C James

Even if I did, I wouldn't jab you. I have a sense of fairness, after all. The person doing the spoiling gets the jabs. I'll have to come up with something different for you, since you've just confirmed it, even if you didn't issue the spoiler in the first place.... Ohhh shdowgod? Please come here. A very nice Echidna has something for you, all the way from down under.... And would I confirm a spoiler? Well, as you probably know, Goats are famous for eating just about anything... Actually, though, I've never actually eaten gunpowder. In truth, it's an urban leged that the Military, prisons, etc, put saltpeter (an major component of gunpowder) in food to reduce libedo. I couldn't think of any other well-known anaphrodisiac. Well, looks like I'm gonna have to take your advice and go with the sports accident. I think pulled hamstrings, broken jaws, and broken shoulders (requiring imobilization of the hands and arms) ought to suffice?

In my opinion, this is a sign of a conscientious and very professional author!

ACK! He's leaking the plot! Baaaad Fossil! I just hope our resident Echidna does not consider this a spoiler, and jab me with those spines of his... Well, Eric does have a knack for causing "interruptions", even though he's never done so in person. Steve's dad, however, has. Twice. Hmmmm, Steve's Dad is a cop. He would likely have Gunpowder on hand. Gunpowder, when eaten, has a very powerful libido-dampening effect. Soooo, what if, when they finally do get to be alone together, all they wanna do is play Backgammon?

That really, really stinks! I HATE haveing to re-do something once I've done it, so I really feel your pain. Damn!!! I was really looking forward to LiS 11, especially as there are some major issues coming to a head. Thank you for LiS so far, and we will try and wait paitently for 11... In the meantime, anyone have any ideas on how Matt will react when he finds out that Jacob has feelings for Valerie? Uhoh, train wreck ahead...

Myr, thank you, that was hilarious! #9 had me doubled over!!

Nope! Close though! I do sometimes (maybe three times a year) party at biker bars. Some of my friends are bikers. (and no, I don't mean the Lesbian kind). Nope! My well pump is solar, BUT, I have a large storage tank so darkness and clouds aren't usually an issue. I also have a transformer rig to power the pump off the lines if need be. A petrol-powered pump would not be good here; it's too far to keep hauling in petrol (gasoline). I do have a gasoline powered generator, though, plus a couple hundred gallons of preserved gasoline. The reason I went with solar is that the only utility available on my property is electricity, and it's a remote and old line. So, the power is not reliable, and goes out for up to days at a time. I also wanted the ability to go "off-grid" if need be. And, the other reason I went with a solar well pump? I won the pump in a card game, so I had it, so figured "why not"? LoL! OK, It was #2 that was the lie. I Do not carry a .357 everywhere! I find the .357 a little bulky for a carry gun, and I've always preferred ACP's to wheel guns. So, I carry a 9mm ACP. not a .357.

Yep! At my Mom's house. Fortunately, she's only a few hours drive away, so no having to deal with the typical "Holiday travel" horrors. The person below me still has Christmas cards to send out.

Two days? ACK! I'm a procrasitnator, for sure. I suppose I'd better mail my Xmas cards soon. I always try and get them in the mail before New year's. The person below me hasn't finsished their xmas shopping...

Welcome, Trebs!!!!! I think this is a great idea, and I think you are the perfect choice. You hit on one issue that I've raised many times: the limitations of text-based communications, and their inherent predilection for being misinterpreted due to the lack of body language and voice inflection. The human brain is hard-wired to put things in the frame of reference of a verbal communication, so very often "fills in the blanks" and adds emotional subtext where it is lacking. In many cases, it ads the wrong one. I've seen this happen, many times: one person types something that could possibly be read the wrong way, and it is likely that it will be, in the worst way possible. I know I've put my foot in it more than a few times in exactly that way.

Ahhhh! Got me on the tense! LoL! Uhoh, this means it's my turn again. Hmmm. #1 I sometimes party at biker bars. #2 I carry a 357 magnum revolver at almost all times. #3 My well pump runs on solar power.

That is a good point, and does make sense. I'll see how I do with chapter one, as that does not, to me, flow well at all. Thanks!!

Oh gosh, I can see it now: "Chris ran at full speed down the soccer field, the wind blowing in his hair, racing to beat Steve to the goal. Pulling ahead just in time, Chris darts in front of Steve as Steve lined up for the goal. Neither would later remember exactly how it happened, but when they regained consciousness, surrounded by paramedics, it was painfully apparent to both that they had collided. Later, the doctors informed them that they both had torn hamstrings, and worse, would need to have their jaws wired shut for a month, as they had both managed to break them., along with all four of their shoulders." Hmmmm, yes, sporting injuries have definite possibilities! I'll have to do some research and check on what kind of injuries require a full body cast...

Now, now, I didnt just say Fossil... I put a nice modifier right in front of it.

I have trouble remembering the spelling of the Iraqi PM's name, (Malakai?). What concerns me more, though, is how few, even in government, know that the "governing coalition" which he heads includes the likes of Al Sadr. Al Sadr's group was key to putting Malakai in power. Then, we express surprise that Malakai isn't "reigning in" al Sadr, and is often acting to protect him. I'm really looking forward to "Life's a Grind"! However, to really cover all your bases, you could make the protagonist a teen who also is a vampire by night, and pilots UFO's by day? Seriously though, "Life's a Grind" sounds very interesting! That title alone intrigues me.

Hmmmm, I think I'm going to need some ideas for believable interruptions and delays! The problem is that they have cars, and a big area of wilderness in which to go park.

