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Cia

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  1. Cia

    Writing Prompts #378 & #379

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    Surprise! It's me again! This week has just flown by, and we're a bit late posting these. Whoops! But hey, we're not going to leave you hanging without your prompt fix. I have two great ones to share with you.
     
    Prompt 378 – Creative
    Tag – List of Words
    Use the following words in a story – gift, broken shoelace, brown coat, scarf, and a zebra.
     
    Prompt 379 – Creative
    Tag – Birthday Revenge
    Four months ago your partner’ had their birthday. They told you they didn’t want a party, just a nice dinner out. Of course you decided you knew better and huge party was put together that they absolutely hated. They smiled sweetly and through clenched teeth told you that you would pay for this disaster. Tomorrow is your birthday. Will it be what you expected or a case of birthday revenge?
     
    Several of the authors here on GA are writing ongoing stories with prompts for each chapter, and I thought I'd feature Timothy M's response to Prompt #328: You expect me...
     
     
     

    To read the rest of the prompt response (or the story if you haven't been following along) you can find them here: Timothy's Terrible Prompt Stories
  2. Cia

    Author Inverview: Myr

    By Cia,


    Author Interviews
    The original GA member, Myr, is mostly found behind the scenes (Don't look behind that curtain!) on the site, but he's also an author. As you'll see from his interview, that isn't always easy to do with everything else he has going on. I hope you enjoy this interview, and if you haven't had a chance, go check out his featured story and download the Signature background!
     
    Who do you like best, Jerry or Tom?
    Jerry, obviously.
     
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    Nope and Nope. Still don't eat any fruits, but I do eat enough vegetables.
     
    What are you wearing (and no fibbing!)?
    Polo shirt, kahkis, boxer briefs, socks and shoes. But that what you get when you ask questions when I'm on lunch at work.
     
    Gay fiction has gone through quite an evolution since you began GA. What do you think the biggest change is?
    Popularity, by far. Gay fiction has gone mainstream. It used to be difficult to find it, and now its everywhere.
     
    What’s your favorite genre to write and why?
    Fantasy. I'm a big fan of escapism and as an engineer working on cutting edge technology on a daily basis, Sci-fi is too much like work. (seriously). With fantasy, I like a world where the entire playing field can be flipped around to fit the plot. As long as you have rules and consistently follow them at least.
     
    What was your biggest challenge in writing back when you wrote Nick Cringle? How about now?
    My biggest challege hasn't changed. It's time and focus. I need my free time to align with my ability to focus on a task. The two don't align often. I'll get free time and want to rest or I'll get a great idea I want write about, but be in the middle of work. It get's really annoying after awhile.
     
    Nick is very self-assured, though he’s just a teen. Was that part of his ‘heritage’ or just the way he came to you as a character?
    Nick is an only child that grew up knowing what his life's work would be. That removes a lot of uncertainly in life and gives him the strong confidence of knowing who and what you are. When we meet him, he also has the powers that come with the sack, to so speak. So, in this case, it was a combination of both nature and nurture.
     
    Did Nick’s character or your interesting spin on the Santa mythos for your short story come to you first?
    It was sort of both. I started with the general idea of Santa's son, and Nick quickly popped into my head. And he sort of wrote himself. The character quickly dictated the twists to the Santa mythos though. If that makes any sense?
     
    Do you have a favorite MM story that features a Christmas theme?
    I can't really think of one off the top of my head.
     
     
     
    I want to thank Myr for taking the time to do the interview, with his busy schedule and all. I hope everyone enjoyed it (and maybe if you have a fav MM Christmas story, you can share it here).
  3. Cia

    Featured Story: Nick Cringle

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    How is this month going so fast? December is already halfway gone! Today we're featuring this month's Signature background story, Nick Cringle, by Myr. If you haven't already downloaded your Signature graphic, you can do so here.
     


    Nick Cringle


    by Myr



    Signature Author


    Reviewer: Celethiel
    Status: Complete
    Length: 5,676
     
    A story about Santa Claus, except the Santa Claus is 16 year old who has taken over the family business, or as one could put it, Corporation. Which is what it sounds more like. the young man also happens to be gay, however you don't find this out until over half-way through the short story. The story has a general feeling of being rushed, kind of like Santa is rushing through Thankgiving to get all them gifts made for Christmas.
     
    There is no Romance, then suddenly Nick Cringle is picking up a guy to live with at the North Pole, who up to that moment where he explains he's Santa, is only his friend in school.
     
    Its the story that is every American Boy's Dream come true, Get rich, inherit the family corporation, and get a love for life without much effort on at the least the last part.
     
    It's a good story that would have done a lot better if it was drawn out more and had more to it.
     
    For fun, since this story was written so long ago, I thought we'd also feature a review in the story topic from back in 2004 when it was first posted, by Miguelsanchez55:
     
    Truly lovely story dude. I never figured the ending like it was but, oh well, silly me. Should have known better. Great.
     
     
     

    Category: 2004 Winter Anthology--Christmas Genre: Fantasy Tags: Teens, Magic, No Sex, Light-heated Rating: Mature


  4. Cia

    100 Million From Ga's Amazing Authors!

    By Cia,


    News Archive
    GA Authors have achieved posting 100 Million words in Stories!! Congratulations, Authors, on all your hard work to make GA a wonderful place for fellow authors and readers! To celebrate this event, we're going to run two contests. I'll post links to both, as they will be in the site Lounge forum, and that is where you can enter one or both contests. 
    Contest #1: One month FREE Premium membership
     
    Contest #2: One $5 Amazon Gift Card
     
    *Contest will run from the time the topics open until Saturday, December 20th, at 7 PM, Pacific time. The winners will be announced on the Weekly Wrap Up! site blog that goes live on Sunday. Winners will be chosen by drawing through Random.org*
     
    FYI... as another awesome achievement, we've now had 100,000 reviews written on those stories!


  5. Cia

    Csr December: Space Pioneer By Dolores Esteban

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    So this is December, a month for beating the heat if you're on the southern half of the world or curling up away from the cold if you're in the northern half. Either way, it's a great time to read. And since it's also a common time for presents, I decided to feature a story that is right up my alley as a gift to me. This month we're going to read Dolores Esteban's short novel, Space Pioneer.


    Space Pioneer


    by Dolores Esteban


     
    Length: 53,808
    Description: On his trip to Mars, Jeff's shuttle gets dragged through space by an alien spaceship that is performing a space jump. The Daglon captain Lest takes Jeff on board of his ship and Jeff's journey through space begins. The crew chases Ezer Malk, who plans a space-time jump in order to steal Ancient Egypt artifacts from Earth. Lest is an outlaw and Jeff is lost in space. Will the two men get to know each other, will Lest come to terms with his past, and will Jeff find his place in the world?
     
    The discussion day will be Monday, December 29th. A few days after Christmas, a few before New Year's... the perfect time for a good discussion about a great science fiction novel I can't wait to read!
  6. Cia

    Csr Discussion Day; Tears Of The Neko By Craftingmom

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    I can't believe November is almost over! This day crept up on me and then hit with a 'Hey!!' bang just yesterday, lol. This month we featured Tears of the Neko by Craftingmom. She's given me a great interview with a lot of interesting answers (I don't remember her working at the CIA! ) so read on. Plus she asks for some input so make sure you leave comments and questions for her, because Craftingmom has also agreed to come 'live chat' on the blog for a Q&A session from 1-3 EST!
     



    Tears of the Neko


    by Craftingmom


    Who do you like best, Jerry or Tom?
    Jerry, definitely--I loved Sliders, as I really like science fiction, and Jerry O'Connell was my favorite character in that show. Of course, Tom in Splash, Sleepless in Seattle, and ... well anything really is also pretty good, but I think I like him more for humor, than anything else... -- or, were we talking Tom Cruise? Because he wasn't too bad before he started all that Scientology stuff, so...
    Oh wait, we're probably talking about Tom or Jerry, the cartoon ; Oops, okay, then it would be Tom. I always felt sorry for him. Plus, I love cats.
     
    What are you wearing (and no fibbing!)?
    Since I write at night--pink pj top with a coffee mug on it that says "I love Coffee" and matching pants with lots of coffee mugs along with my fuzzy slippers. Oh, and a pouch full of three sugar gliders around my neck--one of which is crawling out of the pouch and down my back; which reminds me, I really need to clip some claws.
     
