Comicality

No thanks needed dude. Really. The stories I wrote in the first two years of the site were pretty much my way of trying not to EXPLODE! Hehehe! Between living with my best friend, who I loved with all my heart, and being in the closet, and being completely infatuated with this guy, Ed, at work, and Nifty, and Jaxsper Finn and Dean Lidster and the like...I had to express myself before my head blew up. It was such a release. It really was. It makes me feel SO good to know that you feel a bit more connected to yourself. That is the most liberating, most beautiful feeling in the world. Don't ever lose that. It's easier to lose sight of oneself that it seems. I learned that the hard way on a couple of occassions. Thank you so much. Honestly, I take it as a *HUGE* compliment to have someone say 'you affected me'. To a writer, or painter, or film maker, or any artist in general, I imagine that is one of the best compliments that you can possibly pay to somebody. So, for that...thank you. ((Hugz)) ps- I LOVE the rain! Especially storms! Makes me squirm to hear the sound of rain hitting the windows. Hehehe! Sighhhh....

You know, while I agree completely with the idea that such stories would probably be met with a huge controversial blockade in terms of getting on shelves and getting bought, I am stuck wondering if it'll always be that way. I mean, I can clearly remember when there was no gay literature section at the bookstores around here. (Not that I can remember) I think I was 18 before seeing it for the first time. Now it's a standard section of any major bookstore. And the previously titled "occult" section used to be two or three shelves hidden in the back of a store, and now it's larger than the religion and philosophy sections put together. (They call it 'new age' now) I wonder if there's a chance to possibly break through the controversy of it all by starting now. Like...the first books, I'm sure, will get attacked and criticized...but what movement hasn't been ridiculed at the beginning? Basically, I guess I would love to see the stigma behind the idea disappear so that it COULD be possible one day. One thing I DIDN'T think about, however, and thanks you guys for bringing this up...is the fact that buying a book like this in public, and reading it in private online, are two completely different things. That's definitely a factor in all this. It would take the support of a huge community to support the idea and actually go out and spend money on the books that make it to publishing. Without that, the whole concept would fall flat. (Or get crushed by whatever groups decide to attack it) But...if the books actually made a lot of money, and it became a 'business' opportunity...I imagine that tons of companies would suddenly jump on the bandwagon whether they agree with the idea or not. Instantly. It's like...unavoidable then. Do you think the companies care that some religious groups are protesting the Harry Potter books for their acceptance of the 'occult'? Psh! Harry Potter books make money! LOTS of money! So those protests can be pretty much ignored. I'd like to think gay erotic fiction could be accepted like that after a while. Just a thought. Man...I remember being 14, and ALL I WANTED was to see pictures and watch movies and read stories about kids like me. And there really weren't any. At least now we have "Wil and Grace" and "Queer As Folk" and the like, but in the late 80's and early 90's, we didn't even have THAT. I'd love to see things get better more quickly. Thanks for the input ladies and gentlemen! You've given me some more to think about.

I was talking to someone about this in an email, and I was thinking that it might be a question for the cafe. So feel free to comment. Do you think that the online gay erotic genre would generate as much of an interest on bookshelves? I mean, if authors published their works, with all of the sex included, and even the ages kept the same...do you think it would be the next 'big section' at your local bookstore? There's tons of romance novels for housewives and the like, right? So why not? Just curious. Maybe the publishers out there are missing out on a big market here. Because online, people are reading these stories every single day. Millions of them!

Aw, thanks! And yes, the next part is definitely coming! There's a few more in front of it before it's all finished and posted, but it won't be too long. Cool? I'm glad you liked it, man! ((Hugz))

((Tight Hugs)) Wow...I don't know what to say, other than thank you. I mean that. When I first started writing, I didn't really want to dig too deep into my personal life or my history too much, because it was just a scary place to revisit, you know? But getting emails and posts like this one, connecting with people who understood and really could relate, made it possible for me to dig deeper. And I take it as a huge compliment to reach folks who felt they needed reaching. So thank you. And I'll keep writing until everything is all said and done. I promise.

Hehehe, you 'heard' stuff about me, huh? That can't be good. As for the spinoffs, there's a kiss and a cookie for ya if you can name all *4* spinoffs of the "New Kid" series! By the way...I think you just made my smile a bit wider than it was before. Anyway, I'm happy to hear that you liked the new chapter. I'm working on the next one, and I think I like it a bit better than this one. But that's just me. I wish you could have met Ariel in real life...he was an absolute doll all through high school. One of the most lovable boys I've ever known. Sighhh....

