Renee Stevens

Back for a week and then gone again! That's right, you're stuck with me again this week. @wildone got called out of town unexpectedly and asked me to do the wrap up. If you haven't already done so, please go vote in the Anthology Theme Selection for next year! We've only had fifteen votes for the top themes next year. With almost 1,300 authors and almost 27,000 members in total, 280 of whom are already members of the Writer's Circle club, I had hoped for a much better turnout. All members are eligible to vote! Remember, there will be special incentives for writing for a Top theme next year, so please try and help make sure that the selected themes are ones you'd really want to write for!!! Voting ends on the 17th, so you're almost out of time! I have included the link for you to join the Writer's Club as well as a link to vote in the anthology themes once you have done so. If you've already voted, thank you!!!! And please, encourage your fellow authors and members to do so as well. Writer's Circle Club Anthology Theme Voting - Round 1 On another note, it's that time again that school will be back in session! Are those who are affected by schools opening up ready? I hope everyone stays safe and healthy! I myself will have my next round of classes starting on Monday. Luckily, all of my courses are online, so I'll be able to do everything from the safety of my home, but looking at my classes, this semester is gonna be crazy. I'll still be around, but it may take me a bit to respond. Now, let's look at this week! Monday, we featured a new review brought to us by the review team. If you are interested in reviewing a story for the blog, please contact @Timothy M. Wednesday, we had a new Author Guess Who. Think you know who it is? Go and guess! Thursday, we refeatured the blog for the anthology theme voting. And Friday, we had new prompts, both of which were provided by @aditus Prompts Suggest a prompt(s) - Recommend a few prompts to be feature on Prompt Friday! PM @Renee Stevens and/or @wildone with your ideas. Anthologies 2021 Theme Selection Polls are Open!! - Due by August 17th, 2020 2020 Fall Anthology - Shadows - Due by November 15th, 2020 2020 Fall Anthology - Bridges - Due by November 15th, 2020 Anthology 101 - In the Anthology Forum. Everything you need to know about GA Anthologies Blog Opportunities Ask An Author: Send your questions for your favorite authors to @Carlos Hazday (no questions = no Ask An Author) Guess the Author: Open to all GA authors. PM @Renee Stevens to participate Story Review: Send it in to @Renee Stevens or @Timothy M. Premium Updates: Apart by northie *Premium* Classic Updates: The Castaway Hotel: Next Generation Book 4 by Bill W Signature Updates: June, 2020 – Hell in a Handbasket by AC Benus Northern Exposure by Mark Arbour; Book 8 of Bridgemont Phases of Moon by Mann Ramblings tim's Bits and Pieces by Mikiesboy Unicorn Quests by Cia Promising Updates: Apart by northie The Cockney Canuck by Dodger Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!

Happy GA Anniversary, tim!!!!

Wow, there are a lot of things going on in the world right now. And it's been a few months since I did one of these, so, I thought, maybe it's time for something a little light-hearted, like maybe a new Author Guess Who!!!! The reveal will happen on August 26th!! Now, who thinks they can figure out this month's author??? What is one thing that most GA members might not know about you? That's a broad range to choose from. I don't say much about myself. OK – I'm fascinated by spiders. What prompted you to write your first story? A prompt! A scenario one. What genre of books do you enjoy reading and have you written for that genre? I read a wide but shallow range, being choosy (or maybe narrow minded) about the books I spend time on: period drama, classics, sci fi, weird / psychological horror, dystopias, alt Earth, essays. Ignoring 'classics', the answer is 'yes' with one exception. Is there a genre that you haven’t written for that you would consider trying later on? The exception is 'period drama'. I started one prompt response a while back, but gave it up. I might return to it sometime. What do you like most about publishing on GA? Feedback from readers. Those conversations can be the best: some comments move me, others make me think, and some become food for future plotting. Do you have any unique writing habits or rituals to help you get into a writing mood? I have a writing chair. Getting comfortable in that, suitably equipped, and I'm good. How has your writing style evolved over time? Difficult to say, being in the thick of it. A question to ask my editor, or my readers. I tackle more complex emotions and set ups now. Improving technically; still got work to do. Do you have a significant other? Nope Do you have any pets? Nope. I live in a small apartment. If I could, it would be a dog. Never a cat. Do you post multi-chapter stories as you write? Do you wait until you’ve finished writing the entire story? Or is it something in between? All of the above. What is your favorite television show? Don't have one. Cooking competitions are something I watch. What is your favorite movie? Don't have one. Movies don't figure large in my life. If pushed, Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings'. Do you write poetry? Prose? Or both? Both, in unequal proportions. If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be? Tricky – there's no standout person. We're all lovers of words, so I'll cheat and say two people who share the same first name: Samuel Pepys, and Samuel Johnson. What would you say is your greatest accomplishment? Sudden shades of Jane Austen. Not sure what answer you're looking for. And some would be too obvious a giveaway. As part of my job, I've given two separate lots of media interviews over the years – both radio and TV.. Whether recorded or live, fluency is key. Never thought of myself that way, but every time I gave an interview, it worked. I'm proud of that achievement. Happy Guessing!

