Writers Notebook

Archived Messages from January 24, 2002 to February 27, 2002

New Rachel - there are those out there who can not, or will not understand the complex issue, therefore writers must use a simple example to illustrate the meaning of a complex issue. This is not new, it dates back to the first writers, and has continued through to today.

Also, there are times when an issue needs addressing, however the writer doesn't want to "go there" so to speak, so explains how he or she feels about the issue by simple illustration.

Does that make any sense?

Jerry 2-27-2002 0:16

*****Rachel*****

Hi all - I just wanted to post a note to say that the most recent post with my name on it was not posted by me. I think we must have a new Rachel on the block.

Rachel - Stand up and introduce yourself :o) You are not alone as a Rachel here ;o)

2-26-2002 23:16

Hello everyone: Am somewhat winded at the moment, just having got off the treadmill after doing about 300 calories worth of power walking. Just to keep everyone posted, yes I will be archiving later tonight. The Notebook is up to 586k. At any rate, just to let everyone know, my diet (1000 - 1200 calories plus exercise) is bearing fruit (pun intended - given I am also eating two fruits plus three vegetable servings per day). Have lost about fifteen pounds in about two weeks. Hoping to keep up at least two pounds to four per week through the fourteen until I have lost the sixty pounds I hope to accomplish. My dry suit should fit a lot more comfortably after that and the scuba diving should be going better.

Also, I am taking a creativity class based on the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. She also wrote The Vein of Gold. At the very least, it is dynamiting me out of my procrastination and getting me to do three pages of morning pages that are beginning to spring board me in to something bordering on the hopes of being a writer again. I am still thinking about Clarion West if I can get my writing together enough to generate a story or two and get something off to them. It would be a bit of a tight feat in terms of our budget, but we will have to wait and see. Take care everyone and know I have not forgotten everyone. Just somewhat busy between the diet, a paying contract, looking for work, starting the Creativity class and trying to fit in some diving here and there and everywhere. I did get to actually use my underwater video housing and hope to get something filmed that is worth compressing and showing to everyone.

Good writing and wish me luck on the short stories, I have one definitely in mind that I hope to get done with the next two weeks and ready to go out to Clarion. Take care.

Jack Beslanwitch 2-26-2002 22:04

Looking for Freelance writers:
Write news and feature stories, research story assignments, and edit incoming stories.

Please submit a sample of your writings

Available Channels: Entertainment, Finance, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, News & Issues, Diversity Interests, Small Business and Career.

Linda 2-26-2002 21:59

Why do writers often use simple stories to highlight complex issues?

Any thoughts?

Rachel 2-26-2002 21:26

Hi everyone - busy day, busy weeks...sigh. I'd rather be writing!

HOWARD: (((Prayers and HUGS))) for little Joel and all the family.

MARY: YEA YOU! :-)

TINA: Does this mean you'll be mailing me MORE stuff? :-) Can't wait to read your whole story! The second package might even weigh/cost a little less to mail if you bumped someone off, heh heh!

JOY: Overdue WELCOME to you! :-) I've been lurking more than posting lately...but am always glad to know yet one more writer who's out there! It's not so lonely anymore with all the friends here. :-)

Searching for my poetry muse...hope to find her by Thursday...

Happy writing to all! And to all a good night! (Or is that knight? I'm halfway to fantasyland already...)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Mel 2-26-2002 21:24

mea culpa - mea maxima culpa - apologies to John Milton!

To verify your statements ere you write
is best, when making ref''rence to a work,
or stand the chance of looking like a jerk
professing wisdom, sounding none too bright;
and bring confusion where you should bring light.
John Milton's work was sonnet, not quatrain
to frame it otherwise was quite inane
how now to make correction, set it right?
I humbly ask. But answer hath no voice,
and searching for a way I grope along
afraid to try, afraid to fail again.
iambic pentameter, foolish choice
for previous line because it sounds so wrong,
unless you fudge the accent it don't scan.

howard 2-26-2002 21:14

Howard, thanks for the great link!

Joy, glad to hear that you've started!

Mary, congrats!

Heather, Git to sleep, eh!

TTFN

Tina 2-26-2002 20:59

Cheers, Joy! :o) Lots of archives to surf if you're lookin' for some NB history. I'm sure there are more than enough brilliant passages in the last what, 6 years of NB existence? I think it'll be 6 years soon!

Heather 2-26-2002 18:46

MARY ~~~~ CONGRATS ON GETTING INTO THE JURIED GUILD!! Whoo hooo! High fives!

Back later, when my brain doesn't feel swollen...
Eyes sunken,
mouth drooping
All I'd like
Is to...

be sleeping!

Heather 2-26-2002 18:43

Sorry, Howard, I knew that! Chalk that one up to tiredness and stress! Egads, I'm topped up!
No more, please...
Oh, and just read about the latest bomb threat. How about leaving a bomb threat note on the women's mirror addressed to the 'bomber'? Heh heh. Touche...

Mary - having a dill of a time sending pdf, gif or any other 'big' image file your way!
H-e-e-e-l-p!
The smallest file is the gif, I think.

