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Cia

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Blog Entries posted by Cia

  2. Cia
    This month I thought I'd feature something light with variety... like my weather today as I set up this blog which has been hail, rain, sun, rain, clouds, sun, rain, sun, sun, sun... seriously?! I hope you will enjoy @Parker Owens options a lot more! 

    Length: 2,774
    Description: A collection of poems for NaPoWriMo 2024.
    A reader said:  You sure know how to paint a picture. ~weinerdog
     
    If you want to spread the word about Parker Owen's submission, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  3. Cia
    That's right, it's finally here! Our fun summer writing event, the Secret Author Short Story Contest! Rules remain very much the same: You cannot reveal your story to any beyond your beta/editing team. Your story must be hidden. And that's our THEME! "Hidden" What is hidden or who, how, when, where... or even why, that's up to you! 

    Deadline to submit stories: July 24, 2024
    Submit to: Cia
    General Rules
    One story per author Don't share your story idea, work in progress, or completed work with anyone but your team Your story must be "new content" to remain anonymous (not set in previous series or world) Allowed story length: 3,000 to 30,000 words Chapters: 1 Story Chapter posted to GA (you can use ** or a double line break to indicate scene and timeline jumps). Send Format: Word or Google Doc (PM Cia if you share via Google Docs, please!) Submission Deadline: July 24, 2024 Metadata needed
    Title: 
    Description:
    Story Note: 
    Chapter Note: 
    Genre(s) (3 Max):
    Audience Rating: 
    Tags (6 Max): 
     
  4. Cia

    May CSR Feature: Deeds of Their Past by mcarss

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    I've been featuring short stories lately, I thought I'd give you all something to sink your teeth into. Read outside in the sunshine or inside away from the torrential rain (if it's anything like it is here in Washington right now!) but come back on Monday, May 27th to share your thoughts! 
    Deeds of Their Past
    by @mcarss
    Length: 66,950
    Description: Nathan—a man who lives life in shadow and solitude—finds himself hunted due to an old assignment. While awaiting his execution, he crosses paths with a towering brute, forming a powerful bond of friendship, loyalty, and love. Alone, they struggle to stay ahead of their fate, but together find the strength to escape the deeds of their past.
    A Reader Said: You will like this story if you stick with it. There are some twists and turns and enough terrible situations that you cannot be certain of the conclusion and who will survive. Magic fouls things up and might contrubute to a solution if things work out. You will enjoy the fighting skills, bravery, ability to spring back, good and bad luck, friendship and evolving  love. Brohm and Nathan find out who they can depend upon. ~akascrubber
  5. Cia

