Aaron Penrose

Uh, guys, I'm smack dab in the middle of Memphis, and I can tell you this isn't real. I'm shocked at the responses to the article. Tennessee may be the sociopolitical asshole of the whole country, but we're not that bad.

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Alright, guys. My last thread here garnered me all sorts of sage advice I have since incorporated into my writing, so now I'm back to pester you all with more questions! After weeks of letting this insane imbroglio of ideas steep, I think I'm finally ready to put pen to paper (or, more appropriately, fingers to keys) and start writing. But I'm concerned because my two prior attempts at novel-writing failed miserably. I lost interest. I started feeling like it wasn't going anywhere, I was expressing my ideas poorly, and the whole thing was trash. In the short story format, I can have a single good idea, expend a few thousands words expressing that idea, and then fine-tune it and be done. But the prospect of writing a whole novel is so daunting to me. I have no idea what to fill up 200+ pages with. The most I've ever generated in a single sitting is about 20 pages. I know basically what I want to say, whom I want to write about, and the things I'm going to have them do/say to express my ideas, but I just don't know if it's enough for a whole book. I'm feeling overwhelmed by the technicalities. So tell me, GA. When you get that fire lit under your ass to write a book, how do you go about it? Do you plan it? Or is all truly great art composed on mere whim? Furthermore, how do you decide how to divvy things into chapters? Do you think it's best to write the entire novel, have it edited, and then post it chapter-by-chapter on scheduled release dates, or should you post every chapter immediately after writing and editing? How do you pick your narrative mode? I enjoy first and third person equally, but I can't decide which to use. Do you like to narrate the whole time from a single perspective or change between chapters? Tell me, gypsies! Tell me your secrets!

Oh, I'm the meanest of the mean. My boys usually have to go through the wringer before they get to have any fun. This Carver guy is new to me but he is proving to be a fabulous muse. Self-absorbed rich pretty boy turned scarred angsty social pariah? All over it.I love that you were able to sense the silver lining in all this. He definitely needed to see the accident scene himself--not to count his triumphs (too early in his recovery for him to be anything but bitter), but simply to accept it, I think. To understand that he can't go back with any amount of surgery or wishful thinking. Thank you for the thoughtful review and for the compliment.

“Little brother, I don’t mean to sound insensitive, here, but don’t you think it’s about time for you to, just… get over yourself?” My mouth fell open. Silence lapsed. Andrea sighed loudly into the receiver and I jerked my head away. The static-y noise was amplified tenfold by the new hearing aid. I’d have to speak to my doctor about adjusting it again. “Look, Carver, I’m enjoying these lengthy phone calls—really I am. It’s nice to get to talk to you for once. And I’m sorry you’re having so m

Thank you! As far as the police thing goes, I'm almost certain a missing child elicits an almost immediate response from the police, no? Especially if that child's parents were to claim he was unstable and a potential threat. In any case, I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and thank you again for the kind words.

Well, thanks. I'm just, uh, you know, glowing with pride now, lol.In my writing, I've found I have a strong impulse toward capturing the essence of change. Those redefining moments are so rare, and so very essential to our natures. To know I have captured it in writing makes this feel worthwhile. Thank you again--that meant the world.

They weren't failing for lack of trying! I wish I had had a little more time to go back and add more information about his parents, like an overheard conversation, or more inner dialogue, but alas. Thank you for the compliment and for reviewing.

Thank you--that's high praise coming from a great writer like you. You know, I never really stopped to think about how much I loved the Mississippi until I wrote this. It has been outside my window for a very long time, and it's rare that I pause to admire it. Hopefully there will be more to read about him soon!

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Academia has always been a breeze for me. I have an insanely photographic short-term memory that allows me to pretty much memorize walls of text within minutes. I have a 4.0 two years into college, and I have never once studied for a test, or even begun a paper any more than one single day before it was due. My retention is atrocious, obviously, but damn my superpowers come in handy. I put myself through a lot of sleepless nights with my procrastination habits, but so far it hasn't come back to bite me, so whatever. Anyway, yes, I think education is extremely important. I absolutely love college. Although Political Science was unabashedly a cop-out of my hard classes I was taking as a Bio major (still had to take Calculus--ugh), I'm actually glad I chose it, now. I think I'll make a fine lawyer. I may go back for a PhD after I get my JD just because I enjoy school so much. Another thing I want to mention is the alarming number of people who go to college not for an education, but just for the social experience. I read a fascinating book recently called The Closing of the American Mind that blames the decline of intellectualism in America on the failure of universities. They're not grooming students to be intellectuals anymore. They're not asking those important, formative questions that breed intelligent and critical thinking. They're just teaching us to pass the test and get the paper and assimilate mindlessly into the workforce. Highly recommend the book.

I read this and then read the first two installments right away. I love these two, and I love your depiction of their relationship--very realistic. All three of them are compelling. Even though Mark made mistakes, you show us he isn't all bad, and you do a good job of justifying his flaws. Sometimes our natures are just plain mismatched, and things can't be fixed, now matter how much we love someone. The storm was a good analogy for the end of their relationship. Looking forward to the next one.

Great story! I was hooked from the first line. This is my first time reading your work and you can be certain I will read more. I thought the chase was a good way to simultaneously create intrigue and in-depth characterization. I love the concept that deep down, Miah enjoys being hunted. I think you should stay with his POV to explore the psychological aspects of that predator/prey relationship more; you could take that much further. I also think it's entertaining to learn about the shifters gradually through Miah's eyes, since he's a more tangible (and human) character.

Haha, so glad I reeled you back in. Thank you.

Thank you! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. I've also lived close to the river my entire life, and it never ceases to inspire.

muffins yummmm

No, thank you for the compliment! I'm happy to please.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reviewing. I put a lot of work and even more of myself into this, so your kind words mean the world.

I enjoyed this as well. So many shades of meaning. I was interested by Douglas's admission that David is attracted to men "who look like you do." Why? Like Mann, I immediately thought father figure issues, particularly because the narrator comes off as being such an imposing presence. I just hope he is patient enough to deal with David's jadedness--he obviously deserves a shoulder to lean on. Great read.

I loved this. Your narrative is precise and evocative, and my heart goes out to both Jason and Clay. I liked how Jason's thoughts revolved completely around Clay and his condition until the very end, when his own brush with PTSD caught up with him. Great use of images that foreshadowed his breakdown. Gut-wrenching, and very convincing. As someone who has seen the way this horrible condition eats away at a person, I can say it's a spot-on account. Well done indeed, sir!

Thank you--I'm glad you enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I think this story must end here. But River is a favorite character of mine, and I'm sure I will be inspired to write more about him in the future.

The privilege was all mine. <3 Thank you!

A gifted teenager meets his match on the banks of the Mississippi River.

At 3:45 in the morning on February 7, 1812, an earthquake struck the southern United States. It was the third in a series of immeasurably violent quakes and it was felt over an area of more than a million square miles. A million miles. Seems unthinkable, doesn’t it? To give you an idea of what kind of an earthquake we’re talking about, here, the historic 1906 earthquake that wiped out eighty percent of San Francisco radiated tremors for approximately six thousand square miles. The continent of N

dicks ... :'D