Ahhh.
Day in the sun; sizzled-skin glimpses and rubber muscles under black T-shirts. Food, glorious and proliferant, garnishing every paper plate with fragrant colour. Bottles, frescoed in droplets of ice dew, dripping from every hand.
Relatives and tears, laughter, white flashes and the whirring of camera winders followed the routes of the children, feet to the sky and catching grasshoppers.
At the edge of the field, the rain stopped. Not a drop could fall on a day such as today.

Family Reunion.


My face hurts from laughing and smiling.

Upon the decision to clean the house today, nevermind that it never actually happened, I made the decision to tidy it up a bit. The television that I accidentally bumped into and began watching had a character on it that said,
"Cleanliness is next to Godliness." I found this rather amusing, obviously they had never been into an Athesist household. So, I departed from cleaning, which I hadn't really started yet, and went out. After all, what person would come in my house who cared whether or not I had vacumed in the last two years I have lived here. (I have actually.)
Have your people call my people and block your number from ever bugging me again,
TLA,
The Littlest Monarch

MORNING ALL...HAPPY WEEKEND

It took me a while to get caught up on the posts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIK!

WELCOME BACK JACK! (I noticed how quickly the page opened :0)

TEEKAY: I always mean well when I start those types of projects, but I have a whole box of uncompleted things. I guess I'm just not a crafty person.

JERRY LEE: Thanks. And thanks for sending me the answer. I still haven't had the chance to check out your website. I love puzzles like that - if you have more...bring them on.

GARIESS: Hiya. Nice to meet you.

Okay - that's all I can do. I have to..have to...have to get back to writing. It's all in my head - swirling around - looking for the exit.
(Heather - you could have described that so much better than I. hahaha)

Hallee

RHODA: Aha! Thats what I did wrong! Thanks. No wonder I'm not minister of links anymore. duh.

TEEKAY: Hey there girlie.

HEATHER: Hope all is well with you.

HI EVERYBODY ELSE TOO! LATER.

sorry, i was cut short.

i am readiong an amazing book at the moment called 'ice station' by matthew j. reilly and it is totally gripping. i ration it out so that at least i get something done. it goes; read a bit-do dishes, read some more-sweep floor, read some more-mop, you get the idea.

my writing is now a page per day, more if i'm so inclined, but i must do a page at least.

hello to all of you, i'm sure i've missed a few things, but the baby says it's his turn now and to get off the computer, so, 'til next time.

TE?

Hi All,
I feel like I have been away for ages, but I think in real time it's only been about three days.

Okay, first things first,

WELCOME BACK JACK.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIK.

WELCOME BACK RHODA AND i'M GLAD THE NEWS IS PRETTY GOOD. (I have been rather terrible with your chapters. I am onto the second one, but it is soooo cold in this office that I haven't spent much time in here. Hubby smokes in here and I can't stand the smell of it, so all the windows are open and it's winter. I'll get to them though. I'd love to just print them out, but I don't think we have that much paper.)
BTW< HAPPY HOUSE HUNTING - WHAT A THRILL.

CHRISTI: WELCOME BACK!

GARIESS: WELCOME BACK! Surely you jest about the 'what is petrol anyway?' Right?

HEATHER: Thanks for the advice. I think it may have been just starting blues. The story is taking more shape now and I'm getting more involved. I want to get hoplessly and utterly lost in it though.

HALLEE & MARY: I love to play some sport - like patchwork and cross stitch and perhaps an occassional round of crochet. :-D

Husband is watching a truly inspirational movie - Deep Impact. (I was being sarcastic) Just the perfect cap for a very hectic, torrential rain storm day. Nothing like a little meteor collision with Earth to lift the spirits.

What's with the NB? Everyone on summer holiday...?
Lucky sods.

Heather

Mary,

Do not forget the http://www.etc. I loved the Janet Evanovich web-site, by the way. Thank you for sharing it.

Rhoda

typical. that link doesnt work. just type www.evanovich.com into the location bar above. sorry. geez.

LITTER: One of the best sites i have seen that uses frames is linked above. it is maintained very well and (i think) it loads quickly. perhaps you should just check it out (maybe it will give you some ideas) Probably giving the choice is the best plan, but maybe you will check it out anyway. bye.

Hello --

I'll be away for a while, trekking through the Bible belt, the southwest, out to the Grand Canyon, returning in two weeks.

Sorry to stir up the lumps and then run off while they settle, but I guess that's the way it goes.

Welcome back, Jack!

howard

Thanks you guys... I am so happy now *sniff*.
Avatar - I am 37 now. (oh my god... I am getting old).

Hello Ladies and Germs!

Heather,
Haaaaah! Funny! You made that test up? Brilliantly brilliant.

Litter,
This is how big of a dork I am. I have no clue what you mean when you say 'frames'. I know what a house frame, a picture frame, a framling, a frame of mind, and a frame of reference is, but have NO idea what a web page frame might be. Me intellegent very am is.

Now, to beat a dead horse (and a dead horse this definitely IS!), I can't STAND elitists. My husband and I have a couple of "friends" who are the worst elitists I've ever met, and they just can't figure out why no one ever calls to ask them to tea! We avoid them like the plague, but like a bad rash, they always seem to come back. I think we need a support group or something.
Okay, now rigormortis has set in, and the horse is beginning to attract flies--big ones.

Garriess,
I knew it, I knew it! I'm so glad you're back, even though you're gone right now.

Happy Birthday, Arik!

Rhoda,
I'm so relieved for your friend.
Keep the faith during your move. Moving is one of the most tedious and exasperating things ever invented, but it's so exciting to move to a new place. Y'all come back now, y' hear?


Tired mush brain taking over . . . need large quantity of zzzzzs. Happy slumbering to all.

Christi

Avatar, you must still be confusing 'perfectionism' (or obsession) with 'elitism'.

Here is a handy test to find out which is which:

1) When you set your toothbrush into the holder, and someone else's toothbrush is in your spot, you would:

a) Fling all other toothbrushes into the sink, wash them with soap, and cleanse the holder with bleach to make sure nobody else's saliva germs have touched your brush.

b) Shrug, and put yours back in the right spot.

c) Brush your teeth and only notice it's the wrong brush after you've grinned into the mirror, make believing you're a rabid skunk swallowing the tail of its victim.

d) Grab each member of your family (or your roommates) and demand to know by what right they have usurped your number one place in the toothbrush holder.

e) What toothbrush holder?

~~~~~

2) When in an elevator and you unexpectedly pass gas, do would:

a) Laugh

b) Get off on the next floor and run down the stairs.

c) Declare that it wasn't a fart - it's the onions and broccoli you just had for lunch.

d) Excuse me? I never fart.

e) Stand perfectly still and sniff the air, mentally noting the rank of your flatus. A Ten Rating is the worst smell you have ever laid nose hairs on, A One Rating is a fart the dog wouldn't even notice.

~~~~

3) When the time arrives for you to sign a check or other document in front of a bank teller, you would:

a) Scribble it as usual. Any pen will do.

b) Concentrate on signing it identically to the signature that's on your bank card - wouldn't want the teller suspecting you had taken the card and were just forging.

c) Brandish your own pen, simply because it doesn't have one of those stupid chains on it. Oh, and because it writes 'nice'.

d) Whip out the personalized ink stamp of your signature and the premium quality ink pad, and in a flourish of looking down your nose while huffing at the teller, stamp your check. Ask for a wet wipe to cleanse the stamp afterward.

