C James

Review for Self-Preservation by TL The Writing Tiger Have you ever come close to making a bad decision? Did you need someone to stop you from making the bad decision? Sometimes we all need someone to save us from ourselves. Who will come to the rescue? The story was fantastic. While it hits close to home, it gave me a new perspective on life in general. Tiff, this story is marvelous. Thank you for writing it!

Aww, but Benji, Eric was on that cliff having fun! (You're refering to Chapter 19 and his rock climbing accident, right?) And don't forget WHO got him on that cliff, and WHO suggested the whole rock-climbing thing: Steve! (one of the many names of the dark one...) I'm not evil! Now, Shadowgod, he's evil... But what have I done that's evil? So far the only major problem the band has faced is that rock-climbing accident, where Eric fell of a cliff and hurt his ankle (and that was Steve's idea, not mine!). Ok, granted, they are not suspicious of Jerry and are disliking him, but having a dislike for the guy who handles your shipping is no big deal in buisness.

Well, yes, there is more tequila in Eric's future. But really, SPiCE is worried for nothing. Eric has been happy and unharmed so far in the story (Well, except for a busted ankle) and he (nor his band mates) are stressed out over the live nuclear warheads currently residing in their gear. (the fact that they don't know helps). Of course, if they DID know, they would probably be stressed out six thousand ways from Sunday, but they don't know, so all is well.

Review for

Review for

Review by Rose Strailo I believe that it was my favorite one of the three. After the first two, I was resorting to forcing myself to put aside my editors hat and was pleasantly surprised and delighted the way it drew me in. I found that the plot drew me in automatically and didn't let me go until the very end of the story. I also liked the plot twist at the end and the way it was set up. Granted, it was like slamming into a brick wall, but it was great. I found it wonderfully done since the previous parts drew you to believe that the story would end in a different way. My favorite out of the three, I'm glad that I got to read it. I can't really complain about anything about it either. Shocking.

Review by Rose Strailo This story is one of the few stories that I've read that drives home that not all cultures don't treat woman and children the same way as others do without utterly drowning it in angst. It was a perfect balance and it made me at times, sad and depressed. At the end though, it showed such hope for a new future, I was about to bounce in happiness. It evokes many emotions as I went over it but it did leave me wanting a bit more detail. Not a lot, just a few more. A few words could have been changed to impact the reader a bit more, but it's wonderfully done. All is all, I liked reading it and hope that I can continue to read such wonderful stories from Ishwar in the future.

Review by Rose Strailo I found that I liked the style of writing and the various descriptions. I did find some of the parts to be rather dry, but I understand the way that it helped pushed the story forward and gave the necessary information the reader needs without being overbearing. The characters were nicely developed and I could see them used in a chapter story. It means to me that the writer, in this case, D Writes, took the time to understand the characters even before really writing the story. It helps make the stories realer to the reader, and did so to me. All in all, it was a wonderful story that I wouldn't mind reading again, dry parts and all. Very nicely done.

Review by Myk This story centers around a couple who share an apartment, where one attempts to convince the other to take the leading role in his next film. Written from a first person view, we follow Matt as he evades taking on Anthony

Review by Myk This is a cute little story about finding that special someone. Akhil has heard about how wonderful love is from his grandmother and can

Review by Myk; In a world where demihumans not only exist but walk among us, there is a need for humans to protect themselves. California has responded by creating an agency that responds to and investigates demihuman activity. This story starts out with our protagonist senior agent Gregory Cantor and his team arriving at a street side shop in Los Angeles where he has tracked a dangerous shade to. Throughout this tale we are introduced to

That's a perplexing issue; we don't know what Joe feels in this regard. We know he cares about Cody, but that could well be as just a good friend. And of course, then there's Damon. Another issue is that WE know about Judy's change of heart, but Joe likely does not. Also, all relationships go through a rocky patch; what if Judy's change of heart is not as complete as she thinks? Master of Misdirection! I love it, and yes, that sure fits His Shadowyness. He's subtle, and you have to read closely, becuase he gives his characters phenomenal depth, but he also often leaves open multiple lines of interpretation. That's misdirection at it's finest!

You have a very good point. I'll propose the idea to the mods, thanks.

