Kristina Burke

I'm working on a small love story with the general concept of people who, for all intents and purposes, should end up together. But they met at the wrong time and get to be at different points in their lives and make the wrong choices and ultimately can't.

(Yes, it's been done a million times. A prompt for practice and fun.)

But while plotting I was just wondering which is more tragic: if the lovers have already gotten together and then it's ripped apart OR if they're always a hair from being together only for it never to come to pass?

And if the former, is it more tragic for them to have...consummated or never have before it's wrenched away?

Like I said, this is just a little story for practice. My characters aren't fully fleshed out yet so really it can go either way.

I just want to make my friend who always edits and looks over my stuff cry tbh.

And I'm wondering what the people of the internet think.

So.

What do ya'll think?

For the first time in four years I don't have a summer reading assignment. o.O And since I really don't know what I'll do with myself, I thought I'd ask and see what recs people have.

A mix of literary merit and fluff/recreational would be ideal.

I like historical, fantasy, sci-fi, queer, controversial/banned, romance, action, horror, etc.

Nothing terribly long, though, please. I'd like to read a few books this summer.

Some of my favorite books of literary merit include:

A Seperate Peace

Of Mice and Men

Catcher in the Rye

Catch-22

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

Maurice

Frankenstein

The Screwtape Letters

Hunchback of Notre Dame

Some of my favorite books for fluff and recreation include:

Harry Potter

Looking for Alaska

pretty much anything Jodi Picoult

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister

Lord of the Rings

East

Seven Kingdoms Trilogy

Song of Ice and Fire series

I'm working on a novel, and I'd like to know if the plot seems to lend itself to the theme, and if not what can I do to help it work better?

It's the story of three young adults.

One who's basically living for nothing. He has no plans, no place he’s headed. He’s pretty much a loser. He has potential but he’s too caught up in his own pity party to realize it. He ends up doing some stupid stuff and ends up in jail.

One who's on the same page mentally as the first, but she has to take care of people and it keeps her more grounded in reality. Eventually, after years of therapy and destructive behavior, she manages to move forward bit by bit and make a life for herself.

And the third who is the brother of the first who is desperately trying not to be like him, though in his attempts he ends up more like him than he realised. He ends up killing himself.

The basic theme is that one way or another, you’ve got to deal with it (get your life together), or it will ruin you. Also dealing with the current fad of the fetishization of depression and mental disorders and how that's nothing but destructive.

This year, I moved up a level in my ballet classes (and just got my first pair of pointe shoes, too!). I'm very excited and grateful, but I have an issue. There must've been a huge gap between levels, as now I'm atrociously behind the other girls in my level. So I've taken it upon myself to give myself a barre and stretch every day I don't have class (and occasionally if I don't have a lot of homework I try to give myself an adage or a petite allegro).

The issue now is that the combinations I came up for myself are a bit redundant, and the combinations I use from class earlier in the week I tend to forget, do wrong, and then mess up in class a few days later.

If anybody has an complete barre combinations for any of the exercises that I can practice at home to improve my technique, that would be lovely!

I know this question has been asked before...but I'd like to get an idea if I'm depressed, stressed, tired, or anything so I'd know if it'd be worth it to see a professional.

- I do have an anxiety disorder and am in the middle of getting over bulimia

- anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder run in my family

- I have little to no motivation to do anything I used to enjoy, except maybe watch TV

- I'm exhausted all the time, even after getting 8.5 to 10 hours of sleep

- I continually obsess over the way I look yet never make any attempts to fix it (wake up early to straighten my hair, go for a jog, etc.)

- I find being pleasant in school utterly exhausting.

- I'm constantly going on these tangents in my head about everything wrong with me, worrying that my friends hate me/are trying to replace me, and can't seem to find peace.

- I cry every day, almost

- I think about death a lot. I'm never the one actually doing it, but I kind of fantasize about a semi truck crossing the line and into me, falling out of car doors when I'm leaning on them, getting cancer or some other deadly illness.

So, any ideas what's wrong with me? Would it be worth seeing a therapist (again)?

Hello, everyone. I need some help picking out a song for my dance solo. It will be a Broadway-style Jazz piece, and we get to pick our own song.

Initially I wanted to do Seize the Day from the Newsies, but a tap class did that last year so that's out.

