Wayne Gray

You're welcome. It's new, and people are scared ... so I feel like the folks with access to experts really need to share that expertise more widely, otherwise the "wisdom" of the interwebz will cause panic (yes, I realize the irony). Panic is really the danger here, and it'll make the situation far worse than it otherwise would be. Again, I'm not an expert, but I do listen to them, and resources are out there to get the most current information available.

The coronavirus is large and in charge in the news cycles right now. Since I work in healthcare, it's sort of center-stage in my world. I'll say this now - though I work in medicine, I am not an expert in virology or epidemiology. However, I have access to both of those types of experts, and I listen very closely to what they're saying. The overall messaging is: It's likely that there will be a worldwide pandemic. It's likely that there will be a huge disruption of services, due to how many people will be sick at once. It's likely most people will recover with no treatment - so long as basic needs for food and water are met. The virus ranges in severity from that of an annoying cold, to SARS level illness. Severity seems heavily linked to overall health of the sick person before they displayed symptoms. People forget that influenza can be deadly, and that circulates every year. The difference here is COVID-19 has no herd immunity in our populations. Meaning, if you're exposed, and the virus makes it into your respiratory system, then you will likely come down with the bug. You can protect yourself. Wash your hands. It's the top way to stay healthy. Yes, really. Stay away from those you know are ill if you can. If you can't, ensure you're not coughed on by anyone with symptoms, and use hand sanitizer/handwashing after you leave the sick person's area. Also wash your hands before applying make up, eating, or using lip balm. If you do get sick, communicate with your local public health department, and your primary care physician. You will likely be asked to self-isolate if it's determined that you have COVID-19. I know this all probably sounds scary, but ... this is not E.bola. My working in healthcare means no matter my precautions I'll probably end up catching this thing, and I'm not afraid. I've looked at the numbers and panic isn't warranted. Don't take my word for it. Look to the experts, those who have spent their entire lives studying for this very moment. Coronavirus 2019 CDC Information WHO Coronavirus 2019 Information Be sensible, watchful, and proactive, and soon this thing will burn itself out.

Oh, it is. But whenever possible I like to allow the players to really choose their way. I could have steered things back to the adventure I had designed ... but, sometimes, the players end up creating something together that I never could alone. This was one of those. I'm glad I let it happen.

OMG, I know exactly what he's dealing with. Years back when I was DMing, I spent months designing an adventure. It was an epic journey, or ... it would have been. Along the way to getting started (they were all just second level), they were attacked by this bard. The party defeated the desperate bandit, and had tied him up. The paladin, on a lark ... detected evil on him. Me in my infinite wisdom decided "Nah, he's just desperate." "He's not evil." Party Rogue: "What? Well ... why'd he attack us?" Me: "Do you ask him?" Party: "Yes." I had to just invent a reason on the spot. "Oh ... uh, his daughter was kidnapped, and he has to come up with five hundred gold or he'll never see her again." The players all straighten in their chairs, and I could immediately tell I made a grave error. Party Paladin: "We cannot allow this!" *unties the bard* "I heal our new friend. "Tell us more of this bastard who has taken your daughter from you!" Me: "Ah ... you think you should take time to do this? Maybe you can just give the bard some money?" Party Paladin: "No! If this kidnapper will do this once, he will do it again. We will end this threat." Me: *inward groan of pain. I put aside the carefully crafted adventure I had spend months slaving over* "We're taking a five minute break." While the players get up for drinks, snacks, and to talk, I slap together a haphazard collection of encounters, motivations, and characters. That campaign grew into one that took characters to 17th level, and encompassed two years of our gaming life. It was a lot of fun. And ... I never did get to use the one I designed. lol

I've seen some of the connection you guys share. It's beautiful always, awesome at times, and something to envy for many. Yes, it's work. There's pain. But that really just makes the counterpoint of joy all that brighter. Keep enjoying one another.

I’m so glad you found my story. This one is really special to me. It was hard as hell to write. Chapter 16 was just ... brutally emotional - both the arc with Tad and the one with Markus. Someday, I’m publishing this one. Thanks for reading, and for the great comment.

Thanks, Parker. They’re growing closer, and Christmas was a big chance for them to show what their relationship means to them. Then there are the friends. I love those people. 🙂

I'm not telling!

