gardentuber

Hmmm. It's like the word 'gay'... keeps changing its meaning. I've encountered the term in British stories set in a certain time period... 60's and 70's, I think. Maybe Aussie too. It's always a dismissive term or an insult, never simply descriptive. In fact, it does not describe actual behavior; nobody's actually lifting a shirt hem. I like reading stories from other anglophone cultures. It broadens my perspective and vocabulary. We really are everywhere! (for the youths out there... back in the day, 'We Are Everywhere' was a gay rights slogan, an attempt to broaden society's definition of homosexuals beyond hairdressers and interior decorators named Bruce. Oh, never mind...)

OK... so you're not going with the oodles of impersonal sex approach. Probably a good decision. Instead, think about what you do know. As mentioned earlier, you can't get to 26 years old without dealing with change, both the welcome and unwelcome aspects of it. Write about that. Don't focus so much on your character's sexual proclivities (aside from what you know or you've been able to learn from your social network). No dungeons, no safe words or multi-orgasmic orgies if that's not something you're cognizant of. After all, we're talking about a 'coming of age' tale here... maybe not the teenage version, but still that's what it is. If you don't feel you can realistically support a character in his 40's, don't put him in his 40's. Whatever the age, you're writing about change, about adjusting to new perspectives, about adapting to new limitations and new abilities, maybe even about learning to be a better human being (since you want him to be likable). After introducing your character to us, we'll look forward to meeting him as you develop and publish your story. Also, there are plenty of folks here who would be happy to beta or edit your work before you publish. Since you sound like you're wrestling with the character, bounce a chapter or two off some of those folks. Just be willing to hear their feedback. Best of luck!

Yeah, well, the 'good writing' police will break down your door and read you your Miranda rights (or is that writes?) before hauling you off to study hall and making you complete your assignment before you're permitted time out on good behavior! This raises the question of just where and how therapy and writing interact. It's interesting to read stories on this site from that perspective. After all, what does a story about sudden wealth or abusive parents or bullying say about the author? What do so many stories about sudden wealth, abusive parents or bullying say about the people who choose to publish on GA? And then there's the question of keeping your readers interested. Do you need to make your characters likable to maintain readership? If they're simply interesting, will that be enough to keep your readership? Will a thrilling plot line (violence or threatened violence, lots of sexual escapades, hang gliders/car chases/encounters with sharks) or cliff hanger chapter endings keep a loyal fan base? OK, alright - you sound like you plan a thoughtful character study rather than a thriller. Good for you. The downside is: you have to know your character - which means study, study, study. Time for you to get out there and use your youth and physical prowess to break some hearts so you can write about it, dontcha think? So, instead of study hall, your assignment is to go out to the baths, bars and clubs and arrange to have lots of impersonal sex. So the writing police have decreed! Get to it!!

That's kinda how I figured it. So it must be an old term, then. Dontcha love words and language and the window they offer on history and culture!

Oh, y'all...

Jacob sounds like an interesting character study. You know the most basic rule/suggestion/advice: write what you know. I'd suggest this applies here. What do you know about the changes a person undergoes as he matures? What do you know about formulas for interacting that are no longer age/situation appropriate? What interactions have you observed in your life that inform you about your possible character? I'm not saying, 'don't write this'. I am suggesting that the details needed to write convincing and interesting prose are most likely to be derived from personal observation. That's where you'll find the information you need. You have surely gone through some transitions in life and may be able to apply your accrued knowledge to the process your character's experiencing. If you don't feel you have enough personal knowledge, head out and watch people at bars, as another person suggested. That'll tell you about how your character behaves while in public and on the prowl. It won't tell you much about how your character behaves in private, though. If you find you don't have enough information to write a worthwhile story just now... wait. Write some sketches (interactions with old friends, interactions with previous tricks, interactions with potential tricks, interactions with potential boyfriends, interactions with coworkers, personal musings, interactions with family, etc). Not everything you write needs to be included in a final draft; just don't throw anything away!!!! You can sit on the idea for a while, a few years, even a few decades. It's a character worth exploring, a story worth telling. Good luck!

