Weekly Short Stories Contest and Company! discussion

Most definitely, but in Phoenix, it probably won't get below the 100s or 90s until at least November. Last Halloween, everyone was out in shorts and flip flops.

TPBM is proud to have finally finished their story for this week's contest. :)

Nadia wrote: "I do not. But the answer to Guy's was an epiphany, right?

TPBM is ready for the cool of fall to overtake the sweltering heat that now reigns."

[Nicely done, Nadia!]

And I am without either pride or a story! No time for writing stories, but I hope to get a poem done.

TPBM would like to feel proud of being a poet, but recognizes that poets are of a lesser being on the planet — unless, of course, they can write hit songs.

:) that's true.

TPBM is going to s concert soon.

Not anywhere in the foreseeable future.

TPBM gets excited when a band they like is coming to town even if they know they won't go to the concert.

Yes I do.

TPBM is an obsessive reader?

My family would agree to that. I sit down and get emotionally invested to good books very quickly. I very rarely read books in multiple sittings. Once I start a book, I have to get through it as soon as I can. I'm also like this with TV shows, so it's not uncommon for me to binge watch 8 hours of a show in one day because I have problem stepping away.

TPBM watches more Netflix than is good for them.

Yes, but only if 0 hours counts as too much. I don't watch any Netflix.

TPBM doesn't even know what Netflix is.

I have Netflix.

TPBM is sometimes concerned how easily they relate to Smeagol/Gollum's character.

I always like the villain more anyway.

TPBM automatically has low expectations when they learn that a book they like is being made into a movie.

Not always. I like to be surprised when the movie is better, and so am open to that possibility.

TPBM likes to text while waiting in line - ups.

If I have someone to text/talk to, I will. But I don't like to text for the sake of texting. Sometimes, it's nice to use lines as an opportunity to just be with your thoughts.

TPBM does not understand why people feel obligated to fill the silence when around other people.

I find catharsis in silence. It signifies that one is able to communicate without the cumbersome restrictions words bring.


TPBM has come to the realization that everyone sees the world in a different way.

Certainly. To think that everyone has the same point of view is to have a narrow mind.

TPBM never ceases to be amazed at people, in a good or bad way.

Lol! True.

TPBM is able to let their close friends make obvious mistakes without criticism or judgment.

True,or they'll get snappy.

TPBM is short.

Yes, meaning below average for a Canadian male.

TPBM would like to visit Canada.

Never really thought about it.

TPBM always looks for behind-the-scenes footage of shows they like.

Not necessarily.

Sometimes, TPBM feels lonely and they can't explain why.

Yes. Doing yoga has helped more than anything else I've done to assuage that.

TPBM is looking forward to reading a surprise PM that they recently received.

I got one the other day from an indie author named Andy Peloquin who wants to do a review swap with Occupy Wrestling (my book) and one of his own books. I follow his blog all the time and he's wise beyond his years. :)

TPBM is a heavy sleeper.

Hmmm... I am a sound but not necessarily heavy sleeper, but I wake up to my alarm in the morning and I often get up before the sun.

TPBM has a long term story idea that they'd like to get back to.

If by long term story, you mean novel-length, then yes, I have several ideas for one of those, among them being one about my stray cats and one about the Final Fantasy franchise. I haven't officially decided what to do next for a novel, but when I do, you all will be the first to know.

TPBM thinks Piper is a cute name for a kitty.

Definitely! It would be especially funny whenever the kitty climbed into one of those fluffy tube/pipe things.

TPBM finds the first chapter of a story to be the hardest to write.

I disagree. The first chapter is no different from any other chapter. The only way it gets easier is if you get closer to the end and you have the perfect way to pull the trigger on your project. I felt this way when I recently finished writing my psychological fantasy novel "Watch You Burn".

TPBM is worried about where Melissa Andres has been these past few weeks.

I certainly hope she's alright, but I know that sometimes life can get in the way of the things we want to do.

TPBM always feels like their chapters are too short when they finish them.

