Cia

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?

May is here, and with it another Classic Author banner and story feature. Do you take the time to search out these older stories? Well, if you don't, never fear, we'll bring them to you with our monthly features! I don't know about you, but the past year plus has been crazy, so I thought... let's turn the feature on its ear and do a Christmas season story in May. Length: 160,370 Description: Nicholas is a young street painter in Berlin and full of painful memories until he meets Marcus Weidenbruch, who turns his life up side down. He could be happy if but for Marcus' selfishness and his old friend Sebastian coming from Rome to celebrate Christmas plus Nicholas first exhibition. Marcus doesn't realize that Nicholas is in danger - with his heart because Sebastian is a big temptation - and with his body, for an old friend of Marcus has turned friendship into hate. A reader said: Thank you for a very satisfying story, full of interesting details and complicated situations; romantic, emotional but realistic too. ~ Jaro423 If you want to spread the word about Stefan Schmidt's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature! Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!