Comicality

This question is for you guys overseas, because I've always wondered about this. Maybe it's considered an 'accent' or a dialogue tool for us here in the states, but I seeit so much that I'm curious if that's ONLY in the states. Do writers overseas actually use words like: 'Mum' instead of 'Mom'? 'Arse' instead of 'Ass'? 'Bum' instead of 'butt'? And other expressions like those? Like I said, to us here in the states, it looks a bit strange, but it's used often enough where I never really thought of it as being 'incorrect'. You know what I mean? Are these just relaxed expressions that are more everyday in certain cultures, or is it actually 'wrong' to use those expressions when writing? Does anybody know about how correct these words are? Let me know... (I hope I explained that write! Hehehe!)

((Hugz)) Thanks dude! I LOVE the Kinsey quote, by the way!

I stepped out of town for a few weeks, had an 'adventure' or two, and just wanted to drop a note to let you guys know that I was home. I'm working on straightening out emails and boards at the moment, but I'll be back in full swing as soon as possible! Cool? Take care, and I'll seezya soon!

Thanks! And big hus to you guys too! I hope to do something 'wild' for the Summer Anthology, but it depends on how everything else works out. The Shack's anniversary is in June, and I always try to do something special for the celebration. Hope I've got time for both!

The weird thing is.... When I type 'anymore' as one word...my spellcheck ALWAYS counts it as wrong. Every single time. When I type 'everytime' as one word....my spellcheck catches it SOMETIMES. Occsionally it lets it slide, and occasionally it'll tell me to break it up into two words instead. 'Someplace' it leaves alone, but I figured I'd ask just to be sure. Maybe it's one of those that depends on where you are in the world. ::Shrugs::

Now see, that's always what I've thought about the whole issue. But there has always been this 'negativity' involved with some people's perception, where the second you feel something for the same sex...you're gay. And everything else is a lie or a struggle to be normal. And yet...the same doesn't seem to be the case with female relationships. Two girls can make out at a party, or spend a weekend having sex, and then go right back to dating guys without much resistance. But two GUYS??? They treat that SO differently. And I always try to figure out why....

Don't remember if I asked this one before, but I think it's just a matter of a few bad habits versus the techno-wisdom of my spell check.... What is the rule on whether the following words are 1 word or 2? "Someday" or "Some Day"? "Everytime" or "Every Time"? "Anymore" or "Any More"? and "Someplace" or "Some Place"? Now, I will admit to having my share of bad habits concerning my writing, but is there an actual rule in place with these particular words? Something we can remember and keep in mind? Because I could have sworn that these were almost always one word. (With some exceptions, of course, depending on how the sentence was phrased and what it was talking about) Any ideas?

Thanks for the ideas, you guys. Unfortunately, my limited system doesn't really have a way to 'download' software or anything. But it's just as well. I'd have a permanent blush trying to speak my stories out loud. I can just see a couple of scenes that my neighbors would probably run me out of the building for! ::Grins::

The 2 Cents Question this time around is...is bisexuality real? There are many who say that bisexuality is not only a reality, but that most (if not all) are bisexual in one way or another. That a sexual preference is just that....a 'preference'. A choice between two equally appealing sexes. Then again, there are many who believe that the idea of bisexuality is more a mental need to be accepted and socially brainwashed by what we 'should' be in life. That bisexuals are really homosexuals who are leaving an imaginary door open to remaining what most would consider normal. What do you guys think? Is bisexuality a part of our everyday natural make up, or is it a deeply hidden subconscious desire to not be an outcast? Give us your 2 cents on the subject....

