C James

I can't offer anything better than Dom's excellent advice. I encourage criticism, so I've had quite a few scathing critiques (some of whom raise good points, and all of whom I thank) but only one true flame so far. Long story short, I was posting a novel set in an area with a lot of dirt roads, and the flame was about the dust from the dirt roads! They said that I was portraying the dirt roads as too dusty, and therefor I had spoiled the story for them by being so unrealistic. They then proceeded to call me all kinds of names. I happen to live on a dirt road, and drive it every day, so I can safely say that, except when it's wet, my portrayal of this fairly minor point was okay. I had to assume the person was just a little... deranged. Of all the things to flame me for... overly dusty dirt roads. :wacko: Don't let it get to you. There are indeed some people who enjoy poking at authors. I guess it makes them feel superior somehow.

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

I, too, liked the interaction between Cody and Zack, and found it very portentous. While the relationship has the trappings of a casual, occasional hook-up, there's evidently something more there. This begs the question; what about Joe? Either he, or Zack, or both, is heading for a heartbreak. I, too, think the meeting with Jacob (if it occurs) will be cathartic. Looking forward to more!

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

Congratulations Sharon! Sharon does a great deal of wonderful work here at GA, including as an editor, and on the Writer Support Team. Sharon, thank you for all that you do.

Congratulations, Sharon!!! Sharon, thank you for all that you do here at GA. You have made it a better place.

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?

Hi Jamie! Welcome to the forum, and thanks!! Chapter 37 was a bit on the tense side, true. And Eric, well, he could have been acting out of self-interest, or not. I left that a bit vauge... I plan a short sequel, so we'll see what became of Eric. Mushroom soup mix is one of my favorites in hambugers, though I add some tobasco sauce as well. Bondwriter!! Clifhhangers? Me? But I never use Clifhangers, you know that!

We'll see a great deal more in the next chapter. I can't say much without giving spoilers, though I will say that we'll be finding out what is going on soon. But what? Me, cruel? The phone call is a very big clue. That much i can confirm. I just can't say what it is a clue to. You're right, I am thinking of renaming the next chapter to "The Show Must Go On" General Bradson does have a knack for unconventional thinking. Much will be answered in the next chapter. Godzilla on Steroids does suit Helen at times, I think.

Thanks! As for the tease... Wait until the next chapter. Felecia... She's a fiery one, isn't she? Question of the day: what's her motive for acting as she is? Good catch BTW! We;ll find out much more about Jansen and Keith (and who Craig is) in the next few chapters. Cliff? What cliff? All we know is that the girl with the flyer on the counter is George Tankardsly's doughter. As for what will happen with George, I can't say as that would be a spoiler, but I can say that we find out in the next chapter. Good catch on that phone call. It's a clue, that much I can confirm. As for what is really going on, all I can say is I've been dropping clues in the chapters, and no one in the forum has even come close to guessing what's really going on. The clues are in the chapters, but so far, no one has caught on. CJ

Thanks Mike! And that's one sneaky general, I think.