This piece made me feel like I wanted to be a kid again. It made me feel that many of us take childhood for granted (and it is so depraved that those who no better would abuse it). When I have children, yes, I hope my memory will give me a jolt and say remember the beauty of Stoplight.

I really enjoyed reading this piece. The way you moved from tranquillity to trauma was very nicely done. My online gripe would be how you referred to the stripper as a lady. In my opinion, strippers and ladies don’t go in the same sentence unless of course the lady is disgusted with what the stripper does for a living! Each to their own, I say. So where are the other chapters? I’d like to read more…

This is quite sad story of insecurity which I enjoyed reading. I think it could be developed into a novel. I’d like to know what her ex is doing coming to town. Is it random or has he been pursuing her. I think the word she is far too overused. Is there any reason you have not given your characters name. I think this would make me identify with them more and would form a greater link between the narrative and the characters. I look forward to reading of your developments.

This is a very good piece of writing with a steady tempo. There number of moments where I was chuckling to myself. In particular… “Unable to summon any more fake laughter, several individuals resorted to shaking their heads in amusement.” Orlando is quite a character. He comes across as a bit of a lady’s man and with a name like that it’s not surprising… Orlando Bloom comes to mind. The only criticism (constructive of course) is with regards to the speech format. Trying to think about who was...

Wow! From marital bliss to spousal separation, by murder, in the blink of an eye. Yep, you’ve definitely got my attention. Your descriptions, I thought, were quite vivid and I really did feel like I was there. Some stories, you have to really think hard to imagine yourself there. I felt the coldness of the day and the tension as the cyclist road pass. That wait for him to get in the car, had me thinking to myself, come on, come on, hurry up! (Like in a scary movie). You’ve set a good tempo. M...

My God! Harrowing! I’ve often wondered what it would be like to write a piece where someone being stabbed. I’ve thought, how can you write about something you’ve never experienced before? Is being stabbed something you’ve experienced or did you research it (i.e. asked someone who has been). A great mystery you’re developing. Up until this point the murder is very disturbing and sad. I’m not sure who I should really feel sorry for the husband, the wife or the person with the distorted voice. W...

This poem I would imagine is very personal and it must have taken a great deal of courage to write it. I like it from beginning to end.

I love this poem. It’s innocent, sincere and hopeful. Good qualities in ourselves we sometimes do not see until another sees it and shows us. The mind, technically, can’t be seen but something tells me that ‘he’ saw it and fell in love.

The descriptions were so authentic that it makes me feel like going to Starbucks for a coffee and my favourite apple and cinnamon muffin (mmmm!) Your musical metaphors are injected in all the right places. Well done!

Upon first reading your story, I thought the lion was being used in a metaphorical sense and the jungle being the City. Of course, reading on I discovered this was not so. I do like the fact that you used animals to convey significant morals (we’re never too old to learn or to be humbled and respect works two ways). However, I think you contradicted the virtue of humbleness. Towards the end of the story George says this: “Dad, you don’t know how much that means to me. You are the best father ...