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astone2292

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  1. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #25 - Reveal!

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Two weeks have come and gone, and that means I've let y'all stew in your thinkin' juices long enough. Did you guess the right author in the comment section? Were your accusatory finger-pointing skills ringing true? If you missed the Author Guess Who interview, you can click right... 
     > > > HERE < < <
    ... to see if this month's mystery author said something incriminating! Without further ado, time for the big reveal!
     
    This author... has over 968,000 words posted!
    This author... has forty-five stories for you to read!
    This author... is... 

     
    Lee Wilson
     
    Inspecting the interview comment section... @chris191070 threw out two names, one being correct. However, I think it would be fair, since two names were mentioned to also crown @Sherye Story Reader as winner, who guess Lee! Very well done. I shall send your prize money of twenty-five Monopoly dollars in the mail. 
    A major thank you for @Lee Wilson for taking part in our little guessing game. Go give their stories a good reading. Here's some of their stories!
    If you're an author on GA and would like to participate, don't be afraid to send me a PM. I'll happily send you a lovely and whimsical list of questions for you to answer. As a thank-you, you'll be featured on the site for a little bit! How fun!
  2. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #25

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Wow! Twenty five editions of Author Guess Who... 
    Plenty of fun has been had, many accusatory guesses, and countless acts of finger-pointing later, and AGW is still kicking! This month is no exception. What better way to celebrate than to participate. We have another mystery author with several answers that may or may not hint at their identity. Grab your detective hats, slip on that dusty foam finger from that random basketball game you went to ten years ago, and get ready to guess this author!
    • • • • •
     
    What sparked the writing fire? How did your author story begin?
    I guess because I like to read so much. Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ I believe, said if you want to be a writer, just write. So I did. Discovering nifty.org was the true spark.
    Oh, dear! It seems you have stepped in a puddle of radioactive goop. What superpower would you like to contract from it?
    Invisibility. I feel that way sometimes, may as well experience it for real.
    Is there a genre of writing you haven't engaged in but want to?
    Horror. I read a lot of it, but haven’t gotten a good enough idea.
    After being kidnapped by a mafia boss, you give him a piece of information that's vital to his operation. As thanks, he brings you to a sandwich shop and tells you to order whatever you please. Describe your ideal sandwich. 
    Pastrami on rye, with yellow mustard, 3 inches high, extra bread, of course. Once had it at the Carnegie Deli in NY. Nothing else comes close.
    Do you have a specific schedule or environment (physical and/or mental) to write? Any silly rituals? Got to have your favorite coffee? 
    No specific schedule, just as much as life allows. Environment, mainly my home office, but wherever I am with my phone works too. Coffee? Ick. Can’t even stand the smell.
    Cue the intense music! No, like, this is super serious. You have one egg. How are you cooking it?
    Over hard and putting it on a lightly toasted and buttered bagel. With provolone.
    What is something you are beyond proud of in life?
    Would the fact that I’m still even alive qualify? Other than that, my kids.
    If you could live in the world of your favorite fiction novel/series, would you and which story is it?
    Tough choice, but I’d have to lean toward Michael Connelly’s Los Angeles, somehow working with Hieronymus Bosch. The worlds of Lee Child’s Reacher or Jeffrey Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme would come close.
    Are you a dog or cat person?
    Grew up a dog person, have cats now. So, both?
    To finish off the interview, what's your favorite ice cream flavor?
     Is there really more than one flavor? Chocolate. Hold the chunks of anything.
    • • • • •
    Might need to grab your magnifying glass for this month's edition. Check the details, remember the various authors in our community. Even a tiny nugget of info might be the key. 
    If you think you know the author's identity, shout it out in the comment section below! If you don't, point a finger at someone and debate it until everyone believes you. Y'all have two weeks to figure it out. 
    Have a great timezone, everyone!
  3. astone2292

    A Teensy Update

    By astone2292,


    Blogs
    A little note before reading... I have had a few adult beverages. 
    In the span of a year, many things have happened in my personal life. Being accepted into a new community in this world with open arms. Reevaluating personal goals. Discovering values in life that needed to be brought to light. 
    Aaron... My sweet, darling, precious Aaron. Why in the world are you writing this, pretending this blog doesn't have the thickest layer of dust and KFC crumbs? 
    Because, you silly-billies. Today, I received a special little badge on GA. I've been here for five years. Like, holy shit. Wow, GA. Way to make me feel old. How dare you. 
    See? You just made my knee pop. 
    All jokes aside, I can't help but express quips and sarcasm, which is my equivalent of love and adoration. It's truly a sobering moment. Five years. All the work I've put in. The people who has helped me along the way. The lessons they taught. The parts I managed to absorb and use despite the attention span I possess. Five years of experience in a field that started as a whimsical hobby. Well, it still is. But writing hasn't been the only thing to encourage me to accept whimsy into my world, life, and soul. I've spent a lot of the past year discovering myself as a person. What are my ambitions? What do I want to do? 
    The answer has remained the same. I want to bring smiles to peoples' faces. Everyone needs a little joy in their life. I know I—
    Sorry, just needed to step away to have a bombastic conversation with my husband about the people who are too lazy to make a PB&J sandwich. Y'all know what I'm talking about. 
    Right. Joy. Life. Self-revelations. 
    The point is this: I like bringing happiness, so I'm pursuing that. How? By doing something I've always wanted to do. I'm beginning the steps of being a streamer. Writing, chatting, a just a wee bit of gaming. It's my daily itinerary in a nutshell, so why not combine my desire to create smiles? If I'm being honest, it's been a long while since I've felt this excited. A new adventure! I'm aiming to start in a few weeks (after an upcoming vacation). There's still plenty to do: finalizing things with several programs, sketching a proper reactive PNG, and a few other tidbits. 
    I wanted to give a itsy bitsy update for y'all, considering I've been more than quiet around here. Plenty of writing in the background, but it's all novels/novellas. I've gotten quite comfortable not posting chapters as I go, learning from previous projects. Several anthology submissions are ready for edits. Busy, busy, busy. Not to say I've had some motivation issues. I'm finding trouble with focusing on one project for more than twenty or so chapters, which leads to working on one chapter at a time per project. Perhaps when I begin streaming, it will force me to focus on one project at a time without switching. 
    Anyway. Tipsy is turning into sleepy. I need to get the next Author Guess Who ready for posting. Insert crying emoji. Insert mad emoji. 
    Toodles!
  4. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #24 - Reveal!

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Listen, y'all would be so proud of me. I set an alarm two weeks ago to remind me to write this month's AGW reveal. Yes, I am sooo patting myself on the back for being slightly responsible. In other words, TIME'S UP, FOLKS!  If you missed the Author Guess Who interview for this month, make sure you click... 
     > > > HERE < < <
    ... to see what this month's mystery author had to say! Without further ado, time for the big reveal!
     
    This author... has over 487,000 words posted!
    This author... has nineteen stories for you to read!
    This author... is... 

     
    Thirdly
     
    And from a quick glance at the interview comment section... Looks like @BendtedWreath was the first to guess correctly! Very well done. Expect a box of brownie points to be delivered in 2 to 87 business days.
    A major thank you for @Thirdly for taking part in our little guessing game. Go give their stories a good reading. Here's three collections that Thirdly wanted to feature for everyone to check out!
     
