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John le Carre

Sad to hear of John Le Carre's passing tonight. I was first familiar with his work when Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was first dramatised by the BBC in 1979 and was hooked on the stories.

It's fair to say I borrowed a little from the genre, particularly for the Unaccounted Gains books.

A real loss to literature. Rest in peace.

Shiraz

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the 4 AM curse

When I was training to be a Nurse's Aide, one of the things I was taught was that people with dementia often struggle more at night, and during my time in the job, I confirmed this for myself.

But its one thing when its a stranger who you are being paid to look after, another when its your own mother.

Its been really hard to have my mom wake me at 4 AM almost every day believing that the house is on fire, or Mike is injured, or most often, that Carol is going to come downstairs and throw her out into the street.

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The Study of Gender Variance.

Gender Identity has been under study for just yonks'. There have been far too many folk moralizing about the various manifestations of it for like ever, or longer. Perhaps the issues with gender differentiation come from some not having to squat to pee? I wonder if no one had a Penis. We'd all be going round making messy little puddles.

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last blog

My last blog was about, rather specifically, how in just the uk the language changed over the years. And that "proper" english, by their own terms, is an error. This is due to evolving language.

You will also find that, even innocently, suggesting that someone from the uk has made a mistake you will feel like you have run into an army tank while on a bicycle as they get angry. Not defensive angry and very much will chew you out.

"I'm British and we bloody well know the proper English words not some(blank) from overseas." Literal reply I have gotten more than once.

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had a craptastic day

So today was a craptastic day.

Mom started in on how Carol is spying on her and when I tried to reassure her she basically accused me of lying and conspiring to put her in an insane asylum.

then Mike came down tried to talk to her got frustrated and said if she didn't want to see the nurse who is coming on Tuesday or I wanted to eat myself to death he wasn't going to get involved anymore.

Both of these hit me just as I was already struggling with Mr. Nasty, so it made things worse.

I can only hope tomorrow is better.

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"Proper" english

There has been, and probably will continue to be, many arguments on who speaks proper English.

This is not about that.

Recently I have been watching some videos from British pathe. Basically video archives from 1930-1970 ish as well as some other videos, again british, from 80s.

Note I am Canadian and therefore part of the "British/English commonwealth". Ie Queen Elizabeth is our queen monarch as well. Our language is a mix of American, British, and french.

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Just want to say thanks

Just want to say thanks to whomever it was that marathon read through my stories this past week and clicked to give 'kudos' on every posted part, even though the books have been posted for awhile. It may not seem that big a deal, but for me anyway (not to speak for other authors out of hand here) seeing someone do that really helps maintain motivation to write that next chapter bouncing around in the ol' noggin - especially after a tough mental year (for everyone!) where the temptation to just go 'blah' and binge watch more Netflix or Youtube has been a lot harder to fight off.

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Butterscotch 31 on BC and 36 on Patreon

Here on BC, Kissy and Rory are going to the game where her friends have never seen the real girl. Meanwhile, on Patreon, the last chapter of Butterscotch is up for Patreons!

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Butterscotch
by Erin Halfelven
Butterscotch 31 on BC

Butterscotch 36 - Last Chapter!

(Never fear, starting next month is Book 2 - Butterscotch Remedy!)

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In the Womb Where It Happened

In a few days I will post the final chapter for my mini-serial "The Womb of the Unknown Cheerleader."

A few days after that, I will unpublish the story. It is scheduled to form part of a Doppler Press book called "How You Play the Game." Rasufelle is putting the finishing touches on another enticing cover.

It will join over a dozen other books I've donated to BC. I take no part of the revenues generated.

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Jingle Bells

Jingle all the way!--break-->

So the second week of Advent has seen slightly more settled weather hereabouts, mostly dry and even a spot of sunshine! I've had my first Chrimbo card, from my Grandson (well Mummy had to do the writing bit), I just have to work out how to get his presents up to Yorkshire - there are so many! I think I have a plan, do you think the USS Enterprezzie will be able to do the honours?

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bad morning

okay this morning after mom's nightly waking me up thinking Carol has set a fire in her own bedroom to drive my mom out of the house, I laid on the couch and put on a episode of "Too cute" so I could relax and get back to sleep.

I slept for about 2 hours and woke up to discover I was having what felt like a seizure,

My body shook, stopped, and shook again as if I was getting electrocuted.

After about 5 minutes it stopped, and then after I slept for a while the seizures happened again.

