C James

Conner would certainly have reason to question his sanity. Is the third time the charm? Or do bad things come in threes? A very captivating story. Thanks!

One of the things I love about this story is that the "rules" are conveyed very clearly and easily. That's not easy to do, but Altimexis does it well. I also liked the discovery process. The ending was very creative. What will he decide to do? Or will he do nothing? IMHO the story works better than had we been shown his choice. Bravo.

I think what I liked best was that Harriet was starting to get a dose of reality. She's a very interesting characther, and one doesn't have much sympathy for her wishes. Homosexuality aside, she's being incredibly self-centered. But I think she's beginning to see that at the end of the story, and that, to me, makes this a wonderful Christmas story.

Thanks! This one was a tough one to write in lot of ways. Believe it or not, I seriously don't like unhappy endings! In fact, I despise them in anything but short stories so much that when I find a completed story online and am thinking of reading it, I'll peek at the last chapter to be sure it ends ok. With a short story I'm not as particular, becuase there isn't the emotional investment. OK, this story might have been more accurately titled "Don't Drink and Write". The reason is, I was drunk when I wrote it. I'd just staggered home (Literally) from a neighbor's Christmas party. I'd been drinking tequila, amongst other things, and suddenly the story was just there. When I started to write, I had no clue how it would end. I like Jake too; he's a much better guy than he realizes.

That was a very well done story that also serves to illustrate a very serious issue. Very well done, L0st Cause! Matt is perhaps my favorite character. the wrestling scene was just plain good fun, and when the finger got bit, I laughed out loud. Thanks for a wonderful story, LC!

I was worried that might sound like I'd already thought it out for a reason, but it isn't. Actually, I was more worried that those who know how seriously I take my research would pick up on the fact that it was obvious I hadn't researched that aspect, otherwise I'd be sure on my facts. BTW, I don't know whether or not Joe will be around to post it, but I'll send 20 in a day early.

The GA Winter 2007 Anthology is now up, and I just wanted to take this opportunity to say "Thank you!" to all those who worked so hard on it; Graeme, who did most of the formatting and almost all of the reviews (And did a superb job on both!), and helped in many other ways too; Thank you! Joe, for doing the server-side magic that you do so well, and for sorting out those last-miniute bugs and getting us online WAY early, Thank you! Myr, thank you for giving us a place to do all this, and thanks also to all the authors who are participating! Let the reading begin! CJ

LoL! Actually, I was referring to web searchbots.

I hope you feel better soon! Ouch....

Apropos of nothing (in other words, this has nothing to do with whether or not, or who, died) but tours have continued after the loss of a band member. I recall Metallica once had an accident that put a guitarist (I think) out of commission during a tour, and one of the roadies got the gig for a few concerts. I also recall one case (can't recall who) where a drummer (I think?) from the opening act ended up playing for both his band and the headliner for several concerts after either a death or serious injury on tour. CJ (who is just trying to be helpful ) Edit to add: Seriously, please don't take anything I say here or elsewhere to indicate what has or hasn't happened. I won't give spoilers or real hints other than in the chapters themselves.

Sorry, but I can't... It's the Echidna; he has lots and lots of spines, and if i give a spoiler, he'll make a pincushion out of me!

To Open a Door by Graeme This is a first-person story in more ways than one. It is indeed rare that a drastic decision point in a person

Ahh, but, ummm, we left everyone but Helen and Barbra when Steve came up over the edge of the cliff. So, at that point, those characters didn't know or were too shaken to say. Then we are with Helen and Barbra, and Barbra knew first but Barbra initialy decided to refrain from saying the name, and then realized that "not knowing is no kindness" ( ) but by that time Helen had looked at the computer and seen the name for herself. So, in the storyline, only Helen and Barbra actually knew the name before the chapter ended. As for the author... Ummm, maybe the author was so grief stricken that he couldn't bring himself to say?

Any no vote is a good vote IMHO. But LC, didn't you see my explanation? It was Barbra who didn't mention the name!!!

Happy Holidays! He did indeed. Hrrrrmmm, maybe Graeme added any cliffhangers y'all think you saw? grizzly old carcass??!?!?! Emoe!!! I think Emoe is just upset becuase unlike FTL, I didn't write him into this story... Yet. And yes, Emoe is right. I cleverly managed to send Emoe the wrong version of the file, and as a result I had to add in my changes (in response to the Beta) AFTER the edit. That's why there was a typo. No, actually, we get the anthology, if all goes well, and I have a story in it called "Three for Jake". It's sort of my way of making up for any perceived, umm, tense ending in Ch 19. (I'm not saying there was one, but I am acknowledging the fact that some readers seemed to perceive one.) Totally agreed, Jan, but I think it applies to authors, too. There is always a lot I can't say. ACK!! Echidna!!!! Surely you can't be serious? How could you say I'd use a cliffhanger? No one was hanging off the cliff at the end of the chapter... Splattered at the bottom maybe, but not hanging. So, not a cliffhanger. BTW, Graeme has indeed joined our team (thank you Graeme!!) Shadowgod is the Anonymous Beta Reader, so we need a title for Graeme... I'm thinking Illustrious Echidna-beta-reader? And yep, Graeme did indeed complain vigorously about Ch 19. And yes, he did call me a bastard (isn't he mean?) BTW, everyone, these aren't spoilers. When Graeme sent this, he hadn't seen 20. However, please note that it was Barbra, not me, who didn't mention the name (so it's not my fault). I did manage to slip in that it was a Carlisle, though, so I did give as much information as I could. I even slipped clues into the chapter. Aww, okay, I'll tell y'all what I'll do. If things go well, I'll send in the next chapter New Year's day! If not, it will be Tuesday.

Car wreck? Are you okay? Thank you Sacha!!! Yes indeed, not a cliffhanger. Graeme, slow roasting? Yipes... Now, now, don't blame me, it was Barbra who didn't mention the name to Helen...

Welcome back Graeme!!!! And, ummm, why the angry face? Didn't you like my happy Christmas chapter?

The Key by Lugh :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Underneath this Big O'le Sky -Part 4 by Viv :nuke: :nuke: Spoilers Below!!! :nuke: :nuke:

Bad? Me? When have I ever been bad? I'm just a sweet, innocient (and QUIET!) goat, pounding away on a keyboard... And I wouldn't look good in tar and feathers! (Who ever heard of a feathered goat?) Problem??? But Ishy, that wasn't problem... I was just giving y'all what you said you wanted! There was so much demand for a kiss that I gave in and put a kiss in that chapter, and even entitled it "The Kiss". I was just being nice.

Well, Dio, I can help with that! In fact, not only can I help you get rid of it, I can guarantee no recurrences! First, you will need a tourniquet, and then a good, sharp axe. Once you have amputated your foot, your problem is solved. See? I'm always helpful.

What, I had a good idea!!?!?! No wonder there are blizzard warning up in Hell at the moment. All jokes aside, when I designed my site I tried to keep it easy to navigate, and also to put info such as the status on the main page to make things easier on the reader.

I was just trying to be helpful. 0:)

Happy Birthday, Jack!!!

Great analysis Kevin! I'll even give a minor spoiler (and hope the Echidna doesn't catch me!) and say that one of your vote options is correct. However, that does not preclude the possibility of more than one demise.