Comicality

One of the things that my teachers have always taught me about writing, something I pass along to everyone else who wants to write something for themselves, is simply to 'write what you know'. Whatever it is that you are connected to, whatever you're passionate about, whatever you've lived through and experienced first hand. That's where you can convey the most emotion and honesty in your work, in my opinion. But....when you think about it, how long can that last? I mean, how many experiences can one single person have in their life? You know? What happens when you've poured it all into one story? The question this week is... = With only so many life experiences to draw from, is it possible to write what you DON'T know? = I mean, how can a writer talk about something that he doesn't truly know from first hand experience? Even when it comes to sci-fi and the like, isn't that just a twist on the author's own life? How can you keep from running out of 'life' to draw from when writing new things? For you readers, can you easily pick out a level of 'artificial knowledge' or 'fakeness' in certain stories, where the author seems to have 'read up on' a certain subject, but never lived it? Whatever your thoughts are on this, let us know! The board is open!

Oh yeah.... 1- Don't worry Ethan, Myr and I agreed that he site would stay up long after I'm gone. For as long as Myr wants to keep it. The stories will always be there for anyone who wants to read them. Somebody might try to sell them on cd or put them on a pay site or something later on....but why bother? I'm giving 'em all away for free! Hehehe! 2- Um....did you say there's a SHACK DAY at your center??? Hehehe! ::Blushes:: COOL!!! I wish I could have read about two boys having sex when I was in school! Seriously though, the fact that the questions you have and the connection you have found in the stories...it's one of the main reasons I want to leave the site up after I'm gone. Hopefully it'll do some good. You know? 3- I take a few blows here and there, Myr (Not the 'good' ones, the other kind! Hehehe!), but as far as feeling underappreciated? Nah. Even though I feel bad from time to time, when I look at the big picture...I've got more love than I ever could have asked for. If anything I should be grateful. Just seeing you guys post your comments here is cool enough to keep me smiling all day long.

((Hugz)) To all you guys, really. I appreciate the support for what I write, and don't worry...I may have to cut the series down quite a bit in order to finish it in time...but it WILL be done my way. You have my word on that. I guess this is just an 'experiment' of sorts, you know? I take my feedback seriously and try to understand how other people might see the story. I make mistakes all the time, but can't see them because I'm looking at it from the inside. I already know how the story ends, and what's going to happen, and why certain things are addressed and why they're left open for a while. So I understand the story on a different level than people just reading it for the first time. I guess I just want it to be the best story it can be. I get really sensitive about my own stuff, and sometimes frustrated, and sometimes burn out entirely if I think no one is listening (Which happened with "Magic Man" long ago, but I'm still working hard on the second chapter, and it will be MUCH better!). But nobody demanded this of me. Honestly. I decided to do it myself, if for no other reason than to see what the difference would be between what I think I want to say and what I think they need to hear. I don't plan to sell out and cater to any particulr audience, but it's my goal to entertain, and I wanna do it right. That's all. I really wish it wasn't taking so long though. I'm TIRED of working on "GFD" already! Hahaha! It's been like my whole damn summer almost! I'v got a FLOOD of new chapters and brand new stories that I want to finish writing and put out there! "Envy's Game", "Hidden From Sight", "Why Him?", "Freak", "Baby Doll", and more! This just seems to be taking forever! Grrr! Now a TRUE insult would be to get no feedack at all. I'd drop a story in a heartbeat if THAT happened! So when it's all said and done, you all better speak up! Gotta run, but I'll see you later! ps- Heya Billy! ((Hugz)) to you too! Thanks. I'm not sure what problems you're having with the Library, but send me an email and we'll try to work out what you're trying to do. K? There's a specific board for poetry and stories, and we're always looking for new material. So definitely drop by and give it a look.