Tuesday eve and I'm feeling really burnt. This is my first official week of getting up at 2 am to go into work, once my husband gets home from his evening shift. I stayed up right through from when I got home at 5:30 am. Got in there at 2:15 and left at 5:15 - not bad for a night's work!
If I keep cleaning the offices that quickly, I make more per hour. If I can whittle it to just under 2 hours a night, I'll make about $20 an hour. Yahhhhoooooey! Better than short order cooking for $5.75 an hour...

~~~GROAN!

Okay, back to reading the latest posts.

With flourish and caffeine,

Heather 2-26-2002 18:11

HOWARD: Hi Hon. I am glad to hear that your grandson's condition isn't as serious as first thought. My son suffered from that as well and the surgery isn't as dramatic as one might think. I don't know how good of a reference I would be since it was over 12 years ago that we went through that, but my thoughts are with your family and the little guy. Big hugs...please keep us posted.

HEATHER: I was excepted into that juried art gallery we were talking about this morning. YES!

THIS WEEK'S SHORTIE THEME: COMING SPRING WEATHER (THIS OUGHT TO FIT WELL INTO A POETIC FORM TOO!)

Mary 2-26-2002 17:20

Heather: Thanks for your inputs about research and I really liked that part of "TWIST" on things… made me pause and really think about it for my story. I was also mulling about contemporary romance :-)

Rhoda: Also thanks to you for sharing your ideas on historical research. It does mean that I really have to do a more exhaustive research to get my story going. I had to copy your message, as well as Heather's and save it to a disk to work as my guide. I suppose I would be busy as a bee over the weekend…Good luck to you and Frank on your move to Louisiana!

PS. May I compliment everyone here in the notebook because the whole forum is really very much alive with all your inputs and I sense a feeling of closeness that everyone here shares… It is really wonderful! It's been five days since I have posted my first message and I got a very heart-warming response from the group… and it had helped me jump start on my writing! I am taking down notes as I scroll down the notebook. CHEERS!

Joy

Joy 2-26-2002 17:07

Feeling guilty that I have to do this while at work... you see I can't access the notebook since yesterday; it did seem like I've already missed a lot of messages!!

Howard: I am sure everything would turn out fine for your grandson. Just put your trust in HIM!...
"… and He said, 'Cast your burdens upon me, those who are heavily laden. Come to me and I will give you rest…"
My prayers go out to your grandson…

Carol, Viv, Howard & Litter: Thanks for welcoming me to the notebook. I am really pleased to meet you!

Viv: I think you must have mistaken me for Rhoda & Frank who would be moving to Louisiana... although I do live in a warmer - or should I say "HOT"- part of the world for the past nine years now because of my work - that is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Tina: … since reading your post I had sat and wrote down the middle part of my story. Well, it took awhile for the process to end up on the page, but after a few days of note taking I am so amazed at how much my one page had progressed … thanks. Also, all the best on your finished story… hope I'll get the chance to read it.

Jerry: Hope all is well now with you…

Joy

Joy 2-26-2002 17:05

Did I say $500.00? Oh my no, we paid just a bit over three hundred for our half, then picked up a dozen or so packages of the extra lean hamburger. Both of our freezers are now full, we have this side by side in addition to our chest freezer. Mom picked up a half of a half, but hasn't got the bill as of yet, I would guess it to be between 150 and two hundred for that. It all depends on the size of the steer to begin with of course. You sure can't beat the taste though.

My computer is now behaving itself nicely again, I even put the other 128 meg of ram back in so it can have a bit of breathing room again. If it had a face I think it would be smiling.

Been listening to the news, a habit I think I will give up soon, as it's just to damn depressing to hear all thats happening now. They were just reporting a recent poll taken across the middle east showing that most of the folks there think the US has invaded Afaganastan not because of the towers, but because we want their Uranium????

Now I am surely no expert about Uranium, but I do know that Kerr MacGee closed down their Uranium processing plant in Rhame ND where my brother in law used to work back in 1968 because of a glutt in the Uranium market. What does it take under a pound of the stuff to make a ten megaton bomb, and less then that to run a nucular reactor for a year.

It appears to me that most of those in the middle east haven't a clue what this country is all about, or what we are like as a people.

What to you think they would do if someone here seized a Pakastani newsman and held him hostage demanding that Pakastan give up Osama Bin Laudin? Oh and since they don't know where he is, we cut off his head and sent a VCR tape to them to play on Packastani television?

The whole world would be up in arms, there would be threats of invasion, sanctions by the UN and more.

Somehow nothing makes sense anymore after 9-11.

Jerry 2-26-2002 16:17

TINA -- and anyone else interested in night-sky stuff - take a look at http://www.spaceweather.com/meteors/gallery_18nov01.html
for some great pictures of the Leonid storm!

howard` 2-26-2002 12:16

me real website.

Rimbard www.poetrypen.com/poetry210 2-26-2002 11:36

i dont know what to say now. how about something like this;
are we just protozoan corpses in gotama`s abatis, or at home on the polymaths hill. and what about all this string theory, complex twelve dimension stuff, we can all do the math but how come i can put my hand through it. circummambulate in atmosphear not `P` brains or `M` brains, even hawkin don`t know what the `M` stands for. i do, magic.
aldous saw inbetween the rolls of material and called it heaven and hell, so this is where our aboreal existence dwelleth.

Rimbard clouds on stilts and love just off caracus 2-26-2002 11:33

Nuts! Dorie just called and said they've got another bomb threat on campus, and have just closed it again. They shut it down on Friday, and now again today. This is at least four times in two weeks. People are really getting ticked at this bozo, and if they ever do catch him (or her) there will be hell to pay!

howard 2-26-2002 11:04

Almost forgot - VIV - last year we paid $362.50 for a nice side of beef. Some of it is a bit tough, but very flavorful. It nearly filled the small freezer we have in our barn. Prices do vary across the country.

howard 2-26-2002 11:00

Viv, I don't know about the US, but here it's not hard to find privately raised organic beef. Or venison. Or ostrich. Or chicken, turkey, mutton, pork, you name it. On a nice drive beyond the city proper will find dozens of small farms, just start asking people, or watch for newspaper ads. Someone will know someone who runs a hobby farm. The $ varies widely. Beef is usually less expensive than in the grocery store, but chicken is about twice the price. It just depends.

{whine}It's snowing, I'm sick, and 'Freeborn' is going so well that I want to play hooky from work today. Unfortunately, I'm the only employee, so there's no one to call.{/whine} Oh well, the snow means it'll be a quiet day, so I can write at work!

Blue skies! (currently white...)

Tina 2-26-2002 10:58

Thanks to all for prayer and good thoughts! We just got word that it may not be as serious as was first thought. Not to belittle it, as it's likely that he still may require surgery, but the procedure is a common one, and the recovery time is short. The doc thinks Joel has Pyloric Stenosis - a problem with a valve in the stomach - better description is at http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babyills/10899.html

We may still make a quick trip there, if he does have the surgery.

Not Texas, HEATHER -- we live in upstate New York, only a couple of hundred miles southeast of Guelph, in fact. Been through there several times on our way to Michigan.
That quatrain came out just the way I felt last night. It's one of my favorite poetic forms. Another example is John Milton's "On My Blindness" It's the one that starts

"When I consider how my life is spent"
..
and ends with

"They also serve, who only stand and wait."

Had a math test this morning -- blew it big time! Me and numbers just don't associate well together!

Gotta go work on my homework.

howard 2-26-2002 10:56

Jerry: $500.00 huh! Wow! Well, a freezer full would go a long way. How do you find a place to buy it? Is it in the want ads? Also, I'm not sure if I could pick a good cow. Hopefully the person would be honest.

Litter: Heroic Quatrain. Cool! I will sleep on this and maybe run around a couple of days with those specifications in mind. Glad this site allows you to post late.

Howard: Know just how you feel. My daughter had her first eye surgery at 5 months. It was scary. My prayers join the others! Let us know the outcome asap.

Viv 2-26-2002 9:55

10 email virus attacks, and rising..

Litter 2-26-2002 9:41

Heads up people,

Over the past 3 or 4 days I have received 9 attacks by the same virus -- Win32.Klez. worm. They have arrived at two different email addresses, neither of which I use to send stuff, only to receive. I believe it first came from an ecclesiastic source as the first 2 mails purportedly came from a priest in the Greek Orthodox Church. Strangely, the first one came with ‘details’ of a Spice Girls concert. Considering that the Spice Girls haven’t performed together for some time and they’re not exactly Orthodox icons, this was somewhat of a surprise.

Fortunately, my anti-virus program continues to catch them but I find myself looking for updates every day. The email changes every time it is sent and disguises itself as, special offers, program patches, photographs, replies to emails, failed deliveries of emails (that is a sneaky one!) etc., etc. Keep you wits about you, especially if. Like me, you get lots of email.

HOWARD – Still praying. If there is such a thing as a ‘good thing’ about the situation with Joel, it is that he will not remember the operation, and children heal really quickly. (My wife is a paediatric nurse and Midwife but is still amazed at the recuperative powers of young children.)

Litter 2-26-2002 9:36

Howard, my prayers are with your grandson, with you, and with your daughter and her husband, and with Dorie...

--how big is the state you live in? Oh, gee, Texas. Prayers all 'round.

Let me tell you, too, Howard, that procedures of this type on very young babies usually go extremely well, and babies heal amazingly fast. A lot faster than we old farts.

Speaking of old farts...

I'm leaving the room!

Sorry, stressed out for Howard and dealing with it means stupid humour.

Your Heroic Quatrain, Howard, struck me. I'm not trying to be funny here... but it was a pretty hard blow.

Up and down the rollercoaster glides, but beware of curves - you may get thrown about.

Litter - great to read you again. My chosen demise is more along the lines of the climax? Ooh, count me in. And, put me on the rack bum side-up for good measure.

Heather 2-26-2002 6:23

Howard, add my prayers to those of the Notebooks, hope everything turns out allright.

Jerry 2-26-2002 0:49

Seems this stupid infection is spreading. I think my computer is ill, maybe infected. First I thought it was bad RAM, so I pulled all the ram out and replaced it with a known good 128 meg. No help.

Ok I figure run Norton anti-virus - No help.

Well it has been all of a week since I last formated, so I reformatted the HD, and installed Windows ME (wanted ME because Winlinux 2001 runs great under ME). The stupid machine was still very slow, taking forever to load screens and the lot. Then I rebooted, and the stupid thing just started to boot, then flashed the famous You May Now Shut Down!

Ok so this time instead of a quick format, I go all the way, beginning with the horrible Fdisk, remove all partitions, repartition the HD to one huge 20 gig partition, then a FORMAT /U. Took nearly an hour, then reinstalled ME.

It worked!!!! Don't know what exactly was wrong, but it's up and running fine again. I am happy, well sort of, now I have to reinstall all that crap I reinstalled last week!

Oh and the planned upgrade is out the window, had to use that extra cash I got for Valentines day to pay for my antibiotic's boy have they gotten expensive, if I didn't need them right away, I would have sent them down to the VA, but it takes around a week to get them and the Dr. said get on the pills right away.

Oh well I do have a dealer interested in some of my guns, the ones that hang on the wall and gather dust. Somehow I've become kind of attached to those stupid guns, I know I'll miss them, but I guess we can use the money a lot more then I use the guns. Think all I'll keep are my old service .45 and dad's old .22 Remington Target rifle. He took more deer with that little .22 then most of the deer rifles used today by the great white hunters with their 24 power binoculars, 4 X 12 rifle scopes, 48 power spotting scopes, glass bedded, accurized, ported, target crowned, bipod equipped guns that today's hunter lugs into the field. Dad used to just take that little .22 rifle with it's peep site, and track down the deer or antelope, one shot and it was all over for the animal, and food for our table.

See guns do have sentimental attachments.

I won't go into the times when I had to talk dad out of using that .22 against mom, or shooting himself with it when he was drunk and depressed.

Jerry 2-26-2002 0:48

***Taylor***

Prayers for your grandson here as well howard.

Good luck... And God Bless

Taylor 2-26-2002 0:38

Howard - I'm praying for your grandson, you and your family. Hope everything turns out okay.

What's the shortie theme this week?

Allein Peachick's Gallery 2-26-2002 0:24

Debra, it's getting past the climax that has my hyped up, not the written act of killing my villian.
I've written murders and deaths and killings. They are hard to avoid since my main characters are, among other things, assassins. Sometimes I worry about how much violence I've written about and what that says about me, but only for short bursts. Now I've stopped making apologies for my characters, especially to myself.

I used to treat those scenes kind of frivilously, but that has evolved with my research and my maturity. Now I really reach for the honest reactions in my characters, and have discovered that they each deal with it in their own way. The violence in my characters gives them a dark side, one that they work to stay above, and that inner conflict is always the most interesting part of the tale.

Howard, here's another set of (((Prayers))) for your grandson.

Tina 2-26-2002 0:02

Howard:

