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Cia

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  1. Cia

    Featured Story: Finding Good Trouble

    By Cia,


    Reviews
    Step back from the candy canes and cherry cordials, the chocolate coins and the Christmas cookies... otherwise the reality in this month's story review  by @chris191070 might just take a bite out of you. The holidays can be a time when people are usually kinder to their fellow man, but what happens when being that good person means more than holding open a door or saying please or thank you? 
    Finding Good Trouble
    by @Ronyx
    Reviewer: chris191070
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 72,532
    This is a story that isn't an easy read. It challenges many topics that are happening in many countries, but particularly in the USA. It deals with racism and racial injustice.
    We follow Parker, a white boy, as he witnesses a fight at his school, which is just the start of things to come. What happens next is not easy reading as Parker witnesses and films Police brutality, against a black teen, Darius, who has done nothing wrong. This sets off a chain of events that Parker or Darius, could ever foresee happening.
    We discover racial injustice at the highest level. But you need to read this story to understand more.
    As with all @Ronyx stories he writes about hard hitting subjects, but I found this one particularly hard to read in places and was brought to tears in many places.
    Category: Fiction  Genres: General Fiction  Sub-genres: Drama  Tags: young adult, gay, suburban, serious, modern, interracial, politics, high school  Rating: Mature
  2. Cia
    Looking for inspiration for a Halloween costume? How's about you put on some chaps, a button up, a hat and swagger your way down to the watering can for... a good ole fashioned gunslinger western romance novella by Headstall that spike382 gives two spurs up in his review below. Read on to find out more! 
    Boundaries: An Old West Tale
    by Headstall
    Reviewer: spike382
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 16,640
    One thing that I love about being a longer-term member of this community is seeing certain writers evolve and improve over time. One writer in particular that I’ve followed for a long time is Headstall. His earliest offerings on the site were all good, but as time has passed and he’s written more and more, it amazes me how much he has evolved as a writer in the last seven or eight years. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his latest story on the site, Boundaries: An Old West Tale.  
    In Boundaries, we meet wandering gun fighter, Virgil Pruitt, a lonely man headed for greener pastures. His journey takes him to a troubled Texas town, very close to the Mexican border. It’s been just a few years since the Mexican-American war, and the tensions remain. When he visits the local saloon, Virgil is immediately held with suspicion and prejudice, forcing him to show off those gun fighter skills previously mentioned.  
    Luckily, Virgil’s a little more Shane, and a little less Man with No Name. If you don’t get those references, go watch some classic westerns when you’re done reading this story. Anyway, Virgil soon encounters a local outcast Wyatt Burnham, a young man with his own dark past. The two share an instant connection, and the story takes off from there. As the synopsis says, a lot can happen in one day. 
    This is a short but sweet tale packed full of themes and conflicts facing the characters. It touches on sexual assault, prejudice, tragedy, love, and self-acceptance. It’s all handled masterfully and again it’s amazing how much Headstall can pack into such a short story. This easily could have been spun out into a much longer entry, and yet it has a perfect stopping point. I can’t recommend this story enough, if you haven’t had the privilege yet, go check Boundaries out!
    Category: Anthology 2022 - Anniversary  Genres: Western, General Fiction, Romance, Historical  Sub-genres: Drama, General Romance, Historical Romance, Romantic Western, Western, Western Romance  Tags: adult, gay, north america, serious, abuse  Rating: Mature
  3. Cia
    This is supposed to be a month of magic, and tall tales, and so why not a little story that reminds me of the old stories? Enjoy this short fiction by Georgie DHainaut in between all the holiday hustle and bustle, or just because if none of that is for you! 
    The little Prince that turned into a Beggar
    by Georgie DHainaut
    Length: 4,664
    Description: An”old”  fairytale, but one with a true and modern background in many a real life
    A reader said: Very nice story. Long enough to allow the main character to come to life and concise enough to be a single session reading. Thanks for sharing…hope my fairy visits me soon. ~ Leo662
    Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, December 26th!
  4. Cia
