C James

Wow! Thanks! Unanimous so far... okay, I'll start with 67. I'll try to keep to weekly posting, it's just that it might slip occasionally. On the flip side, for very short chapters (we had a few at the start of Circumnavigation) I'll do what I did then, and post more than one at a time, bringing it up to equal at least an average chapter. CJ

Oops! Sorry, this looks like a case of me doing what's called "projecting". I apologize for the misinterpretation. Truth is, *I've* been worried that it's too long, so I guess I saw validation of my own concerns and read you wrong. Here's the honest truth on story length; my original prediction for Circumnavigation was (with basically the same plot it has) 20 chapters, total. I knew that was way off by the time Trevor got to Gibraltar... and believe it or not, hi entire time in the Med with Joel? I thought (two and a half chapters) for everything they did there. When i say I utterly suck at estimating the amount of text to fill out an outline, it's an understatement of cosmic proportions. I love feedback (all kinds) because it does concern me, a lot. Readers have a much different perspective than the author, (especially in perceiving a plot revealed over time) so they have a view i don't, so I like using that to try to improve. I do value opinions greatly. I might not always agree, but I always like to hear other views. Many of the photos are mine... but others aren't. For Gibraltar, for example, I can't find my pictures! (I was still using film and prints, then). Pompeii I was at two years ago, so that was easy. The Santorini other Greek and Turkish photos are mine, except the salt water sinkhole waterwheel ones (I was there long ago). From Cyprus on, the photos aren't mine (I was a kid the last time I transited Suez, and that was on a cruise ship). I've never been alone like Trevor (out at sea) but I have been on land, on long multi-day hikes deep in the backcountry of the American west. When I'm in the mountains, 20 miles from the nearest road and (as far as i know) at least that far from the nearest person, I've felt intense loneliness after a few days.. and in Trevor's case, he had that, AND missing Joel. I have to admit, I found those parts difficult to write. I hadn't heard of the False Cross. I've seen the Southern Cross many times, but it was Graeme who mentioned the False Cross to me. That's why we credit Graeme, fully and unconditionally, with any perceived cliffhanger due to Trevor missing Reunion Island and having to dare the Southern Ocean. BTW, a trip around the world? I haven't gone all the way around in years, I'm jealous! That sounds great... Where'd you go? I haven't read that thread yet (I'll do so as soon as i post this) but, I just wanted to see how everyone felt. It does little good for me to make a change that people don't like; they'd lose out, and so would I - I'd get less of what I most crave; this forum. I'm not fond of TV or video games, so writing is my recreation. It's very addictive. It also helps that I have all these voices in my head, clamoring to get out... CJ

Thanks!!! I do very chapter length a bit (quite a few run over 7k due to trying to keep things together) but what I have in mind would result in some double sized or more. I'd prefer it, and I think it would improve things, but I wanted to ask what everyone thinks. I don't have to worry about cliffhangers though, as i never use them.

Please read before voting. A discussion on page 2 of the chapter 54 thread got me thinking (always a dangerous thing!) I normally try to keep chapter length even, going for around 5k to 6k words, which is the average for hosted chapters on GA. This allows me to keep up a weekly posting schedule. (I;m a rotten typist, so I'm not a fast writer). However, this has resulted, on several occasion, in chapter breaks points in places where I'd have much rather continued, and had a larger chapter that better completed a scene or situation. The chapter 54 thread discussion got me thinking about this, especially about a coming chapter where I've wrestled with the issue, one where I'm unhappy about the location of the chapter end (where the chapters are divided). Currently, as a guess, Circumnavigation is past the 3/4 point. I have a large body of text written, but it's incomplete; there are many missing scenes. (I write non-linearly). So, what I'm running the poll for is this; Would you prefer to keep to roughly even chapters (the way things are now) Or, go with chapters that vary in length to better fit the story (like a published novel)? If we go with this option, you'd get at least as many words per month, BUT, the weekly posting schedule may not always apply. A double length chapter, for example, might cause a two week, instead of a one week, gap to the next chapter. I'd try to avoid that (the extra gap), but it might happen. I'd like to try this, because I think it will correct some awkwardness in the flow of the plot. But, my main motive here is to keep everyone happy, so I'm putting it up for a poll, and will follow the results. Let me know which option you'd prefer. And, my sincere thanks to the participants in the 54 thread discussion (and also all thread and forum discussions!) y'all got me thinking about chapter layout and plot pacing, and no matter how this poll comes out, I think I can apply some things I've realized to improve flow and pacing. (sorry to be vague, but I have to avoid spoilers.) CJ Edit to add: that coming chapter (where i'm unhappy with where the chapter end is) that I mentioned is a big part of what prompted this (and the chapter 54 convo helped me realize just how unhappy i was with where I'd ended that chapter). It's chapter 67, which I'd very much prefer to combine with a big chunk of 68, making for a nearly double-length chapter. I just had another look, and I really don't like it like it is, the flow sucks. So... how about we give the new chapter length idea a try for chapter 67, and vote after seeing it? (and I sincerely promise, this will NOT result in creating any sort of a tense chapter ending)?

