empath

@peter rietbergen, I appreciate your challenge! I wrote this as a short story, mostly because I wanted, needed, to write something to share. I have never written fiction to share with others, and I wasn’t certain how the story would land. I know what I like to read, but as a longtime resident of the proverbial closet myself, I’ve wondered what others would find… stimulating. I can see how hard it is to balance the world that is with how I want the world to be. Your point is taken, and I am already asking myself what happened after the excitement of that first fantastic weekend wore down. The aforementioned chapter 2, may become chapter 3. I think you are right in asking for realistic relationship development. Thanks for reading and commenting! Much love!

Thanks @Gary L! I was ready to leave it as a short story. It can certainly be read that way. But I too want to get to know Joshua and Marcus. There are enough open-ended threads to follow, at least for a while. I appreciate your taking the time to read it and respond! Much love!

The Lincoln click bait was real, and did inspire a lot of context and premise for this story. Joshua wasn’t the only one to spend 15 minutes on a wiki article dedicated to Lincoln’s sexuality.

Thanks for the encouragement @flesco. Joshua and Marcus aren’t done with me either. There will be more. Much love!

Thanks @Jeff Burton and @Modified Cub! I’m glad you both liked it! I have started writing chapter two. I’ve never written Gay fiction, but I am having a lot fun doing it! Beyond a journal nobody wants to read, I write mostly technical and marketing copy. This is much more exciting!

Spring 2024 “Have a fantastic weekend!” He directed an energetic smile straight into the camera and waved to the faces on the screen before ending the video call. It was seven after five. He closed the lid of his laptop. It had been a long and busy week, but somehow Joshua still felt as if he had accomplished very little. Leaning back, he closed his eyes tightly and allowed air to fully inflate his lungs. He held his breath and counted to twenty before exhaling slowly. Pushing ba

Joshua is living the American Dream, but he knows that his perfect life in the Land of Lincoln is a lie. Things are about to take a major turn, and all it will take is some click bait, a dead president, and an empty bottle of Scotch. A coming out story, and a reflection on mankind's inalienable rights. (Read time: ~ 1 hour)

Thanks @Parker Owens. A friend keeps telling me I need to "find my people." Apparently, he meant real living people. I'm trying. Thanks for taking the time to connect! 😀

"Blake never lost his cool… at least not that anyone ever saw." I loved all of it, but that line resonated. Thanks for sharing. ♥️

Who will save me now? It's hard to breathe through the pain. Pulmonologist!

I hear that. I like being focused on what I'm feeling and thinking rather than complex form, at least in the moment of reflecting. I find the extreme constraint also appeals to my creativity. It's a different kind of beauty which I've grown to love. And yes, today is a good day! Thanks for reaching out! Much love!

What bites at my soul, Devouring my hope and joy? Reflection frees me.

It is like a clot, Slowly creeping towards my chest. Loneliness can kill. . . . Alone and lonely, No one else will understand. My mind lies to me. . . . Silence surrounds me; The noise in my head deafens. Speaking fills the void. . . . Nobody knows me, I work hard to keep it so. I long to be known. . . . Loneliness smothers, A deprived soul aches for frien

Emotions, memories, and ideas battle for control. Reflection helps me process and purge, changing who I am and how I understand my place in the world. I love the simplicity and profound nature of the Haiku. Perhaps these words will encourage or inspire you today. If not, at least it is a quick read... Much Love!

Thank you! I really enjoyed your Sidewinder stories even though I never thought western was my genre!

Thank you for writing Caleb’s redemption story. This was as much fun as the first two, but it was maybe my favorite because it highlighted restoration and dealt with grief. Thank you for writing such an entertaining yet thoughtful story!

This series is so much fun! I loved it!

Shifters! I loved this trilogy! I think you will too! Read it long before I registered, but I had to look it up to tell you it is great!

It was a very good end to the trilogy and I was sad when I ran out of chapters. This is a very creative series and I loved it! It puts a spin on Christianity and makes you think, while taking you on a fun adventure. Thanks for sharing this set of stories! I’m a fan!

Highly recommend this series for people who like to think differently and to have common ideas twisted into believable alternates. This was a fun read!

I really enjoyed all three of these books. It was a clever and believable twist on religion and a very fun read. Thanks!

Thanks Bill! It is kind of surreal talking to you. I spent so many evenings in the Castaway Hotel (both generations) several years ago. As you say, I’ve been here, but not fully as myself. Thank you for reaching out, both now and through your shared words in the past!

Thank you for sharing. These poems are thoughtful and thought provoking. I see my own experience, but I also see someone else’s. It is helpful to hear you express your own journey. I found the first resonating more with me personally, but I appreciated them both immensely.

Hey Jeff! Thanks for the warm welcome in the New Members Forum Post. Thought I’d stalk you just a little. I agree with others; this is a great piece about humanity! The powerful and positive role we can play in someone's lives, even in brief or singular interactions, is amazing! It is also a very strong intro for a fictional piece that could fit just about any genre. I was poking around the writer tips blog. Your story made me think of this entry from Comicality: Always happy to pre-read, world-build, develop characters, explore plot, or edit! I’m sure there are many here (likely more qualified) who would say the same thing. You’re not the only one who is hard on themselves! Much Love!

Hey all, Long time reader, first time member. Just wanted to say hi! A year ago, at 41, I finally found the courage to come out (in this context, courage is actually defined as desperation). So, I’m out, albeit somewhat quietly. It has been a big year for me; I’ve begun to resolve several identity conflicts and integrate the hidden and repressed pieces I have found along the way. This site, and others, have played a massive role in my exploration and understanding of who I am and want to be (special shout out to @Bensiamin - David and Jackson likely saved my life, although I met them elsewhere on the internet). My wife and I are trying to make our mixed orientation marriage work (20 years last May). It was always mixed, but now it is also honest. We have a son who just started high school. I’ll wrap this up before I have to tag it as a novel, but I look forward to sharing more through some writing soon. It feels good to say hi, even if I’m still hiding behind a screen name! Much love!