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Scholarship  [message #67705] Fri, 26 April 2013 07:22 Go to next message
Nigel is currently offline  Nigel

On fire!
Location: England
Registered: November 2003
Messages: 1756



I note that Ian John Copeland's Scholarship has appeared on the Story Shelf. It is an interesting study with insight and intellectual depth of inter-boy relationships and psychology as well as being a good story. Persevere to the end. All becomes clear in the last chapter. It is worth reading twice.

Hugs
Nigel



I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.

…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.
Re: Scholarship  [message #67706 is a reply to message #67705] Fri, 26 April 2013 08:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timmy

Has no life at all
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13739



"Persevere" sounds a bit harsh Smile The story starts here: http://iomfats.org/storyshelf/hosted/ian-john-copeland/schol arship/01.html

[Updated on: Fri, 26 April 2013 08:40]




Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
Re: Scholarship  [message #67707 is a reply to message #67706] Fri, 26 April 2013 11:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Nigel is currently offline  Nigel

On fire!
Location: England
Registered: November 2003
Messages: 1756



'Persevere' may sound harsh, but the comment refers to the readers, not the story. I back up my application of the word from the data you sent me some time ago concerning the way that readership drops off with serialised stories. Ian knows the support I have given him.

Hugs
Nigel



I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.

…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.
Re: Scholarship  [message #67708 is a reply to message #67707] Fri, 26 April 2013 12:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timmy

Has no life at all
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13739



It's a great tale. We have all the chapters (assuming there are only 16, coz I haven't checked!) and it takes up a regular position the publishing slot after next.



Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
Re: Scholarship  [message #67709 is a reply to message #67708] Fri, 26 April 2013 20:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Nigel is currently offline  Nigel

On fire!
Location: England
Registered: November 2003
Messages: 1756



I can confirm that there are 16 chapters.

Hugs
Nigel



I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.

…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.
Re: Scholarship  [message #67711 is a reply to message #67705] Sun, 28 April 2013 09:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Smokr is currently offline  Smokr

Likes it here
Location: the burning former USofA
Registered: July 2010
Messages: 399



Quote:
The Rocks Preparatory School for Boys lived in its own world.

Got that far until the entirety of it flashed through the ol' gray matter and got that flinch inside.
Stunning tale. More than a tale, nearly a kind of study, as was stated.



raysstories.com
Re: Scholarship  [message #67712 is a reply to message #67709] Sun, 28 April 2013 10:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ian John Copeland is currently offline  Ian John Copeland

Toe is in the water
Location: South East
Registered: December 2012
Messages: 33



Indeed, much thanks are due to Nigel for editing with kindness. I recall one sentence I was struggling with in terms of meaning. I got there in the end with Nigel's efforts.

It was my suggestion that the first three chapters go out as a block. Together they form a prequel to the main story (perhaps foreplay might be a better description) and introduce most of the main characters before the most important character actually appears.

As I write, I am awaiting comments on my second novel from a friend and have just started to think about a possible third novel. The topic of the third revisits one of the main characters in Scholarship at his new school. I know what I want to evoke, but am not yet sure it is a writing project I want to pursue yet. Scholarship was hard to write at times as the subject matter was something that touched me when I was younger so I had to revisit some difficult times in my life in the process.

Anyway, I hope people enjoy Scholarship, feedback welcome!

Ian

[Updated on: Sun, 28 April 2013 10:24]




Visit my Blog: http://thepaintheagony.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Scholarship  [message #67799 is a reply to message #67712] Mon, 17 June 2013 03:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ricky is currently offline  Ricky

Toe is in the water
Location: USA
Registered: October 2010
Messages: 39



A wonderful story. Too sad not to be mostly true. Pip was charged and found guilty without anything more than a suspicion. I just marathoned it and am really happy to see there is another chapter. Hopefully posted very soon.Perhaps there will be some hope left with the lad in the end. I usually wait for a completed flag to start a story but this one just caught my fancy and I was going to just take a peak and got hooked.

So the story continues? Care to share the substance of book 2? When will you start posting it, where else do you have stories posted?

I love your style. It's very visual. I've enjoyed what I've read immensely.
Re: Scholarship  [message #67803 is a reply to message #67799] Mon, 17 June 2013 18:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ian John Copeland is currently offline  Ian John Copeland

Toe is in the water
Location: South East
Registered: December 2012
Messages: 33



Thanks for your kind comments Ricky!

