I was ready.
Mason was an easy catch. He was half asleep when I came across him in the park slouched on a bench. With a concerned look on my face I put an arm around him and pushed a thumb into his neck.
He groaned under his breath, and I knew he was mine. Pulling him to his feet I helped him to the restrooms. He staggered a little and I rested a hand on his stomach and felt his tight abs through his t-shirt.
Inside he rested against the wall while I secured the door. "Undress," I whispered, and like a good soldier he did without complaint.
His physique was strong, and taught: A labourer I was to find out, but I didn't care. I eased myself inside his body, his energy ripped through my torso as we fused together. Staggering to the side I caught myself from falling. Mason's mind cloaked mine, and pulled tight completing his abduction. I choked on the word: was it really abduction? I'd be living his life, being Mason, slipping into his routines. The deception would be perfect, nobody would know. But I would be hidden, escaping from my own routine until I decided to return.
I pulled on the clothes, and I examined my new face: left, then right. Mason had a good thick neck and mildly handsome face; I snapped a picture for Mason's Instagram page showing my abs and left.
---
That's the last of the Seanday posts for a while. I'll be on Yahoo and Google Hangouts if you fancy a chat.
The “Caption This” posts will of course continue, and I'm sure the other authors will have something in the pipeline soon.
I just need a break. I've worked hard on the stories, and recently it's been taking longer each time to complete them. Its also been disappointing to know that page views have been over 800, but there has been little acknowledgement for the work. It doesn't take much for an anonymous tick of appreciation, and when you don't even get that—it kinda sucks.
So look out for me in the future, give it a month or so.
thats kinda sad to hear
ReplyDeleteAgreed :(
ReplyDelete:( we'll miss you
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed them - but have to say, the comment feature on this forum has been broken about half the time, preventing me from saying anything about (or in the case of the story-prompt posts) SEEING the stories.
ReplyDeleteWill look forward to seeing more from you when you can.
Happy Chinese New Year everyone XD
ReplyDeleteI think I speak for everyone that we do appreciate your stories :) Maybe we don't all comment on the stories, but isn't all those views of the stories enough?
ReplyDeleteKeep smiling Sean.
ReplyDeleteJ
Thanks for the comment, but just knowing that its been viewed doesn't mean its been read.
ReplyDeleteLets blow this into an unrealistic analogy.
Stephen King believes he has written an incredible story, and they've made it into a movie.
He's so confident that he can hook another two movies off the back on this one he's decided for 24 hours to open a movie theater and invites everyone in for free.
He stands at the exit, and counts every one as they leave, hundreds, thousands of people. That's good he thinks, but there's a problem. As they filter out, they stare straight ahead. They're not talking, not discussing the movie: nothing is said.
Thousands of people saw the movie, but what happened? Perhaps every one fell asleep? Maybe they laughed? Maybe they cried?
Without that feedback whether good or bad can kill a story or an author.
Dramatic? No, without any type of feedback the start to a good story could go in the wrong direction only ending up withering and dying.
What about the author? For goodness sake grow up? Is that what you might say? Perhaps.
We all respond the to the expression of gratitude or appreciation for something we've done. It makes us stronger, willing to strive for more.
As a writer constructive feedback (that's important), whether good or bad makes me want to improve my work, hell it even makes me want to write more.
So yes, knowing that the story has been viewed 800+ times is nice (even though they may not have read it), but it gives nothing apart from saying 800+ viewed it, but only 16 people liked it.
So please remember to comment, or tick that star right at the top of the comments. It's not much to ask for, but it tells the author that you liked it even if you don't know what to say as feedback.
Ah...would have been "ticking" stories more if I knew that's what the star was for. I thought that's what the facebook et al links at the bottom was for, and I really don't feel like sharing my personal interest with my friends and family on facebook. Likewise, I do not like having to give out my email address as I do not random contacts from people I do not know; no offense intended, but it has happened to me before. For the record, I have enjoyed most of the stories I've read here, and you yourself are indeed a masterful storyteller. It has been a true pleasure reading your work, Sean, and hopefully after a bit, we will have the pleasure of seeing more when you are ready.
ReplyDeleteTo chime in: the stories we find here are largely *only* found here, and that's awesome. You guys do good work. But... ultimately, if you're not writing for yourself, what's the point? So if you don't enjoy it, don't do it. If you do enjoy it, do it and share it and let the chips fall where they may. It shouldn't matter whether others enjoy it or not. If you're writing for the purpose of public adoration (in whatever form), that seems... not like a very good idea.
ReplyDeleteAlso, like at least one other person has said, there is simply nothing in the UI of the little star button that makes it clear that that's a "like", and that that's what we should be doing if we enjoy a story. I'm certainly not going to sign in with my Facebook account and start talking about this there -- I'd wager that the vast majority of your readers are used to anonymity in their online activities (particularly ones like enjoying this blog) and some may worry that even the simple star button click may be trackable. Perhaps instead of the star, a button that said "I enjoyed this", that made it clear you did not need to sign in to anything, would help your cause, if feedback / likes are what you're after.
I understand completely. Clicking on the G+, Facbook, Twitter etc will use any associated accounts to post the link.
ReplyDeleteClicking on the 'Star/Numbers' on the right directly below the labels section is anonymous.
You can add a comment, but it will ask for an email address. You can put anything in there providing it looks like right: "fdksjfhds@fdsghkls.com" will work fine.
I posted this a while back which might explain some things: http://maletransformation.blogspot.com/2013/08/new-comments-voting-system.html
Thanks for the comment, I do write for myself. I could choose not to publish anything. But as I mentioned in this thread, for anyone to improve (and I want to) they need feedback, not all the time or by everyone--just something.
ReplyDeleteI have big issues with my grammar. If I publish something, I believe I've removed all errors. It would be great if someone helped out if they spotted the tense had changed for example, or perhaps even suggesting a change to the story that might improve it.
As to the UI, see my reply to Jim. I can't change the label next to the button. As I mentioned to click on the star doens't require you to login or supply an email address (fake or not).
If you are concerned,
I'll be sad to see you go too. I look forward to reading your stuff every week. I don't post on here much since I tried writing a story (that didn't go very well). However, I think you do a great job and come back soon. I also didn't realize that the star had any public purpose. I thought it was just for us to remind ourselves which stories we liked.
ReplyDeleteYou should never give up on writing, give it another go.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the DISQUS comment system they seem to have changed the 'Star' to favourites overnight!!
Don't worry, I'm still around it's just I'm having a writing break.