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Looking for a story

While listening to Terry Goodkind's "The Nicci Chronicles #1" sequel to his "Sword of Truth" series something was said about misunderstanding, misconception, misinterpretation or misperception of information, what is not important

I'm pretty sure that the story was here at BCTS

Story:- Fantasy, involves magic and mythical beings
Setting:- Modern World (I think)

Scene:- Protagonist's elder sibling jumps in front of the attack of the younger and gets hit

paraphrased dialogue

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Soldier of Missfortune

It was suggested that I return to this story and write some more. I've done so, like much of my writing, it's freestyle, in other words, it evolves as it goes. I see the characters and follow where they lead me, sometimes it takes me in unexpected directions, episode 9 of this is no exception. I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to write the next one, but I will continue it as time and my other works permit.

I hope you enjoy it.

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To the Core on Kindle


To the Core, which had originally been written and posted as a serial, is now up on Amazon for Kindle, with paperback option to come soon. Book I contains the first part of my litRPG fantasy epic, with the rest to appear on Amazon soon as well. If you haven't read the story yet, would like to read it from the convenience of your Kindle, or would like to support me, please check it out and leave a review.

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WunderGirl -1- on BC | The Loft postponed

Hi All,

I have posted the first chapter of WunderGirl on BC. New chapters will continue to be previewed first on Patreon.

I am also going to be a week or two late with the next (last?) chapter of The Loft. I have just not had the time to work on it.

I hope you enjoy the new series, though.

HUGS!
S

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01 - Legacy of Earth: Birthright - Ghost Ship

Well, it's been a while since I started Legacy of Earth. I will be posting this in larger chunks at least until I get through the first 100k words. I hope you all enjoy!

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Legacy of Earth: Birthright

Ghost Ship

By Daniela A. Wolfe



A hundred and sixty years after the fall of the Qharr Ascendancy and the end of the occupation of Earth, Jek, a descendant of Lexa Briggs, sets out on a quest to find his long-lost mother, but when he discovers her ship adrift in space, and it’s crew brutally murdered, he unwittingly unleashes a mysterious new enemy upon the galaxy.


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Found old TG movie

Hi. Last night I signed up for HBO Max. Warner Bro's is releasing all their new movies on there now. After I signed up, I began looking through the tv and film library for items to add to my list. I was very happy to find a movie called Switch. this movie was released in 1991 and was one of my first real sources of TG content. I just thought Id share it with all of you.

Switch (1991)A sexist womanizer is killed by one of his former lovers and then reincarnated as a woman.

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A World of MicroSoft Pain

Credit card notification on a Friday afternoon it was being used. Okay, try and get hold of any help on the weekend, not happening. It's through my bank so I stopped in Monday morning to see what they could find out. Dozens of ten dollars charges were being constantly added to it constantly. Why ten dollars? The date and the security code isn't required if the purchase is under ten dollars. Same reason for the Friday afternoon beginning of the hits. They had the card number but not the security numbers or the date.

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Well, after what was apparently

After was was apparently a current and nasty ailment, (at least I had every symptom) I am getting back to wakefulness, and will be writing more again.

However, I doubt people will see much of my writing for a little while. I'm working on 3 multi-chapter stories, and one 2nd part to a one off I wrote awhile back.

I kinda fell behind while I was sick, so I'd like to catch up a bit.

For those fans of Arctic Fox, the sequel is in the works. I'm also working on The Letters and To Head Home.

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Santa (The Three Epiphanies)

When I was young and innocent, I believed in Santa with all my heart.
He was good to me.

When I became older and not so innocent, I decided he didn't exist.
And yet he was still good to me.

And when I became a parent with little innocent ones of my own I realized
I was Santa, and life is good.

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huggles needed

my mom's nightly struggle with paranoid delusions is killing my spoons. It's been weeks now since I got to sleep through the night without her waking me up saying her daughter in law has started fires in the electrical wiring or is watching mom through a camera hidden in the vent in her room.

which means I'm letting my self-care slip, and am scared what happens if I have a major PTSD attack or depressive episode.

hugs appreciated.

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Apologies to my readers

I've been trying really hard to finish the new chapter of Apocalypse Dawn, or anything really the past few days, but it's just not happening. For a week, since I got my medical coverage sorted out, I've been trying to find a new doctor, or at the very least someone to renew my prescriptions for my hormones and meds, but so far I can't even get so much as an intake appointment for eight months to a year. The walk-in clinics won't write a new prescription for me either, unless I have a standing one from a local doctor.

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Reader Enjoyment

All I know is what I've read in books.

Supposedly, readers get a great deal of enjoyment out of guessing what happens next. How will Emily react when Jacob tells her that she is trans? If the author has made that answer plausible in the story the reader will feel good about continuing. If the answer has been guessed correctly the reader pats herself on the back and reads on -- looking for more self-affirmation.