e) I don't have a chequing account.

~~~~

4) When driving in your car and searching for a parking spot, you would:

a) Park on the crosswalk because it's convenient and you deserve to be close to the entrance.

b) Put the car into park at the mall, and wonder where the valet is.

c) Have your driver park the car for you. Having a chauffer ie the valet is.

c) Have your driver park the car for you. Having a chauffer is the only way to travel.

d) Car? I take the bus, man.

e) You order from catalogues. The parking lot frenzy is a personal pet peeve.

~!~~~~~~~~~~~~~!~~~~~~~~~~~!~~~~~~~!~!~!~!~!

Check your score: (add up your points)

1) a)3 b)0 c)2 d)4 e)1

2) a)0 b)3 c)1 d)4 e)2

3) a)0 b)3 c)1 d)4 e)2

4) a)0 b)2 c)4 d)1 e)3

Add up your score and see what it says:

...0 to 3:

Apathetic and carefree. Also out of it most of the time. It's a toss up. You don't care about too much, least of all the little things. But those little things neither annoy you nor take up much thought space. That's good. You can't fit anything else in there.

...4 to 7:

Are you sure you're not a hippy?

...8 to 11:

A wee bit off the wall, aren't you? Enjoy it.

...12 to 15:

Did you know that the toilets flush in a different direction in the Southern Hemisphere? Oh, no! Something you did not know? Write it down for heaven's sake! It just might come up on a test some day!
Psssst! By the way, you are pulling into the drive - thru on a road in nutville. You're having 'obsessive compulsive disorder', with a double side - order of perfectionism. Drive through and pick up your prescription, please.

...15 or 16:

Writing this one is a distraction. I'm playing chess, and guess what? Check mate. Gotcha, you big pig of an elitist! Oh, but I forgot. You want me to know you're better than I am. So you advertize it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



There. That's all the creative juice I can part with on the NB tonight. Have to save a whole whonk of it for my novel!

Heather

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIK!!!!
I'd sing you the bad happy birthday song, because you're feeling sad, but it might not be appropriate (grins)
By the way, I don't know if any one else has asked you this yet, but, How Old Are You? Or is it supposed to be ixnay to mention that sort of thing?

Litter- Maybe. Admittedly, when I write this late in the evening my posts tend to be screwy, but I don't think I mistook elitism for perfectionism. There is an extreme of elitism, whether just in my mind or a real one, that exists. You tend to watch everything you write with an overly keen eye, nervous at every turn that you are copying someone, something....
Okay, now that we've beat that topic to death...

Heather- Gardening? Really? Do you happen to know of any good combinations of flowers that keeps the color blooming all year, preferably blue? *Laugh* I just got a project sprung on me and need some advice from people. Anybody?

Jack- Did you get rained on in Hawaii? Oh, and welcome back ;)

Here's a good tip for all yous with big projects- think baby steps!

Later all
-Avatar

Hi all,

WB Jack.

Happy Birthday Arik. I don't have time to be depressed because of my age -- I'm too busy being depressed about everything else :o) or maybe :o(

Avatar -- I think you are confusing perfectionism with elitism? I see nothing wrong with perfectionism, per se, but elitism is a deliberate choice to set oneself above others -- a very arrogant aspiration. Perfectionism, on the other hand, is something that we should all aspire to, at least as far as is practicable. I think that all of us here look for our writing to be the best that we can make it. However, perfectionism can be a hindrance, as there always seems to be something that can be improved.

Heather -- take care and not overdo things, huh? How many hands do you have now?

All -- Looks like I'll probably do the new website both with and without frames and give the choice on the welcome page. Should be too much extra as the basic artwork and stuff will be the same and I have plenty space. Thanks for the comments.

Ciao for now,

Litter

Arik: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! ((((BIG HUGE BIRTHDAY HUG)))) I would jump out of a cake and sing to you, but the cake is...uh...gone. *burp* ::grins::

Rachel: *hugs* for you.
Allein

Yo all,

Litter,
First, puzzles and riddles are nice, but writing is forever. No apologies necessary.
Second, I have exactly the same symptoms. I'll be working on a story, only to have a better (though no more worthy) story pounce upon my synapses. The only way I can function is to make little notes to myself. Then, I'll finish up the story I'm getting bored with and write on the new one until either another new story pops up or I get re-interested in the original one. (When I say "bored with" I don't mean to say that the story no longer interests me, it's just that I like to maintain a very high level of enthusiasm.)
One of these days, all of my stories will be done on the same day and some publisher is going to think I'm more prolific than Shakespeare!

As far as elitism is concerned, I think a little bit is healthy. To seperate ourselves from the "masses" helps self esteem to a point. If we have a low opinion of people in general and think of ourselves as just another one of "them", we will overcome nothing, extend our horizins not at all, and sell ourselves short at every turn.
This is not to say that more elitism than is absolutely necessary is a good idea. To constantly look down on all others in the world creates the likes of Hitler and Napolean.
In summary, we need a bit to deliver, too much or too little and we implode.

Take care, all.

Jerry Lee

Thank you guys. Thank you a lot. You know that ve kno each other for 2 years? seems like a long time isn't it :-).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARIK!!!

Upcoming birthdays are depressing to comptemplate sometimes, but when they get around, I enjoy them. I must admit, the big 40 was a little tough, but then 40 is only a number. Our hang ups about age are all in our head most of the time. I hope, Arik, that this present birthday and this coming year far outweighs your expectations and that it is a fantastic one for you.

WELCOME BACK, JACK!!! Your diving sounds like quite an experience. I am so glad you had a good time. It is great to have you back though.

I have to go to Tulsa for a househunting trip next week. There are so many choices! There are at least half a dozen school systems to chose from plus parochial, Lutherian and Christian academies to consider. It almost makes me dizzy to think of it. There is so much to do here in Perryton in the meantime. The hardest I think is cleaning up my house. I have been trying for three days. I have to get it ready to show by tomorrow. On top of that I promised to write a friend of mine a 1500 word article by the 15th. But I will I do it, one step at a time.

Must run now.

Happy writing,

Rhoda

Welcome back, Jack!
Sounds as though the trip to Hawaii was exhilarating!

Happy Birthday, Arik! Birthdays are only sad if you contemplate age too long.

Sore wrists and fingers this morning, so typing will be short. (I hear whooping and celebration)
Gardening yesterday, had to turn over all the garden bed soil, it was so packed and hardened I think my hands might have fallen off digging had it not been for determination and tendons. Mulched and peat mossed until my head sprouted. Saw a worm that was so huge it was (seriously) larger around than my THUMB. No kidding. Ouch, my hands really calloused up overnight, to add to the ones I already had.
I should have turned the soil last year when we bought the house, but there were so many other things to do,first.

Off to pamper my hands.

Then I'll be visiting chapter 4 since it's lonely.
I am almost finished.

Heather

WELCOME HOME JACK!

Hello all:

Just got back from Hawaii several hours ago and a little tired after the long flight and pawing through a pile of email. I will have more to say when I get up and have time to archive the Notebook to a reasonable size again. The diving was great. Got in 10 dives while there, including ones where I got to swim with large turtles, see manta rays do a ballet above me, swim through lava caverns with openings above, before and behind and coral covering everything. Do not have space enough to tell the accounts of all the fish seen. I will note one, though. The garden eel which gets its name because it anchors itself in the sand and stands up like blades of grass or many many cobras doing a dance the music of the pipes. When you float over them they subside into the sand, being the shy creatures that they are. The unique aspect about this is that Hawaii is one of the few places where a recreational diver can see them, since they normally are found at 150 feet. Here they can be found between 60 and greater. We saw them at 81 feet, which, by the way, was the deepest I have dived so far. Take care everyone and talk with you more when I have had sleep.

Thanks mary :-). I guess it's true.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ARIK
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

MAKE A WISH AND BLOW OUT THE CANDLES...Don't know how you celebrate your birthday, but i think everybody has been sad on the big day at one time or another. Congratulations anyway and celebrate! We are happy you were born!!

hey guys. whats up? it's my birthday to day.... and I'm sad..... Don't know why but I am... ever happned to ya?

Litter - on the subject of frames, don't much care for them myself, as I do most of my web stuff on my little old 486 laptop, which will only display 640 x480/256 color to start with, when I get to a frames page, I have to keep scrolling right and left to take in all the text etc. Don't mine them when I am on my big machine, but that is getting more rare an occurance every day. The old back keeps me in my recliner more and more, I am limited to my desk chair to about an hour at a time now.

On the other hand, frames are nice for quick navagation when the display isn't taken into consideration. Maybe just a small one on the right side, with quick links, and a reasonable text in the left larger frame would work, never ran into a site like that, be unique and make one, never know might start a fad.

Write on!

Jerry

Litter, frames sound good to me, but it's true, pages with them take longer to load. Something to consider.

Also, a no-thought way to choose between several ideas is the old hat pick. Write the novel ideas on slips of paper, and put them in a top hat (alright, a fedora will suffice) and close your eyes - and ask someone else to pick one.
Or, you could just sit down and start writing the one that you want to write most urgently. Don't worry too much about whether it will be marketable. With one book ready for publication and soon to be marketed, you have more than your foot in the door. You've got your body into the room.

Rachel - it's BBQ season (man, I am running out of sunblock - hee hee) and my privacy fence has been completed!

Well, I was going to say something - possibly on that black-tongued elitism topic. Yeah, that was it. But the thoughts have scattered. Really, it's time to get back to the real reason I'm on the computer.
Email. (kidding)

Heather

Litter- I'm going to keep the discussion going, I really am!
I have to say that, unfortunately, some people could indeed destroy their goals and their talents for elitism's sake. I have been to that extreme and back again. What if SOMEONE ELSE has already thought of this idea? What if it's not original enough?
People who aspire to be great writers can indeed fall onto their proverbial 'petards'. The idea that SOMEONE ELSE has already had that idea already, drives one to perfection. And ultimately to ruin. It is entirely possible to destroy all talent you have ever had, all for one fear.
That of losing originality.

Rhoda- I'm glad to hear that Angie is doing well and sorry to say that I missed out on the praying. I'll make it up when she goes through chemo!

Laura- Lucky you! I wish I had your problem! Mine is similar to Litter's, only when I go to write any of them down the logical side of my brain takes over and -boom!-
Or, and this is similar to your's, I get em, but decide I have something I need to do more. Talk about blowing yourself out of the water before setting sail!

Hallee- I once read in a magazine about two women, mother and daughter, the latter who had both breasts removed to prevent cancer there, the former who died from it, I believe. She didn't get false breasts to live like she used to. She stayed the way she was after surgery.
Some women get false breasts for very good reasons. Others just like getting more stares.
Food for thought.

Later all
-Avatar

P.S. Arik- that was good! What inspired it?

I personally love frames--I think they make sites easier to navigate.

About frames. PLEASE, Please, don't do that. for people like me who have old dinosaurs of computers, it locks us up.

Laura

Hi Peeps,

A quick question for anyone and everyone. I'm designing a new webpage and I want to know how many people like websites that use frames (e.g. one for a title, a sidebar for site navigation and a main frame for the content), and how many people think frames suck and just get in the way? Answer here or by e-mail as you wish. Ta!

Heater - good story. I think women who falsify their charms (other than for bona-fide medical reasons) deserve all the embarrassment they get. The things you see when you don't have a camera, huh?

Jerry Lee -- I keep on promising myself a look at the Einstein puzzle but I always get sidetracked. I still owe Mary a poem too. Where does the time go?

Rhoda -- Good news about Angie's surgery going well. Also, I agree that much mass-market fictions sucks -- but it's what the masses want or, at least, are told that they want. Having said that I have to agree with Amerigo (Who, me? Yes, me!), that writers should aspire to be the best they can be -- it goes without saying! (Well, I think it does…)

Avatar (The persona of a god that feels like a small child… Hmmm.) -- I think that a person CAN be too elitist but, fortunately, I don't think many actually are. It also seems to me that those who attempt to be elitist or pass themselves of as one of the 'elite' are hoist on their own petards, and fail miserably. That is not to say that those who aspire to be great/influential/respected writers, (for example) fall into the same category. -- Aiming to be 'the best', or one of 'the best', is a perfectly laudable goal, but aiming to join an elite for elitism's sake is the stuff of sycophantic sterility.

A short time ago We had some discussion of what to do when Writers Block sets in -- I suffer from the opposite -- too many ideas and not enough direction. (Difficulty in choosing which storyline of many to follow.) Anyone else plagued with this. It gets even worse when there are several hot ideas in totally different genres -- you know one will sell but, perhaps, another will provide more of a challenge -- what do you choose ?????????????????

Back to work,

Ciao for now,

Litter

Garies - A hug like that in a public place... Oh my, oh dear! GRINS! It's nice to see you back on the page.

Heather - I will be having a b-b-q this week. I'm sure that I will think of you (grin, wink).

Take care all,

Rachel

Hello!

Laura, I will do so. I've been busy with guests and domestic stuff, but I have read the first three posts of 'Prometheus'. I'm enjoying it immensely and I will send you my thoughts soon.

Avatar, right now is one of those times that I hope my muse is on 'Standby'. Other responsibilities have kept my from writing at any length and the ideas are just boiling in my head. When I do sit down to write nothing will be able to distract me!

Gotta go now.
T.J.

I can see what you see not.
Vision milky then eyes rot.
When you turn they will be gone,
whispering their hidden song.
Then you see what can not be,
shadows move where light should be.
Out of darkness, out of mind,
Cast down into the halls of the blind.



good day to all of you :-).

Congrats, Hallee!

(I don't know if I am congratulating you on figuring out the Einstein puzzler or on the agent and publishing house simult. submission)

So congrats for both.

I just heard this ground breaking news (for real, actually) and laughed until I choked on pooled saliva. At a major amusement park today a woman lost her false breasts while on the roller coaster. They flew out at high speed (obviously NOT implants, but Jello (tm) in ziplock bags (tm), stuffed into her bra) and were lost among piles of weeds at the bottom of the structure.
She is probably still shuffling in the overgrowth, searching on hands and knees for her self-esteem.
Ironic.

I made up the Jello part. I can't imagine how friekish two life-like bags of fat would look, just hiding there, so silent in the bushes.

Yawn and burble.

No, really - that was heard all across Ontario today, unfortunately for her. Let's pray she's laughing too.

A lot of breast issues popping up lately. (wrinkling one eyebrow, combing the other)
Heather

I cannot get in to the WB from here (library considers it a chat room) please E-mail me your comments.

Laura

Yo, All!

I've been away for an unexpectedly long weekend, but have returned to put your minds at ease concerning the answer to Einstein's riddle. Click on the above address to see who keeps fish, but let me remind you, if you see the answer without exhausting yourself on the puzzle, the point of IQ is moot.

Speaking of IQ, Hallee E-mailed me with the correct answer! She is to be commended on her mental acrobatics!

Take care, Jerry Lee.

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly, dilly. Lavender's green. If I were king, dilly, dilly, I'd need a queen..."

I can't think of any jingles with derry, derry.

I enjoyed my trip to Louisville immensely. I saw many old friends and family, and it broke my heart to have to leave them again and come home. The trees were as beautiful as I remembered, and so was the great, mighty Ohio River. The weather cooportated for the most part. There was a little rain, but that moved off to provide a lovely cool front.

Angie did fine with her surgery. I told her that many of you all were praying and thinking about her, and she was very moved to know it. She is a bit sore and has to wait until she has healed before she can begin chemo.

Elitism. I do not rightly know how to define it, but I know it when I see it, and to be quite frank, I don't recognize it among any of you. You see some of it at writer's conferences, but it is not generally among the more successful writers.

I think what does rile me is these occassional people you hear in seminars and at the lunch table who tell you such things, "Books are getting sexier. Unless you respond to that market trend, you will never break in." Or "blond heros just won't cut it anymore. Women think blond guys are insipid," or "the heronine can never be pregnant with a baby who is not the hero's," or "you will never sell a book these days that takes place in the Middle East." One hears so many thou shalts and thou shalt nots in publishing circles. At the same time editors tell you how open minded they are and how they are looking for something different and fresh.

I think I understand partly Americo's argument. I too am beginning to despise mass market fiction, and partly because it is so repetitious. Writers write to please the editors and the marketing departments rather than write to please themselves and their readership. If you don't believe me, ask a few authors on contract. They'll admit it.

Oh well, it is this crazy headache and my sinus infection that puts me on my soap box today. My out-look on life will improve when my head finally clears.

"Without adultery two-thirds of our novelists would stand in line for unemployment checks." Peter Prescott (That quote is for you, Americo)


Take care, all

Rhoda

Oh, what I wouldn't give for another 10 years to my life right now! Being young has it's advantages, but when you're reading posts that have been very complex lately...ouch!

ALL- I have to tell you, reading some of these (namely Americo, Litter, Howard, etc.) makes me feel like a small child.
And now, I'm going to raise my hand a little hesitantly, bite the bullet, choke down some of my rising lunch and ask all three of you-
Can a person become too elitist?

If there is an extreme for generalization, then there should be one for elitism, as humanity is always fair when the complexity of the opposing sides could kill you.

BTW- this is NOT me opening the floor for more warring of the words. This is just me being curious. Of course, that could be fatal too. Look what happened to the cat.

AMERICO- Did you get enough stories for publishing Strawberries and the Moon? And whatever happened to the Shadows project?

TINA- You do not know how very appreciative I am that someone has answered my question! If this notebook is like a family, then I am the one that lives in the attic, comes out but rarely, and doesn't get paid attention to very often. That is, until I do something schnasty, like burning the house down or something...

Burn baby, Burn!
-the firedemon exits-

Later
-Avatar

Derry, Dairy, Who's got the derry?
Heigh-Ho the derry-o
Londonderry, Derrytown

And a Dairy Queen is a milkman in high heels

Of course if you've been watching Jerry Springer or Ricki Lake, a woman is a man for all that, and vice versa. Who is this Rabbi Burns? Probably the religious faction of George's family.

Okay, I'm off to Maine. Four days.

GS

Reactions and reservations.

Amerigo -- You may have to return to sender, as you wish, as the elitist mail was in direct response to a line of discussion posted on the notebook and one that used that very word -- elitism. The post is not addressed specifically, as it was not intended specifically. It was meant as a self-searching exercise for anyone whose conscience was pricked by anything that I said within the post. I have been subject to/embroiled within elitism in many different guises and have found the elitists are those with something to prove to themselves, but without the wherewithal with which to prove it. Elitism disparages the efforts and talents of others -- My personal view on elitism -- I despise it and everything it stands for.

My experience, in the main, is that those who genuinely excel in their chosen field (whether it be literature, music, art, commerce, relationships or any field not yet mentioned), tend not to hold elitist views. Elitism poisons embryonic and struggling talent. It is counter-productive and has no place in my world-view.

If anyone feels that they are a part of the Neo-nazi-literati then they probably are. If they feel that they are not, then they probably aren't.

Then again there are the trolls… Trolls are those who whip up discussion with the pretence of belonging to the ranks of the NNL or elitists of another stripe. We are all capable of this to some degree or other. Amerigo, have you been trollish? Have I been trollish? Questions, questions -- perhaps there are answers forming as I speak?

Seek ye all the bastard bastions of neo-nazi-literati and burn them on the high alter of ignorance and affectation.

I conclude with the sentiments of Rabbie Burns, to whom I wish I could hold a candle --
'A man's a man for a' that.' (Ladies, this is a generic term that also means 'a woman's a woman for a' that', but probably NOT 'a man's a woman for a' that', or 'a woman's a man for a' that'… :o)

Litter

Morning all. Today I am submitting my trilogy to an agent who asked for it, and also to a publisher just to save time while the agent contemplates it and decides to tell me something like, "you write well, BUT."

TINA: Thank you. :) No greater compliment could a romance writer wish for.

CHRISTI: Welcome back. (and...it's fun to be sappy on occsation =-) )

TEEKAY: Many sports, I too, find to be boring (unless, of course, it's American football - nothing boring about that at all); however, just to flip through the channels and pause to watch men in the finest physical shape possible run around a court or a field and do their thing - that cannot be boring (well, unless you're a man - but they do have those Victoria's Secret commercials now). ;)

Okay, all. Now I'm off to write my query letter. I almost wish I had some more editing to do. Maybe, maybe, maybe, I can get back to my novel once this day is through and the packages are in the mail. It's amazing how much queries and synopses and editing can just suck the muse right out of you.

Happy Tuesday!
Hallee

Oh, for shame! No Derry, Maine?
But is there a main, dairy?

I know what you'll say already, Howard!
Litter, eyes forward!
Gariess, distractions will come and go. Tits are in for the long haul - and the pun was intended.
Rachel, enjoy your hug! I'll send you one too. ((HUG!))
A HUG for Christi as well! ((BIG HUG!))
`````
Well, exasperating as it may seem, tonight's writing was not a fruitless venture:
I have composed a new resume, utilizing frustration as my kindling. Not frustration with my wordprocessor, no - frustration with my present job. My first draft for the cover letter is also my final copy. If only my novel would press onto the page so easily! The resume will have to wait for printing until tomorrow. I have to peel apart my filing cabinet for some long lost information, first.


