I'm about 85,000 words into a new novel, which I think will top out around 100-120,000 words. I gave my editor, Geoff, the pick of three 30-40,000 word stories he thought I should expand upon about seven years ago, and he chose one entitled "A Turn of the Cards" as being the most promising.

I never got to know this guy very well when I was at college, but he was a well-loved figure on campus, even for those of us who weren't religious. Now he's gone we're all poorer for his passing. Would that everyone in various churches was as tolerant and giving.

Here's a lovely interview from a few years back. One of Stephen Colbert's finer moments, and that's saying something.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/18493...

I've been a little depressed these last few weeks, and usually when I'm depressed I avoid people in real life and I spend more time online. This isn't exactly the greatest cure for depression.

i thought this was an uncommonly well-written piece about being t*, and having a partner who doesn't deal with it any better than most. there are a few places where it's over-written ("amsonia-blue") but it's definitely worth checking out. it's quite odd, which is, i guess, the reason i enjoyed it.

http://msupress.msu.edu/journals/fg/pdf/09_11.2Peters.pdf

... and so it all comes to an end. Not a perfectly happy ending, but not a very dark one either, at least not for Emma, and there are the bitter sweet memories.

Dan Arsenault's 50th birthday bash is an extravagant affair and Emma meets an old friend. She now has to cope with a boy friend, a guy who's a friend and a job, too.

Emma finds she has more people who love her than she realises ... but will that be enough?

Firehouse on the road at last. Emma learns that sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll has three elements – not all of them are always fun.

Emma becomes a permanent resident in Julia and Pris' apartment, but finds relationships becoming more confused ... and the music goes on.

After surviving an unpleasant 'incidence' Mike becomes Em and finally Emma Jane as she travels south with Steve and Leon. A brief shopping trip with Steve's sister, Julia, helps her to become comfortable with life outside James Brand.

Mike comes to terms with Blaha's therapy and even begins to appreciate the changes. Steve certainly does.
 

This is a story of the seventies. It involves sex, drugs and Rock 'n' Roll - a LOT of Rock 'n' Roll. There's a prison break out, a life on the run and a gradual realisation that life can indeed be good as well as bad. I think it's still one of the best stories I've ever read, TG or not. Read and enjoy.