W_L

I watched this last week and this song conveys so much humanity. It's still in my head. Back in the 90's Disney had its Renaissance of animated movies, but Dreamworks proved with Prince of Egypt, it could be a contender with amazing songs, voice actors/actresses (including Patrick Stewart, Val Kilmer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Mirren, and Sandra Bullock). and a timeless story retold without being too stern or too cartoonish, there's good reason why this movie is considered an animated classic by audiences who grew up in the 90's.

That's interesting, steampunk and Norse/Celtic Gods are an interesting combination. As to erotica, I love the romance plots that makes the payoff between two guys worthwhile. A scene can last a few pages, but love between two well-developed characters lingers for readers. Gay Romance is one of my favorite elements in stories. Feel free to join the Author group and ask for assistance or ideas. A lot of us have written stories on various topics and subjects.

Thank you for reading and the review Thank you, I had considered this story for a longer novel, but decided against it, since I am working on a novel that is a bit more time consuming Thank you, the aim of this story was to try and be realistic. I hope I found a balance on how regular people live and love Thank you, yes money and fame isn't what makes HEA story works, it's sometimes just being there with someone you love. -------- Thanks to all the great readers for taking your time to read this little story

Good to know, I won't mention the "centre of the universe" I know Toronto is treated like Canadian version of New York, didn't even occur to me that the hate is similar for their sports coverage (American Football's coverage and booth reviews come out of New York as well, so lots of team hate the calls). Being a Bostonian, we sort of live in the shadow of Bobby Orr, who was an Ontario boy oddly enough and probably the youngest prodigy in the history of Hockey. He's among the short list next to Wayne as the Greatest Hockey Player of all time. I remember the stories about his father pushing him and negotiating with the Boston Bruins at the time about pre-draft details, squeezing the head office to make sure that Bobby got everything he needed as he was working his way up. Think about it, a 13-14 year old teenager with a lot of raw talent and getting scouted, I can't think of anyone in modern sports of any variety who would have committed to someone that young or a parent who would go out of their way so much to support their child to reach the professional levels. @wildoneIf you recall, I won one of GA's NHL bracket when we used to have them Also, I used to ice skate a little as a kid after school, there was a program for disabled kids, but I am rusty now. I love the free motions on the ice and cold blow of air on a rink, especially when it's unseasonably warm autumn day. It's cool that you had a few brushes with Wayne, I hope you had him autograph your helmet or stick. That sort of stuff is a keeper. By the way, did you by any chance meet his enforcer, Dave Semenko. I've seen the highlight reels from back then and I can understand why people called him Wayne's bodyguard. He deserved credit for Wayne's early success as well.

@wildone Wayne Gretzky was an amazing Hockey player and it's sad to hear his father passed. I only saw him towards the end of his career, but I was old enough to see the effect of the Gretzky rule and post-rule era in the NHL. Side note: Are you a Calgary Flame, Toronto Maple Leaf, or Montreal Canadiens fan? I know there are more Canadian teams, but those are the 3 that comes to mind that have beef with Edmenton Oilers.

Well, I have my old editor and I am writing again Today, I present for those who enjoy short stories of 5K words or less, Never Ending Struggle It's not a massive story with heavy plots or complex characters, it's just a straight forward slice of life story. I approach modern life and its issues with honest reflection in here. I highlight facts people don't think about from the lower paying and grinding work of teaching assistants, known as Paraprofessionals. That stuff is quite true and in many places in the US, these folk go underappreciated and unrecognized, many are barred from being part of Teacher's public service unions, because they are technically not "teachers", so do not receive pay increases or improvements in working conditions. It's a profession few want to be in, but some are forced to accept, because it's the only work they can do, like one of my protagonists, who suffers from Macular Degeneration, a real eye disease that will cause its sufferer to eventually go blind. Other details, I have been part of the Insurance industry in the past on the finance side. It is a really sleazy and cutthroat world of sales pitches and quotes. Then, even if you can meet those goals set by others, you may never get what you deserve for being the best in your job. Many major Corporations in the US have quota systems set up, where they try to promote an exact amount of individuals into positions, no more, based on gender/race/other factors to qualify for Equal Opportunity employer benefits. It's a tragic truth that sometimes, employers use the very institutions meant to prevent preference to maintain a system where the exact opposite happens. It's an ironic and ugly reality in Corporate world in the US. Beyond all the sordid details, I focused on two people and their normal lives within such systems. The world may never fair, but at least, you have someone to come home to at the end of the day.

