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Bill W

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Everything posted by Bill W

  1. The word calmness combines the root calm (from the Late Latin cauma, meaning "heat of te midday sun") with the Old English suffix -ness which denotes a state or quality. Historically, intense midday heat in the Mediterranean caused winds to stop and the sea to grow still, shifting the word's meaning from "burning heat" to a "quiet, resting state". The shift from describing weather or the sea to describing a peaceful human mind occurred around the 1560s. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the derived noun calmness is from 1516 in the writings of the printer and publisher Richard Pynson. The base noun calm first appears in 1393. The verb calm appears in 1399. The adjective calm appears in 1440. The earliest recorded use of the adjective calming is from 1651. The related noun form of calming first appears later in 1699.
  2. Very touching, indeed!
  3. Dolly, here is my farewell message to you:
  4. That happened in 1976. Early 1976 the price was around $1.46 a pound and by late 1976 it was $2.12 a pound and by year's end it was $2.88 a pound.
  5. Continuity (or continuation) in storytelling is the logical, consistent flow of plot, characters, and rules from one scene or part to the next. It matters because it protects the illusion of the real world, keeping the audience focused and trustful. Why Continuity (or Continuation) Matters: Builds Trust: Keeps the unwritten promise made to the reader or viewer that the world's rules will not randomly change. Prevents Confusion: Allows people to track action, time, and space smoothly without getting lost. Protects Immersion: Stops jarring errors (plot holes or sudden character changes) from pulling people out of the experience. Deepens Character Growth: Ensures that past trauma, choices, and lessons actually shape future actions. Key Parts of Story Continuity: Internal Logic: Magic systems, physics, and character abilities stay within established limits. Timeline and Space: Travel time, scars, clothing, and item locations match across scenes. Behavioral Consistency: People act in ways rooted in their established traits and past events.
  6. The word continuation comes from the late-14th century Old French word continuation, derived from the Latin continuationem, meaning "a following of one thing after another" from the verb continuare (to join together or make continuous). It was comprised of com- (together) plus tenere (to hold). Literally, it means "holding things together" without a break. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the noun continuation was first used in English during the Middle English period (1150-1500). It entered the English language around 1374 through translations by Geoffrey Chaucer. According to the OED the word continue (as a verb) first appeared in English with the earliest recorded evidence dating from before 1340 in the religious and spiritual writings of the hermit and author Richard Rolle. The noun continuity was first used in English in the mid-1500s (specifically recorded around 1543).
  7. Coffee prices in early 1975 were $0.61 per pound, and in late 1975 they were $1.27 per pound.
  8. You're still a young whippersnapper. 🤪
  9. Joel is going to spend the weekend with his family in the lake district before the University goes back into session. Unfortunately, his mom starts suffering from a migraine headache, so his mom, dad, and sister all decide to return home. Joel opts to stay behind and ends up experiencing adventure, excitement, and romantic feelings. This is a very interesting longer short story and well worth the read, so give it a try.
  10. Bill W

