northie

I have been a member for a mere 18 months, and the first few of those were spent skulking in the shadows mostly. I joined simply to be able to comment on the few stories I'd read. Gradually, I was drawn into the more social aspect of the site - my first experience of any social media site. Then, something very strange happened. A very dear friend (as he now is) planted an idea my head, and it took hold. The idea? That I could write. Now, some 12 months later, I have written roughly 100k words (give or take some verse). Before that, I had no inkling that I wanted, needed, desired to be an author. None whatsoever. I'm sure that if I hadn't arrived at GA and been given that prod, I wouldn't have written a word. Writing is now an integral part of my life, as necessary as anything else you need daily. And it is a personal boost like no other, when people who read my writing enjoy it, and say so. Thanks, GA! And happy anniversary!

I love the interjections - they make the verse so much more personal. It's not some general observation, but rather addressing one individual, one man, who so becomes a part of the action. These asides also break up the rhythm to very good effect. A wonderful success, my friend.

Autumn is s season I like, though we're having an atypical one so far. We do get some of your geese, in fact, many seem to stay all year round now. The scents and sights you're describing are more October here, rather than now. They are wonderful. As is your poem. No surprise there.

Thanks, Gary. I'm very pleased you're still enjoying the story.

What a chapter to read on such an amazing day. It shows just how much you deserve your exalted status. To keep your voice and pay homage to another ... It had me in tears by the end. Thank you, my friend.

This has made my day. 💜

Trying to weave stories out of what you see going on around you, can be difficult. Particularly if you only see a snatch. It's something I indulge in sometimes while I commute. An intriguing, beguiling poem using a deliberately antiquated form and vocabulary to describe a very modern scene.

It is a very good way of seeing how compatible you are, in some ways at least. Warlock is worth exploring - quite a small amount of music but a significant part of the English song landscape.

Thanks, moggy. That is one of the most wonderful things you can say to an author. I'm aiming to keep up with the fortnightly postings, all other things being equal.

Well, that's certainly what he's hoping for. Will it happen? Watch this space ...

@droughtquake Not everyone has a mother (or parent) who's a cook, or who bothers to teach their offspring how to manage for themselves. Pity, because it's such a useful attribute, or skill. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Thank you! And an educational angle as well ...

Hi Matthew, You've posted this topic on a Friday, which is prompt day. See the featured staff blog post and there are two prompts ready and waiting. In fact, there is a separate forum for prompts which can be found here . I love doing prompts - they allow me to experiment in all parts of ways.

“What now?” Tony was still breathing quite heavily, after fighting his way successfully through a Mozart opera aria. “Err … whatever you'd like?” Geoff had enjoyed the Mozart – it was surprisingly playable, and even he recognised it. He wasn't sure which opera though … Cosi fan Tutte? “I thought that went well – certainly better than last time.” Tony laughed. “Yeah, well – that's probably not saying much. We are working better as a team, though.” He smiled at Geoff who half-shrugged.

I fancy 607 - probably for another T&G episode. This week's offering is for prompt 246 here

Thanks, Lux. I'm having enormous fun writing it as well.

Fuck! He hated being cooped up in the office all the time. No heat, no fires, no flames. No damned – no action. The demon glared at his computer screen as if hoping that alone would transform it into a portal back to his beloved Greed. Only, of course, it didn't exist any more – it was now just part of G2. He tried to focus on the job in hand – a customer satisfaction survey for the clients of the eighth circle, Fraud – but failed miserably. Why was he being punished in this way? Hadn't he

Dawn encounter speaks to me more eloquently than the other. Maybe that's just me, preferring nature over road noise, but then, I get enough of that. You are so lucky to have such chance meetings to start your day.

Westerns as a genre do nothing for me at all, yet I loved this. Once I saw past the trappings, it was wonderful, tender, funny in places. You have my admiration for keeping up the Western theme and language all the way through ...

I've never read skinny's work, but it doesn't matter. I love the way that just enough detail is given so I have some idea of the relationships going on. Nothing is laboured, instead a sure, light touch. Lovely. Only two more chapters? I shall have to savour them like I have this one.

Well, the total the album thinks it contains is 25 but I can only see 22, having in theory deleted 3 yesterday evening. Just tried again to upload a photo and I got exactly the same message. Android tablet using Chrome (sorry, forgot to mention that, last time.) Just tried with My garden, and it allowed me to upload a photo. So, why one and not the other? More puzzled.

Tried to both delete, and then upload photos from one of my albums Ruins and history. I deleted 3 images, they've disappeared but the total number of images counted in the album hasn't changed. Then I tried to add 3 images to the same album. They were all way under the maximum file size (approx 250 - 300kb each), and I have 60 visible images across all my albums out of the limit of 100 files. Yet I got a message You can't upload any more images to this album. I'm puzzled.

@Headstall I'm glad you found it adorable and realistic - the first without the second would have me worried. Social anxiety is quite common - it's whether you're able to surmount it or not. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story.

Not that Tony is blasé or anything, just more optimistic. Geoff? Well, Geoff will continue to be himself, for the present, at least ...

Doubts and insecurities are part of many people's lives - some deal with them better than others. Certainly, social media sites don't help, in my opinion. Thanks for reading and commenting.