There has been much discussion about whether are not writing a synopsis is preferable to writing a complete story.

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Go away Maryanne, and write a Novel

I know, I know, I know. I write too much. Cacoethes scribendi. And sometimes my stuff looks as if I am so keen to get on the table it is half baked. “It reads more like a synopsis” at least makes it sound like I have a recipe!

So where is my novel. Well, I am not ruling anything out, but here are my excuses:

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Milestone

My total word count posted on BC has just gone over one million.

I suppose that was almost inevitable given my immediate infatuation with a word processor three decades ago.

Thank you Erin for giving me a place to publicly display my stories.

As a dear friend of mine, Percy Ross, said many times, "Thanks a million!"

Jill

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What! No Comments?

I really love comments. I suppose that makes me needy and insecure, but what (wannabe) girl doesn’t crave attention? I recently posted a story called “Bordello Boys” which is only the second story I have posted on BCTS that got no comments. Of course, I am mortified.
To assuage my hurt I need only refer to my first story “Pretty” which still has the most comments – largely messages of welcome for the same people who revisit my writings again and again – THANK YOU TO ALL.
After that, I have received the most comments from an interesting variety of tales …

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There have been misunderstandings. I want to clear things up.

Apparently there have been misunderstandings lately about me or my blogs.

First of all, for those of you who were concerned about me or my blogs, my account has NOT been hacked and the entries were, indeed, made by me.

I believed that I had finally found something that could help a lot of you and was met by what I thought was derision, only to find that it was more concern for me than anything else. I reacted, then, from a place of betrayal and in the face of new information,was shown that I was wrong.

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The many things I have to be thankful for.......

As I lay here trying to sleep, I started thinking about my life - as I am often prone to do. In light of the fact that technically it is Thanksgiving, being nearly 1:30 AM, I started looking at the things that I have to be thankful for.

First, my family is healthy and safe - which in this time and place is something not to be taken lightly. Given that my spouse, two of my sons, and myself all suffered through Covid-19 in late March and early April, and that we are all doing fine now, I am very thankful for the fact that everyone is healthy.

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The Writer's Contract

An unwritten contract does exist between the reader and the author.

A comment yesterday on one of my stories brought this home to me one more time.

A few years ago, I tried to write a story that would create a pile of revenue for Erin through Doppler Press. That effort failed. I have no interest in reading age regression/baby stories and shouldn’t have tried to write one. I donate my books to Erin and she receives 100% of the revenue. Unlike the other twelve of my books published by Doppler -- this one doesn’t sell much and received poor reviews.

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Small SD cards.

I seem to recall one or two people here that used SD cards in their e-reader or something similar, but they had to be very small.

I'm cleaning up a lot of my computer parts and supplies, and I've found a small stack of 128 and 256 MB SD cards (and a single 512 mini SD card). They're too small for my needs, and I still have a 1 GB micro-sd card I can put in an adapter if I need one.

So, if you have a need for small SD cards, drop me a line; I'll delete or mark this as 'completed' once I have someone or multiple someones that can use them.

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Research the url in this blog. Money for you!

Research the url in this blog. It may help if you are behind in rent, or need food, or help with utility bills. I know several who have gotten help while we wait for the politicians to get their collective heads out of their asses and pass another stimulus check.

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Sad news

Hi everyone, Alison Mary who was a long time member on Big closet has passed away at the age of eigthty seven
after having spent a couple of months in hospital, after she had an accident and never really recovered from that,
we used to talk on the phone almost every day , she supported me through my transition and im going to miss her
terribly ,( ROO) Carla Bay , authour of Carlas Journey

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A new edition of Ultimate Writer's Challenge?

Lately I've been working on a group project with a few of our other authors/authoresses here, and one of them has been asking me about something I used to do....

See, many many moons ago, I posted multiple forum entries containing a year's worth of story challenges at a time: one for each week, one for each month. This person has expressed that they found these challenges a lot of fun, and would love to see me produce something like that again.

So, here's my question: would anyone ELSE like to see a new edition of my Ultimate Writer's Challenge?

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Trans woman will be a judge at the Olympics

There will be at least one openly trans official at the Tokyo games, a trans woman named Kimberly Daniels will be one of the judges of canoe slalom, while her daughter will be one of the first women competing in the sport.

What's really cool to me at least is that both are Canadians.

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The Fall of Kruhl - Now on Bigcloset Topshelf!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that my superhero/sword and sorcery yarn, The Fall of Kruhl, is now up on Bigcloset Topshelf for your reading pleasure.

