Well, I just posted a little preview of my upcoming story "the siege of Fiddler's Vale" - just to whet everybody's appetite ...

If you're on my mailing list, you may already have this information. If not ...

I’m trying something different. Readers of my shorter stories on BCTS have asked for Kindle versions, so I’ve combined two stories in two books. And each is a reduced price! I can't guarantee that Amazon will allow me to keep the original posts here; they may vanish. In any event, those originals were edited, revised, nipped and tucked for these books.

The stories in each book have similar themes:

indeed, Gothic Gaby can now be read here for free!

New Book on Amazon.

Don't forget, if you buy through this site, they get some remuneration.

Fickle Fortune - Some old characters and a couple of new ones........

Fickle Fortune

Tanya

Interesting exhibit of that title on spirituality, body image, and multiple/non-binary gender, at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco through Jul 29. Might offer some inspiration.

you may or may not remember that a few years ago there was a documentary called "super size me" in which a man decided to eat nothing but Big Mac hamburgers for a year. In the documentary, the man's doctor begs him to stop half-way through the year because of the damage he was doing to his organs.

Well, I am in basically the same situation as that guy.

I have been told in no uncertain terms I have to change my eating habits and my lifestyle, or I wont have either style or life, or at the least I'll be unable to enjoy what life I have.

yup, hands up, I admit it! So look, I forgot the photo montage, it wasn't intentional honest.

A reminder to use the Amazon links from this site if you are going to purchase something so BC gets a commission.

I have released the ebook and paperback of Who I Am on Amazon

I want to thank everyone who has read and/or commented on it, that has meant a lot to me.

I have had the idea for the story since 2001 and wanted to do more with it after I wrote it in script form but didn’t know how to make it work until two years ago.

Reposting this. -- Erin

That's right! I'm jumping the gun just a bit, and it's time to announce...

BCTS July 2018 Story Contest: Staycation

The saying seems tto originate from the North of England and 'queer' really means 'strange' not gay or anything to do with LGBT.

So... there I was riding my Motorcycle over the 'bridge to nowhere' aka the Humber Bridge in Eastern England at around 11:30 this morning and out of the corner of my eye I saw someone Water Skiing up the Humber and under the bridge. A 'wtf' moment if ever I saw one.
Then the skiier fell off and into the muddy brown water.
Quite why someone would choose to ski up the river when the sea which was flat calm today is less than 15 miles away.

Maybe someone needs a giggle....

A guy walks into a bar and asks the bartender, "Do you serve ducks here?"

"Yes, we do. We have several ducks who are good customers," says the bartender.

The guy reaches across the bar, grabs the bartender by his string tie and slaps him several times before running out of the bar screaming.

The bartender recovers his composure and wonders, "What was that about?"

A while later another guy comes in and asks the bartender the same question. "Do you serve ducks here?"

When I was little, I had this rather bad habit of trying to lecture bullies on why it was bad to bully. Of course, that usually resulted in me getting pounded, me running for my life, or my brother trying his best to protect me.

All these years later, I still jump in when I see people getting hurt, even though there is nothing I can do except lecture people from behind my computer, and it has cost me more than I would like.

But I dont know how not to fight for what I think is right.

In Pathfinder terms, I guess I'm a Paladin, whether I want to be or not ...

Just wanted to share something funny that happened to me early this morning, now I will admit at the time I was not amused in the least, but afterwards... It’s pretty funny.

My exciting adventure that happened this morning... At 3 flipping AM... Taz, the cat, decided that he desperately wanted to get up on the counter in the bathroom... We leave the toilet lid up and the seat down...

To me, there are three critical parts to a book. The first half of the first chapter; major characters are introduced, tone and theme are set. If you don't have them hooked halfway through chapter 1, you're screwed and they may not continue. The final chapter, all questions should be answered and give closure unless continuation via sequels. Third; the backstory. No matter where you put it in the book, you eventually should explain why things are the way they are. If it's a series, you can stretch that, just as long as you don't contradict previous information.

Footsteps in the Sea Volume 5 is now available on Amazon Kindle via the links in the right hand column and I'm definately havind a Seniors Day.

