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Cole Matthews' The Art of Being Gay was Monday's Signature Feature. Did you grab your copy of the signature banner so you can share your love for Cole's story? If not, you can do that here! Today we're featuring his chosen excerpt. Cole says... This excerpt gives you a glimpse at the tone and character of the story. It's a comedy, a farce really, and also gives the reader some of Roy's attributes. This segment also shows how Roy may not think he's ready to date, but fate really doesn't care about such reservations. Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!

The question was rhetorical. Which one had fled the streak? I was already grimly contemplating my response, but I was distracted by the thoughts of the death Henry had earned himself—once he confessed to everything he knew. No reason could justify drugging his own son. Nothing would excuse him from harming the alpha’s mate. “Oh my god,” Kraig gasped. I turned and saw the realization in his eyes which quickly filled with tears. He fisted his hands in his lap, taking ragged breaths. “My dad? He

Happy Birthday!!!

September's Signature Feature is The Art of Being Gay by Cole Matthews. This story came about because Cole was wondering what it was like for middle-aged guys struggling with these questions. He wanted the story to be organic, fresh, and not planned, so he posted each chapter as it was written, using the feedback from readers to influence each chapter. Length: 83,473 Description: Chad was outed, his life in shambles. His son, Justin, was his only lifeline to happiness. Roy had enough. His attempts to find love and happiness had failed. He decided to simply live without trying to find a companion in life. Together, they begin to learn what it really means to be gay. Reviews: Flamingo136 says... I've often wondered....just why is it so important to anyone as to what anyone's sexuality has to do with them as a person. Frankly, most people spend very little time having sex...sure we all think about it during our day but really it is not the only thing that defines us...gay or straight or anything in the middle. It makes me upset that a grown man, Chad, felt that he had to leave his home, family and friends in order to find himself. Shame on those who make it intolerable for Chad, making him feel that he must leave everything in order to find himself and happiness. Ok, I'm off my soapbox now....LOL...eagerly awaiting the next chapter and hoping that we get to ultimately see the butterfly emerge from his cocoon....Great beginning............Mike LadyDe says... And THAT's why I love cats!!!!! They bring people together. But Carlos said it best "a little lost pussy" Hilarious. Once again you put us on a rollercoaster, with no warning, and let us fly, with awkwardness, angsty nightmares, lost kitty and then yum yum!! Wonderful ending. Tyrell is an excellent friend who really knows his Roy Toy! Excellent chapter. Can't wait for the next chapter. Thanks, Cole Headstall says... Roy intrigues me like anyone does who is oblivious to themselves, yet understands what everyone else wants or needs. Sometimes we really are the last ones to know. Kendra's little talk with Roy was illuminating to both him and me. I love getting to know and understand a character as they interact with others...and I really enjoyed what and how you showed us about Roy through Kendra. Maybe I was wrong about the uplifting part...Chad's breakdown at work shows at the least that he is feeling guilt and the pain of separation from his son. His path appears lonely right now...like a broken toy. Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt Cole Matthews chose to share with readers! Want to show your support and enjoyment of Cole's story? Download the banner above for your site signature!

I'm Renee again! Not doing such a great job getting these out early, but she'll be back soon. In the meantime, who's ready to do some prompts? There's a featured prompt from last week, if you missed it, and 2 more for authors to be inspired by today. So, without further ado.... Prompt 530 – Creative Tag – First Line “Pull over! I’m going to be sick.” Prompt 531 – Creative Tag – The flood You’ve been watching on TV as the storms have flooded large areas of the state. As news has warned the flooding is now entering your area. What has caused such storms and what, if anything, can be done? And now to feature a prompt response from the last. I've featured Sasha Distan's East-Jesus-Nowhere inspired by prompt #526: Read more here.

Congratulations, Valkyrie!!

