Month / August 2021

by sixlakesstudios

One-Oh-One-Oh

🤣
by sixlakesstudios

Update 8/18/2021

The Waterfall: Chapter Three will be posted on Wattpad and Tapas on Sunday at 4:30 PM PST. I am introducing some new characters.

Comics: The Vikings of Vancouver‘s first strips are underway.

Other than the plot and characters, there is another difference between TVOV and Parker and Luca. TVOV will have standalone comics (with a few exceptions), while Parker and Luca will have more story archs, with a few standalones mixed in.

Halloween: I have a few ideas for TOHN’s ‘substitute’ while I get the details for TOHN ironed out. You will get a Halloween story, mark my words!

Other Projects: The Aviary of Henry Weston, Tales of Human Nature, and Max Fields.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading!

-Matt

by sixlakesstudios

Update 8/6/2021

The Waterfall: The second chapter of The Waterfall will premiere on Tapas and Wattpad on Sunday, but no further chapters will be posted on this website. I’m sorry, but I made the decision to only post the first chapters of my books on this website, to save space on the homepage for other posts. After the second chapter is up, the schedule will go down to every other Sunday, so that I have more time to prepare the story, and figure out it’s direction. I already know how it’s going to end (no, I won’t tell you, sneaky!), but it’s the middle I’m trying to figure out. To be fair, unlike The Aviary of Henry Weston, the decision to make The Waterfall a full-lengther was a whim decision. The idea for this story didn’t even exist until two weeks ago!

However, I do hope you’re enjoying The Waterfall. If you’re wondering what happens next, please keep an eye out for the second chapter this upcoming Sunday, and following chapters every other Sunday, on Wattpad and Tapas!

Reedsy: I’m hoping to challenge myself more witht the prompts sent by Reedsy each week. I may not be a weekly writeer for them, but I hope to up my pace in the future. You can find my Reedsy profile here, or in the “links” section.

Even though The Aviary of Henry Weston was written in December of 2020, my Reedsy profile was created in May of 2020, predating this site by six months. I found Reedsy while trying to get started in writing, but before I really got into a ‘writing groove,’ so to speak. They’re quite the resource for writers. This is not a paid endorsement, just genuine compliments!

Blue City Mysteries: The ball is rolling on the writing of the much-awaited Blue City Mysteries. Here’s the plan for the series: fifty stories, published in five volumes of ten. Not every book will focus on a murder. Some will have other crimes, such as kidnapping, or it may focus on the re-opening of a cold case.

Here is the summary for the first story, “The Mortality of Fame:” Warburton and Bankole’s relationship is immediately tense, as they both struggle to adjust to each other’s investigative styles, and Bankole has second thoughts about accepting the job in Lakewood. The new partners must put aside their differences, however, when they’re called in to solve the murder of a young tennis star.

I would love to talk more about Blue City Mysteries, and Lakewood itself, so keep an eye out for a future post focused entirely on them.

Comics: I hope you all read the info cards about The Vikings of Vancouver characters! I am in the process of creating the first few comics right now, and also the info cards for Parker and Luca. Later this month, I may do a “work in progress” post for my comics, with sketches for TVOV, Parker and Luca, and Matt.

Max Fields: I am putting together an outline for the first story starring Private Eye Max Fields, a character of my own creation.

Max Fields was a detective for the Chicago Police Department in the late 50s and early 60s. In 1962, the same year Illinois became the first U.S. state to decriminalize homosexuality, he was fired from the CPD when his sexual orientation was found out. He decides to become a private detective, and starts a new life in (the fictional) Wyvern, Illinois, where his cousin, Alex, lives and works as the Sheriff for Lakeshire County.

Max teams up with two locals, Isaiah Barrow and Patrice Wendall, to set up a P.I. agency in Wyvern, and buys a house where he shares a rear fence with Alex and Alex’s family. He inserts himself into Alex’s cases, against his cousins’ wishes, during which he acquaints himself with Deputy Johnathan Zhukov, who is in the closet.

More information will come in a future post.

Personal: I recently had my wisdom teeth out, and I will be going on vacation next week, but things will be picking up soon after, even with school coming up.

That’s all for now. Thank you for reading!

-Matt

by sixlakesstudios

The Waterfall, Ch. 1: “Baseball and Pictures”

France, Oregon

11:45 AM, Sunday, January 22nd, 2023

Patty Newman sat in her grandfather’s attic, sorting through all the items he had left with the help of her wife, Tess.

“Grandpa lived a full life,” Patty remarked. “I just know he’s up in the sky with grandma now.”

“Murray was a good man,” said Tess. “This town won’t be the same without him.”

Patty pulled a boxed of unsorted photographs off the bottom shelf of the bookcase.

“Photos,” she read. “March 1957-October 1958.”

“Yeesh. Didn’t your grandparents have photo albums?”

“Yes, but the Newmans take so many pictures, there’s not enough photo albums in the world.”

Patty opened the box and saw a big pile of photos of her grandpa’s family. He looked so young in the pictures.

