Libby Drew

Again, thanks so much. I'm over the moon about being hosted, and all your congrats and encouragement makes it even more fantastic. Thanks! I'm allowed to disagree, though, right? Totally respectfully, of course. This site is full of talented people. Ditto, darling! For me, maybe. I'll be a big girl and admit it's all a bit nerve-wracking. The authors at GA produce some truly impressive stuff.

HI M! A story (short, novel, or otherwise) that uses documents (letters, diary entries, etc.) to frame the narrative is called an epistolary story. It's perfectly acceptable and can actually add more gritty realism and emotional impact than traditional narrative. Good luck! ~Libby

Thanks, Paul! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Today is your lucky day! A good friend of mine has asked me to write a future scene between these two for her birthday gift this year. (I'm working on it now.) Specifically, she requested their first intimate encounter. Interesting that, like you, she was curious how being blind would affect Tommy's sexual experience. Thanks again for reading and for the feedback. Take care!

Thank you so much! Both for the kind words and the well-wishes. I suppose some might call this story a tragedy. Though I'd classify it as sad, there is transformation. So I'd like to think there's a bit of hope as well. Thanks again.

Thanks, Cyn! I've been feeling inspired recently to write another one -- got the first several hundred words done -- but have put it on the backburner like a good girl until my current WiPs are finished.

Thank you very much, everybody! I'm honored to be here.

This is the discussion forum for my novel, Paying the Piper. Summary: Just your average murder mystery...or not. One small town, two murders, and countless suspects. Irreverent police chief, Quent, and his reluctant side-kick, Cale McCoy, must discover the truth behind the crimes before anyone else loses their life. Circumstances become even more complicated when new kid in town, Drew Marcus, turns out to be the biggest mystery of all. Mystery is one of my favorite genres. I always wanted to write a classic murder mystery, and Paying the Piper was my first attempt. Like Truth in Advertising, it takes place in a small town, where everyone thinks they know everyone else, but nobody knows the truth. I hope you enjoy!

This is the discussion forum for my short story, Spark. Summary: Derrick dislikes train travel, and this particular route through the mountains always makes him nervous. Meeting a handsome stranger is exactly the distraction he needs, until the remarkable reason for his new friend's presence is revealed. Spark was written for a short story challenge, and was allowed to be no longer than six thousand words. I think I came in at 5,996. Although I adore the short story form, and was pleased with how Spark turned out, a part of me always wanted to say a bit more about these two men who are the very definition of star-crossed lovers. Thanks very much for reading and for sharing your thoughts.

It started as a short story! I had no immediate plans to continue it, but sometimes a group of characters just grows on me, and I want to say more about them. I'm glad you're enjoying. Thanks so much! You guys are the best! Thanks for all the encouragement. Thank you! Small towns...I grew up in one, and I'm living in one now. They are a universe all to themselves. I don't think Sawyer is fully appreciating what Marc (thinks he) might be giving up. Thanks so much for reading and for the feedback. I apologize for the late reply. Isn't Karen slappable? Write faster. Yes ma'am! Thanks so much for reading and for the feedback. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the chapter!

Happy Birthday, Graeme!

Happy Birthday, Mark! Have a wonderful day.

I'm totally kicking myself over this, Cyn. I kept waiting and waiting for the subsequent parts of the workshop, but never saw them. I find out just the other day (after the fanfic:profic post) that I couldn't see them because I was only a watcher, not a member. (That's since been rectified.) So sad. I was really looking forward to the second post especially. Nobody's fault but my own, but still. W.L., I second this suggestion. I've since been able to review the the four different topics covered in this workshop, and they're full of helpful information and hints.

Quick update: The most relevant and interesting links from the past few days. (I'm trying not to bombard you.) Amazon's excuse Excerpt: It has been misreported that the issue was limited to Gay & Lesbian themed titles

Sage words from Graeme. The policy does seem contradictory to how Amazon has conducted business in the past. However

I, myself, have to wonder if this is really the best their PR department could do on a Monday morning after a holiday. The glitch excuse doesn't hold up to inspection, especially as several of the authors received written confirmation from an Amazon rep that their material had been removed purposefully. Sickening.

Amazon's reply this morning. There's still a fair amount of outrage out there, as well as some outright disbelief. There are also several interesting theories floating around regarding the manipulation of Amazon's "report abuse" or "report objectionable content" feature by individuals aiming to target GLBT works: Link, via #amazonfail

I was wondering when this would hit GA. Here are some additional links, for the interested: Mark's original post that set off the explosion on LiveJournal this morning: http://markprobst.livejournal.com/15293.html List of links for complaints/info/boycotts/petitions: http://gossymer.livejournal.com/320776.html Collections of books affected: http://community.livejournal.com/meta_writ...992.html#cutid1

That is an excellent point.

My reply from the workshop: I rank them: plot, characterization, style, world-building. I write what I enjoy reading. I'm sure the same could be said for all writers. That said, plot is my definite strength, and it's what I look for in a good read. If nothing is happening, I bore quickly. Every so often, the world-building by itself is dynamic enough to keep my interest, but that doesn't happen often. Occasionally the word-smithing is so engaging, the prose so well put together, that a fresh style will satisfy me for a time, but if it's not bolstered by plot then I tire of that eventually as well. Strong characters anchor a plot, and to me, they are second only to the conflict/climax/resolution that I believe makes a successful story. The best plotted story is nothing without strong, memorable, developed characters. For me, writing begins with a plot. Or I should say, I never begin a story without one. Once I have what I hope is a unique, engaging plot, that's when I craft characters who will enhance it. I never try to fit pre-made characters into a new story, although I know many people, fellow writers, who do this quite successfully. It's not my strength. I suppose the most challenging for me would be world-building, simply because I'm such a sparse writer. I tend to err on the side of too little description, too little detail -- as, pretentiously, that's the type of story I prefer to read: one where I'm not fed every single piece of information like a ten-course meal. I'd much rather fill in the blanks myself. How do I deal with this weakness? A team of great betas. *g* They let me know when there's just too little there and assure me that some scenes, pivotal ones, can be safely fleshed out without sacrificing word economy.

