Cia

Monday I shared the graphic feature for Aditus's story, One Hundred Forty-Five Candles, and today I'll share an excerpt. This is a very short story, so there's no excuse to miss the rest! Just... if you're going to take a stab at the recipe, maybe use a few less candles or keep an extinguisher on hand? Want to read more? Click here

I felt a bit of a kinship with this story, being as I like food challenge shows, and September happens to be my anniversary with August my birthday... and those often get mixed together due to hunting season, lol. Trust me, the story is FAR better as you learn the reason for all the candles! Length: 1,813 Description: What's better than one reason to celebrate? Two reasons. Victor and Peter will explain in an interview for the cooking blog Stirring the Pot why they decorated their cake with one hundred forty-five candles. A Reader Said: This is a nice slice-of-life story told through a podcast format with a lot of good character moments. It's an understated story with main characters, who have been through a lot, but they literally get their cake and eat it (PS: I need to watch a few episodes of The Great British Bake Off now after reading this, thanks @Aditus for reminding me ) ~ W_L If you want to spread the word about Aditus'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!

Welcome to September! The return to school and another year (work for me, boo!), the changing of the seasons for most of us, and life continues to march on for another month and we're that much closer to the end of another year. Where DOES the time go? Enjoy it here on Earth while it lasts, because it might not be forever, and then where would humans end up? (no more pumpkin spice, that's for sure!) Check out this month's CSR story by @drsawzall to see what he came up with! La Tombola by drsawzall Length: 38,375 Description: Earth was dying, time had run out. In a fractured world cooperation was non-existent. A dedicated group humanity saw a way out and Operation Plymoth Plantation was born. A reader said: This is a well written, unique take on sci-fi fantasy. Or it's a character driven mystery. Or it's an epic romance spanning decades. It's all of these rolled into a tight, cohesive tale. Regardless of your favorite genre, you won't be sorry you read this wonderful story. ~CincyKris Come back on the last Monday of the month, September 30th to check out the Discussion day and share your thoughts!

As this is more of a philosophic question about writing, and not a "how to" or technical help question for GA staff/members, I am moving this topic to the Lounge instead of the Help forum. Just an FYI.

Thank you to all the authors who participated in the contest! You make this whole event possible by sharing your stories with the Secret Author (that evil devil themself!) so we can play this fun game each year of guessing who wrote what. Our winners will both get 3 months free Premium membership. This year our theme was Secret, and I've kept the winner of the poll a secret until now. However, the favorite story of this event was.... Hide and Seek by @kbois And, while it was a truly exhaustive list of those who commented, reviewed, and participated in the topics and polls, Random.org pulled from the HUGE list of names a single winner from our readers, and that winner is.... @lucretiaseeks

Thank you, everyone! It is a fun event, but I can only run the Secret Author Contest each year because it happens during my summer vacation from my day job. So much work keeping you guys guessing, lol! No, really, I appreciate all the authors and readers. There will be 2 more blogs to come to announce the winners and a look back at all the stories, but I just wanted to say thanks so much for making this such a success for our 2nd year!

That's right, at LONG last! I know you've been waiting so long, with bated breath... and yet, you gasp, knowing... you guessed... so WRONG! *cackles maniacally* Authors, you all did great keeping everyone guessing! 🕵🏻‍♂️Thank you so much for playing along with this contest and keeping the fun going for so long. It's been a blast. But yes, the Secret Authors have been unmasked, and now, your hard work must be revealed. Just click below, if you must know. Revealed by randomized story listing (with author name then list number). 2, count them, 2 members tied for the most correct answers. The grand total... 5! Congratulations to chris191070 and BentedWreath! You have been awarded the coveted badge for connecting the most authors and stories correctly. Next week I will reveal my Author & Member winners. I must go through the EXHAUSTIVE topic to see who all has been playing along, commenting, and reviewing to make sure I don't miss a single soul. Authors, your stories will be revealed under your names shortly so you can reply to your readers. Feel free to keep using the Secret Author Contest Talking Topic or here if you want to compare your guesses to the real authors!

