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Author Interview

Few authors have the range and skill required to write in multiple genres. However, there is one such author at GA who has presented work in fan fictions, suspenseful romance and even dark tragedy. That author is of course our very own Davey!

Davey is a shared hosted author here at GA and has penned "Runaways", "Love Never Dies", "The Valentines", and "The Darkest Night". With these great hits on his résumé, not to mention a fascinating and inspiring view on life, Davey is a natural choice for this month's author interview!

GA: Hi Davey, why don't you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

Davey: Ok, Well I'm 25, I live in Scotland with my fiancé Chris, and I've written four stories that the GA public has seen.

GA: Oh, fiancé' that's exciting! when's the big day?

Davey: We haven't set a date yet, but we're thinking maybe spring next year. <big smile>

GA: That's terrific; spring is such a romantic time of year. So, while we’re on the subject, has Chris been the inspiration for any of your stories?

Davey: Well, not to sound pathetic, but both "Valentines" and "Love Never Dies" were written with him in my mind.

GA: Awwww, so what are those two stories about?

Davey: Well "Valentines" is a mushy love story, Its about two guys that are separated on Valentine’s day. One makes a trip to visit the other whilst the other is all sad and mopey.

Davey: Then we see their reaction to seeing each other and some other mushy stuff. I was in a cuddly mood the day I wrote it. <lol>

Davey: "Love Never Dies" follows Drew as he deals with his first Boyfriend leaving. Mix in a nasty cousin along with a nice one and you get lots of fun.

GA: <lol> I can imagine! Do you have any personal experience with being geographically separated from Chris or was the story just how you imagined it would be?

Davey: Early in our relationship we lived a couple hours apart; he was in college and I was in my first main job. Of course we had it easier than Drew and Simon from the story as we could just drive to visit.

GA: That must have made it easier, but I'm sure it was still difficult at times. Did you find that the old aphorism "absence makes the heart grow fonder" proved to be true?

Davey: Totally. At first we spent all our time together then suddenly we were separated and seeing each other maybe once a week; you really appreciate someone more when you have to make every moment you have with them count.

GA: Wow, I bet so. You have another serial, besides "Love Never Dies", on GA don’t you? What's that one about?

Davey: "Runaways", it was the first story I published on the net. It’s an alternate universe 'slash' boyband fiction <blushes>. It features Justin's coming out, the reaction of his peers, then his family. This results in him leaving home and crossing the country to escape them. Once he arrives in his new location, you see him meeting new people and developing new relationships with them.

GA: That sounds like quite an intense story. It's set in the states isn't it? Did you have to do any special "homework" to learn more about the setting or did you already have a pretty good grasp on U.S. culture and geography?

Davey: I used the best tool in the world: the internet. Most of the geographical requirements were found through searching on Google. As for US culture, that’s where you guys come in; everything I've learned about the American people has been through the people I've met at GA.

GA: Awww, well I'm sure that makes all the readers feel special. You have a close friendship with hosted author Viv don't you? Did she give you any advice on the ways of Americans?

Davey: Well, Viv is more like a sister to me. She's also my editor, so you have her to thank for converting my writing to American English. Over the time we've talked I've definitely picked up on how she see' things from your side of the 'pond', so yes she's given me advice both directly and indirectly.

GA: That’s terrific! You met her at GA right?

Davey: Yes, in the chat room actually. We both had siblings that were leaving our areas at that time, so we kind of became substitutes for each other.

GA: Awesome! <smiles> When did you first join GA anyway?

Davey: April 05 I think... I joined for Dom actually.

GA: Oh? Were you one of his original yahoo group members?

Davey: Nah, I only found his work as the yahoo members moved over. So I joined GA right as they all merged into the community. <smile>

GA: Well that was fortunate. So who are some of your favourite authors at GA?

Davey: Well the list grows everyday, Viv, Dom, Dan Kirk, Vance, Com, Rob actually I could go on for ages. I keep reading new stories and adding to my favourites’ list.