    Winter Holiday

    A compelling, sometimes action packed, and romantic story about two young gay men falling in love. I enjoyed the story immensely and hope that Joel and Gary can work things out and live happily-ever-after!
  11. James and Bryson are a young gay couple and they decided to spend Christmas vacation at the small cabin in the mountains that was owned by James' mother. The boys had a great time while they were alone, but Bryson had to leave to take one more exam, and James mom and step-dad were coming to the cabin as well. Unfortunately, there was an unexpected event that transpired that evening. What was it and whom did it affect? You'll have to read this gripping and touching story to find out.
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  12. Mine isn't from lying down, but sitting up or standing up after I've been lying down.
  13. I have also experienced all three stages, so the shadows are getting longer for me as well.
  14. Equilibrium in storytelling provides a baseline of normal life that makes conflict meaningful. Popularized by theorist Tzvetan Todorov, the concept establishes a peaceful starting state. Without this initial balance, disruptions lack impact and character changes feel weightless. Why Equilibrium Matters: Defines Normality: Shows how characters live before trouble starts. Measures Change: Gives readers a baseline to see how much a character grows. Creates Stakes: Makes the disruption painful because peace is lost. Guides Resolution: Points the way toward a final, repaired state.
  15. The word equilibrium comes from the Latin root word aequilibrium, meaning an even balance or a horizontal position. It derives from aequus meaning equal and libra, meaning "a balance", "a pair of scales", or "weight" (it is also the root of the zodiac sign Libra). Its original meaning is "equal weights on both sides of the scale". According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the noun equilibrium in English is from 1608, and found in the writings of John King, who served as the Bishop of London. In the early 17th-century its use broadly referred to balance or equal weight, but the specialized physical and mechanical definitions concerning opposing forces, but the meaning expanded significantly through the mid-to-late 1600s. According to the OED, the noun Librium was first used in English in the 1960s, with its earliest recorded evidence dating back to 1960 in the Official Gazette (coinciding with the commercial introduction and FDA approval of the anti-anxiety medication by Hoffmann-La Roche).
  16. Mike and Ben are gay roommates and decided to spend the two weeks around Christmas and the New Year in Belize. Shortly after they arrived there, they stopped at a restaurant for lunch, and while they were eating, the men saw two boys panhandling across the street. The guys decided to do a good deed and bought the boys a meal and took it over them. They expected a positive response from the boys, but they received an unexpected and cautious response to their generous offer. The boys took the meals and started eating but they appeared leery about what would be expected in return. This is a decent read and it has a happy ending, but it comes with a warning: this story describes prior child abuse effecting multiple boys and some of it is quite graphic. If this doesn't bother you, then give this tale a try, because overall it's uplifting.
  17. First of all, this story could have used a good editor to catch the misspellings, typos, the use of incorrect homonyms, and wrong tenses. Now as for the story, it was a good storyline, considering the author was delving into difficult subject matter. As mentioned by someone in the previous comments, it was a little disjointed, but overall it was an interesting short story with a happy ending.
  18. An absorbing, yet sad, short story about young love, but the crucial part of the story takes place in a blizzard. I would have given it five-stars except for one problem. There were time shifts without any warning, such as a line of dashes or a string of asterisks to let the reader know that something was changing, but other that that it was a very moving and emotional tale. Hopefully this warning will let you know when something seems different it's probably just a time shift.
  19. This isn't your usual Halloween story, but there are many Halloween activities involved. This is an interesting tale filled with teenage angst, character quirks, humor, and surprises. If you want a little different Halloween story, then try this one out. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
  20. Bill W

    All I Wanted

    It was a cute story with intricate characters and an intriguing storyline. It was a nice ending, but I kind of felt like you could have carried it a little farther to let us know if it was going to work out. Would they be a couple? Would they be out as a couple? And how were their families, friends, and even the school in general going to react to them. It was still a good story and I truly enjoyed it.
  21. This isn't a scary Halloween story, but it is a sweet Halloween story. It's about a young teenage couple taking a younger boy out trick-or-treating and think of it as if they're taking their son out on this adventure.
  22. Bill W

    Family Night

    This was a sweet Halloween story, I just found using two "J" names for two of the three main characters a bit confusing at times. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable story.
  23. This isn't a scary Halloween story, but it is creepy. It's also interesting on several levels and the various characters are unique from one another, which is brought out nicely by the author. I would have given the story a five-star rating except for the fact that there were a few misspellings/typos that threw me off momentarily and caused me to have to gave back and reread the section to understand it. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable and interesting read.
  24. Bill W

    Liminality

    The story wasn't scary, but it was creepy, and I think Kyle and Ritchie really need to talk, because I think they DO have something in common, even though Kyle doesn't realize it. My guess is that Ritchie is bi. You should have used an editor though, because there were a few misspellings or typos that threw me off momentarily.
  25. A resolution is the final part of a story where the main conflict ends, questions get answered, and characters adjust to a new normal. It matters because it gives readers emotional closure, reveals the deeper meaning of the plot, and turns a random sequence of events into a memorable experience. Why Resolution Matters: Emotional Payoff: Rewards the audience for caring about the characters and following their struggles. Ties Up Loose Ends: Answers lingering questions and finishes minor subplots. Shows Growth: Highlights how much the main character changed during their journey. Delivers the Theme: Clarifies the core message or lesson the author wants to share. Types of Endings: Closed: All questions answered, leaving a clear and complete picture. Open: Some details left blank so the audience can think and wonder. Bittersweet: The goal is met, but at a high or painful cost.
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