Andy78

Happy birthday Adam

Congrats Cole

My favourites are with colours (blood red, jet black, flesh pink). We always include the shade as well as the colour, and it so easy to overlook the fact that most of the time we don't need to include the colour.

Part of my undergrad degree is in English Lit (the rest is Classical Studies with a smattering of Modern History) and while it probably has helped with my writing, the thing that has helped the most is reading other people's work. Read anything and everything. Although I have a few select stories I read religiously (It, Sherlock Holmes, and a few GA stories) I do venture into other areas. I've read everything from James Herbert to Jules Verne, and from Bram Stoker to Jane Austin. I was introduced to some new genres (romance, sci-fi, and the classics mainy) initially from the literature part of my degree, but it opened a whole new world to me and I've continued to read a lot of stories that are far from my usual genres. A literature or creative writing degree can teach you the nuts and bolts, but it really is only by reading, reading and reading some more, that you will gaina deeper appreciation of the craft.

Happy birthday Cole

Happy birthday Rob

Happy birthday Myr

Lots of new reading this week, and a reminder for me to skates my on with anthology story **does quick count . . . panics as it realises only 18 days until submission to anthology team deadline**

Happy birthday Graeme

I take It with me everywhere I go. I've had the same copy of the book for the past 25 years and I just don't feel right if I don't have it with me. When I go away it's the first that I make sure gets packed, even if I'm only going away for a weekend it goes in my overnight bag.

I thought I was the only one who was crazy enough to do that

I read Stephen King's It at least five times a year (it's become a kind of blankey), and one of the Sherlock Holmes stories every now and then. Though I'm currently reading Christian Jacq's Ramses series which is a five book dramatisation chronicling the life of Pharaoh Ramses II from childhood through to death. It includes historical factual events such as the battle of Kadesh, and dramatisations of encounters with Helen of Troy, Homer and descendants of Akhenaten. The series revolves around his closest friends and his family and how he copes with political intrigue, assassination attempts and threats of war. Although it is a historical dramatisation, Christian Jacq is a highly respected Egyptologist and uses his background to craft a brilliant story.

Thanks Lisa Yeah, Josh don't take no crap from noone I think although he wants to get to know his parents and to love them, it's going to be a struggle getting over not having been rasied by them. There is a story behind Josh being taught about counting to ten to calm down. Remind to tell you one day

Happy birthday Mark

I still have not read SS **ducks from all the heavy objects being thrown in his direction** I will read it. I promise. I will. Honestly.

Thanks for leaving a review quokka. I really couldn't have put it better myself

Thanks JT. Things are going to be interesting in more ways than one. Even the best of parents screw things up, hopefully they will learn from their mistakes.

Thanks for the review Nosty. Yeah, Josh is just not the intimidating type is he, but I hope nobody forgets that he is still the prince. Max's life is certainly going to be different when he wakes up. Just how complicated it's going to get is anyone's guess.

Thanks for reviewing Rebel. I enjoyed writing this part of the story, but I wasn't sure how readers would react to the intrigue. It's great to know that it has been well received. The Max story will all be explained in the next chapter.

Thanks for the review. Josh is the kind of kid who will do what he thinks is right, not what anyone else tells him is right. He may be the prince, but I think he has his head on the right way.

Thanks for the review Phoenix. Like many ordinary teens and parents, life is rarely plain sailing. I'm sure it's no different for royalty. But yeah, his parents really botched this one. Life in the palace will certainly never be dull now that Josh has come into his own. His parents wanted him to have a normal upbringing, and he's had exactly that.

Welcome rituraj and Jebekah

Thanks for the review Sammy. Yeah, I think Josh is waking up to just how much power he actually has. I think he's also got his head screwed on right, but the boy does tend to think with his heart instead of his head at times.

Thanks for the review Astro. Josh may seem meek and mild, but he has a firey side when he's riled. He is definitely gonna shake things up. As for Max? Well I don't think his life is going to be quite the same any more. I have the feeling we have not seen the last of the gossipy maid. She's bound to surface again at some point.