  5. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #24

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Oooooooo, baby! We are back with another round of GA's favorite blog game, Author Guess Who. Y'all know the drill. This month's mysterious author has answered a lovely list of questions, and it's your job to figure out who it is. So grab your magnifying glasses, put on an old fashioned detective hat, do a Sherlock Holmes impression, and get to work! Let's see what the anonymous author has to say...
    • • • • •
     
    What sparked the writing fire? How did your author story begin?
    As much as I enjoyed reading as a kid, I didn’t actually catch the “writing bug” until the late 90s, when I began interacting with some of my favorite fanfiction writers and even became penpals with some of them (when I used to draw fanart back then, it was all traditional with paper, pen, and colored pencils… so I snail-mailed them). 
    One of those writers was not only kind enough to humor my antics but responded with sage advice on life and encouraged me to try my hand at writing because she thought my letters and emails were entertaining. 
    I decided to send her my first attempt at an actual chapter, putting everything I had into making it entertaining and dramatic. This was when I also started researching things I didn’t know, like details about real FBI investigations and how much pressure a thin glass needs to actually break in a firm fist and, hell, how much money it took to rent a high middle-class space (I was in my mid-teens, I knew next to nothing). 
    She couldn’t have been more impressed. 
    That’s when I realized it took way too much work to write a crime novel and dove head-first into magical sci-fi, instead, where I could make things up as I went along. This laziness persisted until I turned 40.🤣
    Oh, dear! It seems you have stepped in a puddle of radioactive goop. What superpower would you like to contract from it?
    My answer to this hasn’t changed for decades. While I’ve dreamt of flying and enjoyed the thrill of rollercoasters, the one superpower I would really want is teleportation. To be able to instantly “blip” from one country to another to visit a friend (you included, Aaron! I’d buy you lunch) or family member or to buy some delicious food after a stop at the bank to exchange currency would be the absolute best.
    Is there a genre of writing you haven't engaged in but want to?
    Historical fiction, but that would require way more work than a crime or mystery novel, so I’d have to be mentally stable and retired to take a shot at it.
    After being kidnapped by a mafia boss, you give him a piece of information that's vital to his operation. As thanks, he brings you to a sandwich shop and tells you to order whatever you please. Describe your ideal sandwich. 
    Haha! Don’t you know that the best sandwich is a piece of longaniza sausage nestled into the butt of a freshly-baked bread? The butt of the bread ensures that the meat doesn’t slip and escape when you bite into it. Someone even wrote a song about it. 🤣
    Do you have a specific schedule or environment (physical and/or mental) to write? Any silly rituals? Got to have your favorite coffee? 
    I weaned myself off of coffee years ago because I realized I was suffering from withdrawal migraines every time I forgot to take my daily dose. 
    If I focus hard enough, anywhere can be a good place to write. On an airplane, at a restaurant, during a break at work. So long as an idea strikes that I don’t want to forget or I’m motivated to work on something, I’ve been known to even text myself notes on my phone’s “note” app. 
    The most significant driving factor is motivation, and I’m sure others feel this way, too. A plethora of ideas come to me naturally, and I try to jot them down. Unfortunately, there are times when I want ideas for the current story I’m working on, and my mind provides me with “pink, fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows.”
    That’s utterly useless if I’m working on a murder mystery (though I know some talented writers right here on the site who can spin the “pink, fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows” INTO a murder mystery without batting an eyelash!).
    Cue the intense music! No, like, this is super serious. You have one egg. How are you cooking it?
    If it is just the one egg, I would soft boil it for 4-5 minutes at boiling-point water. Then I would remove it from the heat and cool it off with cold water (or ice if I’m in a rush), carefully peel the egg and toss the shell, then drop it in a ziploc bag full of soy sauce and sweet mirin sauce in equal amounts to marinate overnight. A ramen egg that’s been marinated for 1-2 days bursts with flavor. 
    What is something you are beyond proud of in life?
    I am proud of a few things, but I can’t think of anything that I’m “beyond” proud of. Let me think:
    I helped a lot of people over the years when they really needed it.
    After several failed attempts, I did get a Bachelor’s degree. 
    I haven’t murdered or plotted to murder anyone. 
    I finished several projects and stopped leaving anything incomplete.
    If you could live in the world of your favorite fiction novel/series, would you and which story is it?
    Aw, s**t. I have too many favorites to pick just one world! I’d love to be one of the many angels bustling about Aditus’s "Cupid Central" story, an imp/angel from Timothy M.’s series, one of CassieQ’s *****(I’m censoring myself because I’m sure I’m not supposed to talk about those guys yet), one of the many citizens of Jason Rimbaud’s "Glacier Bay", one of Kbois’s shifters, one of Lee Wilson’s empaths… I could go on for hours. 
    Are you a dog or cat person?
    Both! Both is good.

    To finish off the interview, what's your favorite ice cream flavor?
    At the moment, it’s salted caramel with a hint of lavender. 
    • • • • •
    Yoooooo! I'm getting lunch? I think I like this mystery author, whoever they may be. Don't worry, I'll buy dessert. Donuts? Fro-yo?
    If you think you know the author's identity, shout it out in the comment section below! If you don't, point a finger at someone and debate it until everyone believes you. Y'all have two weeks to figure it out. 
    Toodles for now!
  6. astone2292

    Author Guess Who - Promo

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Want to play a game? Wait, what? Ack! Someone get this weird puppet-looking thing and red tricycle out of here! 
    But how 'bout it, gang? I'm dusting off Author Guess Who and itching to get a few authors in the interview booth. For those of you not familiar with AGW, it's a lovely blog game where one of GA's authors answers some interesting (sometimes strange) questions, then you, the readers, have to guess who it is! For example: 
    If you step on the purple portal pad with the sign, "Free Teleportation," where are you going? Favorite fictional character from any media. What prompted you to write your first story? You're making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Describe your ingredients. Type of bread? Crunchy or creamy peanut butter? Jelly, jam, or preserves? And many others! This little game has a few uses for our community. First and foremost, it's an absolute hoot! C'mon... The accusatory finger-pointing is the highlight of my day, personally. Second, it serves as a wonderful way to promote hard-working authors who want to put their names out there. No need to wait for an invitation, either! Just send me a personal message, saying you want to participate. As a thank you for being a guinea pig participant, you'll get to include three of your stories/collections in the reveal edition as promotion! How neat is that?
    If y'all want to check out some of the previous AGW editions, click or tap HERE to view 'em! 
    So, let's recap. Any and all authors can nab a little bit of publicity, and we can have some fun and giggles in the process! I call that a win-win, folks! Don't hesitate, send me a PM and I'll send some questions your way! 
  7. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 #40

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    Apologies all around. I'm running a little late with posting, but I'm also a little under the weather. I blame the fluctuating temperatures. Sixty-five Fahrenheit in January, then back down to near-freezing? Nonsense! 
    But I'll tell you what isn't nonsense, and that's this month's interview for Ask An Author. We got GA's finest Signature Author when it comes to historical fiction, folks. Before I go back down for another nap, here's @Mark Arbour!
    • • • • •

    Mark Arbour

    33 Stories / 6,722,174 Words 
     
    Okay, Mark, when did the writing begin? Here on GA, the first story of CAP started posting in December 2010. Was there anything before?
    I actually started writing in 2008, and I posted on GA before 2010.  We had a big switch to a new system in 2010, and all of the copyright bylines changed to 2010.  The first place I posted was Nifty.
     
    How do you manage to have two incredible series on the go at the same time and yet so wildly different?
    First of all, thanks for calling my sagas 'incredible'.  This actually works out well for me, because sometimes I'll hit a mental dead end on one story, so if I still want to write, I have another one to focus on.
     
