Archived Messages from July 16 to July 27, 2000

Jerry,

Well said. We had a guy, here, named Clyde Dixon who put it really well. He said, "If this is all we have, then we have only to gain and nothing to lose by being kind to each other while we are here. I personally, honor life religiously, I don’t kill a snake, or even a beetle for the reason that I don’t understand them. It is a creature of the earth, no less deserving of life than I, myself. I don’t recognize that a single conscious being put me here with the snakes and the beetles. We are just here as far as I know, and the snakes and the beetles mean me no harm, thus it would seem pure meanness for me to heap harm upon them. At the same time I wouldn’t let them float around in my soup. They should be made to know their limits.

Mr. Calliano,

You may qualify your students as you like, but I am open to having all your students in the Notebook, if they like. Nothing like that ever did any harm to the Forum.
EJ is very imaginative and I believe she could at the very least impart a good bit by example. Of course I’m not authorized to offer her services, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she offered them herself.

T.O.M.,

I’m not so sure there is NO reason for the believers to eat the Pagans. Personally, I disapprove, but I hear there is nothing quite like a barbecued pagan after a hard day of being benevolent to the creatures of the world. That is if one believes we are all equally sacred, yet still allow for the consuming of cows, lambs, pigs, and chickens. Surely you can see that the practice of cannibalism would not be prohibited under this system of beliefs. Essentially it is a live and let kill, kind of splinter school of the more common religions in this regard. Much as all the principal religions of the world practice the basic edict of live and let kill. Of course, for the most part there is live and let live, but this seems a rather small dichotomy to accommodate. Especially when the so called "valid" religions find no problem as long as no one eats people. The reason we can not prohibit eating people under this system is that we would have to prohibit eating all the others, because while we do recognize ourselves as superior beings, we do not recognize ourselves as more deserving. It is rather like
Republicans accepting Democrats, not as equals, but as deserving equal rights and priveleges. I know this is not likely to ever happen, but I am trying to make an analogy, here.

Later, my good freinds.

Jessica -- posted a crit for you on the novel workshop crit page. Remember that grains of salt are in plentiful supply, so bring your shaker to the computer desk!

Heather

Oh, I forgot to say - students!
Bring them on!

Always willing to give critiques. A writer that is not a reader is not a writer.

Heather

Hey there, my lovely NB family,
I am just checking in (doesn't it seem like I just checked out? Of the asylum...)to see what's new.

Enough elipses already.

Now let's get down to the nitty grits.

Hmm.

Well.

I think I spilled all the grits I had stored up my sleeves into my chapter 5 already.

Wait. No, I think I feel something rattling around in there like loose change hungering for the vending machine.
Oh, sorry, it is loose change!
Here, gum, gum, gummmm. Come to mama.
90cents, thank you. Ninety cents?!

Ninety cents why, if I saved all my gum money for twenty years, just think of the money I'd have set aside for retirement.

Hm. Mouth dry. Gum tasty. Oh, urge to take shiny silver and nickel pieces and drive them into the slot and push buttons and slide my hand through the triangle wedge-slot and surf for my little foil packet of yummy, saliva-inducing flavoured rubber and chemical sweeteners... oh, why oh why does that sound more disgusting than... hey, I could chew the sole of my shoe and find more calories! And probably real sugar. Now that's a thought. Why pay for gum when I could just stick my foot in my mouth?

Oh, now wait, really.
Sticking my foot in my mouth would be more like what the newest of newbies has done! Chew thoroughly! Swallow now.

...And I can resist no longer! The temptation of imitation cherry crystals peppered into chemically copied rubber tree sap is just TOO MUCH!

*Heather slings the wallet out of her purse, she finds the zipper, and un-zips to release the leather folds and plastic-coated photos; up pops the change bag with-a-snap, out scoots a quarter, and a nickel slides out like sandpapered chrome, and seven, no eight pennies with all sorts of patina and bacterial growths.*
WHAT!? I don't have ninety cents? Only paper money and... dusty swallow... thirty eight cents.

WAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

Oh, but I DO have some grits up my sleeve after all.
What do you know!

Guess what. (You've probably guessed anyway) I'm just letting the shit hit the fan and I am being rude.

Well, if the Foo shits... as Mark so aptly put.
I'll wear my share and take my turn. Life is too much fun not to go poking in bee's nests once in a while. My sense of adventure is a tad warped.

Ear-to-ear wallop of a grin.
Heather

fun stuff. that's about it. i'm going to hang back for a while, search for robs in her apartment, i do mean search, she's like o.c.d, never throws anything away. i'll be back in a few days or when ever i feel like it.
i need to do some more writing.
"hoping for life means never living."
where the hell did that one come from? anyway, later.
EJ

Sorry, who ever put a fake address up as Erik's is hysterical. I bet I have an idea who it is.... (Robi, answer your damn phone already....) Anyway, that's not his address. You want his real one? Okay, Erik C. Michaels PH-210 South---hahaha, okay sorry, bad joke. No seriously, let me finish reading the rest of the postings so I can think of something funny.
I feel better today. Love the whole writing thing again, and Mr. Callanio, please! I'd love to read your student's work, Go NYC.
EJ

Tyler - I would have no problem at all with students posting in the workbook. We have had our share of students here who join on thier own, and we have always welcomed them.

Garyss - On the subject of religion - I guess I have been back and forth myself. When I went to Vietnam, I was an agnostic like yourself. Sometime in that year, I saw reason to re-affiliate myself with the church. I have no problem with anyone practicing thier own form of religion, or for that matter no religion at all. Being a good person is all that matters, helping others when you can, and treating people like you want to be treated.

Write ON!

Jerry

Greetings and Felicitations,

On the subject of Christianity, we are all on this Earth for the betterment of each other. As long as you are a healthy part of the world at large, there is no reason for the believers to eat the pagans. (Ha, Ha)

Tyler, On the subject of students posting their work for the sake of critisism, is that not the reason we are all here? I, for one, have no problem with that. In fact, your students and yourself are just as welcome as any who profess to show interest in the skill we all hold dear.
We are the offspring of the 9 muses who exist to enrich the lives of all.(If you believe in that sort of thing.)

All, Take all I say to you with a good humor and a grain of salt. It will aid in the digestion of bologna.

Take Care,
T.O.M.

Sorry, forgot to put in my e-mail address in case anyone had any questions!
Tyler Callanio

Hello Notebook Members,
My name is Tyler Callanio and I teach a Creative Writing Class two nights a week in Brooklyn, New York City. I wrote for many different magazines before I became a teacher and came across this website much by accident. In my class I have four exceptional students that I feel would benefit from a little exposer to the criticism from other writers, aside from myself.
My proposal is that these four students be allowed to post a bit of what they write on your website and have you give them constructive help in making their writing better.
If anyone has a problem with this I understand, I will check back in a day or so to see if there are any objections to these four students posting a bit of their work for all of you to read and critique. Thank you for your time and patience,
Tyler Callanio

Rhoda,

I am glad that you never decided to quit the NB. So many people have, and they all had their reasons, no doubt. When I think of it, if all the people had stayed, Jack would have his full time job just archiving the forum. I must respond, however, to your kind words, dear Rhoda.

Rachel, I’m encouraged to hear you say you are not a Christian. I myself am not a Christian, and it pleases me to know there are a few others besides myself who believe in nothing. Now, that may sound strange, and people could get the wrong idea about what I mean by nothing. Mostly it applies to an after-life in which people’s spirits are supposed to exist in one state or another. The nothing applies to the after-life of one who believes there is none, ergo nothing, or more correctly, non-existence. I should at this point release you from inclusion in my belief system in toto. You did not, after all, say you were a dis-believer, only that you are not a Christian. No offense is intended on my part.

I remember a fellow asking me what church I attended. I thought it was rather presumptuous of the guy to have asked me the question, and equally so not to consider the possibility that I may have attended no church at all. I told the man I was an agnostic. He look puzzled for a second and then said, "I don’t know that one, but I guess we all pray to the same god."

I should be reluctant to enlarge on this topic, knowing the kind of havoc that can be wrought on a public forum that gets caught up in a religion dialogue of any kind, but I am going to honor the enlightened collective mind of the ‘book and let it stand.

My best to you ALL,

GS

I want to give a personal "Hello" to Mark, whom I do not think I have ever addressed here before. I don't know why. Mark, I read everything you post, and it is always interesting.

Americo,

Sorry I missed you. We must have posted at the same time last night. If you do not read this before you go, I hope you can at least feel the vives. Have a wonderful vacation!!!

Gary,

I like having you around, not only for your humor and charm, but because with you here I don't feel so much like an old-timer. Why is it we have held on here so long? Perhaps it is our tenacity.

Speaking of which, once in awhile I feel out of the loop as far as the Notebook is concerned. Sometimes we are on a subject that does not interest me, and I get on and sometimes for days have nothing to post. There have even been days at a time I have refrained to visit the Notebook. There have even been a couple of occassions I have intended to give it up altogether. Fortunately, for some, I cannot let you all go right now. But for those times when I did not want to post or to participate, it was generally due more to what was going on in my head at the time than to anything going on here. The Notebook is a fluid thing. It is in constant flux. Personalities come and go, and, heck, we all change a little. None of you older ones are exactly the way you were a year or two ago.

If you don't like this place, wait it out. What you get this week might not be the same next week. Check out the archives and see if it isn't so.

My carpet is finally clean as is 3/4 of my house, but my poor vacumn cleaner died. I must go to Liberal today and get a new one, bummer!

Love you, all. Hugs and kisses to you all, even to Americo and Jon where ever they may be.

Rhoda

Mary - You are one very nice lady (smiles).

Valerie - Welcome to the Notebook. I read your post and would like to tell you that you don't need to be invited to participate in a conversation. Just jump right in. What you did was what you should do. If you have something that you want to say on a topic then go ahead and say it (smiles).

MARK: I went ahead and posted that on the poetry crit page. But take it with a grain of salt. You can divide the stanzas up differently than I did--the thing sounds a lot better than it looks. Just hold your nose and read it really fast and you won't even notice. :-)

Seriously though, the only thing my critique is really good for is a couple of word change suggestions. Love the metaphor you have going there. I really liked this piece and look forward to seeing what else you have to contribute. Write-on!

Dear Friends:

Looking for some writing buddies to share work with via email. Anyone interested?

As a new person here, I can't really "get" the whole Eric thing - other than to point out if anyone said something hurtful about my work I would consider 1. I am on the internet afterall 2. I would avoid having my Dad or my editor or my husband scold anyone (I would appreciate a critical eye in order to look at my work in a new way) 3. Most editors I have worked with in the past don't have time to eat lunch, so I am doubtful publishers have time to monitor boards like this. Just what I think - I know you didn't ask - just had to say it anyhow.

