Quote by kistinspencil

My father liked it with a measure of rum and a few dashes of angostura bitters, but with frequency that is more likely to produce nausea than reduce it.

I like Fever Tree ginger beer. Their Distiller's Cola is also very good.

Cheers to your dad, that so makes me smile.

Fever Tree is fabulous, I only use one of their tonics to accompany gin. They do both a ginger beer and a ginger ale, though I have not tried either; with ginger beer, I tend to drink Bundaberg which is Australian and I'm not sure how widely exported it is.

"Proper commas?" On an erotic story site, I like the idea of "Improper commas," to go with the improper behaviour we delight in writing about 😇

While an unintentional fragment is a glaring error, sometimes an intentional fragment can make sense, particularly in conversation. But there also can be a work around to preserve the effect of fragmentation like the dash in the following:

I'd been offered a promotion. The chance of a lifetime! But she wanted me to turn it down because of the longer hours.

I'd been offered a promotion - the chance of a lifetime! But she wanted me to turn it down because of the longer hours.

So someone should make a right tit of themselves ❤️

I think there is a history to this which is summarized in this that I copied from the internet:

British English puts commas and periods (full stops) outside the quotation marks unless the quotation is also a complete sentence or the punctuation is part of the quotation.

• The UWSC says that British people write it "this way".

American English puts commas and periods inside the quotation marks.

• The UWSC says that American people write it "this way."

For me as an Australian, most of my writing and spelling rules are based on British rather than American. Yet I would always punctuate speech the American way with the full stop (yes we don't call them periods) inside the double (another difference is that British often use single quote marks c/f Harry Potter) quote marks.

I am not sure that British writers have or indeed still do punctuate speech that way, certainly my copy of Harry Potter has the full stop inside the punctuation marks, as does Pride and Prejudice (but of course Jane might have been 'corrected' in latter edits of the book.)

Anyway I think its fair to say whatever the origins, accepted practice now is as Cydia has suggested. In my Word document, I can set the language to Australian (or British or American,) so that might be the issue with your MS office grammar check (as an aside I have to set my keyboard to American not UK or some keys particularly @ are in a different place.)

Quote by KimmiBeGood
I agree with Rowan, get Grammarly free. I have also Googled comma usage several times

Grammarly is good but not infallible on comma issues I've found. I haven't paid for the upgrade and always wonder what suggestions they are keeping from me. Again I can set Grammarly to Australian so I'm not outraged by their spelling suggestions - of course colour and savour have a 'u' in them, and ass is a donkey-like animal and not an arse.

Quote by kistinspencil

Again interesting, but maybe of little value. I have had three RR stories, all from 2020. They have slowly managed to average a thin 2,000 reads and 15 likes over three years. All were longish stories (again, for me) that I spent a long time honing to my satisfaction. In the end I really have to wonder, for the time spent laboring their construction, was it worth the bother? Is it a truer measure of my ability than I am willing to admit?

They really are a true measure of your abilities; I read two of the RR stories tonight and they are absolutely fabulous. For those that are yet to read them here are the links, don't tarry, go read:

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/lesbian/laying-the-record-straight

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/lesbian/kimberly-has-a-ball

Happy Birthday, MissMicro ...

I'll have a G&T this Friday afternoon, its only 18C here and wet - that is so not a summer temperature. Himself is so cross with the parental units who have decided 'no water play' as it isn't warm enough.

Congrats Scott, excellent micro and so well deserved. I've even managed to find a song 😋

Congrats Ape man, such an excellent story; congrats to all who entered and Jen for organising such a fun competition.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Annie, a sports channel was talking about that Denmark player yesterday. I'm glad some positive change resulted at least.

I got triggered watching the other night and can't sleep since. My late bf was in the hospital with flu that became pneumonia and coded. I remember being in the hall watching everyone running in, knowing his heart had stopped. It's traumatizing. The doctors brought him back, but then we took him off the vent 2 weeks later. Those players who were watching are traumatized right now. I fear more accidents when player play without having their minds in the game.

And your Noir was great. There are always great stories that don't get in the Top Ten because there are many great writers entering comps here. I thought the Nour comp had especially top quality writings. I'm sure the judges like many entries outside the Ten, but there are only ten mentioned in these comps.