Ten years ago, two young men met in college. It would affect the rest of their lives. Henry Kelley was struggling through his second year of college, having barely passed his freshman year. This was largely due to the merciful natures of his professors. Henry knew he was barely hanging on and felt insecure about his abilities. He knew his eyesight was worsening. When he was a child he received a Macular Degeneration diagnosis. He needed increasing magnification every trip to the opthomolo

This story chronicles a day in the life of two men, who met in college and fell in love. It is short story depicting their ordinary lives and ordinary struggles with many real world issues. It also highlights how despite there not being a happily ever after, it's what we end up with in the end that matters.

As it appears, there was very little interest in an old school Wilderness survival story, I've discontinued work on it. It will just go into my pile of abandon story ideas. Even so, I have just updated my request for editor/beta reader based on a new concept: Modern Romance Fiction editor/beta request thread I got inspired by a question in my mind after reading a few more Romance gay stories: What happens next? Then, I reflect on my own life and wonder, would I have ended up happily ever after with a gay guy, who chooses the blind gay guy as his one and only? What if I weren't as intelligent as I am? What if I couldn't finish college as almost half of disabled kids don't? What if despite all that he chose me in hugely romantic gesture? A happily ever after ending is incomplete, especially with so many things that affect modern people and our lives. Love may be the reason why two people stay together, but there's going to be consequences, doubts, and even regrets. That feels like an untold story of love, acceptance, and something else that I cannot put into words. I don't know if I can find another editor or beta reader like @Talo Segura or @Kitt, who were instrumental in both "0's and 1's" and "Comforting Touch" success. Someone, who may be interested in my new idea and my current bent to telling gay Romance stories. I know their both busy and I know most folks have their own lives as well, but I'd love to tell people this story.

Sounds like you are able to weather this storm on your own Does your stepson or his wife provide any financial support or are they just free-riders?

I'll give you some practical advice, if your resources are finite and you are unable to receive/can't get help due to your name/infamy, to me it doesn't matter what you have done, what you do now until the day you stop breathing is most important. 1. Meals on Wheels has program in Texas for home repairs, plus you can also check about getting food and other resources through their local affiliates https://www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org/home-repair-form 2. Seriously consider Senior housing and Section 8, it may not be glamorous, but it will at least solve some issues of a safe shelter in the long term. 3. Individually, do not be too proud to ask for help or feel you are undeserving based on what others may think of you.

As a New England native, here's some practical stuff for winter safety at home: 1. If you are using gas generators for energy/heat, make sure you do not seal your home completely or give your home a few minutes of open air each day if you are going to try to trap heat for the night. I know it's a waste of energy and heat, but trust me, dying from Carbon monoxide poisoning is not worth it. 2. Pipes: If they still work, try to run warm water ever so often to prevent your pipes from freezing up. Your temperatures are not as cold as New England in our worst winter nights, so you should have time to rotate the running of water. Again, it might be wasteful use of warm water, but it's better than paying $2-3K to tear down walls and replace interior piping. 3. Warm clothing: A sweater won't cut it throughout the night. You also don't want to be outside for an extended period of time without any winter clothing; exposure to the elements and low temperature are the basic ingredient for hypothermia, which may seem like nothing more than exhaustion at first, but can seriously become life threatening. Make sure you wear layers. If you need to go out and don't have a winter jacket, at least wear several layers and some waterproof jacket to prevent snow/sleet/rain. 4. Natural gas burners will work without electricity, you will just need a lighter or match, if your electric igniter doesn't work. Focus on simple foods like soups/stews that can be hearty and edible at various temperatures. 5. Frozen food in freezers may last a few days depending on the residual ice levels, but you may need to consider food in your refrigerator carefully, because without power it's debatable whether the internal temperature will be keep food fresh. Bacteria is a major issue there. Best to cook what you can and if you can do dry preparation of foods, the better. 6. Check on people: If you know there's family members or even neighbors who are elderly or disabled, check in on them from time to time. There's a lot of other stuff to consider, but hopefully Texas will get through this in one piece.