    What is it like to handle reader expectations as such as successful author on GA?
    The readers here are awesome!  I have known some of the people on this site for 20 years!  My readers understand that life sometimes steps in and derails me, and I get gentle pressure if I haven't posted in a while, but I find that if I'm relatively consistent, they're happy and I'm happy.  And when I have challenges and I share that with them, no one rallies around me more strongly than them.
      
    Between the two series do you have a favourite?
    I really don't.  Which one is my favorite depends on my current mood.  Looking at it, you'd think it was CAP because there are a lot more chapters in that saga, but that's not really representative of how I feel.  Bridgemont just takes a lot more research so it is slower.
    And is there a favourite character for you, between Will and George, for example?
    Let me answer that a different way.  I was asked recently if I was like any of my characters.  When I was younger, I was most like Brad but without his self confidence.  As I've gotten older, I've gotten more thoughtful, so start with Brad and blend in JP.  JP and Granger are my aspirational characters.  
     
    The research for Bridgemont seems impeccable.  How do/did you go about it?
    That is a lot of work.  For example, I was just working on the scene where Granger meets Napoleon, so I had to dig around on the internet to find floorplans and pictures/paintings of the Tuileries.  The thing that makes it easier is that I've been a fan of that era since I first read "Beat to Quarters" by CS Forester when I was 12.  Probably the biggest challenge (and my favorite Bridgemont story) was Odyssey, mostly because of the timing. The bookends were the Spithead Mutiny and the Battle of the Nile.
    My biggest CAP research challenge was 9-11, because that is still such a raw wound, and the last thing I wanted to do was screw it up and piss off someone who dealt with a loss on that fateful day.
     
    You often refer in comments to your “team”. What is their role?
    I could not do this by myself, nor would I want to.  I have editors who try to catch my errors and I have beta readers who help me keep the story consistent.  Sharon (SAT8997) was my first editor and stuck with me throughout my writing, although now she kind of lazily sits on the sidelines (ducks).  Methodwriter has been my muse for the CAP saga.  I also have what I call a meta-editor, who does both functions (editing and beta reading) and must be incredibly detail oriented.  That person is basically my right hand 'man'.   For years, that function was filled by Peter A. Nonymous, but sadly he was struck with dementia.  He still helped me out, but as it took over more and more of his brain, it became harder for him to edit.  I was really hit hard by that, and contemplated quitting writing, but then Impunity volunteered to help me out, and she is absolutely amazing.  She is the main reason I persevered. 
     
    Finally, just how do you stay so productive? 
    The productivity usually comes from an idea.  I'll be thinking of my sagas and I'll dream up a new plan for the characters, and that will almost possess me.  I'll crank out a bunch of chapters, then calm my ass down and focus on editing them.  My team will tell you all about it, because we'll be coasting along and then suddenly there are five chapters posted for editing.
    • • • • •
    Thanks for the interview, Mark! It was fun to read your responses. 
    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!
  8. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 #39

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    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! 
  9. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 #36

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    I don't know about y'all, but the weather here is a little wonky. 59 degrees Fahrenheit is a tad bit warm for February. Hold on a second... I think that's because we have a new Ask An Author edition that's hot off the presses! Eh? See what I did there? Aren't you proud of me? Nah, I can feel a few sets of eyeballs on me as I type this. I'll take the "boo's" in the comment section, please and thank you. 
    Anyway, new interview! I had the lovely opportunity to chat with @Lee Wilson and see how their mind works. Enjoy the interview! 
    • • • • •

    Lee Wilson

    8 Stories / 398,382 Words 
     
    What prompted you to start writing, and what has kept you going?
    There are really two answers to that question. I started a novel many (very many) years ago from an idea I had. It was just a spark really, but I spent a bunch of time on it. I don't get back to it often enough. My intent was self-publishing it, but it stalled after a few chapters.
    Secondly, while surfing the net, I came across nifty.org. After reading a few stories there, and one that triggered a memory, I figured, hey, I could do this. I set up a new email address to be anonymous and started writing. Interestingly enough, Lee Wilson is one of the characters' names in the aforementioned, truncated novel. Anyway, the story grew from that single memory into something a whole lot more. One of the comments sent to me mentioned this site. I started a story that the moderators there couldn't classify, so I moved it here. I'd also gotten to another story that I saw getting longer, so I brought the first couple chapters here as well.
    What keeps me going? Two things. Obviously continuing to come up with new ideas, and the folks here. I feel like I fit in somewhere; I don't have a lot of friends IRL.
     
    What genres do you enjoy writing, and what genre have you always wanted to explore?
    Well, primarily the stuff I've written here. I guess you'd summarize it as gay relationships. Apparently, I'd always wanted to explore that, it's thirteen stories and counting later.
      
    Do you have a favorite food or beverage? Something you could have every day without growing tired of it.
    Pasta, probably seafood alfredo specifically, but Bolognese works too. Top it off with a Mountain Dew, and I'm happy.
     
    What is one story/book you could read until the end of time and why?
    Stephen King's 'The Stand.' It's just a great story. Awesome characters and it's not exactly horror, for anybody that might be afraid to try it because they don't like the genre. Horror doesn't bother me, though; I have all of SK's books. And all of Lee Child's, John Grisham's, what I could find of Dean Koontz and Jeffrey Deaver, a lot of Richard Laymon, Jo Nesbo, a couple of James Patterson's series, John Saul. Did I mention I like to read?
     
    If you could chat/gush about one story you've written, which one?
    Wow tough question. If I were to pick one that's here (since most of what's on nifty wouldn't fly here), I think it would be 'Don't Blame the Band.' I took that one all over the place. It's also the longest one I've written so far. But to be completely honest, it would be the first one I wrote on nifty. DM or email me if you're interested in knowing how perverse I really am. 😁
    • • • • •
    Thanks for the interview, Lee! Make sure y'all check out their stories. In the meantime, don't forget to send me some questions for your favorite authors! 
  10. astone2292
    Author Guess... What? What do you mean there isn't an AGW segment this month? Wait, this was my idea in the first place. Hang on a minute, let me get my megaphone. 
    🚨 ATTENTION AUTHORS 🚨
    The Secret Author Contest deadline is approaching! Act like fighter jets and scramble! That is, of course, if you haven't gotten your submission all polished and dolled up. For those that already have your ducks in a row, congratulations. Grab some popcorn and wait in the comment section (silently, as to avoid being guessed when the stories begin posting) to watch the rest of us sprint to our keyboards. If you missed the memo, there's less than TWO WEEKS REMAINING to finish your stories.
    As a reminder, here are the general rules and required metadata for the Secret Author Contest: 
    DEADLINE TO SUBMIT STORIES:  July 24th, 2024
    THEME: "Hidden"
    GENERAL RULES:
    One story per author Don't share your idea, work in progress, or completed work with anyone but your team (editor/beta-reader) Your story must be "new content" to remain anonymous (can not be set in previous series/worlds) Allowed story length: 3,000 to 30,000 words Chapters: 1 Story Chapter posted to GA (you can use ** or a double line break to indicate scene and timeline jumps). Send Format: Word or Google Doc (PM Cia if you share via Google Docs, please!) METADATA REQUIRED:
    Title Description Story Note Chapter Note Genre(s) (3 Max) Audience Rating Tags (6 Max) I'd like to take a moment to chat with those who haven't participated in a GA Secret Author Contest. Some of you might be asking, "Why? Why would I not want to let readers know that I'm the author?" Easy! The Secret Author Contest is designed for readers to stumble upon new authors this way. Using my participation in last year's contest as an example, I discovered several authors I would've normally steered away from. But I loved their styles! I enjoyed the tales they spun. Because of this contest, I still read those authors' works. And in return, I obtained new readers because of my submission. Not to mention, the whole finger-pointing and accusing who wrote what is an absolute blast! 
    So, for those of you who are interested. You have less than two weeks. Dig deep in your "to-write" pile (because we all have one, don't deny it), and let your creativity fly! 3,000 word minimum. 30,000 word maximum. Spin a short tale that's surely going to grab someone's attention! Use a personal experience or fantasy that's been lurking in the recesses of your noggin. Jump in and get your feet wet in a genre you've always wanted to play in. Just remember the theme for this year: "Hidden."
    Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to work on my submiss--- I MEAN... nothing. Forget I said anything. In fact, assume I'm using psychology tactics to make you think I'm entering the contest when I'm really not, but in actuality I'm saying this as a ruse to make you believe I... *sigh*
    Never mind, I'm going to take a nap. 
  11. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #22

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Second Thursday of the month is here! Second Thursday of the month is here! Why am I repeating myself like this? Because I got ice cream from the ice cream truck while at work today! I heard it coming and rushed out the store yelling and waving with my energy and hopes at an all-time high. Best day I've had in a long, long time considering it was the second time in my life getting to purchase from an ice cream truck. I'll forever be a child, and I'm standing by that statement. 
    However, I'm putting on my adult blogging hat. Time for another edition of Author Guess Who! If you ask me, this is a great way to exercise your guessing ability. As a reminder, the Secret Author submissions are due on July 24th of this year, so get those in! For now, let's flex our minds and figure out who this month's mystery author could be...
    • • • • •
     
    What is one thing the GA community might not know about you?
    That I have suffered from Depression & Anxiety for most of my adult life. I was recently diagnosed with Adult form of ADHD and was diagnosed with Dyslexia in my late teens.
    You're making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. What are your choices for ingredients? Crunchy/creamy peanut butter? Jelly or jam?
    Creamy Peanut Butter or Peanut Paste as we call it in Oz, And Raspberry Jam.
    What prompted you to write your first story?
    Always been interested in writing since a young age, since about twelve, helps me to destress and relax.
    Do you have a significant other?
    I have been and always will be single.
    You're stuck on an island. You're allowed one book, one food item, and one beverage. What are they?
    I am David’ by Ann Holm, Mangoes, Fresh Water
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
    My idol author - Ms Beatrix Potter
    Are you a dog or cat person?
    Dogs and cats, grew up with both on the farm.
    What is something on your bucket list?
    To travel to the Isle of Man & Scotland
    Hey, how about that? Teleportation was just invented. Where's the first place you're going? Don't worry, the purple portal pad is totally safe.
    The Moon
    Is there a fictional character you look up to? Who is it?
    Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew
    What is your favorite movie/television show?
    Movie - Dam Busters & The Great Escape. TV - Catweasle / All Creatures Great & Small (original)
    How would you describe the taste of salt to someone who has never had it before?
    Ocean Water
    When you go on vacation/holiday, when do you pack your suitcase? The night before, a few hours before the plane takes off?
    A week before, & Repack two Days before.
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
    Being an online author. Only thing i have been good at all my life.
    • • • • •
    I don't know about you, but I only got Aussie out of that. Did you get a hint or notion out of this month's Author Guess Who interview? Make sure you put your guesses in the comment section below, even if it's a wild accusation! 

    We'll be back in two weeks with the reveal! 
  12. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #22 - Reveal!

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Time's up! Two weeks have come and gone. Now let's see who put their best guessing hats on. If you just so happened to miss the Author Guess Who interview for this month, make sure you click... 
     > > > HERE < < <
    ... to see what this month's mystery author had to say! Without further ado, time for the big reveal!
     
    This author... has posted over three million words!
    This author... has over seventy stories for you to read!
    This author... is... 

     
    quokka
     
    Wowzers! Looks like y'all took your guessing vitamins this month! A major thank you for @quokka for taking part in our little guessing game. Go give their stories a good reading. Here's three that Quokka wanted to feature for everyone to check out!
     
    And as always, we're looking for more mystery authors to play along! If you'd like to have the GA community up in arms and pointing accusatory fingers, send me a PM. I'll send you a lovely list of questions for you, and we'll giggle together as the comment section dons their detective hats. 
  13. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 - Community Edition

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    It seems the authors have been busy with their noses buried in the upcoming Secret Author Contest. Not that I blame 'em, it's a fun event to partake in. While the authors, myself included, are typing away in utter secrecy, let's do another community edition of Ask An Author! Yes, that means you, my dear reader, get to partake in this month's fun. Normally, we have some questions for an author about a particular story of theirs or about themselves as a person. Instead, everyone can answer! Don't worry, I'm not asking for much. We did a version of this over a year ago, and it turned out well with over seventy-five comments. Let's see if we can break a hundred...
    Gay Authors community, here are your questions:
    Life has given you a potato. What are you going to do with it?  Which Gay Authors story are you reading currently? What singular superpower would you love to possess? Be creative and personal with your responses! Put some thought into them, and let your fingers fly across your keyboard. I'll even start things off!
    Just a singular potato? I wish I had a few more, I'd make thousand-layer duck fat potatoes. This one better be a Yukon Gold... I'll probably create fondant potatoes with some butter, garlic, and thyme. Wait, no! Rosemary. Yeah, rosemary.  I've been perusing a bit as of late. A bit of Rob Colton's Timber Pack Chronicles, a bit of Cia's Carthera Tales... I've been in a mood for what inspired me to start writing in the first place.  Duh, flight? I don't care if I have to sprout wings or wear special shoes for it, I need to get in the air! No more traffic jams, no silly-billy drivers with zero common sense, and no restrictions of staying on a road.  Let's hear it, people! Sound off below with your responses to these questions! And don't forget to send me questions for authors you'd like to see featured on the site... or else next month's Ask An Author's community questions will be much, much more intense, and not in the fun way.
  14. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 #38

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    I hope y'all had a wonderful break from me. Big shoutie-outie for @Valkyrie and all of those who participated in this year's Poetry Anthology! 
    Onto our next edition of Ask An Author! Yes, yes, I'm sure everyone missed me and my fat fingers as I bring you wonderful interviews. Let's get right into it, shall we? We have an amazing author lined up, so grab your popcorn and a drink while we see what kind of questions we have.
    • • • • •

