment of Renee's story? Download the banner above for your site signature!


  8. Cia

    Ask An Author #41

    By Cia,


    Author Interviews
    One of everyone's favorite blogs, back again!! It's the first Wednesday of the month, which can only mean one thing. It's time for another Ask An Author feature provided to us by Dark. If you have questions you want to ask your favorite authors, but don't want to ask the questions yourself, you can always send your questions to Dark for inclusion in the Ask An Author feature.


    Ask an Author #41


     
    Welcome back to another quirky question and answer session with your favorite authors!
     
    In AtA #40, we had questions for authors Cole Matthews, M.A. Church, Riley Jericho, and Carlos Hazday
     
    In AtA #41 we hear from authors Headstall, Mikiesboy, Sammy Blue, and Sasha Distan.
     
    Promising Author and Canadian Headstall kicks off the blog this week. If I understand the story correctly, this author name comes from a particular piece of tack (for horses, oh ye whose minds went elsewhere… ). Not as spry as he used to be, Headstall has had some recent health setbacks, but there are many glad to see his return. Hopefully, the words will start flowing once more with the grace and fluidity that readers have become used to. In the two years Headstall has been with us, he has posted almost a dozen stories, most of them the multi-chapter kind. He’s also a poet; you can see his responses to the weekly prompts among his collection of works, as well as Headstall’s Reflections, a collection of random musings about life, the universe, and everything. Or, you know, a blog of sorts. If you’ve enjoyed this author’s work, have you tried Morningstar: The Malaise? This is Headstall’s first story about werewolves, and in his version, the pack is dying out due to a mysterious … malaise. The main characters must find a way to not only save the pack, but themselves. Is there a way to be happy together given the desperate need the pack has for more matings and pups? I leave you with these words from editor Timothy M: “Being a sifter is complicated, even without the malaise, and sorting out your feelings is difficult, especially when they are new ….”
     
    To Headstall: How did it feel to have your first story take off the way it has?
     


    When I first posted, I didn't know what to expect, from the readers or myself. The response was immediate and somewhat overwhelming, and I honestly expected the support would die down quickly. But it didn't, and to this day I'm still surprised, and now I feel honored and encouraged to improve with every single sentence I write. It's given me the confidence to try new things, like my songs, poetry, an anthology story and a story contest. I've written two other stories posted as serials since the debut of "Cards on the Table," and that is because of the support I received initially, and continually. I'm not quite sure why it took off the way it did, but I am thankful for it everyday, and I feel I owe the readers and GA my very best effort every time I touch the keyboard. Cheers.  
    A big welcome to Author Mikiesboy, making his first appearance in this blog – but not the last, I assure you! He calls himself an ”abecedarian poet.” You’ll have to ask him what it means. Another Canadian, Mikiesboy hails from Ontario and is a big fan of fellow Canadian Headstall. I have learned to stay away from his GA gallery, because just looking at all that wonderful food makes me hungry, lol. Michael is one lucky guy. Read more about their real-life love story in Michael and Me. I’m not sure about that tomato soup cake, though, dunno if I’m adventurous enough to try it. This past April, Mikiesboy tried his hand at NaPoWriMo, which is the poet’s version of writing one whole story in only a month. It’s a daunting task, no matter how you look at it. Mikiesboy is very upfront with his past and you can see some of that in his written works. They’re gritty and real and will make you rethink parts of your own life. Having a huge sweet tooth, however, I find that my favorite story remains Dessert. David gets a second chance at finding love with a man from his past. They meet by chance, eat and talk, and some of his inner musings and realizations will give you a punch to the gut. Of course the sex scene is pretty hot, too!
     
    To Mikiesboy: What inspired the characters you've created? Do people you know make you think of them, or is it situations you encounter?
     


    I've been inspired by situations and people I know. I guess it depends which characters you mean. In my latest story Tait's experience is partly based on my mental health struggles, and some abuse I suffered when I was much younger, but once I know the character I can figure out how he'll react or act. Two of my characters came to me when I was using a prompt, but Faris and James, have a few traits borrowed from me and my husband. So I guess I'd have to say that my characters are one part imagination, one part experience, and a dash or more of me.  

    Youngster and Author Sammy Blue writes from Braunschweig, Germany. Recently, Sammy decided to translate one of his German stories into English. In the forums, Sammy explains some of the finer details making their way into his stories to give us non-Germans a better understanding of the culture belonging to his characters. It’s nice to have that background to ask questions about without the author feeling the need to write it all in the story itself. Sci-Fi writers are well-known for this. High Fantasy, too, can get bogged down with the details, not that you or I would ever do that, of course! LOL. But Sammy is perhaps best known for his work with Gemini. This is a story about teenage Josh and his crazy public school life. With 25 chapters now, we’ve really seen Josh grow into himself. And Jacob? That boy is amazing.
     
