Comicality

Wow! I am EXTREMELY impressed with this one! Well done, Dodger! I actually got a warm chill when I read the words, "She's free". That is absolute magic right there. An unexpected take on the theme. One that was fresh and intense. Normally, I would say that I wanted to hear even more about the characters, but this time? I think this story is more effective just enjoying the details that were given. You gave us the past, present, and possible (And hopeful) future, in this short story, and that's all we need to know. I love that! Great job, Dodger! Sorry it took me a while to read this one. I'm catching up. Say, GA...you should round up a bunch of stories like this and make it into an ebook compilation! I was going todo that with a bunch of my short stories, but I think it would work even better with a variety of authors and different perspectives on a theme. Just saying. Because these are incredible!

Hahaha!!! I swear, that was just hard to watch! If anybody did these things around me, I'd have to smack their hands and take the knife/paper/scissors away from them. I mean, who DOES that??? >:O

This is from about 2 or 3 years ago, and filmed, written, and produced by a 14 year old filmmaker with Aspergers, who was dealing with bullying in his school for being different. Way to go, Ryan Wiggins! Message received! ((Hugz))

Thanks so much for your comments, you guys! ((Hugz All Around)) Obviously, my 'tech knowledge' leaves a lot to be desired. So many of these amazing programs are completely new to me! LOL! But let's just say that I've learned my lessons the hard way, and I hopefully won't have that problem anymore. (Which is what I said when I got a HUGE 800 GB external hard drive to save all my stuff on so it'll be safe! Say...did you know that external hard drives can just 'stop working' for NO GODDAMN REASON, whatsoever, and you can loose all of your hard work and memories anyway? Well...*I* didn't. Not until it happened to me. Sighhhh) Anyway, hope this helps you guys rebuild in a worst case scenario! Take care!

Still got ONE more to go!I didn't forget ya, Dodger! You're up next! Been really enjoying the offerings so far though. I'm sure it'll be epic.

I've got to admit, you got me! LOL!!! This is brilliant! LOL! But, even with the twist, the descriptions still hold true. The decadence. The desire. The craving. What you did with this story was AMAZING! Love you lots for this one! This is proof positive that different takes on a similar theme is always worth the effort! Standing ovation from me, Puppilull!

I've never been particularly squeamish about writing sexual scenes. Or sex in general. Didn't really think much about it, to be totally honest. I agonize over everything SURROUNDING the sex, hehehe...like when it happens in the story, and the situation, and the characters' motivation, etc...but the sex itself? To me, it's just another form of dialogue. It progresses the story and the character's shared bond forward in a natural and endearing way. I don't really stress over it too much. I've had plenty of readers ask me if I'd ever write a 'true' story of a young Comsie in lust. But, to be totally honest...it would probably be pretty boring. LOL! I was a horny young teen, the other boys were horny young teens, we wrestled around or got excited, and it was like, "Wanna have sex?" Then I was like, "Ok!" And...voila. Doesn't make for a great story, does it? Can't say that my teen 'sexcapades' had the drama and detail of the stuff that I write about. I seriously cherish my virgin experiences, but at the end of the day, it was just...'sex'. Felt GREAT! But, except for keeping it private, my first partners and I didn't see what the big deal was outside of making each other happy. When it was time, and we were in the right mood and the right headspace...we just did it. End of story. Never thought of it as innocent, never thought of it as dirty either. Just sex. Really awesome, emotionally stimulating, sex! It's why I'm such a romantic to this day, I think. I don't regret a moment of it. Hahaha! If I had a time machine, I'd do it all over again.

