Comicality

In the years that I have been online reading these stories, I have found some extremely well written and thought provoking series in the gay erotic fiction genre. Some of them were finished long ago, some were unfortunately discontinued, and some are still going to this day. They truly touch their readers and pull them into a whole new reality with tales of romance. These series can get up to 10, 20, even 30 chapters sometimes. Many of them have gone beyond even that. And yet people are still drawn in to keep reading. The question for this week is... = How does an author keep a series fresh, new, and interesting, after an extended amount of time? = How do you keep people coming back again and again? What elements do you use to create new storylines, new plot twists, new conflicts? As readers, what is it that keeps you coming back for more? Novelty can't last forever, and some series never make it past 3 or 4 chapters before the writer is out of ideas, so there's gotta be something more to it. Give us your thoughts, and tell us how those incredible stories just keep coming! The board is open!

Honestly, the whole idea of adding that level of intensity to a story used to scare me an awful lot. I didn't want to complicate my writing with something so emotional. For the simple fact that it can be hard for people to take. Also, when I finally DID get the chance to add a piece of my personal life into a story (Around "New Kid" 20 and 21), I was really guarded and personal about it. So it was more painful than anything else for me to dive into it. Nowadays? A lot has changed, and I feel a bit more comfortable with writing about some pretty touchy subjects, no matter how close they hit to home for me. I believe that the most important part of the equation is finding a balance between the 'bad' and the 'good'. No matter what unbelievable pain and suffering you put your main character through...if there is something of value, some kind of hope and meaning, to balance it out, then it'll be ok. There is a fine line between realism and 'punishment' when it comes to providing an experience for your readers. If there's no real explanation or reason for the abuse, death, infidelity, heartbreak, rape...in terms of the story, if there's no impact on the character in a way that justifies what he's going through, then it becomes a bit brutal. In "My Only Escape", the abuse can be a bit harsh at times, and even then I've toned it down a LOT from what I remember. But that violence has meaning n the story. It has a purpose in developing the character. Same as in "Gone From Daylight", or "Final Hour", or "Someone For Me", or "Save Or Sacrifice" on my website. There are some pretty difficult situations that I wanted to flesh out and deal with, but that misery isn't just thrown in to make the story interesting. It makes a difference to the characters involved and the progression of the story. So it becomes more of a tool to further the plot than this horrible eyesore in the middle of the chapter. I guess the way to avoid losing readers and getting angry and frustrated feedback, is to not only balance out the bad parts with a few happy moments...but to also make sure that every bit of struggle and agony that the main characters go through has some kind of meaning. Because to have it happen needlessly can make the subject even more cruel and more upsetting than it has to be. I just hope that I can keep that balance going as some of the harder stories come along in the future.

Most definitely. I just spoke to someone this morning, who is truly being EXTREMELY helpful in getting the message board fixed as quickly and efficiently as possible. I was hoping that it would be done by now, but I want things set up right, security in place, and hopefully some answers given as to what caused this. That takes time. I wish I had more time online to handle things more aggressively, but for now I am doing all I can to help in resolving the matter at hand, and when it's all done, I hope we'll be rid of this situation for good. Kewl? ps- As for the seemingly obvious conclusion that Phelps and his horde of homophobic terrorists are responsible for this...there is evidence that suggests that this is not true. Thanks to some online friends and people who have also been affected by this, we are working to find out who is really behind it. Answers are coming. For now, the big concern is geting everything working again.

While trying to create a very realistic and emotional vision of life in our writing, it can sometimes become necessary to tackle some very heavy concepts in a story. These topics, like death, verbal and physical abuse, heartbreak, suicide, rape, and poverty, as well as many others, might be necessary in order to tell a powerful and often 'personal' story. However, this can be extremely hard for some people to read and enjoy. Even if it isn't the main focus of the story. The question for this week is... =How do you go about 'tactfully' dealing with disturbing subject matter while writing a story?= How do you keep your readers interested in your work while hitting them hard with some of the harsh realities of life? How do you resolve such issues in the long run? How much drama is 'TOO' much in your opinion? And is it possible to keep your story focused on a loving relationship when there is so much hardcore stuff going on? Let us know what you think! Not only as writers, but as readers too! I know that there have been some dramatic stories that I've read, that have been beautifully written and it adds to the story. But I have also read stories where it has been so much, so depressing or heart ripping, that the story was no longer enjoyable to read. Where is the balance? And how do you keep someone's interest through the rough parts? The board is open!