I'll say a prayer for him and his family too.

Debra 2-25-2002 23:07

Tina:

I've never had to do a murder yet, although some of my plots in the future require them, but I'm really scared at this time to be that hopped up.

It's one of those things that scare me to no end. The times I was feeling like that it was violence but not murder.

Part of me wants to stay in the dark or light if you will on how it might feel.

Let me know what the side effects are if any.

I'm hanging on to the edge of my seat!

Debra 2-25-2002 23:06

HOWARD,

My prayers are also with you and your grandchild.

Rhoda 2-25-2002 23:00

JERRY,

I understand your frustration with the sinus infection. I have had one of those long ones myself, and they are not fun. It might not hurt to consult a different doctor if your current one is at the end of his ropes. They can give you an X-ray and look up there if worse comes to worse. There is much they can do for sinus infections besides antibiotics.

Rhoda 2-25-2002 22:59

In yonder cradle lies my daughter's son,
With angels guarding at his foot and head.
If one be sent to take him from his home,
I pray dear God, spare him, take me instead.

howard 2-25-2002 22:02

Gariess:

Did I see you on eyewitness news today? Are you a Sgt.?

Debra 2-25-2002 21:58

HOWARD – Prayers going up as we speak!

Now then, I seem to have missed ‘IMA’ being put up as victim. It shall be thus, and I will find some particularly heinous death for her!

Now to sleep, to sleep perhaps to dream...

Litter 2-25-2002 21:52

Just got word that our new (month-old) grandson - Joel - may have to have surgery in the morning to correct a problem (possible blockage) with his stomach.
Prayers are appreciated.
thanks

howard 2-25-2002 21:44

Early ‘morning to you all!

Okay, chaps and chapesses (or Chapettes as Howard would have it!) the poetry form for this coming shortie-night will be another pretty easy one – The Heroic Quatrain – It’s easier than it sounds.

As the Stanzas Website explains, “The heroic quatrain in English consists of four lines of iambic pentameter rhyming abab.”

‘Iambic Pentameter’, in turn, is a poetry form of 5 metrical ‘feet,’ each ‘foot’ consisting of two syllables with the first syllable being short or ‘unstressed’ and the second syllable long or ‘stressed’ (a bit like me at the moment!) The syllable count for each line, therefore, will be 10 and the heroic quatrain will have 4 lines (no sneaking of extra syllables please – but I wouldn’t worry too much about the ‘stressing’’ – far too much stress in the world as it is…)

The verse below is a pretty standard example of the form –

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness, and to me.
Thomas Gray

‘Stanzas’ Website is at -- http://www.uncg.edu/~htkirbys/stanzas.htm

If it doesn’t work from the link below.

HEATHER – If you wish the full ‘hanging, drawing, and quartering’ death then, alas, you cannot be my next victim, but you could be the last victim – the culmination of a rampage of increasingly grizzly deaths… I do have a nice ‘burning at the stake’, possibly an impaling, and lots of sword, axe, pike, and flail carnage going begging :o)

Looks like I missed a rather racey *****conversation, hmmm?

New people,

Joy, joy, happy, happy!

Old people,

Have you nothing better to do?

Fizzle, fizzle, cough, cough…

Litter STANZAS 2-25-2002 21:43

And the first thing I thought of when the woman from art-exchange.com called was the poetry.com scam!

I really have to remember to follow my intuition.

I really have to remember to follow my intuition.

I really have to get a better memory, too.

:oD

Heather 2-25-2002 20:56

Hello, there, friends!
Jerry - I really hope that number four does its job! Remember: Sinutab. Also, cotton balls shoved up your nose might let your wife have a good night's sleep too! *chuckle*

Rosemary - will check out your 'The Best Neighbors' in a minute...

Got a phone call today from a representative of art-exchange.com. They want to display my art on their site, and if a piece is sold, they pay the shipping, and their commission is 10%. That's actually a small commission, compared to the 25% at art-in-guelph, but it's local, and I don't pay anything to have my art shown on that site.
The art-exchange charges $100 US for 10 or fewer listings, each listing being one work of art.
The art-exchange rep sent me some forms and references and some other stuff, but I'm still leary of doing this.
I could easily have my art for sale on the art-in-guelph site, for about 75 dollars Canadian per year. Every time I want to add a new piece to the exchange site over and above the first ten, I'd have to pay $20 US. On the art-in-guelph site, if I enter the yearly art show, I can add a new piece or two onto my page for free. I usually do enter the art show, and it is quite widely acclaimed around town. There are also some pretty decent prizes, though I've never won in the two years I've entered. Last year the theme was 'Toys' and I just couldn't think of anything in time for the show. I did have a few ideas, but not enough time to finish them.
Anyhow, I don't know whether I should bother with this art-exchange, and I'm thinking I'll just pay them to advertize art that will never sell!
I'm already advertizing it on my city's own art site.
I guess I've answered my own question.

When the woman called, she was talking about the art-excange site, and when I went to say, "I can sell my artwork from the art-in-guelph site," she cut me off!
Okay, I already had the feeling that I'd be scammed out of cash, but that reminded me for certain.
The woman had my webpage up, or had at least seen it, and were probably browsing the whole art site as well, calling everyone who had a listed phone number.
Sheesh.
That's like headhunters.

Sorry for the babbbbbble,

Heather 2-25-2002 20:53

Jerry,
The forcast down here is 24f. for Wed. morning. Of course, I have an eight A.M. appointment at the hospital on that morning. I hate scraping fog and ice off windshields. We have to do that at least twice a year. (mean snicker ;.>)

Don't forget the new Survivor starts this Thursday. Those of us who will admit we watch it.

Yah for Canada at the Olympics. Seems every time I watched, you guys won another medal.

Gone now for sure.

Rosemary--again 2-25-2002 19:24

Hi Writers All,

I'm taking a chance here. Every time I do a big post, Jack arcives the NB. The fact that I know it' time for him to do it, and he said he was going to do it, makes no difference to my subconcious idiot.

The thing is, on the week we were suposed to do a story on 'neighbors', I started one. Then stuff happened, don't remember what, and I just finished it today. It's too long for one post. 900 wds. So....I'm going to give you half of it today, and the second half Thurs. or Fri. Kind of like Gariess did that time with the five part triliogy. Which, by the way, I thoroughly enjoyed and wish he would do again.

Well, here goes. It is aimed at the young Adult market.

-------------THE BEST NEIGHBORS----------------

"Hi Cindy. How's tricks?" Molly trotted across the yard to meet her best friend.

"Tricks are doing fine." The blond girl grinned at her neighbor. They had lived next door to each other for their whole life. Now in the last week of the fifth grade at Jefferson's Advanced School for Young Girls, the friends were preparing for Summer Vacation.

Molly linked arms with the shorter girl and they walked toward the park. "Mom said for us not to make any plans for the summer because there's a big surprise coming." She shook her head, and bright red pigtails danced on her shoulders. "I told her we already had three plans we were trying to decide between, but she just said not to do anything yet."

Cindy nodded. "My mom is going around looking mysterious too. They must be up to something."

The girls stopped to pet a large bumbling puppy that had escaped its owner. Cindy scratched the long floppy ears. "I guess we better find your owner before cindy gets too attached." She grinned at her friend who stuck her tongue out in response.
++++++

On the way home, exhausted from hunting for the dog's owner and making long detailed plans for this coming summer, the girls chatted about school activities. At the sidewalk that led to her house, Cindy waved and turned toward home. Molly walked the last fifty-feet alone, and entered her home to the mouth watering fragrance supper's lasagna.

"Mom, I'm home," Molly yelled as she pulled her sweater off and hung it on the coat tree by the front door. She started up the stars to wash up when she heard the deep rumble that was her father's voice. "Daddy!" she squealed. "You're finally home."

Brad Youngman entered the hall and his daughter flew into his arms. "Great to see you too, Youngster." He caught her under the arms and whirled her around. Setting her on her feet, he said, "Go get washed up, I have a big surprise."

"Now, now." She pulled at his sleeve.

"Not now. Go!" He waved her up the stairs to get cleaned up for dinner.

A crackle of suppressed nerves hovered over the dinner table that night, as they all politely waited for the meal to be finished before breaking the big news.

Molly gathered up the dishes and almost snatched the desert bowl out from under her mother's spoon. "Sorry, I thought sure you would be finished by now." She ignored her mother's frown and carried the dirty dishes to the kitchen. She brought out clean cups and a new pot full of coffee, then settled down with a cup of hot chocolate to wait impatiently for the news.

Her father cleared his throat and spoke, "We know there have been a lot of changes at my job and they've been sending me all over the country. I've been away from home and my family a lot more than I liked." He took a sip of his coffee, cleared his throat again and continued, "Things have finally settled down and I've been promoted."

TO BE CONTINUED

Well, it's a little low on action, but the second half kind of picks up. And there is an insight. I think.

Should have made it Si/Fi. At least the location would have been more interesting.

Nothing like writing a story that even bores yourself.

Going to go sulk. But will inflict part two later in the week anyway.
Bye

Rosemary 2-25-2002 19:17

Well I am now on my fourth anti-biotic, and the sinus infection laughs off all attempts at removal and continues to worsen. It all began before Christmas. My Dr. tells me that he is at the end of the drug treatments, he hasn't told me what is next, and to tell the truth, I don't really want to know.

The wife is about ready to throw me out of our bed due to the horriable snorting and snoooooring that has come with the bug.

Oh well, I'm hoping that this stuff will do the trick.

Even the weather is against me, a cold front moved through this weekend dumping a couple of inches of snow on the brown ground, now the temps have dropped to just above 0 with wind chills to forty below F. It appears that the cold front is moving all the way to Texas, so look out, here it comes. The weatherman indicated that it is also moving to the east at a good rate of speed, so we are not alone in our great chill anyhow.

Hard to think with such a stuffed head.

Hope everyone else is well.

Write on.

Jerry

Jerry 2-25-2002 19:01

And where's Litter when there's a little 'bumping off' to be done? *snurgle, gasp -- thump!*

I agree with you, Carol, Rhoda's post on research was stellar!

Joy - if it seems awfully daunting, you could always write a modern-day romance...

:o)

Heather 2-25-2002 16:12

Hi All :)

Rhoda - you did a beautiful job explaining the importance and ways of research. That is about the most complete and consise account I've read. I agree with you on the hint about children's books -- websites for children are also handy resources.

Tina -- only a writer can get away with killing without being put in jail. hehehe

Speaking of which, I think I need to bump someone off too .....

Carol 2-25-2002 15:44

***Rhoda***

The world is indeed growing smaller. I am now getting much of my SPAM in Spanish.

Rhoda 2-25-2002 14:07

*Tina*

Debra, funny that the topic of research comes at the same time as your question. I spend a lot of time wondering how people feel after committing different types of violence, and I read a lot of oddly titled books like, 'On Killing'. Mostly they are psychological studies about soldiers and criminals.

The thing about writing science fiction is that those anachronisms Rhoda is talking about are easier to avoid. anything can exist in the world I've created, because I've chosen everything that exists there. Of course, the flip side is in rounding out the world so that it feels just as real as our world, past or present. Everything still needs to make sense. What fun!

So last night I finished with the big climax. Now it's just a matter of wrapping things up and fixing a few spots I'm not happy with, and draft #1 is done! The next challenge... my query letter.

Blue Skies!

Tina 2-25-2002 11:35

JOY,

In general the farther back in time you go, the easier it is. I am finding that out the hard way writing a story in the 19th century. As time has progressed, people have taken better records, and much more is known about the small details of everyday life. The more that is known, the more careful a writer has to be. Back in the dark ages, people didn't live much differently in a technological sense than they did in the late Roman era. Also those people lived much the same type of life as their forefathers did generations before them. Because people's lives were so much simpler, there isn't so much to learn about day to day living.

Historical research performs two basic functions:

1.) To accurately portray the time and place and historical events you are dealing with. It is all too easy to introduce anachronisms into your story. When you do that and the mistake is caught (and be assured there is always some reader who will catch it), then the illusion of the story you are creating is shattered. Anachronisms happen a lot, and they are surprisingly easy mistakes to make. Most of the time an editor will find them out, but sometimes they do slip through the editor right into the published version, and then you receive mail from your readers about it. Hint: Beware of waltzing, roses, zippers, and photographs. Those are some anachronisms I have personally encountered in my reading.

2.) In order to make the novel seem genuine, you must hear in your mind how the characters speak. This is best done by reading literature, first hand accounts and letters from the period. You also must get a feel about their values and those things closest to their hearts. If the character comes from a country involved in a desperate war, such as WWII or the Napoleonic Wars, then the war is always in the back of their mind and everyone elses. Same thing with the Great Depression or even 9-11.

