JamesSavik

The only Latin that I know: Illegitimi Non Carborundum -JS

I seem to make an asshole out of myself a lot. Then there's kinda an awkward silence for a minute, and I say, "This would be the part where you tell me your name." So he tells it to me, and I try not to start crying as I walk away. I was very rude. SB- I doubt seriously if you are either rude or an asshole. If you were a hunter, I would say that you've got buck fever. This affliction strikes deerhunters when they've got a deer in their sites and they get rattled. Their hands shake, they make mistakes and they don't get off a good shot. In your case, you are a tad awkward with a dash of nerves. It is very common and it happens to everyone gay, str8 or Martian. Give yourself a break. At 14, nobody is exactly what you might call smooth. What you don't want to do is get down on yourself and create even more anxiety about social situations. You've got a lot going for you. You are smart, athletic and fun. Those other people out there that you are worried about: you are as good as any of them. -JS

If you aren't a Futurama fan, the Professor often says Good News Everybody and: a) falls asleep or announces their next suicidal mission. I'm glad it went well for you guys. Oh and I didn't see that transvestite Nun coming.

Despite all the rubbish about free speach in this country, there are some things you just can't say. The list is: making threats against President Loopy, making bomb threats, threatening to shoot up a school and discussing suicide. There are some state laws that dictate what has to happen in this case: typically the suicidal individul is taken in for 48 hours of observation. It has to do with liability. If you actully did kill yourself and the school knew about it, they could be sued. There is also the disturbing tendency for suicidal people to put a few people out of their misery before they check out. Look kid, what you are going through is not at all uncommon. Gay and lesbian youth are the most at risk for suicide for the very same reasons you are depressed. The key here is that we all lived through it. I got outed when I was 13 the summer before I started 7th grade in a redneck town in Mississippi. (Consider how much fun that was.) I'm not saying the experience didn't f*** me up but I managed to survive it. I know that it is tough for kids that come from strict religious backgrounds. I was Baptist. You've got to learn to take what works for you, leave the rest and live your life. Do you really need a religion that calls you an abomination and teaches you to hate yourself?

Best wishes Sharon! May every year be better than the one before. -JS

I find it really irritating that people assume that because you are gay, you'll hop in the sack with anybody or try anything. As lawyers say, this assumes facts not in evidence. Furthermore, people who persist in hitting on me after I've declined don't help their chances.

My cats had "cat buddies" that would come over and hang out. Sometimes they would play tail-tag: one chasing the other until he could slap the other cats tail. Then the other cat would be "it" and the chaser would be the chased. It's really funny to watch. My old cat was none to thrilled when his understudy arrived: a cute little orange tabby kitten named Boo who would follow him around. When I was looking, the old cat would hiss at little Boo and make him back off. When I wasn't looking, the old cat would play with him and lick his face. Sometimes an old cat has to remind everyone that he is still the number 1 cat. Since I had a cat door, it was nothing for my cats and their buddies to show up inside... with gifts of lizards and bluejays. The only thing that might cause a fight was if any of the cats other than #1 were to try to jump in my lap or sleep on my bed. Then he would get nasty.

You weren't catnapping. The cat just decided that you were cooler and he was going to hang with you.

I have to second this Matthew. I'm a few years older than you and lived through the eighties/early ninties. I watched AIDS devastate my generation. While people aren't dropping like flies anymore because of improved treatments, only the very foolish or sex addicts are going to behave in this manner. Another thing that I think will help a lot is to get the fundamentalist nonsense out of your head. You've been fed a line of BS about what gay people are like. YES. There are some pretty F-ed up gay people but str8s aren't all saints either. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with the content of your character. My opinion, for what it is worth, go to the gay social group. Don't screw around or you'll get the reputation of a slut. Do meet some people so you'll have someone to talk to and you won't feel so alone.

My Mom has a rule about political discussions during family get together. She doesn't allow it. She says that under her roof there is no democracy or tyranny, only a benevolent matriarchy that brooks no mischief.

HI-college-guy: I've got a little experience with the other side of suicide: what it does to your friends and family. I won't address the family side, that's even worse, but it never goes away for friends. You wonder why, you blame yourself and you keep playing it back like a horrible DVD that is stuck in your head. You wonder what could have been done differently. Ten years ago April, a dear friend killed himself. I loved him dearly and would have done anything I could have had I just known what was going on. If you are asking me for permission, forget it. No act that creates so much pain can be in any way ethical.

I think you are right Nicky- characters that create a "sympathetic vibration" with the reader always stand out. For instance one of the characters that comes immediatly to mind is Brian from Dewey's Brian and Pete stories. A number of things about him struck a cord with me. There is more to it than that though. No character can create universal resonance with readers.

