astone2292

My butt is sore. Wonder why...

Happy to share them! Thanks for reading. I hope you had a great time and continue to explore my other stories. 😊

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims. No? Bad dad joke? I thought it was hilarious. A big thank you to the anonymous members of our community that BOMBARDED me with questions. Holy smokes... My inbox went from 29% full to 36%. Y'all are insane, and I love it. I have a pile of questions and responses to last me until October-ish. Maybe December. Regardless, I appreciate the site's involvement. Let's get down to business. Now, it may seem like I'm playing favorites, and I would never do such a thing. Coming from GA's purple-people-eaters, this month's interview was with one of my fellow Promising Authors. To further combat my "alleged" favoritism, it's a simple coincidence the story mentions Kentucky. Just because I'm in the Bluegrass State doesn't mean I can't help what stories come into my inbox. Anyway, let's look at some responses from @Wayne Gray about his story, "Engineer Benson." • • • • • Engineer Benson Wayne Gray Story Status: In Progress / Rating: Mature How do you find a writing a story were everything is really experienced by the reader as if they are reading the journal of the title character; was this easier or harder than writing in another style? Writing from the perspective of a journal is a challenge. It's a version of the first-person subjective PoV (Point of View), and the limits it places on me as a writer are what make it enjoyable. We depend on Wayne (and Mark) to tell us what's happening. Just as with anything subjective, their perspectives are somewhat unreliable. How unreliable, we don't know right away, and maybe we will never know. That's simply a part of it. The reader has to accept what is given by these flawed people as the only version of the truth they have access to. Frankly, I love that. And I'm not going on about it because I plan to totally pull one over on the reader due to this flaw. It simply adds a new dimension - we only know what the person writing does. And we only know what the person writing is consciously willing to admit and document. That's a long way to say - it's harder than my typical third-person PoV stories, but I enjoy the challenge. Do you find writing about this type of dystopian world easier or harder based on the popularity of the genre, ie. The Walking Dead, etc... Oh, good question. It's one that's pertinent to the break I took writing the story. Early in writing this tale, I began watching The Last of Us. And a plot point integral to that story surfaced, which made me have to completely rewrite a big chunk of my tale. My outline mirrored The Last of Us so closely I'm sure someone would have believed I lifted material from it. I didn't, but it was just too close to be a coincidence in the discerning reader's head. So yes. Absolutely, in this case, it made things far harder. The more I watch the show, the more I'm convinced The Last of Us creators were inspired by Project Zomboid (PZ). PZ has been going for over a decade now and is rich with lore, so it wouldn't surprise me. That's the game that inspired Engineer Benson in the first place, so I guess I'm in good company. *** Warning*** You are entering spoiler territory. As requested by the author, this statements acts as a warning. How hard was it writing the chapter about Pamela and her choosing to sacrifice herself in order to try and help Wayne and Mark? Was her character based on someone from your own life, or just your creation? Ah, Pamela. That was a hard scene and chapter. Pamela was entirely a creation to show the horror of the setting. Things are "not good," and that was a way to show it in a rather direct fashion. I also wanted to show that there's still bravery in the world. In spite of everything, there are people who are trying to do what's right. Thanks for asking about my little story. I certainly appreciate your interest. • • • • • Thanks, Wayne! It was a pleasure interviewing you. #goteampurple With a line of questions and responses, I have plenty of content for y'all for the next several months. But I'll never turn down more questions. If you have 3 questions for an author about any story they've written, send them my way. I'll do my best TMZ reporter impersonation and get your answers. Have fun, pilgrims!

ATTN Readers: The second edition is up and finalized. With nearly 66,000 words cut, the story reads more precisely and flows well. Y'all go have fun!

What are these two straight boys gonna do about this?

About time they go for McKinney blood! Aiden and Casey's surprise for Trevor's partners is just the funniest. It took everything for me not to cackle at Louisville Slugger while at the gym. I missed Casey. Just like a few other commenters, I'm shocked at Trevor's urge to turn Randy. His wolf says the human isn't the mate, but who's to say it isn't Trevor human-side's true mate? Let's hope this week flies by fast, because I need another chapter.

This story has it all. Drama, action, romance, and a healthy amount of supernatural activity. Having been my first read from this author, I was riveted from the first several paragraphs, and definitely hooked throughout the story. A GA must read.

I was not expecting the HEA!!! I forkin' loved this story. Maybe now Jase will actually eat some damned food. Review will come in the morning. Time for bed...

I'm not crying...

Jesus H. ... Martinez, you better stick a bullet in Swift's head.

I knew I didn't like pink dolphins.

I snorted at Mama Lucas. That's really funny. Jase needs to rest. They're getting closer. I can feel it.

I have work in 8 hours. Just one more chapter...

I'm calling it. One of the two guys are going to look at Macy's drawings and say something sarcastic like, "A picture's worth a thousand words."

Jase's trials are teaching him along the way. I can only imagine if there was another soul that taught him something between 28 and 40...

At least the guys have Martinez as an ally. I'm not sure the extent of Jase power, but if he can influence people, could he turn them into truth-tellers. Like, sit down with Martinez and have her reveal her personal thoughts about Swift, or if she has seen anything shady? Onward, binge!

Just as I get home and draw my bubble bath... I might chuck a rubber duck.

Swift is bad! Swift is bad! Swift is bad! Jase better have angelic laser beams attached to his eyeballs, because the hairs on the back of my neck are standing.

I'm riveted by this chapter. Phillip is a proverbial and literal godsend. The ring indentation is a mystery. Would the one who charged Jase with the 40 souls be so detailed to remove the ring, or did Jase's former self do it himself? Divorce, maybe? Onward, binge!

I think Lucas and I need some popcorn...

Me, for a variety of reasons:

Macy feels scared. I still say somethings up with the kiddo. I don't like Swift. Did he get Lucas's number back at the murder house, or is something hinky going on? Onward, binge!

If I wasn't at work, I'd be screeching! Lucas and Jase whoopin' ass, taking names, and saving Miss Macy. I was not expecting such action, and I love it. Two dark, hooded figures trying to steal Jase's #40? I'm calling it. Demons.

Seven years, and Jase seems to have been busy honing his skills. Martinez is clearly hypnotized or charmed. Her bold attitude was gone, and was complacent instead. Jase now gives heavy bad-guy attitude, and that's not just from Lucas's perspective... Lucas is immune? Long lost brother? Back to bingeing...