Ron

Questions. I've been in a back and forth with Irri about these same questions, Carlos. The best response would be to extend Max's story, but not here, and not right now. I'm certainly not opposed to the idea, though. Thank you so much for your review, and the questions.

I'm glad to hear that you found the appeal of the story, because that was up for debate, considering the subject matter. Thank you for the review, craftingmom.

Thank you, Irri, for the praise. I didn't give too much thought to the answer to your question when writing. Now I am.

I've got one for prompt 381. This is my last prompt story for this year. My thanks go out to those who've used their time to spend it with my work, it's much appreciated. Max Cauler

Why did he come? He didn't 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, he had no need of false affection, and he owed him nothing. Not that the old man would ever ask for anything. The crack-crunch of frosted grass under his feet—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 winter

Happy Birthday and many happy returns of them!

Wow! This is a bit of a surprise. Thank you GA! Thanks to all of you who entered the contests, as well. I enjoyed reading all of the entries, very much.

I'll add my two cents worth: I was reading on that other site, and (memory fails) someone posted a link to GA, which led me here, where, before signing up, I read voraciously for about six months. Like quite a few others, I wanted to comment on what I was reading, and I wanted to be able to participate in some of the forums, mostly the lounge at that time. I ended up staying here, mostly, because of the community of like-minded people here. I was fifty-three years old and I had never been a part of an online community before, and I thought that this one was something special. I still think that it is. Oh, and I caught the writing bug. It's all, you all's fault.

Happy Birthday Johnathan!

Happy Birthday and many happy returns!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Wolfwriter!

Happy Birthday Allan!

There are many, many stories that could fill the space of #1 on my list and make for an enjoyable list of ties. One story has really pushed forward in my recent reading to join with the other #1's, and that story is Attunga - book 1 of Tales Of The Terran Diaspora by Iarwain (37 chapters and 175,313 words). I read Attunga over three days; I couldn't put it away. The story centers on three young men named Wirrin, Thom and Calen (a true trio), who both love one another and complement each other well, and their interactions with dolphins--particularly one special dolphin named Sonic. The story takes place in a future where large populations of people live in huge space habitats, mine asteroids for their metal and water, and artificial intelligence is a reality. Bigotry and hate have not been lost in the future, folks, and these things fuel the conflict of the story with alarming realism. Iarwain didn't fail in capturing my attention in those necessary first moments of the story, and believe me, never lets up until the very end. It's an exciting, intelligently well written story combining science (easily digestible [and acceptably believable] content), humor and the inestimable human spirit. I found it impossible not to like this story, and so Attunga can be found at the forefront of my list of #1 ties.

Irreverent, amusing, cheeky, and mocking with clever use of metaphor and even sneakier insinuation.

Awesome! Glad and happy to be a contributor on both counts. Very good news. Hooray for GA!

A nice stand-alone in the series, Valkyrie. I'm thinking that we don't always see what we aren't looking for, and so Elliot can be forgiven for not realizing Nate's attention really meant something ... more than. Clearly, Elliot loves Max, and vise versa, that's what comes through in the writing loud and clear. Great!

I am not a witch. I am not a sorcerer. Okay..... Mr. Warlock. Touchy, isn't he? I happen to think of those who comprise the various arts as all owning a bit of magic. Writing is among the arts and you offer us a little bit of your own magic with this story, Aditus.

I liked it, Wayne. Mike's Pinball Life - title as metaphor for life. Sometimes you get bounced around a bit but you have to play in order to get a chance at winning; no dropping out.

I really liked this, Cole. Your use of the different elements of browning a piece of meat as a chain of specific reactions needed in order to obtain a desired result meshed well with the events leading up to the confrontation in the kitchen. Seriously ... heat used as a catalyst in both cooking and reconciliation - good call.

I liked it, Carlos. My attention didn't wane at any point in the story and that's accomplished mostly, I feel, because the story maintained a flow to it. Which, is a good thing, but Cia made a very good point about what can be expected in these types of stories. I did wonder (while I read) that maybe the graphic scenes ended up on the cutting room floor (so to speak) in the editing process, but I see that wasn't the reason. Fear? Well, I can understand that. Dive in, Carlos, let those gut instincts work for ya. You have a good voice.

Happy Birthday!

That, Lee, he's just full of surprises.

Happy Birthday Wayne! Many happy returns.

Happy Birthday!