Empathy

I actually like stories that don't have happy endings. Not that I'm oppose to happy endings, it's just more realistic's and it's something different than the normal everything works out in the end type stories we're used to.

You've spent hours upon hours working on your story/series. You developed the characters, created a unique and interesting plot and you've even gained a few avid readers. Now perhaps it time to bring the story to an end. I suppose by definition a story needs to have a beginning a middle and an end. Only how do you really know when it's time to end it? Do you call it quits just because your progress according to an outline says so or do you just feel it out? Have you been planning the end since the start or do you kind of come upon it.? And for all the authors out there, when you end a story or perhaps even when you simply envision the end. Is it most often a happy ending or not?

Hi Shane, welcome to the Cafe. NKIS is one of my faves as well along with Gone from Daylight. I've actually been reading the stories on the shack for years and still have only read a few of them. Not because the others aren't good it's just that I'm saving them for a time, haha. So i've never read My only escape, On the outside or Magic Man. Although I hear they're really good. Comsie is a really great writer I still can't imagine trying to juggle so many stories all at once. It takes a lot for me to manage my own by itself. He'll say it's not hard at all of course haha. But's it's impressive anyway.

I'm looking at my files now. Ch.1 65kb, ch2.46.5kb, ch3. 55kb, ch.4 66kb. They may not be to far from each other in length but I certainly don't try to keep them a certain length. Though I agree if chapter 1 is 65kb than it would be hard to carry a story, if the following chapter is 10kb. I've found myself going back and adding more description to my story in an attempt to try and match the length of the previous chapters having realized that my chapter is to short but I think it's up to the author to decide what's too short or too long.

My story is up at nifty as well and I've been getting a lot of feedback as well as a couple new members to my yahoo group. Made sure to mention GA.

congrats man!

Haha well I'm sure a part of me will enjoy the chase. I'm really not even sure my own story is good enough for posting, let alone messing up someone elses' work.

I'm still stalling, I think it would be best if I took a turn much later in the story as I hardly ever write anything with a happy ending. What can I say I like dark stories much more realistic haha

I like stories where everything doesn't work out. Those are the types of stories I right in fact. As you'll find out. Everyone else, see my sigi.

I've often dreamed of being an evil overlord.

Some nice tips under this topic, I've been thinking about posting to nifty. Only up to this point in my writing sexuality hasn't really played a part in the plot. I have friends and family readin g my story as well, none of whom know about me so I'm in no hurry to bring a gay element into the story even though I have made notes and thought of some plot ideas. Anyway nice tips guys. If you take a look at my signature you'll see I've taken some of the advice already.

well if he's asking you to "sleepover" I don't think askin him point blank cause much trouble. Even if he's not it seems you guys are at least close enough so that he won't take it the wrong way.

haha i'd be so mad, I'd probably sit around for a week or more thinking about how to get her back for that. But that's just me

I can always go back and find something. Especially if I leave things for a week or more and then comeback to it. I end up reworking things and finding mistakes I overlooked. I could actually use an editor for my story.

haha, while Reaper did a very good job and I enjoyed his chapter. You have to admit comsie you're a tough act to follow. Besides the feathers keep me warm on lonely nights. ....I need to get out more.

Definitely, I find music can set the tone for your writing and keep you focused in during long periods of writing. Where you may otherwise be distracted. It's so easy for me to loose focus while my friends are having a good time with "my" Xbox and I'm trying to squeeze out another chapter only a few feet away. I'm a big fan of mood music, i listen to pretty much everything but with me it's not always what's hot and popular at the moment and more so whatever has struck me recently and fits my current mood. I often end up taking my latest music fix from movies. For me there's nothing like seeing a really good film with a really intense or dramatic scene and having the music amplify that. I try to write the same way which is a little silly cause no one can hear the music while they read but it helps me write. My latest playlist Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata Adagio for Strings The Servant - Cells Siouxsie & The Banshees - Face To Face Lord of the Rings - Requiem for a Dream - towers trailer song-requiem for a dream remix Star Wars-Episode III-Revenge of the Sith battle of the Heroes Darren Hayes - Insatiable Sarah McLachlan - Elsewhere Blade Trinity - 01 - The RZA - Fatal Ashanti - Only You Queen of the Dammed - penetrate Queen of the Damned - Change (Really good worth a listen people!) Static-X - Cold A lot of pretty good music if you've never heard some of these that would be really interesting to have the authors music of choice playing while you read his work.

actually I hate shopping The person below me has a secret about their dog that involves peanut butter.

I'm really getting into Lost in the Shadows, the new addition went well with the original chapter. So far so good. Can't wait to see more. Maybe I'll get the courage contribute a chapter myself

A really great story I'm loving it so far!

Hi new to the board, joined awhile ago and now I plan to visit more and post often.

Wow congrats Comsie!!