    To Sammy Blue: Do you have a character that you've put more of yourself into than any others, and what qualities do you see yourself as sharing with that character?
     


    Not particularly, at least not in Gemini. That might change with future stories, though.
     
    However, I do share some sort of connection with all of my major characters. The reason is simple, really. When I am writing, I am usually using one of two methods, mostly even both in combination. The first is to 'envision' the scene I am writing, almost like a movie. If I'm unsure about something, I even 'replay' it a number of times with small changes to see what fits. This also helps me to narrate in a realistic way.
     
    The other I mostly use when I write thoughts or some of the conversations. I try to really get into the 'skin' of the character I'm writing, to feel their feelings and think their thoughts. It takes some time to get psyched up enough for that, but it's usually worth it. Anyway, because I do this, I do have a pretty good understanding of what my characters feel, and I guess that is what I 'put' into them, and the connection I share with them.  
    Today’s 4th and final author is Author Sasha Distan. We last saw Sasha in ATA #36, about six months ago. Next month it will be a year since Sasha's profile was active, which makes the last status post more ironic: Apparently I’ve been offline long enough for my avatar picture to vanish… But for those of you who need your Sasha fix, you should know that I horded one last question and answer. I, too, have my fingers crossed that Sasha will soon return with more of that British snark we’ve come to enjoy, as well as a conclusion to Sanctuary, the fantasy story where the persecuted find hope and, perhaps, love.
     
    To Sasha Distan: How do you keep all of your storylines from bleeding together when you have more than one story going at a time?
     

    I have a great filing system!
     
    My brain is a very compartmentalized place, and a bit like the filing system on my laptop, I'm very good at keeping the separate part of my life, and separate parts of my stories, very much apart from each other. Characters who exist in different worlds don't even talk, so for example I'd never have problems with Kurt and Tahryn having a chat and exchanging plot lines with Oli and Boris. The characters who do live in the same world, Kieran, Robin, Bay, Issac, and Zupan for example, are generally so self obsessed (or romantically obsessed) that they don't tend to interfere with each other. Generally writing two stories at once doesn't cause me many issues, but three or four can be more problematic.  
    That’s it for now! For more info on these authors, go check out their stories, post in their forums, and/or catch them in chat!
     
    See you next time, with authors AQG, Nephylim, SkinnyDragon, and W_L.
     
    I’m always in the market for new questions! Simply PM me (Dark).
     
    Until next time!
    Dark
  9. Cia

    August C S R Feature: Treading Water By Headstall

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    August is here, and I'm spending all my time with the family, enjoying our extra time together... but sometimes it's not so easy being part of a family. Check out the drama and hopefully happy ending in Headstall's Treading Water for this month's featured CSR read!
     



    Treading Water


    by Headstall


     

    Length: 48,955
     
    Description: Craig and Jared, former brothers-in-law, have been tormented in different ways, and lines have been crossed. Can they now find a way to make sense out of a challenging family situation?
     
    A Reader Said: Such a shame to see the end, but, hopefully it won't be for long...hint hint...
     
    I loved this short story and can't wait to see what you come up with next. ~ Cazpredroso
    ​
     


    This month's Discussion day will take place on Monday, August 29th!


  10. Cia
    This month we're featuring Zenith's story, The Window Washer. Did you have a chance to read it? Hard to believe the discussion day is already here, but it is. Check out my questions to Zenith, where I pump him for vital information like his clothing habits, and he reveals his favorite places to plot! ​
     
    Have you ever gone out in public, realized your shirt is on backwards, and just don’t care?
    Not backwards, but inside out. Unfortunately I cared. I was embarrassed. I like things to be ‘perfect.’ Publishing a spelling mistake in a story is like discovering my shirt is on backwards; it really bothers me. Although, I should learn to forgive (or get over) myself—it’s darn hard to write and edit your work, especially if you’re in a hurry to get a chapter published.
     
    What's your favorite room in your house? Do you plot or write there?
    Living room, for sure. I love to flop on the couch and read, although I wouldn’t describe myself as a couch potato, it’s just my favorite posture for reading.
    I do a lot of my plot development in bed. Either before going to sleep or first thing, early in the morning.
    The physical writing usually takes place while sitting at the dining table using my laptop. I like an uncluttered workspace. The only other thing I have there is my iPhone which I use as a dictionary/thesaurus.
     