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
    Most of the time, I just pull the comforter up to make it look neater, if I'm the last one up; otherwise, it may tend to stay unmade since my husband doesn't think to do it. I sleep with like 5 fluffy pillows all around me, some of which end up on the floor, so I'll throw them back on the bed. My husband also has 5 flat pillows himself, so I'll often stack them at the head of the bed ( I give him pillow cases that are a darker shade than mine so we can tell them apart--he used to accuse me of stealing his).
     
    What do you do other than write?
    Read. Read. Read. I think I've spent more money at Amazon buying books for my kindle than on any other hobby. I used to scrapbook, but I haven't done that in a long while. Our family is also into Renaissance Faires; we've been going for over 15 years--costumes and all.
    As for jobs, I worked at a grocery store in the bakery section in high school, and then I worked a couple summers at the CIA, the main campus in Langley, Va. In college, I was a professor's assistant and a grammar tutor, of all things! I worked for nine years teaching in middle school after getting my master's degree in Education. But after my second daughter was born, I stayed home to be with my girls--thanks to my wonderful husband, I am able to do what I really enjoy, stay home with my girls and write when I want to! I did teach preschool while they were younger, since it was only a few hours in the morning and I could still put them on the bus and be home when they got back home in the afternoons. Even though they are in middle school now, I still stay home, but I watch my nephew for my sister who works odd hours like noon to ten--so sort of working as a daycare provider--but I have Mondays and Tuesdays off so I tend to use those days for writing (that and nights).
     
    When did you first consider yourself a writer?
    I would say I've considered myself a writer since middle school when I really started writing stories and actually allowed someone (my best friend) to read them and she'd beg for more. However, I would say I really felt like an author after I finally got up the nerve to publish my first book about two years ago when my daughter begged me to publish them so she could have them in book form. She's a lot like me and reads constantly (you rarely find her without a book in her hand, even when we go out to eat!), so she wanted copies of my stories she could carry around and weren't in the huge three ring binders I had them in. Shortly after publishing them, I was asked to be the guest author at a local book club, so yeah, that's probably when it finally hit me that people might actually like my writing.
     
    Do you have any writing rituals?
    Not really. Maybe that I tend to first spend a bit of time listing all the possible names for characters. I think a character's name says a lot about them, so I like to find one that suits them.
    I tend to write when I feel like it, but getting started is usually the hardest part, even if I have a story idea in mind because, to me, the beginning is one of the most important parts--to grab the reader. Sometimes the story is flowing so much in my head and I can't get it down fast enough, so I have a notebook that I'll scribble down notes in until I can get to that part in the story. My husband actually has told me to get out of bed in the middle of the night and go write because he can tell when I'm not sleeping and knows it's because story stuff is running around in my head.
    I do like to write out the whole story before posting or sharing it though because I tend to go back and change too many things before it is complete. I also like to read it over at least twice myself before publishing anything to try to catch as many errors as possible, but it seems no matter how often I read it I'll still edit and tweak wording.
     
    What part of a story do you think is the easiest to write? The hardest?
    I love dialogue, so I really like to make it flow as naturally as possible. Most of the time that comes pretty easy, but then sometimes, like in chapter 9 of All in, it takes many rewrites to get it to go where I want it without it seeming too forced. I find the hardest thing to write is setting. I don't like stories that go on and on about describing the setting, so I tend to skimp on it in my own stories.
    I also haven't written in the first-person yet, but I keep thinking about it. I really like stories that are written in the first person, but I keep finding that I want multiple POVS, like Damien and Kayden's or Jason and Devyn's.
     
    Why write a story in the Neko universe?
    Well, my favorite genres right now deal with slave fic and shifters, so Tears of the Neko was sort of a mix of the two. Growing up, my favorite books were historical romances, and as I said, my family and I are avid Renaissance Faire patrons (in fact, my husband and oldest daughter are cast members now), so I would say I very much enjoy the historical aspect that makes up Kayden's world.
     
    Did the characters or the plot come to you first?
    Kayden probably came first because I've been reading a lot of shifter stories lately. I love abused characters who get 'saved' and eventually find their inner strength. But an interesting fact is that the main characters of all three of my m/m stories all have a 'y' in them--Kayden, Avery, and Devyn. I love names with 'y's--I don't know why--but both of my daughter's names have a 'y' in them too! Of course, mine doesn't, but still...
     
    What prompted your edit of Tears of the Neko?
    Honestly, it was the reviews I received from the original posting of the story here. While the reviews of the original loved the story, they also posed questions that had me thinking what I could do to make the story even better. Some edits addressed things reviewers saw as inconsistencies in character reactions, especially Damien, others added more to Damien's background and the neko universe in general. Most of the large additions to the story were scenes that had more interactions between Damien and Kayden, which a lot of people really seemed to want.
     
    What are your future projects?
    Well, I've promised to write a sequel to the Neko, so I've been trying to work out some basic plot lines and talking with one of my betas about ideas--so if anyone has ideas they'd like to see in the sequel, let me know your ideas. I'm considering a shifter story, maybe a merman, or another slave/cinderfella-like fiction. (Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale, so many of my stories have the poor, abused character who needs saving, even in my YA fiction.)
     
    What brought you to GA?
    I was searching for more reading material because, you know, I read ALOT, and came across Weeping Lily by Nephylim and the Paradox of Friendship by IntheMindofSunshine. Those were the first stories I found here, and since then I have enjoyed reading many stories. I admit, though, I'm horrible at remembering to write reviews because I read on my tablet and I hate typing on the on-screen keyboard, plus I get so into the story, I keep going through the chapters until I'm done. I'm trying to be better though, and plan to go back to review the stories that I've read. After posting the Tears of the Neko here, I discovered I liked this site much better than AFF or Fiction Press, which is why in posting All In, I decided to post a couple chapters ahead here first (so while I'm posting it at the other sites, GA is ahead by a couple chapters!)
     

    Thanks so much for great interview, Craftingmom! Okay guys, don't forget to leave your questions or come back between 1-3 EST!
  7. Cia

    Csr November: Tears Of The Neko By Craftingmom

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    November! The weather has definitely shifted for most people--either cold and rainy/snowy or warming up to hot, so you hopefully have plenty of reading time! I thought I'd feature a newer author to GA with the first novel she completed, and recently updated, on GA. Enjoy!!
     


    Tears of the Neko


    by Craftingmom


     
    Length: 76,473
     
    Description: A younger brother buys his brother, the Duke and heir to the throne, a surprising gift for his brother's birthday--a young, very skittish neko slave. But ,Damien has no use for a personal slave. But a bet with his two younger brothers has Damien keeping the boy at his side as a matter of pride. When attempts on his life begin, Damien discovers just how protective the cat-like human can be.
     

    This month's discussion day will take place on Monday, November 24th, so get reading now! And a twist to the usual, I'd like to ask you guys to share your questions you'd like to see the authors answer each month. I can't guarantee they'll all get answered but I'll add them to my list!
  8. Cia

    Csr Discussion Day: Seasonal Spooktacular!

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    It's a Halloween week feature for those who like to get into the season! I hope these anthology stories got you in the mood this month. Did you read the stories and poem? Did you have a favorite? Change your mind on some of the featured spookies?
     
    To kick off today's discussion, I asked the authors to answer a few questions about their stories and Halloween!
     
    Ghosts: The Harpsichordist by Carl Holiday
    Why did you use ghosts as a character in your story/poem?
    Why did I use a ghost (actually 3 ghosts) in my story (The Harpsichordist)? I think I was thinking of an old house on a bluff above the ocean. Old houses seem to be a place where you can definitely find ghosts. Having three in the same house, well, why not. Two little kids and the title character provided the protagonists with a medium where their recovery from a personal tragedy could have a happy ending.
     
    Do you have a favorite Halloween memory?
    Favorite Halloween Memory: this occurred back when kids could roam freely throughout the neighbor with out any danger of some think like this: there was a weirdo driving around trying to run over kids; it came to a happy ending, though; seems this kid was out in his cowboy suit and for some reason he put his hat on top of a fire plug; from a distance or with drug/alcohol influence, it looked like a kid with a cowboy hat that wasn't running away.
     