GA: I know what you mean. There's certainly a great deal of talent out there. You recently became shared hosted right? Has that had any impact on the way you write?

Davey: The offer of shared hosting came as a total surprise to me. So much so that the second I read Kitty’s PM I called Viv's cell to tell her <Blush>. As for it changing the way I write, no, not at all. I still write for myself, although I have more emails now that have come from GA readers.

GA: I know some authors worry about being influenced by the opinions of their fans, does this worry you at all?

Davey: Yes and no, I've had a couple of people comment on how you can tell I'm not American from the way I word my work. So that’s made me think a little on how to improve it. Ultimately I decided that I'm not American, I dont promote myself as being one, so I write how I write. If they don’t like it then that’s ok.

GA: Excellent point, so do you find that it's the positive or the negative feedback which motivates you to challenge yourself the most as a writer?

Davey: Well it’s funny that you should raise that point, I received an email from a reader recently that basically picked my chapter apart paragraph by paragraph. After reading that my morale got so low that I wrote an email to Joey requesting that he remove my stories. I just couldn’t send it. The reason? I write for me. Plenty of others have enjoyed what I've written so why should I let this one person stop me? So negative feedback has certainly pushed me to write and prove them wrong. Although, lets face it, we all love to be praised. <Grin>

GA: Yes, wow! That's quite a story. I know all your readers must be relieved that you never sent that email! Did you respond to the person at all and explain how you felt?

Davey: Well I wish I had; I got upset and deleted it. They've never sent another, so maybe they decided to just stop reading which, lets face it, was their best course of action. If you don’t like a story why read it?

GA: That’s very true. Have you ever felt compelled to give someone some really negative feedback? Under what circumstances do you think it's okay to do that?

Davey: Personally no, but if your feedback has a positive nature then go for it. If you're only writing to tell them they suck don't. Nobody needs that. If you feel you have advice that can help them improve then go for it.

GA: That's a good way to think about it. So what piece of positive feedback do you feel has meant the most to you?

Davey: I actually got an email from someone the other day saying how they missed the character' in Runaway'. Then they pleaded that I update it. That made me smile big time.

GA: Since "Runaways" and "Love Never Dies" are both serials how do you decide which one you want to update next? Do you try to take them in turn or just work on whichever inspires you the most at the time?

Davey: I wish I could write them in turn because I'd feel it would be fairer to the reader. Sadly it doesn’t work like that; I have to write whichever I feel at the time.

GA: Well, I'm sure most of the readers understand that. When you start a story do you have the ending in mind already?

Davey: Yes, although that doesn’t last very long as I tend to drift off in various directions with it that make it difficult to get back to where I wanted to finish.

GA: I bet quite a few authors can identify with that. So do you have a certain amount of chapters in mind for each story?

Davey: Well not really, I have a very rough target length but that changes with each chapter.

GA: Besides The Valentines you did an anthology entry, "The Darkest Night", right? So that means you've done two short stories and two serials, which do you find more satisfying to write?

Davey: Yes, that’s my most recent one, I actually have a load more short stories written that will never be published, I prefer to write them because I like to see the conclusion. I'm impatient and get antsy when I have to wait to conclude them. That’s the biggest problem I’ve had with serial stories, I've really struggled to wait. I originally wanted to write "Love Never Dies" in full then post it... That never happened as you know, I just couldn’t wait!

GA: <lol> Now you know how the readers feel!

Davey: Oh I know all about that; I was a reader first remember <lol>

GA: Well I certainly thank you very much for taking the time to be interviewed. Is there anything you'd like to say to the GA community before we conclude?

Davey: Well simply “thank you!”. Thanks for the support you all provide to the writers that lurk here, but on a personal note thank you for advising me time and time again. GA truly is a community; this site continues to amaze me!

interviewed by AFriendlyFace (Kevin)

The GA Gossip Column

A gossip columnist never gets a day off. His eyes and ears must always remain open to catch any snippets of information that may be of interest to the general public.