Oh hun, that is so traumatizing for you. Seeing emergency medicine in action is so hard on family and friends. We're getting better in emergency management, preventative medicine goes ahead in leaps and bounds, yet we will inevitably lose people.

Honestly, the best place for your late bf's heart to stop was in a hospital; more certainty about immediate accurate care, but I know that doesn't make you feel any better.

The Danish player's recovery was so good he watched the last 10 minutes of the game from his hospital bed, despite almost dying. Each person's trajectory is unique and how that unfolds affects those around them. I'm not sure the Bills team can play properly unless they know that their teammate is on the mend (which may be a bit away.) Big decision for the league, score this game as a tie and move on may be the best, though I have not looked at what that means for playoffs.

Annie

Quote by AngelWorthy

Get your micro's in. The countdown is on. Speaking of countdown. Check out my countdown here at New Year Magic.

Lol, great lead in, Angel. When you read one Aussie story, you must read the other: The Bacchanalian Threesome That Cancelled Christmas; Rudolph Roasted Too!!

Happy Birthday Sara

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Goodness, last night was hard. Praying Damar Hamlin fully recovers! A harsh reminder how dangerous a game football can be. I'm so proud of the NFL's response... putting the players first, showing humanity. The outpouring of emotion/support/concern from both sides was touching to me.

Such a contrast with what European soccer did when the Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch at Euro 2020 following a cardiac arrest. Quick CPR response with scenes similar too yesterday's NFL game, but after he was ambulanced off to hospital, the players were told they could either restart in 30 minutes or come back the next day at midday. They chose the former, yet were in no shape to play and the criticism of the decision was, rightly in my view, enormous. Amazingly Eriksen made a full recovery and played in last (I first wrote 'this' before realizing my mistake,) years world cup for Denmark. One good upside from that near tragedy, so I'm told, is that there are now many more defibrillators in Denmark especially in (professional and especially non-professional) sporting contexts.

Quote by sprite

genuinely sorry to see you go, Susie, and again, genuinely, best of luck. You'll be sorely missed here. I hate seeing any of the old crowd going. much love and thanks for all you've done for Lush over the years. - Rachel.

Lol, Happy New Year Rachel, and credit for being brave enough to call Susie old. It was actually Susie's birthday on the second, the day she left. Happy Birthday to her and to you Sara.

Its the thing I find hardest about Lush, friends leaving or vanishing without explanation. Of my top eight friends on the old lush, (when you could order them,) all bar one have now left or have not been heard from in months. All wrote, including the other Coven members, and three others who I wrote stories with.

Quote by Lynkeus

Some writers here on Lush don't realise that the "short form" is the most difficult literary genre of all!

Epic short forms like haiku, aphorism, parable, fable, limerick, of course poem.... show this very impressively. Leonard Cohen once said that it took him 7 years to write some verses.

And of course microfiction here on LUSH also belongs to the epic short forms.

No - microfiction is not just a few lines lightly scribbled down!

May this text be used as an example in literary seminars!

The essential thing about short texts is the ellipsis, the unsaid, the unsayable, the taking of the reader into the unknown ...

I read along with the unsaid, rather: I tried to trace the unsaid and felt: No, this is not my story, I am jealous, I am longing, I am sad, I am so happy...

What more does an author want from his reader?

And then this ending!

Essays and books have been written about first sentences in literature ("Call me Ishmael", LOL). But where is the definitive essay on "last" sentences?

No - Last sentences are not just (as sometimes here) puns, corny jokes, banal jokes - good last sentences are breathtaking, explosive, changing history ...

After your last sentence I read the story completely from back to front, and then again from front to back , and then ...