    Recipe for Disaster: Ones and Zeroes by Mann Ramblings
    Do you have a favorite Halloween memory?
    I wouldn't call it a favorite, but it is my most memorable. In third grade, I wanted to be a vampire for Halloween. I had the fangs, the cape and the makeup, but at the last minute I let my mother know I needed to have my hair slicked back, because that's how they looked, you know? We didn't have any hair products that could do the job and she wasn't about to run to the store at the eleventh hour so she made do with Vaseline. I kid you not... Vaseline.
     
    Did you know it took three weeks to wash that crap out of my hair? We used shampoo, laundry detergent and a few other things I've forgotten about. We probably should have just shaved my head, but I liked my hair too much for that. I'm surprised it didn't all fall out after all the abuse we heaped on it that year.
     
    Do you have a favorite Halloween legend?
    I have to admit I'm pretty partial to Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman. I saw the Disney version every season as a kid and it was exciting, creepy and utterly fascinating even back in those days. I even loved the Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp and bought the DVD when that came out. I like to watch it at least once during October.
     

    Pandora's Box: Rise of the Serpent by Celetheiel
    Do you have a favorite Halloween memory?
    I was 7 and looking at my moms home-made costume that i was going to wear... I was a little Indian boy... I was really wowed that my mom made that costume, herself for me.... Afterwards we had enough candy that it lasted us half-a-year. Mom and dad would put it all in a big old glass jar and it would sit there...and if say it wasn't wrapped all melt together in a big...pile of sugar...
     
    Do you have a favorite Halloween legend?
    Not really, the only real Halloween legend i remember is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, doesn't help that it plays every year at Halloween.
     
    Why did you use a vampire as a character in your story/poem.
    The simple answer would be... because it fit... It fit with the Theme... It's actually based in the same universe with my big Vampire Story, A Crimson Frost, and I felt like it was a good tale to tell.
     
    What's your favorite treat for Halloween?
    Candy Corn, I believe I like the most.
     
    The Back-up Plan: Magic in the Air by Andy78
    Do you have a favorite Halloween legend?
    Aside from the traditional Bloody Mary, The Thirteen Floor is one of my favourites.
     
    The Thirteenth Floor (which I think originates from Pennsylvania) is about people who enter a haunted house on Halloween and try to reach the thirteenth floor. Each floor tried to scare them from going up to the next floor. The only people who survived were those who fled before reaching the thirteenth floor.
     
    What's your favorite treat for Halloween?
    Anything with sugar and nothing with granola I'm very partial to toffee apples (candy apples) this time of year, but they're not really Halloween specific.
     
    Okay, so what did you think of this month's choices? Enjoy them? Don't like creepy crawlies so you were hiding behind your hand as you read? Want to share your fav Halloween memory?
  9. Cia

    Author Interview: Renee Stevens

    By Cia,


    Author Interviews
    In honor of this month's creepy critters theme, we featured Renee Stevens' story, Joined by Blood, with our October Signature Background. Who doesn't like vampires, right? If you like your vampires bad... this story has them! If you like your vampires good... this story has them! But figuring out which is which...? Maybe not so easy! If you haven't read it yet, you really should, but first, read this interview with Renee where you can learn some more about


    Interview: Renee Stevens on
    Joined By Blood

     
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    Some, not all. Some fruits and vegetables I really like, some I absolutely detest and you couldn’t pay me enough to eat them.
     
    What are you wearing (and no fibbing!)?
    Jeans and a t-shirt… and my camo slippers.
     
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
    Lately I try to at least throw the blankets so they somewhat cover the bed; otherwise I end up with dog hair all over the sheets.
     
    What brought you to the site?
    Mainly, I was looking for a new place to start posting my work. I found GA, became a member right away, and started posting in the old eFiction. I just never left and am now coming up on my 5 year GA Anniversary.
     
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    Sometimes it’s just finding the motivation to write, especially lately. It seems like there’s just one thing after another happening that makes me lose my focus.
     
    What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
    The toughest criticism is hard, but I think it would have to be the one when I was simple told that a story I wrote was “boring beyond belief” and had absolutely no plot. The thing was, the story in question was simply a look inside the lives of two characters. There wasn’t supposed to be a major set-up with them. Luckily, no one else agreed with the person who said it.
     
    The best compliment… I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on my writing. With that being said, I think it’s a toss-up between two things. One of which is those readers that continue to follow me and read my work. I’ve heard from a few readers that they’ll read anything I write and honestly, I don’t think you can get a much better compliment than that. The other compliment is similar, in those readers who will wait for chapters, no matter how long it may take me to get them out. I’ve had stories get stalled because of life happening(a couple have been stalled for years), and yet, when I manage to finally get a chapter out of them, I get a review (or comment) from someone saying that they are so happy I’m working on the story again.
     
    Do you have any writing rituals?
    If I’m determined to write, then I turn music on. Other than that, only if I’m stuck. If I’m stuck, then I turn music on and grab a pen and paper. Here’s the thing though, it can’t be just any pen and paper. If I am truly stuck, it has to be a new pen and a new notebook. I actually have a stack of single subject notebooks and a stash of never used pens that when I get really stuck on a story, I grab a new set and start working through my thoughts. Once in a while, even that’s not enough to get me through the block, but most the time it works.
     
    How did you come up with the title for Joined by Blood?
    I always have a really hard time coming up with titles for stories. Generally, I run title options past Cia, and sometimes we go through numerous title options before settling on one that we both like. If I remember right, I thought of “Joined by Blood” because of the simple reasoning of, all of the bonds in the story are blood bonds and require the ingestion of each other’s blood. I ran the thought by Cia (probably Lugh, Nephylim, and Frostina as well) and it was agreed to be the perfect title.
     
    Why vampires?
    I’ve always been fascinated with vampires. When I wrote “Joined by Blood” I had already written a couple of shorter vampire stories, but I wanted to try my hand at something longer. I also always wondered as to what made a vampire good or bad, writing “Joined by Blood” gave me the chance to explore that.
     
    At what point did you realize that Dante, Damian, and Vik were destined to be a triumvirate? Was that the initial idea that came to you, or did it evolve as you wrote the story?
    Honestly, that was NOT in the original plans at all. The original plan for the story was simply a Vik/Damian pairing, but the further I got into the story, the more I realized that Dante was playing a more important role than originally planned. He had a bond with both Vik and Damian that just begged to be explored. I wouldn’t say there was a “moment” that I just “knew” they were destined to be a triumvirate though, I think it was just a gradual realization. Little things started to come together until there was no other conclusion I could come to.
     
    What was your favorite part of the story?
    That is a tough question. There were so many parts to this story that just beg to become my favorite, but I think one part manages to edge the others out, just a little. In Chapter 6, both the reader and Damian learn of the true relationship between Jarrod and Vik. It’s a bit of an eye opener for everyone, but especially for Damian and it’s a bit of a turning point in the story.
     
    Have you considered writing a sequel to Joined by Blood?
    When I first completed “Joined by Blood”, I considered the story complete. Since then, I’ve done some thinking and considering and there just might be a sequel after all. It’s not really even in the planning stages right now because I have so many other stories in the works, but I do have a few thoughts and plans for if/when I get some of my other projects done. However, there is no timeline for when I might start work on it or when it might come out.
  10. Cia
    It's a rerun! Due to the sudden alert of stories being rated incorrectly and Google being a PiTA, (read more here) we preempted a lot of the blog last week. So, to be fair, Renee gets her feature day back again!
     
    Something a little different this week for the review for Renee Steven's featured story, cause I like being different, lol. Most of the time a reader would be the one to do the review, but this time, I'm going to do it. I had the great pleasure to be a beta reader/editor for this story, so I got an inside view to Renee's creation. Of course, I had great fun while it was being posted teasing everyone I knew what happened ahead of time.


    Joined by Blood


    by Renee Stevens


    Reviewer: Cia
    Length: 82,036
    Status: Complete
    Joined by Blood is a vampire novel... and who doesn't like vampires! Well, I certainly do, so I was super excited when Renee told me she was writing this story. There are so many different elements--a prophecy, a turning or two, evil and magic, love and loss... and so much more!
     
    And there are so many dichotomies in the story--like how vampires are so powerful and ancient, yet hide from humans. In the woods and caves of all places! When so many authors are willing to bring vampires into the modern times, Renee seemed to set hers back. The setting helped give the story its gritty, desperate vibe--and damn, were they desperate.
     
