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Renee Stevens

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  1. Renee Stevens

    Author Guess Who #4

    By Renee Stevens,


    Author Guess Who
    I know it's been a while, but it's time for another Author Guess WHO!  You'll have a couple of weeks to guess the author. Good luck! Sorry about the lack of extra formatting. Posting using my phone again.
     
    What is one thing that most GA members might not know about you?
    I used to listen almost exclusively to heavy metal, before I realised that the world wasn't divided into heavy metal and bubblegum pop.
     
    What prompted you to write your first story?
    I wrote my first story when I was four, and it was about a baby seal that lost its mother and was raised by humans. I had a stuffed seal toy, which was what inspired it, probably. I've been writing ever since, couldn't stop.
     
    What genre of books do you enjoy reading and have you written for that genre? 
    I love science fiction and fantasy. I rarely read books outside of SFF, except when I'm on here and I get lost in romance novels. The exception is when I find classics that I feel I really need to read. The last time that happened, it was Anne Brontë. I've tried writing both science fiction and fantasy, but it never really amounts to much. I have like ten science fiction novels I've started and never gotten anywhere with.
     
    Is there a genre that you haven’t written for that you would consider trying later on? 
    I really want to write and finish a science fiction story one day. I also really want to write a crime novel. I love mysteries on TV.
     
    What do like most about publishing on GA? 
    I like the interactions with my readers and the community in general. When I get comments and reviews, it makes me immeasurably happy, and I try to reply to each and every one of them, even if it's just to say thanks. 
     
    Do you have any unique writing habits or rituals to help you get into a writing mood? 
    Not really. It's more like I get in a writing mood and I can't not write. Of course, this means that I'm prone to writer's block, cause I can never force myself to write; it just happens. 
     
    How has your writing style evolved over time? 
    I don't know, I guess it's just generally improved. My prose is more varied now than it used to be, but I think the bare bones of my style is pretty much the same, like I found a style and mostly stuck with it. I think this question is easier for a reader to answer than for me, though.
     
    Do you have a significant other? 
    I do.
     
    Do you have any pets? 
    I have one 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?
    It depends. I try to have at least a first draft finished before I start posting, and I've become more strict with myself about that after leaving people hanging quite a few times in the past when I didn't. I may start posting an unfinished story if I have a very clear idea of where I'm going and I'm confident that I'll be able to finish. I never start posting a story until I have at least a few chapters ready to go.
     
    What is your favorite television show? 
    Oh, there are so many I love! But in the end, I'm a science fiction buff at heart, and I always return to Firefly.
     
    What is your favorite movie? 
    Again, there are so many, but probably Velvet Goldmine. Because glam rock. And gayness.
     
    Do you write poetry? Prose? Or both?
    Mostly prose. I occasionally try my hand at poetry, but usually if I try it ends up as song lyrics instead. Been writing more poetry lately than I used to.
     
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
    Probably Ursula K. Le Guin. I'd love to pick her brain. Maybe she could teach me to write science fiction. Her, or David Bowie. It's a close call.
     
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
    Actually finishing a novel. 
       
    Happy Guessing!
  2. Renee Stevens

    Author Guess Who #5

    By Renee Stevens,


    Author Guess Who
    Once again, doing this from my phone, so please forgive the lack of extra formatting. You'll have a couple of weeks to guess who this author is, and then I'll do the reveal. Happy Guessing!
    What is one thing that most GA members might not know about you?
    I enjoy singing and acting in amateur performances, though I’m not very good at it.
    What prompted you to write your first story?
    Reading an article in the paper about online story writing.
    What genre of books do you enjoy reading and have you written for that genre?
    Sci-fi, fantasy, and crime genres and I’ve tried one of them.
    Is there a genre that you haven’t written for that you would consider trying later on?
    To be honest, I probably don't have the knowledge, experience or imagination to try most of the genres.
    What do you like most about publishing on GA?
    Getting feedback and friends
    Do you have any unique writing habits or rituals to help you get into a writing mood?
    No, but I do eat a lot of chocolate.
    How has your writing style evolved over time?
    From tell to show with more dialogue.
    Do you have a significant other?
    No comment.
    Do you have any pets?
    Not at the moment
    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?
    As I write them, because I like to use input from readers.
    What is your favorite television show?
    I don’t watch television shows.
    What is your favorite movie?
    Willow
    Do you write poetry? Prose? Or both?
    Definitely no poetry.
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
    My grandfather who died when I was a teen.
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
    Being optimistic and content with my life
  3. Renee Stevens

    Author Guess Who #6

    By Renee Stevens,


    Author Guess Who
    Who's ready for another episode of Author Guess Who?  The reveal will happen on Christmas Eve, so you have a couple of weeks to get your guesses in!  Happy guessing!
     
    What is one thing that most GA members might not know about you?  
    Hmm. Maybe that I used to study Japanese. I have forgotten all but a few words and phrases of it now, but I used to practice on a friend of mine who was from Japan.    
    What prompted you to write your first story? 
    Music.  I was listening to a remix of the X-Files theme and it made me want to write something weird and spooky.  I don’t think I ever grew out of that.  
    What genre of books do you enjoy reading and have you written for that genre?  
    I read a lot of fantasy and paranormal, and I’ve written for both.  Neither one of them have been my primary genre, which is surprising to me.     
    Is there a genre that you haven’t written for that you would consider trying later on?  
    I think it would be really cool to write a mystery novel, but it’s a bit of an intimidating idea.  I think it would require a lot of reverse engineering and deliberately misleading readers, and I don’t think I’m especially skilled at either of those.   
    What do like most about publishing on GA? 
    Definitely the feedback.  I would gladly welcome more constructive criticism but reading comments like “This is awesome” is certainly fun too.  
    Do you have any unique writing habits or rituals to help you get into a writing mood?  
    No, usually all it takes is setting down and opening up a notebook.  I do tend to write better with pen and paper, because computers usually come with this very distracting thing called the internet.  I really like having a beverage and some nice background music, but I can do without it if I need to. 
    How has your writing style evolved over time?  
    It’s definitely gotten more character based, more descriptive (that is something I still get pinged on) and I think my writing has a bit more of a sense of humor (my stories used to be super serious bordering in angsty).   
    Do you have a significant other?  
    Not yet.   
    Do you have any pets?  
    I have two adorable cats.  I mean, seriously.  They’re cute.  
    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?  
    This might be the answer that gives me away.  I don’t post as I write.  Never. I excel at procrastination, and as a reader myself, I know how frustrating it can be to wait weeks and weeks for a chapter of a great story to go up.  The only way I can maintain a consistent posting schedule is to not start posting a story until it is like 99% complete.  
    What is your favorite television show? 
    I really love Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  I started watching it when it first aired and I was about the main characters age, so I followed her through high school and college.  I loved seeing a kick-ass female protagonist and vampires that actually looked like monsters.   
    What is your favorite movie?  
    Star Wars, Independence Day, Volcano.  It’s hard to pick one.   
    Do you write poetry? Prose? Or both?  
    I wrote some really awful poetry in college that I will never share
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?  
    I noticed that you didn’t say fictional, so I guess my own characters are out. (Damn).  Stephen King.  I just find him so interesting, I love his writing and the way his mind works.  
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment? 
    Honestly, each time I finish a project, polish it and post it, then get the response from readers, it’s the greatest feeling of accomplishment in the world, I haven’t felt anything yet that tops it. 
  4. Renee Stevens

    Author Guess Who #6 - The Reveal

    By Renee Stevens,


    Author Guess Who
    There are so many different holiday's, depending on what you are celebrating. For me, it's Christmas, so I want to wish all of you a very very Merry Christmas. Since I'm not completely versed in all the other holidays, I want to also wish everyone who celebrates a Happy Holiday!
    Well, it's that time again. There were a lot of great guesses as to who was the featured author this month. Curious if you were one of them? Well, let's see... This month's author was:
    CassieQ
    Did you get it right? Check out these stories from CassieQ!
     