There is one more chapter to come so hopefully that will resolve some things in the story.

As for 'Too sad not to be mostly true' comment, I will say that there is a lot of truth in the story even if the details have been changed to protect the innocent (the other boys but 'Sacha' especially).

My story continued.  As for Sacha, I often wondered what happened to him.  Impressively he had a life plan in his early teens.  Research suggests he achieved what he set out to do.  Which says to me he was quite driven and also a bit boring in adult life.  There is one surprising aspect, if I have identified the right person, he has changed his appearance, perhaps he has something to hide?

Anyway, I hope Scholarship has brought its rewards to those who have perservered.

Ian



Visit my Blog: http://thepaintheagony.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Scholarship  [message #67808 is a reply to message #67803] Mon, 17 June 2013 22:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ricky is currently offline  Ricky

Toe is in the water
Location: USA
Registered: October 2010
Messages: 39



Have you considered that quite possibly he is boring because he is just going through the motions? Perhaps spotting a familiar face he misses from his past might bring about a whole different persona. As for changing his looks, did you expect he would remain young, charming sweet and beautiful? We all grow up.

Those are just my thoughts. I look forward to the last chapter and the future books. So I am assuming dear Pip that the next story is a continuation of your life paraphrased? I can't wait.
John
aka Ricky[/font]
Re: Scholarship  [message #67818 is a reply to message #67808] Thu, 20 June 2013 07:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ian John Copeland is currently offline  Ian John Copeland

Toe is in the water
Location: South East
Registered: December 2012
Messages: 33



Ricky,

I made a terrible mistake after I found Sacha on-line.  I sent him an email.  He sent back a message "not me" instantly.  Now one could read that as 'you have the wrong guy' or you can read it as 'no thanks'.  I rather think it was the latter.  It made me re-evaluate our relationship from his perspective for the first time and made me realise that I was probably the last person he ever wanted to hear from.  I wish I hadn't contacted him is the short answer, he is hetero, I have to accept that.  I wish him well in his life.

As for Pip's future life, there is a gem of an idea out there, but in truth my late teenage years already form part of someone else's book. It is about teenage angst during an altogether different part of life from the time when I was in a very unsuccessful band.  We had a ball causing mayhem, mostly to our selves but then life (university, work, families for some) interrupted and put paid to that.  Although recently I went out and brought the instrument of my dreams and started playing again as part of my 'surviving middle age' celebrations.  So I am not going to write about that bit either!

Ian



Visit my Blog: http://thepaintheagony.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Scholarship  [message #67821 is a reply to message #67818] Thu, 20 June 2013 08:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timmy

Has no life at all
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13739



I don't think it was a huge mistake. It was just a thing. Society has imbued homosexuality with too much power. Looked at logically Sacha and Pip enjoyed something strange, satisfying and illicit. That it might have continued past prep school anyway is unlikely.

By the way, if his appearance has changed and he says "not me" he may well not be Sacha.



Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
Re: Scholarship  [message #67827 is a reply to message #67821] Thu, 20 June 2013 18:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ian John Copeland is currently offline  Ian John Copeland

Toe is in the water
Location: South East
Registered: December 2012
Messages: 33



Quote:
timmy wrote on Thu, 20 June 2013 08:27By the way, if his appearance has changed and he says "not me" he may well not be Sacha.

--

Timmy,

We are talking facial hair here so the change is not that surprising except that it is a full set.  What led me to believe that it was indeed 'Sacha' was he told me what he was going to do at age 13, choosing a very rare specialism and that is exactly where I found this person whose CV matched Sacha's age, when he would have left university etc.  Anyway, as you say, it might not have been him but I think for my own sanity it is probably best I think that.

Ian



Visit my Blog: http://thepaintheagony.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Scholarship  [message #67828 is a reply to message #67712] Thu, 20 June 2013 22:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JonnyB is currently offline  JonnyB

Getting started
Location: Warwickshire
Registered: June 2013
Messages: 2



"Ian John Copeland wrote on Sun, 28 April 2013 10:01"
Scholarship was hard to write at times as the subject matter was something that touched me when I was younger so I had to revisit some difficult times in my life in the process.

Anyway, I hope people enjoy Scholarship, feedback welcome!