I was also thinking "All for the Best" from Godspell, or "My Strongest Suit" from Aida but both seem more like something good for a big class. Any ideas?

If it matters, I probably will do some gymnastics and quite a bit of turns (as those are my strong suits in dance).

Just saying, I really have no experience with this sort of thing, and I’m just looking for some advice.

There are these two guys that I think I might fancy, but I have no idea what I should do.

I met Boy A last year in a class we had together. We had the last part of this class together this year, and developed feelings for each other. We had one study date where we both admitted we liked one another. He, however, doesn’t date because he’s afraid of all the obligations (walking to class, making dates, etc) and I had said that I wouldn’t make him do a lot, and then changed the subject. The term ended, however, and we haven’t had much of a chance to speak with each other. I do like him a lot, though, and have had plans to ask him out again just to see where it’s going (if anything will happen).

Then, a friend of mine told me that her friend, Boy B, who goes to a different school, saw me in the play and was interested. I was curious, and started talking to him. He was pretty interested, asking me if I was single, and we both flirted quite a bit.

I can’t help but feel a bit guilty. Maybe because I still like Boy A, even though I think I might be developing feelings for Boy B, and I don’t want to hurt feelings. I know I shouldn’t feel bad, considering I am single and am not dating Boy A, so should have every right to shop around, right?

Anyway, any advice?

Extra things –

Boy A is a few months older than me, Boy B is about a year younger. I’m 17.

Okay, so I'm turning 18 in the spring and...let's just say I like to plan ahead.

I'd like to do something big this year. Why? A) It's my first year as an adult (though I'm not sure if that's worth celebrating... B) My "Sweet 16" was just a bonfire with two of my closest friends...it was a great time, but I kind of wish I had a bigger party...

Anyway. I cannot (nor do I want to) do a strip club or lottery tickets or gamble, since I am the second oldest of my close friends.

If you'd like to know about me, to help with ideas:

- I'm a dancer (meaning I take ballet, jazz, tap and my employment is at a studio)

- Baking is fun for me

- I like the woods and the beach

- Dogs are cool

- I can't afford a petting zoo (dammit)

- I live in a small town but do enjoy city life

Sooo....any ideas?

I hung out with this guy earlier this weekend, and long story short, I told him that I liked him. He replied that he liked me back. When I asked him if we were going to do anything about it, he said that he didn't know.

The thing is, though, is that he doesn't date. He said mostly because he doesn't want to deal with all the extra stuff - planning dates, paying for things all the time, walking his girlfriend to class, etc.

I had mentioned that I wouldn't expect all of that all the time.

But, anyway, I still really like him, I'd like to date him, and I'm just wondering what I should do next. I want to respect his convictions against dating, even though I wish he didn't have them. I honestly think I could be just as happy with just being friendly and enjoying each other's company, but I worry that we won't see each other ever again after our first semester is over, since we won't have Spanish together anymore and graduation is in the spring.

What should I do? I figured it'd be wise to just continue to be a friend, keep it obvious that I still like him in case he changes his mind, and maybe ask him to hang out again sometime.

I'm having a hard time deciding after my last computer died.

- fairly poor student

- need it to study, take notes

- I keep photos and movies on my computers

- watch Netflix

- be on the Internet

- I also write a lot.

Anything specific that would be good?

Okay, so I dated this guy about four years ago. We stopped talking (as is usual in Jr. High) for the years and pretty much ignored each other...until this past school year. We started hanging out in a small group again (one of his friends is dating my best friend), and old feelings came back on my part. But he told me that he doesn't see "us" happening again. Fair enough, I can't control that. But, it has made me realise what a great friend I lost four years ago. I want to be friends with him again, but how can I go about doing that without falling for him again?

Let's see...I broke up with him way back then, and he *seemed* okay with it, if my memory serves me correctly.

Anyway, anything you could think of would be helpful.

I'm going to be auditioning for the character of Gertrude McFuzz for my community theatre's production of Suessical. I can't really describe how much I really want this role...let's just say auditions aren't till fall and I've been working a month. (Pathetic, yes. But I'm a teenager with nothing better to do all summer than prepare a song.) But, at this point, I'm conflicted. I don't have the strongest "pretty" singing voice, but I can be pretty loud with my character voice I've created for my audition of Gertrude. The problem is that the voice I use isn't exactly pretty. It's quirky, kind of nasally actually, and it fits for her character. But, should I sing my audition song in that voice (it's "Notice Me, Horton," by the way--and it's fine to use a song from the show for this audition; I asked and made sure)? I don't want the director to think that I can't really sing well...so, I'm conflicted.

