Uplifted Spirit

Glad to see you think Andy's showing a little more character. The idea that two will become one is somewhere in this story line. But probably not as you expected.

You're right, Matt and Thomas are very much alike, but sometimes life gets in the way as you probably already know from reading Knots 2. Knots 3 might really blow your mind.

Jaro, you are perceptive. You probably already know what happens because I see you've read quite a few chapters and may actually be done with book 2. Unfortunately, I'm so busy writing new chapters I haven't had time to go back and read the old ones. I'll eventually get around to it. I enjoy your comments and reviews. Thanks again.

Your comments really made me laugh out loud. Sometimes I surprise myself as I write. Andy is Andy. He can't really be Matt and you're right about Randy and Andy being too similar. I tried to change Randy's name in a chapter and let the reader know I'd done that but decided against it. Goes to show though, you hadn't noticed it until just now. Keep in mind that Matt is as human as Andy so who knows what may happen in future chapters.

Jaro, I get the impression you're really looking forward to the foursome. I spent a lot of time trying to make it work and be funny at the same time. Let me know if I succeeded.

Knots 4 Chapter 5 Andy Gina and Emily came for a visit early Sunday morning to fill me in on the details of what went on at the pond. I was still lying in bed in the dining room with a cast on my arm and leg. My body was naked except for my running shorts and the cast on my arm and leg. My parents wanted me to look decent when I had visitors so if I got too warm and wanted to take the covers off I wouldn’t be naked or in my boxer briefs. Gina and Emily’s tale p

Jaro, you are right on about the trial affecting all of them. I loved writing the trial scenes. It was fun. I'm not sure if you noticed, but I try to be on the positive side when I can. Yes, the boys do stupid things and others do too, but I like to bring them back from the brink as soon as possible. I like conflict, but I have trouble when it goes on too long. Dillon is a victim and it's sad in our society that we don't get help to people like Dillon when it first happens because victims too often become predators.

Things do change with Matt a lot. All of this is going to get them into some deep shit. But that's all I'm going to tell you for now.

Jaro, I put water out for my birds and for some reason all the bees and yellow jackets go to the deep bowl and quite a few of them die there. It's odd. The birds never go to that bowl. I don't think it has anything to do with the bees and yellojackets because when I didn't have the deep bowl they all shared the others. Strange. Your poem reminded me of that.

I feel this as the winter sets in. I'm confused as to whether to turn the pilot lights on on my furnace and use propane or just wait. Right now, I'm waiting until your poem made me think about it. Thanks

And to think you were expecting all hell to break out. My only concern about these chapters here is that some of the characters in these few chapters disappear. No one has ever mentioned it, but I've thought about it.

Glad you like the quotes. I love finding them. Someone wrote me the other day and had a couple quotes in each of his emails. I told him how much I liked them and he informed me that he'd gotten them from me. What a surprise.

That's one thing about reading a story that's been written because you don't have to wait for the next chapter. I think I saw you start reading sometime yesterday morning around 5:00 AM and ending around 9:00 AM. Are these times correct? If so, you are staying with the story for quite a good time. Glad you liked the chapter.

Ah, Monday. I'm realizing that these kinds of conflicts and reflections are the most important part of the story. We do good things. We do bad things. And we always reflect. Some of us better than others. I love it when you say you are not anxious about Monday. You obviously are really into this story.

You couldn't have made me happier. Like you said, "It's challenging in its concepts." That has been my goal. I want the story to make people think and examine their own lives as they read about what's going on in Andy and Matt's life. I used to have a tendency to be preachy, but you've never accused me of that, so I'm pleased. I had a 17 year old write me and tell me that he was moved by Knots, not because of the sex, but because of the reflections Matt and Andy have about their lives. You're kind of saying the same thing. Maybe we all need to be more reflective about our lives. Writing this story sure has made me more reflective.

Jaro, again, thanks for your wonderful comments. The whole story is really about friendship first. We know from the beginning that Andy and Matt are friends at the writing of Knots. That's all we know for now. Of course their friendship is tested. Andy has matured. Matt is possibly being corrupted. Thanks for recommending Knots. I'm not sure if I've gotten better at writing either, but like you said, it comes down to characters and the story. You've read from the beginning so know how they have changed over time from innocent teenagers to not so innocent teeenagers. I've had a few people write me emails who have said they started reading Knots and couldn't stop. They often read the first three books in a few days. Something holds them. But you're right about the early chapters of Knots because I lose readers there, but the one thing I've learned is that different readers are looking for different things. And you can't please all the people all of the time. Maybe it's that the early chapters we're just getting to know Matt and Andy and feel their confusion. I remember you making comments about you could identify with what they were going through. Anyway, you're wonderful for taking the time to review every chapter. Elias

Jaro, your comments, as usual, are always appreciated it. I sometimes have trouble working the parents in because there is so much going on with the kids. I just wrote chapter 5 of Knots 4 and the whole chapter was with the parents. I dont' want to give anything away so won't tell you more than that.

Jaro, your comments, as usual, are always appreciated it. I sometimes have trouble working the parents in because there is so much going on with the kids. I just wrote chapter 5 of Knots 4 and the whole chapter was with the parents. I dont' want to give anything away so won't tell you more than that.

You are so right. It's so hard once you've had sex to stop. It's like a drug. Yes, it's nice to think kids can have romance, but I think that's a dream. They can be romantic and think they're in love, but it's usually lust mistaken for love. I think I deal with a lot of this throughout the story. I read a lot of gay stories an these 14 and 15 year olds are in love and monogamous. It takes time for them to get there otherwise there would be no story. I just find it hard to believe. Am I a cynic for thinking that? This is one of the big reasons Andy and Matt don't hook up. Andy likes his sex and Matt doesn't want to be tied down. Matt is trapped by the knots his tied. His motives were good, but he never expected the results. Aren't we all a little like that at times?

I'm glad to see you're all upset. Things are a mess and they get messier as things go on. So hang in there. And again, thanks for reviewing Knots. I told you I'd reply if you wrote. I'm not sure if I can stay up with you.

Jaro, I thought I'd replied to every one of Lisa's reviews, but I checked what she had to say after you referenced her and realized I hadn't. I'm a retired teacher so know what you mean about some educators. It's always good to hear when what you've written has moved them to anger or to tears.

Lisa, I didn't realize I hadn't replied to this comment. Jaro had the same exact reaction you had. He and I are both educators and we know people like this. But hell, stories are about conflict and there's plenty in this chapter.

Glad you like the quotes. I couldn't believe it when the guy wrote me and told me to stop and when I offered a little resistance blocked me from writing him. I often wonder what happened to him. It is a whirlpool of sex and it leads to exactly where you might expect.

Jaro, thanks for the correction update. I wrote it down and will fix it. I suppose the problem with having sex when you're young is that it is all consuming and it can of course cause us to tie knots we might not have ever tied. Matt's life changed. He wasn't ready, but he did it for Andy. And now what? He can't go back. Matt loves the sex but it doesn't keep him from remaining confused.

You're right Jaro. I know that once you've had sex, it's all that's on our minds so I wanted to create that kind of realistic chapter. But everything you say is right.