C James

I guess one thing we've learned here is that if Graeme offers to share his lunch with you, it's best to decline.

I've very much enjoyed my re-read of HoTT! Of course, I will point out that you've left us all wondering if Rhys becomes a lawyer. I think it would be only fair to say that this is either a lead-in for a sequel, or a cliffhanger ending. What does Rhys do? Rhys, BTW, was one of, and perhaps the most, favorite characters in this story, to me at least. Shane, I think, is the most unique I've seen in a long, long time, and very likable. I'd rate him as second to Rhys amongst my favorites.. Vince and Matt are about tied in my rankings, I like them both a lot, in different ways. Aunt Cynthia, though, is right up there too. Said another way, you created a fantastic cast here, Graeme! I loved it! One thing I had a slight degree of troublee with, early in the story, was the ease with which many accepted the legend of The Tree. However, I got to thinking about that. In the town in which I grew up, there was a local legend about a Hobo's ghost that inhabited an isolated thicket near the rail tracks. It was supposedly malevolent and would sometimes kill intruders. No one would go in there at night, except on a dare. Pretty much everyone (in the high school I was on) accepted the legend as fact, in spite of the fact that no one could ever recall who, exactly, had been harmed by said malevolent spirit. So, yes, I have seen a case where many members of a community believe in a local supernatural legend. Thanks again, Graeme, for this wonderful story.

Then you didn't look very hard! The post is HERE And don't bother editing it, it's quoted in the following post and I have a screencap as proof. ;p So, the quote stays. And now that's settled How are we doing on Shadowgod's fan's name? Hrmmm, Luminati has a huge lead. Looks like that's the clear favorite at this point! Hrmm, Too late, i know, but I just thought of the perfect name for Shadowgod fans and readers: The hanging.

The answer to Ieshwar's question is no. That needs to be said, but that said, safe sex almost eliminates the risk (which is not the same as removing it). For example, Condoms can fail. The problem here as that even though the risk is small, it is also cumulative; even a tiny risk, taken enough times, can happen.

JAcob said they were closer than that, that's why he was so hurt. I'm very much looking forward to another story set in the LiS universe, no matter what it's reference to the original LiS. I'm sure there will be similarities (Like every chapter ending with a mind-numbing, reader-terrifying, nail-biting cliffhanger) but, from reading the above, I suspect there will be vast differences too. I don't, however, see this as a sequel to LiS, but more of a spin-off, which is even better. It won't preclude new chapters of LiS AND it can stand on it's own and be a very different story. I'm very much looking forward to seeing more Cody! However, I do have to wonder: Will Shadowgod use this story to solve some of the long-standing mysteries of LiS, such as what flavor of lemonade they had at the restaurant that time?

Yes, yes, i think he does... He's also deeply in denial regarding his cliffhanger usage, so perhaps it is time for the men with nets and white coats after all?

ACK!! No, I don't want to have to go search through Wildone's enormous, overwhelming volume of posts (He's a postaholic, you know). to find one quote!!! But it really is a direct quote! I also don't see the issue here; isn't being in a lurker's sig sort of unlikely to be noticed anyway?

I like the way you did the prologue. My one suggestion is that you might want to make it clearer in the prologue chapter itself that it's set in the future. You're going great!

Hey now! I know of no such "rule".

But Ieshwar, I never use cliffhangers... But, are you saying that Shadowgod should be reported? Hrmmm, that gives me an idea...

Yes indeed... Shadows, Shadow's God, and Steve.. Yep, that's why we're calling Chapter 17 the Shadowgod Cliffhanger. Well, this story could be set in the very near future, so watch your mailbox. "The Show must Go On has a negative connotation?? But, what if it was called "The show is canceled"? The title could be in reference to having to perform with some very nasty hangovers? I can't say any more, or the Echidna will get me, but look back over my chapter titles, especially "The Kiss". They can be rather misleading until you have seen the chapter. Soo, hrmm, what can I say? Not much... Except to say How true! Can't be too careful when it comes to anti-spoiler spines, now can ya? :ranger:

First, glad to see you're going ok! I hope everything goes well, and please remember that you have a sympathetic ear here. As for the laptop, it depends on the laptop. Some have a mousepad device built in, along with a couple of keys that act as the right and left "mouse" buttons. Theoretically, you should be able to use the left button and then the mouse pad to select text. There are other methods for other types, but I don't know them. I heartily second the suggestion to get a wireless mouse. Heck, even the old-fashioned wired kind are a big improvement. I carry an old wired desktop mouse in my PC case for that reason.

This is really looking good! Very well written, and you set up the situation very well. That's rough, too, living hours apart. I have a hunch Chris will play a role in the resolution. I'm looking forward to more. CJ

A welcome back from me too! I share Graeme's hope that things have improved for you.

Hrmmm, I liked it better before, so maybe I should not comment other than to answer your question regarding what to call someone with 64 posts in a day... A lurker having a slightly off day BTW, the post count display is a 24 hour rolling average.

