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Valkyrie

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  1. Valkyrie

    Technically Unplugged

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    I spent last weekend out in the country with my BFF for her family reunion.  It’s been an annual tradition for us for over ten years now, and I look forward to it every year.  It’s an absolutely idyllic setting, surrounded by farmland and mountains sporting all kinds of greenery.  There’s no wi-fi, and cell phone signals are spotty, at best.  We sleep in a tent on a hill next to the main house and talk most of the night over a campfire, underneath a clear sky filled with stars never seen in suburbia.  A lot of the people who attend like to play games, so we also spent a lot of time playing a game where we had to create sentences based on a prompt by using a limited number of words we selected from a box.  We also played glow-in-the-dark cornhole, which is insanely difficult, but also a ton of fun!
    So where do prompts fit into all of this?  Well, first, I’m totally buying that game we played, so I’m sure I’ll be featuring some prompts in the future based on it.  Second, my BFF’s nephew is an aspiring writer, and we had an amazing talk about writing.  We talked about story ideas, stories/books we like to read, and the more technical aspects of writing. It was wonderful to chat with someone so enthusiastic about writing.  We also talked a bit about writing prompts, so I am featuring two technical prompts today – one from me, and one from him. 
    PT Prompt #71
    Write a short story featuring only one character.  No secondary characters at all.  You might drop them in the woods and see how they fare, or come up with your own idea, but only one character is allowed.   
     
    PT Prompt #72
    Write a short story with no dialogue. 
     
    @W_L decided to take up the challenge of PT Prompt #70 last week.  If you haven’t read it, I recommend checking it out!
    https://gayauthors.org/story/w_l/wls-prompts-short-stories/1
     
  2. Valkyrie

    Marketing Anthology Stories

    By Valkyrie,


    Anthology
    Last week, I gave my perspective on the anthology and why I write so many stories for them.  This week, we get a different perspective from @Carlos Hazday. Carlos shares his beginning as a writer and also gives some great advice about marketing.  
     
     Carlos Hazday
    After joining Gay Authors in July 2013, my membership lagged unused until I became active a year later. A newbie with zero writing experience, I gained confidence slaving over weekly prompts for a bit. Maybe not actually slaved since I was writing funny stuff readers responded well to. I got cocky.
    Then I tried writing something for Chain Reaction, the Winter 2014 Anthology, and met Cia. Her reputation preceded her and was well deserved. Very politely, as is her way, she trashed Allah’s Revenge. But only after telling me how dystopian stories were a favorite genre. I probably ruined it for her. My short story deserved multiple chapters and more detail. But hey, I didn’t know better.
    I screamed, I pulled my hair, I called her names, readers came to my defense… But you know what? Whatever it was she said was right. It did not sink in immediately, but when it did, it stuck with me and helped me improve. I learned to limit the scope of short stories and focus on the essentials.
    Cia’s an overachiever, as much as my character CJ, and like him juggles plenty of responsibilities. The fact she found time to read what I wrote and gave me thoughtful feedback was surprising. Since then I’ve realized she, and other long-time members make an effort to read and comment on anthology entries. So do a lot of regular members.
    That brings me to the main thrust of this blog: Marketing.
    Newer authors often bemoan their stories receiving limited views, reactions, and comments, while most established authors seem to create a buzz if they publish a dinner menu. Totally unfair, right?
    Not in my opinion. Those well-received stories usually follow a list of previous works that captured readers’ imagination. It did not happen overnight. But no matter how well-written something might be, if people don’t read your work, fame and fortune may pass you by. Okay, nothing that drastic but I’m certain all of us would enjoy a few more interactions with followers.
    That’s where an Anthology submission can help. Yes, it’s an opportunity to try something new, characters, style, setting, and a chance to get feedback from people who may not normally comment on what they read. But above all, your Anthology entry will get you eyes.
    More people seeing your name and your story means more potential fans. GA’s Marketing Department (LMAO) is doing its part by publicizing the project. Time for you to do yours.
    If you write it, they will read it.
     
     
  3. Valkyrie

    Writing for Anthologies

    By Valkyrie,


    Anthology
    I wrote my first anthology story for GA for the summer 2014 anthology, The Backup Plan.  It was the start of my Max and Elliot series and hooked me on writing short stories.  I’ve participated in every anthology since then, sometimes with multiple submissions, for a total of 27 stories.  I’m planning on keeping the streak going with the upcoming Anniversary anthology with at least one story. 
    I thought I’d give some insight as to why I continue writing for all the anthologies and the process I go through when deciding what to write.  I’d love to hear from other anthology participants, past and present, about their process as well. 
    First, I love writing to a theme and seeing what interpretation I come up with and also reading other authors' take on the same theme.  The diversity, imagination, and creativity displayed in the anthos never ceases to amaze me.  Another reason I participate is to give back to a site that’s given so much to me. 
    Writing anthology stories is a great way for an author to introduce themselves to readers.  As a reader, I may not want to start reading a multi-chapter story written by an author I’m not familiar with, but reading a short story introduces me to their style, and may hook me as a long-term reader if I like what I see. 
    As an author, I like to use anthologies to hone skills I can use when working on longer stories.  When I first started writing, I was most comfortable using first person.  I decided I wanted to become more comfortable writing in third person, so I wrote some anthology stories in third person.  I’ve also used antho stories to work on descriptive writing (such as Escape and Jus Sanguinis). Sometimes I ask myself a question and then use an anthology story to explore that question.  For example, I wondered what it would be like to be reincarnated and how it would affect other people, so I wrote Born Again. Other questions I’ve had have been more hard-hitting, such as how someone’s life is affected by false accusations, and what happens to someone convicted of a heinous crime, who then has to navigate the world after paying their debt to society.  I’ve also written from the point of view of a stalker and explored what happens when a gay man falls for his straight, female best friend.  I find my more controversial stories tend to get the most views and most comments from readers. 
    Not every story has to be a controversial gut-punch, though.  A well-written, feel-good story linked to the theme is a winner every time.  So let’s hear what draws you, as either an author or a reader, to participate in the anthologies. 
  4. Valkyrie

    Disability Pride

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    I’m writing this blog on July 26th, which is the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  July is Disability Pride Month, which honors the passage of the ADA.  The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability and guarantees equal accommodation to people with disabilities in areas including access, transportation, and telecommunications. 
    I had a wonderful discussion today with one of my patients (I work with adults with developmental disabilities) about the ADA and what it meant to him, along with what he felt still needed to be done for people with disabilities and positive things that came from the ADA.   He was quite passionate about his feelings when he encounters places he is not able to access in his wheelchair or places with inadequate restroom facilities.  While a lot of positives came from the ADA, discussions like this show there is still room to grow. 
    This week’s prompts are in honor of the ADA and celebrate Disability Pride.  I could go on and on about this topic, but I’d love to hear from any GA members who have been impacted by the ADA or its equivalent in other countries. 
     
     
    PT Prompt #69
    You have an interview for your dream job, but when you arrive at the building, you discover it’s not wheelchair accessible.  What happens when you confront the interviewer about the lack of accessibility? 
     
    PT Prompt #70                                                     
    A gorgeous guy has been staring at you all evening, so you take it as an invitation to walk over and introduce yourself, hoping for a hot date.  Instead, he tells you he’s blind and not looking anywhere, but you have a nice voice.  What happens next? 
  5. Valkyrie

    Poetry Anthologies

    By Valkyrie,


    Anthology
    While the anthology is now a combination of poetry and stories, in the past, site poets participated in poetry-exclusive anthologies.  I thought I'd feature a couple of those and hopefully get some of our poets inspired to contribute to the anthology.  I know of at least a couple of poetry submissions for this year, so let's have a solid showing to honor GA's anniversary! 
     
