Author:
Blog About:
I’ve been traveling this week to deal with some family issues, so I’ve been kind of quiet as the contest goes into the final stretch. I have been keeping on top of stories coming in, though. Here’s my latest set of reviews. Great reading!!!
What is family, really? People who are related to us genetically, or people who will accept us? Aylesea story explores this question through the experience of a trans girl who has been rejected by one family, but embraced by another.
How can a long-closeted transwoman get her adult children to accept her transition? Maryanne Peters suggests one way that is sure to work: have lots of money. But what could have been a raw exercise of greed-fueled power becomes a tale of reciprocal support and affirmation as the father and children pledge to help each other achieve their own "high resolutions."
In this tale of music and friendship, SuziAuchintiber introduces a group of friends from Strathclyde University who have gotten together to celebrate Hogmanay. Each of them draws the name of a song that Heather, their hostess, has chosen, and resolves to use it as the springboard for positive action in the New Year. Tim's old best friend draws "the Changingman." Tim's choice? Well . . . you'll have to read it!
The end of Taylor's relationship with a girl who chucks him for a "real man" leads him to swear off girls for a year. Since he's found himself suddenly attracted to an athletic and aristocratic guy at school, there should be no hardship. But in the hands of a storyteller like Corazon Tenderheart, the path of romance is . . . twisty!
Girlinthelight creates a new place for us all to hang out! A trans girl who had resolved to come out to her friends chickens out when she finds the, spouting bigoted nonsense. At the ALIVE Queer Cafe, she finds another way to fulfill her resolution.
Through the Looking Glass Darkly
Imagine a looking glass that shows how you would like to look — the styles, the clothes, the makeup. Wow, right? Too good to be true? Well, just remember that the world through the looking glass has some mighty strange creatures! Maeryn Lamonte's story has mystery, suspense . . . and maybe, a cat and a white rabbit. Enjoy!
Sam Quick imagines a world between time, reached only during a lunar eclipse. The world has its own rules, its own denizens . . . and just maybe a few curious quirks. Join our hero as he finds new and interesting uses for a sex doll!
A question every trans person who is still in the closet must ask from time to time is, "am I really fooling anyone?" Or, relatedly, "why doesn't everyone see what I see?" Marissa Lynn provides a gently humorous take on this issue in her story of a trans girl going home for New Year's.
Mark's efforts to become Marie come in small increments, but she has the support of a group of transwomen who have already made the crossing. In Steph C's story, she finally takes the plunge and comes to a group meeting presenting as a woman. For Marie, it's a momentous step — but just the first of many. "A traversiamo!"
Erin G provides a classic story of gradual feminization. Will Adrian's secret become known? If he is caught dressing as Adrienne, will there be consequences? And if so . . . will she fight them?
Allison is afraid of men, but she is determined to conquer her fear. Her solution is to date a man. But in Aaron, she hasn't picked just any man. Girlinthelight provocatively wonders: if a guy can dress in pretty clothes, well . . . why not all of them?
Maeryn Lamonte's homage to the classic Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day has a closeted transwoman reliving the same day over and over, trying to find the key to escaping the endless loop. On her path to enlightenment, Lamonte's slightly supercilious English character encounters redneck cops, hippy hostlers, women impatient with bad fashion choices, native spirit guides, and an inscrutable rodent. Whether or not you have watched the original movie, you will enjoy this clever adaptation.
Skylar is a trust-fund kid who is down on his luck. He defied his parents by getting his degree in history and now he's cut off, unable to find a job that suits him or a girl who will tolerate him. His roommate is ready to toss him out. He needs a swift kick in the rear, and Lauren Bliss finds an improbable character to do the kicking!
What would you do, to save a young girl who has been traumatized by men and is desperately in need of love and protection? In Jessica C's story, a young boy is both kind enough to be a big sister, and fierce enough to protect young Abby from predators and bureaucrats.
SaraKel takes a dark turn with the story of Trent, a narcissistic young man who thinks women exist to be used. He has always been the smartest man in any room . . . or at least, so he thought! A tightly focused tale of a dish best served cold!
