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Renee Stevens

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  1. Renee Stevens
    I always look forward to seeing what our prompt guru Comicfan comes up with for the weekly prompt. As always, he once again delivers. I really hope some of you decide to take a gamble at one or both of these prompts. If you do, don't forget to share them in the Writing Prompt Forum!
     
    Prompt 214 – Creative
    Tag – The Vacation
    You were hired to create the perfect vacation spot. There is only one little problem with the whole thing. What is it?
     
    Prompt 215 – Creative
    Tag – The Blind Date
    Your family and friends have decided it is past time for you to find someone and settle down. They have set you up with someone they all agree is the perfect person for you. Is this the beginning of a wonderful romance or the blind date from hell?
     
    Each week, we pick a prompt from a previous week. Joann414 took a chance on one of the prompts for last week, hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
     
    Prompt 213: "You want me to do what?"
  2. Renee Stevens
    As some might have noticed, I have taken a more active role in the GA News Blog. I will continue to do so while Robert (aka Trebs) is taking care of his health and wish him all the best in his recovery. With that being said, I don't know about anyone else, but I always enjoy having a story brought to my attention that I haven't yet read. That's what Monday's on the Gay Authors News Blog is all about. Whether it's as part of the CSR Book Club or whether it's in the form of a review. Today, we've been given a review by YettieOne of Layla's story "Guitars and Crossdressers." We hope you enjoy this review and if you haven't already checked out the story, why not go check it out now! Also, if there's a story you have enjoyed, why not review it for the blog? We're always looking for reviews!



     

    Guitars and Crossdressers
    By
    Layla

     

    Reviewer: YettieOne
    Status: In Process
    Word Count: 68,586
     

    Last week I decided I wanted to find something by someone I’d never read before, and something that didn’t normally appeal to my sense of reading choices. I find it is good to spice it up every once in a while, get a different flavour from a new writer, or just have an adventure with something new.
     
    In this instance it was the Crossdressers element of the title of this story that caught my attention, and as something I’ve never really understood or ventured into as a gay man I decided to give this story a go.
     
    Well, I can honestly say I am pretty glad I did, for I’ve been caught up in one of the most extraordinary sagas of drama and intrigue that I’ve come across in a long time.
     
    The author, Layla, manages to rope you into a seductively alluring story that quietly builds the tension, taking the reader on a voyage of discovery as we find out about the life, joys, hurts, ups and downs of Asher and his family.
     
    We are introduced to four brothers who have come through a tough childhood, had to face the trials of the loss of their mother and brother, an alcoholic father, a brother on the run, and a life lived close to borderline of poverty. We meet the central character, one of the middle brothers, Asher who’s caught up in a world of denial, guilt, abuse and self loathing that makes his angst real, vivid and alive for the reader.
     
    His brothers are a mixed bunch of delinquents, who have survived any way they can, yet maintain a core loyalty that is often found in families where kids have had to learn to stand together to survive the loneliness and isolation of a difficult and trying childhood. The wonderful thing I found in each character is despite their dark side, they each have a rough edge to their characters, a sense of realism that makes each person leap off the screen and become alive in your minds eye.
     
    Layla’s use of words is interesting, emotive and damn right clever to say the least. The plot is never simple, weaving with twists and unexpected events, turns and wonderful little hiccups that you are able to relate too, chuckle about, an adventure you rapidly become a part of as you read.
     
    I love the way I’ve become lost in the characters of the story. I feel a need to see them survive, become more in life and find happiness. They are rogues, hard guys bread to be tough, survive in a world of liquor, drugs and prostitution, life on the streets, or just off of it. It is a tale of love won and lost, a boys fear, ripping apart the only thing that truly brought him happiness, and the downwards spiral into depression as a result of lies and half truths.
     
    Yet there is hope, sparks of genuine goodness in the men that we follow along this journey. They are not perfect, but they are gems all the same. I’ve loved discovering the ins and outs of their lives, the trips to Mexico, the brother that’s into woman’s clothing, the nephew that is so sweet and innocent you just want to cuddle him.
     
    There is a father figure in Morgan, a kind soul who is an icon of all those that love and care, even when it is tough love. There is a speed demon Granny, the kind we all wish we’d had, a kitten you can’t help but fall in love with, and all the sweet rides that a motorcycle fan could wish for.
     
    I’m not going to use spoilers from the story, but I will say this. If it is something fresh, a little different, even though it deals with difficult subject matters, the ugliness of life at times, and the stark realities of depression and self harm, then this is a story that will woo you and capture your heart. Before you know it, you’ll be a fan like the dozens of other readers that follow every new chapter with baited breath. I hope that like me, you find as many reasons to enjoy, follow and rate this story.
  3. Renee Stevens

    Writing Tip: Less Is More

    By Renee Stevens,


    Writing Tips
    Libby Drew has been great in providing us with content for the GA News Blog and continues to bring us some wonderful articles on the art of writing. I hope you all enjoy this lesson that she took the time to put together for us.


    Less is More


     

    That thing I say all the time, how less is more? It applies to your characters too.
     
    Less detail makes for more believable characters.
     
    Carlton entered the room. Six feet tall, broad-shouldered, he wore a finely tailored three-piece pinstriped suit that cost more than my monthly salary. His shoes glowed. I could even see my face reflected in the black patent leather. His coiffed hair was as flawless as his impeccably trimmed fingernails and gold cufflinks. In one hand, he carried a black BOSS briefcase, and in the other, the newest iPhone. He slapped the case on the table, acknowledging no one until he’d thumbed the screen through several emails, making it clear his time was far more precious than anyone else’s. As he slipped out of his suit jacket, a waft of Clive Christian No. 1 drifted towards me, mixing with the odor of leather and heavy paper stock. This is what money smells like, I thought.
     
    I know some of you are probably thinking: What’s bad about this? I mean, that’s a thorough description. Vivid. Detailed.
     
    Maybe. But the above description also takes something precious away from the reader. Every time we attempt to flesh out a full, unambiguous picture of a character, we leave no flexibility for that reader to add his own details. And it’s those personalized, reader-inserted details that will bring your story to life.
     
    Broad strokes—that’s all a reader needs. It’s less important to describe whether a character has brown or blue eyes than it is for the reader to understand what kind of person they are and, from that, how they might act in a given situation.
     
    Rely on a reader’s preconceived notions.
     
    These notions are a vast, often untapped, tool for the writer. Capitalize on them. Use stereotypes to draw readers in. Yes, stereotypes.
     
    It’s not a comfortable idea, is it? Because in the real world, there is always more to someone than a stereotype. Yet by using them, you can establish in one or two sentences most of what the reader needs to know about a character. It won’t be a complete picture, which is fine. It’s a framework, one which you build upon as the story progresses.
     
    So instead of all that detail (points above), aim for less:
     
    Carlton walked into the room, the epitome of rich banker. I know the type. Too self-important to give you the time of day, or even put you above whatever new fascinating app had just hit his iPhone. He reeked of money.
     
    How does less detail increase believability?
     
    Why do we even describe characters at all? So whoever is reading the story will feel and believe certain things about them.
     
    Stereotypes work precisely because they leave more to readers’ imaginations. If I say a character “looks like a CEO of some major bank,” readers form a mental image of all the banking CEO’s they’ve ever known, met, or seen. And whatever image they make for themselves will be the most believable to them. It may be different from what you, the writer, envisioned, but it will be 100% believable to the reader.
     
    Use preconceptions to create believability; use details to create depth.
     
    A stereotype brings a wealth of details to the reader’s mind. Many of those details are predictable, and you can use them to your benefit.
     
    The rest of the story should be used to build on those details. Here is where your vivid and colorful descriptions belong. His hair. His shoes. His briefcase. Maybe your CEO takes advantage of his corporation’s gym. He’s fit, stomach tight and flat, because appearance matters to someone in his position. His skin, however, is pale to the point of translucence. He doesn’t get out of his office much. In fact, his last vacation was two years ago this past Christmas.
     