I love using my Gertrude voice and I'm very comfortable with it. However, I'm worried that using it may prevent me from getting the part. On the other hand, I think it might show that I've thought this through and am enthusiastic about the show and will work my butt off for it. Any thoughts? If any of you are directors for community theatre, what would you think if someone sang an entire song in a character voice?

Okay, so I need help picking out an audition song. This is the first time I’ve done an audition like this, where you pick out your own song for a musical. I’d like to audition for Gertrude McFuzz from Seussical, but I have a serious lack of knowing songs that are similar to songs from that show in Gertrude’s range. Anybody know of any?

Okay, please don't say that it can't be done or anything like that, because I honestly need to change my personality.

I'm a sixteen year old girl, by the way.

Here's the deal, I'm a very shy and introverted person. However, all the things I hope to accomplish in my life kind of require me to be a little more of a go-getter. I'd like to go into business administration, marketing, or ownership. But, that requires talking to people, running meetings, and things like that.

I also am a bit of a weird girl, and I don't really care that much about fashion...I mean, I shower every day and dress appropriately, but I'm never all that up to par with what people assume a girl should look like, and shopping for more than two hours bores me to tears.

In addition, I'm somewhat lazy. This I'm taking care of by just signing up for things--I've signed up for a gym and extra dance classes, so that I have an obligation to get off my butt and do something productive. I can't stand to break obligations so I figured this will work spectacularly.

I figure a lot of it is just deciding what I have to do. Actually go shopping and try to care about the necklaces and shoes; just start talking to people; and things like that. But, if there are any tips or articles that would help I'd be much obliged.

The year before last, my family hosted a foreign exchange student from Japan. It went so well that this coming year, we decided to host again. So, after studying and looking at profiles, we decided that we wanted to host this one girl from China. The thing is, I don't know anything, really, about Chinese people or their culture. So, if anyone could provide any tips or anything for us we'd be grateful. (Like, for example, our rep told us it'd be a good idea to buy a rice steamer so she'll be able to cook some rice if she doesn't like what we're eating for dinner...)

Specific questions? Hm...well, anything about food, or common household procedures to be aware of would be lovely.

First off, I'm a girl and I'm sixteen now.

So, I dated this guy back in middle school. Then, after a few months, I was stupid and broke up with him, regretting it ever since. Still, I had barely talked to him in four years. Then, recently, we started hanging out again in a group of four (me, him, a mutual friend, and my best friend). I started to fancy him again. Then, when we were alone for a bit, he asked me why I had broken up with him in sixth grade. I answered and told him up front that I was an idiot and regretted it and that if he ever wanted to try again I’d be willing. He said that he didn’t feel that way about me but that he still wanted continue to hang out like we had been, putting me in the friendzone. Then, a few minutes later, he told me that he felt like a total jerk because likes my best friend. She doesn’t like him in that way (we have talked at length about this) and he’s pretty much in her friendzone.

I’m confused as to what to do about this. I’m pretty sure he was being legit about still wanting to hang out, as we have still been hanging out since like that—even though my best friend is nearly always with us. I’ve asked my other best friend and my sister, and they say just try to be friends with him and see if anything ever changes. Do you think this is a good idea? Is there anything you think I could do to help things kind of work in my favour?

This is just a little thing for an idea that peeked into my mind, so I sat down and wrote the first few paragraphs. I'm not giving that much detail right now, because everything's hazy and the plot's super simple. But, I was wondering if somebody could read these few paragraphs and tell me what you think of this character, first impressions, what you think of him, anything would work. Thanks!

The point of view is an eighteen year old boy named Chris.

And please keep in mind this is just something I wrote once really quickly, and that I haven't edited or revised it in any way.

Here it is:

Usually, when I leave the restaurant early, I’ve done something wrong. Really wrong. Like boxing someone off his feet behind the counter. But, nine out of ten, he deserves it. This time, however Chief just told to head back early. Of course, I can only think that’s what he said. It’s hard to tell. He can be pretty idiotic sometimes. And by sometimes, I mean all of the time.