    lawfulneutralmage

    2 Stories / 99,604 Words 
     
    What prompted you to start writing, and what has kept you going?
    I am a keen table-top role-playing gamer. My first RPG rule book, Shadowrun v2, contained a chapter explaining what role-playing means. The game designers asked the readers whether they had ever read a book and imagined they were the main character and in the described situation in the book, they would do something completely different. Role-playing would allow the reader to impersonate a character and act upon a described situation. Furthermore, the rule book stated that a character can be easily forgotten or, if well played, be someone a player would fondly remember. The difference, the rule book continued, was how much effort a player invested in a character.
    I have always invested a lot in my characters. Descriptions of family members and family history (where applicable), appearance and demeanour, and, of course, personal histories explaining why a character was who he was and why he was doing what he was doing. Sometimes, that was a long text. I think the maximum was twenty-four A4 pages. I even had one or two Game Masters (GM) who read it. Later, I started writing for some characters and their pivotal experiences as stories.
    In 2022, a new Game Master set a particular challenge. All characters had to be genuine criminals and on the run. That is not easy for me. My characters always have a detailed background with proper reasoning for what they are doing. I cannot justify proper criminal behavior, i.e. greed or hunger for power. I could write it, but I could not “feel” it. Therefore, I had to come up with something that was a justifiable and understandable crime. For me, it could only be some form of self-defense getting out of control. So, I wrote “Unchained” and shared it with the role-playing group who, all cis-hetero men, gave very positive feedback.
    When browsing GA and reading about the Secret Author Contest 2023, I thought “Why not?” I started going through the writing resources on GA, did some editing (poorly I know now) and asked it to be included. For me, the feedback to “Unchained” was fantastic, especially as most people I asked responded to my requests for further info.
    By that time, I had completed my run as Game Master with a TPK (total party kill – GM hint: never split the party!). However, the players wanted to know how the story ended. Therefore, I started writing it as a story with one of the non-player characters they had met as MC. It quickly got out of hand, i.e. took pages and pages and just did not want to come to an end. The positive experience from “Unchained” gave me the energy to continue that story. I intend to publish it on GA once it is done.
    To conclude my elaborate answer, I write and I continue doing so because I love stories. I keep posting on GA because it is an encouraging community.
     
    What genres do you enjoy writing, and what genre have you always wanted to explore?
    I love fantasy stuff, magic if it is at least somehow logically explained, and science-fiction under the same condition. In these areas I “know” stuff. I could not write about a genre I really know nothing about e.g. Westerns.
      
    What inspired you to write a police procedural that morphed into a supernatural thriller?
    In Great Britain, I was a volunteer police officer for ten years, a Special Constable. They have the same police powers as regular officers and the same uniform, apart from a crown on the epaulets. I was lucky enough to be based in a small but very busy station. I was able to experience a lot, either crewed with a regular officer or later with a fellow Special. I miss policing dearly. Sometimes, I am asked to tell some stories, and I realized people were actually quite interested. With that in mind, I planned to record some of my experiences.
    In 2021, my role-playing group started a Savage Worlds “Super Heroes” campaign where the Game Master had us make normal characters who would discover their super powers gradually. My character was Jamie, a young but experienced, gay police officer. A friend’s character was someone like Rupert Morris-Walker, an upcoming conservative politician from the ubiquitous upper crust. The group had a run-in with a supernatural creature that was after the politician, and that encounter activated parts of Jamie’s powers and got him suspended. Unfortunately, we have never continued that storyline and never will, because that GM retired from mastering. I was annoyed, because I loved Jamie and the story.
    When I just could not stand my 84 pages fantasy story anymore (see question 1), I needed to let it rest and concentrate on something else. At the same time, there was a discussion an GA about writing first-person-point-of-view i.e. the main character’s viewpoint and how difficult that was and how annoying it could be. Again, I thought “Why not?”
    I had a character I loved in Jamie whose world changes completely. I could explore what he felt by trying the first-person PoV which made me fall in love with him even more, and I had a topic I loved to talk to about in policing. So, the idea for “Special Circumstances” was born.
    Due to that PoV discussion on GA, I contacted Mikiesboy whether he would be willing to have a look at what I had written. He did … and tore it apart (nicely). He made me read Stephen King’s “On Writing” (most strongly recommended!!!). Mikiesboy was able to make me see “it”: let the characters tell, don’t describe too much, readers will imagine etc. He showed me how to write a story, not a description or a technical manual.
    CassieQ came back to me a bit later and was willing to have a look, too. She “hit me with the feelings stick”, making me rewrite stuff I thought was clear and asked questions I had hoped nobody would ask or I had thought had obvious answers.
    To give an idea of the transformation, my first chapter of about 7,800 words turned into four chapters of about about 20,000 words after they had put their hands on it. It was fun! Dear experienced writers, please help newbies by editing!
     
    What is one story/book you could read until the end of time and why?
    What a limitation! There is so much good stuff out there! My favorite commercial authors are Timothy Zahn and Raymond E. Feist. I have all their books and have read them several times.

    My favorite Zahn story is the Conquerors Trilogy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquerors%27) in which the first book is written from the Human perspective, the second from Alien perspective, and the third mixing them. What a world building!

    My favorite fantasy story is the Raymond E. Feist / Jenny Wurtz’es Empire Trilogy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_Trilogy) featuring the political machinations in a Human society resembling a mix of East Asia, Zulu, and Aztec cultures. The world they are painting is so alive.

    However, the book I have read most often and since moving to Norway, yearly, is Melissa Scott’s science-fiction book “The Kindly Ones” (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1268281.The_Kindly_Ones). It first mentioned gay characters in any book I could access. Also, the MC’s gender is never revealed. So, this book was my first exposure to LGBT characters and dark, cold places.
     
    If you could chat/gush about one story you've written, which one?
    Well, I like both of them, but Jamie and policing are closer to my heart, so “Special Circumstances” it is. That story will always have a special place in my heart.
    • • • • •
    Thanks for the interview, lawfulneutralmage! It was fun to read your responses. 
    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! 
  15. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #21 - Reveal!

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Ah, the fourth Thursday of the month. We all know what that means, right? It's time for the Author Guess Who reveal! Did y'all have any guesses as to who the mystery author could be? If not, time to take another look at the interview... 
     > > > HERE < < <
    So, we have someone who is a fan of both Alan Alda and Jerry Seinfeld, has two Bachelor degrees, and is allergic to dogs. Well, that last part is pretty tragic. How awful! Unable to pet floofy doggos... Those poor, happy puppers who won't get a petting from the human with allergies. I might shed a tear. *sniffle*  Put your Kleenexes away because it's time to reveal this month's mystery author!
     
    It is... a Promising Author!
    This author... has written 734,400 words!
    This author... is... 


    astone2292
     
    Teehee! C'mon, now. Y'all thought I wouldn't hold back my ego and be a part of the game? To be fair, I had my interview ready for almost two years. I just had to make a tweak or seven. Or was it twelve? I don't know, it was a number or four. Anyway, here's three of my stories/collections I'm most proud of! 
    If you would like to participate in a future Author Guess Who interview, send me a PM (private message)! Author Guess Who is a fun way to get some exposure in our little GA community, and it will allow others to get to know you a little bit. 
    I'll see ya in a few weeks for April's AGW!
  16. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #21

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    A thousand apologies for being a little late for this month's Author Guess Who! But don't worry, it's here. 
    Y'all know the drill, and if you're new, the game is simple. Read and analyze the following interview with the mystery author, then sound off in the comment section below and guess the author! In two weeks, our author will be revealed for all to point fingers at and, in a Family Fued-like sigh, say "Ohhh... that one!"
    • • • • •
     