I don't know if you wrote your story wisely and calculatedly, if in a trance or "just because" 👍. I, for one, don't think I can sleep tonight for the excitement of having found such a story (In total harmony of form and content) HERE! ❤️😉😉😉

PS

I always try to strictly separate between author and narrated. In this case, I would like to make an exception: I hope you had as happy, even painful, but fulfilled a life as the protagonist of your story!❤️❤️❤️

PPS

I know another writer with great "last sentences". But she is apparently in the process of leaving LUSH ...😒

More of this would be helpful, Lynkeus, for writers such as me. It not only praises a story which will make sure I read it, it also explains why; even though that is bitter sweet for me (I'm a great last sentence as a pun, corny joke, sort of girl.) I found what you said on Noir interesting and helpful too, but I don't think that was everyone's experience. The why that is the case might be in the opening line above, "Some writers here on Lush don't realise that the "short form" is the most difficult literary genre of all!" I think you can make that point and lose the first few words, so it starts, "The "short form" is the most difficult literary genre of all!" Its a sentiment I agree with and its always a source of amazement to me that novice writers sometimes start with poetry which is a harder art form than longer prose in my view.

The weather remains hot and sunny here, at last I might add given how wet the last 12 months have been. Take care and keep safe.

Quote by techgoddess

Here is the link to my SS comp story if anyone is interested!

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/flash-fiction/focus-on-the-beauty

Thanks, Kimmi, for reading and leaving me such a nice comment.

I’m working on reading the other stories in the comp over there. Looks like I will have a little more time before my sisters arrive. Reading stories will help me not be annoyed that they are running late. Lol!

I so liked the story, a dozen entries that are worth checking out if you haven't done so already.

Here's mine over there:

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/romance/xx-2

Happy New Year, this is me done for this year online.

Eight hours to go, and it will be 2023 down this way: I'll let you know how your future looks.

Happy New Year to you all, keep safe.

Do end your year by voting for: The Bacchanalian Threesome That Cancelled Christmas; Rudolph Roasted Too!!

Oh, bribery too; sending Jen biscuits (we don't call them cookies down under,) fairy lights, and pizza (sans pineapple of course, though a salt and pepper prawn pizza is particularly yummy.) As are orgasms ... but this forum is hardly the place for that

One of those four entries is mine:

The Bacchanalian Threesome That Cancelled Christmas; Rudolph Roasted Too!!

Do read and comment. And do read the other three too, they are excellent as I am sure WW's will be when someone gets around to moderating it ❤️

Evening all, happy Boxing Day!! I discovered last year that one of my American friends had never heard of that term.

The warmth continues, the 24th-26th have been hot as, just lovely, and we have had fun in the sun. Even at 15 months, a hat outside is compulsory for Himself. When I last visited the dermatologist (I go twice a year as there is melanoma in the family,) he told me that the rate of skin cancer is starting to fall in the 18-25 year old range as the impact of compulsory hats at school starts to have an effect.

I hope those in the North are safe and sound given the inclement weather. To brighten your day, can I suggest my pop-up competition micro: The Bacchanalian Threesome That Cancelled Christmas; Rudolph Roasted Too!!

I've read and loved Fluttered, James and AngelWorthy's stories. And I'm sure you will too. Take care ❤️

Morning all, shopping done and its not much past 8am on the 24th.

Even so the queues were horrendous, three men at the fish bar, just serving prawns (the prawns weren't buying, but being sold.) I'm also told by an American friend that they should be called shrimp - but Aussie prawns are way too big and would resent the shrimp label😊

Hot today, over 30 expected and it was so warm at the green grocers at 7 am. I'd happily send a little north, in return for just a few minutes of snow time on Christmas day. Tomorrow will be a pleasant 26 C; I will work early as I usually do and then eat in the evening at my parents. Last year for me working on Christmas day as Himself will expect maternal attention on Christmas morning in the future.

Congrats to those who entered the Noir competition, I so enjoyed the stories, though I didn't have time to get to the last four. Thanks to those who read and commented on my attempt at modern Australian Noir.

Take care; coffee for me as I go do a little Christmas preparation, Mango ice cream made earlier in the week. Now for some baking.

Merry Christmas

Whose bed have your boots been under? - Shania Twain

Congrats to Jake, WW and Ensorceled, three fabulous stories. Congrats also to everyone who entered, fabulous stories in and outside the top ten. And to all those who read commented and judged.

I really enjoyed again writing to a 10,000 word limit; the first competition I entered was 10,000 words and I thought that was normal, little did I know that I'd have to learn to write short.