    https://gayauthors.org/stories/browse/category/37-2011-poetry-anthology-into-the-unknown/
    https://gayauthors.org/stories/browse/category/76-2015-poetry-anthology-remember/
  6. Valkyrie

    Anthology Favorites

    By Valkyrie,


    Anthology
    There are currently 781 anthology stories in the GA story archive, so there’s sure to be something in there for everyone.  It’s hard to pick a favorite out of that many stories, but in the nine years I’ve been on the site, there are a few that stand out to me. 
    The Bachelor Farmer by Cole Matthews is the first story that comes to mind when I think about favorite anthology stories.  It’s a unique blend of history and characterization and has stuck with me since I read it back in 2014. 
     
    https://gayauthors.org/story/cole-matthews/thebachelorfarmer/
     
    Viv’s Underneath this Big Ol’ Sky series was posted in 2011, prior to my joining GA, but they definitely rank up there with some of my site favorites, anthology or not.  While each story can be read on its own, Viv has created a compelling series that begs for more.  I really wish she was still writing, so I could read more of these gems. 
     https://gayauthors.org/stories/browse/series/underneath-this-big-ol%E2%80%99-sky/
     
    Another memorable series comes to us courtesy of @cia.  A Maze for Three is a great combination of modern sci-fi and shifter stories. 
    https://gayauthors.org/stories/browse/series/a-maze-for-three/
     
    I could go on and on, but I’ll feature one more.  @myr still has readers begging for more of the world he created for this story, even eight years later.  *hint hint*
     
    https://gayauthors.org/story/myr/arangersduty/
     
    What are some stand-out anthology stories that you’ve read?  Post the links in the comments and share why they’re your favorite. 
  7. Valkyrie

    All About Bacon

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    Today's prompts are brought to you courtesy of my dinner on the day I wrote this blog. 🍳 🥓 This is a tribute to the porky, fatty goodness we all love (well, most of us, @Slytherin  ). Bacon makes everything better, right?  

    PT Prompt #63a:
    Describe bacon to someone who has never eaten it.  
    #63b:
    For the site poets - Write an Ode to Bacon. 
     
    PT Prompt #64: 
    You are a strict vegetarian and your non-vegetarian boyfriend has just moved in.  To your dismay, he insists on cooking bacon for breakfast every morning.  The smell permeates the apartment for the majority of the day, and you are working from home.  How do you navigate the first hurdle in your relationship? 
     
  8. Valkyrie

    Anthology Challenge

    By Valkyrie,


    Anthology
    I’d like to issue a challenge to site authors/poets.  Since the anthology this year is celebrating GA’s 20th Anniversary, let’s see if we can get twenty stories/poems submitted.  This will also put us over the 800 mark for anthology stories on the site. 
    Let’s thank Myr for creating such an amazing place by making this an anthology to remember. Who’s with me? 
     
     
     
  9. Valkyrie

    Anthology 101

    By Valkyrie,


    Anthology
    Myr posted a great blog last Saturday about the history of GA's anthologies and how participating in the anthology is a good way to get exposure as an author here.  Based on the comments on that blog, it sounds like there are some great stories already in the works!  One of the perks of being on the proof team is being able to read the anthology stories before they're released, and if the two I've already read are any indication, we're in for a real treat once the stories go live in September. 
    Since there have been some upgrades to the site since we wrote the FAQs for the anthology, we thought it would be a good idea to update them.  So today I'm featuring the revised versions of the Anthology 101 and how to upload your anthology story threads.  The answers to most questions about the antho can be found in those threads, but if anyone has any other questions about any part of the process to participate in the anthology, please PM either myself or @Cia and we'll be happy to respond. 
    Be sure to scroll down to Cia's post to see the updated version of how to post a story for the anthology:
     
