Renee Stevens

Happy Saturday to all, and it is a very happy Saturday. Why you may ask, the 2012 Gay Authors Fall Anthology is now LIVE! That's right, you've been wanting to read the stories and the wait is finally over. I hope you enjoy the hard work that all of our authors put into their anthology pieces and after you've read, why not leave the author a review letting them know what you think about it! Remember to Read, Write, & REVIEW! 2012 Gay Authors Fall Anthology: Friends & Enemies Amber Prince -- Comicfan Cedric and the Scarred Man -- Michael9344 Dead Reckoning -- Bill W I am In Venice -- carringtonrj July Morning -- dariyo Kyle & Derrick -- Mikelaing74 Murder in the City -- CassieQ Royal Rewards -- Dark Take me home tonight -- K.C. Take...Me Out to the...Ball, Game... -- MJ85 The Change of Heart -- andy021278 The Mud Worm -- Dolores Esteban

You would have done the same for me, though can't wait until you are back!

I checked and didn't see a thread for this so.... H A P PY BIRTHDAY TREBS!!!! Hope it's a great one!

I absolutely love the Wednesday blog. It gives us a chance to bring some recognition to the wonderful authors that can be found here at GA. Today, we're bringing you two more stories. We hope that you'll take a look at them and see if just maybe they are something you might enjoy. The first review we're bringing you is one done by yours truly or, as Trebs would say, the Radiant Renee Stevens (rolls eyes) of a story by Promising Author: Skylights called "A Day in a Life of Misery." SidLove also provided us with a review of the story by Author: lilansui called "Bovian Image." Hope you enjoy them! A Day In A Life of Misery By Skylights Reviewer: Renee Stevens Status: Complete Word Count: 2,319 While this story is very short, it is also a very powerful. A Day In A Life of Misery is anything but lighthearted as we follow the main character through one day in his life. Skylights tells a very moving story from the point of view of the main character. While we never know his name, we can’t help but feel for him. The main character shares his darkest thoughts with the reader. He is full of angst and has a very cold demeanor towards those in his life. As a reader, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was all an act or if he really was as uncaring as he seemed. While I know that sounds like something absolutely horrible, the main character certainly had his reasons for feeling the way he did. Honestly, I couldn’t completely disagree with some of his actions and reactions. Despite the short length of this piece, Skylights did a wonderful job of writing a story that is chock-full of emotions. I wish this story was longer because I really want to know what the future hold for the main character and those around him. It is a difficult thing, even in first person, to really ensure that the reader feels like they are in the mind of the character. In my opinion, Skylights was able to accomplish this feat. If you haven’t already read this story, I would strongly suggest it. As I said earlier, it is a pretty dark story, but it is so worth the few minutes it will take to read it. If you do take the time to read “A Day In A Life of Misery” then take a moment to let Skylights know what you think by writing a quick review. Bovian Image by lilansui Reviewer: SidLove Status: Complete Word Count: 74,186 SarEr and Zun are best friends forever. While SarEr comes from a wealthy family, Zun's mother runs a small salon in the city. Both of them wish to get out of the city, for different reasons. Zun has a dream and SarEr just wants out. He is fed up of his caged life that he spends in his mansion, always being surrounded by bodyguards and never left to be alone. It was never like this before. After his mother died - as a matter of fact, she was killed and it was yet a mystery - his father seems to change and so does his life. His life is threatened. The situation gets worse when Zun's sister is killed and SarEr can protect Zun and Zun's mother only by taking them away and leaving his father behind. On the other side of the world, a famous fashion designer named Cole is struggling to come out to his mother. She accepts him and his beloved boyfriend with open arms. But his world shatters when the love of his life dies in a car accident. Dejected, he decides to return back to his hometown in Hong Kong with his mother. Call it fate, but SarEr and Zun find them in HongKong after five years of running. It has never been easy for them - even having near-death experiences at one point. They change their identities every time they move to a different place. Now, SarEr is Savan and Zun is Liang; both own a well-known salon in the city. Savan grows to be the most wanted hair-stylist around. When Cole has the biggest fashion show for his designs, Savan is appointed as the main hairstylist for the event. There is an instant spark as Savan and Cole come face to face. For the first time in years, Cole finds himself drawn to someone so strongly and he yearns for a relationship. However, Savan is determined to not let himself get involved with someone because that would mean he would have to bail out on that relationship once he is forced to move away. How could he risk someone else's life like that? So he does his best to keep pushing Cole away, although Cole makes it harder for him every single time. Will Cole be able to break through to him? What happens when he finds out that the person he likes so much is leading a life filled with lies? Would he still like Savan after that? All the while, the danger is looming over the lives of Savan and Liang. Would Hong Kong be their final destiny? Will the people who are behind the two find them soon? What is the whole mystery anyway? So many interesting questions. The story keeps you intrigued right from the first chapter itself. The characters are believable. You get so involved with them that you smile, laugh, sadden, cry, and fear along with them. The situations woven through the story keep you on the edge of the seat. The author does justice to the mystery and you are left wondering what will happen next every time a chapter ends. The author, lilansui, is talented in her own ways. Her writing is simple, yet so beautiful. The scenes and settings she has plotted are great. One can notice that she has done her homework and the author manages to give the depth to every character. So why wait? Just pounce on the story, right away! I promise, you will never regret it. I, for one, wished this story had never ended!