Hope things are well in the world of writing - I posted an article on Themestream yesterday just to finish something. So far it's a real blockbuster, NOT! Oh well, it's only been one day. Was hoping to see dimes rolling in like a Las Vegas slot machine jackpot!

Take Care,

Valerie

MARK: try -- 'likened' instead of similied. let me know how it feels to you. you will have to tweak a few of the other lines to make it flow, but it is do-able. i tried it, and like it better...if you want to see how i reworked it, just let me know. :-)

Hi All:

I just want to say one more thing about this Erik post. I get the feeling that it was an attempt to see who of us was willing to jump through hoops. That stinks. Even worse, what if someone did? To divide is to conquer. It's almost as if he wanted to plant a seed of discontent and watch it grow.

He probably has his phone fixed to print every phone call on the NB. Just say no to calling that number. IT'S A TRAP! Don't go in there!

Okay, that's it. I'm done.

You guys are great. I should know. When I first discoverd the chat rooms, I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I lasted one week. How many years ago did they first appear? I'm dating myself. I found so many angry people I started to shrink inside at the thought of going back in. For the record, I am not shrinking here.

Just for the record writers and the things they write are like the Sun. There is enough for everyone. It's not like only one lead part in a play or a movie.

So bye for now. I still have twins to attend to. There's two of um. Sometimes I think that there might be more but I just haven't seen them in the same spot yet.

Debra

ARIK - Thank you. The foo story was inspired by all the stuff flying here lately over hurt feelings and, well, if the shoe fits . . .

GARIESS - boffo, pal, boffo. It's Erik in one post and Eric in another. Your reading is patient, sensitive and adult.

JACK - Good luck. I'm doing the MIS thing 20 hrs/wk and that's enough for now. I may want more later, but all the bills are paid. Guy across the street works full time in a warehouse and I make more dough. Thank God for small gifts, eh?

HEATHER -- Avatar went berzerk, huh? There's an interesting word. Scandanavian warriors would put on a shirt made of bear skin before going to battle. They were called 'berserkers' or 'bear-shirters'. They would go 'bearshirt' to fight.

AVATAR - You in the woods?

MARY - chameleoned my way in . . . oooh, I like it. Take a look at the poetry page and my pome SHROUD OF TURIN. I use the word 'similied.' For this audience I think it works, for another audience I might need to change it. What think you?

EJ/ROBI/ERIC -- Welcome, I'm Mark, an old man with gas.

OLD MAN - no, maybe that's you with the gas. On the names thing, Mark is also derived from the germanic mearch for border, so the mark was the point separating two properties. Borders being what they are, and often in dispute, mearchs were frequently at the center of an argument.

AMERICO - enjoy vacation.

Speaking of which,
HOWARD - miss you

HOLY MOLEY, there must be someone I haven't said Hi to. Here it is: HI!

ARIK: Welcome back...even if I didn't win any prizes.

HEATHER: Thanks for your kind words to me. And for your very wise statments regarding the latest plot twist here at the Notebook.

TEEKAY: Wish my guardian angel had been rejecting a few of my posts along the way, that's fer sher!! Smiles to you.

GS: You crack me right up.

ERIC: Good thing none of us are stalkers. Better watch out for any lurkers that see that address there.

RACHEL: It doesn't matter to me that you are not a Christian, because to be perfectly honest with you, you act more like what a Christian is supposed to act like than most Christians I know. (nice sentence structure, eh?) I am a Christian myself, but I think that Buddhism has many merits. I guess that I just feel that none of us (meaning religions) are wrong in our beliefs. I think that no matter what religion you are, if you live it fully and honestly...you will get where you are trying to go. "And that's all I've got to say 'bout that."-forrest gump

EVERYONE ELSE: Hi Jerry, Howrad(wherever you are), Jack, Christi, EjRobiEric, sasquatch person, Avatar, Goodweed Bob, T.O.M., Mark....you all know who you are...HAVE A GREAT DAY! AND WRITE MUCHLY.

Hello everyone.... specially the "newbies" as Hallee calls them. I am back and that means that the sentances are also back :-). I have to say that it is getting harder and harder because there are so much wounderfull, funny and specially stupid sentances around here... but there it is:

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The dumbest sentance today is by Hallee.... and it is about the "newbies"

"HAHAHAHA (sigh)

for all the newbies...the following post is from me.
(No..I don't do it on purpose)

HAHAHAHA"

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The funniest is by Mark.... Good idea for a name mark :-):

"Finally there's the Foo. That impressive bird presented to the National Zoo by The Peoples' Republic of China."

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And today's best sentance is by EJ.. and I have to say he is right:

"there's more to learn in the world then what's written."

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Rachel - Naktar is a great name... not a normal one but if you want to call your child like the the greek gods wine.... there you go :-).

Hello everyone: have been a bit sidetracked of late, so finally got back here. I have the interview previously alluded to coming up this Friday. So, wish me luck. It is a little daunting facing the 40 hour world again after such a long time of working for myself. But we will see how it goes. Take care all. Of course, with my luck, I will get the job and about that time my agent will call with a book contract for a computer book.

Garries - I just wanted to say hi to yah.

Heather - Hey you! I still like to know that other people get the walking naked feeling. That makes me feel good. I don't really feel that way any more. I am much more comfortable talking to people about what I do and what I write. I don't think that I'll ever forget the feeling I had when I first posted something in the notebook. I was terrified. After that I posted in the workbook and I really thought I would pass out before I ever got a chance to post my chapter. Now I don't post for different reasons. I'm pretty quiet about my writing. I'm not really sure why I just am. That is not to say that I'm not doing anything with my writing (grins). I'm working over here. I just don't make much noise.

Avatar - I don't know if your question was serious or not. I will answer you honestly. I am not a Christian. To say I am one would make me a liar. I'm just a gal who is embracing life. I try to treat people the way I would want them to treat me. I hope the fact that I'm not a Christian isn't going to upset anyone. I'm a person of no specific faith at this time. If I had to select a faith in the morning it would be Buddhism. The names that you suggest are all very nice. Thanks!

Hallee - I didn't come up with the name game but I sure do like it (smiles).

All - I love you guys like family! Each and every one of you has a very special place in my heart.

Erik - I think you really should look into changing your phone number and address quickly. I think you must be pretty new to the net. YIKES! Buddy, what were yah thinking? Posting your home info. like that just isn't a good idea. At least I don't think it is.

Teekay,

If I were the kind of guy to have favorites, you would be mine. But wait, There's Rachel, and Heather and... Aw, like I was saying, I'm not the kind of guy to have favorites......

GS

Hey you guys,

Offhand, I would guess that of all the people who post here, Rhoda and I are the two correspondents of longest standing. I don't really remember my state of mind when I first put my oar in the water, here, so it is interesting to me that so many people have had misgivings about joining - so to speak - the group. I, personally don't see posting in the NB as a very intimidating venture, myself, but as I have noted, maybe I've been around too long to remember.

I would guess that everyone approaches, here, with a different set of feelings, motives, concerns, etc. and that mostly these feelings center around something like the first day in a new school, or auditioning for a part in a play - something like that. If I were a sensitive enough kind of guy I suppose I would keep that in mind when people are new to the NB. One needs to be around for a while to realize that much attention to new people has a limiting effect upon one's responses to the group in general. The flow is often very fast in the NB and I tend to expect a word of greeting and acknowledgement of a comment completes an introductory acceptance of a new voice.

Of course, I have the advantage of having already seen most of the reactions to the post of Eric, the publisher. Eric, the fellow who has been keeping a candid eye on our behavior for some five months or so. I too have read what Eric, the publisher has said to us and I thought I ought to try reading it from a different perspective. I though I should imagine that a person was somehow offended by the kind of insensitivity I mentioned earlier. I thought I should imagine that person, out of frustration, wishing some potent champion would come along and punish us all for our insensitvity.

Who, I would wonder, would be in a positiion to punish a group of writers? Maybe, a publisher would be good... better yet, a pulisher who has been secretly watching these writers and sizing them up for jobs with his firm. That would be such a fitting and ironic consequence. But, alas, there is no such publisher. More's the pity, because it would be so... appropriate.

Still, those writers don't know there is no publisher, and if I pretended to be a publisher... from New York, yes, a New York publisher, I could berate them all. I could tell them I was thinking of hiring them for my firm, and then strike them all down, telling them they are cold-hearted and mean and they wrongly offended my very good friend and associate, namely me. That would be so good, but I would need to get an email adress so I can recieve their pleas and apologies when they all beg to be forgiven. Actually,I think I can do that. This is starting to sound really good. Then I need a good sounding publisher name... maybe Eric something.

Of course the foregoing is all just a great flight of fancy on the part of one writer in this forum. Maybe there is no way to get an email adress with a false identity. Still, I think it would do credit to the imagination of a writer to use such writerly skills, and to create such a writerly deception as I have described. If one has the skills to create fiction, one need not be limited to homely moralities and conventions. One can use those skills in the advancement of one's cause. One can provoke responses from people that would be exraordinary and beyond the possibilities of normal and candid inter-action, not to mention the empowerment it implies if effectively undertaken.

Be all that as it may, it is merely a fanciful speculation on my part, and one that may be poorly thought out. In fact, I prefer the suggestion as it stands that there is a publisher who has been keeping his eye on us all. Because I can support the claim that I, while I may be guilty of some sins of omission in not helping to create a freindly enough ambience for some newcomers, have not gone on record as overtly snubbing or passing harsh judgement upon the work of any newcomer. I submit this to all lurking publishers who are looking for people to employ in their firms. I will also accept less than the usual signing bonus as a further inducement.

You have to love this Notebook. It really has its interesting moments.

GS

Americo
I will miss you! We all will. Have the most relaxing and inspiring vacation possible. Big kisses and HUGS.

Avatar, hey there. Seems you got worked up over the name suggestions and went berzerk! Think we all do from time to time. No better place than here to say what's on your mind.

And let's just really say what's on our minds. There's no point beating bushes, or beating in the vacinity thereof.

Mary, you did enter the NB with quite a flourish, and I think it sparked us quite a lot! Nothing like sparks. Thanks for staying, you are indeed a gem the 'family' NB would have missed out on.

Family is right. This NB is a family. And no family hasn't had squabbles.
New family members cannot be ghosts or fakes or schmoozers if they plan on being real. Real writers, that is.
The point is, this nest of personalities has made a real home of these quarters, and will protect it.

That's all I can think of at the moment, I'm off to wrestle again in chapter 5... think it's about time I stripped down to my sumo outfit and BBQ'd up some tasty steaks. (Grilled peppers for the vego-matics)

Rachel, you tickle!
Walking naked through a mall. Yeah, felt that way exposing my writing, too. Bare to the bones.

