Comicality

Thank you dude. And you will go with me as well. I'm gonna miss your emails something awful. Most times, I think you understand the stories better than I do. I'll miss you man...

"I wanted to take this opportunity to say something.....for all of you that are reading. It's because of this website, and all of you who have helped me to breathe life into it, that I am who I am today. I will never be the same person that I was before this Shack was built here oh so long ago. Nor would I want to be. For the last few years, you guys have given me the strength to beat the sadistic circumstances that have been beating me down since I was a little boy. You allowed me to truly express what was in my heart, and you freed me from a prison that I had built for myself from the very beginning. You all helped me to make a difference, to leave a footprint in this world, no matter how small...and leave my mark behind. It's all I needed in this life. All I wanted. Because of you, I felt like a king, and I can't thank you enough for that. This Saturday is June 19th, it is the 6th anniversary of this website. I plan to celebrate. ::smile:: I hope you all will stop by. I have an announcement to make. K? No matter what, keep smiling, and know that above all... ...it was worth it." I meant every word of it. ((Hugs Soooo f**king Tight)) You've been my support for a long time now. Longer than most people. And I thank you for being there when you could. Each of you posting here, sending me emails, reading the stories, coming to the chats...you've changed a life here. Mine. I'm forever grateful for that. Just needed to be said...

Whenever I'm reading a story online, or even in a book at home, what I find that connects me most to the plot is a general concern for the characters. Honestly, even a simple story with a mediocre or everyday plot can truly be interesting to me if the people in the story are lovable and realistic. I think it's a big part of the experience for me, getting to know somebody new through someone's writing. But is it just a coincidence that I latch on to these 'fictious' people? Is it a direct skill implemented by the author? I guess the question I'm asking is... =How do you go about creating original and interesting characters in a story when you're writing? And for you readers, what is it about these characters that you can relate to and enjoy?= Do you care about these characters? Do you picture them having lives outside of the structure of the story you've been 'given'? Do you give them faces, looks, and voices in your mind? Or could they just be anybody, in any story, and it wouldn't make a difference? Some things to think about. I'd be interested to see what you think? This week's subject is the 'life' given to ficticious characters. The board is open!

I greatly appreciate the comments fellas, thanks. To be totally honest, I'm definitely one for expressing myself through my writing, especially when it comes to personally 'difficult' topics (of which I have many, unfortunately). However, I'm still learning how to let go all the way. In fact, there are still parts of my life that I haven't touched yet. Probably won't for a long long time. I shave layers off of the surface from time to time by fictionalizing it and toning it down a bit. But there have been times when I've been writing something and felt myself 'digging too deep'. And I'll pull it back a little bit. It's a bad habit, I know, and I DO try to just express without restriction most times. But like I said, I'm still learning. I think I've gotten better though, since I started writing small pieces just for me and not for anyone else to see. It helps to unload a lot of pain, a lot of anger, a lot of sadness, and it truly aids me in getting some of those feelings out where other people who might be going through something similar can see them. So yeah, sometimes the 'bad' bothers me. But I try. The only thing I've ever posted on the site without holding back or toning it down whatsoever was "My One Fallen Angel" dedication. I hope to one day be able to let my emotions show as freely as I did that night in the rest of my work.

Thanks man!!! I really hope to keep up with "New Kid" a lot better this summer. I look forward to it.

I see. So you guys are saying that you actually 'prefer' something that's close to home. Right? I can definitely relate to that. Sometimes it's eerie how someone else can speak your mind so vividly. With me, it's usually music that does that. But what if it's BAD? What if it's a place that you really don't want to go to again? Do you think you would avid that story, or would it be better for you to read it and maybe find a solution through the storyline? Good answers by the way. And you're right dude...Grasshoppers stuff is EXCELLENT!!! It's the kind of heart that people look for in these stories!

One thing I always stress whenever anyone asks how to begin a story, is to simply 'write from the heart'. It's not as easy as it may sound, but it can be done. When you tap into a true piece of yourself, a fictional story can truly become a monumental part of someone's life. It's a special connection that many authors make unknowingly, and it truly shows us the power of words. However...there are some stories that seem to hit too close to home. Sometimes for the reader, sometimes for the author. And it can be extremely difficult to keep a series going strong when that's an issue. So the question for this week is.... =Has there ever been something that you've written or read online that has been so close to home that you were almost 'bothered' by it?= The story itself might be an excellent piece of fiction, but sometimes it can just be too much. People who have had their significant other cheat on them, or feelings of suicide, or a history of abuse...these things can be tough to relive for those involved with the story. Have you ever been 'scared off' by a story because it related to your current or past situation TOO MUCH? Have you ever backed away because it represented a friend of yours or a relative, and what they went through? A true expression of self comes out in any art you persue. Sometimes painting a picture that vivid can be damaging. What do you think? The board is open!

I hope you guys like it!

Just a short note to let you guys know the the story is now up in its entirety on the story archive of the Shack. Please let me know what you think, good and bad! I really want to make this one stand out. Once the third chapter is posted, I hope to have this story reach a new level of perfection. So feel free to drop me an email, k? Enjoy...

