LittleBuddhaTW

Thank you, Kurt. I'm glad you like the story! But criticism/feedback is always good, and I don't mind it at all. There's a big difference between valid criticism and a flame. I love to get feedback from readers or suggestions on how to improve. After already receiving feedback on that chapter, though, I thought this one particular bit of criticism was not exactly valid (nor was its delivery framed in a particularly 'amicable' way). Anyway, I just wanted to know what others thought about it. As for the time it takes for GHB to take effect, I'm aware that it takes longer (or so I've heard ... hehe). But that's where the whole "artistic license" thing has to come in, because I couldn't exactly have Connor and his rapist sitting around and chatting until it finally kicked in, Connor could only get pummeled for so long before he passed out (or died) from that, and I didn't want to get any more graphic than I already did as far as the sexual aspect of the rape went ... so the only option was to speed up the time it took for Connor to feel the effects of the drug. Kitty told me that she's preparing a post on this topic, and I'm really looking forward to reading it. One reason why I didn't think that particular criticism was valid was because Kitty never pointed it out, and this is one of those things that she would definitely pick out if it didn't "fit" ... that's her job, and she's the best at it. Anyway, let's see what Kitty has to say (no pressure, though, Kitty ... hehe) ... although anything constructive, either pro or con, is of course welcome from everyone.

I posted this in my blog, but since I'm not sure everyone reads it (I admit, it's pretty boring! lol), and since it's relevant here and could make for some good discussion, I thought I'd post it: "One thing I'd like to point out is Connor's reaction to the rape. One person pointed out that he didn't like the fact that Connor seemed "fine" with everything too quickly. I think it's important to remember that everyone's reaction to that kind of experience is different, and those things tend to fester for a while and then suddenly, when least expected, the victim will often have a reaction. Also, remember that Connor is heavily sedated while he is at the hospital. Were his reactions to his sponge bath and the twins "appropriate" or "realistic"? For him, they were. Obviously, his experience in Ch. 11 has changed his life in many ways, and there will be much more on how he deals with it, over a period of time, sometimes in small ways, and sometimes in more dramatic ways. Just keep that in mind as you're reading." What bothered me about what this (one) person said was the fact that Connor seemed so normal after the rape was so unrealistic and ruined the story for him. However, I've gotten a bunch of e-mails (and just received a PM) from people who've said I'm spot on with the portrayal, emphasizing that every individual's reaction is indeed different and unique. And I don't know if this is a "spoiler" or not, but the issue is far from over, and will manifest itself over a period of time and in different ways. And most of those scenes have already been written, and were in the plan from the beginning. There is a very specific and important purpose for writing this the way it is. I hope everyone is patient and will keep reading before making snap judgments. At any rate, I'm curious to hear what everyone else thinks about this subject. LBTW

I so did not feel like coming to work this morning. I haven't been sleeping well lately ... lots of weird dreams and stuff. Anyway, I've pretty much accomplished everything I set out to do this week. There's still one more box to ship, and I'll do that this afternoon when I get off work. I also got a haircut yesterday which was long overdue. My trip to the post office yesterday was painless, fortunately. The printer also did a good job with my thesis, and it ended up being a lot cheaper than I had expected. I also got a quote on the hardback binding, which will also cost me a lot less than I had imagined. But ... ::drum roll:: ... when I went to turn my thesis in at the Chinese department office, they told me I needed five copies ... even though they told me three copies two weeks ago. Needless to say, I was not pleased. Normally, my reaction probably would have been to threaten to drop kick the office girl and then screw her boyfriend, but she's always been nice to me, so I was nice and gave her the three copies I had, and now will have to go back again on Monday with the two additional copies. The test could come at any time after that. I took Shadow back to the vet and the doc said that his skin infection is healing very nicely. He gave him another shot and some more ointment, and that should do it. He also told me that I can skip one of those horrid, pointless steps for getting the cats out of the country (or so he says ... we'll have to wait and see). So, apparently, they now only need two check-ups instead of three. Anyway, they all get their immunization boosters, rabies shots, and microchips implanted next month. I'll also need to get Simba neutered before I leave. The plan for this weekend is to get one more box of stuff packed up and ready to ship on Monday, and then do some clothes sorting and washing. I'm gonna need to go clothes shopping as soon as I get back to the States, cause a lot of my clothes are too small or too old, so I will probably end up donating a lot of stuff to charity here. But I have lots to go through, and I want to wash all of my winter clothes before I ship them back. Sounds fun, eh? As for writing, I've been really slow lately. It's not exactly writer's block, because I know what I want to write, but I'm just feeling lazy. Kitty is now going through the second edit of Ch. 13 of SOOTB, and I'm working (slowly) on Ch. 16. One thing I'd like to point out is Connor's reaction to the rape. One person pointed out that he didn't like the fact that Connor seemed "fine" with everything too quickly. I think it's important to remember that everyone's reaction to that kind of experience is different, and those things tend to fester for a while and then suddenly, when least expected, the victim will often have a reaction. Also, remember that Connor is heavily sedated while he is at the hospital. Were his reactions to his sponge bath and the twins "appropriate" or "realistic"? For him, they were. Obviously, his experience in Ch. 11 has changed his life in many ways, and there will be much more on how he deals with it, over a period of time, sometimes in small ways, and sometimes in more dramatic ways. Just keep that in mind as you're reading. I've also discussed ideas for future stories with Kitty, and may start outlining something at some point. I've also got a story planned for the Summer Anthology that would fit with either the "vacation" or "summer fling" themes, which seem to be the two leaders in the poll. And if the theme turns out to be something different, then I'll still post it anyway as a short story ... probably!

