Yettie One

I've only just really begun to work with a team, and while I am enjoying the process, I am a slow writer so have not been as active with them as yet right now. However my thanks to LJH and Fishwings who have both been fantastic help and encouragement recently and whom I respect a lot. I'd also say thanks to NNN who took a lot of time to explain a lot of stuff to me in the early days. But I'd also like to just take a moment to thank the writers that have allowed me to be a part of their creative process, and put up with my nagging and criticism of their effort and hard work. To Stellar and Andy, you guys produce amazing stories that I so enjoy being a part of and get so much out of being a part of the fine tuning process. It is an amazing experience working with you guys. I find myself wishing I could be involved with so many of the wonderful stories here on GA. It would be really amazing to be able to really get into the mind of some of the writers I love to read, and explore their creative process. So to all you who work so damn hard to write such amazing stuff that keeps the likes of me entertained for hours on end. My eternal thanks and respect.

Hey CJ. I really loved the ending with the pizza delivery. Good chuckle. Lovely story, although I did find it a little predictable. But as a short story it worked really well.

As I was reading, I kept thinking that there was a really disjointed feel to the story. It read as a number of random thoughts strung together to remember a road trip, and I had to wonder why. The answer lay in that final paragraph, and hell did it hit with a gut punch. You paint a picture with your words. You also made me smile and frown and feel. That is always good for a reader. Not sure I can say I liked the ending when it became clear what was going on, but all the same, a clever twist on something that didn't present itself at all as what I was expecting to write here in my review as I started reading this story, and for that I commend you. Well done.

When I read the title of the story I was expecting something a little different I guess. I didn't really read this as a journal entry. Powerful story, and I wish more friends were really like that. Short and concise. The plot gave everything I needed as a reader. I liked that. Well done.

Oh wow that was such a wonderful journey. I have to admit, I am not sure the vague hint of evil did anything to enhance the story at all. But the way you balanced it with logical reasoning felt authentic in how I would approach something of the sort. In that way the plot and the characters had an authentic feel, those that believed and those that were sceptical. I totally loved the way you weaved intricate little mysteries into the story, the relationship between father and son, the fathers past, the mysterious Ritchie, the sexual attractive, off limits best friend. The fact one boy had a fear of blood, and that another knew of his fear. These were all little things that added to the colour and depth of the story, drew me in, and gave me a sense of inclusion in the lives and times of your characters. For that I salute you. If there is one thing that I would criticise, it is that I am left with a sense of longing to know more. I want the story to resolve, the mysteries to become clear, and they characters to find happiness. Well worked entry and a wonderful story.

I am sorry but in this instance I found this story really repetitive, and it felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again. Now criticism aside, I guess that is exactly what anxiety is, so you managed to capture the effect of the experience really well, but as a reader I just found it frustrating. There was a great hook to kick off the story, and I love how you mixed the present with the mental recollection of how it all came together. There was also a really cute child like nature to the character of Chris that was wonderfully developed. Overall a cool little story. Thanks.

Ok I didn't expect that as I was reading. From a plot perspective that was really clever, and realising at the end that there was a whole sinister meaning behind the newspaper clipping was a nice twist. However the subject matter was dark and full of angst, stark and troubling. Physical abuse takes so many forms, and it is strange how bullies gravitate towards people they sense they can dominate. It only means that the cycle of abuse is very often not just experienced from one source. That part of the story I found really bleak. Well written and sad.

That came from such a dark place. I No More. Many ways to interpret that statement, and it kind of hurts to see the pain reduce someone to making that statement. The words come alive and drip with emotion. This is a deeply moving verse.

That was a real tear jerker. Did I see that coming. Hell no, and I loved that. You took something that is vivid and real, something we hide from too easily, and showed that it is not the big bad evil we need to fear. Love can overcome all. I took a lot from this story. Bravery. Loyalty. Trust. Honesty. I took hope more than anything. Like the narrator says, I hope we all get to experience that kind of love at least once in our lives.

I found this really hard to read. Not at all as it is written badly, more that it is written so well, I felt like I was intruding on someone's private memories, thoughts and personal insights. JoAnn is right, you have made the fact that this is a journal read so much more than just a journal. It comes alive, and I felt as though I could taste the pain in the memories. Great entry.