It's always been my understanding that the relationship between an editor and an author was supposed to be pretty equal. And it's just that, a 'relationship'. You'd have to really find someone who understands your work and what you're trying to do with it, someone who's on the same page, you know? The whole idea is to get someone, outside of yourself, to give you an objective opinion of what your story reads like. Other people catch mistakes that you might not see, and not just spelling wise, but plot wise too. I know that there are a lot of times where a story or a scene or a concept is completely fleshed out in my head and I can visualize it perfectly. But that's in my head. What I write and actually transmit to other people reading, might be missing some really important details or raise questions that I didn't even think about. Editors catch that kind of stuff. At least that's my personal understanding of what an editor does. I, personally, do all of my own editing (Even though I'm not the best at it). But it's pretty much for the same reasons you posted. I get itchy when it cmes to my own stuff, I'd freak out if it wasn't 100% me, you know what I mean? I'm a big brat that way. Still if you wanted to get a feel of how important a specific editor is and how to choose one, try one of these excercises that I got from a writing class in college once. Write a short story, beginning to end, and let three or four different people edit the same thing. Chances are, you'll get 4 completely different versions of it back to you. See which one suits you best. I think it really is something you have to feel out. I don't think it's anyone's place to re-write your story though, especially if you're not happy with the result.

I'm kinda taking a break from writing right now. I think I'm tiring myself out, because it's not coming out 'natural', you know? I'm looking back at what I wrote and it's like "BLECHHH!" (Not that I'm not ALWAYS saying that, but I was doing better last night) Anyway, I love the responses and posts with everyone here. I know we're all still kind of growing into this place, as it's only a few weeks old, but get comfy and kick your feet back. Hehehe! Tell us what you're doing, what you're reading, what you're working on....whatever. I'm curious! Anyway, I had a weird shift in mood today. ::Shrugs:: Maybe it was just the long day at work. But I found myself doing some more work on "Gone From Daylight: Prophecy" instead of stuff that I'm SUPPOSED to be working on! Grrrr! But that's where my heart was today, I guess, so be it. Also, I've been trying to force myself to finally finish the next "New Kid" chapter, hehehe...but forcing yourelf to write on something makes it read pretty badly! And trying to 'fix' it makes it even WORSE! For those of you guys who haven't tried writing one of these things, let me tell you...it's one of the most rewarding, yet incredibly FRUSTRATING experiences you'll ever have in your life! Trust me on this. I wrote some more little things here and there, just for me, I think to just get some stuff off of my mind. But it's hardly story material. I'd much rather do something more 'productive' if I could. That whole fiasco with the Shack messageboard just had me writing these angry thoughts or sad ponderings that just didn't 'belong' in the stories I was working on, you know? So I had to empty the old brain box until I could write something decent. I hope to take all of those little thoughts of mine, print them out, and put them together in a little booklet or something someday. That would be cool, just to look back on. (You know, long after they lock me up for being insane!) Sorry, I'm feeling spacey today! Hehehe! I'll shut up now! I'll seezya later, and will be back around soon. Kewl?

By the way....YES! Angelina Jolie is EXTREMELY hot! Hehehe, the chick is MOLTEN!