::Blush:: Thank you. Now I just hope I can keep this standard up until all has been said and done. I really do try hard, and I'm glad you guys like it. ((Hugz))

Sorry....CORRECTION! THIS weekend (Memorial Day Weekend), is reserved for "Savage Moon". NEXT weekend (D-Day) is for "New Kid" And "Angel". K?

Thank you. I really mean that, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, you guys. I think every writer expresses himself or herself with the hope that it will somehow be able to reach out and touch people the way you described. Hearing that lets me know that I've done some good. ((Hugz)) It's the best gift you could give me. ps- Memorial Day Weekend. Mark it on your calendar. That's the special date I set aside for "New Kid In School 37" and "Kiss Of An Angel" to debut on the website.

Thank you all for your expert opinions on the topic. And on the many before it. I truly TRULY apreciate your input. I learn a lot from what you guys say here. And hopefully you guys do too. Anyway, I'm working on coming up with another list of good questions to ask here on the board. Something that everyone can get into. So I hope to have something decent up here soon. Thanks again, you guys. ::Smooches::

Thank you guys sooooo much. You know how I worry. Anyway, thanks much, and in a few days I hope you'll like this next part of the chapter. There's more to come. I'm REALLY glad you guys enjoyed it.

The first half of "Savage Moon's" first sequel is NOW available at the Shack Out Back! Go to the "Library" and check it out! And look for the second half of the chapter on Friday, May 7th! Enjoy!

Definitely dude! Don't feel as though you have nothing to add. If anything, you've got a fresh and open mind that will be able to touch on a perspective that I can't reach. And that's needed, you know? I can honestly say that I've learned something from all of the posts made on this board. Hearing what other people think feed my creativity, and it helps me to study my own work to make it better. So please feel free. I'm interested.

I've noticed that the last few topics have gone unanswered for the most part, and that participation has been a little slower than what I'm used to. So I'd really like to hear from you guys, anyone who is reading, as to how we can get things moving on this message board. It's not a complaint, believe me. I've been really enjoying the thoughts and posts that have been made here since the board's creation a few months back. I would just like to know how to improve on the board and make it as enjoyable for you guys as it can be. So any and all suggestions are more than welcome. Remember, this isn't MY board, it's our board. That's how it is with all of the ones that I host, and it means more to me that you guys enjoy it than for me to just have it exist for my own gratification. There are HUGE amounts of talent out there, I know, because I've seen it, and am in the process of writing them to let them know so. Let's work together to inspire even more in the future. Seezya soon. And let me know what you think. Be honest.

Thanks dude! And you'll be happy to know that DESPITE 'Tripod' being a big asshole today and not letting me into my files (What's going on with them, anyway?), I'm working on the story from remote sites and are still moving towards completion for this weekend. So it shouldn't take more than a few days to edit, and will be up April 30th. So look for it to be on time (for a change). Thanks again bud. I know you'll enjoy it. Now if I can just get "Gone From Daylight" finished soon. Hmmmm... ::Wicked Grin::

Yeah...I think I do. I didn't mean to 'stump' anybody. Hehehe, but the last two topics have evidently not been popular with you guys since it hasn't warranted any replies. So.....any ideas, you guys? I don't want to alienate anyone.

Just dropping a note to let everyone know that the newest chapter of "Save Or Sacrifice" is in the Shack Library as you read this, and will be on the site's story archive soon. Also...you're all just two short weeks away. "Savage Moon: Communion" is coming....

Out of all the stories that I've read online, the ones I remember most, the ones that really stick out in my mind, are the ones that somehow brought an emotion right off of the page and translated it to me in a way that I could understand. Readers relate to emotion. It's an experience, an adventure of sorts, that you're taking them through with every word that you write. However, this isn't always an easy thing to do. You would think that writing down the 'description' of a certain feeling would be enough, but that isn't always the case. So the question for this week is... =How does a writer learn to 'emote' when they write? How does someone take an emotion and cause someone else to feel and relate to it through the mere use of words on a screen?= It would be easy to simply write that your character was angry, or that he was jealous, or that he was scared. But is that enough? How do you MAKE the audience BELIEVE that he's angry, or jealous, or scared? When you guys are reading, what makes you experience the joy, love, pain, and rage of the people you're reading about? The written word can be a powerful thing once it taps into someone's emotions. So let us know what you think about the process of doing that! The board is open!

It has been one year, and his memory is still strong in all of our hearts. Last year, we lost a great writer, and a good friend. "Justin Case" In tribute, the Shack is having a week long holiday to remember him. So from Monday to Sunday, it's all for him. Miss you much, my friend.