Ian



--In the same way, Scholarship was hard to read at times as it came close to difficult times in my own early life. That's not denigrate the story in way. This is the first story I've read on this site and I was engrossed throughout, Well written with the obvious benefit of personal experience of life in a boarding prep school. I look fowad with anticipation to the final chapter.
Re: Scholarship  [message #67829 is a reply to message #67827] Thu, 20 June 2013 23:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timmy

Has no life at all
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13739



"Ian John Copeland wrote on Thu, 20 June 2013 19:30"

"Quote:"
timmy wrote on Thu, 20 June 2013 08:27By the way, if his appearance has changed and he says "not me" he may well not be Sacha.

--

Timmy,

We are talking facial hair here so the change is not that surprising except that it is a full set.  What led me to believe that it was indeed 'Sacha' was he told me what he was going to do at age 13, choosing a very rare specialism and that is exactly where I found this person whose CV matched Sacha's age, when he would have left university etc.  Anyway, as you say, it might not have been him but I think for my own sanity it is probably best I think that.

Ian

--
For your sanity it is best that you are content. Whatever makes you content is a good thing. I understand now why you believe it to be Sacha. "My" John is an arse,too.



Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
Re: Scholarship  [message #67830 is a reply to message #67828] Thu, 20 June 2013 23:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
timmy

Has no life at all
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13739



Quote:
JonnyB wrote on Thu, 20 June 2013 23:26
"Ian John Copeland wrote on Sun, 28 April 2013 10:01"
Scholarship was hard to write at times as the subject matter was something that touched me when I was younger so I had to revisit some difficult times in my life in the process.

Anyway, I hope people enjoy Scholarship, feedback welcome!

Ian




--In the same way, Scholarship was hard to read at times as it came close to difficult times in my own early life. That's not denigrate the story in way. This is the first story I've read on this site and I was engrossed throughout, Well written with the obvious benefit of personal experience of life in a boarding prep school. I look fowad with anticipation to the final chapter.

--
We have many authors here. I choose them for many reasons, but all the stories paint a picture in my mind. Not all are great literature, but all are great tales.



Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
icon14.gif Re: Scholarship  [message #71229 is a reply to message #67803] Fri, 11 March 2016 07:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
AlexTwisst is currently offline  AlexTwisst

Getting started

Registered: March 2016
Messages: 4



Thank you, I hope more stories will turn up from you :*



"I work hard in the 4th,
and we'll be together next year.
We'd enjoy that since I love you,
and you like me."

 http://45.media.tumblr.com/56d7d6c5872d2b52c768ee8e3996853b/tumblr_mu3l6iMntQ1rs218bo1_400.gif
Re: Scholarship  [message #71433 is a reply to message #71229] Thu, 28 April 2016 13:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ian John Copeland is currently offline  Ian John Copeland

Toe is in the water
Location: South East
Registered: December 2012
Messages: 33



Hi Alex,

The muse has paused, and has been paused for some time.  I do have a partially written manuscript with a young central character called Jordi set during WWII, on an island off the North Norfolk coast.  But alas I have not found the right ending for this book, which means that it stopped.  In writing this book (it's title is 'Jordi's Island'), I realised, like my taste in music, I really like the downer ending, that is one of my problems. For evidence of that, you will have have seen what happens at the end of 'Scholarship'!

Another problem for many here, is that 'Jordi's Island' has no sex, it would have been contrived as our hero is much younger that Sacha and Pip so did not feel natural.

Ian



Visit my Blog: http://thepaintheagony.blogspot.co.uk/
Re: Scholarship  [message #71435 is a reply to message #71433] Thu, 28 April 2016 14:07 Go to previous message
timmy

Has no life at all
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13739



"Ian John Copeland wrote on Thu, 28 April 2016 14:48"
Hi Alex,

The muse has paused, and has been paused for some time.  I do have a partially written manuscript with a young central character called Jordi set during WWII, on an island off the North Norfolk coast.  But alas I have not found the right ending for this book, which means that it stopped.  In writing this book (it's title is 'Jordi's Island'), I realised, like my taste in music, I really like the downer ending, that is one of my problems. For evidence of that, you will have have seen what happens at the end of 'Scholarship'!

Another problem for many here, is that 'Jordi's Island' has no sex, it would have been contrived as our hero is much younger that Sacha and Pip so did not feel natural.

Ian

--
Sex is sex. Plot is king. If sex fits the plot, great, if not, not.



Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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