BendtedWreath

I played both at the same time and I'm laughing so hard. 🤣

I'd have to learn how to play the drums. 😎

That gif was basically me when I saw the announcement. How is the cookie monster my spirit animal? 🤣

I don't know why I thought you were already a signature author, but whoever realized you were not deserves many kudos, as well! 😂 As everyone's been saying, this is more than well deserved. To me personally, you've been a shining beacon in this community in both your writing and involvement. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming from my very first days bumbling aroung the forums, and I appreciate them all. But, you are one of the few I would drop anything for, both to read your work and opinions/responses to everyone and everything...and for just about anything else. You have my most heartfelt congratulations, and this digital explosion of gold:

Confirmed that it's a very good read. 👍

@ChromedOutCortex Welcome to the forum!

Some campers get lost a little "In Too Deep" into the woods. But what resides deep within Rowan that is brought to light by his friend Ethan? Read on to find out!

Rowan Ash Willowbark - What a name! I am experiencing some name envy here, and he's a fictional character. His mother named him after the natural world, though he wasn’t fond of his initials. - RAW? Those are kickass initials! It depends on the context, but still! With a Caucasian mother and Native father, he didn’t fit well in either group. - Ah, yes. I understand that feeling well, half and half. We at least make a decent coffee creamer, don't we, Rowan buddy? His mother was one of the three teachers, growing and selling local ‘herbal’ remedies. - I have a family member just like this! I need to stop reacting to every single line. This is just the most personally relatable thing I've read so far. If you didn’t know it was there, finding it would take serious effort. They were off the grid, with limited electricity from a water turbine setup in the fast-moving stream down the valley. It was also their source of water. - That's my pipe dream home right there. Near a source of water. Off grid. Rowan ignored the people who called cryptozoology a pseudoscience. Strictly speaking, scientists have an issue with their accuracy track record. - Guy's got a point. Rowan was in the small library of the municipal building using the computer for research when the call came in for volunteers to help find three missing hikers. - Uh-oh! “I will make sure he’ll learn of the local peculiarities, Sheriff.” - LMAO! "Ethan, buddy...you might want to sit down. Ever heard of cryptoids?" The Sheriff handed Rowan a police radio, rangefinder, and handheld GPS. - Around here is when the Mission Impossible theme invaded my head. “Still looking for the unusual out here?”/Rowan returned the soft smile Ethan was giving him. “Yeah. It’s still a hobby of mine.” - Oh, nevermind. It looks like Ethan already knows about Rowan's cryptozoology. “We have lights at 2500 years north 20, from camp Seven.” - Oh, I found a typo. I'm sure you meant 'yards' here and not 'years.' “Grandmother tells me it is something I got from her lineage and would match my little friend’s needs. She could only be talking about you, but she would test my patience if I asked, so I did not.” - Grandma knew! “So when you returned a few minutes later looking frazzled, it wasn’t because you saw something that spooked you out in the woods, but because you became something that spooked you?” - That makes sense. -- Well, that was an intriguing read. I sure hope there's more to come.

Mine is a bit challenging. I have a premise, a rough idea of the key players, but I have to match the tone the prompt gave me without really having gone through what the main character has gone through. I've read a few stories that manage to portray similar things incredibly well, but I'm not at that level yet (if I even want to reach that level, that is). I could always try to figure out a different plot that matches the tone, but that's the coward's way out.

That's beautiful. I really missed out on becoming one of your many friends, Carlos. I hope you realize, wherever you are, that you're still blazing a trail even after your passing. On behalf of everyone here that knew you and those that have yet to read your work and blogs, I thank you.

Spirits bemoaning spirits. This entry for the "In Too Deep" theme will raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

She was the only general manager he ever witnessed corner a district manager and explain how modern business jargon and tactics did not work in a redneck, backward town. It mystified him how a sweet and caring grandmother figure possessed a stern, spitfire energy. - Nice! The numerous times he named the moonlit receptacle the 'murder dumpster' suddenly possessed weight. - LMAO!! The man always had an issue with authority, especially management and police. - Yeah, I know a few people like that. Defying everyone and everything without any compromise, let alone sacrifice. God forbid! The ones I know are sure entertaining, though. "Dusty Coltharp," Aggie mumbled breathlessly. - Did Dusty become a Geist? No, pizza. Extra sauce and cheese. - Hear hear!

This is a more youthful take on the "In Too Deep" theme, but an entertaining one, nonetheless. Like others have mentioned, I also enjoyed catching up with the triplets.

“Bro, we need to get back at Jaden for what he did to Dustin./"DEFINITELY!” Oliver laughed. - Ha ha! True brothers right there. “B-but… your parents.”/“My dad is crazy. Ignore him. I want to spend my night with you.” - Go Autumn! The only thing I have to complain about is there isn't more. The writing's great, the characters are great...I'd just like to keep reading on when there's nothing more yet.