     
  5. Renee Stevens

    Halloween Winners & Reveal

    By Renee Stevens,


    Fun Stuff
    I'd like to thank all of the authors who participated in the Halloween Short Story Contest! There were a lot of great entries and I'm sure it was hard to choose who to vote for. Thank you everyone who voted for your favorite story and a big Thank You to Reader1810 for collecting the votes. Stories will be properly attributed to the correct authors very soon. Congratulations to the winners: @aditus @Mikiesboy and @Dodger!!!!
     

     

     

     
    The first place winner will receive a 6 month premium membership, the 2nd place winner will receive a 3 month premium membership, and the 3rd place winner will receive a 1 month premium membership. All winners need to contact me to let me know if they would like their prize attributed to their account or would like to give it away to someone else.
     
    And now, time for the big Author Reveal!!!!
    Dom Does Halloween
    Mikiesboy
    In Between
    Craftingmom
    Zombies Like Us
    Dodger
    Horrible Holiday
    Comicfan
    Calavera
    CassieQ
    Shade
    Cole Matthews
    Purgatory
    Aditus
    The House on O'Reilly Hill
    Carl Holiday
    Oh, The Humanity!
    Valkyrie
    The Naked and the Dead
    Bill W
    If You Go Out In The Woods Today
    Puppilull
     
     
     
  6. Renee Stevens
    Thank you to everyone who voted for the 2020 Anthology themes!  We had a lot of great themes to choose from this year, and after the first round of voting, we narrowed it down to 15 themes for the final vote. Of those 15, only 4 could be our themes for next years anthologies. This year, I didn't even need a tie breaker vote as the top four were very clear!  Before we get to those themes, let's have a quick reminder of the upcoming anthology!

    Now, let's see what the authors decided for the 2020 Anthology themes! 
     
    2020 Spring Anthology
    Due: May 15, 2020
    The Storm
    Full Moon
     
    2020 Fall Anthology
    Due: November 15, 2020
    Shadows
    Bridges
     
     
     
  7. Renee Stevens
    HAPPY THANKSGIVING for those celebrating today. Anybody ready for some new stories?  We have some great offerings for you as part of the 2019 Fall Anthology. Wondering when the anthologies would start to go live? Well, wait no more!  Today we have 4 stories for you to enjoy, and each week I will make another set live. I tried something a little different this time, for those who tend to write longer anthologies. I don't know if it will become a thing, but it never hurts to try something new. Stories over 10,000 words were given the opportunity to post their story in chapters, with a new chapter appearing each week over the course of the anthology. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the great stories that our authors had to offer!!! And don't forget to leave the authors feedback in the form of comments and reviews!

    Shaken
    Northie
    *Part 1 of 2*
     
    Semi Charmed Life
    CassieQ
    *Part 1 of 4*
     
    Before the Fall
    Thorn Wilde
    *Part 1 of 3*
     
     

    Maybe Later
    Comicfan
  8. Renee Stevens
    Who's ready for the next set of stories? You'll recognize some of them from last week, but I've added one story from each category. Happy reading and don't forget to comment and let the authors know what you thought of their stories!

    Judgement Day
    Headstall
     
    Shaken
    Northie
    *Part 2 of 2*
     
    Semi Charmed Life
    CassieQ
    *Part 2 of 4*
     
    Before the Fall
    Thorn Wilde
    *Part 2 of 3*
     
     

    Beyond the Binary
    Valkyrie
  9. Renee Stevens
    Who's ready for some more stories? It's time for the next set of anthology stories to go live. I know there hasn't been a lot of stories each grouping, but we had a lower than expected number of stories, so only a couple new ones are added each week. We have two more stories to post next week. If you haven't seen your story yet, you can PM me to make sure it's one of the two. Happy reading!!!
    stories!

    An Abomination's Love
    Comicfan
     
    Semi Charmed Life
    CassieQ
    *Part 3 of 4*
     
    Before the Fall
    Thorn Wilde
    *Part 3 of 3*
     
     

    Squall Line
    CarlHoliday

    The Right Timing
    lilansui
  11. Renee Stevens

    2019 Fall Anthology Wrapup

    By Renee Stevens,


    Anthologies
    Did you miss any of the anthologies as they went live? If so, that's okay, this is your chance to get a complete listing of all the stories included in the two themes. Just a reminder that next week will be the return of the weekly prompts from @comicfan. Since this will be my last post of the year, I wanted to give him a huge thank you for providing the prompts every week! Aliso, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Proof team for all their hard work in helping to get the anthologies ready to go!  @Valkyrie @rec @Parker Owens @Thorn Wilde  thank you for taking the time and effort to give all the anthology stories a final polish. Also, last but not least, another huge thank you has to go to @Mann Ramblings for all the banners for this year's anthologies. I know sometimes I forget until last minute, but you never let me down. I look forward to working with all of you in 2020!  Now, let's do that wrapup!
     

    Shaken
    Northie
     
    Semi Charmed Life
    CassieQ
     
    Before the Fall
    Thorn Wilde

    Judgement Day
    Headstall

    An Abomination's Love
    Comicfan

    He Kalliste
    Aditus
     

    Maybe Later
    Comicfan

    Beyond the Binary
    Valkyrie

    Squall Line
    CarlHoliday

    The Right Timing
    lilansui

    Chasing Toshiro
    CassieQ
     
     
     
     
    2019 Fall Anthology Support Team

    Anthology Coordinator
    Renee Stevens
    Tech Support
    Myr
    Proof Team
    Rec
    Valkyrie
    Parker Owens
    Thorn Wilde
    Anthology Banner Creation
    Mann Ramblings
  12. Renee Stevens

    Signature Author Special Review

    By Renee Stevens,


    Signature Feature
    Yep, you read the title right!  Today, we're going to take a look at some of the stories by our Signature Authors and what the review team thinks of them. We're doing something a little bit different this go around though, because the review team didn't just each pick one author to review, they picked all the authors. Below, you will find a one line review for a story from each of our Signature authors! A huge thanks go out to our review team for taking the time to put this together for our enjoyment. Hopefully you'll find a story that maybe you haven't read yet and the review will have you adding it to your "to read" list. Enjoy!
    Signature Author Review

