KYE

It is interesting to get a couple of author's perspectives on the rating and feedback systems that the site has put into place. Thanks KC and Mark for sharing your thoughts. As for the Reviews I think that the site administrators should change that from "Reviews" to "Comments". Most of what is put in the reviews are not actually reviews at all but instead comments that would fit into the author's forum better. But since most author's do not have a Forum section of their own, the Reviews have become the place for readers to add their 2 cents or comments.

It would be nice to have a character that is older than Will that would refuse to mess around with him sexually because of Will's actual age of 13/14, regardless of Will's mature appearance. That would actually be a realistic character, but I guess we will have to wait and see if Tony is such a character. Even Cody, as big of a slut as he is, wouldn't mess around with Alejandro until he turned 18.

I have noticed people starting to mention the star ratings (usually of others) in the Review section of each chapter. I can see someone mentioning how they rated a chapter in their review, i.e. "thought chapter was great 5 stars", but I think if one wants to discuss the ratings it should be in the forums. So I thought I would start this thread so people, and those reviewers, could actually talk about the star ratings here. I am surpised some seem to think something is sinister if everyone does not rate every Chapter Five stars. I don't agree with that line of thinking because of the way I think of the star ratings. I think of one star as poor, 3 as average and 5 excellent. For me if the Chapter completely knocks my socks off or if I feel it is an extremely important chapter in the development of the story or a character it rates a 5 star. If it is just what I call a "filler" chapter that just advances the story I might think it a 3 or 4 star. If I think a chapter is a "Sex" chapter just for the sake of having sex in the story I probably would not rate it a 5 star chapter. Nor would I if the chapter contained "Graphic" hetero sex (note the word graphic) since that is not my thing and this is a Gay Oriented site. But someone else may rate it 5 because it is their thing, nothing sinister to me about that. I might just not rate the chapter at all or if I felt the chapter is important to the story, such as creating future generation characters, the graphic nature of a necessary part of the story may bear upon my rating. Some people I think would rate ANY chapter a 5 star even if the author recited Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill for the chapter. I think that would be as bad as rating all chapters a one star (just my opinion). For those that rate a chapter I am sure they each have a different standard for their rating because there is no way to create a standard for a star rating, it is all arbitrary. For some the story my be ALL about sex, so any HOT sex chapter gets a 5 star and maybe they rate lower or ignore non sex chapters. For those that just skim over the sex chapters because the storyline or character development is more important to them maybe they rate Sex chapters lower. I think when the author can balance out a Sex chapter with important story development then their ability to create a "balanced" chapter should rate high. Some just rate the same no matter the content I think. I think the last Chapter #36 may be a good example as to ratings. Someone in their review thought part of the Chapter was "Creepy" and I think some others might agree with that. I could see were that person may not have given the chapter a 5, even though I have no idea how or if they rated the story. So seeing a 4 average rating for the chapter does not surprise me at all. From looking back over the star ratings for most of the Chapters in Poor Man's Son I see an average of 4 stars. I would think that would be good and be about right from my perspective as a reader and not something sinister nor negative toward the author. I know people had a lot of negative comments about the Will stripping chapter but yet that chapter I think has 5 stars, so I wouldn't think much of a less than 5 star rating and I will admit I did not give the Will stripping Chapter 5 stars but I have given some 5 star ratings. I do not automatically give a chapter a 5 star rating just because I may like the Author's writings. If I did that means I do not take the star rating serious. I realize all authors want people to enjoy their writings and like praise but not all chapters are created equal. So for those that rate a chapter what is your system or thinking behind your rating? As an author do you consider a less than 5 star an insult? I know my comments may seem to be a rambling but wanted to star a conversation about the star ratings and maybe get the conversation out of the chapter reviews. (I would like to also note, comment, that sometimes the ratings seem to be screwed up. Example I logged in to read a chapter once and it stated (you rated 4 stars) beside the stars. I hadn't rated anything or even read the chapter for that matter yet. Not sure if it was browser thing or site thing.)

