Thanks Louise, I’m really glad you enjoyed it! I’m kinda bummed out now that it’s done.

I really put a lot of myself into the character of “Matt” and that compelled me to do the author’s response when I was finished. I’ll put it in the Author’s Notes section of my website after I’ve added a few more thoughts.

I know what you mean about reviews, it’s hard to squeeze them in and get them right when you’re in creative mode. As a relatively new writer I force myself to do them as I learn so much by looking at someone else’s work with a critical eye.

I have two stories that are screaming at me saying “Review Me Now!” AfterMath and Kid’s Stuff. I plan on getting to those this weekend!

Denise you’re right, we do write what we know and I think we’ve all been out on that limb that’s called out there! I’ve had more than one person look at me funny when I tell them want I’ve been doing since March. On the flip side of that coin just as many, if not more think it’s cool.

I’m in the same boat with stories, I still have to break up Soul Mates (and add a new story in the middle), write two more back stories, four follow on stories (including the challenges) and a new Ed & Jennifer story based on Matters. No “Matt” in this one (unless it’s a cameo)  thought of that one this morning. Jennifer is a red head with green eyes, has more fire and sass than Ginny, and is trouble with a capital T! Look out Ed!

I figure that I have enough stuff on my writer’s to do list to keep me busy for quite a while! I need more hours in the day and less of this work thing! >

Way to go, Louise! 

See?  You just had to relax and leave be for a bit.  Let your mind recharge.  And you're ready to go again.  You're awesome! 

In answer to your question, I wrote Kid Stuff while visiting my grandkids in Iowa City.  And here's the odd thing: it was a great visit!  So I wasn't writing out of boredom, and I didn't even stay up late to write.  Most of it was written while my hubby drove two hours through the rainstorm to get us there and the lighter rain when we came home the next day.  I finished the story Sunday night at home or Monday morning (can't remember which now!)  Anyway, it was a story that needed no revising.  It just happened.  Sometimes I surprise myself with the things that come out of me. 

See, I'm very good at suppressing emotion.  (Don't ask why.  You really don't want me to tell you the reason.)  And I guess I'd been worrying deep inside over some of the troubles my family had been dealing with, even though I didn't talk about it or acknowledge it at a conscious level.  But once I was away from home, I guess my mind said, 'Time to talk!' and it all poured out into a story.  And the odd thing is that I only realize this in retrospect.  I didn't see it at all at the time.
 
But my family did.  When I read the story to a member of my family on Monday afternoon, I was told how much they loved it.  And on Tuesday, I was told that it had inspired them to take a stand against what was going on in their lives. 

I had no idea when I wrote it that it would have such an impact.  I was just following the story to its natural conclusion.  (Straker always takes me where I never expect to go!)  But I'm so glad I wrote it!  And to know that it affected one of its readers to the point where they stood up for themselves is the highest praise I think any writer could receive! 

Louise, I know how you feel about the differences between your drawing and your writing.  I have that difference between my poetry and my stories.  I love to write!  But the stories that I write -- although fun and crazy and deep sometimes -- are my fluff.  I can share that part of myself with the world.  No problem!  My poetry, on the other hand, is the writing I protect with my life!  I doubt if I'll ever publish it, and not because I think it's rubbish.  I know it isn't.  I'm not a lover of words for nothing!  But I won't share it.  It tells too much about me, and I don't want others to see me that clearly.   

I'm a little hopeful that after years of writing stories, I'll eventually feel brave enough to give the public some of my poems.  I've done it already in a few choice places online.  But for the most part, I doubt that they'll ever all see the light of day.  My daughter insists that she'll publish them all after I die (sort of like Emily Dickinson!), and that doesn't bother me.  'Cause I won't be around to see how they're received. 

So there you have it!  Now you know the behind-the-scenes of Kid Stuff.  As well as other extraneous stuff too!    Satisfied?

Best advice i have been given recently.. generally with regard to families!

1.Don't expect anything from anyone... (in the nicest possible way) then you won't be hurt if no one responds

2. Don't demand anything from anyone .. then they can't demand from you.

So I no longer expect my family to look at, acknowledge, or read any of my stuff. And I am happier!  

and it means that i am no longer bound by the constraints of 'what would they think if they saw/read/ this! So ...Pic of Ed.. au naturel.. (probably spelt that wrong! . roll on!  well, when I can get the privacy to do it! 

And I agree with you Matt, I, too, have met some great friends recently!   

The most fun I've ever had in my life (other than anything that deals with kids or grandkids!) has been when I've been a part of a writers' group.  Writers are some of the coolest people!  And some of the most real peeps you'll ever find.  And every one of my best friends have been writers.  (Including a certain Brit with a lovely smile!)   

So, Matt?  I have to agree.  It doesn't get better than this! 

It's always Ed's fault! He never seems to cooperate does he?

I guess that's why he's The Man!

I like the ending you chose much better! "You've got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything!"

Lucky you, having family who read your stories!...

  I wonder how much of me is in my stories?  And what would my family think if they read them!!

Oh yes.. Denise..you know the really, really really nasty story I had started ages ago... well, i'm cannibalising it for Dark Matter. Very much toned down though.
I hate to waste stuff I've written and not used!

And I started writing Dark M tonight! At last!
I need to write something serious and heavy and cathartic.

 

Dragon... NO ONE with a sense of humour like yours could ever be considered boring!