Do you guys think 2 wees is too long to leave a certain topic up? Or is one week enough? I was wondering if leaving a topic up for longer would get more replies, but it seems all replies happen in the first few days. I'll try weekly topics again to see. But if you have any comments on the idea, let me know. K? ps- "GFD" (the last part of the chapter) is going to have two different versions. That's what is taking so long. One is an abridged version for folks wanting to "get to the point" already, that's all. The other version will be full of all the detail and bonus extras that I wanted to put into the story originally. Kewl? It will be up as soon as possible. The entire re-edited chapter should be posted soon, and "My Only Escape" and "A Class By Himself 9: Remixed" will be right behind it. I've also decided to post "Untouchable on the regular site and on Nifty. I've only got ten months left...what could they do to me? Hehehe! Seezya

I'll admit, there are a lot of times that I try to put my own feelings about a lot of things in my stories. All of them. I write a variety of different stories so that I get a chance to really examine a lot of different emotions, people, situations, and problems, from a variety of different angles. A lot of these things happened to me in one way or another, and I try to put it in story form and see it through someone else's eyes while I'm writing. It really does give you a subjective view of everything when you look at it from the outside. However, even though I'm always putting my own point of view on things into what I write, I really try hard to not force it down anyone's throat if I can help it. I try to present it as a glimpse at something people may not have ever considered before. It's not a big flashy bilboard with "MESSAGE" on it in neon. It's more like a free pamphlet left by the door...if you want to pick it up, feel free. So I express what I feel by displaying how I personally see it, hoping that people will be able to understand me, but it's not like I have any big 'agenda' to send out propaganda. I hope it never seems that way. I'm exploring the feelings just like you guys are when I write, and turning them into stories helps to work things out in my head. It's almost like talking to myself at length, but I try really hard not to rant. Am I turned off by big messages in stories? Yeah...sometimes I am. If they're forced or pushed too hard, it takes away from the story and it starts reading like a textbook or something. So I tend to stray from anything constantly trying to 'guide' me towards a certain belief or point of view. Expressing it is one thing, but attempting to prove it as the only right answer is a bit much for me.

Hehehe, well, to be totally honest, I try to keep the chit chat to a minimum while I'm writing a sex scene. I love to add whispers here and there, and moans, and occassional comments every now and then. But that's pretty much where it ends. Too much talk makes it feel kinda cheesy to me, you know? And 'dirty' talk...the whole "Yeah, take this cock you bitch!" stuff...nahhhhh! Not my thing. Besides, I think if I started talking dirty to someone while I was having sex, I'd probably start laughing uncontrollably. So I like SOME kind of verbal connection in sex scenes, but if you ask me, body language is more fun to read. Especially when you get to read with your mouth!

What is it that is so powerful about the written word? What is it in the stories we read and love that touches us so deeply? It's not just a deep expression of the author...it also reaches out to us as readers, and connects in a way that sometimes keeps us from feeling so alone out here in this wilderness known as 'life'. Is this coincidence? I wonder. This week's question is... =As an author, do you have any particular 'message' that you would like to convey to everyone reading? And as a reader, do you accept the message being given to you?= Is there some kind of light that you want to shed on a certain aspect of life, or society, or relationships? Do you write with the distinct intention of maybe sparing someone the pain and mistakes that you have had to live through in the past? Do you read these things and clearly SEE the message being brught to you? If yes, does that turn you off in the way of reading a story, feeling like you're being brainwashed? The board is open! Whatever you feel, spill it out!

Thanks so very VERY much dude! Yeah, I'm doing this all on my lonesome, one cd at a time. But I'm gonna LOVE doing it! So definitely let me know if you want one! I'll be posting an address and instructions soon on the site, so keep checking to see how to get one. Kewl? We'll talk soon bud. (Sorry it's been so damn long) Seezya later!

It was easy to sort of sit back and nervously twiddle my thumbs when this was a few months away! But now I can barely breathe! Hehehe! "My Only Escape" will hit the air waves for the first time, in Sydney, Australia....the day after TOMORROW!!! Yikes! My friends Chris and Duckie (Who I will love FOREVER for making all of this possible!) have sent me word in emails that said: "Incidentally, you will be pleased to know that people have sent e-mails to 2RPH saying that they are looking forward to listening to "MY ONLY ESCAPE", so you have

"Oh baby, oh baby! Yeah...just like that!" Hehehe! Yeah, sometimes sex can bring the weirdest comments out of some people. But hey, it's a part of the act, and if it turns you on, then by all means...scream until your voice gets hoarse. These same comments often make it into a lot of the stories that you see online. Whether reading them or writing them, it's considered the only dialogue during a sexual situation in many cases. The question this week is... =How do you treat dialogue during sex when you're writing it out? And as a reader, what is your limit for it?= How much is too much? What looks normal and what looks corny? Would you rather do without 'oh baby' and 'that feels great' and 'I'm cumming'? Or do a few loving whispers and comments enhance the experience for you? Whether it gets you going or turns you off in a story, let us know what you think! The board is open!

