Krista

Anthologies for me, are a way to experiment as well. Following a theme and interpreting it has always been fun, although I am bad with writing deadlines. It is a way for newer people to push their storytelling towards a deadline and learning how to deal with all of those nerves. My first anthology was decades ago, and I remember being nervous, it was the first standalone story I wrote that was listed as a collective with other authors. Anthologies are decent for learning and expression, if you're like me and only write one general genre or two, then participating in the anthologies gives you an excuse to branch out. Instead of committing to a larger project, they provide you with an avenue to challenge yourself without stretching yourself long-term. Also, I am not a poetry writer at all, but I participated with a few poems and that allowed me to be more comfortable writing in general, just because I got feedback on those works. Nothing can be more personal than a poem and if you want to dive headfirst and break down that door and try poetry the Anthologies themes can be helpful for that. You can also springboard ideas, even failed anthologies, into some longer commitment pieces. Some of my better ideas, fresher ideas, have come from failed anthology attempts. Some of them are short stories, some became a series or something I've written to full blown novel length. "Standing in Shadows," "Sarah's Joey," and "Force of Nature," were all failed Anthology attempts. I have some 'failed' attempts still sitting and recently I went back and reread one of them and I was like, damn that's some really good writing. I had to triple check to see if I was the original author... because I used to Beta read for a few people and I needed to make sure it wasn't one of theirs. I was that blown away by it and I had forgotten all about it, but it never would have been put to paper if I hadn't been trying to write for an anthology. People who don't get into anthologies because they're afraid they will never meet the deadline - just participate and see where it leads. It could lead to something special that will cement yourself here on GA and writing in general. Also, your story gets looked at by some damn good volunteer editors and you can use their edits as springboards in learning more about editing and story structure in general. For readers it is bonus content from some of their favorite authors, if they participate. For people looking for something new to read from someone you don't already follow, they're good to get into and get a feel for their story telling. Most of my reading on here for fun have been via anthologies.

Just to be sure I'm reaching more people, I have decided to write this story in the background. I will not post any new chapters until the story is completed. I am finding it easier to do that, it allows me to not stress out that I'm weeks between chapters and haven't been able to write. At least this allows me to have a clear mind when I am able to sit and write. Currently - I have written Chapters 45, 46, and 47. For some reason I thought I already posted Chapter 45, but... woops? A good thing, really. lol. I thought I could end the story with an even 50, but chapters 46 and 47 are rather long. I decided to split chapter 47 up and so Chapter 48 might mess that even number up a bit. It may not, we'll see. Then I am planning an Epilogue to partner with the final chapter, so that will need to be written and edited for posting as well. Then after the Epilogue, I may write a series of stand-alone short stories unless I decide to include them in the bulk of the Epilogue itself. They're not going to be massive short stories, just some slice of life things. At least I have a plan.

Thank you for liking this story and giving it a read. As far as it being an end, unfortunately it is as far as I'm going to take it for now. I haven't planned much past what I have written.

This story is very different from, Ridley. It is a bit of a soap-opera/Drama. It has a lot of fast twists and turns, it was fun to write. I'm not sure it is everyone's cup of tea though. I do hope you like the story.

It does take a different kind of person to be an editor/beta. I am not that type of person either. I have tried, but didn't manage it very well, so I will stick to writing the stories. Lol.

My mother read me a collective of fairytales and such, I can't remember the name. But I remember having to have it read to me a lot growing up. I probably still have the book somewhere at her house in storage. The first book of my own choosing that I fell in love with was, My Side of the Mountain, followed quickly with, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Thank you for reading the story and leaving comments on each chapter. You left me with a lot of food for thought as far as these characters and this story goes. I still don't have anything planned after, 'The Best Year,' and I do keep coming back to just... fun read this story every now and then. (Still no promises) The food for thought is nice and writing about a "town," instead of characters would be interesting. Setting it in the town and picking new characters while still highlighting Gabe/Ridley would be interesting as well. Or focusing on Characters of the same family, like his Father. I have a terrible time writing HEA endings, I like leaving them open-ended and on a positive note better. If I try to wrap it up in a nice little package, I think I struggle and fight against it... lol. Bittersweet is where I like to end things too. I rarely end them completely sad and devastating. There are a few of my stories that do, earlier works mostly.

I thought it was too, I thought it took a lot of bravery to ask. Especially since Ridley was being stubborn and backpedaling on his feelings pretty hard during that interaction. It very well could have ended up being answered the complete other way. That would have been just rude and mean of me to do, though. lol and the story would end shortly after, likely.

When I reread this story, I cry every time I get to that part. I cried when I wrote it, too. I think I'll always feel something for that part. I think the Kiss, was one of my rare attempts at writing a cliffhanger. This story was also written as 'one' large document/story and then I broke it down. So since it built up to a natural cliffhanger, it was tacked on to the end of this chapter for effect. Lol. So I guess it was a surprise to me as well when it was in this part.