With that said, here I am in my Jack O’Lantern costume walking up the steps to the biggest Halloween bash of the year. My sources tell me several authors are on the guest list and I have my recorder running, hidden deep inside my costume, ready to catch any news.

As I walk in the door I see ghouls, goblins, storybook characters and people in costumes of all types. I wander slowly through the crowd, my ears and my recorder on full alert.

As usual, I don’t have to wait to long before bits of information start making their way to me. First I come across a Warlock, whom I recognize beneath the disguise as none other than KenderCleric.

I overhear him talking to a ladybug, having this to say about the story he is currently working on: “I'm hoping to have at least the first 3 chapters ready sometime around mid-December. While it started out as something of a comical Harry Potter fanfic, my usual over-kill imagination soon put an end to that. Now, after about 6-7 restarts on the whole thing I think I've finally got it under control.

"So while I won't say exactly what it's about, I will say that the story is something of a cross between a Mystery thriller and an explosion-packed action tale. I hope that fans of Dan Kirk's and Dio's works will enjoy the story since those two have set the Sci-Fi bar so high for GA.”

The conversation changes to pesticides, a large concern for the ladybug, and I continue on through the room. Seeing someone with a bundle of arrows on their back and a bow in their hand, I head in that direction and am not surprised to see that it’s TheZot who is carrying the arrows. Again I am lucky enough to catch him in conversation as he tells his listeners of what he is working on.

“Depending on timing, I've got a short story in Kitty's hands for editing right now. I'd give you a title but I don't yet have one for it, and given how it's going I'd bet that choosing the title will do more to hold up its release than anything else.

"I've also got a sequel short story to Firegrass in the works, titled "Dirty Basement". Ben and William are back in town, and finding out exactly how much fun home ownership can be. On the upside, if the monsters are in the basement at least you don't have to go far to find 'em.”

I come across a large squirrel next. I'm just about to pass it by when I recognize the voice and hear some mention of stories and realize this had to be Krista. She is explaining that she’s mostly working on “Are You Christian”, “Undeserved”, and “He Got To Me”. She also says that we may be seeing some new stories from her in the coming months entitled, “Circles” and “Something Unexpected 2”.

Satisfied my evening has been successful so far, I decide to head over to the refreshments table as I fear my recorder may only get the sounds of my stomach growling over any juicy tidbits. I get about halfway to table when I come across a Vampire that can be none other than Comicality. I stop trying to look casual and hope my stomach stays quiet as I hear him give a run down of his current projects:

“As far as the stuff I'm working on right now there are a few new series starting, and a few favorites. One of the new ones, "Scandalous", is an incredibly dark story about manipulation and betrayal. Almost on a 'Fatal Attraction' level. So I'm excited to be putting a different twist on things this time around. Also, I'm working on completing a story called "No Longer Secret" that was originally started for the GA Summer Anthology, but was never finished in time.

"I'm also updating some stories that have gone way too long without an update. So I'll be working hard on "Save Or Sacrifice", "My One True Weakness", "Left Without Words" and "Pretty Poison" all at once. As well as "Untouchable", which will be posted first. AND...there's another top secret project that I'm working on at the moment that can't tell ya about!”

At the food table as I’m filling my plate high with chips, dip, cold cuts and cheese, I’m lucky enough to see Formosa stepping up to the other side of the table, dressed as a sea captain and giving a friend of his a run down of his own projects.

""Loving You, Loving Me" has just reached a critical point, where the reader who's been following it is rewarded with the warm and long-anticipated getting together of Dave and Leo. Like many of the metaphors and surrounding scenery suggest, it's been a slow, subtle journey for the both of them.

"After the shy discoveries and developments that brought them together, there are still many hurdles that they must overcome before the story lives up to its name (and expectations!). Dave's personal problems, their first really 'intimate' (s)experience, coming out to family and friends, reactions at school...I'd say there are still a dozen or so chapters to go before I can wrap it up. Though since the story is somewhat autobiographical, it's hard to say when it should end.