  10. Valkyrie

    Pride Flowers

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    June is halfway over and summer is just around the corner, although with the high temperatures lately it feels like summer is in full swing!  Pride month celebrations are still going strong.  I've been seeing lots of pictures in my FB feed of friends celebrating Pride all over the country.  For my birthday this year, I decided I wanted to get some flowers, something I don't tend to keep in the house since I am death to plants  The grocery store I shop at had a display of Pride-themed bouquets, so I decided that was what I wanted!  So now you know the inspiration for PT Prompt #57!  I'd love to hear how you celebrate Pride.  🏳️‍🌈
     
    PT Prompt #57 - Creative
    While grocery shopping, you come across a display of Pride-themed items, including bouquets of multi-colored flowers with a Pride flag in the middle of them and wrapping paper that says "Love is love".  On impulse, you grab a bouquet and toss them in your cart.  While checking out, the person behinds you comments on the flowers.  Who makes the comment? What do they say, and what happens next?  
     
    PT Prompt #58 - Technical 
    Let's work on honing our description skills!  Choose a common, everyday activity such as brushing your teeth or washing dishes, and explain it in detail to someone who has never seen any of the objects used for that particular task.  
  11. Valkyrie

    Be Our Guest

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    @AC Benus was kind enough to start off our guest prompts during National Poetry Writing Month with a couple of poetry prompts.  Since the Prompt Team started, we've had a few members send us prompt suggestions, so we thought it was time we featured one of them. If you have any ideas for prompts, please feel free to send them to myself, Aditus, or Cole Matthews, and you may be featured in a future edition of the prompt blog.  All types of prompts are welcome - creative, word lists, poetry, technical.  If you'd prefer to remain anonymous, please let us know.  
     
    PT Prompt #51 - Creative - Courtesy of @JamesSavik
    Zombie CSI
    There was a zombie outbreak that wrecked a city, several surrounding counties, and killed several hundred thousand people before the military could seal off the area and terminate the walkers.
    Even a month later, the exclusion zone is still very dangerous.  Walkers are still being discovered and put down by fire teams. No one is allowed to go outside the "Green Zones" in under squad strength and armed to the teeth.
    You are an investigator assigned to a multi-agency federal and state task force charged with investigating the outbreak and finding out what caused it.
    You have: city police, fire and hospital records, video camera footage and witnesses/survivors to investigate.
    Let the games begin...
     
    And speaking of guests...
    PT Prompt #52 - Creative
    Your favorite co-worker needs a place to stay while their apartment is being renovated, so without hesitation you offer your spare room.  How long does the renovation take and are they still your favorite co-worker when the work is finished? 
     
     
     
  12. Valkyrie

    Cinco de Mayo

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    May is a month full of days both fun and solemn.  We start the month with Beltane - Gaelic May Day at the approximate halfway point between spring and summer, to welcome summer, and end with Memorial Day in the US (a day we remember those who died in service of our country).  Memorial Day is also the unofficial start of summer in the US.  While not an official holiday, Star Wars fans celebrate their fandom on May the Fourth, usually by binge-watching the movies.  Another holiday growing in popularity in the US is Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, which commemorates Mexico's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.  Since yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, let's travel to Mexico for our prompts!  Viva La Mexico!  
     
    PT Prompt #45 - Creative
    Word list:  Use the following words in a story:  umbrella, tamales, broken cell phone, Chihuahua, and couch. 
     
    PT Prompt #46 - Creative 
    While visiting ancient Mayan ruins, you accidentally stumble and fall against the wall of a crumbling temple.  As you push yourself upright, the bricks beneath your hands give way.  The earth trembles and an opening appears in the front of the temple.  A shadowy figure emerges from the dust.  Who is it and what happens next? 
  13. Valkyrie
    There are only three more days left in April, although around here it feels more like December.  The buds on the trees were sporting a nice winter coat of snow today instead of leaves and pretty spring flowers.  I'm wondering if this will be one of the rare times we get a May show shower   The end of April also means the end of National Poetry Month.  There has been a nice selection of poetry posted this month, and @Aditus and @Parker Owens took on the challenge of writing 30 poems in the month.  Be sure to check out their collections for some great prompt responses.  Here is our last poetry prompt for April:  
     
    PT Prompt 44 - poetry
    Write a poem about a fragrance.  Bring it to life with word associations such as savory, subtle, or intoxicate.  Let us smell the fragrance and experience the emotions associated with it.  
     
