Cia

Are you dying in the weather where you are? It's well over 100 here, so I'm hiding indoors. What better way to beat the heat than enjoy my interview with Marty and discuss his story, Misunderstood, featured in this month's CSR? I could use some cold, even if it's just reading about it! Chocolate or Vanilla? I'm going to assume you are referring to ice cream here. So, if that's the only choice I am being given, I would have to choose vanilla (although raspberry would be my first preference). If you were an animal, what would you be? Apart from being a member of the animal species Homo sapiens? That's a difficult one, if only because it's something I've never really thought about before. I have no idea why, but I'm going to choose a unicorn as my answer to this question. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? I'm an avid reader and also really enjoying gardening. I think both of those have helped me keep sane during the past sixteen months or so of extended lockdowns due to Covid-19. I am also a keen amateur photographer, and love hill-walking and mountaineering. Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions, I haven't been able to get out on the hills and mountains much during the pandemic. Another of my favourite things is travel, particularly foreign travel, and that is something I am really looking forward to being able to do again as the restrictions start to ease. What’s the best part of being an author? That moment when characters suddenly take on a life of their own, and the words just seem to flow. Which is your favourite story that you’ve written? If you check my stories on GA you will see that I have very few actual completed stories to choose from. If I were forced to choose a favourite from all of them, I think I would have to choose my flash piece I Could Manage The Days from my story collection entitled: Marty's Shorts and Flashes. Part of the reason for choosing this is the fact that it came to me as a sudden flash of inspiration, and took less than fifteen minutes to actually write. Another thing I like about it is that the fact it is written from the first person singular POV, which leaves many readers wondering just what really happened right at the end. If I am allowed to include my poetry in my list of stories here on GA, my answer to this question would likely have been To All The Boys I've Loved from my poetry collection. This is one I struggled with for quite a while, mainly because the format I was originally trying just didn't seem to be working out. I was writing it for another online site that had a poetry anthology with the theme Lost Love, and I was originally trying to come up with a gay version of And A Bang On The Ear by The Waterboys. After many false starts, and finding myself getting absolutely nowhere apart from having lots of ideas for the various verses, I gave up on the Waterboys, and suddenly the poem seemed to write itself. What appeals to you most about the friends to lovers genre? I wouldn't say that I have any particular attraction to the friends to lovers theme, apart from the fact that it seems to be a common trope in a lot of gay fiction. How did you pick the setting for Misunderstood? The second level school that I taught in, in the North of England back in the 1970s and 80s, had an Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Snowdonia. Hence the location for the story, and partially the time period chosen. However, I also chose that time period to explain at least part of the reason why Simon was having difficulty coming out. Homosexuality had only been decriminalised in England and Wales for five years at that time, the law that decriminalised it still imposed lots of restrictions, and there was still a lot of misunderstanding, misinformation, and homophobia about at the time. The main reason for choosing a snowstorm as part of the setting of the story was simply because I wrote the story whilst confined to the house for seven days back in December 2009, due to an unusual (for where I live in Ireland) heavy fall of snow that had left the country road I lived on at the time completely impassable. Do you identify more with, Simon or Andy? Simon. Which I suppose is the reason that not only was the story written from Simon's POV, but it was written in the first person singular. Is there any theme or plot you’d never write in a story? To be honest, I'm not sure about this. I'll just say: Never say never. What’s your favorite line or scene in the story? It would have to be the conversation between Simon and Andy right at the end of the story as they are driving up to the Centre, where Simon realised that he had completely misunderstood what Andy had said to him the previous evening. Can you share something about your current or upcoming work with readers? As will be evident from the fact that most of my stories on GA are marked as being on Temporary Hold, I am currently finding the writing process difficult. I think the current pandemic probably has a lot to do with this. Just about the only new stuff I have come up with recently has been a poetry series in the haiku format, although purists would perhaps argue that most of them are actually senryu rather than haiku. The pandemic has become a theme in a number of them.

Most of the population on the West Coast doesn't have AC, but we don't have the humidity or usually the higher heat for long-term. Unlike this heat wave right now with 10+ days of 90+ and and currently in 3 days in a row of 105-113 degrees. UGHS. I'm extremely sun-sensitive and get a rash when I burn, so I get up early to finish my 5 miles run before 7 AM even though I'm off for summer break then run any errands that are needed. When I take the kids to the river to swim, we take a big 12x12 pop up canopy for me to hide under. The heat itself doesn't bug me so much, but yeah, the sun does. UV long-sleeve clothing, or pull on UV sleeves, a UV umbrella, a baby window shade on my side window in the car, sunblock at all times, etc... That's my life. And we have a summer house rule of no leaving without a big full bottle of water, no matter where you are going or for how long. I also have the neck cool cloths to wet & wear and folded fans to toss in my purse just to move the air around.

Thanks for sharing the new update with visuals, Myr!