    As your story progresses, build on your original stereotype. (Just not all at once.) Be careful not to contradict what your readers have already assumed. Don’t, for example, have your banking CEO leave for work in shorts and a T-shirt every day. That might work at Apple, but probably not at Wells Fargo. However, if there is something that sets your character apart from his or her stereotype, mention it early or, even better, immediately. Don’t give readers a chance to cement a character trait in their heads that might be false. Especially if that “difference” is integral to your plot.
     
    What it comes down to…
     
    You get a reader’s deep buy-in, their suspension of disbelief, by tapping their preconceptions and forcing them to imagine their own details. And you do that by giving only the minimum necessary to guide them to your story-relevant stereotype.
     
    You get depth by carefully layering small additional details on top of the stereotype, like shiny shoes and a BOSS briefcase.
     
    Less is more because when you include too much detail, you’re telling your readers how to envision the character, rather than showing them how to envision the character for themselves. You, the writer, will never be able to tell them anything that’s as convincing and believable as what they invent on their own, or what you lead them to invent through the use of their own preconceptions.
     
    ~Libby
  4. Renee Stevens

    Wacky Wednesday: Ask An Author #1

    By Renee Stevens,


    Author Interviews
    Dark came to us a while ago about an idea he had to ask some of the authors here the questions that readers were wondering. We thought it was a great idea and will now be doing a once a month feature of Ask an Author. If you have a question that you have been wanting to ask an author and, for one reason or another, haven't already asked, let Dark know and maybe he'll be able to get that answer for you! Without further ado, let's look at the first feature of Ask an Author!


    Ask an Author #1


     
    You login, you surf over to your favorite website, and you say hello, but who are you really talking to? We read, we review (sometimes!), and we write, but who’s on the other side of that screen? Talking to authors can be intimidating and if you actually corral one, it always seems that the perfect question doesn’t emerge until after the window of opportunity has closed.
     
    The wheels grind slowly, but a solution has arrived!
     
    In this series, random questions from GA members have been shot out to various authors here on GA. Those authors have the opportunity to either decline or answer, and the answers are just as quirky as the questions. This shall be a fun way to learn a little more about some of the folks here on GA.
     
    In AtA #1, the authors are: furnishedsoul, podiumdavis, and CassieQ.
    For their protection, the members who asked these questions shall remain nameless (unless they choose to reveal themselves). Please note that all author replies are copied as is, spelling errors and grammar eccentricities original to the individual.
     
    Our first author, furnishedsoul, has been a member for just over a year. He has a degree in English Lit and is currently in grad school. He has 2 stories currently in progress here on GA Stories, both with likeable teenaged main characters struggling through the ups and downs of life.


    To furnishedsoul: How did you come up with your writing style for “That Feeling.” ie. Is it natural or learned?  

    It's both, I think. I feel most comfortable writing in first person, whether it's literally my voice or someone else's (as is the case with That Feeling); just letting the words come out as they do, then carefully editing them for maximum impact. Like any writing that's worth reading, there has to be some kind of learning curve to get there, though. I mostly learned to write by reading vigorously and widely, then emulating writers I liked by telling my stories in their style until I found something my own. I won't say I'm fully there yet, but I am slowly finding a voice that fits me and gives voice to what goes on in my head.  
    The next author, podiumdavis, reaches his 1 year milestone next month! He’s been busy this past year posting 3 stories, two of which are posted in full. His most recent story is the popular The Journey of Jacob and Kyle.


    To podiumdavis: You seem to be very invested in your writing here on GA, but only admitted a few weeks ago (circa Nov 2012) that you had a girlfriend. Why were you so hesitant to admit your sexuality on such an accepting site?  

    Well as my profile says, I'm Bi-sexual. So that's been pretty much out in the open. Nonetheless, my fears have always been the same. If one were to think, like I have, gay people, transgendered, bisexual, this or that, have always been persecuted one way or another; bullying, name calling, bitterness, rejection. In life, no matter who you are, we put these masks on to try and hide our true selves, and until one actually can feel apart of a community, may that be in real life or not, then those masks tend to stay up. My main fear was that while I have declared that I am bisexual, that any credence to my writing would be lost; which is something I didn't want to happen. I believe in my writing whole-heartedly, and this community and I felt to some extent that I needed to be transparent, and for that, I felt liberated and accepted. But as a side note, part of my secrecy lay with a traumatic experience that happened with a reader last year that has kept me very hush hush on any real details about my life.  
    Our next author, CassieQ, has been a member of GA for almost two years. If you didn’t hear much from her lately, that’s probably because she’s a crazy football fan. No doubt, she was glued to the TV watching the Superbowl. Her series Not the Sun is 3 books and going strong.


    To CassieQ: Do you feel challenged on a more or less gay males site, and have you ever questioned why you are here?  

    I don't think I feel more challenged on a gay males site than I would on any other site. I started writing stories about gay characters around the same time that I started posting online, but this is the first site that I've come across that has a large gay male readership. I do think it can be a little more intimidating being on a site that has a lot of gay male readers, because I want to make sure that my readers would be able to identify with my characters and story. I have never questioned why I was here either...I like to read stories about gay men, I like to write stories about gay men, so why would I want to be anywhere else?  
    That’s it for now! For more info on these authors, go check out their stories, post in their forums, and/or catch them in chat!
     
    Coming next time: Graeme, Andrew Todd, and Joann414.
     
    Want to ask your favorite author a question? Simply PM me (Dark) and/or post a comment below.
     
    Until next time!
     
    Dark
  5. Renee Stevens
    So, the title says it all, I'm annoyed and frustrated. At myself more than anything else at this point. I sit here day after day and try and write. I pull up one story after another and every single one I just stare at for a few minutes before moving onto another one. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to write. Well, at least nothing worth reading.
     
    I have been determined that I was going to get some stories out this year and I've got so many good starts, but that's all they are, starts. Some are upwards of 5 or 6K and there's even one that if I remember right, is up to nearly 12K, but they're stalled. I have probably a dozen or more stories in some form of completion on my computer, including two completed stories that need revised. Usually if I can't write new material I can go to a story that needs revision and get something done. I mean, the story is already there, it's just a matter of tweaking things here and there. This time, even that's a no go.
     
    I really want to do a story for the spring anthology but that is nothing more than a disaster. I have dozens of ideas floating in my head, but then I sit down at the computer and write about two lines and then scrap the idea. Just can't get my head around anything to actually make it go anywhere.
     
    What's even more frustrating is that this is NOT like me. In the past, whenever I've had a lot of stuff going on, I was able to turn to my writing as a release. I could sit down and lose myself in a story for a couple of hours. Writing has always been an escape for me and a way to cope with life when it seems like nothing is going write. At the moment, even that is denied me.
     
    I don't know, maybe one day my muse will just jump up and bite me in the ass, but at this point, I'm seriously doubting it. I've tried to do the prompts to get me out of whatever funk I'm in, but either I write a couple hundred words and scrap it or I write nearly 4k and then get stuck.
     
    *UGH* Hopefully I'll get whatever this is worked out and will be able to finish Forging Trust and perhaps even get a couple new stories out there. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
  6. Renee Stevens
    I don't know about everyone else out there, but I always look forward to Fridays. Not just because its the start to the weekend, but because every Friday our resident prompt guru Comicfan brings us two new prompts! I couldn't tell you how many of these prompts I have started writing something for only to decide it needs to be continued. I have at least six prompts began on my computer. Maybe one these days I'll get them finished. Until then though, check out the new prompts and share them in the Writing Prompts forum.
     