    PT Prompt 45 - Creative
    First line:  He had followed him for days, and at last his patience was paying off.  
     
     
     
    Don't forget about the Sub-Genre Prompt Challenge!  Check out the specifics here:  
     
  14. Valkyrie

    The Prompt Team Prompts 4/8/22

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    It feels like this month just started, but we're already starting the second week of National Poetry Writing Month.  Check out the collections that have been posted already.  Maybe they'll inspire you to give it a try yourself.  Or maybe taking a look at the beautiful creek Aditus provided us with will stir some poetic musings.  
     
    PT Prompt #37 - Poetry
    Write a poem about taking a walk along this creek. 
     
    PT Prompt #38 - Creative
    It's Easter morning and you wake up to find colorful eggs hidden throughout your house.  The problem is, you don't have any children and live alone.  Who left the eggs and why?  
  15. Valkyrie

    April Fools - 4/1/22

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    April Fools’ Day was always an exciting day in my house when I was a kid.  It was a good idea to check out everything before ingesting food, walking through doorways, or opening drawers.  I got my mom good one year by putting orange juice in the milk carton.  She never drank from the carton, so I figured my prank wouldn’t work, but wouldn’t you know she actually drank right from the carton that day and got a mouth full of juice instead of milk (she hates juice)!  What are some pranks you’ve pulled on your friends or family?
    Today is also the start of National Poetry Month and National Poetry Writing Month.  @AC Benus got us started last week with some great prompts, and we are going to continue offering poetry prompts all month long.  The challenge for NaPoWriMo is to write 30 poems in the month of April, or one per day.  In the past, many GA poets have taken on the challenge and posted their works here.  They don’t all have to be masterpieces, but it’s a great way to get the creative juices flowing and tackle forms you may not otherwise.  I’m really looking forward to seeing what the participants come up with this year!
     
    PT Prompt #36 – Poetry
    Borrow a line from your favorite song and write a poem about it.
     
    PT Prompt #37 – Creative
    You’re known as the office prankster and April Fools’ Day is your time to shine.  Your co-workers admire your creativity and look forward to the silly pranks you pull every April first. This year, though, your prank goes horribly wrong.  What was the prank, and what are the consequence? 
     
  16. Valkyrie
    St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner.  Settle in with a pint (or three) of Guinness, put on some green, and get to writing!  We could end up with some pretty interesting prompt responses, and you don’t have to be Irish to participate, since everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. 
     
    PT Prompt #29 - creative
    Write a short story from the POV of a leprechaun.
    PT Prompt #30 – creative
    It’s midnight on St. Patrick’s Day, and you’re on your way home after a night of drinking.  On the way you stumble into a door with the following sign:  Over the Rainbow – Open the door to a whole new world!
    What do you find when you open the door? 
     
    We’ve had a few takers of prompts lately.  Aditus’ PT Prompt #27 proved to be popular:  
    https://gayauthors.org/story/mawgrim/mawgrims-prompts/5
    https://gayauthors.org/story/astone2292/rocky-prompts-tennessee/7
    https://gayauthors.org/story/bill-w/my-prompt-stories/1
     
    We apologize for being remiss about posting the threads in the prompt section of the Writer’s Club.  We’ll get that fixed as soon as possible. 
     
     
  17. Valkyrie
    February is Black History Month in the US.  It is a time when we celebrate the achievements of African Americans and honor their struggles and triumphs in US history.  Black History Month started in February 1926 as “Negro History Week” by Carter G. Woodson – a historian who helped establish the field of African American studies.   It has since been expanded to include the entire month of February and is now celebrated in many other countries besides the US.  Here are two prompts in honor of Black History Month. 
     
