Uplifted Spirit

Lisa, it's great to get your comments again. You already know what happens in chapter 18. Matt is a disappointment to our readers because he always seemed the wiser of the two and now Andy seems wiser. But as they say, leopards don't change their spots or zebra's don't change their stripes or something like that. We can only hope this is true of Matt and not true for Andy.

Columbus Guy, Chapter 18 takes kind of a turn because you and Zarek and a few other readers have affected the way I think about the course of the story. It's been a hard go lately to get a chapter written. One person said he didn't think it was possible for Matt or Andy to go any lower after their previous mistakes. Seems like everyone is mad at Matt, and while Matt hasn't been a good guy, he's always let Andy know his feelings. He did hurt Andy's feelings when he got together with Colt. Matt is my favorite character in terms of his character, which has been tested and unfortunately he failed. But sometimes our failures teach us something if we care enough. I think the problem is that Matt has lost his direction and in many respects is all tied up in knots. How appropriate to the title of the books.

Zarek, I was listening to something today related to comments in a movie that said the main character has to always have the reader on his side and I'm beginning to wonder if I've managed to make my readers hate Matt. But then stories need conflicts and characters with faults to make a story with the idea that redemption will be possible in the end. I'm not sure if I cleared up anything in Chapter 18, but I guess you'll let me know after you read it. Thanks for taking the time to write. I read chapter 35 of Another Chance, but haven't make a comment yet. Will do it in the next few days.

Everybody is mad at Matt and I think that's because he seemed so squared away in the first couple books. Andy appears to have changed, but after thinking about it some, I realize that Andy is kind of his own worst enemy and in the process is also a little responsible for Matt too. Not that Matt can't think for himself, but Andy has created situations that drew Matt in and then is mad at Matt. Chapter 18 deals with some of these issues.

Zarek, I meant to write when you first wrote, but got busy and am just now getting to it. I just submitted Chapter 18 so who know what you might think by time you finish it. I'll be interested to hear your comments. Yes, you and Columbus Guy have been influencing my writing. Chapter 18 ended up much different than I expected. You just never know what horny teenagers will do next.

Knots 5 Chapter 18 Andy I had some time to think while Doc Walker was in the john. “Doc, while you were gone, I was thinking. I think this whole mess is my fault.” “Your fault? How do you figure?” “Well, I’d tried to get Matt to have sex for some time, and he refused. I even tried to seduce him. But he resisted. The only reason he had sex with me in the first place was because he was afraid I was going to kill myself when I found out ab

Knots 5 Chapter 17 Andy I knew Matt and Colt were doing something on Saturday. Matt didn’t want to talk about it, but I just sensed it. I figured they might be going out to the pond since fucking spots were in short supply. Matt and I only went out to the pond if we couldn’t have sex at his house or mine. The weather would soon be turning cold, and then his options would be limited. There was nothing I could do except talk with Dr. Walker about it. He’d moved

Knots 5 Chapter 16 Colt Colt was shocked when Andy yelled “Matt’s going to fuck Colt.”. He didn’t know whether to run and hide or just act like nothing happened. He chose the latter. Just because Andy was yelling this crap didn’t mean anyone would pay attention to him, but Colt headed back to his locker as if nothing had happened. Thomas was standing at his locker and said, “What the hell is going on?” “Hell if I know. I think it’s something between Matt and

Knots 5 Chapter 15 Andy Something was going on between Matt and Colt. I acted like I didn’t give a shit, but I did. I told Matt no sex and now he went off to be with Colt. That was the last thing I expected. If he didn’t enjoy sex with just me, why would he be going after Colt instead of Ashton and Scott? My feelings were hurt. I wanted to call Dr. Walker, but I was beginning to feel like I was becoming dependent on him. I needed to begin thinking for myself. But then

Zarek Sometimes our favorite characters disappoint us. Sad but true. There is still time for Matt to change. In fact novels are about the protagonist changing in some way from the beginning of the novel to the end. But how does one pull back from a terrible course they've taken? What do they do? What will Matt have to do or what will have to happen to get him back on the right course. In chapter 15, even Andy asks what's happened to the old Matt. This came about because of what you and Columbus Guy have been writing. Life would be wonderful if no one ever got hurt. But both joy and sorrow are a part of life. We tie and untie knots and sometimes the knots we tie strangle us to tie us down. I mention that in the next chapter. Thanks for commenting.

