Bondwriter

A craftily written story, an exercise in style. From the few clues the author gives at the very beginning, it seems it draws on some modern real-life story told in the manner of the fairy tale. With a happy little gay monastery, and a touching episode of redeeming. The witch's lair is nicely described with all sort of interesting details, like her taste for goblins with warts.

As Graeme stated, all the fairy tale's ingredients are there. I like the fact that it actually does not really refer to a story but creates a myth of its own. It is a very moral tale speaking of modern day issues, with births out of wedlock and gay marriage, and the cuteness of the whole set-up makes it really nice to read and not preachy in the least. The naudity issue is a good way to make it innocent and sexy at the same time. Great job.

Yes, the original tale is an outrage to all the good old-fashioned values that should be defended by honest people. Roald Dahl did stand against this derelict narrative but didn't go beyond indignation. I'm proud to have been awarded the endorsement of both the NRA and the ACU. I hope it does not set a bad example for young, impressive people. For crime is not rewarded by finding love and happiness most of the time. Let it be known to our most-likely-to-be-impressed audience. Thanks Kitty, for this great advertising (the Caprine U. Course was great, wasn't it?). That's right, I should certainly have toned down a story that's crude, raw, obscene, and filled with violence, sex, and other topics that I blush to even hint about. Do not fear, I'll confess on Sunday before mass. Yes, rabbits make great life partners. Come and cuddle, bunny, your long fluffy ears are so cute!

I'd pay 100

Well, not much to add to all these comments above. It's witty, entertaining, cute and it grabs the reader big time. And you even give away all your background work, or your tricks, should I say... So more congrats to you Colin! And quit experimenting with cough syrup, who's instead of whose? Come on!

If you haven't plotted it yet, that would be an author's way of chickening out to find a proper conclusion. Come on Jack, I was only kidding with the heart of ice thing! I know it's not like you to pull such a mean one on your readers! (And I'm not too much into leather... Read my story to get rid of easy misconceptions.)

Great (and cute) fairy tale. More comments later...

A beautiful tale. Darn, I'll have to comment later, time to go to work, back to reality...

A new diet was just created. You should have a best-seller with your new "Lose weight through kissing method!"

Loved it! Made me smile all along. I'll comment further this evening.

This is somehow giving away the answer to the question that, properly phrased, should have been "Could Eric himself have been blackmailed?" Echidna! Echidna!

Early classes, no doubt. Superman or Spiderman?

Nothing much really...I'm planning to kill them off anyway close to the end of the story. Here is an exchange between CJames and Jack. A little feud has been going on for quite some time now, since Jack objects to being sold in slavery by CJames, raising obscure legal points (some convention of Human Rights...) How would you feel if such a dreadful thing happened to Steph and Ben, faithful readers of Moving On? Is an author allowed to exert a right of life and death over such moving characters? It's time you stand for what you think is right, and let Jack know you want a bright future for Steph and Ben!

Could Eric have been blackmailed himself? Or is CJames defending him for the sake of defending him? (And "pushing" his next chapter in his usual way?)

Well, it was announced in the eFiction announcement. *sighs thinking of the expensive tuition paid to Caprine U. for the Fiction Marketing course* The Dubya/ cookie jar thing I owe to my friend Allison, who though she disapproves of most of the real character's policies, finds him secretly cute. As for Brett's fate, I leave it up to the next person. You're right, nothing was said about the person he spoke to on the phone, or his employers, or even about him not wearing a bullet-proof vest. I think Conner is up for chapter 10, isn't he? This "making a fool of myself" lame excuse won't work... Oh, and thanks for the praise, it brightens this bleak, grey rainy day!

Valerian being Caitlin seems more likely. Of course, Camy could just be misleading us, but who else? A very technology-oriented chapter, but the seeds have been sown to eventually unravel the whole mystery. And getting us to expect chapter 10 impatiently.

That wouldn't be too bad, believe me. He wouldn't have to dig pits under the blazing Arizona sun. And I'm humane, I call my slaves "employees". Right, too bad he didn't choose more morally correct businesses such as weapons trafficking and drugs smuggling.

So no one found out the secret/ oddity of the Keats family yet? Dang, this author likes to keep us waiting and wondering. I'd guess he followed the Fiction Marketing Course at Caprine U.

Seconded. There are still many roads to travel for the next episode, as the night is still young... So, Conner, if I were you, I'd pick up the story right away before someone actually gets it.

I did see their names started with J, but besides this... I wonder.

Obviously the wisest thing to do. In Alaska if possible. But this nuisance of a kid might weasel his way into staying home to keep going with his evil cronies. We're barely halfway through, from the author's statements, so we might not be rid of the little pest yet. I wouldn't mind Steve and Chris experimenting a bit more on restraining him actually. In shorts.

It all follows a natural path rather peacefully. I'm still kind of annoyed at the spoiler Altimexis gave away by explaining the title. This is quite a sweet story nevertheless. It's maybe a bit too explicit, not the sex, of course, but in its "educational" tone. For instance: "When they went to Brian's games, it was often with Cindy and she accepted him as a friend, too. She was a sweet girl and he found he really liked her - not sexually, of course, but as a friend." The "- not sexually, of course, but as a friend.": couldn't it be told more lightly by giving an example explaining what they laugh together about, or some illustration of this liking, which would give more flesh to Cindy and avoid overexplaining the obvious? I hope my comments are actually seen as constructive criticism, I like the story!

Instead of fueling the feud that has been raging in this thread for a while, I'll follow Graeme's example and comment on Eric's coming back. (How do you like this for being a goody-two shoes, Jack? ) Steve's dad should definitely turn his cellar into a prison cell, just in case, or have bars put up on Eric's window and an iron door to his room. One is never too cautious. But as he's proved to be a good-hearted person, despite the suspicion some have of him being a criminal mastermind, I deem it unlikely. I'd bet Eric's going to bring some more trouble, which is a shame for the lead characters, but a good thing for us readers so there are more adventures in store. The Piedmont sheriff kidnapping Steve and Chris? I see him more into murder, unless he captures one to blackmail the other into surrendering the mysterious data stick. And taking pictures for his devious business, if Michael is to be believed, but I'm starting to really think he's right on this one. Only the future will tell us...

Jack, your "catch me if you can" number is

I really hate to have to say that, but you've got quite a point there. Though the hint refers to the most excellent Tim Burton movie Mars Attacks, in which Tom Jones appears as himself. Still, the song featured in this movie is It's Not Unusual. And then I'm left a bit at a loss because I don't think it's his music that kills the Martians. Or is it?