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wildone

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  1. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Oct. 11 - Oct. 17)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I may be dating myself (not like that, geez ), but back in the days of Johnny Carson hosting the Tonight Show, Ed McMahon would always start the show off with, "Herrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre's Johnny," for an introduction. I may or may not have used AI to help recreate this  Okay, I totally did  Can't use the actual likeness of Ed McMahon though . 
    I just wanted to resurrect the famous line to let everyone know that Annual GA Anthology has started  
    In case you have been out of the  country or lost your internet connection, you know that the two different themes of the Anthology came out on Thursday. Week one features 6 brand new stories from 6 different authors  
    If you want to go to the launching page, check it out here:
    Since the Anthology is such a big thing, I decided to feature it first this week.  That doesn't mean that the other 2 blogs appearing this past week should be ignored. Actually I would encourage you to check them out too!
    Monday, the Review Team got behind Chris191070 for his great review of a new story, for those of us that haven't read it:
    Tuesday, Myr although was on the road, brought us a new Genre looksy!
     
    We also managed to fit in our weekly dosage of Words of the Day:
    amaranthine, carapace, crepuscule, galivant, elegiac, redamancy, lucent
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Tainted Relic by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    USS Zodiac by Topher Lydon Wolves on the Road by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Tainted Relic by Topher Lydon Montana Hearts by Mark Ponyboy Peters Given by Mikiesboy **Complete** **Anthology Entry** Take the Long Road Home by kbois Roping the Moon by Headstall 2 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Incident at Lalande II by Myr **Anthology Entry** Love on Trial by Ronyx 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Bold Desire by lilansui **Complete**  The Gravity of a Blueberry by Wayne Gray 45 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    SOULMATE(s) by Tony S. Another Role of a Lifetime by KKirk Blueblood 6 China by R. Eric How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson Locktober Surprise by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Safe Distance by Tony S. Pride and Pucks and Prejudice by andy cannon What Grows in Ruin by mastershakeme Riding the Ridge by Soren Kraft Dad's Helping Hand by M. Harding Draft Dodgers by Jonathan E Inanimate Objects Understood by Sherye Story Reader The Diary by ChromedOutCortex The Exception by Kevin Snell **Complete** Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Between the Two by Grayson Rose House of the Moon by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Stingy Jack’s Last Trick — A Halloween Tale by Mark Paren **Complete** Begin Again by Kevin Snell **Complete** Oliver & Julian: Family Matters by Robert Hugill CODE 9999 by XiaoJiXueHua Project ARN 1: Digital Trap by anatta707 Robbie and Mark: A new chapter by unilive Sanctuary among Stars by chris191070 **Complete** **Anthology Entry** Forbidden by RichardWrites **Complete** **Anthology Entry** seven for a secret never to be told by Gary L **Complete** **Anthology Entry** A New Outlook On Life by Lee Wilson **Complete** **Anthology Entry** The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus **Complete** turmoil by Paladin Dream Summoner by Sleepy Writer **Complete** Pigsty by Jack Poignet Echoes of Purpose by Enoch At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose In the Barb by Vcs The Beginning Of Something Funny by Sherye Story Reader **Complete** The Prince and Ai by W_L Unraveled by jkwsquirrel Brian & Gordon: Doing their Damnedest by Robert Hugill Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy What I Want by Paul Zhy The Frat Dad by Evan S. Breaking Masks by Josh Aterovis 1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories
    Path Forward by Jean87 **Complete**  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  2. wildone
    Sometimes looking back in history, we should learn. Unfortunately sometimes people don't learn from their past. Here is a look back that I'm currently reading myself. Thanks to chris191070 for bringing to me and all of your attention. 
     
     
    Blackwater
    by Topher Lyndon
    Reviewer: chris191070 
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 80,569
     
     
    This a hard-hitting story, parts of which some readers will find very difficult to read.
    At the heart of the story are 30 young boys, who are sent to Blackwater, a dark and ruthless correction facility. Social status or wealth don't matter here as you are here for being the wrong type of person.
    The horrors that they are forced to deal with are totally brutal, physically and psychologically disturbing.
    This amazing story is @Topher Lydon's testimony and a tribute honoring the memory of the victims of the 1950s and 1960s prosecution of gay and bisexual men in the UK. It is a dark story that punches you directly in the gut, one that shows both the lowest and the highest in humankind
    It is a wonderful read, that will make you angry, scream and totally disgusted by inhumane treatments.
     
    Category: Fiction  Genres: Horror, Thriller/Suspense, Historical,   Sub-genres: Psychological, Historical Thriller, Historical Drama Tags: dark, serious, 20th century, hate, abuse, hurt/comfort, survival, forbidden relationship, secret relationship, academia, law, justice   Rating: Mature 
     
  3. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Oct. 4 - Oct. 10)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Happy Nadian Thanksgiving!!! 🦃 
    We do go a little wild up here in the Great White North. No, we are not covered in snow yet, but close  

     
    So since it is in the news here, I thought I would bring this up earlier than normal. Usually I talk about the dreaded, not to me, changing of the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Well, why it is in the news, is that British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba have decided to do away with falling back and staying on Daylight Savings Time. Saskatchewan is on permanent Standard Time for a few years now. Personally, I would have preferred to have permanent standard time, but those people that they call politicians didn't give anyone the option  Now no ranting about those people  Go to the Pit for that. 
    I do believe Arizona and Hawaii are the only CURRENT American states that don't change. So Arizona is on permanent Standard Time, yay, as well as Hawaii. Hawaii is different due to their proximity to equator. Makes sense, every day on the equator would be the same year round, would it not?  
    Now, the reason I want permanent standard time. In the dead of winter, we will not see the sun here until like 9:30 AM 😮 Think of all the little kiddies going to school in the dark. What about me going to work in the dark and probably coming home in the dark. Don't I count ? I think I would rather go to bed in the summer when it is still light out than working during the whole day whilst the sun is up. Nevermind the hodgepodge of timezones being created. Some one way, some another way and the others not doing any changes. I guess where I always knew I was 2 hours earlier than the Eastern Time Zone, but now in November it will be only 1 😮 That means a certain author in 'tucky can harass me later into the night  
    I did have to laugh at a person at work, who was concerned when they flew somewhere this winter, it would take an extra hour. Took a bit explaining that the plane will be in the air the same amount of time, that doesn't change, but the time you land may be different from in the past . Sometimes change is hard to grasp.  ✈️ 
     
    So here is the 4 part question for the week! 
    Do you do DST and ST changes twice a year? Do you want to continue to do the changes, or are you ready to eliminate them? If you want to change, do you want permanent Daylight Saving Time? If you want to change, do you want permanent Standard Time.  Okay, I have beat that dead horse to a pulp 😮 Onto the Wrap Up...
    Cia was in on Monday to bring us a brand new CSR story. Check it out! That is if you don't have a weak heart 😮:
    Tuesday, Myr popped in after he went diving very early in the AM. Check out what he caught. I don't think anything was made up :
    That was it  What a hard, exhausting week it was for me. Now you know why my preamble went on and on and on . 
     
    Myr didn't get a light week as he continued to stupify me on the Words of the Day. Well not all of them this week:
    meander, languor, oneiric, harbinger, bucolic, ensorcell, sonder
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    We actually had a posted story/poem in every category this past week  We also had 13 stories completed in case you like to only start completed ones 😮 
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Tainted Relic by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Wolves on the Road by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois USS Zodiac by Topher Lydon Carter's Revolution by Topher Lydon **Complete** TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Tainted Relic by Topher Lydon Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Love on Trial by Ronyx 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Bold Desire by lilansui 45 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    The Exception by Kevin Snell The World Out There by Drew Payne Project ARN 1: Digital Trap by anatta707 What I Want by Paul Zhy Another Role of a Lifetime by KKirk How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson Robbie and Mark: Latest chaos by unilive Pride and Pucks and Prejudice by andy cannon The Impostor by vanalas Riding the Ridge by Soren Kraft Blueblood 5.1: Red Alert!! by R. Eric **Complete** Midnight Malcolm by Boy Mercury X **Complete** What Grows in Ruin by mastershakeme House of the Moon by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren **Complete** Oliver & Julian: Family Matters by Robert Hugill A Memory Named Sage by Sherye Story Reader Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Stingy Jack’s Last Trick — A Halloween Tale by Mark Paren Safe Distance by Tony S. The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Supernova by Thightide45 Draft Dodgers by Jonathan E Bold Desire by lilansui The Man by the River by Kevin Snell **Complete** Holiday Drama by quokka **Complete** In the Barb by Vcs Echoes of Purpose by Enoch At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose The Prince and Ai by W_L SOULMATE(s) by Tony S. All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 turmoil by Paladin Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath **Complete** Drama Club Reunion by Sky Masterson **Complete** Give Peace a Chance by Enoch **Complete** Breaking Masks by Josh Aterovis Under Amber Skies by Thightide45 Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox **Complete** Re-Organizing by Justin4Fun Headache by Algorithm by Enoch **Complete** A Grave so Dirty by Celian Tangled in Laughter by chris191070 **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories
    Path Forward by Jean87  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
  4. wildone

    Weekly Update (Sept. 27 - Oct. 3)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I want to send out a lot of love to Cia for stepping in for moi the past two weeks    You may have been fooled and thought she only did last week's Weekly Update but she did finish and post the week before too  
    Well it appears everyone forgot my birthday this year  Just the way I want it. 
    So let's talk about birthdays. What month is yours in? We don't want the day or we could be in violation of European Laws 😮 We don't want to be banned in Europe . What do you think of birthdays? I've never really cared for them to be honest, it is just another day and you are a year older. I feel like there is no real need to celebrate it the older I get.  No, I'm not a crotchety old man, just a realist . 
    I know some people dread and hate their birthdays . It seems like their mental health is tied into their age, which is not a good thing at all . It is only a number and you need to remember that only you decide how old you are. Unless you are like 20 in the US and you want to go for a drink, not supposed to happen 🍺. I'm sure I felt like I was 18 when I was 13. 18 is the legal age in my province. And I may or may not have started going to bars a year or 3 earlier than 18 . 
    Oh ya, back to birthdays . So how do you approach your birthday. Do you celebrate the fact that you are still alive ? Do you dread it like a plague? Do you like others convincing you, you need to celebrate?
    Break down your feelings here, we are all here to support you  
    Now onto the Wrap Up.
    Monday, the fabulous Cia wrapped up September with the CSR Discussion Day. Check it out, just even to see what Andy Cannon has in the hopper for an upcoming story . I might have a suggestion or two to help with his story :
    Tuesday, the magnificent Myr came in with a genre Deep Dive. Do you have the sleuthing skills to figure the genre out? 🔍
    Then it was Valkyrie's last call for stories for the Anthology Stories. I'll tell you a little secret  if your story is/was 99% done, write Val and see what she can do. Shhh. 
     