    The Judas Tree Novellas by AC Benus
    Tags: coming of age, philosophy, religion, no sex, psychology, friendship
    These novellas are wonderfully written, and through AC's masterful words, we are Simon; we feel what Simon feels, we hear what he hears,
    and sees what he sees. I recommend everyone read these stories; you won't regret it. - Lisa
    08:15 AM Redux (Clockwise series) by Aditus
    Tags: gay
    As we follow Romeo and Julian during some intense moments in time, there will be laughter, tears but foremost a sense
    of recognition. Going through those first, nervous steps of meeting someone and then having to decide whether or not
    to trust them with your most precious gift, your heart... - Puppilull
    No Shirt? No Problem! by C James
    Tags: young adult, road trip, sports
    C James is best known for his epic novel Circumnavigation, but he's also written several short stories. This was the first one he posted
    on GA and it's perfect for August with sun and a hot surfer dude. - Timothy M.
    A Boy’s First Kiss by Carl Holiday
    Tags: teen, gay, college, no sex, coming of age, friendship
    Imagine a new boy at college in 1971, half a world away from home, completely unsure of himself, and. falling under the sway of another, older student.
    Carl Holiday deftly and sweetly paints this portrait of a time when college was very different, and yet still familiar. - Parker Owens
    Geeks by CassieQ
    Tags: young adult, college, light-hearted, modern, love
    Cassie! You did it again! My computer almost imploded from all the heat! Mikeal is so cute. He's so unsure of himself and so worried about everything. - Lisa
    Cosmic Inception by Cia
    Tags: aliens, space, future, fighting, abuse
    The first chapter convinced me to buy the Premium package just so I could read the first two books! Wow there are some great
    twists happening in this story. So many more questions to answer, Cia! - LitLover
    The Bachelor Farmer by Cole Matthews
    Tags: mature adult, rural, north america, philosophy, religion, industrial age
    I had the honor to read this story early and you already know how much I loved it. The characters are well developed, everything felt real and authentic.
    I don't know much about American history, farms and communities back then (and now), but I loved to read and learn about it. Well done Cole! - Aditus
    Between The Lines by Comicality
    Tags: young adult, adult, gay, roommates, college, north america
    A classic romance story by Comicality, it explores the choice of staying with someone outwardly perfect, or exploring something
    new with someone who shares the same interests and passions. - spikey582
    Accidents Happen by Comicfan
    Tags: young adult. mature adult, adult, gay, modern, love
    We follow Charlie at a perfect pace- suffer, laugh, cry, curse, get to know the whole family and friends on the way
    and want even more after the last chapter. Serious binge-reading danger - Aditus
    From the Cup of the Worthless by Cynus
    Tags: crime, fighting, parents, future, brothers, friendship
    Navigating the usual teenage struggle for freedom while also handling a budding attraction for a boy at school who happens
    to be part of organized crime is not easy, especially when you are the police chief’s son… - Puppilull
    The George Mackenzie Poltergeist by Dolores Esteban
    No Tags: Prompt story
    Angry neighbors can be a true danger and people can be scarier than any ghost, so this Halloween
    short will make the hairs on your back stand up. - Puppilull
    Working It Out by Don H
    Tags: bisexual, college, anal, parents, religion, money
    This was one of my favorite stories when I first started Gay Authors. It is filled with all sorts of things and while it
    certainly zips along at a breakneck pace, it still packs in a lot of emotion. - Myr
    Falls Creek Lessons by Graeme
    Tags: young adult, gay, australia, no sex, coming out, sports
    Considering how worried the main character is about coming out, he's certainly having fun doing it.
    All the antics made me and in turn. - Timothy M. 
    Song and Dance by Headstall
    Tags: mature, adult, adult, gay, anal, oral
    This is a story about two men learning to trust hearts that have gotten them hurt in the past, and taking a leap of faith. As the title
    says, life is a song and dance… it’s a matter of finding the right partner. - LitLover
    Standing in Shadows by Krista
    Tags: teen, gay, anal, masturbate, oral, coming of age
    How to reconcile the expectations of parents, the assumptions of friends, the pressure of small town minds, and the wishes and
    desires which have hardly been acknowledged yet. Krista gives us one possible answer.  - Timothy M.
    Rudolph's Tijuana X-mas by Mann Ramblings
    Tags: mature adult, celebrity, 20th century, holiday
    My comment pretty much says it all: What in the world were you smoking when you wrote that? It must be highly illegal,
    because that story was bizarre and very, very funny! - Puppilull
    2nd Chance by Mark Arbour
    Tags: none
    This is a rare short story from an author who excels in long series based on research and historical facts.
    But the main characters are also unusual and so is their solution to old age and ill-health. - Timothy M.
    Called to the Gates by mikiesboy
    Tags: no sex, light-hearted, serious, music, 20th century
    Any musician will appreciate this fantastic and inspiring short story, reminding anyone – singer, poet, or painter – that the
    work of creating beauty doesn't spring from applause but rises from the deepest wells of the heart. - Parker Owens
    My Brother Daniel by Nephylim
    Tags: young adult, adult, no sex, light-hearted, serious, disability
    This story features two men, Rayn and Daniel, learning to overcome disability and traumatic history as they
    try to come together and build their own future together. - spikey582
    Fool Me Once by Parker Owens
    Tags: mature adult, gay, light-hearted, love
    This is one of my favorite shorts by Parker Owens. It follows one Oliver Treadwell, math teacher, on his way to speak at
    a private schools’ convention. Hijinks and a little romance ensure.  Seriously, read this, it’s both funny and fun. - spikey582
    Studly Ranch Hands by Renee Stevens
    Tags: mature adult, gay, rural, north america, anal, animals
    Sometimes the road through life and love is a bumpy one. This is certainly true for Marc and Casey. These cowboys
    will have to find a way to communicate. Not an easy task with secrets and misunderstandings. - anon
    Mac The Mechanic by Rob Colton
    Tags: gay, coming out
    A prime example of the hunky bear / shy nerd combination, which is classic Rob Colton,
    but also a heartwarming love story I return to again and again. - Timothy M.
    What The Master Said by Stellar
    Tags: mature adults, asia, no sex, medieval, friendship
    I spent most of the story gripped by fear of the worst, anger at the villain, and holding on to a slim hope of deliverance.
    The two flashbacks brilliantly set the scene for the confrontation. - Timothy M.
    Maelstrom by Valkyrie
    Tags: abuse
    A thought provoking short story asking the question if an abuser can change their ways or are
    they doomed to teeter on the edge of the maelstrom forever? - Puppilull
  13. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: After the Past

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Is it Monday? Yep, it is! That means it's time to take a look at another great review. Today's review comes from a long term site member, @mollyhousemouse and is a review of @Mikiesboy's story After the Past. Enjoy!
    After The Past
    Mikiesboy
    Reviewer: mollyhousemouse
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 33,386
    In the world tim has created, a virus no one remembers, decimated the population. Now, more men than women survive; farming, ranching, the rural lifestyle is the best chance to survive. David is one of those survivors.
    The story follows David as he does his best to not just survive, but thrive. He finds a community, and love. The community faces a threat to their way of life. 
    This story has a bit of everything, tension, friendship, love and yes, death.
    tim always says "write bravely" and in this story he certainly does! Things happen in this story that a lot of readers took issue with, but it all worked out in the end!
    Category: Fiction  Genres: Adventure, Drama  Tags:  mature adult, adult, gay, north america, anal, future, friendship  Rating: Everyone
  14. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Peace and Quiet

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Wow, it's hard to believe that this is the last review of the year. I want to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful review team for all the work you do in providing me with these reviews for the blog. The reviews this year came from @Timothy M. @Puppilull @Cole Matthews @spikey582 @Parker Owens @aditus and @mollyhousemouse. Thank you to each and every one of you, I appreciate what you've done more than I could ever say. I also want to take this moment to remind everyone that, while we have a review team, we welcome reviews from outside of the team as well. If you're interested in reviewing a story in 2020, please get in touch with either myself or @Timothy M..  Now, lets take a look at the last review of 2019!
    Peace and Quiet
    FantasyBoy69
    Reviewer: Timothy M.
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 43,198
    When I started reading the Homestead Pride series, I hadn’t realized it was about a shifter universe. So I was just as surprised as the main characters in the first two stories, when they find out the hard way. Of the five books currently in the series, my favorite is number 2, Peace and Quiet. You can actually read it without knowing the first book, but there will be a couple of spoilers, so if you have time, why not treat yourself to reading the whole series during the holidays.
    Peace and Quiet is about a guy who takes matters in his own hands in order to get out of an abusive relationship. He doesn’t resort to violence, but simply leaves in order to find the solitude and calm he has been denied for too long. While on his way to his home town, he meets a few decent people who help him restore faith in other beings (human or not). Even more importantly, he finds out the things he has been told about shifters are mostly lies. 
    But the best part of the book is about the friends he makes, and how important they become in his life. Loyal, trustworthy, caring and fun – don’t we all need friends like that ? Those relationships are a huge part of what brings me back to this series every so often. I hope you’ll agree. 
    Happy Holidays (Glædelig Jul) from Denmark.
    Category: Fiction Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance  Tags:  young adult, mature adult,  were-creatures, adult, gay, north america  Rating: Mature
  15. Renee Stevens