And before the landslide of paper hits me like so many encyclopedias, I must get some rest.

Fare thee well!

CHRISTI! So GOOD to hear from you. Can't wait to see more of your posts! (I forgot to say that earlier, forgive me.)

Oh, and I DID get some real writing done today, on my novel. Thank GOD the block has been flushed. It had plagued me again --for days.

Heather

By the way,

I don't know if anyone here has heard from Sass, but word is he let himself be seen again. It was on the news. He's got to be more careful than that, if he is to preserve the mystery and the challenge of catching out the old big foot. And for that matter not getting a load of birdshot in his furry butt would be a respectable agenda in itself. You don't know what some of these fanatics are like.

GS

Heather, sweet Heather, I am so glad to have run into you. Actually I don't think there is a Derry Maine. King used the Derry name of the town in New Hampshire for his story from Derry so I am told. I don't know if this really works. It is said he used the locale of the city of Keene New hampshire for a story he renamed a fictional town in New Hampshire. I believe that was "It." I think they use all these contortions just to throw the bloodhounds among the readers off. I don't guarantee any theory on King's locales. Still, If he says it's Boulder Colorado, it is Boulder Colorado.

kissy, kissy

GS

Gariess, I was hoping for your return! Don't stay in the wilds too long, but do pop in and visit Sasquatch while you're off romping with the lampshades and petrol cans.

And while in Maine, go to Derry, I'm sure you'll meet up with King. Remember to check the sewer grates for clowns, spiders, little boys and newspaper boats. If you see any, don't tug the grate, and don't hide under a lampshade. The clowns are on to that one.

Oh, and if you pass by a shop called 'Needful Things', you don't need any.

Cheerio and ta ta; all of that smatter.
bu-bye.

I'm going off to write my eyeballs out.

Remind me not to gouge. Or cackle.
Heather (whoops, a few fragments never... ow!)

One other thing.

I leave tomorrow for the wilds of the state of Maine. I will be looking in the woods for that lampshade. I also hope to run into Stephen King (I know, Maine is a big place, yadayadayada) Anyhow, if I come back here and find that peace has not been declared, I will have King write you all into his next book and have you visited with unheard of horrors. Just something to think about. And remember. No sentence fragments.

GS

I think I better get moving on that trip to the woods. This place really needs a lampshade. Ah, well, I know what it's like to get into a flame war in the NB.

Jerry,

It is interesting to hear how other places celebrate the 4th. A rodeo is a cool idea. Here, we have the Boston Pops which throws a big party on the banks of the Charles river. The grounds are opened at 6AM on the morning of the 4th and the people swarm in to establish territory. No chairs allowed, only blankets. Imagine waiting 12 hours for the band to strike up. But what a band. This year 500,000 people saw the show and the fireworks on the Charles. I have only ever watched it on TV, but when the Pops plays the first bars of the Stars and Stripes and half a million people jump up and start to shout and dance, I always choke up like a school-girl. It's a geat moment to be a Sousa, wouldn't you say, Americo?

Silly me, for Americo it is always a great moment to be a Sousa. Why have it any other way?

proudly,

GS

Gezz a guy takes a few days off from the notebook and all sorts of interesting events take place. Well no sense in jumping in the midst of it all.

As most of you know, the 4th of July is our time to celebrate our independance. Here in South Dakota, this is done in a wonderful way, not only do we have our fireworks display, we RODEO! Spent the past three days in celebration, with Rodeo's every day, intermixed with plays, dances and all that goes with them. Of course I didn't dance, can't do things like that anymore, I did however enjoy the music floating past my house from the huge tent which takes up an entire one block section of our main street. Lots of food, and great reunions with old friends, along with meeting new ones. Somehow it makes a person feel young again, if only for a short time. Ah well, its all over for another year, and after a few days recoperation, I will be back to normal, and maybe writing a few stories based on the insperation of this last week.

Write ON!
Jerry

I've just had a look at the posts since my latest one (July 9). I'll wait till Jack comes back and give us a tabula rasa to reply to the most interesting ones. But there is one which must be remedied right away.

The name of its author is Litter. And Litter, with his Celtic straightforwardness and gallantry, will kindly explain to us what he means by the following passage, coming in the aftermath of a change of opinions between Howard and I.

Here is Litter on elitism  — the "sin" I was accused of and the topic of the day:

"Elitism rears is ugly, port-swilling, cigar-smoking (Cuban only, rolled on the thighs of a virgin), haute-couture, nouvelle-cuisine, feng-shui, wooden (not veneered) head. Who is to say? What are the entrance qualifications to the bastard bastions of the neo-nazi-literati? (...)

(Litter, July 9)

Litter, before that post you said here that you were feeling like writing : "A satirical review of Presidential Erections and life in the Oral Orifice… Ahhhhhhhh."

None of the people who get so justly irritated and protest so rightly and vehemently because I defend the artistic integrity of a writer and consider death punishment immoral raised their voices against such a proof of good taste. Typical.

But I'll do it for the happy silent majority.

Wonderful project, Litter! It shows you ain't no elitist, man. And how beautifully said. Bravo!

