C James

Buahahaha!! First? HAHAAH!! You have already written many. Bondwriter!! What a thing to imply! I'm shocked.. just shocked, that would imply that I use cliffhangers! Aww, I never say clueless or misdirected! Actually, there is, all jokes aside, a method to my madness. I like to see if you can figure it out, becuase that's the only way, prior to posting, I know how a reader will see it. Remember, I see the story from a perspective of knowing it, so to judge my clues, or what strikes you in a chapter, is very useful to me.

Welcome, Jon!! And thank you! The next chapter, 18, will be out sometime around noon, Tuesday the 16th, Arizona time. I always try and post a chapter on a Monday or a Tuesday. And an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!! I've had several readers who skipped the bad guy's part in LTMP, but oddly enough, I also have a few straight male readers who skipped most of the band parts. I know that the bomb tech was too detailed for many, but I needed it in there for three reasons: the first was so that the readers would understand how a nuclear bomb works. Otherwise, disarming them by shooting them and lasting open the cases with high exposives would make little sense (the readers wouldn't know that doing so could not set off the nuke). The second reason is that I felt it's like a sex scene; some readers like them, some don't, and if its there the reader can skip it if they wish. (Besides, unlike some sex scenes, my nuclear detonation really made the earth move. ) The third reason.. well, to be honest, it's not a reason, just a preference. I love technical details in stories, provided they are real and not made up. So, I wanted to add it, and also to see if I could do it. I can't comment on the speculation without giving spoilers, but I can say that we find out a great deal more very shortly. Thanks for joining us! CJ Consider it done, Jan (assuming my ISP doesn't conk out again), and an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!! HAve yourself a GREAT day, my friend. Great job at finding some of the clues! All I can say is, we find out more very soon. "Errors of Omission" should be up by noon, Tuesday, MST.

Hi HH5! Very good point on Jon: he did have issues when he thought Eric was "changing sides". And yes, no blond jokes in Changing Lanes, yet. Hmmmm?? Whatever do you mean, Echidna? I posted a chapter (LTMP 19) on Christmas Eve, and even had a "Merry Christmas!" and smiley faces in the announcement. Now, now, Wildone, it might be true that the end of chapter 19 was ever so slightly tense, but at least it didn't say which bandmember was reported dead, just that it was one of the Carlisle brothers. However, fear not! I never do the same thing twice, that would be a cliche.

Hrmmm, you know, that might be a very good idea! Oh yes you do. But Jamie, I'm telling the truth! I seek no Cliffhanger Award! Ok, let's look at this logically; there are two choices: #1: I'm lying, so therefor, I must be denied what I seek, and therefor a vote for Shadowgod is the correct choice. #2: I'm telling the truth, so therefor, vote for Shadowgod. Hmmm??? How so?

Please join with me in saying a huge "THANK YOU" to Graeme for the Winter Anthology! It's one heck of a job, and far from easy. Thanks too to Steph, for her technical wizardry, and to all the participating authors, their editors, and betas!

Thanks!! Eric seems to have had fun. He's a very able tactician. Given the mission in this case, he absolutely has to be. Antelope Canyon is fantastic. It's about a hundred feet deep, and at the top only a couple of feet across for much of it's length. Just make darn sure you don't go in if there is any sign at all of tunderstorms or rain, anywhere in the region. (people have died in there, from thunderstorms miles away). I dare not say much here (the Echidna is around, waiting to pounce at any hint of a spoiler by me) but that is some very detailed analysis. Bravo. (I'm offering no indication of whether it';s right or wrong, though). Eric did indeed give Joe a second chance. His "instinct" also gave him a somewhat different read after Joe changed. Chapter 18 is called "Errors of Omission", and 19 is called "Revelations". I think the title for 19 is quite accurate; we do learn a very great deal, on many fronts, this one included. BTW, "Revelations" will be posted on Christmas Eve.

Krista!! But, but, but... This is not true!! I do not seek that award! (How could I? I never use cliffhangers...) Indeed, I have been campaigning for Shadowgod to receive it! Dan is another very worth choice! There is also rumor of a surprise candidate, hailing from down under...

Wildone! Don't you known by now? I never use cliffhangers! Honestly though, it was a true tense issue: I gave it a shot in present tense, but it wasn't working, hence the re-write. The first chapter will be an exception to that, though. You'll see why. Thanks!!

Thanks! Yeah, he George found out... that's why Jansen and Keith got fired. I will point out that there is an enormous clue in the chapter. BTW, what you thought were clues earlier... are clues. That much I can confirm. As for Eric's Instinct... I have yet to portray him as being wrong, ever. Thanks!! Yep, Eric has a very limited circle of freinds, so branching out is indeed good for him. Howdy, goat-buddy! Thanks! Yep, Eric had a lot of fun. If you want to see the old site formatting (on the chapter pages) just look at any prior chapter of Changing Lanes. I haven't converted those yet. The background on the left side is from a photo I took... It's the very, very steep side of Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon here in Arizona. Great catch on the sidebar graphic! That's indeed a slot canyon: Antelope Canyon, up near Page. Drawings would be great! If I tried, we'd get stick figures, lol! George, of course, would have no idea regarding Eric's biker friends. Two whole chapter's worth, and Mad Mike's is based in the LA area. Question for everyone: Why is Felecia so intent on having the General fail?

Shadowyness!! Not you too with the goat roasting??? Ahh, I see you've met Shadowgod, also known as His Shadowyness, and Blackheart. (remember Blackheart, from "for the Love"?) Beware of him... He's sneaky, that one... BTW, all jokes aside, if you want a really good completed story, check out his "Living in Surreality". It won "Best Hosted Story" in last year's awards.

