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This is a discussion topic for anyone who wants to converse, leave honest feedback, or just wonder and take part in the world of Oregon in the Fall—a story first and exclusively posted to GA starting in December 2023. Hey everyone :3 This story has been marinating in my head, with sprinkles here and there in various forms of text documents, revisions, and dreams. It was a mess. It took over a decade to finally push myself to assemble it together, rewrite some parts (over and over again) that I was sure never worked, and edit furiously. It is the first writing I've ever shown anyone. I know the theory, but just had to put it out there. Having said that, while many things are set it stone, I just submitted a chapter to moderation that was probably 50% new stuff. Your feedback has been so kind and generous, with every single word an absolute encouragement. I am humbled. And I thank you with all my heart. Not only is this a community of like-minded beings, kind and queer, understanding and open, you all—and no one else—are helping me hone my craft. Deep and honest feedback, as well as light-hearted banter and theories about the world I am putting out there, are the most fun I've had in a very long time. This is about Grey and Dave, and all their family and friends past, present, and future. It is about those that we care about the most, the families we make for ourselves. A fantastic tale about nature and magic. I am really bad at accepting a compliment bordering on self-deprecation, I now sit here, a tiny bit shaky, and saying thank you again. Excuse me while I go hyperventilate in the kitchen.

You Complete Me by Salander. You can't write a review before a story is completed, so this is not a review, it's an appraisal and incitement to read. This story is refreshingly young and very well observed. The protagonists are young adults, or late teens, struggling with all the problems of relationships, families, and sex, that hit them. The refreshing part of this story is that it is set today and written by an author who writes about his time, now. There are lots of good authors, but not too many who write a story they are intimate with and which is set now. Older authors have text messages and mobile phones, but they don't have TicTok and Insta and they aren't today's stories. This author writes brilliantly observed characters and their inter-relationships. It is simply a great story set now, by an author who has the experience of today and the ability to write it. Very real and quite unique!

So, I'm new to GA and well into posting my first story. I get plenty of comments, all of them positive so far. And I get a lot of "reactions" - again, mostly "like" and "love," some "wow." I guess I have two questions, and I suppose neither of them can be answered. 1) Is there any definition of what these reactions actually mean? I am guessing it's entirely subjective and there's no way to tell what the person meant by clicking on the icon. 2) I have gotten a few "angry" - but only the reaction, with no comment explaining why they're angry. Is this just a way of dissing other writers? What would happen if I contacted the angry reactors and asked what's up or what I wrote to make them angry? I don't want to open up a hornet's nest, but if I'm pissing people off but don't know how or why, I don't think it's much help for them to just click on "angry." I ask the more experienced authors here what they do, and what advice they would give me.

Hi, I have just started posting my first story on this site and am looking for people to comment and give suggestions on what they want to see. I have always enjoyed telling stories to my friends and family, but have only recently decided to start putting my work out here for people to see. Please read my story by following the link below and I look forward to hearing from everyone. :-) Story: https://www.gayauthors.org/story/cazpedroso/chapmistresview-andrewandjamie