Thank you for reminding KC!

One of the things I personally love about the weekly blog is the Prompt Me that debuts every Friday. Comicfan always manages to come up with something that sounds quite interesting and this week is no exception. If you tackle either of these prompts why not share them with everyone else by posting them in the Writing Prompt Forum! Prompt 164 – Creative Tag – The Stranger They showed up out of nowhere and seem to know everything about your life. Your friends and the rest of your family readily accept them, but all they do is make you nervous. Who is this stranger and why do they know so much about you? Prompt 165 – Creative Tag – Extinct You’ve seen the movies where scientists screw up and try to bring back something that was extinct and cause all sorts of trouble. Well evidently they didn’t and decided they would try with something that couldn’t possibly be problematic. What did the scientists bring back into existence? Now, as everyone knows, we share a past prompt response. I thought it might be kind of interesting to look at something that was written exactly one year ago from today. I went searching and found a prompt written by Admin/Hosted Author/WST Deputy Lead/and much much more: Cia. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! She wrote this in response to prompt #61: Everyone knows the story of E. Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas. Your task is to create a new character dealing with the Spirit of any other holiday. Will you have someone who hates the 4th of July. Maybe the mother of nine children who is visited by the Spirit of Mother's day to tell her what a great job she is doing? Put your spin on the idea of a Spirit of the holiday and why they might visit your character. Good luck and have fun. To read the rest of this dribble, click here.

So many of us write from multiple computers and I know from personal experience that it can be a pain to try and transfer files back and forth between laptops/desktops/etc. Today, Myr is telling us about a great way to make our life easier when switching between computers! Keeping Your Writing Life in Sync (and backed up) In this day and age, many of us have multiple computers or devices that we use in our daily lives. For those of us that write, we could be writing in any number of places. For me, I often write on my laptop, but edit on my main computer. I also, from time to time, make notes on my writing when I'm on the go. I use one free piece of software to keep everything backed up and automatically synched, no matter which computer or device I'm using. Microsoft's Skydrive. It's free and not only works on Windows, but windows phone, any internet browser, the Mac, iPad, iPhone and coming in the next couple of weeks, Android. It's really easy to set up and it puts a folder on your computer. anything you put in that folder automatically synchs to all places. (There is also Dropbox, for you Microsoft Haters, but it has had repeated severe security breaches lately) You can get Skydrive here: https://apps.live.com/skydrive More about Skydrive(for techies) http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-live/skydrive-2012-android-app-web-app-apps-support-143999 I strongly recommend it. I have been using it myself (or its predecessor for years). Myr