Hehehe, oooooh no! I'm not gonna give a date, because then something always goes wrong and it doesn't come out on time. I'm not falling for THAT trick this time. It's already taking a few weeks longer than I thought it would. What I CAN tell you is that it's getting very close to being finished, and I hope to start editing it all in a few weeks. I'm happy with most of it right now, but there are a few parts I kinda wanna touch up a bit. I'm a stickler for my own work, so it has to pass a pretty harsh inspection before I start letting people read it. But I'm working on it as you read this. So it won't be too long. K?

1) Oops! Hehehe, sorry about that, severe force of habit. Dudette it is! I'm 'flexible'. ::Wink:: 2) Thanks! And look for "Kiss Of An Angel 2" this week to add another spinoff of the series. Cool? 3) Hmmm....any suggestions? You can whisper it in my ear if ya wanna. ::Grin::

The story that started it all returns to the Shack Out Back! Be sure not to miss it!

I haven't had a chance to read it yet myself, but I hope to get a chance sometime soon. The folks on the Shack have recently recommended a story called "Shane" in the high school section of Nifty. It's supposed to be really good, a few folks swear by it, so run over and check it out when you get a chance. And remember, if you like what ya see, drop the author a line to let him know!

Kewl! Thanks so much dude! ((Hugz)) You definitely put a permanent smile on my face for the rest of the weekend! (Which is gonna hurt come Monday) I'm glad you like the stories, and I hope you like the new stuff that's already on its way!

All of the released and unreleased articles that I wrote for the Gay Authors Newsletter last year have now been added to the "Website Plus" section of the Shack. So if any of you guys are interested, feel free to stop by and give them a read. I'll be back to talk more later on. Seezya!

All excellent comments and advice on the subject! And it's really true. No matter how much planning and scheduling and plotting you do for a perfect story, once you actually start writing it out, your natural instincts just take over and it turns out completely different from what you originally planed. Just think about your characters and how they would act and react to certan situations...they'll guide you where you need to go. I write most of my stories with a few 'key events' in mind that I want to take place, and pretty much just make it up as I go along from there. However, if you ever feel confused, try writing notes to yourself on a pack of index cards. It's a method that I read about from John Carpenter. You write out a certain scene on one card, and another scene on another card, and when you have them all written out, you can physically put them in order on your bed or our floor. It helps to make your thoughts 'concrete'. Put them out there, look at them, and change hem around at will. And if you want to add something, add another card. I've done this with "GFD" sometimes whenever I was getting confused about how things were going to go. Also, notes help to get a lot of thoughts out of your head. Once they're on paper somewhere, it's like your brain clears space for more ideas to come. Write them out. Get a small notebook for your pocket, and jot down ideas as they come to you during the day. Trust me, if you do this for two or three weeks, you won't be able to STOP! I hope this helps! And remember, everyone here on the Cafe would love to see what you come up with! So let us know when you start. I also have a Library if you wanna post a story among friends for feedback. More than anything, just remember that writing is just like a muscle. The more you work it out, the stronger it gets. So practice often, and believe in your instincts. If you write from the heart, you'll never go wrong. Best of luck!

I went through a short period for a few weeks where I had trouble posting on this forum because of a virus (mixed with a heavy dose of procrastination concerning me fixing it). But it is fixed now, and although I've stepped away from the 'publicity' of the writing and all...I still would love to see this particular forum thrive and keep going forward as a source for talented authors to discuss the whole writing process and what goes into it. I would still love to see readers come here to comment on what they like and don't like about the stories that they've read in the place. I believe that there's a lot to be discussed here, and if any of you have questions or ideas on how to keep things running, please let me know. Cool? Readers, writers, newcomers...offer suggestions, ask questions, ask for advice...whatever. I'd love to participate in discussions concerning writing your own stories or talking about what distinguishes a favorite from one that you avoid like the plague. So speak up, let me know what you're thinking. Some of your favorite authors are reading this. I know, because they've told me so. Take care, and I'll seezya soon!

Thanks so much to all of you for all the comments made! I've definitely put them in the memory banks for now, and I'm always happy to get the feedback. ((Hugz)) The new chapter is coming very soon, and will get much more into Rage and more info will be given on the 'Beast'. But before then, there's a few more site favorites that will be getting some attention. "Savage Moon" is the next BIG one coming, followed by "Magic Man", and I hope you guys enjoy them both. So look for those to be next in the sci-fi trilogy. Thanks again, and I'll seezya soon!