Thank you! I do give hints and descriptions in small doses. I hardly ever give out physical characteristics in the character's own voice. I do it in comparisons and interactions. I feel a write-up or a mock-up style physical description just feels like placing a stencil on a canvass and tracing. You get the project done, but it doesn't add to anything, but a quick gratification. To do it all in one go and so literal and thorough just, it feels like a sigh and not a conversation. lol. I don't like it, so I don't do it, I want people to get a sense of what they want in a character physically with little guides as to what I want them to look like. To set it in stone like a baseball card stat-sheet, it just doesn't work that well. So I am glad you like the little details. Gabe's question about Matt was 100% curiosity, because everyone who would know them - would probably want that question answered for themselves. A friendship like that being broken doesn't break quietly. I know that some people can see mannerisms or maybe pick up on inflections or like-mindedness and see a fellow, whatever, in another person. So Gabe may have picked up on Ridley's attitude or maybe even reactions or receptiveness to him as common ground. I don't know, I don't know that if Ridley was more determined to keep his secrets and be stubborn if Gabe would have broke out a strip-tease or something though. Lol.. although fun thought. Gabe was going to at least try to get 'the' story.

Ahh, I've read these comments backwards from Part 5 to this Part 1. Lol. I couldn't help myself, that and I hit the notification that took me to the last part and I was too lazy to do the two or three clicks to actually get to Part 1. Ridley came easy, the writing. I think that helped this story be what it was for me. It was a break from a story I've been working on for literal years. People bring up Matt a lot, Matt is the character and plot that got away, to be honest. I never really wanted to dive into that backstory, other than from Ridley's point of view. And that was, "I am not good enough to be Matt's friend..." and Matt proved that by not being his friend. There was always just 'enough' there to allow for some doubt into that logic though. Matt paid him attention and kept up with him enough to know what he was doing and that Ridley was shutting people out, maybe he cared that he was one of those people. I don't know, if I had settled into this story a bit better, Matt's story would have been told. I think the overall story would be better for it. As it would answer one of the looming larger questions, I feel. While I was writing it, I just wanted people to 'think' Matt was a bit of an ass. lol He may very well be, but it would require more words for the evidence to tell the entire story there. I am glad you picked up this story, your comments were insightful as well.

Loving the discussion! I answered below since both comments are similar. Yes, Cindy would have been one of his teachers at his old school, maybe not his grade specifically at the time the story is taking place. I have her substitute teaching for the Freshman class. I can't remember if I ever named what subject and grade level she formerly taught at her old school. -- As for Cindy knowing better, she does. There's a difference in teachers though, when it comes to their children they're going to act differently. You don't parent students at school, you parent them at home. So Cindy being a parent is different than Cindy as an instructor, she probably does stay well within her professional boundaries while in front of the class. She loses it with Welker because of outside familiarity with him, they go to the same church and have been friends since they were in that high school decades earlier. I don't want to sound like I'm defending her, but to keep her job, she would act differently. Outside of her work, in her mind - she's trying to protect Luke and she sees Jackson as someone that's going to send Luke spiraling in the wrong direction. (Down and a little hot). Luke also is acting differently than he has all of his 18 years that she's raised him and what is the factor that has changed... Jackson came unapologetically into her life with smirks, swear words, and a reputation that she has seen first hand and through retellings from Grace when they were friends. So she 'thinks' she knows both Luke and Jackson, where they are concerned she is 'right,' something will have to change her mind. I do agree she has been very cruel when it comes to Jackson, but she was willing to lose her best friends since childhood over it, so we know where her priorities are.

😮 😮 😮 Why can't you sleep after reading this? It wasn't scary or gore-y, do I need to put special warnings on it? Delete it? lol I'm confused or having a blond moment, either way I need answers. I don't want to keep people up at night. Well, a few restless nights for Steven doesn't bother me, he called me rude the other day and is giving me the silent treatment. So, he can be wide-eyed at 4am.

Yesss! Congratulations.

Ah, Prompt 49 inspired me, and I wrote a short story for it. I wanted to step out of my usual romance genres, and this gave me the excuse to do it.

“Can you believe it?” Livia asked as we drove down the winding road just at full dark. The moon was rising, but not yet over the tree line, full and chilling. Not because it was winter, but because we both knew it gave our enemies power. These nights the alliance between protectors and predators were always strained. Still, on this night, the chill of the moon didn’t touch me. We were about to celebrate our graduation from the Academy. “We’re finally done.” “Yeah,” I said as I focused on th

