Page Scrawler

Hey, Bobber! Hey, Xander! How are Jordan, Ash, and the other kids?

Hey, Gary.

We're doing well, thanks. Pork chops and chili-lime corn salad for dinner tonight.

OMG, that's wonderful news! Errr, uhhh, well....you know what I mean. I'm so glad that Mark still has hope of recovery. Not out of the woods yet, though. Wishing all the best for you, Mark, and Josh. I gotta find those at the store.

Love you, Bob, you wonderful nut! Hey, Albert. How are you and Steve?

Hey, Xander, Dennis, Jordan, and Ash! And hey to the other kids! *waves* Morgan and the boys are doing well. Mickey and Remy said that two of their soccer buddies are dating each other, but at least one family is...less-than-understanding. So, we gotta keep it quiet for now. Shhh! Nope. Train station, actually. They have excellent pizza.

Hey, Marty.

I've noticed quite a few gay stories (in the mainstream media) that have a sad, pessimistic attitude to them, recently. I won't mention anyone by name, but it's as if the writers don't believe that gay people have a right to be happy. How about writing something happy for a change? You can write a good story without killing off half of your cast through accidents and/or gay bashings. Another trope I'm sick of: "Everyone is gay or bi-curious." A boy or a group of boys initiates sexual contact with almost EVERY male person he/they encounter, without any consequences or social impact on their lives. Statistically, the numbers just don't support that kind of scenario, but the writer expects you to believe it anyway? Not happening! Or, the boy has sex with his love interest after only a few chapters? What else is left? Don't put the most interesting parts at the start of the book! Save it for the climax! (No pun intended.) Honestly? My LEAST favorite trope, the worst trope of all time, is a story that starts with: "Hi, my name is Gary Stu, I'm 13 years old, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a very trim body, but not TOO buff. My dick is XX inches long, and recently, I just discovered how to spank the salami!" That's not how you would introduce yourself to someone, so why would you introduce characters to your readers that way? Honestly, I enjoy the kind of story that goes: "Boy dates girl, but feels awkward about it. Boy calls a matchmaking service that will replace his girlfriend with someone else, for a fee. A clerical error leads to the delivery of another boy, instead of a girl. Boy's friends and family treat the new kid as a trade-up from the girlfriend. The boys are more deeply connected than the previous relationship, and the first boy isn't sure he wants his former girlfriend back." Or another: "Boy is forced to spend summer vacation in a small, rural town. Boy is convinced that he'll be miserable, and jinxes himself for the first few days. Boy meets another boy who changes his outlook towards the situation. Boys look for a hidden pirate treasure, and narrowly escape with their lives. Boys fall in love, but have to go their separate ways when vacation ends." As others have said, it's very easy to get trapped in cliched tropes and storylines, but some writers can make those cliches into something new. Don't be afraid to explore and try new things, especially in writing!

Oh, good! I thought I was the only one!

Her outfits back then were just....Wow.

I thought that's what you meant, but I wasn't sure. No, I'm not chefing. I looked at a different job at The Filling Station, which is this pizza place in town, but I decided my old job at the deli is much better.

Huh? Chiefing?

Hey, Buckie. Hey, Tim. @Albert1434 I agree with Tim. Glad that it wasn't more serious, though. Hey, Clo.

Found this picture on Tumblr. It doesn't say who the shorty is, as far as I'm aware. Maybe a nephew?

Hey, Albert. Hey, Gary.

Hey, Xander, Dennis, Jordan, and Ash! And hello to all the other kids! *waves*

No, Bob. You're like a lucky penny: something precious that we want to hold on to.

I use a 50/50 combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, with garlic, onion, oregano, cayenne pepper, cumin, three cans of beans, crushed tomatoes, and a touch of honey. *rubs a hand over his face* Yes. I'm very aware, trust me. The point I was getting at was, the preparation for the "base"---the chocolate and the chilies---is probably similar to what you might prepare for a---You know what? Just forget I ever said anything.

Later, guys. Grocery time!

I understand that. But, I imagine the preparation is similar to a molé.

You mean molé? That sounds delicious. I'm making BBQ ribs tomorrow, braised in Coca-Cola. French potato salad on the side. Tonight, it's grilled cheese sandwiches with roasted beet chips. Hey, Bob! How are Randy and Kyle?

Hey, Dugh, Mum, and Thistle. *scratches for Thistle* Hey, Albert. :hug: Hey, Gary.

This young man is INCREDIBLE!