astone2292

Always gotta doll up the pizza.

Can anyone guess how many Swiffer dusters I needed to clean this blog? Oooo gurl, she was dusty! Even my fingers don't know what to type here. Have I lost my touch to interview our fellow authors? Surely not, but good thing I had a lovely chat with @chris191070 before this year's Anthology event started! All praise the Ask An Author piggy bank. In case y'all forgot how Ask An Author works, I have the wonderful pleasure of interviewing an author on GA on behalf of an anonymous reader. With a few questions, we get an inside look at the author's reasoning for what they do. Anyone can send me questions for any author, but I do ask for you to keep in mind the author's activity. If they haven't been online in a hot minute, I might not get a response. Without further procrastination, here's this month's article! • • • • • chris191070 33 Stories / 303,663 Words What inspired you to start writing for GA? Had you been published on any other site before? Having been a member for so long, reviewed so many stories. I thought I would try my hand at writing. I did write when I was at boarding school, usually a form of punishment. I chose GA because of its community and the way you can interact with your readers. I note that at the beginning you had a co-author, how did that happen and what was the experience like? It started with him as my editor, but he gave me so much help at the beginning, I listed him as co-author. Where did your inspiración come from? I’m intrigued because although being from NW England many of your stories are situated in the USA, is there a reason? My Mum was born in USA, so I had American Grandparents, a Great Aunt and I still have an Aunt and Uncle who live in the States. So whilst I have never visited the USA, I learnt alot about the country from my family. How would you sum up your life as part of the GA experience? What has been the best thing that has happened to you here since you joined 7 years ago? The great stories, from the amazing authors and the community that is there to talk to. Finally, any suggestions for those who are avid readers but who haven’t take the plunge into writing yet? Read, Comment, Review stories and just give it a go. There is plenty of help available on GA if you need it. You'll find no one bites on here, just show courtesy if/when they criticise what you have written and take there advise. • • • • • Thanks for the interview, Chris! As for the rest of y'all, make sure to send me some questions for future Ask An Author articles via PM. If you can't come up with questions, you can list an author for me to send some of my own! Until next month!

I giggled so hard at this. One of Nico's go-to lines is "How dare." Thanks, doc!! Glad ya liked it.

The trio of adventurers pointed and exclaimed. Bounding for joy, their journeys through sweltering savannahs and frigid mountains paid off. Many townsfolk and countrymen called them crazy. Some even cast them aside, taunting their hopes and dreams. Now, they stand mere yards away from their fantasies in an unfamiliar jungle. The gossip, rumors, and tales about the Temple of Baire appeared to have been quite exaggerated. Vibrant gold bricks were vine-covered clay. No sparking cobblestone la

Thanks, Gary!! It was such fun to tell. I'll be sure to keep this story in my back pocket at the next spooky bon fire.

Every time I see a comment from you, Patch, I always smile. Thank you for being such a dedicated reader 💜

I did my best to describe my current workplace. Very typical run-of-the-mill liquor store with an abandoned bar space attached behind walls. With the company finally realizing the costs of having a building sitting empty, it's now for rent. Our staff have spent extra time getting it cleaned up for the realty office, so it's spooky feel is starting to dissipate. The genuine care for customers, unfortunately, must be balanced with legality. We need to prevent overserving, and offer care (calling taxis, offer to leave their vehicle in our lot while a friend picks then up). It's not well-addressed, but insurance companies do come after liquor stores/bars when people are overserved and those people get into accidents/become medically ill. I joke about it, but I often mention to folks that liquor store employees are akin to police in the retail industry. I have training in reading bodily movement behaviors and speech recognition because of this. I don't want to stop their fun, but I gotta for their sake. If you want a more in-depth iteration of a day in the life of a liquor store manager, check out this chapter of "Dear, Grocery Shoppers," a rant-laden journal my husband and I forgot about. A fair warning, it's me swearing like a sailor... https://gayauthors.org/story/astone2292/dear-grocery-shoppers/11

Broadening horizons can lead to inspiring adventures, particularly for authors and readers. Beautiful paths and terrifying trails can be found, both with enlightening destinations at their end. I'm glad my little tale could accompany you along this journey 💜

Much thanks, everyone! I wanted to share a slice of my work life. They're a wonderful cast of characters that deserved a spotlight.. albeit, this makes Sheila's second appearance in my works. *makes a note to write something boring for next year's Secret Author just for you*

"Let me be the first to welcome our newest GM to the Spirit Shed team. Aggie, mind introducing yourself?" After waiting an awkward moment for the other conference call attendees to wrap up their forced applause, Augustus Buckner put on his best customer service voice. "Thanks, Brian! Having been a team member of ten-oh-two for a couple of years, I'm thrilled to bring my excitement and expertise to the squad. I look forward to working alongside y'all as we change and uplift our market."

Augustus earned his promotion to general manager. But with the new job comes new problems. What lies beyond his store's walls? An attached, abandoned bar.

Off I go to do another round of edits...

I'm tickled pink you enjoyed this little tale. I wanted the active characters in the comaspace (I'm stealing that term, by the way) to reflect who they were in both planes of existence. Doctor Gallagher/Gilligan was not as humanoid compared to Malach/Malcolm because Nick might have subconsciously recognized his voice. I like small details, and I squeal when readers recognize them.

Nah, just been incredibly busy with work. Been sent to the other location in town to, and I quote my GM... "Save this s***show." So yes, Loserland.

So, you're saying I need to change my game for next year...