    Vik--the prince of his people--has a vampire who wants him dead. That same vampire who stole Damian's sister's innocence and turned her evil. But after seeing that, how is Damian supposed to trust Vik and his men, including the head of his guards and Vik's best friend, Dante? They're guys, so of course communication isn't their strong suit. There is a lot of posturing and a lot of misunderstandings, but fate's taken a big ole interest in the course of their lives, so they have to figure it out.
     
    Renee writes a lot like I do--she gets an idea and starts writing it. Then the story changes. There were so many times we sat on the computer and bandied about ideas. If Damian's sister did this... wouldn't it mean that? Does this line in the prophecy really mean what we think it does? It was almost like going along in the story with the characters! I love that about working with Renee. I remember once telling her she might have one scene changing so Dante could do something... and it was so funny, because it was actually 'normal' for her to tell me, "Dante just wouldn't do that!" and for me to smack my forehead and go, "Well, duh, of course he wouldn't!".
     
    Why? Cause Renee's characters certainly live in her head. She had firm ideas on who each of the guys were, what their stories and histories were like, and how badly she was going to torture them before they got their happily ever after... if they got it. Sometimes, with her, you're just not sure! I think that's why her story was so popular--with such vivid and alive characters, who couldn't be drawn into Joined by Blood?!
     
    Others had definite feelings about the characters too! For instance:
     
    Daithi said: And we all know how much of a walking trouble magnet Damian is lol.
     
    CW Price said: Damian also seems to have a bit of an anger problem as well. He seems to like to fly off the handle, like a little drama queen
     
    Rosenkrantz said: Dante is my favorite character in this. He's the only one who seems to retain any common sense when it comes to the technicalities.
     
    cogito_ergo_sum1666 said: love damian for being so hot to have two sexy vampires wrapped around his fingers, love VIK *swoons* for being a possessive boyfriend and when he's being a jerk? he is still sexy and never annoying!!! Oh and Dante? can i keep him? lol i mean this is like a fantasy lol. So there, see? i told you i love all of them
     
    Conner said: I don't know if you intended it, but I find Damian to be so obstinate and stubborn to the point where it makes him thick-headed.
     
    Frostina said: BOOOO! @ becca! That Bitch! she's... she's... she's.. PURE evil!
     
    Comicfan said: Vic needs to decide how he is going to handle Damian. Sometimes he is so sweet and tender and the next he is the caveman carrying his clubbed mate back to the room so he can ravish him. lol.
     

    So what about you? Did you have any feelings about the story or the characters? Were there any scenes where you just wanted to butt in and let them have it? Share your thoughts below! Also, make sure you head over the Signature Background feature blog to download your copies of the background. (There are hot guys on it... who doesn't want to stare at hot guys?!!)
  11. Cia

    Csr October: Seasonal Spooktacular!

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    In honor of the season, I thought this month we'd do something a little different! Anthologies are a great chance to sample authors' writing. It's also fun to see how they twist the themes into original pieces. For this October CSR, I thought I'd feature some of the creatures we often imagine lurking about the shadows.
     

    Vampires!
    Pandora's Box: Rise of the Serpent by Celetheiel
    Description: A group of friends find more than riches when they set out to explore an abandoned house. ~ 3,050 words
     
    Witchery!
    The Back-up Plan: Magic in the Air by Andy78
    Description: Angus asks his supposed boyfriend Jason to the school formal. Not being ready to publically come out, Jason turns him down. Angus, in need of someone to go with, decides to magic himself up a date. ~ 5,039 words
     
    Were-Creatures!
    Cracks in Time Poetry: Midnight by Mark92
    Description: A poem about a werewolf. ~ 186 words
     
    Mutants!
    Recipe for Disaster: Ones and Zeroes by Mann Ramblings
    Description: In the future, all para-humans are 2nd class citizens under constant control and supervision. Poll's sponsor is a securities specialist, specifically the man responsible for designing all tech the maintains the balance of human superiority. Poll accepts his world, he's well treated, until the disappearance of his twin brother Costa shatters his world view and forces him to decide where he stands. ~ 9,668 words
     
    Ghosts!
    Ghosts: The Harpsichordist by Carl Holiday
    Description: Michael’s partner of nine years cheated on him a couple months ago and, although he forgave Jerry, Michael is desperate to love Jerry again, even though there is a big hole in his heart. ~ 4109 words
     
     
     
    Okay, so you have your spookies! Check out these stories, and don't forget to come back and share what flavor of freaky had you hiding under the covers the most on the CSR Discussion day! It'll take place the last Monday of the month, October 27th!
  12. Cia

    Writing Tip: Flash Fiction - Why And How?

    By Cia,


    Writing Tips
    I thought, this week, that we’d discuss something we host here on GA, and promote weekly on the blog. Flash fiction, namely in the guise of our prompts. Our anthologies are an extension of that as well. But we’ve never really talked about the art of creating these types of short stories—so today we will! I think there are two main questions most people have: What is flash fiction and why do people write it?
     


    FLASH FICTION


     

    Flash fiction can also run the gamut of ‘regular fiction’. It can be found lurking in all genres and styles. It is often themed or prompted by specific words, phrases, or images. And any one prompt can become any number of story angles, based on how the author sees the image. But what do all flash pieces have in common?
     
    They’re short.
     
    We’re talking 100 to 1,500 words, usually. That doesn’t mean they’re incomplete or lesser in any way from longer novellas or novels. It just means the author must, with an economy of words, unfold their tale from start to finish. Does that mean flash pieces should still have an arc? Well, maybe the longer pieces can, but instead of thinking flash must employ a beginning/middle/end the way most arcs do, think about what makes a reader drawn to a story.
    What do they enjoy and take away from it?
     
    Satisfaction.
     
    Whether a flash piece is about an orphan finding a home or a cat, desperate for a taste, knocking the cream off the counter and down the sink or a man getting the nerve up to ask someone on a date but finds his cell is dead… there’s an expectation of something happening and that moment being fulfilled in some way. Thus, satisfaction is achieved. Readers can see this writing element in many of the popular pieces from GA’s prompts, if they look for it. That doesn’t mean authors have to employ a positive outcome, of course. Sadness, disappointment, even loss, can be powerful emotions to leave with a reader.
     
    How is that done? In many ways! That’s the beauty of flash fiction, and why many authors do write it. Authors are free to explore different styles and genres when they’re not looking to fill a notebook or type 100 pages locked into one storyline. A single image or phrase can become a comedy, a tragedy, or a science fiction parody… all depending on skill and desire. It gives authors a chance to stretch their mental muscles, to explore and expand their style and repertoire. But isn’t it lazy to not attempt to make every story idea into the next great novel? Flash is so… simple, right?
     
    After all, it’s just a few words. Not many. Isn’t it easy? Anyone can do it! Well yes, anyone can write a few hundred words. But can they do it well? Do they understand why flash fiction really is its own niche of the writing world? Well, some do. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Explaining a static visual or scene prompt in as few words as possible can be much harder than people think. Authors must avoid bloat words and phrases and often editing is more cut, cut, cut, than removing typos. Ensuring the reader can relate with a scene or character, without having chapters to share all their information, is incredibly difficult. Authors have to find that connection because, without it, their flash just won’t resonate.
     
    Okay, so I like to make these blog posts interactive so you can tell me what you think I have right or wrong, lol. I have a few questions for everyone. Have you thought about writing flash but haven’t for some reason? Spill it! If you do write flash, what aspect of the craft do you most enjoy? What do you find the most challenging?
     
    For those who are interested, how about trying a bit of flash now? It’ll be a micro challenge; that will make it easy… right?
     
    Describe, in 10 words—exactly 10, no more and no less—what is happening in this picture.
     





    Who are they? 3 friends? A ménage? Who is taking the picture? Why? What has their day been like? Are they having fun in the sun or much need relief after a hot summer day slaving away at work? Is the beach winter cold and bad for surfing, so they play Frisbee?
     

    Well?
  13. Cia

    Writing Prompts #354 & #355

    By Cia,


    Prompts
    Now that we re-whet everyone's appetites for flash fiction, let's get back into our weekly fun of Comicfan's great prompts! Thank you to everyone who participated in Wednesday's feature about why we like flash and how we do it, especially to everyone who tried it out! This week we have a very diverse word list prompt as well as a creative theme featuring... well, read on to find out, and then see what you can come up with!
     
