Libby Drew

Thank you for reading! Showdown at the attorney's office in the next chapter.

Marc has seen his parents very occasionally -- maybe rarely is the more correct word. Once every few years? Less, the older he got. I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you that yes, it was filed with another attorney. Rachel is kind of a hero for what she went through. Some women -- and men -- don't make it out the other side of something like that. I love your mama's saying!

Of course it wasn't. 😉

Bill beat me to it. 😄

So... I'm on my second glass of wine, starting now. Therefore, my intelligent replies will wait until tomorrow lol. (OMG this week... and it's only Wednesday). Thank you so much, everyone, for commenting. I adore reading your thoughts and predictions. 😊

Too true. But there must be marketability in some form. I think we can agree on that. That's why I'm here, as a matter of fact. It's why I came to GA in 2007 and it's why I'm back now. Writing to the "template" bores me. No, that's not fair. It doesn't bore me. I still love it. But I have ideas for things that don't fit a publishable template. And maybe somebody wants to read those things. I don't know. Time will tell. There is an enormous amount of freedom here. And acceptance. I've always found it a more honest, relatable environment than traditional publishing in that respect.

I agree with many points of the article and, frankly, all of the responses. I will not belabor those issues, but I will add this: As a published author of M/M fiction (this term is direct from the publisher's website), I can say with confidence and experience that the "unrealistic" "happy ever after" "smoking hot sex" "romantic" story is required if you want to be published in that industry. Obviously there are existing markets for gay fiction/gay literature, and I'm not speaking to those here, since it seems to me the original article is not focusing on them either. It would make me incredibly happy to be able to present a manuscript to my editor into which I haven't had to shoehorn the above prerequisites. I could do it, but I'm sure I would get a return email from the publisher with a LMAO emoji, and "No, really, what have you got for me?" in the subject line. It's a business. So you provide the consumer of your product what they want and expect. I think it's an important point. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

Great Restorations is located in an old Grist Mill! That's a funny coincidence. I like the graphic too. Gristmills are actually fascinating places to visit, and quite impressive if the old machinery is still intact.

A CHILL swept through Marc. “What are you talking about?” “Not now, honey.” His mother tried to brush off the comment, but Marc refused to let it go. “No. What did you mean?” He didn‘t wait for an answer. “I‘m sorry, but this isn‘t your house anymore. I thought you knew that. In fact” —he gave a shaky, humorless laugh— “I‘m sure you did.” Marc‘s father stepped forward, putting a hand on his mother‘s arm. She dropped her eyes, but then she always had let him take the lead. Jonatho

😊 She's going to be okay. Promise.

Agreed on all counts. I wouldn't give my sister up for anything at this stage of my life, but there were times I wanted to strangle her.

Marc is going to provide some much needed objectivity for Sawyer. For someone who preaches tolerance, Sawyer is remarkably closed-minded when it comes to Finn.

Added to the list! Thanks.

Nobody I've ever met! 😃

Again, thanks for the feedback and lovely compliments. I'm fascinated to know exactly how the characters come across and you've pegged them -- so far. As the story continues, I'd be curious to know if your opinion of these characters evolves. Which is, of course, the goal for any character arc. Thanks again and glad you are enjoying the story.

I think so. Ignorance is bliss. The saying exists for a reason.

He knows it. He just doesn't want to face it. Not unlike getting a medical test when you know the results could be terrifying.

They make themselves easy to hate, you will find. May followed her calling -- she was an amazing mother.

Right? If it ever was... I have a love/hate affair with small towns. Hated it when I was growing up. Loved it to raise my kids in. LOL

Thank you very much! I hope you continue to find it entertaining. And thanks for the thoughtful comment.

Bedroom antics are not easy to write -- well, I should say they're not easy to write and make original and moving every single time they're put to the page, which I try to do -- so thank you. 🥰 Yeah, Marc's dad is a tool. No redeeming qualities whatsoever. 😉

It really is tragic when looked at like that from the outside, and I agree. To say that she followed her calling as a mother figure would be accurate, though. And maybe she didn't give up love altogether... *looks shifty*

All really great questions. Some will be answered soon.

Agreed times ten on the parents. Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the chapter.

Didn't he, though? He's still kind of numb, though, emotionally. Yeah, sorry not sorry about that.