    PT Prompt #24 - Technical
    Write a historical dialogue.  Imagine a conversation between yourself and a significant Black historical figure.  What questions would each of you ask? 
     
    PT Prompt #25
    What would it have been like to be present at the emancipation proclamation speech? Take the perspective of a white abolitionist and/or a Black slave. 
  18. Valkyrie

    Wintry Prompts 1/21/22

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    Much of the Eastern United States is being hammered by a massive snowstorm as I write this.  We're getting close to two feet of snow where I live.  So it feels fitting to feature two prompts based on snow.  What's it like where you live?  
     
    PT Prompt #15 - Technical
    Describe a cold, snowy winter to a pen pal who has never seen one. 
     
    PT Prompt #16 - Creative 
    The Gay Snowman.  How does a snowman find love?   
  19. Valkyrie

    The Prompt Team Prompts 1/7/22

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    Did anyone make a resolution to write more in the New Year?  Experimenting with some prompts is the perfect place to start!  I've selected both a creative and a technical prompt for our first prompts of 2022.  Don't forget to post links to your responses in the threads in the Writer's Club.  
    PT Prompt #11 - Creative 
    First line:  "Jump!  They're coming!" 
     
    PT Prompt #12 - Technical 
    Write a short story in second person.  Talk to your reader.  
  20. Valkyrie

    Mid-December Prompts 12/17/21

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    It’s hard to believe December is half over!  How about celebrating the end of the year by writing a prompt? There has to be a punchline somewhere for #7! 
     
    PT Prompt #7
    An angel, a werewolf, a vampire, and a human go to a bar. What happens? Write a short story or vignette.
     
    PT Prompt #8
    Winter challenge.  You're snowed in at a motel in the middle of nowhere with just strangers in rooms nearby.  Tell us what happens.
  21. Valkyrie

    The Prompt Team Prompts 10/29/21

    By Valkyrie,


    Prompts
    One of the things I loved about GA when I first discovered the site was reading the weekly prompts and the stories authors wrote in response to those prompts.  There was camaraderie associated with those blogs, and lots of fun and support from other authors and readers, especially for new authors. I was inspired to start writing, and during the first couple of years after I became a member, I wrote many responses to Wayne’s prompts.  My first completed serial was inspired by a short prompt story I wrote.  Cole Matthews and Aditus share my love of prompts, and we’ve written several stories inspired by the same prompts.  When Cole and I visit each other, we spend a part of each morning choosing a prompt and then each writing a response to it.  It’s a fun and cherished part of our friendship.  I even had the pleasure of meeting Wayne once, and brought him a prompt book I thought he’d get a kick out of.  The idea of taking on the prompt blog is a daunting one, and bittersweet, since I’d much rather have Wayne here to continue posting them.  I couldn’t bear to see the prompts end, though, and Cole, Aditus, and I are honored to continue such a treasured part of GA. 
    We will continue to bring the GA membership two prompts per week and will rotate posting responsibilities among the three of us.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy bringing them to you, and we’re looking forward to reading stories that are inspired by our offerings.
    Halloween is one of our favorite holidays, and with it being right around the corner, we thought it fitting that our first prompts have a Halloween theme.
     
    PT Prompt #1 – Technical
    Halloween Onomatopeias - Write a story or vignette using as many words that sound like they mean like "splat", "plop", or"fizzle". 
     
    PT Prompt #2 – Creative
    You wake up in a crypt on All Hallows Eve, your clothes ripped, bloody, definitely yours-- and from the seventeenth century. 
  22. Valkyrie