Sorry I've taken so long to reply! I'm basically over the pneumonia, but I still tire easy, so I'm slow. Goats cannot count. (Thanks for the heads up in the thread title!!!!) (And thanks, Talonrider, for fixing it!) Good point; Trevor didn't tell Shane he didn't want the story getting out. So, how would Shane know? Most people want to be famous. We don't know what Shane is printing... But, I did say "print" as opposed to "send", lest anything think he was transmitting stuff to Sanchez. Shane also has no way of knowing that Trevor needs to keep this secret. According to the Australian Slang Dictionary (which is usually pretty good, though sometimes a bit dated) Bogan: person who takes little pride in his appearance, spends his days slacking and drinking beer Bludger : lazy person, layabout, somebody who always relies on other people to do things or lend him things Ned also calls Shane a freeloading crook. I can't give spoilers... but I can probably get away with saying that "Bogan bludger" and "freeloading crook" as used by Ned about Shane, are not terms of endearment. Thanks!! Yep, Shane is printing. So we can assume it's not something a phone call would suffice for. We're also assuming it's related to Trevor. It might well not be. One thing to bear in mind, even if Shane does not have e-mail access, he surely does have access to a telephone (such as at the nearby convenience mart, if he doesn't have one himself). I never thought about faxing... that's a good point! For a regular fax machine, which a boat may well have (Atlantis did), you'd need to print before faxing. I think having Shane's head arrive (minus the rest of him) would be even more unpleasant for Shane than for Bridget. Good point though... Trevor and Shane do look a little alike, and are on similar boats, and only an expert can tell a Lagoon 57 from a Lagoon 55. (and remember in Suez, when the bomb-deliverer had trouble telling a Lagoon 55 from a Gunboat 56? A lagoon 55 and 57 are far more similar). Good point also on Trevor being able to stay in Australia; you're right, he can, due to his mother having been Australian. Good point: Sanchez has taken this as a matter of honor, because he found the prior failures humiliating and embarrassing. To him, this is both a personal humiliation, and a threat to his position (which is based largely on reputation). Cliffhanger? Ahh, but what is Shane doing: he's typing on a computer and then hitting a button, which is exactly what you did to make your post! Therefor, if Shane made a cliffhanger, so did you! MikeL for King of Cliffhangers! We learn, somewhere in the next chapter (I can't recall if it's the first or second half) exactly what Shane was typing, and why. Thanks! The new chapter will be posting on time, thanks to my wonderful team. Cliffhanger? As I told Mike above, Shane was typing on a computer and then hit a button, which is exactly what you did to make your post. So if you're saying that's a cliffhanger - Wildone for King of Cliffhangers! :king: Ah, sweet, lovable Eric from FTL... Benji's favorite, as I recall. Shane has some apparent contradictions, such as his behavior when he first met Trevor, and then the fight, followed by his contrite appearance at Atlantis. We'll learn why shortly. The next chapter is entitled "Slips of the Tongue". And heh, I originally typed above "The next chapter, 65, is "Knowledge is Power". But, as I barely deduced before posting, the chapter after 63 is 64, not 65.