Hmmm ... that sounds pretty hot ... maybe I'll have to re-consider my original plan for the ending ... Just kidding ... or am I? hehe

I also thought they were excellent. Very moving. I hope you'll write and post more of your poetry, Mr. Patrick_Star!

It's literally doing nothing ... just sitting there staring at the computer screen. But even that gets boring after a while, especially when there's no new stories to read. *sigh* And I don't think for a moment that I could ever steal Dom's "thunder" ... just look at how many views WT 11 got within the first 24 hours or so of being posted in the Story Announcements section. I'm just happy to have the few readers that I do who enjoy the story.

Yes, Kitty definitely is amazing, and deserves lots and lots of credit. She had TWO chapters of SOOTB ready to go, plus the Spring Anthology, all in ONE weekend ... that is A LOT of work, and she's done an excellent job on all of it. And to top that off, as soon as the Spring Anthology came out, she's already set to go on the next one!

If you're bipolar, you should be receiving treatment (and an official diagnosis) ... it's very serious and not something to be taken lightly.

That was a pretty important part ... guess you should read more carefully nex time.

Happy 20th birthday, Dio! You can no longer call yourself a 'teen' ... hehe *Hugz & Kisses* Buddha

Chapter 13 is in the very capable hands of Kitty. It's a pretty long one, too. You'd have to ask her when it'll be ready! hehe I've also got an idea for a new serial tossing around in my head ... it'll probably be kinda dark, but I think it might work. I've also got an idea for a little "fantasy/sci-fi" novella, which probably wouldn't run more than five chapters. I've never really thought of doing anything in that genre before, but I've got an interesting idea ... actually, a new take on a very old story. I'll have to see what people (i.e. Kitty) thinks about it, though. Ever since reading "Vampire Jarred" and contributing a chapter to "Service: VJ2," I've been thinking of trying out a vampire story as well, although I don't want to rehash already used-up ideas. I want to do something where the line between what we think of as "good" and "bad" isn't drawn so clearly. So, I've got lots of ideas, but still need to actually force myself to sit down and write, and I also want to finish up SOOTB, too. Otherwise, Connor won't let me get any rest ... he's constantly buzzing around in my head with things he needs to get off his chest ... **sigh**

The past few days have been really blah, so I don't really have anything to report, since I didn't do anything other than manage to finish up Ch. 15 of SOOTB and get started on Ch. 16. Right now, I'm sitting at work, bored out of my mind. For those of you that don't know, I work part-time for a research group here in Taiwan. The government is on this little "internationalization" kick, so I'm the "token foreigner" in the office. My main job responsibility is to sit here and "look white" ... occasionally I'll have to write an e-mail to someone overseas, but that doesn't happen very often. It's nice getting paid for doing nothing, but it's also boring. I used up forty minutes reading the latest chapter of "With Trust" (which I really liked by the way), and now I'm trying to waste some more time by blogging. I feel crappy that I didn't really accomplish much over the weekend or on Monday, so this week I'm going to set goals for myself, and I'll post back on Friday or so whether or not I accomplished them. I want to send at least two more boxes back home (even though I really don't want to deal with the imbeciles at the post office again). I also want to pitch some more junk, maybe a bag-full of stuff, and get rid of an old book shelf I don't need anymore and probably won't be able to sell. I also need to take Shadow back to the vet on Wednesday to get another shot for his skin thing and a refill on his ointment. At least he doesn't fidget now when I put the ointment on him. I also need to take my thesis to the printer and get it copied and bound. If I can get all of those things done this week, and manage to get some writing in as well, I'll feel better. I work better under pressure, though, and since I still have plenty of time to get my stuff together for moving, I don't really have the impetus to do it, so instead, I just sleep, stare at the computer screen, sleep some more, and maybe watch a little CNN. Exciting life, huh? ::sigh:: I've also been spending too much money lately ... money that I'd rather be using as the down payment on my new car when I get back. I'll still have plenty, but I'd like to have more, just in case my parents drive me nuts before I manage to get a job and I have to get out of there and get my own place. And I've had all kinds of expenses and stuff the past couple weeks ... like shipping those damn boxes which turned out to be much more expensive than I thought, plus rent, maintenance fee that we have to pay every month, electricity bill, vet costs, etc. Oh well ... can't be avoided. At least I can pick up the next installment of my scholarship on the 5th of next month, and I'll get paid from my job then, too. Anywho, I think I'll go beat my head against a wall now for lack of anything better to do for the next hour and forty-five minutes or so ... :wacko:

