Renee Stevens

Thank you for the review, Parker. I'm glad that you are enjoying the story and how it is crafted. I hope you continue to enjoy

“Dave, I think we need to go get some groceries.” We’d been living together for three days when I finally told Dave we had no other choice. We had to brave the grocery store. It was apparent Dave had been telling the truth about never cooking. We didn’t have much at all for food in the house. I’d managed to scrounge a couple of meals out of the meager offerings, but that was about it. It was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the man I’d given my heart to. “What kind of vegetables do

I've heard countless times how much everyone loves the Ask An Author feature and want to give a big Thank You to Dark for taking the time to contact all the authors and compile these wonderful Wednesday pieces. Don't forget, if you have a question you'd like to "Ask an Author" all you need to do is send Dark a PM!! Hope you enjoy!!! Ask an Author #32 Welcome back to another quirky question and answer session with your favorite authors! In AtA #31, we had questions for authors Andrew Todd, Headstall, and Sasha Distan. In AtA #32, we hear from authors aditus, Cia, and wolfwriter. 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. First up is Promising Author Aditus, whom we last saw in AtA #25. Once a scientist, Aditus continues to let his curiosity guide him and many of his interests pop up in his stories. Speaking of which, Aditus is one of the regular prompt-writers; and congrats on making it to 3000 rep! Recently, he’s been attempting National Poetry Writing Month, where authors are challenged to write a poem a day for an entire month. His current story is The Lonely Heart Club, a romance based on two things, the Friday prompts and Billy Joel’s “The Piano Man.” Love the song like I do? Then see what the plot bunnies are chewing on. To Aditus: What inspired the creation of Jonah from Red Running Shoes. Did the dove as a symbol play a role in his development? Jonah was inspired by a real person. Someone you’d think has it all: He’s good looking, has a well-paid and interesting job, and a lot of nice friends. His issues, however, are what make him story-worthy. One reader very keenly concluded that Jonah has a typical INFP personality. For those who aren’t familiar with this, here are some facts: true idealist, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people, often a writer or poet. Add to this some quirks and baggage from the past that leads to a great fear of being betrayed, and you have an interesting character to write about. Those who read my stories know that my focus is usually on the characters of my stories, on their feelings, their reasoning, their reactions to obstacles life throws at them. You can see why I couldn’t resist Jonah. I like names and their meaning and read a lot about this topic. When Jonah’s character was shaping up, his name was suddenly there. I looked it up and found it strangely fitting. Doves stand for love, sacrifice, peace, and hope. I just had to use it. So, I guess the answer is no. The character was mostly finished before I named him, it’s nevertheless a very suitable symbol for Jonah’s personality. We venture now to redhead, sci-fi-loving Cia. We haven’t seen her in this blog in awhile, but the majority of us here on GA know her quite well as one of the behind-the-scenes workers. As if being a mom and admin aren’t enough, she’s also got a new puppy! And check out her blog Cia's Stories for more info on her published works. Crazily, Cia had a run-in with plagarization, with someone trying to rip off one of her stories. Grrr. Sadly, it’s not the first time something like that’s happened, but thanks to our wonderful readers (both on GA and elsewhere), fixes are much quicker than they used to be. On a happier note, congrats to Cia for making it 18 years with the same person. Happy Anniversary, and here’s to many more! To Cia: I love some of your short stories. Have you thought of serializing them? Where do you draw your inspiration from? That depends on which short stories you're talking about! Honestly, most of my non-contemporary stories are whole new worlds I could explore. Coupled in Synchronicity is going to be a novel. Married to the Enemy began as a 2k short and went to 12k. The Breach is a nice contemporary start, but it doesn't scream out to me, "Write More!". I do have a few flash fiction pieces I want to expand, but most of my Dribbles are just as is. I guess I'm just not motivated to write enough each day, but if I was (or my kids weren't so darn needy, they expect dinner EVERY night, can you believe it?!) then yeah, I'd love to serialize more of my shorts.Inspiration... well that's a tricky thing. Sometimes I don't feel it at all, and writing is a slog each week to get through because I just know it'll get easier if I keep trying. Sometimes my plot ideas are inspired the prompts I receive each week from the Wednesday Briefers, my off-site flash fiction group. I've been inspired for basic concepts in a story by a magazine article on passionettes (Changing Focus), a scientific research topic (gamma radiation from a supernova in Cataclysmic Evolution), a philosophical debate (Jung's theory of synchronicity in Coupled in Synchronicity)... and once even from my cat curled up on my shoulder and letting me rub my cheek against his soft, fluffy fur. Author wolfwriter is our third and final author today. From Dallas, Texas, Wolfie loves stories with werewolves and other were-animals. She’s been with us since 2012 and published her first story with us in 2013. Her latest project is Love Bite, a story about a were-bear and a vampire and the sequel to “A Trip to Love.” Just this summer, Wolfie got “Uncommon Valor” published through Amazon. The cover to that, and others of her stories, are in her gallery. See what else she’s been up to on her website through weebly. To wolfwriter: Your works range from The Marine to Lonesome Theta: what got you to try your hand at 'were-stories'? The mind-link is a nice touch--what inspired you to add that aspect to the tales? I actually started my writing with were-stories. I read Timber Pack by Rob Colton and was hooked on them. One day I had an idea to try my hand at writing my own and came up with Your Alpha, My Mate. I wanted my characters to be able to communicate with the ability to have a conversation without anyone being able to overhear it when the need came. As for my non-were stories I was challenged by my beta of Your Alpha to try to write something more contemporary and I came up with A Chance At Love. While I love those stories I also love my were-stories. 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! See you next time, with an extra-special edition of Ask an Author! Want to ask your favorite author a question? Simply PM me (Dark). Until next time! Dark