So, really, it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. Yeah, go ahead and tell one of the two men you have doing the dishes all day to go home. That makes a whole hell of a lot of sense. But, hey, the moron is in charge, so what else was I to do but bid a fond farewell to Ed and head back to our flat in the ankle-deep slush? Sometimes I wonder what possessed the owner of the restaurant, to hire somebody as dimwitted as Chief as management, but then I realise that I really don’t want to know the answer anyhow. Politics made me angry; and when I get angry someone ends up with a bloody nose.

To be perfectly honest, I really don’t mind getting off duty early. It isn’t as though I’m about to spend the rest of my life scraping grease off pans. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I’m done here, but I’ll do something. I’m here for the same reason the rest of us are, because we have to be. Believe you me; nobody wants to work in a sweaty, hotter-than-hell restaurant in the middle of nowhere. And almost none of us have a plan of any kind. We’re kind of stuck here, but muddling through. The only person who I know knows exactly what he wants to do is Ed, but as for myself, I work so that I can have a bit of fun. It’s kind of like the Three Little Pigs or whatever.

So, I’m writing a book, and I need some help with how to get the two main characters to fall in love. Here’s the basic plot, the specific question is below that.

The protagonist, Blaise, has to go to a different region/part of the Roman Empire to manage a scrap of land in that area he recently inherited. He winds up falling in love with Vita, one of his neighbor's slave girls who’s basically a sex slave—the main thing is that she doesn’t trust men.

*I know the plot seems a little cliche, I asked a question about this here on answers before. I have a twist planned for later.

It’s the Vita learning to trust men again bit that I’m having trouble with. I need ideas for a scenario that can help her warm up to Blaise. He’s curious about her from the get-go, even if he doesn’t realize exactly what she does for a living.

Initially, Vita was curious and trusting, but that’s part of what got her into “trouble.”

But after years of rough treatment and being held against her will, and having a baby she lost, she’s retreated into a kind of a shell of a person. What I want to happen is Vita will slowly open up to Blaise, and part of her original personality will open up…but the problem is, I can’t think of anything that would happen to get her to trust him in the teeniest fraction. My original idea was that he stops her from getting whipped in the halls when he’s visiting, but that strikes me as both unrealistic to the culture and time and a little…obvious.

Blaise’s personality – he’s intelligent, a bit sarcastic, has a low self-esteem but is too proud to admit it, but he wants for things to be fair and he’s really loyal.

Any ideas are appreciated! Thanks so much.

Okay, so I'm writing a story, and I finally got to the big kissing scene...but frankly, I hate it. Could anybody help me out? This is first person point of view by the girl, Bridget. Please, help! Anything would be great. I really want to make this a good scene.

POV things: she was a proper and wealthy person, but got mixed up in some bad things after her mother and stepfather are murdered, and she moves in with her dad who just got out of prison. It's a major culture shock for her. But then she meets Samuel and falls in love. This is her and Sam's kissing scene (quite a bit into the book). I already set it, and I like that much. They're alone, in Sam's run-down house.

Here's the scene.

My mind was swarming, like a million little bees buzzing about and numbing my brain. And, every little bee carried its own unique thought.

What’s happening?

Am I doing this right?

I can’t believe he’s kissing me.

Oh, my dear Lord. What’s happening?

Did he just bite me? Am I supposed to like it as much as I do?

I wonder if he’s kissed Maria like this.

I kissed Josh like this once before. I can't believe I did it.

But, you know, this is better.

Much better.

On and on the list went.

He smelled like soap and sugar and tobacco. I felt like I was about to melt, everything was warm and fuzzy. I felt intoxicated, as though I had smoked a little more than I was used to and had a few too many drinks. I could’t breathe, I was hazy, and the world went away. I imagined that, if I were to open the door, there would be nothing but a black abyss waiting on the other side. Nothing existed except for Samuel and me.

He kept on pressing his lips to mine, sometimes not even lifting his mouth to begin the new one. His hands kept me close to him, close enough so that I could detect everything; his stance, the way he was leaning forward, and the way his hands twitched and drummed on my sides. I could’t believe my heart could ever beat so fast.

Then, things took a turn for the zealous. He slowly outlined my lips with his tongue. It took me almost a full minute to realize what he wanted. When I did, yes, I was a little shocked, but too intoxicated from him to care.