    Prompt 208 – Creative
    Tag – The Medium
    Well, your life hasn’t exactly been going as you wished. One day you go for lunch at the local restaurant only to have a young woman begin to pass your table and turn suddenly. She turns pale before she grabs your hand. What is it this medium has to tell you that has her so scared?
     
    Prompt 209 – Creative
    Tag – Spring
    Choose any aspect of the season you want and write about it.
     
    I'm apparently not the only one who has trouble with letting prompts end. This week we're featuring another prompt response from Wicked Witch. This time he has taken a crack at Prompt #206: There is a long standing story that if any of the fairy folk ask you to dance, never say yes. Unfortunately you never liked to listen to people and you said yes. What happens when you are finally done with the dance?" Once again, it's an awesome story and Wicked must have thought so as well, because he's going to continue it into a two or three chapter story!
     

    That's just a little snippet of the story. Want to read more of it? Check it out here!
  7. Renee Stevens
    We're always looking for stuff for our Wacky Wednesday and this time, Cia came through with this piece on Character Interviews. Enjoy!!


    Character Interviews



    by Cia


     

    I recently answered a tip request with some information regarding character interviews and I thought I’d take it site wide, so to speak. When you write a story, especially anything approaching novel length, you need to make it as vivid as possible for readers to keep them interested. One way to hook readers is through character realism, even if you’re writing a story about werewolves, aliens, zombies, or ghosts.
     
    To make the character believable, you have to make them relatable. They need to be ‘real’, all the way down to the small details. In order to do that, I tend to do character interviews. I might not sit down right away and write these out for every character at the start of a story, but I often try to come up with one as soon as the character cooperates. Yes, I know that sounds a tad Sybil, but it’s true! Sometimes the characters in my head talk.
     
    When that happens, I grab my interview questions and get their details. I’ve a whole file full of different types of questions and I scroll through them to see what my character feels like answering. For example:
    What is your character’s greatest extravagance? Where would your character like to live? What is the trait your character most deplores in himself? Does your character have a birthmark? Where is it? What about scars? How did he get them? What makes your character laugh out loud? Who are the people your character is closest to? Who does he wish he were closest to? What is in your character’s refrigerator right now? On her bedroom floor? On her nightstand? In her garbage can? It’s Saturday at noon. What is your character doing? Give details. If he’s eating breakfast, what exactly does he eat? If she’s stretching out in her backyard to sun, what kind of blanket or towel does she lie on? What is your character’s educational background? What would most embarrass your character?

    Once I’ve gotten the aspects of their character down, or as much as they’ll give me, I’m ready to slot those details into the story.
     

    I can take my alien that can’t stand light and make him adore flowers, but mourn that the most beautiful rarely blossom at night. My jock might be large and a bit brash as he rules the school, but he also adores his older sister and jumps to help her whenever he can. I might have a character love ice cream but be unable to eat it due to a medical condition so he steals small bites from his partner. A friend might be an emotional support for the main character and love his wife to pieces, but be unable to stand his mother in law.
     
    I can take a business man and make him hate wearing a suit and tie so on weekends he wears basketball shorts and tank tops. An extroverted college age character might secretly write emo poetry about death due to a loved one’s suicide, and he hides his poem book behind a shelf of bio-chem textbooks. Maybe he wears that loved one’s sweatshirt when he writes the poetry, wishing it still smelled like whatever cologne the loved one used to wear.
     
    For a plot like that, I might do an abbreviated interview for my supporting character. It might not be as in depth as my main character’s interview but I’d do the basics, age, appearance, motivations in life … things like that. I don’t need to know everything about a supporting character but there are certain small elements, like what cologne they might have worn, that can be introduced in a small way that isn’t a distraction for the reader but helps them connect in a sensory way, which makes the story more vivid.
     
    Stories are all about the details. How much you share with readers dictates how they perceive and experience the world we create for them. You don’t have to hit them over the head with every mundane detail but a small difference between telling the reader the character had breakfast, or had their favorite breakfast of toast with peanut butter, can make a big impact on a scene. And in the end, we all want our stories to have that impact. That’s what makes the readers come back for more!
     
    For those who are interested, I have .doc copies of my interview lists for characters. If you’d like your own, please PM me and I’d be happy to share. For those readers of this blog who have not yet been brave enough to join, go ahead and email me at: cia@gayauthors.org
  8. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: No Strings

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Before we move on to the featured story for the week, I'd like to remind everyone that the first GA's CSR Book Club discussion will take place on Monday, January 28th, 2013. The story to be read is Memories of Forgotten Love by Hosted Author: Nephylim. You can find the story pinned under the GA Stories tab. We would like to start the discussion with a review, so if anyone out there would like to write a review, or a couple of paragraphs about the story, then please PM Renee Stevens.
     
    Now, onto this week's story. This week we are featuring a story by Promising Author: KingdombytheSea called "No Strings". It was written for the 2012 Summer Anthology and it certainly fits the theme. Hope you enjoy this review and that it makes you want to go and read the story for yourself!


    No Strings
    By
    KingdombytheSea
    2012 Summer Anthology: Choices

    Reviewer: Renee Stevens
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 10,993
     

    I’ve read all the stories by Promising Author: KingdombytheSea and I’ve enjoyed each of them in different ways. I decided to take a second look at one of her stories for today’s blog post. I decided to focus on “No Strings” for no other reason than it sounded interesting.
     
    “No Strings” follows best friends Kristina and Josh. Kristina has decided that she wants to have sex for the first time and has long decided that Josh is the one she wants for a little bit of ‘no strings’ sex. Josh is thoroughly against it, but doesn’t have the courage to tell her that it’s because he’s gay. When Josh turns her down, Kristina comes up with another plan. Unfortunately for Josh, he still plays a major role in his best friend’s quest. Unfortunately for them, or maybe fortunately (depending on how you look at it), Kristina’s plan doesn’t go quite how she expected.
     
    I don’t tend to read a lot of stories about high school aged characters, but I thoroughly enjoy Sara’s writing and this story was no different. The story flows extremely well and there were multiple times when I couldn’t stop the chuckles. The way that Kristina and Josh play off each other was entertaining all by itself, add the rest to it and it made for a wonderful read.
     
    If you haven’t already read “No Strings” by KingdombytheSea then I strongly suggest that you do so, even if you don’t typically read stories of high school age characters. If you do take a look at it, please take a few minutes to leave Sara a review letting her know what you thought of it! Enjoy!
  9. Renee Stevens
    The last few months have been interesting to say the least and the ending of 2012 was not in the least what I was expecting. As anyone who reads my blog already knows, the first part of December my brother was diagnosed with 4th stage Leukemia. Let me tell you, that really threw me for a loop. He is fighting and has already gone through his first two rounds of Chemotherapy and with any luck, he'll only have four more rounds to go. He wasn't doing too bad after the first round, but the second round he had a bit rougher week.
     
    It hit our family extremely hard, not just for the obvious reasons. My brother is a fighter, and if anyone can kick this, it's him. Our hope is that he is able to get into remission, which in this instance essentially means that it won't be detectable by today's technology. The bad news is, since there is no cure, it's very likely that he'll be facing relapses in the future, and if that happens, they'll be looking at a bone marrow transplant. So obviously, while we were extremely distressed to learn that he is so sick, for a lot of my family it was also a case of we can't go through this again.
     
    While I can't speak for the rest of my family, all that kept going through my mind besides my brother being sick is that I couldn't lose another brother. Yes, there are times I am overly dramatic, but this time, that was my greatest fear. When I was thirteen I lost one of my brother's to a car accident, so hearing that my oldest brother had cancer, it terrified me. I was trying so hard to be strong for my parents and my brother, but once I got alone or alone with my hubby, I couldn't keep it up. I'm still terrified that I'll be losing yet another brother, but I'm trying extremely hard to be positive. I am so lucky that I have had the support group that I have, many of them friends of mine from here at GA.
     