    April CSR Discussion Day: The Big Empty by James Savik

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Today we're looking at a story that looks upward and outward to all that unknown in space. Did you read James's take on the big black? Share your thoughts below after you enjoy this interview. 
    Who was the real villain, ACME or Wile E. Coyote?
    The Roadrunner. He was a smart ass.
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    A Tomcat because we like the same things.
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    I’d love to travel in the South Pacific: Australia, the Philippines, etc.
    What's your favorite room in your home? Do you plot or write there?
    My office is where all the magic happens. (Damn catchphrase)
    Do you have a favorite genre to write?
    Sci-fi is fun, but it is hard to write. I grew up watching old Trek and wanted to build some of their gadgets.
    I write gay drama because when and where I grew up, it was fairly dramatic.
    When you write sci-fi, what is your favorite part of dabbling in that genre?
    How do they do that? What’s a reasonable way to do something that seems like magic? There have been countless inventions that started out as sci-fi until some bright lad figured out how to do it. Many of those bright lads started in a garage.
    What inspired The Big Empty?
    Most sci-fi seems to be set on military ships. Good old NCC-1701 was a Constellation class heavy cruiser – heavy metal. What about the merchant sailors? Any space-spanning civilization is going to have them, and they’re going to have adventures, too. The poor crew had the misfortune of running into a cosmic horror, but most of them lived to tell the tale.
    So much of space scifi revolves around the local ‘cantina/bar’. Do you think beer or something more… distilled would be the common drink on stations in space? What would be your drink of choice?
    If aliens got to know us, they would be horrified that we drank alcohol and enjoyed sodium chloride and capsaicin (salt & pepper) in our foods. Given the chemistry, those substances are probably deadly toxins to some species.
    I think they look at us and say, Oh no, no, no! Leave those monkeys alone. They Cray-cray.
    I doubt we’ll be sharing drink recipes, but there’s got to be Scotch.
    Do you have a favorite line or part of The Big Empty?
    No one specific line. The Big Empty’s magic was its ambiance and tone. Interstellar space, with an average density of just a few atoms per cubic meter, really is empty.  Except when it is not, and there are objects that wander for millions of years out there. Humanizing it and putting it in the familiar context of sailors doing their jobs came off better than I thought.
    Can you share something of your current or upcoming work with readers?
    I’ve got a sports story in the oven called 5 Star. A shy, fairly innocent Five Star quarterback prospect from a hick town shows up at a fictitious university in the South people are familiar with only because they see them on TV getting whipped by the football powerhouses.
    From 5 Star:
    After meeting about a thousand people and shaking at least that many hands, Hunter accepted an invitation to visit the KA House. It was a big, rambling, old Southern Mansion with a rolling party with plenty of eye candy.
    The KAs' reputation was summed up by their nickname, the Knights of Alcohol, and there was plenty of booze going around. To Hunter’s surprise, he shook Mr. 5-star freshman QB Aaron Blake’s hand.
    Hunter said, “You threw for four touchdowns against us at Centerville.”
    “Did you play?”
    Hunter said, “I was out for the year by that game. Given how you torched our secondary, it was probably for the best. I think I spent more time recovering from football than actually playing it.”
    Aaron said, “Sometimes it’s like that. It’s good to hear a familiar accent.”
    “I noticed you aren’t drinking,” Hunter probed.
    Aaron nodded. “Neither are you. There’s a time and place for everything. I’d rather people’s first impression of me not be that of a drunken idiot.”
    Hunter grinned, bumped Aaron’s knuckles, and said, “I heard you were smart.”
    Aaron beamed and said, “Thanks.”
    During the party, Aaron and Hunter hung out together several times. To Hunter’s amazement, he left with Mr. 5-Star’s number in his phone.
     
     
  7. Cia
    April, such an innocent month. Not a whole lot going on... so I thought I thought I'd send you curveball. Enjoy this little tidbit and think about what might be coming out of YOUR woodwork.  

    Length: 3,121
    Description: Dave Harrison is late for work, again. Turns out, that's by far the least of his worries.
    A Reader said: If you like creepy mixed with humor, 'Incy Wincy Spider,' is the story for you. Don't be fooled by the title, because this tale is far from the well known nursery rhyme involving water spouts, and rainfall.
     
    If you want to spread the word about northie's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  8. Cia

    April CSR Feature: The Big Empty by James Savik

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    I'm featuring one of my favorite genres this month because I'm on spring break right now (woot!) and it's all about indulging myself. Why don't you join me, even if you're not on break? This is a short hour's read, c'mon... live a little, if you dare! 
    The Big Empty
    by @JamesSavik
    Length: 3,251
    Description: Spacers, like sailors before them, pass vast distances to get between stars. Like sailors before them, they have their stories.
    Spacers call it the Big Empty- or interstellar space, that vast emptiness between stars. There is nothing out there for light years in every direction... until you do find something.
    A reader said: Wonderful short story with Lovcraftian overtones [in a good way]. ~Fae Briona
    Don't forget to come back to share your comments on Monday, April 29th. 
  9. Cia