A lovely feel good story. Sometimes the best things in life come out of the hurt of the things we think were the best things in our life. For Steve and Eric, I suspect this is one of those cases.

Youch. I am sorry I am not sure I could have done that. Hat off to Kayam, it takes a big man to swallow such a betrayal of love and trust. There are a few grammatical issues in the story Blue, and I spotted one or two inconsistencies. He saw Mason pale in a room that was blackened by a power cut without any light, is just one example. Iron those out, and it is a really enjoyable story.

Um Fun and frolics in the sun. Thanks for sharing.

Some interesting answers. I don't think it is just a straight thing though. I know gay men that are offended by the idea of the female anatomy just as much as a straight male may seem to be by the sight of a penis. Personally, my take on the situation comes down to fear. People are largely motivated by an assumption of how people/friends/family will perceive them in a certain situation. A young straight male might up talk "pussy" around his peers to make himself look trendy, cool or more than he really is Likewise, your straight friend may very well have been worried how his girl, or other people who know him may view him if they know that he sat through, and enjoyed a movie with a naked man in it. I have also noticed that in most cases where someone is reacting to something, it could be a reaction that is learned. Homophobia is not something that occurs naturally. Like any prejudice it is learned through rhetoric that one see's or experiences growing up. People who display these traits are doing it to fit in, create an impression or out of the belief that if they do not, society or people important to them will see them as something they do not wish to be associated with, even if secretly they are or may not really give a toss about. How we are perceived or regarded by our peers is a powerful driver on our actions. It is my opinion that this is often the (however not conclusively the ONLY) underlying motivator to what we do and what we say.

Spot on. I think everyone has fallen prey to being misunderstood or having something they have communicated with the best of intentions blow up in their face when someone has interpreted it all wrong. It is also important to remember culture when considering someone's message. Society has a load of different nuances and subtle differences to words, expressions and even whole sentences. What means one thing in one place, means a whole different thing in another. Take the slang expression "Sick" Two completely different meanings aside from it's correct and proper use in English, dependant where you are in the world, and what generation you are from. I remember the first time I saw it used in a comment on a song. I didn't bother listening to the song for misinterpretation, and missed out on a really great song. You are so right Ryan. We do need to think before responding, and even learn to question or ask if we understand something correctly before jumping to a conclusion, but if I am totally honest, I am human, hot headed at times, and even I've been guilty of getting it all wrong. I think it is a very real part of our world today. Electronic communication is a way of life we have to live with, and in this, we have to take the responsibility of understanding when we write that what we write might be misinterpreted, and when we read, that we might have got the wrong end of the stick. If we can learn to realise these things, and check before we leap, maybe we can better learn to use the power of the net more effectively.

They say that you can see the truth in the eyes? What exactly are you supposed to find when you go looking through the eyes? Random thought, for a really random moment in life. So. Ten days ago I got home from Wales to a pretty weird state of affairs. Started out on the first day with mom asking me when we'd be returning home. Then it developed to mom wanting to know when Rob was coming back. Then it reached a stage where eventually mom put a call through to my brother in Canada saying Rob was missing and there was a strange man in the house. I've always known we'd eventually get to a point where remembering people would become an issue, I just never expected to be the first one she'd forget. Thing is it has kind of been coming for a while. Over the past few weeks, I've been dad some days, Mike on other days, and Granddad on occasion. So why am I surprised now that I'm not regarded at Rob? I have to tell myself that the woman I am now living with is not mom. Imagine saying that to yourself each day? Medically there are hunting for a trigger point. The initial suspicion was a mini stroke that prompted the sudden lapse in lucid memory function. Now the thinking is that it is an infection brought on my a cold. Very probably passed on from me, and that makes me feel real shitty. Not a lot I can do to control getting a cold, or passing it on, but even still, I just wish it hadn't been the case. So now, every day is a guessing game. Some days are not so bad, we get by and muddle our way through, but some, I kind of tread on glass, never quite sure who I'll be to mom at any point through the day. She told me the other day that "I was nothing like her Rob." That really hurt. I stood there looking at her, really not sure what the hell to say. Gotta say, it is at times like these that I really feel at my lowest. You have to go on, find a way to get by, smile and pretend that things are ok, but inside.... Inside I really feel like I am falling apart a little at a time. Random thoughts, for a really random day. Today I was a family friend at least. I even got a hug. I can't tell you how much such a simple action cut me up, or made me miss the times that the hug was one I got to share with my mom. Things are hard, so many of us face really tough emotional stuff. We all try to find a way to deal, and get on with it. Sometimes though, we just gotta find a way to let some of it out. Today is one of those days for me. Just had to say something and decided that this would be the place i'd say it. I feel safe feeling vulnerable and hurt here. I can express what I really think without hurting anyone else, or seeming weak or stupid. At least I have somewhere to scream at the world! Not really much in the mood to give hugs or sound cheerful. Just hope you are all ok in your own way, and keeping your chin up above the water.