Can you remember the first time you ever sat down to finally write out that very first story of yours? When you just stared at a blank page, and forced yourself to find the words to describe exactly what it was that you were feeling inside? Or as a reader, do you remember the first time you found a story and said, "WOW! That's my life!" or "I wish my life was like that"? It happens. It happens all the time. And the hardest part about creating stories like this is that initial idea and how it relates not only to you...but to everyone reading. This week's question is... =Where do your ideas come from? What do you draw from your real life? And how much of your own life do you find in these stories as you read them?= If you write stories, how close are the characters and situation to you and what you're going through? Are they mostly from memories? Regrets? Pictures or stories online? Maybe something you've currently been through. If you read stories, what parts truly relate to your real life? What kind of concepts and situations do you most vibe with? Maybe it reminds you of something you went through. Or maybe it gives you hope to solve a problem that's currently plaguing you at the time that you read it. What is it that connects you to tale itself? I know it sounds like a lot of questions! Hehehe! You don't have to answer them all. Just type away until you wanna stop, kewl? Alrighty folks! The board is open!

THANK YOU!!! Cool! So far so good! There's much more coming soon! So the length is definitely an issue, huh? Not too long, not too short. I'll see what kind of balance I can work out between the two from now on. Thanks for the feedback everybody!

In all honesty, is the subject of protection something I worry about? Yeah...sometimes I do. That's the honest truth. I don't add that concern into my stories really, because most of them have been about the kind of virgin experiences and young love that I experienced when I was growing up. Protection has always been an issue that I thought about, but I never put it into the stories I've written. I suppose it's always been the suspension of disbelief that has made it ok to do so. Much like seeing a big shoot out in an action movie where no one has to aim their gun or reload for more bullets. There HAVE been times, however, when I wondered what kind of effect it might have on more impressionable readers. And not just unprotected sex, but underage drinking, or drug use, or suicide. Some of the things I've dealt with in my stories can be seriously misunderstood or misread, and I would never want anyone thinking that the content of the stories advocates any kind of irresponsibility. You know? Should it be added to the stories? I don't think so. I really do have more faith in my readers than that, to know the difference between being safe and taking an unneccesary risk. But I DO think about it, and I would hope that everyone reading out there would think about it too. As always, thank you SO much for the replies! I relly love hearing what you guys have to say about each topic! You give me a totally different perspective, and to those others who are reading, I'm sure they're learning a lot too! Thanks guys!

To the Library at 'GayAuthors'? Or the Library on my website? I'm not sure why they wouldn't show up there. There really isn't an unfair or harsh judge of talent in either one than I know of. Are you sure you 'approve' it and then wait for moderators to post it online? Lemme know, k?

As incredible and as enjoyable as these love stories are, it's common for most people to want to have a fairy tale like this take place in their everyday lives. Hell, I know I certainly do! There's love, romance, chance encounters, and truly heartwarming moments that most people long for when it comes to finding that someone special. Then of course...there's the SEX! Which can highlight any love affair or infatuation in these stories, making them all the more satisfying. However, there is a difference between real life and fiction. And that is a responsible need for safety. Yes, in the real world, you can never be too careful. And since art should imitate life and vice versa...the question is... =Do you think that the subject of 'protection' should be brought up in fictitious stories online?= Condoms, knowing your partners history, getting tested for various diseases and infections...basically being 'careful'. Even for teenage boys and supposed virgins. Should this be an issue that we, as writers, should incorporate into the stories we write? Or is fiction just fiction, and should be taken as a magical moment where such precautions aren't neccessary? I'll admit to not making this an issue in my own stories, but for those reading...SHOULD it be? Afterall, there is a certain level of responsibility involved to our readers too. Let me know your thoughts! The board is open!

Heheh! THANKS A TON YOU GUYS!!! Woo hoo!!! They like it, they like it!!! ::Giggles hard:: And remember...this is just the FIRST part! The total chapter is ~MUCH~ longer than this! Hehehe! Seezya this coming Sunday!