Well...I don't know if that definition was the best example of self promotion. Hehehe! I mean, in a very harsh way, I guess it could be looked at as a negative thing. It depends on the author, I suppose. If you feel uncomfortable about doing it, then I can imagine it being awkward and even embarrassing to advertise your own writing. But that's only when you look at it as an extreme. I would never tell anyone to be an arrogant narcissist about shoving ads in people's faces! LOL! That's an extreme. But that's not the only definition of self promotion. Posting on this board is self promotion. Posting stories on GA or on Nifty is self promotion. Going in for a job interview is self promotion. The first time you ever sent me an email? Self promotion. Feel good about it. It's just a matter of saying, 'this is who I am, this is what I do, and if you like it...feel free to get in touch with me.' That's it. It's not invasive or demanding or even aggressive, really. You put yourself out there (Thus the title), and *IF* people like what they see...you tell them where they can find more. That's it. Done. Ball is in their court, and they can make that choice without being badgered to death about it. Hehehe! It's not like you have to dress up in a clown suit and dance for nickels on the beach while handing out coupons. Just add a link to your site and invite some interaction with the people who appreciate your work. Nothing bad about that. I know a bunch of writers that are a bit bashful about that sort of thing, but you wrote it, right? You put it in a public place where people can read it. You had to have had, at least, a LITTLE bit of expectation to get a response. Come on, hehehe, admit it. It won't ruin your humble persona to say, "I was kind of hoping people would like what I created and shared with them." What is any form of art without an observing audience? Be proud of what you do. If YOU'RE not excited about your writing, how can you expect other people to be excited about your writing? Go all out. Why not? This isn't easy work. It's both an art and a skill. As authors, we're passionate about it, and that takes some of the frustration out of actually putting in the countless hours and the tireless effort it takes to write a story from beginning to end. But make no mistake, you worked HARD to get your story to where it is. Come out from behind that stage curtain and get your applause, dude! ((Hugz))

The February issue of Imagine Magazine brought chapter 9 to you guys a few weeks ago! Now it's here on the site! So check it out, and let me know what you think when you get a chance! https://www.gayauthors.org/story/comicality/shelter/

Chapter 9: "Lay Blame On The Young" "I wasn't about to let those two buttholes take all of my free candy! It's mine!" Preston groaned, digging through his backpack as he kept walking so close behind Donovan that he was practically stepping on the heels of his shoes. "You guys can have some, though. If you want. Do you want some? What do you like? Super sweet stuff? Or super sour stuff? I'm kind of in between, but I think I like the sour stuff more. Oooh! You know what you might like?

Alright, I read and commented on a few more stories! I've still got two to go! "Sweetest Perfection", and "The Girl Who Stole The Sun"! So I'll try to gobble those up soon! Still loving them!

"It's not what I did... but what I want..." I love that line! VERY well written and composed story! You captured all of the emotion and feeling of a much larger tale in a much smaller space. And it does leave us with questions that keeps the story playing over and over in my head, long after it's finished. I applaud you for that! I think that was the PERFECT ending, by the way! I kind of want to hear this confession too! LOL! I half expected 'Father Kowalski' to lean over and simply whisper, "Stanley?" at the end! But, even though the endgame is a sad one, I found this story to simply be bittersweet. No, they didn't get what they wanted, but in a short flash fiction story, you really were effectively able to concentrate on the boys getting that one 'moment'. A moment of truth, and honesty, and a spontaneous moment of passion. It went unfulfilled...but as that single memory was the meat of the story, I appreciated the innocence and joy of the moment. It left me hopeful. Anyway, well done! Loved it! Now...are Jared and Mark more than just friends? And how will Stanley handle that? I'd imagine that the newer generation might open Jamie and Stanley up to being just as true with their own feelings, and making up for lost time. I'd be down to read that story.

Ahhhh, a 'forbidden love' assignment! I see what you did there! Excellent! I like how you jumped right into the story with the first line of dialogue, and I like how you kind of threw us off with the dream aspect of the story. Very cool. Very rewarding ending as well. I would actually take the italics out of the initial scene, if it were me. I didn't realize it on the first read, but now it seems like a bit of a 'giveaway'. Your story wasn't confusing at all. I totally got it. So you wouldn't need the italics anyway. But great story! I hope he got an 'A'!