The lurking stranger at the end of 62 (who we now know the identity of) was in part done to emphasize the fact that there are people out there whose intentions would not have been benign, and that Trevor is vulnerable. Please don't assume that there is a miles-to-distance correlation. Trevor crossed the Atlantic in less than one chapter. I can't give spoilers, but... let's just say that in this case, the Atlantic and the Pacific have a lot in common. This isn't going to be anywhere near a hundred-chapter story. Also, the mysteries... Circumnavigation is unusual for a mystery novel; the mysteries do not wait for the end of the novel. The overwhelming majority are revealed well before, and a great many all at once. One clue; the reason for the secrecy on so much of it is the statutes of limitations, and the date of their expiry has already been given in the story (December 17th). It's currently the end of November in the story, as of the most recently posted chapter. One problem (and I freely admit, it's a problem) is that the story is also a novel of Trevor's voyage, so things are in it that sometimes don't pertain to the mystery. This includes travelogue type visits to various places, such as Pompeii. This is in part because I love writing those (the photos in that chapter are mine) and had fun with it. Was it plot relevant? Yes, because that's where Trevor got the idea to try underwater archeology from. And also, that's where Trevor tricked (or thought he did) Joel into wearing the gay-symbol shirt, which Joel turned around on him. Trevor learned that being gay isn't as big a deal as he thinks it is (Joel had no problems due to wearing the shirt) and Joel learned that there really are times when being "out" can be problematic (Trevor's comment about going to jail wearing that shirt, when they had the scare from the harbormaster). So, they both learned a lot. Other scenes were apparently trivial at the time, but were forshadowing. Joel's fall on Samos; a few scrapes and a ripped pair of shorts. Trivial everyday stuff, except that where the watch Trevor used to save his life came from. The visit to Rhodes and the cafe with the sundial (a real place, BTW) gave Trevor the time settings to use. The sundial in Gibraltar was part of this, as it mentioned sundials, and the critical compass rose on the chart in the salon. (and Gibralter also stocked Trevor up with pork hot dogs... which the pirates would not take). There was a scene shortly after Gibraltar, when Trevor and Joel had to grease Atlantis's seacocks. Joel decided to prank Trevor by stripping naked before going into the confined bilge, which was also his way to get Trevor to quit stressing so much on the "gay issue". He faked being shocked and appalled when Trevor touched his shoulder, and had a good laugh. But what was also in that scene? Using the valve kit, and in it we saw for the first time the abrasive grinding powder Trevor would later use to take out the pirate ship's engines. I had to slip that in somewhere, and figured I might as well do it with a fun scene that served several other purposes as well. (you can't just have a handy item just suddenly appear in time of need). If there's any large scene or passage that looks irrelevant, tell me what it is and I can probably tell you it's purpose. I'm not saying you're not right, just that I did have reasons for much of this. Whether I was right to do it as i did? I honestly don't know... that's up to readers, to me. I will add that I'm enjoying this conversation, because I love discussing things like this; an author sees their writing from a very different perspective than the reader, because the author knows the whole plot. Conversations like this help me see it from other perspectives, and that's something I find very helpful, and often learn a great deal from. The chapter-end issue is a good one, and I'll cover that at the end of this post. This