I just wanted to let everyone know I just posted my latest novel, Embers. It's a fantasy story with a female/female romance. Hope you get a chance to read it.

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/101660/embers

Doppler have just published my 26th collection of short stories on Amazon - link below.

Hi all,

Today, I've got a little tidbit to share that's sure to tickle your fancy!

I dove headfirst into my story stats on Friday, curious about what really lights your fire. And guess what? Stories that are easy on the ears (and just as easy on the pants) are stealing the show with some seriously impressive hits-to-kudos ratios.

But that is only half the story!!!

The January 2024 Writing Contest is over. I had the distinct pleasure of being one of the two judges with Emma Anne Tate. We scored the stories independently. The following remarks are my opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Big Closet management, Emma Anne Tate, or Joannebarberella.

The vast majority of Big Closet authors are terrific storytellers with vivid imaginations. They are passionate about their beliefs and eager to please the readers.

Something strange is happening to me writing Allison Zero. It’s not that this has never happened, it’s the intensity with which it’s happening. I spend quite a while working on each part of the story, and generally edit as I go; often reading back over pages after I’ve written maybe half a page extra. And I do this multiple times to maintain the flow of what I’m writing. This is how I’ve always written.

The contest is closed to new entries. Here’s your chance to discuss which stories you liked the best!

Ugh. Next "Freddy on the Loose" is coming along but very slowly.

I keep having ideas for what to put in the next Masks story.

Has anyone else had the "Error 503 Backlash" or whatever it's called with this website as of late? I just had it when I was trying to publish the last chapter of my TMEP serial, and I almost panicked. I thought I was gonna lose the ~2000 words that I had written! Luckily, I tried again, and this time it worked. SO relieved to not have to rewrite that whole chapter from scratch...

Since my previous blog post about story summaries and blurbs, and after all the helpful advice, my "process" has had a new addition. All my Toni With An i stories now have a blurb on them, so does Marking Your Card, and Allison Zero has been getting a blurb right from the start.

I don't know how it's working out, but I feel it's beneficial, and it's something I want to continue. I don't think comparing kudos/readers/comments across stories is very helpful as blurbs only play a small part, but I would hope readers are finding them helpful. I certainly feel justified in doing them (based on nothing but gut feeling and what people previously asked for in the older blog.)

I got a new story up.

Sorry, its not my fluffiest entry. In fact, its kind of dark.

Please take some time to post your top three choices and possibly win $50.

Trust Your Gut?

Life is all about discovery and adaptation, according to this very good tale by Marissa Lynn. The world changes convulsively as the characters build cocoons and emerge as colorful butterflies.

First: I have been guilty of that which I complain about and now see the error of my ways.

When entering your author name on a story it is easier to navigate if you have carried through with some consistency. I understand that there are several Authors that use more than one name. I have three though primarily use "Gwen Brown".

Hi all, I was thinking about a book/short story I read years ago and I wondered if anyone here could remember the author or book name.

The story is set in the future and it’s about cars that can drive themselves, people who look after them have years of trouble free motoring but the people who don’t have nothing but trouble, the story comes to a point where a badly treated vehicle goes all “Christine” on the owner.

I believe it was called ‘Automatics’, does this ring any bells for anyone?

Hoping you can help
Sammi

Randi and Alex, go on a date. It's a public place, what could happen? Right?

this late posting lark!

... Simple math on the number of contest entries (115 is the most recent number I've seen), times the minimum entry length, says we have dump-er-inflict-er-deluge -er- "sent" our Judges well over 277,500, to perhaps around a half million words!

Plus comments. And our responses. And Contest reminders and 'house-keeping' ...

To our Judges and all others involved, may I offer my condolences on y/our success!

With only a few more days before the deadline for the New Year's Resolution story contest, I want to give a huge shout out and THANK YOU to our beloved organizers: Jill, Emma, and Joanne. You all are amazing and really have outdone yourselves with this effort, huzzah! And additional thanks to all those helped fund it!

There have been surprises in this contest.

I didn't expect the quality of the stories to be as robust as it is. About thirty percent of the entries are top-tier. There haven't been any that I thought weren't readable.

The number of stories inspired by this contest is about what I expected, a total of one hundred and fifteen -- with less than a week to go.

At the Midnight Hour

Up in the middle of the night and wandering around my apartment, I discovered a dead tree book called "Nine Princes In Amber", Book 1 of several. The author, Roger Zelazkny, is not a TG author.

I am not more than 1/4 of the way into the work, and must say that the odd seeming 1970's language and break from TG drabble is most refreshing. While not a terribly prolific author, his story seems good enough.

These days, I seem to survive on a series of naps of 1 to 2 hours, and have been told not to worry by my Doctor. Lots of time to cast about in the middle of the night.

I managed to make another entry for the New Year's contest!

Please comment !

https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/101379/night-shift

but i'm here now!

Amanda keeps attracting bad boys. Maybe it's the Dr. Pepper?

This contest has inspired one hundred and three stories and six new authors.

Cookie's Resolve

Keep rollin', rollin', rollin'
Though the streams are swollen
Keep them dawwgies rollin', Rawhide

More great stories are coming in!

Here is my latest review of fifteen randomly selected Contest Stories:

Resolution Revelations