Nope. I let them go as easily as I spit out used toothpaste. I let the chapters be as long as they need to be. Although I haven't written many, recently. :-(

TPBM finds that music plays an important role in their writing.

Whether it's grinding heavy metal or soft new age music, yes, music plays a huge role in my writing. Creative fuel can come from anywhere and there is no richer creative fuel than the power of a good song.

TPBM knows somebody with the last name Reigns.

Nope, doesn't ring a bell.

TPBM is aware that they have less than 6 degrees of separation from the British Royal family.

It's easy to have six degrees of separation from anyone. I'm English on my mother's side, so I can probably find some link to the Royal Family. Then again, I'm also Irish on my father's side, so for all we know, I could have another six degrees from the new UFC Interim Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor.

TPBM cracks under pressure easily.

Yes and know. It seems to depend on the circumstance or situation and, perhaps, the phase of the moon or sun spot activity.

TPBM has found, to his or her surprise, that there have been very strong connections between their horoscope and who they are.

I don't read horroscopes that often, but when I do, they're usually right, for better or worse. It's funny how that works out.

TPBM gets grumpy whenever he or she has to wake up early the next day.

I do not. Early waking is my routine.

TPBM has shaves their head for a good cause.

No, but I once did it because I just wanted to.

TPBM would like to visit this room.

I think the fact that the room is so quiet is appealing, but at the same time, it looks like a medieval torture chamber, so I'm undecided.

TPBM is trying to figure out how to vote on the weekly contest polls from their phone.

I already did my voting on my computer. The only thing I use my phone for is bumming rides from my family.

TPBM thinks chocobos from the Final Fantasy videogame franchise are cute.

I don't know how they look like, but if you think they're cute, I'll take your word on it.

TPBM loves free samples at Costco and Sam's Club.

Especially if they're serving chicken nuggets or hamburgers! Mmm-mmm-mmm!

TPBM thinks baby versions of animal cartoon characters are a cuteness overload.

Baby versions of anything are adorable.

TPBM thinks Mini Coopers with racing stripes look like angry cars.

I don't know what a Mini Cooper is since I'm not into cars. I don't even have a driver's license because I'm too afraid of crashing the car.

TPBM owns a megaphone.

Nope. Not even a consideration in my sheltered life.

TPBM owns an old phonograph.

Oh, I wish!

TPBM has just finished a book and is emotionally shaken by the ending/entire book.

I've got a long ways to go before I finish the book I'm reading now. It's called "Star Island" by Carl Hiaasen and I'm only 14% done with it.

TPBM has a baby face.

I think so. It's still fairly round.

TPBM struggles with finding time to write stories for the weekly contest in between their other responsibilities.

No. It's not a struggle, as my time constraints totally preclude it as even something to consider. (Maybe when I have time off from work.) I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I write a poem that is more than 17 syllables long!

TPBM just finished writing a PM to a GR friend for the first time in over a year because of recent book review.

Not recently, but back in January I did that with Marie Krepps. We're now beta reading for each other and being the best friends we could ever be. :)

TPBM has a bumpy spinal cord.

If you're talking about the bones themselves, then my vertebrae are as bumpy as anyone else's. If you're referring to the place in my back where my spine is located, then my spine is smooth, except when I hunch over really far.

TPBM can feel it in their wrists when they've been writing or typing too much without stopping.

I used to have that problem when I was writing term papers in college, but not so much anymore.

If it was available in grocery and convenience stores, TPBM would eat a bag of Lucky Charms marshmallows.

I think that would probably make me sick, so no.

TPBM has started books with the completely wrong impression of what the books were about, much to their suprise/confusion.

Yes. I've been mislead by both titles and reviews.


TPBM had a good time dancing at a wedding this weekend.

I spent the weekend in a much different, but no less fun way: seeing a symphonic group called Distant Worlds play the music of the Final Fantasy videogame series. I almost had tears in my eyes from the good memories. :)

TPBM is fascinated by the art of flipping houses.