    What brought you to GA?
    I was looking for good quality gay fiction. I’m a real fan or gay romance whether it’s contemporary, science fiction or fantasy. GA has tons of high quality stories that appeal to me. It’s a well run site, so thanks for that!
     
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    I like traveling. If I could afford to, I’d do a lot of it. Unfortunately, with my budget, my go-to pastime is reading. I often read several books a week. I rarely watch TV, for some reason it agitates me.
     
    Where do you get your ideas?
    From all over. Often it’s a wannabe fantasy. Jerome connecting with Rob, the hunky window washer, was straight out of a personal fantasy. I used to love it when the window washers would swing by in real life. Sometimes I’m inspired by things I read—not to copy them, but to stretch my writing. What I find as I read best-selling authors is that they create almost impossible coincidences, which readers overlook because they’re absorbed in the plot. Readers will call you on factual mistakes, but rarely do they say ‘that’s too much of a coincidence.’
     
    What’s the best part of being an author?
    Writing relaxes me and helps me process my emotions. I truly do write from the heart. My stories have HEE endings because that’s what I’d like in my life. Although ‘real life’ is often full of surprises and disappointments (as well as many, many good things, of course). And writing is a creative outlet, much the way painting might be to someone who has that talent. It’s fun and good for me at the same time.
     
    Did you decide on the window washer job before or after you got the idea for the accident scene?
    As I said above, the story was inspired by real window washers occasionally coming by my office window. My first ‘inspiration’ was to write a dark little piece about a window washer and an accountant who ‘connect’ then the window washer falls to his death. Now aren’t you glad I abandoned that ending?
     
    Do you have a favorite character in The Window Washer? Why or why not?
    No, I don’t have a favorite. I love them all equally. The nice thing about writing is that you can imbue your characters with traits you like. There were no villains in this story, so pretty much everyone is likeable.
     
    Your story has a lot of things in it like the careers of the characters, settings in different cities, etc... Is that all research based or did you use things from your own life for inspiration?
    Ah, good question. Pretty much 100% from my own life. I, like Jerome, was a bored accountant—only he was much better looking and got rich. My daughter is a flight attendant, which would really have been my dream job, so I know a lot about employee flying.
     
    The building where Jerome works is in Vancouver. In fact, it’s 900 West Georgia, where I used to work. I worked on the 9th floor, but I figure Rob would survive a 5 story fall a little easier. There’s really a glass canopy above the sidewalk and a coffee shop inside, just like I describe.
     
    Jerome’s condo is in Coal Harbour, Vancouver and there is a seawall and yacht sales place there too. (Although I don’t live in Coal Harbour.)
     
    I’ve only visited Santa Barbara once, but fell in love with it. I used Google Earth to locate the spot for Rob’s parents’ fictional home. (And, BTW, who wouldn’t fantasize about owning a Porsche convertible?)
    I’ve visited Venice Beach many times and always enjoy its bohemian vibe. It’s one of my fantasy ‘to live there’ places.
     
    Sailing: well, growing up on the West Coast of Canada I’ve done my fair share of sailing. I enjoy it, although it’s not really my thing. But it was a great way for Jerome to escape his troubles.
     
    One of my readers helped me with the finer details of the surrogacy process.
     
    The internet is used to fill in many blanks. And I wouldn’t survive a minute without my dictionary and thesaurus.
     
    Can you share a little of your current work or future projects with us?
    Well, there’s ‘Special Forces’ which is done. I’m working on two other stories and have one more in my head. The first story is about a guy whose b/f is framed for drug trafficking. The second one is about an otherwise colorless guy whose life changes when gets transferred to Honolulu. Both those are in process. The one in my head is about a kid whose life is ruined when he gets caught sneaking into the neighbor’s swimming pool….
     
    One of my favorite themes is people who aren’t necessarily what they appear to be. Like Rob not being just a window washer. I try to use that ‘trick’ whenever I can. And I love recycling my characters. Giving them cameos in the next story.
     
    *****
    Thanks for giving me an opportunity to answer these fun questions!
     


    All right, people, you know what to do! Have fun, share your thoughts on the story, or ask Zenith more questions!


  11. Cia
    Did you catch Monday's post with Comicality's favorite reviews from Light Reaches Earth? Didn't get the graphic for your signature? You can still check it out here. Now we're going to feature Comsie's chosen excerpt.
     
    Comicality says... "This story was written for one of the GayAuthor Anthologies, and I really wanted to tell a story with a science fiction edge to it, but mostly existed as an emotionally involving tale of true connection and self discovery. No sexual content needed. Just a narrative on who we are and what we're searching for in this life. Happiness. I hope this story did the trick. I chose this section as an introduction to the meeting between both boys, and the intrigue and fascination that comes with them preparing to match wits on the idea of intelligent life itself in the universe. I hope it will get you all to read more."
     

    Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!
  12. Cia
    Comicality's Light Reaches Earth is an intriguing take on the theme "Out of This World" from the 2010 anthology. Have you read it? Well maybe this will make you want to! Did you know it's also an eBook? If you want to share your love for Comsie's story, there's a signature ad below for you to download.
     




     

    Length:16,722
     
    Description: Riley Jordan is a teen at a group home for boys. Disturbed and confused by his newfound feelings for someone of the same sex, he continues to hide it away from anyone who might see it. But when a new transfer comes into the group home it is more of a 'visitation' than Riley was prepared for.
     
    Reviews:
    Ricky says... "One of the things I really enjoy about your work, all of it, is how you bring what many see as core values to light as something to constantly question. Your writing stirs us from our complacency. Very much the way Richard Bach does in Illusions and of course Peck in the Road Less Traveled, but you do it in a much more, true to life example to bring about the application of comparison."
     
    An Amazon Customer says... "An absolute gem! Just love Comicality's writing style. Read the entire story in one sitting and had tears in my eyes at the ending. Thank you!"
     
    Rob says... "Very intriguing story that not only involves your emotions but also causes you to question some of your own beliefs. A captivating read that will keep you glued to the screen to the very end."
     
    Rick Gaz says... "Another great hit-to-be from Comicality. Lots of thought went it to it and it makes you think....do YOU believe? I certainly do. Happy tears at the end, something Comicality does best."
     
    Matt M says... "I was greatly moved by this story and I would just like to express my deepest gratitude for your phenomenal writing. The story is just beautiful on many levels, especially towards the end.
    Thank you so much for this compelling and gripping story; it really gave me a brilliant time =)"
     





     
     
     

    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Comsie chose to share with readers!



    Want to show your support and enjoyment of Comsie's story? Download the banner above for your site signature!


  13. Cia
    It's July! Who's staring out the window to the outside world full of blistering sun or frozen wasteland? Most of us, I think! So why don't you occupy yourself and enjoy The Window Washer by Zenith. This contemporary story has the power to take you out of your world and into theirs to enjoy Jerome and Rob's story.
     



    The Window Washer


    by Zenith


     

    Length: 40,043
     
    Description: Jerome, a bored accountant, and Rob, a window washer, meet under surprising circumstances.
     
    A Reader Said: It makes me happy to have a happy hopeful story wrap up like you did here. I'm sorry that I didn't leave more reviews along the way; I just dove in to the next chapter..........Thanks for sharing, I;m glad to have found your work :)Mike ~ Flamingo136
     


    This month's Discussion day will take place on Monday, July, 25th!


  14. Cia
    Did you see the feature on Monday highlighting Krista's favorite reviews from Standing in Shadows? Or download your a copy of the banner to share your love for her story? Never fear, you can still do that here! Today we're featuring the excerpt Krista has picked to share with readers.
     
    Krista says... I picked this scene because the story really begins to take shape and the characters are settled in nicely. If the Excerpt needs a title it would be, "The First True Meeting".
     

    Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!
  15. Cia
    This month's Signature feature is Krista's Standing in Shadows. This is one of Krista's most liked stories... and now you get to see why! Check out the thoughts of several of Krista's readers and make sure you download the signature ad if you want to share your love of this story!
     




     

    Length: 200,330
     
    Description: This story is about a young man trying to break through the expectations set by his father and small-town life.
     
    Reviews:
    Jons317 says... Again, you are such a good writer. I don't know if it's a gender thing or what, but as a female you capture details, emotions, etc. differently than other authors. You make me feel like I'm reading a real story. When time is precious, to decide to read something worth it is a big decision.
     
    Charmed88 says... Corey is awesome. He sounds like my type of guy, cool, relax, kind, athletic, smart, strong and selfless and funny. I've been a huge fan of this story since I found it like a year ago. This story period is fantastic, a nice coming of age and journey to self discovery.
     
    Cole Matthews says... What charming, real characters whose affection is developing behind the words. I love that. Really great pacing and a well told story. Thanks for sharing.
     




     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Krista chose to share with readers!



    Want to show your support and enjoyment of Krista's story? Download the banner above for your site signature!
  16. Cia
    Did you get a chance to read CarringtonRJ's story, London and Love? Set in... you guessed it, London, this story follows the life of a US transplant from San Francisco as he struggles to adjust to his new life in the city where he's all alone. Shy and awkward, usually, Tony learns there's more about himself than even he knew, which is saying a lot since he started out life as Tanya! First, though, check out my interview with CarringtonRJ and then make sure you leave your thoughts and reviews. The author will be here "live" between 10 and 12 BST (That's 5 to 8 hours ahead of US time).
     