    Prompt 354 – Creative
    Tag – List of words
    Use the following in a story – bottle of pills, birth announcement, a balloon, a scuffed sneaker, and a new car.
     
    Prompt 355 – Creative
    Tag – The book
    You found this really incredible book in the little used book store on your last shopping trip. Its cover sort of reminded you of a trip you had taken as a child with your family. As you begin to read the book you find it nearly word for word describes everything that happened in your life. It begins to worry you as you read on and see what happened to other members of your immediate family. What blows you mind is you find yourself reading about your own life experiences. What do you do with the book? Do you read to the end?
     
    I'd like to feature a few different prompt responses since it's been a bit since the last feature. Rook Lee did a great job on their first prompt response, ever, and I couldn't help but snicker at Greg_A's creative quip!
     
     
     





     

    And from Prompt response by Sasha Distan for Prompt 352... which Sasha teasingly said is a hint of things come!
     

    Want to read more of Sasha's work? Read here!
  14. Cia

    Premium Tuesday: Ice Fairy Ii

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    Do you write? Are you willing to consider writing a story for Premium? We're always on the lookout for great authors with a dedication to quality fiction who'd like to work with the site to provide content for our Premium subscribers, and make a little money, to boot! Feel free to PM me, if you're interested in starting a discussion. If you're interested in reading some of these great stories, then you need to become a Premium subscriber. Memberships can be purchased in the site store!
     



    Ice Fairy II


    by



    Stephanie L Danielson

     

    It's been five weeks since the disappointment in London. Brett and Sam have grown closer and want to seal the deal; but there are nerves and hesitations holding them back; plus forces at work they don't even know about yet.


    Series:
    Ice Fairy


    Words: 47,164



    Chapters: 21


     

    Category



    Fiction


     

    Genres

    Romance, Drama

     

    Tags

    School, North America, Gay, Parents, Young Adult, Mature Adult

     

    Rating



    Mature


     


    Want to read "Ice Fairy II"? Or maybe you want to check out more of what's in the Premium Section? It's easy, just purchase a
    Premium Subscription!

     



    Premium Content
    $8.10
    $8.10 Monthly




    Premium Content - 3 Months
    $24.00
    $24.00 Every 3 months




    Premium Content - 6 Months
    $47.00
    $47.00 Every 6 months




    Premium Content - 1 Year
    $93.00
    $93.00 Annually

  15. Cia

    Featured Story: Empath's Kiss

    By Cia,


    Featured Stories
    Shh! I'm masquerading as Renee this week. I'm just her puppet, bringing you the site news for this week. I'm sure she's up in the woods thinking, "Dance, puppet, dance!" LOL Okay, to kick off a week of Cia the sub, we have an exciting short by Andrew Todd. If you like sci-fi this might be right up your alley!
     


    Empath’s Kiss



    By



    Andrew Todd



    Author


    Reviewer: Renee Stevens
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 13,996
     
    This was the first story I’d ever read by this author and I have to say that after reading Empath’s Kiss I am sure that I will be looking at reading more by Andrew Todd. To say that I was intrigued from the start doesn’t quite give justice to how much this story captured me and kept me reading, despite the fact that I should have been in bed asleep. I just had to keep reading to the end.
     
    Empath’s Kiss follows two teenagers, Damon and Kai. Damon just happens to be an empath, though it is stated from the start of the story that he wasn’t supposed to be. His generation wasn’t supposed to have any ability, so of course, I wondered, what made him different. Now, I could tell you, but the twist that gives him his ability is one that I think the reader should find out for themselves. I actually was quite impressed at the spin that Andrew Todd gave to explain the how and why behind Damon’s abilities. It was certainly not something that I was expecting.
     
    Damon is not alone however, he has a very loving boyfriend who is there from the start of the story. Kai knows all about Damon’s abilities and is there to lend his support whenever Damon does more than he should. He, for lack of a better term, is Damon’s rock. It is quite obvious throughout the story that the two boys love each other deeply, and while young, the two boys share secrets that bind them together more closely than most couples could ever hope to be.
     
    I normally am not one for teenage stories, but this was one of those that I am certainly glad I read. Not only did the story flow smoothly, but the characters were well thought out and portrayed. One of my favorite things about this story was that both boys' families played major roles throughout the story. Yes, at times they were background characters, but at others, they were right up there in the thick of things, lending their support.
     
    Definitely a must read in my opinion and an author to keep an eye on.


    Category: Fiction Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance Tags: Psionics, Teen, Under 18, Gay Rating: Teen


  16. Cia

    September Csr Selection: The Phantom By Dark

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    I like going through stories on GA and finding things that might not follow the usual run-of-the-mill story path. This month, we're going to have some fun with something the author is describing as fan-fiction of a fan-fiction of a fan-fiction... But, since the author is Dark, I'm sure readers are in for a great ride!



    The Phantom


    by Dark


     
    Length: 34,195
     
    Description: Meet Mark. He's a TV reporter for a city called Necropolis. Meet Gerry. He's haunted. In a city infested with supers, everyone thinks it's all some big publicity stunt, but is it?
     
    Author note: So, yes, every once in a while even the Great Dark gets caught up in something outrageously silly. This story is fanfiction from a friend's fanfiction that she wrote as a spin-off to even more fanfiction. Lost yet? Never fear! There is a link for you, but beware! If you go there, be prepared for something very silly. Here's the link: http://yaoi.y-gallery.net/club/7664/
     
    A reader said: But it's a very good story!
     

    Don't forget to come back for the CSR Discussion day, taking place on Saturday Sept. 27th. Dark will be available for a live blog chat at noon, Alaska time. Just cause that's not the usual zones, so Pacific would be +1 hour later, Mountain is +2 hours, Central is +3 hours, and East is +4 hours.
  17. Cia
    August has come and gone, and I'm rejoicing. School starts in just over a week, but the week left is packed full of fun and games with swimming, library, swimming, an outdoor pool/playground/putt putt/lake resort, and camping prep for our big camping weekend. A last hurrah of all our favorite fun of the summer. But what happens when games aren't fun? At least... maybe not for InTheMindOfSunshine's characters in her story, In the Depths of Despair. What did you think of the story? Make sure you share your thoughts about the story, Sunshine's interview, or any questions about her writing in general. She'll answer whatever questions you leave today, as well as come back for a 'live' chat on the blog from 8:30 to 9:30 PM, Central Time.
     

    Single people work more. Are you single?
    Single – I have an awful track record with relationships so it’s for the best at the moment.
     
    Who do you like best, Jerry or Tom?
    Tom – I’m a cat person through and through.
     
    What are you wearing (and no fibbing!)?
    PJs, which really just consist of a really big t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Oh, and the appropriate undergarments; however, I figured that was a given. But I’m answering this in the wee hours of night. Actually, it’s only like eleven.
     
    Do your characters try to make like bunnies and create ever more convoluted plots for you? Or do you have to coax them out of your characters?
    It depends. The Paradox Series, which I have recently marked as completed, is an example of the characters taking over. The first story of it was originally just about a bullied kid (Spencer) becoming friends – and later the love interest – of a typical guy (Nix). Then, before the first chapter even ends, [spoiler alert for anyone who has not read The Paradox of Friendship] two of Nix’s friends, Riley and Dexter, are revealed to be the ones who bully Spencer. From there, the storyline hit the ground running and even spawned a sequel.
     
    On the other hand, In the Depths of Despair was difficult to write at times, because the writing style was, what I like to call, raw. It was not fancy or dressed up. It was a story about suicide and about all that goes along with such a battle. That is messy and unpredictable and ugly, even, at times so I tried to write in a style which would reflect that. The characters occasionally didn’t want to go along with certain things that had to happen so it was a touch-and-go story from the beginning.
     
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    Conjugating the verb ‘lay’ is my biggest enemy. I hate it. I always have to look that up and still doubt my choice. I’m a native English speaker and will soon have a degree in English, but I still struggle with the conjugation of some irregular verbs.
     
    Do you have any writing rituals?
    I write to music a lot, because television distracts me too much. (Dang you, Leroy Jethro Gibbs.) I can’t be too tired when I sit down to write so sometimes it’s harder to write at night. My primary goal is to always just get words down, because I can always edit later. I just write everything which needs to happen without caring how unorganized it initially is. Then I go back and clean it up.
     