    Welcome to our November CSR Discussion day with GA's newest Signature author, Dodger! Did you have chance to congratulate him before? If not, you can do so here, plus share a thought about his featured story, A Soldier's Guide to Single Parenting, or my interview with him! Enjoy!
    What are you wearing (and no fibbing!)?
    No fibbing? Okay. Only sweatpants and a t-shirt, which, like their owner, have seen better days. I just got up, and it's my day off, so I'm probably going to stay like this until it's time to walk the dog.
    Chocolate or Vanilla?
    Chocolate, but it's a close call.
    What's something personal about you people might be surprised to know?
    I'm ambidextrous.
    What brought you to GA?
    Reading stories by Dom Luka and Comicality. I became a member straight away, but it was a couple of years before I started writing and interacting.
    What's one location you'd love to go to research for a story?
    Outer space. Not too far out, though; I think the International Space Station would be a great setting for gay fiction. Imagine an unexpected attraction between a Russian and an American astronaut living in close quarters in an environment where they are constantly watched and monitored from below. Zero gravity sex presents so many opportunities for a writer.
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
    Finding the right time. I suppose it's the same for everyone, but my brain shuts down the moment I get tired. I can't come in from work and write, and I can never get up early enough to get much done in the mornings. Unfortunately, work gets in the way, but it pays the bills, so it has to come first. That and commas!
    If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing, what would it be?
    Be patient, and don't start posting a story until it's completed and the best it can be—writing is difficult enough without limiting your options and putting yourself under unnecessary pressure. Also, pay attention to the basics like grammar and sentence structure, and never rely totally on spell-checking programs.
    A Soldier's Guide to Single Parenting was a departure for you into a non-contemporary story at the time. What drew you to trying historical fiction as part of your setting/theme?
    I've always been interested in recent history, particularly the seventies and eighties. Most people probably wouldn't consider the eighties historic, but our attitudes and lives have changed enormously since then, thanks mainly to technological advances. I love technology, but it's fun writing about a time before cell phones, GPS, and the internet. It creates more opportunities for intrigue and surprise when the characters aren't all interconnected by wi-fi and mobile networks. They have to figure things out for themselves instead of just asking Siri or Googling something.
    Researching can also be enjoyable, but when you're writing about a period many of the readers have lived through, you have to get it right. 
    Reading the story, I could both feel the fear David has and the utter confusion his dad is under trying to hold something together when he has no idea what he is doing. Readers described your writing as gritty and gut-wrenching. How did you craft such emotional scenes?
    Writing from Jeff's point of view wasn't easy. He's a narcissist, a bigot, and a homophobe, and these are usually the traits of my enemies. However, I think it's important to try to understand your adversaries, and writing this story helped me to come to terms with certain but far less dramatic incidents in my own life. Jeff is not a bad person but a product of his time. He believes he's doing the right thing when, as you point out, he has no clue.
    Under a tough exterior is a fragile man who turns to alcohol to cope with memories of the war and the loss of his wife. I felt sorry for him in the end, but he has some redeeming qualities, and Jeff's saving grace is his willingness to listen, ask difficult questions, and draw his own conclusions. Most people find this surprisingly difficult.
    Can you share anything about your current or upcoming work with readers?
    Now that the soap opera style Cockney Canuck is finally coming to an end, I have time to do other things. There are a couple of stories on hold that I want to finish posting, another historical drama set in wartime London, and a very Canadian story about a trucker. That should keep me busy, along with next year’s anthology and maybe even the secret author contest.
  5. Cia
    Ah, November. The longest and shortest month... As far as seasonal changes go, the weather seems to settle in for a hearty change, and you're either stuck in rain, snow, or heat for days on end... yet that can suddenly change. Or maybe that's just my neck of the woods, world, whatever? The holidays are also coming but aren't here yet, but in a second they will be and you won't be prepared! Sometimes I feel like I'm endlessly chasing some goal or dream, wondering if I will ever get there, much like the character in @CarlHoliday story, Dreams Can Come True. Have you read it? Why not give it a try this month if you're in need of a break? 