Now that I have done justice to your genius and clean taste,
I feel entitled to ask you a little favour. Please tell us who you have in mind when you mention
"the neo-nazi-literati"

I'd like to know who and where they are so that we can call the Nuremberg Court again. Those people deserve a lesson. I hate them. I honestly do. I have been the loudest democrat on this page and I had no idea that we still had such criminals since Martin was kicked off. I am totally with you on that, man.

Unless your "neo-nazi-literati" are just the "elitists" you condemned. In that case... well, Litter, sorry but you ain't right there, and, my brother, you committed a sin. You offended an honest person who did you no harm and moreover who was, is and will be so obviously right that even a seegull can see it. One? Two, if Jon was included. Three, since Pussy has just awaken.

I'll leave the "bastard bastions" of your marvelous post for another time. Or perhaps I'll put it in the same "return to the sender" packet, if you send yours by first class mail.

----
Another topic, promising to be quick. Just a Post Scriptum,
actually.

I know what the "gang on" reaction means and I am only sincerely sorry for Howard, a good man and a worthy notebooker, for having such a kind of support. But he does not need my help and I'll leave it to him to put things in order. I'm curious to see how he will do it.

So you missed me greatly, did you? Lucky for me your aim is so bad.

I have to take a minute, here, to hug Rachel. It doesn't really take a minute. I just said that. Okay, that's enough hugging. Any longer and I won't have to go to forest to find wood.

The last time I dropped in here somebody had posted something about tits (why would I think of that now?) I was wondering if we have a scribe, here, who is a little obsessive on the subject. Anyway, whenever I think about tits, I get all caught up in my thoughts and forget whatever it is I am doing. That's why I didn't post anything that last time. In fact, I am forcing myself to write this without thinking. I can do that.

Okay, several minutes have passed since I wrote that last line. I wish I could remember what I was going to say. Well, it was probably a lie anyway. Oh, I know what it was, the lampshade. Yes, the lampshade! I am going back to the woods to get the lampshade out of the Porsche. I will bring it back to the NB so we can have a lampshade to wear again, when we want to be silly. If anyone wants to bring back the Porsche, they will have to get gas. Hayden always put petrol in it but I think it will run better on gas.

I will now watch an episode of Freinds on the TV. That should help to get my mind off tits.

I really love all you guys, but I hate getting sappy so don't expect me to repeat that. Just remember it and don't tell anybody I said it. What is petrol anyway? Probably kangaroo piss.

Later,

GS

Hello all! I am so glad to be back. Sandy's memorial was on Friday, and it was an experience to be had. We celebrated her life, and what a life it was. I feel lifted. I feel like I might be able to write again, too. My heart survived, having been mended back together with the help of many generous fellow humans who gave love and support during a time of great trial. I think that by the end of one's life, their heart has been broken and mended so many times that it resembles a patchwork quilt. But the thread is made of the purest gold, and each patch represents new triumphs, new friends, and renewed faith.
Sap sap sap. I am sooo sappy lately. ;) Anyway, love and stuff to you all for your prayers, positive vibes, and your humor.



Teekay,
Hi! And thanks. Aw shucks.

Who are you, oh anonymous poster of July 9th? Be you Garriess, a person we miss greatly, or be you the legendary Hayden, a person I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting? Come out and tell us more of your wanderings of our fair Notebook. I for one am intrigued.

With all the posting of late, I still haven't a clue as to who's in charge of our government now. I stayed inside during the overthrowing thingie, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm still

Christi, your Minister of Love Affairs
XOXOXO

Teekay:
I find distancing myself from my MS the hard part. I'm so entwined in my novel, through personal experience etc., that I must remind myself often to take a step back and analyze carefully. It is rather like taking the 'straight and narrow' path, yet it winds and slopes, is covered in slippery mosses and tangled vines. There are hidden pitfalls, ever at random intervals. And I'm barefoot.

But I'm not defenseless. I've got all of my senses and some logic handy.

Perhaps there is some way to bring your emotions closer to your writing. See yourself reflected in the characters. (the protagonist at the very least). Imagine you are slipping into their actual shoes at this very moment.

Is this novel about something that you have not personally experienced? That might be the primary reason you feel you aren't completely submerged in your work (besides the obvious aspect of the mechanical).

All I know is that if I weren't totally immersed in the story, it wouldn't be my best work. If you feel that it might be boring, then you may want to evaluate whether or not you are bringing everything to the page.
If you are emotionally distanced, there is also another factor to consider: Are you too close to the subject matter?

Big tidy hugs and vicious grins.
Heather

TEEKAY: Good to see you this morning! I do stand on a tennis court occasionally--lobbing and back-handing towards my husband. Don't worry though--you wont have to watch me anytime soon. I stink. However, I can't find a single boring thing about Rafter! I could watch him lose for hours!

GOOD DAY ALL!

Hi All,

RHODA: Back already? That was quick.

MARY: I don't watch any sport on TV. I find it incredibly boring, at least, I imagine I would, for I have never tried, nor felt the inclination to. Why do you ask? Do you play? I'd watch it if you played.

CHRISTI: Where are you? I hope all is okay with you. Am missing your prescence dear.

HOWARD: I'm glad to hear Molly will be okay and be getting that B.A. as well.

Okay, now for my (future)best selling novel update. I have religiously written 2 & 1/2 pages everynight. I have found that when I'm writing I don't get very emotionally involved with it. It's like being a spectator and sort of reeling it off. I don't know if that's because it's extrememly dull (which I suspect it may be.) or if that's a common thing??? I do however tend to lose myself when I'm reading a good book, and I do lose myself when I am writing, but more on a superficial level. Make sense? I don't know? Anyway, I'm doing it and I'm determined to see it through.

Heaps more I'd like to rave on about, but, someone's gotta cook the dinner.

400,000 words in the English Language (give or take three)
and only seven of that number are taboo.
Which seven, and why?
Are they still taboo?
If you guess them, perhaps they aren't as viciously scorned as they once were.

Pardon me, but I thought I smelled the earthy smoke of a Cuban, recently lit. My thigh is forlornly naked of brown paper.

;O)

Well, I was lost in the forest, you see. If you have ever been lost in the forest you know how scary it can be, even for a little while. I walked for some time, looking for a way out of the woods and at last I heard a rumble in the background. It took a long time, but I walked through some of the dense undergrowth and when I parted the leaves in front of me I saw a large clearing.

The ground was trampled. It appeared to be the scene of some recent disturbance or such. On a tree was a hastily written warning on an unfolded cardboard carton that declared the area out of bounds to elitists, and crap-writers. I wasn’t sure I knew what these things were, but I didn’t think it mattered if I was one of them or not since there was no one about. On other trees were messages in different hands. They were about different things. Somehow port swilling and the thighs of virgins come to mind, and there were less provoking issues raised such as ganging up on people for one thing or another. I have always been partial to port swilling, myself, and would have been glad to get to a place where I could do some. I am also partial to the thighs of virgins although I must explain that I have never been able to tell a virgin thigh from any other, Things like that are best taken on faith, I suppose, and best contemplated when one is safely out of the forest. Cigars I never liked, whomever’s thighs they were rolled on.

After reading a few of these writings I could see that this was no place for me. At this point I was more in need of finding a course to follow than to satisfy my curiosity about the origin and the aim of these writings.

After a long time I observed what seemed to be old tire tracks leading away from the clearing. They were very faded, but they offered the only possibility I could see to finding a way out of the forest so I followed them. I followed them for the longest time. They finally ended in a thicket where there was a rusting old sports car. I looked inside and saw the most peculiar thing on the front seat, a shabby old lampshade. Very Strange, indeed. I found a road soon after that and eventually came to familiar surroundings.

I thought about the clearing in the woods many times since that day. I also thought about the signs on the trees and that old car with the lampshade, but for the life of me no explanation comes to mind.

All - Smiles and hugs all around.

To be honest, Americo is not the only person here who is provocative on occasion. To say that really isn't fair, so I must correct my mistake. Anyone can provoke debate given the right circumstances.

What have I missed? A brawl and I wasn't even a part of it!

I hope all is settled and we are all friends again.

Rachel,

Please try not to take it all so much to heart. I read through the posts and did not find them so terrible. Howard and Americo have strong feelings, and I respect both men because of that. People with conviction will get a little rowdy at times. Family members scrape with one another. Sometimes people on the Notebook do the same.

Americo says some very provocative things, many which to engender strong emotion.

I think the balance here involves being free to express one's heart-felt opinions and still remain respectful to the person one disagrees with.

Those are my observations for all they are worth.

Nice to not be in the hot seat this time,

Rhoda

AMERICO -- I'm sorry if I offended with the A* -- there was no offense intended. And I do appreciate where you're coming from. Perhaps "elitist" was not the right choice in words. But for a moment there I recalled similar words from a professor who used to trash students' writing, then the students themselves, right in front of the class. And I reacted as I did to her. I guess that's why I only got a 'B' in her class.

RACHEL -- I consider Americo a friend also, so I was honest in my disagreement with him. No more, no less. I don't think I "trashed" anyone's taste in literature, nor did he. Americo is sincere in his desire to encourage excellence in the craft of writing. So am I. We express it in different ways. So be it.

MARK -- Nice pattern in contrast. I agree with you on the second stanza, but can we say 'similied'? I guess we can, though it shocks at first. Another e-cquaintance coined "Let a simile be like your umbrella" (philip cohen) I like that.

SISYPHUS -- Perhaps that rock belongs in the foundation, and not the parapet.

All -- Rachel is right -- lets not be ganging up on anyone. We don't need "mob mentality" egging us on to words that we wouldn't otherwise write. One Goldring was enough.

howard

RACHEL: I am not sorry for voicing my support of comments made by other people, and you must admit (at least partially) that Americo can go a little overboard. I do however agree that it seems like all we have done lately is argue. Well, not ALL, but a lot. Your loyalty is beyond reproach...oh, to have a friend such as you.

AMERICO: No mudslinging from me, just controlled nods and mutterings. Along with being one of the most frustratingly stubborn people on the planet, you are also one of the most insightful and intelligent. I respect you for that, despite our incompatibilities. You are indeed entitled to your opinions.

HEATHER: Hi! Hope all is well with you.

TEEKAY: Do you ever watch tennis? Australia sure does turn out some hot looking tennis players.

EVERYBODY ELSE: Adieu.

All - Why is it that every time Americo opens his mouth to share an opinion people seem to jump down his throat and take offense. He is only sharing a view. For this he is accused of everything. I am seeing some pretty ugly words tossed around this site right now. I don't see why people are so quick to take things personally...

Okay, I know that if you have been on this site for a long time you would know that I have taken things personally once or twice. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't like the way that folks here seem to pack attack.

What do I mean by that? I mean that one person will say something and then all the others will chime in with "Yah, yah that is just what I was thinking. Uh, hu. Me too."

I have made no secret that I view Americo as a friend. I know he doesn't need me to stick up for him, but this is just something that really does bother me.

The man is not into elitism.

I also don't like common crap writing. Does that make me an elitist? Does the fact that I find it difficult to respect the work of a person who mimics others make me an elitist?

Mary - I know, I know I'm doing what I said not to do again. I'm a gal who is full of contradictions.

