C James

Sorry to dissapoint, but there won't be a cliffhanger in chapter 19. Not even a perhaps-ever-so-slightly-tense chapter ending. The plot just isn't in the right spot for one. I do hope that the Echidna doesn't see this, as it could be construed as a minor spoiler, but here's a quote from Bondwriter, when he zeta-read the chapter... So, sorry, no cliffie (I never use 'em anyway). However, if anyone is craving a cliffhanger, I can suggest re-reading Shadowgod's "Living in Surreality" or Graeme's "Heart of the Tree". (both of which have some truly diabolical cliffhangers!)

But, you know that a goat would never have anything to do with a cliff!!

As always! After all, a goat would never have anything to do with a cliff! Hrmm, I wrote a little story about that a year or so ago. I'll see if I can find it... Ah, here we go..... Shadowyness!! It figures that Shadowgod would know about Torey Pines golf course!! It's a golf course near San Diego built on top of a massive sandstone CLIFF! (I've been there a few times; that cliff edge is unstable, very dangerous!) Of course, Shadowgod is familier with all things cliff-related, so of course he knows the place...

Just wanted to wish Steve a very merry Christmas.

Hrmm, his Shadowyness does appear to be lurking, doesn't he? But it's not due to me! Perhaps it's you? Maybe he's feeling watched? I'm referring to your current member's title, which says that you are watching him... "Watches the Cliffhangery". After all, one of Shadowgod's many formal titles is "Your Cliffhangeryness". So maybe he feels uncomfortable being watched?

I just wanted to wish everyone a GREAT holiday season.

But Bondwriter, I can't actually state my opinion on future events, or the Echidna will get me for giving spoilers! Hrmmm... methinks that thee protesteth too much. Chapter 19, Revelations will be posted on Chrismass Eve, Dec 24th, around noon. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

What? Me, misdirect? His Shadowyness could make it possible; all he needs to do is advance the Dreams and Cliffed Wings timeline by a bit.

Yep, the General's son is named Brian. It was also mentioned in LTMP (and I think in Changing Lanes) that he's gay. Sorry, but a re-convergance of this universe with Dreams and Cliffed Wings isn't possible. The sticking point is the timeline; in Changing Lanes, most of a year has passed since Cody met Eric. In Dreams and Cliffed Wings, only a week or so has passed. However, Shadowgod could make this possible. All he has to do is give us about 50 more DnCW chapters before I finish Changing Lanes, and we're there.

Yep, a great many omissions in this chapter. A great many. As for The Scar, perhaps his motives are altruistic? I've never actually said that he's the antagonist. And thank you for the cliffhanger-free certification!!

My appologies to those who I'm not replying to: There are a lot of things I can't respond to without giving spoilers at the moment, due to the current nature of the plot, but I love seeing all the speculation about Keith and Jansen. Thanks!! Hey, he had a party to plan, he was bout to forget a few little details. BTW, the clue to the fact that there's no beach at the resort was in the chapter where we first see the party venue (ch 13): That didn't preclude a beach, exactly, but it did indicate some very steep terrain between the resort and the water. Volcano? But, the volcano wasn't even in this chapter! Why do you worry so about a slightly uneasy pile of hot rocks? And yep, I typo'd the announcement. Hrmmm, I've often wondered what kind of a frog Mike is, and now, I think we know... He's a Cliff Chirping Frog! Here's what it says... So, I think that when he says "cliff", it's more like a regular from saying "ribbit". Kind of a frog thing. Cliffhangers? But Jon, I never use cliffhangers. It is often said that a Goat would never have anything to do with a cliff. :pickaxe: BTW, we learn a lot in chapter 19, and chapter 20 is entitled "explanations", so there won't be long to wait (20 will be the last chapter posted this year).

OOPS!!! Sorry about that: I'm doing some major site redesign and goofed up the coding on the nav table. Fixed now, and THANK YOU for letting me know! (If no one tells me, I don't know it's broken. ) CJ

OOPS! My bad! I'm VERY much one for decrying the fact that editors and betas are often unsung, and here I did the same thing! It's fixed!

I'll reply to the other posts later (I'm busy with a blizzard at the moment) but just wanted to add to the above post: the clues aren't just in 7. There are also quite a few in Eric's first meeting with the strippers, and a few other places, including their two-night opening of the Oak Leaf.

Happy Birthday, Jan!!!!! Have a great day and a wonderful year!

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.

Congratulations, Robbie! Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful posts. And BTW, Graeme, I like his car obsession.

Rick certainly is in a predicament! He's very neatly placed himself in a very, very precarious position, and it just keeps snowballing on him! Now, apparently Mom thinks Rick is gay too! Rick's home life could be about to get very interesting, and not in a good way! Assuming, of course, that Rick and Drew don't find a way to explain what she heard.. Hrmm, maybe tell her they were rehearsing for a school play? Brandon intrigues me. He's my favorite secondary character in this story. Great story, Graeme! I think what I like most is how Rick's initial lie (actually, just not correcting Drew's assumptions) keeps snowballing. BTW, I can't believe that no one commented on the cliffhanger in chapter 5 (Phil's attack): at the end of it, we had no idea if Rick would survive, or how badly he would be hurt!

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!!