Heya Justin! I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to get back to you yet, but I do remember getting your email. (Mostly because there was another online friend of mine who used the name 'Justin Case' with an 'i'. He passed away a few years ago, and you wrote eerily close to the anniversary) That aside, I am answering tons of email right now, and I hope to answer yours soon. Hopefully this week. K? Sorry for such a long wait. As for "My Only Escape" I am definitely going to finish the series. There's only two or three chapters left, and the next one is almost done. It was suggested that another reading of the second half for radio or cd should be done, but there's no plans for that as of yet. But the first cd set is still available until September 1st if you want it. K? Thanks a lot, and I'll seezya soon! Expect to hear from me in the near future!

It's a bittersweet feeling, honestly. Because I reall do miss you guys terribly. So I don't want you to get the wrong impression with this post. But, in all honesty...this past week has been f**king INCREDIBLE!!!! Omigod! I feel SO good right now! You have no idea! And this is just ONE week since being away! Imagine how I'll feel after a month! ::Giggles:: I hardly did anything at ALL online this week! And instead of feeling extremely guilty about it, I just smiled and let out a sigh of relief. So many things that I take for granted...getting a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning, watching tv after work, catching up with friends on the phone...I'm enjoying them again. My muscles feel much more relaxed, my room is clean again, I've actually been going to SLEEP at night before sunrise, I have energy...it's amazing. My mind feels free of a lot of extra clutter, and the air just...smells a little bit sweeter outside. (Even in 95*+ heat!!! ::huff puff: People around me in real life actually notice an actual physical 'difference' in me already. One girl at work asked if I had gotten laid. (Psh!) They must think I'm on drugs. And that's just what it feels like. There are literally times, when I have a quiet moment, and I kid you not...I close my eyes and just enjoy it to the fullest. My whole body tingles. I have nowhere to be, nothing that HAS to be done, nothing HAS to be worked on or solved or straightened out, no sudden emergencies, no rushing through stories, no huge looming responsibilities, no hectic crusades to catch up...just me and a perfect silence. I can't describe it. It's been at least five years since I've felt this kind of peace. I wish I could bottle it and send to every one of you. I never thought one week would make such a difference in how I felt. I miss you all, and I'll definitely post more stories soon. But...I wanted you guys to know that I'm *HAPPY* right now. Not just 'trying to be happy to keep from bringing anybody else into the muck with me', and not just 'being able to laugh despite the weight of the world', and not 'just happy enough to smile'...but completely, physically, emotionally, spiritually...*HAPPY*. I'm enjoying myself a ton. Even checked out the Taste of Chicago! (SOOOO MANY HOT GUYS AT THE TASTE!!! From ages 14 to 35...ALL GORGEOUS!!! MMMMMM!!! If only they had ticket prices on their asses like everything else! I saw a set of Australian Twins, about 19 years old, that nearly made me drop to my knees and Thank GOD for my gay tendencies! Hehehe!) I didn't get to go to the gay pride parade because I had to work, but the 'show' on the train ride home was a blessed one, believe me. Anyway, that's all. Life is paradise, and I get to 'enjoy' it this time. I love you guys lots, and I hope life is great! With sound mind, and completely sober... Comsie

Sup? Sorry about the delay. I have to answer some emails and probably erase some favorites in order to keep my system from being so damn sluggish. (Doing ANYTHING is a pain in the ass right now! Grrrr!) Oh, as for the posts of "GFD" on Nifty, they were getting only one section every two days. Which would have been fine if "GFD" had been posted on Saturday like it was supposed to be. The extra part was just cut off of the end of the Library posts because it would have been an odd place to end it. That's all. (I thought the Zero part was better) Anyway, I've got tons of shit to do now! Gimmee a few hours to set things straight, cool?

Wow...are we up to topic FIFTY already??? Hehehe, cool! Especially considering all the weeks I missed! Anyway...think about this. You're reading a story about 'Tommy', following his exploits, learning all about him and getting into his thoughts as a person. Then...'boom', you see a few line breaks in the text, and now...the story is being told from 'Jimmy's' point of view. Giving you a whole new outlook on the situation. Weird, right? This week's question is... = Do different points of view and perspectives between characters help or hurt a story? = Do these different perspectives give you a much broader view of the series by showing it from someone elses eyes? Do they help to give the reader more information about each character, and maybe help to move the story forward by truly giving a three dimensional outlok on the story? Or do these changing persectives confuse and distract the average reader? Does it lose you or break the feeling that you have during a story? Let us know. Then again, it may depend on how well the change of perspectives is done. With neccessity, skillfully, and with both parties sound completely different from one another. Maybe it works for some stories and not others. Who knows? Let us know what you think! The board is open!