Thanks for the review, Lisa. The guy was definitely a douchebag. Luckily he's out of Dave's life. It's surprising to me that Dave seems so together, considering what happened with him. He must have a lot of trust in Josh and his opinion to be willing to jump feet first in a relationship with Reece. Now we just have to see where they take it from here.

I don't know, Lisa! I was wondering if I'd hear from you on it, lol. I think everyone has been fairly curious about Dave, but that's his story to tell, even if Josh did bring it up first. I agree about the cousins, everyone needs someone (or multiple someones) in their corner. Luckily Reece has that.

Thanks for the review Defiance! I agree that it was great that Reece started the convo, even if he did just kind of blurt it out. He now understands a bit more about Dave, which can only be a good thing. I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters as well!

Thanks for the review Cannd! Communication is definitely the key here. Reece had already noticed something was up and Josh's cryptic comment earlier didn't particularly help. Though it did let Reece know that there was something about his past that Reece needed to know. At least now he knows. Josh on the other hand, is Josh. Not sure how else to word it. 'Just cool with' could simply be speak for he didn't really react and just accepted it, no questions asked. We are talking about Josh here, lol. As for what's going to happen with these two, only time will tell, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

Thanks Suvitar! What is that phrase? You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince? Hopefully Dave has found his prince, but only time will tell. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the rest of the story.

Thanks for the review! Dave is definitely cuddable You're not the only one who wants to get at the guy who hurt Dave

I'm glad you enjoyed it Kevin!

Thanks for the review DDK! I love Josh!

