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Post by PaulR5 on Dec 26, 2016 3:38:47 GMT -5
I have read the story three times, now since discovering this treat last night. This is a deeply thought-out tale, relating to family trauma, death of a parent, depth of friends and friendship, dealing with emotions and perceptions, definitions of family, and even possible surgery on Devyn's throat. (Is there such a surgery? I wasn't able to find out anything exactly like it, even though I did find out about some vocal surgeries.)
I also think it is neat how Sean Kelly keeps showing up in different types of stories. He is one of my favorite Sanitaria Springs characters.
One of these days I might have to write a Sanitaria Springs story myself. I am thinking of a non-romantic story featuring Teddy Granger's brother and Elliott Lindley, if I can just come up with a reasonable premise to cause them to be at the same place at the same time in a different town for what I have in mind. Teddy's brother, mentioned in Homecoming, and Elliott, have something in common. I won't say what that commonality is at this time, in case I DO come up with something---
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Post by PaulR5 on Dec 26, 2016 3:47:08 GMT -5
Just read the discussion copied and pasted below from the Site Update 12/24/2016 thread:
yesterday at 1:02am avid reader said:
You have been asking for readers to do our part and post something when we read your stories. OK, I'll do my part. I'm sure sure this will be very profound, but I really appreciate your writing.
"Hard to Say" is a little different, a little more quiet thinking than some of the other stories. Right now, as I think about what to write as meaningful comments, I am struck by how much of the story is about communication (without it being a semi-typical story about communication between boyfriends). On the one hand, that is obvious from the title -- Hard to Say. On the other hand, less obvious in the story, it is also hard to hear, or to be willing to hear (or being afraid of what you might hear).
I also thought about the conversation at the end when Devyn asked if Nate wanted to hear him talk. It seemed to be a bit one-sided... and didn't get into the idea that if Nate had learned sign, their conversations would be more connected than having to wait for typing (and without the risk of surgery). Anyway, that's my feedback, please keep writing!
Dabeagle replied: Profound isn't the point, avid reader, not by a long shot. You're right, this story is a great deal about communication - the difference between what people see of us on the outside like what people thought of Nate while he was running around kissing everyone. And then on the inside, where sometimes we're really confused and suddenly realize we aren't as smart as we might have thought. Sometimes we catch confident seeming folks in moments of insecurity where we find out they aren't as different as we are. That we all have worries, that we all have moments of revelation about ourselves. Nate is going through just such a moment and, as Dylan says, they are questions he wouldn't have been asking a few months ago.
I'm interested in what your mean by the conversation being one-sided. In terms of what Nate was getting from it? What Devyn was? the subject matter? If you happen to circle around again, I'd be interested to know more of what you meant.
Paul's opinion:
In my opinion, the conversation is one-sided because Nathan doesn't ask Devyn what he (Devyn) thinks about the surgery. I don't know if that is what Avid Reader meant or not.
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Post by jkeele777 on Dec 26, 2016 7:22:31 GMT -5
Well, you've done it again, Beagle. You've written another funny, in-depth, accurate and emotional story, and I loved it. I've said it in comments before, but my main reason I live the SS stories so much, is the hope that seems to always be there that no matter what the situation, our guys will be OK, and they will have their massive support network. Of all the things I have seen and done in this world, that's the one that always eluded me - I've been had much hope for better days to come. I love these tales because not only do the boys dare to hope and dream, but sometimes, their dreams come true.
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Post by Dabeagle on Dec 26, 2016 11:54:31 GMT -5
Paul's opinion:In my opinion, the conversation is one-sided because Nathan doesn't ask Devyn what he (Devyn) thinks about the surgery. I don't know if that is what Avid Reader meant or not. Well, shit. I guess that would be sort of logical, huh? This is why I think Nate and I have this dense thing in common - because that seems like a perfect response to all that, for Nate to ask Devyn what he thinks and what he wants. Good catch to both of you, and I guess I'll have to address that in a later story, won't I?  |
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Post by Dabeagle on Dec 26, 2016 11:57:50 GMT -5
Well, you've done it again, Beagle. You've written another funny, in-depth, accurate and emotional story, and I loved it. I've said it in comments before, but my main reason I live the SS stories so much, is the hope that seems to always be there that no matter what the situation, our guys will be OK, and they will have their massive support network. Of all the things I have seen and done in this world, that's the one that always eluded me - I've been had much hope for better days to come. I love these tales because not only do the boys dare to hope and dream, but sometimes, their dreams come true. Thank you! The overriding theme in SS is hope. Almost always there is a path to redemption, hope for the future and happiness. I think those things exist in our own lives, but the path to them isn't always clear. We all have pain to contend with, but like many other things, spreading out the pain so that it doesn't hurt as much in one spot is really what that kind of support does for folks. Making bad situations bearable. Where would we be without our own network? And even if these boys fill in the gaps in that network for folks, it makes us stronger to be better able to support ourselves. And, yes, sometimes dreams do come true |
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Post by reinoutsmit on Dec 26, 2016 12:09:43 GMT -5
Great addition to the SS story.
Thanks for writing another funny and good story.