Saturdays can be so many things to so many people. To some it is a chance to get that stuff done that you haven't had time (or have put off) during the week. Others it's a great time to just sit back and relax and forget about the stress of work and/or school. For us here at GA, it's a chance to look back into our past and bring you something from either an old Newsletter or an old Anthology. Today we're looking at a story from the 2007: The Road Not Taken Anthology. Enjoy! The Key By Lugh Reviewer: Renee Stevens Anthology: 2007-5 The Road Not Taken Word Count: 2,510 First off, let me say that I love reading Lugh’s work. He always throws in something that I’m not expecting, and his story “The Key” is no exception, though it isn’t the story I usually expect from Lugh. I went looking for an older anthology to be used for the “Blast from the Past” and I came across this little gem that, surprisingly, I had not yet read! I was not disappointed. The story joins Chester at his great-grandfather’s bedside as the older man lay dying. When they have a heart to heart Chester finds out things that he never expected! This was a very touching story that just begs the answer to the question of “What if you had done something different?” I thought that Lugh handled the topic of the anthology very well. He really showcased what is possible just from doing something that you didn’t really want to do. I also really enjoyed the way he wrapped this story up. He really showed how some things are just meant to be and gave it an ironic twist that kept me going "awwww." Also, those who know Lugh knows he rarely likes his own work, in his replies to the reviews on this one, HE even said he likes this one! Like I said, it’s a bit different than the majority of his other stories, but it really showcases the skill that Lugh has for writing. Even with only 2,500 words, I didn’t feel like he left any loose ends, though he did leave me wanting more. I wouldn’t be adverse to the idea of reading another story about these characters!

So once again, it's the end of the week, which is a perfect time to bring you a couple of new prompts by Comicfan. This way, you'll have the weekend to work on them before going back to work, school, etc. Don't forget to share what you come up with in the Writing Prompt Forum! Prompt 162 – Creative Tag – The Friend Create the perfect best friend. Are they male or female? Are they really smart or super sarcastic? Do they try to keep you from making mistakes or do they hand you another $10 in singles to see just how far you will put that money down the stripper’s g-string? Prompt 163- Creative Tag – The Gift You’ve just moved into a new place. While busy still trying to get everything organized there is a knock on the door. You find a delivery guy there with a present for you new place. What did you get and who is it from? Last week, Yettie One took a stab at Prompt #161: Think of an event you enjoy watching and know plenty about. What five words immediately come to mind – list them. Now write a scene about that event where you are forbidden from using the five words you have listed. Hope you enjoy! If you enjoyed that little excerpt, you can read the rest of it here.

Happy Birthday to you, You live in a zoo.... oops, wait, that's not the right line *grin* Happy Birthday dearest Cia, Happy Birthday to you!!!! Happy Birthday hon, hope it is absolutely wonderful and that you are able to enjoy a little bit of rest and relaxation!!! Hugs!!!

Thanks Fozzie Bear for the great review

Thanks Stephen! Yep, next you get to meet Brian, that should be quite interesting considering he didn't even know about Shawn until now. Lets hope it goes well!!!

Thank you for the review Charlie! I am glad the story is feeling so real to you. That's one of the main things I always try to make sure I do on these modern stories, and I am glad I am succeeding on this one!

Thanks for the review Louis! Now, would I do everything all sweet and good only to have something not go right? *whistles innocently* I am working on the next chapter, the guys are just not wanting to cooperate, but I will get it out as soon as I can! *hugs back*

Thanks for the review Lisa! So glad that you are still enjoying the story and you're right, his red flag did have every reason to wave. Unfortunately, like Jordan, the readers will have to wait a few chapters to find out what it was all about.

Okay, I have reedited the blog post. Winter Anthology will remain as originally planned.

It still might work Bill, I'm just ironing out the details of it.

