Comicality

Agreed! Wholeheartedly. I think if we take the time to look back at all the people who really made a difference, led a movement, started a change...probably didn't even realize it until they were in the middle of it. I think that all it takes is the compassion and willingness to try. I'm a huge believer of the ripple effect. What may seem like an insignificant gesture to us at the time, could have a huge efect on things in the future. Something as simple as sharing a smile with somebody could prevent a suicide. Something as small as helping a homeless person get something to eat, can help them keep their dream of getting back on their feet just a little bit longer. A compliment or whispered word of encouragement can get someone to follow their dream all the wa to greatness. So everything counts. Everything. And that makes life beautiful. It makes every moment precious, you know? And it makes you WANT to give a damn about how you interact with the people around you. What could be better than that? You know? I'd like to think the world would be much better if people realized the rewards and the consequences behind their actions.And understood how much their actions have an impact. But, you know? That's just me.

I've come to find that 'deflection' is really the only way to do it sometimes. Keeping secret things secret can be difficult when you deal with readers that are used to plot twists and big revelations, but it can be done. The hardest thing, I think, is leaving those foreshadowing clues behind without giving it away. I love building up to the big secret, but it can't just come out of the blue, you know? I always want people to be able to go through and read the story a second time...and then go, 'oohhhhhh....how could I have not seen that coming? There it is right there!" Everything should have some kind of cohesive 'center' to it, but I'd never want to ruin the surprise. Not if I can help it. Hehehe! So yeah, throwing readers off the scent, or setting events into motion early enough where they tend to 'forget'...seems to be the way to go.

It won't be long. But I still need to tweak it a bit more to make it...'less-hate-able', you know? Heh...sorry, I worry.

Aww, that's ok. So you guys are in the, UK then? I'll try to have the next one a lot earlier in the afternoon then. I wanna talk to you guys too!

Aww,

D'oh! Sorry...that's *7* hours from now! Ah whatever, do the math from wherever you are! ::Giggles::

I know I always pop in from time to time unnanounced, but tonight I'm going in to have fun for a few hours! So if you wanna come join us, feel free! The link to the chatroom is on the homepage of the Shack website! I'm going in around 10PM Chicago time. (Which is....ummm....about 6 hours from now!) Cool? Hope to see ya there! It's sure to be a party! Seezya soon!

Wow...thanks you guys! There's something about the LAST three sections of this chapter that are just driving me crazy! I don't know why I got so weird about it all of a suden, but when I look at it again, it just didn't 'flow' right. Some of those conversaions are important, you know? I'm so glad that you guys have been liking it! I know, I know...I'll stop being paranoid and just post. Hehehe! I'm trying to force myself to let go these days. It's like watching your kid go off to summer camp for the first time. Teary eyed mom that I am! Thank you all!

Hahaha! Both good ideas! I'd love to see somebody just randomly burst into flames. Makes for a memorable evening! And yet the multiple carnage idea is even more entertaining! ::Giggles:: Although, I don't know what's funnier, the idea that babyfaced Ariel would ever need to shave...or that the task of shaving might one day be in his clumsy hands!

A question about using the word 'AND' at the beginning of a sentence. Now, I do distinctly remember when you were NEVER supposed to start a sentence with the word 'AND'...only to find out later that it's ok once in a while, but not all the time. Does anybody know the ruling on this? What is the specific reason for this being right or wrong? Just curious! I'm probably gonna keep doing it wrong anyway. Hehehe! What can I say? I'm more comfortable doing it wrong now!

Hehehe, I didn't say I 'wouldn't'.... ::Giggles:: How do you want him to go? Meteor? Struck by lightning? Random land shark attack? ::Gets My Wheels Spinning::

It's a question that I like to ask of people every now and then...and wondered what you thought. When you sit back, and really think about it... do you think you have the ability to change the world? And I'm not talking about donating to a charity, or singlehandedly stopping global warming. You don't have to cure cancer or bring an end to the war in Iraq. And I'm not talking about being a part of a 'group' that's changing the world. And I'm not talking about just doing your 'part', like with recycling. If it came right down to it....and you had the chance...on a scale of 1 to 10...do you thik you could PERSONALLY make a change in the world around you? 1 being having no effect on the world at all....and 10 being able to create a revolution and evolution of everything you didn't like about the world in general. What do you think? How much influence do you think you really have (PERSONALLY, as an individual) on the world at large? Are you just another ant in the colony? Are you fored to play society's game? Do you have some minor influence on the people in your immediate vicinity? Or do you think you can have a Ghandi/Martin Luther King Jr/ Mother Thresa impact on the lives surrounding you? Let us know!