Okay, c'mon now, this just seems made up. It's doesn't even make a lot of sense as a compound word, has to be a slang addition.

Did the dramatic image on the banner pique your interest in The Yankee? How pugilisitic... Just who is being violent? The Yankee? Those who titled the character by such a term? Hmm.... Want to read more? Click here

“This is manmade?” I gaped at him. He shrugged one shoulder. “We take security seriously. Without the Kardoval, we would be lost. They are protected.” I got the hint. Not that I thought Garjah was threatening me, or was worried I would do anything. But the other Four Arms didn’t know me. And I was bringing a deadly animal with me. I stoked a hand down Bouncer’s side. “Hear that, buddy? Let’s not get too… excited.” That could be difficult. Look what he did with Timok. I pursed my lips,

June is Pride month! We often see stories of coming out or teenage coming of age stories that are very popular during this month. They are read as inspiration, a reminder, a hope... whatever the reason, they exist because we still struggle this battle. So how about a Classic to remember? Length: 80,483 Description: Justin's a fish out of water no matter where he goes, and never more so than when this Boston kid has to move to rural Georgia. Sometimes things don't work out the way he expects, which isn't a bad thing. A Reader said: I'm so impressed with this awesome story. The portrait of the social disabilities of an Asperger teenager is absolutely spot on, very well described and with both compassion and humor. Just brilliant - and let's you see all the silly high school drama and strange behavior of teens in a new way. The ending may not be what you expect, but I find it realistic, considering the silly expectations of bigots who cling to stereotypes. But I admit an epilogue letting us know how Justin went on from there, would have been perfect. ~Timothy M If you want to spread the word about The Zot'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!

Hmm, I see 9 total now, combo of likes and loves that add up correctly. Maybe you just caught the system as it was in a delay between populating the information and displaying it.

The concept that four arms came in handy had occurred to me before, but being knocked off my feet when the ship lurched through the air hammered that home. Without the extra hand grabbing the bunk, I would have slammed my right temple right into the corner. I flopped over onto the mattress. “Are you all right?” Garjah stood with his leg spread, riding out the ship’s shudders. “You should sit down!” “I am fine. I’m sorry I forgot to tell you to brace yourself. You have changed so m

And quickly public service has been forgotten....

“Protocols. What are they?” I’d distract myself. We didn’t have time for more, and I didn’t want to meet anyone with a damp spot the only nice outfit I’d been given. “There are not many. As we know our roles once the memories are triggered, there is little need for guidance or wisdom on our paths to take. The Kardoval mainly deal with major issues; planetary-level decisions, disciplinary judgements, and all life and death decisions are made by them.” Maybe the noodles weren’t so good.

Oh man, my hyperchondriac of a sister needs that reminder! 😆

Happy Pride Month! You know I like to theme stories sometimes to holidays or special events, and what could be better than a coming out story for Pride month? We know this time of the year is a great one to reflect on what our personal identity on the spectrum of the rainbow can mean to us and how that has affected our lives... and the stories we read no less! I hope you will enjoy June's bite-size selection for the CSR! Misunderstood by @Marty Length: 3,120 Description: Simon flees to the mountains after telling his best friend how he really feels about him. But what is his friend going to do with the news? A reader said: Coming out is like the parting of the clouds after eons of darkness as our companion. This was a sweet story that relayed Simon's desperation, his hope, and ultimately his path to happiness. Thanks you, Marty... cheers... Gary.... ~headstall Don't forget to come back to share your thoughts on Monday, June 28th!

The second someone cooks it? 🤮

Awesome questions and I love the answers.

Garjah was still tense. He was still frowning even though he had me wrapped in his arms. As possessive as I was of him, he was of me. That was all it was. At least I hoped that was all it was. “What about what you need?” “You’re what I need.” Garjah stroked my face. “You’re changing everything; I want to make you comfortable.” I pushed into his caress. He leaned down, nuzzling my cheek and then kissing the corner of my lips. I turned, needing more, hungry for the taste of him more