If this is confusing, here is my excuse:
Just came from the Writer's Digest Forum and whew! I'm glad I got out of there. Some of the recent manuscript postings are (Siskel and Ebert style) two thumbs WAY DOWN. Not that they can't be revised. And that's just my opinion.
Oh, WAIT - there was one exception! Do read 'Juanita' if you happen by the site. It's not bad at all. :o)
here's the locale: http://writersdigest.com/forum

Jerry, I think you had it all encased in a small nut covering:
This is the best group of talent in any writer's site you have ever cruised. You included.

Cheerio

Heather

Whoooeeee little Buddy, I finally got on!!!!

AVATAR: Wow, what a post. I think it must be one of the longest you have ever posted.

EJ: Stop ya sulkin'. You have a long way to go to beat MARY's entrance and we love her.
I really don't know what it is. Your and Robi's posts do tend to resemble those of fictional characters. I did enjoy them nevertheless. They made me chuckle.
Now you may well be a real person and so may ROBI and ERIC, but I really have to wonder about your mental state when you can put your names and addresses on the internet like that. You're either very innocent, very crazy or totally made up.
We are not ALL normal here.

MARY: Hahahahaha you may have wanted to read what I had to say in my first post, but my guardian angel was watching over me and made sure it didn't get posted. It was one of those posts where, once you've simmered down,you wish you'd never pressend that little send icon. Hahahahahah.

CHRISTI: You can access your mail by clicking on the icon at the top of the screen. After you do that, then you can type in a letter and after that you can press send. HINT HINT.

GARIESS: I knew you were only joking, you're a tongue in cheek, and lightbulb in undies kinda guy aren't you. Uh oh, the lightbulb thing again. Ah well, I have no taste, who cares? I never professed to have. Is that the right word, oh, it doesn't really matter does it, forgot who I was talking to for a minute :-^. Hahahahah.

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I see us all here as a little cyber family. Dysfunctional maybe, but family nevertheless.
I read all the posts, unless I get too far behind and sometimes I laugh and sometimes I cry, sometimes I respond and sometimes I don't, but I believe that all of you have something special to offer and I am grateful to each and everyone of you for the things I have in common with you all, and also for the differences.

Am feeling very happy with myself as I have begun chapter 2. Aaah, progress.

I can't spell! I cna't pspelll! can eit spelelel!

That's enought from me ;)

Naw, yous guys ain't had nough yet.

Word plays? You mean, there have been some words played about it here? And no one told me?! dang, darn, oh whatever! I missed out on a lot...

Rachel- On naming names...
Okay, If you are a Christian (you are aren't you?) you might want to name your child something that derives from that word. And there's a whole mess out there..
Christian
Christine (and any other spelling thereof)
Kristen (and any other spelling thereof)
Christy (ditto)
Kirstie (Though I wouldn't recommend it, you'd be naming her after me!)
-and that's the only reason I know that most of these names derive from the word Christian, I might add!

And if you're up to a few more suggestions, I've always preferred Caitlin. The name's getting a bit more popular now, so if a she, she'll have less trouble explaining how to say it to people *grin*
No, wait a minute! I used that name for a main character a long time ago! Hmm...If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was trying to manipulate the name picking... ;)
Naah. You're too smart for that.
Boy's names- Chris (does that come from Christian too, I wonder?), Reno(macho name), um, um, ahhhhhh! I forgot what I was going to say! NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

That's enough flak from me for one day *bigger grin* I'm a senior in high school now, but I've got the childishness of a seventh grader! Somehow...
Just don't name him Bill, or I will be highly disappointed in you. :(

EJ- Um, what? This is to your friend as well:
At times, usually after the first few weeks, people begin to drift off from the welcome, welcome! attitudes that dominate when you first arrive. And sometimes, you feel left out when no one answers your posts, or pays you any attention, or drops a bomb on you. One of two things has resulted-
1)They have skipped over your posts accidentally while reading the recent ones. The notebook tends to get talk on it really fast, and reading all that often sends one into the sweet numbness of oblivion. This 'skippin'-over what doesn't seem to be addressed to me, or whatever the reason' happens A LOT, and it was the main reason I often felt left out up until a few months ago, when my dim-witted brain finally smacked itself.
2)Someone mistakes the meaning in your posts and drops the proverbial bomb on you. Now, I don't want to point fingers at anyone, but by the time this happens, people tend to get a little uppity and, well, hurt! What should happen, is the two should get together over e-mail or whatever and talk it over, but it usually blows out over the notebook. Everyone is affected. And my dear, you have done just that!
(But don't be ashamed, you are following in the proud footsteps of tradition ;) )
I've done it myself. What's done is done *shrug*. But now someone needs to step up to the plate and apologize (and many have done so) or begin mending the fences. And please don't leave because of one confrontation! We'd miss out on something good, I'm sure.
Now, ERIK, you have just gone and offended a lot of people. You did it in the interests of your friend, but if you look back at the posts, you might see that some did not do what you accused them of doing, or you might have unfairly accused us all. I really don't care what the reason right now. This has gone way out of proportion and it needs to stop. RIGHT NOW! You are judging us by the way we are reacting, and the perception that started it all was flawed. Are you really sure that it is right to pass up the judgement that has been building about us longer than
the conflict that has changed it?
I apologize if I have offended anyone. If you would like to tell me that I have indeed offended you, or a point has not been made clear, my e-mail address is included above. Please use it. Don't start another argument on this notebook, or it will truly seem to be the house of cold-hearts that someone termed it.

Later
-Avatar

Mary - When I first posted here I think I left some people wondering. I started with saying something about how the thought of letting people look at my writing felt like walking naked through the mall. I still blush at the idea that somebody might have thought I really had walked naked in the mall. I don't even B-B-Q topless!

Eric Michaels
183 7th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215-2668
(718)369-2252

OOPS, forgot to say welcome to all three, Robi, EJ and Erick, if you are all for real, come on in and join us, we are really a very nice bunch of people, not at all shallow.

Jerry

Ok, now the EJ and Robi thing. Well under my keen powers of observation, it appears that someone is trying to put us on? You know, kind of like the Jon/Pussy thing. I can't imagine someone signing onto a new board, or in our case notebook, and beginning by calling us shallow. But who knows. I do remember a time when I felt unwelcome here, now it wasn't anyones fault but my own, for not joining in and batting the ball around the court, but I did feel that way about a year or so ago. Think I said something about it once when (I can't remember his name anymore but he was Swiss,) left. Guess they could be a tad depressed, or as some have observed maybe pulling our legs. Aw well, I really don't see where anyone said anything hurtfull and I did read all the posts from top to bottom. Hope it is just a game, or simple misunderstanding, as I would hate to see anyone hurt in such a wonderful home as ours.

Write On
Jerry

AMERICO:

I hope you aren't gone already and don't get to see that I just spent another 8 minutes posting a message just for you:

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!!

and you thoughi i didn't care. :-)

HI EVERYBODY!!!

Why is it taking so long for the Notebook to load...funny...it doesn't feel that big.

TEEKAY: It's not just you, it took me 8 minutes to get down to this posting box.(if that is what this thing is called)

RACHEL: I remember when I first posted here...holy cow...what a self-righteous idiot I was. You are right, I didn't feel that welcome, but I brought it on myself.(Not that I am saying that EJ brought her situation on herself) I think that when you are trying to be accepted by a group of your peers the entrance is key. I mean, look at Mark...he is new, but you would never guess it. He just chameleoned his way right in here. No ripples, interesting-intellectual posts. He is a natural. I was a killer whale show. Splashed in, got the whole front row soaked--pi**ed off all the people wearing silk. EJ and Robi are more like a circus, where there is so much going on, you don't know which ring to watch. But hey, that's just my take. All I know is that they are more than welcome in my book, if they are serious about wanting to be part of this family of writers who have chosen to be together.

I have sent an email to Eric, since he left his email addy for us, with a list of other writing sites that I can personally vouch for, just in case EJ doesnt feel comfortable coming back with us--but still needs the help she requested earlier.

EVERYBODY ELSE: Hope everything is well with you, and MARK, sorry for talking about you like you aren't even here. :-)

bye

Americo,

HAVE A WONDERFUL VACATION!!!!!!! HUGS FOR YOU!!!!

Teekay,

Don't give up. Keep trying. I want to know what you wanted to post.

Robi, E.J., and Erik,

Being in the middle of a move, I have hardly had time to do my own writing, let alone follow too closely what has been posted here. I must be super dense lately, for so much has gone over my head--jokes, plays on words, and other situations. There is much in the Workbook I would like to read, and I would like to know all the new people better, but I feel fortunate just to be able to survey the posts and leave a brief post myself here and there. First of all, I am willing to take you all at face value. Erik, if you claim to be a publisher, who am I to question? If you are misleading us, then shame on you. I honestly have to say that if I have erred, then my sins are of omission since I have not addressed any posts directly to any of you before.

Because I have been so busy, I admit to only have skimmed the posts and not read all as carefully as would normally do. But I do not see where Robi or E.J. have been treated badly. Of course, I could have missed something.

I am not writing to defend myself or the Notebook, in general. As Rachel said before, others have made the same accusation. I will only have to conclude that the Notebook is not necessarily for everyone. But I do hope that Robi and E.J. might stick around a little longer.

I have no wish to see anyone leave,

Rhoda

Goodbye, people!

See you on my return from holidays, by mid-August.

PS. Don't pay any attention to this Eric Something and his loonies. This is a lovely, instructive, inspiring place and I never knew any "mean coldhearted" person here.

Hugs and kisses to all.

What is it April fools day already? I don't think that was a real complaint. I happen to think I finally found a great bunch of people to talk to. I was supposed to be the person with something to complain about. Of course, I was joking too. That's not the point. The point is, when people thought they had hurt my feelings they were worried. I re-read everything and found nothing to cry about. Should I go back and read some more? Maybe Erik could write the words again so we can all be clear? I didn't even see anything that would make my forehead knot up, never mind my eyes leak. Besides that, women don't really cry as much as they show on TV.

I want to say I don't see people standing around hoping to slobber all over people for a position anywhere in here. Does anyone else see that? Is this an attempt to censor us? It just sounds like manipulaion. I'm not crazy about that. Hey I just thought of another book.

"sweetie here's the best reason on the planet to say no to mysterious people who say they were going to give us something really good but we were bad and now we can't have it".

Take that!

I scrolled back to try and find what could have upset EJ and all I found was an inquiry she had posted about making two characters that were too similar into two distinct people/personalities.

No one responded. Because you asked and obviously needed a reply, without further ado
I will answer your question.

First of all, sometimes the lack of distinction is as simple as the names of the two characters start with the same letter, which often lends confusion.
If your two characters are John and James, or Hillary and Holly, (you get the idea) it confuses personalities and the reader soon forgets whether Holly is the tall thin one and Hilllary the clunky, or vice versa; unless one character is completely developed and stands out in the reader's mind. If this is the case it is merely a matter of renaming one character and adding a bit of depth.