"As for other projects, it's been pretty hectic lately with the start of a new study for me, so for the time being I just want to finish the story. Though recently I received a proposal, which really appeals to me. It's a story loosely based on the movie "Together": about this talented Chinese boy, whose violin skills earn him an opportunity to go to the US to study. He doesn't speak a word of English, and has it rough adapting at first...until he meets someone who makes him feel at home, and loved.”

The party was coming to an end and I was just getting my coat when I happened to overhear RHawes16 talking about his current projects.

"I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth into "Prey", my new feature-length story. I've wanted to write a really dark, twisted horror story for a while now and "Prey" is it. It's set in a lawless world over a decade after humanity has been all but wiped out by plague, where people are fighting amongst themselves for the resources they need to survive, but they're so busy focusing on each other they don't see the real evil coming until it's too late.

"I'm also working on a story called "Guardian", a slow and fairly dark tale about a boy who, at the age of seven, disappears from his back garden, only to be found again ten years later, but he's far from the same sweet child he was when he disappeared."

So there you have it, the latest scoop of what to expect from the talented group of authors at GA! Don’t forget to look for next month’s issue for more exciting information!

Vance Lista

The GAzette Exclusive Sneak Peek

Every month the GAzette staff will be looking to a popular GA author to provide us with an exclusive Sneak Peek from a forthcoming chapter or story, an extract that you will not find anywhere else on the net.  This month's Sneak Peek comes from veteran GA writer Comicality, a little taster from his new story Scandalous...

The car doors sprung open in front of us and two other boys our age stepped out. Angrily. Swiftly walking over to both sides of my car! They YANKED both of the doors open and the rain came rushing into the car with a cold wind.

"Get out of the car!" One of the boys shouted.

"What the f**k are you doing???" I yelled, but I suddenly felt a hand PAINFULLY grab me by the hair and literally PULL me out of my seat! The surge of pain in my scalp guided me out into the rain, and the car rolled forward a bit until Chad jerked it into park.

"I SAID GET OUT OF THE F**KING CAR!!!!!!!!" He screamed and threw me to the ground!

"Get out of here, kid! This doesn't have anything to do with you!" The other kid told Chad, but he was too scared to move. He stood like a deer in headlights, just as confused about this sudden turn of events as I was. "GET OUT OF HERE! Go! Run! Now!" Chad came to his senses, turned tail, and rain off into the dark, the rain and lightning splashing down on him the whole way. I watched him take off, and cursed myself for missing a golden opportunity for a prime piece of man meat like that one. Sighhh...waste of my f**king time. He'll NEVER come home with me again. They ruined everything.

"You may not realize this...but you just messed up a really good night for me tonight." I said, but my 'friends' here didn't want to hear it.

"SHUT THE F**K UP!!!" He shouted, and I felt a punch suddenly SLAM hard into my face and knock me down to the wet street surface! Then a kick hit me square in the stomach, and another, and another...as he stomped down on my leg.

"I take it....I did something to 'deserve' this?" I said, coughing and spitting blood out of my mouth. It was then that I looked up at the face of the boy kicking me. It was...it was...."Johnny?" I had never seen Johnny so...'angry'. Never. In fact, he was one of the sweetest boys walking the face of the earth. He was just a few vows away from being a freaking priest! To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't think the kid had a violent bone in his body. "Johnny....what is this about?" He looked up, and the other boy approached me from the other side of the car.

He was silhouetted behind the headlights of the car at first, but as I shielded my eyes from the falling rain, I saw the boy reach into the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt and pull out a GUN! He cocked the hammer back and took the safety off, pointing it at my face! This was certainly NOT the way I had planned for this evening to go.

He swiftly stepped closer, removing his hood, and I recognized him instantly. And suddenly...things became a little bit more clear. "Drew? Shit...ok...I think I get it. I get it now. Ok, look...I....I realize that you guys might be a little bit perturbed..."

