Ron

Do readers really ask 'a whole hell of a lot' more from a writer creating a sequel to an original idea? I'm thinking that if all the parameters are met then isn't it possible that a continuation of the original can be expanded upon. The fact that you don't like sequels is a personal point of view - as you noted - but it certainly is no reason for an author not to write a sequel. I think it important not to let our subjective opinions, especially from well-regarded authors, to be perceived as advice or instruction when opinion prevails.

A good point this. A different point of view helps immensely. Although, I'd argue that Short Circuit 2 while good, wasn't necessary. Sometimes, there is no need for a sequel ... Just as Batteries Not Included, released one year later, exemplified; you really can't do better than that example of perfection in a sequel.

"Life has given you a potato. What are you going to do with it?" I would look into its eyes until they turned green; knowing that I won ... this time... More likely , I'd pop it into the microwave for a quick side or as a main (size dependent). "Which Gay Authors story are you reading currently?" I was reading Dog Whisperer by @chris191070 but I got interrupted , and I haven't gotten back to the story, yet. So, Chris... Will he or Will he - or Will that other guy pop back into the picture, and disrupt the beginning dynamic you've cooked up??? Inquiring minds and all that, am I right?! "What singular superpower would you love to possess?" No problemo. Though my answer is selfish. Oo--h, so selfish! I would possess the power to make a Dorian Ron painting; without all that fuss! Now, don't get all up in my business over my decision. Cher wanted to turn back time! But if we can't even hold our place in time why worry about that?

Ahem, wouldn’t that be ‘… otter ego’.

and then ... Oh, Boy! until you're back and You Feel Love. Rinse and repeat as often as necessary lest living escapes you.

- contemplation,

and ... afterward -

It's time for some ...

I'm currently reading Winter's Heart (book 9 of 14) in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. I've read this book and others in the series several times as the time between Jordan's books in the series often arrived years apart, and, so, I reread or skimmed the previous books to get myself in the right contextual frame of mine to go forward with each new release. It has now been a little over thirteen years since A Memory of Light, the last book of the series came out which is as long since I've reread any of the books. Perhaps it's just the time that has past, or the time and place where I find myself in life, or because I can read each novel knowing that the next is waiting on my bookshelf and there is an end in sight to the series that I find myself immensely enjoying each book. I don't commiserate with a friend who read the books alongside me over how long it's been between books, or mind that a book of considerable length only covers a few days for the characters (of which there are a great many), nor do I devour them as if they are the most delicious pastry. What I do is spend time with each book and read at leisure. I go into the glossary and find the author's guided pronunciation for names, titles and places and correctly work them into the story -- the first time around I just barreled through and chose my best interpretation of what I thought something should sound like, I was often wrong -- which does influence the foreign nature of this fantasy world and helps it come alive in a way that it didn't previously (who'd have thought, right? *laughs*). Considering all the time I have spent with this author's work (also Brandon Sanderson who finished the series after Jordan's death) I can say that I know the books quite well, much still seems fresh in mind even after all these years and yet I come across bits and pieces that I had forgotten. There are also upcoming parts I anticipate because I know they are coming and that's a joy. So, I highly recommend rereading old favorites in rotation with new books of favorite authors and the work of new-to-you authors. I highly recommend this series.

From our friends at Sound & Vision magazine once again, more Dracula information. Spanish Version Follow the link for a free and informative article. I learned something new!

Only forty years ago. Depeche Mode as teenagers. As relevant then as it is now.

@Zombie I recently watched a short video of Brian May (Queen) test driving a new electric MG. It was all new from the ground up and only cost $90,000.00! That may skew the chart a bit.

Currently on my stereo system via Tidal Audio: Madonna - Music. I prefer to listen to a musician's release from beginning to end, and this one is no exception. September will be Music's twenty-fourth anniversary -- see you next year for the twenty-fifth. Below is the opening song of the work.

I hope that the recollections everyone cherishes of Comicality will bring them solace in the days to come.

According to a quick internet search Dracula was quite the shape-shifter in Stoker's novel.

The 1931 movie Dracula starring Bela Lugosi is not based on Bram Stoker's novel of the same name. Look here at this humorous article for the skinny - Dracula!

In addition to the above Most Read stories lovers of Sci-Fi/Fantasy might try Attunga by @Palantir and Abel III's Awakening by @Daddydavek to name just two. I enjoyed both stories a lot. They're not remotely alike and they both have multiple chapters which gives room for character development, and the science in the fiction behind both stories is imaginative and well believable. And kudos to @Thorn Wilde for capturing an entire sub-genre! They are missed.

@wildone The move Sublet is good, if you haven’t seen it already. An aging travelogue writer goes to Israel to write and to recover from a personal loss, then with the help of a younger man he finds out that he’s not as emotionally dead inside as he thought he was. The ending is uplifting but unexpected.

"I tend to daydream a lot, and I can safely do that while I work at my job." I know who it is... Homer Simpson!

With respect to the authors on the above lists, if you like Werewolf stories head over and read something a little different, Born Wolf by @Sasha Distan. I'm the proud owner of a personalized copy of the paperback book, I liked it that much.

Oddly (not oddly since mosquitoes do have niches), there is one mosquito that only feeds on frogs and other amphibians. But Culex territans do prefer frogs and toads.

In fairness to my former report concerning Wendy's. . . The company is now backtracking and saying that they will not implement surge pricing, and that they did not use that phrase. This is despite chief executive Kirt Tanner saying as reported that the company would test features like dynamic pricing at restaurants.

Precisely. Otherwise known as shrinkflation.

@Bill W Of course it’s about greed. It has been proven that a nickel here or a dime there doesn’t make much of a dent in consumer spending. A Wendy’s spokesperson likened this to the airlines, prices go up when demand is high and drop when demand is low. But the better and more direct comparison would be the driver services such as Uber and Lyft. I don’t think there was anyone with a brain who thought surge-pricing was anything but a money grab when that began happening — first the nearly put the cab services out of business (not that they didn’t need shaking up) and then the price went up.

Useless — it depends. As reported in The Washington Post as early as 2025, Wendy’s will begin using surge-pricing with digital menu boards that are able to be adjusted on the fly. An extra quarter for your frosty anyone?