AFriendlyFace

Hello all, Now I know this will come as a shock to many of you, but occasionally I tend to make fairly long posts (no, no, it's true ). Recently I posted in a thread in the Soap Box then returned to reviewing a short story I've written. Once I clicked back into the story window I began to become suspicious of something. Copying and pasting the contents of my Soap Box post into word and using the word count feature my suspicions became confirmed: Post in forum - 1,733 words entire short story - 1,745 words Yep, the entirety of my short story is only twelve words longer than my forum post! Granted, I do have a preference for short stories that just have a slice of life quality whereas I tend to pour my whole life's thoughts into my posts, but nevertheless I'm suspicious that this might not be common. So my question to you is simple, is there a 'maximum length' when it comes to forum posts after which you will not read? And do you find long posts annoying? Thoughts? comments? Hallelujah choruses now that I've finally noticed? -Kevin

That is excellent advice! I'd like to add "getting drunk and dancing on you coffee table" as another good option (always cheers me up )

Another astute analysis! Thank you, Kit I quite agree for the record (so much easier to let you make all the good points then just chime in with "I agree" ) -Kevin

And welcome to the forums! It's awesome to have youa nd I look forward to hearing of your fables, fantasies, and lessons -Kevin

Eh, my boy can tell me sweet little lies occasionally if he likes In all seriousness I value kindness and loyalty more than strict honesty. A diplomatic tongue is a major boon, even if it does come with the beginnings of a tine here or there.

"Honey, we're getting married tomorrow...do you think it's about time we picked out a place to do it? You think I should start looking for a dress?"

Great observation, James! I think we've now discovered the one person who can melt our Frosty

That sounds gorgeous! I've frequented just such a place in springtime, with a bridge of sorts, and it was amazing Definitely a good place to get married. I'm picturing the blossoms lightly blowing in the breeze as you exchange vows

Hmmm, Interesting question! For me, as a reader, it depends on the details in question. I love expanded versions of thoughts, characterization, back stories and histories, and thorough dialogue. On the other hand I very board very quickly with more than the minimum of detail about scenery and setting. "He walked into a room and sat down on the couch" is about all I want to hear. I'm not particularly interested in hearing what the room or couch looked like. I have more patience for physical descriptions of characters, but once I've heard the description once I don't like it excessively repeated. Too much description here gets boring for me as well, but as I said I have infinitely more patience for it than description of scenery. I get bored with too much technical details as well. "He was driving a blue '97 Ford pick up" is all I want to hear. I don't care to hear about the history of Ford or the model, and I'm certainly not interested in reading about how the truck actually works. If it is very central to the plot I don't mind, but it's still going to be something I read because it's important and not something I'm likely to enjoy. So for me, in general it's difficult to over-do characterization, personalities, histories, and dialogues, and it's difficult to under-do descriptions of scenery and setting, and technical info. I suspect this is largely about my own personal tastes and nothing more. -Kevin

