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The Members' Page On this page you will find articles specifically tailored for GA members, including an interview with a prominent member and information about the site and forums you might find useful. Page 5 |
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Gay Authors currently has more than 2,700 registered members, so when the idea to interview a member for The GAzette was first voiced the question of who to interview first should have been a difficult one. Right? Wrong. In fact, there really was only one option, one member who stands out from all others.
He joined the site in July 2005 and since then he has brought countless smiles to the members of Gay Authors. He's an eternal optimist who always has a kind word to say to anyone who's feeling down. He started off as a member, but has since volunteered to assist with the management of the site behind the scenes. He's now a member of the Recruitment Team, the Writer Support Team and the Forum Moderation Team, the only person to be an official member of three of the five key teams!
He's a member of the Millennium Club (one of only nine members who have made more than 1,000 in the forums) and shows no sign of slowing down. His blog is among the most popular at GA, the third most popular in terms of replies. He is, of course, our very own Kevin (AFriendlyFace). Lurker caught up with him recently...
GA: So, thanks for agreeing to
let us profile you. Please tell our readers who you are. Kevin: Well, I usually just go by
Kevin or AFriendlyFace. I found this site over a year ago and I've been
hooked ever since! GA: Did anyone pay you to say
that? Kevin: Hahaha, nope! I just
really love the site though. I've met some REALLY awesome people through
it and thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories! GA: How did you find the site in
the first place? Kevin: Well, I found Dom Luka's The
Ordinary Us on Nifty and after I read all the chapter that were up I saw
the link to GA. So I came here and read the rest that were up (but it
still wasn't complete at that time). Then I read all of The Log Way
<lol> and having a big mouth, I just had to comment on it once I was
done. So I joined the forum and started running my mouth and I haven't
stopped yet. GA: Does that mean that Dom Luka
is your favorite author? Kevin: Hmm. Possibly.
I would have said yes without any hesitation six months ago, but lately I've
been reading so much stuff by other really talented authors that I really
can't pick a favourite. GA: How diplomatic. So
which authors are on your 'must read' list? Kevin: In alphabetical order: Dom
Luka, LittleBuddhaTW, NickolasJames8, RHawes16, Viv and Vlista. I just
know I'm forgetting some though and also I've read a few things by some others
that I really enjoyed and looked forward to reading more by. Those are
just the ones whose complete work I've read and thoroughly enjoyed. GA: By the way...favourite?
You're not from around these parts, are you? Kevin: LOL! Actually, I am!
The 'ou' spelling is just a quirky little eccentricity I picked up. When
I was younger I used to read a good bit of British Lit. (especially P.G.
Wodehouse), and some things just sort of sunk in I guess and honestly I just
prefer the way it makes the words look. Besides I don't want to seem too
'normal.' GA: Hehehe. What's your
biggest eccentricity? Kevin: Hmm...my biggest
eccentricity...<lol>. That's a tough one. I guess one would
be that I enjoy over-analyzing words and phrases. I also really enjoy
seeing the absurdity in every day life and I do have a tendency to try to find
something positive or amusing even in bad situations. Last night, when I
was feeling AWFUL and weak with a migraine, I realized that I'd just finished
shaving and that in that regard I was like Samson. Of course, the
laughing actually hurt a bit, but it cheered me up. GA: You do know what ultimately
happened to Samson, right? Kevin: ....yes, well, I didn't
take the comparison too far! GA: That's a good thing!
Are you always this friendly, nice and positive? Kevin: Hahaha. Well, I try
to be and if I'm feeling grumpy I tend to just not be around people, unless
they don't mind me whining. As someone who majored in psychology
I've analyzed it A LOT and I think it mostly comes down to having to make sure
everyone is having fun and is at ease. If not, I feel responsible for
making it better. <LOL> I've got several people I whine to though! GA: Speaking of whining...you do
have a blog right? What made you decide to start a blog at GA? Kevin: Yep, I love blogging.
I think I enjoy it for several reasons. First of all, I tend to be
analytical with regards to my own thoughts and feelings, so it's perfect for
that. Also, I really enjoy the writing process in general, so even
if I haven't managed to focus enough to write an actual story the blog's a
start. Last, it definitely is great for 'whining' purposes, but mostly
because people's comments have really helped me get a new perspective on
things, as well as just good old-fashioned practical advice. I'm a firm
believer in asking for help if you need it, so I like to ask sometimes. GA: What's the best piece of
advice you've ever gotten? Kevin: Hmm, well, I'd say the
thing that stands out to me the most in terms of pure wisdom is when I was a
kid and my grandmother used to always tell me, "Everybody's different,
that's what makes the world so much fun." Of course, that wasn't in
a blog, but it could have been! GA: Yep, it definitely could.
What else makes the world fun for you? Kevin: Lately? New things.
I've been on quite a kick about trying new things, going new places etc.
I also really love meeting new people and just sitting around talking to
people. Oh yeah, and chocolate and shopping are fun too. GA: So shopping for chocolate in
a new place with a new friend is the ideal? Kevin: Pure bliss! GA: Your favorite kind of
chocolate? Kevin: Fudge. I also tend
to like brownies and cakes and things. I seldom ever just eat like a bar
of chocolate and if I do, it's probably going to be dark chocolate, not milk. GA: Place you'd most like to
travel to? Kevin: Definitely the British
Isles, and if I could, Western/Southern Europe, in general. GA: British isles? Is that
why your avatar is a pirate? Kevin: Haha! Ben was kind
enough to make it for me. As an interesting aside, about a month ago I
had a hair dying "accident" and given my blue eyes and pale skin, I
realized if I put on the get-up, I could pass for my avatar. GA: So you have no nose? Kevin: Haha, umm, it fell off
from all the dye. GA: That's some accident. Kevin: Quite a relief actually -
that stuff smells terrible! GA: You always do find the bright
side of things. Kevin: <smile> GA: Which pirate are you most
like: Dred Pirate Roberts, Captain Jack Sparrow or Captain Crunch? Kevin: Hmm, I'd say Captain Jack.