    March CSR Discussion Day: Running Far Afield by Libby Drew

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    This month's CSR author was Libby Drew, an author who has been a Signature Author on GA for a very long time, sharing her work with readers here for our enjoyment. Did you like reading Running Far Afield? Share your thoughts below! But first... the interview!
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
    I make the bed strictly so the dogs won’t get their muddy paws on my clean sheets. If I’m in a hurry, I just throw a blanket over the whole thing and call it good. 
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    A house cat. I’ve come to believe that all domesticated felines understand some great mysterious truth that we humans aren’t privy to, and I desire this knowledge. 😁
    What's your favorite room in your house? Do you plot or write there?
    My living room. It has a wall of windows and tons of natural light. There’s also a huge squishy couch. I write there often, usually with my three Brittany spaniels in attendance. They’re good listeners. 
    I plot everywhere. At all hours, in all environments. Mostly, by the time I sit down to write a scene (in my living room with my dogs), it’s been entirely fleshed out, down to what the characters are seeing, hearing, smelling, saying, and, especially, feeling. This conceptualization is imperative for me. If I don’t have an emotional grasp of the scene when it comes time to write it, my narrative comes across as flat and ineffectual. 
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 
    What do I like to do, or what do I do? I would love to enjoy the new Tana French novel and perfect my peach scone recipe. Usually, though, if I’m not writing for pleasure, I’m at work or writing for work. Because that’s what pays the bills.
    What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? 
    An editor whom I greatly respect once told me, after reading my new manuscript, that it felt to her like I’d phoned it in. She wasn’t wrong. I had low enthusiasm for the project and never should have accepted it. I hated myself for letting her down. 
    The best compliment is always, without a doubt, when a reader tells me they continue to think about a story and its characters long after they have finished reading. That’s extremely gratifying.
    How many books/stories have you written? Which is your favorite?
    This question required some research. I have written seventeen novels, nine novellas and twenty-three short stories—give or take. Other works have been lost to time and circumstance. My favorite is always the one I am currently working on. Rather like a new crush.  
    Did the characters (Aaron/Chris) come to you first or the plot of Running Far Afield?
    Chris and Aaron (names changed for privacy purposes) were real boys. They are now grown men. Their story is based on actual events. The home for youth depicted in Running Far Afield exists in my hometown, and I have done work there. I was so impressed by Chris and Aaron’s wherewithal, strength of feelings, and maturity that I wrote their story.  
    You nailed the angst of new beginnings… did you ever move as a teenager?
    No, actually. But I worked with many young people who dealt with that sort of upheaval. 
    Do you have a favorite part or line in the story?
    The part that makes me proudest is at the end when Aaron turns the tables on his father. “Success is all about negotiation” is a sword that cuts both ways. But my favorite part is probably when the boys are discussing the mythology of Danae. 
    Can you share a little of your current or upcoming work with readers?
    I’m working on the anthology story for GA, and I hope to have it ready by the due date.  It’s still in the outlining phase, so nothing to share at this time… but maybe later?
    Thank you, Cia, for the opportunity to share my answers!
  10. Cia

    March CSR Discussion Day: Running Far Afield by Libby Drew

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Have you read Libby Drew's story, Running Far Afield, that was featured for this month's CSR story? I know at least 3 site authors left reviews after reading it this month (AWESOME!!!) but if you read this 15k short story, please leave a comment below after you check out Libby's interview! 
     
  12. Cia

    March Signature Feature: Puzzles Pieces by Mrsgnomie

    By Cia,


    Signature Feature
    This short story was a Pride month post, but the shortie but goodie is definitely worth your time all during the year!! 

    Length: 1,000
    Description: Daniel found his forever friend in Hone when he was just four-years-old. They grow up inseparable. The only secret between them is that Daniel is gay. If life is a puzzle, the only piece missing is the truth.
    A Reader Said: Love this tale of two friends. How scary it must be to come out to your bestie. I love the deeper meaning of the puzzle pieces, everything is following into place. Well done! I would totally read a longer version of this! ~Topnotch
    If you want to spread the word about Mrsgnomie's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  13. Cia

    March CSR Feature: Running Far Afield by Libby Drew

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    This month is the beginning of the spring Sports season at high school (ask me how I know, track mom here!). How many of you remember playing sports in high school? Man, I was a disaster in softball, hence my my kids did/do track, lol! So I thought I'd share a story to bring back the nostalgia of the season for myself, and others, with Libby Drew's story Running Far Afield. 
    Running Far Afield
    by @Libby Drew
    Length: 15,560
    Description: Aaron thought nothing would be different in his new town of Ridgton. Instead, nothing is the same. When he meets Chris, he finds not only a fellow baseball player, but a close friend – one who gives him the courage to explore the things about himself he's been hiding.
    A Reader said:  Running Far Afield is a fantastic afternoon read. Two teenage boys discover each other in an unlikely setting and over a period of 6 weeks develop a bond that lifts them up but does not please everyone around them. 
    This is a fabulous story, well worth the hour it will take to read. ~Doha
     
