Cia

I always do my first edit by reading outloud. Especially dialogue. Great suggestions all!!

Are you excited? (snickers) Sorry, couldn't help it! I hope you enjoy your day and the honeymoon afterward Congrats!!

Well I saw this and sat down and wrote a story on Tuesday, the last day of the competiton and submitted it. Today I got an email saying I was one of the 32 semi-finalists. I am super excited and wanted to say thank you. It's not a gay story because I write all sorts but I am working on a gay story for an anthology set in this same 'world' so I had a leg up on coming up with the idea. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Happy Birthday you clown!!

I think you have an intriguing start to a story here. I would avoid using 'cold cylindrical object' more than once, it's sort of awkward. Overall the plot has me already asking questions. Who was Rand? Where was he? Who were the men chasing him? What was in the folder? If it was important enough to kill for and all it did was fly from his arms then why didn't the men search for it before or after they killed him? A good chapter or story has me thinking these sorts of things and I'm definitely full of questions. I hope you finish this story so I can get the answers.

I learned as a kid that wishing didn't work. Never did get that horse after I blew out my birthday candles And I don't pray either. I do think good thoughts for people if they ask for mental support or are having troubles so perhaps I ascribe somewhat to what Nephy mentions. I remember this one song of Garth Brooks' that I've been singing lately called Unanswered Prayers. The song sort of takes the rosy eyed view that if you are not getting what you want now it just means that God/Spirt/Universe (plug in whatever 'deity' you want here) has something better in mind for you later. Perhaps that thought is a comfort?

Truly I think people just write things without hearing them in their heads. If you read out loud a sentence that has then or than, or that or than, you will most like say the correct version. But people tend not to do that. I always try to read my chapters through out loud a final time before I post them because all too often it's the little things we gloss over while reading that crops up.

I edited the topic title for you. Don't want confusion on the forum.

Wow. Lots of stuff going on with you. I am really glad you are all better on the injury front. Sounds crazy with the dating. I've never really done that so I have no funny stories or sympathy to share. I'll be watching for yours though Keep sharing.

Oh lords... I was pregnant for most of my 24th year, no way I'd want to freeze that way I'm 29 now and have many of the same reponsibilities that Canuk mentioned, though my kids are younger I can't ever remember really being the 'irresponsible youth' type. That's alright though, I still have fun, and 11 more months before I turn the big 3-0 while most of my friends are already there

Okay, first off, I shall not be giving any spoilers so as to whether or not any of you are right or even half right or so far off base it's making me snicker is not going to be shared. However, I LOVE that you guys are all reading this and thinking of what is coming and being so creative with the way you think the plot will go. If it wasn't already written who knows what might be happening? In some ways Quonus, you are right. I did write a chapter in which not a lot happens, sort of a filler. But in order to fulfill the plot to come the reader needed some snapshots of what other people in the story were doing and what was going on. As for your spoiler... I already told you that the lawyer isn't the rescuer, at least in the way you think but what role he plays will be important. I will remember what you said though, about not being too obvious about who the really good guys will be, other than Dane and Tap of course. Btw, how did I do on the perspective shift? When going over the story again and working through the edits from my beta reader I tried to keep that in mind. Exactly! That is exactly what I wanted to have come across I am really glad that it did. And like I said in my response to your review, reading your work, almost always masterpieces of tension and the unexpected twist has really been an inspiration! As for your spoilers Benji, I say, umm... No comment Oh, btw, who is Drew? Tsk Tsk... Thank you guys so much for commenting and taking an interest in the story to share your thoughts and opinions!! I really do appreciate it.

Have a great day! Then think up a few more limericks Great gits to us

You come first and foremost. Anyone who doesn't understand that doesn't deserve to be bothered with. I truly hope that the baggage weighing you down is relieved soon.

As far as I am aware he doesn't really have one. I've seen announcements in the story cafe but whenever I have comments I've just sent them to him via email. His addy is at the end of the chapters. He reponds too which is nice

I've seen all but the Kung Fu Hustle. Not bad choices at all! Ninja Assassin was good for the action scenes, quite bloody, but a bit slow plot-wise.

Nah. For as 'loud' as I am I just don't think I'm in your face controversial enough for the Soapbox to be an issue for me when I do choose to comment.

Oh man... a man in a nice set of worn in Levi's? Numsssss! I'd love that in my head all the time too!

I can tell you my favorite martial arts spoof movie Chrys and I used to watch this show Surf Ninjas all the time growing up. It was a hoot every time too! I need to try and find that on dvd.

Don't feel bad Hamen, I watched Percy Jackson with my kids and thought it was really well done. Much better than such movies as Clash of the Titans and such this year actually that covered similar material. My kids absolutely adore the movie so I think I've redbox rented it 3 or 4 times already. I'm waiting for it to go on sale because they are begging to own it. They will be thrilled to hear there will be another Percy Jackson movie coming out.

Happy Birthday!

I laughed but then again I don't really 'get' poetry too well and I've always liked to snicker at a good limerick. I mean, how many people know and can quote Plath, Yeats or Cummings versus those who can give you the verses to 'There was a man from Nantucket,"? It is different and provided a good laugh, yay for that!

I haven't lost a parent. I can empathize but not sympathize. Each person feels differently about death and life. You are not strange, no honest feeling is strange. You feel what's in your heart to feel and express it your way without worrying about what others think. We'll support you whatever that is.

He who has imagination without learning, has wings and no feet. Joseph Joubert This sums up my opinions on this subject. Grammar and spelling is not the be all and end all to what makes a story. Yes, a great story with an interesting plot and characters that shows the wonderful mind the writer has is great. However, if it is full of spelling and grammar mistakes I must come to the conclusion that the writer doesn't care to really put the work into their story that it deserves. I do my very best to put honest effort into the thoughts behind the setting, the characters and the issue at play and I want to do that justice. I don't know everything but I know that if I am not sure on a grammar rule or spelling of a word I can and will look it up. It doesn't take long, I keep dictionary.com on my favorites bar and use it quite often. Writing isn't just getting your idea across to the reader. It requires more than just a great story, it requires that you put thought into how you present that idea. If you don't do the work on the basics then your story is likely to never really take off.

I'm glad you are able to get these feelings and issues out here at GA. I am sure there are many people who have been in similar places who can sympathize and maybe share their pov. I hope that you got at least some sleep and you enjoy your first day!