Latest Updates at TMJ

July 29, 2023: Welcome
Posted by Ronyx

July 29, 2023: Down a Darkened Path
Posted by Ronyx

 

Story Rewind

Click on title for quick link:

Down a Darkened Path

Troy Neal has it all-good looks, smart and talented. Jayden Henderson's life changed two years earlier when his mother died. Fate brings them together. Discover how their lives become entwined on a collision course to a journey down the darkened path.

May 15, 2023: Help TMJ
Posted by Ronyx

To my readers. I have an amazing host server who helped me create this site and has kept it running free for you to enjoy. I never ask for personal donations. However, you can join me in helping pay the cost of maintaining the site. Please make a generous donation by using the link below. Mention The Mustard Jar in the comments section. Thanks!   

Donation Form – DSS Hosting

March 21, 2023: New Story
Posted by Ronyx

 

New Story!

Click on title for quick link:

Seth  

According to Egyptian mythology, Seth is the God of Chaos. Seth, the main character of this story, is appropriately named because his life becomes a whirlwind of chaos. He is sixteen-years old and lives at home with his mother and twin sister. He is gay. However, he tries to keep it a secret. His life begins a downward spiral when his sister’s boyfriend discovers his secret. Then, he meets a new boy in school who has a troubled past. Will Seth be able to control the chaos erupting around him?

February 22, 2023: Story Rewind
Posted by Ronyx

Story Rewind

Click on title for quick link:

A Delicate Situation

 

Dorian Gale is beginning his freshman year in college. New friends encourage him to join Campus Pride, a gay organization on campus. There is only one problem: Dorian’s father is Senator Jonathan Gale. A series of events on campus might jeopardize his father’s political aspirations, and Dorian could become a delicate situation to his father’s campaign.

February 2, 2023: February Feature Story
Posted by Ronyx

January 17, 2023: Story Rewind
Posted by Ronyx

Story Rewind

Click on title for quick link:

Dancing on a Star

Jack Woolery's life was safe and secure. He was attending high school, and he had no intention of coming out to his parents or best friend, Jimmy. Then Tracy Craft moves in across the street and changes his plans. Tracy, a new student, and an aspiring ballet dancer, is strong and confident. He challenges Jack to reevaluate his life. Can Jack become friends with an openly gay boy, and yet maintain the secret life he trusts?

December 28, 2022: Story Rewind
Posted by Ronyx

Story Rewind

Click on title for easy access:

A Mourning Storm

Sometimes life isn’t fair. Fifteen-year-old Richie Ferguson has to learn this the hard way when his mother dies of cancer and he’s forced to live with a father who left the family two years earlier for another woman. Richie’s life becomes a storm, whirling around with no sense of purpose or direction. Will the tumultuous winds destroy him or will he find a calm sea in time to save his own life?

December 13, 2022: Story Rewind
Posted by Ronyx

Story Rewind

Click on title for easy access:

Door Number Three

There is a defining moment in everyone’s life when he or she suddenly realizes who they are. Sometimes it can be a welcoming revelation, other times it can be disheartening. Zac Barnes’s moment comes when he first looks into the brown eyes of Adrian Lewis. How will their lives be affected if Zac chooses Door Number 3?

November 18, 2022: Story Rewind
Posted by Ronyx

Story Rewind

Readers often ask me what is my favorite story. I tell them Brittle as a Bird because it is one of the most personal stories I've written. The character, Allen, was based upon a dear friend. The story is dedicated to him. Take from this story one message- No matter how dark the storm, don't ever give up. I'm also including in the Story Rewind the sequel, A Bridge to Yesterday. Don't forget to email me with your thoughts.

Click on title for easy access.

 Brittle as a Bird 

Joey Carpenter is a street kid. Living in his parent’s garage, he hustles to survive. Alcohol and drugs help him face the world. Rejected by his family, and an outcast at school, his future looked dim until he meets Allen Foster- who has his own problems. The special bond they form will give Joey a second chance at life.

A Bridge to Yesterday

 The sequel to Brittle as a Bird.

November 7, 2022: Story Rewind
Posted by Ronyx

 

Story Rewind

(Click on title for easy access.)

 A Different Road

Corey and Brett have been best friends since they were five. After twelve years, Brett decides he no longer wants to be involved in a relationship and must now travel a different road. Can Corey survive without Brett in his life? Find out in this story of love and loss.

October 28, 2022: Story Rewind
Posted by Ronyx

Story Rewind

While I'm on a hiatus writing a new story, let's take a trip back in what I call Story Rewind where I will occasionally recommend a story from the past. I hope you enjoy rereading this story. (Click on title.)