    Length: 18,007
    Description: An unhappy dragon receives the unlikeliest of gifts and wishes the impossible dream. A powerful sorcerer wants more trouble than he needs, encounters a dragon, finds he’s stronger than he thought, and comes up with a solution to a couple of tricky problems. To complete the mix, we’ll throw in the shortest knight in the kingdom who desires to go on a quest for fame and fortune.
    A reader said:  This was cute and clever and very tongue in cheek! ~ skinnydragon
    If you want to spread the word about CarlHoliday'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!
  6. Cia
    Monday I featured CarlHoliday's story, and today it is my job to keep you interested with a tasty excerpt. Skinny dragon called Dreams Can Come True "tongue in cheek" which is an apt description for the novella-length tale. There are moments that make you snicker, some that make you aww, and others that may make you... well, read on to find out! 
    Want to read more? Click here
  7. Cia
    November and the months keep rolling by toward the end of 2022 already. Life is what happens when you're not really paying attention, and sometimes things change suddenly and then you have to try and make them work. Well, in this month's feature story we're going back in time and to the summer months to see how this newly single father handles all that life throws at him. I couldn't believe I hadn't already featured this story before, but now you can for this month's CSR. Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts at the end of the month! 
    A Soldier's Guide to Single Parenting
    by @Dodger
    Length: 48,458
    Description: After losing his wife to illness, a decorated war hero is determined to keep his family together, but his parenting skills are tested during the summer break by financial restraints, an increasing reliance on alcohol, and the discovery that his eldest son is gay.
    The story is set somewhere in North America in the not too distant past. Readers are invited to guess the exact year and place and there are subtle clues in each of the ten chapters.
    A reader said: Great story, well written. Emotional, eithical and moral isues raised and dealt with in a story with beautifully crafted characters in an engaging storyline. Highly recommended. ~ Canuk
    Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, November 28th!
  9. Cia

    October Signature Feature: Let the Music Play by CJames

    By Cia,


    Signature Feature
    Sometimes it feels like life is just a grind, with no way things will change, much less for the better. This time of year can feel that way, right? Before the holidays really hit it off, when we're all feeling the drag of our routines... just like Brandon before he got an unexpected turn in his journey. I admit, looking for a good visual inspiration sucked me back into this story and I couldn't stop reading until late, or early, depending on how you look at it. CJames never disappoints, so give it a try!

    Length: 291,939
    Description: Brandon's dreams had been crushed far too often for him to ever believe, especially in himself. Follow along as he experiences some massive changes in his life, along with a few bumps in the road, and a few high-pressure situations.
    A reader said: A perfect epilogue for this exciting story. So many wonderful young people and some pretty impressive adults. Your royal cliffhanger title is still intact, BUT in my opinion, Circumnavigation is your crowning achievement thus far. Thanks for the great read and I am glad there is a sequel. ~ stanollie
    If you want to spread the word about CJames'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!
  10. Cia
    A big thank you to @Timothy M. for sharing this great review of one our (plus one of my favorite) GA authors, and sorry to readers for the late post! 
     