I agree with HEATHER that it is best to do more research than actually needed. By doing that you get a feel for the times and that does affect your writing. You only need add enough details in your writing to present the story and to provide atmosphere and setting. But knowing much about the period helps you to know what is important to include and what is not. Deep down in your heart, you must understand the historical period in order to make your story believable.

On your first draft, write the story even if you do not know all the facts. In this step concern yourself more with characters, motivation, and movement of the plot. While reading over the finished product write a list of facts and things you have to check or learn and then go back on the second draft and incorporate them into your story.

If there are gaps in your research--things that you can't find specific information about--do the best you can to portray them accurately and then intelligently fill in those gaps yourself from your imagination and your own logic.

I don't know if you ever can do enough research. I have put my two dark age novels aside, but whenever I see a new book or article pertaining to this period, I read it. That is partly because I love that period of history itself.

Hint: Children's books make some of the best research material because they include more day to day facts and lots of pictures, and pictures teach and inspire more than most people appreciate.

I hope that all helps.

Rhoda 2-25-2002 10:45

Tina:

Congrats!

Are you wondering if that's how real killers feel? I know what you mean hopped up. I wrote something that ended up making me feel that way.

debra 2-25-2002 8:16

Yahoo! I just killed off my major bad guy! I'm so hyped up I can't imagine going to sleep now. :oD

Feels so good, I just had to share this thrill! What a high.

Blue skies.

Tina 2-25-2002 3:26

With her back to him, she took tentative steps up the slope, the darkness like a cloth over her face. "I can't, I'll never find a foothold," she whimpered. His gun poked her in the small of her back. The same place he had caressed only minutes ago.

"I know who you are, so don't keep lying to me," he snarled his anger at the deception she'd played on him. "I won't play the fool again."

Erica took a shaky breath, painfully aware of her predicament, and pressed forward. She took a small amount of pleasure in knowing if she fell she would take him with her.

Mary 2-25-2002 0:53

With her back to him, she took tentative steps up the slope, the darkness like a cloth over her face. "I can't, I'll never find a foothold," she whimpered. His gun poked her in the small of her back. The same place he had caressed only minutes ago.

"I know who you are, so don't keep lying to me," he snarled his anger at the deception she'd played on him. "I won't play the fool again."
***

Yahoo! Go Canada!

Sorry, had to get let that out.
Blue Skies!

Tina 2-25-2002 0:24

Hi All :)

Viv - a half cow will cost just over $500 and will fill a normal full-sized freezer. You might have enough room to fit in a few chickens too. I do miss living on the farm and picking out my own cow to butcher. I always picked out a pure-bred steer with plenty (but not too much) of muscle. I had the added benefit of knowing what to look for after raising and showing steers during my teen-age years for 4-H. I swear, that week at the fair was always more exciting than Christmas! While I never got a grand champion, I did get a blue ribbon and a couple of trophies.

With her back to him, she took tentative steps up the slope, the darkness like a cloth over her face. "I can't, I'll never find a foothold," she whimpered. His gun poked her in the small of her back. The same place he had caressed only minutes ago.

Carol 2-24-2002 23:32

****Taylor****

Heather: Was thinking of changing the name Pearl because of "Danny Pearl" Actually.
Having the guy killed after delivering a message on it, well it wasnt going to be beheading like that. But after mulling it over in my head, have realised my alternate version would serve the characters better.

Taylor 2-24-2002 23:28

HEATHER -- Yes, Visual and perceptual intensity is one of the manifestations of autism. There are many recorded instances of autistic individuals having "special" abilities, such as remembering numbers, statistics, etc. And artistic abilities are a fascinating part of that picture as well. I know a young man who is autistic, and profoundly deaf. He cannot speak, but can communicate in sign language and with the written word. I remember him as a small boy in our church. He would sit in the services and look at the back of the pew ahead of him. Later he would take a piece of paper and a pencil, and would draw from memory an exact likeness of the wood grain in the pew back. I have such a picture from about 20 years ago, and can show you the pew it matches. I watched him draw it a few hours after he "memorized" it. It is uncanny. He is now an art student at the same school I attend. He wants to be a teacher. I think he will be one day.
Other autistic individuals excel in math, or at least in the ability to remember numbers. There have been some amazing studies done on the abilities (and disabilities) of autistic children. You should find plenty of research on the subject.

howard 2-24-2002 22:19

Heather: Thanks :-) I'm looking forward to your next e-mail.

Joy: A late welcome. I've been speed reading the notebook lately and missed you. But welcome! 32 is not to old for anything...it's the right age because you now have the maturity not to get hurt and the physical strength to do it all. (Try scuba diving as well!) Lucky you, a JOB OFFER! In a warm climate! I hope the move goes smoothly and you find a great place to live.

Jerry: How do you find people selling meat to buy? Question for if I ever end up back in the USA again. I want to get a freezer and fill it up with meat...but it can't be too expensive. If we end up in Colorado we'll just find a way to drive where we have to and pick it up. (I guess I'll have to estimate how many ice chests it takes to keep about 1/2 cow cold!) Also would love to get some chickens. Maybe we need to get a car first but it helps to day dream that we are driving up to get meat to fill up a freezer. My husband said to find out from you because this is one of the details in our latest American daydream.
Anyway, you driving to pick up the meat really got us started. Funny, how something kind of mundane in one person's life is something another person would love to experience. Bet you never figured that trip for a dream vacation! We get pretty strange day dreams because we sit in traffic jams a lot breathing exhaust fumes.

Richard, Nice to see you back. Good luck with those exams. You are right to put your all into that for now, because you know you have the talent to write anytime.

Viv 2-24-2002 22:09

Tonight's SHORTIE ROUND ROBIN:

-please remember to paste the present shortie into the text box before adding your 1-2 sentences.
-additions are limited to 2 sentences maximum.

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

With her back to him, she took tentative steps up the slope, the darkness like a cloth over her face. "I can't, I'll never find a foothold," she whimpered.

Heather 2-24-2002 22:06

YEAH, CANADA!!!!!!!!

Just had to say that. :oD

Teekay, if you're really just on vacation, and not even lurking, big frownie face for you :o(
But if something bad has happened, I hope all is okay with you and your family. :o}

Heather 2-24-2002 21:05

Thanks, Howard! I've done a bit of reading about Autism over the years, but what you mentioned I've not heard about. More research for me!!!!
My main character isn't Autistic, however, but that should certainly be explored. Autism is often hard to diagnose because of the way it appears - it can have many different 'faces'.

Taylor - Last name Pearl - do you mean you want to change it because of Pearl Harbour?
Also, if an event you were planning to write has happened in reality, how similar is your version? If it's exact, tweak it and change details a bit. Remember the effect the event is to have on your characters - the effect can stay the same even if you alter the event enough so that it's not exactly like the real event.
Things being videotaped is a common occurance. Killings being videotaped is probably not too smart for the murderer.

Heather 2-24-2002 21:03

****Taylor****

Hi all, sorry I haven't been on here. Been busy with writing and stuff.
Anyhow just dropped in for a couple of questions.

1: If you were writing something or about to pust a certain scene in, and something like it happened. Would you change the scene? I was going to have someone killed on videotape in a story.

2: Is would you change a name of a character if it had the same last name as someone that something happened to on a National scale? One of my characters last name is Pearl

The two things are not used in the same scene... Was just wandering what were people's thoughts.

Taylor 2-24-2002 19:31

What a hockey game!! The two best teams on paper, as much as they were on ice. (Thank God the good guys won too.)

ben 2-24-2002 19:20

And HEATHER - have you also looked into the many facets of Autism? Visual and perceptual intensity, along with the ability to remember and recreate detail, are among the differences that distinguish autistic children.

howard 2-24-2002 7:31

Welcome, JOY!
And welcome back RICHARD!
You too MARK! Another fine Canadian band is "Off Kilter." It's a bunch of crazy guys in kilts, with a bagpipe lead. Really pretty good!
Maybe Teekay is on holiday? It's getting along towards the end of summer where she is.

howard 2-24-2002 7:27

Speaking of research - I've been browsing psychology sites for ages and am looking specifically for studies on human vision and perception. (Rorscharch tests will do, but I'm looking for EVERYTHING I can find). If anyone happens to stumble across any interesting psychology sites that delve anywhere near this aspect of the field, let me know, please?
I have only found a few with actual examples of visual tests.

Back to the books,

Heather 2-24-2002 5:48

Joy - also wanted to add that the type of information you're gathering makes a difference. If you're hoarding info on what the countryside of France looked like in the 1600's, and not worrying about what sort of clothing people wore (and what the purpose/name of the items were)
then you have to look at striking a balance.

Some things you will find more readily available than others - I've got loads of psychology books but little in the way of information on how hypnosis works, why it works on some people and not others, etc.
If you are writing fiction, remember that. You may be making up more than just the individual characters and their lives. You may have to 'make up' some things. The more you know about that culture or whathaveyou, the easier it should be to improvise and have your 'invented passages' come out sounding realistic.

Always that little TWIST on things... Fiction being realistic. Biographies with fictional additives...

Where are the borders, and when did they slip away?

Heather 2-24-2002 5:39

Joy - I think that if you feel the story is well-drawn enough with the amount of research you've done, you've done the right amount; then again, more always helps to create a believable world/era/character/setting, even if not every scrap of information you dig up is utilized. The point is for you to understand the events and behaviours of people at that specific time and place, and the impact of what went on among and around them.
Gathering more research than really necessary in my opinion, is a good approach; much easier to trim a little than to have to go in and 'plump'. ALSO: The better you know the background and history, the better able you will be to write a convincing historical piece.

There be my pence!

Heather 2-24-2002 5:31

Heather,
Thanks for welcoming me here at WN... will definitely catch Rhoda on that.

Rhoda,
I want to try my hand on doing historicals but I fear the 'daunting' research involved. With the research that you have to do... how do you know that you've got enough material? Do you start writing with a synopsis? I was thinking of doing a short story first (to make it easier for me, I guess) then move onto a lenghty piece... one day...

Cheers to everyone!

Joy 2-24-2002 2:56

Heather! That is a true pleasure of winter! I haven't done that in years, but what a great feeling.

Dang, I have a sore throat. I will not get sick! I refuse! No viruses or bacteria will compromise my immune system! I will not comply! (cough cough shiver)

Where's the Halls(tm)?
Hot lemon tea anyone?

Tina 2-24-2002 2:46

Just for good measure:

BWAH HA HA HAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Heather 2-24-2002 2:32

Richard! Great to see you back... :oD

Tina - I have only one response for you! I think there might be something to this stretching of my days into 18 or more hours... Other than that, it's a *shrug*
Thanks, Tina. When I know I've procrastinated on so many things and it appears I've a fast 'down' escalator to battle, I am asked how I can possibly do what I do. It makes me feel that just cleaning out a closet entitles me to Wonderwoman's head sash.
Sprinkle in a bit of Flashdance, and I'm prepped. :oD

Now I'm in a strange mood!

Mark - When I was a kid, we had a cottage on Lake Superior. Right at the edge, the last cottage of maybe fifteen in total, a slope of giant rounded rocks for a beachfront. There were Pine trees as far as the eye could see; especially awe-inspiring when they faded into a cold morning mist, bending back and forth, following the shoreline and up the hills.
In the fall there were dots of rust, burdundy, yellow and fire orange mixed in with the dark green of the pines.
My dad built a sauna on one side of the cottage, framing in the left half of the front porch. In the middle of winter, when you had to take the snowmobile to reach your pile of seasoned firewood, or to see a far-off neighbour, there was snow so deep and white it put clouds to shame. I'd hunt for hours tracking moles and mice by their footprints, by the spill of cracked seeds.
Once in a while, we'd forgo the trip out over the ice and sit in the sauna, in bathingsuits; our double-layer terry robes lined up for later. We'd pour a good few layers of water over the black rocks, and sit on the highest bench. You have to sit a while until the sweat oozes out of your pores, and you feel like your nostrils are permanently pinched. Then, in your crowning moment, run outside, your arms out to either side, and jump, slide, fall into the tufts of unadulterated snow.
Sometimes the ritual was done nude.

No imagination necessary.

Whoa, what sort of rant inducer was in that aspirin?
Vignette on that salad?

Heather 2-24-2002 2:30

Dare I post after Mark's suggestion? ;-)

Welcome back Richard! So long away, but I'm glad you popped back in.

Heather, you go girl! How do you find enough time in a day to do all you do?