We're hanging in there, Sir, thank You for asking.

sorry to see he is still struggling, Sir. i hope things start to improve soon.

Welcome to another Monday! Once again, the review team has a new story review to hopefully whet your appetite. If you do read, don't forget to leave a review! His Story Drew Payne Reviewer: Parker Owens Status: Complete Word Count: 9,305 Life is hard enough being different. It’s harder still when that difference is accentuated, made stark in bold relief, by the church in which a boy is raised to become a man. Although this story is set in the U.K., it describes a kind of abuse and exile gay men and women will recognize throughout the world. It’s not a pretty tale. His Story opens a window into Chris, a man in his twenties who grew up taking religion seriously. Through his point of view, we discover his emotional and psychological struggles with friendships, relationships, and self-image. A chance encounter at a Pride event becomes the impetus for a possible change. I was drawn to this story because it made no hearts-and-roses promises. It tackles issues that challenge people of faith, and does so without blinking or dissembling. Any of us who have been cast out from family, community and belief can connect to Chris and his experience. Readers will come away sickened by the ‘ex-gay’ Christianity movement and the damage such fundamentalism has done. Entire books have been written on this subject, yet Drew Payne teases out some central themes in six succinct, searing chapters. While Payne paints a bleak picture in much of this story, the canvas is not without bright spots of hope. Chris finds a tight group of friends who will hold, support and encourage him. One of these helps him find honest therapy and real help for his trauma. That ray of sunshine gleams on the reader even as the story closes, knowing the pain Chris must yet endure. I encourage you to read this story by a talented writer. Drew Payne is one more reason GA matters so much, as stories like these, hard as they are, make us reflect and act. Category: Fiction Genres: Drama Tags: gay, dark, love, hate, suicide Rating: Mature

Just a note, you don't have to go to the store for membership, just go to the writers club and join! And don't forget to go vote for the top themes! We've only had 9 votes so far!

hey all, peeked in and saw this.... Baby Shark is HORRIBLE! And i have a two year old that absolutely loves it (listens to it probably 50+ times a day) and even does the dance! i'm really really hoping he grows out of it SOON! Hope everyone is doing well.

