the level of talent being displayed by the writers here, especially the entries for the New Year's contest, is absolutely amazing. Every story (except mine) has been a home run in terms of writing.

I guess I should be glad I'm better known for my comments than my stories, because I am not in the same league as some of you people!

Preaching to the choir here... Women in western culture can basically wear anything that is not too revealing. On the other hand men who wear women's clothes, it's not good.

I really like stockings and garter belts (Suspender belts in the UK), and I have several variations of them. Anytime I wear them it must be in secret or heavily concealed.

THIS PISSES ME OFF !!!

While I was fishing this afternoon. This bible verse popped into my head. "To whom much is given, much will be required." For a moment I felt like I'd been struck with a piece of iron. Allow me to explain, I have been given much this year, and I'm afraid I've done very little to return it. I've been blessed with the firm mentorship of two of the most brillent writers I've ever known, Emma Anne Tate, and Joanne Barbarella, and I'm sure there dozens more waiting to be discovered here on this forum.

So i'll start by sending you all the relevant greetings to mark the passing of another year!

It suddenly dawned on me that over the course of this calendar year, I’ve posted an Easter story, a Halloween story, a Thanksgiving story, a Chris

I'm semi-retired and drive school bus. That means I'm right there with the school kids counting down the days till the breaks, like Christmas break. Then when it's here I relish the wonderful feeling of freedom that it gives.

Yet this Christmas, the call went out for a contest and being the masochist that I am I decided to enter. The length limit meant the the story was quickly knocked out. I've been sitting on this completed story for a few weeks now. Long enough to let it settle so I'm confident that self-editing will catch all the errors (well at least most).

I have an entry written, peer reviewed, all ready to go.

Now do I publish day 1 and hope no one betters it, or revises theirs to compete, do I wait for the end and hope to trump the others, or slide it out in the middle, hoping to impress the judges but go under the other entrants radar....

Decisions decisions....

Somehow, in a fit of enthusiasm punctuated by lots of exclamation points, I volunteered to be a judge for our 2024 New Year’s Writing Contest, even though this site alone is full of better and more accomplished writers. You know what they say about fools rushing in. Choirs of angels are undoubtedly waving cheerfully from their LazyBoy recliners and calling out, like Jamie Lee Curtis, “Make good choices!”

First allow me to say this, Merry Christmas to y'all. This year has been a amazing, yes there were dark periods, periods of self doubt, periods when I felt like it was time to give up and retire and retreat into the darkness of the internet never to be seen nor heard from again. There were also times when I felt like I was on fire and the world of fiction was my oyster. Rambling aside, I want to thank every member of this site.

Dear BigCloset readers,

I've recently posted some new stories to the site Tigger and I share. Go to www.tigger-n-brandy.net and follow the links.

Or . . . just wait a while. I'm trying to work out a way to get them posted here are BigCloset.

Brandy

Gigi tries to deal with the feelings both she and Regina have for George.... Will it work?

Looking at the story menu tonight, I am surprised at my own reaction to it. Referring to someone as a sissy is particularly off putting for me but talking about someone being feminized or even forcibly feminized is not. Odd that. This is in no way a criticism of others but simply refers to my own reaction to the word.

"You have not yet begun your story." The Ghostly Author's countenance fell, and the air was filled with the acrid stench of unfinished tales. "Yet chance and favor may yet be yours."

"Now, Emma!" Scrooge scoffed. “I've got all the time in the world. I can't even post an entry until New Year's Day, and Valentine's day is weeks away!"

“It’s Sunday,” the Ghostly Author replied. “Do you know where your muse is?”

“Ah. Well. Errr. About that,” Scrooge temporized.

I re-read Butterscotch on Kindle and loved it. Perhaps I read it the first time on BCTS years ago? It was quite entertaining and winsome. Things do not often turn out so well for folk like us but a bit of fantasy is quite welcome. I'd recommend this to anyone.

I never did find a way to leave a review on Amazon.

Gwen

for my Patreons and folks contemplating joining!

I can say without ego that I'm very proud of what I accomplished with Wednesday Knights. I feel like it's the best story I've written -- which might not be saying much, but it is what it is.

A lot of people have told me they really liked it, or even loved it. Many people have said -- perhaps simply to make me feel good -- that they think it's one of the best stories they've read.

Honestly? I like hearing that, because it makes me feel like I'm growing as a writer.

But you know who else needs to hear that?

The people over on Amazon Kindle.

Well it did mean i got a bit of writing done instead!

I'm having electrical work done on my house tomorrow. There may be a delay in posting the next part of Masks 27.

There have been about 30 contests promoted on this site since I came here. I joined in June 2007 and I had never written a story in my life!

of Advent for any God botherers out there, a fortnight to party season for the rest of us!

A reader commented on wanting to know more about the Joel family…
And here it is, the start of the sequel…or is it a prequel to “Release Me”?

For those like me who have been looking at a lot of best books lists in hope of finding something new, especially anyone looking at best fantasies. Most of them do get around to mentioning Tolkein eventually( He should be at the top) but I've seen no mention of what I think is the second best fantasy epic of the last century. Guy Kay Gavriel's Fionaver Tapestry. He draws together a vast range of folklore from across Europe in one masterful story. There is no trans content but has everything else you could want in a fantasy tale.

Part two of Silver Bell Wishes is now up!

Due to a slow connection and an itchy button-pressing finger, it got posted twice.

I hope the Admin will remove the second posting. I promise to be more patient with future postings

Peregrine