Yay! I just heard that Canada's Mark Gagnon won his 5th Olympic medal! Go Mark go!
Who's watching the hockey game tomorrow? fess up...

Joy, if it's the middle part that is in your head, write the middle part! There is no rule that says you have to start at the beginning.

Rhoda, that sounds great... and like a lot of work. Do you keep your boxes between moves? ;-D

Mel, I finally mailed my ms off to you. I just sent it ground mail, so it should be there in a week or two.

Mary, Christi and Rhoda, I'm on MSN too. Send my your ID and we might meet up there. My MSN ID is kaizen@home.com, but my actually e-mail is kaizen@shaw.ca

Okay I'm off to do dishes. Yuck.
Blue Skies!

Tina 2-24-2002 0:07

OK. "Guess Who" (properly spelled) was a Canadian band in the 70s. Today's Canadian band is "Barenaked Ladies."
So, I could be led to believe the mystery poster is a Canadian lady, but the spelling indicates a ruse. Besides the only one here who could pull off the barenaked part would be Teekay because she's in such a different time zone, all the Canadian ladies would be barenaked while the rest of us are wide awake.

Sounds good already. I like that better, in fact.

Teekay is the writer, and the Canadian ladies have their assignments.

Mark 2-23-2002 22:53

When I said close I meant she had the right group!

Hi everybody! Good to see so many of you still here!!

Well, to be honest I've hardly had any time to write (hence not showing up here much) because of school. Preparing for our GCSE exams and all. Maybe I'll be able to put in the occassional yarn though!

Write on!

RICHARD 2-23-2002 18:27

I've always wanted to act in a horror film, because I have a really lovely scream, but I don't do those wimpy arm-flails, like so many a horror-flick bimbo. I'd wear my army boots, and sharpen up my skills with the sai. Heh heh.

Heather 2-23-2002 15:32

Okay, mystery poster, 'fess up!

Viv - got your attachment and everything...
I think you have edited it TOO much! And changed it too much. Best bet would be to go back to the original. I'll email you in a few minutes. :o)

Okay, everyone - I am going to resume editing P* and sending the edits back to each author. Anyone who has received an edited story, try to get the changes done and the story polished in two weeks and send it back to me, okay?
If you feel you need more time, that's perfectly alright, but do email me if it will be a LOT longer!

(Got your email on that matter, Christi! No sweat)

Mark - I'm still going to send you a few to edit - we co-editors haven't worked as a team yet, and with 40 stories I'm going to need a bit of a hand.
I've also taken over the cleaning contract as of this past Monday, so every other week I'll be out there in the middle of the night, and getting only about 5 hours of sleep a night. I will likely get home around 5:30 or 6 am on those weeks, which will be perfect timing to fire up the computer and start writing!
I may get a lot more done even with working more hours.
I tend to keep on top of my housecleaning when it's my cleaning week (and I have always worked one day each weekend) so with every week being my cleaning week, my house should be presentable at any hour.

I really detest having fluff on my carpet or dishes in the sink when people drop by, which always seems to happen when the carpet coughs up a furball, or the dishes have dirtied themselves. The latest set of dishes has set up a Dance Hall in the cupboard.

Suzie homemaker, off with your head!

Litter - I would be so honoured if I was the second femme fatale to bite the dust. Burned in effigy first, and then drawn and quartered? No sedation, thank you.

Heather 2-23-2002 15:29

Welcome back, RICHARD! Tina was RIGHT, not close!!! I had to scroll through the archives a bit but finally found two of your pieces, CHRISTMAS CARDS and FORCE OF GREED. So what have you been writing recently? :-) And why so long away??? Pull up a chair and stay awhile!

I should talk...been "away" (i.e. not posting) for several days myself - SO busy at work, at home....yikes! I surrender to Suzy HM today...but tomorrow, I'm WRITING, if it's the only thing I do!!!

Ah, sigh. The MIL is bringing donuts for the crew, any minute now. Thus begins another distracting Saturday...!!!

I hope you're all well, writing furiously and deliriously, and keeping your muses extremely happy! :-)

Mel 2-23-2002 10:02

Hello All :)

Just had to pop in for a few minutes. Not much to report, though I did get some writing done today. Mainly it was going into what has been written and adding some details to liven things up a little.

Welcome Joy! I don't think that any age is too old to start. I knew of one woman who started when she was about 69, knowing she was dying and got at least 6 short stories published before her death at the age of 72.

Heather -- I stopped at your web site. Oh wow! Your paintings are beautiful! I could easily get lost in the worlds you have created. And another congrats to you for being up to 50,000 and for organizing your scenes.

Gotta run now.

Carol 2-23-2002 0:24

WEll it could be Gariess

but then he posted under his name a short time ago too, who knows but I does likes a mystery

Jerry 2-22-2002 22:51

Teekay also has letters in common with those four...

And she loves those letter games!

Heather 2-22-2002 19:48

Ruth does have letters in common with all of those four MIA notebookers... good guess!

Heather 2-22-2002 19:47

Let me see...

The e and u were reversed in 'Guess', so I'll wager it's not EDGAR... heh heh

Is it Teekay? Tell me it's not IMA!
Hmmm. I guessed Hayden already, and Ben's been back since the summer. Goodweed of the North?

There are some notebookers that came before I did, that's for sure, so I probably don't know 'Guess Who' very well -

Kitty? That you?
Bear? I remember you are Canadian... but you might be hibernating right now!

It's not Americo. He would just post and sign one of three names. Where have you been, lately, anyhow? Busy, I'm certain. Thought of any new awards to give us hardworking notebookers?

I finished jotting down every scene in the order I've written them, and I think this will be a great tool for me.
I'm just under 50,000 words, too!
Hooooooray!

Light me a wee candle.

Eve for now, and may your wits be as sharp as your pencils.

Heather 2-22-2002 19:45

GEUSS WHO?

Could you be KRU? Could you be RRRRRAMON? Or could you just possibly be---Rumplestiltskin? Just kidding.

I was hoping you might be THOMAS, but that would be too much to hope for.

If TINA was close than what do ARIK, T.O.M., RICHARD and TRUDY all have in common with you?

I remember a RUTH from somewhere in England who wrote very enjoyable posts. She went away to Italy and was never seen again--a shame.

Rhoda 2-22-2002 19:02

Tina was close...

One more geuss because I'm impatient...

Geuss Who? 2-22-2002 15:45

Rhoda,
Yes, it's a very earthy, anglo saxon type limerick....I hope. It's not mine anyway, but it's one I learned as a teenager.
Ed

Eddie 2-22-2002 15:42

I thought C**** was some sort of British slang for hemorroids. It does change the meaning of the limerick somewhat.

Rhoda 2-22-2002 15:30

Sorry Viv, it was me. You should have guessed really. Itchen is a very Englishy? sounding word.
And yes...the C**** is crabs. Your daughter seems very grown up. :¬)
Ed

Eddie 2-22-2002 14:57

It looks as if I am moving again. Frank got offered a position around Houma, Louisiana, and there is a 98.9999% probability Frank will accept. So I get to be a Southerner after all. We will be moving this summer. I lived in Monroe, Louisiana as a child and have some fond memories of the place, but the Southern part of the state is quite different.

I could dwell on the trouble, trauma and hazards of moving, or I could look ahead and see this change as what it is--another great adventure. The culture down there is very French and very Cajun. The Cajuns I have known all had a wicked sense of humor and were very kind individuals.

Do I win a prize here? I think I might deserve one. Not am I only the longest poster here other than JACK, but could we agree I am perhaps the most travelled? Since I had begun posting sometime back in 1996, I have lived in two towns in New Mexico, One town in Texas, one town in Oklahoma, and soon a place in Louisiana. In all I have inhabited five different houses.

And to think all this happens when I finally find a writer's group in Tulsa.

HEATHER, MARY, and CHRISTIE,

I too have a MSN Messenger. I'd love to join in sometime on a chat.

JOY,

I have completed two novels in my adult life. I tried very hard to sell both of them, but did not succeed. Both take place in 6th century Britain. I am now writing a historical romance that takes place about 1820 somewhere in the Scottish highlands. I am hoping I can write this one faster than the other two, and make it more sellable.

Rhoda 2-22-2002 14:06

Heather: No you may not buy a vowel. You are much too young to buy that vowel!

No actually, I looked over that Limerick again and I can't for the life of me think what my daughter said or I agreed with. It was a pretty knarly conversation. I'll have to ask her again tomorrow morning bright and early. She's got a great memory for words.

Viv 2-22-2002 10:10

Okay, Viv - if the original C****
was NOT supposed to be 'crabs', what was it?

Can I buy a vowel?

Heather 2-22-2002 8:06

Oh, that dangly bit at the bottom of my last post was...

... on purpose. Really.

*What a bullshitter!*

Heather 2-22-2002 8:05

Welcome to the Notebook, Joy!

You might want to talk to Rhoda about writing romances! :O)

Hallee is also a romance writer, but she hasn't posted here in quite a while. She MAY be lurking... ((Hi, Hallee!))

Mary, Christi; I d-loaded MSN messenger again, so I'll be rarin' to chat this weekend if either of you are around!

I'm terrible at limericks - especially off the top of my head. Is there a rule that spontaneous writing should come from that section of my brain? I think I like the bottom half better. Especially the section near the base of my skull, since that's the automatic pilot cockpit.

I wonder if I can finish off my novel with automatic writing...?

For the last hour and then some, I've been going through my latest copy of Symphony, writing down each scene, and a brief description of the events in the scene. I'm finding it really hard to keep things chronologically smooth, now that I'm up there in scenes and chapters; plus I'm skipping days in there, between the scenes. I'm hopeful that jotting down the scenes will help me keep track, and then I can also decide if I need to juggle scene placement in the (somewhat likely) event I've completely mangled the order.

Also, by doing this I can achieve what otherwise might take hours - get re-oriented in my book. Being ill for a month does real wonders for organization - I just realized yesterday that I'd forgotten to pay a few bills~! My doctor might have something to cure that feeling...

You know the one! The heart-hitting-your-epiglottis-oh-SHIT feeling.

Forgive me, friends, if this post makes little sense.
Hey, I can claim that I'm doing research on sleep deprivation. And just a day and a half ago I was 'doing research' on FRUSTRATION.

Therapy, therapy, not far away
...

8-D

I detest having to add things like 'one week later' in the body of the work. I've also run out of ways to casually have this info come up in the scene, so have had to resort to that once. I'd rather not have to do that; it seems ultra-cheesy.
[That's the extra order of cheese I had so hoped to save for a future comic book. Anyone have any extra heroines, just aimlessly lurking about? I've got some drawings she might like to be featured in.]

Heather 2-22-2002 8:02

Rhoda, Tina & Jerry - thanks for welcoming me to WN. It's great to find out how you all started and to assure me that it is not really late for me to pursue my interest in writing. I was thinking of writing romance... anyone of you tried your hand on this?

I'm such a hopeless romantic and I've read tons of books about love - unrequitted kind, grand passion, tragic etc. I am doing some research on line as to how I should go about starting my story which, keeps on playing in my head- unfortunately I got the middle part going. I'd be very happy to hear your inputs.

PS. I am still twisting and turning in bed... and most probably until I get to see this whole story through the end I would remain restless at nights... Gosh, I feel so pregnant!

Cheers to everyone!

Joy 2-22-2002 5:07

*lurk, lurk, lurk*

Well, um, what can I say except that my job keeps me busy. I recently found a story I think I wrote for the notebook a year ago, and may or not have posted. I laughed when I read it - I didn't even remember I had written it.

Other than that, I'm just popping in to say that I'm here and I'll try and visit every day even if I don't post, but there will probably be something to post about. My friends are visiting this weekend - one of them is from Utah, she leaves on Sunday.

Toodles,
Allein

Allein Peachick's Gallery 2-22-2002 0:38

Joy - by the way I'm a bit over 50 now, and still enjoy the hell out of writing, my main problem is that there are other things I enjoy just about as much, and I must spread my time across all those things. In other words, I have a lot of excuses for not writing.

There is a web site (listed below) that I go to once in awhile when I am in need of a "lost" serial number for my software. At any rate, they list serial numbers for almost any software, as their advertised purpose is so that the software companies can see where the holes are in their protection, and thus plug those holes. In reality the purpose is, of course to distribute serial numbers so folks who don't want to pay for shareware can have the full versions without paying the shareware fee.

Anyhow that's a long way around to get to what happened, I was at that site searching for a serial number for a solitaire game that my wife loves but can't seem to find the SN anywhere, when the SN provider did the unthinkable. They changed my home page to a dang porn site. Then they installed software in my system to provide a MP3 search, and several porn search engines.

The wonderful thing about Windows XP and ME is that you can "revert" to an earlier setup, so to rid myself of those "added attractions" I rolled back to yesterday, and made a mental note not to return to that particular serial number provider.

There are bunches of them, the site is simply a search engine to find the SN at one of the many sites who subscribe to their service.

Ok, so I know it's illegal to use pirated software, just as it's illegal to download MP3's and burn your own CD's, the trouble is that there simply aren't enough software cops out there enforcing those laws.

(Ok so I did download 50 Waylon Jennings songs, but he just died so he can't complain about my pirating his music. Burned two CD's and played them on our stereo in remembrance.)

Jerry Security Site 2-21-2002 23:53