     
    How about the Words of the Day. I looked back at last week. Lordy me, I didn't get any right 😮 But I was on holidays so I'm not counting it against me  Now looking at this week, not much better  .
    aporia, palimpsest, insouciant, saudade, perfidious, dalliance, verdant
     
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Tainted Relic by Topher Lydon 7 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Revolution by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois USS Zodiac by Topher Lydon The Tainted Relic by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Love on Trial by Ronyx 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Blades of Ashes by lilansui 42 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Drama Club Reunion by Sky Masterson Riding the Ridge by Soren Kraft How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell Another Role of a Lifetime by KKirk Robbie and Mark: Latest chaos by unilive From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson It’s All Baked Inn by Autumn Dream Pride and Pucks and Prejudice by andy cannon The Frat Dad by Evan S. Safe Distance by Tony S. Draft Dodgers by Jonathan E Didn't Know You'd Be Here by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Dad's Helping Hand by M. Harding What I Want by Paul Zhy The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Bad Tutor by TabbyTales **Complete** HUMOR by Enoch **Complete** Begin Again by Kevin Snell House of the Moon by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren Oliver & Julian: Family Matters by Robert Hugill Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Sapphire in the Stars by JujuTheDruid The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X Between the Two by Grayson Rose Stingy Jack’s Last Trick — A Halloween Tale by Mark Paren Aethan's Reign (returns 11/02/27) by ValentineDavis21 In the Barb by Vcs A fruitless Deal by Celian **Complete** Echoes in the Storm by Enoch **Complete** The Prince and Ai by W_L Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite Blades of Ashes by lilansui Brian & Gordon: Doing their Damnedest by Robert Hugill The Mask by Enoch **Complete** Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox SOULMATE(s) by Tony S. Breaking Masks by Josh Aterovis turmoil by Paladin Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  5. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Sept. 13 - Sept. 19)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Sweet, sweet, sweet vacation  
    I may have been whining like a little baby about how much I have been working of late but I'm really happy to say as you are reading this blog, I'm going on a jet plane, I don't know when I will be back again. Who sang that  Actually I know when I'll be back again, the following Sunday  Oh well, it is a week away from the grind so to speak. 
    So, the 22nd is meteorological start of fall. 
    Now this has me baffled, where and when did we get all these, I will say silly, technical names from? I mean you used to say first day of Spring is March 20th or Fall is September 22. But noooo, now you have to identify it as meteorological Spring or Fall, etc. Then other weather things, from we are looking at a huge cold front coming down and putting us in the frigid temps for a couple of weeks to there is an Artic Vortex about to hold our area hostage to extreme low temperatures. Gone from mild or cold winters to El Nino or El Nina. 
    So what other ones have you heard that are making you shake your heads? I'm sure there are more that I'm not recalling off the top of my head. 
    Now let's be careful here, we don't need to discuss the highly debated topic of global warming or natural evolution of the earth. If you want to talk about those, please exit stage right, right now and proceed to the Pit. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. You can discuss that topic to your hearts content over there . 
    Or, am I just becoming a crotchety old man  I am tuning another year older this year. I've been kind of avoiding the idea of turning 30! I mean, it is the end of my 20's.  
    Enough of this silliness. 
    Monday, the super duper Review Team via Gary L came in and presented a great story for everyone:
    Tuesday was time for Myr to look deeply 👀 into the History genre:
    Thursday, well I have to send out a extremely sincere apology to the Promotion team and our newly promoted Promising Author. I was supposed to publish last week, then I was supposed to publish on Wednesday this week, but I put my reminder in my phone on Wednesday night rather than Tuesday night. Remember that whole birthday thing? Actually no, I cannot blame that. All I ask is you stop by and leave a congratulatory comment in the blog and apologize for me being an idiot  I deserve it. 
     
    Well what I forgot, Myr never did forget! Here were the Words of the Day:
    supplicate, smitten, quiddity, pedagogue, lagom, caprice, bloviate
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. ONLY 11 days to make your intentions clear to @Valkyrie.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon Complete 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Hand by Topher Lydon In Process Take the Long Road Home by kbois In Process USS Zodiac by Topher Lydon In Process TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour In Process The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon Complete Carter's Bedtime by Topher Lydon Complete Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters In Process Blackwater by Topher Lydon Complete The Ride by Topher Lydon Complete Roping the Moon by Headstall In Process 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Love on Trial by Ronyx In Process 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Bold Desire by lilansui In Process Blades of Ashes by lilansui In Process 42 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Where Truth Stops Hiding by Enoch Complete It’s All Baked Inn by Autumn Dream In Process Another Role of a Lifetime by KKirk In Process Bold Desire by lilansui In Process Boymom by Boy Mercury X In Process The Blood Between Us by mastershakeme In Process Supernova by Thightide45 In Process I Sat Astride a Ladder by Yake 15_10 In Process All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 In Process The Lab Partner by KC Stone In Process My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy In Process House of the Moon by Albert1434 In Process IceBerg by J92 In Process The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Temporary Hold Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren In Process Safe Distance by Tony S. In Process Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Complete Monstrum by Laura S. Fox In Process Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud In Process The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus In Process turmoil by Paladin In Process Notice by AusGlitterati Complete Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 In Process In the Barb by Vcs In Process A Grave So Haunting by solemnity In Process A Grain in the Sands of Time by pDaisy In Process Pigsty by Jack Poignet In Process The Prince and Ai by W_L In Process Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad In Process Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite In Process Sapphire in the Stars by JujuTheDruid In Process Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath In Process Of Orcs, Humans & Void Beasts by Celian In Process Between the Two by Grayson Rose In Process The Field of Love by Enoch In Process Breaking Masks by Josh Aterovis In Process What I Want by Paul Zhy In Process Blades of Ashes by lilansui In Process Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox In Process Run, Hamster, Run! by Winged_Wolf In Process From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson In Process Against the Wall by Boy Mercury X Complete Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
  6. wildone
    It is the second Tuesday of the month already, and that means the Super Duper Review Team has once again come up with a great review! @Gary L has come to let us know about a story that he immensely enjoyed. Why not check it out and come back and let us know what you thought! Also, if you are reading, don't forget likes and comments as they all are greatly appreciated!
     
    No going back
    by Robert Hugill
    Reviewer: Gary L
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 91,937
     
     
    Since joining GA in 2023, Robert Hugill has posted some 12 stories totalling over a million words. He has rapidly gained a very solid reputation as a great storyteller and possibly his most popular tale has been No Going Back.
     One of the things most commented on is that the author writes using an exquisite English prose. No matter whatever the story, there is a simple pleasure in reading such well-written English. Moreover, as the stories are all set in England or Wales, there are delightful regional words which an older generation might just remember and are there to tease a younger one.
    The second thing to stress is that Robert writes about, as one reviewer put it, “Ordinary mature men, with ordinary lives, getting on with the business of living.” (@summerabbacat) There are no billionaires, no luxurious lifestyles to fill the likes of me with envy, no stunning gym bunnies; no, here the emphasis is on how love can be found anywhere, for anyone, including middle-aged men.
    We are taken into the very different worlds, at first sight, that is, of Owain and Colin. We hear Owain’s own account of being rejected by his religious family in Wales after coming out, and of how he survived that and flourished. Going home for a funeral he gradually reconnects with his past, and especially with his sister, who has her own journey to make. Interspersed with that, we have the story of Colin the builder, a very much put upon son and brother, who needs to escape from the emotional stranglehold put in place by his mother and sibling and, more importantly, to escape from his self-imposed closet.
    Above all, for me, No going back is a delightful romance. The two men dance around their feelings for each other as if they were characters from a Jane Austen ball. There are no fancy clothes, though: just a pair of great blokes. There are moments of ‘will they, won’t they’, which makes the reader want to knock their heads together, but it is all part of the charm.
    As one reader put it:
    “Two ordinary guys in an extraordinary story make this tale unique.” (@Cane23)
    And that sums it up perfectly.
     
     
    Category: Fiction  Genres: General Fiction, Romance Sub-genres: Drama, Contemporary, Romance, Literary Fiction Tags: Maturing Adult, Middle-aged, Gay, Europe, Coming Out, Light-Hearted, Parents, Contemporary, Friendship, Coming Home, Found Family, Theatre, Small Town Rating: Mature 
  7. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Sept. 6 - Sept. 12)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I had something funny to tell you all, but that was yesterday  Think I can remember it now?  No. Maybe it is time to look at the shiny brochures. 
    So what is up in your neck of the woods? Nothing here other than the roads being busier at rush hour in the AM and afternoon with all the skewl busses and parents driving their kiddies to-and-fro, and university and college students rushing to make that first lecture of the day. Oh the good old days  
    Okay, call me STUPID, but I'm going to open a can of worms that I will forever regret opening. I imagine everyone has a cell phone, or if you don't, say so  I got a invitation to get an iPhone 18 today. Me, my first couple of phones were Motorola flip phones, but they were just cell phones. Then an actual Windows made phone, my first smartphone, shoot me if you make me relive that nightmare!. Then it was onto Apple, where I have probably been happily here for 17 years now. 
    So what kind of phone do you have? 😮 Yes, I asked it. I shall run and hide now. 
    When a friend or foe asks me if they think they should switch from an android to an iOS operating phone, I don't say, I yell, DON'T!! I think whatever type of phone you have, you are going to find nothing but problems or irritants with the new type of phone. I can understand there may be more of an ease of switching from a Google phone to a Samsung, but the differences I imagine would be much more minor switch, in my mind.
    In addition to what type of phone you have, have your ever tried to change operating systems? Did you survive? Did you eventually go back to your original? 
    Now one rule, don't make stereotypical judgement calls against the other group  I'll have to turn you over my knee, and none of you are too old for that. Wait, let's take the option off the table  
    Now onto the wrap up! 
    Monday, Cia came in like a lion and gave us the September CSR:
    Tuesday, Myr was more like a house cat with the Deep Dive, even though they hate water:
    Val was in like a, well I was going to say cougar but I think she is more a lynx, to get everyone squared up on submitting your Yearly Anthologies. Can you believe there is only 16 days to get your entry in 😮:
     
