William King

This chapter was different, just like the sex was different. The scene in the apartment was like... porno. Even though there was a kind of real moment without poppers when they used their own names, it all just felt sad. They seemed as far removed from themselves as was the high rise apartment from the living people in the streets down below. I would have rushed to leave too. I'm not sure Ryan will survive, he seems broken and falling apart. His one hope is that it was the last time and somehow he can glue the pieces back together.

There's this gay community, clubs, bars, cinema, events, whatever. But you don't live in the gay community, you just visit it - you live in a community - it's made up of a mixture of people. There's work and there's leisure, and gay people everywhere, and friends - some gay, some not. If you want a special friend you need to go find him, just like anybody does, gay or straight. If your life is work all week, party every weekend - drugs and sex - well fuck, that's your choice. Me I think that's just plain stupid, but I can see how you might be lonely. Minority Stress - yeah right, great term for a thesis. It comes down to this, you have to take responsibility for your own life.

Whilst undeniably a true observation, Bennett also said this: "The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours" Alan Bennett.

November 9, 1928: The Trial of Radclyffe Hall and Virginia Woolf’s Exquisite Case for the Freedom of Speech “Writers produce literature, and they cannot produce great literature until they have free minds. The free mind has access to all knowledge and speculation of its age, and nothing cramps it like a taboo.” I came across this article published online and found it very interesting. If you would like to read the whole thing, just click the link below: https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/11/09/well-of-loneliness-trial-of-radclyffe-hall-virginia-woolf/

Going to church was a nice glimpse into Brett's life routine with his mum. I had to look up "wife beater" kind of shocked me

Had to use a dictionary too - how do you pronounce It? Nice tale, is there more? It was a bit hard to believe that as Jason was entering him, Rene got up and left. Jason was very patient and Rene very messed up! There is sympathy for the man's past bad childhood experience, but frustration that he was so self-centered he could happily play tease and lead Jason on - even blame Jason for taking him to bed, when it was his move.

The thing is not to dwell on bad negative stuff, let it go and get on with other things. It helps, sometimes, to talk - just like you have done here - talk or write it down. You will end up just exactly where you should, worrying about where or what that might be, serves as nothing at all. You have not to be too attached to material things, you must always know that you will still be here if you lost everything tomorrow. Thank you for sharing (the above is not advice, it's me sharing back)

How quickly the mood changed when Ryan suddenly became aware of the camera. Erik is concerned about Ryan, but not it seems affected by exhibiting their burgeoning relationship on film. A stark contrast to Ryan who is led inextricably into introspection and the cold windswept desolation of an almost deserted Brooklyn Bridge. Ryan is simply unable to perform to meet the demands of others, whether in or out of academia, it's the same struggle.

Yes it happened - very hot scene. Brett and Billy started working things through, but, you know, Billy can be just as obstinant as Brett - he wants Brett to stop smoking pot, but he has no alternative solution for his boyfriend's hyperactivity. Billy can be very conservative about things. And what's going to happen with Dustin? Great chapter

The notes at the chapter start I don't think are necessary. When the chapter became Erik's POV it was easy to realise. I'm not really sure why authors use this notes technique.

Loved the French connection, I thought that maybe when Erik said "...You're Canadian?" he would have replied Québécois, but I guess being a man of few words, he wouldn't want to get into all that. They're getting quite comfortable together, little by little.

It's good that Ryan has found himself able to open up just a little to Erik. It beats talking to the cat! Erik has always acted in a good way with Ryan and it is not easy to talk to someone who replies with hardly a word. Personally, I wouldn't have the patience. The idea of Ryan taking more control in the sex if they do another scene, which I'm sure they will, is a good one. I don't think it will work, but it's probably going to win Ryan over. I wonder if Ryan will be able to overcome his serious personal problems now that he's falling for Erik. It might be a rocky road!

How do I reply? Just like AC Benus you are exactly right Geron, and sometimes it is a nightmare.

Not wanting to give anything away does make comments difficult and also my replies. Yes, the dream, the different reality touches the world outside, but it is all rather mixed up and confusing. What is that reality?

I'm five chapters in - these are my thoughts. I can't fault the writing, it's well written, polished, you won't easily find a mistake. The story is easy to read - the sex is great! If I were to draw an analogy with relationships; the story reminds me of the kind of relationship where you like each other and you both enjoy the sex, but there's not much more to it than that. Perhaps I'm being a little unfair, because I can see that Ryan has stuff he needs to work through and he's got feelings for Erik. But, five chapters and we know nothing much about Ryan or Erik and of the few other characters we know their names and what they do, that's it. This probably sounds far too critical, it's not meant to be. It's just my observations. I like the story a lot, nothing of what I've said would stop me reading it. If you had never started this blog, I probably would not have read it - but I discussed that previously. It would have been my loss, because it really is a good story. I purposely have not read any comments by other readers, but I'll take a look now. Anyway, good story, and I'm now looking forward to find out what happens.

Okay, so I guess I will have to go back and read this again, because I read chapter one and dropped it... uh, sorry, but I never got attached to the characters or the porn industry story... don't know why... which isn't fair to you. So I'll read it again. I'll just say though, that probably lots of stories, including my own, lose readers at the first chapter. I don't think that is any reflection on quality of the writing - or if it is, my own stuff must be shit - looking at the viewing numbers!

I don't hate either Billy, Brett, or Dustin, but I don't like them either. Each one of them has been spiteful, using every weapon in their arsenal to attack, never considering anyone but themselves. Who would want to be best friends with any of them? If you can't trust your best friend, he's not your friend.

Just how many times as something like that happened in my life... great poem

Choose an option that best matches how you most usually express laughter (when writing). Choose the closest option, example: LMAO includes LMFAO etc., ha ha ha includes ha ha, you get the idea. Let's see what the results are, and if you want to add comments, go ahead.

On the positive side the story was good, the idea, the scene, the characters, and the intriguing mystery of healing Duncan's poor vision. On the down side the English was not good. It was disjointed, missing words, and difficult to read. It didn't flow smoothly. You need to take up the offer of JayT to edit it. You have great imagination and terrific potential.

Thinking tolerance, praise the lord, you have to love assholes, even if you're certain nobody ever landed on the moon and JFK was shot by an alien whose space ship is kept by the CIA in Area 51.It was some bigotted homophobe, expert activist whose son was some sort of extremist save the planet environmentalist, who told me all this stuff - which I believe 100% - just look at all those beached whales in New Zealand if you need proof - now give me a drink... urgh!

It was another great chapter. I pretty much agree with Shadow - who wrote a great review. Brett has good insight about Dustin, but he is also over confident. Brett believes he knows everything and he doesn't. I'm glad Billy made up with his dad.

Michael must have fallen in love with you from almost the first moment he met you. You were a hard person to win over, but it's not difficult to see why that was. Everyone deserves to love and be loved; and there is nothing more heart warming than the story of a person that overcomes, despite having things stacked against them, and finds the person who loves them. I had a tear in my eye, but joy in my heart.