Well how did this month treat you? I cannot believe it's already finished, but I am so glad it's done! Here comes June, Pride month! Who has something planned? I know it's a time for many to reflect on our community, coming out, and so much more. I think Graeme's story reflected that quite well, but what do you think? Share in the comments below, but first my interview with him! What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story? I have an idea for a story set in the pacific during World War II. I would love to visit one of the islands used by the allies to watch for axis attacks during that period. What's your favorite room in your house? Do you plot or write there? My favourite room is the lounge room because it’s spacious with wonderfully comfortable couches. However, I do my writing in my office because that’s where my computer is located. Most of my plotting is done mentally and that can be done anywhere as long as I don’t have to concentrate on what I’m doing. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? I like to include a degree of accuracy in my stories. Sometimes that means a lot of online research into whatever it is I need to check. That can be challenging at time when I don’t always know the right wording to use for my searches. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? The toughest criticism has been when I had my heart set on doing something in a story but one of my early readers tells me that it just doesn’t work. As with any parent, I don’t like being told that my ‘baby’ isn’t quite right… As for the best compliment, it’s when I’ve been told that my story has made a difference to someone. That always gives me a warm buzz. What do you think makes up a good story? A good story has to engage with the reader. That’s tough because readers don’t all expect the same things. In addition, not only does the reader need to become engaged, but the writing has to be such that it carries the reader along with them with a minimal (hopefully no) hurdles. That’s not saying that the story can’t have hurdles. It’s the immersion that needs to be without hurdles. A good story will keep the reader immersed in what’s going on without anything that jars the reader out of the suspension of disbelief required. Young love, looking to make its mark on the world… what draws you to this trope? I’m a romantic at heart. My youth was fairly barren in that respect – I was a loner with not much social interaction with others. In many ways, my stories are me living a life that I didn’t have when I was younger as I explore what could’ve been. Would you identify more with Rory or Scott’s feelings about the proposal? Definitely Scott. Even today, I have to balance my responsibilities with my desires. Life isn’t black-and-white, it’s full of shades between those two extremes. Rory’s life is simpler than Scott’s. Apart from the question of Scott himself, Rory can start a new life. Scott has more challenges at the moment than Rory, and I identify with that. “Sometimes there’s just no right answer” is a concept that isn’t shared often in fiction. Is it hard to write that reality when readers are looking for happily ever afters? It can be challenging, and as a romantic I try my best to find a solution for the protagonists, but if I want to reflect reality, sometimes that doesn’t happen. Tragedies exist, and sometimes they’re powerful, even if I would prefer it if everything has a happy ending. Torn in Two combines themes of small town life, romance, homophobia, generational influences… did you plan out each element or did they flow together as you wrote the story? I didn’t plan out each element, per se, but it’s more I created an environment in which the story could evolve. I wanted to combine a number of factors, including the experiences of a World War II veteran, and this is the story that came out of those things. Can you share anything about your current or upcoming work with readers? Sadly, I’m on a hiatus at the moment. I don’t want to be, but I’m struggling to find motivation to write. I’ve gone through this once before so I’m confident I’ll get past it, but I don’t know when. I will re-iterate, though, that I definitely want to finish Leopard Hunt. Once I’ve done that, maybe one or more of the story ideas I have in my mind will take fruition and I’ll start writing in earnest again.

I think what resonates with me is those stories pegged as having characters TSTL... or Too Stupid To Live. Okay, there's a lot of apocalyptic genre television/movies that contains them as well. I think there's a fine line between creating flawed characters, stupid characters, evil characters and making them caricatures that are too unbelievable to enjoy reading. A geek can be a big ole introvert but have a childhood friend they connected with, the jock can not do well in school but maybe is good at cooking, good friend can have a bad habit, the hero can be flippant at the wrong time, the villain can have a person they care about... But never, ever, will the peppy blond cheerleader live. It's just not right.

I admit it... I have a few fictioneers in my read list. 😊 😆

“And you are mine,” he said. “Hmm?” I looked up at him, too blissed out to move. “What?” “You said mine.” He blinked lazy eyes at me. “We belong to each other now.” I hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but I was glad I did. For days I’d been on edge, like the skin I was in was too tight, my muscles quivering on the verge of an explosion. Inside I’d been just as big of a mess, emotionally and mentally. Now all I wanted to do was sleep. “Rest.” I stroked his chest and one thigh.

Major Payne. It has a whole host of one-liners! "Heh-heh-heh!"

They get obnoxious to me after a while; they're similar but not consistent. I prefer the sound of raindrops. It's still white noise but random enough I don't start anticipating a pattern.

I climbed up and slotted between his legs, gasping when his shaft stroked along mine before I could wrap my hands around them. How did he do that? My eyes threatened to roll back in my head. “You are so soft everywhere,” he rasped. “But this is so hard.” “Uh-huh.” I ached to come already. I wouldn’t let him take me over like he had last time though. This time I was scenting him. I captured our shafts in two of my hands. His dusky fluids and my clearer precome mingled already, easing the gli

I hope 130k story doesn't intimidate you... just think of all the time you could spend enjoying the tale. How about a snippet to whet your appetite? Want more? Click here

"Some random drivel" Tell us how you really feel. Super respectful, there. The member reputation level titles were NEVER editable. You're mixing up the names of things, and it has nothing to do with anything that was once an option (it wasn't) or that we changed (we didn't). Maybe try to check the FAQ when you have questions before you revive extremely OLD topics when the forums were updated and changed many times by IP Board (not us, remember, we only customize Stories). What you can edit on your profile is clearly explained in one topic and there's even another topic that shows all the reputation levels and titles. How do I edit what appears on my profile? What is Reputation? What are Reputation Titles/Levels?