     
    We only had 3 blogs, but we had 7 Words of the Day. So I found a word I'd never heard of before and suggested to to Myr. Well he said he would add it to the list. Then I heard back he was about to do it and he found he did it back in like July of 2023. Darn him and his record keeping and search skills  
    Oh, congrats Myr  I only got 1 word this week  
    ataraxia, caesura, bravura, asperity, boscage, zeitgeist, turbid
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon 14 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Hand by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois Blackwater by Topher Lydon Carter's Line by Topher Lydon **Complete** TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Please take the Boy by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall Reunion by Topher Lydon **Complete** Charlie vs the Union of Doom by Topher Lydon **Complete** You Don't Have to Dance by Topher Lydon **Complete** The Prince and the Sorcerer by Topher Lydon **Complete** Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Love on Trial by Ronyx 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Bold Desire by lilansui The Man I Like Might Be A Delinquent by lilansui 62 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    The Lab Partner by KC Stone A Grain in the Sands of Time by pDaisy Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Another Role of a Lifetime by KKirk Against the Wall by Boy Mercury X Bold Desire by lilansui The Blood Between Us by mastershakeme Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy Old Dogs by solemnity House of the Moon by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Safe Distance by Tony S. IceBerg by J92 In the Barb by Vcs Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Under Amber Skies by Thightide45 At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson A Grave So Haunting by solemnity The Prince and Ai by W_L Worship Me by Littlelovestories Sapphire in the Stars by JujuTheDruid Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Between the Two by Grayson Rose The Field of Love by Enoch Breaking Masks by Josh Aterovis Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox The Saturday Boy: A Comedy of Manners by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson **Complete** Barnaby and the Temporal Miscalculation by chris191070 **Complete** All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 The Tor by andy cannon **Complete** The Man I Like Might Be A Delinquent by lilansui turmoil by Paladin Begin Again by Kevin Snell The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X Confounded: Part III by Andr0gene THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas **Complete** Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories **Complete** Love, Death & Lattes by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Of Orcs, Humans & Void Beasts by Celian Out Of Order by Nuno R.F.C.R Unraveled by jkwsquirrel Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite Strife by CryingCircusConductor **Complete** Broken Hate, Broken Heart by Celian **Complete** Always Tomorrow by AusGlitterati **Complete** Parallel Lives by Tomkin Watts **Complete** Dad's Helping Hand by M. Harding Arhavana 2 : The Price Of Redwaters by Hardianarcher A Riot of Roses by BendtedWreath **Complete** Jason's True To Life Stories by Jason Rimbaud The Frat Dad by Evan S. 1st Love: Past by Grayson Rose Repressed Mercy by Yeoldebard **Complete**  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  8. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Aug. 30 - Sept. 5)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I want to send a hello out to Rudy Judy  
    Now that is out of the way, I get to explain that I was away from home all week. I went up to the lake and stayed at the cabin (cottage to you Eastern North American folks). I worked my job all week up there, but it was more tolerable with looking out the window at the mountains across the lake. The lake was quiet most of the week but all the jet skies and boat surfing (is that what they call it  ) made it noisy on Friday and brought back memories to when I was 14 and first started going up there. It is the Labour Day weekend so most people are going to make one last go of it no matter what the weather.
    Had to head home today so I can attend the Pride Parade in Calgary tomorrow 🏳️‍🌈

    My rain coat isn't in rainbow colours  Maybe I can convince a friend that has a rainbow umbrella share it with me at the parade  Or, put my pride T-shirt on over my rain coat  .
    So I know a lot of the pre-post-secondary students and post secondary students all headed back to skewl this past week. Except in the south of the States, they do their own thing . Now if you are a teen member, and I think you are out there , or maybe some Uni and College students, when did you go back to skwel? Remember you shouldn't post your age! Another way to hide that is that I'm going ask all the oldtimers around  if the schools and unis are back to school already in their areas. In my little town, the public, and Catholic skewls are all back as well as the Universities and Colleges. 
    I guess I have to ask too, for those of you living on the bottom of the world, are you starting summer break yet? Or is that in November and December that you all are off. Speaking of that, what if in the whole thinking of space and orientation, What if actually the top of the world is the South and the bottom is the North . Oh sorry, saw something shiny and got distracted  
    I need to know this as my best friend's oldest boy is going to start college in New Zealand in January! I don't think he will be flying home for all the holidays anymore  Maybe I should go visit him. @Stellar are you still in NZ? Any others we can have an impromptu GA meetup with? What the heck, @Graeme and @Mark Ponyboy Peters can yous get something lined up in Australia. I'm coming from Calgary, AB, so should I plan a couple of days to fly out, attend and fly back  
    The great thing of doing the Wrap Up this week is the fact that I wasn't around this week  So doing the Wrap Up I will see all that went on in the GA Blogs and the Words of the Day!
    Monday, Cia took a well deserved day off  
    Tuesday was Myr's turn to go diving around to find a genre to review in his Deep Dive:
    Thursday, Val was back to check in on the progress of the Anthology and clear up some questions on procedures  :
    Friday, The Aditus (I was going to call him the Big Kahuna, but thought The Aditus would suffice) was back with a couple of Prompts. These don't need to be a secret  :
     
    Hey people, let me know how many of the Words of the Day did you know? I only got 3 . I need to ask @Myr, how many he knew before posting them .
    serenity, grounding, alpenglow, beguile, anagnorisis, bonhomie, brume
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon 9 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Line by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois Blackwater by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon Reunion by Topher Lydon **Complete** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Charlie vs the Union of Doom by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Bold Desire by lilansui The Man I Like Might Be A Delinquent by lilansui 39 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Another Role of a Lifetime by KKirk The Saturday Boy: A Comedy of Manners by Boy Mercury X Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson **Complete** Barnaby and the Temporal Miscalculation by chris191070 **Complete** Bold Desire by lilansui All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 Safe Distance by Tony S. From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy House of the Moon by Albert1434 The Tor by andy cannon **Complete** The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Man I Like Might Be A Delinquent by lilansui Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren turmoil by Paladin At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 In the Barb by Vcs Begin Again by Kevin Snell Sapphire in the Stars by JujuTheDruid The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X Between the Two by Grayson Rose Confounded: Part III by Andr0gene The Prince and Ai by W_L THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas **Complete** Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath Breaking Masks by Josh Aterovis The Field of Love by Enoch What I Want by Paul Zhy Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories **Complete** Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Love, Death & Lattes by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Of Orcs, Humans & Void Beasts by Celian  
     
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
  9. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Aug. 23 - Aug. 29)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Well it finally happened, all  
    If you are thinking I finally ended the streak of being a 57 year old virgin, I'm not talking to you anymore  
    I guess the 1st of September is the start of meteorological fall. Today, I got my first sunburn of the summer 😮 Yes, I had sunblock on, and yes it was only 22 C/72 F out, but there was nary a cloud and I was sitting watching a flag football game for about a hour and a half. It doesn't hurt and it isn't too bad but when I jumped in the shower a few hours ago, and turned the water onto my normal temperature, I nearly jumped 3 feet in the air. I only have one full leg and was sitting on a shower bench, so jumping 3 feet in the air was quite a feat  
    I know we have talked about those of you that burn and those that don't in the past, so if you want to tell us how your body's toaster setting is set for low or high, feel free. 
    Instead, I want to talk about a little kid that came up to me at the football game that was quiet fascinated with my prosthetic leg. I always encourage kids to ask questions, as if they don't they will grow into a parent that says, "Don't stare, it is rude" while staring themselves  At least If I let them look and ask questions, I think I might be normalizing it to them. Unlike their parents. 
    So I'm wondering, are you missing and digits, limbs, or any other body parts? If you want to share how, feel free. Me, car accident with semi truck and then catching flesh eating disease in the hospital. 😮 I say I won in that accident as I'm still alive. Maybe you know someone who is missing something. How did you react when you first noticed? Did you stare or did you just act like it was normal and then work it into conversation on what happened. Or do you still pretend nothing is missing? I know this is a difficult topic, as maybe I might react to being asked then what someone else might.
    What I don't like smartass comments. When I was in the rehab hospital fresh after losing my leg, I made friends with some other amputees. The 3 of us were going down the hallway to physio in our wheelchairs, all missing a leg, and an older gentleman said to wife, "Look out dear, it is the Amp Dumpling Gang!". That still bothers me to this day. Yes I know about the Apple Dumpling Gang, but it was just rude IMHO.
    So from that uncomfortable topic, let's see what happened this week  
    Monday, the month of fun came to an end  Finally the final blog came out for GA's Secret Author Contest. It was interesting to see after all the guessing, the fibbing (as suggested by @Mikiesboy, instead of lying ), the reversals and backhanded conniving to not let people guess who wrote what! It was marvelous!
    Two shout outs, @Gary L won the contest for most popular story. This was his first year participating 😮 We need to keep an eye out on this guy 👁️. Second goes to the goddess @Cia who does all the planing, the executing, the tabulating, the teasing, and everything else to do with this contest. She went above and beyond again  
    Oh, there was a blog on this :
    Tuesday, Mry was back with a yuk, yuk or 2, with this weeks Deep Dive:
    Myr brought up a blog from a week or 50 weeks ago, to remind everyone that there is only around 4 weeks to get in your yearly Anthology Entry: 
     
     
    Here were the Words of the Day:
    patience, strengthened, resolution, equilibrium, continuation, calmness, hope
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Line by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois Charlie vs the Union of Doom by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon You Don't Have to Dance by Topher Lydon **Complete** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters The Prince and the Sorcerer by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon **Complete** 47 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Alpha Awakened by Painawakened From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson Love, Death & Lattes by Boy Mercury X The Blood Between Us by mastershakeme Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson The Tor by andy cannon Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren What I Want by Paul Zhy Out Of Order by Nuno R.F.C.R Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Unraveled by jkwsquirrel My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite Sergeant Rick by DamonDarg All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 House of the Moon by Albert1434 Strife by CryingCircusConductor **Complete** At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Broken Hate, Broken Heart by Celian **Complete** Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Always Tomorrow by AusGlitterati **Complete** Parallel Lives by Tomkin Watts **Complete** Safe Distance by Tony S. Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Dad's Helping Hand by M. Harding Arhavana 2 : The Price Of Redwaters by Hardianarcher THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas A Riot of Roses by BendtedWreath **Complete** Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Between the Two by Grayson Rose In the Barb by Vcs Confounded: Part III by Andr0gene Jason's True To Life Stories by Jason Rimbaud The Frat Dad by Evan S. Of Orcs, Humans & Void Beasts by Celian Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy turmoil by Paladin Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath 1st Love: Past by Grayson Rose The Field of Love by Enoch Under Amber Skies by Thightide45 Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Repressed Mercy by Yeoldebard **Complete**  
     