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    I do. I eat a banana and a kiwi fruit for lunch every day. My housemate cooks a lot. She cooks a lot of good food. My daughter doesn’t really eat meat so we have cook all kinds of things to appeal to her. I’ve been more healthy over the last four or five years – the time I’ve been contributing to GA coincidentally.
     
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
    I try to be tidy. Though I have nobody to impress in the bedroom. So it doesn’t matter much.
     
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    I would like to visit Italy again. I think it would be a dream to travel round Italy all summer, in the company of an enthusiastic significant other.
     
    If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
    Swoon.
     
    What brought you to the GA?
    I wrote a gay-themed story to impress a queer friend. S/he was not interested – didn’t even acknowledge the story. It struck me that there might be somewhere online that I could post it. So I searched and found GA. I met some truly wonderful people here. So I’m glad I came.
     
    What inspired you to write London and Love?
    A friend I met on GA. He’s ftm. I wanted to write a dream version of what might happen if he came to live in England. He’s the best friend I have. I hope this little gift is somewhere near good enough to show how much I respect and love him.
     
    Your story explores quite a few topics many people find uncomfortable even within the gay community. Do you write purposefully to explore those elements or are your characters and stories just what comes to you creatively?
    I didn’t set out to look at anything controversial. I just let the story develop as seemed natural, really. Some of the events are based on true events, so that led me. Other things are dreams or hopes. Others just followed from the meetings of the characters.
     
    With the story set in London, were you able to use a lot of the city you know personally or was it more research-based?
    I don’t live in London but I do live in England and love to visit London. So it was based on my times there. No real research. Just what I recalled from visits over the years.
     
    Tony, Richard, and Tiff are diverse characters though they mesh well as main characters. Do you have a favorite?
    Tiff is the sort of woman I tend to fall for. Tony is a based on my dear friend. Richard would be my kind of guy. He may also be based on someone who is not entirely unlike me. If I were a real person, I might be Richard.
     
    What about a favorite scene in the story?
    I liked the day Tony returns from America and it snows.
     
    Now that I’ve pumped you for all the good stuff how about you share what you’re working on now. Or do you have any future projects you’d like to share a teaser excerpt?
    I am working very hard at my work place, so I don’t have that much going on in terms of writing. I am working on Gay Metal, but I haven’t had the time to finish it. I blog every day, writing little “poems”. It’s all I have energy for these days. Hope to get back to more stories soon. I am writing a story for a Portland artist that is gay themed and a not gay story about a poet and a princess for a real princess! I love requests and commissions. I would love to write more for GA if wanted.
     


    Don't forget CarringtonRJ will be here between 10-12 BST! Leave your questions or compliments, or come back during that time.


  17. Cia
    Are you a fan of Rob Colton? I know I am! This month we're featuring his 2nd installment of the immensely popular Timber Pack Chronicles. Enforcer features Jed's story, though we get to see more of the other characters we loved from the first book.
     




     

    Length: 58,419
     
    Description: Jed Stone suffers in silence, damaged and poisoned from his fight with the rogue wolf. But he puts on a smile and does his duty, making sure his Timber Pack mates are safe.
     
    Buzz Hinske belongs to a traditional lycan pack. Challenges and violence seem to be their way of life.
     
    When they come together at the annual Lycan Conclave, Jed is elated at finding his destined mate. Unfortunately, Buzz has already been promised to another...
     
    Reviews:
    sjohnjohnc says... I think I'm like quite a few of Rob Colton's fans here; we really do enjoy reading and rereading his stories. I've been rereading these last ten chapters in anticipation of chapter 11 and I have to say I'm incredibly impressed with the character development. Sometimes hero characters (the stronger and dare I say more hyper masculine characters) tend to be clones, reflections or rotations of strong characters we've been introduced to before. Which leads me to say how impressed I am with the difference between Colton is from Jed. Yes, Colton is the alpha of the little pack, but Jed is strong in his own right. I admire the shades of strong characters created by R. Colton; while Colton chases after Parker, I'm thinking back to the very romantic pebbles thrown at a window in Book 1, Jed is patient and waits. Yes, Jed admires Colton's ability to hold off for a year, but his own strength to let the Buzz make a choice with the possibility of Buzz choosing convention over fate, is uniquely him.
     
