Rick

Riley - I'm so happy to see you posting stories again. I haven't started "Against The Machine" yet, but I will begin reading soon. BTW...how do you donate reputation points? Cheers! ~Rick

Riley- So sorry to hear that you've been having difficulties. I hope you are able to heal and move on - and that you have a strong support network behind you. These kinds of things are never easy but whatever you're going through, you have people thinking about you and wishing you well. Allow yourself the time you need and then, if you're able, come back to the story. If not, just let us know that you are finished with it. But most importantly, give yourself whatever it is that you need. You're a talented writer and I look forward to reading anything you write in the future. Cheers and happy holidays, ~Rick

Riley/Luke - this is a really good story. Sorry to see that you're on a bit of a hiatus. Hope things are well and you get back into it soon. Cheers! ~R

Sadly, this very disappointed Domaholic is embracing his recovery, has turned his reading over to a higher power, and will now rarely check back for updates. I know that writers struggle with block and the challenges of life, but I think that writers owe their fans some loyalty. It only takes a minute to post a blog entry. I still love Dom's stories, but...!

The only known cure is a new chapter of With Trust; all else is placebo.

Hi. My name is Rick, and I'm a Domaholic...who needs a fix!

Riley & Luke - I'm really enjoying your story...it's refreshing and unique. Look forward to the unfolding of the story. Cheers!

That sounds like a really interesting project. It would be very cool to have each one of the best friends written by different authors - surely, a clever way to individuate the characters. Great idea...when's the first chapter coming out?

How about Rob Moore for Milo . . . Rob Moore

Yes, yes, yes! And I think you're right that this was all that was probably in the letter. I mean, that just says it all, doesn't it? It's about time, eh? Gotta feel the love...

The words I've been waiting to hear...Excellent! Great chapter. Gotta love Dom's sense of humor..."And I don't care if you think it's gross because that's coming from the guy who had chlamydia for Christmas last year." And Thompson Trust busted by Nelson's mom. Priceless.

I too admit to being a compulsive refresher. I know there's a twelve-step for it, but I just can't give it up...maybe tomorrow will be the day?!

Although it often conjures images of worshiping the devil or demons and black magic, Satanism actually has many different meanings so that it can't easily be generalized about. I would offer a simple word of caution. It takes great skill and careful guidance when one is dealing with non-corporeal entities and manipulating energies - especially those that are not sourced in the "light". There are things out there that you seriously do not want to piss off or even get the attention of. Be careful.

Thanks for posting the link to this interview. It's always nice to hear more about your favorite authors. And I didn't know about your website - I'll be checking back often!

I don't know if I would say that a person can be moral or immoral. Their actions and thoughts can be moral, but the person him/herself cannot be moral or immoral, they can only be a moral agent. Morality, or ethics, is a standard of behavior - principles of right action - based on reasoning and choices. Something can at the same time be subjectively moral and objectively immoral. We all make moral and immoral decisions, however, these individual decisions do not make us a good or bad person. So, can a good person create a "bad/evil" character? Sure. Can a bad/evil person create a "good" character? Absolutely.

Not giving up on Milo or Nelson. They're a great couple and I want to see them together in the end, but it's been very hard for them to have trust in each other. In ch 19, Milo pleads with Nelson to trust him, and Nelson never says that he does... Milo:

Will Milo ever trust Nelson enough to confide in him? And what was in that letter?! There are too many lose threads here that need to be tied together. Nelson has a right to be hurt and disappointed at Milo after what he learned. Now he thinks that Milo is a liar - how will he regain Nelson's trust? This whole story has been about trusting and what happens when trust is absent from relationships. And A**face - let's just say that the name is appropriate.

...final chapters??? ... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Milo said that before he met Nelson, Jamie was the only friend that he could really be himself with. But now he finds out that was not exactly true because Jamie can't accept the relationship with Nelson. We know that there was a really strong bond between Milo and Jamie, but how deeply that bond went for Jamie is still to be uncovered. There's something significant about A**face's Big Secret - the dancing - in this. It's not the same as Milo's painting, because Milo was never secretive about that - he was selling/displaying his paintings at Hangman's during the summer. And what's Jamie going to do now that Milo has outed himself and he's no longer the 'secret-keeper'? Ah, such drama!

The reason Milo was going to end with Nelson was so that Nelson wouldn't be hurt anymore. It's a self-sacrificing motivation - I'll sacrifice everything for you, kind of thing. But Milo's feelings for Nelson proved to be too strong. It's as if there is a role reversal going on - Milo is now Nelson's protector and fighting for the relationship - to hell with everything else.

It seems like the effects of the "morning after" confrontation between Milo and Mr. Trust has given Milo a sense of freedom. His father knows he's gay, even though he calls it acting out, so Milo's biggest fear - of discovery - has been overcome. It's got to be liberating for him, even though he's being smothered by his father. I love the way Milo has begun to take a more active part in the relationship with Nelson. He's been the one reaching out to move closer, to hold hands, to initiate kiss, buying the phones and calling Nelson all the time. And, a huge point for Milo is that he's acknowledged his feelings and relationship with Nelson - not just to himself, but he's declared it to his father. Nelson's letter must have been pretty powerful for Milo to read. We haven't heard either one use the "L" word yet, but I can feel it coming...maybe Nelson declared his love for Milo in the letter? I don't know, but I'm eager to hear what was in the letter. But whatever was in it, Milo has certainly given himself over to being in-love with Nelson. Also, it doesn't feel to me that the story is winding down, rather, it feels like it was just born and that there's a lot of story yet to be told.

Looks like Jame owned up to spreading the rumor and his dancing is something that the high school kids would think is "gay". Maybe he's reacting out of a sense of self-preservation. Milo must know his secret and he knows Milo's secret. He could be afraid that his secret will get out if Milo's gets out. In any case, it's clear that Jame has some obsession with Milo and wants to keep him for himself. Milo could be the only person, the only friend that Jame has that he can be completely himself with. The fear of losing that relationship - especially with someone who can offer Milo what Jame can't - can be a motivation. ~Rick

If I fall in love with a character, I will scan the end to see that the character is still alive...I had a bad experience with a book when I was in high school in which the main character died. I was devastated by it, so now I check just to make sure. I've had to do that in one of Dom's stories just to make sure a relationship that I fell in love with remained...although, I was somehow able to resist doing this with the final Harry Potter.

Nice chapter. Love the confrontation with A**face - who would have thought?! What a great friend Caleb is. We knew that Hailey loved Nelson, but Caleb really came through, even though he remains uncomfortable with knowing that Nelson is gay.