    What is one thing that most GA members might not know about you?
    I got a two-for-one special when I graduated college. After taking two random electives, my advisor told me I got the proper credits for a second Bachelors degree. Yippee!!
    What prompted you to write your first story?
    I tend to daydream a lot, and I can safely do that while I work at my job. I kept coming back to the same thought train, and I built on it. Before I knew it, I had the bones for a story. Letting my overactive imagination do something productive for once, I sat down, gave my characters some names, and typed a whole book!  
    What genre of books do you enjoy reading and have you written for that genre?
    I'll read anything, but I am a sucker for a murder-mystery! Each page/chapter gets me on the edge of my seat, and I have a hard time stopping until I reach the end. I have not written a mystery and while I want to, I can not keep a secret. The urge to drop hints in the comment section would tempt me.
    Is there a genre that you haven’t written for that you would consider trying later on?
    I have written/am currently writing every genre I wanted to write, so let me think about my options here... I believe Fantasy is next on my list. The thought of going deep into world building leaves me nervous. I'm not the best at detail tracking.
    What do like most about publishing on GA?
    The community! The members of this site's community are so welcoming and friendly. When I post a chapter, I find myself visiting the site on a regular basis to find a fresh comment or reaction. Getting feedback is beyond important, and I think this is what sets GA above the other self-publishing websites.
    Do you have any unique writing habits or rituals to help you get into a writing mood?
    I get bored, pull out my phone, and write whenever I can. Five minutes can get me a couple of paragraphs, and that helps out tremendously!
    How has your writing style evolved over time?
    I started writing as a hobby, but even after a year, I have noticed a considerable difference. I tested the waters with a few new concepts in character dialogue, and from the feedback I received, it was a fantastic gamble! I don't believe my style has fully developed yet, but watching it grow has placed a fat grin on my face. 
    Do you have a significant other?
    Yep. I married the man I love, and I only hope for countless years with him. 
    Do you have any pets?
    Nope. The husband wants a husky, even though I'm allergic to dogs.
    Do you post multi-chapter stories as you write? Do you wait until you’ve finished writing the entire story? Or is it something in between?
    I used to post chapters as I write, but I've strayed away from it as of late. Unfortunately, that left me with several WIPs, and I can't decide which one to focus on for posting. Maybe I need to go back to my roots to feel the urgency to keep posting chapters on time.
    What is your favorite television show?
    I'll have to say M*A*S*H*. I grew up watching the show, as reruns came on when I got home from the bus stop. Hawkeye became my role model. Like him, I combat my life with a cheery smile, but my emotions often get the best of me. Hawkeye's way of pushing down his growing depression using comedy, speaks to me. Same goes for when he stumbles into a serious situation and that flip-switch gets hit for him to be equally serious/angry.
    What is your favorite movie?
    It's not a movie, but I watch Oh, Hello on Broadway on a very regular basis. The target audience is a little narrow, but I love every New York and theater reference. No matter how many times I watch it, I always get a laugh from several lines, particularly, "Could you go get me a Ferrero Rocher chocolate? Or a Lindt Lindor truffle? My favorite flavor is blue."
    Do you write poetry? Prose? Or both?
    Nope. I'm not sure if I'll ever dive into it, but I might give it a shot at some point.
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
    Jerry Seinfeld. I talk like him, I act like him, and I want to meet him. 
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
    I was one of the two students to graduate from my high school with a Vocational Technical Honors diploma in the school's history, despite it being quite easy to obtain. It was a complete accident since the guidance counselor had no idea the diploma existed in our state's educational system. That meeting three days before graduation will always reside in my mind.
    • • • • •
    If Alan Alda and Jerry Seinfeld had a love child? I'm slightly concerned. KIDDING!! I'm kidding. I'm sure this author is a wonderful person and deserves the Author Guess Who spotlight. 
    See y'all in two weeks! Put your guesses in the comment section below, and don't be afraid to throw a random author out there.
  17. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 #37

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    Do you know how tempting it was to copy and paste the intro to this article? The weather has been absolutely insane. California is buried in snow, and the high today here in Banjoland was 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This is wild! But you're not here to talk about the weather. What was that Oscar Wilde quote? "Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative." 
    I would also say you're not here to read quotes, but this is an Ask An Author interview, so I suppose you could quote the following author. This month, I had the opportunity to proverbially sit down with @AusGlitterati with some questions. Let's see what they said! 
    • • • • •

    AusGlitterati

    15 Stories / 723,080 Words 
     
    What prompted you to start writing, and what has kept you going?
    I've always had an interest in writing stories - creative writing lessons at school were my jam! I used to write fanfiction about shows I watched growing up - Cyberchase, Arthur, Scooby Doo! In fact, I was "outed" because my dad found and read something I'd written as a self-insert in a Scooby Doo story - I'd made myself Fred's boyfriend (Freddie Prinze Jr was my first remembered crush!) I also created and uploaded many stories in the Story Designer mode in the WWE games!
    The direct answer to the question is that I don't know what really prompted me to start. I always just wanted to do it I enjoyed the stories told in books, cartoons and eventually games, and wanted to do that myself. I never did complete a story until adulthood - To The Stars - partly because I didn't think anyone was interested in gay fiction. It was literally GayAuthors and the incredible community that helped me reach critical mass and publish something and it's the community that keeps me coming back!
     
    What genres do you enjoy writing, and what genre have you always wanted to explore?
    I really enjoy writing drama/comedy - it's no coincidence that lot of my plot and characters are driven heavily by dialogue. I don't know if the chicken or the egg came first, but they seem to go hand in hand.  
    I've had a go at writing mysteries in my two short stories - I definitely want to give that a proper crack! I'd also like to challenge myself with a supernatural story!
      
    Do you have a favorite food or beverage? Something you could have every day without growing tired of it.
    Coffee is the easy but copout answer - but we tend to downplay caffeine addiction, so I might instead go with salmon. The ONLY reason I don't live off salmon is that it would literally bankrupt me. 😜 
     
    What is one story/book you could read until the end of time and why?
    Oooft this is a challenging one to answer because I go through phases. Deltora Quest was a major part of my childhood and I do go back to it even now, partially for the nostalgia and partly because DUDE, Deltora Quest is lit!  
     
    If you could chat/gush about one story you've written, which one?
    I might pick To The Stars because I don't know how many stories have been published about professional wrestlers. Part of the reason I wrote it was because I'd never seen one before! It was a little bit of a mess - the story changed in scope and direction several times while I was in the middle of writing it - but it was my first one and it's my baby!
    • • • • •
    Thanks for the interview, AusGlitterati! It was fun to read your responses. 
    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! 
  18. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #20 - Reveal!

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Holy smokes! I mean literally. Okay, not really, but use your imaginations for a moment. A dark theater stage. The crimson curtains slowly open to fog creeping out into the audience. A lone spotlight shines upon a mysterious silhouette. Who could it be? What is their purpose? Will they entertain or shock us? 
    For those who fell asleep, it's the fourth Thursday of the month, which means it's time for the Author Guess Who reveal! If you missed out on the interview, you can read it right... 
     > > > HERE < < <
    And for those who may have guess correctly, give yourselves a pat on the back! Without further ado, let's reveal our mystery author.
     