I always say, if you feel that you have something to say in a story...go for it. ALWAYS write more. Even if you don't feel like adding to it again for another six months, write more. Should you 'force' yourself to write? No. I think writing should be natural and comfortable to you when you do it. However, one thing that I usually DO force upon myself is the actual HABIT of writing something every day. Even if it's not on a particular story, I always sit down and write 'something' every day. (Which is why I get into so much trouble and end up with fifty stories instead of one) Some days I see the sunshine and feel like a million bucks, and I'll come home and add to one of the happier stories that I'm working on, because it matches my mood and I can tap into that emotion without even thinking about it. It just spills out on the page all on its own. Other times...I have a really shitty day, and everything looks bleak. When I'm hurting, I'll work on something that taps into THAT emotion naturally. And the same thing happens, the pain comes out on the page, and it's honest. It's how I feel. Anyway, the point is, if you start off forcing yourself to sit down to the keyboard and write a little something each and every day, even if you're just keeping a little online journal or something, what will happen (and rather quickly, I might add) is that you'll find yourself NEEDING to write whenever you have random thoughts on your mind. Whenever you have a good or a bad experience, you'll feel compelled to get it out of your system by writing it out before you forget the details. And once you apply that practice to your stories...you'll be writing nonstop in no time. It'll feel comfortable, it'll be honest, and you'd be surprised how theraputec it is to be able to explore pieces of your life, heart, mind, and soul, through your writing. If I go too long without writing it drives me crazy! It's like my brain gets backed up with so much mental 'noise' that I can barely sleep. Hehehe, so it may be both a blessing and a curse, but after two or three weeks of writing for an hour a day, you'll find a true connection with every word, and so will your readers. Especially if you're writing about your feelings of being so busy with school...and certain 'events' that got you feeling down. Write about it. Write from your heart, and you can't go wrong. The fans will relate. Every time. Hope this helps, dude.

Never too late to leave a good word! So thank you two! I truly appreciate it! You know me....I worry. Can't help it.

The honest truth is...without Myr and the hard working people here at GA...I wouldn't have a voice at all. It's because of your dedication and energy that this site has grown into such an amazing sanctuary for anyone online who is looking for stories of quality and a family to belong to. I doubt you'll find a greater collection of God given talent than you will at GA, and the fact that you all keep it running so smoothly is a feat worthy of praise. So thanks to all of the 'men behind the curtain' (Just an expression, but the women too, of course!) for all you do! I owe you guys everything! ((Hugz))

I'm leaving a note to let everyone know that I've had to cut my writing time to les than half of what I was doing before, and pushing it only makes the pain in my wrists worse. But little by little it IS getting better, which is comforting. I've been handling things in emails and the boards more than anything lately, but I'm now working on getting the stories moving again. So my emails might lack a little bit over the next week or so, but keep writing! I'm listening, promise! I'll get back to y as soon as I can. Just wanted to keep you up to date in case you thought I got kidnapped by the crab people or something. But I assure you, the crab people and I have settled our beefs, and we're friends again. (Now...if only I could keep a closer eye on the 'gopher' people....)

Hehehehe! Well, I duno! Can I 'audition' all the applicants? I would certainly feel a hell of a lot more 'relaxed' knowing that they were 'hard' workers. ::Nods::

Often when an author starts out a story, there's some kind of vague 'plan' in mind as to how the story is going to go. For me personally, before I even start a story, I sort of have a 'highlight reel' playing in my mind as to what's going to happen from beginning to end. The big moments, the dramatic elements, the characters....and then I use that to pretty much plan out things so I know how it begin, how it ends, and most of the 'good parts' in between. But what happens if a writer has a few really awesome ideas for a story, but during the natural telling of the story, they find themselves not being able to use those ideas any more? Maybe there was a change in story structure, or the writer's feelings had changed, whatever it is...those ideas don't necessarily 'fit' any longer. If an author feels that it's really an intricate and important part of the story, or just really wants to keep those elements in the story...should he find a way to force them back into the formula somewhere? Or should he just let them go? What do you guys, as writers and readers, think? Let us know!

((Big Hugz)) You guys sure do keep me smiling!

It seems that I've been following my inspiration a bit obsessively lately! A few stories, some editing, some message board stuff, and some new stories....I thin my 'mind' and 'body' got a bit out of sync there for a few days. Found myself with a really BAD cramp and pains in my wrists, forearms, and fingers! I took a short break, would come back to do some more...and there's another 'ouchie' waiting on me. Arrrrgh! Frustrating! I've got STUFF to do, ya know??? Anyway, it's been a bit better the last day and a half, so I'm trying to get back to writing in short bursts here and there until it goes away. Not to worry though, I'm still here! Every day like clockwork! Hehehe! I'll have a new topic up tonight, and I'll seezya soon!

Awww, sweet!!! Thank you guys so much for the feedback on the story! I really didn't want it to feel 'rushed' or anything, so I stopped to put some extra work into it. I'm so happy that you guys liked it though! ((Hugz)) All around!

As many of you already know, I have spent the last week locked out of my files (Where pretty much EVERYTHING is located), and that issue with the system's serve has now been fixed! So I have access to my stuff again, and everything is going to roll out as it was originally planned! "Billy Chase" is already on the Library as you read this, and brand new chapters of "A Class By Himself" and "My Only Escape" will be up by Sunday at the latest! Earlier if possible! Thanks so much for bearing with me while thing got fixed up and looking all pretty again! I'll seezya soon!