Joy - I was in my 40's when I first picked up a pen. Since that time I've written a lot, but not much of it has been read except by those who frequent this site.

I did have a couple of essay's published in my college magazine, and a bunch on the old ThemeStream site before they died for lack of funding.

The main thing is if you enjoy writing, if it makes you feel whole, satisfied in some way.

They say that only about 10 percent of writers make any money at it, the rest of us write because we are writers and could do no other.

Jerry 2-21-2002 23:20

*Tina*

Hello Joy! Welcome. What do you like to write?
32 isn't 'too old to start'. No one is ever too old to write. Just go for it!

I'm bad at guessing games, Who Am I. Richard, T.O.M., Arik, Trudy... am I even close?

A nice thing happened today. I was talking with a gal whom I've known for a couple of years now, and she asked me about my novel. We've never discussed it before, and she wanted to know what it's about. I gave her the basics, and she seemed excited about it. Afterward, she said it impressed her that someone she knows is actually 'doing their thing', putting effort into something they love despite time and money restrictions. Her comments made me think of everyone here, because although we each have our motivations that ebb and rise, we put time into satisfying the urge to create and record. I mean, some of you even write on your legs in lieu of paper! (Not me, but many paper napkins have offered themselves in sacrifice ;-D )
Anyways, I just wanted to say how impressed I am by the talent and resilience and determination of every notebooker. We all deserve a pat on the back!

A young girl who wants to be cool
May decide to go swim in a pool
But if her best friend should say
'You'll get your hair wet that way!'
She will stay dry and be a hot fool.

Blue Skies!

Tina 2-21-2002 22:20

Randall

Hey!

Still around (and round too!) Been on the Del/Rey site a lot. Reviewing other sf submissions and reworking my own. Have received some heady reviews.....and some scathing ones as well.

It's a good site, replete with all kinds of writing. Some, well, some not so good. It's as if a few writers do not know how to use spell or grammer check. Well, that's okay, there are plenty of other writers quick to point out their mistakes! :-)

Must go, wife is handing me a towel and bar of soap, so off to the shower I go.

Goodnight

Randall

Randall 2-21-2002 22:18

A History Lesson:

There once was man from Iraq
Who thought it was fun to attack
He sent in his tanks
Then sent the high ranks
But the Cav showed the stripe down his back

Jerry 2-21-2002 21:14

Teekay, if it wasn't you I apologize, it's just the twinkle of humor right after the other poem written by someone who has been in the notebook a long time....sure sounds like you. Hope so.

Howard....oh shoot. Well thanks because it was really bugging me not to know the line length.

Nice words I found today: dipody & hetroclite. Don't ask me how I got the latter. I love just saying dipody.

Heather: I'm glad you found a scrap of paper. If nothing else is available sometimes I hike up my skirt and write from the knees up. Why the knees. It won't get washed off accidentally. If you wear pants it doesn't work because it tends to rub off. That's why I like wearing long skirts. Figured that one out in gradeschool.

Viv again 2-21-2002 18:29

Beautiful Teekay! It's good to see you back. My daughter suggested a change in that poem. Instead of C**** she said that the use of the word crabs might be better. There's nothing as good as a high school aged kid to make a quick suggestion while reading what they shouldn't over your shoulder.

Bet that one gets memorialized at Juku today. They are really into that stuff. The kids there learn English from Hana and she exchanges for Japanese. You can bet that both sides are just as raunchy.

Viv 2-21-2002 18:10

There was a young lady from Itchen
Was scratching her **** in the Kitchen
Her mother said 'Rose, a dose I suppose
She said 'No Mum, the C**** are just itchin'

2-21-2002 17:37

SKS, is that you?

Eddie 2-21-2002 17:30

TEEKAY,

Come back, please.

Rhoda 2-21-2002 17:05

*****Rachel*****

I thought that the poster was Teekay. Teekay - Why so shy? Whatcha dooin girlie?

Uh, if it isn't Teekay, then who could it be? Perhaps Pnokio? I know he loves his poetry.

I remember other people who used to visit the NB, who write to me from time to time. They mention the WB. I guess it could be any one of them.

Hum, maybe it is Americo! Naw, not him.

Yikes, I had better go. Sebastian has decided that the CD player is a toy. I will need to let him know it is not. He still can't quite accept that CD's are not for eating :o)

Take care all.

2-21-2002 16:03

Who am I?

well, one line from your poem:

>Then surprised by the light<

Reminds me of the book "Embraced By The Light" that Teekay was recently talking about.

When you flush does the water turn clockwise, or counterclockwise? (Or is that anticlockwise?
??

howard 2-21-2002 15:23

HEATHER,

Missed you too. Glad you are back.

WHO AM I?

I love a riddle, and I love people who return. I will give this some thought and try to think who you might be. Meanwhile, welcome back and I hope you will stay awhile.

I must try this limerick thing. You all make it seem so fun.

Hello, JOY

Glad you decided to join in on the conversation. Welcome to the Notebook.

BLUE TEAR,

Good to hear from you again.

RHODA 2-21-2002 15:01

Hi everyone, I am new here in the forum and hope to introduc e myself to all you and get to meet everyone here at WN. For nine years, I have kept this desire to write in pursuit of a different career and an interest in music-I really love to sing and is really good at it! (even made lots of extra cash out of it)

But lately, here I am feeling restless and just couldn't stop the ideas playing in my head for a good plot, how a scene is to be played, etc. and I just knew that I need to put it down somewhere! It occured to me that perhaps the time is ripe for me to do something about my interest in writing... or rather the time is NOW! I hope at 32 it would not be too late to start this. Funny two years back I enrolled myself in a writing course but unfortunately, my progess was so slow for lack of people to share my ideas with and I had been too busy with work & the band. But hopefully with you guys around I can get my motivation and more of my 'creative juices' flowing.... Cheers!

Joy 2-21-2002 14:51

Hayden? That you?

The workbook's been down for 6 months or more. Jack's still working on it!

Heather 2-21-2002 14:47

Came to this place in years past,
Feeling alone and defeated,
And held by the black,

Wrote of my troubles,
And too spun some tales,
Of token and thought

Then surprised by the light,
And rushed off away,
Leaving this place not just for a day

Returning every so while,
To see once again these fine people,
Sharing both life and life-fiction

Who am I?

Pieces ::

Past Youth
Christmas Cards
Force of Greed
Best Day Ever

Ahhh - what happened to the workbook?

Who am I? 2-21-2002 14:27

Would anyone be interested in a teleseminar dealing with how to acquire an agent, landing a major publishing contract, and selling books beyond bookstores?

I've written four books(sold over 500,000 copies)and just sold a new book to John Wiley & Sons for large advance. That all came after being turned down by over 100 publishers.

This course will include the actual proposal I used to get the contract, a direct mail piece used to land an agent, and several key creative ideas to market your book once it's published.

The teleseminar would last about an hour and would include receiving the above materials via email attachement.

If enough people would be interested the cost would be around $49. Please let me know.

TO check out my background, please visit my site at www.expertspeak.com.

I recently did this program live at a convention of authors in Honolulu.

John Author John Fuhrman's Home Page 2-21-2002 14:00

Hi, I'm finally back! I have never been as frustrated with this machine as I was yesterday... and Sunday night, when I was supposed to be HERE, starting another round robin shortie.

Sorry everyone - Wayne decided he'd reformat the computer Saturday night, and I'm just getting back online now.
I really, really detest trying to set up the ethernet driver, protocol and all of that crap. We had a problem with finding the right drivers for the devices for a few days.

The intense frustration did however, end up being a reward in one manner - I was trying to get to sleep last night, after nearly kicking the computer where it counts, and suddenly knew how to intensify a scene in Symphony where Piper is extremely frustrated. How's that for useful?
So I have another scene to dabble with, but I've got the bones jotted down already.
I've been writing quite a bit just with pen in hand since the computer clunked out. There is something to be said for inspiration when there's no paper (or computer) handy.
At one point, I was sitting outside at work on a short break, and had an idea - ran to my car seeking that one tiny slip of paper I knew I had... found a deposit envelope in the glove compartment and proceeded to write on both sides in tiny script. When the ideas kept on coming, I carefully tore the envelope along its fold and kept on writing on the inside!
I'll have to put a few sheets of paper in the car now, though. All I've got is the car manual left, and something tells me I shouldn't be writing in the margins.

Mary - haven't had time to read many posts yet, but I thought I glimpsed a 'home at last!' post from you - looks like we're both arriving back to our computers close to the same time. I might be off by a day!
Hope to catch up tonight, and get back in the swing of writing buddy chat, etc.!
I can't get my email to work just yet - there's a cafuffle over my password. I've got three to try, and none so far have worked. Perhaps a fist through the monitor would gain me access?

SIGH

I missed everyone something awful!
And now, I also have quite a few pages to type in on Symphony as well.
And, as I suggested to you, Mel, I've got to start saving my chapters separately, too!

Always a trillion things to do,

...or leave undone, so it can sit there and taunt you.

And I wonder why I have trouble sleeping.

Heather 2-21-2002 13:16

There was a young sailor from Leigh,
Had a mishap along side the quay,
‘Twas pier pressure that got him –
‘cause it fell of on him mid-swim
And then carried him under the sea.

Let’s just call my spelling of ‘peer’, poetic licence :o)

A prize, I think, for creative spelling...

Litter 2-21-2002 12:56

Nantucket just happens to be an island off the coast from where I live, but I wonder how many people would ever have heard of it, if it were not for all those nasty little things it rhymes with.

gariess 2-21-2002 12:26

This little shorty came to me last night as I lay in the dark awaiting the arrival of the sandman.

Peer Pressure
By Jerry A.G. Ericsson

“Go ahead, take one.” Nola said.

I almost did, but in the back of my mind, I could hear the teacher telling us not to use them, “I can smell it on your breath, and I’ll know if you do!” she said so many time.

But Nola was a seventh grader, and in my third grade eyes one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen. I reached for it, then pulled my hand back, what would mom and dad think if I took one.

“There good!” Russell said; I could see one hanging out the corner of his fifth grade mouth.

I reached out my hand to Nola once again, but pulled it back as I heard in my mind the voice of my sister. “Stay away from them, they taste horrible and make your breath stink!” she said, and she was in High School, she should know.

“Take one!” Donald said, pushing one of his in my face.

The smell was inviting, but I pushed it back.

Suddenly Paul grabbed me from behind and put me in a full nelson, while Donald took the on from Nola’s hand and pushed it in my mouth.

The taste was wonderful; I could feel it ooze throughout my mouth until all I could taste was that wonderful wild onion.

Jerry 2-21-2002 10:33

VIV - From http://www.uncg.edu/~htkirbys/ast53.htm
here's a description.
The limerick is a poem that nearly always aims at the comic, the satirical, or the nonsensical. It is written in anapests, with three feet in the first, second, and fifth line, and two in the third and fourth.

howard 2-21-2002 9:33

Uhm Carol,
I may be a bit late on my writing tomorrow morning but I'll get it to you by 4:00 PM my time which should be sometime your Friday. Sorry but I need to get my sneak out time and early morning no one goes to the rink. I'll have an Olympic sized rink to myself and what's really nice is it will give me a break from the pollen. I'll come back with no sniffles or gooey eyes.

Viv yet again 2-21-2002 8:19

Hi everybody...especially Howard and Mark:
How many feet are supposed to be in a line in Limerick form. I couldn't find anything on that in the sources I looked. I saw that the rhyme scheme was first two and last line rhyming or the same, but nothing on the rhyme scheme.

Howard: Great job I'm still giggling.
Debra: You are absolutely right. I'm going to print yours and stick it on my pack of cigarettes. Blast it, I'm back to the same old habit.
Tina: Yours is perfect for right now. How many of you have the urge to go skiing or skating right now after watching the Olympics. I'm going to sneak off to the skating rink early tomorrow morning and skate around and around forward while my mind does all the tricks.

Viv again 2-21-2002 8:17

Hi Carol: Boy, I'll bet you are exhausted! Still, what a nice way to enjoy a snow day. I wasn't exactly 'on' for writing last week either. I had a real writer's block...which is now letting up. I got my book today! Writing Down To the Bare Bones. I've waited and waited for it to arrive and it finally made it. Now I have to wait for the next payday and I can order the next book on my huge list of wants. That one I want to arrive right before I start back teaching...if I start back teaching. I'm getting so I enjoy the routine of staying home...after the funk of last week. What pulled me out of my funk, I dumped all my chores and went out and bought a bunch of plastic flowers at the hundred yen shop. I was so sick of the deep purples, silvers and browns of winter. I figured since my eyes were burning from the cedar pollen it was springtime. That and a crocus I encountered while picking up dog dirt, convinced me that I had to do something to celebrate the season. Now my front door is sporting an Easter egg colored wreath. Thank Goodness spring is on its way!

Peer Pressure
(conversation overheard in the Freshman class)
"I just pierced my navel myself."
"Did it hurt when you did it? Do tell"
"Well it stung going in
and coming out once again
You really should try it yourself."

Viv 2-21-2002 8:09

Hi All :)