"The no discernable reason," is a flag, though women can just be in lust. But more than that, its characterisation for me. But let's be clear, men can write women successfully, Jamal is an example of that, as his women (even when submissive) have agency.

As a writer, for me research matters, like my only gay male story, which, as you might imagine, I have no experience off, I made sure to ask those on Lush who had, 'been there, done that,' certain things to make sure I didn't skirt the bounds of believability.

I also have chatted to male authors about girl on girl scenes which (so they tell me) has helped them ... for me its the great thing about Lush compared to other sites, how easy it is to get feedback on things that are on your backhand so to speak.

One thing though, try to steer away from the perfect women with full boobs, blond hair, blue eyes, and a peachy butt. It feels clichéd even though such women definitely exist.

I've done a about five collaborations (more stories,) all with writer friends. Occasionally it has been to add specific skills, Grusha's musical knowledge was key to our collaboration which I initiated as I knew it was a weak spot of mine and yet my plot idea was bound to orchestral music.

Otherwise it is just been that collaboration is so much fun; you both add when you chat about the plot etc. But recognize that some don't like collaboration as they feel pressurised by it. I'm more inclined to think the idea to work together is what should spark this rather than the plot per se. And the point about accountability is so right.

And use Google docs, I've collaborated by swapping emails on Lush and version control was so hard. Google docs is a Godsend and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Love you all. ❤️ Thank you. To many of us, pets are like family members. And they are great company for those of us who live alone. It was horrific to play with him, go to store, come back and find him like I did. My sister/her hubby removed and buried him and saw something that made them think he ate something off Christmas decorations.... maybe choked.

And suicide is never something to joke about. Most of us know someone affected by it.

Thank you to my friends. ❤️

Hugs, Kimmi. I lost my cat in similar circumstances when I was a teenager. It still has the power to upset me, pets are definitely part of one's family. Take care, lots of love ❤️

There is no ubiquitous Asian culture or 'look.' Lets take care not to stereotype.

Asia is made up of many distinct cultures. Indeed there is an well accepted view here that Australia is part of Asia (though geographers consider it a separate continent.)

Any way I have a number of female friends whose background is European who are married to men whose families are from other Asian countries who would be justifiably outraged by the thought that their spouses are unattractive. As am I frankly, my nephew is half Hong Kong Chinese and is totally gorgeous.

Quote by Ensorceled

By-the-numbers sex I tend to just skip over. Make the sex interesting! It’s erotica!

Early on I used to leave the sex scenes and write them last after I had the plot sorted. I've changed the way I do it, mainly as I've started asking myself: 'what is the point of this sex scene and how am I using it to move the plot along.'

So something that seems unrealistic in the context of the relationship of the characters is a show stopper for me: my only gay male story, I asked around Lush to make sure that it was reasonable that two eighteen year olds would have anal sex on the first date so to speak. Having been assured by those who have been there done that, that it was realistic, I wrote the scene, but took care to make it tentative and exploratory as befitted the teenagers first time.

The first task for a writer in writing about a fetish that isn't shared by the reader, is, in my view, to take the reader into the fetish and have the reader understand why the story character 'likes' it. I think that is quality writing, and I hang on every word of writers who do that, even though it doesn't necessarily turn me on (the sex act I mean, the writing, of course, is hot as.)

I don't like using the same word all through my stories, so even when using cock and pussy I will occasionally throw in a snatch or opening ... and, in one story, even quim. There is of course, prick, dick, willy, todger ... not that I've ever used John Thomas, so far, but truncheon and joystick made an appearance in my Noir story. Steely shaft is alliterative which is never a bad thing.

Quote by sprite

actually, we're just putting names into a hat for this one and pulling three. take about 3 or 4 minutes at most. after that, we'll get drunk as hell for about a week before putting up the results.

Well that'll suit WannabeWordsmith .... so much easier getting pulled when you've got the biggest ... um ... name.

Quote by krystalg
Seriously though, the quality of the Noir entires is top-notch

So enjoyed the takes on Noir in this ... though I still have to read the handful of recent stories.

Football this evening, USA & Netherlands at 2 am my time, followed by Australia & Argentina at 6 am.

If this was rugby well, I'd be confident. But there again: