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Cia

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  1. 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!
  2. 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?
  3. 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!
  4. 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

  5. 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


  6. 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.
  7. 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!
  8. 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.
  9. 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!
  10. 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!
  11. 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?
  12. 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!
  13. 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!
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Cia
    Wow, the month is gone already! While the time is flying way too fast for me, it just means that today's the CSR Discussion day for Your Alpha, My Mate by Wolfwriter. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, don't read down because the comments will likely be spoilers. To kick off today's feature, I have an interview with Wolfwriter. She's also agreed to come back and chat on the blog 'live' from 5 to 7 PM, CST, to talk to readers and answer questions. If you can't make it during that time, please feel free to leave your comments when you can!
     
    Let's start with a bit about you.
     
    So, what do you do in ‘life’?
    I am currently unemployed due to a back injury but take care of a husband with Asperger’s and an anxiety disorder.
     
    Single people tend to write more… so, you single?
    Nope, married for 3 years next month
     
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    Yes, I love fruits and veggies, especially strawberries
     
    Finally, and you must be honest… What are you wearing?
    t-shirt and lounge pants
     
    On to other things, now that we know that, lol!
     
    What brought you to GA?
    Followed Rob Colton and Cia from Literotica
     
    What’s your favorite aspect of the site?
    Have really gotten to love the chat room because I have been able to meet so many new people and make some good friendships
     
    When did you begin writing?
    Did some writing in high school but got serious about it June of last year when I started Your Alpha, My Mate.
     
    Tell us what gave you the idea for Your Alpha, My Mate.
    Have always been into werewolves, hate to say it but really got into them when I watched Twilight.
     
    Do you have a favorite character in the story?
    Jamie is my favorite character because he went through so much.
     
    Where are you at writing the follow up story? Can we get a sneak peek? Or do you have another writing project in the works?
    Bear Down is a spinoff of Your Alpha and the sequel Lonesome Theta. Currently writing Lonesome Theta for Camp NaNo WriMo. I guess you can have a sneak peek at the sequel
     
     
     
    Don't forget to come back between 5-7 CST, if you can, to chat with Wolfwriter!
  17. Cia
    The year keeps marching right along! For April I thought I'd feature one of our newer authors. Wolfwriter recently finished her novel Your Alpha, My Mate. I thought this was the perfect time to feature a paranormal story too! I hope you enjoy the story, then come back at the end of the month for the discussion on April 28th!



    Your Alpha, My Mate


    by Wolfwriter


     
    Description: Jamie has always been picked on and seen as the weakest member of the Cajun Red Pack. He is a seventeen year old werewolf. He is seen as weak because no one has seen his wolf yet so they believe that he is so pathetic that his wolf has abandoned him.
     
    Length: 81,575
     
    A Reader Said: I'm sad this story is done, but hopeful there will be more!!! ~ Gene63
     
    Don't forget to come back for April's Discussion day: Monday, April 28th!
  18. Cia
    Today we begin to replenish the Promising Author ranks with the new promotion of Thorn Wilde! Thorn's first completed novel on GA, Nemesis, is the 2013 RCA winner for a story by a new author and had 179 reviews. Fortunately, for fans of the novel completed last spring, Thorn is also posting a sequel, Soulmates Never Die, that is already over 40k in length. If novels aren't your thing, you can still read one of Thorn's many short stories--from one chapter shorts, to anthologies, to fanfictions.
     
    Of Nemesis Paul.b said: It's a great story
     
    Miles Long's thoughts on Soft: Excellent beginning, thanks.
     
    But don't forget to take the time to congratulate Thorn before you head over to read some of the many stories showcasing just why Thorn was promoted.
     




  19. Cia
    He's back again! K.C.'s taking over the blog this week... but now as our newest Signature Author! As you can see, if you visited Monday's feature of Shepherd's Crook on the CSR Discussion Day, you can see he's definitely earned the promotion from Promising to Signature. If you haven't read it yet, check out his very popular Shepherd's Crook or one of his many other stories!
     
    Maybe you could check out Lone Wolf one of K.C.'s many short stories. Joann414 said: This was great!
     
    Or Chasing the Shadows, one of K.C.'s first stories on GA. Sunsbane said: It was smokin´!
     
    Whatever you don't, don't forget to join us in congratulating K.C. on his promotion to GA's newest Signature Author!