Yep, that's right, you're stuck with me again. I think @wildone will be back next week, at least last I knew. I slacked a bit for a Wednesday post, but we still had a couple new blog posts. Also, the theme suggestion thread is closed, and voting will start just as soon as I figure out how I'm doing the voting for this year. As all themes will have the potential to be used, things are probably going to be switched up a bit. So keep an eye out on the blogs for info regarding the voting for next years themes. Now, let's take a look at the blogs for this week. Monday, Cia gave us the CSR Discussion blog. Then on Friday, we had a couple of new guest prompts. And of course, we had our word of the days provided by Myr! Prompts Suggest a prompt(s) - Recommend a few prompts to be feature on Prompt Friday! PM @Renee Stevens and/or @wildone with your ideas. Anthologies 2020 Fall Anthology - Shadows - Due by November 15th, 2020 2020 Fall Anthology - Bridges - Due by November 15th, 2020 Anthology 101 - In the Anthology Forum. Everything you need to know about GA Anthologies Blog Opportunities Ask An Author: Send your questions for your favorite authors to @Carlos Hazday (no questions = no Ask An Author) Guess the Author: Open to all GA authors. PM @Renee Stevens to participate Premium Updates: Apart by northie *Premium* Classic Updates: Dancing on a Star by Ronyx The Castaway Hotel: Next Generation Book 4 by Bill W Signature Updates: Aural Sex by Comicality Black Widow by Mark Arbour; Book 16 of Chronicles Of An Academic Predator (CAP) Give It To Me Straight by Comicality New Kid In School by Comicality Phases of Moon by Mann Ramblings tim's Bits and Pieces by Mikiesboy Unicorn Quests by Cia Promising Updates: Apart by northie

Happy Friday, y'all. Don't know how you all plan to spend your weekend, but if you plan on writing, maybe today's prompts can be a source of inspiration. Let's take a look at who gave us a couple of guest prompts for this week. Prompt 5 - Creative Brought to you by @Carlos Hazday Love in the Time of a Pandemic Relationships are hard and outside influences often make them even more difficult. Tell us about how a relationship flourishes or falters when the characters are forced into quarantine during a world-wide viral outbreak. Prompt 6 - Word List Brought to you by @aditus Use the following words in a story. red carnation, piano, gumboot, smoothie, a broken umbrella, muddy foot print Hopefully today's prompts help motivate you to write. Make sure you link your prompts in the Prompt Forum. As Wayne always says, 'Until next time remember to read, write, comment, and like. Stay safe and well.' Lastly, if you want to get in on the fun, make sure you send a PM to @Renee Stevens or @wildone to share with us your prompt ideas!

Thank you. While I might not like the answers, it would beat (probably) this not knowing!!!! Various aspects of this has been going on since before Baby J was born, and then some just this year.

Thank you. If I"m being honest, I don't feel like it most of the time. Hubby just keeps telling me that he knows I'm being worn down both physically and mentally, but we'll get through it together. I know this has to suck for Him that there's nothing He can do.