Hrmmmm... Promiscuity as a band-aid? If by that you mean promiscuity due to issues the character is dealing with, then I can certainly see that. On the other hand, if they are presenting themselves as being committed to a significant other (to that significant other) then I'd take a dimmer view. The best example I can think of is LiS 13 (the 3-way). Jacob, at first, came across (to me) a bit negative for doing that, BUT, you covered it very well, and as a result it was character building rather than a long-term negative IMHO. Also, IMHO, characters, like people, have flaws, so some bad things are to be expected, ESPECIALLY in a character dealing with issues. But, back the your question, a band-aid implies temporary, so as long as there is a reason given at some point, it wouldn't put me off. Also, I'd be far less likly to be put off one of your stories, just based on prior ones. This is becuase the prior ones were so good.

The Echidna raises a good point! I'll edit the rule...

Actually, that isn't proof, and I can prove it. That's only what Beaskid saw at one point during that day. Also, what he sees is, due to a software quirk, not always accurate. If I post in a forum he can't see, then my total that HE sees doesn't reflect that. For example, if I post in the WST, Jan (who is, like me, a member) will see a different post count for me than you will. Honest, this is true. Also, that was a snapshot at one point during that day, so when I say "I didn't have to total of 64 posts at the end of that day" I'm being totally truthful. And to head of the Echidna's argument, by "end of the day" I'm talking about the end of MY day.

.......Kinda stretching Shadowg_d's role here........ ...........Even I know that a tip to a bellman can get almost anything you want in a hotel (Just ask Jack @ Vegas) room, It is really not hard to figure this one out. What? stretching Shadowgod's role? Not so! The leader of the shadows, by the name of steve (now who else could be the leader of the shadows other than shadowgod?) is extolling being on a cliff! Yes, clearly, what we have here is a shadowgod cliffhanger! Actually, just to let everyone know; The Shadows were originally named "nightwing" in the original outline of this story from a few years ago. However, for a lot of reasons, I changed the name. I also changed the name of some characters, mainly to avoid the problem of similar-sounding names, but there may have been other reasons as well. However, the plot remains essentially unchanged. ??? Huh? Me? I'm neither mean nor nasty... I'm just a swwet, innocent, quiet and shy goat, flailing away at a typwriter... And what could they mean? You know that my chapter titles are often sort of curveballs. Remember "the kiss"? It wasn't Brandon and Chase that kissed, but two straight guiys. LoL And speaking of mean and Evil, I give you... The Echidna! Yes, he's put me in a catch22, and he knows it. For fear of his spines, I dare not comment on what is in upcoming chapters at all! He could have said anything about the upcoming chapters, no matter how henious, and I can't comment! Echidnas are sneaky like that, ya know. ACK! Roast Goat??? Oh no!!! Not that!!! Ieshwar!! Of course they will be happy-happy chapters! LoL! I've seen hotel staff acquire some rather odd requests (including a 3 am need to get a 12-foot snake) but I think Kryton switches might be a little out of their abilities. I will say this; I almost always place clues to coming chapters in prior ones (often going back two or three chapters). Vegas will be fun.

Must be Shadowgod's influence, becuase I never use cliffhangers. Now, now Steve, remember my little writing-prompt story, "a goat would never have anything to do with a cliff?" Juist loke the goat named Scarp in that story, I'd never have anything to do with a cliff, in any way! So, therefor, I can only say that I could not be a mountain goat. Well, I do live in the mountains, I suppose... And I do tend to be a tad ornery... But cliffs? Me, NEVER! As we saw in the last chapter of LTMP (the one with the Shadowgod cliffhanger), cliffs are clearly the domain of Shadowgod, not me. Shudder.. YEah, I avoid those, too.

ACK!!! This is anti-goat discrimination!!! I mean, here I am, posting a breif, perfectly logical rule to allow the forum to run smoothly, and I get resistance. This is so unfair...

I did not have a total of 64 posts that day! and I can prove it, so

I wonder if this should be reported to the Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals? I mean, really, can't a goat go oversees (and thus be cut off from the internet) without having elections such as this in his forum while he's gone? It's cruel, I tell ya, cruel!!! :o :o I do hope you don't make a habit of treating other goats this way?

As a reader, hrmmm... First, for me, there is a whole heap of difference between what I'll accept from an antagonist rather than a protagonist. One needs to sympathize (IMHO) with the protagonist, so they can't do as many bad things as might be acceptable for an antagonist. So, I'll assume you mean a mean a protagonist by main character (becuase antagonists are often main characters too). That said, I don't feel that a character has to be clearly one or the other. Assuming you mean the protagonist (or one of), some things do stop me cold. Sexual assault by that character would sure be one. Murder without good reason would be another. I'm not at all adverse to having a main character have a few bad traits, but it very much depends on context. For example, is there remorse when they do something bad? Now, there are some things that would put me off a story becuase I feel it's just gross, (such as what Ieshwar mentioned). Another thing that would put me off a story is if there really isn't much happening aside from normal relationship/character. However, that last one is more than likly just a personal preference of mine so I'd be inclined to disregard it. Like Graeme, I usually don't read horror, BUT, I'm not adverse to it. It would depend on the story. I think my main point here is it would depend on the overall context of the story.

YEs, but that's only crazy if you think the goat is answering.