LOL Y_B. It certainly seemed to bother her more than it bothered us. MJ85 ~ I don't know, but I'm sure that was an interesting conversation to say the least. Cia ~ Yes, we did still get to enjoy the concert. We just found it funny and so I thought I'd share for anyone who needed a giggle. LOL

So, in the last week, mine and my hubby's past have seemed to make themselves known. Just a few days ago I ran into my ex mother-in-law and oh boy was that awkward, but so not the reason I'm writing this blog. LOL. Anyways. If you read my status update, you already know that hubby and I went to a Joe Diffie / Sammy Kershaw concert. We had a great time, but it was certainly not without it's moments. First off, the first area we were standing there were a lot of obnoxious drunks in front of us. Made picture taking nearly impossible, but I managed it for about 10 minutes. After that I asked hubby if we could move somewhere else, because they were just getting really annoying (it was a whole group of drunks). Anyways, he agreed and so we moved to the other side of the stage. It wasn't long before he pointed out to me that his ex-girlfriend was standing in front of us with her newest guy. He'd spent quite a while with this girl, lived together, worked together, etc. so it was a pretty serious relationship. He'd also been engaged to her. Won't get into why they broke up, just glad they did, but one thing is that she told my hubby he wasn't marriage material. *shakes head* So, anyways. Once she noticed him, it was actually quite comical to watch. She kept turning around to look at the hubby and pointed him out to the guy she was with and to some other lady (maybe her mom?) she was with. She kept looking back at him through the whole concert. What was even funnier was that my hubby, while he's usually pretty affectionate he stepped it up tonight. I asked him if he was doing the whole "Look what I got now" thing. He denied it and so I asked if he was lying and got that "maybe" that instantly told me that I was right. I will add that I was probably a bit more affectionate than I usually am, but hey, it's not my fault she didn't know what she had when she had it. I'm just glad she didn't realize what a great guy she had (though I think a lot of their problems were sister related, just like what most of our problems deal with). But yeah, I just thought it was kinda funny, especially since she couldn't stop looking at my hubby.