thread got me thinking, and I came to realize that the chapter-length issue has been a frequent headache for me. In many cases, I'd prefer a longer chapter so an entire event of situation could be handled in it. Basically, the way I write is to have a large working file, and then parse it into chapters, with a goal of between 5k and 6k words per. (Hosted chapters on GA average 5k). I often go a bit over, and also struggle to find a decent breaking point. I am often unhappy with the result. I'll get back to this at the end of the post. Thanks for the info on Gabe Newell! Ah yes, that gives ideas! Perhaps a similar response about a delay, every time someone mentions the word 'Cliffhanger'? 0:) 0:) Who, me, misdirect? I'm big on foreshadowing... for example, Trevor's Southern Ocean ordeal was forshadowed more than once, but heavily in Santorini, when he was on board that Canadian yacht. The Southern Ocean was mentioned and described, and Trevor's planned route was described, along with the explanation of how he would stay north of the Southern Ocean, and use his weather forecasts ant Atlantis's speed to evade storms that he'd encounter (even north of it, it's dangerous waters). Trevor's little pirate problem was foreshadowed in several places and ways, such as by his dread of falling overboard and being left at sea to drift and slowly die. (a fate he very much had to confront, both before freeing himself and after). Thanks! You're absolutely right... Serial stories are a bit different. (I've done both, and I find a non-serialized story easier. Also, another aspect; I'm posting this before the story is complete. That's trickier than I thought it would be, due to the complexity. There do end up being little plot changes, and I can think of one scene in particular that was in part vague foreshadowing for a plot twist that did not occur (Minor spoiler; Trevor and Joel are not actually related by blood, but for a time I planned that they would discover that they were). If I was posting this only after completion, that scene, and quite a few other bits, would be edited out or at least streamlined, and that's just one example. Also, part of why I'm writing this and the other novels is to learn how to write. I have much to learn, and in hindsight, there are changes I'd make. That's a good thing, because it means (theoretically, anyway) I'll be better on my next novel. Okay, now, back to the chapter-length issue that was raised. That one really got me thinking, and chapterizing this is often a massive headache for me. In one coming chapter, for example, it ran long, about a chapter and a half, so I curt it early, and I'm not happy with the result. I think it would be a better read in one lump, at about 9k words. Why don't I just make it a double sized chapter? Because I'm trying to keep up a weekly posting schedule, and I can only write so much. (I'm also currently working on a new novel for the Premium section, and I'm a lousy typist so this all takes time). One of the reasons I post weekly is so the forum doesn't die off. My main motivation for posting free online is this forum, and getting to interact with readers. That's fun for me, and I learn a lot. If the forum died off, I wouldn't be posting free online anymore (I'll still write, that's an addiction, it's just I'd have no motive). I don't want that to happen, so i keep up a weekly schedule, which sometimes is a massive headache for me to do (and it has resulted in chapter breaks that are not what I'd like). So, I'm thinking of posting a poll; as long as the number of words I post per month does not decline, what would ya'll rather see for the rest of Circumnavigation? Fewer chapters, though the size will vary wildly (as you'd see in a published novel) and average larger, which will often result in fewer chapters per month (but at least the same words per month) in some cases? Or go on as we are? Any thoughts?

