Raijen

Wow... This is getting better and better. I like the twists you put here.

Hmmm... This is an interesting story thus far. I like the pacing, and the mystery keeps me reading. If there were just a bit more detail and description in here, this story would be perfect. It's already an 8/10!

Alright, I'm definitely digging the mental illness aspect. Kudos to the way it's introduced.

I like some of the imagery you use in this story. The pace seems to be a half a step faster than most other stories, but so far I think it works well. It promises to be a good read!

Alright! I'm curious! What's going on in this poem? Is there going to be more? Needs to know!!!! (Write more, pweez?)

What makes a person who they are...? A question that has been wrangled like a mad 'gator since time began. This may be a heretical view, but I think that a person is exactly what he/she/it chooses to be at any particular moment. I am capable of being a jackass at one moment, and of being a messiah in other moments. Which one is the real me? Or is it something higher? Biology is starting to show that the thing we call the "mind" or "soul" is really just a seeming, that we are merely a collection of competing and conflicting desires and needs that sometimes get expressed and sometimes get repressed. Taking into account our ability to become aware of the reasons for our behavior and to adjust behavior accordingly (to self-moderate, in other words), I think that it becomes apparent that while we have genes and experiences that influence what we desire to do, it is the part of us that moderates our behavior that makes us socially coherent (able to be empathized with) and thus leads to a sense of self. The important thing to remember though is that the part of us that we call "our self" is illusory. It is not a constant mental construct but rather just a photograph of whatever particular moment you are looking at. There is nothing more, nothing less, and because of that I say that we are exactly who we choose to be an any particular moment. We must act and be in relation to other humans in order to distinguish our individuality, and that context is just as dynamic as our inner context from which we decide to behave in certain ways. Our "self" is in constant motion, just like the rest of the universe. As for the small-minded people who choose to be assholes... For some reason they simply are assholes, and unless they become aware and capable of explaining their behavior, we just have to assume that they are not as sophisticated as others and, perhaps, the gene that codes for self-awareness and self-moderation is not fully expressed in their phenotype. I would like to think that all people are capable of becoming enlightened and self-aware, but as a scientist, I must go by data and observation, not some pie in the sky idealism.

Ah, one of several reasons why Biology is the best subject in which to major! lol What I find so interesting is that it's taken so long for humans to realize that sex, while leading to procreation at times, is not solely about procreation. Among Bonobos it's a social relating thing, and among humans sex has become a way for pairbonding to occur. The oxytocin and endorphins released during sex help form the sense of emotional connection between two humans, thus allowing for civilization to begin, in a way. Of course, the beautiful thing about science is that we may be looking at things the wrong way. Perhaps there isn't a such thing as "orientation" as we know it. Maybe there is something else that drives people to seek relationships with certain people. All I know, though, is that we put apples with apples and oranges with oranges, so same sex coupling should be the norm (huzzah for illogick! ) This information, though, was very eye opening. I didn't realize there was that much recorded data regarding homosexual courtship in animals. kudos!

I'm glad Hamen Cheese posted this thread. The thought of not being able to access GA had not crossed my mind beforehand, so it's always nice to have a moment of gratitude for what we have. Thank you, everyone who makes this website possible. A toast to your continued successes!

Nice introduction to the story. I like how the vampire angle was worked into the story, how it was kinda sneaky. I look forward to reading the rest of your story!

I grew up in the rural areas of Arkansas and Mississippi, and currently live in the city of Fort Smith while attending college. Personally, I prefer being in the country because it is so quiet and tranquil, and the weather is much nicer (tends to be cooler outside of cities). The downside to being in the country for a long time is that, as a writer, it's easy to lose track of the human world and become immersed in the world of stories. That may be due to my personal quirks though, so I'm sure others can stay in tune with people. I have to stay in the city if I want to keep up with the rest of society lol

This seems to be a good start to a story. What happens next?

I write in cursive nearly all the time: I don't really know how to explain it, but it's like my brain just thinks better when I'm writing in script. Printing and typing makes my thought process choppy and disjointed. Lol. Yeah... Toss in that I prefer to write everything longhand... I have reams of paper with the lettering flowing across each page like vines of black ink. I love it. It's like an expression of my Logos, really. It's purely aesthetic, I know... I guess it's mental bling, in a way Lmao

Seems like everyone has put in a lot of excellent two cent bits. Many went deeper than I can with their theorizing, but I would like to add some personal observations to the discussion. Although I use the label "gay" to denote that I am primarily attracted to males and masculinity, I am also aware that there is the possibility that I may be attracted to a female. When we stop to think about it, the human body is wired to simply feel pleasure. We don't discriminate "feminine" pleasure from "masculine" pleasure: to feel good is to feel good (perhaps someone with a more analytical mind than mine could extrapolate from here?). Another thing... The curious phenomenon of a person "falling in love" with a cartoon character or fictional story character... Does this not indicate that physicality is only one part of the reason we experience attractions? Indeed... It seems to me that we "make up" our attractions and sexuality, though I don't understand enough to explain more clearly. Any thoughts?