Howard - I don't think you would shoot a person, not unless your very life or the life of one you loved depended on it. Then again in the situation and given the ability to defend self who wouldn't kill an attacker? I know I would.

Americo - I don't think Howard would shoot a person for the love of a dog.

I am so frustrated with all of this! It seems that each time I turn around there is one nasty conversation after another going on in here.

Tina - I also am not a maniac. Although if you read this post of mine you might think I am... I hope I can get up for some camping in your area this summer. If I do we should get together. It would be fun. We do knife fighting in my dojo. I always have fun when we have a knife day.

Allein - Thank you for getting back to me so quickly (smiles).

This is far from my usual post. It is just that I am so tired of all of this. I can't stand the way that people natter on at one another. We all think differently and there is nothing wrong with that.

I guess if we didn't disagree and go back and forth it wouldn't be a very interesting place. There just has to be a way that people here can talk to each other and skip the name calling/mud slinging stuff.

I happen to love the literature that I saw being bashed on this page. Don't trash an author and their works just because you feel that they wrote a literary piece and you happen to be angry with Americo.

Now I think that I have said more than enough for one day.

Take care all,

Rachel

Litter wrote: "(Flotsam and Jetsam betrothed in a divine marriage of bottom burps and halitosis.)" That would be the low and the high of it, eh? Perfectly in keeping with my dictum about the tension of opposites. Keep up the good work.

A blisteringly good Sunday to you all -- except, that is, for all those for whom it is now Monday.

Elitism rears is ugly, port-swilling, cigar-smoking (Cuban only, rolled on the thighs of a virgin), haute-couture, nouvelle-cuisine, feng-shui, wooden (not veneered) head. Who is to say? What are the entrance qualifications to the bastard bastions of the neo-nazi-literati? Tell me, do, I want to join and be famous for being famous for talking bollocks. (Bullocks bollocks, that is -- taken after noble death in the bull-ring, not as a by-product of common butchery in an abattoir. [Much as it does sound French and impressive…])

Personally, I can only bear to read fiction if it is written entirely in hyeroglyphics. (Although I do sometimes indulge in the common underbelly of the classical Greek. But that is between thee and me and not for repetition in the vulgar pages of irrelevance.)

Where was I? Oh yes, Science Fiction!

Researching quantum mechanics and astro-physics to get a handle on what cannot be, at this moment, but that may be at some time in the future. (If you, of course, accept the notion that time is linear and forwardly progressive and not, as we of course are all aware, a mere part of a grand unified theory of everything -- Are there any left that are so naïve and gullible?)

So what, that much of what is theorised and written about now transmutes from sci-fi to sci-fact in the future -- Sci-Fi is, all things considered, a waste of paper (or electrons for e-publishing) and a debased heresy of the high art of literature…

Strangely as it may seem I don't think so.

Now, as howrad would say -- back on your heads!

Litter

(Flotsam and Jetsam betrothed in a divine marriage of bottom burps and halitosis.)

HOWARD: Atta Boy!

EVERYONE: Good Sunday! Hope everyone enjoys their day. Went to Waldens yesterday and saw 'Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul'. Just wanted to let everyone know it is out there because i had no idea.

in the immortal words of Jack Nicholson playing the Joker in Batman:

"Can't we all just get along?"

now there is some fine dialogue. smiles to all...

AMERICO: The reason, I believe, that Howard said you have "and underlying tone of elitism" is because you said that great literature is the only one that deserves to be written and respected. I have been trying to form a response to that since I read it, but I believe Howard did such a good job that I will leave it alone.

And, yet, you have in a sense retracted that statement. You yourself admitted to reading a thriller or a sci-fi on a lazy day. Personally, I don't enjoy reading great literature. It bores me to tears. Just as I don't enjoy watching what society deems "great" films. As I've said before, I prefer entertainment. I will take a good Bond movie over Snow Falling on Cedars any day of the week, and prefer my romances and thrillers over Hawthorne and Poe. I'm certain that you feel that places you above me in many aspects, and if you do, so be it.

And, why was I given life? As a Christian, I know the answer to that question, as well as the others that followed. It's simple, really, and very clear.

Hallee

Okay, Howard, you can call me A* like Jon. I'll call you Howard, though. A mere question of style.

Now I just want to make this clear: what you (and other people) call my "underlying tone of elitism" does not make sense to me. What separates us is not a different attitude towards what we read. I may also enjoy reading, on a day of leisure and laziness, a good thriller, a good science fiction book, etc. — and I have defended all genres on this page more than anyone else. What I insist on is that each author must try to write his/her books in an original and artistic way, and not just limit himself/herself to copy what has already been done.

What separates us is a different attitude towards writing. A writer must strive for the best and not be content with the mediocre or even the average. If one does not feel able to write the best in the genre of his/her choice, that person is on the wrong path. Because writing is not a job like any other job. Writing is a vocation, the only means some people find to explain the apparent absurd of their existence or to express, hopefully for ever, the immense joy of having had a chance to experience this silly adventure on earth.

What separates us, Howard, is a different worldview and a different concept of destiny. What you call my elitism is merely my wish to express myself in the best way I can, the best way to answer this little set of questions: "Why was I given life? Why this anguish, why this bliss? What can I do with the humble skills I have?" And this attempt at answering : "I must use my skills in the best possible way. I cannot just aim at the easy, at the fashionable, at what the others have already done. I have to find my true voice and give it its unique expression." That is what writing means, Howard. And that is what I have been preaching here for a year and a half.

But this notebook is like the myth of Sisyphus — you are condemned to start again and again. Not very different from a writer's plight.

With thundering glee I commend you, Howard.

Americo, weirdness tinges every artist's soul, but to what degree the tinge? And with what notion do we defend our writerly weirdness, overlooking any other brand?

The real question is how these tinges are developed.
One slight pinkness on an otherwise blue and green pallette can be enlarged and everything holds pink surprise. Ignore the little tinge of pink and it is overrun by the sheer strength of the others.

See the pink and celebrate. Take it up and spread it.

...Focus your lens on the diminutive shadow, top left in your view, dappling the shoulder of your subject. Now, anyone can aim and snap the shutter. It is the focus, the emphasis with which we apply our attention, our efforts. Our fine eye that sees the shadow at all.

Weirdness.

There aren't any 'averages' left, I don't think. So many ways to express ourselves (or not); if you sniff the air and take a wide-angle-look at the crowd, I'll bet not a one will fall into the average category, if only upon a careful second look. We cannot know what lies dormant in the heart. We can only measure it by words and actions and token clues. Yet where is the slide-rule that designates a value for average, or normal, or weirdness for that matter? A moot question.

Now I remind myself that I'm perceived as weird all the time. I can feel it in the bend of others' gazes, the shifting way their feet move and the blank faces devoid of comprehension. No matter, I mutter.
No matter. Geniuses and idiots alike are allowed their weirdnesses. I do not claim to be either. But I'll take my weirdness, whatever it is and whenever it sparks, and ride the flames as far as they may take me.

You know what? I don't care if I make sense to anyone else any more. I make sense to me.

Heather (yawn)

A* -- I think, perhaps, that we're saying the same thing after all, now that you put it that way. At least I think that's what I said in the last sentence of my previous post: "Making that re-telling interesting, doing it in a way that captivates the reader and makes him want to continue -- that's the difficult part of the writer's craft."

But there is that underlying tone of elitism that seems to sneer at writing that is not "true literature," and that is what I protest. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Camus' "The Stranger," Hemingway's "Islands in the Stream", Faulkner, Ibsen, Tolstoy, Melville, Poe -- all of the above. No argument there. But I also enjoy the work of Ian Fleming, Sterling Lanier, Alan Dean Foster, Zane Grey, Burroughs, Kline, Theodor Geisel -- and others who may not be recognised by the literati, but who still hold my interest because they write well, on the things about which I enjoy reading.
There was only one C.S. Lewis, one Browning, one Shakespeare (okay, there were two Brownings). They, and others, created works that live on after them to entertain and inspire. Those works are uniquely theirs, but who is to say that they are any "better" than L'Engle, Rice, Henderson, or Card? They did not 'invent' the talent with which they were blessed, but they did use and develop it to the best of their ability.
And that is what we strive toward here -- those unique persons we know as Rachel, Tina, Jerry, Teekay, Rhoda, Heather, and the rest of us,(some weirder than others, to be sure) are here to encourage one another to try, develop, and use the talent we've been given, whether it be Science Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Romance, Mystery, or Haiku.

As I said, perhaps we *are* saying the same thing...

As for your contention that had I been able to get hold of a gun I would have killed the man who ran over Molly -- no, I think not. There's no satisfaction to be had in that. And if he *had* shot her I would have taken the gun from him and broken it. Then him. But not shot him -- that would be much less effective, and much too common.

New piece on poetry page. I included a bit of my own editing and the rationale.

I really believe in the notion of Critical Thinking: i.e., make assessment of things we see rather than take 'reality' at face value. But we all need some feedback and we all need some value system to fall back on or Critical Thinking invents new meaning each time the alarm goes off. Thinking is like sex, don't do it alone.

Hello!

Howard, you seem to me a very sensible, compassionate person. I draw this conclusion by the thoughts you express, the actions you describe, the clarity of your writen voice. Draw a gun on that idiot? No. Anger is not the same as stupidity, and even if a weapon had been placed in your hands, I think you have the intelligence to handle the situation. I just wanted you to know that.

I've yet to see any evidence that anyone here cannot express their views. I've yet to see any evidence that anyone here stands on the pinacle of the best veiws. I've yet to see any evidence that anyone anywhere is the sole voice of the best views. I do see evidence here that the experiences of life are being embraced and belief systems have formed in accordance with those experiences, moderated by tolerance. I do see evidence of a beautiful array of beliefs, intelligence and viewpoints, as bright and varied as an alpine field of wildflowers. Who's to say which flower is the most ideal? A domestic rose would never survive that environment, and wild paintbrush disdains a garden. Does that elevate the dandelion to be the best?

Avatar, sometimes. At those times I cancel any other plans - if possible - and write all day. Hunger becomes incidental, discomfort is inconsequential. Those times are far more important than the daily drudgery of chores and minor commitments. If I can't delay those responsibilities I ask my muse to hold the thought and pray she listens.

Off to write. Or edit. Or both.
T.J.

Howard,

(I'm Jon's secretary today.)

We discussed this matter in January and February last year, remember?

I agree with you (and so does Jon — at least he never said anything to the contrary) that practically all subjects have been dealt with. We both agree with you. We never said anything to the contrary. That was not the point, anyway.

NOW: Why don't you agree with Jon that a writer must deal with them in an original way? He said that any book must be new and written in a new way. And this is only what he said. Stories may be old, but a new writer must tell it in a new way. Those old books of yours say nothing to the contrary.

Actually the old books you referred to were very original, in style and contents, and great literature when they were first produced. It's because they were original that they were so good. And they were so good that, despite having scandalized many people at the time, for some people they are still masterpieces today. Thus must be ALL good literature and forever.

Literature is a specialized craft and a very demanding art. It's also the expression of the uniqueness of a creative soul. What Jon says is so easy to understand!

All the great American writers I know wrote and are still writing according to Jon's principles (if I may say so...). Melville, and Poe, and Hawthorn, and Fitzgeral, and Faulkner, and Hemingway did it. Even your latest Nobel Prize, Toni Morrison, is trying to do it...