Okay, readers... time to flex those thinking caps. Did you guess the Secret Author was... 😮me? That's right, me, Cia... I've been doing all the posting. That's just a HUGE shocker, huh?! 😋😆 There are far more authors behind the Secret Author, and I have a list of those and the stories for you to guess. I'm going to put that in the Secret Author Contest Talking Topic, just to keep it all in one place. We'll also have a poll next week for you to vote on your favorite story. Keep an eye on the topic & blogs for announcements. Remember, guessing gets you an entry to win our Secret Author Contest AND you can win a custom profile badge!

Oooh, my organizational skills failed. I didn't see the last story, so SURPRISE! There's one more tomorrow!!

Edit to add: My organizational skills failed and missed there were 2 unpublished stories, not one! But that just means you have one more to go on Wednesday! Hey Secret Author Contest fans! I know you're eager for details, and there have been so many secret stories revealed. Guess what, there's just one more to come tomorrow! First off, let's check again for the stories that have been posted aren't secret. Tomorrow, you will get the last story. Then keep an eye on the Secret Author Story Talking Topic for the poll for your favorite story AND the list of authors and stories for your matching quiz this week! Keep up with the comments & reviews, plus all the fun in the Talking Topic!

Not telling how or why I posted stories at this time... that might reveal something. I am all about the secrets, lol. Neener neener neener!

Well, I know everyone has been enjoying these stories our Secret Author is posting... Way to go on the comments and reviews!! And the Secret Author Contest Talking Topic is going strong too! Are you having fun guessing who wrote what? *cackles* Let's see what has posted so far! As, always, keep chatting on our talking topic too! We still have more stories to come, but after they are all posted I will share a list of all the story titles and the author names for members (authors can play too!) to guess who wrote which story. We will have a badge for whoever gets the most right!!

So... clearly I was not good at Sneakin... because last month I failed to get the CSR out on time! Luckily this month penginsrgay answered some questions for me. Did you read this story about someone else not so good at sneaking around? Share your thoughts below! Q: Do you eat your fruits and vegetables? A: Religiously! Q: If you were an animal, what would you be? A: Next! Q: What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story? A: Probably China. I've met a few gay Chinese men irl. They have a lot to say about different it is to be gay there, for better and worse. Q: What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know? A: I am rather physically strong Q: What brought you to GA? A: I was talking about nifty in a forum and another writer suggested that I post here. Q: What is your favorite story you’ve ever written & why? A: I love all my stories for different reasons. The one I love most at any given time is the one I'm writing. Sometimes I'm tempted to write a sequel to Sneakin. I have some loose exercises and a half of a chapter I'm not really satisfied with. I'm starting a new career so I have not had much time for writing, at least not in a very serious way, but once things settle down I'm hoping I will get much more prolific here. Let's see what readers thought about Sneakin... The flow had captured me and I want to read it start-to-finish in one sitting. Such sophisticated storytelling. Following you @penguinsrgay so I won’t miss anything else you share. ~Dan South This was fun. I especially like the protagonist's snarcasm. I'm glad to see the subtle art of mixing snark and sarcasm is still being practiced. ~James Savik OMG, too funny... I distinctly remember being less drama filled at that age. ~ centexhairysub

That's right! Get your spy glasses, red herring hunting, secret revealing blacklights on (okay, maybe not that... who knows what you'll see?!!) 🫢But today is the kickoff for the Secret Author Story Contest Stories. One will be posted per day until they've all been revealed... but the authors are still hidden. Just who wrote these stories?! Read today's kick off story here or find each day's new story featured in the Stories tab. Discuss your thoughts (after you read, like, comment, and review!) in the contest topic!

The first story will post TOMORROW, July 25th!!