Wow, thanks one and all! I love the discussions! I am, however, constrained in what I can say, becuase unless I'm refering to just posted text, I could be giving spoilers. I can say this though; being an international arms dealer is a profitable, if risky, buisness. Even the second-tier players make millions. As an example, look into Viktor Bout , who brokered countless arms deals. The shipping is often the key, so an arms dealer often has a fleet of aircraft, or at least connections who do. More than one has fronted their operation as a legit shipping company, as The Scar has done. Victor Bout used this same route (air shipment in his case; he ran up to 50 large cargo aircraft). The Scar may not have been as successful as Bout, be he could have easily had a personal fortune pushing a hundred million. We know from the dealings with the Russian plutonium suppliers that he had to have had at least thirty million in cash at that point. HE got out of paying by having Dimitri bring down the airliner, but he had to have had the cash to get the swiss bank to go along, in order to consummate the plutonium purchase Vladimer arranged. We know he's only got five million left now, so we know he was running low on cash for an operation of this scope. One way to enhance his cash flow was to rope in money with his "charity" operation. A shindig like the one at his house (The party where we first see Eric on Tequila) could have easily netted a million or two. I didn't get into it in detail (perhaps I should have) but some of the special five-axis computer-contaolled lathes he had to buy for the Toowoomba Facility would have cost him close to two million each. The specialized gear for the clean room, the metallurgical facilities (including a neutral-gas atmosphere for some of it) would have cost million more. As a ballpark figure, his setup would run about 42 million in equipment and materials outlays. That does not count the cost of personell, or of renting the premises in Towwoomba or purchasing the Desert Compound, not any assundry other expenses. He's probably looking at at least ten million more in additional outlays, and that's not counting payments to Mario and other incidentals. As a ballpark guess, I'd say he went into this with about 80 million and has spent 75 million. As for Instinct, I've never specified their exact finances, but I have dropped a few clues. One would be the success of their album (it came close to setting records) and sell-out crowds in enormous venues. That is some major money, and that would put them on par with the top handful of groups in earning potential. The major income sources would be merchandising and concerts, BTW. As for Jerry, he took Helen's money out of his deep and abiding love of Irony. I told y'all we'd see Jerry's fun-loving side! BTW, I know the Austrailain chapters dragged a bit in places. They ended up being far more than I had anticipated. I originally estimated five Australian chapters, not ten! However, now their trip is over, I think y'all will find that the pace picks up a bit. The next chapter, BTW, is called "Full Circle". CJ

This thread was moved to the games forum because it looked like, in essence, a thread about posting. Millennium threads are one thing, but there have been multiple member complaints about the lounge being swamped with discussions of post counts. I am certainly a past culprit on that, and did not realize the problems I was causing. CJ

This comes from the entire moderation team, This thread was closed due to devolving into back-and forth chat-type chatter. We do have a games forum for that, and as we said in the forum etiquette announcement, disruptive posts are against the rules. One manner of disruptive posting in this case was back-and-forth one line, chat room type chatter. It is a severe hindrance to other members, because it makes threads almost impossible to follow, especially if off-topic. As we've mentioned before, for that, go to the games forum. For posting for the sake of posting, go to the games forum because that is the ONLY place it is allowed.

This is a remarkable story, made all the more so by it being Greg's first time out, not just in an anthology, but since elementary school! Don't let that deter you though; there is no way you will be able to tell that Greg is not a writer of long experience. I should add that he even did his own HTML layout. Now, on to the story! Stepping into the light has many facets. It begins with a ray of light, a promise of a new day that the protagonist greets with considerable reluctance. What follows next is a rich character development, artfully done. Daryl's two parents were quite a surprise, The story, to me, has an overarching moral; stepping forward and doing the right thing may not be easy, but it is sometimes, the path out of the shadows and into the light. Well done Greg! CJ

A deeply emotional journey, this story tugs at many different heart strings. Oft melancholy, mixed with foreboding, but through it all, a ray of hope shines through. The journal is a true window on the brother's soul, painting a life, and its tragedy, in vivid snapshots. The peeks into the life and mind of a man whose life is fading are poignant; we see the emotional roller-coasted that such a journey causes, and the hopes lost.... The what-might-have-beens. The overall message, though, at least to me, is that from the darkness, hope can spring, for life, in its sometimes cruel procession, goes on. Very well done, Tim CJ

Finding Someone is the perfect title for this story. It's a tale well told, of staying in the shadows, lingering in the dark places, shunning the light. Avoid notoriety at all costs, just get by. Then, that someone makes an appearance, and has an effect. Life has some interesting twists and turns, we just need to be open to them, for you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Rose Strailo - Finding Someone :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Review by TL The Writing Tiger We

Review by TL The Writing Tiger While India has a rich cultural heritage, the country is definitely socially conservative. This story gives the reader a glance at the struggles of gay life in a land where it is far from accepted. I personally liked the story for its beautiful simplicity.

Review by TL The Writing Tiger This poem is a touching one. For those who have had difficulties in life, it is a sobering reminded. The poem was well written and definitely a good read for those who like the darker side of poetry.

Yes, dastardly! What else can describe a woman who would treat her son like that? I've never seen such a cold and calous (not to mention calculating) parent! That was pure evil! Cody's mother is IMHO the nastiest of your antagonists so far, and that's a darn tough crowd! Goats aren't evil! Now, Shadowgod, he's Evil... Ask yourself this; who really wrote that letter to Cody; was it his mother, or Shadowgod? I rest my case.

I think you already have. Tim! Beware, you are falling under the spell of the Dark One! Must I remind you that his name is synonymous with Satan?