astone2292

Wow! Time flies! It's time for Ask An Author! We're dipping our tootsies back into some fantasy writing, but with a healthy dosage of sci-fi! This one is a little special because it's a sequel. I got the chance to interview another rising star in the GA community, @Yeoldebard! As a member of the Million Word Club, this author has a plethora of stories in their arsenal. Let's dive right in! A little message from the author first! This story can stand alone, but the first story, Wolf Pack, will help shed light on how this story was born. Inspired by other Gay Author News and Writing World blogs, I'll add in a few more details about the stories we interview. Let me know if this encourages interested reading! • • • • • The Neko's Tail Yeoldebard Word Count: 94,020 / 42 Chapters / Status: Complete / Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi / Rating: Mature For those of you who wondered what happened to Elias when he went missing in Wolf Pack, here is his story. A young neko, lost in a new reality, making new friends and being brought out of his quiet shell. Elias, to me, was a beloved character in the first story, Wolf Pack. I was thrilled to see him getting his own story. His character's mentality is powerful, and he is one of the most beautifully crafted MCs in any story I've read. What was the inspiration for creating him? Elias was originally just a throwaway character, one inspired by a friend's insistence that I was more furry than anything. I decided to mix nekos and werewolves because of her, and the rest is quite literally history. But Elias took on his own role in the story. Quiet, broken, he became a symbol of me, of my own struggles. Throughout my childhood, I found it hard, nearly impossible to be heard for who I was, and Elias was my way of working through that. You'll notice more than a few of my characters are selectively mute, or fully mute, because for the longest time, I was not allowed to have a voice. They are my way of talking to the world, of getting my story out. This is a sequel. The first story is full of medieval and fantasy tropes. You completely turned this sequel upside-down, turned it around, and sent it in a direction I didn't think was conceivable! How... Did... What... Why... I'm speechless! Straight up, this is the most creative thing I've ever seen! It was absolutely beautiful! Are you a god? A writing god? But seriously, where did this come from? Elias was never truly meant to be in Wolf Pack. But I had made his character, and I couldn't let him go. He needed a different story to shine in. I had just finished reading Kidnapping Is Always an Option for the first time, and it got me thinking about why we always see modern people abducted by aliens. And I decided to try my hand at changing that. It was the perfect out for Elias. He could escape his former life, and I could start building new species, new creations, something that I have always enjoyed doing. More than that, it was a way for me to stretch my horizons, challenge myself. And it really was a challenge. I learned a lot about myself as I wrote The Neko's Tail, and even now I enjoy looking back to see my early work, to remind myself of where I've come from. At this time, I haven't continued on into the series, but that will be changing very shortly. Iason is an interesting character to me. Not much is given regards to his and Artemis' history. Is there a possibility for seeing my second-favorite Egaro in a future story? I can make no promises of seeing this particular Iason again, but Egaran Stars has a Iason that is very similar to this one. While that story is a much later inclusion to the universe as a whole, it goes much more in depth regarding both Egaro and Faro culture, and even introduces a new species discovered by Elias himself during his travels with Artemis. Iason himself is sort of a spiritual successor to another character of mine, Maximus Markhaus. His story is one of those included in my furry story, though he is not nearly as sexual as the average Egaro. • • • • • Well, that's another Ask An Author in the books! I hope y'all go check this story out. As soon as I got this set of questions, I had to read it! Give a comment down below if you've read this, or any other of Yeoldebard's stories. If you haven't, links are in the title and author's name above. If you've read a riveting story, shoot me a PM with three questions! I'll track down the author, knock on their front door, and ask them for you. All authors and stories are fair game. Ask An Author is a great way to give your favorite author a spotlight on their work! I'll see y'all next month!

I'm not sure about everyone else on GA, but I enjoy Halloween! It's one of the two holidays in the retail industry where we can toss our uniforms aside and wear something different. What's everyone's plans for this year? Every year, I look forward to putting on a costume that tickles everyone's funny bone! I've got the hair grown out perfectly, and the glasses. All I need now is the suit, and I'll be Austin Powers! I can't wait to get to work and start yelling, "Welcome to Liquor Barn, baby!" Impressions and dance moves have been perfected.

I agree; rough chapter. Plenty of subliminal and emotional messages throughout the scenes. It thrills me as an author to hear that this chapter was a fond one to several of the dedicated readers.