Birds Don't Sing Before a Storm

Casey Barrett is a sixteen-year old who lives alone with his mother. After several incidences at school, she decides she can no longer deal with his rebellious behavior. She sends Casey to live with his father who deserted the family five years earlier.

September 26, 2022: Story Completed.
Posted by Ronyx

Finding Good Trouble is now completed. 

August 2, 2022: The Mustard Jar is 16!
Posted by Ronyx

I want to thank the thousands of readers who have enjoyed my stories at The Mustard Jar.

I have made some wonderful friends along the way. You have been my joy and inspiration.

I can't believe it has been sixteen years! ❤️

March 1, 2022: New Story! Chapter One is online!
Posted by Ronyx

Finding Good Trouble

Parker Frazier attends Somerset High School, a suburban white school. Over the weekend, a fight breaks out during a basketball game against an inner-city black school. Tempers flared, and racial epithets were shouted. On Monday, protestors appeared outside the school. One young man caught Parker's attention. While driving home after school, he witnessed a police officer brutally arrest the young black man he saw that morning. Parker videotaped it with his phone and posted it on Facebook. He was not prepared for what happens next. This story deals with the sensitive issues of racism and racial injustice. Do not read if you are easily offended. (Any names or places mentioned in the story are fictional and are entirely coincidental.)

October 15, 2021: Song: Six Queer Kids
Posted by Ronyx

I want to share with you a video a reader shared with me in response to my latest story, Stuff People Do. It is titled 'Six Queer Kids.' Mike sings of homeless LGBTQ kids who have been kicked out of their homes because of their sexuality. Listen to the song, read Mike's inspirational introductory words and the lyrics to the song.  Here is the link: Mike Rickard   Thank you, Mike, for sharing this with my readers. 

September 1, 2021: Donate to the Fort Family of Sites
Posted by Ronyx

Greetings to my TMJ Friends. In March, I joined the Fort Family of Sites as a hosted author. Their expert team created the new website you are now visiting. I can never thank them enough for all the hard work they do in keeping my site online. My stories are free for your entertainment. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't costs to maintain the site. The past year has been hard on on of us. The Fort Family is asking for help to keep my site and others online and free from ads. If you can spare a little- or a lot- please join me in donating to this worthy cause.  You can donate here:  DONATION PAGE   Thanks, Ronyx

May 20, 2021: Ronyx is featured in Imagine Magazine!
Posted by Ronyx

Hey Gang!

I am super excited about this! Comicality has featured my story, Dancing on a Star, in the May issue of his Imagine Magazine. He also did a cool interview with me. Visit and read more about me than you will ever want to know. LOL.

Click here: May issue of Imagine Magazine

April 14, 2021: New Story! Coming Soon!
Posted by Ronyx

Hey Everyone!  I know it has been a long time, but I have started a new story which I hope to begin posting soon. 

                                                                                                             

Stuff People Do  by Ronyx

Matt Stevens is a normal sixteen-year-old. He goes to school and makes good grades. Even though he is being raised in an extremely religious home, he manages to do well. Then, unexpectedly, his life takes an abrupt turn late one night when his best friend, Ricky, kisses him while wrestling on the bed. Matt starts to question his own sexuality, and he begins to realize he is gay. His life starts to spiral out of control, leading to many unexpected twists and turns.

 

In the meantime, click on my featured stories link and read some of my other stories. And don't forget to write!  ronyx@themustardjar.com 

March 22, 2021: The NEW Mustard Jar!
Posted by Ronyx

Hello, to all my friends at The Mustard Jar. How do you like the new look? I’ve changed to a new hosting server, and I am so proud of the new site.  It will be more user-friendly, and it will also be more compatible with all reading devices. I want to send out a special thank you to The Story Lover's Website, and members of the Fort Family: TSL, AC Fan, Akeentia, and Jeff P. for all the hard work and patience they provided me in creating this new site.

I’ve been away for a while. I hit that proverbial wall, and I stopped writing. After twenty-three stories, I felt there wasn’t much more to say. However, I hope this new site will motivate me to begin writing again. I really enjoy interacting with my readers.

I want to thank those of you who have been with me and supported me since I posted the first chapter of Apple of Her Eye. TMJ has two million visitors in fifteen years, and you have been the best readers any writer could ever hope for. Your kind emails and words of encouragement have meant more to me than you will ever know. Many of you have become great friends. We’ve shared a lot of wonderful times. Please don’t give up on me. I’m here if you ever need me.

Sit back, relax and enjoy my stories. If you find something you like, please write.  You can email me at:  ronyx@themustardjar.com