    Moving On
    by Rob Colton
    Reviewer: Timothy M.
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 21,912
    Sometimes it’s great to return to old favorites and read them again. Moving On by Rob Colton falls in this category for me. The story has some signature Rob features, including a ‘bear’ fetish and plenty of steamy sex, but this is not the only reason I like the story.
    Mason, the main character of the story, is a genuinely nice guy. He is a devoted husband and a loyal friend, even when he is annoyed by the antics of his best friends, Damien. But when he’s betrayed by both his partner Dale and his friend, and I bet you can guess how, Mase puts his foot down and leaves. In spite of his unhappiness, he isn’t swayed by entreaties to forgive and forget, and I respect him for that. The ex-friend, the husband and his cronies deserve nothing but contempt.
    However, Alex, one of Dale’s friends, does not condone his behavior, and he seeks out Mason to help and support him. I guess Alex can be described as a ‘gentle giant’, but he’s not afraid to stand up for Mase and tell Dale to go to hell. Soon, it’s pretty clear he would like to court Mason, but it’s not so easy to risk your heart again, when it was recently ripped apart.
    Rob posted Moving On on GA almost ten years ago, and it’s well worth a (re)visit, and a great introduction to a Signature Author, who – in his own words – “loves stories that feature big, burly men who find true love and happy endings.”
    Category: Fiction  Genres: Romance  Sub-genres: General Romance Tags: adult  Rating: Mature
  11. Cia

    2022 Anniversary Wrap Up!

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Wowsers, did you see the numbers of stories and comments posted in September? I bet a lot of that had to do with all the great stories posted by our Anniversary anthology authors, and all the amazing readers who took the time to read, react, and comment. So thank you to everyone! If you missed a story, or you just want a single shop stop to find links to every story in the Anthology, this Wrap Up is for you. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    to 2022 Anniversary Anthology Team for all their hard work making things happen this year!! 
    Anthology Coordinator
    Valkyrie
    Tech Support
    Myr
    Cia
    Proof Team
    Rec
    Parker Owens
    Cia
    Anthology Banner Creation
    Cia
     
  12. Cia

    2022 Anthology: Anniversary Week 4 *Now Live*

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Well, here it is, the last week of GA's Anniversary month and the last of our anthology entries. We've had some amazing entries, but we have more for you to read! Keep up the energy and don't forget to like, comment, and review these stories. We'll feature all the stories next week in one place for readers in case you missed one or you want to save the list to go back to your favorites! Authors, keep your eye on the Anthology Club soon for a chance to share your feedback on this year's anthology, your thoughts for next year's anthology(ies), and start thinking themes!! 😲
    Happy Anniversary Reading! 
     
  13. Cia

    October CSR Feature: There Once Was Love by Remijay

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Happy October, readers, and another start of the CSR Can't Stop Reading story feature so you can hopefully find another gem you missed or return to a story you enjoyed in the past. Which will Remijay's story There Once Was Love be for you?
    There Once Was Love
    by Remijay
    Length: 62,597
    Description: This story is about a teen that has everything a boy his age wants. Except a few necessary things. Read along as his story unfolds.
    A Reader Said: A very realistic ending that thankfully ended on a happy note. ~NimirRaj
    Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, October 31st!
  14. Cia