Columbus Guy Matt is one confused teenager. I was in a hurry to get chapter 15 out and things happened that I didn't expect. Matt may go see Dr. Walker again after what happened in chapter 15. You're right about Colt, but then Andy was that way too and now so is Matt. Sex, so wonderful and so dangerous at the same time. lol

Knots 5 Chapter 14 Matt School had started a few days before I called Colt. It was a pretty busy time; we still had football practice every day, and our first game was going to be this coming Friday. Colt sounded excited when I called. Hell, I was excited. He had gotten such a hot body since he’d been playing basketball and football. Colt wasn’t much good at football, but he was giving it his best. I found myself glancing over at him while he was getting dress

Hope this is the right place to post this. I'm sure Cia has told me where to post before, but I haven't posted in awhile and don't remember what she told me. I have been pretty good about posting on or before Sunday every week, but this week, I may not post until Wednesday or so, which will also slow up the following week.

Columbus Guy, you have it right. I think readers liked Matt in the early books because he seemed stable and as he became less so compared to Andy, felt some disappointment in him. You and Zarek know as writers yourselves that you just never know what your characters might do. I never ask myself, "What kind of crazy thing can I make my characters do to make them more interesting or get more readers?" They do what they do on their own and I don't have the slightest idea why until later in the story it seems that what happened had a purpose. Crazy isn't it. But this is what makes writing fun. It is hard to sit down every week and force a chapter out, but do that forces the characters out of me onto the page and I just never know myself what's coming next. What will Colt and Matt do. How will it affect them? How will it affect Andy? These are all unanswered questions right now and it will only become apparent to me as I sit down to write. I want to than both you and Zarek for your continued support of Knots. I apologize for not having given you more support for your own stories. I do paid editing for quite a few people and it takes up a good part of my time and makes it harder for me to read and review others. My editing is not related to this site or any other gay site.

Zarek Thanks to you and Columbus Guy I put in the changing of bodies. Matt is my favorite character and he needs to be saved from himself. Andy was always a bit wild and Matt not, but what often happens to us is that if we've lived a certain way and are exposed to another way, we kind of go wild and that's what's happened to Matt. We can only hope that the old Matt will return once he's played all his cards and tied all his knots. Andy's counseling has helped him a great deal. Matt is sailing free and it appears he probably won't go. But who knows what may happen in the future. Again, I appreciate your comments because they do affect the story line.

Knots 5 Chapter 13 Andy Like I said last time, our session began as it always did, with the question, “How did your week go?” “I’m not sure,” I said with all honesty He smiled. “Why?” “Consequences, Doc. My week had consequences I didn’t expect.” “Tell me about it.” I knocked his knee with my knee. “Do you want to hear everything?” “No. Just the consequences will do.” I frowned. “I

Zarek, you are so right about the characters. They are not being true to themselves. Hazards of being a teenager I believe. I think Matt said something about getting sidetracked. But then Andy knew there could be consequences to the foursome, but he went ahead with it anyway. I was confused as to what kind of consequences could come about and I chose to have Matt, who of course didn't want to participate in the first place, go ahead because he'd given his word, and then found himself enjoying it more than he expected leaving Andy with the consequences from his setting up the foursome. Matt is always me, the author. I keep my commitments, but also make some stupid decisions. I'm a solid guy, but drift now and then. The Greek tragedies are about a hero with a character flaw that can destroy them. Matt is our hero and we're disappointed when he shows he's human like the rest of us. Shows us his character flaws. Well, that's at least as I see it. Andy is forever unsettled and inconsistent. Matt tries for consistency, but can't seem to find it because he's still young and wants to live his life and not someone else's. But sex being what it is, we often make decisions based on emotion and sex too often. Like they say, reality is a bitch. I really love your analysis of the story and I listen to what you say and believe you are right on in your analysis of Matt and Andy switching bodies. But Andy, basically ignored Dr. Walker and suggested the foursome. There's an old saying that says, "Show me your friends and I tell you who you are." Sometimes we imitate our friends. Big mistake, of course. Matt will hopefully eventually find his way after he messes his life up a little longer. Don't lose hope. You know how they say in writing, "Don't be afraid to kill your darlings." Well, Matt isn't exactly being killed. But he is my favorite character, although I love Andy's carefree and humorous outlook on life. Matt is suffering in a way. He obviously won't die, but in this case we could change the quote to read, "Don't be afraid to wound your darlings." In regular writing, they are talking about paragraphs and sentences that we love, but I think it can also apply to our characters. Thanks again Zarek for your reviews. They are greatly a appreciated and thought provoking.