As someone that neither thought that the scene in the chapter was "Hot" nor "Creepy" I would disagree. Whether one found the episode creepy may depend upon from what perspective the reader is reading that scene. If one is reading it from a perspective of a 13 year old (almost 14) a year or two into puberty getting the chance to see an attractive guy jack-off, one would probably NOT think of it as creepy. We all had some sort of jack-off material or fantasy (multiple in my case) at that age. BUT if the reader is reading the scene from the perspective of an older man knowingly putting on an exhibitionist jack-off sex show for the 13 year old kid of his high school best friend, or any 13 year old for that matter, then I would easily see were the reader would find the scene "Creepy". That would actually also probably be illegal almost anywhere in the USA. Now my perspective as a reader while reading the scene was more of thinking "Why does Will's father and other gay family members keep on putting Will into these situations?" Being overly protective is one thing but these family members do not seem to even think about any potential issues with Will even after all the things (from rape to recent teen love life breakups to putting on a strip show with happy ending at a Gay Bar they let him go to) he has been thru. So from my perspective I was thinking about how Brad used to be my favorite character and that now how far he has fallen in my eyes with his detailed portrayal as a parent in this story. Brad, and even Robbie, knew what kind of person Lark is and still put Will into a potential situation with him. For me Brad's fall began with the darkness his character took near the end of Millennium and has worsened as I see how he deals with Will and the situations he puts him in. So for me it was neither Hot nor Creepy but from my thoughts of Brad putting Will in the situation. So I think it is from what perspective the reader is coming from and taking from the story so far. I also found the conversation that Lark (Scott) having with Will to be out of character for Lark. I think that was an important conversation for the story but I could picture Cody and Will in that conversation not Lark and Will. I had trouble seeing Lark in that conversation especially since he has always denied being Gay through out the stories he has been in and has always being the most selfish recurring character of the CAP series that hurts people consistently. Also I have found it so funny throughout this story, reviews, and comments in the forum as to when one calls Will a 13 year old or a 14 year old. He is in the story still a 13 year old. But when one talks about Will in relation to something sexual, like here about if the scene with Lark is creepy, he is called 14 years old. If there is discussion about non-sexual or family matters about Will he is a 13 year old. It is like people are trying to justify anything sexual with Will as a little better if one makes him a year older. I think that is interesting and a bit funny.

Well I enjoyed this lastest chapter so much it actually merited my first review on GA. Something I would not have thought I would have done a few weeks ago.

I thought this was probably the best chapter in this story so far. That is because it actually dealt with the depth of the family relationship more than we had really seen before, except with Will and Brad. Here we have Will still hurting over the Paris episode more because his "Pop" is suffering over it than what he himself is suffering. His goal is to help Pop get past this, an act of Love and selflessness. His love for his family. Then we have the car ride with brothers that really bring out each brother's personalities along with the normal bickering you would expect to see amongst siblings of this age. Then after all the bickering and hits at Darius for by-passing Annapolis, we see the true love of the siblings when they understand why their brother has made his decision on a school choice and rally around him and his unselffishness. Like a true family that loves one another, you might fight and bicker but in the end you rally around each other and support each other. You have proved you can have a great chapter without the graphics of sex. Good job with this chapter, enjoyed reading it.

Wow, Brad is pissed for all of 30 seconds about Will's strip sex show and then gives a punishment that Will states is not really a punishment at all. I didn't expect Brad to take a belt to the kid but expected a little more of a reaction and punishment than that. At the same time I would expect that Brad is still trying to come to grips about what happened in Paris, resulting in Will being sexually molested, and not wanting any reaction or punishment to add the whatever he feels Will maybe dealing with mentally. Maybe Brad and Robbie both feel some guilt about what happened to Will? Brad also let Will mandate to him not to confront Stef about allowing Will to go the club and strip in Rome. That was some what of a let down. I was looking forward to a little drama between Brad and Stef about the episode and situation, LOL. Actually it seems Will is mandating to all the adults what he will do or not do as a 13/14 year old and what they will do concerning his life. What will happen if JJ starts to demand as much freedom in his own life? JJ is slightly older than Will. So what happens when the adults still treat JJ as a kid but treat Will as an adult?

Chapter 29 would have been a really, really Fun Chapter to read if Will would have been a few years older. But due to the character's age always being in the back of my mind, the Chapter was a little uncomfortable. With the things this "kid" is doing now at age 13/14, what will he be like in High School or College? In the next Chapter will we find out if Will's morning after reaction to being very drunk, be the same as his father's?

The 1989 Movie "Torch Song Trilogy", the first Gay Movie I ever saw and was the film adaptation of the Broadway Play by the same name. There was a great cast that included Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, and Harvey Feinstein. It had great acting and a good story that was both funny and sad. If you've never seen it I suggest you rent it.

I think that a person is generally considered a "slut' if they consistantly have numerous sex partners regardless if they know the person(s) well or not. But I have always considered there to be a double standard with the use of the word "Slut". It seems that when using the word referring to a Woman it is considered an insult or slur. But when the word is is used when referring to a Man, many consider it a compliment, maybe even a badge of honor for the guy. So for me when hearing someone called a slut, I wonder if the Double Standard of the use of the word between Men and Women is fair?

Ahhhh, a cold Coca-Cola from a can poured slowly over ice. Even have one with breakfast.

Awesome!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

This would be a hard thing to give firm advice to you upon, not knowing her or how true of a friend she is to you. The question is how good of a friend is she and how open-minded do you think that she truly is? Maybe you feel you can educate her upon her opinions but only you can really know what her reaction as your friend could be. At the same time is her opinion killing your friendship to her, if you constantly wonder what her true opinion of you is everytime you meet? Good Luck with how you decide to approach this for it is obviously something that is bearing heavy upon your mind.

I do not necessarily think that is true. I know many people that do not have a religious bone in their body but still think being Gay is a lifestyle choice. We cannot blame everyone with negative and ill-informed views about one being Gay upon Religion.