    I really must thank Rob Colton for such excellent distractions.
     
    belann says... Rob, you write the best sex/love scenes: not only hot but also very beautiful.A mixture of aggressiveness and tenderness.
    My heart almost broke when Jed told Buzz his shirt was all he had of him. Buzz had a difficult decision to make and I'm glad he chose Jed and he's giving up on his fears to give himself to his mate. Great chapter!
     
    Cannd says... That was a really beautiful chapter! There were a bunch of really special moments that you did a great job writing. I am so glad Parker and Colton are keeping Wylie. I worried for a moment there, that his father would be found. One of those moments was the emotion that Parker showed when he feared they'd take Wylie. It would have wrecked him. He loved the boy from the first time he picked him up. Do they know if Sandra was killed by the hunters? It was so funny when Wylie called Parker 'pup.' lol I have a feeling he is going to make a great Alpha wolf someday. It was nice to see Buzz officially become Timber pack and of course seeing the kids become pack and Wylie to call Colton Dad was so sweet.
     
    The fact that Wylie's name was the same as that boy's was bittersweet. While I get Buzz's happiness that the child would grow up loved no matter who and what he was is a nice thought. I just can't get the image of Christopher looking to Buzz for help right before they killed him. He looked to the man he had slept with and who was the only one of them who wasn't so hateful. I am surprised Buzz has dealt with that as well as he has. I would feel really guilty if I were him, b/c he was targeted to prove a point to Buzz. They may have found out anyhow, but this way it must have felt like he was partly responsible for his death, esp when he could do nothing to save him.
    I hope the story isn't over. I know that Derek won't let this go as easily as he pretended to. I think he is going to want to have the last say and going to want to kill his abomination of a brother and also show Colton up. I guess we'll see. If it was the end, then it was a great one. It was adorable that Wylie climbed up for a ride on colton. The pack is stronger and such a safe place. Though, I also hope we get to be there for the official mating of the guys.
     
    I am definitely excited though, and already looking forward to Zef's story that we'll all be begging for! lol no pressure or anything.
    I hope we get to be there for that mating bite. It was a hard earned moment for those two. I am wondering if Colton really did send the registry for their mating. I have a feeling he may have. He seems to have taken to being an Alpha amazingly well. They really have built a great pack in the year since they became one.
    I love how you continued to develop the characters and their personalities through this. Parker makes the cutest dad...so worried about him and colton really surprised me with how well he took to fatherhood. I hope Wylie can come to trust the others like he trusts his dads.
     
    Inky says... Fantastic!!! As usual you make me cry, laugh and do that really big sigh and smile. I had it all wrong in the last chapter, but no matter my late night reading and rambling, you always deliver a powerful punch. I mean that in a good way. Lol. I am sad that this story will end soon, but I am totally hoping that there is more to come. I still don't trust Derek..., I so want a story with Alpha Poundstone and Zef...., the Hunters have to be investigated..., Christopher's mother is dead..., was she murdered..., is his unknown dad dead as well..., and Christopher's behavior indicates that he was somewhere that he had to fight for everything to exist. I am just greedy for more of your work so I will keep hoping and pondering until I see you post a new installment of Timber Pack Chronicles. Rob, you turned me into a junkie with your ultra amazing writing.
     
    Carlos Hazday says... After trying my hand at penning a story, I have a new-found respect for authors that can create rich characters and surround them with action and suspense but still provide a satisfying ( read happy ) ending.
     
    You sir, have my admiration for doing so time and time again. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
    C
     




     
     
     
     
     

    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Rob chose to share with readers!


     
     
     
     
     

    Want to show your support and enjoyment of Rob Colton's story? Download the banner above for your site signature!


  18. Cia
    I hope you caught Rob Colton's feature on Monday sharing his favorite reviews left by fans of Enforcer. There's also a banner you can add to your signature if you want to share your love for this story. Get it here! Today we're sharing an excerpt Rob chose.
     
    Rob says... It was hard picking one. It's the opening of Chapter 5, where Buzz meets Jed. I like it because it shows the power of their attraction, but then goes to show how messed up Buzz is, the way he was brought up, hiding his feelings vs Jed, who grew up in a more open, modern thinking home.
     

    Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!
  19. Cia

    Weekly Wrap Up! (May 8 To May 15)

    By Cia,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Looks like you guys are stuck with getting the weekly update for me today! I'll try to hit everything, but it might not be the usual format, so bear with me. It's been a busy week with a return to our Premium feature on Wednesday and some extra prompts on Friday, so if you missed out on those, here's another chance to catch up on this week's blog features.
     