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
  10. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Aug. 16 - Aug. 22)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Now, if he does it like this
    Will you do it like that?
    Now, if he touches like this
    Will you touch him right back?
    Now, if he moves like this
    Will you move it like that?
    Come on
    Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
    Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
    Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
    Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
    Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
    Why not start the weekly wrap up with an ear worm  I heard it on the radio today and I keep singing it the rest of the day. The only thing that I'm saving you from, is the singing of the original lyrics and the video from Metro Station. Now this song might be for a younger generation, but I must say I'm a bit diverse in all different kinds of music. A song with a good fast track I tend to like, be it Beethoven or Sebastian Bach from Skid Row . 
    Now the above song, I did change the lyrics when I hear it, to male. The original the band sings: Now, if she does it like this, Will you do it like that? Now if she touches like this. Will you touch her right back? I tend to do this alot. I think I always have made love songs where a guy sings about a her, she, etc. I change it in my head. I can't do it like for song like Roxanne, The Police, Lady in Red, Chris De Burgh, Fancy by Reba, or even Lola by the Kinks  See, I'm eclectic   
    So this goes out to everyone, is there a song that you change the lyrics to change up the sex in your mind? If so, what song? I'm curious what songs you do this with or if you do? Another week to find if I'm a bit crazy or not. Until I know that some people are doing this as well, my status will remain as Crazy .
    Now onto the Wrap Up. This week you can hold your breath to read all of them, except all the comments  I don't want anyone dying reading the comments for Monday's blog 🪦
    Yes, Monday's blog was yet another one of Cia's teases regarding the Secret Author Contest. Check it out  Only 216 comments to go through. Hey, there is another question, do you think Cia will reveal this week? Only she knows  She shares NOTHING with us. 😢 
     
    Done for the week! 
     
    How about seven, yes 7, or sieben, or sept, or siete Words of the Day. What other languages do you know 7 in?
    reassurance, direction, restoration, purpose, unity, continuance, calm
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    If you still think I'm going to post who all the Secret Authors were, you still have another thing coming  Still!!!  
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon   10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon   Take the Long Road Home by kbois   Charlie vs the Union of Doom by Topher Lydon   The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon   TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour   Enthralled by Topher Lydon **Completed** Felix's Lucky Day by Topher Lydon **Completed** Treacherous by CassieQ **Completed** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters   Roping the Moon by Headstall   40 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    In the Barb by Vcs   Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad   From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson   Parents Weekend by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren   Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21   Under Amber Skies by Thightide45   How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell   To Tame a Wild Heart by ha_yesha   My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy   House of the Moon by Albert1434   Between the Two by Grayson Rose   The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard   Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson   Designed for You by mastershakeme **Completed** IceBerg by J92   Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill   Unraveled by jkwsquirrel   Of Orcs, Humans & Void Beasts by Celian   Parallel Lives by Tomkin Watts   Safe Distance by Tony S.   Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories   Monstrum by Laura S. Fox   The Tor by andy cannon   The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus   Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud   Out Of Order by Nuno R.F.C.R   Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite   At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose   Begin Again by Kevin Snell   All In Or In The Way by Thightide45   Broken Hate, Broken Heart by Celian   Pigsty by Jack Poignet   turmoil by Paladin   Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath   The Field of Love by Enoch   Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft **Completed** Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox   THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas   Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy    
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
     
  11. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Aug. 9 - Aug. 15)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Greetings my little chickadees.  
    Let's get everyone to shout out a chickadee call. Chick a dee dee dee  
    No, sadly I'm not drunk. Just a name I occasionally call people. Why, i don't know  How about yourself, what is a name you call a group of friends that you know? Mates, pals, gals, ladies, men, boys. girls. Please don't light up the Moderation Teams PM and Alert system by using that British term for a finch, as it is not allowed on GA. Why you ask. There are certain words that Google Adsense bots search for. Also some pictures too. If we get too many warnings, they cut us off from that revenue stream. So please don't say that word. Or, even if you call your friends other sexual names, maybe don't say that either. I have one gay friend that calls everyone gurl, and no, he is just a normal guy, not into any other letters of the rainbow. 
    I know some people are in my mind hypersensitive of referring to men as boys, but in sports culture, I think everyone is one of the boys. Boys, men, boys to men they all are males  
    So what did you all think about the blogs on Monday and Tuesday?  Usually one of us log in and unfeature the previous days blog when we wake up. Monday, was my error, as I didn't realize Cia was going to have a Secret Author Post  So I wanted to do this months Review for the Review Team, so I sat down and read a story that I loved when I heard @chris191070 was going down under, so I wanted him to read it in his downtime and go find the characters in the fictional towns in Australia . So I was up to like 12:30 AM on Monday AM reading up to the end, then did a blog on it and posted at 2 AM, then went to bed for a nap and went to work. Turns out Cia had a blog loaded up to go Monday AM too. So you had 2 blogs on Monday. Then we added more fun, on Tuesday, Myr's blog I guess came up and none of us 3 noticed so everyone had 3 featured blogs  I see all 3 got love, so that is a good thing  
    I think that about covers the wrap up, so I'll just say good morning, night, afternoon, or wherever you are 👋 
    No? Not enough? Okay here is the weekly update:
    Monday as mentioned we had 2 competing blogs. Make sure you check out both of them:
     
    Then Myr popped in on Tuesday and added yet another :
    Yet, that wasn't enough for the week, Cia was back with another Secret Author Contest entry:
     
     
    One thing that was not posted repeatedly on multiple days were the individual Words of the Day:
    redemption, closeness, stability, reconciliation, determined, poise, assurance
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    If you still think I'm going to post who all the Secret Authors were, you still have another thing coming  Still!!!  
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon **Complete** 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Take the Long Road Home by kbois Enthralled by Topher Lydon Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon **Complete** TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Hastings Tale by Topher Lydon **Complete** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Treacherous by CassieQ Roping the Moon by Headstall Cory's lie by Topher Lydon **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Blades of Ashes by lilansui 41 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    In the Barb by Vcs Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson The Tor by andy cannon Safe Distance by Tony S. Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell GFD 13: Fallen Angels by MrM From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson 1st Love: Past by Grayson Rose Designed for You by mastershakeme Six Months of Silence by Lupus **Complete** All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 The Wayward Brothers by CasualWanderer82 Parents Weekend by Boy Mercury X IceBerg by J92 Blades of Ashes by lilansui My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy House of the Moon by Albert1434 Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Unraveled by jkwsquirrel Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud turmoil by Paladin Ly's Pandora's box by Kileoli Between the Two by Grayson Rose Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath Begin Again by Kevin Snell Never walk alone- Walk on by Andre Delport The Field of Love by Enoch The World Out There by Drew Payne Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
  12. wildone
    Wow, I'm being worked to the bone here 😮 2 blogs in 2 days  So when I heard one of our Review Team Members was heading down under, I thought I might take a stab at writing my first review for the Review Team. I need to warn you, I usually only copy and paste the amazing work the Team does.  So with @chris191070 in Australia, I thought I would review one of my favourite stories from there. 
     

     
     
    Heart of the Tree
    by Graeme
     
    Reviewer: Wildone
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 192,398
     
     
    Have you ever read a story where one of the main characters is a tree? Not any tree but a ancient Moreton Fig Tree that took up a large part of a town's park in rural Australia. This story is a amazing tale of the fate of that tree, but a tree that all the locals know has much more significance than any other tree. It is magical in many ways. It is what holds this community together and has done so for years. Yes, there is doubters, probably like you. Give it a read and see if you still doubt it's mystical ways. 
    In the beginning we are introduced to a local group of teens, fresh out of Senior High and are making plans to go to university or apprentice or just continue on working for any of the local employers in rural wine growing area of Australia. That is until a stranger comes to town one night and goes under the tree and is found dead there the next morning. Not long after, limbs and branches start to fall from the tree as it is dying as well. A  wonderful Aunt to the whole town, Aunt Cynthia, feels the pain and sorrow as she was once was the Heart of the Tree.  She is there to guide these young adults to search out and find the new Heart of the Tree as she approaches her latter years. Will she find the new Heart before it is too late?
    This tree is kept alive by love and bestows love on anyone who wants to be united by love under the tree. It is a mystery though on what can heal the tree.
    If you haven't had the chance to read Graeme, his characters are amazing to say the least. From first meeting them to new ones being introduced, your imagination is alight with images and profiles that Graeme hasn't outright described, but they're mannerisms and traits help cement their images in the readers mind. 
    Graeme is a bit of a trickster too. You might have preconceived notions of what kind of people are in the story. Be prepared to finish a chapter and look back and wonder how did I get it all so wrong! I know he only used Drama, General Fiction and Romance as genres, but you could add in Mystery easily too! Graeme gives you just enough rope, to either save yourself or to, well we won't say that. The lovable cast of characters makes reading chapter after chapter a delight. You may hate some of them only to love them later. The mystery comes in as you never really know what is going to happen next.
    This story was also written I believe over 20 years ago but it could easily have taken place yesterday. The story has a unique way of standing the test of time. 
    Don't let the size of this story scare you away. Once you are done the prologue and Chapter 1, I think you will find it hard not to click on the next chapter. 
    One of my all time favourites here at GA and where it was originally hosted at AD, I hope you give it a try and it will become one of yours too!
     