So this is the second day of me writing ten pages in one day. When I started writing again, I would usually average about three a day, but somehow the steam has built up and now I'm finding myself writing, writing, and writing some more! In the spirit of this new-found enthusiasm, what do you guys do to keep yourself psyched about writing? I personally am using a reward system (write ten pages and you get a treat!), and so far it seems to be working (still early, I know). So what about you guys?

Welcome to GA, Dreamwalk! Sorry, but I can't help you either. The story sounds really interesting though, so if anyone knows the title, it would be nice to read it. Hope you continue to enjoy your time here! -Raijen

I only kiss when I feel like kissing. It's just something you have to listen to your body on. Trust your gut: it will never lead you wrong!

How many times has china sent lead or mercury contaminated products to the USA? I'm sorry, I don't think it was a mistake, not if it happens twice in less than three years. As for these fake eggs... gross.

Marriage was originally a form of a business contract. I don't understand why anyone would want to demean their love with a marriage. Why not just make a vow and keep it? Oh...that's what marriage is supposed to be...? Hmmm... so let me get this straight... You make a vow and keep it, but only a man and a woman can make that vow? I disagree, it's possible for two men or two women to make a vow to share their life, love, and whatnot. So the question becomes "are two men or two women allowed to marry. Now, I don't know about you guys, but that word, allow.... Who the hell has the right to tell me how I may or may not express my feelings toward another human? What sort of presumptuous thinking is that? And on the flip side... Why would anyone want to demean their love by saying it isn't valid unless recognized by the state/religion/god/toothfairy? I know this may seem counter to what the general sentiment is, but I just really think marriage isn't all that it's cracked up to be, and perhaps government should not recognize and bestow any "tax benefits" to forms of human relationships. The thing that makes a relationship last is commitment, and I would think that twenty years of commitment without any social support means a heckuva lot more than twenty years of legally sanctioned marriage. At least without marriage, you know they love each other.

A bit of a latecomer to this thread, but... Personally, I like to read about relationships that challenge not only the characters, but the reader as well, to reconsider basic assumptions. For example, even though I swing toward monogamy, it would interest me to read about a polygamous relationship (assuming the writer gives us a good view into the mental world of those involved). From your brief synopsis it seems as though you are going to have a lot of opportunity to write about what it means to have a relationship, especially since the worldview of both characters are so dramatically different. A sort of savagery vs. civility, man vs. his animal nature (which would naturally lead to some sexual tension... too bad your publisher is anti-smut, that is another aspect you could explore in your story). Overall, originality. Something new, something that gives one pause to think. Stimulate both intellect and emotions, and you have a book that leaves the reader saying "hot daaaayummm". Good luck with writing!

Ninja Nuns... Nunchuck rosaries... Trained in the art of Ruler Fu... There are so many jokes just waiting to be made there.... Hey, is that idea protected by any copyrights 'cause I'm thinking Ninja Nuns would be a great short story. lol

Hey everyone, just to clarify I specifically am thinking of same-sex dating, but I'm curious on all sides of the issue. Is age a factor in dating behaviours, and if so, why?

Alpha male? Isn't that the one that proves that he is capable of leading the pack? Oh, that's the rub, isn't it? How do you prove that you even have a pack to lead? (It's the bitches that run the show, read your Tao te Ching people )

As noted before, there are a lot of INTJs here. I'm one of them. Heh, I don't feel as special now, though it's nice to know there are others who think in similar ways to myself. Yay for the overthinkers!

Wow... 100... From 23 so much can happen... I agree with old bob. This is an exemplary life. The fact that mortality exists, and that we have to face it at some point in our lives is chilling. It has a bittersweet flavor to it.

Favorite "gay" thing... Those moments when you realize that you don't have to conform to any stereotype and are free to do/say/be whatever you feel like. Maybe it's just me, but I feel that as gay people we have a lot more flexibility in who we are "allowed" to be. And Loveless is an awesome manga... The anime was a bit weird though. The psychology of the story is mind-blowing, and I can't wait to finish the manga series.