I know, I re-read them during the Pandemic It was my favorite too as a kid, I think I had my first "natural" hard-on, while reading the alternate story Brian's Winter, the scene when Brian jumps out of his shelter naked screaming after hearing the "tree popping" sounds. The idea of a teenage boy standing naked in the woods was hot, when I was 12-13. My untitled story is an old-school kind of story, but unlike Brian, I am not going to leave my main characters alone to survive on their own. The challenge will be significantly different though, because of their unique attributes: Being deaf is dangerous in the woods, especially if cannot hear the approach of wild creatures. Having ADHD without medication isn't exactly a Percy Jackson adventure, day to day survival requires focus on something and knowledge that this character does not have. Of course, as neither of my characters have experience in the wilderness, I did leave them some tools for survival early on rather than later as in Hatchet. Brian had full function of his body and mind, so it would be unrealistic for my characters to survive with their physical limitations.

1. Well, the names are optional and not final. I am still seeking a beta and editor I do take cues from prospective readers and can change the last names. 2. This would likely take place in the Canadian Wilderness in the Saskatchewan Province, which has both extreme temperature shifts from warm summers and arctic winters, along with an abundant amount of freshwater lakes.

I am happy to have so many new readers after such a long hiatus Thanks @Ozymandias, @Mawgrim, @Story Reader, @JeffreyL, @Canuk, and everyone who has read this series. It was fun to write

Comforting Touch Story #5 Hearth Keeper It is now live Some General Observations from this Author: 1. The series came out much better than I had ever imagined, I had originally conceived it as a one-off with Finding Warmth, but it just kept writing itself throughout December 2020. 2. I've learned a good deal about myself during the writing of this story, which, for those who know me, is about 60% factual and 40% fiction. It's a lot easier to write based on reality. I realized during this story, my life and family are kind of weird. 3. Relationship wise, I think ending it here between Ben and Jason is satisfying for me at least for now. I don't know if there's any readers who will push for a sequel or desire me to continue with my story. Ben and Jason have a decent ending, there are open threads and unresolved issues, but nothing is perfect. I am open to a reader push for a sequel, but I have no plans for one as of yet. 4. As to the ending of the story, I didn't want to end it with the traditional "ring" and gratuitous fanfare scene of many romance stories. Ben, like myself, relate differently than what most people may to how relationships should work. I debated the best symbolic gesture of what I perceived to be equality between partners rather than borrow a traditional symbol, which has a lot of negative connotations. A ring may be needed for public display as a social convention, but it is not what should symbolize the promise of an "equal" partnership. I think the gift I chose is appropriate for Ben and Jason, utilitarian and poignant. ------- Feel free to discuss here or on the thread

This is the concluding short story to the Comforting Touch Series. Ben and Jason attend Ben's Mother's, Cecilia Christmas day party. Havoc ensues, threats of violence, and realization is achieved. Ben and Jason are lovers, but they must be more to be together for the long term with the insanity of Ben's family life.

Comforting Touch Series, Story # 5- Finale Ben How do you define love? The attempt at love is probably the hardest single act any human being can endeavor. I believe in measured approaches. I believe in keeping to structure with realistic aims. Things like sexual pleasure can be targeted and may be enjoyed by both partners. I believe in open communication in order to maintain emotional connection. This aspect is part of what allows my demisexual attraction to flourish w

The Fourth Story is now live in Comforting Touch series: Relationships aren't fairy tales in real life and more often than not, there's a good amount of complications between even the most committed lovers. How you deal with it is what defines who you are and who your lover is in relation to issues and conflicts. Maybe to some readers, what happened to Jason in Fanning Flames is off-putting, being given alcohol and drugs to make you more pliable for sexual intercourse is a common issue for both heterosexuals and homosexual relationships. Sexual coercion is a form of sexual assault. It might not be as aggressive as the rape I described in earlier installments of this story, but it is no less an unapproved sexual encounter for the pleasure of another. Jason has been through both kinds of sexual assault and it does mess with his mental state, consciously or unconsciously. I hope I treated it with a bit of respect for the subject matter. Despite the former statement about trauma, sex plays a role in this chapter too for the better. It's not exactly traditional gay sex, nor the kink most people see in pornographic videos. Sex for them is part of their mutual relationship and how they communicate with their bodies; it is a purely emotional act of helping one another know they want the other to feel good. In terms of the discussions between Jason and Ben around literature and heroes, it reveals something very intriguing about Ben as a person and his rationalization of what is right and wrong. While Ben might be a Demisexual and focused on emotional connections, he's more complicated in dimensions than merely an bookish do-gooder. He made many mistakes in his past and have many regrets as well. I hope you all like it and feel free to discuss in the forum thread for Comforting Touch. See forum thread link

In Fanning Flames, a series of events led Jason into a compromising situation. Now, he and Ben must deal with the ramifications of what happened in relation to who they are and what they want from their relationship. This story covers the aftermath and their first Christmas Eve together.