OK... I know what a shirt lifter is, but what's the derivation? In reading stories by commonwealth folks, I've encountered the term, but nowhere is there a reason for the term. Why lift a shirt? Is it to show off a chest or abdomen? Is it to show off an ass? What's the point of lifting a shirt and why is it a pejorative for male homosexuals? Just idle curiosity...

Oh golly! Ummm.... just to be clear, the author is some guy in NYC, not me. Just to be clear! I posted the link because I like the story and because I like the idea of 600 word stories and because I like the idea of a national (and international competition) open to anybody and everybody. Just to be clear.

I posted this to the Story Cafe part of this site, but after several hours, only one other person had viewed it. Seems no one checks that forum. SO> NPR's 3 minute fiction (600 words or less) > the current winning story has a gay theme. It's a wonderful story. Check it out! Not Calling Attention to Ourselves It's a trip to read such well crafted prose! Like I said, Check it out!

National Public Radio has a story contest called 'Three Minute Fiction' for stories of 600 words and less. Their latest winner has a gay theme and is worth a read. In fact, its a worthy model for GA writers and readers. Here's the link: Not Calling Attention to Ourselves It's great to read well written prose!

Thank you for the positive feedback. I like the characters a lot. I've thought about writing another chapter to check in on Rence, Karl, Alain et. al. after several years have passed. It'd be fun to revisit Rence and Karl as they get accustomed to one another and become an institution and Alain as he makes his way in the world. I'm missing them already. However, I've been juggling several new characters from a completely different story line and I want to focus on the new characters and story for the time being. I've learned so much and would like to apply some of those new ideas in a different structure. It'll be a while before I upload a new story, though. I want to complete the next story before beginning to upload. I hope that'll give it more consistency from chapter to chapter. Also, I want to get someone to beta or edit it. Any takers? As for characters... I think I'll stick with adults. For one thing, I know how I feel now much better than I remember how I felt as a teenager. I can write much more honestly about adults than I can about youths. If I were a better writer, perhaps I could construct complex young characters, but... 'Write what you know!" 'n all... Also, there's so much on GA (and other gay fiction sites) addressing the interests of youths. There's much less about grown ups. Youngsters are well covered by other authors. This'll be my niche. So, many thanks!

There are foods I've heard of that don't interest me (haggis being one). The two I've tried that made me retch were: uni (sea urchin roe) and gefilte fish. I've even eaten chapulines (Oaxacan fried grasshoppers) and enjoyed them but uni and gefilte fish, ugh! :wacko: Used to be... hard boiled eggs turned my stomach, the sulfur I think. Now, I can eat 'em.

Chapter 12 -- An Eventful First Year Whew! I think that's enough. Really. Please. I want to move on to a new project. Please. If there's a groundswell of negative reaction... well... I don't know. I'm kinda done with these folks for now. Yeah, it could go on, especially if the core character switched to Alain, but, really, let 'em rest. Let me rest. Please. Give me a holler with feelings, thoughts, responses, likes, dislikes, preferences and all. Bye for now!

OK, folks, here it is, the penultimate chapter. I think I can say this is almost concluded. I hope so, at least. As some of you know, the last time I tried to end this, I got lots of responses, not one of which was positive. So, I've written lots more for you all. And, in truth, y'all were right. The story's better for having continued. My excuse is: I've never written a full story before, so I'm bound to make some mistakes! Here it is: Chapter 11 -- The Storm Before the Calm Enjoy! Oh, and responses, thoughts, criticisms, reviews, opinions, rants and kudos are welcome. Bring it on!

Yeah, it all depends on the meaning of the word 'rules', doesn't it? If it means 'things you should do or else', then who wants to pay attention? If it means 'a bunch of really good ideas based on lots of experience' then who's to complain? I place these rules in the second category. And as Nephylim said, averred and suggested, why limit yourself to the word 'said'? Tho', I think the point is that stories get larded with words that aren't as powerful as their more prosaic counterparts.

