Angela Mynah

Mike, In case you don't yet know, Arthur (pen name Justa101) lost his grandson as a result of that tragic accident. it is doubtfull that he will continue writing. The members of Nifty writers informed me that they have been in touch with him but it is far too early to do any more than feel for him and offer what support we can. Maurice

Is that correct? I would like to know too! Hugs to all Maurice.

My first story on Nifty came about as a result of my taking somebody's advice. They were a close friend and had known me for some years, long enough to realise that I was in some ways, pretty screwed up. He told me that it may help me to write down all those experiences I had as a boy, just for me to read, nobody else. Quality of writing was of no matter, just to let my memories flow onto paper (or disc). I did it and kept it for some time, and yes in many ways it helped me. It layed many ghosts to rest. It was only a matter of about a year later I discovered Nifty. I wanted to write but couldn't think of a story, so for an excersise I re-worked my own journal, adding bits to thicken up the plot here and there and change the characters names. there was also rather a lot of 'time warping' etc. The story "A boys tale" was born, the writing style was poor, but it did me the world of good. The funny thing was that the first e-mail I received from the story was from a man who said "Nice story, pity it was so far fetched" Hugs to all, Maurice.

LMAO Brilliant !!

My favourite (which is hard to catagorize) can be awful when badly written, whilst one in which I have little interest can, if well written, hold me to the very last word. I have no intrest in vampires yet 'Gone from Daylight' has been a delight to read (thanks Comicality) mainly owing to the great skill of the author.

Lmao, the problem is that it's all true !! Get well soon Rainbow Hugs Maurice.

I put a very short story up in the 'library' section here called "The chatroom predator" that was the first story I had bounced by Nifty for violence, Maybe I'm odd but I reckoned that the violence involved was understated as much as it could be, unless of course there was another reason for the censorship!

Hi Guys, I don't know if this helps you. but my friends and I have a system. When we send an attachment we say so in the subject line. So for example I would send an email with the subject "Hey Jim ATCH" the virus writers haven't picked on that yet. The other thing I have, is several different e-mail addresses and all my addresses are in each of my contact lists. That way, if I do get an e-mail worm, my own machine sends itself e-mails with attachments! (I notice things like that!! tee hee) Hope thats of some use to y'all :2hands:

Sometimes it is necessary to take actions that leave a very nasty taste in the mouth. Both the American constitution and British law are based on the concept of a person being innocent till proven guilty. However, whilst the concept remains good, there is one terrible flaw in its execution. Over the decades there have been so many modifications to the law (all aimed at protecting the innocent) that the guilty can often go free. Before you condem the powers that be for riding rough shod over the constitution, please consider the following possibility. Suppose that the authorities know, and can prove a mans guilt, but also know that the proof was obtained in such a way that it would be inadmissable in a court of law. If you knew that a mass murderer would walk from court, a free man, just on a technicality, maybe you then would be inclined to 'break the rules'. How would your concience feel if that person then proved to be a key player in another attrocity, one that you knew about but could not stop because the lack of 'The burdon of Proof' We may not like our politicians, but we put them there and we need them to make these nasty decisions, WHAT EVER PARTY THEY ARE IN.

Hey guys, AOL is a big company interested in making money and not a lot else. If it thinks that the attitude it has taken will increase its market share, it will stick to it. If it reckons that the market wants more liberal ISPs then it will jump that way. No way are they bothered about the feelings of minority groups. I personally thing that their attitudes will be successful in increasing their slice of the action. Many parents of youngsters still feel that any alternative sexual preference is a potential threat. those parents will flood to an ISP who will shield their kiddywinks from such percieved evils. It is still society that isn't quite ready for us, but don't be discouraged. We have made great leaps, its just that we won't change attitudes over night, its a very long job. This change in attitudes since the 1950s is the start but it will take generations to get it right, not decades. Move society and AOL will follow, it will never lead. thats not its job. Hugs to all. Maurice

Hey thanks for the warm welcome guys I hope to be a reasonably regular poster here, as soon as I've learned my way around Hugs to you all Maurice

( you're not foolish. You don't run around nude made up as a clown, do you? ) But Mike, I thought that was compulsory! I do it all the time.

Forloyn sugests a resource for writers! thats a damned good idea, perhaps a forum for authors technical questions and general advice. I would also like to see an English American/American English dictionary section so when I say to an American "Keep your pecker up, I'm off for a fag." he knows that it means 'stay happy, I'm going for a smoke' Keep you pecker up = chin up and a fag is a ciggie in the uk.

I have started a story on Nifty (Fall little star, rise great sun) and have had so little feedback that I am in considerable doubt that anyone likes it. I used to add at the end of my story that All mails got answered including flamers. I think its just as important that you write to tell an author that you do not like a story as it is to say you do, though it helps if your critisism is constructive. lastly, as authors I think its most important to reply to those who do write to thank us for our efforts. I have written to authors and recieved no response.

There is very little one can say that will either seem to help or indeed even sink in, though I hope that this, may in some way, show a light at the end of that very dark tunnel. It is said that "Time is a great healer". It is, but it helps if one understands WHY time heals. As the days and weeks go by, you will keep thinking about the loss of those you loved, but a change in emphasis takes place. At the moment you think mainly of their deaths, but soon you will start to remember more of their lives, this is as it should be. It may help you if, when your thoughts go to one of these people, you think about something good that you remember happening with them. Try to remember their laughter, and always try to remember that their laughter is the very thing they would love you to remember. Lastly you will always be surprised at just how many peoples thoughts are with you in this difficult time. Hugs, Maurice.

For just over a year now I have been writing short stories, mainly under the name Angela Mynah but sometimes under the name Moppy. Three times now I have had stories rejected by nifty, twice on the grounds of 'Violent content' and once with a covering note saying that my story was just too depressing! Another site took the first of the 'Violent' stories and accepted it (the second had yet to be written). The site owner was amazed that the story had been rejected. Neither of the stories portrayed gratuatous violence and in neither case was the violence integral to a sexual act. In both cases the violence was essential to the storyline. I am looking for a site that limits its censorship to matters of sexual taboos rather than rejecting a story just because it's too sad in chapter 1. I regret that starting my own site is not an option.

A number of stories start off with the disclaimer "Any similarity between the characters portrayed in this story and any real person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental". It seems to me a little odd to follow that up with a photograph of the imaginary character! Further, as it is unlikely that the author has had permission to use the photograph from either the subject or the photographer, there is both a copyright issue and one of privacy. Lastly, imagine how you would feel if you came across a picture of either yourself or your son and found that it was as a Paedophile or a victim of one. Wouldn't you be rather concerned as to who else saw it? My view lies firmly in the 'no' camp, I have to add that I get as much enjoyment writing the descriptions of my characters as I hope my readers do when they reach that part of the story.