Ron

Happy Birthday, Sasha, and may you enjoy many, many happy returns in the years to come.

One of those slap the forehead moments. We've all had them at one time or another.

I might be persuaded to do this on my own (it sounds fun), but I would never do it with my partner. He takes competing far too seriously.

Happy Birthday, Carlos. Many happy returns to ya!

Happy Birthday, Jon. Many happy returns!

Thank you, Timothy.

Ha! That's interesting, I never gave it a thought, I accepted that it was called a trunk and that's what it was—but I can see the reasoning behind the name now. Clearly, watching Downton Abbey made no difference in my understanding despite the traveling scenes with trunks stacked upon the cars.

I agree with your nephew, you should write a billion more chapters—of something or other.

I like Rob Colton's werewolf stories very much. I do believe though, that when mentioning genre defining writing about werewolves on GA, Sasha Distan cannot be left out of the conversation. If anyone is unfamiliar with Born Wolf, my advice: immediately go read the story. It was an incredibly nuanced piece of writing, while at the same time setting down very defined parameters of the laws and social life of shifters—and what happens when you fall outside of the norm. Timothy, you lay out a convincing reason to begin reading JohnAR's Meta.

Up in the maroon colored bar you will find a Help topic, click on it and you'll find many useful things, including the how-tos of posting stories.

A few thoughts.... All features could be combined. The author, story title, and first line (excepting those weeks when the first line is the prompt) from all of the prompts posted during the week leading up to Fridays feature, could be shown. And then, one story from the group could be featured. Although singling out one story in this manner will be more contrasting, may seem like a contest of sorts, or even appear harsh to some, it is reality, as it is already being done off-screen anyway and we're all aware of it. As Valkyrie says, it is very thrilling to be the author whose story is being featured. It was exciting as all-get-out the one time that I was featured, and Trebs (Robert) will always be remembered by me for having done so. I wouldn't like to lose this feature of the prompts and have an author miss out on the feeling of accomplishment that being featured provides—especially to newer authors who make the cut. How exciting! On the other hand I certainly realize that reading every story (how else to choose the best - though I do realize that variables may apply when making the final choice), would take up more time than using the list, and combining both ideas would only take up more time.

Thank you, Lisa.

Very nice. Congratulations, Aditus. You know there's no money, right? Valkyrie confirmed this.

Thank you, Gary.

Thank you, Graeme.

Thank you, Cole.

Thank you, Wayne.

Well, it sure beats the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. No, seriously I liked it. You could work this into something more. Your story has real potential, Krista.

This is an intense story, Wayne. Not every family is what all could hope for but this one, with its ugly attitudes, selfish behaviors and not so hidden secrets, is awful. The writing makes a person cringe at the lot of them—including the boyfriends mother. I was glad for any bright spots when they showed up. I thought the solution to the loans was inspired thinking. Somebody has a good heart. Nicely done.

Just when I was considering rereading Larry Niven's Ringworld story again, I run into yours. The decision is now made, I will read it again. I never expected to read a story set in that universe on GA. I'm glad that you tackle(d) it.

Why did he come? He didnʼt owe the old man anything nor his mother . . . What did she ever do to stop him? Nothing but to patch him up when the old man was done. He was his own man now, and he had no need of false affection; he owed him nothing. Not that the old man would ever ask for anything. The crack-crunch of frosted grass underfoot—silvered blades crushed and snapped—were his company on the walk up the slope. Nearer to the top of the rise, a bright-red cardinal sang from a winterʼs oak tr

According to his father, Max Cauler Jr. canʼt seem to do anything right. After ʻthe old manʼ catches him in bed with another boy, heʼs left with no choice but to run away, but being homeless has a cost of its own. Can you ever go home?

I'm thinking that it would be even better if less than already supposed people started coming out. You know: more sports figures; one of the local firemen; a police officer people know and other people in the public eye. It wouldn't necessarily matter if they were people in the national spotlight. It would be just as great, maybe more so, if it were someone local that a queerling could look up to and find a good role model, to find that they're not alone. I think the average gay person really does underestimate how much influence that they actually have just by being their self. Sometimes it's enough to be out and just be you. More, can only be better. Edit: I understand Cynus' point about being inclusive, and I agree. I used the word gay as a tailored response to GA.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Clochette