    Don't forget to come back to share your comments on Monday, March 25th. 
  14. Cia
    Did you catch this month's CSR Feature by @AusGlitterati? The Weakest Link: Teenage Triumphs Edition & the follow-up story are both available for you to enjoy, if you haven't already, but make sure you read this interview first. 
    Chocolate or Vanilla?
    Vanilla all the way! I always have to wonder why vanilla gets a bad rep as the boring or basic flavour. Vanilla is actually lit, and it deserves more respect on its name - chocolate is the basic flavour. That's the hill I will die on. 😁
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    The copout answer is a tropical paradise where I can have a cocktail while floating down a river in an inflatable tube. I hear Hawaii is great for it! But I'm not writing about Hawaii, so that's not an option.
    The other one is the Weakest Link set - I made it through two stages to get to the third and final application to be a contestant, but I guess my video answer to which three living or dead celebrities I'd invite to a dinner party (I picked three of the Golden Girls) wasn't good enough. The show was cancelled after one season and I didn't make it on - I'm not suggesting I would have saved it, but we'll never know now, will we? 😎
    But an introspective answer is challenging - since COVID, travelling hasn't been something I've thought much about. 
    I always wanted to write a scene - I'm not picky as to which story I can write it in - where a guy works up the courage to propose to his partner at Niagara Falls, only to have his partner propose to him first. Does this count as a spoiler? 
    So I want to see the falls myself (I really hope nobody proposes to me) and see the magic! 
    What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know?
    Though most of my stories heavily feature gay males and delve into relationships and sex - I actually identify more closely as aroace (aromantic & asexual).
    What brought you to the GA? 
    Heterosexual romance plotlines tend to bore me to death - which is unfortunate, since it's a subplot in literally every story, film or TV show ever. But gay romance was still tricky to find even just seven or so years ago when I stumbled across GA. I really enjoyed the stories I read. Not just romance, but it was refreshing to read authentic characters and storylines that were conceived and cultivated with love from the LGBTQ+ community. It was inspiring enough to put down some creativity of my own on figurative paper. 
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    Setting a visual scene. I don't know how anybody has the patience or vivid imagination to paint a beautiful setting, spending paragraphs turning it into a work of art that you can see all around you. I have to discipline myself to do this. I tend to invest heavily in characterising and dialogue to compensate. I really do envy the talented authors who specialise in descriptive writing.
    What is your favorite part of being an author?
    Creative freedom, so far! For example, I couldn't find a story about gay wrestlers - except for the ones that you find on Nifty. So I just made one up! That's something I enjoy. If I can't find the story I want to read, I have the tools to do it myself. 
    It's also great to have a small but very loyal group of people that follow my stories and interact with them. It brings a lot of joy and validation to see them popping up to support me - I can't thank them enough!
    Share the inspiration for The Weakest Link. Did the overall story or a character come to you first?
    The character first, definitely. Lance Lovecraft is the deuteragonist of To The Stars, and in his backstory, he took part in many different televised contests and pageants growing up. Having loved The Weakest Link since I was young (I love the ruthless way the game is run!) I attached that to his list of achievements. When the reboot of The Weakest Link came around, I figured I'd have a crack at writing the spinoff of Lance participating on the show. I had a LOT of fun writing it! 
    Do you have a favorite scene or character in the story?
    I feel it would be cheating to say Lance, since he's the protagonist and the reason I wrote the story in the first place! But other characters popped out at me. This story has two antagonists, and one of them is a young actor whom Lance has been fangirling about - until he meets him in person! Jamie turns out to be everything you don't want to see in someone you were crushing on. 
    You wrote a follow-up story to The Weakest Link: Teenage Triumphs Edition. Do you have a preference for one over the other and why?
    Talented Teens just wrapped up - I don't think it captured the same magic that the first one did. It was a fun way to have characters from different stories interact with each other in a believable (sort of!) and organic way, but I made an entirely fresh cast around an existing protagonist in Teenage Triumphs. I think my mistake with Talented Teens was to do it differently. Not to say I didn't enjoy writing Talented Teens - but it wasn't quite the same. 
    Still, you miss all the shots you don't take! 
    Can you share a little of your current or upcoming work with readers?
    I'm currently in the process of rewriting Parity into a newer format - Topher should hopefully be the first to get his story completed!
    Beyond that, both Talented Teens and Teenage Triumphs will feature again - I'd love to do an all-stars story between the two groups, but time will tell!
    As they say in wrestling, the card is subject to change!
  16. Cia