"A little bit perturbed? A little bit PERTURBED??? Oh no...I'm way beyond that, Dylan. WAY beyond." He nodded his head, giving Johnny the signal that he should probably step further over to the side. I assume to avoid the spray of my brains as he was aiming that metal right between my eyes from only a few feet away. "You have NO idea...what you did to me. What you did to ALL of us!"

"Hey...Drew....c'mon man. You know what they say. 'Love and war', right? I mean, let's be honest. If you and Jody were so in love, you'd be together right now, right...?" But before I could finish, Drew had marched over to me at top speed and smashed the gun handle across the bridge of my nose! God DAMN! That shit hurts like you wouldn't BELIEVE!!!

"SHUT UP!!!! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!!!!" He screamed at he top of his lungs! He was grinding his teeth so hard that I thought they would crack, and I could see tears streaming down his face...even in the rain. I felt Johnny kick me hard in the back, and I could tell that they were a bit beyond talking right now! Drew was SO furious, SO uncontrollably ENRAGED, that he was literally CRYING buckets at this point! "YOU DON'T GET TO SPEAK HIS F**FING NAME!!! Do you HEAR ME?!?!?! NOT NOW, NOT EVER AGAIN!!!" He said, and got down on one knee to press the barrel of the gun HARD against my cheek, the pain of the first strike still burning my face. "You worthless, heartless, pathetic piece of SHIT!!! Jody was *EVERYTHING* to me!!! He was my whole f**king WORLD!!!! He was the ONLY thing in my whole F**KED UP LIFE that made me happy!!! Out of ALL the bullshit I've been through, ALL the hard times I faced growing up, Jody was able to make me feel like somebody special!!! He was the ONLY reason I had to f**king live at ALL!!!" He shouted, and then he stood up, taking the gun away from my bruised cheek.

He looked down at me with complete disgust, until he couldn't control himself anymore. He kicked me a few more times in the stomach, his rage evident and growing with every attack! "But you already KNEW that, didn't you? You sat there like some kind of FRIEND...talking to ME...talking to JOHNNY...playing this little f**king GAME with the both of us, like you just wanted us to be happy! And ALL the while you were stabbing us in the f**king back the WHOLE F**KING TIME!!! You betrayed us BOTH just so you could have Jody all to YOURSELF!!!! DIDN'T YOU?!?!?!" He kicked me again, this time so hard that it almost made me sick. "He didn't even LIKE YOU like that, you son of a BITCH!!! But you wanted him, and you were willing to F**K us BOTH over just so you could steal him away from us! Because if YOU couldn't have him, then WE couldn't have him either! Isn't that right???" I couldn't speak. The pain my body was going through was aching all over, the shock of it trying its best to numb me from the misery. Without much success, I might add. "ISN'T THAT RIGHT?!?!?! ANSWER ME!!!!" He kicked me again, and I rolled over onto my back, letting the rain fall down on my face. I had the wind knocked out of me, and began to cough violently. But Drew was too angry to let my pain keep him from his answer.

He stepped down on my arm and pointed he loaded gun at my face again. "YOU'RE GONNA F**KING ANSWER ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!" He pressed the gun against the giant purple bruise now forming on my nose, and I screamed out loud in agony! "You lied with every f**king breath you could muster...just so you could STEAL my boyfriend away from me!!! Well LIE TO ME NOW!!! Tell me you didn't do it! Tell me you never had the intention of breaking us up from the very f**king BEGINNING!!! Go ahead! LIE TO ME!!! You can do that....can't ya, Dylan? You're GOOD at it, remember???" I couldn't answer...and felt a slight bit better when he took his foot off of my arm and took a step or two back. "Pick him up." He told Johnny, and I felt myself being yanked up to my knees...shivering from the cold, from the pain, from the helplessness of knowing that....he was right.

"You deserve this, you know?" Johnny said, almost as if it hurt him to even be a part of this. "You deserve every painful minute of it." Johnny walked over to stand next to Drew as he aimed the gun at my forehead.

© 2006 Comicality