Cia

Okay, so not really a surprise for those following the comments, but I'm already plotting things out for the longer story and figuring all the details out that weren't needed for a 1200 word short story but must be cemented to make the paranormal world come alive, so I hope everyone will enjoy it! Thank you to everyone for voting!

I haven't had any votes in a while, so I'm going to announce the winner for my next flash story expansion is (not like it's a surprise, lol), but drumroll... Mine! I'm already plotting things out for the longer story and figuring all the details out that weren't needed for a 1200 word short but must be cemented to make the paranormal world come alive, so I hope everyone will enjoy it! Thank you to everyone for voting!

This is probably going to be the second story after I finish Mine, lol.

This one is very popular. Pretty sure it's going to win, lol.

Thanks, Valkyrie! I'm glad you liked it.

Thanks, guys! Combined with my blog stats, the new count is: Mine: 10 First Contact: 4 Picking Up Strays: 4 Blinding Light: 2 Voting goes until about 9 PM Pacific today when I'll need to pick the story and take a look at the weekly prompts so I can get moving on next week's update! I don't want to take two weeks off.

Combining the votes on my blog and GA has the voting at these numbers currently. Don't forget to vote if you haven't yet! Mine: 6 votes First Contact: 3 votes Picking Up Strays: 2 votes Blinding Light: 1 vote

We'll see what the voting says! I have folks voting on my blog too, so I'll add it all together and the one with the most votes will win.

I'm not inspired lately, but I'm constantly asked about expanding older stories by readers, so I thought I'd give everyone a chance to weigh in on what I should write for my next Wednesday Briefers flash story now that No Flash is over. Tell me what you think between these options: 1. Mine: A werekin tale wrought with darkness. 2. Picking Up Strays: A post-apoc tale of mutation and corruption. 3. First Contact: A sci-fi story about the loss of humanity. 4. Blinding Light: ??? Sense deprivation of sight. This story could really go anywhere. What genre do you think it should be if you pick it?

Recognize that name?! Yes, Anyta Sunday was once a very active author on GA, and now she's a successful eBook author. I recently had the chance to read her latest fantasy title and wanted to share my review here as well! My Review So it's been quite a few years since I was heavy into fantasy. I enjoy it, but my convoluted plot reading skills have rusted. I had a hard time getting into Locked in the beginning, switching from what read as contemporary to fantasy to some mix of the two... but in no way like I was expecting. By the time I reached the ending scenes of the book I couldn't read fast enough and I'd sequestered myself in a room and hushed my children as they interrupted me, begging for just a few more minutes to be left alone with Rye and his friends and foes. Locked is definitely a fantasy tale rife with magic, mayhem... and dragons! Are they evil? Good? A mix of the both? Considering the dragons are also people (though in no way is this a shifter-like theme) for me they fell into both. I loved how they were humanized in some ways and beastified (I can't think of another way to put it) in others. Above all, I loved the themes of the story that come into play again and again. Good isn't all good and evil isn't all evil. Everyone has their motivations and everyone has choices to make. But... how many people in the story are making their own choices or are being led to making them for a greater purpose? And is that greater purpose good for them and the realms or is their a mastermind villain behind the scenes when we're focused on the more obvious one? Those questions and more plagued me as I read, keeping me wondering to the very end... and beyond. I'm still not sure who is really the bad guy and who isn't. I'd love to read more, which will happen since Locked is just book one in the Telluric Realm series. My only word of warning to readers is to make sure you can read this in a place with no distractions because the tale is told through many different point of views, which means you really have to pay attention if you want to catch the subtle clues and connections lacing the story. Want to pick up your own copy? ​Visit my offsite blog, Cia's Stories, to enter the rafflecopter contest to win an eBook copy or use the link below to buy your own.

Congrats!

Happy Birthday!!!