     
    Category: Fiction  Genres: General Fiction, Romance  Sub-genres:  Drama, Romance Tags: young adult, australia, no sex, coming out, friendship  Rating: Teen 
  13. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Aug. 2 - Aug. 8)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Well lord be jesus and thunder and lightning!!!
    I don't know what that means, really, but I think I've heard that expression before. If it is sacrilege, I apologize ahead of time 😮 
    I bring this up, as we haven't had rain in 3 weeks at least, and yes I know that isn't long compared to many of you but we have been having one hell of a thunder and lightning storm over my city. At first the rain came down like crazy, I saw cars pulled over and stopped on the streets! After about 15 mins of that, the rain stopped and it has been about a 1/2 hour of lightening and ensuing thunder. 
    I'm not a fan of lighting myself  
    So, as I was driving around my city today, I was trying to kill time and went through some different communities that I've never driven though before. Not new ones, but ones that have been around forever. I found one that borders on one of the larger urban parks that surrounds a huge reservoir that holds about 1/2  of the city's drinking water. I've always wondered what kind of houses were behind all those big trees on the southside of the road that travels on the northside of the park.   So I pull in and oh my gawd! So this is where the other people live in their mansions and I imagine well over a million dollar homes with trees probably 100's of years old. A lot of old homes being ripped down and montrosties being built, but it seems like the trees are being protected in the new homes. I thought all the rich and fancy homes here were in Mount Royal, Elbow Park and Mayfair. Well this place made them look like average communities. 
    Now my question of the week will be, have you ever come across something in your city, town, county  that made you go, wholly crap, I didn't know this was hear!!
    About 20 years ago I was bored and drove down an irrigation cannel service road and looked over to my right and saw what I thought was miles and miles of weed plants  This was way before it was legal in Canada. So when I got off the gravel road, I followed the grid roads separating sections of land, and saw a sign saying it was a hemp farm. Also a warning that it was nothing more than hemp and if you trespassed and tried to take some,  you were going to make yourself really sick  or something along those lines. I can understand who that sign was for, not me, but I'm sure many of people would have thought that they had hit the jackpot! I wonder if others drove along that irrigation service road and pulled over and chopped a few stalks down to take home to dry out  
    Guess  I'm saying you don't need a city to find something new that might have always been right under you nose  
    We actually had a active week this week due to the Secret Author Contest fun and games. Second question, if you have read any of the stories, how many have your read?
    On Monday, Cia added a new twist to the contest, she took quotes from the stories and asked you to identify who said what quote  . She does provide the answers in hidden spoiler box, but I think this might be a motivation on making me read more . Like 'The Stabbed Man' has a quote! You would think it would be something like, 'Help me, I'm stabbed and bleeding' But no, it isn't  
    Tuesday was Myr's time to shine and do a deep dive. Instead of diving, he rustled up a horsie and took off with his trusty dog, Fetch and visited some Westerns:
    Then she's baaaaack! The ever sneaky Cia added another feature to the contest, she asked authors for 2 truths and a lie 😮 What is she up to?
     
     
    How'd you do on the Words of the Day? I usually ask this, but a lot of these words you already know the meaning of the words. Or do you? Did you learn a different meaning of the word in the discussion? I'm curious  
    steady, confidence, harmony, growth, continuity, fulfilled, resurgence
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    If you still think I'm going to post who all the Secret Authors were, you still have another thing coming  
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 9 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois Enthralled by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Double Hex by Topher Lydon Supermarket by Topher Lydon **Complete** Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Blades of Ashes by lilansui 40 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    The Tor by andy cannon Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Confounded: Part III by Andr0gene Parents Weekend by Boy Mercury X Designed for You by mastershakeme Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren IceBerg by J92 Safe Distance by Tony S. The Thing About Konstantin by Jason Rimbaud **Complete** My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Six Months of Silence by Lupus Unraveled by jkwsquirrel How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell Run, Hamster, Run! by Winged_Wolf Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Begin Again by Kevin Snell 1st Love: Past by Grayson Rose Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Frozen Embers by sumtimesIwrite Suburbia by irivera At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose turmoil by Paladin In the Barb by Vcs Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose **Complete** Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 **Complete** Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Pigsty by Jack Poignet Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath The Field of Love by Enoch BigPaws by Jack Poignet **Complete** Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Blades of Ashes by lilansui Mantown by Boy Mercury X **Complete**  
     
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  14. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Jul. 25 - Aug. 1)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    Happy August everyone 🥳
    Did you survive July?  I barely made it  End of July was the ramp up for me of six months of work to update my national company's entire computer system! Working all weekend myself approving data! Yay me  
    I know after this switchover, they call the post switch hypercare. I honestly think looking back at the past few months, I need to do some hypercare in my life. Get more exercise, eat better, and get out and have some fun  I know Pride is September long weekend so maybe look forward to that in my town. 
    Now that August is fully on top of us, what do you think will happen? I know the long weekend here it is hot as h e 🏒 🏒 but it is supposed to cool off the next couple of days. Still smoky from all the fires in Washington State and BC. I blame @Cia . Do you have predictions for your neck of the woods. You'd think the forecast in Hell would be extremely hot, dry and unbearable, but I guess that means a lot of us are in Hell 😮 already!!!
     Oh, have you noticed that the most popular blog going on right now is the Secret Author contest for Forbidden Knowledge? Monday, Cia published all the stories and thus started the beginning of gaggles of fun. Make sure you check out Monday's Blog and get in on all the action. See how you do!
    Tuesday, with the heat, I want to take Myr's job to do the Deep Diving every week!
    Thursday, we shared some very sad news . When a long time author of gay fiction passes, it is a loss to the community as a whole. Please take the time to read this blog and let everyone know your thoughts if you ever browsed or read one of Geron Kees stories  😢 
     
    Words of the Day:
    commitment, sacrifice, insight, realignment, restraint, intuition, presence
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    If you thought you'd wait for me to post who all the Secret Authors were, you have another thing coming  
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois Enthralled by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Flip's Big Adventure by Topher Lydon **Complete** The IGV Horizon's Edge by Mikiesboy **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray 46 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    In the Barb by Vcs Safe Distance by Tony S. Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy Mantown by Boy Mercury X Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Six Months of Silence by Lupus Designed for You by mastershakeme Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren Unraveled by jkwsquirrel How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Frozen Embers by sumtimesIwrite Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Begin Again by Kevin Snell Between the Two by Grayson Rose Unexpected Discovery by Secret Author **Complete** Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose The Ledger by Secret Author **Complete** Sweet Sour Paradox Logic by Secret Author **Complete** The Ivory Fig Ceremony by Secret Author **Complete** Subtle Signs by Secret Author **Complete** Murder at 9th and Tom by Secret Author **Complete** Wrong Window by Secret Author **Complete** The Ledger of the Howling Void by Secret Author **Complete** Emptying the Library by Secret Author **Complete** Gemma by Secret Author **Complete** Coffee with Supervision by Secret Author **Complete** Undeliverable by Secret Author **Complete** Peeping Tom by Secret Author **Complete** Just the Facts, Man by Secret Author  **Complete** No Official Reason by Secret Author Broken Hate, Broken Heart by Celian turmoil by Paladin Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Twenty-Eight Years Later by Lee Wilson **Complete** Employee of the Month by Boy Mercury X **Complete**  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  15. wildone
    Howdy ho everyone!
    My apologies, went to bed last night totally forgetting to do the Wrap Up 😮 I hope Myr doesn't fire me or deduct my pay .
    Due to this and an early breakfast with friends, I'm going to have to make this a short one. 
    I do have a question though... I'm kind of stuck in my teen years or when you first got a job in your twenties, I like to stay up really late on weekends. Now I know as you get older, not me of course , insomnia becomes an issue but if you are not dealing with that, do you stay up considerably later on a night that you don't work the next day? Usually I can be found lurking till like 2 AM on Friday and Saturday nights, or should I say Saturday and Sunday mornings! Not for any particular reason, just I do it. 
    So are you a night owl by nature but other things like work, kids, or other adulting things make you go to bed early and then you take one or two nights a week to stay up late?
    One other thing I will mention, Cia is doing okay, just very occupied at the moment. I want to pass on that the Secret Author contest hasn't been forgotten and that when the time is right, you all will get to dive in  . Stay tuned!!! Sometimes real life sucks  If anything, this contest is a tricky one, as it is a secret with one person only know the stories and authors. No matter how much I usually try to bribe Cia, she reveals nothing .
    Now what happened on this blistering hot and smokey week? Unfortunately with Cia out, it was an abbreviated week.
    Tuesday, Myr kicked things off by doing a deep dive. I heard he was so motivated by the skinny dipping conversation last week, he went diving nakid 😮:
    Thursday, the poor penguin, who must be sweating her ... wings off  in the heat, came in with a reminder that the SA is coming and took a look back at last years:
     
     
    Myr had some more Words of the Day. How many did you check out?
    instinct, awareness, doubt, conviction, awakening, momentum, intention
     
    Hey, let's do something different. Looking at the words of the past week, let's pretend you are about to write a story or you have written one  Using the above 7 words, give us a one paragraph introduction or synopsis of your story. Post it in the comments below  I know with the word conviction, I could write a story of the weekend escapades of Val and Krista  . To clarify, not about their dedication to having fun but their court appearance after .
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 9 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon The IGV Horizon's Edge by Mikiesboy The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters They Think I Killed Her by Topher Lydon **Complete** He Loves Me by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray 34 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    In the Barb by Vcs Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Games guys sometimes play by PhillMakracken IceBerg by J92 Salt and Stone by Carl Accolla Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy Frozen Embers by sumtimesIwrite Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren Safe Distance by Tony S. The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Twenty-Eight Years Later by Lee Wilson Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Broken Hate, Broken Heart by Celian The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose Under Mihai’s Feet by ShadowScribeStories **Complete** turmoil by Paladin Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Jason's True To Life Stories by Jason Rimbaud Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme **Complete** Suburbia by irivera AI Writes a Porn Story by KKirk **Complete** Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 To Tame a Wild Heart by ha_yesha Steam & Steel by sumtimesIwrite **Complete** Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
     
  16. wildone
    We had an interesting discussion last week with the Weekly Wrap Up. I see the weather has broke in some places and yet others is getting worse 😮 
    Up here in Canada, it is so hot and dry we are burning up. Over 1000 wildfires going on right now   I wouldn't go camping now unless it was on a river or lake shore. 
    So back to one of the parts of the camping theme, I mentioned about swimming. So if you never went camping, or you like 5 star service in a hotel or you camped on a lake or you camped on a river, here is the question of the week that everyone can answer  Have you ever gone skinny dipping? Was it with someone? 
    I do have a question before we start though... if a friend of mine went to a nudist beach on the ocean and went into the ocean, would that be skinny dipping  I would like to let him know . Is it skinny dipping if everyone else is nude as in 50 to 100, or so other people?
    So yes, I have been skinny dipping, rivers, lakes, pools, hot tubs, natural hot springs. There is something exhilarating about being all hanging out there and not restricted by a bathing suit that makes you feel alive!
    The questions is, have you ever heeded to the saying, don't be a prude, go nude ! Bathtubs are exempt from this discussion  
    Now that you are in the predicament of saying yes, yes I did, or do I want to say I did and give myself away or just an outright no, let's move onto the Wrap Up.
    Monday, Myr plopped in a new concept of a blog. Check it out and let us know what you think:
    Tuesday he was back to go deep diving. Just saw a thing on free diving, wonder how low Myr can go :
    Wednesday, Cia dropped in to clear up any confusion on what day the Secret Author Contest deadline was. In the end, it is a Secret   I would have strongly suggested you got them in on the 16th though:
    Friday, Aditus brought up the dreaded topic that has spawned out of New Years 😮Do you have any Summer resolutions:
     