If the problem stems from creating backround and personal quirks for a character that stands them apart from all others, begin at the opener of the novel. Read with a keen eye. Look for every reference to that particular characters' traits, and see if there are any that are truly distinctive - it must be something that stands them apart from all the other characters in the story. If there aren't enough to give a vivid picture of them in your mind, add more. Work them in not just in one place, but spread them through the novel (a bit more in the beginning), so that the reader gets an 'evolving impression' of who the character is.

Do the same for the character that is similar to the first.

If they are both blonde haired, six feet tall with pouty lips and a lisp, change one. But beware that close friends sometimes have similar mannerisms simply because they spend a lot of time together. Like attracts like in many cases. Define each character with different pasts, different goals, different quirks, and you are off to the races.

Hope this helps.

I'm sure there is more advice up my sleeve, somewhere.

Heather

Hi all - I don't think it matters if the post from EJ's friend is from a NY Publisher or not. All that matters is that it is a friend who is concerned for the feelings of one that they care for.
From time to time I know that people who are new to this site have been left with the feeling that they are out in the cold and I know that there are some people on this site who have personality traits that might leave one feeling stung.
I also quirk my brow at the NY publisher thing, but like I said that point doens't matter. The fact of the matter is that people have been left feeling like they shouldn't be here. That is the shits. There is no nice way to say it.
When I came to this site years ago people made me feel welcome. They listened to my wide eyed, innocent ideas about writing and encouraged me. That is what we need to do for each other.
We should be happy for people who find publishers, we should celebrate with them. We should look at them an question. I don't question the fact that a person has found a publisher. I question the fact that a publisher would leap to a writers defence like that. I also don't think that a publisher needs to go trolling for writers. They have writers smashing down the doors.
So that is what I think of all of this. I didn't bother to go back and read over the posts of the past few days. I have just been skimming them, so I really am not sure what was or was not said. I just want to get this off my chest, because these two are not the first new people to be left feeling like this place is some sort of private club.
Hey and I didn't spell check. But know what? I don't care. A friend won't feel the need to hack and slash or make fun of me if I spell something wrong.

Erik - I am posting to you because I laugh at the idea that a person could drop a post like yours and not come back to see what sort of reactions they would get. Give me a break! If you are a publisher then shame on you for throwing your weight around. You should have come to this site as a friend to EJ not as you did. What you have done on this page could likely qualify as harrasment in the workplace. It is an abuse of power and position and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Pardon my typo on piblushgni cumpony

Heather

P.S.
Usually confrontation makes a writer write a whole lot in a short space of time, simply because they are agitated. Look at the responses to Americo's comments in the archives.
I don't think any comments of ours would cause writer's block in anyone who was a formidable writer.

Quite the opposite, actually.

I'd like to know what books they've published by this NYC 'firm'.
Oh, there are so many publsihing companies in the sea.
Testy testy.

Heather

I always thought that writers don't 'join' a publishing company (or is it FIRM), unless they become an editor themselves.

Very very fishy. Not willing to sign the company name? Hmmm.

I think EJ and Robi are big enough girls to handle themselves. Don't like a comment? That's too bad. Free speech you know. And choice. You don't have to read it. You don't even have to be here.

I don't recall anyone saying anything loaded enough to upset anyone else.

Unless they really are two teenage girls hoping to weave a blinding cloth big enough to cover every eye in the NB.
Only when a comment is true does it hurt.

Heather

Erik C. Michaels. NY Publisher. I don't think so.

OKay...so now I'm confused. Geesh - I leave for a few days and....

Eh, I don't buy it Eric. But I don't ever remember saying anything to make EJ or Robi feel uncomfortable either. Guess I musta missed something.

I'm a Troll, fol-de-rol,
I'm a Troll, fol-de-rol,
I'm a Troll, fol-de-rol
And I'll eat you for my supper...

M.A.Troll

My name is Erik C. Michaels and I have been reading everything posted on this website for the last five months. I am also an editor for a publishing firm in New York City. I've been reading this website, looking for new talent to consult with about joining the firm that I work for. The reason you haven't seen me write anything is because I am not a writer, I didn't feel I should write anything.
I was so impressed with the "family" feeling I got as I watched the posts that I even recomended it to my friend Emily Jane Waters. I've been out of town the last few weeks on buisness, arriving home this afternoon to find a message from EJ, crying on my answering machine.
So, I immediatly logged on to this website and read everything that has been posted since I left.
My only regret now is that I pushed Em so hard to try to befriend people like you. She needs more friends in the writing buisness, but not people that are mean and cold hearted like you all seem to be.
You don't know Em as a person, just as some writer who popped onto this website only knowing one person, who you all had black listed to begin with. Robi's strong enough and build of stone, I don't have to defend her, but I feel it's my responisblity as the person who informed my good friend of this website to look out for her.
Em is not only a very good friend of mine, but a very good person in general. My belief is that there is a certain level of respect you have to have for a human being for being a human being. Period. From what I have read, most of you have not demonstrated this in your postings by attacking a young girl you don't know, who has never done anything to you.
I have rethought my position on asking a few of you to join my firm as writers, I never sign anyone I don't feel is of high moral character. As new writers turn up on this site I will evaluate them and see if anyone has what I think it takes to make it at my firm. I'm not using the name of my firm, although I know most of you are fimiliar with it because I am doing this as a friend, and as an editor, using the name of firm will only cause further harassment.
I'm not going to write again, so don't bother responding to this, just think about what I wrote, I'll be back after I comfort Em to see if you all understood what you did that got her so very upset.
My only hope is that your hurtful teasing and words don't block Em's writing. She was on a roll, the book was coming along very well from what I read, I really hope you didn't block what she was working on by what you all said. it would be terrible if you did.
Enough preaching, I have a friend who need my help right now, but you wouldn't know anything about that.

Erik C. Michaels, thebluenail@hotmail.com

HAHAHAHA (sigh)

for all the newbies...the following post is from me.
(No..I don't do it on purpose)

HAHAHAHA

HOWDY ALL!!

Whew! I'm writing again. Between editing my trilogy (still growling) and this thing with my grandfather, it's been weeks since I've written. Actually, it's been the longest break since I started, and I almost worried about it, because I wasn't chomping at the bit to get back to my heroric fireman...but then I sat down this morning, still blurry eyed from all the lost sleep this past week, anticipating nothing more than just surfing for a while until the first cup of coffee kicked in, and BAM! The muse was back.

RHODA/HEATHER/GARIESS: I thought that I was finished getting all choked up over this whole situation. I guess I was wrong. Thank you for your words. I think and hope that you must know how much they meant to me.

RACHEL: Did you request names, or are they being given unsolicited? (grin) Whichever it may be, for a boy, I always liked Christopher James. Had our she been a he, that would have been her name. And now that I can't have any more children, I'm just going to make him some awesome hero in a book. I just haven't had one good enough for him yet. :)

EJ: I'm confused, but then, I've been gone for several days. :( There are none others more helpful than this crew here. Perhaps you didn't express yourself well enough? (There are way too many posts to go back through and read them thoroughly enough to get caught up).

JESSICA: I sat here yesterday and wrote out two very thorough, very opposite possibilities for a young girl after such a situation, and then it disappeared. I don't want to rehash it unless you are still stuck. Let me know if you haven't quite received what you were looking for, and I'll be happy to redo it.

EVERYONE: Happy Wednesday! We've made it through the hump day and are on the downhill slide now!

Happy writing!
Hallee

Greetings and Felicitations,

On the subject of name meanings, here are a few rather obscure ones.

Tom: Drum.
Phil: To completely utilize the area inside a container.
Jack: To throw a perpetrator against the car and say, "Spread 'em!"
Mark: What kids bring home from school.
Mickey: An alcholic drink with too large a kick.

I hope these help with the debate.

Take care,
T.O.M.

Okay, I have been fixing things in my writing. It's nice to know everyone else has things to do too instead of trashing people they don't know who ask for their help. Anyway, that's all my bitterness.
As for Robi, who thank goodness doesn't hold you all in a higher regard like I do, is taking a break and should be back once she feels like she can write again.
(pauses to think.)
My characters still need sorting out, but I'll find help elsewhere on that matter.
"there's more to learn in the world then what's written."
EJ Waters

While we're on the topic of names (we were on names, weren't we?) I'd like to bring forth a few observations for your cogitation.

Names usually look and feel like words, but words are public property and names are private. We have to all agree on the sound and meaning of words, that's not the case with names. A smith (small ess) is a kind of craftsperson and a Smith (capital ess) is an individual person. I knew two colonels in the Air Force named Beale. They were brothers, one pronounced it "beel" and the other pronounced it "bell". In those days, as a young newspaperman with good education and finely-tuned verbal adjudication skills, I knew with all certainty that one of those brothers was wrong. I leave it to your conundrum-solving skills to guess which had my disapprobation.

Since then I have, obviously, changed stance on names. According to a note here in the NoteBook, gerald was a word which meant "spear thrower" (I believe "spear chucker" is the current vernacular). But today Gerald is a name, signifying no activity in particular, but singling out an individual from the crowd.

Now, "gariess" is a different matter. This is a thing which is used as a name, but which is outside the usual store of informatin we keep in our mental cabinets under the "Names" heading. It more resembles the C.B. handles we came to know a few years ago, and handles come with the notion of functionality. Most people chose handles based on some favorite activity or personal feature. I had in mind some quirky quip about gari's ess, but I don't think I'll use it. I'm glad the old chucker let free his name and settled my anxiety

Finally there's the Foo. That impressive bird presented to the National Zoo by The Peoples' Republic of China. The Foo has unusual feeding habits and, like the panda, had to be kept on a special diet. It escaped the Washington Zoo and has been heading North (we *do* capitalize the names of directions, don't we?). Because the foo likes highly acidic food, it has been ravaging tomato gardens. The acid in the foo's system is responsible for highly caustic guano. Chinese residents unlucky enough to be beneath the foo when it releases excrement have learned not to wipe it too quickly, if they do, then it simply spreads the burning goo that much farther on the skin. The best advice is to let it harden, crust over, then chip it off. Thus the proverbial saying, "If the foo shits, wear it."

Jon - Whats up? How are you? yada yada yada. I think I will now return and give my prisez :-). I have free time again :-). Please tell me what is goin on here... :-).

Rachel: yes I did get your e-mail, it was very helpful. I can normaly BS my way through most things that I write about and have no clue about, but there are just some times when I need a little more than the ability to BS.

THANKS PEOPLE WHO RESPONDED TO MY QUESTION!!

I have set a goal to write ten chapters or finish writing my book in two weeks, I realy hope that I can do it, But I have to get home first so I can type everything instead of handwriting it. Maybe I can actualy finish writing a book that I start! Maybe.

~Jessica

Mary, it's not writer's block, it's a sink-hole.
Just step away from the paper, ma'am!
Everything will be all right as soon as you put down your weapon! (Your pen...)

Jerry's right. Take a few days off, breathe, relax, and wait until you are re-charged to get back to writing.