Happy Birthday, Benji!!!

??? But Jessi, what was it that I said? I was just recommending a couple of sweet, relaxing short stories. ACK! Jamie... Have they gotten to you, too? Don't believe them! "Tis true, they did vote me King of Cliffhangers last year, that I cannot deny. However, they were wrong... I never use cliffhangers! I'm not mean... I'm just.. misunderstood. Who? Me?

Let's not be premature! I might not even get nominated at all this time. Shadowgod will get a nomination, that much I can guarantee.... But.. Jamie, you probably haven't been around here long enough to know this, but I never use cliffhangers! Uhoh....

Jake is underway. It's been slow going; I had to do a total re-write due to some tense issues. (I first tried it in present tense, and that didn't work.) But a cliffhanger? Me? But I never use cliffhangers! And, ummm, Jan? does your comment mean that I should start hiding now? Uhoh...

The whole "boy band" issue was a serious concern. Originally, there was no prologue, and I was warned that it real like a boyband story (apparently there's a whole genera of those). That's why i added the prologue, and also made sure to portray them as a rock band. But... but,, me, a cliff lover? Nothing could be further from the truth! It is oft said that a goat will never have anything to do with a cliff! As for chapter 37... Well, that and chapter 36 are my favorite chapters. I do, however, admit that the end of chapter 37 was ever-so-slightly... tense. But, evil cliffhangers? Where!?!? Not in LTMP!! Surely not! Granted, there were a few little unresolved issues in some chapters, but not cliffhangers. Take chapter 19 for instance... That's the one where one of the band members are reported dead in a rock-climbing accident. That was posted on Christmas eve 2007, so surely it could not be a cliffhanger? Really, Jamie, I am sweet and innocent. How about a campaign slogan: Vote for Shadowgod, for a change! Queen? Jamie, I have no idea how I won the 2007 award... I even demanded a recount. It is not known whether I'll even be on the ballot for King of Cliffhangers this year (After all, I might not even get nominated).

Chapter 17 is up, and I have a favor to ask! Could y'all take a look at the new chapter page layout (currently up for this chapter only) and let me know what you think, good or bad? Please be sure to mention any display problems. CJ

I am constrained, by the threat of the Echidna's spines, from saying more than GREAT job on finding clues. There are many. I can't say whether or not you are right, but chapter 17 can. Speaking of which... It's up, but I'm still tweaking the html code on the new site design. Just navigate to it from my main page http://cjames.gayauthors.org/ I doubt the filename will be changing, but it might, so go in via the above link. Hrmm, actually, no, at this point, I can say for sure the filename won't be changing, but go in via the link anyway: you'll see my new main page layout. Chapter 17 is up. It has been released early.

Hrmmm.. You feel like you're on the edge of a cliff? That makes no sense... I thought frogs didn't like cliffs? (something they have in common with goats...) It is by no means certain that the west flank of Cumbre Vieja will collapse during the next eruptive phase. It didn't in 1949, though part of the area did slip a bit. It will go eventually, but it might not happen for thousands of years. However, if it does happen, it would still be okay to be on the island, just not on the part that's racing for the bottom of the Atlantic. Anywhere north or east of the volcano would likely be okay. See? Nothing to worry about. As I say, just think of the volcano as background color, or a secondary character with a somewhat hot temper. Nothing to worry about. Ahh, fear not! The Echidna has said, here in the forum, that he only considers it a spoiler if it is from me, or from someone who has seen the chapter. If it is something you have deduced from the story, then it is not subject to the Echidna's fury. CJ

Do you mean mastercook? I've looked at it, but don't have it. I do however have plenty of recipes. Garlic and mustard are indeed great on a sandwich!! But really, I am sweet and innocent, and never use cliffhangers! My other complete novel is Let the Music Play. I also write short stories. If you are looking for nice, sweet little story about a dinner date, The Muse might fill the bill. Or, if a relaxing day at the beach is more your thing, you might like Category 5 CJ Cliffhangers?!?! In LTMP!!?!? Impossible! A few slightly-tense-chapter-endings, perhaps, but cliffhangers? Never!

Ahhh, but Kiluea has, in the bast, had explosive events. Take a look here. La Palma's Cumbre Veija is not prone to explosive events. Like al volcanos, it has them, but very, very rarely. The bigger danger with Cumre Vieja is edifice collapse; the west flank could collapse into the sea. If you want to have a look at a great example of what edifice collapse can do, go the the following coordinates in google earth or google maps (satalite view): 27

But... but... but... Sweet, innocent me? Use cliffhangers? I'd never do any such thing! Don't let Bondwriter and the other lead you astray... My stories are all sweetness and light! Hrmmm, Maybe I should post a few recipes? I've been known to cook on occasion. However, considering that one of my favorite foods is a peanut butter and pepperoni sandwich (great, especially with tobasco sauce!) some of my recipies might be an aquired taste.

Try not to worry about the Volcano. There's no reason to think that it will erupt badly. It's eruptive history is fairly well behaved. Just like Kiluea in Hawaii; that's been erupting for over 20 years, and is just fine. Just think of the volcano as another secondary character, or maybe a new member of the band. Same goes for The Scar and his mercenary army. They aren't likely to bother Eric and Instinct, they're just nearby, doing their own thing. Stop worrying so much... CJ

Myr, Congratulations, and THANK YOU for creating this wonderful place!

Ahhem! Even though I never use cliffhangers, I am highly knowledgeable about them! (I have studied Shadowgod's stories, after all!) I simply cannot fathom how anyone could, at once, procalim themselves a cliffhamger expert, and also claim to see them in my stories? Just an idle question from me... Does anyone recall Eric's one request to the dancers, back when he met them, regarding their bartending skills?