Dio

Hmmm, quite a good story so far. It's worth a look folks!

I don't know much about computers, but of the three people I've known who've bought gateways, all three of them sold them off within two months of purchase for various reasons(the first and foremost being lack of quality). I have a dell d410(yup...a little pricey, but worth it imo being lightweight and long battery life) and my roommate runs a toshiba satellite. She got her toshiba for a good price, and from what I understand, she hasn't had a problem with it yet and recommends it highly. I guess it kinda depends what you're planning on using the laptop for. I use this laptop in lecture halls, library, coffee shops etc. so I needed something light and easy to fit into my backpack. My roommate on the other hand, uses her laptop almost like a desktop, and only occasionally brings it to class. Anyhoooooooo, good luck in your search! -db-

Revived not once...but twice no less... Not that I'm complaining!

Gratuitous ego stroking is good, but constructive critisism is much more valuable! Many authors can't take ANY kind of critisism, so be aware of that fact if you get a negative reply. I know most of the authors here aren't like that though...right!? And we all looooooooove to hear from readers. So whatever you have to say, don't be stingy and keep it to yourself, k? -db-

Hehe. Well as long as you're not one of those authors who thows a hissy fit and refuses to write another chapter until he/she gets ## numbers of e-mails... not that that happens here (that I know of). But it happens a lot at places like fictionpress and fanfic sites. Boohiss -db-

I think as authors we should always strive to become better writers. I don't think that's a problem necessarily. On the other hand, if you're obsessive compulsive about it then you might have cause to be worried. Move on, you're not helping yourself or your story by getting stuck in a rut. My suggestion would be to treat your story like a Nanowrimo 50,000 words in a month assignment--it'll make you stop constantly returning to edit until you've written a nice honkin' chunk. No. Join the club. Whenever I look over stuff I've written, I can't help myself, I always end up fixing something. Especially pieces I've written months ago. My writing style is still evolving and changing as I learn from mentors and editors. >_> Once I decide something is done, I don't read it again. It's bad for my sanity. Solution: Stop thinking. Have a little more confidence. As you've said, you've received favorable feedback--what's the problem? I can understand your desire to succeed--to create the best story possible--but temper that with a little reality. If a story never finishes you will definitely have failed. -db- P.S. On a completely unrelated note... what is a 'shdow'?

I smell a cheater. No..wait...that's just B.O. My bad.

Have y'all heard about the massive laptop battery recall Dell has issued? I've never had a problem in the world with my Latitude d410, then all of a sudden my boss at work tells me my laptop might suddenly explode if it gets too hot and I need to return my battery!! Now I'm batteryless until my replacement arrives in somewhere from 20-75 business days...just...friggen... great. I need to be mobile for both my job AND school which is about to start. What a piss off. I hate being stuck to a plug >_> I'm not sure whether I should be laughing or crying. Anyone else affected here? lub angrydio

Happy b-day buddy. Haven't seen you around for a while!

You got nothing to worry about buddy. As long as you've got flow, readers with lap up a long chapter as if they haven't been drinking for a month. Just think about a book, if a reader gets tired of reading they'll put it down and start it again sometimes later. Unless of course your chapter is boring and longwinded to begin with. That's another problem altogether. My longest chapter so far runs around 26,000 words...although I've read longer.

I think it's just that everyone (or most) of the people who like Dom's stuff will like this. Personally I don't think you write anything like him, but that's just imho. Great flow, great characterization...a little cheezy with the whole sitting in the lap thing...but I got over that. Great story so far DK. I'll be on the lookout for more! -db-

This thread actually made me laugh out loud, thanks Jack! I know what you mean. There gets to a point when a writer is less writing about a story and more trying to prove how intellectually superior he is to everyone who bothers to read his stuff. I tend to think those sorts of writers are either arrogant, or just a person who's trying too hard. I send off unsolicited feedback all the time. I've only once received a negative response. Let's face it. If the author wants to ignore your advice/comments, then he will and can. If however, he has a grain of sense, he'll read through your comments and either agree or disagree with them. You've given him a choice. I don't see what the problem is. hugz -db-