    No matter how hot and sweaty Myr was, I'm sure you were too, he still got out the Words of the Day:
    beginning, faith, choice, change, transformation, catalyst, threshold
    Wouldn't it had been funny if he had started with beginning and ended with end  
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    The Peculiar Predicament of Maximilian Hawthorn by Topher Lydon **Complete** He Loves Me by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour They Think I Killed Her by Topher Lydon The Vanguard of the Silver Boar by Topher Lydon **Complete** Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Peace of Amiens by Mark Arbour Roping the Moon by Headstall 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 38 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    In the Barb by Vcs Steam & Steel by sumtimesIwrite AI Writes a Porn Story by KKirk Salt and Stone by Carl Accolla Barnaby and the Porch of Time by chris191070 **Complete** Between the Two by Grayson Rose Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy The Real McCoy by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Twenty-Eight Years Later by Lee Wilson Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren Safe Distance by Tony S. U-N-I by unilive THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 Robbie and Mark: Latest chaos by unilive The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Blades of Ashes by lilansui Ticklish Fun In Giggle Forest by Ticklishboy30 **Complete** Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy **Complete** The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Strife by CryingCircusConductor **Complete** Arhavana: Welcome to Redwaters by Hardianarcher **Complete** turmoil by Paladin Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Brandon Smiling: From the Billy Chase Chronicles (3) by MrM Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose Barnaby, Leo, and Sam in the Speakeasy of Shadows by chris191070 **Complete**  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  17. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Jul. 5 - Jul. 11)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    I'm going out on a limb here and guess that most of you are in the northern hemisphere, so I apologize to our southerners. Yet this discussion is for all of you!
    I haven't yet gone camping this year, but my intentions are going to be gone for a few weekends here and there. 
    I am a roughing ii as a camper in the sense that I pitch a tent, set up a canopy over the picnic table, have a propane stove, have no running water, electricity or sewer. Yes, the local outhouse is my plumbing  You have to have your own toilet paper too, as the single ply that you get in an shyte shack is not good, just not good . Depending on where I go, their might be coin showers, but when you are only going for 2 to 3 days I will just use a lake or river.
    Now I have to acknowledge that in a lot of places, this summer is ridiculous for heat waves. Notice how for many years we had heat waves and now someone has coined them as heat domes?  So not sure if you are a camper or not, and if you would go out without air conditioning.
    I've met some cute guys camping, no, not in that way. I've met some late teen German buddies doing a trip across Canada for the one's bachelor party. They had a pickup truck and less than me for camping gear, so I invited them over some beers and sit around the fire. They practiced their English, and me my German. There was the Columbian guys, 3 that seemed better prepared for camping and going across Canada to celebrate graduating university. I've met people while setting up or taking down, or bike riding or just walking around. It seems when you are camping, there is another level of community that you don't see in a city or even a town. Everyone is your neighbour and you get to know them in little ways. I won't bring up how my neighbours felt when some friends and I nearly burnt down a campsite though   
    So do you camp? Are you like some people's idea that camping is getting a 5-star hotel room located in the forest?  Do you own a recreational vehicle from a huge motorhome with slide-outs and power everything. Maybe right down to the original tent trailers that you can set up lickity split in no time. Do you tent like me? Now if you have or haven't gone camping recently, is there a good camping story that you can tell?
    One time I was trying to set up my tent in a torrential downpour in Mount Robison Provincial Park and realized I somehow left my tarp for the tent at the previous nights campground around 800 kms away 😮 Couldn't blame anyone else for not packing it in the back of the truck. Switched to hanging a huge tarp at a good angle for draining and set up my tent, pumped up my air mattress and settled down to a nice rainy nights sleep, when the rain stopped for the night . Oh the fun!!
    When and if you go camping, where do you like to go? LIke I said I need some water that is good enough to swim in to cool down and enjoy the coolness.
    Have you heard of glamping? I guess it is a tent basically with the comforts of a hotel room on an elevated platform. I imagine you get the mosquitos and such, but nothing that you are responsible for setting up, the resort or campground handles all that. 
    Now that I'm back after talking to a friend and we are going the second weekend of August hopefully, shall we look back at the week that was?
    Monday was an opportunity for Cia to throw a monkey wrench in the usual CSR (Can't Stop Reading) blog. She featured last years Secret Author Contest:
     Tuesday, Myr dressed up like a Poet, is there a poet's choice of clothes , and did the Poetry Deep Dive:
    Friday, Val contributed to the whole Secret Author contest's due date, July 16th, to give some prompts if you want to deal with a secret but in a maybe shorter version:
     
    Howdy  do on the Words of the Day? I'm so punny
    light, shelter, joy, celebration, hopeful, reborn, tomorrow
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 16, 2026 -  Find all the information right here. 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 7 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    The Vanguard of the Silver Boar by Topher Lydon They Think I Killed Her by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Roping the Moon by Headstall 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 34 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    In the Barb by Vcs Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 Hurly-Burly by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L **Completed** Salt and Stone by Carl Accolla Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Between the Two by Grayson Rose The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Suburbia by irivera Ark II: Life on Gaea by R. Eric Run, Hamster, Run! by Winged_Wolf Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Alpha Awakened by Painawakened A Fine Line of Smoke by Tony S. **Completed** THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas IceBerg by J92 Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose Static & Steel by sumtimesIwrite Blades of Ashes by lilansui Adventures Of Joy City's Heroes: Book 2 by Ticklishboy30 Strife by CryingCircusConductor **Completed** turmoil by Paladin Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Bro Code: Spotting Protocol by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  18. wildone
    Well a belated Happy 250th Birthday to our American neighbours  Someone told me @Myr came over, not on the Mayflower, but another boat and tossed tea into Boston Harbour . Seems kind of far fetched though  .
    So question 1 for all out Weekly Wrap Up readers, if you live in the U S of A, did you do anything special on Saturday or Saturday night. Or are you still celebrating on Sunday AM when this is posted? 250 years is quite a long time, in North American terms.

    Also a happy belated 159 years on Wednesday past to Canada. We hung around with the British for a little bit longer . If you are a fellow Canuck, did you do anything interesting on Canada Day? It was on a Wednesday, so it seemed like things were a little subdued with most people working the day before and the day after the holiday. 
    Me, I met up with a few friends and we went down to watch the 1/2 hour firework show downtown. 
    Now, that we are past July 3rd, I have to say a big and loud OOOOOHAY  

    Oh, I got that one backwards
     
    Friday was the kickoff of my favourite event, the Calgary Stampede. If you want to come to Calgary to see the World's Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth or see the second largest attended and entries for a parade next to the Rose Bowl Parade in California, let me know, I will fill you in. Also, @Valkyrie can let you know about all the prim and proper horse jumping events at Spruce Meadows going on too 🏇
    Now here is the main question for EVERYONE. Country and Western Music I would say is a divisive genre of music, like most others to be honest. I usually find listening to 5 minutes or more makes me edgy and grumpy 😮 Not sure why, but the music does that to me.  I know a lot of you LOVE it though . 
    However, I have to admit that her majesty Reba Mcentire I love and can listen to all day. I would even say that although I'm gay, I'd pursue her  .
     
    So, even if you hate the country genre, you must have one favourite song? I know the European Nations have country singers, so let us know about one in your country, maybe South Asian singers? Australian, can I bring up Keith Urban at this time?  Anywho, let us all know .  How about you East Asians, any Japanese country singers rocking it out?
     
    Now, finally, onto the Wrap Up  
     
    Monday, was a blank day. We have those occasionally at the end of a month. 
    Tuesday, Myr got the ball rolling with a Deep Dive into the genre of Paranormal:
    We jump to Wednesday, where in the afternoon where I live, Cia brought forward a very important reminder about the deadline to get you Secret Author entry in by July 15th! Remember, only let Cia and your editor, if you have one, know about it. I would make both swear on their own graves to not release who you are 🪦. Then Cia can get them all together and start releasing. Then the fun and games begin :
    Finally on Friday, Aditus told us to all Dress Less  How much less is up to you in these fun prompts. Personally I wonder how much less you will go :
     
     
    Now if you are thinking, how much longer can this blog go on, do not fret , as it will keep going on . Myr brought us 7 new Words of the Day:
    legacy, rekindle, sanctuary, promise, flourish, dawn, restore
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 -  Find all the information right here. 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    We had a little less this week, I'm hoping because everyone is working on their Secret Author project  Still, we had 9 completed stories. 
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Peace of Amiens by Mark Arbour They Think I Killed Her by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Rumspringa by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon **Complete** tim's Bits and Pieces by Mikiesboy 0 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    No stories 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 34 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 In the Barb by Vcs Salt and Stone by Carl Accolla Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Strife by CryingCircusConductor Static & Steel by sumtimesIwrite Bro Code: Spotting Protocol by Boy Mercury X **Complete** THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L The Fourth of July by chris191070 **Complete** A Fine Line of Smoke by Tony S. Pigsty by Jack Poignet Barnaby and the Accidental Apprentices by chris191070 **Complete** IceBerg by J92 Taking A Chance by Ticklishboy30 **Complete** Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434  Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill White Sheets by Celian Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel **Complete** The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 **Complete** The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Blades of Ashes by lilansui turmoil by Paladin Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox No Such Place as Neverland (based off comicfan prompt #110) by JJQuinn Father's Day Strip-Off by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose 0 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories
     
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  19. wildone
    Technically speaking, it is still June 27th in my neck of the woods. Technically speaking it might be June 28th in your neck of the woods. Technically speaking, it could be June 29th in your neck of the woods. What am I technically trying to say  
    You have less than 6 months to decide what to buy me as my Christmas present this year  OH, and less than 2 weeks to get your Secret Author entry in!!
    Let's move on, shall we.  
    I'm trying to see if I'm missing any important days on Sunday, like I did last week with Daddy's day. Yes, we have our resident Daddy  but this is a belated wish to all the fathers out there. I know there is one or two of you.
    In the week ahead, I'm going to give a shout out to my native land, Germany. Oh wait, born there, technically speaking West Germany, left when I was 2, don't have citizenship, so it doesn't really count. So my native land is Canada and we have our birthday celebrations on July 1st. Also next week, America hits 250 years old. I have to say you don't look a day over 249 . If your country is also having a birthday celebration, shout it out  
    Speaking of birthdays, I want to reminisce for a few seconds, so humour me please. Back in the olden days when Myr was a young wiper snapper and Cia was in jumpers  we used to have an option to put in our ages and birthdays too in our profile I think! We would have tons of Birthday wishes being made to members from groups, individuals and such. It was a much simpler time. As time moved forward and the baddies started combing the interwebs for ways to steal people's identities and steal from others on their behalf, new rules came out. I know Europe was one of the first ones. I'm not sure if it was a good or a bad thing, and I think we are past discussing it, but the world we live in we cannot ask someone to post their age or their birthday anymore . So if you have had a birthday in the past 364 days or today is your birthday, then a giant Happy Birthday to you . I miss the good old days, somedays. 
    I know that when I have nothing really to say, I turn to the weather  It is always a great conversation starter. I hear that people in London and Paris are leaving their flats and apartments in the cities and sleeping on the grass at night to escape the blistering heat that they are having . I know some areas of the States are continuing to have drought conditions. No rain or what rain in the past few years is drying up and ground water disappearing too! I guess I'm happy to say up here around me we have been having ridiculous rainfall. Our water tables were falling but they are back to normal and some areas are so saturated, they can't take more rain and are flooding. 
    I think back years ago and different parts of the world all had different calamities and such due to weather, just we never had the news and internet to tell us what was going on outside of your city, state/province, country. Now we know if a rain drop falls in the Western Sahara.
    So this week, tell me what they weather is like where you live and what is the overall outlook for July? Oh, here we are supposed to be super hot and giant mosquitoes invading with all the rain we are having 😮. What the heck, what is the mosquito situation you are in as well? Are blood bank donations going down due to no one having any extra blood to give? 
     