  20. Cia

    Csr Discussion Day: Shepherd's Crook By K.c.

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    For March's CSR book selection we had K.C.'s Shepherd's Crook. If you haven't read it yet, go take a look. The interview could have some spoilers, though, so don't read on if you don't want to ruin the surprise. I hope everyone who has read the story will share their thoughts with K.C. today. Also... He's coming back between 8:00 and 10:00 PM, EST for a live chat!!You can ask him your questions about him, his writing, Shepherd's Crook, his current work or future work. If you can't make it then, feel free to leave your questions here before.
     

    A Little Bit About K.C.
     
    When did you first consider yourself a writer? When I was 8 years old. I wrote a story about my Uncle stealing all of my Grandmother’s peaches from the greenhouse. My Grandmother glued the pages of my story onto construction paper and made it into my first real book. I was so excited, I ran around showing it to everyone.
     
    Do you eat your vegetables? Yes! I absolutely love every kind of vegetable.
     
    If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Can I pick 2?? When I first joined GA, Andrew Q Gordon was amazing to me. He showed me the ropes and taught me a bunch of stuff I was doing wrong and made my writing even better. Andy rocks! Even though Rustle hasn’t written lots of stories, what he has written is very impressive, but his knowledge about everything else is what makes him a great mentor/beta/editor/friend. The dude is a walking encyclopedia! I can go to him with anything and he knows the answer. Also, he’s not afraid to call bullshit on me when I’m being an ass! LOL
     
    What’s your favorite story/eBook/book of all time? ‘The Stand’ by Stephen King
    M-O-O-N …. That spells Promising Author!
     
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    Finding a unique character voice for each story is a real challenge. I’m always worried that the protagonist will be too similar to something else I’ve done before (…or worse… like what someone else has done). Also, I still have issues with head-hopping. I’ve gotten a lot better over the last few years with my character’s POV, but I still struggle with head-hopping in my stories.
     
    When was the last time you made your bed? Last night, before going to bed, LOL. I washed all the sheets/blankets and there’s some kind of law that requires you to make the bed when the sheets are fresh and clean…so you can dirty them up again! Please don’t send the bed police to my house!
     
    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? Haha! They have plots and plans of their own and usually, I’m the last to know. I try to keep my characters in line, but they have a sneaky way of turning the tables on me so I have to beat them back into line!
     
    Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate! Great, now I want a cookie. (I’m very easily distracted)
     
    A Little About Shepherd’s Crook
     
     
     


    ***Wipe cookie crumbs off face***


     
    So how did you come up with your idea for Shepherd’s Crook? It was a story that I’ve kicked around since I was in college. It’s changed some over the years, but the plot always focused on Gibby and Tanner. It was always going to be a ghost story, which could never have a happy ending. I wanted to show the heartache and pain without obliterating the characters. I hope I pulled it off.
     
    Was it hard writing a story filled with such dramatic elements? Yes! My mom was still alive when I first wrote Shepherd’s Crook. She was so mad at me for killing beloved characters. Mom begged me to change it! Unfortunately, sometimes in real life, the good guys die and the bad guys win. It totally sucks, but it happens! If every story was promised a happy-ever-after, I would give up writing. LOL
     
    Do you have a favorite part of the story? Why? I love the relationship between Gibby and his dad, Jonathan. I never had a dad and I wanted their relationship to feel real and not like some picture perfect Stepford Family story where everything is perfect. Gibby and Jonathan are flawed and damaged people, but they are not broken. They find their strength in each other.
     
    What was the best feedback you received for this story from readers? Wow, there were so many fabulous reviews on this story, I don’t know where to start. I couldn’t believe how much the readers got into the story. They cheered for Gibby and cried when things went wrong. The readers were amazing and that encouraged me to deliver the best story I could.
     
    Is there anything you’d do differently, if you were writing this again? Yes! I always have ideas after the fact and would have loved to worked them in. I’m always like ‘Why didn’t I think of that a month ago?’ LOL This entire story is actually a re-write. It was originally a screenplay I wrote years ago. It did very well in a national screenwriting competition. It didn’t win, but got an honorable mention, so I was really proud. I did make changes as I re-wrote it as a novel. I’m sure the biggest question readers have is…..
     