Hello, hello!!! I hope that everyone is doing well and staying healthy! This crap going around is definitely a scary thing and we are doing our utmost best to make sure that it doesn't find its way into our home. So far, Hubby, me, and Baby J have managed to not get it. I'm writing again, at least a little bit. I haven't managed to write much, but something is better than nothing. It's probably going to be slow going, as school starts back up in just a few short weeks. When I do find the time to write, I have two separate stories that I'm working on. I know the basics of both of them, and even have many scenes plotted for both of them, it's just getting the words from my brain to the computer. Hopefully, once they are done, they will be worth the work in the end. No idea when they will appear, but eventually I will have at least one of them out!!! I've thought about doing a weekly flash story again, but with school, baby J, and all the health issues, I'm just not sure I'd be able to post reliably. It's something to consider, but not even sure what that story would look like. My health is... well... it's been better. Nothing covid related, but if you've followed my status updates (easiest way to let friends know what's going on), then you'll already know that my health hasn't been at it's best, but that for the majority of things, no one knows what is going on. I want to say Thank You to those who have offered support, it means more than I can say. I talk to Hubby about what's going on, but other than that, I pretty much don't say much to anyone in my life. Primarily because all that does is make them worry, and/or they tell me all about how I'm doing things wrong and what I need to do to get better. It gets really old being told over and over again what I need to do, as though I'm not already doing everything I can think of to get better, and everything the doctors suggest. That's hard to do when no one knows what's going on. Being able to come on here and share my thoughts and worries has helped tremendously. The only thing I know for sure is that I have two bulging discs in my back and a cyst on my spine. I'm still doing PT twice a week, and this week I started going to the chiropractor as well. Also, while my weight isn't the sole reasoning behind those issues, it doesn't help, and my lack of mobility at the moment is making it very hard to lose the weight. Hubby just ordered me a stationary bike, at my request, to try and help with that. In the last four or five months, I've had at least 2 cat scans, a head mri, a back mri, x-rays, ekg's, blood work, and I don't know what else. There are still really no answers. All my blood work has come back good, except for something having to do with Protein C. What little I've been able to find on that says that it most likely means their is inflammation in my body. I'll see a rheumatologist in a couple of weeks, but not holding out much hope that they'll have any answers, but it's always possible. My neurologist wanted me to get a bunch of blood work, which I did, but it all came back fine, so now he's sending me to get an echocardiogram. To be honest, I'm scared shitless, and I'm not even 100% certain as to the why behind the echo. I mean, as much as I want to know what's going on, I really really don't want this test to reveal the answers because that would mean there is something wrong with my heart. That is a very scary prospect. I can only hope that if it does show anything, it's easily fixable, as I have a little boy who needs his mommy. He runs over and wraps his little arms around me, and I just hold him that little bit tighter. Enough crappy stuff. Let's end this blog on a happier note! Baby J is starting to say a few more words, just within the last couple weeks, so that makes us feel a little better than at his last appointment. He's healthy and such a happy little boy. I've never seen a toddler that does so well at bedtime either! It gets to be that time of night (or afternoon nap), and he gives us loves, and goes to bed with absolutely no fuss. He gives the best bed time hugs. We eat at the table and he's starting to try more things, though his favorites are still pasta and corn dogs. Hope you all continue to stay happy, and healthy, and thank you again to all of you for letting me get my feelings and frustrations out.

Well, it's been a while since I've done one of these, but @wildone is taking a much deserved vacation, so guess that means you're stuck with me for the time being. I don't really have anything fun and exciting to report, except to say that I'm already over this heat! Let's see what we had going on this week! Monday & Wednesday, Cia joined us in the blog for the monthly editions of the Classic Author Feature: Thursday, we had a refeature of last week's anthology theme selection post, don't forget to go and share your theme suggestions. But please note, you have to join the Writer's Circle in order to share your theme suggestions and vote later on. And then on Friday, we had another set of Guest Prompts. Don't forget to send in your ideas for prompts to be featured in the future: Prompts Suggest a prompt(s) - Recommend a few prompts to be feature on Prompt Friday! PM @Renee Stevens and/or @wildone with your ideas. Anthologies 2021 Anthology Theme Selection - Due by July 31st, 2020 2020 Fall Anthology - Shadows - Due by November 15th, 2020 2020 Fall Anthology - Bridges - Due by November 15th, 2020 Anthology 101 - In the Anthology Forum. Everything you need to know about GA Anthologies Blog Opportunities Ask An Author: Send your questions for your favorite authors to @Carlos Hazday (no questions = no Ask An Author) Guess the Author: Open to all GA authors. PM @Renee Stevens to participate Premium Updates: Apart by northie *Premium* Classic Updates: The Castaway Hotel: Next Generation Book 4 by Bill W Signature Updates: A Contract is a Contract by Valkyrie June, 2020 - Hell in a Handbasket by AC Benus Malibu by Carlos Hazday tim's Bits and Pieces by Mikiesboy Unicorn Quests by Cia Promising Updates: Apart by northie The Cockney Canuck by Dodger The Golden City by Aceinthehole The Reluctant Consort by lilansui Wayne's Poems by Wayne Gray

Happy Friday, y'all. Don't know how you all plan to spend your weekend, but if you plan on writing, maybe today's prompts can be a source of inspiration. Let's take a look at who gave us a couple of guest prompts for this week. Prompt 3 - Creative Brought to you by @aditus The elevator takes ages. When the doors finally open, a woman wearing a pink pant suit twirls a glittery stick in her right hand that looks suspiciously like a wand and smirks. A Witch ? The fairy godmother? The neighbor from across the hall? Prompt 4 - Word List Brought to you by @Carlos Hazday Use the following words in a story. winter - snow - vacation - summer - sand Hopefully today's prompts help motivate you to write. Make sure you link your prompts in the Prompt Forum. As Wayne always says, 'Until next time remember to read, write, comment, and like. Stay safe and well.' Lastly, if you want to get in on the fun, make sure you send a PM to @Renee Stevens or @wildone to share with us your prompt ideas!