Sorry for my slow replies! First, THANK YOU! Now, about the stories moving... yep, Red is right. I was in the process of moving them when I was hit by a bad case of pneumonia. I've never had it before, and never want to again. It is not fun. I'm over it, just still a bit weak, and tire easy. So, I will be moving the three completed novels (For the Love, Let the Music Play, and Changing Lanes) to GA stories. They are currently available on my main site, http://cjames.gayauthors.org/ and will be until totally moved over, at which point I'll change all the chapter links and indexes in my site. CJ

Chapter 63, Clouded Judgment, is up. So, who was it sneaking up on Atlantis and Trevor? It was someone! Why? They had a reason. We do find out in full detail in the chapter, though.

Chapter 63: Clouded Judgement “My dear Sanchez, it is good to see you, though I wish we were meeting under better circumstances,” Bridget said, as Sanchez let her and George into his suite. “As do I, dear lady, as do I. We may speak freely here; I had the room swept earlier today. This report... to say it troubles me would be an understatement. This makes twice... I do not yet know what went wrong, though I suspect betrayal. That matter will be dealt with, severely.” Bridget took a prof

Not that I'll ever admit to a cliffhanger but I do admit to a few slightly tense chapter endings. Why are they there? It depends on the individual case. In some cases, it's because I want the reader to remember something: the bomb on Atlantis, for example. It's important to remember how exactly it was placed, what it replaced, etc. Some of this has yet to be revealed, so I can't be too specific. There are, however, occurrences in the Suez that the tension helped highlight, that are very important later in the story. In some cases, it's simply because no matter where I cut the chapter, it's going to be an unresolved issue. The bomb is another good example; it was on board for quite some time, and chapters have to end somewhere. The issue in the greek islands, with the unexploded munitions, was in part for educational purposes; it gave he a chance to explain the issues with explosives that had gone unstable due to age. That was critical a few chapters later, in the Suez with the bomb. Also, that scare for the characters was when Joel decided to marry Lisa. Also, the Greek issue was the first real tense bit in the story (I think?); there wasn't much before it. When Trevor crossed the Atlantic and fell overboard, I put that in the middle of a chapter and resolved it right away. It was important in several ways that it happened, but tension wasn't needed so there was none. When Trevor crossed the Indian Ocean, there's a lot of tension, just as there was for him. He was in danger continually. It also (in the case of missing Reunion) was an issue where we were seeing it through his eyes; trying to figure it out, and coming close, but then missing. And, the way he missed reunion highlighted some navigational issues that played a big role in where he finally ended up.

OOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Um, the reason for that is goats cannot count! I goofed... I have changed the ref in chapter 6 to "late in the afternoon". Thanks for the heads up! It's fixed now.

Trevor probably didn't do himself any favors by getting distracted and blurting out his surprise that Shane is Australian. At least we know that they both know at least one bit of sign language. (the middle finger). (and yep, they do use that in Australia, too. ) Huh? What cliffhanger?? ACK! But but but... no cliffhangers here, so we can't nominate me. Thanks! I'm still spending more time than normal resting, but I think I'm pretty much over it now. Tense endings? Not me! Tense is just too close to cliffhanger for me to ever do. Shane is indeed very hot... but think of this; given Trevor's penchant for becoming distracted and clumsy around very hot guys (walking into bulkheads, or as in Italy, pool tables, and here getting tongue tied) how would he deal with an enemy he finds very hot? It would drive him nuts... LoL! And maybe Trevor has had it easy for too long, and needs an enemy? Edge? Not I! That's too much akin to a cliffhanger, and I never do those, not even when delirious with fever! What a dilemma for Trevor... he'd get to be Shane's boss after fighting him, but it would also give Shane a chance to make good on his thread to gut Trevor with a boathook... I might, or might not, be able to confirm that we have, or haven't, seen the last of Shane. And Trevor has a few bruises and a cut lip too... plus, from where Atlantis is docked, Trevor has to walk past the marina where Kookaburra is to get to and from town, every time. Just the added complication he needs. Thanks!!! Trevor could indeed use a few friends... he's only been there 24 hours so far, and so far he knows the two officers, Ned, and Shane. Trevor is still suffering from his long ordeal at sea... he was alone and in danger for a long time, and his pride and joy (Atlantis) is an absolute mess. Trevor is in a more fragile state of mind than he himself realizes, which is why he's so miserable right now. Okay, so, we have someone stealthily approaching Atlantis, intention unknown, but clearly concerned about detection by the customs officers. We know the person is male (the narration calls him a "he") but little else. We know also that Trevor is miserable, and in a very fragile and vulnerable state of mind... Does the visitor intend Trevor harm? Is it a reporter? Or one of Sanchez's people? Shane? Someone new? We just don't know... all we really know for sure is that it isn't a cliffhanger.

Truth in Advertising. :devil:

My apologies for my absence from this thread; I'm just about over it now, but I had a bad case of pneumonia. Chas is one of my favorite characters. I'd originally intended her for a far smaller role, but she just sort of... took charge. I like her shirt tree.

Chapter 62, Enemies Naar and Far, is up. I have been reading the forum, I just haven't been able to think clearly enough to reply or post much in recent days. I'm getting better though, and the chills and fevers have finally ended. My Doc says I'm well on the way to full recovery, which was welcome news. I'm still loopier than normal, thanks to some of the meds, but I'm feeling a heck of a lot better. I'm still weak, and sleep a lot, but less each day. Anyway, sorry for my absence and late replies! I should be more active from now on. Enjoy the chapter (it's just a nice, relaxing one)