Cia went searching through old newsletters in a quest for some Blast from the Past material. She came across this wonderful interview by Kevin (aka: AFriendlyFace) in an October 2006 newsletter. Hope you enjoy the interview as well as Cia's introduction and conclusion. GA has inspired many readers to take the leap into writing, myself included! The writing information and programs found on the site have changed over the years, but that encouraging support has always been here. Check out this interview with AFriendlyFace, then member and mod, now Promising Author. *** Interview with AFriendlyFace GA: So, thanks for agreeing to let us profile you. Please tell our readers who you are. Kevin: Well, I usually just go by Kevin or AFriendlyFace. I found this site over a year ago and I've been hooked ever since! GA: Did anyone pay you to say that? Kevin: Hahaha, nope! I just really love the site though. I've met some REALLY awesome people through it and thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories! GA: How did you find the site in the first place? Kevin: Well, I found Dom Luka's The Ordinary Us on Nifty and after I read all the chapter that were up I saw the link to GA. So I came here and read the rest that were up (but it still wasn't complete at that time). Then I read all of The Log Way <lol> and having a big mouth, I just had to comment on it once I was done. So I joined the forum and started running my mouth and I haven't stopped yet. GA: Does that mean that Dom Luka is your favorite author? Kevin: Hmm. Possibly. I would have said yes without any hesitation six months ago, but lately I've been reading so much stuff by other really talented authors that I really can't pick a favourite. GA: How diplomatic. So which authors are on your 'must read' list? Kevin: In alphabetical order: Dom Luka, LittleBuddhaTW, NickolasJames8, RHawes16, Viv and Vlista. I just know I'm forgetting some though and also I've read a few things by some others that I really enjoyed and looked forward to reading more by. Those are just the ones whose complete work I've read and thoroughly enjoyed. GA: By the way...favourite? You're not from around these parts, are you? Kevin: LOL! Actually, I am! The 'ou' spelling is just a quirky little eccentricity I picked up. When I was younger I used to read a good bit of British Lit. (especially P.G. Wodehouse), and some things just sort of sunk in I guess and honestly I just prefer the way it makes the words look. Besides I don't want to seem too 'normal.' GA: Hehehe. What's your biggest eccentricity? Kevin: Hmm...my biggest eccentricity...<lol>. That's a tough one. I guess one would be that I enjoy over-analyzing words and phrases. I also really enjoy seeing the absurdity in every day life and I do have a tendency to try to find something positive or amusing even in bad situations. Last night, when I was feeling AWFUL and weak with a migraine, I realized that I'd just finished shaving and that in that regard I was like Samson. Of course, the laughing actually hurt a bit, but it cheered me up. GA: You do know what ultimately happened to Samson, right? Kevin: ....yes, well, I didn't take the comparison too far! GA: That's a good thing! Are you always this friendly, nice and positive? Kevin: Hahaha. Well, I try to be and if I'm feeling grumpy I tend to just not be around people, unless they don't mind me whining. As someone who majored in psychology I've analyzed it A LOT and I think it mostly comes down to having to make sure everyone is having fun and is at ease. If not, I feel responsible for making it better. <LOL> I've got several people I whine to though! GA: Speaking of whining...you do have a blog right? What made you decide to start a blog at GA? Kevin: Yep, I love blogging. I think I enjoy it for several reasons. First of all, I tend to be analytical with regards to my own thoughts and feelings, so it's perfect for that. Also, I really enjoy the writing process in general, so even if I haven't managed to focus enough to write an actual story the blog's a start. Last, it definitely is great for 'whining' purposes, but mostly because people's comments have really helped me get a new perspective on things, as well as just good old-fashioned practical advice. I'm a firm believer in asking for help if you need it, so I like to ask sometimes. GA: What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? Kevin: Hmm, well, I'd say the thing that stands out to me the most in terms of pure wisdom is when I was a kid and my grandmother used to always tell me, "Everybody's different, that's what makes the world so much fun." Of course, that wasn't in a blog, but it could have been! GA: Yep, it definitely could. What else makes the world fun for you? Kevin: Lately? New things. I've been on quite a kick about trying new things, going new places etc. I also really love meeting new people and just sitting around talking to people. Oh yeah, and chocolate and shopping are fun too. GA: So shopping for chocolate in a new place with a new friend is the ideal? Kevin: Pure bliss! GA: Your favorite kind of chocolate? Kevin: Fudge. I also tend to like brownies and cakes and things. I seldom ever just eat like a bar of chocolate and if I do, it's probably going to be dark chocolate, not milk. GA: Place you'd most like to travel to? Kevin: Definitely the British Isles, and if I could, Western/Southern Europe, in general. GA: British isles? Is that why your avatar is a pirate? Kevin: Haha! Ben was kind enough to make it for me. As an interesting aside, about a month ago I had a hair dying "accident" and given my blue eyes and pale skin, I realized if I put on the get-up, I could pass for my avatar. GA: So you have no nose? Kevin: Haha, umm, it fell off from all the dye. GA: That's some accident. Kevin: Quite a relief actually - that stuff smells terrible! GA: You always do find the bright side of things. Kevin: <smile> GA: Which pirate are you most like: Dred Pirate Roberts, Captain Jack Sparrow or Captain Crunch? Kevin: Hmm, I'd say Captain Jack. He's delightfully strange, but everything seems to just sort of work out for him. I often feel like I'm just strolling through life falling into good luck...and of course I'm rather strange too. GA: What's your favorite part of GA? Kevin: I guess the forums in general, but it's a close tie with the blogs. It's just really fun to get people's insight into things. Of course, I love the stories! In general, it seems like I learn something new about the place all the time. <LOL> Just yesterday, Vance showed me the calendar - I never knew that existed. I was super-excited. GA: Calendars are exciting. Kevin: Yep, it's like life on a piece of paper. Where else are you going to get to see everything all mapped out? GA: On a map? Kevin: Ohhhh...well maps are just impossible to fold! Calendars are way cooler. GA: To go in a different direction...if you could give a message to yourself - 5 years into the past - what would you tell yourself? Kevin: Hmm, I'd tell myself to relax more. I'd also mention a few lottery numbers. GA: And if you could ask yourself - 10 or 20 years in the future - something, what would it be? Kevin: I'd definitely like to just KNOW who I was going to end up with and what I'd be doing career-wise. I suppose half the fun is in the surprise, but sometimes it's nice to expect the surprise. GA: If you knew those answers, do you think it would make it more likely that it would happen that way or less likely? Kevin: Well, I definitely believe in the whole "butterfly effect". So changing anything would probably be risky and that would certainly include knowing your future. So, I guess in the end, I'd opt not to know. GA: Fair enough. I didn't mean to trap you in a time travel paradox. Kevin: Hahaha! That's okay, it's one of my favourite things to contemplate. GA: What's your favorite time travel paradox story, movie, or television episode? Kevin: Hmm, well, I really enjoyed Do Over by dkstories. As far as television goes, there's this British sci-fi comedy from the 1990s called Red Dwarf. They dealt with the phenomenon many times over the course of the series and it was always fun to watch how it played out. GA: Was it grade B? All shaky cameras? Kevin: <LOL> No, I think it was fairly successful actually. In fact, a few months ago it actually came up in Dom's forum when one of the character's ate HOT gazpacho soup. The fact that gazpacho soup is typically served cold was central to one of the episodes and a few other readers and I remarked on the connection. GA: What does that say about Dom Luka's forums and our readers? Kevin: Well, I could go with 'we're all sci-fi nuts,' but I'm thinking I'll go with 'we're well-rounded individuals who have an eclectic taste in the arts.' GA: I was thinking maybe you all need to get out more... Kevin: <LOL> A one-eyed pirate without a nose? Who can't fold a map! I wouldn't get far. GA: Is that what your personal ad would say? Kevin: NOOOO. It would say: well-rounded individual with an eclectic taste in the arts... GA: Pirates who can't fold maps might be more in demand. Kevin: <lol> Well, then I'll be: well-rounded pirate, eclectic taste in the arts, slight map-folding deficiency. GA: That's a winner. Ok, so this is your big chance to get a message out to our entire community. What do you want to tell everyone? Kevin: I want them to know that regardless of the situations in their lives, there's always hope for things to get better and there will always be people out there who will love and accept them just the way they are. And that includes EVERYONE! GA: That's a good one. Kevin: Thanks <lol> It was between that and the directions to the nearest calendar shop. GA: Not the chocolate shop? Kevin: Naw....I couldn't unfold the map for that one. GA: Hehehe. Even a one-eyed pirate could see that coming a mile away Kevin: Hehehe. I guess! GA: Thanks for humoring us. Kevin: My pleasure! I had a great time. GA: Of course you did. Oh right, me too.... *** So, obviously after this interview he started writing. He has 8 different stories for you to peruse in GA Stories. Check them out here. Don't forget to leave a review if you enjoy what you read!

