Uplifted Spirit

Jaysalmn, you bring up a good point about the parents. But the boys are now 17 and will be 18 in March. The parents know the boys are having sex and they don't feel like they can quite prevent what they're doing. They'd have to keep them from every going anywhere. And you can imagine how that would go over at this point. They may have been able to have had more say before the trial or before everything got out of hand with the prostitution and everything, but I think they've decided it's better to trust that they'll do the right thing. Plus, parents don't always know what their children are doing, even if they are good parents. I thank God that my children turned out okay, but I'm sure I don't know about some of the things they did when they were teenagers. Sometimes, all you can do is pray. Thanks for writing.

Zarek, you make a good point. I originally used water and sand, but change it to water and marbles just for that reason. That way there will always be a little water left and that's kind of what you're talking about. Yes, even Dr. Walker acknowledged that they might still have sex now and then. They'd go crazy if they stopped cold turkey after all the sex they've had.

You'll just have to wait and see. I've already begun writing up what happened on Sunday. Hope it isn't too predictable. Thanks for taking the time to write a note Lisa

Knots 5 Chapter 22 Andy There I was feeling brave because Matt was in the hot seat when Dr. Walker suddenly turned to me and wanted to know how my week went. “It was great. Matt and I and a couple of other guys got tested for STDs just to make sure we were clean.” “Was that the highlight of your week?” “No, thinking about tomorrow when we’re getting together with some other guys and scoring a touchdown in our game on Friday were the highlight

Lisa, Matt has taken many a bad turn in his once promising life. And like you said, admitting you need help is the first and most important step. I too am curious how Dr. Walker will handle this situation and how the boys will react. Thanks for writing a review.

John, many readers have become very disappointed in Matt just like you. Their concern has actually made me concerned. Matt took a big tumble and I suppose this is like a Greek tragedy where the hero, because of a weakness in character, falls. Matt has experienced some tragedy in his life and we can only hope that he finds his way. Thanks for writing.

Zarek, the question still is whether these boys will get together on Sunday. Will visiting Dr. Walker make a difference? I sometimes see Matt and Thomas being together in the end because they have the most in common, well at least they did at one time. Being a teenager has many challenges never mind all the knots these boys have tied so far. I believe that our actions have consequences and Matt often alludes to that. In fact, his life is showing that. You've pointed that out. Hope you had a good holiday.

Jaysalmn, Thanks for taking the time to write. Quite a few people have found Matt to be an asshole. Sometimes we don't see things the way others see us. Sometimes it takes a bit of adversity to make us see reality, and of course some people never see it. Since we know Matt and Andy are writing about their past and Matt instigated the writing, that Matt can't be completely lost soul. But he may not be able to get back what he's lost.

Knots 5 Chapter 21 Matt Sometimes it’s good to reflect on the past. You know the old saying, “Those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.” I’m not sure who said it, but it makes a lot of sense. But there I was, not learning from the past and preparing for a foursome with Andy, Colt, and Thomas. I began to think maybe it was time to return to Dr. Walker. But in my head, I kept thinking, I’m gay. Yes, I finally admitted that I’m gay and asked my

Columbus Guy, don't be so angry at Matt's parents. They brought him up to be the Matt we all loved and then he betrays their trust. He does things they never expected and were blindsided by him. I thought they were pretty tolerant considering. He was a little younger then, but he's now 17 and like they say, old enough to know better. My goal was to show that he and Andy are struggling with their passions and mistakes and knots. You and Zarek have influenced this story a lot.

Zarek, I had been thinking about what you and Columbus Guy have had to say about Matt so when I was reading Knots 3 over I thought that maybe it would be a great idea to bring a few of those things forward. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the comment about Newton's law.

Jaro, good to see you back. I thought maybe you had given up on Knots. Hope all is well. I read somewhere that a writer shouldn't try to be funny so I don't. It just happens. I even surprise myself at times. I kind of think Matt and Thomas are more right for each other than Matt and Andy, but Matt and Andy have a long history so they may eventually work everything out after they've sold their "wild oats" as they say. Thanks again for writing.

Jokrog, I guess if you've continued to read, you know Matt does finally have sex with a girl, but it didn't turn out too well in the long run for Megan or Matt. There are many surprises ahead, at least I hope so.

John, I think a lot of people are on Andy's side. But you're right, it will probably change. Thanks for taking the time to make a comment.