I think there is much merit in this:
Forcing yourself to write is strangling art. Art must flow of its own accord. Taking a mini-vacation (even if it's just to the park for the afternoon and then reading a book in solitude) will recharge you a surprising amount.

I know. I've just finished recharging last weekend. I actually had three days in a row off work. My little family and I went out of town, whooped it up with my husband's side of the family, relaxed so much I might have to eat some starch to feel upright again.
This is the effect of having some time away, recharging the creative batteries:
I've written twelve pages since Monday night. (And it's only Tuesday night... well, I suppose by now we must be technical and call it very early Wednesday.) I wrote 9 pages monday, and the rest tonight. I rarely write more than 4 - 5 pages at a time.

So take heart, Mary, we have all been there. Writer's block is more than just sitting down and having nothing to say. It's painful, because the creative flow is constricted.
It's depressing, because the creative flow is constricted.

And take heart, too, because it will pass!


Hallee, thoughts are still with you and your loved ones, and blessings sent.

Litter! Nice to read you back.

Jon, describe what you are wearing (or not wearing), right at this very moment.

Brain numb now. Must go turn it off for a few precious hours. Time to whip out the battery charger and plug myself in. I have a small outlet at the base of my Medulla Oblongata.


Heather ~ bzzzt bzzzt zzzzzzzz

JERRY: thanks, probaby I am just trying too hard. :-)

think i'll take your advice and lock up my pen for a few days. c-ya

Mary, I can sympathize with you, just went through the same thing myself. Went for over a month writing NOTHING. Not even any commentary in themestream. Then last week I went camping with my family for three days. This opened up my creativity again, and I have two new shorts in the making, one of which I can't seem to end. Who knows it may just turn into a novella, or, god forbid, a novel. Sounds like you just need a break away from it all for awhile.

Write on
Jerry

i am so sick of not being able to write anything. i just sit here like an idiot backspacing over wasted words. what has happened to me? do i have too many projects on the go at once...not enough, maybe? i am uninspired. uninterested. i feel like i am forcing myself down my character's throats trying to get them to open up to me. they are being very inhospitable. to top it all off i didnt win the writer's digest 'your assignment' for march which i was sure i had in my pocket. i still like what i sent better than the winners' contributions, but that i can shake off. i don't write to win or be famous, but it sure wouldnt hurt. i think i need a break, but i am not sure. will that make it worse..that is what i fear.

i almost feel better having just said that. if my husband or family ask me how things are going, i just say fine, or great...when in reality i haven't inked enough paper in the last month to warrant turning on the printer. sorry about all the complaining...i just hope this passes soon. i can't even call this writer's block, because it isn't that. it is something else. i can't possibly be the only person here who has ever experienced this...so i will take comfort in the fact that you are all still here..writing your little hearts out.

on a lighter note, i hope you all have a pleasant evening. good luck with whatever you are working on, and with all the trials and tribulations of daily life. c-ya

If you want to know what kind of sense of humor I do have I will tell you my favorite joke of all time.

What happens when you don't pay your excorist?


(you mightsay) I don't know what?

0))0)))))))0)))
^^^^^^^^ that should represent waiting for me to answer!
)()()()()()()()())())))())()()
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
)()()))()()))))))(





You get repossessed!!!!

yuk yuk yuk
Debra

Rhoda notice the punctuation? more yuks?

Before I go to a spa to clean my nose and lungs from the pollution of civilization, here are my prizes (do not confound them with Arik's prizes):

Funniest sentence: "Did you self-publish this book or did you do it for a publisher?" (Gary's interpretation).

All comments to Gary's clearly humorous approach to Rhoda's original question are the worst sentences (ever).

The best sentence is Jerry's one about going bananas.

My see you sometime thought:

Forget your mums, your dads and your spouses (all of them, if you have many), but do not forget your English. Your parents and spouses would not forgive you if you did. Oh, people, you sometimes make me cry.

Speech to the Empire when I come back. Just hold your breath. And behave yourselves.

Now I find myself apologizing profusely. Sorry, Gary. It did go right over my head. I feel a little small now reacting the way I did. I suppose there is much that can be said for your sense of humor, but I would say don't ever change it for the sake of people like me who take themselves a little too seriously at times.

Now I get it, and I am laughing. I cannot believe that I am so dense.

Still friends, I hope.

Rhoda

Hi Rhoda and GS:

I thought I was clear about knowing it was a joke by commenting on your punctuation. I can take a joke and give one as well. Don't worry about me.

Also, that means if you want to be mad at me you will have to be real clear. I might just laugh and not realize it.

I have some true funny stories to share soon. I have twins that are two and two other kids that are 9 and 11 in the house. My husband and dogs are also competing with the kids to see who can be the biggest drain.

I live in Rhode Island and am very disturbed by this missing life guard. She was so young and her mother did everything right by dropping her off herself. She must feel so bad right now she probably can't see daylight.

Debra

Calm down Nostradamus, it's not the end of the world.

Prometheus 4 is up....

You people are making a big deal over Frazier's ex-wife. What is it about this name?

GS

I must get quickly to the business of expalining to RHODA and DEBRA that I was only being a clown when I lifted that quote about doing "... it for a publisher." I get very nervous when people respond to a something I said as a funny, in a real serious way. I can't help it. I just can't leave stuff like that alone. Once a woman freind sent a political parody to myself and some others. I sent a reply by return email to the woman and the others. The woman was greatly offended and has not spoken to me for more than a year. The others, however, recognized that the reply was a refitted version of the very parody the woman had sent to begin with. They told me it was very funny, but the initiator of the event still doesn't believe I was not reproaching her.

Sometimes a person can act a part too well. Ernest Borgnine accelerated his career years ago with the role of a sadistic seargant in the film, From Here To Eternity, in which he tortured an Italian-American character played by Frank Sinatra. Borgnine later told of getting booed off the steets of an Italian neihborhood when he made a visit to New York. Sometimes success has dubious results.

Rachel,

Here's a hug right back at you. I should have charity in my heart, I know, but it is very hard to find charity for one who would hurt a child. In my state a young lifegaurd was taken by a miscreant last month and has been the object of an extensive search and investigation. She hasn't been found but a very likely suspect has been arrested for assaulting a woman across the state line in Rhode Island. The Cops like this guy for the Molly Bish dissapearance so we may have ourselves a perp. (Heather, how's that for NYPD dialogue?) Seeing the girls mother making her pleas on TV just makes my heart sink. It has to be the worst... the absolute worst.

Sombody say something funny.

GS

GS

Mary - So yah think I'm sweet (wicked grins). That is exactly what I wanted - BWAH HA HA HA HA!! I'm in truth evil and wicked (grins and laughter). I don't want you to think that I'm all surgar and spice. I do have a temper. I just don't display it very often.

Hmmmm...I'm thinkin' maybe I gave the wrong impression of my relationship with my Mom. RACHEL, you are a lot sweeter and much less volatile than me, that is probably why you don't catch the flack that I do. I am sure that I deserve every remark that she has ever made...just wanted to set that right. Write-on!!

Greetings and Felicitations,

Knowing who I am, the old man with the knowledge of ages in my head and at my fingertips. The source of information for all who ask and the bringer of that which pertains, please take a look at the above high-lighted web site for information on Lilith.

As for the posting of typed material into the workbook, type your words on whatever program you like, click and drag over the material you wish to import and release. By right-clicking on your mouse, a small menu will appear with the word "Copy" on the list. Click on "Copy" and your highlighted area will be saved to "Notebook". When you arrive at the notebook, activate the cursor and right-click again. The same small menu will appear. This time, click on the word "Paste" and lo, you have accomplished your task. This also works for anything you find on the internet. Pictures and text can be manipulated to or from any document you happen to find with the high-light/right-click method.

Allow me to add that in the time that I have been with you here it has been my priviledge to get to know you all. My thanks is added to the rest of you to Jack for his work in the creation and updating of this marvelous place. My heart is made anew with your banter (and cackles).

Remember this, my friends; If we simply expect without giving thanks, we will never create anything ourselves that is worthy of thanks.

Take care,
T.O.M.

Mary - I don't think that having my mum on site would inhibit me at all. I know she wouldn't give me flack. We learned long ago that we don't agree on many things. This is fine. We respect each others views and opinions (this took time - grins). We will listen to one another and then agree to disagree. My mum seems to think a lot of me. You want to see a parent go on about their child... Gezz, don't get my mother started (laughter). There are times when I do not think I am deserving of such high regard. I guess what I'm saying is that if my mum came on by the site I would think it was a riot. Only thing is my mum is a reverend and doesn't really have a lot of spare time. She is busy with her church and her education. My mum is one very cool lady. You would be fortunate people if you got to make her acquaintance. She is one of those inspirational people that just makes you sit back and say "Wow"
I think that will be just about enough of my I love my mummy post(grin, wink). Gezz, I think I'm missing my mum...

RACHEL and TEEKAY: My Mom visits almost all of the sites that I post at and I am always catching flack about something I said, did, or otherwise contributed. Which is precisely why I never mentioned that I post here at all, what with all the debates we have, I would never hear the end of it. I love her dearly, and she is just being my Mom, I will miss her terribly when she is gone and try not to ever take her for granted. But...knowing that she might read what I write somewhere, I tend to hold back more on other sites. Not so here...very liberating. Smiles to everyone! Have a great day!

PS doing it that way does leave room for forgetting to fill out the top portion as I did in my last post, sorry about that.

Jerry

Valerie - here is the way I post in the workbook:

First, I of course type up the story, then after all the re-write is done, and it is ready, I click on edit, then on select all. Next I click on edit again, and click on copy. Then leaving my word open, I click on explorer, and of course go to my favorites then to the workbook. Once there, I right-click on the Text area, and click on paste. Leaving both the word and explorer open at the same time seems to work best. Next I fill out the top portion with my name and so forth. Hope this works for you. I used to use Word Perfect, and it worked the same way if I remember right.

Jerry

Valerie - To post in the workbook try to copy and paste. That is what I do. You go to your WP open your story, click on edit, select all, request copy,then open up the workbook, enter your name, click the mouse at the top of the text box, go to edit, select paste and your story should drop into the workbook text box.

Hope that works for you.

Well, my story is ready - please, any tips on how in the *(^)*&%*)&% I post it on the Workbook? I thought there was a tip around her somewhere someone had mentioned. It's on a MS Word file and I was thinking I should copy and paste it but it doesn't work when I sign on. Technical types, take pity on me??!