Just wishing you luck on the new story. Like I told you in emails dude...people are reading. They may not SAY it right away, but they are reading.

My take on burn out is actually pretty close to what all of you have mentioned here. (THANKS for the input by the way, you guys! It was awesome!) As far as writing goes, I honestly have yet to 'burn out' on something that I was writing. There have been stories that I wanted to add chapters to and then changed my mind, or stories that I thought wouldn't be received well and have put on the 'back burner' for a while. But none that I've wanted to just cut short. Basically, if I feel that a story has been told, then it has been told. And if it was left open for more, then I always keep it in mind when new ideas pop up in my mind. A very old story might be revived by a second look, or a particular event in my life that brings a feeling to me that would allow me to write more to it again. There are a lot of stories that I only write when I'm in a particular mood, and I work on them when I get the chance. So I've been lucky in the burn out phase of a story so far (Knock on wood). As a reader, there have been a few stories that I have stopped in the middle because they weren't fun to read anymore. I've seen stories that seem to be constantly trying to 'up the ante' with every chapter, and it leads to almost ridiculous plot twists and extras. What might start out as a loving relationship between two boys, might suddenly transform to acts of unneccesary violence, graphic sexual exploits, three-ways, orgies, toys...it completely loses what originally brought me into the story. That kind of inconsistency would turn me off pretty quickly. Another thing that would turn me away, is when a story gets stuck on details, conversations, and characters that have nothing to do with the rest of the story. My writing teachers always taught me that everything that you write should be integral to the plot in one way or another. So I try to stick with that. Even if I write something that seems to be disconnected to the story, it always has some kind of meaning to be brought back into the plot at a later time. (It can be fun to play with those things sometimes) Anyway, I love the answers on this question! Thanks! I've got TONS of stuff that's never been released and tons MORE that's never been completed! For me, it's gotta be perfect, ya know? But as far as burn out is concerned, it hasn't happened yet. And if there's a series to be finished...it will be.

Come join us on the "Comicality Library" for the debut of "Gone From Daylight: Pride And Prophecy"!!! Part One is coming on Sunday! Don't miss it!

Hahaha! Yeah, I remember this! Wow...that seems like it was so long ago! It was from "The Long Dark Foundation" years ago. Awwww, dude! I MISS that! Everybody was so tightly knit back then, ya know? Hehehe, a 'golden age' I suppose. Thanks!

As someone who has been doing this for a long long time now, I can honestly say that I personally am amazed that some of the stories I've written have lasted as long as they did. Some of them, I never expected to get past the first chapter (especially my first outing into the erotic gay genre). So there's definitely a lot to be said about any author who has stayed dedicated and focused on their story for long periods of time. However, I am also aware of a lot of stories that never really get finished at all. Some might suddenly 'end' with a quick fix, or simply drop offline without a trace. It leaves a lot of people wondering what happened or what COULD have happened, had it been given the chance. So, for all authors and readers reading this... =Have you ever felt yourself 'burning out' on a story beore it's completion?= For writers...do you suddenly get to a point in a story where you feel like you don't want to go on with it? Or that it's not 'fun' anymore to work on? For readers...have you ever started a story, and then, during the course of the building chapters, suddenly lose interest? Readers can definitely burn out on stories too. Also, can writers 'feel' a reader's burn out? Can readers 'feel' a WRITER'S burn out? Sometimes, while in the middle of the series, life inspirations can change drastically, and what was once a shared experience between reader and writer...can become a much more labored relationship. What do you think? The board is open!

If I had the words to describe my reasons for leaving, I would. I really don't. And if I did, this wouldn't be the place for them. Let's just say that my number is up, and I recognize the call when it comes. I'm going to miss you guys sooooo much when I leave. I really am. I'm not going to know what to do with myself without you guys there. You've been my family for so long now. And the ones who have just recently started talking to me, I'll miss the potential for more. I just want everyone to understand that this has to happen. K? There is a wealth of writing talent here, and on tons of other sites. New authors are writing stories everyday, inspired by the wonderful things that others have done. It's their turn to step up and take my place. It's YOUR turn to step up and take my place. And then go far beyond it. Don't think for a second that I won't miss you, because I will. Just make sure that you all think of me once in a while and smile. K? It's all I ask. Love you lots!