    February Signature Feature: N'than by Mikesboy

    By Cia,


    Signature Feature
    February is the month of love, which is supposed to conquer all. But what about when your life seems to be one bad experience after another? Trust doesn't come easily when it seems like everyone has ulterior motives... Will N'than ever find that person who doesn't see him as someone to be used?

    Length: 14,532
    Description: N'than is the last of his kind. He's lived for others, now the wants to find out who he is. Who can he trust?
    A reader said: Now I loved that story! Very well written and a very vivid imagination and that is why I gave it 5 stars! Keep writing! ~Sherye Story Reader
    If you want to spread the word about Mikiesboy's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  17. Cia
    For February, I often feature stories of love and romance... but we can all read those on our own time! Instead I wanted to feature a story that brings all sorts of people, personalities, and fun together for this leap month! And if you love it, there's a follow-up of sorts too. 
    The Weakest Link: Teenage Triumphs Edition
    by @AusGlitterati
    Length: 34,886
    Description: In 2012, nine gifted teenagers arrive seek to win up to fifty thousand pounds for themselves and for charity by appearing on a special edition of The Weakest Link. An athlete, a pop singer, an academic genius, a television actor, a charity founder, a published novelist, an app developer, a theatre actress and Lance Lovecraft, a professional dancer. Only one can win, but none of the little treasures play to lose.
    A Reader Said: A great feel good story with stress, tension and humour all in good proportions a definite must read especially for game show addicts. Well written and brilliant. ~ @Mancunian
    Don't forget to come back to share your comments on Monday, February 26th. 
  18. Cia

    Weekly Wrap Up (Jan 15 - Jan 21)

    By Cia,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I hope that the weather is treating you well, wherever you are! Our ice finally melted, and I am no longer trapped. Do I plan to leave my house today? No.... LOL Why when I have so many fun things to do here? What about you?
    Monday & Wednesday I featured @Mark Arbour 2009 Anthology story, Furlough. 
    Tuesday @Myr did a deep dive into the Fantasy Genre.
    Thursday @Valkyrie announced the Poetry Anthology! Ready to write some prose?
    She also posted some prompts on Friday if you'd like to try your hand at some flash fiction! 
    @Comicality focused on character empathy in this week's writing tips!
     
    Words of the Day this week to expand your vocabulary:
    reek   parlance   palaver  molybdenum   outburst   cowlick  soiree
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    Poetry Anthology - More information to come. Due April 1st 2024.
    Secret Author Contest - More information to come.
    Annual Anthology (theme TBA) - More information to come. Due October 1st 2024.
    Prompt Team Event/Contest - More information to come.
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask a Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past weeks postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Light & Dragonflies: Nature Poems/Love Poems by AC Benus (In Process) Gap Year by Mark Arbour (Complete) Operation Hammerhead by JamesSavik (In Process) Broken Path, Starless Tail by Cia (In Process) Bearpaw: An Old West Tale by Headstall (In Process) Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Keeper of the Rituals by Libby Drew (In Process) Sands of Time by Roland (In Process) Pupuseria Mia by Dabeagle (Complete) Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Blades of Ashes by lilansui (In Process) The Man I Like Might Be A Delinquent by lilansui (In Process) Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    The Making of a Slave by and9993 (In Process) D for Dylan by Avogadro1001 (In Process) Widderkin V. O. E. by Palantir (In Process) Operation Pinky Swear by frozenphenix (In Process) Ark II by R. Eric (Temporary Hold) Talented Teens by AusGlitterati (In Process) All My Dreams Pass Before My Eyes by JLynch (In Process) Music by chris191070 (Complete) Before And After the Divorce by Lee Wilson (In Process) On the Strawberry Moon by J92 (In Process) Of Pride and Power by W_L (In Process) Out Of The Closet by RichardWrites (In Process) Any Way Out by Leslie Lofton (In Process) No going back by Robert Hugill (In Process) Picking up the Pieces by Ivor Slipper (Complete) A Strange Start to a Friendship by Lee Wilson (In Process) Blades of Ashes by lilansui (In Process) Dating Rules And Pretty Fools by Laura S. Fox (In Process) Amber Waves by Yeoldebard (In Process) Res Publica Christiana by W_L (In Process) The Book of Leaves by ValentineDavis21 (In Process) The Cat in The Window by chris191070 (Complete) The Man I Like Might Be A Delinquent by lilansui (In Process) What Happened To The Baxter Boys by Mancunian (In Process) Brian: Taking Courage by Robert Hugill (In Process) Oregon in the Fall by drown (In Process) Sands of Time by Roland (In Process) Andre and Chris by Paladin (In Process) Connor and the Wolves by Yeoldebard (Temporary Hold) The Mistress by vanalas (In Process) The Hierarchy of Influence by E K Stokes (In Process)
  19. Cia
    Did Monday's feature of Mark Arbour's WWI story feature, Furlough, intrigue you? Did you know he also wrote a follow up for the next year's anthology? If you haven't enjoyed Mark's historical features before, check out this excerpt below and then take a peek at his many other stories! 
    Want to read more? Click here
  20. Cia
    Did last year feel like a war to you? Or has this year started off like one? Well, like the characters in Mark Arbour's story, Furlough, how about taking a short break? Enjoy this 2009 Anthology feature featured as this month's Signature ad! 