Hehehe! By 'finish', I just mean the next CHAPTER! LOL! Although, for one or two stories, the next chapter IS the last chapter, but the others still have a ways to go yet! I can tell you that "Between The Lines" and "Boy #6" will only have one more chapter. And "Just By Chance" only has two. But that's all I can say about that for right now. And....sighhhh...hehehe, but there will be two NEW series starting by the end of this month. (Don't throw stones though! Hehehe, I was ust inspired! Couldn't help it! I'm focusing!!! I swear!) :: Gets Back To Work ::

Alrighty...I'm sorta taking a minute to retrain myself on how to post and manage and 'stuff' again. For some reason, this new version is really slow and awkward on my system. (Sihhhh.....I know, I know....buy a laptop. ) That's like a homeless person complaining about the rain, and people are just like, "So go buy a house." ::Smacks forehead:: Why didn't I think of that? Never crossed my mind. ANYWAY, I'm slowly getting back to business, as everything I've been working on is taking forever to actually FINISH. Some of them are driving me crazy, but I think it's good work. I just need to take a day or two and not do anything else but write. No boards, no emails, no chats, nada! I've got this next weekend off! If nothing comes along to screw it up, I might just do that! Hehehe! Anyway, I know it's been forever, and I've been bouncing around online for weeks now like a rabid monkey snatching purses on the subway (Yeah...it's like 5 AM here right now. Don't ask where that came from), but time is getting a bit easier to manage. I just hope it stays that way. And for longer than a week or two. Love you guys something awful! nd I'll seezya soon!

Yep, I'm guilty! I dropped the ball this week. I tried to come up with a decent topic for Monday, but my creativity had a sudden 'malfunction' and just refused to give me any ideas! Arrrgh! I've been writing too much! I'm exhausting the old 'dream machine'. BUT...that is gonna make for a REALLY cool Summer for the Shack! So I hope you guys like the stuff I've been working on over the next three months! It all starts off in June with the '30 Days Of Night' Update! Which means a TON of brand new vampire tales and spinoffs from the "GFD" universe! All throughout the 30 days of June! So enjoy, and look for details soon! And in July...a return to some stories that you thought were long forgotten! So look for some exciting flashbacks to some oldies but goodies! Then comes August, where the site favorites return in force! The biggest names on the story list all get updates, and a few beloved series come to an end. AND....(Yes, there's more)...I'm also writing a series exclusively for GA called "Lost In Question", which I hope to get posted sometime soon! Do straight boys fall in love with other boys? You'll have to check it out and see! That's it for now! But I'll get some more topics together for the next week or two. I don't know...I'll drink some magic brain juice or something. Replace some of that 'mojo'! Hehehe! Seezya soon!

I'm of the belief that it's something you're born with also. Always have been. Especially since I think I was too young to really make a 'decision' on whether or not I was gay when I first started looking at other boys. I didn't attach any FEELINGS to it until I was 11 or 12 years old, but I was looking and observing years before that. I also saw a documentary ("For The Bible Tells Me So", very good doc on homosexuality and religion) where they stated that the more boys a mother has, the higher the risk for homosexuality. So with every boy born, the chances are higher. Something about the female body recogizing the fetus as feminine or something like that. I can't remember the full explanation. BUT....if you know any cuties that come from a big family full of boys...... ::Wicked Grin::

Hehehe, thanks dude! And don't worry about waiting for me to be all sorted out! I'm NEVER sorted out! Trust me. So go right ahead whenever you have the chance! K? Good luck on you exams! I always stressed myself out like crazy during finals! Hope to hear from ya soon, man!

Hmmm, a story never written....like the one you can't get posted? Hurry up already! Geez! Very good points made, though. I think I would only try to finish someone else's work if I thought I could honestly do it justice. Or if I could somehow bring a whole new perspective to it. I think it would be hard for readers not to know the difference. Like I saw the new 'Terminator' movie recently, which was very cool...but obviously not James Cameron. You can just tell from the feel of it. Anyway, write that story! Don't let it bug you! That's your muse telling you something good!

Yikes...ok, so now that makes me wonder... Do the terms I use in my stories ever sound weird to you guys then? And is that just like an 'English' (just the UK) list of expressions? Or is it a much bigger 'nearly all of Europe and beyond' kinda thing? Hehehe, just curious. After all, us Americans are still behind on the metric system, so it wouldn't surprise me if we were the only ones using a particular brand of English.

Yep! Right as rain! (Whatever THAT means!) I could use some sex though! Hehehe! No, but seriously...you selling?

Hehehe, there are cute boy in EVERY chapter! As always! And they're always naked...go figure! ::Shrugs:: But we'll just let that story remain in my private fantasies for right now! Hehehe!

Thanks dude! And I'm feeling much better now. (Long story. That's a book in itself)

I've been away for a few weeks to visit the family and had a bit of a health issue recently that didn't give me a choice on whether or not I could deal with it 'right away'. But I just got back a few days ago, and everything is all caught up! So let's get things rolling again, shall we? Ps- "30 Days Of Night" Update is coming soon!!!! Enjoy the sun while you CAN!!!

There have been many stories and series that I'm sure you all follow religiously online. You know the characters, you know their personalities, you know how the general plot is structured, right? The enjoyment you get from those stories, I'm sure must inspire a few clever ideas of your own along the way. If any of these stories were to suddenly stop without being finished...and you were given an opportunity... Do you think you'd be able to finish another author's work? With what you know of some of your faves, could you complete the circle for others waiting for an ending that won't ever come? How many of you could pull a Steven Spielberg, and finish "A.I." for release? Let us know!

Ahhhh, so you CAN use those terms when writing! Cool. I was never sure, because I always wondered if those terms were, like...'dialogue specific' since I wasn't sure if they were actual WORDS or just expressions used in a different part of the world. Thanks! Clears up a lot!