northie

I'm glad you think Aaron is capable of development...

You know me - no pink-tinged swirls of happiness. Or at least, not in this circumstance. Love it! Thanks, Gary. That's praise indeed.

Melodrama cheapens both character and writing, in my opinion. Just because someone identifies as non-binary, it doesn't somehow make them a victim. The life they lead might do so, but that's different. Thanks, Carlos. I take your applause with gratitude.

Thanks, Carlos. Most people are aware of each end of the gender spectrum, but much less about what lies in between. It has provoked interesting conversations, making me think hard about what my views are and what the story has to tell.

Not me...

It is rare that a story makes me cry. This one succeeded on at least two counts: the pain and grief of the two men, displayed so publicly, also caused this reader considerable anger. Then their reconciliation, and the congregations' acceptance of their love (with certain exceptions ). Organised religion has a lot to answer for when it prevents human beings from forming relationships necessary to their emotional and psychological well-being. Excellent writing, Gary, but then, should we expect anything else?

In a faintly believable way, i hope. Thanks, Thorn - I'm very pleased you enjoyed it so.

Err... OK Was there even the remotest hint they might do something other than keep each other at arms length?

Fair point. Thanks for the deletion.

This is a article first posted on my external blog, A Pencil Is Best. In the writing universe, November is NaNoWriMo - it's a chance for writers to concentrate on their work in progress. Here, I look at an alternative of doing different writing-related activities, and reflect on their meaning. When I persuaded my friend and editor to take part in one of YeahWrite's fiction/poetry grids, I was pleased for a number of reasons. His Views From Home were a masterclass in writing a kimo, in my opinion; YeahWrite's editors agreed, giving him a coveted Editor's Pick. I teased him about this - he's entered twice and been given an Editor's Pick both times. Am I jealous? Well... no. He's an infinitely better poet than I am. Also he's going through one of those doldrums which makes you doubt your creative abilities. The kimos' reception gave both of us a fillip. So was that my good deed for the day? Yes, but it also meant I ticked off one of YeahWrite's NaNoDoMore tasks. Hands up if your social media feed of choice was full to bursting during November with people pushing themselves to write squillions of words. Absolutely not my idea of fun; or even a suitable challenge. So to be presented with a November smörgåsbord of writing-related mini-challenges is much more my cup of tea. Wasn't the case last year. I remember giving the page a cursory once-over and moving swiftly on. But then I was juggling several stories throughout the entire month. This year I've been kinder to myself, enjoying time away from such pressures. It has meant some loss of discipline though. Slowly I'm getting back into the habit of writing / revising / editing each day. A piece I wrote last month managed to tick two boxes - one intended, the other not. Absence Note is one of my rare attempts at writing non-fiction. In fact, its subject is the difficulties I encounter putting myself into such an essay. My previous non-fiction offerings had been let down quite gently by those kind enough to comment. This one received a decent reception; surprisingly so. A nano achievement, but one perhaps you might share with family members. Something along the lines of 'You know my essays usually suck, yeah? Well, how about reading this one...' Only it won't happen. Or not any time soon. Why? My siblings don't know I write. If this cues expressions of incomprehension, that's no great surprise. In a liberal Western democracy (only 10 more days to the blank election), there are very few reasons to hide creative writing. Yes, many people write for only themselves, but I don't. Almost all my work is posted either here or on my home site. So what's the issue? It's simply this: writing has been - and continues to be - the key to me discovering myself. Absence Note skirts around the topic, dropping hints and talking about my family. That piece in particular would be off-limits, but any of my stories feel hugely personal. Yes, it would be easy enough to bring up the topic of writing - my siblings wonder what I do to fill my time since I dropped to working part-time. In their shoes, having been told that, my next question would be 'What do you write?'. I could hedge, deal with generalities, but sooner or later, they'd want to know specifics. And that'll take us into areas never previously explored. We just don't do that sort of conversation. You know, the 'this is who I am' kind. Or emotions. Maybe that's for later, or not at all. For now, I'll take pride in the mega... I was going to put 'achievement' there. Perhaps 'revelation' is a better description for when your subconscious drops a bombshell. Just like a friend of mine's discovered. A guided period of self-examination led her to accept - without active consideration - her husband's drinking was the root cause of much that was wrong with her life. This has turned her existence upside down. I have the luxury of being able to take my time; of choosing when and how to make my own news known. Life can spring surprises on all of us. I'm glad mine was good - this time.

I would like to delete a blog, but I can't see any way of doing it. 'Manage blog' only offers 'Edit' and nothing else. Using 'Edit' takes me nowhere useful. First, am I missing something obvious? If not, could we suggest to the hosts that a 'Delete' be added? Window laptop running Chrome.

Just as well, really. Otherwise I think, even someone as mild-mannered as Malcolm would've been inclined to let Aaron hang out to dry for a much longer period.

It's been more than usually fascinating reading everyone's responses. Replying them appropriately has made me think long and hard. Meanwhile, there's the story itself... ?

Just a note... my story 'Shaken' is complete despite showing as 'In process'. Because it's an antho story, I can't change the status. @Renee Stevens will change it over when she has time.

The same morning, Aaron sat alone in the middle row of the meeting room, stifling yawns. As usual, he liked to be there before noise and joshing from his co-workers made connected thought impossible. The stipulated half hour with Fran had stretched until way after midnight. When he finally fell into bed, his mind wouldn't let go of the topics they discussed. With Fran alternating between patience and exasperation, they'd explored more about certain aspects of humanity than he believed possible.

Thanks for reading it, Thorn. It was an experiment based on something I wrote very early on. As the first long piece in the first person, it caused me a heck of a lot of grief.

I'm pleased you found Aaron believable; sometimes I wonder whether my cynical characters are a caricature of themselves. I only learn from the best.

I did that last time for an anthology story (Blackmail in the Night). Various of my regular readers were left scratching their heads. 😕

Absolutely not the kind of story I'd start reading normally. I enjoyed it though. You wear your research lightly, Thorn, and that's not easy to do. Well done.

🍾Congratulations, Carlos!🍾 Well deserved.

Yes, but clothing is a very obvious element. As to your other point... I don't know the answer but I'll repeat the point I've made before: a female wearing apparently male clothing gets little comment and certainly nowadays wouldn't attract either of those terms. Why should a male wearing apparently female garments be described using terms which separate them out, which label their actions perverse or worthy of ridicule? Does that mean I'd view a guy wearing a skirt and high heels without batting an eyelid? No - but it's only a question of time hopefully before it becomes more prevalent. So to me, it's just a guy with particular wardrobe choices (maybe, or maybe not, linked to their gender identity). It's an area like a linguistic minefield, as I said to Cassie.

As far as the blog format goes, I may not read all (or any) of the story featured, but I certainly read the author interview at the end of the month. Do I have any bright ideas for a possible replacement? Nope, sorry.

Yes for me, but I noticed this with chapter views of @Thorn Wilde's latest posting (from this morning GMT, I think) for Two comments, several other responses, yet no views. Edit: this recent chapter posting from @Headstall is also showing no views: https://gayauthors.org/story/headstall/headstallsreflections/74 . Observed on Windows laptop running Chrome.

Happy Birthday! Funnily enough, the ad above this piece advertised 65% off something or other. Targeted advertising or what? I'm sure your recollections will chime with many people.

Thanks, Wayne. That's a great compliment. Even if that's right, does it make his actions any less of a privacy invasion? Opinions have been divided.