    How did you come up with the title for In the Depths of Despair?
    By luck. Honestly, I’m awful at titles. My working titles are more often than not just the name of the main character. I’m so indecisive that sometimes I just leave whatever first came to my mind in the two seconds it took to save the document for the first time. (Ground Rules, for example, was named so because it was the ground rules for a new story.) In the Depths of Despair was a synonym for suicidal, because that was the theme of it. I actually didn’t think of it. I asked a friend of mine what she might call the story. (The working title was Gabe, and I almost posted it as such here.)
     
    Did the characters or the plot come to you first?
    Um… It’s been so long that I don’t clearly remember! I think the characters did. I wrote the story because of the opening scene between Gabe and Lincoln. It just wouldn’t leave me alone until it was written down. The plot came in later when I actually sat down to plan it out and finally got a grasp of who Lincoln was and what Henry’s past had been and why Gabe didn’t seem to want to be a happy character.
     
    What was your favorite part of the story?
    I really enjoyed the scenes between Finn and Henry. Although I never intended the pairing to Gabe/Finn, I had fun making Henry think that was the case. It was a nice refresher, for me at least, to step away from the darker issue of the story.
     
    Can you share a little of your current work with us?
    Everything I have posted currently has a ‘completed’ tag; however, there is a follow up to The Paradox of Promises. I know I’ve said that the entire series is completed – and Nix/Spencer’s story really is! – but I wrote a mini-sequel of sorts as a gift for a friend and have been toying with the idea of posting it for some time. It takes place, roughly half of a year after the conclusion of the series. I won’t say what pairing it features, though.
     
    I’ve also recently finished a short story in which the protagonist finds himself held as prisoner. I’m on the fence about posting this one as well. It one gets a little nitty gritty – worse, I believe, than I ever dared to get in the Paradox Series.
    So basically I need to just get my act together and post one or both of them.
     
    What are your future projects?
    I’ve got a couple of stories on which I’m working, and they’re both in various stages of the beginning.
     
    The first one is a revamp of an old story that I’ve rewritten like dozens of times. In its current form, it’s almost unrecognizable when compared to the original. It’s set in college, and this is the (rough) description for it:
     

    Because sometimes a set of stairs can change a life.



    Because sometimes a couch is a home.



    And because sometimes it’s really not that easy


     

    …Or, rather, Ryder Lake meets Skyler Hart.


     
    The third one might be surprising to anyone who has read my works. It’s a sequel to Borrowing Family. This one is going to give me the most trouble, because I’m having to pick up an old style and because I’m trying a new approach with which I’ve got to be super careful or it’ll be too confusing. It could crash and burn. I don’t have a description for it, but it’s partially set a few years in the future – that is, beyond the epilogue of the first story.
     
     
     
    Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us this week, Sunshine! Okay, folks, ask away!
  18. Cia

    Csr Discussion Day: Advent By Cole Matthews

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Sometimes I cannot believe how fast a month flies by! July has come, and nearly gone, already! This month, in honor of Christmas in July, we featured Cole Matthew's story, Advent. He was kind enough to do an interview for me, and he'll be here from 7 to 9 PM, Central Time, to discuss Advent, and his writing in general. Please feel free to share you thoughts on his story, and post any questions for him you might have, even if you can't be here during his live blog chat.
     

    Single people work more. Are you single?
    I’m happily married to Randy, my copy editor in life.
     
    If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
    I’d have to say Mann Rambling is an inspirational writer for me. That being said, Lisa and Joann414 have helped me immensely both with advice and counsel. I doubt I would have had the guts to finish posting my first story, Porcupines, without Lisa’s support and suggestions. Advent and Button never would have been written if not for Joann414 so a big smooch to them both!
     
    What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
    Pete Bruno gave me the best advice when I started posting Porcupines. He told me to get an editor because I needed it. I did because he was right.
     
    My best compliment was a PM I got from a reader. He said a chapter in Button made him fondly remember a family member who had passed away. To evoke that kind of emotion, a writer has to be doing something right. I was humbled by his kind words.
     
    Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
    Huktaunluv and Valkyrie71 are two authors I believe are telling some great stories. Huk has been writing “Aaron’s Dilemma” and his honesty makes you stop and think. Valkyrie’s ideas are dynamite and her writing is eloquent. Bryce Lee and Astro are couple of writers I’m also watching.
     
    When did you first consider yourself a writer?
    I wrote a series of articles on subjects relating to my work as a paralegal. I even got paid for them. It was after the publication went bust I found myself itching to continue writing, so I tried fiction and this time it worked.
     
    When I finished Porcupines and began revising it, I joined Gayauthors.org soon thereafter and that’s when I felt my fiction writing career began.
     
    How many books/stories have you written? Which is your favorite?
    Everything I’ve written worth reading is on Gayauthors.org. I have written other things but they should never see the light of day. Not everything I write needs to be seen. I’ve learned that lesson.
     
    Porcupines will always hold a special place in my heart but I think Button is my favorite work so far. Advent is a close second place. I love it.
    For Advent, did the characters or the plot come to you first?
    Definitely the characters. Cayden was inspired by a guy who hung out in front of my work building each morning smoking. I never spoke with him, but he inspired me. Brian’s character is based on my former brother-in-law who has lived twenty years in a stage 3 coma. After I put those two characters together, Danny came along organically. The story unfolded from there.
     
    What was your favorite part of the story?
    The Christmas ornament scene when Cayden is helping Danny decide what to put on the tree. I cried writing that scene. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to look at those personal items and realize they don’t belong to anyone anymore.
     
    Can you share a little of your current work with us?
    There is Button, which is winding up. It’s a story about a little boy who was left on his father’s apartment doorstep. Craig meets Graham and the three of them form the cutest family ever. Each chapter is a vignette that represents the most impactful part in each year of Button’s life until he’s twenty. Early on it’s more about Craig and Graham and how they handle things about their son but around chapter ten, it becomes all about Button.
     
    Gaia-Town is a collaborative project I’m doing with Aditus. We are creating a shared land of fantasy with lots of magic and magic folk. It’s fun because we can create tons of awful people and off them without feeling bad. We only post a chapter each month or so. Working with Aditus is amazing.
     
    1550 Loring Lane is an anthology of experimental stories I add to from time to time. It was originally based on prompts I found on Twitter. Button was a short story in that collection. I later continued writing it into the novel.
     
    What are your future projects?
    My next book project will be the sequel to Button. ‘The Barbed Wire Heart’ will feature characters from the story in their first year of college after Craig and Mirabelle’s baby is born. Brent is still coping from Andy’s death and the story will include characters from the ‘1550 Loring Lane’ story ‘Voice of the Garden.’ I’m in the planning stages and very excited about it.
     
     
     
    I have to thank Cole for sharing himself in this interview, and I hope everyone enjoyed it. Don't forget to post your thoughts on his story, and any questions you might have for him! Then come back for his 'live chat' from 7 to 9 PM, Central time.
  19. Cia
    Wow! August is here already and will probably be gone before we know it! I was looking for a story that would be great for this month when a lot of students are focusing back on school, especially those who are off to college. Then it hit me...
     


    In the Depths of Despair


    by InTheMindOfSunshine


     
    Length: 65,700
     
    Description: When Gabe is dumped by his long-time boyfriend, Lincoln, his world begins a downward spiral. Then he meets Henry--the boy who takes all of his pain away. As Gabe and Henry grow closer and closer, Gabe discovers Henry's past is as dark as Gabe's own thoughts. Does Henry hold the key to Gabe's life beyond Lincoln? Or will Gabe be a victim of the past repeating itself?
     
    A Reader Said: What a great ending to a great story Sunshine!
     
    Okay, so get reading! Our CSR discussion day will be August 25th. Don't forget to come back with your thoughts on the story!
  20. Cia
    2014 is half over! It seems like every year, time flies faster and faster. Sometimes it feels the same when we have new authors join who quickly become a fixture on the site and begin to move up in the ranks. I thought it was past time to feature another Promising author this month, and hit upon the perfect story. In keeping with the Christmas in July theme, I thought we'd read Cole Matthew's story, Advent!


    Advent


    by Cole Matthews


     
    Description: Brian and Danny are married. But they are stuck in limbo and can’t get past it. Can an Advent calendar, some Christmas ornaments, and a cigarette get them beyond the stasis that has frozen their lives? Will the lights of Christmas shining in the darkness help them find the peace they truly need? This is a Christmas story in eight parts.
     