“Just take that home, Patty,” said Tess. “We need to finish the house by Friday.”

But Patty saw a curious-looking photo resting on top of the pile. It was a photo of Murray and a boy she recognized from other photos as his childhood best friend, Fred. However, in this photo, Fred held Murray how one would carry a newlywed over the threshold. It looked like they were at a party.

“Whatcha’ got there?” asked Tess.

Patty flipped over the photo and found some writing on the back.

South Clatsop Homophile Association, February ‘58 Meeting.

Patty then read the inscription below that, written in different ink.

Patty, I knew this photo would get your attention. You see, I am bisexual. This isn’t something I shared with many people. People in my generation rarely discussed sexuality in public or with family, outside of activists. There’s more information in the diary under the baseboard behind the parlor TV.

Patty found the diary and brought it into the kitchen, where she and Tess were taking a lunch break.

“This is surprising,” said Tess. “I knew he was accepting, but I didn’t know he was bi.”

“Neither did he, apparently,” said Patty, “But Fred helped open his eyes.”

Patty read the diary out loud to Tess over their lunch.

Location: The forest outside France, Oregon

Time: 3:18 PM, Monday, July 15th, 1946

Ten-year-old Murray Newman sat on the bank of the France River, near the base of Berberry Falls. He watched as the wooden sailboat his uncle gifted to him during his Fourth-of-July visit. It was peaceful to watch as the boat floated gracefully down the river.

Suddenly, the boat started going faster. And then over a tiny drop.

“Uh oh,” he said to himself. He needed to catch the boat before it got too far away.

He ran towards the bend, hoping he’d get to the boat before it got to the fast part of the river.

But someone pulled the boat out. Murray ran up to the boy who had rescued the tiny vessel.

“Looks like your Navy went AWOL,” the boy said.

“Thank you so much,” said Murray.

“Name’s Fred Stavridis. I’m new in town. I’m starting sixth grade at the Public School next month.”

He held out his hand, which Murray shook.

“Murray Newman. I’m starting fifth grade there, but I turn eleven on September 2nd.

“What do you know?” Fred remarked. “That’s when I turn twelve.”

“Well ain’t that on the beam?”

“Listen, if you want, maybe we could race boats sometime. I have a great one my grandpa got for me a while back.”

“Sounds fun.”

The boys walked back towards town, chatting away with each other.

France, Oregon

3:23 PM, Friday, April 14th, 1950

Fred and Murray became fast friends and were almost inseparable over the next few years. But still, Murray was a year younger than Fred, so he wasn’t part of the same social circles at school.

Meanwhile, the France High School Varsity Baseball Team did not have a great track record, so they were searching hard for a hitter who could get them ahead. But the team had some… “concerns” when their pitcher, Fred, suggested his eggheaded younger friend, Murray.

“The hell are thinking, trying to bring that twig onto the team?” said Coach Dilbert. “He’ll put us further back! Worse than last place!”

“Yeah, Fred,” said Jimmy, the catcher. “He’s an egghead. The other teams will eat him up.”

But Fred was adamant.

“Murray and I played baseball all the time with my family. He’s plenty capable. You jerks have just never seen him play.”

“Guys?” said Murray.

Everyone looked over at Murray.

“As much as I’m enjoying this conversation,” he continued, “just let me show you what I’ve got.”

The team begrudgingly walked out onto Beach Street Field. Fred was about to walk onto the pitching mound, but coach Dilbert stopped him.

“Absolutely not,” he told Fred. “You’ll pitch to his advantage. I’ll do it.”

“Fine,” Fred replied. “If that’s the only way you’ll give him a chance.”

Coach Dilbert took the mound. Murray stepped up to the plate. As the coach wound up to throw a whopper at Murray, the other teammates looked at Fred, who firmly held a confident glare at the diamond.

Coach Dilbert threw a curveball at the young, skinny, left-handed batter. He then watched in awe as the ball flew high over the fence, landing far into the beach.

Coach Dilbert turned back to Murray, smugly smiling at the coach.

“Beginner’s luck,” the coach dismissed.

Except it wasn’t. After the coach and three different pitchers, Murray’s tryout ended with him batting .325.

Needless to say, he made the team.

6:39 PM, Friday, June 2nd, 1950

The France High Swordfish were finally free of their dismal record. They finished the 1950 season with a final score of 75-70, third in the league. The team decided to throw a party after their last game of the season at Fred’s family’s restaurant.

Fred smiled at Murray, who sat across from him, eating spanakopita.

“What?!” asked Murray, blushing.

“I’m just so proud of you,” said Fred.

“Oh, this little thing?” Murray humbly bragged as he caressed the Team MVP award given to him by Coach Dilbert.

“Knock it off,” said Kevin, the right-fielder. “Don’t let this get to your head, but you are the best damn player this team has ever had on its roster.”

“Three cheers for Murray!” someone shouted.

Three hours later, Murray was in Fred’s bathroom, getting his pajamas on for the sleepover he was having with Fred.

“Hey Fred?” he called to his friend through the door.

