C James

Good idea!! Dezl, I hope you don't mind? I just wanted to say that your disclaimer was absolutely brilliant!! That had me laughing, and also got me focused for the story. I loved it!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy to hear that there will be more to this story! It is really intriguing! Thank you Comicality!!!

I'm guessing that Jake was, too, but my hunch is based on the fact that he seemed to "know" about Ryan. This story made me seriously nostalgic for parties out in the country, just driving out and finding a place. Hmmmm... I haven't done that in a while. I think it's time to do it again. Thanks for a great story!

Graeme, I originally thoguht he was accepting of it, but after reading your comment I went back and looked, and you are quite right,. That was very haunting and mysterious (and perfect for Haloween!) Thanks, eternity2rock.

I really enjoyed, it, and I think it was only well after reading it than I realized that no one had seen them. Surely you can't mean the sweet and lovable Muse in my story? I'm so sorry to hear that!

edit alert! :ranger: gotcha! ROFL! YEp! And I would like to point out for everyone that, if not for Emoe, Joel would have been hearing noses instead of noises! Many thanks to Emoe, my Editor and friend, for editing this story (and my other stories too!), and making it so much better. Thanks Luc! Thank you! I couldn't find a workable picture of a forest at night, so I made that graphic from one of a sunlit forest and changed the lighting, then added the eyes and title.

Why, shure!! It wasn't all Jed Clampet styles, though! I did suggest Walmart a lot too. So, Kevin, does this mean that you don';t want me to be the voice of grooming and fashion on your blog? Don;'t you want to get in touch with your inner redneck? OK, time to fess up: Yep, I hardly exaggerated at all (except for the red-neck picture!) in my descriptions and recommendations. Basically, I was describing my own methods and tastes to a very large extent. I have used hair conditioner more than once (maybe three times over the years), but I was serious: I couldn't remember whether the darn stuff goes one before or after a shampoo. Yes, I really do sometimes clothes shop at a feed and grain store. However, that is for normal clothes like Levis, range jackets, and boots, not overalls (seriously, if your are going for practical western boots, you can't beat the selection at a feed and grain store). I only own one pair of overalls and it's a mechanics style, and I wear it only for working on my vehicles or similar extremely messy jobs like painting. (I doubt even Kevin is a fashion plate when changing an oil pump, but I could be wrong! ) Most of Kevin's post is WAY over my head. I haven't even heard of most of what he described. I did catch one bit though that I heartily endorse: Sunscreen! That I do use as I spend a lot of time outdoors. My interest isn't cosmetic as much as avoiding cancer, but it does both. Use it, it could save your life. CJ

I know I tease him about it, but I want to tell everyone, for the record, that Kevin is just the best at keeping the forums going. He also wrote 21 reviews for the anthology! WOW! (Wow, you came out about being a postaholic! Cool! ) Pants with no pockets? I can't ever remember seeing any like that (except I know that many women's pants don't have pockets). Would pants with a hole in the pocket count? The person below me loved Kevin's reviews!!

Well, speaking as a lurker who never posts, this couldn't possibly apply to me!! The person below me is a postaholic!

I do agree!! He's trouble, I think. Big trouble. I still wonder about Tremere, too. BAH! Like you needed my help to bring about the end of the world! I suspect that you are :king: of the universe and your is ready to do the deed even as I send this off into cyber-space... {that

Hmmmm... My guess is, either he did, or he didn't! The person below me is wondering if I'll ever come up with a good "person below me" line.

What? You didn't like the cute little beastie? And here I went to such trouble to write him as sweet and lovable. He even came when Joel called, and even joined him for dinner! Thank you!! What I was trying for was to make the narration quite different in style to Joel's writing style. I started out the narration in an archaic style, and then after Joel had written his parts (in a slightly similar style ) I shifted over to a more normal style. I was trying to portray a shift, Joel becoming one with his story as his story came to life. Now for my confession regarding the "rules of writing". I came up against this recently, when i wanted the "feel" of both a third person and first person perspective. I had heard that you just can't do that, and, like Joel, it frustrated me. In resolving the issue (I needed both for another story, and found a way to do it, but not quite the same method I used in this one) I figured why not go whole hog, and use all three voices, plus past and present tenses, but without breaking an actual "rules". Bingo! That was exactly what I was going for. Another metaphor was that sometimes, the best way to go is sideways. (can anyone figure out what I mean by that? ) Thank you Krista!!! BTW, so far you have been right in your prediction that no one would ask for a sequel to this one. I do have an outline in mind, but I think Joel's character might be a little too stiff to play the protagonist again. Thank you! So far, it is only lacking a title.

Had you asked a month ago, that would be true! LoL I fixed it, though what is hard is finding parts!!! The person below me has 70's stuff under their bed.

Well, the 70's are becoming "trendy" again, so I'm thinking of... Getting a pet rock! The person below me still has 70's stuff in their closet!

I've been reading through the old threads in the Lounge, and looking back at all you have done to build this wonderful place! GA helped get me through a very hard time in my life, and I'm sure it has done the same for many others. GA has also given me the writing bug, something I am deeply thankful for. So, Myr, Thank you for this wonderful place, and for all that you do, and the many years of work that it has taken to bring GA to this point. :king:

I never thought of that! Oh my, this could possibly imperil my reputation as a quiet and shy lurker

But Kevin, people can fly, it's just the landings that are problematic. Like the old saying says, it's not the fall that kills ya, it's the sudden stop at the end The person below me is, like me, seeing dawn thanks to being up all night reading the anthology!

This was so sweet! Really a very happy story, though during the part I wasn't thinking it would have a happy ending. I very much liked the part about their Mom's knowing each other. The way Blake acted when drunk (one out of the party) was quite endearing, and Tailor's candy-sorting really gave him personality. I really loved it, and I agree with Kevin; The ending was just right. Thank you ViV!

That bought back memories for me too. That sure does sound like a great group of friends, and I do think that they planned it. Those mischievous grins gave a great clue, and were a wonderful touch! Jake had to have been in on it, or at least clued in, because he obviously had a good idea that Ryan was gay. Nostalgic and heartwarming!! I loved it!! :king:

That is so cute!!!! Anna, that was great!! I found it both funny, and with a great moral, plus it is incredibly imaginative!!!

I'm still busy reading but had to take a break, my eyes were getting eyestrain from all the reading! The person below me read every story in the anthology.

Thank you Graeme! This was tricky to write, but it was fun, and I had a blast doing it. At least Joel is no longer a frustrated writer, now that his Muse has finally headed his call.

This is really heartwarming, Nick! And beautifully written! I loved the mix of mischief and love, taking their young Uncle out but enjoying his candy too. The young uncle was a very intriguing touch! It gave everything a very realistic feel for me, as that is something that you see much more often in life then in fiction. I really enjoyed seeing Alex and Jacob again, and loved the happy family feel. The inclusion of the issues (gay adoption, etc,) was great, and very thought provoking. I was intregued enough by the mention of a legal age limit for trick-or-treating to do a search, and guess what, it look like it's real!!! I'm astonished by that. Thanks Nick!!!!!!!

What a unique perspective, and so eerie that he is so accepting of his fate. Truly haunting and evocative.