    A Reader Said: Lovely story Cole! You do new takes on old themes so well ~ Kitt
     

    So, stay cool/warm (depending on your hemisphere) by curling up inside to enjoy Cole's novella length story. Make sure you come back ready to discuss it on Monday, July 28th!
  21. Cia

    June Csr Dicussion Day: Cjames' Anthologies

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    This month we're featuring CJames' Anthology stories for June's CSR Discussion Day. If you haven't read them yet, well... watch out for spoilers! A Signature Author from way back, CJ has a lot of variety for readers to enjoy--going from short shorts to super long epics. Do you have a favorite?
     
    Leaving Club Leo
    Review by Cia
     
    Leaving Club Leo was the first story of CJ's that I read. What impressed me most was the level of technology and the research he must have done. I was very involved with suspense of the story as well, which kept me on the edge of my seat. Jeff's desire for an adventure really didn't turn out how he expected. Waiting to find out if their rescue would come in time was nail biting... but I'm not going to tell you! If you want to know if Jeff and the commander make it... read the story!
     
    Category 5
    Review by Red_A
     
    To describe how you feel when there is a Large Blow is difficult.
     
    The rush to get the most out of the wind before it gets too difficult.
    The feeling of fear as to what the future is?
    The wish to help others is intensified.
    The feeling that you know what will happen
    It affect concentration, some people make mistakes, some perform brilliantly.
    The relief when it is over, and did it actually happen?
     
    CJ cover these brilliantly and in an easy entertaining way.
    The descriptions also show that he has experience a large blow as it is very true to life.
    It is one of his many gems.
     

    So, did you read one of CJ's stories? What did you think?
  22. Cia
    June is the month our summer anthology comes out, and that's always a great event for our authors, new and experienced. I like to feature the anthologies from time to time, but this month I thought we'd take a peek at a single long-time member's various takes on the themes through the years. C James is the well-known, and popular, author of Circumnavigation--the longest story on GA. So how about taking a peek at some of his shortest, if you're not up to tackling his 1.1 million word epic?


    C James Anthologies


     


    2006 Halloween:
    The Muse


    2006 Going on Vacation:
    No Shirt, No Problem!

     

    2007 The Rainy Day:
    Category 5


    2007 Worth Fighting For:
    Requiem


    2007 Road Not Taken:
    Three for Jake

     

    2008 Escape:
    Ice Blink

     

    2009 Carpe Diem:
    First to the Sun

     

    2010 Out of this World:
    Leaving Club Leo

     

    2011 People are Strange:
    Not Like Us

     

    2012 It Wasn't Me:
    Infinite Density

     

    A Reader Said: Wow! What a departure from your other stories I been fortunate enough to read. ~ Miles Long of Three for Jake
     
    A Reader Said: Exactly what we have become expectant of a C. James Story. Excellent! ~ DelrayDad of Leaving Club Leo
     
    This month's discussion will take place on Monday, June 30th. Check out a few stories and come on back then to share your thoughts!
  23. Cia
    Wow, summer's almost here! This month in the CSR we're discussing Thorn's Jacob & Marcus Tales. Here's some info on those, if you haven't read them yet. They're short, though, so why don't you give one a shot and then come back and talk with Thorn at 11 PM, GST +1 (3 PM, Pacific and 12 PM, Eastern)
     


    Jacob and Marcus Tales series


    by Thorn Wilde


    Description: Marcus is the maladjusted, borderline sadistic and really quite brilliant editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, and Jacob wants him. The only problem is that Jacob is just about as maladjusted and out of touch as the object of his desire. Contains gratuitous swearing and a bit of a masochist kink.
     
    Stories: Soft Hard Weak Strong Firsts *prequel* Then Things Happened Sex, Booze & Consequences What Meg Said
     

    In the meantime, please enjoy this interview with Thorn! If you can't make the chat times, go ahead and leave your comments and questions about the story, or Thorn's writing in general in the comments now.
     

    What's the first story you remember writing?
    The first story I wrote was a picture book about a baby seal whose mother was eaten by polar bears, and who was adopted by a human girl who was on holiday in Svalbard with her parents. I drew all the pictures, and dictated the words to a grown-up who wrote them in for me. I must have been about four or maybe five. I knew all my letters, so the first page or so is written in my own hand (with the E's having way too many lines on them), but I couldn't spell. I still have the 'book', or I probably wouldn't remember any of this nearly so well.
     
    Do you have a favorite aspect of writing that really speaks to you?
    I love writing dialogue. I'll spend a lot of time choosing the right words for my characters, speaking them out loud so I can hear what they sound like (doing accents and voices to the best of my abilities), and perfecting their personalities through the way they speak. Sometimes I'll write a scene without any description at all the first time around, just the dialogue, and then I'll fill in the narrative with description, action and speech tags. In everything else, as well, it's the words. I have a real passion for language, so the words are really important to me.
     
    When you write, do you have any rituals? Like specific time of day, you need such and such music playing, or you wear a pair of motivating socks?
    Not really. I can write pretty much anywhere at any time, when I'm inspired to. The only thing is the medium. When I write fiction, I need my laptop. Nothing else will do. Thankfully, it's light and handy, so I can take it with me and write anywhere around the house, or outside, in a café, wherever I want. I like a change of scenery. When I really want to get to writing with no distractions, I walk to the Oslo University Library, where there's a small coffee shop, and I sit there in a window seat, watch people walking by, and write. Their wi-fi is for students only, so I don't have access.
     
    Is there a specific author who really inspired you to want to write?
    I've always wanted to write, so I don't really know. I've always told stories, to other people or just to myself. There are a lot of authors who inspire me now, but I don't think I can say that any of them made me want to write in the first place, because that's always been a part of my personality.
     
    What brought you to GA?
    A fan recommended it to me. I had been posting Nemesis on Archive Of Our Own, and one of my readers mentioned a story on GA in a comment. I clicked the link, had a look around, and signed up that same day.
     
    Did you plan to write a series of short stories when you started writing The Jacob & Marcus Tales?
    Not at all. I really only meant to write the one story, but then the characters took over my brain and things happened. Every time I thought I'd found an ending, another chapter of their lives started poking at me and I had to write that too.
     
    Do you have a favorite story out of the eight you've written so far?
    That's a really tough call... Out of all that I've ever written, these stories are what I uniformly like the most. But I guess Jacob's Firsts story might be my favourite. I loved going back and looking at his childhood, and it has some funny moments, too, at the same time as it's really quite cynical and sad in its own way. Other than that, What Meg Said is so different from the others, so that stands out as well. It was fun writing from a female character's point of view, as it's not something I've been doing a lot of late.
     
    Are you going to continue with more Jacob & Marcus Tales in the future?
    I think the answer to that is a very definite maybe. I've already given them their happy ending, or at least as happy an ending as they are likely to get, but there may still be some untold stories in between the scenes of What Meg Said. We'll see.
     
    What's up next? Feel free to share with us any plans you have about any upcoming stories you're working on. Tease us, it's okay!
    Well, first I'm going to finish Lavender & Gold and Nemesis: Soulmates Never Die. It's high time. After that I have few ideas, some of which I've started writing a little bit. One is a detective story set in Manchester, with a gay detective named Templeton who has to solve some scary murders. I've never written this kind of story before, so it's really exciting, but I also have a lot of research to do (as well as a trip to Manchester) before it'll be anywhere near publishable. It might be a project for next year's NaNoWriMo.
     
    Another project I've started is a sort of pastiche of Pride & Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's point of view, with some really rather interesting dynamics between him and Mr. Bingley, among other things. This will probably post before the Templeton story. I've written a couple of chapters so far and it's a lot of fun trying to mimic the language of the period in the dialogue. Like the original, it'll be composed of a shedload of short chapters. I also have a third volume of Nemesis on the horizon, but once I've finished Soulmates I think I'm going to need a bit of a break from that world, so it might take a while. Other than that you never know when a short story is going to pop into my head.
     
    Before any of this can happen, though, I need to learn to handle my depression. It's no secret that I've been ill for a while now. I'm on medication and due to start therapy soon, so hopefully I'll have the energy to get properly back in the game within too long.
     
    Okay everyone! Don't forget to come back during the chat, if you can make it!
  24. Cia

    Cia's Torturing Me!