ColumbusGuy Glad to hear that this chapter makes the reader thinkg about hard choices they make not just with sex. You're right. Colt is cavalier about Zoe's status, but he did respect her enough not to penetrate her, but as Zarek says, she still has lost her virginity. Although I think this is one of those vague areas that people might disagree on. I'm not sure what I think. I figured that it was a way for Colt to compromise and not force himself on Zoe. The thing I wanted was for Zoe and Colt to talk about the sex they were going to have unlike Matt and Megan, who didn't. I really appreciate you and Zarek commenting every week on Knots. Thanks.

Zarek, I'm beginning to think these boys will never learn. Colt has gained confidence after having sex with Thomas and getting playing time on the basketball team. It's bound to change a guy and increase his confidence. Plus, he wants sex with Zoe so it more aggressive than he might otherwise me. At least that's the way I was thinking when I wrote it. He has come a long way from the shy boy. Matt and Andy of course are still tying knots as you'll find out in the next chapter which I just posted.

Knots 5 Chapter 12 Matt Andy and I picked up Ashton and Scott at Burger King at noon on Saturday and then drove out to the pond. The closer we got to the pond, the less I felt I wanted to do anything. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. I wanted to do it, but felt there might be consequences. Andy always has a tendency to throw caution to the wind. Sometimes I make the mistake of following. Not that I didn’t do my share of leading on occasion, but I always had doubts. So he

Knots 5 Chapter 11 Colt and Zoe Colt’s heart was beating fast when he knocked on Zoe’s door. Zoe stood in the doorway with a bikini that left little to the imagination. “You’re looking hot, Zoe.” “Thanks, Colt. You brought your trunks, didn’t you?” “Didn’t think I’d need them. Can’t we swim naked?” “Whatever happened to foreplay?” Colt followed Zoe out to the pool. “Swimming naked is foreplay.” Colt pulled

Columbus Guy It would be great if we could just snap our fingers and change lke that. It took a period of time for the boys to get to where they are now and it will take some time for them to retreat from their habit of making bad decisions. That's kind of true of all of us. At least I think so. I'm in a quandary over Colt and Zoe. I've already written that part of the next chapter and have mixed feelings about it. I guess you'll let me know what you think.

Zarek Life would be wonderful if we didn't keep making the same mistakes. In the end, we can only hope the boys do learn from them, but bad habits are often hard to break, and that's the problem they face. Thanks for pointing out the error. Lisa caught it and I thought I'd corrected it, but guess not. Thanks to you, I fixed it. I just finished writing about Colt and Zoe and things went differently than I expected.

Knots 5 Chapter 10 Megan and Zoe Colt, Matt, and Andy were practicing football three times a day, leaving Megan and Zoe wondering what had happened to their relationships. Megan and Zoe were sitting on the floor leaning against Megan’s bed. Megan was in tears, and Zoe had her arm around her trying to comfort her. “Megan, you just can’t trust guys. All they want is sex.” Megan stopped crying. “I thought Matt was different.” She started crying again. “But he’

Columbus, you made me laugh. I know you haven't thought much of Matt because he drifted away from who he really is. His goal is as you know from the story is to get back to the old Matt. He's moving there slowly. This scene came from who I am. I don't like living by a double standard. Matt would have been so wrong if he made a commitment to Megan after he wouldn't with Andy. Andy is very much like Megan though. I suppose it would seem more likely that Andy would be the free spirit. But Andy has always lacked a certain confidence since Book 1. He's looking for security, which is fine. Many of us do. But maybe it's just my philosophy of life that we shouldn't let our lives be run by our insecurities or our sex organs.