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No Bike tonight

Life seems to be intent on stopping me from having any time to myself, which is when I write as well as sleep, eat and poo - okay, TMI. Tonight, after a second twelve hour day in succession, I had two long phone calls, the second from my needy friend and it's sucked all the energy from me.

Tomorrow evening, I shall be trying to get my act in gear enough to pack for the Gabicon, so I honestly don't know when I shall next have time to write and post the next episode of Bike, possibly not until after the weekend. So please have patience, even we superhumans have off days.

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The Story Behind the Story

Over four years ago, while looking over what Erin’s Big Closet had to offer I came upon a story that intrigued me. It wasn’t the categories the author used to define her story. If anything they were a turn off, for I don’t bother with stories tagged as having magic or science fiction elements. While I expect there are many great stories that do, they are not my cup of tea.

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I'm here!! ^__^

I arrived in Melbourne yesterday midday, to a humongous hug from my Lisa (in transit). ^____________________________^ We've had most of yesterday and all of today to just >ENJOY< ourselves, and things are going so wonderfully great!

I just wanted to share! ^__________~

<3 <3 <3

-Liz

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Gifts and Bills

We just payed our $1572 hosting bill and will have another smaller one next month (or maybe it is in November). Anyway, these things go on my credit cards and then I pay down the balance with the money that comes in from the Hatbox gifts. We made our goal for August over the weekend and now need to think about September.

Anything you can send will be good and if you can't do anymore than hit the kudos button on your favorite story, we all understand.

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And I'm back

And I'm back. I've been away a VERY long time, and I apologize for that. All I can say is that it is due to computer problems (as in the lack of internet for a LOOONG time) and a need to deal with personal issues. For those who may have tried to contact me, my email is the same, [email protected] (thank God they kept it active.)

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Another senseless blog

Just kidding about the tissues. What I'm about to ask is whether I should post chapters of Lashes every day this week, or every other day? The reason I ask is that I'm going away for two weeks, starting Saturday. I can post the next four chapters of the story before I go, today, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We're flying out early Saturday morning and Friday is a time to pack. I'll be cruising the Mediterranean for ten days, enjoying watching my son entertain every day.

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Is it my turn now?!!!

B.J, (ie) bamajoe, had just put the final touches on what he thought might be a marginally good Halloween contest story, when sudden his muse went into to over drive and a spin off story just flowed across his keyboard. Ten pages then twenty, he even broke that cardinal rule having lunch at his desk which include coffee, (as for at rule hot liquids and keyboards are not good friends) soon after he was up to thirty three neatly type and roughly edited pages. Then POOF, it all just vanished.

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Probably should have said this already

I probably should have said this already but I'm working on another writing project right now, so 'A Boy and his Dog' is on hold. I have every intention of finishing the story, and I have not lost even a bit of interest in it, it's just that this other project is taking precedent at the moment. I don't want to give anyone the impression that this is another story that will go unfinished.

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Going mainstream is hard

When I wrote God Bless the Child way back in 2002 my goal was to write a mainstream story that gave some insight to the plight of a transsexual. The story, which few would doubt is gripping, reads like a Lifetime- made for tv (good pun)- movie (still waiting on the deal).

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If you'll forgive the descent into self-pity....

As much as I try not to, as much as I try to divert my attention away from the feelings of worthlessness, of intellectual and creative inadequacy, and the persistent question, "Why bother?", I'm finding myself slipping into depression again.

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A good meeting with my pastor

I spent some time talking with my pastor today, talking about being trans, being a survivor of sexual abuse, where I am now, and my desire to find a way to give back to others for all the help I have been given.

A coupe of interesting things came out of it; first, she wanted to re-assure me that from the first time she met me she found I "radiated a feminine energy" so she had no doubt that I am a girl.

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Link to TG TV interview of a great author

Okay, so maybe not a great author, but I got you to check out the blog, how about checking out the clip and telling me what you think. If for nothing else, you get to see and hear what I look like. I am out there and there might not be any bringing me back.

Please post comments too.

http://www.notstr8.tv/shows/trt-44/

I wish we could embed this so you don't have to go off page.