    September CSR Discussion Day: La Bella Vacanza by James Carnarvon

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Well, how has your September gone? Do you feel like you need a vacation? I do! If you do too, I hope that you took it and enjoyed a bit of a sidetale with James Carnarvon's La Bella Vacanza! Make sure you share your thoughts in a comment below this interview. 
    Do you eat your fruits and vegetables?
    Yes! I especially like Mediterranean vegetables like aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes… which should surprise exactly no-one…
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    I love listening to music, which also really helped me to find my way into my first Ravello story. I enjoy reading, but I have little time for that when I’m writing. I also like to explore interesting places, much as my fictional characters tend to do.
    What’s something personal about you people might be surprised to know?
    I have an adopted teenage son who has read some of my work.
    What's your favorite room in your home? Do you plot or write there?
    The living room, which is also my writing room. It’s more cluttered than I’d like, but it’s where I work. I do most of my plotting and writing late at night when I’m on my own.
    What brought you to GA?
    I forget exactly! I imagine I was looking for somewhere to publish The Summer of the Firefly, and GA was the site I found. I still think it was the right choice – the community here has been an enormous source of encouragement and support.
    Have you personally been to Ravello or is the setting based on research?
    Ravello is an inspiration – without it there’d be no stories! I’ve been there several times, albeit my writing is also supported by a lot of desk-based research. Over the years I have explored Ravello extensively, although there’s always more to discover in the mountainous hinterland. La Bella Vacanza is based directly on my first visit when I was a teenager – albeit without the exciting poolside encounter, sadly!
    What is your favorite part of Italian living/culture to write about?
    I think the thing that fascinated me about the place, which ultimately led me to write The Summer of the Firefly, was the wonderfully friendly, welcoming and family-centric culture, which conceals a strongly conservative streak that could be problematic for LGBTQ+ people. In a quiet, safe place like Ravello (I can’t speak for the big cities so much), children in particular seemed to live a free, idyllic sort of life that I admired and envied – but I could see potential trouble ahead for the queer ones. The other things I love about the place – the food, the scenery and all the other sights, sounds, smells and colours –  they were just a bonus!
    La Bella Vacanza is a story somewhat set apart from your series. What prompted this plot?
    Having read and absolutely loved Comicality’s hilarious but touching unfinished story Jesse-101, I wanted to have a go at writing something more comedic. The best and freshest way to do this seemed to be by bringing in an outside perspective (Reza) and telling the story in a deliberately lightweight and frothy sort of way (a summer holiday). The decision to set the story back in time and bring Reza into contact with the main characters from The Summer of the Firefly when they were still young had a double rationale: Gianni and Angelo seemed like the natural choice of characters for Reza to meet and banter with, and I also – just possibly – may have longer term plans for Reza as a character that necessitated this temporary time-shift.
    Is there a favorite line or section of this story you love the most?
    Probably any scene where Gianni and Angelo are laughing together (free of angst for once) and teasing Reza about his friendship with Otto. It may be a little overdone and repetitive, but what can I say – unlike my other work, La Bella Vacanza was a speed-writing project!
    Can you share anything about your current or upcoming work with readers?
    My work at GA is on hold for the moment while I have a second go at writing a children’s novel. However, I do have some ideas for a possible follow-up to Lanterns in the Dark. The story would probably be set during the following spring or summer. There’s a lot still to decide – I don’t even know yet who the main point-of-view character will be, whether it will be one of my teenage characters as usual, an adult for a change or maybe a bit of both.
    Stay tuned!
  15. Cia

    2022 Anthology: Anniversary Week 3 *Now Live*

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Who's ready for week 3 of the Anniversary Anthology story releases? Last week we celebrated GA's 20th Anniversary, and we're not done yet! We've had 2 weeks of great stories, and we have 2 more to go! It's been awesome to see the participation from our readers and authors, so thank you to everyone! I hope you will all continue to enjoy the stories shared by our great authors on the theme of "Anniversary". 
     
  16. Cia
    Happy September reading! If you aren't already engrossed in a story or series, I have the best recommendation for you. Every so often I love to hit upon my favorite genres, and these stories are right up my alley. Angels, Cupids, and Death. Which are the snarkiest? I'm not gonna tell! You have to read to find out.
    Ooh... someone's in trouble! Who is it? To read more, or catch up on the gist of things click here
  17. Cia
    This month's feature story by Aditus was co-authored with Timothy M, and it does require reading of 2 other series of fantasy tales. I had to feature it though because it's just too good not to! Have you read any of them? If not, hopefully this preview make you want to if you haven't already! 

    Length: 32,788
    Description: Sablo and Diego are brothers and Guardian Angels. Sablo has found his true love with the Cupid Theliel, but worries about his brother. Especially when he finds out Death is stalking Diego.
    A reader said: A wonderful collaboration from two great authors who have combined fascinating worlds for this supernatural adventure. It has it all... memorable characters, unexpected twists and turns, romance, and 'devilish' humor. I highly recommend this unique endeavor and cast of characters. Cheers! ~ Headstall
    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!
  18. Cia

    2022 Anthology: Anniversary Week 2 *Now Live*

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Welcome back to Week 2 of our special 2022 Anthology themed Anniversary! Thank you to all the authors who shared stories for us to post last week and all the readers who took the time to read, like, comment, and review. Of course we're back with even more variety for you to enjoy. Keep up the enthusiasm and show your appreciation for these takes on the theme of Anniversary!
     