    Weekly Wrap Up (Nov 17 - Nov 23)

    By Renee Stevens,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Wow, it's been quite a while since I've done one of these, but @wildone asked if I could fill in this week, and I told him I'd give it my best. Between life with a little one, and many other things going on, I just want to give a huge Thank You to Steve for continuing to do the Weekly Wrap Up's for me!!!  Currently, it's getting our Christmas light show set up and ready to go by December 1st (have you ever tried to make 7 pvc stars and wrap them in lights?), among chasing a 16 month old Baby J around (along with his puppy). It's just a bit exhausting, lol! So, let's take a look at what happened in the various GA blogs this week!  And while the deadline for the fall anthology has passed, it's never too early to get started on the anthologies for next year!!!
    Monday and Wednesday, Cia gave us this month's Classic Author feature and excerpt!
    Thursday, Myr gave us past anthology stories!
     
    And then we started the weekend off with some prompts from comicfan!
     
    Anthologies
    Anthology 101 - New in the Anthology Forum. Everything you need to know about GA Anthologies 2020 Spring Anthology: The Storm - Due May 15th 2020 Spring Anthology: Full Moon - Due May 15th 2020 Fall Anthology: Shadows - Due November 15th 2020 Fall Anthology: Bridges - Due November 15th 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:
    Geist by CassieQ *Premium*
    Classic Updates:
    Funny, You Don't Look Jewish by Altimexis
    Signature Updates:
    Adrift by Mann Ramblings
    Cynical Faith by Cynus
    Give It To Me Straight by Comicality
    Headstall's Reflections by Headstall
    Jessie-101: Online Celebrity by Comicality
    Little Things by Mikiesboy
    Musings of a Mongoose by Cynus
    My One True Weakness by Comicality
    Shelter by Comicality; Book 1 of Shelter
    Unicorn Quests by Cia
    Promising Updates:
    Here Kitty, Kitty by Caz Pedroso
    Shrunk to Fit by northie
    Singer by Carlos Hazday
    Thorny Poetry by Thorn Wilde
    Torturous Love : Version 3 by Sasha Distan
     
     
  16. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Shade

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Morning all. Sorry, I'm a bit behind so let's get right to this great review of @Cole Matthews story, Shade!
    Shade
    Cole Matthews
    Reviewer: spikey582
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 7,113
    With it being October, I definitely felt like getting into the Halloween spirit by reviewing a ghostly horror story, and Cole Matthews' submission from the seasonal short story contest fits the bill perfectly. This was actually a great treat for me, to go back through the site specifically seeking out stories firmly in the Horror genre, those being the sort of stories I tend to read less frequently. So, finding this gem was a real lesson in branching out and trying new things.
    In Shade, we meet Dalton, still reeling from the tragic loss of his beloved partner Bauer. Dalton’s recent decision to move into the fixer-upper bed & breakfast is proving to be a mistake as ghosts from his past as well as strange noises within the house itself keep him up at all hours of the night. With sleep being an impossible dream, Dalton decides to take a late-night drive and discovers a strange library with very unusual operating hours. And here is where the classic Cole Matthews brand of mystery and intrigue really takes off.
    What’s great about any story of this sort that you read by Cole Matthews is that nothing is really ever as it seems, and often as you explore further into the story, you can frequently discover more questions, even as you get answers. In keeping with the theme, this isn’t just a haunted house story, but really a story of more than one person haunted by their pasts, and sometimes haunted by ghosts quite literally. What’s even more amazing is that Cole does all this with such a short word count.
    I can’t endorse this story enough. If you like ghosts, if you like mysteries, if you like anything else Cole Matthews has written, you’ll enjoy this. 
    Category: Prompt 2017 Genres: Horror  Tags:  Halloween  Rating: Mature
  17. Renee Stevens

    Featured Story: Innocence and Carnality

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    We have another review for you today!  A huge thanks to the review team for making these reviews happen. Today's review is one of our Premium stories by Mann Ramblings. Puppilull seemed to like the story, so hopefully her review will make you want to check it out yourself!  If you don't already have Premium, and you want to become a Premium subscriber, you can purchase it here.
    Innocence and Carnality
    Mann Ramblings
    Reviewer: Puppilull
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 119,440
    Steam punk extravaganza with attention to detail like you wouldn’t believe. Or well, if you’ve read any of Mann Rambling’s stories before, you know they are beautifully crafted. This one is no exception. It is one of my absolute favorite stories here. I feel almost foolish trying to review a story like this, with its well thought out plot, incredibly vivid setting and characters that you both love and hate. Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out just how you are feeling about the people inhabiting the story, since they are complex and challenge your views on good and bad. No cookie cutter personas here!
    I&C (as it was lovingly dubbed in the forum) started out as a weekly prompt story, giving the initial readers a meager diet of a mere 1000 words a week for a long time. New readers can consider themselves lucky to have unhindered binge opportunity. And trust me, you will binge. The story turned into a two-book series and it’s a page turner. Or in this case page scroller…
    It’s an undoubtedly sexy tale, but also for me quite emotional. Maybe it’s my soft mother’s heart or perhaps my mama bear awakened by the plight of our main character. The poor little rich boy who is an outcast from his family, brought up for a specific reason ever since his fundamental flaw was exposed. A disappointment to his family and therefore treated accordingly.
    It broke my heart so many times to see him mistreated and I raged repeatedly in the forum discussing the story. Of course, our hero is stronger than he appears, and he manages to use his brains to get him where he wants to be. The road there is however far from straight and danger lurks behind each corner.
    I should warn you: If you are a sensitive reader this story is perhaps not for you. There are definite elements of bdsm which in a moderately disturbing (but so well written) way segues into abuse.  It’s nothing too graphic but can cause unexpected whirls of emotion. Even an enjoyer of the rougher side of things like me found the story line triggered deeply rooted feelings of outrage over injustice and the unfairness of life. It sparked a definite need for revenge.
    To stir such emotion is of course testament of a truly great writer. Mann Ramblings does not disappoint but provides in abundance. So give yourself a treat and enjoy some high quality reading! Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you feel like punching some of the characters in the face…
     Category: Fiction  Genres: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  Tags:  mature adult, alternate earth, bdsm, fetish, oral, anal, abuse  Rating: Mature
  18. Renee Stevens