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And so it starts

As you can see, I just posted the first chapter of Lashes, my newest novel. As I've stated before, I won't post until the story is finished. Liar, liar, pants on fire, sorry I couldn't wait. Don't worry, I've already written over sixty thousand words and figured if I posted the first parts of the story it would light a fire under my ass and finish the thing. Well as I write more things take place in the story and, well, the way I think about it, by the time I'm done writing, the chapters will just be getting caught up.

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About the TV experience

Yesterday I got interviewed on Transition TV on the NotStr8 television station (now available on Roku). I will post the link as soon as I get it. After the show goes live, they edit and then post a cleaner version.

Being interviewed was quite interesting. Part of me wonders if I am playing make believe with some of the stuff that's been happening in my life. I feel I backdoored my way into the interview, but I guess I'm okay with that.

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The Best Jewel Thieves In The World

On the day that Durham won the County Cricket championship for the third time in six years - stealing it from under the noses of Yorkshire! - let's hear it for the Land of the Prince Bishops and arguably its most gifted son. Yes, the songwriting genius Paddy McAloon has a new Prefab Sprout album out on October 7th. I've heard it all and it's the best thing he's recorded since 'Jordan: The Comeback'.

Down below, down below
What do any of those losers know

http://youtu.be/5WnATZLcXuA

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In-Laws, DyFS, and a Whole Mess of Stuff.....

So shit hit the fan today.

Amy's parents basically told her that I don't care for her, that I'm not welcome as Family any more, and that she will probably be cut off from her family if she doesn't leave me.

And by leave me, I mean they gave her a deadline of next saturday (2 days after the amniocentesis).

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We lost a trans sister yesterday

Yesterday I found out on facebook that another trans woman had committed suicide, after I sent my prayers for her family and friends, all I could think of was "That could have been me." See, I'm in the 41 percent of trans people who have made an attempt on their own life, and it can only be described as a miracle that I am still here.

And that would suck, because then I would have missed out on all the amazing things that have started to happen since I started transitioning, and I would have caused grief and pain to the people I love for no good reason.

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Help finding a book on a grammar...

Like many people here I'm on a quest... Not really a quest for gold or fabulous treasure, but I think perhaps a more mundane one. I'm looking to improve my writing skills. Every story I write I learn something new and I'd like to keep this trend going, but I've hit a bit of a snag. One of my biggest weaknesses is that I lack a complete grasp on grammar. Virtually Twisted was my first foray into the world of TG and also the first yarn I'd written in quite a while. Something I think was painfully obvious when I first posted it.

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"A sickly sweet as a German white wine"

"A sickly sweet as a German white wine and just about as much body."

That was a review I got on Fictionmania for my story "False Positive"

And people wonder why I prefer to post here....

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Fuck. My. Life.

Fuck this shit. Fuck it all up. Fuck it out of the park, out of my life, into deepest darkest space beyond the reach of telescopes. Fuck it into the past, fuck it out of all recognition, break it, twist it, mangle it until there is no resemblance to its original state. Fuck it past its original state, into the primordial pre-fuckery that spawned it.

I am fed up. I just want someone to sort me out, because it is becoming painfully obvious I am incapable of doing it myself.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO!

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Gifts to keep BC running

We're halfway through September and have half of our goal received for August. All gifts are appreciated and the money is being spent to either pay our ongoing hosting related bills, pay down debts accrued in keeping the site running for the last 14 years or pay Piper enough that she can forego other paying jobs to keep BC and related sites functioning. Some goes into the Server Fund intended to upgrade our hardware next year and what little is left over I probably spend on comic books and In-N-Out burgers. :) I also share donations received with other TS/TG sites and causes.

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I AM My Brother's Keeper

So far this Holy day season my rabbi concentrated on the idea "I AM my brother's keeper." I was thinking that I know three here who have unknowingly demonstrated to me that quality: Holly Hart, Penny Cardin and Gwen Brown. Among those mentioned by the rabbi was how four chaplains of the doomed WWII transport ship the Dorset gave up their life jackets and other items so that other soldiers could live. He also mentioned Mother Teresa who founded and maintained a hospital in one of the worse slums in the world, yet had a crisis of faith.