Always love your comments, Patch. Cyn is so innocent, even during a funeral. Can't wait to start in the next chapter. I've had this funeral planned for a while and I wanted to make it nice and proper. Growing up I my hometown, I disliked the typical funerals, as they reminded me of family/class reunions. Everyone saying "Haven't seen you in a while," with too many smiles. It wasn't until college where I saw a proper funeral with genuine respect for the deceased. Although Shelly was a minor character, I wanted this to be special.

Writing the funeral was rough! Cyn's confusion for it is genuine, but even I'm not sure if he felt any true sadness for Shelly's death. The only relative experience he has is Colman's death. Arric and Kieran are a nervous mess! Both are acting very differently compared to their date/not-date at the diner. I can't wait to see how they blossom out, especially when Kieran is truly gifted the beta role (we all remember what happened to Shea, right?). I think this was my first attempt at a dramatic timeskip. The only solace found here is Priscilla's death, and even so, I'm not satisfied myself. Cyn makes me feel like a proud dad sometimes. My only question now is whether Shea and Cyn will join the Turbins in the alpha's manor club...

Cyn held tight to Shea’s hand. He could smell the sorrow in the midnight air as he saw the pack adorned in black clothing. His mate explained to him they were attending a funeral for Shelly, the lady commander. It was strange to him seeing the robed body atop the neatly-placed timber. Sheamus told me the wolves honor their fallen. Kara’s sniffling was incessant. From the whispers, a lot of the members revered Shelly. I know she smiled at me at the meeting, but I didn’t get to talk to her.

Being the fourth book in a series often presents a challenge to some authors, and that's maintaining the reader's attention. I want to assure that this author knows what he's doing. Serpent Mound held my attention from start to finish. Plot points are littered throughout the chapters, including the last several paragraphs of the epilogue. As always, we see recurring characters, but with this installment, we are treated to several new faces. This was a much needed breath of fresh air. As a fan of this series, I wholeheartedly recommend this story. If you haven't started Werebears in America, you are missing out!

Grumpy! The last several paragraphs had me slide to the edge of my seat! Rodney still has the wights?!?!? Holy forkin' shirtballs! If these things can stir chili, imagine what Rodney has them do to Marcus in the bedroom... some extended love sessions in the time void? Onto the review!

Yes, little Faro. Get it all out of your system. These two needed some time together, and a shower did the trick! Another wonderful chapter, Ye!

Whew... I need a cold shower! I am beyond thrilled the three are starting to get everything back to normal. As an author, I know this feeling won't last long. Lysander is coming out of his funk, and Jordan's little speech helped tremendously. As always, I wait anxiously for the next installment.

Beautiful! As it's been said, the flow and drama for this book has been simply... So... Siku is going on an adventure. Hate to say it, but this news has ruined my ratings for his potential mate (sorry Ezekiel. I had high hopes.). My I'm Callin' It cap has been put in the closet. For now... A wonderful job, Grumpy! I can not wait for the epilogue!

So glad that I'm caught up with the story. Galen's romantic side is starting to show, even if Reinard can't see it. Like Philippe said, this relationship will never be boring. Brilliant work, Ye!

Progress! Date night? Lovin' it!

So... Galen is going home with Iason. I wonder what Reinard will think about this.

Uh oh. Reinard with a camera... me thinks our Faro's list of kinks is about to expand.

Man, there really isn't a great training regiment for Galen, is there? Iason, being the professional, should have known his heat was coming soon. Aren't the Egaro supposed to be sidelined during this time?

Galen's becoming more mature, as well as coming to terms with his relationship with Reinard. Now if the Faro could finally do the same.

Finally! Communication! Oh, thank the Gods! I thought I'd never see the day... As always, fantastic work, Ye!

I'm already making a rankings list... and I already know who's in the #1 spot. My I'm Callin' It cap is rarely wrong...

YAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!

This chapter was beautiful. Many loose ends were closed perfectly, and a few more have begun. I am excited to see Susie and Apollo as parents. Karhu is going to be a wonderful Papa to Bernie. Next installment yesterday, please Grumpy! Pretty please with Siku's jockstrap on top?

Thoroughly enjoying it. But, bedtime is here. I'll pick this up in eight hours or so...

I feel for Reinard, I really do. For one to hold onto the hope of bringing back his clan, only to be forced to alter his identity... I only hope they find out who is hunting his clan.

Trying to recall from The Neko's Tail. How long until Reinard shows a baby bump? You have me at the edge of my seat. If I didn't take my melatonin pill, I'd have been up all night... one more chapter before bedtime.

= this chapter, in my opinion. What a plot bomb! Expertly placed and detonated. We knew it was there, but my God... you really know when to pull the pin, Ye! Fantastic!