Terrible things? I'm sorry, dude. Did you want to vent? Or just need someone to talk to? You know how to find me, right? Sometimes it just feels good to talk it out. ((Hugz))

Sorry! Hehehe, my brain is being pulled in a BILLION different directions right now! And that's just online, not including real life. So bear with me for a little bit! I'm working things out as fast as I can. Here is the link to the flash fiction stories! Be sure to stop by and read them all! And leave a comment, or at least hit that like button! Show our creative voices some love! I am currently going through them all, myself, and leaving comments as I go down the list! I will continue later on tonight! Can't wait! https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/topic/44062-forbidden-love-flash-fiction-now-live/

I'm reading the other 'flash fiction' entries tonight! And I am truly impressed! Hehehe, I don't think you guys understand how AWESOME it is to finally sit back and let OTHER talented authors entertain *ME* every now and then! LOL! I hope that doesn't sound like I'm being a jackass! But I'm a 'fanboy' too, you know? I don't get chance to read as much as I wish I could. But I'm making a true effort to fix that! The flash fiction challenge was supported by a bunch of talented GA Authors, and you can read their stories here! https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/topic/44062-forbidden-love-flash-fiction-now-live/ I'm going through and reading their stories, one by one, and giving my honest reviews on every last one of them! They've been supporting me on so much, and they've been working so hard to create their own icon status, that I just want to shower them with all the praise and love that they deserve! I consider them family! So you better treat them as such! Hear me? More to come! I'm on a 48 hour schedule right now! Enjoy! I need to sleep for a little bit. But I'll be back with more reviews in the morning! Cool? Seezya then!

Awww, there is so much that's smile-inducing about this story! High fives to D! I think my ONLY comment would be to limit your characters for a story of this size. Because they don't all have room to move. But in a longer story or series...Ignacio could truly submerge himself in an ensemble cast of characters! Just in case you decided to continue! Hehehehe! Be CAREFUL though!!! I did that with "Dream Lover" and a few other stories, and I caught HELL for it! Sighhhh...hatred. But if you were inspired to continue this...I say, go for it! Great start already! But multiple characters take tie to develop. I'd focus on the main two for now, and expand in future chapters. But that's just me.

Master Monroe. This is a whole different dynamic on the forbidden love theme! And I was completely sucked in the whole way! Well done! And it's a challenge to grapple with this idea in a graceful way, but I think you pulled it off fabulously! So kudos on that! I would love to know more, but I understand the limitations of flash fiction. So that's a nitpick on my part! Hehehe! Loved it!

I'll have to admit that, in the beginning of this story, I felt as though I was missing a bunch of stuff that I needed to know ahead of time. But you did fill in a lot of detail from the get go, so I absorbed a lot of info as I kept reading. I LIKED it! I think I would get an added bonus if I read you original story, so I'll have to make tie for that. Because I think there's a lot of world-building that I missed out on, so I'll dive in and get the full context when I can! Quality work! More!

I was definitely shocked by the ending, but I applaud you for handling the subject matter. I think it was tastefully done, and it displayed a certain amount of courage to not back away from what the relationship was really about. VERY cool! Honestly, I kinda wish it was longer! I think the ending would have been even more dramatic if we had more time to get to know the characters. I probably would have been in tears if this was three or four chapters longer! Hehehe! So...just planting that seed, if you ever get inspired to turn it into a series or something. Or an ebook on GA! I'd grab it! Great job, Bhopper! No backlash needed at all.

Author, VampireMystic, has given us a Valentine's Day preview of his story "Predators", which will be continuing on a monthly basis in future issues of Imagine! So be sure to check it out! You won't want to miss it! https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-38/predators-2-14-9x/ And check out Imagine's brand new design!!! TurtleBoy and his online staff have been working hard on bringing everything over! It looks great! Enjoy!

Author, VampireMystic, has given us a Valentine's Day preview of his story "Predators", which will be continuing on a monthly basis in future issues of Imagine! So be sure to check it out! You won't want to miss it! https://imagine-magazine.org/releases/volume-38/predators-2-14-9x/ And check out Imagine's brand new design!!! TurtleBoy and his online staff have been working hard on bringing everything over! It looks great! Enjoy!

Thanks, guys! ((Hugz)) And happy Valentine's Day to you all!

A short story from Imagine Magazine's February issue, this new one-shot has now been posted on the site for the holiday! So enjoy! And look for MORE, as the Shack celebrates Valentine's Day!

I hate Valentine's Day. I, legit, hate the whole idea behind it. I mean...if you're a fan, then good for you. You're one of the lucky ones. But I, personally, despise it with everything that I have to give. It's such a 'fake' holiday. Like...this is the day that you're supposed to hug and kiss and your sweetheart and talk about how much you love them? Ugh! Are you serious? I'm in the 10th grade. Do you know how often 10th graders talk about love once they've found it? They never freaki