Mancunian

Everyone regardless if they are an author or not should believe in themselves and their dreams, that's the only way that other will believe in you self belief is the beginning for dreams. Self belief is not arrogant it is an essential part of life and has it's place in everyone's life, if you don't have self belief and dreams then you have nothing. Writing about your dreams is a form of escapism, this form of escapism can bring about many truly fantastic stories and it could be argued that this is the muse for many authors including some of the most successful so don't doubt yourself continue to write, enjoy it and get from it what makes you feel good. Remember that reading is often a form of escapism for others and they cannot use this form of escapism without the authors who write it. Every genre has it's niche audience and I'm sure that will be an audience for your stories, no author can appeal to everyone as many of us can attest to. I'll look forward to your first offering and so will others, write for yourself and post it I'm sure that you will find your readership if you persist.

Ouch! my eyes hurt so sorry if there are any typo's it's hard to type when there's something obscuring your vision. Well you haven't killed anyone off so that's a plus, but you killed Orson's dreams so I hope you have some good in mind for him. I know what I'd like to see for Orson but I'll not too much except I know some great sounding kids who just might like to have a real life hero around and Orson could get a lot of benefit from a 'family' . I guess the jury could be out on what I think of you for doing that to Orson 🤔, but another great chapter to a great story, thank you. (who knew auto correct could be so useful)

You started the chapter in such a tender and somewhat romantic way. There I was getting set for a nice sweet read and then what did you do, you changed the location and the tempo and bang you left me with a nasty cliffhanger! Nicely done, it's a great chapter with a bit of romance and a bit of grit, I'm definitely coming back for more.

@Ron you have a good point I hadn't considered that so thank you for explaining a major reason for that difference. I'm hoping that @DarkBishop will join us and post his stories, I'm sure that many would enjoy them.

If you enjoy writing then there is a point to it, first and foremost is that you should do what brings you enjoyment so write your stories for yourself. If sharing your stories would enhance your enjoyment then share them, but do so without expecting others to automatically enjoy what you write as we all have different tastes, maybe your outlet is too small for those with the same taste in your stories to see them. By posting on you personal website you may have limited your reading audience to people who haven't grasped the idea of giving you feedback, maybe they don't feel confident enough or feel that they are 'qualified' to comment. Maybe the following will give you something to consider before you decide what to do. Think about why you are writing. If you write for your own enjoyment then write and be damned, your enjoyment is what matters. If you are writing because you want others to notice and praise you then you doing it for the wrong reasons. Some of the best authors on GA do not always get many comments or reactions, but they still write because they are doing what they enjoy and do not necessarily need the feedback. My stories do not receive a lot of feedback by way of either reactions or feedback, I do get some which I appreciate but I am writing for me. Even though it's not something that I ever thought I would do I now find it satisfying. Consider where you want to post your stories, posting on a personal site can limit your reading audience, posting on GA or a similar site will increase your available audience. I would suggest posting on GA. By posting on GA readers can leave feedback and/or reactions to your story and you can see how many have viewed your story. The number of views will be vastly greater that the total of any feedback/reactions but don't let that put you off, many read without commenting or reacting. Check your story for spelling and grammar, using Microsoft Word can help with both of those. Also check for consistency and continuity in the story, if you mistakenly change someones name half way through it causes confusion. So put it to one side for a while then go back to it later and reread it, then you are more likely to find any errors. If you want help from an editor or beta reader look among the forums and you will find where you can request that help, it take a while and it's not guaranteed that you find them but it's always worth asking. That's my thoughts some will agree others won't, some will only agree with some of what I have said but read other replies and decide for yourself, what ever you decide it should be your decision alone.

Thank you @Talo Segura for reading and commenting I appreciate all comments, I may now take a look to see if I can find the errors that you mention and hopefully learn from that. I did consider making it a longer story but decided that for now I'd keep it short while I get more in to writing as until I came on GA I've not written anything since school, I've always considered myself as a reader not a writer. Knowing that you could connect with Jack and enjoyed his story I take as a great compliment coming from an author who is gaining in popularity and reputation on GA. Once again, thank you.

@droughtquake you may like this, lol. 🤣 https://youtu.be/SqrKXrOjCxI

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. Kahlil Gibran

Hey it's just one of those things we all have imperfections, mine are visible when I take my shirt off others are less fortunate theirs are visible all the time. But what I've come to learn is that some of the worst imperfections aren't visible, we've all come across the people with those imperfections, it's ones who are nasty, intolerant, bigoted, arrogant and the list goes on. The real beauty of anyone is in their heart, that is the beauty that we can all have and should strive for and I believe I have that (now Im being arrogant sorry), as do many on here and out the big wide world, it's just that we never see them. 😀

I wish I could say yes, but with the scars on my body I'm more like a walking noughts and crosses/tic-tac-toe playing board, they look like a bigger version of this #, pmsl 🤣