Just going to get a quick post in so you all don't think I disappeared off the face of the earth. I have no idea where the past week has gone. It's gone, several family members visited. Cooking, cleaning, visiting. Then there was the snow. Eleven inches overnight and a few more to come tonight. We had to travel out in it this morning. Hubby snowblowed a path for the truck to get through the driveway but then we got stuck at the end of the road where a little hill leads up to the highway. Hubby forgot to get a running start on that hill. Luckily the town truck came through and was kind enough to help us out.

Viv -- I'm sorry about last Friday. I have no valid excuse. Last night I did find the next action to take place in the story however, so I hope to spend at least an hour writing tomorrow. Providing the snow doesn't weigh down my power lines.

I'll try to catch up more tomorrow.

Carol 2-21-2002 2:03

Here's a limmerick

I don't want to be one who smokes
It's not that I'm afraid of my folks

Although my friends do look really cool
So is the morgue as a general rule.

They say it in English right on the back
that their lungs will turn eventually black

What could make them keep puffing
It's the poison in them they keep stuffing.

It's keeps them running to the store.
They run and run while paying more and more.

Until they die from this addictive sin
that's when they hook their next of kin

Debra 2-21-2002 0:50

Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Ken.

Jerry 2-20-2002 22:30

Nearly everything I write has some truth beneath the surface. It makes my writing sound plausible. I don't think there is anything at all wrong with using your emotions in writing, after all you are telling a story, and your characters must have emotions to be rounded characters.

Still no limerick, although I have enjoyed the hell out of those posted, sure wish I had that kind of talent.

Jerry 2-20-2002 22:29

Hmmm.... Muse duct taped to chair, check; blank screen, check; blank mind, check; another birthday gone, check; oh well figured I'd check in. Of course, it being my birthday I think I'll do more drinking than writing. Till tommorrow.

Ken 2-20-2002 22:04

Oh oh, limericks. I'll be thinking in rhyme for days now. :oD

Farah, it's normal to bring your own experiences directly into a story. If you are writing about friends fighting, it's only natural that you will be influenced by an event that really happened. The trick is in making sure that the events are consistent with your characters. If the characters are very much like the real people involved, then the scene will play out realistically. But if the characters are different, then be careful.
For instance, if the real event was between two very outspoken people, but in your story one of the characters is outspoken while the other is shy or manipulative, they will not say the same things as the real people. You will have to alter it to fit the characters. Age, sex, character traits and personal history will alter the scene, but your memory of what happened is still a great template to build on.

A canny young man from BC
Went up the mountain to ski
It seemed easy to learn
But on his very first turn
He landed a date with a tree!

Tina 2-20-2002 21:23

Gariess:

Nice one on the peer pressure. That could be your shortie right there. You're done. I'm still laughing.

Litter:

While I have you in my sight, could you tell me if Scottish hillbillies are the same as American ones and if not, how so. Are they from the Lowlands if not where?

I have a small spot on hillbillies in my book and it is brought up by the Scottish character to the American one and I want them on the same wave length, page or what have you.

You don't have to get right on it. You can take your time, I have plenty on that one.

Debra 2-20-2002 20:45

Actuarily, I screwed up the cadence of that last line!

It should read:
"It maketh my thingies quite sore"

Sorry...

And that reminds me of another - not a limerick - that I dearly widh I could take credit for -- I've posted it here before, but I do like it:

The Thunder God went riding forth
Upon his fav'rite filly.
"I'm THOR!" he cried,
His horse replied,
"You forgot your thaddle, thilly!"

howard 2-20-2002 19:46

MARY -- I must confess - that one is not entirely mine. I remembered the concept and last line from an oldie, and built the rest to fit.

This one, however, is entirely mine --

A comely young damsel of yore
Loved to roll with the knights on the floor
Quoth the tender young charmer
"Kind sirs, doff your armor,
It doth make my poor thingies quite sore!"

howard 2-20-2002 19:38

HOWARD: Hahahahahahaha!

LITTER: ;-) right back atcha!

Mary 2-20-2002 18:58

A careless old Scot from the heath
Once sat down upon his false teeth
He jumped up with a start,
Cried out "Lord bless my heart!
For I've bitten meself underneath!"

howard 2-20-2002 18:50

Hi Mary ;o)

Litter 2-20-2002 18:26

Greetings all and sundry!

Rosemary, that’s not the ‘Nantucket’ limerick I know…

There was a young woman from Norway,
Who… Nope that’s not the one.

There was a young man from Neasden
Who… Nope, not this one either.

An adolescent who came from Dundee
.. Nope!!!

Seems most of the Limericks I know and think up are a tad rude -- Guess you’ll have to wait until Thursday night :o)

DEBRA – I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules about doing both things – merely exercises to sharpen dulled brains.

Byeee

Litter 2-20-2002 18:22

lurk

Nobody knows more about peer pressure than a urologist.

gariess 2-20-2002 18:21

One more blonde joke:

A blonde Norwegian woman books a flight from New York to Montreal in the economy section of a jet. After take-off the woman takes her belongings, moves to the first class section and sits down. The flight attendant explains to her that she must move since only persons who purchased first class seats can sit in first class.

The blonde Norwegian replies, "I am not going to move, for I am blonde, I am beautiful and I am going to Montreal."

The flight attendant goes to the cock-pit and explains the situation to the crew. The co-pilot then goes to the blonde Norwegian woman and explains to her that she must move back to the economy section or else she will be arrested when they arrive in Montreal.

She replies, "I am not going to move, for I am blonde, I am beautiful and I am going to Montreal."

Exasperated, the co-pilot returns to the cock-pit and explains the situation to the pilot. The pilot nods his head with understanding and says, "I know how you feel. I happen to be married to a blonde Norwegian myself. Do not worry. I will take care of the situation, for I know their language."

After the pilot talks to the blonde Norwegian, she gets up, moves her belongings and takes her correct seat in the economy class.

The co-pilot looks at the pilot with admiration and asks, "What did you say to her to make her comply?"

The pilot answers, "I merely told her that the economy class section of the plane was going to Montreal, and the first class section wasn't.

Rhoda 2-20-2002 14:58

Hey guys!!!! Missed you all!
My parents ordered me to restrict the time I spend on the net, so I barely had time to read what you were posting, but couldn't post anything!
I've been working lately on a story, of a young girl who had to leave to Canada to undergo some therapy since she had cancer.
I have this little ..or maybe serious...problem ,I need the advice of some more experienced writers: I unconsciouslly
find myself writing about my own feelings in the story and my own life. For exemple, there was a part in which the girl's boyfriend calls her, they weren't supposed to fight but since I had a fight with a very dear friend to me I found myself writing about the girl fighting with her boyfriend, very mad at him, and very disappointed !!! Should I or Shouldn't I carry on this way? Should I try to be more objectif? If yes HOW?

Farah ( Blue Tear ) 2-20-2002 13:05

RRRRRRingggg.

Hello?

This is the governor, I have issued a reprieve.

Thank GOD!

Well not exactly, but my daughter felt a bit sorry for her dear old dad and offered to take over the trip for the meat, so I could be in good shape for the trip to RC on Friday.

Jerry 2-20-2002 13:04

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raquel Read N Discover 2-20-2002 12:20

Reach out.
Two fingers slip between blades of venetian blind.
Turn the hand, separate the fingers slightly, peep through the oval opening.
"Uummm hmmmm."
Things look normal on Writer Street.

Mark 2-20-2002 11:16

Honey, I'm home!

Hi guys. I have finally caught up on all of the posts, it wasn't that hard, you have been relatively quiet since I left.

I was gone to a funeral in New Jersey and even though I didn't know the deceased Uncle Leon, and was there simply to assist my neighbor and his disabled wife pay their last respects, I cried my eyes out. It is amazing how contagious emotion is. "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone", does NOT describe the sentiment there.

Uncle Leon was a father, husband, grandfather, retired military man and Irish Roman Catholic. Every time I thought I was getting a grip, something even more heart-wrenching was brought out. Not to mention the fact that I had never been in a Catholic church before and of course Uncle Leon died on Ash Wednesday. Incense, mass, the beautiful sound of the choir singing his favorite hymns. There was the flag folding over his coffin, the trumpet playing taps, the twenty-one gun salute, the bagpiper...

The only funeral I have ever been to that was sadder than this one was a young police officer's who had been killed in the line of duty. At least at Leon's funeral there was the undercurrent that he had lived a full and happy life and left quite a legacy behind him. OK, enough sadness.

LITTER: I am glad that I had saved that link that Howard gave us and that it is the one you needed. Great idea for the writing structure, and I love to write limericks so I will be sure to participate this week. (And I vote for anything that gets you here more frequently.) I just ordered Henderson's collection of poetry for children("...Chipshop"). Should be here by next week and I can't wait to read it to my kids.

HOWARD: HI! Great limericks and love your sense of humor.

TEEKAY: I miss you too!!!

Hello and big cheesy smiles to everyone else! I will be back later with my limerick. Right now I have to go find some sheet music online for my hubby's birthday.

Ciao

Mary 2-20-2002 10:51

I am a writer residing in CO. A friend of mine is looking for a beginning writing class in the Seattle area -- North would be best. I think she'll pass if it's too inconvenient. Any suggestions? Thanks! -Patti (pattiwax@aol.com)

Patti 2-20-2002 9:34

Nope, it's 60 miles there and 60 back, but we didn't go. Seems they had a rain storm, followed by a snow storm, and the roads were like glass. We are going tomorrow instead, which is great as today was the day of rest that my old back needed. It is feeling much better now with an good nights sleep, followed by a day of relaxation.

Yes, I too know the weather well in advance of the change. The wife has been that way for years, mine just started a few years ago. We can both tell you when a change is afoot well before the weatherman issues his warnings. Some call it a blessing, I call it a pain in the back.

No, mom doesn't drink anymore. Now there was a time, back many years ago when she still enjoyed a drink now and then, the most talked about drunk that we ever went on was back in the mid 70's. I came home for mom's birthday, which is next week, but that's beside the point. I was living in El Paso Tx at the time, and drove home in my little Opel Manta. We got to visiting (this was pre-pinochle) and decided that a Tom Collins would be good, this was about noon. I went up town and bought a fifth of Gin, and a couple quarts of Tom Collins mix, and we began enjoying the warmth of the gentle flow of liqueur. Long about two PM we got to talking about my sister who lived near Rochester Minnesota at the time, the more we talked, the more we drank until at long last we decided it would be nice to drop in on them. That trip was over four hundred miles, but in our condition that didn't sound to far, so we were off. First we had to stop and pick up my niece who lived with mom at the time from school, then we were off, all six of us in my little Opel. I think I sobered up long about Sleepy Eye Minnesota, and decided that we were absolutely lost. We stopped at a gas station and asked for directions, but the fellow behind the till had no idea where the small town we were heading to was. We drove on, and at long last found their house, boy were they surprised. We stayed a day then decided to go back home, but it was snowing. Drove all the way home on snow packed roads and snow so thick at times we couldn't even tell where the road was due to a condition known here a bouts as "white out".

That was about the time mom decided to become a tea toteler, it took me another year or so but I too came around.

Now half of a half of beef, that's a whole different story.

Jerry 2-20-2002 0:26

Rosemary - I often get migrains when the weather changes, mostly seems that storms set me off. It also can make my arthrits flare up. Then again there are times when sleeping seems to make my arthritis flare up (laughter). What I'm saying is yeah I hurt when the weather changes (winks). Oh and please don't feel bad for me about the migrains. I do not have the kind that hurt. At least I don't have that kind very often. Also, no need to feel badly for me about the arthritis. It used to be a lot worse. I am a lucky little duck. I really am :o) I hope that you are pain free and happy as a clam.

Hugs to you.

Rachel

2-19-2002 22:10

Hi Viv. Yup, the weather on the island was wonderful. Five entire days without rain, almost unheard of this time of year. Not much spring growth quite yet, but it is always green down there. The good weather made up for the drive down - we have to cross the Coquihala highway, which goes over the mountains, and the roads were in terrible shape. We passed three jack-knifed rigs and several tow-trucks.
We went to see an IMAX show, 'Amazing Caves'. I love IMAX. We will have to head down to Vancouver in the spring, to see 'Space Station', which was recorded from the ISS. That will be amazing.

The only successful block-breaker I have is to put down my pen and pick up my favourite book. Usually a day or two of inspired reading is enough to fire me up again.

Rosemary, my mom reacts to the weather like that. One of the reasons she lives on Vancouver Island is the mild weather. Cold temperatures makes her arthritis miserable.

My best friend just got engaged, so I'm a thrilled person right now! I'm so happy for her. Her fiance took her to Paris and proposed on one knee in front of Notre Dame, at night while it was all lit up. No I'm not exagerating, and I didn't steal that scene from a Harlequin romance. I can only imagine what the wedding will be like.

