Helpful Information for Readers (Revised and Updated)

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Emma Anne Tate

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Authors / Stories / Books / Writing

So, last week I asked authors on the site to identify which of their short stories they consider to be their absolute favorite, and I spent the week reading the stories they selected. It's really a testament to the amazing diversity of authors that post here on BC. You can find thoughtful stories and sexy stories, sweet stories and romantic stories. Adventure and dreamscape. It's really wonderful. It's also fascinating to see which stories some of your favorite authors hold dearest to their hearts. So, for all of you readers out there: Here are the results. You should definitely take the time to dip in to these!

Oh: you will also see that some authors are more rule-oriented than others. A special shout out to Jill Rasch, DorothyColleen, Leeana, QModo, Rasufelle, and Ricky for managing to select (a) a single story; that (b) qualifies under the site's definitions as "short!" Folks, these are people you want at your side when the plane starts to go down!!! But seriously -- everyone's submissions were heartfelt, and they are wonderful stories. It's a feast!!!

— Emma

P.S. — I had some additions and amendments since I posted this yesterday.

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In our defense of those of us who had a hard time picking just 1

You set a nearly impossible task for the prolific authors here. Especially those who have been around for a long while. Do we pick one from our earlier work... one that we felt at the time was a great piece of prose or do we pick one that shows our now more mature talent or do we pick one that touches us as we re-read our own work?

In my own writing, and it would be unreasonable of me to consider myself prolific, there are many that I would want to save for different reasons.

I think we can forgive Erin (Ms Joyce) her vacillation and many titles. After all, she's been a contributing author since the beginning of this site and it's predecessor the original Big Closet. How does on pick a single story out of 2 decades of writing?

Hugs
Patricia

Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin ein femininer Mann

I agree completely!

The task was really quite impossible and unfair. Some authors have a staggering number of short stories; some have only written longer works. I’ve only written eighteen short stories, and even I had trouble choosing! I mean, narrowing it down to my top three wasn’t hard, but the final cut was brutal. :)

So really — I’m not finding fault, and I’m very appreciative of all of the authors who responded to my blog. You were incredibly kind. Thank you so much!

— Emma

Most of Those Stories

I'm certainly familiar with those authors but have not read all their works. Now, perhaps I'll use your post as a list to explore what I have not read from them.

Anything I wrote here was not the creative efforts of a good author but of a narcissist trying to work out their own need. It is reality and I don't know if a decent person would feel ashamed at such an admission. We do the best that we can based upon what we know and understand. Sometimes it feels like life is over too soon, and others we yearn for the pain to end. It's a two edged sword isn't it. Dealing with what feels like rapidly declining health. Who knows if this is the end?

Gwen

Then there's the 'mirror question' for readers: Which ...

... stories would we save first from an impending disaster?

Way too hard a question for me.

And I'd be so torn ...

And I'd fear slighting all the other excellent authors.
---
So I hereby pre-emptively give up on my 'mirror' question and cheat ...

... by sending sending some coins to keep BC 'on the air'.

The problem with self-selection

Is that we as writers are our own worst critics. That was why I didn't respond. Now... if it had been on recommendations then I might have taken part.
Samantha

I too share your interest in this list.

I have yet to pen anything. But I am a voracious reader. The quality here on BCTS is remarkable and incredibly diverse. I hesitate to list favorites for fear of forgetting someone. But I realize that more than a dozen notable artists failed to answer your sirens call. Thank you for giving me more to stir my thirsty obsession.

You failed to relist your own contribution. I am reviewing "Tenebrae" daily. Like all meaningful literature it stirs on many levels. Although a major thread is transgender, it is so much more human on other levels. It adds to the joy of living even in the throes of having to say 'good-bye'. Many of the works revealed in this thread share the ethos (pathos?) of humanity and humanism. And sometimes a good cigar is a good cigar.

Ron

I was away and out of touch, so I missed out on sending mine in!

So here are mv favorites:
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/91873/new-plumbing
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/84340/making-scene
https://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/83302/his-and-hers
I am not saying these are my best, but they are stories that I go back to for some reason
Maryanne

It wouldn’t be a party without you, Maryanne!

Thanks for adding your “special children!”

— Emma

Helpful Information for Readers (Revised and Updated)

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In our defense of those of us who had a hard time picking just 1

I agree completely!

Most of Those Stories

Then there's the 'mirror question' for readers: Which ...

The problem with self-selection

I too share your interest in this list.

I was away and out of touch, so I missed out on sending mine in!

It wouldn’t be a party without you, Maryanne!

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