The problem with the Shack is being handled as you read this, and will hopefully be fixed sometime soon. By this weekend, I hope to be right back where we left off. I thank you guys and everyone who sent support and advice to me while all this was going on. It really did help, thank you! As for 'moving', PSH! Save your typing for other things, cause it ain't happening. I'M....NOT....MOVING!!! End of story. (And to think, I moved my board the LAST time a few years because 'Voy' was supposedly this wonderful utopian server with NO problems and was sooooo much better than where I was! Hahaha! Now it's being referred to as the scum of the internet. Hellooooo? That's my HOUSE you're talking about! Watch it! Hehehe! I certainly hope you guys don't go into Real Estate, I'd have to leave my home everytime it rained!) Anyway...no moving unless I have absolutely NO other choice whatsoever. ::Puts Foot Down:: As for the offense itself, it's equivalent with a fly landing on my shoulder. It was annoying and I got aggravated, I'm in the process of swatting it, and soon I'll get back to normal. I don't even take it seriously enough to be offended. Besides, it only brings up three concerns of mine.... #1) Exactly what is this supposed to DO anyway? Was I supposed to look at this site, say "Wow...God hates gay people? I didn't know that. I guess I should be straight then, huh?" And then change? Um...think harder guys. Yeah, the first rule of creating a website? HAVE PURPOSE... #2) Exactly WHO in your organization gets the 'short straw' when getting THIS particular job? "Okay Jimbo, here's your duty. We all hate gay people, so it's going to be YOUR job to get online, look at ALL of these gay sites, read gay porn, select gay messageboards, spend hours getting inside, and then redirecting them to us. Got it?" Listen, if you work for a place that nurtures your hatred of gay people, and they give you a job where all you do is interact, read about, and see pictures of gay sex...these people are NOT your friends! Ok? They don't like you, they're trying to tell you something here. You don't see vegetarians sending their friends to spend all day working at a slaughterhouse. Get a clue. Go be with REAL homophobes who hate gay people SO much that they won't ask you to be with them day night. Posers are so sad... #3) A little lesson in the world of "ADVERTISING", ok? You advertise a product in a place where people who might be interested in your stuff will go to SEE it. Example...I write GAY stories. So I post them on GAY story archives. Are you following me? So...posting ANTI-gay websites, on a place where NO anti-gay people would EVER go to....isn't helping your cause any. You see what I mean? Now, if you advertised on "hey-asshole-put-down-that-beer-and-lets-find-someone-to-hate.com", THEN you might get some hits on your counter! Get motivated. Get a fan club going. Don't be stupid. You're wasting your HTML on a site that your redneck friends will never SEE! Go finish your bottle of Jack Daniels or something, we've got better things to do with our time than wonder about how idiotic you people will allow yourselves to get... I guess that's it for now. I've got some writing to do, and I will see you guys later. K? ((Hugz))

Sometimes it hits an author without warning. Sometimes when we really want to just get past it. Occassionally during the only times when we get the opportunity to work on our stories. And it SUCKS! It's the dreaded disease known as 'writer's block', and it can truly be a HUGE pain in the ass!!! The question for this week is, do you guys experience writer's block, and if so, how do you get past it? Do you look for movies/music/other stories to get inspired? Do you struggle your way through it? Or do you just wait until it passes you by and you can work again? Do you experience it often, or just every once in a while? Has it ever stopped you completely from writing something that you truly believed in? Writer's Block can be a hard thing to deal with, and sometimes it can be downright depressing, not to mention frustrating! So let me know your thoughts on the problem, and maybe it will help out others in your position! The board is open!

You know? Even when some sites use character pics, I kinda tend to ignore them and use my imagination. See, I have had certain people or faces in mind while writing, whether they're people I know, people I've seen around town, or celebrities. And for ME, that particular look and movement and image is perfect. But to other people who may have had a preconceived notion of who the characters are, it can kinda ruin the illusion. You know? The reason I never use pics is because I believe that the characters become more beautiful, more comfortable, when each individual reader gets the opportunity to make them up for themselves. It connects them more to the story, and that can really have a powerful effect on whether or not they care about the characters. I like that added bonus of letting them choose the face of the characters. However, on the German version of the Shack Outback, there are translated versions of the stories, and an artist added some drawn sketches that were amazingly done! Not only did they illustrate certain key scees in the story, but they still left enough mystery where the reader could make the characters their own. I really liked those! Other than that, just words on a page is enough for me.

I'd be lying if I said that I could keep on writing and enjoying what I do completely if it weren't for the wonderful feedback that I've gotten for my stories online. That's one of the main things that inspires me to keep writing. Whether it's one flattering email or one hundred, it helps. However, it's hard to write JUST for an audience, too. The old addage is very true...'you can't please all of the people all of the time'. Sometimes, the feedback you get has to be taken with a grain of salt, and sometimes it should be taken to heart. And when you don't get ANY concerning a certain story...it can make you feel like it wasn't worth the time. It's difficult to know what to think sometimes. So this week's question is: =What are your opinions on feedback?= How do you get people to write to you? How does a lack of feedback affect your inspiration to write? How does negative feedback or 'flames' affect your work? And how can you tell 'constructive' criticism from harsh judgement? Whether good or bad, the masses of people reading our 'craft' truly have an impact on what it is we write in the future. How involved do you allow them to be in your creative process? That's it! The board is open!