So, please take a moment to comment or leave a kudos.

Have a delightfully demented day,

Daniela A. Wolfe

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No MSPD this week

Hey everyone, sorry about this, but I don't think that I'm going to get a chapter of MPSD out this week. It's been kind of a tumultuous week (though a lot of it has been in a good way) and I've been behind on writing and everything because of it. I'm worn out and I don't have any energy so I think it best I just take a day or two to rest, relax my brain, and try to get back on schedule for this upcoming week. I can't wait until I get my medical card so I can see a doctor about getting back on my meds and hormones and actually feel energetic again.

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RIP Jan Morris

Jan Morris, a very famous trans author, as well as one of the earliest major public figures to undergo SRS, just passed away. She was 94. I only discovered her writing last year, while working on a college paper, but reading her autobiography, Conundrum, was a blend of heart-wrenching and inspiring.

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26924906

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More like this

I was just curious as to how this function works?
In my latest story "Becoming Holly" the "more like this" included the twist endings "Instrument", "Making a Scene" and "Rehabilitation" and a couple of others "Closer Friends" and "Sought After".
It possibly should have included "Uncle", "Bait", "The Surgeon" or the multiple personality one - forgot the name!
Is it an algorithm?
Maryanne

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update

I wanted to give everybody an update, because its been a busy time since I last blogged.

First, we have a therapist in our house. My brother and sister in law's cat Blanka somehow sensed I was having a tough time, and did something she doesn't normally do - jump into my bed and purr in my ear. That pushed Mr. Nasty away, and thank God.

Second, we were able to get my mom to see her doctor, and he's arranging an appointment with a specialist to help us figure out why she's having these episodes in the early morning.

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Boston T-party

I just learned that the history books got it all wrong.

On December 16, 1773 there was a large gathering of transsexuals in Boston. The partying got a little bit out of hand and some damage to property was done. Some partipants had overdone their "war paint" more than a little which subsequently has led to misunderstandings.

I'm very happy to be able to set things straight ;)
Bru

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Quebec author not guilty of creating child pornography

Some time ago there was a blog post here about a Quebec author, Yvan Godbout, who was charged with creating child pornography because his dark retelling of Hansel and Gretel included a rape scene.

The trial has now been completed and M. Godbout has been acquitted of all charges. The judge in the case also ruled that ruled that certain articles of Canada's child pornography laws cast too wide a net, targeting works of literature that don't endorse or promote pedophilia.

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What's with this?

What's with this pop up at the top of every page?

Everything seem to be working alright, but it seems to be slow.


Notice: MemcachePool::getstats(): Server 169.197.80.98 (tcp 11211, udp 0) failed with: Connection refused (111) in require_once() (line 19 of /var/www/html/bcmain/armoire/sites/all/modules/memcache/memcache-lock.inc).


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Book number #81 now up on Amazon Kindle - Netherweld, The Sacred Quest....(non TG)

Yup, this lockdown has an added benefit. Book number 81 is up. This is one of the many I was going to publish under a different name, but thanks in part to many of you, books under this name sell best... so here it is, book 1 in a fantasy/sci fi series involving parallel worlds and time shifts.
***Not TG, I have to add***.

Find it here - Netherweld Book1 - The Sacred Quest.

Tanya

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Be a Storyteller

I was a little under the weather yesterday, so I spent the day reading A Time for Mercy the latest Grisham novel.

John Grisham has sold over 300 million books.

He talked a small press into publishing 5,000 copies of his first book A Time to Kill. In his words, he couldn’t give it away.

Then Random House published his second novel The Firm. It became a bestseller and he eventually also sold millions of copies of A Time to Kill.

What does this mean to BC writers?

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Please help me keep my home

Hi there from one of those BCTS team lurkers. It's Jamie again.

For those who dont know me, before I got really sick in the last few months, I was Erin and Doppler Press' office manager. Lately I've just been struggling to survive.

I'm asking for help again. I have lost the ability to move and feel my legs. We have to pay our rent this month, give 30 days notice, and find something new so I can come home. Now, I have a live in caretaker who is absolutely wonderful (and is also part of the trans community), but she doesnt get paid when I'm in the hospital.

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Research on medications - anxiety, compliance

Writing a long (very long) story, and I need to find some information on medications.

Without hypnosis (I won't use that), I need to find a medication for a story. The main character is being really put through the wringer, and while he has significant motivation to comply with the 'torture', there's suggestion that additional 'help' to ensure compliance / reduce defiance would be needed. It needs to:

antidepressant
mood stabilization
increase sense of compliance
reduce ability to be defiant or objectionable

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