Jessica, here's my take on it. A twelve year old girl would be hysterical to lose her mom at that period in life. If the father abandons her too, I would think that a little person like that would either retreat into some sort of fantasy world, or just withdraw completely, or, depending on the personality type - be prone to fits of rage, meanwhile searching for "safe" adults elsewhere. Losing loved ones that young would imprint loss so deeply on a child's mind that I would think that it would be impossible to trust too many others, or trust that life could ever be decent again, or trust in a higher power, or trust that happiness would last. I think it would be likely that a child like this may grow to have a distorted view of love, and have trouble forming normal relationships with others - especially boys/men.I think fear would be a major motivator to distance herself from emotional risks unless there was some major life event, such as a birth of her own child, that would cause her to re-think her position. Just what I would imagine to be realistic. That's my 2 cents anyway!

Hope everyone else is well today. I am finally done with a story that I thought would kill me and look at that... I am still alive!

Take Care-

Valerie

Jessica - I sent you an e-mail. I have had some problems with my server. Let me know if you don't receive the note.
Take care you,
Rachel

Hi all,

Have been somewhat 'tired' over the past few days and I forgot to say that I have left an 2,700 word offering on the Short Story workbook. Got a bit bored with lying down at the weekend…

And now, with the recent talk of the latest Harry Potter books, something that I thought might be of interest --

How Harry Potter Became an American by Peter H. Gleick in The New York Times

We Americans have an unhealthy habit of Americanising anything unfamiliar, says Peter H. Gleick. Take Harry Potter. My family was as excited as any about the release of J.K.Rowling’s latest book. But we were dismayed to discover that the publisher of the US edition had decided to translate the book from “English” into “American” on the assumption that we were all too feeble to enjoy it in its original language. The changes range from alternative spellings (“gray” for “grey”), to substituted words or phrases (“pitch” is changed to “field,” “fortnight” to “two weeks”). By far the worst alterations, however, transform “truly English experiences or objects into something distinctly American”. Instead of “eating crumpets for tea”, for instance, Harry is described as “eating English muffins during a meal”. This is a travesty. Do we really want our children to think there is no difference between the two? Protecting them from occasional misunderstandings or trips to the dictionary fosters the pernicious notion “that other cultures are, or should be, the same as theirs”.

Have fun y'all

Ciao for now,

Litter

I've got a question that maybe y'all can help me with.
I have a characer in my book, she is twelve years old who's mother and younger sister were brutally murdered, and, in her eyes, her father has abandoned her to live with a foster family of sorts. What kind of emotional trauma would she be going through? I have never lost anybody realy close to me, so I have no idea how to write this next part in my book. any comments would be appreaciated.
Thanks!
~Jessica

All - Wow! It took some time to catch up on all of the posts. I think that I have answered everyone. If I missed you give me a kick in the backside (grins)! Oh, and I am aware of the fact that there are some sentence fragments in this post. I left them there because I felt like it! Besides my brain in still sleeping so be nice to me.

Americo - My "interesting state" I like that! It is a very interesting state. Everything is different. It is a fun and exciting time. John and Joanne will be on the list. Thanks for the public congratulations. Hugs for you!

Arik - I believe that as the character of Harry ages that the writing moves along with him.

Christi - I am full of excitement about having a baby after 30. I am now 31. I will be 32 when the little unborn joins us. I think differently now than when I was in my 20's, so I am experiencing things in new ways. It's not that one pregnancy is any better than the other is. They are all wonderful. I'm having a lot of fun (big smiles).

Debra - Welcome!

E.J. - Welcome!

Garries - They have not found out who set up the play area at our park. It is awful to think of a person that sick wandering around. The best thing that we can do in our area is to be aware and to make our children aware. I send you a hug. Thanks for your concern.

Hallee - Thanks for the congratulations!

Jack - Thank you for the good wishes.

Jerry Ericsson - Thanks for the congratulations. I also was camping last week. It was great! Lots of hikes, swims and a storm! Wow and how. The light show was amazing, the thunder rocked! I fell asleep in my tent with the fly open. I love to watch storms. I woke up when it started to pour rain on my face (grins). Thanks for the name suggestions.

Mark - Thanks for the hugs (smiles). I think that just because is always a good reason.
I don't watch much television, but the last time I checked things out the character of Ross was doing as well as his character ever does.
I send you hugs (big smiles). I'll add the names to the list.
Know what? I'm a major list maker. I'm a person who has lists of lists (grins).

Mary - I do have a few names that I am very fond of. I am waiting to see if anyone can come up with them (grins)! I'll be sure to let you know if somebody hits on one of the names.

Robi - I'm not sure if I have welcomed you. So… WELCOME!

Rhoda - Thank you for the congratulations. I am sure the pregnancy and the birth will be a walk in the park (big grins and a wink).

Teekay - Does your mum really visit the site? That is pretty neat. My mum is thinking about it. When I saw E.J. I thought that it might be my mum. She is Evelyn Jean and used to be called E.J. After reading some of the E.J. posts I am pretty sure that isn't my mum (grins). I say pretty sure because sometimes my mum can pitch me a hell of a curve.
My mother and two brothers are writers. My mum has a couple of novels sitting collecting dust. My baby brother writes sarcastic, political stuff. He recently had the inspiration sucked from his soul by too many school assignments. My elder brother is a poet. All of my sisters express their artistic side through music and song. Why am I telling you all of this? I'm not sure (grins). Hope I didn't put you to sleep.

The Old Man - "My happy burden" Love that one too! The hug was very nice. It didn't hurt at all (smiles).
Thank you for such kind words about myself. Thank you for such lovely thoughts for my little unborn.
The names are very nice. I guess there is no way for you to know that all of my sibs who share the same father and mother were names from the bible. Our names are David, Rachel, Naomi and Rebecca (in order of birth). My baby brother is Byron. My baby sister is Ashley. Not biblical names. At least not that I know of.
Hugs for you and thanks for the congratulations.

TO ANY NEW FACES THAT I MISSED - Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!!!!!!

Gary,

It flew right over my head, also. I did not mean any offense; I was curious. I might ask the question again to someone else at some future date, but be assured I will never ask you.

I will have to buy an Emily Post or Miss Manners book, scour the thing and find out where I erred, because even after your explanation, I am still not sure what I asked or said that was so offensive. Perhaps if I had the proper amount of sensitivity, I would instinctively know.

I have the utmost respect for people who self-publish. Many great books were originally self-published. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong in finding a publisher to publish one's book.

Debra,

I absolutely meant no insult at all.



Rhoda

PS, if there were a relationship between the witness and the suspect, then that relationship would be explored in depth.

Heather, I guess that would depend on how the interview were going. If the witness would let slip some reason for delving into their background, then it would be explored, or if one of the responding officers brought some prior incident to the attention of the investigator, then that would be explored. Otherwise, it would be handled in much the same way as with a suspect, the opening of the interview would go generally into a little background, just to make the witness more comfortable speaking with the officer, then get into the incident that is being investigated. Most of the time, and investigator plays it by ear, so to speak.

Jerry

WOW GS

That whole did I self-publish or did I do "it" for a publisher went right over my head. I have to thank GS for making it turn around and fly right back and in this time.

I will assume that it is one of those funny things that was born out of the frustration of publishers sending great material back unopened and worse, never hearing one single word. It is a joke right? I feel that punctuation will make sure that next time your point as amusing as it is won't be missed.

I have two sons and I am making sure that they know that girls are very sensitive. My youngest son told one of his friends right in front of me, that my book makes you loose your girlfiend. He is only 9. I quickly told him that it is not ture. It makes sure that you have only the longest kind of fun with your girlfriend, instead of working for the next twenty years for just a few minutes of fun. He didn't get that part but he went away feeling like he heard the word fun and everything will be okay.

Are we all friends now?


Debra

Thanks Jerry, it did help!
One note: I was wondering about the questioning of a witness - how indepth an interview would go into their backround, to give the police a good idea of say, whether or not their background might cloud their judgement (or memory) of the incident?

Your answers are very helpful!
Thanks again...:o>
Heather

P.S. Gariess, right there on that point. The lonely writers who have no social life save the post office visits must let off steam.

Teekay! I noticed that since you wrote about the Highschool Games You Used To Play, two newbies have disappeared. Hmmmm. :o> I'm delighted with the outcome, though shhhhhh!
Don't tell anyone else ok?

Heather

Hallee,

Even 20/20 hindsight is not so easy through the red eyes of the travel-weary. There seems to be a number of people in recent times who have shared some of the hard passages of life with us in the Notebook. I think it says something about the forum that we can come here to unburden some of what we have to endure. I like the idea that the NB is a place where we can make each other laugh as well . This, I believe is a good thing. My best wishes to you, Valerie.

GS

PS

Vacation did get me back to writing, have finished drafts on two short stories today, besides getting an old computer ready for the second hand shop, and mowing the yard, guess I needed the break. May post one of the shorts when I have the finished product.

Jerry

Heather, since you asked here, I will give my reply here also:

Oh yes. Jerry! Need to know what an interrogation room in the station/precinct is called (or did I nail it already?)

Most departments would shy away from any reference to interrogation. The word seems to give defense attorneys way too much ammunition when they have the officer on the stand. (Now officer explain exactly how you INTERROGATED my client!) The rooms are generally called interview rooms, or referred to as conference rooms. (Interview rooms in most departments)

Do most interrogation (questioning) rooms have one-way mirrors? If other rooms are full (say, for questioning witnesses) is it possible that they would interview a witness in an interrogation (whatever you call it) room?

Most interview rooms do have one-way mirrors, even in my early days as a patrolman back in the early 70's, in the small town here in SD, with a 4 man department, we had a small interview room with a small one way glass window. These are generally used not only by other officers to witness the interview, but also, in case the officer has to leave the room for a short time, another officer can watch the suspect so he doesn't harm himself.

When questioning a witness, how much background information on them do the police usually require or ask for?

The more the better, but it depends on what crime is being investigated. When I was interviewing suspects, I began with general background, such as where they came from, were they married, next of kin and so forth, then using this information gathering to get them talking in general, I would move on to the reason they were brought in to the interview. Of course, a murder suspect would be interviewed more in depth then say a burglar, or thief.

And, lastly, would a Constable be re-assigned to another beat (or what have you) if they were getting too close to situations that they were called in on repeatedly?
(eg: On the downtown beat, two Officers respond to calls of domestic violence at a particular address on a frequent basis. One of these two Officers gets emotionally involved in that (ongoing) case.)

Only if this were brought to the attention to the officers supervisors. As you may know partners develop such close relationships that it would be rare indeed for one officer to bring this fact to a supervisor. Now if say the spouse were to complain to a superior then action would be taken, it could range from a day or two off without pay, to as you suggest, a transfer to a different beat. The officer would probably be transferred to a different beat in the same precinct, a transfer to a different precinct would be rare for such an infraction.

Hope this helps

Jerry

Again, I am compelled to quote one of the ladies on the subject of influencing publisher's. Rhoda asked Debra the follwing which is lifted directly from the page and pasted (I told you guys you'd be sorry you taught me that): "Did you self-publish this book or did you do it for a publisher?"

Really, Rhoda. Do you think if Debra did it for a publisher that she would tell everyone in the forum about it? My opinion is that your question, even put privately, would be out of line although that would be between you and her.

