sojourn

Donovan's life makes me think of kismet and karma getting into a pissing contest and this poor guy just keeps getting wet. I am enjoying this story as much as I enjoyed "Boss Nanny". These are the kind of tales that brought me to GA and the kind I most enjoy. There comes a time in a movie or a book where I find myself guessing what happens... This is one of those moments. Is it tacky of me to say aloud that Arby's grandfather is Mr. Neighbor? I think this kind of speculation is proof positive that a reader is committed to and is enjoying the story. Write faster. Post sooner. Jim

There are 14 chapters posted and it says in progress. At this point, it seems a completely satisfying tale with great characters, plot, subplot, and pacing that makes one click on the next chapter in eager anticipation. This story has made me reach for another of of this writer’s tales. Can’t imagine more chapters will make it better but I will be checking, just in case.

Thank you, not sure the search engine knows my stories are even posted. Thanks again, covid has led me to revisit some old favorite stories. Jim

A lot of folks missed a few of my comments like that one. You have a keen eye for detail. jim

Maria has a huge fan base. Lots of folks notice more than the lead characters. I know she would be offended if she thought she wasn’t as important as anyone else. thanks for commenting jim

I agree with all you said. I try to keep my morals in my bedroom only. What consenting adults do or do not do is no concern of mine unless I am invited to join them. thanks again for your comments jim

Thanks so much for your comments. It feels good when my storyline draws a reader into my character’s world. Jim

I enjoy hearing that my work gets folks involved with the characters and the story. Thanks so much for commenting. Jim

I hope the other site was Nifty.org I have posted no where else. Recently I started re reading some of my favorite stories, not mine, and find I enjoy them even though I have a general idea as to plot line but the stories are just as engaging. (GA has my stories with the most thorough editing.) Thanks for letting me know. Jim

I believe serious crimes were committed yesterday. Not all perpetrators were uninvited visitors to our Capital Building. Some of those criminals were elected to represent the people and yet sought to cast aside the results of a legitimate election in favor of establishing a dictatorship. For a senator or congressman to say they were challenging the election results as a “formal protest” and not an act of sedition of treason is just more convenient political bullshit. Can you say “plausible deniability”? I believe everyone who entered that building yesterday should be charged with felony trespass at the least and should be criminally connected with the deaths that resulted from that trespass. Being fooled is not the same as being innocent. An individual is responsible for their beliefs and their actions taken in support of those beliefs. Just as we insist terrorists be held accountable so must these perpetrators face justice. if serious consequences are not enforced against the perpetrators and instigators alike (politicians and media sources) what hope has democracy here in America? Are we like some 3rd world country where internal strifes are resolved by riots and bloodshed, instead of peaceful discourse? Jim

Brilliant deduction Watson! (Another fictional gay couple.) thanks for posting your comments. (They are worth so much more than the paltry sum you charged me.) Jim

Sometimes we choose not to separate the professional from the personal. I wonder if having a beer could again be done in today's polarized political environment. Even to nod across the aisle is tantamount to political suicide. Professional politicians also err in wanting to be liked instead of respected and wind up being neither. Are there any Statesmen left, or have we seen to often The Emperor's Clothes? Machiavelli said "It is better to be feared than loved , if you can't be both." Today,, that seems an anthem instead of a sly remark regarding two sides of different coins. Every Dom strives for both as a mark of excellence. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Our conversations began with discussing authors and stories we both enjoyed. I think you had simply liked a comment or something similarly inane. I was pleased that we shared the same taste and valued the works or Mark Arbor, Tim Mead, and more than a few others. You inspired me to go back and revisit some of my favorites, which I did. My point is when I recall the writers and stories you listed as worthy of attention, I agreed. Now, to hear you say kind words about my stories really does flatter me. I seldom have a familiarity with my readers. And those with whom I do and say kind things have almost no cache' with me so their praise washes away very easily. You have some bona fides' with me. And I can say that I had expected harsh but fair criticism. My goal has always been to make my tales as enjoyable for the reader as possible while telling "my tale". Your flattering assessment really means a lot. Jim

"...something is wrong with me." Now, you have stumbled upon my Easter Eggs. I use lines and tittles shamelessly sprinkled throughout my stories. I feel they conjure up subliminal emotions and help create a paradigm as one reads. At one point, I included my favorite and one of the earliest Gay Love Ballads. "Danny Boy", I latched onto that when I heard Jackie Wilson sing it. As a boy I loved the notion it was sung by a man to a man. As an adult, I learned it was considered to be a father or grandfather biding farewell to his immigrating, Irish, progeny. When winter's come and all the flow'rs 'r dying, If I am dead, as dead I well may be, Then ye will come and find the place I'm lying And you will kneel and say an "Ave" there for me. But I shall hear, though light ye tread above me, And oh my grave shall warmer, sweeter be. For you will bend and tell me that you love me; And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me. I thought the intimacy of leaning down from a kneeling position to say you love someone, whether whispered or not, moved me. Perceptions... As much as most people consider that song to be an Irish ballad, it was written by an Englishman. Not even Irish at all, expect the music may be. Thanks for the memory and for posting your comments. Jim