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Post by Dabeagle on Dec 26, 2016 12:13:13 GMT -5
Great addition to the SS story. Thanks for writing another funny and good story. Thank you so much, and welcome to the boards! |
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Post by carlholiday on Dec 26, 2016 17:07:46 GMT -5
At last! A wonderful story with Nate and Niki. It’s a shame Nate still hasn’t matured to where he can develop the ability to love Niki as Niki loves him. I hope there will be a subsequent story at some point in the future where this problem can reach an acceptable resolution. (I do hate to see the Nate/Niki relationship end unsatisfactorily.) You handled the death emotions experienced by Nate very well. If I get teary eyed, you’ve got to be doing something great with your writing.
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Post by JamesT on Dec 26, 2016 19:25:41 GMT -5
I don't think that it is bad that Nate can't love Niki as Niki loves him. Kindly like in Harry Potter where you don't pick the wand, the wand picks you. With humans I don't think that we pick who to love, the people we end up loving often we don't know why just that we do. It does make for an awkward situation with one way love.
I am sure that one of the writers will figure it out. I have read all of the SS stories and thoroughly enjoyed them all. It is certainly different when you have different writers doing different chapters.
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Post by Dabeagle on Dec 26, 2016 19:39:45 GMT -5
Thanks to you both!
One of the ideas I was wanting to work with, here, was to run against the accepted grain in town of two people essentially finding their soul mate in high school. It happens, true. I also think that one of the ideas that's been overlooked in the series in the fact these guys are horny and sometimes make decisions from that place instead of romantic love.
Nik has come to realize that, while he cares for Nate, he's filled with lust even more so. For Nate's part, he likes Nik and the attnetion but isn't sure about the rest. Do Nik's feeling run deeper or will they? I think they'll both learn things about themselves.
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Post by DavidAMorse1701 on Dec 26, 2016 19:49:04 GMT -5
I loved the story too. It was sad to see Nate's mom die although we all knew it was all but inevitable. I would like Nate and Nik to become boyfriends but I'm not convinced Nate is even Bisexual.
Their seems to be some indication he is more than uncomfortable with the idea of being gay. It may be a reaction to his dad's thoughts and feelings that he experienced. He's not personally anti gay towards anyone else, I just hope he works it out soon before someone is hurt.
It would be cool if Dev could regain his voice but I think he must be clear in his motivations for the risk. He must do it only for himself and no other.
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ej
Puppy
Posts: 34 
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Post by ej on Dec 27, 2016 19:38:02 GMT -5
It took 3 attempts to get started with this story because I was afraid of how I would react to it. I have been battling with my emotions for the last month since my Mom died; trying to feel something other than anger. I've been re-reading older stories that, in the past, have brought out an emotional reaction but nothing worked.
I was beginning to think I was somehow broken.
I ended up finishing the story (whispers) at work and ended up a blubbering mess. luckily no one else was there. So many of the emotions that Nate was feeling mirrored what I was going though.
anyway.....thanks for posting your stories, they have helped a lot.
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Post by Dabeagle on Dec 28, 2016 12:31:06 GMT -5
It took 3 attempts to get started with this story because I was afraid of how I would react to it. I have been battling with my emotions for the last month since my Mom died; trying to feel something other than anger. I've been re-reading older stories that, in the past, have brought out an emotional reaction but nothing worked. I was beginning to think I was somehow broken. I ended up finishing the story (whispers) at work and ended up a blubbering mess. luckily no one else was there. So many of the emotions that Nate was feeling mirrored what I was going though. anyway.....thanks for posting your stories, they have helped a lot. ej, I'm so sorry for the pain of losing your mother. I'm glad that you were able to get something from the story that gave you something you needed. Thank you for sharing that. |
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Post by simonuk on Jan 4, 2017 17:40:03 GMT -5
Thanks for a much needed Nate story, think he had to have the chance to express himself as we have only really been introduced to him, and not always favourably, through other people.
Iv always had a soft spot for him and reading this reinforces my opinion. I think he deals with his grief in a very admirable way. In a funny way the passing of his poor Mother has forced him into 'finding himself' sexuality and all, its not gonna happen overnight I'm sure, but I suspect he will come to realise that Nik is the boy for him (fingers crossed)
Nice to see the family there too, Sean can provide some support I'm certain, and Linc's interaction with Nate was priceless you gotta love that little dude!
Once again thanks for another great addition to the Sanitaria universe, anxiously awaiting further developments in this crazy little town ! 😁 x
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Post by Dabeagle on Jan 4, 2017 20:36:56 GMT -5
Thanks for a much needed Nate story, think he had to have the chance to express himself as we have only really been introduced to him, and not always favourably, through other people. Iv always had a soft spot for him and reading this reinforces my opinion. I think he deals with his grief in a very admirable way. In a funny way the passing of his poor Mother has forced him into 'finding himself' sexuality and all, its not gonna happen overnight I'm sure, but I suspect he will come to realise that Nik is the boy for him (fingers crossed) Nice to see the family there too, Sean can provide some support I'm certain, and Linc's interaction with Nate was priceless you gotta love that little dude! Once again thanks for another great addition to the Sanitaria universe, anxiously awaiting further developments in this crazy little town ! 😁 x I'm glad you enjoyed it! I agree that Nate may not have looked like a good guy and I guess I felt like Ryan must have in my discussions with him about Jamie, early on. He insisted Jamie was a good kid, but only he knew that. I wanted readers to see who Nate really was and remind folks we don't always know what's going on inside people. I have a Nik story started, so I won't spoil anything to do with that. Right now the only thing in my head, though, is a Jamie story. We'll see if it goes anywhere. Thanks! |
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