Jack is better behaved than Jack. Yes, Henry needs protected at all costs, I think. This story is really about Connor and Henry, let's be honest here. There is evidence to this throughout the entire story. Also, I wanted the guys to have a nice Cindy free day, they deserved one, they may not have very many of them in the coming chapters. The Christmas out in the snowy field during a full moon, is one of my top 10 favorite scenes I've ever written across all of my stories. At least I had fun writing it, I don't know how y'all feel about it, I'd have to go back and reread that chapter. It was a ways back there, so bringing it up was more of a treat for me than for y'all. Unless you remember it and feel the same way I did about the entire thing. lol Henry is the best of the best, we should all try to be like Henry - aside from marrying a Cindy of course, but nobody is perfect. The volcanic explosion probably happened after Luke left to be honest. lol, I do wonder how many defeats she'll take before she changes her strategy again though. Hmm. Thank you for enjoying this chapter and sticking with the story. Also, thank you for leaving a comment. Thank you for enjoying the chapter, leaving a comment, and sticking with this story! Sorry poor Cindy is always in the periphery, she needs to be there, if not the story doesn't really work. I hope I haven't overdone her though, I do fear that I may have. I almost had them be interrupted, but it wasn't Cindy, but decided nah, the boys needed two or so chapters of complete stress free loving. lol And yeah, there is no doubt in my mind that if Cindy thought something was going on next door, like a wild party... and Luke was somehow involved she would totally interrupt. In her mind, she isn't being cruel. She sees Jackson for who she thinks he is, a bad influence that is living a... I don't want to say sinful life? Unhealthy one, that will lead to his downfall. She has no respect for him. So her not wanting Luke around that, isn't cruelty - to her, it is protectiveness. We see it differently, because we see Jackson better, but she doesn't. I guess you can say she has a blindspot, but she is also very out of touch with teenagers and you really can't be if you're raising one. lol And yes, she wants a Luke that will listen to her, too, because she feels that she is right about things. It does make her all the more fun to write, I just hope I strike a decent balance with her, so that she doesn't overwhelm the story.

Hi hi! Sorry I never got to these comments, I did read them when they were first made. I promise I do live a little for each and every comment I do receive and am very appreciative of them. It is my busy schedule and my forgetfulness, I actually realized that I hadn't responded to these the other day, after I posted a new chapter. Lol... woops. Since these comments are a full chapter older, I'll just leave it at that. I hope you all are still enjoying the story as I slowly write it. I haven't started on chapter 45 yet, since it came out of nowhere after I ended chapter 44 (this is probably better discussed there). -- So thank you, for your continued support and comments, the discussions and the humor in them always put a smile on my face and keep me thinking on my toes.

Aww, this made me almost cry. I am so glad you read and enjoyed this story. It made me cry writing it, multiple times.

Nice to know I didn't break anything this go. The last time the archives updated, I wrecked it.

Good thing I live in the middle of nowhere, there's always parking. I honestly don't think I've had to parallel park since my driving exam when I was 16 years old. Lol. Even then I hit the cone and nearly hit the police car I was parking beside. Still passed.

The only thing you need to fear, @wildone is when you get cheeky and press your luck with me. I also didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th. Not having to work Fridays, I just sort of morning like usual, say bye to the brats and start my Friday routine of cleaning, napping, and pretending to do work whenever the husband has a view of me. So you know, don't really keep up with the date on that day. I wasn't superstitious playing sports either, mostly because I heard that some people don't wash their socks or they wear the same underwear if they have a good game or are on a streak of good games... and there I was half gagging at the thought of people doing that. So no... not for me. Aaron is a bit superstitious, but not about sports. During hunting seasons he gets bent all out of shape. He doesn't shave, that's bad luck. He doesn't wear the same outfit (he wrinkles his nose when I call his camo an outfit btw), and he uses different scent repellants, because apparently it is bad luck to use the same one. From a writing interest, it would be a bit funny to write a character with those quirks. It has probably been done here, but I've not read a story with a sports central theme that has a superstitious character. Generally, there are just some things a lot of people don't do... Walk under ladders, break mirrors, step on cracks in the sidewalk (unless you have a vendetta against your mother). A bird that flies into an open window is a bad omen, if you kill a spider it will rain, etc. I think I remember being told that one of my grandfathers wouldn't parallel park in the spot closest to a Stop sign, because he thought it was bad luck, I hadn't heard it since. That was back before the town he grew up in got stop lights though, so you know, quite a ways back there.

After we got back to the house, I barely had the door closed before Luke pushed me against the back of the couch. I was trying to toe out of my muddy shoes and he was pulling my shirt up over my head. With an agitated hiss I finally raised my arms and he pulled it up over my head. Watching him he smirked before he leaned forward and found my neck. I was struggling to keep up with him. When I finally had my sneakers off I grabbed the back of his head and pulled his attention away from kissing dow

Boybands did Bass (Lance was the Bass within that group, I think) singers something awful. They never got the spotlight except for the general one-liner. Bass singers today are rather celebrated, but the era of boybands waned decades ago. As far as being the only out gay former boybander, wasn't there one from a different band, outed a few years ago? I can't recall which one, it was an older band before my tastes changed to include Pop music. My mind keeps going to, The Beach Boys, but I'm not sure that's the correct group.