    Length: 4,853
    Description: Two wounded men meet in Paris during World War I. One is wounded on the outside, both are wounded on the inside. Will their accidental meeting help heal both of them?
    A reader said: This story has a number of themes that I find often in Mark Arbour stories. We have the setting: Paris, at a turning point in history. There is a unique set of events unfolding in the world around the characters, but at the same time the characters are not obsessed by these events. Sure they are pivotal, but they do not overtake the story.
    Another theme is the futility of war. Mark - as he often does - casts war as a destroyer force. He masterly crafts an atmosphere that accurately conveys the pointlesness of fighting. This story is very much a tale with the melancholy of war as its background.
    A final, and most powerful theme is Sex as a Healing force - both emotionally and physically.
    With this short story, Mark has once again shown us he is a master Wordsmith and craftsman. ~ Westie
    If you want to spread the word about Mark Arbour's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  21. Cia

    Weekly Wrap Up (Jan 8 - Jan 14)

    By Cia,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Oh, the way my brain DOESN'T work. I just had it in my noggin the Weekly Wrap Up is on Sunday, and I set up reminders on my phone... for this and next Sunday evening. Not helpful since it should have been Saturday. Whoops! Good thing Myr reminded me. So let's get going, shall we?
    Monday was a look back of the Review Team's 2023 reviews. If you missed some, check them out now. 
    Want a laugh? Tuesday was a Comedy Genre Deep Dive by Myr. 
    Join in for Wednesday's Author Guess Who game brought to you by astone2292!
    Or try your hand at this week's prompts Aditus posted for the Prompt Team!
    And, of course, the week capped off with Writing Advice from Comsie, where he looks at the... meat of an idea! 
     