    Author Promo: northie

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Wow, it's been a while since we've done an author promo. This month we're taking a look at northie. Northie was asked to pick three stories and answer the three questions: What gave you the idea for this story? What was your favorite thing about writing this story? & Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description. If you would like to do an author promo for the blog, please check out the blog feature opportunities thread. Now, let's take a look at what northie has for us.
    northie
    Author
    13 stories · 593 comments · 126,539 total words
    The Bard's Tale
    Description: A bard decides to take action to recover unpaid monies due. A perfectly reasonable task which involves him in unreasonable and unintended consequences.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    Strange as it may sound, the original inspiration came from playing Last post wins here on GA. Many of the players assume characters and this drew on two of them. I'll leave you to guess which. They appeared first in an early poem posted in my GA blog, but when the Spring/Summer 2017 Antho came around I realised it was a perfect match. However, it wasn't allowed as an entry, so I took the general outline of the poem and worked it into a much, much longer prose piece.
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    This is a difficult one because I enjoyed so many things about writing it. Allowing myself to experiment creatively is what I'm going to say. Format, subject matter, genre, tone – all a matter of experiment. I wrote it in February / March 2017, when I'd only been writing prose for four or five months. I learnt so much from it.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    It is collaboration with my editor, Parker Owens. Parker very kindly wrote the poems for the bard which form a central part of the plot. He is such a wonderful poet – he took my rather vague requirements and turned them into poetic gold.
    Incy Wincy Spider
    Description: Dave Harrison is late for work, again. Turns out, that's by far the least of his worries.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    It's actually a prompt response. One of the creative ones, where you're given a scenario and left to continue it. Very often I look at those without much of an idea, but this one grabbed me from the outset. In fact, I'd hardly finished reading the prompt before the ideas started bubbling up. I had so much fun with the story, it became long enough to be my first separately posted story apart from The Bard's Tale.
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    Personification. Making the spiders come alive. Describing them. Making them interact with our hapless hero. Imbuing each with its own personality and traits which came partly from the truth and partly my imagination. This was my first experiment in personification and I loved it.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    The spiders are real in the sense that they are species which I see around me all the time. I like spiders (or at least the ones which live in the UK) and I do observe them. At the end of the story I give a 'cast list' with their proper names.
    Night Thoughts
    Description: What would your thoughts be if you were alone, at night, imprisoned only for who you are? One man gives us his.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    Again, it started out as a prompt response. This time to a challenge prompt which asked you to 'write a scene where it is not possible to see anything'. This type of prompt is something to use to push your writing technique. Straight away it suggested a cell, a prisoner, but I didn't immediately make a start on it. I left it for a couple of weeks lurking in the back of my mind while I got on with other things. When I did finally sit down to write something, it still wasn't very clear in my mind what was going to happen. One thing I was clear on – it had to be from the point of view of the prisoner as he was living it. It was only when I got started that the whole thing just poured out, pretty much as it is now. A crie de coeur from a nameless prisoner, jailed simply because he's gay.
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    I'm going to use that phrase again: the chance to experiment. I'd decided it was going to be written in the first person. My first attempt at that. But I also decided that the word 'I' was never going to appear. Another layer of complication. However, I enjoyed writing it immensely. It has opened up a new channel for my writing – one which can be used for short, intense, immersive pieces like this one. This story is the first of a projected series of 'Night thoughts'.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    The description is deliberately fairly bland. Which makes the shock, you, the reader, hopefully experience when reading it all the more intense. I wasn't trying to shock for shock's sake – it's more, the way I've written it, it should draw you in. Place you right next to the poor soul incarcerated in the cell who opens up his heart and mind over the course of one night.
  19. Renee Stevens

    Author Promo: Dodger

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    Time for a new author promo! This month we're taking a look at Dodger. Dodger was asked to pick three stories and answer the three questions: What gave you the idea for this story? What was your favorite thing about writing this story? & Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description. If you would like to do an author promo for the blog, please check out the blog feature opportunities thread. Now, let's take a look at what Dodger has for us.
    Dodger
    Author
    8 stories · 1,918 comments · 683,683 total words
     
    The Cockney Canuck
    Description: Following the death of his mother, fifteen-year-old Robbie is forced to move from England to start a new life living with his uncle’s family in Canada. Homesick, confused, and missing his close friend, it soon becomes clear to his new family that Robbie is carrying a lot more baggage than he arrived with.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    It started out as therapy before turning into a bit of an autobiography, but my life wasn’t interesting enough to sustain it, so I invented Robbie and turned it into fiction.
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    It was fun because it was my first attempt at writing fiction and I became totally absorbed in the main character. I was, of course, completely out of my depth and the early chapters definitely reflect this. They are, perhaps, a tad raw in places but for those who have ploughed through regardless, the ending promises a real treat!
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description?
    Most of the characters are based on real people, but only one of them is aware of their inclusion. The infamous Nicola is my sister in real life and reads the story on GA. It’s quite bizarre because she calls me after each chapter is posted to give me her valued opinion. Inevitably, she has had some influence, but no direct input and of course, the storylines are all fiction.
    Incidentally, she also enjoys reading the comments. So remember, the next time you rant about ‘that horrible bitch Nicola’, the real one will probably be reading it!!!
    A Soldier’s Guide to Single Parenting
    Description: After losing his wife to illness, a decorated war hero is determined to keep his family together, but his parenting skills are tested during the summer break by financial restraints, an increasing reliance on alcohol, and the discovery that his eldest son is gay.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    I think that everyone loves a fictional character who they can really hate. So I thought it would be a good idea to give the villain the lead role in a story. The narrator, therefore, is a thoroughly dislikeable, homophobic, alcoholic, sexist, bigot, with some serious mental issues. Yeah, it’s a biggie and he’s only saved by the fact that his adversary in the story is even worse!
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    Believe it or not, I’m not a homophobic, alcoholic, sexist, bigot, but I may have some serious mental issues because I enjoyed pretending to be one while writing it. There may even be a hint of sadomasochism in this work because I’ve revelled in some of the abuse that has been understandably levelled at the main character, even though I’m innocent. Don’t shoot the messenger is the theme here.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description?
    Jeff is dislikeable but not unlikeable. He has some almost redeeming qualities which the reader would not be aware of if he wasn’t the narrator. There’s a well-worn cliché that may apply. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
    A Night at the Opera
    Description: Georgie’s younger brother Simon turns up with some friends to celebrate his seventeenth birthday, but the next morning, a monumental hangover and an unexpected discovery threaten to cast a shadow over their close family bond.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    I wanted to write a short story from a different perspective and allow the readers to jump to the wrong conclusion simply by not mentioning things which they take for granted. I can’t say much more.
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    Dropping little clues here and there and trying to work them into the story. I like that kind of thing but I didn’t know if it would work until I received some feedback. I think that most people were fooled.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description?
    It’s very tongue in cheek with a little more comedy than I would usually use but it’s an easy read for the unsuspecting.
  20. Renee Stevens

    Author Promo: Mikiesboy

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    It's time for another author promo! I'm completely out of these promos, so if you'd like to promo your own work, take a look at the thread for guidelines and then PM me. For this month, our featured promo spot is for Mikiesboy. There were three questions that Mikiesboy had to answer for each story. The questions were What gave you the idea for this story? What was your favorite thing about writing this story? & Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    Mikiesboy
    Promising Author
    22 stories · 4,280 comments · 193,265 total words
    After the Past
    Description: Life after the past isn't what most of us dream of, or hope for.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    The first chapter was written years ago but there was a push for dystopian stories at the time, so I’m sure I was influenced by those. Most of those stories had very evil overlords who had taken over and controlled others. I just wondered if that was how it would be. I wondered what would likely end most of the human race - war or disease. I chose disease, a virus.
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    Creating the characters I think and then building their relationships, but most important making sure it felt real.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    It’s a love story really. There tough times, sad ones, and ones filled with joy. It’s Dave’s story, his life, and what happens as a result of his humanity, and his choices.
    Levko
     
    Description: Levko is a rent boy who supports his roommate and pimp, but his life changes one dark night.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    My life did. My experience was very much like Lev’s, but how we each ended up are much different.
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    At the time I wrote this I’d read a few BDSM stories which seemed over-the-top and a little unreal. So I decided to draw from my experience and bring my voice, and take on the subject.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    This is really two stories, Lev finds a second life and he also finds the strength to leave one and accept the other.
    Delicious
     