    By Cia,


    Writing Tips
    Cia’s Torturing Me!


     
    If you’re an author, I’m sure you’ve thought that at least once, right? I swear, it’s nothing personal! GA’s posting system is complicated, and there is always a learning curve for new authors to figure out the ins and outs of posting here. I'm also the primary staff member that reviews the Stories submissions, so I am not picking on any one person if you receive more than one PM; I'm simply the staff member that reviews everything in the queue unless I am away from GA for some reason. That being said… there are a few things that will get you on my hit… uh, kindly message list.
     
    Posting Issues Most Likely To Trigger a Moderation PM:
     


    Posting More Than One Chapter : New stories should always be posted with a single chapter only. These should be properly edited, ready to go live, chapters. A prologue is okay, as it auto-posts with the first chapter, but more than a single chapter in a new submission floods the announcement listing. Additional chapters CAN be posted, but only if you post-date them. You can read about the post-dating system in the faq here.  

    Paragraph Spacing : This might be the most common mistake I see. Check your story content after you post, please. Some writing programs, browsers, and or machines (tablets/phones) are not compatible with the text editor. It can either strip out or add extra spaces between the chapters. Reviewing your chapters allows you to fix that before I find it in the queue. A fix in Word can be found in the faq here.  

    If you use other writing programs, like Google docs, tablets, etc… try posting with a new browser or placing your text in another program before you copy to GA until you have the correct spacing. We can't always tell you what the exact problem is in these cases to fix the spacing issue.  

    Flash Fiction and Poetry : Short stories under 1k in length, such as prompt responses, or poetry must be placed in a ‘collection’. This is as simple as creating a title that implies a collection, such as ‘My Shorts or My Haiku’ and then posting a single submission as the first chapter. Then subsequent posts would be made as chapters to that ‘collection’. The chapter titles can be edited and notes can be placed in each chapter as a description, if you choose. You may have more than one collection, within reason, to separate types of poetry or stories if you have a large number of varied content available.  

    Posting a Series Title : If you are posting a story that isn’t a follow up story to one already existing on GA, you do not have a series. Once you post the 2 nd story in your series you can go back and edit the first story to include the series information for the search engine. Also you can never have story 0 of a series.  

    Content : Yes, we have a basic quality expectation. If you don’t know the word ‘I’ should be capitalized, or how to use a basic spellcheck, you will be placed under review and your story may be rejected until you can edit it up to a minimum level of readability. Yes, we allow stories with erotic content. We also allow stories that show drug use, suicide attempts and actual suicides, abuse, rape, etc… but there are criteria for each that must be followed, such as not glorifying the acts and adding content warnings to the story/chapter notes for extreme content. Erotic content must be integral to the plot and cannot be more than half the story plot. There is a narrow band of acceptable incest and bestiality themes, but necrophilia is NEVER ok.  

    Various Fields Filled Out Incorrectly : We have a 3 step rating system for stories for authors to use. They include Everyone, Teen, and Mature. Teen and Mature ratings apply for stories containing content like sex, violence, abuse, or suicide stories. Mature would mean any ‘on-screen/graphic’ content. Teen includes it, but it might occur in the backstory or off-screen such as a ‘fade to black’ sex scene not actually written in.  

    We have a story status system that has 3 levels. In Process means you’re still posting the story (even if you have it complete, until you post the last chapter it is not complete on GA) and On Hold means you’re not posting the story for whatever reason. Make sure you post to the right category for your story. There is a long drop menu with many options, so please check them all to ensure the best search engine results.  

    And more… This is why we ask that authors read the entire “New Author Help: How to Post a Story” faq before they post.  
    Any story deemed suspect for any reason will be placed under review and discussed by the forum moderation team to ensure a fair team decision on acceptability. I am not a dictator with the only say in what does and does not get approved.
     
    Questions I Get The Most From Authors:
     


    Why are you checking my stuff in a moderation queue? We check to ensure proper posting procedure is followed, that the content falls within our guidelines, and that you’re not a plagiarist. The fact is, we’ve been burned before with people stealing stories and posting on GA. We don’t always catch it, but we try our utmost to protect authors’ rights on this site.  

    How long does the queue take? Typically 24 hours, at the most. I say this because I check the mod queue once a day. Usually I attempt this between 5-10 AM, Pacific Standard Time, but I do have a life and things sometimes crop up. If you post at 9:00 AM and I already checked the queue, and something comes up the next day and I don’t get to it until the afternoon… you may wait longer than 24 hours. Sometimes I can review and approve submissions several times a day. Anything with questionable content triggering a team review can take up to 72 hours.  

    Also, because we ask that authors only post a maximum of 2 chapters spaced out (morning/night, for example) if you have 2 stories or chapters waiting in the queue, I will only approve one. I might approve the second several hours later, or it might end up waiting until the next day. Please don’t overwhelm the queue, as that only makes my job harder to ensure that your stories and chapters are posted with a fair timing without overwhelming the announcement listing.  

    Please remember I’m one person who dedicates time every day to this process, but I am not perfect. In the past we’ve found bugs with the posting system when author’s work didn’t post to the queue properly as well. IF your submission remains in the queue for an unreasonable amount of time without any contact from me, you can PM me.  

    How long am I in the queue? There is no set time limit in the queue, but there is a cut-off point. You must have 75 likes on your forum content, stories, and chapters before you no longer face the queue. Once you have achieved that level, your updates will post when you publish them. So, it behooves an author to be active, posting consistently, and interacting with readers and other members on our forums as well.  

    Is your decision the sole factor in submission approval? No, it’s not. As I said before, any story deemed suspect for any reason is reviewed by the forum moderation team for a fair discussion and consensus.  

    Why can’t I edit my story/chapter or why did I get an error message when I tried to edit my story/chapter? The system has a fail-safe set in place to prevent large amounts of text in a chapter or story from being removed. We expect that you post your best work that has already been edited. If there is a serious problem, or you do not take advantage of the offer, I will remove the story/chapter content for you to repost if you PM me.  

    Why can’t I delete my story/chapter(s)? Again, there’s a fail-safe built into the system to prevent that from occurring. Authors can place their work unpublished so no one but the author or staff can see it, but they cannot delete. No, we will not refuse to remove your work, but you must PM me to ensure complete deletion from the system. I will usually want to know why, because if there’s a problem with the story, posting, or a moderation issue with another GA member, a cooling off period and discussion can sometimes resolve the issue without the story actually being deleted.  

    I’m so confused! How do I find help? We have a faq you can find under the ? tab in the red menu bar. The topic titled, “New Author Help: How to Post a Story” not only has our posting and content guidelines, it also has a chapter that explains what each field is for in our story submission form as well as various things unique to our system. If you’ve read the faq, and still don’t know the answer to your questions, please feel free to PM me. It can often be easier to ask ahead of time than to sort out posting issues after you attempt to post.
  25. Cia
    May already! For many we're on the cusp of a new season and for some of us it's still pouring down rain, grr. I thought this month I'd feature a story with a lot of duality in it. Then, I decided to do something a little different and do a series. Now, I know a novel series would be far too much reading, but Thorn Wilde's Jacob and Marcus Tales just fit the bill, with all the 8 stories in the series under 8k in length. *Story #5 in the series is a set of 2 short prequels* I hope you enjoy this series featured for May's CSR Book Club!
     


    Jacob and Marcus Tales series


    by Thorn Wilde


     
    Description: Marcus is the maladjusted, borderline sadistic and really quite brilliant editor-in-chief of the campus newspaper, and Jacob wants him. The only problem is that Jacob is just about as maladjusted and out of touch as the object of his desire. Contains gratuitous swearing and a bit of a masochist kink.
     
    Stories: Soft Hard Weak Strong Firsts *prequel* Then Things Happened Sex, Booze & Consequences What Meg Said
     
    A reader said of Soft: Hilariously explosive dynamic between our two maladjusted heroes. ~ Miles Long
     
    A reader said of What Meg Said: Totally loved Jacob and Markus and the ever spinning tidal waves they ride! Some more please?! ~ Smoothy
     

    The CSR Discussion day will take place on Monday, May 26th! Thorn has agreed to do a chat time at 11 PM, GST +1 (3 PM, PST and 12 PM, EST)
    **Reader Warning** There is a lot of explicit language in this series. Do not read if it bothers you.
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