Okay, there's no secret around the deadline! Today's the last day to send me your submission for the Secret Author Story Contest. The theme is "Hidden". For readers, I hope you're ready! Authors, remember, don't share that you're in on the contest quite yet!! One story will be posted each day by our "Secret Author" until all of them have been posted. Please like, comment, and review! A topic will be started for readers to share their thoughts on who wrote each story. After each story has been posted, the names of all the authors who participated will be revealed, and we'll see who can do the best to pair up author and story titles! We'll have a poll for readers to vote on their favorite story. FINALLY! One reader who comments, reviews, and participates in the contest topic will be randomly selected along with one of the participating authors to win Premium Membership. Now who's ready for some excellent stories?

Did you catch the feature on Monday with this month's story, Christmas Confidential that brings readers Christmas in July? Christmas Confidential takes readers on a mission of holiday cheer for those who need it. Maybe you need it? Check out this excerpt from my favorite story. Want to read more? Click here

Well, it's July... and what's more fitting than a Christmas in July feature? I couldn't think of anything, so that's what you get! This month I'm bringing you a story that's really a series of stories written by Valkyrie (along with Aditus) that you should read now if you're craving a little holiday cheer. Length: 14,024 Description: Gabe Murray is on a mission to deliver holiday cheer on behalf of a mysterious benefactor. We'd tell you who it is, but that's confidential. A Reader Said: You get 5 stars and a hug from me! May all your holiday's bring us happy stories and poems to us all the time! It doesn't have to be a holiday though to read your awesome stories! ~ Sherye Story Reader If you want to spread the word about Valkyrie'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!

Did you catch Monday's feature of Stellar's story, Spirit of Fire? If you love fantasy, Stellar never disappoints with his stories. If you are daunted by the large word count... well that's just more to love! Check out this excerpt below; it's just one example! Want to read more? Click here.

For some June is a month where it heats up, others it's a month of change... so this story is perfect! Then again, those are just a few tidbits on the surface, and if you've ever read a novel by Stellar, you know there's so much more underneath. Why not sink into this LONG story posted a few years ago? Length: 196,536 Description: With a life that is almost painfully normal and unremarkable, 16 year old Torsten has no reason to believe in anything out of the ordinary. Then, a series of cryptic events throws him beyond the boring familiarity that he knows, into the mystery and magic of reality unmasked. A Reader Said: I have been eagerly following this story from the start, waiting for a new chapter to be uploaded as soon as I read the one just uploaded. The plot, characters, lore and writing are delightfully stellar (pun intended). This story just left me feeling the void left behind, like those you get after reading a fantastic book. This is an absolute must read for fans of the fantasy genre. ~Avaloch If you want to spread the word about Stellar'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!

So... why not throw another curveball at you? Plus I really chuckled at the username. This recently finished short story is by a newer author to GA but comes with a high recommendation in its only review... lets get some extra comments and reviews on the story this month! Sneakin by @penguinsrgay Length: 14,472 Description: A delinquent sneaks out of his home to go shoplifting. A Reader said: I opened this and started reading it 40 days ago when it posted. It’s taken me so long to finish it because every time I picked back up I had to start from the beginning again. Not because I’d forgotten the storyline…it’s not forgettable. The flow had captured me and I want to read it start-to-finish in one sitting. Such sophisticated storytelling. Following you @penguinsrgay so I won’t miss anything else you share. Come back on the last Monday of the month, June 24th to check out the Discussion day and share your thoughts!