Hi everyone, I was going to respond to Steph's comment in the last blog, but I was planning to post a quick blog about BMAD anyway, so I decided to just do it in this entry: LOL, thanks, Steph BMAD definitely has some aspects that are taken from my real life. For example it takes place in Houston and with the exception of Bender's and Frank's all the other clubs, restaurants, parks, etc. that I mention are actual places in Houston that my friends and I periodically frequent. (It feels weird to say that online since it almost invites stalking, but we don't go that often and I find it unlikely anyone would recognize me). Bender's is a made up combination of the two gay dance clubs that I go to most often (and no way could someone pick me out of a crowd of gay boys like that ). They're actually located near each other in real life and set in essentially the same location that Bender's is in the story. The reason I created Bender's instead of using one of the two real life clubs is because...well there's no real 'Mick' and 'Jake' (thought there are certainly strippers and bar tenders ) and I also took a bit of creative license with the way the clubs are set up. Frank's is pretty much more of the same. There are two diners that are extremely popular with the club crowd after a night out. Frank's is a blended version of those two. 'Boots' is actually based on a real waitress at one of these two venues. The main characters themselves aren't directly based on anyone I know and are pretty much created out of my imagination. They all have aspects of various people I know though, or simply 'types' of people I'm familiar with. Cosmo, Aaron, and Ben are the most 'reality based' characters. Cosmo's inspiration comes from a friend I have - also positive - who meets the general physical look and personality. The story version of Cosmo drinks more, has more money, and is a bit of a sweeter, less selfish person. Incidentally this friend isn't someone I'm that close with so he isn't someone I've ever mentioned in my blogs. Cosmo's drink comes from my own proclivities. I don't always drink Cosmos when I go out, but I very often do. In many ways I envision Aaron and Ben as 'split' versions of myself. As the narrator Aaron has a few noticeable traits that are similar to mine. He's a sociology major/psyc minor. I got my degree in both as a double major. Mick's interest in philosophy comes from my own fascination in it (I briefly considered minoring in it). Ronnie is one of my favourite characters and it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that his predilection for fashion is taken from own. I see myself as sort of a 'Ben' in terms of 'gay personality'. I'm not quite as 'femme' as Daisy, Cosmo, or Ronnie, but not quite as 'butch' as Giorgio, Jake, Mick or even Aaron (well maybe Aaron). Mick, Jake, and Amanda are more or less completely fictitious although I've certainly known a few people like them who would sort of fit their M.O. I briefly had a friend who was somewhat like Amanda who had a "Ronnie" (with whom I briefly had a semi-fling with actually ). However, to answer the actual question about dialogue: nope, up until now I've never directly used dialogue from real life. I guess I might in the future, but it would sort of feel like 'cheating' Anyway, what I mostly wanted to mention with this blog is that I've restored all the chapters to eFiction and I've also posted Reflections Over Coffee. Reflections was actually supposed to be posted after chapter 6 and before chapter 7 and actually takes place immediately before the events in chapter 7 started (you can think of it anywhere from a few hours to a few minutes before, but in any case it took place the morning of the same day). Because it was saved at the bottom of my folder ('R' coming behind all the 'ch...''s) and because it's easy to assume that chapter 7 would come immediately after chapter 6, I forgot to post it. I also suspect this is related to the fact that I was dealing with the whole eFiction story deletion and was busy that week in general. Nevertheless, I do apologize for the mistake and I hope you guys enjoy it anyway. On a side note, I've also posted If No One Notices - My summer anthology entry - to eFiction. If you haven't read it yet, please do and let me know what you think LOL, while I'm spitting out information about my stories I'll also add that my Anniversaries anthology entry is completely finished, has been edited twice by Sharon, and is now off to Tim for beta-ing. Once I review his comments and suggestions I'll be sending it off. Incidentally, this is the piece I had originally meant to submit as my summer anthology (If No One Notices was just a random short story that Sharon informed me fit the theme). I had misread the topic for the summer anthology and I don't think it would have worked there. I think it works pretty well here though. Ironically I have another story that I'd originally meant to use as the Anniversaries entry, but I didn't feel as inspired to work on it as the one I'm submitting, and I'd also done a lot more work on the one I'm submitting. Eventually I hope to get out this last piece as well though. Finally, I have a special short story planned for release immediately after the last chapter of BMAD. It's actually something I wrote a very long time ago (while I was first working on Indefensible), but like much of my work I never felt inclined to release it. I think it really fits after the last chapter of BMAD though and considering how long it's been since I wrote it, now that I've actually decided to release it I'm anxious to see how it's received! LOL, if you followed all of that I'm proud of you! Take care everyone and have a great day