Chapter 4- Capella Anchorage Posted in the Library

Preps can be cool. All you gotta do is get their clothes off. But... I digress. Some of the gayest people I know are the preppiest clothes horses on the planet.

That's so sweet I'm going into... GAAK ...a diabetic coma.

Hot Cross Country guy very nonchalantly called me his friend last night. I won't give the full details, but he was introducing me to someone and he said, "This is my friend Jim." I just about melted on the spot. He called me his friend! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good for you SB!

I love Taylor! He's the just the kind of sharp-witted smart alec I like! I used to hang with a guy like that who would show up to parties in a jesters hat. Somehow I pictured him as a Seth Green type guy. I guess if you wanted to do a short story based on TOU like a spin off, in the form of a short story or a shorter story than TOU, it just might work. I'm not sure if I would use existing characters. Quinn and Taylor would never work (unless they were drunk and it would be over as soon as they sobered-up and a traumatic hangover for both of them). Brad and Taylor might work but it would be a bi fling for Brad and a heartache for Taylor. Jude and Taylor are cousins and since they aren't from Arkansas, don't go there. One interesting thing that happens when people come out is others are emboldened and new people that were doing their best just to hide and blend into the woodwork may appear. If it were my story, this is the way I would go with it. Please don't hurt Taylor or I'll cry.

Jeez guys! Give Green and Chaz a chance to get to know each other first! They haven't been together as BF's for a whole week yet and you guys already have then Unionized and mixing colors! But seriously folks, there's way better reasons for couples to be together than their friends think they are a good match! They've got to figure that one out for themselves. Green, there is: No Pressure. :wacko: No Reason to Hurry. No Deadlines. Take it easy, take your time and have lots of fun getting to know each other at the next level. All my best wishes, JS

Dude- I've read your work. You are one of the last of the great Romantics. I know because it takes one to know one. It is easy to get jaded by all the wacked s*** that we see but if we didn't believe, at least a little bit, that love can happen, we would go stark, raving nuts. Don't give up. Cupid will catch you when you least expect it. -JS

Yep- I used to call him Bi-Curious George.

Write away and if it's anything like the Secret Life of Billy Chase, I'll love it.

Pop Quiz: What stories did these characters come from? 1. Aiden & Owen 2. Evan Smiley & Aaron castle 3. Jude & Quinn 4. Dave & Tim 5. Joey & Scott 6. Brian & Pete ____________________________________________ Easy isn't it? The answer is at the bottom if you missed any. I'll bet you recognize at least several of them right off the top of your head. What makes a character compelling and unforgettable? How do you get to know them, care about their ups and downs, laugh with them and even cry with them? What is is that makes you remember them years after you've read their story? Let me know. It's an interesting question for a writer. I think that it is a combination of a number of things: empathy for the characters, memories of someone that they might remind you of, relating to their struggles. I would like to know what readers and writers think. The Answers ------------------------------------- 1. Aiden & Owen: The Log Way by Dom Luka 2. Evan Smiley & Aaron castle: the Plan A, B, C and D series by Driver 3. Jude & Quinn: The Ordinary Us by Dom Luka 4. Dave & Tim: The Quarry by Driver 5. Joey & Scott: Falling Off A Log by Driver 6. Brian & Pete: Why Brian & Pete of course by Dewey

I can't say. They were very different stories about the same journey. Both stories had strong and deep themes about friendship, loyalty and the transforming and healing power of love. They were both very well done. I was most impressed with the way Dom handled the emotional content of the stories and difficult issues that the characters were facing. Owen's abuse, Quinn's confusion, Janie's idiotic homophobia and Adam's confusion over what he had been taught, his experience and loyalty to his friends. TLW had very disturbing elements like abuse and alcoholism but it didn't leave us with despair and angst. It showed a bunch of kids, their healing, relationships and growth. TOU had disturbing aspects as well but it too showed the characters change and grow through their difficulties. As far as characters go, Dom paints complex and dynamic personalties with both strengths and weaknesses, faults and virtues. Two of the most interesting personalties of all were Dennis Gordon and the sharp witted Taylor. Dennis Gordon starts out as your typical homophobic high school bully but as we learn more we find him to be a scared, lonely and insecure boy. It is interesting how through the course of TLW, he was transformed from the villian that everyone could hate to the sympathetic victim of a bad situation. Taylor- I know that I've met and loved this guy in another life. If TOU ever goes to the big screen, only Seth Green could do him justice. Just a few thoughts as I bask in the afterglow ot two remarkable stories. Well done Dom. I am proud to join the ranks of the Dom-a-holics. -JS

Just a little bump here- I read The Ordinary Us and just finished The Log Way this morning. Dom, you are something my friend. To be your age and have the kind of power, insight and craft in your writing is simply amazing.