What a wonderfully quiet and quaint story. You know, I've often sat and wondered about children. On the whole, I'm kind of the opinion, they cool while you can have fun with them, then let them go home to mom and dad, spoil them rotten, and enjoy their cute innocence. Better that the hard parts are done by someone else though! Yet, when I read things like this, I do get a pang of yearning. I love the simple normalcy of this story. Nothing fancy, just a dose of regular life, yet one that made me smile all the same. Thanks that was really cute.

I really loved this. There is so much intrigue in the story. So much that we are left to guess at, and I found myself wanting to know more. Who was Nick really, and why did he so easily decide that Tyler was worth hanging around? Why was Tyler beaten up previously, and why did he not fight the first time? Did the dream stop with that final attack? Who were the bullies? So much to wonder about. The flow was perfect, giving enough to the reader to prompt you to read on to discover more. I got lost in the world you created, just wish it was longer, more detailed, answered more of those nagging queries of my mind. Great entry. Thanks for sharing.

This is a really great story, one of the best I've come across actually. Just wish there was more to it than this. Are you going to continue this at all?

It must be real nice to think you might be home soon. Great news and thanks for keeping us all updated as always Robert. Sterile huggles from afar buddy. x

Good call James. Thanks

I really enjoyed that Viv. A very cleverly worked story, and a nicely worked out plot line. I loved that the characters were both almost as stubborn as each other, and despite their differences and the whole lost 4 years, they were just right for each other. The day of silence and the careful planning that lead to a midnight birthday picnic was really cute, and I couldn't help but smile as he wished on that star. I was wishing with him. The pace was perfect. The dialogue minimal yet so believable, and your character preparation was great. One question though! Where the hell was he hiding during school hours that meant no one could find him???

I really didn't know what to expect from this as I began to read. I have always found sci fi difficult to follow, the plot line unfolding in such unfamiliar surroundings has always been something I've struggled with. My mind asks so many questions, and wants details about more stuff than the narrative is able to give. Yet in this case, I was warmed by the slow build of the feeling of love that grows with the characters. It kind of makes you believe that the idea of soul mates has a foundation, even out there in the realm of other worlds. I liked that. I also loved the fact that while it could have been a holiday fling for the central character, he saw the value of love, and was willing to find a way to give it a chance to bloom. Quaint little story that I really wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as I did. Thanks for sharing.

What the hell!!! Lol. That was actually pretty damn cleverly written. No real answers, yet you just know there is so much more to the story than meets the eye. I love that there is an angst in the central character, a hype. He's just as aware as Joe or Kevin or anyone else for that matter, but he pretends he's not. In a way it gave a humour, a kind of cheeky denial to the character of JJ that I really found quite cute. I have never been a fan of basketball, but I got a sense of the game through the way it was presented, and knew what was going on. That I really appreciated. Too often the reader has to play catch up or rely on what they understand of something as detail fall between the gaps. You covered this well. But I still wonder how the hell Kevin got JJ's number! Thanks for sharing.

I actually found this quite hard to read. To think that things like that could go on openly. A little hard to accept. I also found it a little hard to deal with such vivid depictions of child abuse. We all know it happens, but it is never an easy thing to have to face. The flow of the story was a little disjointed, which at times made if difficult to follow the action. I am glad the boys were safe in the end.