So firstly, sorry for failing to post today, other stuff got in the way. What? Well a trip out to a Steam Fair - a lot of traction engines, fairground steamers, vintage trucks, cars and tractors all come together at Helmsley in North Yorkshire.

So it was photography rather than interweb out in the glorious weather we are still 'enjoying' in these parts.

Sorry ladies and gentlemen but there will be no posting for Flight of the Claymore this. Unfortunately Mother Nature decided to destroy my PC by means of lightning strike this week. While I do have access to the Internet for blog posts thanks to the old smart phone I am unable to post large files such as a story chapter. My Insurance Agent as assured me that I will have a new PC by this time next week. Thankfully I have all my chapters on removable flash drives so there should be no delay in finishing the story.

If you are contemplating joining us at Gabycon 2018 this is for you. Due to some issues with the Teversall campsite we've had to relocate our base for the weekend a few miles across Nottinghamshire to Worksop. The new place is called Riverside Camping and it's situated close to the town centre, between the River Ryton and the Chesterfield Canal. (if you need a direct link to book please PM me)

Okay, so don't get me wrong. I'm not taking a side here and I don't know how many people actually read the blogs. (Is there a counter somewhere?)

But, here's a money generating scheme to shore up BigCloset.

I've been trying to work out if I have any sexual attraction for a long time, with no luck.

So today I was driving along near the Res. and I saw this huge Indian with long black hair, a Police uniform, he was a Sergeant, and all the cop junk on his uniform. Something in me liked what it saw and went Rowrrrr.

No, wait stupid, haven't you been bragging about you're being Celibate?

I thought about it for a while and realized that I did not want to do the nasty with him, I just wanted to crawl up in his lap, curl up and sleep.

Now it all makes sense.

I have been reading Shadows blade's story about Rohanna and find it entertaining. There are, however some unanswered questions.

I think that several Authors have written about Aunghadhail, though I do not remember who. In one story, Aunghadhail is killed. I do not know who originated these tales about Aunghadhail, though in this story it seems possible that Rohanna and Aunghadhail may come to a truce of sorts.

Talking to a boy I knew all the way through school. His parents owned several farms about thirty miles to the west of us. Of course when he wasn't in school he was on the tractor or elsewhere out on the farm the same as me. He was cautioning me to use sun blocker everyday I went outside. He "now" uses Coppertone sun screen the same as for younger kids. It doesn't burn the eyes if he gets any close.

So i'm now home for a few weeks - time to get some writing done and sort some home improvements out.

Ok, so I have a friend that I am trying to direct to some new authors and stories.

Her biggest interest is in transition due to technological or chemical causes that occur over a shorter period of time than typical HRT. She also likes big boobs, but has read most of Holly Wholeman's stories :)

Let me know if anyone thinks of anything or has any questions.

Thanks in advance!

Just to say Happy 4th July to all who celebrate it. Kinda hard in the UK they don't appreciate that fact that my Grand pappy kicked their Grand pappy butt. LOL Seriously though most Brits are OK with it.

Cheryl XXXX

Birthdays have always been a bit strange for me. Growing up, it never worked out for people to be available on the actual day, so if I wanted a party, it would always have to happen a couple of days later, to the point I started joking about "unbirthdays" like in the cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland.

Usually the actual day of my birthday was a quiet one spent alone, and this year is no exception.

I dont mind so much now, especially since I do get nice messages online from friends to keep me company.

Oh, if you havent guessed, today is my birthday ...

Did one of my evening escapes to try to get my lil ole haid to screw on and went to a Red Robin hamburger joint. Things were busy but I sat with my pin and pad trying to work out a story idea. My food came and I had a bit of Hair of the Dog also.

Finishing up, there was one of those computers on the table to pay with. While I was trying to work out how to badger that thing into responding to me, the waitress came up and said that the people across the way had paid my bill. ??? My first response was, "why would they do that"?

I don't know where she's gone. And I miss her.

to let you know that the first part of Gaby - Seasons is now up. Last Karneval marks a turn in events that will shape things for the Wunderkind and co for a while so have a read today!

More news and reading matter on Wednesday.

Mads

my "staycation" contest entry is up!