Usually, while writing stories of my own, there are many times that I try to think of certain situations that would be seen as exciting/sad/angry/scary or lovable. The thing is, 9 times out of 10, the most memorable parts that people tell me about happen pretty much by accident. It's a few of those natural moments that I add simply to continue the flow of a story that end up being the most appreciated. One that comes to mind is in "New Kid", where Randy and Ryan were going to spend a whole day together, and when Randy arrived, Ryan was eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast. That scene basically came out of nowhere, and I added to it more and more as I was writing, just to give it a playful, kinda comfortable, feel to it. And it ended up being a big favorite for a lot of fans of the series. That, to me, is always awesome because it's usually as much of a surprise to me as it is to others. Another story that comes to mind was one that I saw on Nifty called "Always Joey", that really stuck with me because of its flirtatious vibe and because it was just an overall pleasure to read. If you ever get a chance, you'll notice certain moments of intense 'wanting' and 'longing' that I could really feel while I was reading. Also, there are extremely touching and heart warming moments in a story called "Just Hit Send" that truly tug at the heart strings. Another one (I hope I get the title right) was "Matthew Figures It Out", and "Carrots and Celery", and a few others. I won't get into listing a whole bunch, because that'll take all day. But there are plenty of stories where, when their titles are mentioned, my mind goes directly to a certain scene or a situation that really moved me in one way or the other, and I always try to structure my stories so that those moments can exist for other people too when they read my stuff. Like I said before though, most of the time, they happen purely by accident. So I guess it's a matter of chance really, but as long as you write from the heart, the chances are better. By the way, THANKS for the input so far! I'm really liking the answers I've read so far. I hope the questions in the future get just as much of a variety of answers as this one. Any more?

I certainly hope that anticipation is high for everyone, and if it isn't, then now's your last chance to make it so. Every year is an entirely new beginning. So whatever is wrong in your life, fix it! Whatever is right in your life, make it better! Kewl? The best to each and every one of ya! ((Hugz))

Well, in the first two years of the Shack, I did get a lot of online offers from gay publications and e-zines and a few magazines as well to write. (Still have the emails saved. It was REALLY flattering!) And even passed some of those offers onto other online author friends of mine at the time who might have wanted to get in on the good fortune. However...as weird as it may sound, it was really not for me. Of course I was a much different person back then too. I was worried about my privacy, I was working late nights, living with my best friend, and going to school simultaneously. So that was a big part of it. But even more than that, I'm not really 'at my best' when it comes to published work. Things about standards, and audience, and letting other people edit my stuff, and change the ages of the characters, and meeting deadlines...it took some of that passion out of the writing itself for me. It's something that I hope to get passed someday, because I'd REALLY love to find a way to make money doing what I'm doing! Doing what I love. For now though, I'm glad that people can just stop by and read something I wrote and get some enjoyment out of it. Hearing that it made someone smile for a little bit in a friendly email does more for me than any paycheck ever could. (The money would DAMN sure be nice though! Hehehe!) Maybe one day I'll find a way to print them out, autograph 'em, and send them out in the mail or something with a binder. That would be cool. In the mysterious future...oooooooooh! ::Ghost Face::

::Giggles:: SEVERAL DAYS??? Man, you must have disappeared from everybody's radar 'completely' to have read all that in a few days! THANKS!!! (I also got your email! Thank you sooo much! I'll answer someime soon!) Now, about the NEXT chapter? Um...I hate to tell ya, but it might be a while. Like...months at the least! "GFD: Prophecy", judging from what I've got planned for it, may turn out to be REALLY HUGE! Like the biggest chapter by far out of all the rest! So it would be optimistic to say April. ::Cringes:: Sorry. But there's a new story called "Savage Moon" about werewolves that is almost finished. It should be posted sometime in late January. I'm actually anxious to release that one. Excuse the pun, but it'll be an entirely different 'animal' from "Gone From Daylight", BELIEVE me! Anyway, thanks again dude! I'll talk to ya soon!

"While thinking back to many of the stories that you have read in the past, the ones that have become your all time favorites, there are certain moments or situations that come to mind right away. Maybe it's a comic moment. Maybe it's a certain kiss or a sex scene. Maybe it's a heartwarming gesture. Whatever it may be, there are certain 'pieces' of a story that sometimes standout for a reader and become memorable moments for them. The question is: What are some of these moments for you as a reader? And why do they stand out for you? As a writer, how can you work to develop moments like this that stay with a reader? What creates these touching scenes in your mind and what techniques do you use to deliver that impact?" The board is open! Feel free to drop in your two cents!