  19. Cia

    2022 Anthology: Anniversary *Now Live*

    By Cia,


    Anthologies
    Well, on this 20th anniversary year of GA we wanted to get at least 20 Anniversary-themed stories to feature for our 2022 Anthology, and our authors pulled through and then some! We have short stories, long stories, poetry, and exploratory fiction. This month of September (which just so happens to my anniversary month on GA & in real life!) we have stories that will go live every single Thursday for readers to enjoy. Make sure you check here for links to each one! 
    Enjoy these Anniversaries! 
  20. Cia

    September CSR Feature: La Bella Vacanza by James Carnarvon

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Can you believe it's already September? I can't! So to go back to that holiday feeling, I've featured La Bella Vacanza by James Carnarvon. This story is linked to his series, but somewhat of an aside, so you can read it and enjoy a sampling of the tales. 
    La Bella Vacanza
    by @James Carnarvon
    Length: 22,202
    Description: A light-hearted novella in seven short chapters.
    Sixteen-year-old Reza thinks he knows it all until his parents drag him away on a summer holiday to Ravello on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, where a chance encounter by the hotel pool proves to be an education…
    A reader said: Ravello is a magical place for a vacation.  Reza sets out to make his parents understand how put out he is to be away from friends, to visit this foreign town where nothing happens.  Ravello and its magic slowly transforms Reza. He discovers an entirely different world, different perspectives and very surprising things about himself.  This is a delightful, short summer read, and a great introduction to the other Ravello books. ~ Raven1
    Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, September 26th!
  21. Cia

    August CSR Discussion Day: The Seventh Wing by Dark

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    August flew right on by, and if you were a science fiction geek like me, or if you love dragons, you enjoyed reading about the flying in Dark's Pern fanfiction, The Seventh Wing, that was featured earlier this month. Make sure you share your thoughts in a comment below his interview! 
    If you were an animal, what would you be? 
    Vampire Deer
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 
    Read, read, read!  I also sing in a choir and paint DnD miniatures for my brother and his players
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story? 
    I would have said Alaska, but I live there now, so I my next wish is Australia or New Zealand.
    If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing, what would it be? 
    Don't be the dad in Back to the Future.  Be bold and let people read your stories.
    What’s the first thing you do when you start to write a story? 
    Backgrounds and settings, like what does the place look like?  any important, relevant history?  cultural norms?  and a basic outline.  But most of my stories realistically start with a scene that just plays on repeat in my head.  I write it down to stop the madness and then get into the details.  I love making the details, even if I don't end up using them (see the extra files for Waylon's Crossing as a prime example).
    When did you first read one of Anne McCaffrey’s stories? 
    I think I was in 6th grade, maybe younger.  My mom loved Pern and had saved up her money to buy the People of Pern book, with all the images of what the main characters were supposed to look like, painted by a real artist and then pictures were made into the book.  My sister and I were both there that day and kept asking "who is this?" type of questions and getting her to tell us about each character.  My sister and I found it so fascinating, we eventually begged to have access to our mom's books to read them ourselves.  Besides:  dragons!  I was hooked at the idea of people riding dragons.
    What was the hardest part of writing a fanfiction story? The easiest? 
    The hardest part was sticking to the POV originally chosen.  I hated it, LOL, but I didn't know that at the time I started writing.  If I had to re-do it, that would be the first thing I'd change.  I ultimately felt a bit caged and wanted to explore more sides of the story.  The easiest part was actually the characters.  They were based on people I knew and loved, friends and coworkers.  It's funny that one of the comments I received on it said that he didn't like how F'rian was acting so girlish.  I had a good laugh, because that guy ... he was a good friend but he drove me absolutely bonkers with his attitudes and behaviors, and I'd had the exact same thought when I first met him!  I never did get to a point where I could predict what he was going to do or say or behave.
    If you were to Impress, what color dragon would you hope for? 
    I would want a green because they're fiesty and have attitude, and they're small like me.  But, knowing myself and how everyone knows me as the steady, dependable type, I'd probably Impress a brown.  Which is cool, because I prefer being the right-hand of the leader.  I can be the person in charge and I often do very well, but I prefer to be the power behind the throne and deal with a much smaller sandbox.
    Do you have a favorite scene or line from The Seventh Wing? 
    There were several scenes based around the flying games that spun me into this story.  Many did not survive the final version, but I had a background in ROTC, marching band, and various other types of similar exhibitions and I had dancing dragons in my head for months, flying those routines I'd seen (and been a part of) on the ground.  And there was one scene where G'day found out F'rian designed the wing's patterns.  That was the one I envisioned where he really started seeing F'rian as more than just a pretty (if exasperating) face.
    If you were to write The Seventh Wing again, would you change anything?
    I think I mentioned this earlier.... but to be frank, this is very early writing for me and there's loads I would want to do better.
  22. Cia