Hi all, LOL, so I did something a bit stupid. I inadvertently released bits of BMAD in the wrong order! I was actually supposed to release Reflections Over Coffee': Part 1 last week in place of chapter 7. Unfortunately, probably due in part to the situation with eFiction, I forgot and released chapter 7. It shouldn't matter too much, just please go back and read Reflections and pretend you haven't read chapter 7 yet Since I goofed up and I've been promising you guys chapter 8, I'll release it in 3 days instead of the usual 7. That works anyway because Reflections is probably the most boring part of BMAD, so if you get through it you deserve a reward anyway Let me know what you think! -Kevin

LOL, it really doesn't seem 'planned out' to me at all. It's just what I realized I wanted as I briefly pondered this question. It seems abstract to me as well, and really I'll be fine with not marrying if the right person doesn't come along. For me I don't think the church part actually has much to do with religion. The clergyman does, but not the church. The church part is just an aspect I do find appealing in tradition and I think it would be a pretty place. It wouldn't really be about faith and religion though. As I said, the clergyman part would be, but I really think I'd feel just as 'blessed by God' if it took place outside of a church. That does sound like something they must have enjoyed

That does sound good Awwww

Well that sounds lovely, Frosty I didn't realize you lived apart.

Oh my gosh that was great! LOL, if he were a bit older maybe he would make my survey My two favourites were definitely "Rehab for Mythical Creatures" and "New Math"! Thanks for the links, James On another note, I'm going to shift this to the Games and Humor forum since it seems best suited there -Kevin

Those were beautiful, Frosty! Thanks for sharing! I love all the ones of Nova Scotia with the beautiful, crashing waves! On a side note, while I was there Travelosity was advertising their gay friendly vacation packages...I know this is totally off topic, but how did they know? Or was it just a really big coincidence? Anyway beautiful pics, glad you had fun Kevin

Hi all, I couldn't find a thread for this story, but I may have missed it so forgive me if this is a duplicate. I just read the story and really enjoyed it! I was very much taken surprise by Steven. I didn't expect that he was gay and as fixated on Jeremy. It was a really sweet, romantic story. Great job, Com Take care all and have a great day, -Kevin

OHhhh! LOL, being completely musically disinclined I had no idea. I've only just remembered that long ago we had someone else who used that avatar. Hadn't thought about it for some reason till you just mentioned it.

Oh that's very artistic and well done, Michelle! Great pic! BTW, what does your neck say?

Thanks Steve! I certainly hope so!

Just wanted to let everyone know that the story is now also available in eFiction. If you haven't already read it please do!

I like it too You're original one, on your old name, was one of my all-time favourites as well

I just wanted to wish Pitchan a very happy, special, and joyful birthday!! I hope you have a fantastic day and a terrific year!! -Kevin

Woo HOO!! I'm spreading addiction Wow thanks, Dravenn! I feel honoured and excited that you said that In all honesty I was considering eventually trying to do that with Indefensible IF I can write it up to the standards I have for it (but that's iffy ). I hadn't considered it with BMAD though due to the unconventional style in which it's written. Thanks, and I really appreciate you asking too. I'm embarrassed to admit that it hadn't occurred to me to clarify that reference. So it's good that you mentioned it and Sharon explained it; that way if anyone else reads the thread they'll know now too! Hmmm, That's a very astute observation and based on that I really think you'll like the next few chapters. Another top-notch and astute observation! LOL, you'll have something to look forward in the next few chapters as well I think you're absolutely right about Aaron failing to notice things right in front of him. As I see it, Aaron's the sort of person who'll notice the splinter in someone else's eye but fail to see the log in his own. Of course I'm not specifically talking about either the situation with Mick or Ben. Just in general that's kind of how he rolls. On a very happy note, I've finally finished reloading the first seven chapters to eFiction! I think while I'm at it I might add my anthology entry, If No One Notices as well. (err, that's the name of it; I'll add it even if people do notice, in fact I kinda hope they do ) Finally, I thought it'd be nice to get back in the habit of releasing the chapter name again. This week's chapter title, which is both Sharon and Tim's favourite, will be: "Turning Japanese"