    Description: Faris and James meet life head-on, together.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    It was a prompt. I hadn’t been a member here long when I saw a Prompt #447 – The Gift: You haven’t been feeling well lately, but you still try to keep up with your normal routine. You’ve been asked to a party, and although you don’t feel well, you decide to go. The only request is that as a gift you give something homemade. What do you give as your gift?
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    Oh, that has to be the two main characters, Faris and James and their dog, Larry. I laughed until I cried writing Delicious. Faris is Scottish, big and sexy and James is slim and slight, and both madly in love with each other. They get up to all sorts of adventures. I wanted to write something funny and I kind of surprised myself in that I managed it. I hope.
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    There are (so far) 9 separate short stories in this collection featuring these two and their dogs. Stories range from how they met and married, to dealing with rats, birthdays, and illness.
  21. Renee Stevens

    Author Interview: Valkyrie

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    I hope everyone is having a wonderful day today. For your enjoyment today, we have an interview with Valkyrie where she talks about her writing process, her book Hollow Hills, and a few questions just for fun. If you haven't read Valkyrie's stories, you can do so here! Hope you enjoy!
    Valkyrie
    General Author Questions
    What does your writing process look like?
    I don’t really follow the same process with every story.  Sometimes I’ll jot ideas down or make an outline, but most of the time the story is in my head and I just write until it’s done.  If I get stuck or the story has too many directions it can go in, I’ll discuss it with my beta readers to help me narrow it down. 
    Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?
    I do a lot of ‘writing’ in the car.  I get a lot of ideas when I’m commuting to and from work or travelling. Sometimes I really wish I could actually write while driving, but I don’t think that’s such a good idea… lol  Sometimes I need to write using pen and paper vs. the computer. I find when I write poetry especially that I prefer starting with pen and paper before entering it on the computer.  When I write stories, sometimes it helps me get past a block.  I have notebooks full of story scraps, ideas/notes, and poems.
    Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
    I would be beyond flattered if any of my writing inspired others.  As far as my own influences, I would have to say Tolkien, Anne Rice, Marguerite Henry, Sam Savitt, and Piers Anthony.  Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles led me to look for more m/m type stories, which eventually led me here. 
    How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
    Names are extremely important in my stories.  I try to tailor the name of the characters to the theme of the story, if possible.  For example, in Faeries Anonymous the majority of characters have names associated with what they are.  So Jonquil is a flower faery, Alvin means ‘elf friend’, and Garin is an elf with a dwarf name.  My favorite in that story has to be Dr. Schmetterling, though.  For those unfamiliar with German, it means ‘butterfly’.  Sometimes I pick names because I like them.  Joshua is my favorite male name, which is how Josh from The Hollow Hills got his name.  Galen in the same story was created almost instantly when I first heard the name.  I was working in retail at the time and had a customer named Galen come in and my immediate thought was “OMG I just found a man for Josh!”  lol 
    What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
    That’s hard to say. While it hasn’t always been an easy road, I’m pretty proud to be a self-sufficient single woman.  I have a good career, own my own house, and am able to enjoy little extras like hobbies and vacations. It took a long time to get to this point, and I’m enjoying it. 
    Are you a plotter or a pantster?
    A little bit of both. 

    What is your least favorite part of the writing process?
    Getting started and then writing the endings.  I don’t usually have a problem with the middle.   Sometimes I struggle with narrowing down a story to one starting point, then once I get past the middle, I want to rush and just get it finished and to my team.  I need to tell myself to slow down and make sure I’m not missing any important pieces to tie the whole thing together.

    Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?
    Incest
    What are you working on now? What is your next project?
    I have a ton of ideas, and I hope to get them all written at some point.  I’d like to expand both The Legend of Treehaven Woods and Faeries Anonymous.  I also plan on writing a sequel to Vodka at Moonlight.  I have a story idea centered around my Day 28 poem for National Poetry Month (which can be found in April Musings chapter 14).  Good news for Galen and Josh fans… my immediate plan is to concentrate on finishing The Hollow Hills.
    Rapid Fire Questions
    If you had a superpower, what would it be?
    Teleportation.  I’d love to be able to just pop in and visit my friends who live far away.
    If you were a super hero, what would your name be? What costume would you wear?
    Super Penguin!  LOL  I wouldn’t need much of a costume, since penguins have natural tuxedos, so maybe a bowtie with a ‘P’ in the center and a black cape.  Capes are always cool. 

    What secret talents do you have?
    I can draw pretty well.  Animals, anyway.  I’m horrible at drawing people.  I can also stand with my feet facing inward, toes touching, feet perpendicular to my body.  I’ve never met anyone else who can do that.  I must have weird feet because I can also stick my toes straight up in the air with my feet on the ground, creating a 90 degree angle.  It used to gross my brother out when we were kids. 

    Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?
    I have lots of places I want to visit!  Top of the list would be the UK and Europe, specifically Germany and Poland.  I’d also like to see the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. 

    If you were an animal in a zoo, what would you be?
    Since my member title is ‘Pesky Penguin’, I suppose I’d have to go with that… lol

    If you could have any accents from anywhere in the world, what would you choose?
    Irish or Scottish *swoon*

    Do you dream? Do you have any recurring dreams/nightmares?
    I dream all the time.  Most of the time they’re quite epic, with intricate plots mingled with lots of bizarreness.  My absurdist prose poem about the three-headed duck with one leg is based on an actual dream I had.  I don’t have any recurring dreams, but I do have recurring themes.  I dream a lot about GA, which tells me I probably spend way too much time on here!  Lol  They’re mainly dreams about meeting site friends.  Water is another recurring theme in my dreams.  Sometimes it’s as small as a puddle and other times I’ve had to wake myself up from a literal wall of water about to crash into me.  I could go on and on about my dreams, but I’ll stop now since there’s still more questions to go.
    Book Specific
    Quickly, give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:
    The Hollow Hills   After leaving his boyfriend of twenty years, Galen decides to return to his roots and move across the country to leave near his cousin.  He meets Josh, and his life takes an unexpected turn.  Then tragedy strikes, and everyone has to learn how to live with their new reality.

    How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
    It’s the name of the farm where a lot of the story takes place. 

    Who is your favorite character from your book and why?
    It’s a toss-up between Josh and Galen.  Josh has been around in some form since I was a freshman in high school, so he’s pretty dear to me.  Galen’s capacity for love and forgiveness is something I’m pretty impressed by.

    How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?
    Roger.  Because he’s a dick. 

    If you could change ONE thing about your story, what would it be?  Why?
    I would have waited to post it until it’s complete.  I had about seven chapters written when I first started posting it, and thought I would easily be able to keep pace, but then I got sick and stopped writing for a few months, which put me majorly behind.  I’ve put it on the back burner several times in order to participate in anthologies and contests, so I’m glad to have a few months now with no other writing commitments.  One thing I would change about the story itself is that I should have introduced Adam earlier.  Adam is Alannah’s adopted son, but doesn’t feature much in this story. 

    Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
    There’s a tie-in with Alex’s Legacy and a few of my early prompt responses feature characters from The Hollow Hills.  Josh and Alannah didn’t get along when they first met.  It’s not mentioned in the book so far, but Josh drives a black ‘50s era Ford pickup. 
  22. Renee Stevens

    Author Promo: Headstall

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    It's time for another author promo! I'm completely out of these promos, so if you'd like to promo your own work, take a look at the thread for guidelines and then PM me. For this month, our featured promo spot is for Headstall. There were three questions that Headstall had to answer for each story. The questions were What gave you the idea for this story? What was your favorite thing about writing this story? & Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     
    Headstall
    Promising Author
    15 stories · 3,128 reviews · 636,814 total words
     
    Chrisis Eve
     
    Description: Darren is in a crisis on Christmas Eve. His pain is unbearable, and he only wants one thing… peace… peace from the memories of another Christmas Eve that has haunted him for two years. Is there someone or something that can help him find it?
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     
    I was intrigued by the 2015 Secret Santa contest, but I didn’t think I was up for it, quite frankly. The idea must have been percolating in my brain, though, because I woke up one morning with this strange story at the front of my mind. Something magical, which was weird for me. Anyway, I sat down and started writing.
     