    Onto the more serious stuff, here is what happened at the GA New Blog this week.
    Oh, before we start, I just want to say I've seen some of the new layout of the forums page coming soon, and I like it!! So stay tuned for that! Consider this a teaser . 
    This week we kicked off the broadcasting week with Myr checking into the Non-Fiction category. I noticed a few new names in there:
    Do you remember last week when I said on Wednesday, you have to pay attention for the June Signature Feature Excerpt? Well, Cia posted it this week:
     
    Friday, Val was back after being ill(egal) and brought some prompts up about her personal childhood, in the penguin enclosure at the zoo  Check them out:
    Saturday, we got another double dose of Myr in the Weekly Wrap Up, when he posted a great new Writing Tip:
     
     
    If that was not enough Myr for you, he also gave us a few new Words of the Day:
    aftermath, consequence, reckless, contemplation, acceptance, mourning, gratitude
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 -  Find all the information right here. 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    7 completed stories this week!
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 9 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon Rumspringa by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Cockney Canuck by Dodger Treacherous by CassieQ Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Roping the Moon by Headstall Peace of Amiens by Mark Arbour 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray 32 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Pace Control by Soren Kraft **Complete** Strife by CryingCircusConductor Father's Day Strip-Off by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Holiday Drama by quokka Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Barnaby and the Zoo Logistics Paradox by chris191070 **Complete** A Grave So Haunting by solemnity Crash Journal of Fraser Vogel by Lee Wilson **Complete** Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Between the Times by Celian The Best Man At My Brother's Wedding by StoriesByTroy In the Barb by Vcs IceBerg by J92 The Cwtch. by E K Stokes **Complete** Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Between the Two by Grayson Rose turmoil by Paladin THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox An Empirical Study of Fluid Dynamics and Temporal Anomalies by chris191070 **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories
    Kintsugi of the Soul by Jean87 **Complete**  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
     
  20. wildone
    I'm writing this early on Saturday as I may or may not be able to write on Saturday evening  
    I'm off to watch a Canadian Football game this evening. I guess there is some soccer tournament going on as well in Canada, Mexico and the US of A  As I'm writing this, the tunder and ligting has started 😮 Hope it ends before the game.
    I usually get a lot of silence when I talk sports. I know though a lot of the world doesn't have the US and Canada's interest in our major sports, football (North American), Baseball, Hockey, Basketball, etc. So if you call the game we call soccer, football, let me know if you are cheering on your country's team ⚽ Or, if you watch a sport outside of FB, BB,Hockey, BB  like Cricket, Bowling, etc, let us know!
    Today is actually the loooooooooooooooooongest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shortest day of the year in the South. I'm sure if you live on the equator you don't really give a hoot. If you live at the North Pole, you are probably close to 24 hours sunlight everyday. In the south, nearly 24 hours black out  I wonder if blackout curtains and blinds have the highest sales per capita near the poles  
    Since it is the longest day, do you do anything to celebrate it? Sounds silly but I used to try to be out camping on this day every year. To be sitting out by the fire watching the sun go down around 10 PM and continue to watch the crackle of the fire into the night. In my much younger days, we would stay up and watch the sun come up at around 5:15 AM.  To be honest, I will be going to bed when I get home and will get up at around 9 tomorrow. Too old to be doing that anymore . 
    Enough random babbling and onto the Wrap Up. Isn't that the reason we all check in weekly?
    Monday, Cia introduced us to the June Signature Feature:
    Tuesday, Myr popped by in between his travels to check on the Mystery genre:
    If you were looking for the Signature Feature Excerpt this Wednesday, stay tuned  
    Thursday, Wildone did a Flashback to the first annual Secret Author Contest. No one took me up on guessing who wrote what story .
    Friday, if you don't usually look at the Prompts (shame on you!  ), you need to look at the this weeks just for the gif that Aditus posted. While doing that see if the great Prompts he gave us tickles your fancy:
    Saturday, Myr popped back in again and let us know about some of the great new resources available to our writers. Even if you are not a poet or author, check it out:
     
     
    We had 7, yes that it correct, 7 new Words of the Day this week. If you are under 18, cover your eyes and don't look at the first one 😮. Heck, it is so bad, I better put it in spoiler tags  
    , reckoning, reminiscence, bittersweet, absolution, closure, regret
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 -  Find all the information right here. 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
    5 completed stories this week!
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon Rumspringa by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Treacherous by CassieQ Roping the Moon by Headstall Vega-Vixen 2.0 by Topher Lydon **Complete** 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 39 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    A salty drop of Magic by Celian Pace Control by Soren Kraft Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Gabriel's Gambit: Contract Terminated by Jason Rimbaud **Complete** Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Strife by CryingCircusConductor Love in a time of hatred vol 2 by Gary L A Tight Squeeze by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Footnotes of misery by Kileoli Ride of Your Life by mastershakeme Barnaby’s Bounty: The Chrononaut’s Guide to Nautical Dimensions by chris191070 **Complete** Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel IceBerg by J92 Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill The Cwtch. by E K Stokes The Witches of Darkmoore by Celian Blades of Ashes by lilansui The Best Man At My Brother's Wedding by StoriesByTroy Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox In the Barb by Vcs Boy Meets Boys by Grayson Rose The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Holiday Drama by quokka If Furniture Could Talk by Lee Wilson Robbie and Mark: Latest chaos by unilive Revelations 2026 by mastershakeme **Complete** U-N-I by unilive The academic slut by Kileoli Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 Exquisite Island of Safe Refuge: The Stained-Glass Mind by Vcs Alpha Awakened by Painawakened THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Never walk alone- Walk on by Andre Delport turmoil by Paladin  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
     
  21. wildone
    So the Penguin is a bit under the weather from partying too much on her birthday, and the big guy is busy, busy, busy! That means you get me today  
    Now I'm not one to follow the rules  as in I was asked to do an Anthology Flashback. Well to H E double hockey sticks with that! I'm going to do my own thing 
    We are less than a month away from This Year's Secret Author Contest, so why not look back at the first year that got us on this track of a summer contest every year. Way back in 2023 after several seasonal Secret Author Contests, Val surveyed you, the members on what you wanted. It was decided on the current format of one Poetry Anthology, one Secret Author Contest and one yearly Anthology. 
    Now with me presenting these stories, the thing is, everyone knows who the Author is  But if you want to guess who wrote what, I'll play your game . There will not be any prizes though. Check out some of these great stories that appeared in year 1.
     
     
     
     
    This one had 1 original contest entry, but then morphed into a full story:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Enjoy the look back, but don't forget to look forward too!!
  22. wildone

    Weekly Wrap Up (Jun. 7 - Jun. 13)

    By wildone,


    Weekly Wrap Up
    WOW
    I've lived in my humble little city of Calgary for a year or two  and about this time every year I talk about the upcoming Calgary Stampede , The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth (I'm not being compensated for this shameless plug ) I will be volunteering so far 6 of the 10 days to help out a charity  
    I was thinking I should get a western shirt or two since the chester drawers disease is getting worse  The chest is dropping down into my drawers . 
    One thing about Calgary is there a lot of western wear stores around and they are more or less all the same. Then you have the farm equipment stores, and about all the same. 
    This year, I heard of a place north of Calgary by 20 mins that I'd never been to, Irvine's Western Store. OMFG. Over 140,000 square feet making it the largest western store in North America. I nearly got lost a few times. Hell, I didn't even make it all the way down and into the huge steel barn that has nothing but boots! Rooms and rooms and rooms of just men's jeans, same for shirts. I got two shirts and they were on the cheaper ends at $90 each 😮. All kinds of tack, ropes, saddles, omg, they had 5 different 300 foot long halls with just saddles!! Blankets, pads, hell underwear if you want, with buckles, belts, jewelry and much much more. We didn't visit the women's part  And all that tack comes in every colour. Pinks, purples, different blues, reds, oranges, etc. 
    And the men. Whoa Steve  The men from 20 - 70 all of them gorgeous. I think growing up on a farm does something good for the jeans, and I don't mean the Wranglers. Needed to have on a nice pair of tight underwear in there . 
    So where am I going with all this, other than an afternoon perving on men in a western store ?
    I want to know, have you ever gone riding on a horse, a donkey, a camel, a mule, even maybe an ass (keep it clean guys  )?
    I think I have been on 4 trail rides, 2 in the foothills of the eastern slopes of the rockies, once in the coulees around Lethbridge, with rattlers and owls, oh my , and one in the mountains of Golden Ears Provincial Park in BC. The most interesting and only non-trail ride was when I was much younger, we were camping with my friend's, girlfriend's family on Crown land near the rockies again, and across the river was a Ranger Station. The ranger had 2 horses and he had to go into Calgary for a week and asked if we could water and feed them and maybe take them out for a ride or two. Well the family were farmers and not new to horses, me, like I said, a trail ride or two for this city boy. So I took off with the 14 year old son, me about 20, him leading me on his horse and me following. I told him that I thought the straps were too long, so the bugger kicked his horse into a gallop and mine followed suite with me holding onto the pommel and my legs squeezing the sides to keep me upright, the stirrups flapping in the breeze. Finally he took mercy on me and slowed and stopped so he could adjust the leg straps. I was glued to that saddle  
    So tell me about any adventures you have had on a four-legged beast? I'm sure @Headstall might have a story or two if he hasn't written about them all yet  
    If you haven't ridden a horse or anything, have you done anything farm related? Like @Krista had a pink John Deere tractor when she was a teen. Momma would get her anything  the spoiled princess . 
    Now onto the Wrap Up. 
     