I am speaking about great literature. It's the only one that deserves to be written and respected. This is a forum where some young people are trying to write and learn the job. It's very important that they know what they must try to do, and avoid like the plague the massified industry which is sometimes pointed out here as good literature. I was horrified when some time ago I saw what people were reading. I remember only a decent book from the lists that were offered here as good literature. It was called "L'Étranger" (The Stranger?) by Alber Camus. YOU mentioned it!

I cannot of course know everything and read everything, and very likely other good books were also mentioned. I only remember that one. And I also remember that once, last year, a chap who pretended to also be a writer, said that Shakespeare was rubbish — and I was the only one here to protest. Death penalty was defended here some time ago, and I was the only one to protest. Gun carrying (forbidden last month in Brazil at last) is almost taboo to discuss here because everybody here seems to be in favour of that blatant stupidity (you'd probably have killed the chap that overran Molly with his car if you had a gun in your hands, or at least Molly would have been shot if that beast — I'm referring to the car owner, not to Molly — had a gun handy). And, however, a writer cannot express here, without causing trouble, views that are obviously the best. And they are the best because they are the most rational, and the ones that the most civilized societies have adopted.

The same in regard to literature. What kind of place is this? People protest whenever a decent opinion is expressed; people shut up when the usual monstrosities are expressed. Very weird place, really!

I like it. It's fun, mainly when Jon goes on his great adventures. Now let's see what comes next.

Just dropping a line in...

Did anyone here see BICENTENNIAL MAN yet? It's a new movie out with Robin Williams in it based on a book co-authored by Isaac Asimov called the Positronic Man. It is a very sad, moving, movie and I have a feeling the book is the same. Anyone read it?

All- When, as you write, does the writing itself begin to grab, hold you to your chair and glue you to the page?

Later
-Avatar

JON -- I wouldn't expect you to remember it, because it's written in a very old book, but the wisest man who ever lived (so lots of people -- some of them very original thinkers -- say) observed that "There is nothing new under the sun," and "All is vanity (empty)." Your "wierdness" is, therefore, redundant. There is no more "original sin" with which to shock your masses. There is only the re-telling of what has been done again and again. Making that re-telling interesting, doing it in a way that captivates the reader and makes him want to continue -- that's the difficult part of the writer's craft.

Not that obvious, Mark... You don't want to be gillotined, do you? (GRINS)

We get easily fed up of people who say the obvious, and by saying it lie, because the obvious is never true Obvious; therefore, . . .

That's when I like it. Please try to be like me Uh, yer not jumping off any roofs, are you? My mother alwys aksed "And if all the other kids were jumping off a roof?" and we could never get settled on that, 'cause the rooves alwys seemed to get higher all the time and the kids was alwys makin her aks that and I never got a good anser and, ya know what, I never did see any line of kids jumpin off no rooves no matter where I went, but that was alwys my mother's question

Tina - I live across the Puget Sound from Seattle in Silverdale - so small it's not listed on most maps.
Allein

Speech to the Empire

On weirdiosity

Citizens and lurkers,

Weirdness is the very soul of creation. If you don't find something new and strange in a book, for instance, throw that book away: it's dishonest, it's just a poor replica of something injected, by the media and other instruments of darkness, in the veins of the brainless non-entity called "the crowds." The author of such a book is an unconscious plagiarist and an envoy of inertia. Many so-called writers are just that, people without original ideas, feelings, sentiments, or language. They confine themselves to reproducing the pseudo-ideas current in their society, and copying the style of writing dictated by the "Academy for the brainless" . Such writers, those wretched scribblers who do not try to always create a new and more beautiful world in each book they write, those parrots of the brainless crowds, can sometimes sell their products, because prostitution may be a well paid job, but they are worse than prostitutes: they are the opposite of creators and must be laughed at in this Empire, where only souls able to originally express their divine uniqueness can live in peace and merriment. We get easily fed up of people who say the obvious, and by saying it lie, because the obvious is never true.

Truth is naturally shocking, because you need some effort to think it and find it for yourself. You need to read a lot, and learn how to read, and see what's behind words and exotic adventures, and try to understand that the written word is a sacred mystery, and cannot be dismissed just because it is not the good morning of your milkman. You need to be a creator to be a reader, and if you do not have that gift of creativity in you, stop reading and turn on the tely. That's where your particular notebook is, not here, a place for healthy weird people, as its name indicates — "Writers' Notebook". A hellish place not for the weak of heart or mind.

So weirdness is the name of the game. This NB can easily become a conventional kind of chat room. But we are lucky: from time to time, a weird entity appears and stirs up the routine. Whenever I feel bored to tears with the NB I go on a trip. I went to school, to the moon, to the Arctic, well, I cannot remember all the places I went to. In those glorious moments — and those even more glorious when someone tells something directly from the intelligent heart —the NB becomes weird.

That's when I like it. Please try to be like me.

Allein,

if you dress me like a lady and sneak me into Jon's parties, he may even ask me for a waltz... What a great idea you had! The problem is if he discovers that I am a male and was not invited. He'd kick me out and would leave me in the cold till morning. And would ask all his guest to come to the window of his bunker and spit on my ashamed head. A terrible cat, Jon.

Hello!

Allein, Rachel lives about four-ish hours away. If I bribe her with a bottle of Grey Monk wine maybe she'll visit next time she's up. I'm not a maniac, although I once tried to learn how to throw knives and I want to learn knife fighting... at my dojo that is. You're in Seattle, right?

I'd try and make more reasonable responses but I've just recently had too much wine and I can't remember all the postings I just read. Maybe tomorrow...

T.J.

Oh yeah, Hallee, I read that chapter this afternoon. I had 20 minutes before the bus showed up, and thought I'd do a once through the chapter. If that bus had stopped in front of my house and honked its horn, I wouldn't have been able to tear myself away!

'til later...

Whoops!
Nice of you to point that out, Howard! That's not the meaning I'd intended - but leave it to me,
and leave it to you, howard, to read it with chest-in-mind.

I have to start practicing my typing skills. I have to be able to type 50 words per minute minimum... and during the test you can't backspace to fix a typo. It's actually programmed so that you can't backspace. How rude!

I don't think I'll have a problem typing that fast, it is more a question of accuracy. The actual ink-arrow on the backspace key is fading!

Wish me oodles of accuracy.
Ooil bee kneeding it.

Mark - still attempting d-load.

Howard, glad that Molly will recover and has such loving owners.

Goodnight, all
and Litter, you sure are randy this evening!

Heather

Tina - It was beautiful and sunny here too. I don't think you live very far away from Rachel - if you two get to be friends online, you should meet her, she's a really great person (and not a 400lb man in tights). As for me, I have no car and no way to meet you, but then, we haven't really talked much so you could be a knife wielding maniac - I don't think you are, but you never know online. Anyway, I'd like to get to know you better - you seem like an interesting and nice person.

Americo - I've been around - just lurking. Next time Jon throws one of his parties, I'll dress you up like a lady and sneak you in. He'll never notice. ;) As for the addresses, Rachel e-mailed me about that, and I'll e-mail her either tomorrow (most likely) or Sunday.
Ciao,
Allein

HEATER -- You've *got* to win a prize for that sentence -- at least the last half! What sentence you ask? I quote:
"...the top doesn't need to be filled out, really." hmmm...
it had to be you... ;-)

MARK -- I have (had?) most if not all of Burroughs' stuff, and a stack of books by one of his contemporaries - Otis Adelbert Kline. I've got them in a box somewhere, and I'm hoping the mice haven't got into them yet. Great stuff, that! Also have all the original "Conan" paperbacks. There was an article about Robert E. Howard on the CNN website earlier this week that was quite interesting. He did his writing in an 8x10 foot room (or was it 6x8?) and was regarded as quite the undesireable eccentric in his home town in Texas.

On Molly -- the folks at Cornell found that *both* her hind legs are broken, and the tab is now up over $2000. But she's part of the family, and money don't last near as long as the trust and affection in those big brown eyes.

LITTER -- I set up a userid and password for a woman in the UK last week; her name is Moneypenny. Odd name -- right out of Sherlock Holmes, I think. Or something like that.

The clerk at the checkout in Wegman's supermarket tonight entertained us with nearly the whole script of the latest "Simpsons" episode. He said that he and his buddies memorize whole shows and recite the lines at parties. I told him that we used to do the same thing with "Monty Python" scripts. He said "Who?"
I must be getting old...

It's after midnight here, and I'm beat!
howard

MARINASUN -- A shot in the dark? I think there's a story in that.

FOR ALL YOU MUSIC LISTENERS -- try musicsojourn.com. I really like a Public Radio program called Echoes and it is available on demand at musicsojourn along with scads (sheets? groups?) of other music types.

ALL YOU SCI-FI WRITERS -- Who does good work and who does bad? Anyone read Pirx the Pilot? I used to read Edgar Rice Burroughs (yup, the Tarzan guy). He had stories of action and intrigue on Mars, the moon, the center of the earth, and maybe even Venus. I still recommend him.
I try to measure what I write and what I read against some standard. Asimov is one guy for me when I read. Hemingway is another. I don't care enough about the Sci stuff to make it my writing backdrop; for that I use Tolstoy, Wordsworth, or Melville.

CHRISTI -- that button works on pages I publish. No, nothing happened on my end. Had some wisecracks in mind about who's been pushing my buttons but I don't think I'll use them.

HEATHER -- affirmative

TINA: That would have been 10:47 PT, I think. Maybe the chat room is busted, that's why nobody is ever in there. We're all there - but we just can't see each other! I think there's a science fiction story in that.... Anyway, it was a shot in the dark. Hope you didn't stay too long.

marinasun

JERRY LEE!!!! YOO HOO...JERRY LEE!!! (the link for the answer, please)

Litter:

from one Bond freak to another: hahahahahahahahahhaha that is hysterical.

mary

Aaaaarghhhh! All this talk of Science Fiction in my back reading, just when I promised myself a non sci-fi short story experience… Now I'm back on the sci-fi track again. I rally like sci-fi and the mind-expanding possibilities it poses, but I want to write other stuff as well. A murder mystery or two… A comment on the socio-economic ramifications of wooden furniture… A satirical review of Presidential Erections and life in the Oral Orifice… Ahhhhhhhh.

Rowhad - Glad Molly is going to be OK but, for $1500 plus I would expect her to come out with a masters degree at least!

Now then, who mentioned critics? Now just remember, critics should be pitied, not chastised. After all, they only seem to be critical of the people who can and are doing what they themselves cannot -- poor unfortunate scumbags. As for those who put one form of fiction above another -- egotists, snobs, posers and sundry other disparaging names and boo sucks to them. I always find that a well reasoned argument deflates their egos. (and a lit cigarette, their partners… )

All you all -- I WILL catch up.



Sometime.

Ciao for now.

Litter

PS If Odd-Job had worked for Blaufelt instead of Goldfinger, would he have been known as Blau-Job?

Tina, @home.com is also in Michigan, where my parents and younger brother are.

My server is a teeny tiny splotch of a mole on the webskin.

Oh, and Hallee, as long as you sign the bottom of a post, the top doesn't need to be filled out, really.

Heather

Hello, Allein!