    Monday's feature was Timothy M's review of Red Running Shoes, written by Aditus. Timothy says... "Indeed, Red Running Shoes may take the prize as the tale which has sparked the most intense reactions so far." Wondering what he means by that? Check out the rest of his review!
     
    M.A. Church's The Harvest series was the focus of Wednesday's feature reminding members of the great content in our Premium section and what purchasing a subscription does for the site in return. There's also an excerpt you can check out here from Book One: Taken.
     
    Not sure if you want to write? Blocked on your usual stories? Just enjoy creating fun little flash fiction stories? Friday is definitely your day if you enjoy prompts. As a special bonus, in honor Friday the 13th, we have a special prompt #1 in addition to creative Prompts #498 and #499 as well as poetry prompt #20. Get your inspiration on by clicking here!
     
    Anthology Announcements:
     
    ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team**
    2016 Summer Anthology: Wicked Games - Due May 26th, 2016 **Just 11 more days!!** 2016 Fall Anthology: Blindsided - Due August 26th, 2016 2016 Winter Anthology: The Forgotten - Due November 26th, 2016 All Pre-2016 Anthology Themes - Due December 14, 2016

     

    Premium Updates:
     
    Journey's End by M.A. Church; Book 2 of The Harvest *Premium*
     
    Signature Updates:
     
    The G.M.Os by Carl Holiday, Book 3 of Hercules III
     
    My Brother Daniel by Nephylim
     
    Leopards Leap by Graeme; Book 3 of The Lilydale Leopards
     
    Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings
     
    From the Cup of the Worthless by Cynus
     
    Left Without Words by Comicality
     
    Black Widow by Mark Arbour; Book 16 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP)
     
    The Secret Life Of Billy Chase 9 by Comicality; Book 9 of The Secret Life Of Billy Chase
     
    Third Shift by Cole Matthews
     
    Promising Updates:
     
    Lavender & Gold by Thorn Wilde
     
    Morningstar: The Malaise by Headstall
     
    Falling Apart by craftingmom
     
    Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!
  20. Cia

    And The Winner Is...

    By Cia,

    Okay, so not really a surprise for those following the comments, but I'm already plotting things out for the longer story and figuring all the details out that weren't needed for a 1200 word short story but must be cemented to make the paranormal world come alive, so I hope everyone will enjoy it!


    Thank you to everyone for voting!


  21. Cia
    I'm not inspired lately, but I'm constantly asked about expanding older stories by readers, so I thought I'd give everyone a chance to weigh in on what I should write for my next Wednesday Briefers flash story now that No Flash is over. Tell me what you think between these options:
     
    1. Mine: A werekin tale wrought with darkness.
     
    2. Picking Up Strays: A post-apoc tale of mutation and corruption.
     
    3. First Contact: A sci-fi story about the loss of humanity.
     
    4. Blinding Light: ??? Sense deprivation of sight. This story could really go anywhere. What genre do you think it should be if you pick it?
  22. Cia
    May already! Have you been enjoying the CSR features and interviews so far this year? Or have you been slacking on your reading? Well don't worry, each month you have a new chance to enjoy a story by one of the great authors posting on GA. This month we're featuring CarringtonRJ's London and Love. This 45k contemporary story might be just up your alley!
     



    London and Love


    by CarringtonRJ


     

    Length: 45,592
     
    Description: Tony is apprehensive about being sent to London for a year. How will he manage there? He's an introvert by nature, and thoroughly queer. He goes because he has nothing better to do, not expecting to find love in a foreign town.
     
    A Reader Said: Thank you for a great end to a great beginning. The word that comes to mind is 'satisfying'. After Tony 's wobble in the last chapter, it's refreshing to see them working at being together. Whilst there is a sense of resolution, there's real energy and excitement about the future. ~ damejintymcginty
     


    This month's discussion day will take place on Monday, May 30th.


  23. Cia
    This month I featured Daddydavek's first story on the site, Dean Warner Intrigues. This story has been called absolutely wonderful and great by reviewers. What did you think? Make sure you share your thoughts about this story below, but first enjoy my interview with Daddydavek!
     



    Dean Warner Intrigues


    by Daddydavek


     

    Who do you like best, Jerry or Tom?
    Neither. Tom is an oxymoron in that he is portrayed as a somewhat lovable bully doomed to fail. Jerry is a diminutive smart alec that loves to turn the tables on the bully. It makes for great sight gags and the cartoons were well received and are classics.
    The cartoon figure I liked best was Snoopy.
     
    Have you ever gone out in public, realized your shirt is on backwards, and just don’t care?
    I must be incredibly anal, but no, never!
     