Thank you everyone for reading my rant. It is very frustrating, but it's great to know that I have a place I can vent that will not result in a fight. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband to pieces and I know he loves me, but sometimes I definitely think he has blinders on when it comes to his sister. Even his other sister agrees that it has gone on much too long, but at the same time, she reminds me that my husband is use to being the "go to" guy for everything as it's a roll he's had for much of his life. As hard as it is to live with, seeing him be used, all I can do is my best to ensure that it does not become too taxing on him, which just means putting my foot down and being the bitch occasionally. Once again, thank you everyone for your thoughts and for "listening". Hugs! @ Pogda: I try so hard to just accept it, and just when I think I have she does something stupid and once more just her name pisses me off... Ugh! On the plus side, he has agreed that I do not have to have a single thing to do with her, just wish he could take a step back. @Andy: Oh, and Andy, that just seems to be the way most of his sisters operate. There is only one out of three that I can stand to be around. He has one sister (not the one described above) that he got into a huge argument with in April 2011 and since then she has not allowed him to see his nieces and nephews, will not let us give them any gifts for holidays or birthdays (we tried having his mom take the gifts to them). I find it absolutely ridiculous, but there is little I can do at this point. @Sara: Thank you for the kind words, I am trying so hard to get some writing done, it's just been very hard to focus! @MJ: She is in my opinion, in so many different ways, but as I said, that's just my opinion. @joann: I thought we had the money situation under control. We had agreed to not loan her money, instead if she needed something that was really necessary and could not wait, that WE would go buy it rather than give her the money. (She'd just go buy beer and smokes with it) Don't get me wrong, what people decide to do is there business but not when WE'RE the ones paying for it. Unfortunately, that "agreement" seemed to just go out the window when she wanted money for a boat. Luckily he did say no when she (not two days later) asked for $1,000 to go on vacation. @asamvav: I share your sentiments exactly. Child Protective Services has been involved very recently for many different things. My husband and I can do nothing more than we have done, which includes letting the kids know that they always have somewhere to go and someone they can count on. We can only hope that they are willing to use that option if they have to.