    2019 Year in Review

    By Valkyrie,

    Overall, I’d have to say 2019 was a pretty good year. Looking back, I’m amazed at everything I accomplished this year.  I did a lot of work in my house, clearing out a lot of junk, organizing, and having some renovations take place.  I got new windows, a new couch, had my bathroom gutted and completely remodeled (something that needed to be done for 10 years), and finished assembling 14 shelves for my model horse room, then unpacked my collection and finally have it displayed.  All of this was done with lots of help from my mom and my BFF. 
    I also accomplished a lot with my writing.  I completed National Poetry Writing Month for the fourth consecutive year; wrote two anthology stories—Perseverance and Beyond the Binary; had two novellas published in Premium—A Leg to Stand On and Deal or No Deal; wrote a Halloween short—Zugrexamok; wrote a week’s worth of prompts with Cole Matthews; and wrote nine stories for Our Christmas Cookbook.  I also did a lot of research and legwork for a new story.
    With so much work being done, I didn’t take a whole lot of time for myself, so my reward for working so hard was having my BFF come visit and help me put the finishing touches on the model horse room, and having Cole Matthews and his husband come visit for a week.  Despite living in this area for the majority of my life, there are some places I’ve never done the whole “tourist” thing at.  So showing them around, taking them to my favorite places, and doing the “tourist” thing was a real treat.  We wrote a prompt together every day and posted them here, went to my favorite restaurants, and went on a few day excursions—including Niagara Falls and Syracuse.  It was exactly what I needed after going without a break for so long.
    I had some lows among the highs.  I was diagnosed with some chronic health problems, which motivated me to make some significant changes in my life.  Those changes have resulted in positive outcomes, so I’m over the moon with that. 
    Looking forward to next year, I plan on writing stories for both anthologies.  One will be a collaboration.  I also plan on participating in NaPoWriMo again.  I have a full length novel plotted out and have started writing it.  So while I may not end up posting a whole lot of stories next year, I will be working hard on the new story.  I’m not planning on posting it until it’s complete.  Fans of Igneous and A Very Wyvern Christmas will be happy with the new story. 
    So I raise a toast to the New Year and wish all my GA friends, family, lurkers, and readers all the best 2020 has to offer!
     
  23. Valkyrie
    October is Down syndrome awareness month, so I'd like to do my part and spread awareness of this often misunderstood syndrome.  In 1866, Dr. John Langdon Down, a British physician described the syndrome and called it "mongolism".  Until the 1970s, people with Down syndrome were called "mongoloids".  In 1959 a French geneticist discovered that individuals with Down syndrome possessed an extra chromosome.  The correct name is Down syndrome, not Down's syndrome.  In the past, individuals with Down syndrome were placed in institutions, hidden away from society in often deplorable conditions.  They were treated as subhuman and not allowed the opportunity to show just how capable they are.  
     
    Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, NY was one such place.  In addition to the abuse and neglect the individuals who lived there suffered from indifferent staff, overcrowding, and even other residents, they also had to suffer from subpar medical care and even medical experiments performed without permission.  I first learned about the horrors of Willowbrook during my orientation when I started working at my current place of employment.  I've had several people on my caseload who used to live at Willowbrook and it breaks my heart whenever I see that in someone's history.  I am thankful to organizations like the one I work for who provide safe and stable homes for individuals with developmental disabilities.  There are safeguards in place to prevent abuse, and while it does still happen at times, it is not the rampant problem it once was.  
     
    People with Down syndrome are actors/actresses, business owners, and athletes.  They can do anything neurotypical individuals can; it might just take them a little longer to learn how.  They are loving, friendly, and full of joy.  Next time you see someone with Down syndrome, give them a smile and a little wave and see what you get in return.  I bet it will make both of your days.  
     
    Information about Down syndrome: 
     
    http://www.ndss.org/about-ndss/our-team/ambassadors/goodwill-ambassador/straight-talk-with-chris-burke/down-syndrome-awareness-month/
     
    http://www.nads.org/about-us/history-of-nads/
     
    History of Willowbrook:
     
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willowbrook_State_School
     
    Link to my April Fool's Day contest story "Downhearted", which, while fictional, is based on the mannerisms and behavior of several individuals on my caseload: 
     
