Bill W

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is. 😆

The word turbid comes from the Latin word turbidus, which means "muddy", "disturbed", or "full of confusion". It could also come from the Latin verb tubare, which means "to confuse, agitate, or bewilder" (the root of English words like disturb and trouble). According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the adjective "turbid" was first recorded in English in 1626 in the writings of the philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon. It has a literal meaning of cloudiness, muddiness, or a lack of clarity in a liquid caused by stirred-up sediment and a figurative meaning of a state of confusion, disorder, or obscurity, often applied to thoughts or literary styles.

Jeremy takes the bus to his high school, and one day another guy sitting next to him on the bus, Jason, mentions that he's noticed him before. They happen to get off at the same stop, so they walk together and carry on a conversation, and they end up spending the rest of the day together. This is an interesting short story with a unique array of characters, and if you like tales where opposites attract, then check this one out.

I loved your unique array of characters. As soon as Jason told Jeremy that he'd noticed him before, I knew Jason was gay. That's because guys don't usually notice other guys unless they're wearing sporting apparel or are a big celebrity unless they're gay. I would have love to find out what happened the next day.

Ethan was living in a park and had gotten attacked because of his sexual orientation. That's when Ethan met Sister Mary Bernadette. She ended up taking him back to the convent, gave him a room to stay in, and explained their would be rules to follow and duties to attend to while he was there. Sometime later, Sister Mary Bernadette introduced Ethan to TJ, a runaway, and they quickly became close. The thing was, they were both harboring secrets they were afraid to tell each other. How will this poignant story with many twists and turns wind up?

Khayyam and Satar are gay brothers and Mason was Khay's best friend, that was until Satar began having sex with Mason. How will this affect the brotherly dynamics and will Mason find himself left out in the cold? Read this interesting and intriguing short story to find out.

I'm surprised it wasn't like living on a farm where you become oblivious to the smell after a while.

Hmmm. Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered. I think I've heard that before.

The zeitgeist—the defining spirit, mood, or ideas of a specific era—acts as the invisible anchor that makes a story feel urgent, relevant, and deeply human. When a narrative taps into the current cultural anxiety or hope, it transforms from a simple plot into a shared societal mirror. Why Zeitgeist Matters: Instant Connection: It helps readers see their own lives and struggles reflected on the page. Emotional Resonance: Themes like fear, technology, or isolation hit harder when tied to real-world tensions. Historical Value: Stories preserve the "feel" of a decade for future generations. Cultural Shift: Fiction can challenge old beliefs and help society process collective trauma or change.

Zeitgeist comes from German and literally means "time-spirit" or the "spirit of the age". According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest recorded use of the noun zeitgeist in English is from 1848 in a personal letter written by the English poet and cultural critic Matthew Arnold. Prior to 1848, writers like Thomas Carlyle used the term in 1831, , The concept evolved from earlier philosophical ideas about the distinct character of an era. Writer Johann Gottfried von Herder used the exact word Zeitgeist in 1769. Philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel popularized the term to explain how history and culture are driven by the prevailing ideas of a specific period. Thomas Carlyle introduced it into English writing around 1831, but treated it explicitly as a foreign German word (often italicized or capitalized). It became a fully established English loanword by the mid-19th century.

A tale as old as time. A guy might be in a great marriage or a loveless marriage, but either way he contemplates the reasons that he's never acknowledged his sexual feelings for or attraction to other males. He might be secretly gay, or he might be bi-sexual, or he might just be confused or merely unable to accept the fact. There could be any number of reasons why he didn't embrace his attraction to other males throughout the years, but at some point it doesn't matter, because he's now too old and all alone with his fantasies. This was a poignant, moving, and thought provoking story that all men in similar circumstances should read.

How many gay men have gone through similar circumstances. Some may be happily married and others may be faking it. Some may truly be gay, others might be bi, and still others might just be confused. Many in my generation didn't come out because of the stigma of homosexuality when we were younger, and others were just worried about the reactions of their class mates, friends, and family. Unfortunately, even if they are married, they might still be alone, and by the time they might have been ready to come out, the whole AIDS thing popped up on the scene. Thanks for writing this thoughtful and provocative short story.

This is an expanded version of his short story Chosen: But I'm afraid Lugh will never be able to finish this series. It's a shame!

I love this story, but there seems to be a lot more left to say. I wonder if Lugh will ever be able to finish it.

Tine is a real rascal and he confuses the Imperials because he thinks out of the box. I love the way he challenges the Imperials, but I'm sad that he and Aiden are separated.

There's a little more information in this series than there was in Chosen, but there's also some of the information missing. It's still interesting, but I feel as if I have to combine the information from the two in order to get a decent impression about the whole story.

Much more detail in this series than was given in Chosen. I'm enjoying it immensely. It appears as if Tine and Bra-Neche have made an immediate and lasting impression on one another.

An interesting start to this tale with the pledge of anonymity.

Chosen is a very intriguing and creative short story with its own dragon mythology, schools, and customs. There are both dangers and benefits for those being chosen by an Imperial. Bra-Neche is a young Imperial who hasn't completed his studies, and Tine is a year-eight student who has the current year and two more years to go before his studies are completed. Is this too soon to become a chosen and will it work out okay or fail?

A very intriguing and creative tale with its own dragon mythology, schools, and customs. I can't wait to read A Question of Time. Thanks, Lugh. This is a wonderful contribution to this anthology.

This is the follow-up story to Captivated: When Tyler found Justin, it wasn't good, but it wasn't totally bad either, but at least there were a few signs of hope they could cling to. Read this emotionally touching and gripping story about what happened next.

It would be difficult to think of two more despicable people than Justin's parents. After where his parents got arrested, I was hoping Tyler would convince his parents to take Justin in, especially if Justin's uncle lives in another community. I hope it works out.

This is a beautiful and sensitively written short story about two boys caught in the rain, and it turns out that they had a great deal in common, including a past connection. To find out what that connection was, read this story. There is also a follow-up story: Consequences.

Wonderful but sad story. I'm glad there's a follow up.

Boscage—a formal term for thick foliage, woodland, or a mass of trees—acts as a powerful narrative engine in storytelling that externalizes characters' psychological states, drives plot tension, and establishes thematic duality. Rather than serving as mere background scenery, boscage functions as an active, living element across literary and cinematic traditions. Key Functions of Boscage in Narrative: Psychological Mirroring: Densely tangled woods traditionally represent the human subconscious, confusion, or a state of being lost. The Threshold of Transformation: Entering the boscage marks a transition from civilization (the known, safe world) to the wilderness (the unknown, magical, or dangerous world). Atmospheric Tension: The physical density of thick foliage naturally restricts visibility, creating immediate suspense, claustrophobia, and a sense of hidden threats. Thematic Contrast: It establishes a stark visual and moral contrast against structured, orderly environments like castles, cities, or manicured gardens. Common Narrative Archetypes: Archetype / Motif Storytelling Purpose Classic Examples The Forbidden / Enchanted Forest A realm where normal societal rules do not apply and magic or danger thrives. Harry Potter (Forbidden Forest), A Midsummer Night's Dream The Labyrinth of Trial A physical manifestation of a character's internal confusion and moral testing. Dante’s Inferno ("dark wood"), Pan's Labyrinth The Sanctuary of Outlaws A protective barrier that shields rebels or outcasts from a corrupt civilization. Structural and Pace Benefits: Pacing Slowdowns: Forcing characters through thick boscage naturally slows physical transit, allowing for internal monologues or deep dialogue between characters. Inciting Incidents: Getting lost in dense woods frequently serves as the catalyst that forces a character to discover a hidden world, creature, or truth.