I want to thank everyone who has posted. I have been reading the forum, I just haven't been able to think clearly enough to reply or post much in recent days. I'm getting better though, and the chills and fevers have finally ended. My Doc says I'm well on the way to full recovery, which was welcome news. I'm still loopier than normal, thanks to some of the meds, but I'm feeling a heck of a lot better. I'm still weak, and sleep a lot, but less each day. Anyway, sorry for my absence and late replies! On the issue of Trevor's scenic shorts I concede the point; someone would have likely offered. Trevor did pass on an offer to go shopping though, and there would be the issue of nothing the officers or Ned fitting Trevor, assuming they had any clothes on hand. Also, Trevor did sort of take care of the problem via the paperclips, which pinned the tear shut. However, that said, we probably do have a case of my bias here: Trevor and clothes are a bad mix. 0:) I hope that missing catamaran is found... (thanks for the link!). BTW, the next chapter will post on time (any minute now) and is called "Enemies Near and Far".

Chapter 62: Enemies Near and Far Bridget paced relentlessly in her parlor, waiting. George was at the department, so she had not risked calling him. She knew he’d be arriving at her home just after five, so she’d done as much as she could, trying to fill the hours, which seemed like an eternity. A rumble from the garage door at last signaled George’s arrival. Bridget, breathing a sigh of relief, hurried towards the hallway. As soon as George had entered, Bridget said, “I have terrible new

Just stopping in to say hi, and I should be around more tomorrow. I'm still sleeping a lot, but getting better bit by bit.

Chapter 61 is up... Sorry I haven't replied to the other threads yet, i will, but I wanted to get this online.

Chapter 61: Stranger in a Strange Land When Trevor finally cracked open his eyes, seeing the stripped cabin, it took him a few seconds to remember the events of the previous day. Scared that it had all been a dream and that he was still at sea, he waited to feel the motion of the boat. Feeling almost nothing, hope growing in his heart, Trevor leapt up and looked out a small window, seeing the dock, and then he glanced down at the remains of his dinner on the floor. ‘It’s real... We made it!

Chapter 60: Carnarvon The days of confinement had been difficult for Dirk and Jim; the worry, the constant fear of arrest, and the isolation were taking their toll. They were confined to the small condo, largely cut off from involvement in the events that would determine their fates. As a result, tempers began to fray. “What the fuck is taking Frank so long?” Dirk grumbled, pacing next to the fake fireplace. Jim checked his watch. “Would you calm down? He said he’d be here sometime nea

Chapter 59: Threading the Needle It was nine o’clock at night, and Henry was beginning his first surveillance of the Bellevue residence, mainly to scout the terrain and plan his observation points. He soon determined that the best location was across the waterway from the house, and eased his way through the overgrown weeds on the vacant lot opposite Bridget’s empty dock. As Henry neared the water’s edge, a whisper from the darkness behind him made his blood turn to ice. “Turn around

Chapter 58: The Equation of Time For Trevor, it was terror in the dark; a confusion of sounds, and above it all the deep and pervasive roar of the wave. Atlantis, in the grip of the raging whitewater, pitched even further nose-down, until her port bow slammed into solid, almost stationary water below the wall of white. Slewing her hard around, spinning her. Trevor felt himself falling in the darkness, expecting death at any moment, his world a dark and violent confusion. Atlantis shudde

Chapter 57: Maelstrom In the golden glow of sunset, Joel parked his Camaro on Lisa’s driveway, took a deep breath to steel his nerve, and got out. He had dressed for the occasion: new jeans, and a white long-sleeved shirt. With trepidation, Joel rang the bell. A few seconds later, Robert Whitaker opened the door. “Hello Joel. Good to see you, but Lisa is working tonight; she won’t be home for a few hours.” Joel smiled awkwardly, fidgeting a little. “I know; I came to see you. There’s so

Chapter 56: Synchronicity For two days, Atlantis ran before the wind. Trevor had set her rudders so that she was tracking ten degrees to starboard of the wind’s path, to maintain her southeast heading. The winds gradually built, and the seas with them. Atlantis’s speed increased, until she was averaging seven knots. Trevor took his noon sightings, calculating his position as six hundred miles southeast of Reunion. The swells were increasing, just a hint of what was to come, and Trevor l