The first author who offered rules described a rule and then immediately presented a flouting of the rule. That was great! She clearly supported breaking the rules she was offering. I didn't infer any snobbishness in the offerings. I liked them! Yes, rules are meant to be broken, but they are also very useful. The purpose of the offerings is to help make stories more readable and vital. It's not just the plot that moves a story along, it's the language as well. The rules don't speak to plots, just to the craft of presenting the plot. After all, a dramatic plot can flounder under the weight of lugubrious language, syntax or grammar. (I liked especially the suggestion that writers reread their best chestnuts to make certain that they won't take attention from the story... best chestnuts such as: 'lugubrious language' and 'best chestnuts')

I found this on Google News today. It's worth a look-see. Check it out. It includes thoughts on writing from none other than Margaret Atwood! Guardian Newspaper's Article on Writing

Lemme see... How about Christopher Lyden (also on crvboy.org)? Or our own dkstories? They both seem to write in the format you've described. Or C James, here on GA, too? Do their works conform to the genre?

A simple FYI. Check the new chapter and, please!, feel free to comment. Chapter 10 -- Finally at the Jaialdi!

Welcome JDW, I've been reading your story incrementally and enjoying it. Thank you for sharing it with us!

You are a bad man... very, very bad, Mr. Savik! I liked the butterfly on the windshield of life, however!

Oh, I can't agree with that! OK... I accept that I'm a stuffed shirt. I like rules. I like grammar. I like syntax. I really love our language and how it works. I really (really, really and totally) believe in rules for writing (or any artistic pursuit). For instance, I love creative architecture, but I don't want to walk into (or near) a beautiful building if the architect doesn't have a grasp of the technical aspects of their art form Fortunately, poorly written prose doesn't threaten the health of a reader, except when I get a headache from slapping my head in exasperation. Yes, I'm the guy who broke up laughing while reading the samples of poor writing when taking the verbal portion of the SAT. Yes, I thought they were funny. Wish I could remember an example, but that was, Oh... 35 years ago (sentence fragment). That's me. Verbal nerd. I'm going to step on some toes here (colloquialism). I'm going to not be nice (split infinitive). I'm going to climb onto my high horse and scramble onto my soap box to boot (mixing vernacular metaphors) and from my elevated position will gaze down upon the plebes here on GA. Gird your loins, get ready, here goes (redundant & tautological): I think the most telling aspect of this thread is that some folks didn't know enough about this art form (writing) to recognize the play in the 'rules' as presented. It's not just a question of folks missing the humor, it's that they didn't understand the form enough to see the self evident (to some) errors. OK, I'll creep back into my damp cave now... Think Picasso: he was a skilled draftsman... he could draw up a storm... but he made his name for breaking all the rules he was so skilled at and in doing so, he participated in the creation of a breakthrough in the visual arts. Or James Joyce: he was able to weave remarkable stories, but he completely slayed (should be slew) the linear storytelling tradition and created a (still unique) way of telling stories (excessive parenthetical phrases). My 2 cents (scents).

art is communication that exists on multiple levels I'm really impressed with the majority of responses to this query. It's a question that seems to have stumped lots of folks in the past century, but that folks here can take in stride. Good on you(all)!

More to come... While writing continues to be time consuming, it's really fun. I'm learning so much: about the subject matter, about writing, about my state of mind. Well, enjoy: Chapter 9 -- Trouble in Paradise (Los Angeles)

Good subject, Kayden. I've been reading the responses with interest. Sometimes, I find I have to rewrite a scene because I've written dialog in a voice that's not the character's. They speak differently than i speak or should... But a more serious problem has been writing my characters too be too nice to one another. Like when a character is tired, but his dialog doesn't express fatigue. In that way, writing has been a mirror onto my state of mind. Personally, I would like to be a kind, personable and attentive individual, so that's been the default of my characters, but where's the drama in that? And then there's Nephylim! She's been a bad influence on me, probably mesmerized me! I just stabbed my favorite character in the back! Reading Nephylim's posts about torturing her characters must have had in affect on me! A bad one! :mace: And worse, :mace: :mace: I enjoyed it! Something's really wrong here. :mace: :mace: :mace: Am I not the nice, personable and attentive individual I'd like to be? Keep an eye on that Nephylim! She might draw you to the dark side, too!