Here's how that plays out in my head. "Um ... Michael. It's daylight." "Go away, boy!" rolls over. "It's Christmas." The covers tighten over Mike's head. tim leans close. "I made that baked oatmeal ..." rolls back to spear tim with a baleful, red eye. tim blinks, waiting. *sigh* "Fine." It's all about the right motivators. 😛 The journal's time will come, one way or another. And they are pretty joyful together. Grant's still learning in the kitchen. Baking in particular is new territory for him. Not all of us can be suave experts in the kitchen! 😄 Thanks for reading and commenting, tim!

Hahaha. Nailed her, right on the head. God, I can't wait for those chapters!

Actually, they already did say the words. Check it out. https://gayauthors.org/story/wayne-gray/ash-and-ember/13 It's the third scene. But, still ... it's a sweet moment, right? That note really is forcing Grant's hand. Which way? Well, I'll never tell. Thanks for reading and commenting!

See? This is the hazard of posting stories here. You get to see the readers' wonderful ideas, and feel badly about how you handled things instead. 😛 Grant is trying. He's struggling to figure out what to do, but he is trying. We'll have to see what happens. 🙂 Thank you for commenting!

Oh. Ohhhh ... drought. You're under the impression that the journal is the only "problem" left for these guys to overcome. Sandra Sexton would be very disappointed in you.

Thanks, molly! Grant really was excited because he wanted to see Troy's reaction to his present. It was a thoughtful gift, one Grant knew Troy needed. Making people we love happy is awesome, and Grant is a fan. I'm sure empress appreciates that countdown. 🙂

There are always "howevers" aren't there? That was a good quote from the body of the chapter, and an important thought concerning trust. Troy has been badly wounded ... Grant knows this. And now he's desperately trying to figure out a way to do the right thing, while still hanging on to the man he loves. Ahhh ... such a wonderful quandary!

Thanks, chris! They're clicking more and more, just comfortably falling into place. But yes, more is revealed concerning John's parents. Guilt piles up for Grant. Every day he spends with Troy, the more he feels for him, the more the journal weighs on his mind. Now that it's revealed what John's family did, there's even more pressure on poor Grant. I'm such a mean author.

Thanks for commenting! Twice a week isn't enough? Well, I'll take that as a compliment! 🙂 John's family isn't the most supportive. Okay, they weren't supportive at all. They hated that John was gay, and Troy was right ... they blamed him for John's sexuality. This stuff really happens. It really does.

This, right here. The messaging was careful. Repeatedly, it was stated the information was for those interested. But, as soon as one of the participants stated that the very existence of the tool offended them, I knew the conversation was doomed.

21 December 2018, Friday 5:19 a.m. It wasn't often that Grant awakened before Troy. But this particular Friday Grant found himself awake before the birds, before the light of dawn, and before his lanky boyfriend. Lying in bed, he spooned Troy. It had been a week since Grant had first allowed Troy to top him. Since then, sex had involved a variety of positions, sensations, and incredible moments. Grant found it all stoked a deep, primal part of himself. He rubbed his face against Troy

I understand why it was moved. If I was looking at a new site on which to post my work, and I saw established authors having that sort of argument here ... I'd have turned around. So, from a business/recruitment perspective it makes sense. From a creative one it doesn't. I hope in finding that balance GA doesn't moderate itself into an echo-chamber.

The reward? for reading all of those comments, I suppose. 😛

Your previous situation was political. No one here was "grading" you or your story. It wasn't about you, or anybody who isn't interested in writing women into stories. A number of folks made it about them. That's not political ... it is, however conceited.

That post was about inclusivity in writing. Posted for authors interested in it. Perhaps the zone should be renamed to a "we complain something is political to end the conversation zone." Even when it's not political. It's a recurring pattern, one that I predicted. That's just weak.

Well ... there's also this from Aaron. "Dude, we're not gonna tell anybody," Aaron said. He got a lecherous expression on his face. "So, are you guys just messing around, or are you gonna try dating him?" And you'll notice ... nobody has called this straight man out. I find that ... ehh ... odd. My friends, gay, straight, bisexual, male, female are all just curious. They want to know what is going on in my life, in particular with the guy my husband and I are dating. We tell them what we like, and keep to ourselves what we don't want to share. It doesn't feel wrong to me for them to be curious - it feels like they're interested in my life. Thanks for your clarification. I understand Georgette intimately, so well-played there. 🙂

tim and I really had a wonderful time writing this thing. The collaboration resulted in a story neither of us would have produced alone, and the process was one I valued immensely. It made me stretch ... and that felt good. tim's right, there's more to come from us. I'm glad you enjoyed our first offering and hope you return for Wild Maple Farm when it's ready to go. Thanks for the comment and for reading. Have a great one!