    When we got the news, I could barely function. I certainly was too out of it to even think about the things that I needed to get done on GA, but I was extremely lucky to have people who were not only able, but willing to step in and take on my responsibilities while I came to grips with what was going on around me. I don't want to risk forgetting anyone, so all I'm going to say is that for those who stepped in to help me out when I needed it, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate it more than you know, especially since many of you were going through your own stuff.
     
    Another side effect of the emotional upheaval is that I haven't been able to write. I have ideas. I plan entire scenes in my head. Then I sit down to write and just stare at the screen. For those of you who were/are following Forging Trust, I promise that I will be finishing that story, I'm just not sure at this point when that is going to happen. I am trying to work through the funk and am trying to work on prompts to see if that helps me break through, but only time will tell. I do at least have something posted as I had finished a story for Premium last year and it is now being posted.
     
    Now with that out of the way, here are some of my goals/hopes for this year:
     
    Finish many of my in progress stories
    I have so many stories began on my computer. I'm hoping to be able to not only finish Forging Trust, but to also finish up some of the other in progress stories.

    Revise and self-publish "Life after Loss"
    "Life After Loss" was the first story I ever completed. As such, it needs a lot of work and I plan to work on that in the very near future. It's a M/F story, but I'm hoping to self-publish it and put the majority, if not all, proceeds towards my brother's medical bills and/or bills. It's something I can do, and while it may not make them or myself rich, every little bit helps.

    Receive word that the cancer is in remission
    This is by far the most important to me, and don't think there's any need for me to go into further detail.

    Become more active on GA
    The first step is stepping back into my position of Anthology CoOrdinator. Cia did a great job stepping in for me for the Winter Anthology and the End of the World Anthology, but it's time to step back up and get it done.
    Become more involved with the GA Blog again. I took a massive step back with everything going on and I am slowly stepping back in to get things done and organized.
    I also HOPE to participate in a couple of anthologies this year, but only time will tell if that is going to happen.

    There's probably a lot more that I hope to accomplish this year, but on top of all that, I hope things are better for many of my friends. Many of them had a pretty rough year last year and I can only hope that things settle down for them this year. I also hope that if any of them ever need to talk, that they know I will lend an ear, just like they have done for me.
     
    Hugz to all and I hope all of you have a relatively good 2013!
     
    Hugz
    ~Renee
  10. Renee Stevens
    Well, it's finally TGIF day, better known as Prompt Me day!! So lets see what our prompt guru Comicfan has in store for us this week. Don't forget, if you decide to try one of these out, share it with the rest of us in the Writing Prompt Forum!!
     
    Prompt 202 – Creative
    Tag – Immortals
    You have been having the day from hell. It seems that everything that could go wrong today did. Then you almost have an accident only to find out that the person you nearly hit isn’t human. In fact, you have just found out the Greek Gods are real and walking through your town.
     
    Prompt 203 – Creative
    Tag – Alice’s World
    You thought your day was bad till you suddenly found yourself chasing after a small white rabbit and heard someone else trying to tell you how the Queen wanted her flowers red so the cards were going to paint them. Is being trapped in Wonderland a good thing or a bad thing?
     
     
     
    Sounds like we should get some very interesting responses to these two prompts. Speaking of two prompts, Joann414 recently did a prompt response using two prompts for one response. She used both Prompt 198: Use the following in a story – dish rag, a new shirt, a box of chocolates, a broken window, and a snowman. and Prompt 199: Starting Line: “Here we go again!”
     
    Enjoy!
  11. Renee Stevens
    Well, with everything going on with my brother, the holidays were looking to be anything but relaxing. None of us wanted to go through Christmas waiting to hear the latest results, but at the same time, we weren't sure that we wanted the results before Christmas. Anyways. My brother let us know that they got his FISH results back and it's NOT the two really really bad ones that don't respond to Chemo. It's not the optimum one that has a really high success rate, but it is more of a general classification. So as of right now, he'll be doing Chemo one week out of every four (for 3 days) and a bone marrow transplant is most likely in his near future.
     
    While this still wasn't the greatest news (the optimum mutation would have been that) it is by far the worst news and is the best news we've gotten since this all started. It has definitely made us breathe a little bit easier and after talking with him today, he's much more upbeat than he was after the last test results. He's already done one round of Chemo and for the most part is feeling okay.
  12. Renee Stevens
    Hello all, first off let me say thank you to everyone for the kind words and support. I appreciate it more than I can say and it makes me so grateful to be part of such an awesome community. With that being said, with the news I got today it cements the fact that I am unsure when I will be returning to GA full time. As such, if you post a review, send me a PM, or any other form of communication, if I don't get back to you immediately, it is not that I am ignoring you. Now, onto the update. I received the following from my brother, though I have edited it a bit to the facts.
     
     
     
    Thank you to everyone for all the kind words, thoughts, etc. I appreciate it more than you know.
  13. Renee Stevens
    A big "Thank You" to Libby Drew for this weeks Wednesday blog!


    No Warm-ups Required: Why Opening Matters


     

    Warming up before you exercise makes good sense. You need to increase your body temperature. Stimulate blood flow to your ligaments. Mentally prepare yourself for what’s to come. Warming up for a workout is all about starting slow and building momentum.
     
    Fiction is not exercise. Never start a story with a warm-up.
     
    In other words, don’t open your masterpiece with an in depth description of a house, or the weather, or a town. The reader doesn’t need these things at the beginning of a story. These are static approaches, and most readers won’t abide by them. They’re simply too impatient. If you need description, give it later, after you’ve hooked the reader with action. Asking a reader to jump eagerly into a story that starts without motion is like trying to ride a bike with no wheels. You go nowhere… and so does your reader. Description is vital in fiction, but at the outset of the story it's deadly.
     
    Also, don’t start with background information that happened months or years ago. Fiction looks forward, not backward. When you start a story with background information, you point readers in the wrong direction.
     
    Always start the story with the first sentence! How do you do that?
     
    Easy. (Here’s the crux of my spiel. You’ll be happy to know it doesn’t begin with “don’t.”)
     
    Good fiction starts with—and deals with—someone's response to threat. To menace. To duress. We’re stimulated by threat. It’s human nature. Start your story with a car dangling over the side of a bridge. Start it with a groom running out of the church in the middle of his wedding ceremony. If your characters feel threatened, your readers will want to know why. That will keep them reading.
     
    Threat. It doesn’t have to be a physical catastrophe. Writers, look to your own lives. What were some of the times when you felt most stressed? Your first day at a new job? The death of a loved one? Your first date? Begin stories with stressful events. Even if they are happy. Because change, almost any change, shakes our world up and makes us uneasy.
     
    A car pulls into your driveway, and a stranger gets out.
     
    You see your mother on the evening news. She’s crying.
     
    You get a phone call from a strange number in the middle of the night.
     
    Ed McMahon knocks on your door holding one of those big checks.
     
    I see you wringing your hands. You need to tell readers about how things were fifty years ago in the neighborhood where your character lives. It’s important. Fine, but work it in later. Don’t inflict your concerns on the reader. They don’t care that you’re dying to tell them how character A’s grandma won the community cupcake decorating contest ten years in a row, although it’s a detail they’d probably enjoy later. Remember that readers want threat, the most common manifestation of which is change.
     
    It’s easy. Really! Look to your own experiences for ideas. Make stuff up. It doesn’t matter. Just don’t begin a story with a warm-up. Start it at the very moment where everything changes.
     
    ~Libby
  14. Renee Stevens
    As I’m sure many have seen, I have temporarily turned my Anthology duties over to Cia. So, if anyone who is planning to participate in the upcoming Anthologies, please contact her for any help you may require. Now, onto the reasoning behind the changes.
     