     
  24. Valkyrie

    Life Happenings

    By Valkyrie,

    On August 9, 2013 I decided to take the plunge and join GA as a member instead of reading stories as a lurker.  While I'd dabbled a bit with writing poetry and some creative fiction, I'd never actually finished anything I started writing.  The closest I came was a vampire novel I started writing in the early '90s (which I may yet finish )  The atmosphere on GA was so welcoming.  It felt like a place where I wanted to interact with others, and one of my favorite things was reading the weekly prompts.  There was more participation in the prompts back then, and I felt like they were a good way to ease back into writing.  Bolstered by the positive and encouraging responses to those early scribblings, I expanded one of them into my first novella. I then decided to tackle the anthologies, which helped me develop my writing skills even more.  I was beyond thrilled to be promoted to Promising Author, and then Signature.  I still feel a flash of pride whenever I see the maroon rectangle next to my name.   
     
    Writing and GA has opened so many doors for me.  I love writing and sharing my work with like-minded people.  My editing/beta team have become dear, dear friends. @Cole Matthews, @Lisa, @aditus... I can't imagine a life without you all in it   There are too many to name, but know everyone on this site holds a special place in my heart.  It's hard to believe it's been five years since I de-cloaked and became a member.  Yes, I'm a Star Trek nerd  
     
    Many of you know I have been spending the summer re-doing my house.  I bought new appliances, a new recliner, a giant cat tree, and a boatload of other new things for the house.  My mom and I moved every piece of furniture, scrubbed the walls and floors, and went through every box downstairs.  I threw out a ton of stuff, donated a ton of stuff, and now have a manageable living space.  There are a few reasons we did all this.  One, it needed to be done.  I've done a lot of travelling in the ten years I've lived here, so I let a lot of house stuff go.  Two, I had my BFF planning to visit for a week and I wanted a house that didn't look like it was inhabited by trolls. And three... I am having major surgery this week.  
     
    This has been a summer of reflection for me.  I found a lot of things from my past when going through all those boxes.  Mostly good memories, but some bittersweet.  I don't want to get into all the details of my surgery, since it's rather personal, but I will say I have a pre-cancerous condition which requires the removal of some parts.  The risk of cancer is relatively low, but still there.  I've had two prior surgeries, and admit to being most nervous about this one.  So I will be away from the site briefly while I recover.  I'm hoping my absence will be less than a week, but it all depends on how I feel and what they find.  I won't have my laptop with me until I'm back home, but I will have my cell phone and will keep Cole updated.  He has my permission to post updates here.  
     
    I am hoping to do a lot of writing while I recover.  I'd like to finish "The Hollow Hills" and start my next novel.  I have some editing to do, and something exciting in the works for GA.  I also hope to be able to do some reading... something I've been neglecting lately.  
     
    So that's what going on in my life right now.  Thank you to all my readers, followers, and friends. You guys are awesome   
  25. Valkyrie
    About twenty years ago I stopped at Tim Hortons to grab lunch.  I needed to go grocery shopping, but had to wait until payday and had five bucks to last the rest of the week.  A dollar went further then than it does now, which meant I had just enough to pay for some cheap groceries until I got paid.  It was very crowded due to it being "Camp Day", when they collect donations to send needy/ill children to summer camp.  There were several people with boxes collecting donations and a girl approached me with a big smile and asked if I would like to make a donation.  I looked at the dollars in my hand, did some math, and came to the conclusion that I didn't have any money I could give.  She said "even just a dollar is fine". Or something along those lines.  Giving a dollar meant that I had to skip eating, and at the time I worked 12 hour days six days a week as the assistant manager of an equestrian center.  So it was very physical work requiring lots of energy.  I apologized and said I wasn't able to donate.  The look on her face made it very clear that she thought I was being a cheapskate.  I felt horrible.  I would have been more than happy to donate, had I been in a position to do so.  
     
    Fast forward to today.  It's Camp Day again at TH.  I no longer have to worry about scrimping every dollar until payday.  So I made a donation and included an extra dollar.  I hope that person twenty years ago has learned some empathy.  You never know what someone needs that dollar for.
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