Cool, I'm working on a untitled story around wilderness survival between two sixteen year old high school boys. One of my characters has limited hearing and uses hearing aids. Being low vision myself and having dated a limited hearing individual, there's a middle ground between complete disability and full capability. Also, just so you know, a lot of the deaf community does not like to consider what they have as a "disability" per se. The other character in my story has ADHD; in the wilderness environment, there's no Ritalin, impulse control and focus are not possible for him. He's based off a friend of mine from High School and some interesting conversations I have had with him, when he's not on medication. ADHD is not as glamorous as Percy Jackson makes it out to be, but I did like how he structured his thoughts and there's a rhyme/reason to it when you break down all the components. At the heart of this new story is communications, two people with physical issues that limit their ability to communicate are stuck in a life-death situation, where communication and coordination will help. Add to the fact that they have a sexual attraction to one another, hormones from teens, and odd things from nature, I hope it can be fun.

Comforting Touch Series, Story # 4 Ben Do I still trust Jason? I want to trust him and I want to love him, but Jade revealed a side of him that neither he nor I realized he possessed. As I held Jason in my arms, through the night, comforting him after his ordeal; many thoughts crossed my mind. Did I push him into what happened? Could I have prevented this by being more attentive? Were my needs for complete openness and our common agreements doing more harm than good?

@Headstall and @Page Scrawler If you enjoyed Song of Achilles (I listened to the Audible version and afterward bought a hardcover version as a gift for a gay friend), I have a recommendation for you both along with others that I am starting soon: Axios: A Spartan Tale by Jaclyn Osborn The Spartans of ancient Greece were an incredibly harsh culture, but even in such ugly ground, there's still flowers of love. I'll probably get to this book next month, need to finish up some other reading

Well just to make it clear for people who do not know, I suffer from Congenital Glaucoma, I was born with bad eyesight, and am legally blind with very low vision. One thing I've learned as I read stories, there really isn't much diversity or representation of people with disabilities in various gay fiction genres. People like me exist throughout the world in various forms; for instance, my last boyfriend was deaf, but it very hard for me to find any kind of story that reflect that kind of relationship. Suffice to say, I wanted to started writing again, because I felt a need to represent myself and those that I know, whose stories and lives are not talked about much. I wrote Comforting Touch as a type of meta-fiction to combine my love of gay romance with a different reflection on demisexuality that I also possess. Some of the story is fictional, i.e. I have not found a 23 year old gay guy on the street yet that I wanted to sleep with , but on the other hand, I have offered my assistance and home to homeless people in the winter due to need. While people may say I should be wary of showing kindness as a blind man, but I don't buy that kind of argument. Some of the more surreal elements are true: like my Cousin is an unsuccessful alternative Rockstar and his sister is in the US Army. Right now, I am writing something different and far less personal, but I still want to include characters with physical limitations. It's a story about 2 sixteen year old boy, who are lost in the Canadian Wilderness after their bush plane crashes. The set up is a wilderness survival story like many others, but I added a unique twist. The characters: Danny Deere is mostly deaf with his hearing aid broken and Bobby Wolfe has ADHD without a supply of Ritalin. They're both gay/bi, so there's the logical romantic component there, but the deeper problem beyond romance is how can they survive the challenges they face. It's an interesting concept, Danny is intelligent and mentally capable of doing a lot on his own, but with limited hearing in the woods, he can run into a lot of fatal issues. Bobby on the other hand is outwardly physically capable, but ADHD affects your ability to focus and make rational judgements, he faces basic issues of survival and impulse control. I like both character and I really enjoy writing Bobby's thought process. One of my close friends in high school had ADHD and we talked out his method of contextualizing thoughts, when he didn't take Ritalin. I took that concept and expanded into Bobby's mindset. It's really fascinating, like James Joyce's stream of consciousness, it's interrelated rambling that you can actually follow backwards to the original subject. I am really getting into the writing on this story, but I don't have an Editor/Beta Reader, so I don't know if it will ever be up on GA If anyone is wondering what the story looks like right now, I posted the unedited Chapter 1 as an example for potential Editors/Beta Readers. If this goes into my unfinished list of abandoned stories, it's alright, but I really hope someone joins me on this journey.

I read this stories years ago, when you first published it on Nifty and I just re-discovered it now. It's an interesting plot concept with 2 boys finding their romantic matches/soulmates.