    My family received some not so good news yesterday and honestly, I am not doing so great with it. My oldest brother was diagnosed with lymphoma. We do not know all the details yet and the not knowing making it even scarier. He will be going in for a full biopsy on Tuesday and has an appointment with the oncologist on the 12th to learn the results as far as type, severity, treatment plan, etc.
     
    Originally, when we first heard it sounded like they caught it really early, but now we are not so sure. I found out tonight, via my mom, that a few months ago he had an enlarged lymph node in his neck and didn’t go get it checked out. So there is no telling if that is related to now or not. That’s really all the information we have right now. He is determined to make it through this and has a wonderful support group consisting of family, friends, coworkers, etc.
     
    With everything going on, my focus is completely shot and as such, I don’t want what I do at GA to be anything less than the best I can make it. Right now I can’t do that.
    Also, with the exception of Challenging Fate, my GA Premium Story, my stories will be on hold. I know it has been a while since I posted anything on Forging Trust, but I have been working on it. My work on it for the moment will be non-existent as I will be working on a different project geared towards helping my brother and his family. Once that project is done and my focus has returned, I will once again work on updating my stories.
     
    Thank you to everyone for the kind thoughts I have already received and please keep my brother, his wife, and their three kids in your thoughts.
  16. Renee Stevens
    First off, sorry about the lateness of today's post! Makes me extra glad that it will still have all day tomorrow to be up! Since it's review day, we're bringing you a review of Promising Author Jack Frost's story "The Comfort of a Blanket" reviewed by Comicfan!



    The Comfort of a Blanket


    by Jack Frost


     

    Reviewer: Comicfan
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 7,217
     
    As someone who has written a number of short stories I know how hard it is draw the line and attempt to stay within a tightly woven tale. Jack not only writes an interesting take on a young man just figuring out who he is, he also does so while writing it as a historical piece.
     
    Welcome to the world of the 1600s in Canada. The town is ruled by the French and the church is an all powerful presence. Into this setting we encounter three young men from the upper reaches of society. Nicolas Lapointe is the main character of this tale. It is from his position as a spoiled young man that we are taken through what is just a short period of his life but a pivotal one. Through the course of primarily one day we are shown around a provincial town that is slowly becoming something more as the simple wooden structures are upgraded and fortified in case of attack.
     
    The day shows Nicolas from the time he gets up in the morning, his schooling, his trek through is home area, and his friendship with Michel. Then he keeps encountering Julien Boucher who is from an even richer family. What happens when the two young men begin to act on the sparks that both seem to feel? What repercussions could this have for both of them, when the church rules everything? Read on and find out for yourself and discover the comfort found beneath a blanket.
  17. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Wintery Wanderland

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    What a week! So, how did everyone like the new weekly schedule for the blog? I have to say that it was nice to have things up for more than a day so that even more members were able to see and respond to the blogs. This week, we're starting out with a review of a Promising Author. Johnathan Colourfield was kind enough to provide us with this review of a story by Formosa! Hope you enjoy it and perhaps even take this opportunity to check the story out for yourself!



    Wintery Wanderland


    by



    Formosa


     

    Reviewer: Johnathan Colourfield
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 3,722
     
    The very opening of the story makes the reader worry. Two tipsy teenagers in the wood. This doesn’t bode well for the story. It starts the reader off on a judgmental point of view. However, Formosa effectively tackles this idea through the use of the abundant imagery in the snow.
     
    Sadly, there are one or two editing issues within the story however this does not detract from how much of an effective story this is.
     
    This story was a masterpiece in terms of its suspense. It even plays with the reader, with one of the two characters suggesting they are going to encounter a polar bear that escaped from the zoo. If this isn’t teasing the reader, I don’t know what is. This playful nature that Formosa uses is effective, because it should undermine the rest of the suspense within the story but instead it plays off the readers carnal emotion: fear. This fear is intensified through particularly the setting.
     
    My favourite section, came in a very simple section where the two characters are having a small talk:
     
    He puckered his lips, on which flakes fell and seemed to instantly melt.
     
    “You were smooched, too?” I asked, wanting to know. Wanting to do the same.
     
    This is a small snippet from a beautiful story. It is not your typical gay love story, in fact you are not even sure if the second character is gay because the attraction is never directly stated. This shows that Formosa is a master in implicature – implying information for the reader to read how he or she likes. This is an excellent use of the technique and recommend this to any authors!
     
    This is also a masterclass in identity. This story never identifies either of the character and yet we feel like we know them well. The premise is simple, one character likes the other and never knows if it will be reciprocated. Although, towards the end of the story we get the feeling that it will someday develop. Just wish Formosa had taken these characters that little bit further!
     
    As a reader, I’m dying to know more!
     
    Well done!
  18. Renee Stevens

    Writing Tip: Feedback

    By Renee Stevens,


    Writing Tips
    Here at the blog we've talked about leaving feedback for Authors. With that in mind, I asked Hosted Author: C James if he would be willing to write something up for the blog to tell everyone why he thinks feedback is important. I hope you enjoy what he had to say and keep it in mind the next time you read a story here at GA!


    Feedback: Why Authors Need You


     

    Authors differ, but most need feedback. I mean ‘need’ quite literally.
     
    It’s not an ego thing, it is a need. The reasons vary from author to author, but in general, it lets us know how we’re doing, and how the story is coming across. We cannot see the story as you do when it’s in progress. The art of writing is in conveying the story, so without feedback, we don’t know if there are problems such as what works, and more importantly, what doesn’t.
     
    So, what is feedback? Feedback is your opinion. Feedback can, and sometimes does, include mixed and even negative opinions. It can take the form of a forum post, a review, a PM, or an e-mail. Is clicking on ‘like’ feedback? Not really, for it does not impart a reason. Some authors may prefer criticism be sent privately, others (me, for one) are fine with it being public; check with an author if in doubt.
     
    dkstories often said, “Feedback is an author’s lifeblood.” No truer words have ever been said.
     
    Over the last few years, feedback has diminished on this site and others. As this site’s author advocate, I’ve heard many times from authors lamenting this fact, and how it erodes their motivation to keep going. Some longtime authors are no longer with us for this very reason. Many more have given up after barely getting started.
     
    Some have told me that, “No news is good news” or “Authors write to be read, all that counts is readership.” They are mistaken, at least in regards to most authors.
     
    When I began posting here at GA, I did so in order to learn how to write. I have learned more from feedback than through any other means. Feedback is my primary motive for publicly posting; if it goes away, so does my motive to post. I’m not alone in this; other authors on this site have contacted me about this issue.
     
    Writing is a compulsion. Sharing the results of writing, however, is a choice. It requires work, and work requires a motivation or it does not get done.
     
    So get involved. If you’re reading a story, find some other way to let them know what you think about their plot, or characters, or writing in general. All you have to do is click on the chapter review link at the end of each chapter!
     
    Another method, if you’re a GA member (And if not, why not? It’s free and easy!) is to give the author’s forum or story topic a try as well. The forum (or topic) is not limited the way reviews are; a discussion can happen in a forum, that can’t in reviews, including other readers as well as the author. Also, the forums can be downright fun.
     
    So if you read here on GA, give it a try. Recognize the author's effort and share your thoughts. Please.
  19. Renee Stevens
    HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all you ghosts, goblins, vampires, werewolves, etc... So, being as it's Wednesday again, it's time for two more reviews featuring some of our great stories at Gay Authors. Today, Jonathan Colourfield gives a great review on Promising Author: Dolores Esteban's "Absolute Zero". Following that up is my own review of Author: Mann Ramblings story "A Sense of Family". Enjoy.



    Absolute Zero (22 Hours from Now)


    By

    Dolores Esteban
     

    Reviewer: Johnathan Colourfield
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 13,376
     
    Oh Dolores. This story comes with a Da Vinci Code feel throughout and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was amazed.
     