Over at Meta Writer on LiveJournal, Vashtan is leading a workshop on plot. I thought the first post particularly interesting and have asked permission to reproduce it here. I would love to hear how the writers on this site would rank the four "disciplines." The post: A clever writer (I think it was Orson Scott Card) once said there are three kinds of writers: plotters, character writers and world-builders. The names are really self-explanatory. The plotter comes up with great plots (let's say, Michael Crichton, Isaac Asimov), the world-builder creates rich, detailed background worlds (I'm looking at you, JRR Tolkien). The character author really shines when it comes to characters (last unforgettable characters I read were the protagonists in Manna Francis' "The Administration"). To this basic spread of three I would add the "stylist" - the one that cares most about and is best with language (Ondaatje?). The categories are really the four main disciplines in writing, and like any athlete having to compete in multiple disciplines at the same time, we have our strengths and weaknesses - there are some writers that are brilliant at one thing, so-so in another two, and crap in the fourth discipline (nobody in their sane mind reads Dan Brown for his characters or style). I find the categories helpful in two ways: one, I worked out why I don't like Tolkien, Dan Brown/Michael Crichton/Isaac Asimov and why I would rant and rave about Manna Francis and sometimes a few stylists. I'm a character writer, and I read for characters. If the world is generic, I don't care (much). If the plot is generic, I really don't care much, either. If the characters pull me in and if the style is agreeable to me, I'll read it and I'll love it. I spent a lot of time in my "writing youth" to try and impress one particular reader, my then best friend. I really wanted her to love what I was writing, and I was disappointed at anything she said about my writing. She's a plot-driven reader, and my plots just didn't satisfy her. Too generic, been there a few hundred times already. So, opening the discussion: What type of writer are *you*? How would you rank the four disciplines? What's your best/worst discipline? How do you deal with your weaknesses? How do you make your strengths shine? I'll add in a comment here my response from the workshop post. Please chime in. I think I know a few of you well enough to guess your rankings , but time will tell. Thanks for your attention.

Hi, Josh! Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm really glad you're enjoying the story. I am busy, not always pleasantly. I haven't stopped writing this story, it just seems that as the days go by, the time I have to write becomes more scarce. At the same time, other writing committments are on the rise. I feel terrible for having such a long wait between chapters. Based on some feedback I've been getting on my blog, this story will probably be on hold for a little while longer while I focus on Truth in Advertising. But I promise -- it's not abandonded. Thanks so much for your patience. *rubs hands together* I'm not sure there's enough room in this comment for me to blather on as much as I'd like in response to your feedback. To address a lot of what you've said in a broad sense, I'm not usually a fan of happily-ever-after resolutions -- at least in the sense that everything works out perfectly. And while I believe in tying up all loose ends, I don't think that means giving everyone a soulmate. What I will strive to do is exactly what you've said: develop these characters' faults and strengths and transform them somehow for the better. Over the course of the story, romantic attachments will form and dissolve, friendships will be tested, history will be explained, and you might even be asked to suspend a bit more of that disbelief. No need to apologize. Imposing youself on a story is what reading is all about. Thanks again for the thorough and thought-provoking comments. I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the story. Take care!

Thanks, Mike! I'm thrilled to hear that you've enjoyed it so far. Yeah, neither of the boys is acting particularly rationally. Doesn't bode well for the future, does it? Or maybe it does. Thanks again. (Love your 'approved' button)

I know several authors who are inspired to write by characters they invent. They have a clear picture in their head of what these people look like, how they dress, their skills and talents, and what motivates them. Then they take these well-rounded characters and make up a story for them. I've always been the opposite. For me, it's always the story first. A situation, a conflict, a mystery, something. Once I have (what I believe) to be a compelling tale, I begin to craft characters for it. This is also when I'll decide on what kind of POV to use, and who makes the best POV character. Let's see

Thanks, J! I'm happy you're still enjoying the story, because I'm very much enjoying writing it. I hope to have someting else soon -- the next chapter of BL perhaps. We'll see if life cooperates, yes? Take care, dear. Thank you! Very soon, I hope too. Whenever I upload a new chapter, I post an announcement on the "story announcements" forum, which I believe you can subscribe to. It'll send you an email notification when there's a new topic. Thanks again and take care! HA! It was supposed to be one-off, er, so to speak. I didn't expect to feel so strongly about continuing it. I promise it won't be four months until an update! (Lord, you have every right to shoot me if that happens.) I'm determined to make more time to write this year, come hell or high water. I don't think Sawyer means to be cruel, though, you're right, he is. It comes from never having to hide, I think. Marc and Sawyer's experiences couldn't be more different, and it's evident in their behavior. Thanks again for the feedback and encouragement. I hope all is well with you. Thank you for reading! I'm so happy you're enjoying the story. Yeah, Sawyer is the one who set the boundaries, and now he's the one who can't seem to abide by them. I think the boys need to have a heart to heart, y/y? Thanks again! Thank you very much! I'd kill for more time to share. I'm going to do my best to have updates on both of those stories very soon. Thanks for sticking with them and for the kind words.