It's not much of a surprise, but Cody does get to sing with the group, either late in chapter one or early in chapter two (it's been so long that I don't remember exactly). I was never trying to hide that, as it's basically the start of the story, much as I used a blackmail plot to kick off the story I'm currently posting, "For the Love". Thanks for the "inside info"! Cody isn't at a venue, but rather at a recording studio that also has a rehearsal stage. I think there used to be one like that down on Wilshire in Los Angeles, but I really haven't a clue. Also, needless to say, I won't be using any "celebs" of any sort, as I have zero knowledge of them (plus, frankly, I find it boring trying to write when I'm not free to develop my own characters how I choose). I did use the name of one real venu; The Mason Jar in Phoenix. I don't know the legalities of mentioning a real place by name, so, I'll change that. Given your background, would you mind if I send you a couple of PM's in the future, when things are further along, to bounce a few aspects of this off of you? It does center on the music industry, which I have near zero experience with. Thanks!! Oh, to answer your other question: This one may take a while, as I basically have to re-write it. Most of it is even worse than the draft above, which I did brush up a little. I'd never intended for anyone to see this story (I wrote it before I found GA) so it is basically just one big 60k words .doc file, very rough, and not even broken into chapters. It was just one of those stories that popped into my head, and I just had to get it down on paper (or hard drive). I've got a few others like that, though this one is the largest. Thanks Camy!! What? Moi? Misdirect the reader? Would I do such a thing? Nah, on this one, Camy pegged it, he does at least get to sing with them a few times, but that will probably all be in chapter one so not much point in hiding it. Hmmmmm.... That is an interesting idea. I probably won't do it that way as there are some scenes in it that I very much like the way they turned out, but I will most likely re-write more than half of it completely, and just heavily revise most of the rest. I think, though, that chapter one (including the bit above) will amongst those that are entirely re-written. I dislike how the above bit "feels", and the first chapter is so critical. Thanks!!!!

Yipes! I'm glad that you are OK with it, but NOBODY should ever have to be outed by anyone other than themselves. Ouch. I take it Delihlah already knew that you wre "into guys"? A truck, though? Hmmmm. Will you be heading for Dixie shortly? :nuke: Seriously though, thank you, and have yourself a great hollidays, my friend. CJ

I thoguht I'd try and revive this very useful forum, and take advantage of it to post something that isn't quite ready for sneak peeks yet. Basically, this is a fragment of chapter one of a story that has been laying around on my hard drive for a few years. I've made a few changes to the wording due to things I've learned since, but I'm utterly incapable of judging my own work. It might be utter bunk. If it is, please do me (and any readers) a favor and tell me so. This us un-beta'd, and UNEDITED, so it is decidedly rough. Any and all opinions welcome. I'm basically trying to see if it is work salvaging or not. I like the storyline, but that doesn't mean anyone else will. Thanks! CJ Let the music play Chapter one Roadie. Cody ducked as the speaker came crashing down less than a dozen feet from him, and felt more than heard the thud as it hit the stage, accompanied by its mounting bracket. Cody turned in time to see the last of the scattered pieces come to a standstill, the sudden, overwhelming silence soon shattered as he heard Gabe, his boss, yell,

I think three is true, as I recall something about that when you discussed Falls Creek Lessons. Might have been a different relative though. I'm going to guess between the other two, and guess that your Father was in a different olympics? Hmmmm!!! I'm guessing #3 is true, becuase you have said that you like to walk. #2 is so funny that I think it's true! So, I'm guessing that #1 is the lie.

Hmmm.. Cloven hooves? Yup... Evil number, umm, Yup... Hmmm, Horns? Yup... Are Goats a well-known Satanic symbol? Ummm, yup. Me when I lost my sunglasses? Now why would anyone think I'm Evil? It's not as if I leave the characters in my story frustrated, after all.

Yep... I saw it, and even did a screencap of the "top ten posters of the day" screen. No exaggeration: 46 posts, which I am fairly sure is the GA record for one day. What can I say? That Pirate can POST...

Greetings, my mineral-rich friend! If you want your user-title changing, you would either have to ask Joe, or wait until your 500th post (sometime before the end of the month, given your postaholic ways) and change it yourself. I don't have the access to do it. "Petrified to Perfection" sounds good, though! Hi Bondwriter! Thank you!! Yep, there is a lot more coming their way. Hi Bob! Wow, thank you!!!! I'm working hard to improve. I owe a great deal to the many who have given me constructive criticism. My sincere thanks to everyone who is reading: I really appreciate it! CJ BTW, I just noticed the topic number for this thread: 6666!

Considering that I've only ever written one scene "like that", and that was months ago, I'm certinaly not one to opine on that. LoL! I liked it a lot! Very sweet, their feelings really come across. I very much liked the part where they get to exchange vists with their Dad's blessings.

Uhoh, he's threatening to go Goat hunting! Tension? Awww, nah, if I'd have been truly cruel, I'd have had the father just walk into the room and catch them in the act. Now THAT would have been EEEEvil... (and did indeed happen, in shdowgod's story, linked in my sig). I think shdowgod might just be upset about the whole "blue pill" reference, after being so recently outed (in his own story thread!) as an old Fossil. Now, I think I'd best go make myself scarce before he sees this...

Hi Zapthestarz! There was an announcment a while ago, here is a link to it. I hope that answers your questions. The last I heard (and this is a few weeks ago) Krista was looking for another place to post her stories. CJ