“That’s impossible.” I gaped at him. “Like having two werekin souls? Or a human werekin becoming a bonded werekin? We’re dealing with something no one has ever seen before.” Uncle Radford held up the papers. “This is science. Traditionalists are going to be screaming about desecration of souls and you know they’re going to want to kill Kraig.” I growled, the muscles in my neck and shoulders bunching as I stared him down. “Let them try it,” I said through clenched teeth. Uncle Radford backed u

Whoops! I forgot that I was supposed to Renee this week and was sidelined by a migraine, so this featured review is a bit late... which just goes to show that, unlike Mikiesboy, I could never remember to do NaPoWriMo. Unsure of what that is? Check out the review below by Aditus and then go check it out!! NaPoWriMo Mikiesboy Reviewer: Aditus Status: In process/Complete? Word Count: 3173 Poetry. I thought I would put the word right into the first line, in case you’d rather leave, thinking something along the lines of ‘Nah, poetry is not my thing’. I dare you to read further! April is National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo): Thirty poems in thirty days. According to the author, his first thoughts were: Mental! NO WAY am I going to try it (too much pressure). Luckily, he had nothing else to do (his words), and wrote a poem for Friday April 1, and then, while he was at it, for the other twenty-nine days too. Are you still here? Good! I can’t agree more and could go on and on about syllable count, rhythm, rhyme and many other formal poetry characteristics and forms, which Mikiesboy executes well but are just a means to an end to make us feel. He is a natural poet who concentrates of the essence of things—sometimes with brutal honesty. I will never forget Meat: Short— and so harsh it hurts. Or Baker Boy, which makes me smile each time I read it. For me, this collection of poems is a reflection of heartfelt loneliness and hope, grief and thankfulness, severity and playfulness, in other word(s): Life concentrated in small packages. So, even if you normally don’t read poetry, give it a try. If you do, but somehow missed this, I hope I made you curious. And if you already read it—why not do it again? Category: Poetry Genres: Comedy, Drama, Free-Verse, Haiku, Limerick, Prompt Tags: mature adult, teen, adult, bisexual, brothers, friendship Rating: Everyone

So people should only describe/talk about their children and spouse when talking to other people based on... what? Their looks? Their age? Nothing at all, just say, "I have a wife and kids"? Anything else is objectifying them by talking about their characteristics, skills, personality traits? I'm sorry, but whatever you think this issue is... it's really not.

Are you asking why people use terms such a 'my spouse' or 'my children', and insinuating that those are possessive in an ownership way rather than simply indicating personal relationship from the person speaking to the person(s) they're speaking about? Because, honestly, I really don't understand your topic post at all.

LOL! Duck indeed. I'm sure Deke really doesn't appreciate it, but I'm glad readers do!

;) You never know!!

I surprised you, woo hoo!! And me, cruel? Noooo. Muahahahahaha

Soooo soooo so much!

I use Pixabay for a lot of stock because it's free, but for models or recognizable structures, you still need a specific release even if the image is creative commons. I prefer to buy my stock instead, and my go-to site is 123rf.com. Unfortunately, I don't think you're going to have a lot of luck finding shirtless teen models. You'd be better off focusing on the character's specifics (hair/skin/general build/clothing style) and then skimming those different kinds of models for a pose/image/background that would work for your story. If you find a model who is sitting like you want, and they have black hair while your character is a pale blond, that doesn't really work out. Honestly, this is usually why, if I plan to create a visual for a story, I find a stock image that resonates for the character and/or setting and then base the story around that. Not always possible when you get inspiration for a story, but it definitely helps.

Right? And why did it happen then? Will it happen again? So many questions unanswered!

I try! Sometimes the story even takes me to places I don't realize it's going. Just wait--even more coming up!!

So much going on, tension is definitely the way to term it. Not much going right and a whole lot going wrong. The next chapter will answer some of your questions.

The true question here was...what really happened to him? Keep reading! Thanks for the review, Puppilull

Red herring... hmm... maybe? Maybe not? I'll never tell! *cackles* You get to meet him in the next chapter, though. Happy reading!

Good news is few and far between, isn't it? Chapter 17 has some revelations, but I'm afraid like for Deke and Kraig isn't getting a whole lot easier. Thanks for the review, Lux!

“You don’t remember?” I asked cautiously. “No, no, don’t sit up.” I gently pushed on his shoulders. “What am I supposed to remember?" Kraig asked as he looked around. “Wait, how did I get back here? I fell asleep at my parents’ house.” Kraig frowned and worked his jaw. He reached up and pressed against the bruise on the side of his face. “Ow. What’s going on?" “I brought you back here. You were unconscious because I knocked you out." Just saying the words was hard enough. The look on Kraig’s f

You definitely don't give a blow-by-blow, but I know some readers don't like to know the general direction a story is taking. If I'm not researching an author for a first-time buy, I typically won't do more read the blurb and skim ratings to see the general vibe for the story because I sometimes feel knowing even the basics leads to reducing the 'what if' tension or to grasp some of the finer aha moments before their time.