     
     
     
     

    **Spoiler Alert***






     
    Extra Info We All Need To Know
     
    I know you have your ongoing story, Pour Me Another, but do you have any other projects in the works readers don’t know about? Yep! I have several story ideas that I’m kicking around, but nothing that’s gotten further than the plotlines, yet. I’m not sure if I’m going to jump outside the box with a story about a young male prostitute or do another supernatural story. I really love myth/fantasy creatures. It will be a hard decision.
     
    Okay, most important question ever! Tom or Jerry? Huge Tom fan! I always cheer for him to outsmart that pesky mouse.
     
    Don't forget to come back between 8:00 and 10:00 PM, EST for a live chat with K.C.!
  21. Cia
    Long time staff, and long time author, Graeme has finally been wrangled into the Signature Author group where he belongs! Yay! LOL Whether you are looking for short stories or novels, Graeme has a bit of everything. Slices of life, snapshots of a hilarious event like a visit to a farm or a dramatic turn like an AIDS diagnosis, and more can be found among his many shorts. He also has several novels of varying lengths, mostly featuring the ups and downs everyday people, teens and adults, experience in life and love. There are so many to choose from and more being added all the time!
     
    Check out Graeme's stories here, and then please join me in welcoming Graeme to the Signature Author group!




  22. Cia
    In the two years since Stellar joined GA and began posting his first story, he hasn't post a ton of work. But what he has... whew!! If you like sci-fi, at all, you have to check out his 175k story, Hidden Sunlight. A hugely popular story, Stellar delved into his world bringing a vast array of details to life for his readers. There are tons of unexpected twists and turns as his main character, Shay, tries to come to grips with a series of events he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams. This story was followed by 100 different people and garnered a ton of buzz. You can check it out here, along with a short story, and... the currently posting sequel to Hidden Sunlight!
     
    Before you get sucked in, if you haven't read the stories already, make sure you join us in congratulating Stellar on his promotion to Signature Author!




  23. Cia

    Csr Story Selection: Shepherd's Crook

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    This month I thought we'd feature a Promising Author. KC has been on GA for some time, posting stories and taking part in the anthologies and forum fun. One of his early stories, and most popular, was Shepherd's Crook. The story, just shy of 50k, has almost 20,000 views and 423 reviews. Those who've read it can share their thoughts again, and new readers can enjoy this engaging story!


    Shepherd's Crook


    by K.C.


     
    Length: 49,526
    Status: Complete
     

    Description: It’s never easy being the new kid at school, but there are secrets at Shepherd’s Crook and nothing is as it seems.
     
    Okay, enjoy! Make sure you come back to share your thoughts on the story. This month's discussion day will be March 31.
  24. Cia

    Rob Colton, Ga Signature Author!

    By Cia,


    News Archive
    As many of you know, we recently changed our group names for our Promoted authors. Previously Rob was a Premium author, but now he gets to be one of Signature authors! GA is happy to host several of Rob's backlist of stories and his eBooks, as well as some very well received premium content. You can check out his story listing HERE and his eBooks HERE.


    In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Rob to our Signature author group!


     



  25. Cia

    Csr Discussion Day: Totallyy's Shorts!

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Welcome to the CSR Discussion day for Totallyy's shorts. I hope you all enjoyed diving into them this month. I asked Totallyy a few probing questions in an Author interview for his Discussion day feature, and he has also agreed to come do a 'live' Q&A from 9 to 10 PM, Eastern Standard Time. If you can't make it, simply add your questions or comments to the blog comment area and Totallyy will answer them as he can, or during his life chat. If you haven't read any of his stories yet, go check some out through this link. They're several you could read in just a few minutes!
     
    We’ll start with a bit about you…
    So, what do you do in ‘life’?
    I’m in University, finishing off my freshman year. Barely 3 more months till I’m done with my first year and it is freaking me out a little. Yikes.
     
    Single people tend to write more… so, you single?
    Hahahahhaha. I have most recently become attached. So, no, I’m not single for now, though I had been for a long time. Lol. He’s my first real relationship, so I guess we’ll see if my pens start drying up.
     
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    Yes and yes, though I thoroughly believe in having my vegetables cooked first. I can barely stomach salads. I’m trying to cut junk out from my life but sugar-cravings are hard to resist. Fruits and veges help quell the guilt.
     
    So, make your bed or leave it messy?
    Why put in that much effort into tidying up something that’s going to be messed up in a couple hours anyways? Although, I must say that making my bed might deter me from taking as many naps as I do. Lol.
     
