Bill W

Being a guy who constantly second-guesses himself and has little self-confidence, I could relate with your story. Interesting and well done.

Their relationship is going to get complicated??? Now there's an understatement. I loved it. Although I had an idea what was going to happen, I loved the way you led me there.

Hmmm... a gay story site and he's smiggling girls. Go figure. As a non-swimmer, it was a bit of a struggle to feel comfortable picturing it, especially the having to flail to get back to the surface - been there, done that until the lifeguard arrived. Good job though.

Not just clever, but worthy of Stephen King. I found it an excellent read.

It's all been said by the others. Great read and I was riveted. I've always been hooked on fantasy stories - with writers like Tolkein, Mc Caffrey, Terry Brooks, Rowlings and so many more.

Bugeye's anthology story, A Valentine in November caused a few painful memories from my youth to resurface. Coming from a poor family and growing up on a small farm, I didn't exactly fit in with the kids from town. I grew up in a time when you made your Valentine's box and I made sure I had a card for everyone, but often my box would be empty or nearly empty. Sometimes the only card in it was the one from the Teacher. I also remember one of the kids in my class having a weekend birthday party and only a couple of us weren't invited. Those things hurt, but it does get better. Maybe not great, but it does get better.

Jeez, and my mother only told me I'd go blind, hence my current vision problems. I'm surprised he didn't rub it raw or go broke buying lube.

I appreciate everyone's concern, but enough attention has been drawn to me. I'm a big boy and will get over this and I wasn't trying to start a pity party. My intent with this topic was to get people to think before they speak, or in this case write. Things can be worded in a way that will produce positive results, even if it is criticism, but I want everyone to ensure that it doesn't take the form of a personal attack or vendetta on the recipient. I don't want to see potential talent to be discouraged by such vitriol. Enough said, and let's let this discussion die a natural death.

To Andy and Krista, it wasn't just the negativity of the review that I was reacting to. Trust me, over the years I've had many harsh and negative reviews of my work and have been laid out on more than one occasion. This time, however, the attack seemed to be more personal. I have commented to others in personal correspondence that there were some valid points made, but I also felt a personal attack on not only myself, but also on my editor. Yes, believe it or not I did use one. I have reacted to criticisms in the past and tried to improve my work in the process, such as taking all of the notes from readers on my first version of The Castaway Hotel and rewriting it into The Castaway Hotel: Grand Reopening. I learned and profited from their advice, but at no time did I ever feel the personal animosity and demeaning attitude than with this review. I certainly don't expect all reviews to be positive and know my talents are extremely limited, but I felt this particular review was over the line. I'm sorry if some of you don't agree, but that was my the impression I got.

I’d like to share a word or two with the critics out there. First and foremost, those of us who post on this site are not professionals, do not do this for a living and receive no remuneration for all the time and effort we put into our stories. We do it to offer something to the gay community and I’m sorry if my, or anyone else’s, efforts don’t meet up to you’re your ‘high’ standards. I’m mostly worried about the younger writers whom you may attack and turn off to sharing their talents. Therefore, I will offer a word of advice. If you have something nice to say about their work, then please feel free to do it in a public forum, even a review. However, if you have a more critical view of their work, share that in a PM or email – do not put it out for public display. I’ve never had any illusions about my own personal talents and that is why I’ve never offered writing suggestions or mentoring advice. I knew I had limitations and did not profess to be an award winning author, however I offered my stories in hopes that they might help others work through uncertain situations or give them hope for a brighter future. I hope the stories I have written offer at least some positive focus on issues, but I no longer possess the fire necessary to do this any longer and will make no further submissions to this site. Please, if you get anything from my message, it is that I beg you not to extinguish the fires of those who might still have something to offer to the GA community.

Yes, Trevor, it would be only natural, but I'm afraid there won't be any more chapters. Thanks for sticking in there to the end.

Sorry you found this so poorly written. I also think Emoe will feel badly that you think I need another editor. Are you this critical of all the authors who posted here or did you just save your wrath for me? Maybe it would be best if I didn't post any more.

Thanks, I just couldn't resist the urge to make the LGBT or CLAD community the victors in this scenario. We've been portrayed as the villians for long enough, it's time we became the heros.

A wonderful beginning of the relationship story. I loved how you set it up to meet after the storm and then used the second storm to bring them together. Nice job.

That was very touching and from the heart. Was it also born of personal experience? It was well worth the read. Well done.

There was a lot of rushing around left to do as the final days before Christmas passed by. Even though I have completed the last of the present shopping, there’s a whole lot of food to prepare and the boys and I were busy fixing the last few items for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals. Many of the side dishes have to be prepared early, because there is just too much to do to get it all done in a single day or at the last minute, so we continued to work on these final few dishes now. O

Yes, Horn, there's been a lot going on in the story. I didn't have more family members involved in the NY recognition dinner, because I felt that would be taking advantage of the city and their attempt to honor Frankie. As far as Elliot not inviting Hayden to the concert, Elliot understands that Hayden knows he's friends with Ian, he doesn't know they're boyfriends. Since he has shown a little reluctance about gay issues, Elliot felt it would be best to have that time alone (more or less) with Ian. Just one more chapter to go.

Very interesting story. It's so easy to mess up a relationship, but I'm glad Mickey was able to correct that mistake.

I very intriguing and seasonally appropriate tale. Well done.

W_L, I'm glad you enjoyed this and remember it's Rev. Phillips in the story and any similarities to Rev. Fred Phelps are purely coincidental.

Having had two relatives and a good friend with similar disabilities, I thought you handled the situation with honesty and sensitivity. Well Done. It also seems as if this story could continue. Do you plan on doing that?

You must have been a science major, because there was a lot of biology and physics included in your work. I found that you created a very interesting universe and took more of a Star Wars, than Star Trek, approach to the future. I found it extremely interesting and commend you for the intricacies of your storyline.

It was as if I were taking a trip back in time. I thought it was very well written and quite touching.

The week before Christmas was extremely hectic for the family. It all began with Joshie’s concert on Tuesday, which we were eager to attend so we could cheer him on. His fathers dressed him up again, just like they had the previous year, and Joshie looked adorable as we got ready to leave. However, that’s when we suddenly realized we had a minor problem to solve first. The boys were very vocal about wanting to ride together, but there was no way we’d all fit in the Suburban. In order to re

Well done, Lugh. I enjoyed it and wondered how many out there could find themselves caught in a similar situation.