    Monday, I was about to say Cia, but it was actually me, that brought our new member of the Review Team, @Gary L, to attention for a great review:
    Onto Tuesday, Myr was up to mischief again and went diving scantily clad (oh, the horror ) to feature a new genre  :
    Around came Thursday and Val published a great blog on short stories. Lots of interaction on this one:
    Finally on Friday, it was a certain Penguins birthday and I wrote her a lovely prompt, but it wasn't appreciated  Check out the Prompts this week:
     
     
    Myr also gave us 7 new Words of the Day! 
    dread, possesed, abomination, ghastly, morbid, unholy, tormented
    Did anyone else notice that coloration between the Words of the Day and the Genre featured this week  Sneaky Myr, very sneaky  
     
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 -  Find all the information right here. 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
     
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    Another week of 6 of 6 categories with a story updated!!  Also 10 stories completed!!
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    Vega-Vixen 2.0 by Topher Lydon Lost in the Sand by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Lord of the Pierced Dawn by Topher Lydon **Completed** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Treacherous by CassieQ Roping the Moon by Headstall 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    My Prompt Stories by Bill W 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 35 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Pace Control by Soren Kraft Strife by CryingCircusConductor The Thing About Bill by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Another Time by Celian Revelations 2026 by mastershakeme Holiday Drama by quokka Barnaby’s Birthday Bash: A Cretaceous Synopsis by chris191070 **Completed** Hunger & Habit by Invnarcel Gabriel's Gambit: Contract Terminated by Jason Rimbaud Barnaby and the Chronological Salad by chris191070 **Completed** Gilded Things by Nuno R.F.C.R **Completed** Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard C.E.C.O. by Thirdly **Completed** Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82 Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy The Cwtch. by E K Stokes The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus The Witching Hour Phone Call by Lee Wilson **Completed** My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy Loose Box by Aquiya Cyba **Completed** Between the Times by Celian Trials of the Warkin by Gonzalo Sollu Blades of Ashes by lilansui Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox turmoil by Paladin THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Frosted Hearts by Jason Rimbaud **Completed** Gay for Pay by chris191070 **Completed** 1 Recently Updated 'Poet' Stories
    Path Forward by Jean87 Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
     
     
     
     
  23. wildone
    Happy June everyone!! In my neck of the woods it is staying somewhat light out until after 10 PM 😮 What that means is I'm up a bit later and I can read a bit more  
    I'd like to introduce you all to our latest member of the Review Team! @Gary L !! Gary approached me a few months ago and said he can help out with a review or 2 a year. Which is great, and really appreciated!! Looking at his first review, you all are in for a treat.
     
     
    What the Ship Remembers
    by Andy Cannon 
    Reviewer: Gary L
    Status: Complete
    Word Count: 134,040
    When one sees a painting of a naval warship from the Napoleonic Era, it is hard to imagine how these seemingly flimsy, wooden constructions could possibly stay afloat in calm seas let alone in stormy waters. With impressive knowledge, Andy Cannon takes us aboard these warships and tells a tale of the stormy seas within two sailors' hearts as their boat battles with wind, rain, storms, and, of course, the French.
    We begin at the end of the tale in a Prologue that introduces us to the now Captain William Pitt, retired by the sea and living in a kind of despairing hope. What follows is the story of the relationship that forms and reforms between a younger Lieutenant Pitt and young Midshipman Blake set in the context of the English West Indies fleet in 1808. 
    There is much to commend, and frankly to admire in Andy's story. First, as a work of naval fiction it is impeccably-written. We are led below decks to the cramped conditions in which hundreds of men might have to live; to the officers' Wardroom, claustrophobic in more than one way. Secondly, the love story is developed in painstakingly small steps, both backwards as well as forwards. At times one almost wants to bang their heads together. Finally, this brings us to what a number of readers have mentioned in their comments or reviews: the absolutely marvelous writing; the English prose is exquisite to read. 
    This is a beautifully-told story of the struggle to love, and be loved by, a fellow man. It is set in a time where being caught having sex was a hanging offence. Sadly, there are parts of the world in which this is still the case. Whilst brilliantly set in the late eighteenth century, this is a tale of love relevant even today.
    Category: Fiction  Genres: Historical  Sub-genres:  Historical Drama Tags: mature adult, gay, north america, military, industrial age  Rating: Mature 
  24. wildone
    I want to get into the question of the week right away  
    I loved the Weekly Prompts this week from Aditus! So much so that I'm going to borrow his question  Do you listen to music, and if you do, what do you prefer? Radio, streaming, playlists, one person said satellite TV/ Maybe someone out there has an 8-track or cassette player that they haven't retired. If you have an 8 track, I honestly don't believe there is a 8 track tape that has survived this long  For you younger folks, look it up. 
    I would say that most my time is flipping around on radio stations of all different musical styles. I did mention that country music only is listened to during Stampede  and then it is banished from my airwaves the other 355 days of the year   It is interesting that the 2 people I talk in Teams the most are both country fans and we all are slagging each others musical choice. I'm currently not talking to either of them as they keep sending country song videos and those nasty algorithms are working in the background that when I pushed the random Apple Music channel it played me country songs  
    Now if you are a single whole hearted one style of radio, I would like to know the reason why. Are you a TV news host so you are listening to 24 hour news radio all the time 😮. 
    Now let's get onto the week in review. Shall we?
    Since I stole (such an ugly word  ) borrowed Aditus' Prompt question, let's look at the GA News Blogs in reverse this week.
    Dara or Shakira, your choice  
    On Thursday, Valkyrie did a check in on how you are coming along on in the Secret Author Contest and the Yearly Anthology. Since the Secret Author Contest and revealing how you are doing would reveal that you are an author, feel free to PM me on how you are doing if you want . Don't read any further below where @Cia and @Valkyrie will be telling you to ignore this part . 
    Tuesday, was Myr's day to shine and he put his spotlight on a different genre this week:
    Cia started the week a whole 6 days ago, with a brand new CSR for the month of June. Check out the who and the what it is:
     
     
    Since I'm ass backwards, why not do the same thing for the Words of the Day:
    sinister, spectral, sepulchral, macabre, puzzle, shadowy, omen
    Well one really got me stumped  If I was in a spelling bee, me asking them repeat it or give me the use in a sentence, I'd still fail out 😢 
     
    Upcoming Writing Events 
    2026 Secret Author Contest "Forbidden Knowledge" - Due July 15, 2026 -  Find all the information right here. 
    2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here.
     
    Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!!
    Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292
    Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292
     
     
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    This week we had an update in all 6 categories  Thank you to all our contributors  
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 8 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
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    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
  25. wildone
    What's up puddy cat, whoa, whoooa! Don't read more into that than me just being goofy  Wait a minute. 
    I had to go check Myr's fun and new emotes to check in with your moods! Got mine done now. What do you think of them?

    I wonder, I need one for Diet Coke the true #1 Cola in the world  Are you listening, @Myr ? See, there is a story behind this. Back in the very early 70's when I was a wee little lad, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I don't know if at 4 I was drinking cola or not  Then, up here in Canadia, the government decided if you drank about 405 cans of pop a day, you would die of cancer if they had saccharine in them. So they banned it ! Never mind the saccharine, 405 cans a day 😮. So we used to drive to the lower mainland of BC to see relatives 3-4 times a year. We could sneak across the border to Point Roberts, look it up on a map, and Dad would buy like 6 flats of Shasta pop that had saccharine in it. BTW, I'm still alive . Then when I was probably in my early teens, Diet Coke came out in Canadia after failed attempts with Tab. I was in heaven . I think I'm still drinking excessive amounts of Diet Coke to catch up since then . 
    Now, that leads me to ask... Do you drink any colas? If so what type would be your favourite. You know mine now  Now I know a lot of you, aka @Krista, are going to lecture me on how the sugar-free pops or really any pops are bad for you. You know you can tell us, just not sure if anyone is going to change their mind on their favourite pop  I will throw in if you like any carbonated drink. With Buble, or is it Bubbly, I don't partake in flavoured water. Or do you have one of those Soda Stream things. If you do, I know that there was/is the Pepsi line of sodas made cartridges for them. Are they still around? What is your flavour? 
    If you find yourself running to the fridge to get a soda, I reminds me of a song by Kim Mitchell, Go For a Soda. What the heck, here it is:
    Hopefully you have pulled yourself off the ground after you hysterical fit of laughing at 1980's Canadian videos  
    Enough of this talk, what happened at the GA News blog this week!
    Monday, Cia wrapped up the month with the CSR Discussion Day:
    Then onto Tuesday we happily skipped along to have Myr bring us a new look at a different genre:
    We didn't have anything on Wednesday and Thursday. Val did pop in on Friday with a couple of prompts. Did you check them out?
    This Saturday, we had bonus blog. Myr came out and rubbed his crystal ball and gave us a look into the future 😮:
     
     
    Here are the Words of the Day:
    suspicion, obscured, unsettling, inquiry, trace, hidden, omen
     
    Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets!
     
    1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories
    The Double Hex by Topher Lydon 7 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories
    The Lord of the Pierced Dawn by Topher Lydon The Construct by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Hazardous by CassieQ **Complete** The Holy Lance of Antioch by Topher Lydon **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Classic Author' Stories
    Secrets 3: The Road to the Future by Bill W 2 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories
    Oklahoma's Son by Wayne Gray Blades of Ashes by lilansui 34 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories
    Role of a Lifetime by KKirk Between the Times by Celian Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy Gilded Things by Nuno R.F.C.R The Seducer: A Gone From Daylight Inspired Story by MrM The Vulnerability Protocol by chris191070 B is for Biceps by Boy Mercury X **Complete** Revelations 2026 by mastershakeme The Best Man At My Brother's Wedding by StoriesByTroy **Complete** Bring the Dawn by dragonthusiast The Cwtch. by E K Stokes Hollywood and Vine by Albert1434 The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard The Luggage Paradox of Barnaby the Chrono-Capybara by chris191070 **Complete** Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Salt and Stone by CarlAccolla Monstrum by Laura S. Fox Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy Another Time by Celian Holiday Drama by quokka Frat Games: The House Plaything by StoriesByTroy Kismet by E K Stokes **Complete** A versatile Count by Thomas Lindblad Blades of Ashes by lilansui Ly's Pandora's box by Kileoli The Scandal by FV2112 Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox A Tickling In The Wild West by Ticklishboy30 turmoil by Paladin Futile Devices by CasualWanderer82  
    Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)
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