Mikiesboy

thank you chris .. you've had your share of rough times.. thanks for all of your support and kind words.

i hope you don't have to go there again with your story unless it's because things are better and your character's lives have changed for the positive. Having both Michael and Dan is a blessing. One of them is usually around, and i feel safe. Work.. let's not go there.. after today, i am ready to say bye right now. thank you for all your support .

Aw, thanks, Reader! fingers crossed, eh? xoxo

Oh, now you're talking. No banks here use deposit slips any longer as far as i know, maybe for business accounts. Here you have a banking card and if you want to deposit you stick that in the reader next to the teller and click on the account you want to deposit to and hand over the money. Sort of like an ABM but with a person. Normally, they do not need more ID unless something's happening that's a bit off. If you wanted to deposit to your son's account for example, you would have to provide the bank with his account number and address as they will not look that info up. They may ask for some ID at that point. But your situation sounds a bit like over kill. Again, unless there's been some kind of weird fraud happening. Then banks tend to get a little crazy.

So... Kidnapped is still nearly finished, i've added a few more chapters, and i think i'm finally working on the last one. I sort of got interrupted by working on the Secret Author story. I will finish Kidnapped and post it. Then there's the one for the anthology. That needs to be finished too. It's a maybe, if I'm honest. What else? Oh, we are living now with our other partner, Dan, in his nice smallish house. It's mostly quiet here, and i love the garden and sitting out there with Michael and Dan. Okay, yes, there was the mad party at the neighbour's this past weekend with their really awful karaoke, but we escaped into the house. So all good. i think right now i'm the happiest i've ever been. i feel very at peace, even though work is awful, but as of August 1, i only have to do that for another 21 days, and then i am going to leave there. Michael earns enough now to keep me, lol. So, i'm going to let Him. Maybe I'll look for another job at some point, but not a full-time one. Right now, i feel stable mentally. Since the suicide attempt in February, i've been okay. Having this place and Dan around has helped. While i was in the hospital, they messed with my meds again, and things are really good. i rarely have really low days. i have no doubt that at some point things will get rough, but with any luck it won't last too long. The secret author contest was fun. Honestly, i didn't think there would be a winner, but I probably missed that in the info. No, i did not win, but It's fine; there are better writers than me on GA, and there were a couple that certainly deserved to win! i am happy for all the authors that put something out there. i think a good time was had by all. The aftermath, discussions, comments, and reviews have been interesting too. Well, i cannot think of anything more to torture you with! i hope all of you are doing well .. if so, continue on!

Exactly. Those with editors and beta readers get their feed back from them. I think we see 5 star reviews because the reader enjoyed the story. Lots of people read for the love of it and just want to say i really enjoyed that. There are places and ways on GA to get the feed back an author may want. They can talk to other authors, they can use the tools on the Writer's club or they can say at the end of their chapter that criticism is welcome. I've had authors approach me for an opinion. I am not the most excellent of writers and we all work to improve. My early work is proof that i've improved. I too cringe when i read that old stuff, but it's my history and we all have to start somewhere. I'm proud of where i've come from. Keep writing my friend. It only gets better.

This book sounds very interesting. What an idea. Just what would you do if that happened? Thanks for the great review.

Duh.. of course you're right, Zombie. i should know better than to read something and just react to it.. thanks for this.

All this is true. As has already been said, people write because they enjoy it. I don't think many are under any illusion that their stories will go any farther than here unless they post elsewhere or self publish. But here is being part of something, having friends and like-minded people who enjoy each other's company. You're certainly welcome to post your opinions but I wonder what the point of this is? Should people stop writing and creating because the numbers are small? If it was all about the numbers we would not have had Shakespeare or Van Gogh and countless other artist's and writer's works available to us now. And you posting this, of course, has generated traffic and attention. So, there is that.

In After The Past, i knew one of the two principal characters would die. I remember talking to my editor about that. He said, you need to be prepared to write the fallout that death will cause. He was right, you do. Death changes the narrative. @Mancunian it's your story. If there is a reason to include a shocking or surprising event in your story, you should do it. I guess the answer is the same as above, be prepared to write the fallout that event causes. Those types of things can affect people for a long time and in many ways. Did you watch The Sixth Commandment? That was masterful writing about a true monster. Not much on television moves me like that did. It was so well done. It didn't glorify in any way the man who plotted and carried out these crimes, it did however tell us the story of the victims and their families. And that's why it worked so well. That's enough from me, thanks Comicality for another interesting topic.

Not sure what i think about this story. It's dark and violent, and i understand why. While the idea is good and worthy, I think it felt rushed. This deserved more time to develop the characters and the world they live in properly.

I've thought for some time about this story. It left me open-mouthed as i tried to figure out what the lengthy and overly graphic beginning was there for. For me personally, it was overlong and served no real purpose. Once you get through that, if you do, and I didn't the first time, the story is interesting.

A worthy mystery. Well written and compelling. It's great on its own, but it's certainly moreish. Another reviewer said we should pester the author for more. So, here i am, pestering!

Mysteries are not easy to write. The premise is a great one and the end is a surprise. Certainly, worth reading and a solid entry to the Secret Author contest!

Not sure i'd like to be an Orc's pet, but never say never! Are they like Tolkien's Orcs? Or more like Klingons from Star Trek? Both are kinda scary. No matter this tale is unique and a good read! Enjoy!

This is a triumph, frankly. It grabbed me at the first sentence .. 'I've got a secret' that's due to my own mental health issues, suicidal ideation and the secrets i've kept. But i digress, i knew from the start this would be a rollercoaster of emotional pain and upheaval. I was right. You handled this so well, it was beautifully written. A triumph. You mention in one review that there was no choice but to write it. i hope doing so brought you some relief and perhaps some perspective. xo

Nothing to fear from this wonderful ghostly tale. A well-woven tale of love. You will not be disappointed.

Firstly, congratulations to the author for writing the winning story. There's no doubt it deserves first place. It's a beautiful tale of love and devotion over a lifetime. You cannot fail to be moved by this well-written piece.

Thanks for your message to Steven. Maybe his therapist did speak to him about the issues. I don't think Steven believes he's asexual. I think he needs a connection and then sex will happen when it's right. It will most definitely be with Giorgio however. I've been mulling over writing more about these two. Time will tell. Thanks, LemonSoda. I appreciate your reading this little story and your comments.

Thank you. I left the Church or it left me, not sure which. But I've written a couple of things about Jesus and Angels. So I don't think I've completely left God if that makes sense. i don't feel the need to go to church because i feel God lives within us. But I'll never say you shouldn't go. If it makes you happy, you enjoy the community and singing.. well, that's wonderful as far as i'm concerned. And i used to visit Churches sometimes, rather like Steven does. i liked the silence and the peace. i'm happy that you found a Church where you are happy and accepted, as i think God meant us to be. If we are created in God's image, all of us are. Thank you, Tris for reading this story and for your comments. I'm glad you've found your way.

This is always good to know....

Thank you Alexmugs. I agree with your thoughts on individual beliefs. People who are different, like Steven, deserve a good life and someone who sees them. Thank you for your views and for your very kind and insightful comments.

no need to leave. i personally like long-winded comments! i am tim, that's right. You are also right about the Secret Author contest being a great experience. i enjoyed it and reading all the contributions and the comments from readers.

Beautiful and sad. Thanks for posting it, Wayne