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What to do

What or how do you work past an issue that makes you uncomfortable. It sounds trivial but for the life of me I cannot seem to, or want to, write scenes that can affect a childs' relationship with his/her parent. I can envision it but I'm unable to put it to paper. I've known several people that have had a poor relationship with theirs but mine was never like that. Its like a stumbling block for when I have to write it. It's essential to the story so there's no way for me to skirt around the issue. Unless the parent is a total bitch (which she is not) I cannot write it.

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Portia Bennett's California Saga

I have just completed a wonderful series, and I wanted to comment upon it. As is common for me, I started at the end with Soaring With Eagles, Portia Bennett's most recent novella in her California Saga. I was so impressed with the story that I had to look up the rest of it. What I found was a wonderfully well-written series about a large family in California.

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Beautiful Songs Written In Pain

Here I am again, indulging in my usual late night indulgence of listening to music which transports me. Tonight it's Fleetwood Mac and the particular song that got to me tonight is "Go Your Own Way", probably my fave song by this group, written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham (with chorus by Stevie Nicks) when Lindsey found out that Stevie was having it away with Mick.

Listen to the pain,

Joanne

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Authors: Here's A Sentence For You!

Don't know if anyone is looking for a real-life inspiration for a story, but I was just reading a Wikipedia article about an anti-baldness drug, and in the discussion of its discovery/development was this sentence:

"In 1974, Julianne Imperato-McGinley of Cornell Medical College in New York attended a conference on birth defects. She reported on a group of intersex children in the Caribbean who appeared sexually ambiguous at birth, and were initially raised as girls, but then grew external male genitalia and other masculine characteristic post-onset of puberty. "

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Interesting thing happened today

I stopped at a yard sale this afternoon and as I was browsing the items I saw a man longingly looking at a beautiful prom dress from a distance. It was a beautiful lavender glitter long gown. It was gorgeous and an old skinny part of me yearned for it but I doubted it could fit my calf anymore and besides, I could not think of a single place it could be worn.

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Had a strange day yesterday

So as you may remember, I got a new job at the end of July and started on the 30th of that month. Well about 2 weeks ago, they told us that we had to do an orientation thing, where they could tell us all about our job, show us where everything is and stuff like that. Like I haven't learned where all the stuff I need is at after a month there.

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Free Books by Karin Bishop

Last week I announced that two of my Kindle eBooks will be available for free downloads; they're available tomorrow, Friday and Saturday! Many of you have been kind and purchased these already, but newcomers may find them a free introduction to my writing, as well as my stories here on BCTS.

Role of a Lifetime is about a middle-school boy who is cast in a TV pilot, where he must play the son of a family on the run, but disguised as a girl. And things happen ...

It will be available for free Friday and Saturday, September 13-14.

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Did something really kewl today!

There was a funeral procession that passed though my home town today. It was for a fallen Soldier that lived in Connecticut. He was flown to Stewart airport National Guard base in Orange county, N.Y. All along the procession route at the various overpasses, located within my Fire District's coverage area we positioned a Fire truck and Emergency service personal to pay tribute to the fallen Soldier as the procession passed. I thought this was a very fitting thing to do and was proud to be a part of it.

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Pop culture references/tributes in stories & 100k

I seem to have a knack for placing (sometimes not-so) subtle tributes in my stories especially my latest work, Battle for Earth. I have several characters named after actors/characters from The Simpons, Stargate SG-1, and Star Trek along with a not so subtle reference to Dirty Harry, and much more illusive one to Star Wars. For any of you that have read my story Incompatible there's a pretty sizable dream sequence (for lack of a better word) which is a tribute to the movie die hard.

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Interesting Study: Testicle Size vs. Paternal Behavior

I know many of us think about gender roles and physiology. Here's a story about an interesting study which looks at how the size of a man's testicles might affect how he relates to his children.

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No longer writing

This is a good day, kind of. I am no longer in the writing phase of my next novel. I wrapped up the first draft earlier to day of "Unreachable"" (I dropped the word "The" from the beginning). and now I am onto the tedious part of editing. The book is 240k words long, so a bunch is going to be cut off to get it to a respectable length. I overdid the beginning and I think I can lose that without hurting the story.

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