    If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
    “A Work in Progress” or “Still Enjoying new experiences”
     
    Name one entity that you feel supported you in your writing endeavors outside of family members.
    The internet is the best research tool around if used carefully.
     
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    Getting the dialogue 'in character' and keeping it that way.
     
    Did something specific inspire you to write Dean Warner Intrigues?
    I read a lot and noted there were so many stories of young adults with a tortured past filled with hate and/or abuse. I wanted to write something that had more positive relationships.
     
    So, when I was thinking about writing it, I wanted a story that wasn't full of teenage angst. I knew the story had to have some tension as I didn't think I could write characters that were so engaging that characterization could carry the story. DWI was the result. While my computer history goes back to the early 1980's and a Commodore 64 which then graduated to Windows 3.0 and continued with Windows 95, 98, 98 second edition, Win2000, Windows Millennial, and Windows 7, I remain a user, not a programmer or a network tech guy. My point is that I'm sure a techie would shoot all kinds of holes in parts of my story.
     
    If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing Dean Warner Intrigues, what would it be?
    Don't always over think it so much. Sometimes you just got to spin your yarn and see where it leads.
     
    Did the characters or the plot come to you first?
    The characters, all who are an amalgamation of my own invention based on my sixty plus years of reading everything from Aristotle (On memory and reminiscence) to Zelazny (The Chronicles of Amber).
     
    What was your favorite scene to write in this story?
    Being a rather dirty old man, I enjoyed writing the love scenes and hope I didn't go into too much detail, but it was a story of discovering love too. However, my favorite chapter is the epilogue where I wrapped up the story. It was short, but sweet.
     
    Can you share a little of your current work with us?
    I'm divided between doing a story about the red headed Sean from DWI and a look back story by Bill from Abel III's Awakening after he and Steve come into their powers.....
     
    Neither story thread has made it into a working outline that I like, so I'm letting them percolate while I continue to catch up on the many hundreds of books on my Kindle...
     


    Okay folks, now's the time to share your thoughts!!


  24. Cia
    Did you miss Monday's blog post featuring the ad and signature graphics for K.C.'s novel, Pour Me Another? Never fear, you can check it out here and download your copy to help share your love of his story. Today, K.C. has an excerpt he wanted to share with you!
     
    K.C. says... I think this glimpse shows the start of Asher and Michael's friendship. They are two guys from very different lives, but their friendship grows into much more. The nightlight, the city, friendship, betrayal, love and hate, this story has it all with a modern twist.
     

    Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!
  25. Cia
    This month we're featuring K.C.'s Pour Me Another. This story was the Reader's Choice Award winner for a Promising Author back in 2013. Why don't you give it a read and find out why it won? (Hint... a lot of people looooved it!)
     




     

    Length: 78,802
     
    Description: ***Winner of the 2013 Readers Choice Awards for the Best Story by a Promising Author *** The city is full of all kinds of people. Being a bartender, Asher Burkhart has seen them all. Atleast he thinks has until Michael Waters shows up.
     
    Reviews:
    Flamingo136 says... KC, I just "found" your story and read it without stopping; well I did have bathroom breaks but beyond that I was determined to absorb every word as quickly as I possily could.
    The story was very entertaining, characters compelling and I was blissfully snarled in this world hoping that everything would work out, knowing that it probably wouldn't.....maybe it will...hoping....hoping.....finally !!!!!
    I really enjoyed Pour Me Another from beginning to end...it must have been maddening to your readers to follow in real time; I feel like I've cheated ...but I don't feel the least bit guilty.
    You have been added to my listed of authors to follow....what pressure for you....LOL
    Thanks for sharing; I'm going to read your other works now................Mike
     
    Shadowrunner says... Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story with us. It was great! Ups, downs, tears and kisses. The best I've ever read. You're amazing!!! :D
     
    Aaron Alan Addams says... Another wonderful story! I read the entire thing in the last twenty four hours. Your talent of writing characters that make the reader, care for... No more than that. Fall in love with them is remarkable. Your storyline is believable, well thought out and funny. (I have my phone read stories to me when I'm busy doing things. I listen with earbuds. My coworkers think I'm listening to music. I do get looks when I burst out with a laugh every now and then.) As I read the epilogue, I felt sad. It felt as if dear friends were moving away and I was never going see them again. Congratulations on a job well done. I only have one suggestion. Sequel?
     
    Slytherin says... Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, K.C ! It's been quite a journey following these two wonderful characters. l love this story
     




     
     
     
     
     

    Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt K.C. chose to share with readers!


     
     
     
     
     

    Want to show your support and enjoyment of K.C.'s story? Download the banner above for your site signature!


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