    And finally… and you must be honest… What are you wearing?
    My University Hoodie, University sweatpants [YAY! SCHOOL SPIRIT!], my nerdy glasses and fuzzy fuzzy socks. It’s -20degC tonight. Of course, true to form as a gay guy, I’m also wearing the mandatory uniform: cute underwear under all that!
     
    Ooh, la la! On to other things, now that we know that, lol!
     
    What brought you to GA?
    I started reading later than most, when I was about 10. I really got into fiction and I’ve never stopped since. But somewhere in my teens, I started to feel a disconnect with the stories I was reading because of my burgeoning sexual awareness. I craved to be validated and assured that “people like me” could be protagonists of our own stories instead of the odd supporting character. I started looking, at first in bookstores, then on the Internet and finally arrived here. It did take me 7 years before I joined as a member though and put up my own work. Hahahhaha.
     
    What’s your favorite part of the site?
    I think it’s the accessibility. There are literally no barriers to entry. Its simplicity makes it easy for tech-idiots [Can I say idiot?] like me to start posting. I did survey some other places when I started getting interested in putting up my work. Needless to say, laziness is my greatest hurdle.
    Also, I doubt I would have written as much as I have if not for the great feedback from the community of readers and fellow authors. I’ve never had so many people read my work and to have heard only genuinely sincere and constructive feedback is probably one of the most heartwarming things I’ve ever experienced.
     
    When did you begin writing?
    I started writing when I was 13/14, I think, if you can count horribly sappy poems as real writing. It was an outlet. I coded my very potent emotions into labyrinths of words and rhyme, which only those whom I chose to give the cipher to could decode. Looking back, it was my way of coping, of rebelling quietly against the pressures that told me I had to keep my sexuality a secret. The voices that told me I couldn’t run around proclaiming the schoolboy crushes I had and drooling openly over f-abs-ulous guys. Hahahahah.
     
    So, why short stories?
    I like capturing moments in time. We read stories; novels, shorts, whatever you will, to feel connected to other people. Perhaps it is to relate to another person, to not feel so alone, maybe it is to experience a life we would never be able to live, or explore the crossroads of what-ifs we’ve left behind somewhere. But I find that I most often feel pangs of recognition at certain moments, seldom lasting more than a page, in which I feel kinship with the characters. I believe that these moments are universal, and can stand alone with neither introduction nor resolution, because they’re about common human experience. So, I try my best to write about them.
    Also, did I mention I was a lazy college student? The time-commitment required for something of novel length that I was satisfied with enough to put up will consume my life. Besides, some of the works I’ve posted have been with great hesitation because it didn’t really feel ready. Hahahahahah.
     
    Do you have a favorite? Why?
    Oh gosh, this is hard. I had to go back and look at all the things I wrote for this one. I couldn’t pick one favourite but I will say which few I’ve gone back and read over and over again.
    First Snow makes me feel dreamy and pensive. This Is How I Speak is essentially my fear, that my constant fumbling with words and thoughts will ruin the beautiful things in my life, crystallising.
    The “essay” Growth from Feelings I Don’t Know How to Say Otherwise is probably one that I turn over and over again in my mind quite often. The funniest part about that one though, is that I literally started typing it up after a conversation with the person who inspired it. It was special even though it was really short. The person is a friend that was and is of great importance in my life.
    Oh wow, this is harder than I thought it would be. Looking at my writing, I feel like I’ve littered pieces of myself in the spaces between the words. It’s so painful to choose! I Am Fine, Tomorrow, I Promise & Wedding Jitters probably come close to being next.
     
    Okay, now for the most important question of all… it’s vital that we know this answer… Tom or Jerry?
    Tom! Tom! Tom! I’ve never understood the Jerry-sympathisers. In my opinion, Jerry’s kind of an ass, constantly gloating and making life difficult for the poor cat. As if life isn’t hard enough without the fact that you’re a big failure in your niche being rubbed in your face constantly.
     
    I guess we know which you’d root for, the coyote or the roadrunner! LOL Thanks so much for taking part in the interview, Totallyy!
     
    Okay, now it's time for you to share your thoughts! Do you want to share a review you left or wanted to leave? Do you have a favorite? Don't forget to come back for Totallyy's live chat from 9-10 PM, EST!
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