((Hugz)) And a huge thank you for this. It means SO much to me dude. It really does. I tried a lot of times to write stuff online and get noticed. I tried to have people readit an maybe get some enjoymen out of what I had to say. But it wasn't until the Shack Out Back, that I really dug deep into who I was and actually found my niche. It wasn't until you guys that I began to find myself, and my voice, and an ability to truly express what I wanted to with words and stories. To have someone recognize the struggle behind doing that, is the greatest gift. So thanks a bunch, dude. ::Smooch:: You put a smile on my face to last me a long long time. Thank you.

::Bows gracefully before his audience:: Hehehe! Thanks you guys! Actually...I think it's better to leave the selection of stories up to the folks who love them best. So their advice is the path to follow. I have a personal 'top ten' stories that I've written on the "Website Plus" section of my site if you want to know my personal favorites. But that's purely from a writing standpoint. Listen to the readers. They know this stuff a lot better than I do.

Thanks you guys! It helps my mind to rest a bit easier, believe me. I hope you like Part B when it is posted. Which includes the IceZone party, as well as a few other things. Also, out of curiousity, what attracts you to "Savage Moon" ysd? I love that one too, of course, and the third chapter is bonkers. Hehehe! I'm just curious. Anyway, I'm off, take care. And thanks again.

Freshly Awake. Freshly fed. Freshly trained. Justin is here.....consider yourself warned. (Part A is waiting for you now on the Comicality Library, Part B will be posted Saturday, June 8th!) I certainly hope you guys like this new chapter! As things grow more in depth, the series will begin moving towards its inevitable grand finale. It's sure to be an awesome ride! Let me know what you think, and enjoy the chapter! Coming up next...."Gone From Daylight: Born Of Fire"!!!

For 600 years...the fates have waited. Carefully selecting a proper candidate to award with their greatest gift. The potentially limitless power...of the vampir mimic. It has been whispered about and analyzed for centuries, creating a mythology that most vampires will never fully understand. It has been fortold in many prophecies, that this mimic has the ability to guide their kind into the nexus of all understanding...the Vampire Dawn. The Holy Grail of their existence. And this responsibility has been handed down...to a single boy of 14. A boy in love. However.... Not ALL vampires believe in the interpretation of this prophecy. Some believe that this new mimic will appear as an angel of darkness, destroying everything that it touches. If he is allowed to become too strong, he will slaughter his way through the highest order. Then...even their best assassins won't be able to stop him. Such power was not meant for one person to have. The very concept of it paves the way towards insanity...just as it did for the last young man who attempted to control it all on his own. To place such abilties in the hands of one boy...is more dangerous than you can imagine. Especially one who's past is full of so much pain and regret. Suffering and agony. Fear and hatred. A tortured soul is NO place for a gift of this magnitude. How will this power be used...when his demons come back to haunt him? One can only shut them out for so long. The time is rapidly approaching. The whispers are becoming deafening. And soon, the elders will have to make a choice that will either deny them their future...or doom their kind to destruction. The mimic is growing at an alarming rate...pray he is able to hold on to his humanity long enough for a decision to be made. He will either be worshipped as a hero...or he will be destroyed. There is no other way... - - - - - "Gone From Daylight: Nights Eternal" - - - - - The wait is over. This weekend...begin your journey back into darnkess. They say that the prophecy is never wrong. Let us hope that is not true. "Love and loss.....are eternally bound."

When reading a series, you begin to invest a lot of time and heart to the characters you read about. The story itself can take on a real presence in your life when you're enjoying it. So when you get to the end of each chapter, you'reexpecting to be somewhat fulfilled until the NEXT chapter is ready for consumption. But SOMETIMES....you get to the end of a chapter and find yourself dangling helplessly from that awful terror known as....'the cliffhanger ending'!!! Dun dun dun!!! This week's question is... = What are your feelings on cliffhangers from both a writing and reading point of view? = Where is the balance towards creating a 'good' cliffhanger? Do they frustrate you? Anger you? Take away from that completed feeling that you were expecting at the end of a chapter? Or does it excite you? Maybe even pull you in deeper so that you're left desperately seeking the next chapter in hurry? What's the difference between a good and a bad cliffhanger? C'mon folks! Don't leave us hanging! Tell us what you think? The board is open!