    It is... an Admin!
    This author... has written 565,324 words!
    This author... is... 
    Valkyrie
     
    Check out these stories they've written!
    And if you enjoyed this blog game, feel free to join in on the fun! Send me a PM expressing your interest, and I'll give you a wonderful list of questions!
    See y'all in a few weeks!
  19. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #20

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    It is time! No, not the Super Bowl. Not the yearly anthology either. Put your guessing hats on, y'all! Don't worry, I'll give you a few seconds... 
    Darn, it's in the title. Jeezums, what am I supposed to do with all of this confetti? Maybe I'll hand it to a kid waiting at the bus stop and tell 'em to wreak havoc in class. Evil plots aside, it's time for Author Guess Who! For those who do not know or are new, this is a monthly blog game with a mystery interviewee. The only clues you get are that they're an author on GA and the following Q&A. Not only do you get to whip out your magnifying glasses, but you can learn more about some of our community here. If you think you know who it is or just want to point accusatory fingers, drop a guess or five in the comment section! 
    Let's see what our mystery guest has to say. Who knows... They might've accidentally left a clue that will unmask their identity.
    • • • • •
     
    What is one thing the GA community might not know about you?
    I’m on the LGBTQ rainbow, but I won’t say which letter. 
    You're making a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. What kind of peanut butter, and what kind of jelly/jam?
    Crunchy peanut butter with homemade grape jelly made with grapes from my mom’s next door neighbor’s grapevine. 
    What prompted you to write your first story?
    I’ve always loved to read and wanted to try my hand at writing my own story about my interests. 
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
    The living person.  Unless it’s a vampire.  A real vampire like Lestat or Louis.  None of this Twilight bullshit.  
    Are you a dog or cat person?
    Meow hiss
    What's something on your bucket list?
    To visit Alaska. 
    Hey, how about that? Teleportation was just invented. Where's the first place you're going? Don't worry, the purple portal pad is totally safe.
    I’m going to visit my bestie, purple portal pad be damned! 
    Is there a fictional character you look up to? Who is it?
    It’s a character I wrote, so  
    What is your favorite movie/television show?
    Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
    You've been exposed to fictional radiation! Don't worry, it's not that bad... I think. What super power would you like to have?
    Teleportation without the purple portal pad. 
    Which actor/actress would you like to see portray you in this year's newest documentary blockbuster?
    Either Kathy Bates or Dan Levy 
    When you go on vacation/holiday, when do you pack your suitcase? The night before, a few hours before the plane takes off?
    Who the hell packs the night before?  Procrastinators unite!  Tomorrow…
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
    Being at peace with who I am and where I am in life.  
    • • • • •
    So, we got a procrastinating, cat-loving, Alaska-admiring author? This one might be a doozie. I hope y'all grabbed your detective hats because my lips are sealed. Mark your calendars for the reveal on the 22nd of this month. Did you catch a hint? If so, comment section! Go Go GO!!!
  20. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #19 - Reveal!

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    The alarms are going off! Two week have come and gone, so now is the time to see if you guessed our mystery author. If you missed the questions or forgot what the responses were, you can click HERE to read 'em. Let's check the reveal!
    It is... a Promising Author!
    This author... has written over 1,124,061 words!
    This author... is... 
    kbois
     
    Check out these stories they've written!
     
  21. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #19

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Y'all would be so proud of me. I set an alarm to get this month's edition of Author Guess Who all typed up! If you don't know the drill, Author Guess Who is a blog game where our community is given some answered questions and is tasked with guessing which of our wonderful authors participated. Don't be afraid to be analytical about the responses. There might be a hidden clue buried within. 
    Here we go!
    • • • • •
     
    What is one thing the GA community might not know about you?
    I struggle daily with self-confidence.
    Peanut butter: Crunchy or creamy?
    Crunchy. But I'm not super picky. 
    What prompted you to write your first story?
    Unemployment and boredom.
    Do you have a significant other?
    Yes. 
    You're stuck on an island. You're allowed one book, one food item, and one beverage. What are they?
    Too hard to pick only one book. That's like trying to choose which kid you put the oxygen mask on first when the plane decompresses. Food is easier. Steak. Preferably rib-eye. Beverage, clean, crisp water. Survival has to take precedence over anything else. 
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
    Hmmm. Robin Williams. The man was brilliant. 
    Are you a dog or cat person?
    Woof. 
    What's something on your bucket list?
    The Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
    Hey, how about that? Teleportation was just invented. Where's the first place you're going? Don't worry, the purple portal pad is totally safe.
    Duh... Edinburgh during Tattoo.
    Is there a fictional character you look up to? Who is it?
    Rip on Yellowstone. He's badass.
    What is your favorite movie/television show?
    Lassie
    How would you describe the taste of salt to someone who has never had it before?
    It tastes like the ocean smells.
    Which actor/actress would you like to see portray you in this year's newest documentary blockbuster?
    Melissa McCarthy
    When you go on vacation/holiday, when do you pack your suitcase? The night before, a few hours before the plane takes off?
    Usually a day or two before, but I'm always throwing crap in as we're going out the door. 
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
    Honestly, my stories. They're something that pushed me to do something completely out of my comfort zone. In doing so I became part of an amazing community. 
    • • • • •
    Edinburgh, Lassie, and crunchy peanut butter... I would say I don't have a clue, but I carry the answer. Did anyone else pick up anything important in that interview? Any bells or alarms go off? Shout out your guesses in the comment section below! The reveal will be posted on the 25th, so mark your calendars.
  22. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 - A New Year!

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    2024... For some reason, I thought we'd have hover-cars and Futurama's tube transportation by now. Instead, I get a pinched nerve in my neck. Yippee! I'm not sure about y'all but I got a few resolutions to work on for this year. Speaking of resolutions, I think this is a good time to sit down and reflect. 
    In a few months, I will have been working on Ask An Author 3.0 for three years. It's been a fun ride with a few bumps along the way, including the one I tripped over when I realized I forgot to get today's in order. And... The piggy bank is dry. I'll mark it as a sign to start 2024 off strong on the blog-side of things for our awesome community here. So, where do we go from here? Do I keep doing the same thing-- using reader-asked questions and ringing authors' doorbells like a Boy Scout selling popcorn? Do we switch things up a bit? Honestly, I'm open to feedback. I've contemplated creating a set of questions that would intrigue interviewees while capturing readers' attention, then ask random authors in our community instead of waiting for potential interviews to fall in my lap. 
    But I combat taking the lead on stuff like this. I like hearing from those who listen, and that's you. What shall become of Ask An Author? Quitting is not an option for me. I want to feature authors on this site, and this is a way for me to do just that. While I ponder and hear back from y'all for a week or two, how about we make this edition a community event? Let's hear from the comment section a bit, eh? Since I've been tackling the idea of becoming a streamer for my writing... 
    Chat, here are your questions:
    What is your favorite story/collection on Gay Authors? What is your favorite food? If you could accomplish one thing for 2024, what would it be? Sound off in the comments what you'd like to see of Ask An Author, plus your responses to these three questions! 
  23. astone2292

    Ask An Author 3.0 #35

    By astone2292,


    Author Interviews
    December is here, and you know what that means... There's one song I'll be muttering under my breath for the next three weeks. No, it's not Mariah Carey's Christmas song. The husband is already wanting to strangle me for singing Trixie Mattel's "All I Want For Christmas is Nudes" nonstop the past couple of days. But you're not here to hear me sing, and if you are, you've come to the wrong blog article. 
    December also means y'all get another Ask An Author! Let's see, lemme dig around. I know I got one here somewhere. Jeezums, it's dark in— AH, GOT ONE! Took me a bit, but here ya go. Time to see what @WolfM is up to...
    • • • • •

    Higher Education
    WolfM

    21 Chapters / 105,204 Words / Status: Complete
     
    What was the draw for writing and creating in this genre?
    Maybe it was my name that started me down this path. I do have a passion for the furry beasts I’m named after. More seriously, for as long as I can remember, the idea of shapeshifters has been a favorite fantasy of mine.
    I’ve written about being homeless and living on the streets a couple times. It wasn’t a pleasant world on the best of days. Creating in this genre made for a fantasy world I could escape into where I was able to hide from what was around me. Beings that don’t usually get sick, are strong enough to protect themselves, and can heal injuries just by shifting between their different bodies had a big appeal to a teen who tried act like he was never scared.  
    On second thought, it was definite because I’m named Wolf. 😉
     