Doing taxes tonight. Yuck. Mine are easy, but my hubby's are not so. My muse stuck out her tongue and went into hiding the moment I said 'taxes'.

Blue Skies!

Tina 2-19-2002 21:59

ROSEMARY -- Almost forgot - yes, the change in the weather hurts! I've been told it's a function of age, combined with the change in atmospheric pressure. Whatever, it hurts!

howard 2-19-2002 21:43

VIV -- Writers block the size of Montezuma? Would the opposite be "keyboard's revenge?"

Going bonkers doing intermediate algebra! Into functions and graphs now, and not enjoying it a little bit. Even.

Only spot of sanity right now is the mp3 player, which just switched into "Steal Away" by Chanticleer. They are awesome! Got some Gregorian Chant coming up as well. Great music to mellow out by.

SASQUATCH -- where did you learn the fine art of the limerick? And where have you been hiding? And have you seen our Teekay? We loves her and she ain't been back in so long.

RANDALL -- you never did say if you saw (and what you thought of) "The Fellowship of the Ring." Or did you, and I just missed it?

The bomb threat last week at school was a bit more ugly than we first thought. The note said that the person also had a gun, and there would be bloodshed. Weird stuff.

Gotta put it away for the evening...algebra quiz at 8AM.

g'nite!

Howard 2-19-2002 21:35

hooru?

2-19-2002 21:14

urdum

2-19-2002 20:46

Evening all,

VIV,
Is there anything to be read into the fact that you mistook 'beef' for 'beer?' I think you just ruined JERRY'S poor mother's reputation. :-P hehehe.

It's just my envy for Jerry's Mom's great load of good beef that we can't get down here without paying premium prices.

JERRY,
Jeepers, Did you mean thirty miles there and thirty back? You ought to live in texas. We go that far to save fifty-cents on a bag of horse feed. (We usually buy twenty bags at a time. It adds up.) Of course, I only have a back ache on days that it's threatening rain. It doesn't do that really often.

BY THE WAY, does the changing of weather hurt anyone else? I've always wondered if it was the moisture in the air or the barometric pressure.

Enough rambling from me for tonight.
Bye

Rosemary 2-19-2002 20:46

Hi Tina, Welcome back. Sounds like a pretty trip. Did you get to see a little spring time weather on your vacation? I saw a crocus the other day. That means rainy season is just around the corner.

Jerry: Groan! That sounds awful. There is nothing worse than driving with a back ache. Hope your driving is done on mostly straight highways so you can relax as much as possible. Nice of you to take Mom out for her trip on the wild side. (She drinks half a half a beer does she!)
Your wild descriptions of your family and their actions are always fun to read. I'm still giggling about how you step on your dog's food. It's a kind description of a nice close family. Somehow the way you say it sticks in my mind. I can see you out there driving 400 miles for a half a half a glass of beer, and hear her happy voice...somewhere behind that fog of pain and boredrum.

I have a writer's block the size of Montezuma! I feel terrible. Nothing I write is working. I'm so frustrated. I have a winter fog covering my senses and it refuses to budge. Even the nice things aren't lifting my spirits and my pen to the page. What a funk!

Thanks....I feel better already. Just admitting I'm down at square one is a help. Enough of this cheerful stuff. That crocus I saw....I was lifting a small shovel load of dog poop off it. I'm "volunteered" to walk a dog. Not exciting because it's not a very well trained dog and basically I'm sliding down a very busy street on two braced feet. It's very good practice if I ever decide to take up water skiing.

Actually the situation is different than I'm painting it in my gloom. The dog is beautiful and the owner needy. Everyone would volunteer to walk this dog. The park is in full early spring glory with white showers of plum blossoms, bright pansies, and crocus' hidden like colorful Easter eggs. Unfortunately, cedar pollen allergies are clouding my judgement.

Thanks for putting up with these rambles. I'm trying to get fingers and mind warmed up before I look again at that ghostie. Heather, I'm not getting that ending right. I want a protector ghost dog left wandering those streets.

Viv 2-19-2002 17:38

Hi all!

I've scanned the last few days, but there's no way to catch up on 9 days of posts. Had a decent trip, all things considered. Spent a day in Victoria acting like a tourist, and another on Granville Island in Vancouver. Mostly I just hung out with my mom. No writing whatsoever - uh.

Hop, sorry to see that you're leaving. Drop by now and then, just to say hi.

Sasquatch, I love your sense of humour :-) Good to see ya.

Busy busy busy with work right now, and a million projects or so, but I absolutely refuse to give up my writing time. Now the trick is to arrange my life so I can get everything done. Sleeping is highly overrated... perhaps I'll give it up? ;-)

Time to go. Blue skies!

Tina 2-19-2002 11:41

Been a long one for me too. The kids were down, so yesterday was an extra-looooong pinochle day. Today was the same, it's a reminder to me that I ain't as young as I once was. I'm played out, and my back is killing me. Tomorrow we have to drive mom up to a neighboring town so she can pick up her half a half of beef. Probably be another looong day. I would stay home if I could but the wife won't drive mom's car, mom won't let our niece drive, and god knows at 76 years old, she can't drive that far, it's over sixty miles there and back. So another long day approaches. This week will be one of those weeks what with the trip on Friday, the cards, then the trip tomorrow, followed by another 400 mile round trip on Friday.

By the time were done, I'm going to be ready for a vacation at home in my recliner.

Take care, I tried with the limerick, but just didn't turn out. Guess one should never try to mix politics with poetry, somehow it just doesn't sound right in the end.

Jerry 2-19-2002 0:30

OY! Long day at school!
SASQUATCH! -- Nice to see you - nice limerick too!

HARPO - Honkahonkhonk?

I'm tired - G'night!

howard 2-18-2002 22:32

Litter

The poetry sounds like a good idea. What if the poem was on peer pressure and the story was too, but they were both different?

Is that okay?

I have an idea for both, I'll be lucky to work on one.

Debra 2-18-2002 20:43

honk! honk honk!! hoooonk!!!!

Harpo 2-18-2002 15:06

Hello there,

MEL,
I have the poem on my wordprocessor. If you would like, I'll send it to you e-mail. I'm sure the group wouldn't care to be exposed to it again.

I was having trouble getting to sleep last night and worked up two limeriks. I'm not sure about the rules of number of syllables or which line has to rhyme with which line.

There was a young lad in Nantucket,
who owned a shiny red bucket.
When the town pub caught fire,
he yelled, "bucket for hire."
but everyone hollared, "Just suckit."

Well, I messed up and read the rules. I was going to use 'conspire' to rhyme with fire and hire, but the rules said the last line should rhyme with the first two.
See if anyone can come up with a better last line.

Gotta go to town,
bye,

Rosemary 2-18-2002 14:59

*****Rachel*****

I am plurking (winks). I am post lurking. I am a poster who lurks and a lurker who posts. Thus I am a plurker.

Nice to see you Yetti :o)

2-18-2002 14:08

i also lurk

i sasquatch a curious Yeti
became overly fond of spaghetti
so i visited Rome
but they sent me back home
said i had way too much appetetti

i must go

sasquatch 2-18-2002 14:06

lurk

gariess 2-18-2002 13:10

Hop - so sorry to hear your thinking of leaving us. We will miss you, there is no doubt.

Many have left our home on the web, but feel the urge to check back in from time to time. I hope you at least do the same, check back in, let us know how your doing, stay awhile if you like.

My kids are down for a visit this weekend, so must cut this short. Hope all are well.

Write on.

Jerry 2-18-2002 12:01

*****Rachel*****

Litter:

I would gladly play a game
With which the challenge came
To make a rhyme
from time to time
T'would cause my return to this main

Main - [Fr. main, L. manus, hand.] A hand at dice.

For me the trick of it is,
Tis this poetry or is,
this just sweet prose?
This writer just don't knows. (winks).

I am only half kidding when I say that. It has recently come to my knowing that much of what I thought to be poetry is likely just short prose. Hum, interesting world we live in.

Litter, I will look and see what it is that I am to write. I am not given to a wide knowing of the structure of poetry.

In my classes we have just begun to study the sonnets of William Shakespeare. I am loving it. I am also trying my hand that these delightful little ditties. It's fun. Not nearly as easy as I might have though. My admiration for the writers of the past grows with each word by them that I read. I have been to casual in my treatment and consideration of them.

What I am saying is, if you would be so kind as to give the structure of the rhyme that you would like to see, that I'll be glad to play this game of poetry ;o)

Take care you.

2-18-2002 10:47

A budding young scribe on the net
said, "I have a really great bet."
His friends said, "Write mystery!"
He said "Bah That's now history"
"I'd rather do ..........instead

2-18-2002 9:42

ROSEMARY: looking for the guinea (sp?) poem... help!!!

Mel again 2-18-2002 8:54

A budding young scribe on the net
said, "I have a really great bet."
His friends said, "Write mystery!"

Neat idea, LITTER, HOWARD! Uh, if my line is too long, someone write a different one...

HOP, don't say goodbye!!!

Y'all have a good day - a writing day, I hope!!!

Mel 2-18-2002 8:26

Hi

I just thought I'd let everyone know about a new resource for writers.

I’m a member of a website called Eurobility.com and 2 or 3 of us badgered the webmaster into setting up an area on site for budding and established writers to display their wares.

Yesterday he finished the system and gave us the go ahead to start posting.

The site is primarily aimed at people of varying physical abilities, but open to everyone. It receives several thousand visitors per week

Posted articles are linked to a topic in the message board (forum) allowing members to make comments

You don’t have to be a member of the site to post an article, although as a none member you do have to add your name and email address to the article

Only members can make comments on the article in the message board

The rules about what’s acceptable are relatively straightforward as is the text formatting.

All articles are reviewed before they go live

Check out the articles section at http://www.eurobility.com/community/forums/portal_articles.asp?sectionid=75

Keith EuroBility.com Article Section 2-18-2002 5:58

ROSEMARY -- nope - looks great from here! Who's got the next line? Of course, to keep in the spirit of Litter's challenge we should probably all do individual limericks as well.
Like this one?

A wheezy old geezer named Fred
Now complains from his hospital bed
They said "Hey, have a cig,
It'll make you look big"
But it didn't - it's making me dead.

best I could do on the spur, ya know....

howard 2-17-2002 22:18

HOWARD,
If I did that wrong or you weren't ready yet, just ignore my line.

MEL,
A Toady book sounds great. We might work my poem about the ginney (I've forgot how to spell it again.) into it also, if we need more pages.

Happy writing all

Rosemary again 2-17-2002 21:28

Evening all,

A budding young scribe on the net
said, "I have a really great bet."

Rosemary 2-17-2002 21:16

Litter, I'm in on the Limerick but as it gets tougher I may fall out. I'm not sure I'm ready for sonnet form, Keats or Shakespeare. Still, I've always wanted to try this. (Sound of knuckles cracking), let's do it.

Also would be nice to have you around for a couple of weeks.

Viv 2-17-2002 18:37

Hi LITTER! -- Great idea!
Lets combine that with the RR too -- here goes:

A budding young scribe on the net.

howard 2-17-2002 15:33

L O

Just a quickie –

OK you ports and budding poets out there, I have an idea. (Fanfare of trumpets) How do you fancy instilling a little discipline in your writing life? Taking one poetry form per week from the ‘Stanzas’ website, we write that weeks style of poem for shortie night, but using Mary’s theme for the week – good for writing discipline.

So, this weeks shortie night project, taking an easy one to start with, would, for instance, be, ‘PEER PRESSURE’, in the style of a LIMERICK? (how easy is that?) No prize for spotting the split infinitive…

Anyone want to rise to the challenge? It also means that I will HAVE to post regularly from now on. Whether that would be good or bad, you’ll have to decide yourselves :o)

Litter 2-17-2002 14:26

Hi Howard, Hope you're feeling better. Sounded awful!

For everyone...a website I ran across while trying to write a essay question on word origins.
http://www.engrish.com/recentdiscoveries.html
After you read these please remember that all us gaigins are over here adding to the pile of linguistic mistakes. I have walked into a 7-11 and ordered a steamed cat bun instead of a steamed meat bun (I asked for a Neckoman instead of a Nikuman)
I also told an entire class that they were very hot to trot instead of very active and intelligent. (Nigiyaka,instead of ???? I never could hear the difference. I just stopped using the word entirely after I found out why the entire class got very quiet, turned red, then started laughing hysterically.)

Anyway, I enjoyed this site because it made it a lot easier to take my own gaffes and goofs!

Viv 2-17-2002 10:12

HOP - Sorry to see you go for good -- just remember, ain't no lock on the door.

MELISSA -- First write - then sell. For basics, read mags like "Writers Digest." For markets, check your library for the latest "Writer's Market." For inspiration and cameraderie, hang out with writer's groups - like here.

TEEKAY -- We I miss you!

howard 2-17-2002 9:00

***Taylor***

Barnabos: Sorry that you would be going... But I guess you got to do what you got to do... Good luck in your endeavours(Is that spelt write) Doesn't quite matter that much. Goodluck

Taylor 2-17-2002 6:19

Sorry that should be 'reach me via e-mail.'

Barnabas 2-17-2002 6:11

Well everyone, I guess it's time to say good bye. Life's been hectic and from my irregular attendance at the message board even during the holidays (I'm not too sure why I just don't feel like visiting) you won't be seeing me around.

Don't worry, I haven't given up writing and I'm still working on Psiforce which is over 60 000 words at present.

So this is it. The final good bye. You can still reach by by e-mail.

Barnabas

Barnabas "Hop" 2-17-2002 6:10

***Taylor***

Hi all... This upcoming couple of weeks... Feb 19th to be exact is going to mark the 60th anniversary of the air raid of Darwin by th