Well, its the start of another week! I hope you had a great weekend. Today, we're featuring a review of Songs of the Heart by Jordn87. Songs of the Heart Jordn87 Reviewer: spikey582 Status: Complete Word Count: 27,938 It’s been awhile since I last posted a review in our Featured Story blog, and I actually spent a lot of time debating which story I would review next. Then in June, Jordn87 reposted an updated version of his story Songs of the Heart, and I had my story. This was a story that I actually started reading on his initial posting back in 2017, and for one reason or another lost track of it and never finished. So, his reposting gave me the chance to revisit the story and see how it all ended. This story reminds me of a great many stories, that I feel were common place on the GA of yesteryear. That’s probably an odd way of describing it, but it’s a story that starts out as just a basic character drama, before it escalates into an action-packed thriller with multiple cliffhangers to keep you reading. It begins with Brady Jordan, a successful recording artist, returning to small town roots, to face his former best friend and bully victim Ness Rodriguez. Brady fled the town they lived in after high school, to get away from his abusive, ultra conservative minister Christian father. In the process, he left behind Ness, the boy he tormented throughout high school, who he was also secretly in love with. Wow, just writing out that bit of synopsis, it gives a pretty good idea of the complications and complexities involved with just the two main characters interacting with each other. In only gets more complex from there, going beyond Brady and Ness dealing with their interpersonal issues, going into sinister plots, and a town with a very dark secret. I will say, Songs of the Heart is not a perfect tale, and I felt some of the conflicts were resolved too easily, but that being said, the action kept me interested, and I was pretty much on the edge of my seat for the entire second half of the story. It has a bit of that gay soap opera feel that, as I said previously, reminds me of a great many GA stories of the past. Does a romantic character drama blended with an action crime thriller sound appealing? If so, I invite you to check this out. Category: Fiction Genres: Adventure, Romance Tags: adult, gay, religion, modern, love, suicide, friendship, interracial Rating: Mature

thank you, John. Indo understand that the complaints do not represent all site members, it just gets a bit overwhelming at times.

Thank you. It is what it is, but hopefully the new stuff will address most things and the complaints will at least become less.

I'm hoping the changes will encourage even more people to participate. My goal with these changes are to gain a higher level of participation while keeping any complaints to a minimum.

I am thinking on some ways to get every authors stories noticed more. My ideas aren't fully fleshed put yet, but I'll announce when they are.

I am hoping that having the potluck option doesn't make the top themes redundant.