    If you are a fan of the mystery story, then this is most certainly a story for you. Based around a recently published author named Jonathan (no resemblance to me at all) and around his family and friends and co workers and an evil figure called X who plans to kill many people if Jonathan doesn’t play his or her game.
     
    This story depends highly on the ‘Tarot’ card images. This is an excellent plot device employed by Delores, simply because of my own fascination with Tarot. It drew me and I simply couldn’t stop reading and there are very few stories that do that to me. To use such a thing in a plot device is absolute genius, but what was even more genius was the use of the meaning of the cards, to bring elements of the story together. I can’t tell anymore without giving away the plot, but be afraid of X.
     
    What I enjoy particularly about this short story is 2 things. The first, is that every character is shelled out. Every single one, you can ‘feel’ in the room with you when you are reading the story. My particular favourite is Giorigio. We meet Giorigio in one of the very first scenes in the story, who I fell in love with as soon as I ‘saw’ him. I wasn’t expecting Dolores to use the character in the way he was used, but damn that was a very well written character.
     
    The second (and more interesting) thing I found with this story was the characterization of X. X’s dialogue within the emails in the story is exquisite. The breaking of the rules of general grammar fascinates me completely. For example, in the story ‘I’m expecting your answer until 04:00am’, for this to make sense vocally, one has to rephrase to something like ‘I am expecting your answer at (or by) 4am’. As a student of language, I really got the nuance that there wasn’t something quite right about the character of X, even through the very little that he or she says.
     
    The big thing with this story was the revelation of who X exactly is. I was surprised by it; I was not expecting it but it still, after reflection pleased me as a reader.
     
    This story was cleverly written and well executed. I would recommend it to any reader.
     



    A Sense of Family


    By



    Mann Ramblings


     

    Reviewer: Renee Stevens
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 7,594
     
    In looking for a new story, one description really caught my attention. It sounded like it could be really interesting, though just from those few words I also knew that it was going to be a tearjerker. I decided to give it a try. The story was “A Sense of Family” written by Mann Ramblings. I had never read his work before, but after this short story, I can definitely say that I will be reading more by this very talented author.
     
    From the first sentence the reader is dropped right in the middle of the drama. This story follows the main character Matthew and to a lesser extent his two great friends, Ben and Jerry. “A Sense of Family” starts out with an absolutely horrible car wreck in which Matthew loses his husband, who is also his best friend.
     
    The story follows Matthew as he attempts to deal with his grief, or rather, as he attempts to not deal with it. It doesn’t get any easier for him as the death of his husband has also brought back into his life the one person he had not expected to see. His Mother. The two of them have a history and the question that is on everyone’s mind, including Matthew’s is, “Why is she here.”
     
    Mann Ramblings shows us just a peek of his talent as an author. This story is one of those that immediately dragged me into it and if there were any errors, the paled in comparison to the strength of the plot and the writing. You can feel the characters emotions and a couple times I felt myself tearing up. If you’re looking for an awesome short story to read and haven’t already read this, I strong recommend it.
  20. Renee Stevens
    When Yettie One approached Trebs and I about doing some interviews for the blog, we were ecstatic These interviews will run once a month. So, rather than write a lengthy intro, we'll just let Yettie One tell you about it himself!


    Interview with NaperVic



    by



    Yettie One


     
    As part of a community of people I got really curious about what brought people to the world of GA, what the enjoy to read, and what kind of people they are.
     
    So when I volunteered to help the GA Blog with a new idea to chat to people and discover what it is about GA that makes the site tick for them, I discovered a whole load of wonderful people that really do make the world go round.
     
    This series is going to introduce you to a few of them. People you may or may not have heard of on the site. People you may have chatted to or whose stories you may have read. Hopefully, these brief glimpses into their mind will give us all insite to who we are and the people that surround us. To everyone that has helped support me to put this series together, thanks for your help, and if you are one of the ones that gets a private message from me in your inbox asking for info in the future, I look forward to getting to know you more, and telling others about who you are.
     
    This series is called the Pulse Behind the GA Crowd, as I kind of think that GA is a body all on its own, and we, the members, readers, writers, and community as a whole are its pulse.
     
    This week we meet NaperVic
     
    NaperVic joined GA when Domluka moved over here back in early 2005. Dom had a 1500+ person Yahoo group at the time, and we were experiencing growing/moderation pains. During that period, Dom was releasing new chapters of The Lo(n)g Way, The Ordinary Us, and Dessert Dropping (good times they were). Sometimes the discussions got pretty heated, it was becoming too much of a headache for Dom to moderate, and the listserv format wasn’t conducive to the types of discussions that were taking place on the group.
     
    dkstories helped convince us to move our discussion over to a dedicated author forum on GA, so many of Dom’s fans joined GA. If I remember my history correctly, Domaholics was the first author forum on GA. The rest you can say is history.
     
    I asked NaperVic to tell me his favourite feature to the GA Site, and he kept me sat there for about an hour as he pondered the pro’s and con’s between the Forum and the Chat room, so eventually I caved in and accepted both as his answer.
     
    Discussion Forums - I loved/love to be able to dissect and discuss some of my favourite, in progress stories with fellow fans. Looking back on some of the threads, it was crazy how deep some people looked at story lines, characters, etc. The thread isn’t there anymore, but I still remember this one in particular from Rigel, titled “The Passive Protagonist” where he laid out how he thought Domluka’s main characters were all passive. It was quite eye opening at the time.
     
    Chat room - I enjoy the community aspect of GA Chat. I like being able to get to know likeminded gay and gay friendly people who I probably wouldn’t ordinarily interact with in real life. There are people I’ve been chatting with for years, some who are no longer active and new people I’ve met in just the last couple of months.
     
    It was interesting to chat to NaperVic about his favourite stories. He is a loyal Domluka fan, listing his top 5 favourite stories as works by Domluka. Top of that list is The Long Way Home which NaperVic found in 2004 and describes himself as being hooked, hook, line and sinker, to coin a fisherman’s phrase.
     
    The other stories he loves include, In the Fish Bowl, Dessert Dropping, Dreams of Humanity and The Ordinary Us all works by DomLuka.
     
    There are so many great authors on GA, NaperVic said, but I’d probably list my top five as Domluka, dkstories, Percxyz, JFinn and Christopher Patrick Lydon.
     
    NaperVic is a flambouant wonderful character here on GA. He is always making people laugh, seems to always be in a good mood, fell in love with Tom Cruise when he stared in films like Risky Business or Top Gun, not the Tom Cruise we see jumping around on Oprah’s sofa he is quick to point out.
     
    He’s a dog man and adores his Mina his pup who cuddles up with him when they nap on the floor or chases him down the street when he goes for a run. He likes brown eyes on a man, and would put Happiness over love as he believes you can have love but still be unhappy. He invited me over for Lou Malnati’s Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza and a Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Ganache Icing and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dinner, but since the British Government have grounded my concord I sadly had to decline.
     
    I asked NaperVic about the positive effects of GA on his life, and he warmly and fondly spoke about friendship after friendship that he had forged, developed and now cherishes right here on GA. “My eFriends are as important to me as my real time friends,” he discloses with a cheeky smile.
     
    I ended off my time with NaperVic by asking him if there was one thing that he would change about GA what it would be, and he immediately pointed his finger at the Soap Box. Even now, with all the disclaimers and warnings, people still carry grudges out of the Soapbox into regular GA. GA is a story site, so I’m not really sure what benefits having the Soapbox provides for GA’s primary goals. It seems to cause more bad feelings and I’m bothered by the fact that authors or members have left due to something Soapbox related.
     