I was in a McDonalds with some friends and got really sick and made a fast bee-line for the restroom. I must have covered the FE part of the restroom sign that said FE MALE when I rushed in, because I remember seeing MALE on the door as I ran in. I ran straight to a stall, without looking around (or I would have seen NO urinals) because I was about to..... well I was sick. While in the locked stall I heard some people come in with what sounded like clicking heels on the tile floor. Then Female voices!!!!!!!! By then my stomach had calmed but now I panicked........ I was in the women's restroom!!!!!!! I sat and lefted my legs afraid someone would see my hairy legs ( I was wearing shorts) and tennis shoes. Waited until I heard no more voices or clicking heels and made a fast dash for the door. I thought I was home free when as I exited the women's restroom, one of my female friends that was with me entered as I opened the door to exit. Of course she told everyone when she returned to the table about me being in the "Lady's Room" with numerous laughs and jokes at my expense. It took me forever to live that down.

1) Watching my grandkids play 2) Greeting an old Friend 3) Walking on the beach at sunrise or sunset and for good measure........ 4) Watching old reruns of "I Love Lucy" or "Carol Burnett"

The biggest thing I remember from the early into late 80's was the Fear. There is an old saying about how we all "Fear the Unknown." There was so little real understanding about what was happening and why. The "Gay Plague" as was a common term, put fear in so many. In the Gay community, there was fear of what had caused this, would they be next, how do we fight something we don't understand. The Gay Community had actually made some headway in the mainstream and then AIDS put such a fear into the general public that years of gains vanished overnight and reversed any progress. The closet closed shut and fast for many Gays thinking of coming out. The Government didn't undertstand it and the CDC was in overdrive. The Government's response has been criticized by many and understandably so, but they were also trying to understand the unknown, this new plague. Looking back on Ryan White, and many others now and how cruel they were treated. But that was part of the out of control Fear. I remember my best friend had a swollen lymph node in his throat. He had me to go to the Doctor with him, he was scared to dead. Ended up he had just recently had a cold and his fear was for nothing. I soon after had a black spot appear on my arm. I called the doctor for a quick visit, fearing the worst. It ended up being an insect bite. I was beginning a career in a medical field and was doing some time in a busy ER. We had a patient rushed in that had given himself an enema with bleach after having unprotected sex in the heat of passion. Fearing he could be infected, he had heard bleach would kill the virus, so he gave himself a bleach enema out of fear. He died in the ER from that bleach enema. I had friends that intentionally gained weight, because everyone knew a fat person did not have AIDS. It was a crazy time of Fear and the unknown. The first person I actually knew that died from AIDS was a beautiful girl in her early 20's. I met her threw my job, her family was scared of her, being around her and abandoned her. They were even afraid to attend her funeral. We watched her wither slowly away like a dying tree in the fall. I remember an African-American friend in his 20's that was built like a rock. Tall, all muscles, 6 pack abs, the whole package. Talked to him one day outside my house, next day he got sick and never made it out of the Hospital. Attended his funeral about 6-8 weeks later in complete shock. So for me, my memories of the 80's is just the complete Fear. Fear in my friends, Fear in the Gay Community, Fear in the General Public, Fear and debate within the Government. Just complete Fear of the Unknown. What is a shame is now that we have learned so much about the disease and how to survive it, too many are getting careless again, I Fear.

Mark, I was wondering if when writing and you get to a point in a story, like Chapter 22. Do you have 2 scenarios played out in your mind? One were the person lives and what could follow, and one were the person dies and what will follow? Or have you already devoloped the outcome in your mind when you start the story as part of the plot?

My 3 would be: 1) Photo albums including those on Disc (I have them all stored in 1 box, so I count as 1 item) 2) My Grandfather's railroad pocket watch 3) My lockbox that contains my important papers like my will, insurance policies, etc... (Even though the thing is supposed to be fire-proof)

Most of those types of policies are made by the store to protect the safety of the employee. That was one reason for my comment to report it to a store employee and let them deal with. That way the employee can follow the store's policy in confronting and dealing with the shoplifter . Of course many bigger stores here have a security staff to deal with shop lifters and of course those dinging alarms you walk thru when exiting the store. I've got a friend that has had some heart valve surgery and he sets the alarm off everytime he exits a store with one.:wacko: Then he has to show a receipt but a few times he hasn't bought anything. I always ask him how much the store is charging him for the heart valves.

I actually know 3 people that have told me the exact same thing. 2 of them live in Southern California. So it may not be as "fuuny" or strange as you think it is. As for me I am a total Top!

Good question and I have absolutely no idea what I would do.

I have witnessed someone shoplifting, actually twice. Both times I informed the nearest store worker I could find and then moved on. It was then up to the store employee to deal with it. I was also driving past the entrance of a Walmart once and someone ran out with someone chasing them. The chaser was the manager and he asked if I saw which way the person went. When I ponted to a nearby sub-division he asked if I would drive him in that direction. I did as he asked and left the manager in the sub-division when the police arrived. I don't know if the person was caught. A good point was made by someone else. The loses due to shop-lifting does have an affect upon other items costing more to make up for the store's loses from theft.

Excuse me, I should have said the "Sport of NHL Hockey".

I always considered the fighting as part of the sport unlike the other Sports mentioned. Boxing is a sport and to me the fights are just a part of the sport of Hockey.