Mancunian

This is probably the most stressful time of the year for most of us, so I'd suggest just leave it to one side until after the New Year has rolled in. Then think about it, don't forget to consider your happiness and well being too, that's more important than the story. While I would like to read the end of the story, I would much prefer to know that you are okay and doing what makes you happy. So relax and chill, most importantly, have yourself a merry christmas and a happy and a less stressful new year.

A fun and eventful night out clubbing in Ibiza, just what the doctor ordered, I'm loving' it.

It's good to see the family, especially the kids, enjoying and valuing their time with each other. All of which is cleverly interspersed with glimpses of their past and hints at what the future holds. I love your writing @Carlos Hazday and I'm looking forward to reading the next chapter, thank you.

A great interview with a great author, for those who haven't read any of Dodger's stories I recommend that you do. The two stories that stand out for me are A Soldier's Guide To Single Parenting and Pardon My Polari, both are set in time that I would consider recent history. Both are written in a way that draw you into the story, containing enough fact and detail that helps you to understand the atmosphere of the time. I have reviewed and rated both stories considering them recommended reads. I look forward to more new stories from Dodger in the future.

I've only used a flashback once, I'm guessing it was done well as it was received well by the readers and proved a popular part of the story for many. That was in The Boot Three Years On to give some background to The Boot and two of the story characters. I can only hope that if I have a need to use a flashback a gain I can repeat how well I managed it on that occasion and it is received as well by the readers. Flashbacks can be a useful story writing tool that I think should be used sparingly and only when they serve a useful purpose, they shouldn't be over used as a 'story filler', then it can make a story confusing.

I'm loving this, if anyone wants to know why it's simple. It's interesting, informative and entertaining as well as being a great way to get to know the family better and experience somewhere that I otherwise wouldn't be able to. Thanks carlos you continue to out-do yourself.

I usually like to watch the world cup but with all of the controversy, poor attitude and lack of support for the LGBTQ+ community worldwide this year I'm refusing to watch. I have no interest in it or who wins this year. I refuse to comment further as I won't give FIFA or any of its supporters opportunities to continue their argument. 🤐

I was born in 1980 so the 1960's is history to me and in some respects fascinates me. I'm sure that life would have been very different for anyone growing up in that era compared to my youth. No mobile phones, black and white TV, computers being huge clunky things that filled a room and still being developed, it would be alien to me. I remember the first mobile phones being huge by today's standards, this size of a brick, earlier ones needing a briefcase to house the battery, how times have progressed, and not all for the better.

Maybe this is a good article for some stories to be recategorised, many authors write a contemporary story that is relevant to the time it is written. Such as a story written in the 1960's based in that time was considered contemporary at the time, obviously now it isn't as time has moved on. We now have mobile phones that were unheard of then and TV was black and white, to many readers now labelling such as story as contemporary would be misleading, so recategorising it as recent, or modern, history would probably be more relevant to that story. It can difficult to avoid the cultural elements as they may be essential to the story, when they are essential leaving them out is detrimental to the story and could lessen the readers enjoyment. Many readers want to be able to 'visualise' the story so the cultural elements become necessary, this enhances their enjoyment. @Comicality raises many good and very relevant points in this topic, conversely those points also raise many points that should be open to debate regarding story categories, one being should we recategorise or not? readers can, and do, appreciate stories that are based in recent/modern history but they should not be misled when a story really is no longer considered contemporary and now belongs in a different category. Thanks @Comicality for an interesting article, it is relevant and opens up a lot for future conversation.

I've just come across this, it's a brilliant piece of work that speaks up for a great man. I guessed early on that it was about Alan Turing, there is no question about his huge and very important contribution to the war effort. But let us also remember the contribution to the war effort made by many other gay men, many fought on the frontline, others gave support in the jobs they did to support our fighting men. If they had not done what they did, many of them lost their lives, then it is a real possibility that we would not be living the free lives that we do, it is a very real possibility that we would be living in an oppressed society today. There were many gay men and women from The UK and our Allies that contributed to the war effort, we owe them all a great debt.

Thinking about it I could write Dave into one of my stories, most of them are based around Manchester, 🤣

Stop doubting yourself Andre, you are a writer talented too.

I might be wrong but I'll take guess, would it be Liebe taking a liking to Chinese food?

I love this chapter, not for the extravagance in splashing the cash to make a special birthday, they have more than that. I love it for the love and affection that they have for each other and openly share, that is what enriches their lives the most and is worth more than anything money can buy. Thank you @Carlos Hazday for another great chapter.

Gary you are right, everybody's story should be heard, I hope that when these stories come out they will be received with the understanding they deserve.

Thank you Gary for your positive comments, as you know all comments are always welcome. I've said this before not all tales of homelessness, especially youth homelessness, have happy endings. I've been holding back the tales where the ending is not so good, but those tales have been fighting back and I'm not sure how much longer I can do this, I'm afraid that one or two of those tales could escape and find their way on to GA.

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, it is appreciated. Not all stories of youth homelessness have a happy ending, too many end up in tragedy. Luckily in this case Aunt May stepped in and performed her magic. It's the best from of magic too, the magic of caring and sharing love.

Thank you @Leo622 for commenting. I enjoy writing stories for The Boot and Lost Soul series, I'm happy knowing that others enjoy them too. I hope that you will enjoy the earlier stories too and look forward to reading any comments that you would like leave.

Thank you for the valuable comments, I'm happy that you have enjoyed reading about Aunt May. I hope you will enjoy the reading The Boot Series, they pre-date this story giving us The Boot's story from day one, I look forward to reading any comments you care to leave.

Aunt May is really special lady who can be counted on, she is a valuable part of the team at The Old Shoe Factory and The New Boot. This story is the latest, but not the last, in The Boot World. Thank you for commenting.

I am happy that you enjoyed the story, I promise there will be more to come. I hope that you will enjoy and comment on the other stories in The Boot World

Thank you for the encouraging comment, I appreciate it.

His boots had seen better days. They were scuffed and tatty. The soles were cracked and had holes that were cardboard covered from the inside, and even the cardboard was wet and soggy. Dirty, worn jeans with tears and holes hid his stick-thin legs. His designer label t-shirt and sweater recovered from a bin, were equally as dirty, and worn, covering ribs and spine that would easily be seen if he removed his clothes. A damp jacket and knitted beanie hat finished off his outfit. Was it him or his

Aunt May is a special lady, not because she is famous and not because she is rich. Well maybe she is rich, rich in love and she shares that love. So yes maybe she is rich. 6th June 2023. This story has been revised and edited to improve the reader's experience, it has not been changed in any other way.

Having read a number of stories written by @Dodger and being totally drawn into them, I totally agree this is a well deserved promotion. Well done and congratulations.