May already! Have you been enjoying the CSR features and interviews so far this year? Or have you been slacking on your reading? Well don't worry, each month you have a new chance to enjoy a story by one of the great authors posting on GA. This month we're featuring CarringtonRJ's London and Love. This 45k contemporary story might be just up your alley! London and Love by CarringtonRJ Length: 45,592 Description: Tony is apprehensive about being sent to London for a year. How will he manage there? He's an introvert by nature, and thoroughly queer. He goes because he has nothing better to do, not expecting to find love in a foreign town. A Reader Said: Thank you for a great end to a great beginning. The word that comes to mind is 'satisfying'. After Tony 's wobble in the last chapter, it's refreshing to see them working at being together. Whilst there is a sense of resolution, there's real energy and excitement about the future. ~ damejintymcginty This month's discussion day will take place on Monday, May 30th.

I'm on Pacific, so I featured it between 7:30 and 8:00 AM.

Featuring a blog has to be done manually, and while I can set this to go live at 1 AM, I'm not getting up to do it at that time.

This month I featured Daddydavek's first story on the site, Dean Warner Intrigues. This story has been called absolutely wonderful and great by reviewers. What did you think? Make sure you share your thoughts about this story below, but first enjoy my interview with Daddydavek! Dean Warner Intrigues by Daddydavek Who do you like best, Jerry or Tom? Neither. Tom is an oxymoron in that he is portrayed as a somewhat lovable bully doomed to fail. Jerry is a diminutive smart alec that loves to turn the tables on the bully. It makes for great sight gags and the cartoons were well received and are classics. The cartoon figure I liked best was Snoopy. Have you ever gone out in public, realized your shirt is on backwards, and just don’t care? I must be incredibly anal, but no, never! If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be? “A Work in Progress” or “Still Enjoying new experiences” Name one entity that you feel supported you in your writing endeavors outside of family members. The internet is the best research tool around if used carefully. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Getting the dialogue 'in character' and keeping it that way. Did something specific inspire you to write Dean Warner Intrigues? I read a lot and noted there were so many stories of young adults with a tortured past filled with hate and/or abuse. I wanted to write something that had more positive relationships. So, when I was thinking about writing it, I wanted a story that wasn't full of teenage angst. I knew the story had to have some tension as I didn't think I could write characters that were so engaging that characterization could carry the story. DWI was the result. While my computer history goes back to the early 1980's and a Commodore 64 which then graduated to Windows 3.0 and continued with Windows 95, 98, 98 second edition, Win2000, Windows Millennial, and Windows 7, I remain a user, not a programmer or a network tech guy. My point is that I'm sure a techie would shoot all kinds of holes in parts of my story. If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing Dean Warner Intrigues, what would it be? Don't always over think it so much. Sometimes you just got to spin your yarn and see where it leads. Did the characters or the plot come to you first? The characters, all who are an amalgamation of my own invention based on my sixty plus years of reading everything from Aristotle (On memory and reminiscence) to Zelazny (The Chronicles of Amber). What was your favorite scene to write in this story? Being a rather dirty old man, I enjoyed writing the love scenes and hope I didn't go into too much detail, but it was a story of discovering love too. However, my favorite chapter is the epilogue where I wrapped up the story. It was short, but sweet. Can you share a little of your current work with us? I'm divided between doing a story about the red headed Sean from DWI and a look back story by Bill from Abel III's Awakening after he and Steve come into their powers..... Neither story thread has made it into a working outline that I like, so I'm letting them percolate while I continue to catch up on the many hundreds of books on my Kindle... Okay folks, now's the time to share your thoughts!!

I don't know about not wearing 'cologne' but younger guys still spray themselves with crap. After all, Axe was/is hugely popular. When writing contemporary stories, you need to know what the generation/age of your character would use/say/act like, especially if you're not part of that generation. Older guys in their 30s/40s from the 90s might use Drakkar or Aspen cologne. Older generations beyond that might be loyal to using Old Spice. This does make a great point about writing a story where readers can relate involves using the senses too. I love the feel of my husband's smooth cheeks and the smell of his scented shaving cream right after he gets out of the shower, and he definitely gets more kisses then than when he's not shaved for a few days and his scruff is prickly and stabs at my lips. I try to use this sort of real life elements whenever I write a story too.

Did you miss Monday's blog post featuring the ad and signature graphics for K.C.'s novel, Pour Me Another? Never fear, you can check it out here and download your copy to help share your love of his story. Today, K.C. has an excerpt he wanted to share with you! K.C. says... I think this glimpse shows the start of Asher and Michael's friendship. They are two guys from very different lives, but their friendship grows into much more. The nightlight, the city, friendship, betrayal, love and hate, this story has it all with a modern twist. Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!