Did you read Deeds of Their Past by @mcarss for our Can't Stop Reading, or CSR, Blog Feature for May? This story has magic, foul deeds, and a few twists and turns to keep readers guessing. What did you think? Share your thoughts in a comment below the author interview! If you were an animal, what would you be? Most certainly a bird. I love all birds, but especially hold a deep affection for corvids. More than once, I've considered befriending a murder of crows. The idea of having them follow me around on my morning walks brings a mischievous smile to my face, but I've no doubt the noise would anger my neighbours. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Creating music is a lifelong passion (I've released 70+ albums) and recently became my full-time career. Working for oneself without dealing with clients has been remarkably freeing. It's also provided me with ample free time to write stories on a regular basis. Bonus! Gaming fills my free time as well. Currently, I'm playing Baldur's Gate 3 (fantasy RPGs are my favourite), Helldivers 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (shoot the baddies with friends online), and Watch Dogs: Legion (generic Ubisoft fare that some people dislike, but I enjoy its simplicity.) What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story? Given my love of the medieval European fantasy trope, I've always wanted to visit Scotland, especially the northern highlands. The rugged beauty of Scotland and the ancient architecture of its castles fascinate me to no end. With so many having been converted to hotels and B&Bs, the idea of sleeping within the walls of a place with such a long and rich history provokes a thrill I struggle to express in words. I know visiting these places would inspire me greatly. What brought you to GA? Despite being a member since 2011, my account lay dormant until early this year (2024). When I originally discovered GA, I was amazed by the depth and breadth of the stories shared, as well as the active community. I'd tucked the link into my favourites, and then forgot about it entirely. Oops. Upon discovering the link again years later, I realized it could be a perfect place to post my novels. Sure, they'd been available on Amazon and all the other platforms, but being an unknown, amateur author meant my stories had fallen into obscurity. In any case, I'd never written a word with the prospect of making money. All I hoped was to find an audience that would enjoy what I'd written. The GA community has left me humbled by their enthusiasm for my work. No amount of thanks can express how accepted I feel here, but thank you all the same. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Oh boy, where do I start? As I mentioned earlier, I'm a musician. For me, it's easier to express emotion and mood with music rather than prose. Countless times, I find myself grasping for the right word or phrase to express what's in my head. I think setting a scene is the most difficult task for me—having descriptions sweep across the page, painting an image in the reader's mind. On a technical level, sentence structure and flow are other aspects that always need attention. What is your favorite genre to write? In case it wasn't obvious by this point, the fantasy genre is my favourite for reading and writing. Do you prefer to avoid tropes in fantasy or lean into one or more to make it easier for readers to sink into the story? Tropes exist for a reason. People, myself included, enjoy them. I don't consider myself clever enough to put an original spin on a common theme, so I'll leave that to more creative authors to tackle. I certainly appreciate readers who are tired of hackneyed plot devices, thirsty for something original. In that case, I'm not the author for them. How did you come up with the names for the characters and places in Deeds of their Past (imagination, generator website, writing books)? Brohm's name was inspired by a piece of art I liked from the mid 00s. The title was: Brom the Butcher (I added the 'h' to Brohm's name) and features a surly bugbear/hobgoblin wielding a giant cleaver. Unfortunately, I can't find the source anywhere, nor do I know the artist's name. It's been over a decade since writing Deeds, so I can't recall everything clearly, but I know I used name generators to help in the creation of other characters. Locations were gleaned from lists of old towns and hamlets in Europe. Early in the writing process, I needed a map to keep track of Nathan and Brohm's travels. I found some royalty-free map assets and built one in Photoshop. It's viewable on the story's main page. Do you have a favorite scene in the story? Not a scene per se, but a segment of the story where, for the first time, the two protagonists (Nathan and Brohm) have a moment to breathe. Chapters nine and ten give them time to discover each other, and in turn, the reader learns more about them. Can you share a little of your current or upcoming work with readers? I'm very close to completing the first draft of The Roaming Sea. The story follows a young army medic, Callum, doing his part in a century's long war between humans and pactrids (giant elephantmen.) He finds himself tossed behind enemy lines, captured, and interrogated. His captor, however, tells a very different story as to why they're warring. Callum can't decide if it's the truth, or deceit to turn him against his own kind. I hope to have it available by the end of the year, and you can be sure that it'll be available on GA first before I publish it elsewhere.

Did you breeze through the poems Parker Owens posted earlier this year? Or catch it when I featured Calliope's Carousel on Monday? If not, maybe a glimpse at a snippet from one of his poems will draw you in! Which week did this post in?? Want to read more? Click here

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!

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):