    In almost all of your stories, the characters both primary and secondary may start single or coupled; but by the end they almost always coupled.  Is there a reason that you tend to put your characters into relationships?
    To be honest, it’s not something I really gave much thought to. When I started writing Running with the Pack, I wanted it to be a boy meets boy story. I didn’t think of it as writing a romance story, but that’s partly what it became. For me, I really didn’t see myself as someone who’d have a meaningful relationship with anyone, but it was fun to see in print.
    While I was more-or-less happy being single while I wrote, I wanted something a little more for my characters. Aiden got Ethan. Casey got Darius and Cody, the greedy bastard. In The Journal of Chris Williams, it seemed like a natural progression of Chris’ healing that he found his true mate; what’s considered the ultimate happiness for a shifter in the world I create. Dorian was going to remain single, but I liked the character of Karissa Ryan and had fun when I expanded on their time together. I also thought she was just the person to knock some sense into the man. In Embers, Brandon is based on me more than any other character, even though Ethan’s beginnings match mine, so he started with his mate to match mine.
    I guess I could have created a similar dynamic between characters without putting them in a relationship. Through multiple books, Trevor had always been the playboy; always playing the field and getting laid with as many women as he could. So far I haven’t mated him off to anyone, though it came close. At the end of Higher Education, despite his summer relationship he does return to Harvard a single man.
    Maybe I’m just a romantic at heart.
      
    While this genre would be one that would lend itself to outdoor setting; you seem to set not only this story but others in areas with amazing outdoor sites.  Is there something about the outdoors that really call to you, or more just that this genre needs to have some of those settings?
    I’m not an especially big fan of the outdoors and yet I’ve spent a lot of my life in it, which is probably why I’m not a fan. It’s a vicious cycle. That said, I kind of felt with my characters being part animal, they need to be outside of a bustling city with places they can shift, hunt, and run. I did kind of go against that in Embers with the ones living in Sydney.
    With Higher Education I decided to reuse the same rural Northern California town from The Alpha. The way I’d left that pack offered a good starting point for another book. Trevor hadn’t spent much time in that pack’s territory, so it was natural to have him explore. While there’s many fun and incredible things you can do in a city, I prefer writing the relaxed setting of the outdoors. Visiting a beautiful waterfall or climbing to the top of a volcano usually aren’t usually available options in a metropolitan location. I did place or mentioned shifters in and around San Diego and Los Angeles. If I hadn’t, Trevor wouldn’t have had the fun he did with Brandon in Hillcrest’s bars and restaurants. Well, the nude beach definitely qualified as outdoors near a big city.
    Where I’ve used a real location in a book, I’ve tried to see what’s around for my characters to do. Between the time I wrote The Alpha and Higher Education, I got to spend time in the area controlled by the Pit River Pack and was able to experience some of what I’d written about. That alone, increased my desire to reuse Burney, CA as a story location. Trevor was able to see more things than I used the first go around. Tourists do tend to find more than the locals who are used to having it around.
    Maybe the outdoors does call to me more than I’d like to admit. Just as long as camping isn’t involved. I get enough of that as a firefighter.
    • • • • •
    Thanks for the interview, @WolfM! It's always a pleasure chatting with you. 
    Well, if you didn't catch my subliminal message before the interview, I'll reiterate. We've reached the bottom of the barrel again, folks. There's no more stories in the piggy bank. Help a little blogger and give him a few Q&A sessions for Christmas. If YOU have read an awesome story recently and want to learn more, send me THREE questions in a personal message pertaining to an author's story. 
    Have a good holiday, y'all! See ya next year.
  24. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #18 - Reveal!

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    Hope everyone had some happy holidays! Yours truly did. Seeing Momma Stone's eyes light up when she opened her new iPad was a great moment. The bro-in-law got me an indoor counter-top grill, so I'll be using that every day for the next week until I accidentally leave it in the farthest corner of the cabinet.
    Speaking of weeks, your two weeks are up. Time to see if y'all guessed the author. If you missed the questions or forgot what the responses were, you can click HERE to read 'em. Let's check the reveal!
    This author... has 68 stories logged!
    This author... has written over two million words!
    This author... is... 
    Cia
     
    Check out these stories they've written!
    Thanks for participating, @Cia! Always a pleasure to read you're work (when I have a spare moment).
    As for you, dear reader, January is right around the corner. That means another edition is on its way! In the meantime, if you're an author that would like to participate in our little AGW game, feel free to send me a message. 
  25. astone2292

    Author Guess Who #18

    By astone2292,


    Author Guess Who
    You know what I like about the holidays? There's the food, the gatherings, the booze. But there's also games, and it's time to play! Right here, right now. Get your guessing hats on because it's Author Guess Who! For those who aren't familiar, we have a lovely interview with a mystery author. It will be your job to deduce who it could possibly be, which may or may not be easy. After you've taken some time to think about who it might be, make your guess in the comment section! 
    Let's get into it, folks!
    • • • • •
     
    What is one thing that most GA members might not know about you?
    I'm afraid of clowns. Seriously, IT at age 8 with a sadistic best friend ruined me for clowns AND scary movies. 
    What prompted you to write your first story?
    On GA? Authors here who I beta read for told me to post the ideas I had. As a kid? I told stories to my step-siblings at bed time until they fell asleep and they wanted to draw the pictures, so I would write them out for them. 
    What genre of books do you enjoy reading and have you written for that genre?
    Yep and oh yes! 
    Is there a genre that you haven’t written for that you would consider trying later on?
    Of course. Writing the same thing is boring. 
    What do you like most about publishing on GA?
    Comments, duh. LOL I love the community of readers/authors. 
    Do you have any unique writing habits or rituals to help you get into a writing mood?
    Nope. Writing is part mood but mostly just "do it, get it done!" once I commit to a project. 
    How has your writing style evolved over time?
    Editing for sure. I also moved away from all those horrible cliches (at least I hope so). 
    Do you have a significant other?
    Yep, for a long time. Decades. Ages. Eons. Since the dawn of... "Hey, stop stealing the covers!" was a thing I could know existed. 
    Do you have any pets?
    Furry friends are a must! 
    Do you post multi-chapter stories as you write? Do you wait until you’ve finished writing the entire story? Or is it something in between?
    As I write. I sometimes don't even do a read through before I post. *shrugs* I'm impatient. And last-minute. 
    What is your favorite television show?
    TV bores me. Currently the family likes Prodigal Son and 911.
    What is your favorite movie?
    Willow
    Do you write poetry? Prose? Or both?
    Gods, no to the poetry. Don't really like to read it either and refuse to beta it. Prose is where I fall. 
    If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be?
    Grandma, because there's never enough hugs from that person in your life. I didn't see her enough in my life, since we always lived thousands of miles apart, and I miss her beyond belief since she passed. 
    What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?
    The legacy I will leave behind when I die, my monsters. 
    • • • • •
    I must say, these are some very interesting responses. Who could it be? Were there any major clues in the interview? 
    Get those guesses in! Y'all got two weeks to rack your noggins. The reveal will publish on December 28th, so take your time. Do some research. Whisper among yourselves to figure it out. And for the authors that think this sounds like fun, send me a message! Authors are welcome to participate. I'll give you a big ol' list of questions for you to answer! 
    See you in two weeks! 
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