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/75021/staycation-escape

Big Closet is true to its mission to be A friendly place to read, write and discuss Transgender Fiction. However, in order to execute that mission, Big Closet must fiscally sound.

Every month Erin sounds the alarm – and every month the same small group gives financial support. Relying on so few for so much is a recipe for disaster.

Nothing is going to change, unless change is provoked.

I know how crazy this is going to sound, but maybe it’s time to start charging people to post their fiction.

This last Saturday in Davenport Iowa an 89 year old woman was killed by a cyclist. This was not some motorcycle riding huge beer gut biker, but a bicycle rider!

I saw this amazing compliment on a blog here: "Dorothy is not just a great soul but has one of the most inventive storytelling minds on this site. Her Chekovian economy with words means a whole lot of story with very little investment of time. "

Wow.

I'm ... stunned, and flattered.

Thanks Laika (aka Veronica) !

I was having a conversation with my brother today and was talking about "life without people" which is this fascinating show, and then I apologized for going on about it.

Now, I'm wondering why I was apologizing.

Who taught me that my interests weren't important enough to share?

Sighs ...

Ahhhh, to post, or not to post. 'Tis the eternal readers question, with nary a sign to guide ones way. Do I have something relevant to say? Is it alright to post years after publishing? What will I say? Will anyone see it?!? Does anyone care?!? What if my comment sucks and everyone hates me?!!!?

With much angst and wringing of the hands and.... Erm, ahem.

An author shout-out for Bailey Summers. If you've not stopped by Bailey's page for a visit I highly suggest doing so and showing some love.

Hey everyone, I've had some conflicting feelings about Trial by Fire. I feel that some of it is completely unnecessary and the torture scene shouldn't be there. Also, I think that the story should be more definite and realistic than the MC having a massive panic attack and being taken by the Silver Legion. I think there could be something better. I don't know though, I mean as some of you said, it's like the whole thing is going down a rabbit hole. The idea of the story isn't that, but to show a world through a narrative.

I have drawn/designed the new book cover that will go with Missing Without A Trace 2: Repercussions. This is a sequel to my non-tg novel, Missing Without A Trace: A Kelly Mitchell Mystery, which I am publishing here on BigCloset TopShelf, chapter-by-chapter.

Hello everyone! I need to talk about Player 1 for a second. Because I'm going to revision it. Why? You may ask.

Why in the hell would a group of highly armed men rob a clothes store?

That's one reason, another is that the next chapter would just be too short for my taste.

I hope everyone can read this before I change it to something I can continue on into the next chapter.

I may change some little stuff in the fourth part, so, please reread Player 1 chapter 2 part 4 if you have the time.

Thank you so much for reading <3

Here's an interesting article about writers from writers

https://themillions.com/2018/05/will-buy-book.html#comments

I had to go downtown today to see my doctor. It turned out to be a fairly good visit.

A large part of that is the fact that I have a new doctor now, one who has had no issues with listening to what I have to say. Considering that I have had, with more doctors than I care into get into details about, bad history due to them NOT listening, she's a miracle.

Just wanted to pass along an update on my writing.

"E-Girl - the gift" - work in progress, I'm hoping this weekend to maybe get close to finishing the final chapter.

Staycation story: work in progress, should be finished or close to by the time the contest opens

Pathfinder story: gotten started, gonna be a while.

"The secret of M.Y.T.H.": kinda stuck. hoping for inspiration

"Jaci and Dottie go to Whately": started. we'll see how this one goes.

"Branded": Stuck. I need a mastermind character. any suggestions appreciated.

Sorry I haven't been able to complete the rewrite/edit and get the next chapter posted yet. This chapter had the most rewriting needed and we've had a really nasty heat wave here that had mostly turned me into a mindless vegetable once home from work. Good news is the heat wave has passed and I can get back to my normal routine :)

by Anistasia Allread

"Coming into her own
How an Amazon software engineer made the decision to come out to her team and transition at work."

Sorry about the link 404 error. Thank you, Sammi for this workaround!

blog.aboutamazon.com/working-at-amazon/coming-into-her-own

Copy and paste the above into the address bar