I was wondering about your whereabouts lately. Jon did not invite me to the 5th July of the Penguins'party. "Only beautiful, intelligent ladies were invited," he said, when I asked him for explanations. " Yes, la crème de la crème," Pussy added, jealousy greening in her eyes. She's learning French now.

I think Rachel needs something from you. A list of names of people you'd like to envy you, I suppose. Make it as big as you can. But above all amuse yourself.

We love you. (Jon and I for sure. Pussy, well, that depends on the moon)

Thanks to all for the kind thoughts towards Molly. She's at Cornell University Animal Center now, awaiting orthopaedic surgery to repair a badly broken leg. There are still no apparent internal injuries, and she's able to limp along on three legs, but she's in lots of pain. We found out that my daughter is liable for the $1500+ surgical cost, as well as the damage to the guy's car, even though the investigating officer said there's no way they were at or below the speed limit -- skid marks were too long.

back to work
howard

Hello!

Allien, I'm in B.C., in the Okanagan about three hours north of the border. And it's beautiful and sunny today. Hurray!

Hallee, @home.com is a huge server up here, part of Shaw Cable which is almost everywhere. I didn't know it went into Oregon, though.

Marinasun, I checked in the chat room twice but no luck. Maybe I wasn't doing it right? I don't know.

T.J.

Hallee, I don't think of you as any less a serious artist. We just happen to write different ways. And different things.

James Michener spends two years on research for a novel, and another two writing it. I couldn't spend that much time researching anything. I don't know how long it will take to write this novel, but I'm still aiming for December of this year - for the definitive copy. Wish me luck, I'm so busy I'll be needing it.

Wedding today. Have to travel. Have to travel in our nice outfits and shoes. Have to arrive wrinkle-less and kidless. Sure. I'll just pretend I look freshly-pressed and ignore the creases. The kids will see us looking our best, but that's before we leave.

I'll also ignore the complaints that will undoubtedly flow from my husband's lips, most likely to hit peak level during dinner. He hates anything green, vegetable-ish or leafy.
That about covers the whole veggie and fruit food groups.
I'm hoping he'll eat some chicken and cake.

Heather

Tina - PDT. Cool - Where on the Pacific do you live? I live in Washington. You don't have to answer if you're afraid that I'm a knife-wielding maniac or something, I'm just wondering what state or area (if you're in Canada).

Jon - Loved the party. Don't remember much though, too high on chocolate.
Allein

Hahaha - I did it again. (sigh)
Heather, dear...the following post is from me.

HEATHER: I would say that you're a serious artist, while I'm just going with the flow :) I had no intentions of being a writer, and have no idea where this gift came from or why it decided to settle upon me eighteen months ago. I'm sure God has a plan with it, so I'm just moving along, waiting for that to be revealed to me.

This is the first book I've written that required any form of research. And, my research consisted of calling my friend's husband almost daily and asking him a dozen questions (he's an EMT and a fireman...handy). And, what he's done, is take what I've printed out for him and handed it around the firestation. Any discrepancies in the fireman world have been discovered and struck out. I also have about 20 men who are demanding to be in the book at some point...hence the characters Jarvis and Kirby, so far. haha

I would like to be like you, but I don't even know how. I just jump in, and my characters are there, somehow already existing, and I know them, of them, about them. I know what they'd say and how - I know how old, where they went to school...it's all in my head. When I get on the wrong path in a book, I can't write. I KNOW it's wrong, so I stop, back up to the point when the flow stopped, then erase and start over again. I've had to do that twice, and it's worked well. Other than that, I rarely even know "whodunit" until the end of the book.

So, I think I'm just a medium. Some great writer (meaning serious artist such as yourself) must have died in January of 1999 and I just got in the path of their muse - that's the best I can come up with.

(Thanks for the poem)
Hallee

Marinasun, what time is that PDT?
T.J.

Thanks, Teekay. Yep, it's the NB. I've given up on figuring out who's in charge. Aren't we all, anyway? Thank you, democracy! Boy, I need some sanity, too.

If anyone bops in at 12:47am CT on July 7th - I'll be in the chat room for five minutes. Ta-da! That's the way to plan a chat. I can hear the echoes already....

marinasun

There is a rather confuddling sentence or two in my last post. Don't MIND me, I seem to have misplaced my own.

Perhaps it is mania touching the corners of my frontal lobe. Perhaps it is coffee.

Heather

Hallee; I have spent more than a 10 week period just delving into the characters, writing character composites and histories; even conversations, ideas (both mine for the novel and ideas that characters have), story plans, as well as personality profiles and motivations. This novel just is not the kind that can be written in such a short amount of linear time (at least not by me!). I've had to do some research on police protocol, but haven't actually interviewed a Canadian cop in person. That might have to happen, just for a few nitpicky details. I don't need to do much medical research since I was a nurse before I decided to take on a new way of life - that is also my hopeful career.

I have thought many times that I could just write it, (just write it, slather it all over one great wad of paper, no wasted sheets) and if there were details that weren't accurate or realistic, hey, it's fiction, folks. But the more I write and craft the novel to bring forth logical yet unexpected conclusions, I decided to reach for realism and depth since that is how I feel this novel will best be expressed. I know, for the type of issues that evolve in the novel, that the smallest details can make or break the readers' trust. So I have taken the side that lends less artistic freedom and opted for the more technical angle - especially for certain events, but that doesn't affect the 'how' as much as it affects the 'why' when it comes to answering story questions, connecting plants, and deciphering my own hidden symbols. I still have all the artistic licence I need - it's amazing how scrutiny brings about a certain flavour to a passage now that I have chosen the places to cook.

I am closer to this story than (hopefully) apparant to a reader who does not know me. This is probably why I also have given the details as rigorous an inspection as possible; but I'm almost ready to go out and bite canines in frustration. ('Hair of the dog ya bit!')
The subject matter of the novel demands realistic and sensitive handling. And I still have yet to settle on a pitch. That will have to wait.

My next novel I plan on giving myself a larger field to romp in, in fact, most of the world will be 'my' stomping grounds. But that is the next book, and I'm still stranded in the first official novel (ie: one that will not die in my closet and silently decompose).

I can see it, though, ending up with just as much research and planning going into the second book, too. I think I am starting to know myself better.

I would like to be able to write as quickly as you do, Hallee, but I also know that (so far) that isn't the way I work!
BEST OF LUCK with your submissions and the search for an agent.

Here is a likely well-known quote, but suffice to say - it fits.

"Shoot for the moon,
and even if you miss, you will still land up
amongst the stars."

--Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

Here is a poem I have savoured for years, each time I open one of my older poetry books.

(It might not fit, but it's beautiful none the less)

THE SKY

The child looks upwards
At the blue sky above.
He lifts his tiny hand
And longs to touch the sky.

Unable to perceive
That the sky is an illusion;
The child thinks he cannot reach it,
When he holds it in his hand.

--Manuel Bandeira,
from 'Poetry Alive: Transitions; A Compilation'.

Goodnight, my dear friends,
and God Bless.

And thanks, Jerry, for being so helpful! ;o)
Heather

TJ,

I posted ch 3, it should begin to explain things. If you are still lost after that, give me a yell, you may be reading too much into it, or you may be just lost enough to be on the right trail. I need nuts and bolts of what is good and bad, but up to about chapter four has been reviewed way too many times.

Laura

Marinasun, if you mean about the notebook, don't be. I can't remember who termed it so, but there is rampant 'wierdiosity' on this site at times. Eventually sincerity and wit will return all to sanity.

If you mean something else, what's up? Internet animosity is a wonderful thing, so don't be shy.
T.J.

Jon - Thank you for the awards and your high praise. I am pleased that all is going well in the Empire. If you ever need my assistance or service you have only to say and I will be there.

Now I feel I must be honest with you. I did not cheer for the French in the Euro Cup. I wanted them out in the Semi finals. My heart and mind nearly exploded when they advanced to the finals they way that they did. They should not have won.

I am so confused.

marinasun

The Supreme Judge is a fraud.

SASQUATCH: Yes, I see what you mean. I had trust and faith mixed up together.

HALLEE: Wow! I got exhausted just reading your post. Not because it was long, it just seemed so busy. You are a huge inspiration.

I have begun the best seller. yes, I know you are all sick and tired of me saying that, but this time I really have. And I've written more than two lines. Yes indeedy, I have written 2 and 1/2 pages, and they are big pages too. I am only going to take Tuesday nights off, cos 'Just shoot me' & 'Charmed' are on then. I've decided to write on the weekends. As you can all see I am a true and dedicated writer.
:-)

TEEKAY: I write mostly in the morning. I get up at 4:30, and most days I have until 6:30 to write before I have to wake my family. I also live relatively close to work, and I come home and write for 45 minutes of my lunch hour - except today when I was solving that riddle - haha. Then, I also sneak in that half hour while my daughter is in the bath every evening.
If I don't get what's in my head written out, I cannot sleep. A lot of times, I get up in the middle of the night just to type out 3 or 4 quick paragraphs. I think that's because I never know what's going to happen next, so when I finish for that session, I immediately start milling the story in my head and coming up with the next paragraph or the next scene.
Up to this point, I've managed to write a book in about 6 to 10 weeks, but, my pace seems to have slacked. I started the one I'm on 3 months ago, and I still have 4 chapters left to write. Who knows why. There's a lot going on in life right now. Plus, there's all that editing that I'm doing right now.
Anyway - I didn't intend for this to be a novel - hahaha - sorry.

Hallee

Am I back? I wonder.

Thanks to Pussy, I'm back again on a clean, orderly and well organized Empire. The Empire will have no ministers. But I saved in my files the psychological prints of those who were my characters.

Here are my conclusions:

Only Rachel was totally worthy of my trust. She flied a plane to the Arctic which saved me from the wild bears and other beasts who were threatening my life and making hazardous my holidays under and on ice and almost impossible my return to save the Empire from the barbarians. I appreciated her courage. (More about our 5th July party with the penguins and the Inuits some other time.) A medal for her faithfulness and courageous behaviour in difficult times and environments. No wonder she is the best fiction writer on the block: a writer needs a taste for adventure, and the more impossible the better.

Only Jerry Ericsson did something to save the Empire from a coup d'état in my absence. Though I firmly oppose some of his views on matters I consider vital, I appreciated his character and his sense of duty. To fight against Pussy — man, that's really something. You'll get a medal for bravour exceptional. I'm sure your soldiers would not have fled at a simple waving and smile of Pussy if they were made of your stuff. For some reason you wrote the best stories for SM**. You have the stamina.

Only A* continued with his reports, thus performing his duties till the end. This shows persistence, but mainly love for soccer. No medal for him.

Courage, persistence and character are indispensable qualities for a writer. Those who do not have them, try a different job.

All the other ministers fled or hid themselves. Those who protested against the coup d' état did it for personal reasons which had nothing to do with the welfare of the Empire, and only showed earthly preoccupations or psychological weaknesses unworthy of their high rank and position. They will not come with me in any future ventures, like climbing the Everest, one of my wildest dreams.

My determinations:

The "My Flower", A*s yacht, will be returned to his proprietor. He will not be guillotined because Pussy asked me to spare all lives and shed no blood. And he was a reasonable minister, though with a tendency to be biased against France — my favourite team. I forgive him for voting against me. Even I voted against me — what would you expect with such an undecorous candidate as I presented myself to the crowds? It's necessary to try something different, you know? We are all fed up of well-behaved, hypocritical candidates. And I believe that the best always wins, even if he spits on the ice.