MY first ever experience with 'advertising' a story was on Nifty. It was the only way that I thought anyone could read a story of this manner at the time. Back then, I didn't know of anyone with a website except for authors that were already established on Nifty. There were a few with the typical 'f**K and suck' storylines, but the kind of stories that I wanted to write were only on Nifty. If it weren't for them, I never would have been noticed at all. After that, and setting up my own site, I found other websites that had similar material to what I wanted to do. If I read a story I really liked, I'd write and tell the author so. They'd sometimes write back (On occassion, they would be really flattered and say that they had read my stuff before! I always thought that was mindboggling!) and we'd trade links. Almost like the 'buddy system'. Whoever was reading their site could read mine and vice versa. Shortly after that we became a whole 'network' of sites, and that helped to get everybody heard. No matter where you went on Nifty, if you found one story and followed it back to the website, you were bound to find ONE of us. Hehehe! And the other authors were awesome friends. I miss talking to them sometimes. The only other tip for advertising a story is to KEEP WRITING!!! Seriously. There are people who have been reading my stories from day one who (six years later) have NEVER written an email. You just have to believe that people are reading, and keep writing with your heart and soul until a few emails trickle in here and there. They're out there, just believe that. The sites mentioned above (Thanks Paul! ) are also good ways to get noticed if you don't have a site of your own. Not to mention that they are surrounded by a family of really sweet people that you can grow to love and care about. They will give the most honest feedback you can imagine. It's encouraging most times. Most importantly of all, you have to remember that you're not so much 'advertising', you're giving the public a chance to see your work. The story will advertise itself if you've truly put your heart into it. Exposure is just a game of chance.

The only thing more exhilirating, more uplifting, about actually WRITING a story, is the incredible feedback and heartfelt recognition that you get back from your efforts! Theres nothing like it in the world. There's no paycheck big enough to match the feeling you get, knowing that you really inspired someone else to think differently, or maybe even LIVE differently. That's the best. But in order to do that, in order to get that response, you have to be seen! So the question for this week is... =How does an author go about 'advertising' his story and getting people to read it online?= You've got the story written and finihed....what now? Where do you post it? Do you set up a website? What if you don't get any feedback right away....what then? As readers, how did you come across some of the works that you've come to love and enjoy from time to time? They say that the greatest stories ever written went unseen because no one ever noticed them. Let us know how to avoid being invisible among the masses. The board is open!

Well, to me, a character is much MUCH mor than a 'description' at the beginning of the story. One of the reasons that my stories begin with some kind of 'monologue' is because I need the person to be much more 3 dimensional th your average teenager. One of my writing teachers taught me once, that there is a huge difference between 'story' and 'plot'. Because the 'story' can exist sooo much further outside of the 'plot'. The story creates a history for the character, and a future. It explains his actions and reactions to certain things. Smeone with an abusive past will respond differently to criticism, heartbreak, or disappointment, differently than someone who grew up withot it in their lives. Someone who has never been in love before, will respond to sex, flirtation, and fear of rejection, differently from someone who has been there and done that. So creating a full 'life span' for my characters always helps. And I can go even deeper into those life spans like I did with certain spinoffs like "Ryan's Heart", "kiss Of An Angel", and "Taryn's Song". That helps. Also, all of the characters are different parts of my own personality. Even the ones I've based on real people. The way they tak, the way they hndle certain problems, the way they..um....have sex. Hehehe! But I try to put as much of myself into the characters as I can without suffocatng them or denying them room to breathe on their own. To me, characters are one of the most important parts of ANY story. And should be treated with care and respect. I TOTALLY agree with the mention of them not wanting to do what I tell them to! Hehehe! There have been times when I had to build the story around their whims, because they refused to do anything 'out of character'. (I guess...as any responsible actor would) So the character can move the story into avenues that I never would have considered without their 'input'. Thanks for the answers you guys! I really appreciate the feedback on these questions. I hope the next generation of quality writers are taking notes. Just remember, ALL of the past topics and their replies are available in the "Comicality Cafe Archive" just above! So any tips you need, or any questions you want to ask, they can be found there. K?