Dear Andru, You have MY permission to take as much time as you need to achieve a certain level of satisfaction in your writing! I must admit that it is possible that you may never be truly and completely satisfied…because, while you have envisioned your story and your characters and their interactions so beautifully - so perfectly - human language all too often fails to truly describe and/or fully capture the scene that you, the artist, can see and feel so perfectly! If it takes a bit longer than expected to find those words, anyone who has read your delightfully-crafted words in the past will wait with admiration, anticipation, and respect for you and your craft! Truly, DAG of DAGseesTrue
A fine choice: dam-father. As a life-span human behavioral specialist, I am admittedly in favour of functional behaviour - not gender - as worthy descriptors of a character’s role. Your story-telling style and your delightful approach to enlightening your readers is truly appreciated! DAG of DAGseesTrue
Author LivChanin is absoluty correct. ‘Bribe’ is definitely funnier! Looking forward to reading more of your brilliantly funny writing! DAG
Lol LivChanin! “Percolating” is such a perfect process-word for you! It suits your writing style as it’s so much more action-packed and oh! (bad pun alert!) - and it’s just so dang ”perky”!
Dear LivChanin, Thank you for letting us know that you need to pause for a bit to reflect on Derek and Layla and all those who love them in Maybe Mine. I can’t speak for others, but I will wait joyfully because I know that giving yourself permission to pause and ponder without the pressure to produce is a sign of wisdom! Frankly, even when writing non-fiction, I find that when I try to force the words to come, I’m bound to tangle myself up. So I tend to walk away and rather than think about what I am struggling to say, I do semi-mindless things like washing clothes or doing the dishes or my best bit: sleeping on it! So many times my best words have appeared when I am not thinking about anything in particular or when I just wake up. I have taken to calling my walking-away process “gestating”, and who knows? It may work for you, too! Also, I want you to know that you should feel free to use any thoughts or words I share because sharing in the arts helps artists create even more art! Oh, and here’s a one-liner I say (even to myself, lol): ”I reserve the right to revise and resubmit.” DAG
Lol, LivChanin - of course I can’t hate Derek! I‘m downright fond of the man, even when he’s fit-throwing and flinging sarcasm like he’s flinging beads from a float at the Mardi Gras parade! I just figure Derek’s got a lot of talent and even more love to share, especially with the most lovable Layla on the face of this Earth! But yeah, poor Derek’s gonna have to learn that sarcasm is actually a form of aggression - and self-sabotage is never truly just about self - it ripples on out to sink others he cares about - others who’re just tryin’ to keep their heads above water…
Before I forget, Layla needs to know her rights re: Brody’s harrassment and then Brody needs to get whapped upside his head with a legal restraining order!
First, I am sorry about the typos in my previous review of Maybe Mine by talented author LivChanin. It appears that I became a bit too excited about this new novel to properly proof my own work. Sorry. However, it was a joy to learn that author LivChanin and I share a love for the song Layla by Derek (Eric Clapton) and the Dominoes. Yes, instrumental versions of Layla do inspire creativity…and if you listen ever so care-fully…you may even hear the rain pounding the sorely-wounded hearts of Derek and Layla in Maybe Mine.
This novel grabbed me from the first chapter - LivChanin’s plot, character development, setting, wordplay, and brilliantly-believable psychological and compelling romantic narrative combine to make this my favorite new work of the year. I laugh, cry, mourn, swoon and share my care & concern during each moment of this compelling story. I find myself re-reading chapters nit only because they are beautifully craftes, but also because I just can’t wait for the next chapter to be released! DAG P.S. One delightful detail I must mention is that even the charming names of the protagonists - Derek & Layla - fills my heart with joy. For those who love rock & roll music history, look up the early work of guitarist & singer Eric Clapton and his friends in the band called “Derek & the Dominoes” and there you will find their now-mega-classic song “Layla” (1970). Did LivChanin honor Derek & Layla or it simply a musical miracle? The author need not say - I’m okay with letting a mystery remain a mystery!
Lol, Andru_9788! Your ensemble cast just gets funnier and funnier with each chapter! I love the ways in which your timeless renderings of “family” members develop over time: the wise butler who - with care and concern and without judging - provides as much nurturing support as he’s allowed; the clumsily-endearing cousin whose “helps” aren’t so helpful - such a delightfully maddening family you’ve got there! Thankee! Thankee!
Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
LGBT+ · Andru_9788