GS

Debra and Heather,

As one who was a boy such as Debra describes, I would have to say that the means may justify the end when it comes to keeping young people who are under powerful hormonal influences from creating more young people.

Let the girls go to the coffee shops and tennis courts where they can play "glamorous grown-up" games to their hearts content and to no serious consequences... much better. And let those frisky, young pups take cold showers (for all the good those cold showers did me.)

GS

Jerry - could use some of your expertise again!

Oh, so many fascinating things I want to know about cops. Did I happen to mention a man in uniform just turns me - uh, whoops!
I got away from that grappling hold and kicked me in the groin.

Ahem~ where was I?

Oh yes. Jerry! Need to know what an interrogation room in the station/precinct is called (or did I nail it already?)

Do most interrogation (questioning) rooms have one-way mirrors? If other rooms are full (say, for questioning witnesses) is it possible that they would interview a witness in an interrogation (whatever you call it) room?

When questioning a witness, how much backround information on them do the police usually require or ask for?

And, lastly, would a Constable be re-assigned to another beat (or what have you) if they were getting too close to situations that they were called in on repeatedly?
(eg: On the downtown beat, two Officers respond to calls of domestic violence at a particular address on a frequent basis. One of these two Officers gets emotionally involved in that (ongoing) case.)

Thanks in advance for your help, Jerry! :o)
I could have emailed you, but I'm being lazy. After all, I was already here, in the NB.
Is laziness next to anything but dust rhinos? (As opposed to 'cleanliness is next to Godliness'.)

And to all the purse-luggers: I think I just might have to tap in on an interesting market - purse cleaning, $2
(extra-large handbags with unidentifyable gunk covering the bottom six inches are $5)!

Get in line, everyone.

Heather

just stopping in before my wrestling match with chapter 5.

Hallee,
everything I thought of to say just ran away on me.
You and your grandfather are in my prayers.
I am really glad that the second doctor found the real problem before surgery. It's been said that God works in mysterious ways; God also works wonders. Let's just keep that in mind for your grandfather. Two out of two would be great.

Back to the match:
I think I'm winning but I haven't totally kicked myself out of the ring yet. She's a real ape when it comes to grappling holds, and me, well... Let's not say how many times I've wanted to pin me. Still get thrown.

I might be wandering in the wild brush of insanity. It sure is a nice evening for a stroll.

Heather

Hi All:

Thanks for your comments. I did self-publish. My book is short really short. I took a chance of making myself look like I couldn't think of anything else to say. Nothing could further from the truth. I kept it short to make my point and get out. I don't believe that reading that is not required of teenagers should or can be lengthy. I wanted these girls to remember every word when they thought of my book. What I did not say in words, I made up for in the picture of the boy and girl. I wanted them to finish my book and read it again and again.

I added blank lined pages in the back to accomplish three things. I repeat 100 lines these boys might say, so I wanted to make anything else that they say suspect as well. So I asked them to write words they may have heard that are not in the book. It is my hope that those words will be suspect as well. The second thing I hope to accomplish with the lined pages is to bring them back to the book in the hopes of them reading something again. The third thing I hope to accomplish is to make each copy as unique to each girl as the girl herself.

I think that in order to self publish you have to really believe in your work. I hear the words of people who do believe in their work. All you guys and gals sound like great writers. It is really scary but that is where the believe part comes in handy. I went with Dorrance Publishing. They are out of Pennslyvania. The phone number is 1-412-288-4543. I do really like them.

Thanks,

Debra

Hallee,

I am so glad the doctor's found your grandfather's true problem. I will continue to be in prayer for your grandfather and your family.

Hang in there,

Rhoda

Debra:

Nice book! Congratulations on your accomplishment! I thought the description was great and the review was not bad either. Just wanted you to know I checked it out. When I was a teenager, I did every stupid thing known to man (or boys in some cases) and I can honestly say I was not prepared for some of the experiences I encountered. I did wind up married to my high school boyfriend years later, so it all worked out in my case because he's even cuter now than he was then.

Perhaps this book can fill in the gaps for those who don't feel comfortable talking to their mothers or other trusted adults. Good job.

Valerie

Hi all! Thank you so much for all the prayers and words of support. My tears are not all from laughing so hard at gariess's story about the light bulbs. My grandfather is frail, but his mind is stronger than I had anticipated - he even spoke to my daughter once on the phone. He went in on the Wednesday before his surgery to get his head marked and one more MRI done. A new doctor looked at the results and stopped the surgery. Apparently, there was no tumor. He has an enlarged vein that is leaking blood, forming a large clot that looks like a tumor. If they hadn't have done one more test, when they cut his head, it would have killed him. I reiterate my thanks for the prayers. They are going to treat this vein with radiation, and as frail as he is, I worry about that, but they have to try. The blood continues to leak and continues to put pressure on his brain. He actually had a mini-stroke a few hours before I left yesterday. So, I'm sure we'll know more towards the end of the week.

Welcome to all the new folks. I couldn't even begin to give individual welcomes, my eyes are burning from lack of sleep as it is. I look forward to reading whatever posts are in the work book.

WAY too much went on in the short week that I was gone for me to even try to respond to any of it.

Oh, Rachel, congrats. How exciting for you. And Heather, the contents of my purse scare ME, I can't imgaine what it would do to some of you.

I'm off to bed. I haven't slept since I woke up yesterday morning. I know now the wisdom in NOT assuring the airline's customer service representative that a red-eye flight would be just fine. (sigh) They say hind-sight's twenty-twenty.

Good night all. Thank you again. The words offered were so touching.

Hallee

SASQUATCH -- Good to see your words in the NoteBook. A rorschach is an ink-blot test. Try this.

• Fold a piece of paper in half so that it has a crease down the middle (wide or long doesn't matter).
• Open the paper so that you can drip a drop of ink onto it near the crease (if you don't have ink you can substitute any thick, wet stuff that will leave an obvious smear on the page).
• Fold the paper onto the ink and rub it so that it spreads out on the page. Generally this smear is directed at the crease; that ensures that when you
• open the paper and look at the image inside it is a connected picture, a single blot rather than two individual blots on opposite sides of the crease.

Debra,

I found your book on Amazon. It seems a very useful tool. I believe in what you are doing. All anyone has to do is check out the media and not too carefully and see the impression it gives of girls/women. These boys are only repeating what they hear from the pop-culture. On the other hand, many girls are playing out their pre-subscribed roles also. Though the girl has a greater price to pay, boys are paying it too though in more subtle ways.

Actually, I think that parents need to be more influential in their teen-agers' lives, not by putting down stringent rules, but by realizing that their children, despite all their bravado, need help and guidence. Furthermore, I think too many girls are put into situations they are too young and immature to handle because parents are absent either physically or emotionally (same for boys). Anyway, I am not quite there yet, and I have yet to see how my theories pan out. But I do remember those years and how difficult they were.

Did you self-publish this book or did you do it for a publisher? If you are self-published, I would like to know more about the story behind this book, your journey with it, and how it came to be published. I know one individual who is self-publishing and marketing her book on the Internet via Amazon. Her books are extremely good. I think for some people that might be the way to go. I am afraid that I do not have the desire to do such a thing, but always in the back of my mind, I wonder if not someday I might try it.

Half my house is immaculately clean, and oh, I feel so good about that. I really hope I can write a few pages this evening. That would be a treat.

Happy writing,

Rhoda

DEBRA: Just checked out your book at Amazon. Very cool. Congratulations!!

Debra - you are right, I got the wrong impression!

Thanks for clearing that up.

Sasquatch - great to see your furry self pop in again!
Write some poetry for the NB, will you? Miss your verse.

Heather

Hi Heather:

You might have gotten the wrong impression. My book tells girls what is to come when they start spending time alone with boys. Some boys maybe not all boys put on a major production to make a girl think that she is in the middle of a passionate and intimate affair. She sometimes feels that all the rules have changed just for her because it is so intense. My book describes this major production. It tells the girls the words to look out for and if she hears them that she is to be forewarned that it is a trick that has been used for generations.

I love men and don't feel that we are higher but it might help any young girl to think of these boys as not their equals but rather someone who is trying to distract them from an empowered future. Unfortunately, the girl has many for consquences than a boy when she engages in teen sex.

Thanks,

Debra

Hello all I have been lurking in many places and I have seen humans persons but they have not seen me. I see there are new persons here in this place welcome from sasquatch. Mark person what is rorschasch test and why is Howard person seeing the pictures as same? Howard person you are near to where sasquatch was come alive in mountains but I moved away from there when a small Yeti. I must go.

Valerie - post what you've got!
It doesn't have to be finished if help finishing or improving it is what you're looking for.
That's why it's a workshop :-)

Debra - I don't have teenage children yet, (age 7 and 3)
but I was curious to know why you feel that men must be made subordinate to women? Women and men may be a little different, but I always thought putting someone else down didn't raise you up above them, it just made you wrong.

Maybe I got the wrong impression of your book.

Teekay - don't discredit wonderful games. My best friend Jennifer and I used to do that in highschool. We used to sling tennis rackets and sport the short white skirts, bobbie socks and little preppie shirts, chatting amongst ourselves about our latest conquests of the court. If other people had actually seen us on the tennis court, they would have laughed until they lost bladder control. The games only lasted until the few first weeks of grade 11. Jennifer and I had to part ways - she left for the great beyond on a mack truck train, and I fell to a more serious life. I spent years yearning for the innocence of that tennis court and those short white skirts.

Well, I am over being frustrated - sort of. I was thinking of making a symbol, like a big gnarly frowning face with glasses on so I can call myself - the artist, formerly known as Valerie.

So, can I post a half done short story on the workbook or does it have to be finished? Can I ask for feedback on specific things? Just wondering.

Hope you are having a fun writing day. Take Care,
Valerie

Hi All:

You can see my book with the cover and all on Amazon.com

The other book .coms don't have as much detail yet.

Just hit the word Sweetie and a short list of books will come up.

Select the one that has the full title which is
"sweetie here's the best reason on the planet to say no to your boyfriend".

That should do it. I know it will help any girl who reads it.

I have funny stories to share but I am waiting until I get the nerve. That's because they are true.

Debra

Teekay,

You and your friend, when you were just young girls, were playing wondrous games. Can you guess how much those visits to the coffee shops honed and shaped your imaginary powers for these later days in your life? Surely, you don't think that interesting women and bright writers emerge out of uninteresting girls of good sense and refined behavior. Cringe if you must, but I propose a salute to young girls everywhere. May they never stop playing those silly games.

GS

Hi Jerry,

"It isn't what it looks like". Isn't that that the patent line for the character in the sitcom who is caught in a guilty situation?