I really hadn’t thought I had much stuff, but apparently things had accumulated over the last few years. I’d just stowed the last of my movies in one of the many boxes scattered around the house when someone knocked on the front door. “Come in.” I pushed myself to my feet and turned to greet Josh as he opened the door and walked in. “You do realize it’s fucking eight o’clock on a Saturday morning, right?” Josh shut the door and stepped further into the room. He nearly tripped over a box and fr

I heard the doorbell and slipped the pizza in the oven before going to answer it. The smile died on my lips as instead of Dave, who I’d been expecting, Mr. Ranier’s son stood on the porch of my small house with a grim expression on his face. My heart stuttered in my chest at the thought something had happened to my elderly landlord. “Hey, Jeff.” I’d met Mr. Ranier’s son a number of times over the years, and he had always insisted I call him by his first name. “What are you doing here? Is y

As Cia said, today was good-natured ribbing, but in the past it's gotten out of hand and been a lot less good-natured with accusations of "why didn't *so and so* post more", etc. I, for one, don't want to see that start happening again.

What does it really matter? It's not a competition and even if it was, the winners are the readers.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. Just a reminder that tomorrow is the CSR Discussion day of The Rainy Day by Graeme. Now, with that reminder, let's see what happened in the GA News Blog this last week. For our featured story, Timothy M provided us with a review of Prophylaxis. Wednesday, Cia took over the blog to discuss something that had once again struck the site: Plagiarism. Cia gives some great tips on how to search for your story to make sure it's not posted anywhere that you didn't authorize. All authors should definitely check this post out. Friday, Comicfan brought new prompts to the blog. Want to see what prompt responses were written? Comicfan provided snippets from all of them. Last, but not least, we had a Saturday post this week in which Cia announced A Grim Fairytale by K.C. as the October Signature Background. Anthology Announcements: ***NOTE: All Deadlines are for submission to the Anthology Proof Team** 2015 Winter Anthology: Blackout - Due December 3rd By our Promoted Authors: The Degan Paradox by Rob Colton; Book 3 of Galactic Conspiracies *Premium* Toy Soldiers by Dabeagle Gay Metal by carringtonrj Innocence & Carnality by Mann Ramblings Destiny - a novel by AC Benus Sword of Kings: Tempered by Fate by Bill W Book 3 of Sword of Kings Avery & Matt shorts by craftingmom A prompt a week by comicfan Lie of the Serpent by craftingmom Reece's Choiceby Renee Stevens Twenty-Two Early Poems by AC Benus; Book 3 of Verse Cosmic Inception by Cia Lost & Found by aditus Don't forget.... Read, Write, and REVIEW!!!

Thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. I just figured since Josh was so sneaky in setting them up the first time, he should get a little bit of that sneakiness back. As far as Josh's little bomb, only time will tell the story. I look forward to seeing what you think as the story progresses.

Thanks for the review Suvitar. You are right that they should have stuck up for Reece before. Josh did, but it didn't do any good. Perhaps it's simply a case of not knowing what to say. Glad you are enjoying the story!

Thanks for the review, Lenny. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story. I couldn't have said things better myself, though I won't give away what's going to happen in the upcoming chapters. Hopefully I didn't botch them too bad. I definitely wanted Reece to have some sort of support in this story. However, his main support has been Josh, with the rest of the cousins playing a minor role.

Cliffhanger? Moi? You must be mistaken Ask anyone, I don't do cliffhangers. *whistles innocently* Thank you for the review!!

Thanks for the review DDK. The cousins are definitely a much better lot of people. Luckily they didn't learn the bigotry that Reece faces with the older family members. As for what happened with Dave.... stay tuned

Glad you enjoyed the chapter! I definitely agree with the spiders not invited!!!! I hate spiders, but having had the spider on the towel scenario actually happen to me (I was home alone at the time, so no rescue happened for me), I thought it would bring a little humor into the story.

Thanks for the review Lisa. I had the spider thing happen. It scared the crap out of me, however, I was home alone at the time. I'm so terrified of spiders that I'll purposely detour around them until the hubby gets home. Thanks for pointing out the typo! It's now been fixed I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

Chemistry is definitely important. Only time will tell how it's going to work out for them. Thanks for reading DDK!

I hate spiders as well (terrified might be a better word). I have to admit, the entire spider thing did actually happen to me. Unfortunately, unlike Reece, I didn't have anyone there to take care of it. Thanks for the review!!!