Thanks @droughtquake for the comments, your analytical thoughts are very in depth as usual and your understanding the individual situations well. Both Danny and The Major are going through a lot in their respective lives and need to find ways to cope with those changes. This is causing them both problems which again are, and will be, different as their situations are not the same. As we both know how we deal with any given situation affects those around us and how they will react, who guessed that meek and mild Kevin would blow up? I didn't until wrote it and it appeared to fit as a natural reaction. How we deal with problems and situations can, and sometimes does, evolve into further problems although it can also solve problems but not necessarily in the way that we would want, but hey this is life and there are no easy answers. I really hope you keep reading and commenting as the story develops, I enjoy our interactions relating to the story. 😀

Some say that Friday the thirteenth is an unlucky day and at 4:30pm this Friday the thirteenth was no exception. Kate was in the kitchen preparing the evening meal when she heard a key in the front door, she knew it could only be either one of two people but she wasn’t prepared for what happened next. Danny had run the length of the front path and quickly unlocked the door letting himself in, then with force pushed the door open knocking the hall table and caused a glass vase full of flower

I've been following your story from the first chapter and I've really enjoyed reading, but now I have to say something. I'm impressed, not just with your style of writing or the skill that you have, but also with the way in which you write about the different aspects of life and all it has to throw at us. You have made me laugh and cry all in the same chapter. You've made me feel empathy and sympathy for characters. I've gone from enjoying the story to loving it. I'm looking forward to the future chapters.

@droughtquake that's exactly how I felt when I saw it, I saw the report on Yahoo.com news. It's heartbreaking to know that it goes on anywhere in the world but believe it or not this was in Ireland, part of our so called civilised western world. I'm sorry if it upset you by posting it, I just wanted to make people aware that it a real phenomenon, one that I feel we should be aware and ashamed of and needs tackling.

Young kids homeless or out on the streets for other reasons may seem far fetched but it is real and for many different reasons, I like the fact that you are writing about the issue and you do it well. I thought I'd share this link, I find it heartbreaking. https://www.facebook.com/1427529000626672/photos/a.1432790256767213/2770981319614760/?type=3

I just saw this and thought I'd share it as it seems appropriate given the subject matter of the story, I cried when I saw it, what do others think about it? https://www.facebook.com/1427529000626672/photos/a.1432790256767213/2770981319614760/?type=3

Thank you @Freemantleman and @droughtquake for your valuable comments and discussion they help to inspire me both in my writing and my efforts to help homeless people. I hope you both continue to enjoy the story and comment. I appreciate the time that everyone takes to comment. 😀

Please feel free to air your comments about homelessness as it sparks discussion, helps to open peoples eyes and hopefully their hearts. One comment that you make regarding not knowing someones pain and despair unless you have walked in their shoes is so very appropriate and reminds me of what my dad used to say, 'You shouldn't judge anyone unless you have walked a mile in their shoes, as until then you know nothing about them'. It's one of the things that I try to live by and never judge anyone even if they have judged me unfairly or not. I've been lucky I've not suffered homelessness or some of the other problems that appear in the story, but most people I've my own set of problems to deal with but I still try to do my small part.

Thank you for the comment, I'm glad that you are enjoying the story. As with the original story, The Boot, it is written to highlight the plight homeless people and partly as a tribute to those who do what they can to help as they are often the unsung heroes working hard for little or no pay. Any small thing done by someone to help can make a big difference to those need the help.

Unfortunately you are right again with your comments about Bill, but there are also others out there who are like The Major. As in all walks of life there are many different personalities and types of people, but then that's what makes us all unique. I think we can agree to disagree and still be friends as I obviously like my take on how The Boot got its name, but your comments are still valuable and help to keep me on my toes. 😀 I also wanted to include it in the story after being asked the question to let readers know that I do read and value all comments, readers can sometimes influence the writer, hopefully for the better.

Thank you @Marty for the comments. I have to be honest we have @KayDeeMac to thank for the history, I was asked how The Boot got it's name and decided to answer that by including it into the story, I'm happy that you think it works I hope others feel the same way too.

Over the course of the next week there had been a lot going on at The Boot and in the lives of its guests, staff and in the Barton household. Ian and Kevin had maintained twice daily visits to The Major who had been moved from ICU to a medical ward where he continued to receive treatment and was slowly regaining his strength. He had received visits from Jeff and Andy as well as Kate and Steve who had been keeping him informed of most of the events as they occurred at the shelter. Kate and S

Now I'm back home I'll be getting to grips with chapter 8, I promise it will be posted as soon as possible and definitely within the next seven days, sorry about the delay.

You may guess right, or you may guess wrong, but all will be revealed in time. 😀

Thank you again @KayDeeMac it's the readers and comments like this that keep me going 😀