Pussy asked me to give the Empire the name of International Land of Freedom and Fraternity (ILFF). I insisted on the "International" to remind Americans and other aliens that this is a free INTERNATIONAL forum for all creeds, talents, temperaments and persuasions, inclusive my new philosophy, "Penguinese" — obviously the best and truest.

This ends the polilogy entitled "Plots? — eat them for breakfast". Despite its funny title, it was a deep study on the psychology of human and other creatures.

PS. For those who followed the series and want to keep it in their fridge for future reference.

I convinced the Supreme Judge to accept the shadows' thoughts as concrete and valid votes for Pussy. In any case she would resign in my favour — and I would inevitably save the Empire even if she didn't resign. One cannot beat one's fate, and mine is to be a saviour of Empires.

I also convinced the SJ to vote for me — I needed a little vote to show to my friends. So the results were: one vote for me, all the other votes for Pussy. I'm really proud of my pretty, smart, generous and dedicated wife.

Now I deserve some rest from the fatigues of my holidays and the chores of having to recover this delicate Empire from the forces of chaos and tedium. And Pussy, like any other creature, deserves the love, respect and admiration of all civilized subjects of this Empire. Thank you for your patience.

PS. Do not forget to pay your taxes punctually.

© Written on the last day of SM** as a public project.

Jon - I had a wonderful time at the party last night. I am sorry that I had to leave early. It seems that by going to bed early I missed much. I didn't know about all that has happened till just now. The world has turned and changed while I slept. I guess that is how it goes... I'm pleased that all has turned out so well.
Your faithful Minister of what ever you would like me to be,
Rach

JERRY LEE: I think I got the answer (dancing a little jig). It took my ENTIRE lunchbreak, and my paper that I worked it out on is splattered with chicken salad...but I think I got it. I emailed you. Please, oh if you have any mercy, kind sir, let me know if I did in fact get it right. :)

Hallee

Teekay person there is a not same between creatures and humans persons in the way of you call faith. I sasquatch trust and do not require same thing you call it faith for this is how the one made me and all creatures. Humans persons are made with a different way because the one wished for them to choose to love and not to do because they were made to love. Need what you call faith for that otherwise there is no point because all is the same tree rock creature humans and nothing left after. But humans persons are free to desire to choose one or other. I sasquatch do not need to do that choosing. That is the not same.

Judge creature I sasquatch am not ashamed of any who say sasquatch is friend. I do shame at creatures who act as twisted humans persons and do not respect the one.

Mark person I sasquatch think there would not be much fog on that i write. Longest word I know is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious which another Mary person told, but there is never a place to use it. Think maybe humans persons small ones write better.

Also I will not step on cat ever. Too hard to clean from between toes ha ha ha. i must go.

The webpage address is a link to a site with the Fog Index. It is a readability tool to help you gauge the grade level of your proposed audience; i.e., the denser the fog, the greater skill your audience needs. Most of us should probably max out at 10.

Hello All!

Thanks for the thoughts Hallee. I have a few questions, but I'll ask them in the crit page but not til later. Thanks so much!
I'm sending you positive 'editing' thoughts, to help you grind through. It's not as exhilerating as the initial writing but it is satisfying when a section falls into place just as you want it.

Laura, I'm enjoying 'Prometheus Bond'. I'll offer thoughts just as soon as I think on it some more. I'm glad you came back! I knew I'd enjoy your work when I read the first draft. And yeah, TJ is fine. It's actually my real nickname, at least from some people.

Howard, you have a heart of gold. :-) I have no patience for jerks like that driver and I'm glad you told him off.

And Jerry Lee... thanks a lot! I can't resist those kind of puzzles and it will drive me around the bend soon! I fell asleep last night thinking about it. Aaghhhhhhh! Really though, thanks. I love solving those puzzles.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go....
T.J.

Supreme Judge speaking:

Hope you realize that the entities who have lately posted under the names of Jon, Pussy, Americo, Impala, Kawinkiedinks and Queen are not the real Jon etc., but just their shadows. Notice that each of them addresses to him/herself and not to the respectable Notebookers. They are only thinking to themselves, but have not come to any conclusion yet. This brilliant twist in the great story of the coup and counter-coup is far from concluded. In order to help your fatigued brains understand this incredible plot here's a brief summary of it:

Taking advantage of Jon's absence, his wife Pussy performed a coup d'etat and dissolved the Government. There was practically no resistance. Jon, who is scuba diving, skiing and trying to melt the ice in the Arctic knew of Pussy's treason only recently. He called for an election, presenting himself as a bloody tyrant and a spitting-on-the-ice creature. Pussy, a master in psychology of the crowds, used the demagogic technique of melting the hearts. The powers that be have just expressed their inner thoughts. But not their definitive conclusions. Only if you read the last volume of this polilogy, entitled "Plots? — eat them for breakfast", will you know how the story ends. I'm afraid you will have to buy it, as its author is getting fed up of his readers and cannot promise to publish it here. After all, he despises plots and knows that good writing is something completely different.

Sasquatch — aren't you ashamed of having such supporters?

HOWARD: Ithink SASQY meant that creatures already have faith and don't question things as humans do.
I'm glad Molly's okay. I'm a sucker for animals.

SASQY(dear): do you know that JON is only a little bitty pussy cat? How easily they squash. How dreadful it would be for him to get under one of your big, strong, hairy feet.

Okay, I'm a sucker for most animals.

MARY: Hey there girly. Do you know PUSSY is only a little, bitty kitty (and I think she wears curlers. And drinks!) How easily they squash. Oh dear, wouldn't it be a terrible thing if a SASQUATCH fell on her. *sigh*
Oh dear MARY, I see your not adverse to few drops yourself.
WEEEEEEELLLLLLLL, WHAT'RE YER WAITIN' FER GIRLY? PULL UP A CHAIR AND BRING THE WHOLE BOTTLE. *hic*

HALLEE: When do you write? Is it when your daughter asleep or do you write any old time? Do tell, enquiring and jealous minds want to know.
I do wish you good luck. GOOD LUCK.

Dear alls,
I'm off to write my future best seller *snort*. Well. the start of it anyway. Or at least a couple of lines.
Wish me luck. And perserverance.

Tomorrow we can plan how to kill JON or PUSSY or both. It depends on what mood I'm in.
BTW: I think the popes a fraud and I believe they are blackmailing the queen. Seems the puusycat who went to London to visit the queen was none other than PUSSY herself. Word has it she caught the Queen doing something rather nasty while she was sitting under her chair. No wonder PUSSY drinks, but she can't be forgiven for the dreadful curlers.

Jon,

There's nothing like a good plot to win the day. I'll go back home, but only after I say good-bye to my beloved penguins and to my holiday's cook, the Inuit's wife, a nice, always smiling lady who sends greetings to everybody.

Pussy, I love you.

A*, you will be guillotined and I'll keep your yacht. All the others will be pardoned, but wait for a ministerial recast.

Pussy

Dear Notebookers and faithful subjects.
I never thought I could ever win this election. But the heart has won against reason, sensibility against genius, conservatism against imagination and ingenuity. Bad Jon was defeated. Our pretty Empire will go on like it ever was: a place for nice people to write nice things, like "I love my husband and kids" and "You have great talent, your dialogues are a masterpiece!". This is the Empire bad Jon has always fought and wanted to improve. But he appointed a Prime-Minister and Ministers who were as good as the Italian soccer team... With some exceptions which he will certainly reward when he will return to my arms and to our bosom. Because, dear citizens, I do not want to be your Empress. I just want to be Jon's wife.

Jon, I won the election, but I resign all my powers and pass them onto you. You will always be my lover and my Emperor, and therefore the Emperor of us all. Please come back and proceed with your idealist attempts at improving our beloved NB.

Americo

Jon, I'm getting fed up of your antics. How could you spit on the lovely penguins?

With the votes of the Pope, the Queen, Impala, the Kawinkiedinks and those of the silent majority and the undecided, who, by historical tradition and week temperament, cannot vote but for the status quo, you've lost the election. The counter-coup is over. Peace and happiness have returned to our streets. Pussy, our dear Emperess, please make a speech to the Empire of Love and Good Writing (aka, Notebook).

PS. Jon, I want my yacht back.

Impala

Pussy, as a sensitive female and a God loving creature, I can only vote for you!

Kawinkiedinks (all three of them and their descendants)

Pussy, in the name of liberty, equality and fraternity, we vote on you. That's one million votes! Long live the Empire without spitting-on-the-ice creatures like Jon!

Queen

Pussy, my dear, I did not know Jon was such an evil person. When we met in the Azores last year he seemed a gentleman and even kissed my hand. I was horrified to know that he spat on penguins and drank blood with his paté of whale. I definitely cast my vote on you!

TINA: I've posted a crit (I know..I know...FINALLY) :)

LAURA: Ditto :) Mine is the one that doesn't have anything filled out at the top. It's kinda hard for this simple girl to remember to do that (growling in frustration). But, I signed my name at the bottom, so you'll know it's from me. :)

HOWARD: You certainly do not lead a boring life. Good for you, making those people leave in a hurry! I hope that they don't try to sue anyone, and I hope that the police noticed the skid marks.

JON: Thanks for the invite, but, if you're trying to buy votes, I still remain undecided. I shall have to wait until AFTER the party to make up my mind. Although, I'll tell you that your arugments with sasquatch make me hesitant to vote for you, as I don't really want you as the spiritual leader of the empire.

TEEKAY: I have looked at Mills & Boon, but it's been a while and seemed like they only take agented submissions. (sigh) I am going to be submitting this STUPID trilogy that I'm in the middle of editing (sorry..it's really good but I really HATE editing) to an agent, and also at the same time to Kensington publishers. They publish a line that the trilogy will fit nicely in, and rather than wait weeks and weeks for the agent to tell me no, at least I'm cutting some wait time by doing both. Wish me luck.

Okay - I've posted the beginning of another book I've written, just for a taste of something new. I don't think I'll be posting anymore of the one I'm writing now, simply because almost half of it is already up. As much as I'd like to think no one would steal someone else's work, and as vain as it may be to think that mine's worth stealing, I still don't want it to happen.

Have a great Thursday.
Hallee

Sorry 'bout that...I left my name off that last post.

Yo, All!

Jon, such a worldly cat as yourself should know the benifits of decorum and restraint, shouldnt he?

Sasquatch, Even in this cyber-world of light on phosphorus we must deal with small mammals scurring about and trying to trip us up. With your legendary feet, it should be no major effort to end the torment...

Jack, Good for you! I had faith in you!

All, I am working on a web page that deals with a riddle written by Albert Einstein aver 100 years ago. He claimed that only two percent of the population would be able to com up with the correct answer.
I thought you all could use a diversion, so here it is the way is was given to me:

There are 5 houses in 5 different colors. In each house lives a person
with a different nationality.

The 5 owners drink a certain type of beverage, smoke a certain brand of
cigar, and keep a certain pet.

No owners have the same pet, smoke the same brand of cigar, or drink the same beverage.

The question is who owns the fish?

Clues:

The Brit lives in the red house.
The Swede keeps dogs as