“Yeah?” Fred asked while looking through his baseball cards.

“What do you think of Hannah Graber?”

“That girl from your English class? She’s alright, I guess. I don’t know her that well. Why?”

“I think she’s sweet on me.”

Fred froze in the middle of turning the page. He couldn’t figure out why, but he was somewhat bothered by this revelation. Was he jealous because he liked Hannah, too? Nah, that couldn’t be it. He barely knew her. He maybe talked to her all of two times.

Murray came out of the bathroom.

“What do you think?” Murray continued.

“About what?”

“Fred! Do you think she likes me?”

Fred thought for a moment. He knew he didn’t like Hannah, but he still felt jealous. Was it because he wanted a girl to like him?

“No,’ Fred answered. “I wouldn’t go for it unless you know for certain. Plus, I may not know her that well, but my sister does, and I overheard her tell one of her friends that she likes Jimmy Elkins.”

“Damn!” Murray exclaimed. “Of course she likes him. All the girls like him! It’s so unfair.”

Murray sighed. He was definitely disappointed.

Except Fred lied. He couldn’t figure out why, but this was making him incredibly jealous.

Another three hours passed, and Murray was dead asleep on the bottom bunk of Fred’s bed.

Fred, however, was wide awake. He couldn’t fall asleep. He kept trying to figure out why he was jealous that Murray was interested in Hannah.

Fred climbed off the top bunk and headed into the bathroom.

While washing his hands, Fred’s mind started to wander.

So what if Murray likes Hannah? Fred thought. That shouldn’t make me jealous. I don’t like her that way. And so what if she likes Murray? I don’t know if she does. My sister might.

What’s wrong with me?! Fred wondered as he turned off the sink. Do I wish someone would like me? Do I want to feel this way about someone? Of course, I do? But who? I tried dating that girl Lisa last year, but it just didn’t feel right. Who the hell do I want to have feelings for me? Who do I like?

Fred exited the bathroom and saw Murray’s face illuminated in the moonlight shining through the window. He snuggled his pillow against his face and laid with his right knee pulled up to his chest. Fred smiled when he saw this.

Maybe Hannah does like Murray, Fred thought to himself. Why wouldn’t she? Look at him. He’s probably the cutest kid at sch-

That’s when it hit him. Fred had finally realized why he was jealous. He didn’t want Murray to date Hannah…

…because he wanted to date Murray.

Thank you for reading the WordPress preview of The Waterfall. This is the only chapter that will be published here. For future chapters please check the Six Lakes Studios Wattpad and Tapas Pages on Sundays.

Based on the prompt “Start your story with someone discovering a photograph that has something written on the back.” Reedsy Prompts, week of July 23rd, 2021.

by sixlakesstudios

Upcoming Comics (As of August 2021)

Comics will be available on Tapas, Webtoon, and this website (for select strips only).

The Vikings of Vancouver follows Norwegian-Canadian chef and restaurateur Marcus Halvorsen, his wife Mary, a retired police officer who currently works in retail, fraternal twin sons Marcus Junior, a musician, and Marvin, an autistic Food Science student at Davie University, daughters Trina, who plays for numerous collegiate sport teams, younger daughters Green, founder of the Eco Club at every school she’s been attended since preschool, and grandson Mark, Junior’s son from a high-school relationship. They live in a fictional version of Davie Village, Vancouver, in a large townhouse across from Voyager’s Landing, the Scandinavian cuisine restaurant Marcus co-owns and operates, along with the Halvorsens’ Norwegian Buhund, Gjørmete (“Muddy” in Norwegian), and Marcus’s American sous chef, Frankie Morales, who is also Marvin’s Boyfriend.

The Vikings of Vancouver primieres on 9/20/2021, which also happens to be my 20th Birthday!

TVOV is rated 14+ for strong language, social commentary, sexual references, suggestive dialogue, slapstick humor, and references to alcohol, gambling, pot, and adult media.

Parker and Luca: The shortest way to describe my second comic, which premieres on New Year’s Day 2022, would be “Baby Blues meets Husband and Husband.”

Parker Johannsen and Luca Braz have been married for years, and have been raising two daughters and a son in the fictional Monroe District of Spokane, Washington. Luca works as the athletic director for Hell’s Canyon University, while Parker works from home as a graphic designer and podcaster. Their children are 12-year-old Xylon, 8-year-old Ruby, and 5-year-old Morgan.

Parker and Luca is rated PG for mild language, suggestive content (involving the adult characters, not the kids!), social commentary, and alcohol references.

Matt is just some “slice of life”/social commentary comics I draw about my life, including my expiriences with ADD, Asperger’s, body image issues, social awkwardness, navigating college during COVID, and my coming out.

There will be many characters featured here, but mainly, the comic will showcase me and Blue, a baby blanket with a plush dog head who I have held dear since my uncle Mike gave him to be when I was born.

Matt premieres on Valentine’s Day 2022.

Matt is rated 14+ for language, social commentary, suggestive dialogue, and references to mental health issues and adult media.