    August CSR Feature: The Seventh Wing by Dark

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    How do you feel about dragons? They're some of my favorites! I also love to feature all different kinds of stories for the CSR. Established authors, promoted, new authors, brand new stories or stories that are the latest in a long list of author's backlist. Dark said that was the first specific MM fanfic of Anne McCaffrey's Pern stories written and shared on GA, and I thought it'd be good to return to the series roots. What did you think of it?! 
    The Seventh Wing
    by @Dark
    Length: 75,572
    Description: This is a fan-fiction based on Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series. This is kind of an Alternate Universe, because this takes place shortly before the 4th Pass and there is no canon to base this on -- which is precisely why I chose it!
    Author Note: You may think this story is trash (and you may be right) but I will always love it because this was the first story I wrote explicitly for M/M. I had done some small fan-fics to try it, but this is the one that convinced me. This is the story that led me towards rediscovering my own gender/sexuality and falling in love with the gay stories genre. This story is the beginning.
    A Reader Said: So in the end, so to speak, patience and tenderness overcame a long history of abuse.  This story was well written, but I wish there had been a little more history built into it in some way.  The story flowed well, for the most part, and moved the characters forward in a way that felt natural and right.  A little more character development might have been nice, or instead of the authors notes, maybe a more detailed information on who was in the book.   ~centexhairysub
    Don't forget to come back and share your thoughts on Monday, August 29th! 
  23. Cia

