Headstall

Happy Wednesday, all!

Lovely! Aloha, Albert.

Bonjour, cherie. I am well... getting ready to do more renovating.

Lol. We all have those moments, but I'm glad you got to read this again. Thanks, Terry, for your kind praise. I certainly don't think of myself as just a writer of westerns, but after having written four, I have found a little niche I do like. Cowboy vampire? Hmmm.... Yeah, I'm a storyteller, and I have been blessed that some readers want to read what I write... literally from the beginning. I never take that, or you, for granted. Cheers, dear friend.

I made a crockpot pot roast. My son is digging into it now.

I changed it... the photo enlarged when I posted, and something became obvious.

It shouldn't be forgotten. It provides a valuable service to both readers and authors. I've noticed the apathy, though, and it's a shame.

Awesome! You're welcome, Terry. It was my first western, and I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Tuesday, all!

Thanks, Terry!

Thank you, dugh! Spikey does great work. Thanks for reading and recommending Boundaries to others. It's nice to hear you consider the story universal... I agree. There are themes presented in this Old West story which are still present today unfortunately. Cheers!

It was a surprise for me too, Terry. A comment from @Aditus I took as a challenge, spurred me to write Boundaries, even though I had already written two other anthology submissions. It has revived my interest and confidence in my abilities after covid did a number on me, so it's a treasure for me as well. Genre is important for the feel and authenticity of the story, but you're right that it is the heart of the story that transcends genre. A good story is a good story. You're right about @spike382 too. He and the other members of the review team do really good work. They put in a lot of effort to help provide readers with information about available reading... a valuable service indeed. Focus on our stories does a lot for us authors too. Thanks again, Spikeman.

Thanks, Terry! You're right about me doing a lot of research, and while I've gone down a few rabbit holes a time or two, I mostly enjoy the process. I started researching westerns years ago with my first one, Finding Refuge https://gayauthors.org/story/headstall/findingrefuge/ . Getting a western dialect I was happy with was a challenge because there isn't much solid information to be had, but with enough enough clues found, I ended up happy with one that now flows out of me. Looks like I'm stuck with thinking in western-speak a lot of the time.

I'd say you met the challenge well indeed, Parker. It's rhythmic and charming, feeling very musical. Loved the cymbals line. Music, nature, music in nature, and friendship/love. How can you go wrong? The rhyming was superbly done. Frere Jacques. Cheers!

Vampire westerns? Could be fun. Thanks for your support of my westerns, Adi. I truly appreciate it, and your kind words. I know the genre is not for everyone, so giving them a chance means a lot to me. Cheers!

Thanks, northie! I have charm? Huh... who knew? The writer in me admires you too. I have watched you grow into an amazing and accomplished author, and I believe we have the same mindset about striving to always improve... your spider story still gives me the creeps. And yeah, my fans are the best! Cheers!

Here is the link to the feature... Please check it out and leave a comment, guys, if you can. Spikey says some really nice things, so please thank him.

What a shock. Thank you, spikey! Your featured review of "Boundaries: An Old West Tale" was amazing... and very kind.

Yes he is! No need. He's already been airmailed.

Well... this was a big surprise, especially considering, like spikey said, this is my latest story written. I love westerns--never thought I'd write one--yet now I've written four. We never know what direction our muse will take us, and this was just the ticket to get me out of a writing slump after going through covid. The fact this was a submission to our milestone GA Twentieth Anniversary anthology makes this all the more special. Thanks, spikeman! This is a real boost to my spirits. Cheers!

Bonus Buck Monday...

Happy Monday, all!

Happy Sunday, all!

This was fun, Arron. I was a little confused at first because everything about this world was new to me, but I caught on soon enough. It's so interesting they can become bipedal but keep much of their animal characteristics. "Need a hand?" "If you don't mind. My hooves don't work well on wood." Lol. That solidified it in my mind. I like this world... thanks to you and Yeoldebard for sharing. Your writing skills are quite apparent as this story flowed beautifully. Sorry it took me so long to get to this... I'm in renovation mode, but I will get to the next three chapters eventually. Cheers! Gary

This... this is all I can ask for as an author. I won't apologize for your discomfort the first time reading. It is an uncomfortable story, but it is a real story. That you appreciate the beauty of it now means more than I can express. Chase and Hank both lost everything, and I agree their relationship had to end for it to begin again. Both had demons to defeat, and they had to figure all that out on their own, without the other to prop them up. They'll be fine now. Their love never died, despite all attempts to kill it. That tells us what we need to know, and that is they belong together. Chase grew up over this long summer, and Hank finally understands his life so far. Between them they have one mother and one father, and that is something to be thankful for. I just want to give an honorable mention to Christine, a character as real as any other even though we never saw her alive. Thank you so much for this wonderful, encouraging, validating and honest comment. You're the best!