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     
    I guess I would have to say how different it was. It had my brain firing on all cylinders as I created my Santas in a way that was pure fun. It was like playing, rather than writing.
     
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     
    The only thing I can think of that might be interesting is when I wrote the alley scene, for some reason I pictured Johnny Depp in his role as Captain Jack Sparrow… I think it might have been his carriage as he walked. So maybe there was a bit of him in there.
     
    Dirty Pool
     
    Description: Duncan never saw it coming... any of it. His friends didn't understand. They meant well, but it was over, and there was no going back. He wouldn't be fooled again.
     
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     
    This was a story that coalesced in my head on a fairly long bike ride. By the time the ride was done, I had the entire story. I don’t know why it came to the surface, other than one of the characters is a lot like a friend of mine. I might have been thinking about the fall anthology at the time… Blindsided… but I can’t be sure. My imagination comes alive for no apparent reason most of the time.
     
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     
    The dialogue, without a doubt. I could hear all the voices clearly. Ah, should I be admitting that? Seriously, I love writing dialogue between characters who are well fleshed out in my head.
     
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     
    That’s a tough question without giving spoilers. I guess it would be that I designed Kelly and Martin’s house completely in my head, right down to the door hardware. It’s why I’ve been working on short stories more and more, as a form of discipline. My instinct is to turn every story into a long one.
     
    Finding Refuge
     
    Description: A refuge can be a place, or a person. Sometimes, it's both. Just like scars. We can carry them on the outside, or on the inside. Sometimes, it's both. Wiley Burch is a cowboy on the run. He never bargained for being someone's target, but it appears his luck has run out... or has it?
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     
    The Rewind Anthology. I wanted to write something for it (I ended up writing three stories in all), and there were so many options with all the previous themes available. I saw the Scars theme, and a cougar came to mind for whatever reason. I had never considered writing a ‘Western’ before, but once I did, it seemed the most natural thing to do. I was raised on Westerns as a kid, on TV and at the movies, and I was a true fan of them. It was exciting.
     
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     
    Other than the fact it had horses in it, it would have to be the ‘western speak’ I had the most fun with. I wanted the feel to be authentic, but not hokey or over the top. I was really happy with how it turned out.
     
    Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     
    I would have to say first of all, this little story is a favorite of mine, and secondly, these guys have never left my head. They show up periodically so there’s a good chance we will see them again at some point, and that includes Cholo.
  23. Renee Stevens

    Author Promo: Valkyrie

    By Renee Stevens,


    Featured Stories
    It's time for another author promo! If you'd like to promo your own work, take a look at the thread for guidelines and then PM me. For this month, our featured promo spot is for Valkyrie. There were three questions that Valkyrie had to answer for each story. The questions were What gave you the idea for this story? What was your favorite thing about writing this story? & Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
     
    Valkyrie Signature Author
    30 stories · 975 reviews · 264,746 total words
    Vodka At Moonlight  
    Description: Bradley and Allen move into a new house in the country. They love their idyllic, new life until their son meets a new friend.
     
    What gave you the idea for this story?
     
    I love Halloween and have wanted to write a story about the holiday for a while. I wove a lot of personal elements into this story—such as Allen being so afraid of spiders. The person he is based on is afraid of spiders, and so is my mom. I remember several times as a kid having friends freak out over the blood-curdling screams coming from the basement and looking at me like I’m insane when I nonchalantly reply, “Oh, my mom found a spider.” Zeke was inspired by my friend’s son, who as a toddler used to talk about the ‘man in the closet’. The title and ‘vodka’ were inspired by the name of a racehorse I saw when I visited Cole Matthews and his husband. I saw the name and immediately commented how it would make a great prompt or short story. I thought it fit this story well.  
    What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
     
    I really enjoyed coming up with all the twists in the story. I was hoping to keep readers guessing, and I think I managed to do that. I was also pretty proud of Bradley’s name. He’s named after Boo Radley—and another person whose name also starts with Br-.
      Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    I’ve had numerous requests for a continuation. I won’t guarantee when, but I do have some ideas for a sequel.  The Hollow Hills  
    Description: This story centers around The Hollow Hills - a horse farm in Vermont - and Galen and Joshua. Galen moves to New England after breaking up with his boyfriend and meets Josh. Their relationship is anything but easy, with many obstacles standing in their way. When tragedy strikes, they need to learn how to redefine their lives and live with the after-effects.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    This story has existed in some form since I was in high school. Josh first appeared in a story I wrote for my freshman English class. That story sparked the Hollow Hills universe, leading to the development of Alannah, Adam, Liam, and Roger, and eventually Galen. I’ve always wanted to write it, but had a lot of trouble narrowing down the storyline and finding an appropriate starting point. Now that I’ve gained more confidence as a writer, I felt ready to tackle such a daunting story.  What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    It’s still in progress and hasn’t been abandoned. I will admit to being very slow with posting chapters, but I want to remain as true to the story as possible and hope that the wait has been worth it. I would say my favorite thing so far has been the varied reactions of readers. These characters are near and dear to my heart, so seeing them from a different perspective has been eye-opening.  Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    There is a crossover between this story and my story Alex’s Legacy . Huge bonus points to anyone who can tell me what it is.  Max's Garage  
    Description: Elliot is living the good life, even though he hates his job. Then he meets Max, who helps him answer some tough questions he didn't have the courage to face.
    What gave you the idea for this story?
    I honestly don’t remember. It was written for The Backup Plan anthology, and was my first anthology submission to this site.  What was your favorite thing about writing this story?
    Writing Max and getting to know him was very enjoyable. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much people like this story and the sequels.  Please tell us something about this story that is not already in the description.
    Max and Elliot’s story continues in Lawyer or Mechanic? And Proximate Cause . Pete’s story was told in Exit to Redemption .
  24. Renee Stevens

    Ask An Author #48

    By Renee Stevens,


    Author Interviews
    Ask an Author #48
     
    Welcome back to another quirky question and answer session with your favorite authors!
    In AtA #47, we heard from authors Riley Jericho, SkinnyDragon, Craftingmom, and Roberto Zuniga.  
    Today in AtA #48 we hear from authors JackBinimbul, Mikiesboy, Palantir, and WolfM.
     
     
    Please welcome Texan and Author JackBinimbbul to the blog.  Jack has been with GA for almost a year but has dabbled in writing for a long time.  He’s the author of the popular crime/romance story Painted Blue, just what the BDSM genre needs after the horror that is “Fifty Shades....”  Jack’s family has a history of service in law enforcement, and you know what they say: “write what you know!”  Painted Blue is about a detective who begins to understand and allow himself to enjoy aspects of himself that our society often labels taboo.  Law enforcement and BDSM are two genres commonly ridiculed or demonized, so it’s awesome to have a story that’s so real.  Despite the play on the Dorian Gray name, the characters are wonderfully down-to-earth and the information about what happens in a real “scene” is a can’t miss, even if you’re not normally a fan of the genre.  
    To JackBinimbul:  How have you planned out the crime/mystery part of Painted Blue?  What challenges have you run into attempting to weave the mystery aspect of Painted Blue into Dorian and Felix's story?
    Well, I won't be giving any spoilers!  That said, it's been relatively difficult to weave everything on the crime/mystery level so that it's not readily apparent, but in hindsight, the reader will be able to see all the threads as they converge.  It will be a fairly large reveal, but I want it to still be believable.
    It has been a bit of a challenge working everything in with the relationship between Dorian and Felix.  I didn't want either elements of the story to completely overshadow the other, but I also want them to feel interconnected and to play off of each other organically.  It has been tempting to just focus on the crime aspect, or the developing relationship and I've really had to be disciplined about giving them equal consideration.
     