    July CSR Discussion Day: Him in the Dust by James Matthews

    By Cia,


    CSR- Can't Stop Reading
    Welcome to the last Monday of the month. I hope it's gone well for you, and if not, you're here not to enjoy this interview 😉 with @James Matthews and share your thoughts on his story, Him in the Dust. Don't be shy now!! 
    Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
    I really had to think about this question before giving an honest answer. I'd say my bed is unmade most of the time. I do like to get into a made bed as I'm sure we all do so on a weekend I usually make it as Saturday is housework day. But I'm going to have to come up with a classic answer, and that is I just don't have time in the mornings.
    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
    I like to do as little as possible if I'm honest. When I'm not working I like to chill out and eat through a Netflix series. Right now I am playing Death Stranding on the PS4 (I like to play games as well). I try to keep fit by exercising at home with an app I use from the internet. So fitness is quite enjoyable if you have good music to do it with. And of course reading. I do surprisingly very little of it, but if you ever can't sleep, read.
    What’s one location you’d love to go to research for a story?
    There are two places I'd love to go research for a book. One place I've been to three times and that's Egypt. The other is the Utah. With the latter I find the landscape amazing and I fell in love with the place after seeing a documentary presented there.
    What brought you to GA?
    I can't even remember. I would like to give you an exciting answer but I'm sure it was just a case of stumbling across it, hmmm. I was hosting a couple of my books over on IOMFATS and I think someone from there told me about GA It was tip off or a stumble, I can't remember ha!. I will big up the site and say it's the only place where you get consistent quality. I think authors put a lot of effort in on this site and it shows. I like the fact that as an author GA gives you almost complete control over your work and how it is presented. Nowhere else does that.
    What’s the best part of being an author?
    There is one thing, and that is expression. To be able to express yourself through a novel or a poem is the most rewarding thing about writing. I used to write for readers, and I used to write stuff that I thought people would like. Now I write for me, and hope that the reader can enjoy my work too. I'm so grateful and humbled that I have a loyal readership. Those people I know by name who read my stuff - It's great when they get really onboard and excited with a story. Each novel I write I try to tear a little bit of my life out of my mind and add it to the book somehow. Writing is also a way for me to heal from the bad time I had as a gay kid growing up. Anyone who has, or is reading my stuff knows I throw in a lot of mental health topics and give my characters the problems and issues I had. That is healing!
    You stated there have been a lot of wars in your author note on the story. How did you pick the time period and war to write about?
    Everyone will have their own views on the war in Iraq and you could debate forever on whether it was a good thing or bad, right or wrong. But I found that time fascinating. I also think it was the first time where the media really got involved in a war to this scale. It was on the TV 24 hours a day, live, and nothing like that had ever been shown to the public before. There was also the relationship dynamic between Bush and Blair, the USA and the UK - we had never been so close... so together! It was a controversial time, and I think in a nutshell I chose this time, and this war because I followed it from day one. I remember those first explosions when the UK and US bombed the palaces.
    I did my best to get accurate information and put it in the book, and I would be really proud if anyone who served in the armed forces read it and said yeah, that's just what it was like. Because I spent hours researching before I wrote a single word at some points in the book. But it was a rewarding book to write.
    Which character from Him in the Dust do you most identify with and why?
    That's a good question. and a hard one. I am nothing like Sebastian, we're totally different personalities. I'd say Jack. He was the funny one and I was always the class clown trying to make people laugh. Jack is a softie and loves everyone. I think that's more me than any other character.
    What is your favorite part of Him in the Dust?
    I liked the slow, almost accidental coupling of Seb and Lukas. I also love the fact that the more war they saw, the closer they got. They needed eachother in a few different ways.
    Can you sum up this story in one sentence?
    RAW
    Do you have anything to share about your current or upcoming work with readers?
    Luke Hanson's Mind and Punishment (a play on Crime and Punishment) is my current project. That will be complete probably by the end of July. D'you know, I keep thinking about doing something set in ancient Egypt with the protagonist being a Pharaoh.... alive around the middle kingdom period perhaps. It's been whirling around in my mind for ages. I've never attempted something like that before, I mean, I just write romance and drama!! So it might turn out crap! haha. So yeah, apart from that nothing on the books the moment. I find many readers asking writers for sequels. I guess they are easier to write because you've already built the world, now you just have to carry those characters to another place or time. But sequels don't do much for me anymore. I want to try new stuff and push myself harder to get out of my comfort zone.  
  25. Cia
    As the year begins to turn, I thought what better than to bring a story all about changing. It's not an easy read, but it is a worthwhile one that hits you in the feels. Please check out this month's Classic Author feature, and don't forget to leave a comment. 

    Length: 92,791
    Description: Matt Stevens is a normal sixteen-year-old. He goes to school and makes good grades. Even though he is being raised in an extremely religious home, he manages to do well. Then, unexpectedly, his life takes an abrupt turn late one night when his best friend, Ricky, kisses him while wrestling on the bed. Matt starts to question his own sexuality, and he begins to realize he is gay. His life starts to spiral out of control, leading to many unexpected twists and turns.
    A reader said: I really enjoyed this series. Through trials and tribulations, Matt forged forward to build his family outside of his given one. Sometimes to achieve happiness, you must not look back, which was what Matt ultimately decided. ~ J.El
    If you want to spread the word about Ronyx'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!
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