Oh, and just last week, she calls him (keep in mind he's working 3 weeks straight of very long hours with no day off) to tell him he needed to come and back her camping trailer into her driveway. My hubby asks where her husband is and she tells him "oh, he's inside, he just don't want to do it right now." Her hubby works 5 days of approx 10 hour shifts and has every weekend off, he's just as mechanically inclined as my hubby, so it's not like she doesn't have a husband of her own to do all this stuff. And it's a 20 minute drive one way to her house.

You know, some people absolutely amaze me, and I don't even know why I'm surprised by this specific persons actions. Most of you who know me know that I do not get along with part of my hubby's family, most notable is two of his sisters. One of them is nothing but a user. She barely talks to my hubby most of the time, until she wants something. Within a week of us buying our house, she asked my husband for $500 for a boat that she not only didn't need, she didn't have a place to store it (it is currently at our house despite my best efforts to prevent that from happening). Within two months of us buying our truck, she asked my hubby to make her truck payment because she bought something she couldn't afford. It's always something with her. She needs my hubby to fix her vehicles and of course cover the cost of any parts needed. She needs my hubby to put a shelf up for her that her husband told her no to. She needs my hubby to loan her money to pay her electricity bill. These are just a few examples, but trust when I say this is an ongoing thing and every week she barely talks to him and then she wants something. If he doesn't drop everything she gets pissed and uses her kids against him. He went nearly 3 months or more without being able to either see or talk to his nieces and nephews because he didn't run over there the second she told him to. She is honestly at the root of probably 75% of mine and my husbands fights. We've gone 3 days without speaking because of the crap she pulls. It really pisses me off, but it's next to impossible to make my husband see that all she is doing is using him. I understand about family, but there seriously has to be somewhere to draw the line. I mean, I can see asking for help for IMPORTANT stuff. BUT, here's what gets me. Today, on facebook, she posts the following statuses: It makes me want to reply so bad with something like: Well, you're the queen of using people, so you certainly know what you're talking about. Grrrrrrr.... Such a hypocrite....

What exclamation points? *whistles and skips away*

I know that many of you look forward to these Friday Prompt's, and we would hate to disappoint. Once again we bring you two prompts by the amazing Comicfan. Both of these look quite interesting and I might even try one out myself. Don't forget to share your prompt in the Writing Prompt Forum. Prompt 156 – Creative Cue – Nightmare You haven’t been sleeping lately, In fact you have been having this really horrible nightmare nearly every night. The only problem is, you are pretty sure you haven’t gone to sleep and everything is starting to happen like it did in your nightmare. What is happening? Prompt 157 – Creative Cue – No Good Deed You met them on the side of the road. They had just had a flat tire and no spare. You gave them a lift up the road to the nearest gas station where they could get help. Six months later, a cop comes knocking on your door to ask you about that day. Seems someone slit their throats and the owner of the gas station. Seems your good deed might end up with you facing a murder conviction. What happened? Now that you have the Prompts for this week, it's time to look back at a past prompt response. Since there were no responses to last weeks prompts, today we're going to look at a response from Prompt #134 written by Podiumdavis and called "A Heart of Gold". Enjoy! Prompt: 134 Use the following words in a story. Gravesite, balloons, pregnant woman, cold cereal, and an old book. That's just a snippet, to read the rest go to A Heart of Gold