ReaderPaul

Keep in mind that Ringo Starr is the stage name of Richard Starkey, and that Paul's full name is James Paul McCartney, so we might have to watch for a James and Richard....

“A wise man changes his mind; a fool never does.” ~ Spanish proverb.

You hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head. I have offended people by accident when we have differing life experiences, and therefore use words differently. The "Oh? Why?" question is one I have used myself. Another technique, used by a sociology professor where I went to college, is to just stare at people with a blank look as if inviting them to explain themselves. That only works when the person spewing stuff has at least a small amount of sense. I grew up in an area where there were only whites and Native Americans and one Asian. The Asian boy was badly treated by some, even though he was a great guy. My parents never talked badly of other races, and I am glad of that. I was able to become friends later with some persons of other races and cultures at a later date.

The advantage of a fictional place is obvious-- no one can go there and see how the author warped the geography. A fictionalized place is more tricky. Someone might figure it out. Authors should also do their geography homework. One author not on this site invented a fictional city, then put it in a fictional location. Oops! There was a town of that name right where the city was supposed to be. However, there is a big difference when comparing a real town of 2,000 with a fictional city of 200,000 people. Several years ago, an author wrote a fictional romance featuring the area of the Midwest where I live. While she got some of the main street names right, many other details were messed up. I agree with others who say words to the effect of, "Either know a real town/village/city, or research, research, research!"

This story reminded me of the sometimes non-understanding a teen may have. At the same time, there was interesting interaction with the main character's father, younger brother, and best friend. Kevin feels alienated from nearly everyone close to him, or feels unable to understand and communicate with them. At first, Kevin's father seems remote and not interested in Kevin's life. Kevin's younger brother, Bobby, helps Kevin see something quite different. Kevin's best friend helps nurture the writing talent Kevin has. And Kevin's dad possibly has the biggest secret of all. These elements keep changing, with Bobby being the main spark toward understanding initially, as events spiral toward a major surprise and revelation.

Ah, I remember James H. Schmitz, and Damon Knight, and Andre Norton's space travel and time travel books, and Anne McCaffrey, and Larry Niven, and ... and... and...

I have learned to face my fears when needed. but I don't like it, especially dentists! That is worse than the rest put together, because they have sharp instruments they put in your mouth!

Everyone has differing fears and anxieties. I have a fear of dentists and a fear of small culverts. (I nearly drowned in one at age 4.) I have a fear of driving on icy roads after having an accident years ago where I totaled my car by sliding into a culvert and then a wrecker hit my car. I agree. I only drive on icy roads in an emergency, and avoid small culverts when I can. I prepare as best I can (but still am very nervous at dentists). Sometimes we have to look for ways to go around or face our fears. It does not always get easier.

Another good chapter, R. Eric.

True, but more details have to be filled in to make a 90 minute to 2 and a half hour movie.... LOL. That can come later. I have confidence you will fill in the details we need as the story demands it.

Never a Door Lost is a worthy sequel to The Odd, Onward Door. If anything, it may even be better. The addition of Mike Hamlyn, the grandfather of Derry Hamlyn, to the main cast, adds to the complexity of the story in a good way, and without bogging the story down. Considering some hints in the story, it will be interesting to see how much Granddad Mike does understand of the relationship between Derry and his best friend, Caleb/Cally. The role and limitations of Difris, their alien mentor, are further explained in this story. And a fascinating new character appears, partly because of the three humans' adventures on the first world they visit. Additionally, I had not heard the question, "Can you have kids?" asked with the meaning that phrase has in one part of this story. A science fiction tale well worth reading, this is quality fiction. For best clarity, it is best to read The Odd, Onward Door first.

I will think on that. Since almost every movie has one or more crises in it, this could be someone that Eric's character knows, but does not know that Matt's character is bisexual, because he has been married, mostly happily, to a woman for many years. But Matt's character sees some of the things Eric's character is having to deal with, and quietly reveals himself (in the movie) to be bisexual, leaning gay, and listens and advises when asked. Since you have, so far, revealed little of the movie script's content, you could get away with that.

I know the one you mean, probably, where Ray and his hubby are together in the parade at the end? That IS a very good one also.

Matt would not be too old! I'm not speaking of Matt as a main character, but he might appear either in a cameo or in a supporting role. There could be a wise adviser, you know----

R. Eric, I love this chapter. Also, I love the video on YouTube for Ray Boltz's song, "Don't Tell Me Who to Love." In my opinion, the best version is the one posted by jluteslpc. Is that the one you were referencing? I will be interested in how the movie preparations and the production of the movie goes. Will Matt Stryker be in it?

" . . . we part with tender relations stretching far behind us, that never can be exactly renewed, and with others dawning ─ yet before us . . ." ~ Charles Dickens in: “The Battle of Life.”

I am very glad, R. Eric, that you continued this story, and looking forward to more Superpowerball! (And more Bluebloods, and more Makarovia, and Cinderfella 3, and.... Maybe Zek and Gabe?

“The broken will always be able to love harder than most. Once you have been in the dark, you’re going to appreciate everything that shines.” ~ Zachry K. Douglas

“Everyone is nude under their clothes.” ~ Anonymous

Glad to see this continuing. Keep up the good work.

Also, can the emissions from the bioelectronic internal transmitters be detected by earthly equipment? Can they now detect any other electronic signals?

Geron, I have some suggestions for consideration. They are being thrown out for consideration. Do with them as you will. Surely, Derry's mother and maybe Cally's parents must be wondering why it is so hard to get hold of Cally, Mike, and Derry via cell phone from time to time. The explaining might get interesting, at times. Could some Earth Cat 5 or some Cat 6 cables, stuck through the doorways with antennas at both ends, restore some of the communications between worlds? While not providing the fidelity of communications the builders had, it might help the guys and Difris and Nyf communicate. Could Difris or Nyf tell the guys where the other two doors from Earth end up? With the special suits, could they pass through the door to the frozen world? And surely, Cally and Derry and Mike could have some additional fun communicating on Earth with their new built in communications systems. When Difris set the bioelectronic transmitters up, does Cally have to think of "Mike" to contact Derry's grandfather, or "Mr. Hamlyn," or just imagine the contact before the word are sub-vocalized? Regarding translations and translators, there must be a considerable defined word base for efficient use of translators. You pointed this out via Nyf in "Never a Door Lost." Do any of the doors at the station where Difris works go to the home world of the Builders? Is there a prohibition against using that, if there is? If you don't use any of these suggestions, I'm fine with that. Just please, keep the Door stories coming!

I have seen a few authors who do the viewpoint switch very well, and I think our talented Geron is almost certainly one of them. In Never A Door Lost, as we see Mike Hamlyn taking a more active role, It is not quite like a differing POV (Point Of View), but reminds me of it a bit. But I do have to admit, I have seem some authors who cannot do a decent POV switch.

Glad to see you back. I was missing new episodes of Deep Space Journey.

I loved this chapter! Too many reasons I love it to list, so I will just mention one-- When I was in a small town high school in the United States Midwest in the 1960s, we had a PE (Physical Education) coach who had us play what he called Marine (football, basketball, soccer, dodgeball, depending on what athletic ball he was using), and the rules were basically-- A) Don't kill, and B: If you go out of bounds, get back in bounds, and C) At the end of the period, stop having fun and go shower and change to get to your next class. We had loads of fun! The hockey game reminded me of this from high school....