Bummer, I have yet to receive anything in the mail or otherwise as a result of my writings. $20 from each reader would have been INSPIRING. Instead, I am content when some hapless reader stumbles upon my work and comments or emails to express their impressions. A few of which have not been flattering. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

A prime example of how perceptions, in this case of the length, can inspire excitement in some and caution in others. Thanks for posting your comments Jim

In all my stories, I think I have had very few "cliffhangers'". In my defense, I usually post chapters relatively quickly. But, some are just toooo good not to use. My apologies. Pickuptoy, I forgot that I must "quote" for you to get an alert that says I have responded to you comment. I will remember to do so henceforth. Thanks again for commenting, Jim

Wow! I may have to revisit this chapter and see if Runt or Larry want to say more. No one reading this should consider that creepy, I simply mean that I write in the moment and then edit or ask for help editing, sometimes the same day. I have tried to explain. "I let the characters thoughts and observations, and interactions guide the tale." I just really meant to say, Thank you for posting your comments. I love it when my characters come to life for a reader and especially when that reader shares those thoughts with me. Jim

You see how some supporting characters kind of yell in my head. Yes, Yes, me and the pope and 37 million preachers hear voices in our heads. I just let folks know what mine say without collecting tythes or buying private jets. Seriously, I still love it when someone gets what I write. It really does make me smile. Thanks, Jim

Your kind words mean a lot. But, damn, I do love it when folks tell me they had rather read my stories than do other more practical stuff. Thanks for posting. Jim

I read that and I cannot believe my own brilliance! Can you? ( You know someone will read that and think "how conceited must he be?) But, what the hey. I should have had Jeff spurt his coffee all over like you did. Having raised my children coming up with quips for Maria. Kids do say the darndest things. You just have to listen. To me, it was no real effort to imagine that. I would not be surprised if one of my own said the same thing. Now if you go back and find the "i'd and i'd" my writing would all be perfect. Not only would I be brilliant I would be perfect. If I was perfect, I could not possibly be conceited. So, please hurry with my perfection. I have to stop now... It must be time for my meds the young men in the white coats just unlocked my door and are coming in with needdddd../...

I tried to scan through again and find "orgasmed religion". I gave up. It is funny, but I swear to god, bill, fred, and george, I would have loved to see you spit chu coffee like that. I laugh even now jes reading about it . Heff far, I reread yer comment jes cause it was sooo funny. Sorry, but you are not the fist spitter i have encountered. Besides the obvious, I think I have been told about, coffee, OJ, soda of sevral types, including 7UP. Of that I am sure. I like the notion that I gotcha. Thanks for posting your comments Ps, there is an option to review stories here, which I think encourages other readers to either read or avoid. feel free Jim

I chuckle even now at the way readers engage with my characters. Reminds me very much of chess. All the limitations and abilities of each piece is known and every chess player has favorite pieces. The moves and interactions of a chess player reveal and inspire: threats, defensive actions, brashness, and empty bluster. Each new move has the potential to make a brand new game. and yes, I love inserting extraneous colloquialisms. Thanks again for posting. Comments are the only pay I get and the only way I know anyone ever reads my stories. Jim

Not so hot and heavy. I want to build a website in which I post and trust myself and my readers as to posting. Thanks for the nice words. I do find that seeing my stories enjoyed warms me toward writing again. Jim

Think I told you, had an editor when I began here posting Gordy Comes Home refused his help when I included the rape scene. He insisted "Wylie wouldn't do that to John". I never saw him nor heard from him until Change of Heart. Neither of us mentioned that spate and I never learned if he finished reading Gordy. We private messaged here numerous times and he helped with opinions and guidance. He became a big fan and a stalwart defender of my writing. I write as it comes. Any ideas or characters are like distant looming clouds in the back of my mind that become clearer as they get closer. Sometimes a character demands more visibility than I had intended. Sometimes the readers also insist. I try to accommodate the readers requests but the characters do not request, they demand. Anyway, yes I have changed some things based on reader input. But, a good lawyer never asks a question in a courtroom he doesn't already know what the answer will be. Thanks again for your comment. You make my story live again. jim