I'm up a little later than that...but if I don't do some excercise before I head off to work I'm jittery all day. Then again...I'm not 40 either . I'm sure I'll eventually slow down. I figure, the healthier I am now...the more time I'll have to enjoy slowing down later in life! welcome btw -db-

Hummm. You're fairly pessimistic aren't you? I'd look at what you just wrote as a compliment. You've made at least TWO readers care sufficiently about your characters to become emotionally disturbed enough to let you know. They may not be happy, they may not LIKE it, but I would argue you succeeded in creating a story people love enough to receive responses--even if they are negative atm. Ask yourself: "Am I happy with how I wrote this story? Did I get my message accross?" If you did...what's the big problem? Readers don't need to 'like' a message to necessarily understand it. I didn't 'like' the message in 1984, or how it ended, but I understood it. There are two ways to go about your story now. If you think readers are upset because your own writing is at fault for not conveying your message or your characters properly, you should think about rewriting. If however, you are indeed satisfied with your story, then just sit back and watch the controversy flare out--shake your head in awe of your readers' selfishness--and move on to bigger and better things. Hope it all works out, Dio

Misooooooooo~ I think you've done a credible job having a very difficult and complicated opening scene to write. I had to read it twice to really understand just what was going on, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm just a little slow . hehe This could also use some editing, but aside from some oopsies you've left me wanting more. I hope you'll continue it. You know where to find me if you want to chat about it! lub -db-

Only got one on my lower back. I cried when I got it done. Ouchy. Thanks Van, for being a moron. What is 'polite' society anyways? Aren't you just proving you don't belong by posting something rude and undeserving? I like your inks YouwithoutMe!

That's just crazy talk. Try taking one spoonful of peanut butter and spread it over NINE pieces of toast. :wacko: After reading through the rest of what you have posted in GGFL, I was a little turned off by the whole believability of your main character, who seems to have problems worrying about stuff most gay guys actually worry about. He was also ridiculously lackadaisical when his so called best friend outed him to a total stranger, and he didn't seem to care (at least, I didn't get that sense from what you wrote). It felt a little rushed and too convenient. Anyways, still a pretty good story, this is all just my opinion of course. db

You've made me stay up past my bedtime reading again dk...damn you!

Heys, I just read the first chapter of "Good Guys Finish Last", got me interested enough to read more. Kudos. I like your writing style. hugz db

I eat lurkers for breakfast. yuum Someone should make an avatar thread so people can post requests on it!

Fantasy, sci-fi, mystery... in no particular order. Of course, combining several sub-genres is a must into any of those three!

I don't want to ruffle any feathers with this post, I just wanted to point out that you probably haven't received any reviews due to the length of your chapters. It's hard for members to give you constructive feedback when your 10 chapters only comes to about 8000 words, the size of one decent chapter. That makes for ~800 words per chapter. Take your time thinking up plot events and characters. Remember to put some description in between your dialogue. Craft a quality story and you'll naturally start getting more reviews. Try starting a discussion in the 'efiction discussion' portion of this forum. Post in the 'non-hosted story announcements' when you post a new chapter. You might get new readers that way. Good luck! -db-

I like it. It was getting tiresome scrolling down to the bottom of the forums page. my poor index finger

Can't wait to read it.

I picked up the vast majority of my readers from nifty. In fact, it was the only place I was posting until a member convinced me to visit GA and myr offered a space of my own. The lag time is also an excellent idea. I think I'll start doing that... You know, there are hundreds of readers over at nifty who are craving great stories. I don't see why you would want to pick and choose where your stories are posted, as long as they are posted in their entirety and readers know who you are, and where they can find your other stuff. A reader is a reader no matter where he found your stuff, or what else he reads. The more quality stories that get flooded into nifty, the higher the quality of writing. I don't really understand the logic of not posting somewhere just cause the other stories are garbage. Other stories don't have any effect on what you've written. Sounds almost arrogant to me. Lets face it, as an author, we can't be picky and choosy. Especially if you're trying to promote yourself... Besides, maybe you can draw some of them away from the dark side!!! Of course, this is all just my opinion. hugz, db