He's delightfully strange, but everything seems to just sort of work out for
him. I often feel like I'm just strolling through life falling into good
luck...and of course I'm rather strange too. GA: What's your favorite part of
GA? Kevin: I guess the forums in
general, but it's a close tie with the blogs. It's just really fun to
get people's insight into things. Of course, I love the stories!
In general, it seems like I learn something new about the place all the time.
<LOL> Just yesterday, Vance showed me the calendar - I never knew that
existed. I was super-excited. GA: Calendars are exciting. Kevin: Yep, it's like life on a
piece of paper. Where else are you going to get to see everything all
mapped out? GA: On a map? Kevin: Ohhhh...well maps are just
impossible to fold! Calendars are way cooler. GA: To go in a different
direction...if you could give a message to yourself - 5 years into the past -
what would you tell yourself? Kevin: Hmm, I'd tell myself to
relax more. I'd also mention a few lottery numbers. GA: And if you could ask yourself
- 10 or 20 years in the future - something, what would it be? Kevin: I'd definitely like to
just KNOW who I was going to end up with and what I'd be doing career-wise.
I suppose half the fun is in the surprise, but sometimes it's nice to expect
the surprise. GA: If you knew those answers, do
you think it would make it more likely that it would happen that way or less
likely? Kevin: Well, I definitely believe
in the whole "butterfly effect". So changing anything would
probably be risky and that would certainly include knowing your future.
So, I guess in the end, I'd opt not to know. GA: Fair enough. I didn't
mean to trap you in a time travel paradox. Kevin: Hahaha! That's okay,
it's one of my favourite things to contemplate. GA: What's your favorite time
travel paradox story, movie, or television episode? Kevin: Hmm, well, I really
enjoyed Do Over by Dan Kirk. As far as television goes, there's
this British sci-fi comedy from the 1990s called Red Dwarf. They
dealt with the phenomenon many times over the course of the series and it was
always fun to watch how it played out. GA: Was it grade B? All
shaky cameras? Kevin: <LOL> No, I think it
was fairly successful actually. In fact, a few months ago it actually
came up in Dom's forum when one of the character's ate HOT gazpacho soup.
The fact that gazpacho soup is typically served cold was central to one of the
episodes and a few other readers and I remarked on the connection. GA: What does that say about Dom
Luka's forums and our readers? Kevin: Well, I could go with
'we're all sci-fi nuts,' but I'm thinking I'll go with 'we're well-rounded
individuals who have an eclectic taste in the arts.' GA: I was thinking maybe you all
need to get out more... Kevin: <LOL> A one-eyed
pirate without a nose? Who can't fold a map! I wouldn't get far. GA: Is that what your personal ad
would say? Kevin: NOOOO. It would say:
well-rounded individual with an eclectic taste in the arts... GA: Pirates who can't fold maps
might be more in demand. Kevin: <lol> Well, then
I'll be: well-rounded pirate, eclectic taste in the arts, slight map-folding
deficiency. GA: That's a winner. Ok, so
this is your big chance to get a message out to our entire community.
What do you want to tell everyone? Kevin: I want them to know that
regardless of the situations in their lives, there's always hope for things to
get better and there will always be people out there who will love and accept
them just the way they are. And that includes EVERYONE! GA: That's a good one. Kevin: Thanks <lol> It was
between that and the directions to the nearest calendar shop. GA: Not the chocolate shop? Kevin: Naw....I couldn't unfold
the map for that one. GA: Hehehe. Even a one-eyed
pirate could see that coming a mile away Kevin: Hehehe. I guess! GA: Thanks for humoring us. Kevin: My pleasure! I had a
great time. GA: Of course you did. Oh right, me too....
Since this interview, Kevin has tried his hand at writing. The first chapter of his story, "Indefensible", is now available in eFiction. To read this story, please click here.
Lurker |
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The issues faced by teens in modern society are complex and sometimes traumatic. If you add sexuality into the mix then the problems can sometimes seem insurmountable. Gay Authors has always tried to support teens who come here, whether they're questioning their sexuality, thinking of coming out or facing other issues.
There is an entire section of the site devoted to resources for teens, but sometimes reading articles just doesn't compare to speaking to real people and hearing how they dealt with similar issues/situations. That's why Gay Authors is proud to host a forum devoted solely to helping teens with the issues they face.
The Gay Authors Teen Spot has already helped many members deal with a range of problems and difficulties. One such member, who now leads the forum, is Kurt. Here's what he had to say about the Teen Spot:
"Gay Authors is a wonderful place that has helped me out in many ways. One place at Gay Authors that has given me so much assistance is the Teen Spot forum.
"At the Teen Spot, I had a safe place where I was able to ask other teens or adults questions about things that I did not know where else to get the answers from. The Teen Spot helped me come up with the courage to go to my first GSA meeting and it has helped me adjust to changes that I have gone through in my coming out process. I was able to hear the experiences other teens had at GSA meetings and other people's coming out stories.
Though Gay Authors does not claim that any of its members can provide professional help or advice, sometimes just hearing from someone who has been through, or is going through, something similar can help. If you're a teen and you have an issue you want help with, why not visit the forum and make a post? If you're an adult member then sharing your experiences can really help teens deal with the issues they're facing.
Pop along today - you'll never know if a post in the Teen Spot can help until you try.
Kurt & RHawes16 |
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| Volume Two, Edition One |
October 2006 |
