Bill W

Another sweet mystery, similar to the one written by Timothy M. I guess great minds do think alike. I had a feeling it was Nick, since he'd asked Carissa “Um … is everything okay with Fred? He seemed upset.” Then when Steve asked Nick if he was going to Panera with the others, Nick's response was “Fred, are you going too?” Nicholas turned to Fred, waiting for a response. Those were kind of the clues we needed, but it was still a cute story and I loved the presents.

If you like a little mystery, then check out this longer short story. Colin moved to Seattle after a bad break up and was hired as a PA in a securities Company working for a very demanding boss. After being there for nearly two years, he starts finding mysterious gifts on his desk every few days and he's determined to find out whom they are from. It's a delightful and enchanting tale with a happy ending, so check it out.

I enjoyed the characters and the mystery of the gift giver. Once I started reading, I was unable to stop until the mystery was solved. I'm no Sherlock Holmes, but I did get a strong feeling the first time Colin used the gym and ran into Kenneth. I figured that it had to be someone who frequented the gym to give him those gifts, especially the jock strap, hoping it would entice Colin to start using the facility. Great job, Tim.

An intriguing mystery that begins with Valentine cards showing up in the MC's locker. This short story has a surprise ending as well, and to find out what that surprise is, settle into your most comfortable chair and begin reading this endearing tale.

A cute mystery with a sweet ending. John got what he wanted, dating someone different from the girls he'd been going out with before, and so did the maker of the Valentine cards. I hope Eric and Tony are happy as we;; and that neither of these relationship ends with graduation.

What a surprise to discover a new chapter from Comicality in the tribute to him. He was definitely taking GFD to a very dark place and I wonder where he was going with the franchise next. If you want to catch a glimpse of what he might have had in mind, then get comfortable as you read and enjoy this short chapter.

What a fun alternative. I'm sure there were a few GA members that weren't around back then, others who can't remember if they'd read these stories, and still others that would enjoy reading them again. Thank you for giving GA members something else they can do in the meantime. At the same time, I'd like to pass along my prayers to @Cia as she goes through this emotional time and I want her to know the I, and many others, are thinking about what she's going through and praying that it turns out all right.

This story is witty, funny, and had me trying to figure out how the dead could text. That's when the author offers up a surprise. If you want to find out what that surprise is, then sit back and enjoy this marvelous tale.

This is a dark story about what happens after a physical altercation between boyfriends and now one of them is starting over. There are different ways to interpret what happened, so you'll have to read this short story and make up your own mind about what actually took place.

An awakening in storytelling is the vital turning point where a character realizes a deep truth, driving internal transformation, providing thematic payoff, and creating emotional resonance. Driving Character Growth: Breaking illusions: The character drops a comforting lie or false belief they held. Shifting perspective: They see their flaws or their world clearly for the first time. Enabling action: This clarity gives them the strength to face the main conflict. Delivering Theme and Meaning: Core message: It shows the audience what the story is really trying to teach. Resolving questions: It answers the big moral or philosophical questions raised by the plot. Engaging the Audience: Deep connection: Viewers or readers feel the emotional breakthrough alongside the character. Lasting impact: It makes the lesson memorable rather than just a dry piece of advice.

The word awakening comes from the verb awaken combined with the suffix -ing, tracing back through Middle English to Old English roots meaning to arise, spring into being, or stop sleeping. Originally meant "arising into life" or "emerging from physical sleep". It expanded by around 1600 to figuratively mean rousing to activity, and later applied to religious revivals and sudden mental or spiritual realizations. The earliest known use of the noun "awakening" in English is from 1599, found in the writings of William Shakespeare. Older Noun ("awaking"): Dates back much earlier to 1297 in Robert of Gloucester's Chronicle during the Middle English period. Adjective ("awakening"): First recorded in the late 1600s (1694) in the writings of theologian John Kettlewell. Verb ("awaken"): Goes back to the Old English period (before 1150).

Don't feel bad, Brayon, because I'm sure many of us had more than a few errors in our earliest stories. It's good that you took the time to fix some of those errors. Keep writing and it will become easier for you with every attempt.

Even though Carlos wasn't a fan of poetry, this was a beautiful and poignant remembrance of someone we all still miss very deaply. I'm sure that Carlos is looking down and smiling on this wonderful tribute to him. Great job!

An interesting, humorous, and touching coming out story. Adrian was planning on coming out at his mother's New Year's Eve party, so he could start the year as himself. Before that happens, however, he encounters a young man a few years older than himself and they guy has taken up much of Adrian's thoughts and attention. It's a quick read and you'll be able to imagine your own ending.

Even though this might not be how Carlos would have handled the situation, I'm sure he would have enjoyed and complimented your effort of thinking out of the box and breaking a paradigm or two along the way. An enjoyable and eye opening read, Gary. Thank you for sharing it with us.

These two poems are very powerful and enlightening. They will sound familiar to any of you who have ever dealt with depression, even if only for a short time. Thankfully, Tim was able to write his way through that bleak period so he could share many of his wondrous creations with us.

Our GA Poet Laureate has done it again. In four beautifully written stanzas, Parker has captured Carlos unwillingness to remain quiet when he didn't agree with something and his gentle defiance to say what he felt was right. Even though Carlos wasn't a fan of poetry, I believe he would have understood and appreciated this tribute.

Two poems, both a tribute to Carlos. They are written so those who knew Carlos would agree he painted a very good picture of the man. For those who didn't know Carlos, they will give you some insight into what he was like and why he was so highly valued by the GA community. Well done, @raven1!

David King is walking home after basketball practice and gets caught in storm. He's wet and cold, but fortunately someone stops to give him a ride. His savior is a neighbor, Jim Grant, whom he has never met, and Jim's son, Little Jim, who he refers to as LJ. Along the way, his phone pings with a weather alert explaining that the storm is going to freeze over, and since the Grants have a generator, in case they lose power. Since they live in the south that probably will happen, so they invite David to stay with them. David's parents will both probably be working throughout the storm, so David agrees, and he's very glad he did. This is a wonderful tribute to Carlos and probably a story Carlos would have loved, so read it and see what you think.

Great job, James. Very touch, tender, and sexy. I love how things worked out and I'm sure Carlos would have loved this story as well. Kudos!

This explains a lot about you, Lee, and I'm not so sure you wouldn't try at least a few of these resolutions. However, I'm sure Carlos would have got a few good laughs out of your list, if he were around to read it. You also honor his tradition of posting something on New Year's Day. Read this list of resolutions, because it will give you a hint about what his other stories are like.

A touching, and sometimes humorous, tribute to Carlos, even if some of it "was what if". She painted a wonderful and accurate picture of Carlos and I'm sure he would have enjoyed her story, if he'd been able to read it. Well done, Val, and a perfect way to honor Carlos' memory.

I just started reading the other story in the Carlos Tribute and wondered briefly how I'd missed them. That's when I realized something. Writing my story to honor Carlos took a toll on me, so I imagine I was going to wait and read them later, because I was afraid they would be rough for me to get through. Unfortunately, I never got back to them and so I'm trying to get to them now, and I truly enjoyed your little fantasy visit with Carlos. I'm sure he would love this story, if he'd gotten to read it.

I'm sure Carlos would have been touched by this poetic tribute. So few words, but much of it expressing what Carlos would have insisted on - not mushy, no anger, and no regrets. Well done!

A beautiful sentiment in a few words. Some day our time will also come and I can only pray that someone pens a touching tribute to me.