Comsie I'm glad to hear you've read on. I remember once that you said you didn't do a lot of reading because you were busy writing so I'm very pleased that you have continued reading Knots. Hopefully, there will be an uptick in readers. Thanks again. Elias

Knots 5 Chapter 20 Matt Andy and I were reading back through some of what we wrote in Knots 3, which was mostly about Dillon’s trial, and we wondered how, after everything that had happened then, we were here getting ready to do it all again. There’s a saying that goes something like this: Those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. A quick look on the Internet might make it perfect, but you get the idea. Here’s some of what I wrote:

Columbus Guy, I like your suggestions. I've been trying to figure out how to end this story and you may have solved my problem. You skipped over Colt and Zoe? Too bad, I had some good stuff other than the sex in that section. I figure you're going to read about the foursome though. ha ha.

The high school years were some of the best years of my life also. It was clubs and sports for me. Hanging around between classes or at lunch or doing things on the weekend. Each of us has our niche in life and in school and the only important thing is that we're happy. I don't think our boys are too happy. Yeah, they're having sex, but like you said, there are consequences. We all have some stress in our lives, but these guys have filled their lives with drama. Thanks for taking the time to read and write a comment.

Jokrog, I was going by what I've seen on TV. Which of course isn't to say it's correct. The only name they mentioned in the news was Dillon's. The boys' names were not mentioned. The kids at school knew about Andy and Dillon and these guys all hung around school together so it was a matter of them putting 2 and 2 together. Maybe I took a little poetic license here, but I believe that since the boys are now 15 or so and not young children, their names would not be used, but the press would have access. I couldn't get a definitive answer in my research. I appreciate you taking the time to write. It's always good to get different points of view.

Comsie, I was just reading your suggestions in the second half of your review again and I think you hit the nail on the head when you made this comment. "...there's a scene in that first chapter where they're at the creek, and Andy makes a 'suggestion' about swimming! Hehehe, that's awesome! I think that scene could have gone on for a chapter by itself! The shyness, the curiosity, the fear, the excitement, the discovery...what's going through his head? I always love being able to re-experience the pounding heartbeat, the goosebumps, the shortness of breath, the stuttering speech...just a touch more here and there would really bring a warm glow to scenes like that. In the following chapter, something happens early on that is another perfect opportunity to describe the emotion. A little pain and disappointment can be just as possible when you flesh it out. I really liked "the pounding heart, the goosebumps, the shortness of breath, the stuttering speech." You summed it up so well. Elias

Comsie Thanks for reviewing Knots. A writer is always flattered to have a well respected author review his writing. I agree with everything you had to say with 20/20 hindsight. I will keep your comments in mind as I write the next chapters. Lisa has been a big help and didn't start editing until about the middle of the first book of Knots. She's been editing ever since. She finds things I'd never notice or think of. I'm still reading Billy Chase, In a Class by Himself, New Boy in School, and Gone to Daylight. When I say still reading, I mean off and on because I'm either writing or editing essays for applicants who are applying to college graduate programs. The pay is good, but it's hindered my reading. Again thanks for the review and to you and Jim for posting Knots to Shack Nation. Jim is great to work with. Elias

Knots 5 Chapter 19 Matt Sometimes I thought I’d never learn anything about not making the same mistakes over and over again. Making the same mistake over and over again while expecting a different result, is known as insanity. I was beginning to think I was going insane. I talked about going back to the old Matt, but I was still living the life of the new Matt. I know this makes it sound like I was two different people, the old Matt and the new Matt. But thinking about it n

I will not be posting chapter 19 of Knots this week because of Thanksgiving. Elias

Columbus Guy, you and Zarek are responsible for this change of events. lol Andy wouldn't be Andy if he didn't slip now and then as we've seen throughout Knots. I joke about you guys because Matt is still my favorite character and I have faith in him. Matt has slipped quite a bit, but then like I said to Zarek, the series is called Knots. The only way to possibly have avoided all that has happened in their lives is to have never gone the way they did going back to Knots 1. But they did, and there have been consequences both good and bad. Andy is my wild humorous side and Matt is my independent thoughtful side. But there's a saying that says, "Show my your friends and I'll tell you who you are." The two keep rubbing off on each other and we can only hope they find their real selves before it's all over. Thanks for writing. Same to Zarek.

Zarek I can't remember if I wrote you that "just like life, change is not a straight line. It's a crooked one." (My words). As a writer, you know that eventually we will have resolution. The boys may have to make a few more mistakes and tie a few more knots before that happens. Sometimes I forget the whole series is called Knots, and if there were no knots, there would be no story. Consequently, our boys keep tying and untying knots. I wonder what the resolution will be? I keep thinking about it. Ideas are welcome.