AFriendlyFace

Well basically I think dialects are fun to play with, but they shouldn't be used excessively in anything serious. For me, as Glomph mentioned, familarity with the dialect in question is key to whether or not I'll enjoy it. For example the one you used in the example was very pleasant to me and probably wouldn't bother me or prove challenging to read. The one The Journeyman used would be a little less pleasant and a little more difficult for me, but still not turn me off if it only appeared a few times per chapter. Other dialects, however, are huge turn offs, and all but impossible for me to read. That said I enjoy expressing myself in varying creative ways depending on the medium For example when it comes to IM/Chat I love alternate spellings and very much enjoy playing with them. Not so much used to express accent as just a way to spice up an IM/chat box. For example my current favourites are the "'dja's" (did you) -howdja, whatdja, whendja, whodja, whydja I also like ya for you. Gonna, coulda, sorta etc. I don't use them everytime, just now and then for fun. However, I don't even really speak that way, occasionally I might but only for fun or if I'm trying to make a particular impression (friendly, casual, disarming etc.). Oh and unlike everyone else I don't type, "y'all", mine is, "ya'll". This is because for me the word isn't formed from "you" and "all". It's formed from "ya" - which I often use in type for "you" - and "all". In other words were I to annunciate the whole thing I'd be saying "what did ya all do?" not, "what did you all do?". In actual verbal language my favourite way to express myself colourfully is by "appropriating" words, phrases, and styles of speech from groups of people. I only ever mean this in a playfully, fun way and never in a mocking manner, and I usually do it casually WITH the people in question or only if the people I'm with will definitely realize that I don't mean it as an affront. The large potential for this to be misconstrued in writing is why I normally only do it in person. Ohh and on the topic of "dude" I often use the word, but only affectionately with guys that I like (platonically or otherwise). I wouldn't call a lady dude (as I've heard many people do), and I wouldn't just say it to a random guy like a waiter or a cashier or something. When it comes to physically writing by hand, something I absoletly abhor, about the only playful thing I do is with capitalization. I think both print and cursive uppercase L's are very elegant, beautiful things so I purposely make every word starting with an L capital (I don't capitalize within words though). I do this to a lesser extent with B's, D's, and K's. However, for phyical writing I don't do any of the things I mentioned for IM/Chat...it's just too painful and unpleasant with physical writing. I REALLY hate to physically write, which sucks because it means everytime I want to express myself in writing (which is fairly often), I HAVE to be at the computer, sometimes I try to take a notebook to the park, but the unpleasantness of the actual writing detracts from any enjoyment I might otherwise gain. Anyway for story purposes I'd probably try to avoid laying anything on too thick. Blah, sorry I rambled. Take care and have an awesome day! Kevin

So true!

Hey Nick! I really enjoyed the last chapter of My Jump Off! Also, WOW how'd you cut What's the Difference so much? Did you cut a bunch of stuff out completely or did you make the chapters longer? Anyway either way I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter. LOL a few days ago a (gay) friend of mine referred to something as gay. I thought of you right away That's awesome about your trip and that Taylor gets to go too! I hope you guys have an awesome time , and yeah that sounds like really good ice cream. Take care and have a teriffic day! Kevin Edit: By the way, I love your new avatar!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have an awesoame day and a really pleasant year! 20 was a good year for me, 21 was even better and 22's been the best yet! So yeah you only have more great things to look forward to! -Kevin

I never realized that's what it was about! That sounds delightful; I'll have to check it out. Welcome to the forum Bkite! WOW! You sure are an avid (and fast) reader . It's a good thing this site's so big, that way you won't get bored! lol The suggestions made sound really good, though of the list you just generated I'm only familar with Vance (Vlista) and Little Buddha's work. Oh and you should definitely read all of Vance's stuff , especially the current serial Cameron, but of everything I'd say my favourite is Shane Yep, yep! Efiction is really great, sadly I haven't explored it as thoroughly as I should, but I must say as far as stand out stories (that I've read) you should definitely look into NickolasJames8, I really like all his work but particularly My Jump Off. Camy's Albert's Day is also excellent, and I just started reading and enjoying Nicks_A_Writer's Out There. As far as other suggestions go, I strongly recommend Replay by Rhawes16 (also check out his short stories, Best Friend is incredible). Also don't forget Luc, I just read his Interlude and cried my eyes out (both these authors can be found on the main hosted page. Anyway take care and let us know what you think! Also please drop by the forums of the hosted authors, and leave comments after the chapters of the authors in Efiction. Feedback is generally very important to and much appreciated by the writers! Kevin

Hey James! Thanks for the advice; you're completely right about the decision making me nervous. It wouldn't be so bad if I was on a leave of absense or something, but it's driving me crazy that I don't even know if I'll be any good at it once I finally start. I mean theoretically I could be lousy at it or really hate it and have to change jobs anyway, then I'd just have wasted all this time. For the most part though I'm pretty positive about it, I really think I will like it and do okay. Yeah, you're right I should try to stay active and get more exercise. I've been thinking of joining this gay softball league, hmmm. Anyway thanks for the advice! Take care and have a great day! Kevin

Hey Nick! Thanks , I'm feeling alot better today. Yesterday I suddenly felt MUCH worse and couldn't go out at all. It was bad I had the worst headache, extremely bad nausea, and I felt weak and dizzy. So I ended up just laying down alot and trying to take it easy, but today I'm feeling WAY better and pretty much back to normal Anyway take care and have a great day! Kevin

Hey Colin! Thanks, I am feeling much better today

LOL Nick! I think you might be right!

