Mark C.

Al, I second your sentiments... awesome author interview...

It's a good thing I don't live near you because I would lock you in your writing den and only give you dinner when you finished a chapter. Call it an incentive, grin.... just kiddIng.... take your time and do not think about anything but doing your best. The story and you is what counts, not us out here waiting.... anticipation will just sweeten the read....

My, that lamb looks so delicious! You tease us with food, Arthur teases with his red herrings... and we love it alll!

Every one of us will have a different response and that is part of the strength of this site, that there are stories for every taste. For me, 'Forever' by Jack Schaefer is a top one, as well as 'Drummer Boy'. As much as I love sci-fi and fantasy, I tried very hard to get into D'Artagnon's writing. Don't get me wrong, sir, you are an incredibly gifted writer but I found after awhile, I preferred older characters as main characters. But I am glad you are there for our younger readers, who need positive role models and good things in their lives. And although I think the RU universe is a good idea, I found that reading about the same events, even written in different stories perspective, a bit tedious after awhile. I want to read about characters who develop during a story and grow in love and character. I admit I am a romantic at heart and love happy endings. Those stories making me come to care about the main characters are the best. Any genre which gives me all that, I will read. To sum up: characters who make me care about them and want to keep reading, good dialogue, good plot and heartwarming moments. I have not yet read all authors here either, so ask this question next year and although my main points will be the same, I bet I will have added new favorites to the list. Again, a strength of this site is its diversity.

So glad to see your little 'teaser', Al.... only a reader with no heart or brains would have missed the significance of it, grin... loved the video of the drums... could imagine them marching along in Portugal Dusty ways in the summer with that echoing around them, raising heartbeats in friends and fear in foes.....

Thank you Tinker for your musing about me. I am indeed enjoying the story and seem to view interruptions with impatience, grin.... I realize in a perfect world I could sit and read the entire thing at one sitting but alas.... just finished the Battle of Talavera. I am glad the story does not whitewash the horrors and deaths of war and a story about war with no one dying is unrealistic but it still is sad to see boys and teens we know die.... good thing Thomas Marking is hounding Arthur because the group of disgruntled readers which would be on his case for Book 2 would be worse than Master Marking's whip.

Now with the end of Book 1, I will start reading this story after waiting as long as I can after reading such glowing reports. Looking forward to it. And thanks Al, for the editing.

Arthur, I can't wait to read this story but to be honest, would rather wait until it is finished to read it. It appears so well written and crafted that I don't want the interruption of waiting for new chapters to spoil me savoring the read. If I may ask, do you know how many chapters are in the story yet or are you still working as you go? Thanks!

Hey, Parker... Actually not from the Uk. American but now retired and we spend 6 months in the UK until they throw us out for the year. We can only stay 6 months in a calendar year. Where did you visit in the UK? We stay up north in the Lancaster and Yorkshire areas. Have friends there.

Parker, keep your day job, grin.... At least you are trying...

Hey Parker.... Ummmmm..... I'm a bit embarrassed to say this but I don't get it why it's funny.....

Kev, if it would make you feel better, ask around here and someone will be happy to read some things you have written and provide meaningful and good feedback. No one wants to be made to feel badly and that is just not us here or how people here operate... Feel free to contact me if you wish and I'd be happy to read your stories and comment.

Just wanted to spruce up the thread....

Yew are not a pretty sight when sappy, so will let you rest on your laurels, Ken, grin...