Research, research, research. You can't just make things up with historical work and you'd be surprised at what you don't know about the basic habits of a time period, even beyond speech which can change decade to decade, much less centuries. I'd recommend picking a time period and reading a lot about it, plus picking up non-fiction books at the library. As for posting here on GA, our Stories area is custom so make sure you read the FAQ topics that will help you understand exactly how and what to post. That can be found through the Help tab in the red menu bar. Welcome to GA! I hope you'll enjoy your time here.

This month we're featuring K.C.'s Pour Me Another. This story was the Reader's Choice Award winner for a Promising Author back in 2013. Why don't you give it a read and find out why it won? (Hint... a lot of people looooved it!) Length: 78,802 Description: ***Winner of the 2013 Readers Choice Awards for the Best Story by a Promising Author *** The city is full of all kinds of people. Being a bartender, Asher Burkhart has seen them all. Atleast he thinks has until Michael Waters shows up. Reviews: Flamingo136 says... KC, I just "found" your story and read it without stopping; well I did have bathroom breaks but beyond that I was determined to absorb every word as quickly as I possily could. The story was very entertaining, characters compelling and I was blissfully snarled in this world hoping that everything would work out, knowing that it probably wouldn't.....maybe it will...hoping....hoping.....finally !!!!! I really enjoyed Pour Me Another from beginning to end...it must have been maddening to your readers to follow in real time; I feel like I've cheated ...but I don't feel the least bit guilty. You have been added to my listed of authors to follow....what pressure for you....LOL Thanks for sharing; I'm going to read your other works now................Mike Shadowrunner says... Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story with us. It was great! Ups, downs, tears and kisses. The best I've ever read. You're amazing!!! :D Aaron Alan Addams says... Another wonderful story! I read the entire thing in the last twenty four hours. Your talent of writing characters that make the reader, care for... No more than that. Fall in love with them is remarkable. Your storyline is believable, well thought out and funny. (I have my phone read stories to me when I'm busy doing things. I listen with earbuds. My coworkers think I'm listening to music. I do get looks when I burst out with a laugh every now and then.) As I read the epilogue, I felt sad. It felt as if dear friends were moving away and I was never going see them again. Congratulations on a job well done. I only have one suggestion. Sequel? Slytherin says... Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, K.C ! It's been quite a journey following these two wonderful characters. l love this story Remember to check back on Wednesday to see what excerpt K.C. chose to share with readers! Want to show your support and enjoyment of K.C.'s story? Download the banner above for your site signature!

"Don't tell." There are a lot of secrets in my past, from childhood to adulthood, that I wish weren't secrets. Things that shouldn't have been pushed under the rug or only spoken in whispers. I'm far more open now. Just ask anyone I've beta read/edited for.

To be fair, I was far more focused on the food aspect than the crime aspect. Those scenes felt more visceral than the other scenes. The action in the shooting scene did give a good burst of excitement. I'd just have liked the flow to blend the two aspects a little better.

April already! Spring is coming to some parts of the northern hemisphere (my local forecast has a record-breaking 85!) but other parts are still snowing. The southern hemisphere is moving into fall and equally capricious territory... so you know what you could do? Stay inside and beat the heat OR cold by reading this month's CSR. Dean Warner Intrigues by Daddydavek Length: 62,293 Description: A bullet crashes into Dean's room and the intrigue starts. A Reader Said: From start to finish and everything in between, what an absolutely wonderful story The epilogue was short and sweet with a nice wrap up on a positive note. ~ Reader 1810 Remember, this month's CSR Discussion day will be Monday, April 25th!

It was a good idea, just not feasible. Usually I need at least a month to be able to arrange the CSR and author feature posts for interviews and any special content between me and the author, and the times when I've dropped the ball and had to do it within a week of the blog date, it's been extremely difficult unless the author can make up for the lack of time frame. Renee has it even harder trying to get readers to write reviews for the blog or even author self-promo posts, so any new blog features that require lead time just aren't usually possible because it already takes many hours per week to arrange for future content, post current content, track past content, etc....

Thank you, Timothy! The captain will definitely play a role in the next story.