    I had an amazing time finding about this wonderful and supremely unique man. It is clearly obvious that he loves his time and place here on GA and is a lively and respected member of our community. My genuine thanks go out to him, and if you have never said hello, just pop him a message and say hi, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
     
     
     
     
     
    Renee here again. I tried to find links for all the members that NaperVic said about but couldn't seem to find them all. If you can locate any of the missing links then please let me know and I will include them. Also, Yettie One's interviews are scheduled to debut on the last Tuesday of each month. I hope you are looking as forward to the next one as I am!
  21. Renee Stevens

    Feature Story: Of The Flesh

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Being Monday, it's the start of yet another week. What better way to start the week than to feature a story by one of GA's earliest authors, Comicality! Hope you enjoy this review and if you do, then go check the story out yourself and leave Comsie a review!



    Of The Flesh


    By



    Comicality


    Reviewer: Renee Stevens
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 7,869
     
    So, “Of The Flesh” by Comicality. Comicality, or Comsie as he is also known, has been with Gay Authors since the beginning. He was one of the very first authors and is one of the beginning few who are still writing. Right now, he has a hundred and five stories on the site. It can be a daunting task to try and figure out where to start, but luckily for me, I had a friend who suggested this story to me when I said I was looking for a short story by Comicality to read.
     
    “Of The Flesh” follows a college student who is obsessed with porn. He spends virtually all of his free time searching the internet for that perfect “boy”. He just knows that if he just keeps going, only a few more clicks, that he will find what he is looking for. He finally finds that perfect “boy” in the form of Jonas Wicke. Or rather, he finds Jonas’s website. The only damper on his exuberance is the fact that the site clearly states that Jonas has passed away.
     
    What follows is certainly an adventure as our main character is taken on a journey that he never expected. The strength of the story telling for this short story is astounding and showcases Comsie’s skill at creating a story that calls to its readers.
     
    I wasn’t sure exactly where the story was going, but I found myself unable to stop reading, wondering exactly where Comsie was taking me. The ending was certainly not what I was expecting, but it’s definitely not something I’ll forget anytime soon. If you haven’t already read this, or you were as daunted as I was by the many choices, start with “Of The Flesh.” It is certainly worth the read!
     
     
     
    Also, don't forget that we can't feature a story if we don't have a review for it. With that in mind, we turn to the GA membership to help. If there's a story by a Hosted, Promising, Poet, or Author that you've read that you would like to see showcased on the blog then let us know and write up a review for it!
  22. Renee Stevens
    With so many stories on site, it can be next to impossible to decide what to read next. The Author Showcase can help you do that with it's reviews of both Promising Author's and Authors. Today, our guest reviewer Fozzie Bear returns with a review of Promising Author: WrathofMagneto's story "Three Hundred Years." We also have a review by Zombie of Author: podga's story "All That Matters." If the stories sound like something you might like to read, check them out and then leave the authors a review! Now, onto the reviews!



    Three Hundred Years


    by



    Wrathofmagneto


     

    Reviewer: Fozzie Bear
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 7,529
     
    Wocka, Wocka, Wocka. Fozzie Bear is here to do a review of yet another author on the site. Ahh, it being October it is time to find a nice scary tale. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Bear enjoys being scared. Back in 2008 Wrathofmagneto wrote this tale for the Anthology with the theme Anniversary.
     
    Wowzers. This little tale starts off right in the middle of some action. Tommy is a seasoned professional who is at the top of his game. The work he does isn’t something you find being done at the corner office, for Tommy is a hunter. The game he goes after isn’t deer, bears, or anything so mundane because the creatures he hunts are Vampires, Werewolves, and Demons. Oh My.
     
    Tommy’s tale begins right in the middle of a fight as a werewolf is attempting to get in and kill him. Between rapid fire action, bits and pieces of Tommy’s life is given out. When the first battle is over the werewolf is killed and Tommy heads out to go home.
     
    However, Tommy soon takes a new job. He has been hired by Father Donald Jackson, a rather well connected priest, who wants Tommy to stop a demon who is prophesied to end the world after he has lived on it for three hundred years. Father Jackson has found that the demon is expected to be here in their little corner of the world. Oh, and Tommy has just four days to stop it before the anniversary of its arrival on Earth arrives. Wocka, Wocka.
     
    What is the world to do? Will Tommy be able to stop the demon? Will he go it alone or take along his hunter in training, Jonathan, who is also his boyfriend? Wocka, Wocka. Real end of the world stuff here gentle readers. Naturally if you want to know how it ends … read it. Also, if you enjoyed it remember to leave Wrathofmagneto a little love in the way of a review. Fozzie Bear signing off. Wocka, Wocka.
     



    All That Matters


    by



    podga


     

    Reviewer: Zombie
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 8,000
     
    If you're looking for a thrill ride with evil villains closing on the muscular hero as he desperately attempts to escape their clutches with his wounded lover in a damaged helicopter running low on fuel .... well, pick another story
     
    But if you're looking for a well written romance then I recommend this short story from podga, as well as his longer stories. The plot is very simple - gay guy fancies apparently "straight" married family guy, they get together, but the relationship seems destined to go nowhere. Not much there really, but by using a non-linear narrative and with his "ear" for dialogue podga has produced another very enjoyable read. I suspect he's one of those sneaky writers who, when he hears a good line in conversation, slyly scribbles it down for later use. Or maybe he just gets into the characters and let's them speak.
     
    Refreshingly, the two lovers are both adult, one mid 40s the other late 30s. The first person narrator opens up to his emotions, fears and insecurities and with self-deprecating humour adds to the reading pleasure. The story flows so well that I could almost hear the narrator reading it "out loud" in my head.
     
    Maybe you're getting the message that I like podga's writing I think you will too.
     
     
     
    Hope you enjoyed these two reviews and if you have read a story that you'd like to see in the blog, we'd love to hear about it via a review! If you would like to write a review of a word you've read, let us know.
  23. Renee Stevens
    Today we're bringing you another piece that has been written by Dark about how to work with your beta reader. He was even kind enough to share some of the suggestions made by his beta readers and his fixes or his reasoning. Enjoy!


    Working with your Beta Reader



    by



    Dark


     

    When I first came to GA, I had no beta. After getting to know some of the folks here, advertising, and doing some snooping around, I started working with some folks as betas. So, now that I have a beta, what do I do with him/her?
     
    Working with a beta can be a very personal experience because stories/novellas/etc. are an author’s baby. That’s our work! and we don’t always like it when someone tells us it sucks. Authors, like other artists, can be pretty dramatic -- oh no! I got an awful review, so I must suck as an author, let me go hide in RL and never write again! LOL. I’m sure you know people (or yourself) who has reacted like that. The trick is to be able to step away from the “Augh, you’re attacking my baby!” reaction and get something useful out of it, because if you’re not learning or improving, then what’s the use?
     
    I found the beta for my Secrets Can Kill (SCK) Anthology from some comments he sent me on previous stories and chatting with him on GA Chat. Since I was still feeling the sting from a recent bad-beta experience and because I was still working on SCK, I sent this prospective beta something else I was working on. A few days later I received back a word document with what looked like a thousand little red boxes scrunched on the right-hand margin with the word “unnecessary” typed inside. My eyes did this: O_O
     
    103 comments later, I knew that I had found something special. That story went on to earn some amazing reviews from our GA readers. The self-satisfaction I felt cannot be described.
     
    You may be wondering how I went from all those red boxes and my first reaction (which was OMG I suck!) to the finished product. Below you will find a handful of before-beta work, the beta’s comment(s) and the after-beta product.
     
    From Waylon's Crossing


    Before:
    Finding the access ways was a learned skill, one that had consumed a centuries of Bryce's life. Now he could slip from one world to the other with almost as much ease as demonkind.
    Beta’s comments:
    Initially you capitalised [demonkind]. I prefer it not as humankind is never capitalised and what’s the difference.
    After:
    Finding the access ways was a learned skill, one that had consumed centuries of Bryce's life. Now he could slip from one world to the other with almost as much ease as demonkind.
    My reasoning:
    continuity! I had to go back and make sure that I wrote the same thing everywhere throughout the story instead of switching back and forth between Demonkind and demonkind. I agreed with my beta here.  
     
