Mancunian

Of course we are, but those of us who are Libran are the best 😇

For the time of year, it's quite mild which is surprising. Some parts of the UK have had some severe flooding but luckily central Manchester doesn't suffer from that. I feel sorry for those who have had to leave their homes as a result. At least it hasn't been as bad as it has been in some parts of the world.

The weather is wet windy and miserable, and I have to go out in it. But it's not as bad as it sounds as that's when I often get inspirational ideas for writing, so I turn that negative into a positive. I've finished writing another chapter that needs a final edit, and I'm halfway through writing another chapter. Fingers crossed it's all going well 🤞. I hope you and Aod are enjoying better weather

Prescott has been watching them for at least a couple of days and checking out the farm, his own words tell us that. “Yep, it’s me what got you boys trapped like rats in a half-filled trough, and I’m here to settle a few scores, make no mistake. That one you shaved earlier still alive? The dumb farmer who thinks he be smarter than me?” He chortled after, and it set Jubal’s teeth on edge. He and Lucas shared another look. How long had they been watched? “You were going to rob us on that road!” “If’n you come out from yonder and show me where my gold be, I just might let you live. Just the one of you, though. I know them coins ain’t where you been sleeping, and they ain’t where you are now, and not the barn neither, so don’t be lying to me.” “He’s been through the buildings,” Lucas said, his pale face full of anger. “He ain’t planning on letting either of us live… can hear it in his voice.” Prescott has already checked the cabin, most likely during the day while Jubal and Lucas have been working on the farm. So he also knows they don't have any guns on them, but Jubal has him thinking as he doesn't know if Jubal does or doesn't have any knives on him.

Your strength shows my friend. At a time of sorrow and heartache, you still think of others, a trait of a true gentleman. I take my hat off to you sir.

For a chapter that started out reasonably slow, with Reid's intentions becoming a little clearer, it certainly picked up in pace. I felt the tension and anger that Jubal was feeling. I think his anger and worry for his friend is what kept him going. Athough I'm not a fan of killing I feel justified in my relief that Prescott is dead. I hope that Jubal's actions to save Lucas' life are successful, but with the cliffhanger, we have to wait and see. I have my fingers crossed that Jubal can get to Bearpaw in time 🤞

Can I suggest that go to the GA store and take up the author status, there is no cost to do this. You will then have the opportunity to post stories on GA. The more you post, the more feedback you will receive. Feedback will increase with more exposure. You will also be able to join the writer's groups where writers share, learn from and support each other. Many writers on GA have the support of beta readers and editors who help and give support, some writers will not post until their work has been checked by their support team. GA is known for supporting it's authors, personally I find the support of the GA membership invaluable.

All of us who write have an idea that we nurture and develop to enable us to write. But where do these ideas come from? They can come from many different sources, it may be an event in our own lives or an event that has happened locally, regionally, nationally or even internationally that may or may not affect us in some way. Usually, these external events have, or do, affect us directly or indirectly. Sometimes it is an event that has affected someone we know, it could be someone close to us. Whatever sparks the idea is it is in essence a prompt, so the idea of using a prompt that has been suggested should not be seen any differently. It is what we do with the idea or prompt that matters and that is where the skill of the writer comes in. As an example just look at the anthologies on GA from recent years, the anthology is a prompt, and read the stories from the anthology. From one prompt we have generated a vast array of different stories and each writer has interpreted the prompt differently. To use another gardening analogy think of the bonsai artists. They all start with a miniature sapling, then they apply their art as the sapling grows. Yes, they all end with a bonsai tree, but each tree is different as each bonsai artist expresses their art through the medium of the tree. The same can be true of writers/authors, they can all start with the same prompt and they will all end up with a story, but each story is different and has something to offer. That is because a prompt, or idea, can be interpreted in many different ways and expresses the differences between writers/authors and how they nurture the idea.

Gary, you have my deepest sympathy. Please put yourself first, if that means a delay in posting the story then so be it. While we all love the story we all love you more, the story can wait so don't worry about it.

Gary, I have the deepest sympathy for you and how you feel. I know what it is like to suffer the loss of a faithful loving horse, but it is different for each of us and we each deal with the loss differently. You will never forget her because you have so many good memories of your time with her, focus on those and hopefully that will help. There is little that any of us can do or say to lessen your hurt, but we are all here for you in your time of need, feel free to lean on us whenever you need to. I'm sending the warmest virtual hugs possible and wish only the best for you my friend.

Happy Birthday for tomorrow Albert, I wish you many more of them

You rightly guessed they are AI-generated, I could never draw anything that good.

It's long overdue for an update here. Although the new story is not yet ready, it is still being written and progress is going well. I am optimistic and keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 that I can start sharing the story within the next three to four weeks, as long as I can remain focused. However it does also depend on my editor and beta reader agreeing that it is ready to post. The working title of the story is 'What Happened To The Baxter Boys', but it may or may not be changed later. To give a very brief idea of the story, sorry no spoilers here, the Baxter boys had a fairly good start in life given they are from a low-income background. Unfortunately, they hit some hard times as their lives progressed. This is where their story really begins. This is what they looked like growing up and this them just before their troubles

@Zombie I had similar results and like you, I persevered and liked the results. Now I have a few nice pics to use for the title characters in the story that I'm currently writing. Thank you @Myr for bringing this to our attention.

I agree, it certainly looks like it has the possibility to be a good and useful tool.

This looks interesting, I'll withhold any further comment until I've looked at it more.

Aloha Albert, I hope you and Steve are having a good and peaceful Sunday

I agree it is a horrible experience, it used to happen to me on a regular basis. I recommend you speak to a good therapist about it, I did and it helped me a lot. Now it rarely happens and on those rare occasions when it does, I can now deal with it much better so it passes quicker than it used to and is less frightening. It's something that I'm finding really useful at the moment after recent events. These episodes are usually linked to something else which is why a good therapist is helpful. I hope it is a one-off event for you.

A sad, but beautifully written thought-provoking story. It brings together two strangers who hopefully, help each other to heal. There is a lesson to be learned in this story for those who care to see it. Read, enjoy and learn, I recommend it.

It's difficult to know what reaction to leave to this story. Should be the sad emoji, after all, it is a sad story. Or should be the heart emoji, although it is a sad story there is sensitivity and beauty in the way it is written and the way it brings together two men who should not be strangers. One of the men is the estranged brother and the other is the undisclosed fiancé. We can only hope that out of the sadness, there is a bright future to come from a lasting friendship between the two men. It is also thought-provoking in that it begs the question, do we ever consider how our actions, or inactions, can and often do affect others? That question is a lesson to be learned by many. Thank you for a beautifully written and thought-provoking story.

yep, they bend over backwards so you can mount them

Mmmm, maybe he's a top bottom

We don't know what you're talking about

Yep you're wrong, why would we do that? If you're incapacitated we will never get to the end of the story, so you're safe, for now [only joking my friend, you are definitely safe, always]

Hi Terry, I hope all is well with you and Aod. I like the sound of your breakfast, I might have to try that myself. I've been getting some work done, mostly from home, and I have managed to get some more writing done, the current chapter is almost complete. Other events have taken up some of my time, I'll message you about that. The current contract that I've been working on is almost finished, the NPA membership has been granted and the FCA licence should arrive any day now so now it's just dotting the i's and crossing the t's. Then it becomes an occasional advisory contract along with the other's.