    Words of the Day this week to expand your vocabulary:
    mogul  mead   espresso  mongoose   purism   mallard    jut   pluvial
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    Poetry Anthology - More information to come. Due April 1st 2024.
    Secret Author Contest - More information to come.
    Annual Anthology (theme TBA) - More information to come. Due October 1st 2024.
    Prompt Team Event/Contest - More information to come.
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask a Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past weeks postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Light & Dragonflies: Nature Poems/Love Poems by AC Benus (In Process) Gap Year by Mark Arbour (Complete) Operation Hammerhead by JamesSavik (In Process) Broken Path, Starless Tail by Cia (In Process) Bearpaw: An Old West Tale by Headstall (In Process) Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Keeper of the Rituals by Libby Drew (In Process) Sands of Time by Roland (In Process) Pupuseria Mia by Dabeagle (Complete) Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Blades of Ashes by lilansui (In Process) The Man I Like Might Be A Delinquent by lilansui (In Process) Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
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    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  22. Cia
    First, to all who celebrate, Merry Christmas!! Second, did you get a chance to read this month's CSR? I figure anyone who isn't celebrating, or who needs a break from celebrating, could definitely enjoy LJCC's story Mr & Mister Danvers: Initiation. Make sure you leave a comment below, but first... enjoy this interview! 
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    Yes, fruits and vegetables are essential to life. Plus I’m in my late 30s now, if I don’t eat my fruits and veggies, my doctor says I’m going to die. Why though? I don’t know. I’m guessing he just wants to scare me like I was still that kid who goes to his office begging for a lollipop.
    Though I hate okra and eggplant/aubergine.
    Anything slimy and long makes me gag (pun intended.)
    If you were an animal, what would you be?
    I’ve always been a cat. And I have the temper of a cat. If you’re always around in my zone 24/7, I’m going to get sick of you. However, if you don’t talk to me for a day...I’ll be following you around, and pestering you for no reason until you love me, and then I get sick of you.
    It’s an endless cycle.
    I’m a monster.
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    Sleep. I sleep like a log and around 8-10 hours whenever I can. Then sleep for around 2-5 hours in my work days. I don’t know why I’m still alive at this point in my life.
    Also, I play classical piano on the side.
    I also studied culinary so I can cook. I’m a lazy cook, but when I cook…no one dies from food poisoning, that’s guaranteed at least.
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    Tazmania, a city in Australia. I have an idea in mind for a story but it’s in the backburner for now. I think it would be romantic to watch my date get killed by a blue-ringed octopus native to Australia or get bitten by a red back spider. Makes up for good plot.
    If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing, what would it be?
    I’d tell my 15-year-old self:
    You’re a shit writer. Everything you write is shit. You’re nobody. You’re no one. No one wants to read your story. No one wants to buy your book. Get it in your head that you’re nothing special. The characters you write are the ones who are special and needs your every frigging time and devotion to be honest and truthful to their versions of their existence. Don’t piss this off by feeling you’re the man. You’re not. Yes, your audience will read your character, not because you wrote it…but because they’re authentic and they could relate. Don’t you dare cry. Stop it. STOP IT! GO now. Start writing, you piece of shit.
    What drew you to writing a spy thriller?
    Majority of the spy thrillers I’ve read didn’t have any gay lead. So I thought, we need a protagonist for the gays. I want a gay James Bond. Then I proceeded to create the most expensive gay escort who turns out to be a spy for Britain, you know for the steamy sex scenes and pew-pew-pew gun show. Cause why not? Even I would sell my lung to sleep with Greg.
    Did you get the idea for Greg Danvers first or the plot for Mr & Mister Danvers: Initiation?
    The beginning of the story and the ending were the things that came first. All I needed was to write the meat in between the story. It was very complicated because I had to align everything I wrote to the ending of the story, with how everything would lead to the end. The dates and the timeline were especially a pain to plot. Any question I had with my own story regarding the timeline, I had to change it…which may or may not connect to other things in the story. So it was a constant back and forth of editing and double checking things.
    Do you have a favorite line or scene in the story?
    Episode 11, Thistlebaum’s Bridge, the torture scene and the fight scene at the dark empty road. I was writing about the satisfying thrill of hitting a man, and it was an evil anti-hero moment that made me giggle.
    “You see, there’s this satisfying thrill of hitting a man—a man who’d initially wanted to attack you and was down on his knees praying for mercy.”
    And this moment of realization.
    “Why did they have to awaken this side of me? Did they want to die? I certainly would want to kill them now.”
    Also, the sex scene on Episode 4, The Quid.
    “Seconds later, he was haunched on the bed, positioning his friable arsehole above my stick. The sound was a grunt, a grunting explained by a mixture of being whacked by a fist and a flicking of his fun-sized nipple. He whimpered as I entered him. "That fucking bastard gets what he deserves—oh shit, oh my god."”
    It was particularly funny to me that they’re having raunchy sex while Greg’s partner was having a soliloquy, unloading his father’s issues on the man who was boning him. That’s when I realise that sex scenes don’t have to be all too serious.
    How close is a sequel to being posted for your readers?
    The second book, Mr. & Mister Danvers: The Molfar Project is far from finished. It’s currently at 40k words, and I imagine that story to be around 200k+. I stopped writing it for now.
    I was at impasse because I had fallen in love with one of my characters whom I know will inevitably suffer in the end. And I was like, will it happen or will it not? Should it happen or should it not happen?
    So I took a break and will be resuming writing it next year. I really want the quality of the story to be highly polished so I won’t post it until I’m comfortable enough that it’s reached that level of standard I’ve given myself.
    Do you want to share something about your new or upcoming works for readers?
    The novel I’m writing for now, to take a momentary break from the spy-thriller, is a romantic-comedy/slice-of-life drama. It’s about a Brazilian hunk, Klebber Toledo, and an American dreamboat Dennis Ellison who met on a dating app, Tinge, where they had no idea COVID-19 would turn their spur-of-the-moment trip to Costa Rica into a months-long adventure.
    I based this story from a Netflix special of the same name, which features a Present Tense format with the documentary interview, and a 3rd person narration as the bulk of the story. After watching that Netflix documentary, I was like, “I wonder what would happen if Khani and Matt were gay (the Netflix leads).” So Klebber and Dennis were incepted to fill in those roles for the novel.
    I’ve already posted the first chapter, https://gayauthors.org/story/ljcc/the-longest-third-date/1
    It’s the teaser interview and so far, I really like how it has turned out.
    I’ll post the full story probably early next year. 
  23. Cia
    This month I admit I couldn't pass up another "family" story... but with a dose of last month's paranormal feature. Have you read the last story @Mann Ramblings posted, Phases of the Moon? Well, maybe this week will convince you if you haven't! 

