C James

Thanks Kurt, me too. BTW, remember everyone, it doesn't have to be a fairy tale. It could be based on a folk tale, too.

Welcome to the Forums, Andy!!! There are a lot of things to talk about here, and it gets easier as you get to know people. Come on in and join the fun! Ahhh, yes, we have our culprit!

I'll certainly keep reading! My request is for chapter 4 to be posted soon.

I seriously doubt it, becuase there are over 1800 of them! That is way too many to read! The person below me is going to add a post to this thread.

I like that theory, Graeme! It makes sense. That battle scene was one of the best I've ever seen in sci-fi. The three-dimensional headings alone really impressed me, as most sci-fi uses the very unrealistic two-dimentional frame of reference (fine for on an ocean surface, not fine for space).

LB, this sounds like a case of needing to think outside the box! Or, more precisely, inside the jar. You have a taste for far-eastern culture, so perhaps that includes Bonsai? If so, the solution to your problem is at hand! This Feline Bonsai site might be just what you are looking for. Seriously though, baby locks might be the only answer, becuase a determined cat will defeat most anything else. One question: when their behavior changed, did it happen to coincide with a change in the temperature? I've seen cats become more active in cooler homes.

Congratulations everyone! Great choices, Nick!

But pulling the rug out from under the readers is part of the Job! Good point mEis: My thoughts on Richard are that sometimes, people just aren't deep. All too often in fiction a villain is explained as having had all sorts of things make him or her into what they are. But, in real life, I find that sometimes, people just are, whatever they are, be it nice, or (like Richard) scum. Anyway, tha'ts my half-baked analysis. Poor Jacob! He has such a knack for getting caught in the act! That interruption was downright eeevil! Poor Matt and Jacob!! I wonder just how much hot water they are in now?

I'm not sure quite what it is, but I'll bet something happened on Braxix. I think that Aaron is influencing Garret more and more, literally by design. My guess on the buffer zone incident is that the Empire wants to use it as an excuse for a war. ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What? New authors are nervous?? If I calm down tremendously, I might qualify as merely nervous. It is hard for me to think of you as ever being new to writing, but in a weird sort of way it is very reassuring to know that you once were. It is indeed a unique perspective. I also really enjoyed the mix of humor and seriousness. For example (Spoiler ahead!) Randy's freinds being so supportive and accepting of his homosexuality. Which, of course, give the fact that he's striaght and they just wouldn't bleleive him was hilarious!!! It also, though, raised a very serious issue: being a freind of a gay person can get a straight person "labled". To be honest, my reaction was that I thought he was being a bit of a jerk, but would likely come around eventually. I really had more problems with Aiden, for holding a grudge for so long and for being such a jerk about it at times. But, one of the hallmarks of good fiction is characters who aren't perfect, but are flawed in various ways, just like real people. What? The Author isn't part of the story?

Kevin's posts may normally constitute about 80% of GA forum traffic, but most of that will be people READING them. Kevin's actual posting rate is way below the top few people. As an example, if you look at this thread, and count the number of posts for each person, you'll find that while there are several people with multiple posts, Kevin is not one of them. Oh, I completely agree that Kevin's posting has not been up to his normal levels lately! You also raise a good point about multiple posts in a thread. Why, I even see one poster (an Echidna, wouldn't ya know?) has FOUR posts in this very thread! And yes, Kevin's post-per-day average is actually below that of said Echidna, who has an average of 5 posts per day. Out of all of GA, only you and Dark Shadow have an average in the 5's! (and there is no one at all in the 6's!). Postaholics, the both of ya! But Graeme, double or triple zero is still zero.. Hi Krista! Well, it's very rare to see me on that list (me being a lurker and all) but it was astonishing not to see Graeme there. Usually, when I need to send Graeme a PM, I just go to that list and click on his name, as it is always on top.

It is now Dec 1st in the UK, and if all goes well, our very own Rhawes16 and Magicalme will be getting married in Scotland in a few hours! Congratulations to both of you!!!

Who? Me? It would have been a perfect ending...