In 2012, I took over from Graeme to become the latest Anthology Coordinator. I want to make it clear, I'm a volunteer, just like all the other staff on site and I don't volunteer for the kudos, the recognition, or any reason other than I want to contribute to the site. In the 8 years since I took over the anthology, I have tried my best to improve the anthologies. Some of these changes have met with approval (with only a few complaints), and some of them have been met with numerous complaints (and very few approvals). Every anthology, I end up receiving a number of complaints, whether it's in regards to the themes, one story posting before another, the posting schedules, and that's just to name a few. I want to make it clear, I am always available to answer questions and I want to see the anthologies flourish. What I cannot handle anymore is the numerous complaints, the accusations of favoritism simply because I posted one story before another, the theme selection process (which I have to defend either publicly or privately every single year). Complaints are one thing, and there are times that the person has a good point. Unfortunately, many times, these complaints are phrased as demands. You might be asking why I'm telling you all this. Well, let me be frank. I'm tired. It has gotten to the point that I was pushed to the point of seriously considering walking away from being anthology coordinator. But, what would that have solved? That would just put somebody else in the line of fire, which wouldn't be fair to them. So, I went another route. I put a team together who have a vested interest in how the anthologies operate. The team is made up of staff, regular anthology participants, and my regular anthology team members. Every change listed below is something that has been discussed with my team and agreed upon. These are the changes that we have come up with for now, there may be more changes happening in the near future. # of Anthologies Per Year There will be 3 anthologies a year, each will consist of 2 Top themes, and 1 Pot Luck. The Pot Luck theme will allow authors to use ANY of the theme suggestions that were made, with the exception of the themes chosen as Top Themes. Next year will be slightly different. We will have three anthologies, but only the first two will consist of top themes and pot luck. The final anthology of the year will be like the Rewind theme that we did in 2016. It will basically be a Pre-2021 Anthology Themes anthology where authors can pick ANY of the themes prior to 2021 and write for it. Future anthologies will look something like this: 2021 Anthologies: Spring Anthol: Top Theme, Top Theme, Pot Luck Summer/Fall Anthol: Top Theme, Top Theme, Pot Luck Winter Anthol: Rewind: Pre-2021 Themes 2022 Anthologies: Spring Anthol: Top Theme, Top Theme, Pot Luck Summer/Fall Anthol: Top Theme, Top Theme, Pot Luck Winter Anthol: Top Theme, Top Theme, Pot Luck Theme Selection Each member can suggest up to 3 themes. Voting will be open to all members. Voting will be for the top themes (4 for 2021 and 6 for 2022). The remaining themes will be divided and split evenly into the Pot Luck theme. Example: If we have say, 45 theme suggestions, 6 of those will be top themes, leaving 39 themes. That 39 will be divided by the number of anthologies. The anthologies will be randomized and the first 13 will be the Spring Pot Luck, the 2nd group of 13 will be the Summer/Fall Pot Luck, and the final 13 will be the Winter Potluck. You might wonder, why write for one of the top themes if you have more options in the PotLuck. Well, it would make sense that with the large number of themes in the potluck, that it is likely that at least one of those themes will appeal to many authors and that there may be more entries in the Potluck than the top themes. Since each theme will will post in its entirety on a single day, would you rather have your story in among say 5 or 6 stories, or in among say a dozen or more? Anthology Release: Anthologies will be due the 1st of the month that they will be posted. (April, August, and December respectively) Each week, one theme will be released in full with a wrap up the final week. The order of listing in the release blog will be randomized using a site like Random.org Incentives We'll have the regular incentives of Premium subscription chosen via a drawing. Other possible incentives will be announced at a later time.

Congratulations, Wayne!

Well, that's it for the 2020 Spring Anthology! I hope you all enjoyed the great stories and made sure to let the authors know via comments and reviews. A huge thank you to all the authors and to the Anthology Team. Couldn't do it without you. Now, let's take a look at ALL the stories one more time. Shared Blankets Comicality Destruction--Self and Otherwise Headstall Accused Valkyrie Hill of Candles lomax61 Mates Come First Caz Pedroso Keraunophobia CassieQ As Betwixt the Devil and the Deep Sea Thorn Wilde The Teacup aditus Explosions Carlos Hazday Moon Dogs CarlHoliday Mother Moon's Message in Troubled Times Headstall The Truth is out There Myr The Challenge Headstall 2019 Fall Anthology Support Team Anthology Coordinator Renee Stevens Tech Support Myr Proof Team Rec Valkyrie Parker Owens Cia Anthology Banner Creation Mann Ramblings

Well, this is it. The last set of the 2020 Spring Anthology. Sorry this was delayed a bit this morning, Renee didn't sleep well last night (not because of Baby J) and Hubby let me sleep in. There will be a wrap up next week, so if you missed any releases, you still have a good chance to read through the list and see what ones you missed! And here are the final 3 anthologies. The Teacup aditus The Truth is out There Myr The Challenge Headstall