    Length: 146,674
    Description: Under the phases of the moon, Jimmy Coutreau is hunting, following the howls that don't belong. A loner by choice, he finds himself fascinated by Sawyer Thomas, a man who doesn't belong in his world, but here he is anyways.
    A Reader Said: With this being my first reading of a Mann Ramblings story, I can't express my true love for this adventure. It's an absolute binge-worthy trip, whether the reader is a fan of were-creature stories or not. I'm certain Phases of Moon has soiled any future were-creature reading for me. 
    Included in the recommendation given to me for this story was a warning. I was told to refrain from speed-reading, as there are many hidden details. Needless to say, I chucked the instruction. The author has the reader gripped by the collar and refuses to let you down, both physically and emotionally. Every word seems to have been placed with the grace of a true artist.
    The cast was flawlessly designed, as was the plot. Nearing the final ten chapters had me gripping my laptop. With the concluding five, my neighbors became concerned with my wild exclamations of either "I knew it!" or "No F%^&ing way!"
    As a fan of were-creature stories, this work has cemented itself in my personal favorites. While perfectly pleased with the outcome of the story, one can only hope for more.  ~ @astone2292
    If you want to spread the word about Mann Rambling's story, download the graphic below and add it to your signature!

    Make sure you come back on Wednesday to see the excerpt I chose to share!
  25. Cia

    December CSR Feature: Mr & Mister Danvers: Initiation by LJCC

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Welcome to our last CSR feature of 2023! 10 years of features needed something dramatic with flair, and what is more dramatic than a spy thriller? So you can put down your holiday nog (or grab it if you need some spirits and enjoy them together!) and focus on this story for a fun journey of twists & turns you'll never expect. 
    Mr & Mister Danvers: Initiation
    by @LJCC
    Length: 59,674
    Description: Greg Danvers, a former London police sergeant now a part-time waiter, tends to his ten-year-old son and his paraplegic father. Forced by poverty and desperation, he becomes a “high-class escort.”
    Swept into life as a spy and brushed into The Agency’s path, guided by his handler, Jean de La Fontaine, with the help of the mysterious Nathaniel Worthington, he learns his only chance of safety lies with their help. What begins as a duty to serve his country becomes a need to answer an urgent desire, as Greg finds himself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives wading through sex, secrecy, and espionage.
    A Reader said: Don't wanna spoil too much of a great story, but be ready for many didn't see that one coming plot turn moments. And it only builds up. So start reading , the proof of the pudding is in the eating, I am confident you'll love it. ~ Chris571
    Don't forget to come back for the CSR Discussion day on Monday, December 25! 
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