Well, not exactly, but he did indicate that "he didn't know himself", plus, as they say, actions speak louder than words. I think he at least left a very clear impression that he's not 100% straight. I do like the "real feel" of the story, the characters are very convincing. I also very much liked Step's facing of various issues, such as the cutting. Well done!! I am however deeply disturbed by your utterly unrealistic and unnatural portrayal of the lake: You have water in it! Water? In a lake? That's just wrong, man!

I sure did, though not what you might think. It was a cocktail party so it mi9ght not fit your definition, but it was a holiday party. Someone had set up vodka shots, with tomato juice chasers (also in shot glasses). So, I did one, and then the tomato juice chaser. At that point, I quickly discovered that I had made a slight error. They weren't setting up shots and chasers, they were "do it yourself bloody mary" sets, with the vodka in shot glasses, a bottle of tomato juice on the side, and the Tabasco sauce conveniently in a shot glass for those who wanted a tiny spoonful (why they didn't just leave the stuff in the bottle, I don't know.) Actually, I like Tabasco, so it wasn't all that bad, but it was quite a surprise! (Ouch, HOT!) It was also amusing to see the faces of the people when they realized I'd just done a shot of Tabasco. (for the Non-Americans here, Tabasco is a well-known brand of hot pepper sauce) The person below me has done a shot of Tabasco.

AHHEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Folks, I think we have identified the real source of the posting drop-off!!! Kevin's posts normally constitute about 80% of GA forum traffic, so no wonder things have been quiet around here lately!

ACK!! Thanks for the heads up, Jan!!! Ummm, Orange spray paint just isn't my color, so please keep that away from me!! As for the magazines, I'm not usually one to judge a book by its cover, but I do tend to prefer high fibre and organic.

New Brother by Graeme I've only read up to chapter 17 so far, but I am really enjoying it. Graeme gives us a look at homophobia and outing, and the trauma of being rejected by your family, from a very unique perspective; that of the straight son of the family that takes in Adam, a teen who was thrown out by his family when he was discovered to be gay. The story as it times heartbreaking and hilarious all at once. It is masterfully done by the author of the superb "Falls Creek Lessons". And lest I forget, one aspect of this wonderful story that I particularly like is that in many ways it seems like a normal family drama, yet ever so often something comes along to remind you that these seemingly normal characters are living in a strange and bizarre alien landscape (Australia). Watch out for the Kangaroos and Echidnas, and enjoy the ride!

I know one thing I want for Christmas: To have all my xmass cards sent before it! LoL! I was astounded to see the ques and frantic 5am activity on "black Friday" (The day after thanksgiving) at the stores. I'd never done it, but was on the road and in town around 5am and was absolutely astounded to see it, and I was amazed that so many people did it. :wacko: The person below me actually participated in the 5am shopping rush!

:king: :king: :king: Happy 21st Birthday! :king: :king: :king:

I think you have a good point! Thanks, Mizu! Hmmm, unless, he's still wearing some sort of communications device, in which case the audia might well have just gone out planet-wide! Emoe! Don't you know that editors aren't allowed to make mistakes, on anything?

Wow! OMG indeed!!! David is becoming more and more of a mystery. His reactions struck me as decidedly odd, and that was before that final scene. Right now, the only way I can see this ending in another chapter is if Brain ends up deep-sixing everyone in the middle of the lake.

Hi Rick! I was amazed by that too. It's really strange when a notorious lurker (I like that term, thank you! I'll be quoting it often! ) is mentioned as posting, so things have definitly been very, very quiet around here. I was offline almost all day yesterday, and have just now had a chance to look around, so I do see what you mean.

Great chapter! I am very intregued by the multilingual aspect, and I think you are doing it very well indeed. It really adds a unique feel to the story. I much prefer the way you are handling the translations here (in parenthesis after the French) instead of at the bottom of the chapter. I do agree with CaptainRick, teens do tend to use contractions in speech. Steph did "fess up" to Ben, which pleased me. He's only been "aware" a day, so I think he's doing really great! I was a bit surprised at first at Ben's statement about Step's Ass, however, then I remembered that Teens often say outrageous things and it fit perfectly. Great job, oh Frosty one!!