     

    Before:
    The little half-unicorn still reeked of the magic he'd summoned, more felt than smelled, like static picked up by rubbing socked feet over carpet. Touch him and Bryce received a jolt.
    Beta’s comment:
    I know exactly what you were trying to say but I don’t think you were saying it very clearly.
    After:
    He gave the little half-unicorn a sideways glance and rubbed his arms. The remnants of magic clinging to Jacen made all the hairs stand up on Bryce’s body. It was a ticklish sensation like static picked up by rubbing socked feet over carpet. What made Bryce nervous was wondering when and how that static would discharge.
    My reasoning:
    This second version more clearly brings out the wariness of the character that I wanted to convey.  

    From Ashton's Place:


    Before:
    The water in the lake was low at this time of year, so even though Ashton rolled up his pants-legs, his feet stayed dry.
    Beta’s comments:
    This is unnecessary. The reason his feet don’t get wet is because they don’t reach the water. if you want to leave it in, I’d suggest … year, so Ashton’s rolled up pants stayed dry. The ‘legs’ part is unnecessary … which other part of the pants is likely to be down there? J
    After:
    The water in the lake was low at this time of year, but he rolled up the bottoms of his trousers anyway;
    My reasoning:
    says what I want without being wordy.  
     
     

    Before:
    His books were all gone, including the brand-new copy of Sherlock Holmes "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" that he’d received for his birthday. He stared at the empty shelf for long minutes.
    Beta’s comment:
    It might seem superfluous, but describe his reason for this long look … is it wonder, amazement, curiosity, surprise, shock, bafflement etc?
    After:
    His books were all gone, including the brand-new copy of Sherlock Holmes’ "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" that he’d received for his birthday. He stared at the empty shelves, wracking his brain for the reason behind this latest punishment. He couldn’t think of anything, but he knew he was always disappointing his parents.
    My reasoning:
    This explains why Ashton is staring at his bookshelf without being repetitive (stuff was missing). The phrase allows the reader to empathize with the reader and alludes to Ashton’s relationship with his parents.  
     
     

    Before:
    Screaming, Ashton scrambled up the steps, ignoring the damage he was inflicting to himself. He ran outside and straight into the lake only to find himself standing on the dock before he’d even really begun to drown. He was clean and dry and fell to his knees, staring down at the water which showed no reflection.
    Beta’s comments:
    I get that this is another spatial shift, but I think this one is unnecessary, and a shift too far. I’d cut it to … He ran outside and onto the dock. Looking down he could see he was clean and dry. Confused, he fell to his knees, and stared over the edge into the water. Water which also showed no reflection.
    After:
    Screaming, Ashton scrambled up the steps, ignoring the damage he was inflicting to himself. He ran out to the dock. No blood met his eyes when he lifted his hands; he was clean and dry. Falling to his knees, he stared down at the water and his missing reflection.
    My reasoning:
    I agree with my beta on this; I’ve already described what happens when Ashton gets too far from the house. Changing it up better connects the previous scene and what will follow. Instead of distancing the reader from the action, the reader has a chance to reconnect with the main character. My style is to be less explicit, so I use imagery to try and create the confusion Ashton is feeling.  

    Working with a beta can be one of the most rewarding experiences as an author. Not only do they tell you what needs improvement, but the right beta will also encourage you and boost your ego by telling you what you’re doing right.
     
    I had a general idea of what I wanted in my beta and in my comments. For example, I wanted someone who was tough. I wanted more than “I liked it.” I wanted to know if my work had the desired effect and I did not want to pull teeth to get that feedback. I wanted someone who wasn’t afraid to tell me something sucked and how to fix it.
     
    You may want something different, but you’ll never know unless you try. Good luck!
  24. Renee Stevens

    Writing Prompts #168 & #169

    By Renee Stevens,


    Prompts
    Is it just me or does it seem like Friday's just never end? I mean really, you get looking so forward to the weekend and there is just this one little hurdle in your path, Friday. Last day of work (for the lucky ones), last day of school, and just anything else that ends on Friday and gives a two day break. Well, to help it be a little easier to make it over that hurdle, we've got two new prompts for you from our Prompt Guru: Comicfan. Why not take a minute and try one of them out? Just think, by the time you're done you're that much closer to Friday being over. Oh, and don't forget to share it in the Writing Prompt Forum!
     
    Prompt 168 – Creative
    Tag – First Line
    “Now why on earth would I do that?”
     
    Prompt 169 – Creative
    Tag – The Truth
    People always say they want to hear the truth. A scientist who had been working a truth serum has had enough. One day the scientist asks his assistant why they are late. They reply “I’m not really sure,” and turn away from him. Feeling totally fed up he returns to the lab and opens the untested air born version of his truth serum. It spreads across the world like wild fire. Now no one can lie. Is this a blessing or a curse?
     
     
     
    Now that you've seen the new prompts, it's time to take a look at a prompt response. Today we're going to highlight a response to one of the GA 10th Anniversary Prompts. The Prompt was: Anniversaries are always something special and unusual. What makes the one you are attending that way? The author of the story we are going to show you is none other than Lugh!
     

    Intrigued? And why wouldn't you be? To read the rest, check it out HERE and afterwards, you can always leave Lugh a review. He doesn't bite... Well, maybe just a little .
  25. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Red's Rescue

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    I hope you all enjoyed last weeks 10 Year Anniversary Edition of the blog, but now it is on to a new week and the start of GA's 11th year! To start us off we're taking a look back at a story written for the 2007 Winter Anthology: Worth Fighting For. I hope you enjoy Dark's review of "Red's Rescue" written by Lugh. Enjoy and if you decide to check out the story, why not leave him a review!



    Red's Rescue


    By



    Lugh


    Review by Dark
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 10,042
     

    This is a story by one of our more prolific writers. It’s almost overwhelming visiting Lugh’s story page because there are so many to choose from! But I found this particular story perusing the anthology list. Red’s Rescue was written for the 2007 anthology Worth Fighting For. It’s one of only a few that have an actual description and yes, I knew that Lugh’s been a member of GA for a long time, but to see how active he was even 5 years ago surprised me. I wanted to see if his writing was just as captivating then as now.
     
    Although the beginning leads the reader to believe that the main character Ayreon is only in town to have fun, it is later revealed that he’s there for a specific purpose. His father trains boys to serve a secretive assassin’s guild. It was a little worrisome that Ayreon never noticed any of this happening as he was growing up.
     
    At any rate, I loved the set-up and descriptions as Ayreon plays the games masquerading as trials for entry into the city’s guilds. One of the things I liked best is how Ayreon is not perfect. He does well in some things and doesn’t fare so well in others. There’s something mysterious lurking behind the storyline that intrigued me from the start. Ayreon is sweetly innocent but not naïve. The plot takes a short detour into training, which brings to mind that training sequence you always get in sports movies and it catapults the plot to Ayreon’s first mission. Here is where the plot answers the question of why Ayreon? There were so many ways for the story to end that I didn’t know which one to root for. I loved how it kept me guessing.
     
    Lugh does a fabulous job of bringing the reader along from beginning to end. The font is kind of in-your-face, but that probably happened during the transfer from efiction to GAstories. The mysteries are expertly woven into the plot and the end leaves the reader wishing for more. Here’s a story that I would love to see expanded into a novella someday.
     
    Readers who love fantasy will love this hidden gem about what’s really worth fighting for. And it gives a whole new meaning to the war of the roses.
     
     
     
    Hope you enjoyed this review as much as I did, and if you've read a story by any author here at GA that you want to bring attention to, then let us know! We're more than happy for any reviews that come our way and if the story hasn't already been reviewed for the blog, then we can feature it on an upcoming Monday or Wednesday.
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