Imperfection. The burden of all mankind (woman-kind too). Even the greatest writers, poets, musicians, dancers, architects, and artists are victims of it. Nobody's above a few mistakes here and there. Sometimes the artistic side of the brain isn't so good with the technical stuff. Thankfully, however, there are plenty of people out there who are extremely good at recognizing these mistakes and helping the rest of us out before they become 'visible' to everyone watching. In online erotica, editing is a neccessity. Especially for the stories with the amount of depth and meaning as they have today. The question for this week is... = Do you feel that outside editors are a must for your work? And if so, how do you go about choosing one? Or even BECOMING one? = Would you rather self edit, or let someone else do it? How do you know whether or not you and your editor are 'clashing' in terms of opinion? How do you control who's 'voice' is coming out in the story...yours or the editor's? And what are some of the problems with NOT having an editor? Just stuff to think about! So Writers, Readers, Editors...let's hear what you think about editing? The 'bored'...the 'baord'...the 'BOARD' is open!

There are very few things that would turn me off from a story right away and make me back out without reading any further. The easiest is formatting. If I open a file and see everything merged together into one long paragraph with no breaks or separation of dialogue...then I know it's going to be a real effort to read and understand it. A lot of times, I'll avoid those. Also, I don't mind some spelling errors or grammar mistakes if the heart is there in the story. In fact, if I can figure it out, I may stumble a bit, but generally know what the story is about and can enjoy it anyway. But sometimes it can be so chaotic that I have to stop reading. Those two things more than anything can turn me off. As for some other things, easy sexual situations where it's like, "What's your name? Wanna f**K?" can be a bit disarming. Especially when it jumps from a touching story to "Pee on me, f**K boy!" in the course of five sentences. In the same respect though, if the opening is too long and doesn't seem to be progressing anywhere, I get bored with it pretty quick. I don't mind there not being any sex or anything in the first chapter, or even first FEW chapters. But if I don't feel the story moving forward, if it feels like it's standing still for no particular reason, then I might turn it off and move on. There's a delicate balance in between that makes the difference. Now I know I've been guilty of all of the above 'turn offs' above in my own writing, so I won't pretend to know all about it. But I'm trying to find that perfect balance in between through trial and error. (More errors than trials, I'm sure! Hehehe!) When I'm writing, I try to open on a scene that would mean something to people reading. Something that introduces the character and gives everyone an insight into their mind. I try to give a bit of a description and a personal history without making it sound like a lecture in a classroom. Then, I try to add humor and inner thoughts of the main character to move the plot along in a natural and free flowing manner. Not too slow, not too fast. I try to make sure that EVERYTHING that happens in the story, somehow is related to the plot of the story. I don't want to go too far out on tangent, or introduce characters that won't have any impact on what's going on. If you can hook a reader in the beginning, you can only propell them so far before you have to find a way to hook them again. Otherwise, they turn around and go home. Even if the story becomes an award winning novel at the end, it won't matter if everyone backs out in the first chapter. You know? I think that stories are created by many special moments, little events that create a beautiful scenery once it's finished. The skill comes from being able to 'connect' those events in a smooth and fluid way where people want to get to the next big moment. Carrying them from one event to another in a way that's fun for them to read. Humor can do that. Small pieces of drama can do that. Inner conversations from the main character can do that. OTHer characters being introduced or going through problems of their own can do that. As long as what is happening is relevant to the story in some way, it will keep the rollercoaster running, and people will come back for more. That's just my two cents.

Well, I've always been partial to romance stories that end happily. (I'm a romantic, can't help it. Hehehe!) The whole point of the story is to make someone feel good. To give hope and possibly an air of magic to whoever is reading. So that someone who is in a similar situation might find some of the answers they're searching for. Maybe getting past some of that doubt and that fear, and taking a chance on something more. Life ISN'T that easy. It hardly ever is. But I can honestly tell each and every one of you, that I can look back at my life in junior high and high school, and clearly SEE all of the possibilities and chances that I passed up because I let my pessimism get the best of me. Because I didn't believe it was possible. Because back then, there were no happy references for gay teens that I could draw from. None. If you kissed another guy, you got teased, outcast, and possibly beaten up. That was it, and everything I did, I felt like I was doing it blindfolded...hoping not to fall off of the tightrope. BUT...there were some times when I DID take that special chance, and I DID follow my instincts, and it turned out that the opportunity was there all the time. My first boyfriend, Jason, was GORGEOUS! Just tall, and blond, and light brown eyes...basketball team, nice ass, well endowed, sweet, funny, smart...I could have PASSED on that by being scared! And even in the middle of sex (Mmmmm...hours and HOURS of sex! Hehehe!), I'd be thinking "What the hell is this boy doing with ME???" and "How the f**K did I work THIS out???" So, sometimes that optimism may seem foolish, but it DOES happen! And I wanted people to know that, and maybe take a chance. I have gotten emails from lots of teens who have had bad experiences with love and sex, and nothing is really 'happily ever after' in real life. But the stories aren't about that. The stories are about hope, and making an attempt to go for something that you want. They're about finding yourself and knowing that being happy is possible no matter what doubts you have. It won't be perfect, but it's not some intangible dream that can't be reached either. And I'm sure that many people have regrets right now about things they 'could have' done and 'should have' done or 'WOULD do' if they could go back again. If nothing else, the stories are made to show readers what could happen if they took a chance on instinct, and it just so happened to work out. So no, I don't really see the online portrayal of love as a 'deception'. It's more of a motivation, and I hope that people see it as so.