Anyhow, the way it started was I was changing this light bulb, see... well, let's skip all the tiresome details. What happened was I wrote some funny stuff about light bulbs and somebody laughed, and then somebody's cat thought he was crazy. Then Teekay wrote some funny stuff, and I wrote more stuff, and Teekay wrote more stuff. In the meantime some other people laughed and they wrote some funny stuff, and now you think I smoked some funny stuff, but I didn't, not because my doctor says not to smoke any stuff at all because I never do anything he says, anyway. I do have hay fever, however, and I've been sniffing a bit, lately.

Besides all that, Marynotdotcalm said she would do anything for anybody who is a publisher, even if it was nasty. Or words to that effect, anyway, and now she's trying to weasel out of it, by sticking her tongue out at me. As if we don't have enough silly juveniles around here.

Right about now I'm waiting for Hayden to come driving up in the Porsche and put us all on detention. That is all of us except you and The Old Man because you've been away and TOM has senior citizen diplomatic immunity.

Also, I don't even know what Sandra Bullock looks like, I was just trying to say something silly and cite some desirable young women for the sake of illustration. I might be long in the tooth-the one I still have left-but it isn't teeth that really matter in romantic matters between the aged and pathetic and the young and the restless. It just takes an out of control imagination on the part of one and lethargic indifference on the part of the other. And I have plenty of lethargic indifference. As far as that goes, I believe it was Molly Pitcher who said to George Washington, "Wow, George, they told me it was your teeth that were made of wood."

So don't be too surprised about anything you hear, and anything you read in this Notebook could be highly imaginative. At least we hope so.

Later,

GS

Of course the large bit of silliness below is mine. Take me away, officer.

Hello everyone!

Okay, these posts are a bit aged. I keep writing responses and getting interrupted, then waiting until the next day to continue. But I've worked on this for so long that I'm not willing to delete it even though it may not make sense anymore. Moi, not make sense? Surely I jest. Everyone knows that Christi's is the finest, most perfectly logical mind to have ever graced the Notebook. Sheeeesh, I can't even WRITE that with a straight face.

Rachel,
I'm so thrilled that you're pregnant! I will have to think very hard about the names I will submit for the contest.
Congratulations, girl! I just had my first after I turned thirty, and can tell you it was a wonderful time in life to have a baby.

Teekay,
Binaca is breath spray. You know, for that 'not so fresh' feeling. :)

Mary,
Geeze, our purses AND our diaper bags sound similar. I could probably survive for three weeks in the wilderness with nothing but my purse and diaper bag.

Litter,
Hands up! Gimme your wallet! I don't believe you were kidding about the contents of said wallet. ;0)

Jessica, Debra, Valerie, Robi, AND EJ (whew!),
Welcome! Jump right in,and don't be afraid to give critiques and/or post your writing. That's what you're here for, right? It helps to post in the Notebook that you've posted a story or poem in the Workbook, otherwise it might not get noticed for a while.

Hi Allein! You should get that "Ham-cam" thing going; it would be neato!

Americo,
I'd like to thank you and Pussy for convincing Jon into letting me keep my position. I didn't know I was still on the payroll!
Love and smooches.

Have a nice trip, Jerry, and come back soon.

Rhoda,
May your icebox magically regain its powers overnight. Yes, I can grant wishes, but only very important ones.


Dear Teekay's Mum,
Your daughter is a complete loon. Are you a loon as well, or does she get it from her father? Anyway, just wanted to let you know that although she is looney, we love Teekay to bits, so please let her keep coming here to play.

Gariess,
I'm here to egg you on. Go man, go! Just one itsy bitsy question. Aren't you a bit . . . ummm . . . long in the tooth for Sandra Bullock? ;) That's okay, I hear she goes for the codgerly type. Giggle. KIDDING!

Hi Jack,
It's nice to see you coming around again.

Mark,
Hey, you DO have a sense of humor! I offer my most sincere apologies (such as they are).

Tina,
I got it, I got it! I got your book! It looks to be very good and I'm salivating all over my pajamas at the prospect of reading it tonight. Thank you for sending it to me. By the way, WHERE ARE YOU?!

Valerie,
Just try to consider yourself lucky that your story is flowing. Don't worry about the details; you add those in during the editing anyway, silly!

Heeeeeaaaaather! Where are you, Heather? :(

Now, EJ and Robi,
I must insist that you girls play fair. If you don't have enough gum for everyone in the class, you may not chew it! If I hear any more on the matter, you will be banished to the corner, and will sport a dunce cap for the remainder of the year.

Howard,
Come back soon!

Whew!!! With, sweat pouring off my face, I push the Publish button. I know I've forgotten some very important people, and to you I say "HOWDY!!"

Kisses to all, and to all a good night.

Christi

Hi All,

GARIESS: My intention is never to embarrass, just to laugh a lot. :D

ROBI & EJ: When I was about 15 or 16 my girlfriend and I used to go into crowded coffee shops and make sure that we were sitting within hearing distance of the next table. We would then start up this conversation about our incredibly exciting (imaginary) lives, we may have been racing car drivers, actresses, models, whatever grabbed us at the time and then we would just blather on and on thinking that the people at the next table must think we were just amazing. Your posts do tend to remind me of that. I cringe now at the memory, but I blame it on my youth. :)

DEBRA J. PALARDY: I tried looking up your book and I put sweetie in, but it didn't come up.

I think that's it for today.
Seeya's.

One additional point about the Harry Pottery books. I have to go back and re-read a bit and check, but my impression is that the author is doing something rather crafty whether unconsciously or consciously. She seems to be writing to the reading level of what Harry's age is in each book. The latest book as a point in this direction is far and away more or young adult and beyond rather than the more children's book level that the previous books were. Each seems to mature a bit as Harry matures. Of course, this could just be the writer maturing as a writer, which she is also. The stakes have certainly been raised in the latest book. Oh, well, last I will comment about Harry and leave it for others to hear me recommend that they read these books, they are quite good. The third book is not quite enough for me to vote for it as the Hugo winner (Lois McMaster Bujold got my vote), but I would not be surprised is that Goblet of Fire did not get another nomination next year and I would not be too surprised if I did not vote for it. Speaking of Hugos and World Science Fiction Conventions in Chicago (Chicon), I will be attending and will be manning a fan table for my Westercon bid. If anyone is going or you are in the area, feel free to get in touch.

GS: tilt that dented lampshade up a bit so you can see me sticking my tongue out at you. ;-)

Wow, a guy goes away for a few days, and the notebook goes totaly bananas!

Garyss - what the hell you been smoking man! (Save me a toke or two would ya)

Americo, John and Joanne? You doing research on the life of Jerry or something? Those are the names of my two children!

Had a wonderful time at Fort Lincoln - feel totaly re-created!


Write on!
Jerry!

Hi Rhoda:


My book will work. I really believe that. It is short which I stand behind. Making it short was hard for me, but it was part of my theroy of what might work.

Let's face human nature dictates that if you hear someone making a plea from you to do something that is high drama to your future and they were using words that you just read in a book, he is going to look like a moran, right?

I also added the fact that she will turn into a woman of substance and imply that she will be higher up on the food chain than him, in just a few short sentances.

Talk to you later.

Debra

Rip,

I don't know you, man, but I think you need more than another long nap... maybe rent a few videos or better yet, watch the Fox channel for a couple of days to build up to it. Things are still a little slow in the Catskills.

"Catskills? My cat has no skills!"

Hmm. Groucho lives.

Marynotdotcalm has just told us guys the secret to getting women to do whatever we tell them to. We have to become publishers, guys. Oooh, I wonder if Sandra Bullock wants a publisher...or maybe Jennifer Anniston? Who's that blond one that plays Phoebe? Why didn't I know about this when I was younger, when I didn't have to go to the lumber yard to find wood... when I didn't need light bulbs?

GS

all i know is that if i ever got a publisher i would do whatever he told me to do.

Dear Friends,
Am frustrated out of my mind. My short story has a great structure to it, a quirky list of characters. BUT the detail is killing me. So, rather than roll that boulder up the hill any longer, I took a break to complain. The story is writing itself - it's just so painstaking to make the pages come alive. The paper is a flat surface, plain and white and taunting me today like come ON moron, you can't make me be un-flat neener neener.

And so it goes. My usual (profitable) procedure of thinking up a topic, research, write the thing and sell it makes the magazine world look so great right now - and I am just very sorry I had some epiphany that I was clever enought to write a few fiction stories. GRRR.

Well, hope your writing is going well - and that I will have something wonderful to post after all of this toil(rolling my eyes) ! Somebody commiserate (whine) with me pleeeze, or call the WHhhaaaambulance and take me away.

Take Care,

Valerie

I hold my hand to my chest and gasp. Would that I could slumber and return to the priggish, innocent era into which I was born, but alas I cannot. Just when I thought I could live in this new century, I read things here on this message board that strike me to the quick.

I know about the evil that abounds on this new invention, the Internet, but never, never have I read of things done as done by a couple of you here. Yes, you know who you are, you creatures that have no shame!

I must take to my bed again, lest another spasm of pain overcome me.

Rip

Unprofessional, very unprofessional. The two of you know who you are.

Hello Everyone, hope everything is going well. i am having a bit of a problem with my publisher, Cole. He wants me to do another novel. I want to do a short story collection. I could easily do either. So, I'm going to pick by majority rule, should I do a novel or a short story collection? Thanks!

Robi

EJ, I got the advance. I was expecting at least 30, Cole gave me 27. How does a holiday sound? The whole gang, we know Erik's not doing anything, lol.
If it's WSH and Burn.. you're having problems with then just combine them. They're basically the same story told in two different locations. Like I did with Jessa, combine them. You'll get your copy around Thanksgiving, the rest of them will be out by Christmas. I'm just full of suprises aren't I? Lol.

Debra,

I hope you are still here. I just wanted to welcome you to the Notebook and to tell you how glad I am that you are here. Your book sounds like a fascinating project. My daughter just turned twelve and will probably be going to some huge, big city junior high in August. I might buy a copy and put it away for the time when she shows some interest in boys, which happily she hasn't done yet. Barbara is still in her world of Beanie Babies, Pokemon cards, and books. Also your book might be useful for someone square like me who might someday wish to write a contemporary romance. I imagine dating has changed somewhat in the past twenty years.

Teekay,

My refrigerator does work. I had it cleaned out and it is down to 40 degrees, but it won't go lower and it should by a few degrees, espacially on the lower setting. The freezer on the other end only gets to 20 degrees F, and it should go down to zero. I think the thermostat is broken. I cannot get anyone to fix it because the refrigerator is workable, even if just barely. Small towns (sigh). Go figure.

Jessica,

I will get over to the Notebook and check out your story.

I started another book while I was in Tulsa.

The Old Man,

I never saw the name Lilith in the Bible. I thought Adam had just one wife. I do have a George MacDonald book called Lilith. It is about one hundred years old and so fragile, I am afraid to read it. It is a pretty name.

If anyone is still interested in the book exchange, I have another book I would be