Awwww, thanks you guys! Wow...hehehe, I might have to try to speed up production on the completion of the chapter then, huh? Thank you for the awesome comments! I guess this will just have to be your incentive to stay safe until the story is done. GFD too (The next chapter will lead to important stuff concerning the outcome. ::Winks:: It'll be WILD!) Thanks again! Seezya soon!

Open arms and big welcomes to everybody!!! Thanks for coming by for the opening of the cafe! You're the first customers, so grab some coffee and a good story or two. Topics for discussion start this Monday night (Of course we can always just talk OFF topic too!) and I'd ove to hear your input. K? Good to meet you guys!

Roll call!!! I'm Comicality! I'm 28 years old and live in Chicago. I've been writing online for five and a half years now, and you can find a lot of my stuff at Nifty or my website at http://comicality.gayauthors.org Some of my stories are "New Kid In School", "My Only Escape", "On The Outside", "A Class By Himself", "Gone From Daylight", and many many more! Stop by and let me know what ya think!

Howdy everybody! This is my very first hosted messageboard here, and I certainly hope many of you guys will stop in whenever you get a chance! I'd love to have ya! My name is Comicality, a lot of you guys may have read my stories before on Nifty or on my site, but for those who have no idea who I am, I'm one of the hosted authors on this server. I hope you'll stop by my website sometime and check it out. So....why this forum? Why another one? Basically, it's been an idea of mine for a long time, and I've never really gone through with it until now. What I wanted was a board for authors and readers alike to come together and discuss what it's like to create a story from beginning to end. What goes into it, what comes out of it, and everything in between. I want as many authors out there as possible to come in and talk about their work and how they put it all together. I'll be posting topics on different aspects of writing every week, and I'd love for us all to just talk openly and learn from one another. There's plenty of tricks of the trade that I don't know, and I'd love to learn a lot more. I'll be by to give my own thoughts also, and if anyone has any questions at all, feel free to ask. Also, make sure to tell your friends, and any of your favorite authors out there, to stop on in and put in their two cents. I've seen TONS of really good stories out there by extremely talented authors. I've also heard from a lot of readers who would love to do their own stuff, but don't know where to begin. We can kill two birds with one stone by simply bringing the two sides together. Lots of teachers, lots of students, and there's no limit to the ideas that can be shared between us! So why don't we just start off with a roll call! Everybody just reply to this post, and tell us a little something about yourself. And if you're an author, let us know what stories you're writing and where to find them. Cool? Enjoy folks! It looks like we're open for business! Seezya!

Thanks soooo much dude! Let me welcome ya to the board! ((Hugz)) And thanks for the comments! As for the "GFD: Hunting Grounds" questions, I should warn everyone reading that there are some slight spoilers ahead. So if you don't wanna know, you might want to stop reading now. (Unless of course, curiosity kills) ===Possible Spoilers Ahead=== The chapters that I've been writing for "GFD" have seriously turned out to be a LOT longer than I ever expected them to. The level of detail and character development that I've been adding in little doses here and there, has stretched the events of the story out for much longer than I wanted. So stuff that is just now happening in the series was supposed to happen waaaaay back in chapters 4 and 5! That said, the thing with Justin's mother is this.... She's been looking for him. Worried about him even. (You can see a hint of this in an earlier chapter during Justin's dream, where his mother is tossing 'missing persons' flyers out of a window) Bryson keeps a truck on the lot where he sleeps duing the day, and he is always collecting newspapers and the like as well as notebooks on each member of the lot. In the next chapter, Justin will find out just what 'files' Bryson has on him, and that is going to bring a huge conflict into his life as he begins to realize what he is leaving behind. Justin's ties with the bullies from school, his mother, and his best friend Richie, will all come into question soon. Unfortunately, since so much has been going on lately with Justin's new abilities, all of these events have only been 'hinted' at so far. More will come though, trust me! ::Wicked Grin:: ===End of Spoiler=== So that might give you a hint as to what Bryson 'saw' that would keep Justin even closer to the lot at that time, and why he had a 'glimpse' of his mom in his mind. Everything you've seen in the story so far will have a great influence in the outcome of things. (Considering I can keep them all together in my mind! Hehehe!) I hope this answers your question! Welcome aboard!

Just trying to get a feel of the new place! It looks great Myr! I'm getting my email down as much as I can so that my system won't be so sluggish, but once that's taken care of (hopefully by the end of this week) I'll be open for business! Thanks a ton! And a big hello to everyone from the GA board! Long time no see! I hope to see more of ya in here! Gotta run, but I'll seezya soon!