The malfunctions and glitches have been fixed, and I now officially have access to my files again! So thank you for bearing with me during this minor cyber-crisis here! My apologies for the week long wait. Trust me, I'm grinning from ear to ear right now, finally being able to get the whole 'dream factory' rolling again! Everything will start up again as early as this evening! And if you check the "Library" forum link, you can already read the newest "Billy Chase" chapter in it's entirety! Expect new chapters of "A Class By Himself" and "My Only Escape" by Sunday if not earlier! Cool? We're back in business folks! And we've got some surprises coming! So stick around!

It's not really a major problem, but while I was writing it out one day, it caused me to think if there was a right and a wrong way to do this. Let me ask you.... Is it supposed to be "For ever and ever?" Or "Forever and ever?" Should 'forever' be one word in that phrase (Because it is an actual word.) Or should it be 'for ever' (separate), simply because you're talking about a specific period of time. So it's 'for'....ever and ever? Just a weird thing that I thought about while I was writing. They both look like they could be right. But does anybody know for sure?

For all who aren't on the mailing list, there has been a malfunction with the files being kept over at Tripod. I've already spent the last few days informing the help associates that things were messed up and that I couldn't get into my files. I got an email this morning from them that said that they were working on it. So I'm hoping that it'll be fixed SOON!!! Unfortunately, everything is on hold until I can get to my files and post them or send them to Myr for the site. Please bear with me, k? In the meantime...if you want to check out the "Library" link on my site, there was a brand new chapter of "Kiss Of An Angel" posted there for your entertainment! ::Grins:: And once I get back into my files again, the posts will continue. So expect another chapter of "Billy Chase", "A Class By Himself", and "My Only Escape" as well in the near future! Sorry for the inconvenience. Can't really do much til the big wigs fix me up again. Seezya soon!

I'm really intrigued by the answers you guys gave! Honestly! For me, it was about the same. Around 10 or 11 years old when I first really started thinking about sex. In fact, there was a boy named Gabe in the 6th grade that I had SUCH strong sexual feelings for that I honestly remember having to ask myself if I was in 'love' with him? (I wasn't, of course. We barely hung out at all outside of school. But Imean I really had a FEVER for that boy! Hehehe!) The thing is, I was wondering about how it might be these days for kids. Because sex is a lot more 'obvious' in movies, TV, and music, than it was when I was that age. And there was no internet back then either. What children can find out and absorb about sex NOW had me wondering if maybe the age had dropped to 7 or 8. But maybe not. It seems the same. I remember being aware of sex, but didn't really 'seek' out a partner until about 11. (Lost my virginity to a boy at 13. And then his sister in the same year.) I try to be open minded about the whole thing, but when I look at 12 and 13 year old boys now, they seem like BABIES to me. It's like...wow....that's WAY too young. But when I think back to my own experiences...I can't really make a judgement on how young is too young in general. I guess it just depends from person to person. Hell, I'm thinking 13 year olds are young, and here I was thinking about sex at 11! I guess it's unrealistic to think that it 'can't happen' that young. Weirdness. By the way....did you see the tabloid thing about the 13 year old dad in the UK??? Hehehe, what the hell?

Hehehe, thanks soooo much, Em! ((Hugz)) And don't worry, there won't be any 7 month gaps in 2009! I've been taking steps since Halloween to make sure that stories get done a LOT faster this year. And by the time April is over...you'll be surprised with how many old stories I've blown the dust off and started up again. So look for more stuff soon. ::Whispers:: "Kiss Of Angel" has a new chapter too! Shhhh! As for the events of the latest "New Kid", I can't tell you much at the moment. But I will say that something big is brewing, and their Spring Break is going to create BIG changes in the series itself and for all the people involved! So expect more drama soon! (Not in seven months! Hehehe!) Ps- As for the onions....well, as you said, 'curve balls' are my favorite! ::Raised Eyebrow::

Just something for you guys to put your 2 cents in! Easy question....how old were you when you first realized you had feelings for other boys/girls? When you first realized that they were a bit more than 'friendly'. And now...looking at the kids today, and thinking back to your own experience at the same time....do you think that age is too young for kids to be thinking about sex? Afterall...when we remember how it was for us, and think about the difference in every generation...where would you place your own experience when side by side with the teenagers of today? Let us know your thoughts!