The last few days I've been pretty blah. I don't know what the deal is; I'm usually a pretty energetic person, but lately all I want to do is sleep. I went to bed freakishly early last night, slept for about 11 hours...and now all I want to do is crawl back in bed, and I've barely been up 2 hours. This is pretty much the same thing I did day before yesterday. Yesterday I forced myself to stay up (well till I went to bed really early), but I was definitely worn down most of the day. I kinda hope I'm getting sick. I hope this because it would at least make sense then. Of course I hope it's nothing serious . I know the best thing for me would be to fix myself up, and just go out. I've just been hanging around in PJ's or sloppy clothes the last few days. This is always a bad sign for my physical/emotional state. I don't think I'm cut out for "comfortable clothes"...they make me ....uncomfortable. Well I like them to sleep in, but see that's because they tend to suck the energy out of me...and that's ideal for sleeping, but not for day to day life. Perhaps part of it is that I'm actually more or less in sync with the rest of the world's sleep schedule. I'm going to bed at night instead of staying up till at least 3 or 4 and sleeping till noon. You'd think this would be a good thing, and it's nice in lots of ways, I do prefer to keep those hours...but it's very unnatural for me, perhaps that's why my body's rebelling. I've basically been on one long vacation ever since I moved in mid-May (well a little before actually, I quit work about May 8th or 9th). I don't think I'm bored exactly; I'm very seldom bored. I'm never at a loss for things I want to do...I just seem to be at a loss for the energy to do them. Anyway I'm ready to "start" working. I've had a job for what a month now? But I still haven't actually started. See first I had to do training, then I had to take my licensing exam, and all that went fine, but now I'm waiting for the state, and the company to process all the paper work and send me my actual license. Until that happens I'm just in limbo. It'll probably still be another 2 or 3 weeks . You'd think I'd be happy about the long break from work. And I really am, I've been having fun, it's just that now my savings are dwindling a bit and I can't afford to do most of the things I want to do. I do have some specific things I could write about...like my 7 hour adventure at the DMV, or random other incidents and activities. I sure these would be slightly more entertaining than my whining....but I don't feel like writing about them. Anyway sluggish and blah or not I'm going to force myself to get moving today. I'm going to go have a nice hot bath, shave, wash and fix my hair, slather on some lotion ( and sunscreen of course) then put on something that doesn't make me look like formless blob. Then I'm going to go out and find something entertaining to do. Take care everyone Kevin

Hey Demetz! I totally agree with you; taking a long bath and getting all smooth and stuff is definitely a very sensual experience! I always feel much more attractive afterwards (and during) too! Anyway I'm glad for you! Have fun and take care Kevin

Ohhh nifty, cool Emote!! I too look forward to reading your work Welcome to the site!! -Kevin

YAY!!! Happy Birthday, Deb!! I hope you have a truly awesome and happy birthday and an even more fantastic year!! -Kevin

Awww there's that beautiful cat! hehehehe you guys can thank me latter for helping you know I'm worried about you and pulling for you with the blood pressure stuff, Vance! Take care and listen to sam lol Kevin

So far I like Xander Alexander best. What about: Xander Tom Xander George Xander Michael -Kevin

I'm so glad things with your dad went well and seem to be heading in a good direction! That's awesome Snowy's post is excellent and very insightful! Good luck with everything! Kevin

awww WOW, Nick! That's really powerful and moving. Your dad sure does sound like an awesome guy! It sounds like he at least has a really teriffic family though! And just the fact that you actually appreciate it is something most guys can't say about their families. All the best! Kevin

Thanks, Camy!! and good luck when you tell your friend!! I'm pulling for you and wishing you all the best Kevin

Yay! It's Robbee's birthday!! I hope you have an awesome day, Dude!! And an even better year Kevin

Mudslides?!? Matty, I'm shocked! First that you're drinking mudslides and second that you didn't invite ME Kevin (who seems to remember telling Matt about his penchant for mudslides)

I really like this plan, C J! In fact I'm even willing to help **remembers the description of Kyle's incredible abs and blonde hair**. How about if we do a dry run first, and uh I'll play your part and you can pretend to be Sylvia and walk in (after a couple hours), you know to see how it would look -Kevin (who's always willing to help out a friend )

You know I bet you're right! I could totally see people doing that. good luck! Kevin

Great story!