     
    Author Mikiesboy joins us once more.  For those of you not familiar with this guy, Timmy is from Ontario, Canada and has published about 20 different items in his year and a half here on GA.  An avid participant in the weekly prompts, Timmy also writes some amazing poetry.  In January, Timmy gifted us with Miss Silver Pretty-Pink-Toes, a fairy tale story with some breathtaking imagery.  While I am not the only one wanting more from this author, unfortunately life has a way of throwing curve balls.  We might be seeing less of Timmy in the future as he puts things in perspective and focuses on what is truly important to him.  Still, he’s given us some rich memories which will be treasured.  
    To Mikiesboy:  Do you have any future projects planned? 
    I don't plan to write poetry, not like you'd plan to write fiction, poems just sort of come to me.  They are a way for me to deal with issues, good or bad, that happen in my life.  However I do work on AC Benus' Poetry Prompts, which are a great opportunity to learn. For these I have to plan to write them. It's a challenge and I think making yourself try new things, step out of your comfort zone, follow the restrictions of the form, makes you more creative and a better writer.
    Future projects, yes, I am currently working on a new fictional piece, a kind of dystopian story. I also have something almost ready for the Pre-2016 Anthology Themes. It's something completely different for me.  I'll probably continue to write a weekly prompt now and again and definitely will do any of AC Benus' O'Henry Prompts when he puts out another one.
     
    You might remember member and writer Palantir by his former name Iarwain.   With GA since 2009, Palantir has had an amazingly varied life.  He calls Melbourne, Australia home now but he has travelled extensively over the years and can tell you quite a bit about a number of different places.  I’ll bet all those stories made him a wonderful teacher, too.  He now has a website dedicated to his stories about what he’s calling the Terran Diaspora, which you can also read here.  For those of you who are not sci-fi fans, this generally refers to Terrans (us, Earthlings) leaving Earth and settling on other planets.  Closer to home, you might remember The Ocean Walk, one of Palantir’s first stories.  Two guys off hiking along the beach keep meeting up as small catastrophes keep trying to ruin their adventures.  If you like nature, this is one for you.
    To Palantir:  What inspires you to write? How is it that you put an idea together for a story?
    The inspiration to actually write? = a sense of achievement - hopefully a kind of legacy - the wonderful gift when readers express their enjoyment - the act of creation
    Inspiration is a very tricky beast and I never know where it's going to come from. All my major stories have started with a germ of an idea and then fleshed out with the characters somehow  running away with their own ideas and actions.
    When I've committed to a story it's with me everywhere. Sometimes I realise I've walked through the bush or along a beach and seen nothing because my mind has been trying out ideas and approaches for the next section of the story.
     
     
    Last but not least today is author WolfM.  We’ve seen a lot from this author in the past few months, as he’s the creative force behind Running with the Pack.  With more than 350 reviews on this story alone, can you believe WolfM was once told he has no talent?  Running is an epic tale pushing 250-thousand words and 50 chapters as of January 2017 and WolfM should feel pride in such an accomplishment.  He’s enjoying some time off writing right now, but let’s hope he brings us some more of Ethan and Aiden soon!
     To WolfM:  Do you plan on having expanding the world of Running with the Pack with future stories or creatures?
    As I've been writing Running with the Pack I have given thought at times to a possible follow up story.  At this point I have absolutely no idea what form it would take, what characters would be included or even if new species of shifters would make an appearance.  Unfortunately the best answer I can give to any of the readers who have encouraged me with their support to keep working on RWTP is that my current focus is on completing this project and taking a little break from writing so I can catch up on many of the stories I very much want to read.  I will say that after spending so many years with these characters and having them in a sense before friends and family to me, I might not be able to let them go completely once I do reach the final chapter.
     
     
    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!
    I’ll see you next time, with authors AC Benus, HindertoyBL, Milos, and Parker Owens!
    I’m always in the market for new questions!  Simply PM me (Dark).
    Until next time!
    Dark
     
  25. Renee Stevens

    Ask an Author 2.0 - #1

    By Renee Stevens,


    Author Interviews
    I've had quite a few messages asking about the return of Ask An Author, so here it is: Ask An Author 2.0. It won't be exactly like Dark always did it, but hopefully you enjoy getting the answers you've asked just as much as in the past. One major difference is, at least to start, we're only going to look at two authors at a time. Without further ado, here's the first Ask An Author 2.0.  Today we're going to hear from Hudson Bartholomew and Timothy M.
    The first author for today is Hudson Bartholomew. Hudson was raised by conservative immigrant parents and grew up straddling two cultures with often times conflicting perspectives on life. Instead of conforming to either, she tries to find a third way that brings together the positive elements of both. Having spent much of her life on the outside looking in, Hudson likes to write stories about outsiders who fight to carve out their place in society, and overcome everyday challenges to find love and happily ever afters.
    You're pretty new to GA, but I personally think you're one to watch. I'm impressed with all I've read from you so far. Did you always know you wanted to write and do you have any rituals when you get to it?
    1. Did you always know you wanted to write? 
    I have a distant memory of a grade school project where we wrote short stories with pictures and our teacher helped us bind them into books with fabric covers. I think that's when I fell in love with writing. Since then, I have had an on-again, off-again relationship with writing. School, work, life, people I love who dismiss writing as "a waste of time," these have all drawn me away from writing at some point. My old computer is filled with half written stories that will never see the light of day. Despite all these things, however, I always end up coming back to it because that's where I feel most like the real me. A couple of years ago, I finally admitted how much writing meant to me and I committed to making it a regular part of my life. What I discovered is that the more I write, the more I fall in love with writing. So, Writing--you're stuck with me now. 
    2. Do you have any rituals when you get into it? 
    I don't have any rituals, per se. But I find that I need a certain level of distraction in order to concentrate, if that makes any sense. If all I have is the story in front of me, my brain will quickly wander off. But if I'm writing and also chatting with a friend online, my brain is preoccupied just enough that I can keep writing for hours on end. I'm strange, I know. 
    The second author for today is Timothy M. Tim is from Denmark and is known for sprinkling his posts and stories with Danish words and references to the webcomic Scandinavia and the World. He's also a prolific writer of story reviews and comments, as well as editor for several authors.
    As a regular contributor to the site as well as being a popular author, how do you strike a balance between writing your own material and reading and reviewing other authors' work. Do you for example set aside a certain amount of time each day, where you are offline, to concentrate on your writing.
    No, I write when inspiration strikes me and I have time. I usually give priority to editing for others, and also to writing reviews, reading and commenting. This is probably one of the reasons my stories progress veeery sloooowly, to the frustrations of my readers. Sorry   But they are patient and nice, giving me the occasional prod by PM or story topic post, and only resorting to threats of pitch forks and tying me to the computer, when I've lapsed on updating for too long.  In fact, I sometimes feel a little guilty about the pleasure I get from having Hungry Birds cheeping at me for more. 
    Well, that's it for this month!!! If you have a question you'd like to ask an author, send it to me and I'll pass the question on and see about getting it answered!
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