Excellent chapter ... and loooong ... the kind I really like! I just don't see how people can keep defending Assface. I think it's pretty clear that Nelson is making an effort, and I've noticed that in subtle ways, Milo has already started to have a positive effect on him. I think Assface is just an ass, and I would have loved to see Caleb give him a beat down. As for the goat, its presence was missed during this chapter. And Juanita ... I'm not sure if she exactly *knows* that Nelson and Milo are exchanging bodily fluids, but I think from her look of approval at the end, she at least knows that Nels cares about Milo and probably isn't the thug he might have appeared to be in the beginning. But who knows ... Juanita is still an enigma ... Anyway, great chapter. It was well worth the wait, but I don't know if I can wait another few weeks for the next one ... especially after reading Dom's blog ... *sigh*

I thought "Shout It Out" and Patrick's poetry were the best two entries in this season's anthology.

Maybe a stink will be raised at school because of Jeremy, causing Elton John to get involved sooner, get clean and sober sooner, and thus starting his battle against HIV/AIDS sooner, joining the fight with Davey, his dad, and sparing Ryan White a lot of grief in a few years! That would rock!

I really don't know what to say ... and I'm sure no words could possibly assuage the grief that Chaz and Green's family are feeling right now. All I know how to say is that my thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of you, and hope that whatever kind of after-life Green believed in, he is there right now and happy.

Yowzers ... that was some analysis there, Kevin! I think you may read each chapter even closer than Kitty and I do! J/K I'm looking forward to seeing how some of your questions/concerns get answered. I sure hope it doesn't take tooooo long ... *whistles innocently*

Another great chapter from Dan! I love it when he takes on the bigots and bible-thumpers! woot! woot! I'm really sad about Jeremy, though. It seemed like he was finally starting to come out of his shell just a little bit when he asked Davey about his old dirt bike and wanting to go riding ... and then later in the office when Davey's father mentioned that he only had a few months left to live ... that was just ... depressing. It also sickens me how people could be so prejudiced against someone who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion (not that they should be prejudiced against anyone who has contracted HIV, but that's just the absolute worst) ... it reminded me a lot of the Ryan White tragedy, and how he was ostracized by his school and community. Elton John became good friends with Ryan White toward the end of his life, performed at his funeral, and a quote from Elton's song "Skyline Pigeon" is on Ryan's tombstone. Elton also said that his friendship with Ryan is what caused him to wake up and decide to get clean and sober, as well as starting up the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the largest privately-run AIDS organization in the world. So, good things can come out of bad things, and Ryan White's death wasn't in vain.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VANCE!!! *Hugs & Kisses* Buddha

I'm glad everyone is satisfied so far ... I hope I can safely assume the lynch mobs have been called off for now ...

I meant the man who attacked Connor at the end of Chapter 11 was not her boyfriend. Krull had already left. He was her "boyfriend," although I use that term loosely, and considering he's only 25 years old, I don't think he'd be old enough to be Connor's father .....

Probably about twenty-five chapters or so. I'm working on Chapter 15 right now.

Ch. 12 is up ... http://members.gayauthors.org/littlebuddhatw/SOOTB12.html Enjoy!

I don't think he was her "boyfriend" ...

There's nothing to forgive. I knew that there would be mixed and emotional reactions to this chapter long before I posted it (it's been written for quite a while), and so did Kitty. You can't please everyone all of the time. Just like Dan's "Vampire Jarred" series isn't for everyone (although it happens to be one of my absolute favorite stories), likewise, Chapter 11 is not for the faint-hearted. I appreciate every comment that people have left here on the message board, and the many nice e-mails I received. One negative reaction out of all of those is pretty good, I'd say. Like I said, Chapter 12 will be out very soon, most likely Saturday afternoon or evening, US Eastern time (although that depends a bit on Myr, too, but that's when I'll be sending it).