Crackerwriter

I'd like to make something absolutely crystal clear to readers, so that they are left in no doubt. I firmly believe that you will lose more authors, and will continue to do so, unless you start writing back to them and giving some encouragement, no matter whether they are the best writers or just beginners. I know, because I've been personally told by some authors, that they are sick of writing stories, just to see them posted, but without any comment or feedback. That's the biggest change we need around here. I'm done with muttering. I'M NOW SHOUTING IN THE HOPE THAT THERE ARE SOME READERS WITH A MODICUM OF INTELLIGENCE WHO WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. You've already lost me. I'm going. How many more will it take before you change your attitudes?

noted. Your editing will still get done even if I'm not here.

Don't feel bad about this Patrick. He put you in an impossible position by telling you, so it's down to him not you. After all it wasn't you that was taking stuff was it? If it was in the UK, he would definitely be getting the sack for what he's done. A few illict "perks" although still strictly speaking illegal are often overlooked with an accompanying bolocking. If you're feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing then talk to your supervisor about it. She will at least appreciate your honesty and should hopefully have a sympathetic ear, if that will make things easier for you. Just don't let your own concience bother you.

I suspect because of the time difference I may be late with this, but Happy Birthday anyway! Have a good one! :king:

after all the replies, he'l be GREEN with envy!

Not TOO much cake though, for those of us who are diabetic! LOL. Have a great day! :king:

Good; just as hoped. Now all we have to hope is that his friend is ok too. See? Maybe someone was listening Umbathri? Who knows? The jury's still out as far as I'm concerned. I try and keep an open mind on that one. Please send more thanks and 'hugs' back to Anne for that one.

Let's all hope he pulls through fine, and that his injuries are minor :wacko: . Send our thanks back to "Anne" please Green.

My fault! I should never have sent it back to Patrick without making sure that it was in a publishable state! Patrick, being Patrick is keen for us to see what he can do; which, all things considered, is not an unreasonable thing. However, I should have been a lot more severe with my first edit and advised him of a few of the points Jamie raised. But hey, all things considered, it's not that bad a start. Let's not beat the guy TOO hard for trying at least. There are those that never make it that far. And yes, best that some critisism come from some of the fellow authors first. I'm not really an editor, as i can sometimes tell from my own published stuff, but I am trying to help. So if there's someone else who'd care to take on the job of second-edit, I'll happily plough through the raw stuff as it were, and get it in some form of readable state first! (Throws down glove as a challenge.) * * * * * * * * * * And anyway, shouldn't we have been posting comment in the Cafe, not the Library? (Smax wrists of all those who lead me into that trap.)

WoW! Two birthdays together? Happy Birthday to you as well Jota Jota 21 :king:

:king: Happy Birthday Pyro! Hope you're feeling loads better by now.

I'll second your two cents Dom! The worst aspect is that if you published leaflets with " Your ignorant attitude actually was responsible for 'X' Nos of suicides," they'd probably cheer. It's sickening, and if there are any gay rights at all it should be made illegal to distribute such propaganda, and treat it the same as racism. That way they'd be entitled to their own opinions, but not allowed to foist them on the rest of us!

Congratulations. Nice that 's come before the time the countdown finishes. I wish I could hope that mine would do the same, but I'd have sincere doubts about that! It's hard enough getting the odd email - but thanks to those that bother!

To be honest, and trying to take a detatched view of the whole thing, the only people who will know the real truth are probably MJ and the boys concerned. I think it's quite possible that MJ has never quite grown up mentally as far as loving other children goes. It's quite possible that whatever happened to HIM in his own childhood has left an indellible mark on him, and that he just wants to still be a young boy himself, and can't see that his actions and ideas are inappropriate at his current age. From an outside view, it appears they've got his cross already built, and the trial is a mere front for what seems to be a determined effort on the part of the authorities to nail him to it. I remember seeing the interview they filmed during 'The Making of Thriller' with the director, (was it Landis?) and how child-like MJ appeared then. It was as though he still wanted to be treated like a child then. Recent events are not a surprise to me when you look at it in that context. It's quite possible that he's being manipulated by his advisors who are getting as big a slice of the cake while they can, before the bubble bursts. If there was irrefutable evidence, then I would say fair enough, he's guilty. I just wonder how much has been fabricated. Incidentally, I am not particularly a MJ fan. I just don't feel without knowing the truth, I can condemn the man unfairly. To return to the main point, I think that individual boys mature at all different ages into young men, and you can't truly define an age at which a young male is mature enough to take his own decisions on having sex. The law has dictated an age, erring on the side of caution at which under normal circumstances, a young man ought to be able to make his own mind up. Unfortunately, some can and some can't. I think it's highly likely, though not a firm rule, that a male who is destined to be truly gay, knows what he wants to do at a far earlier age than someone say who might be slightly bisexual and still confused over his feelings. I just don't think there is a hard and fast rule here, so the law errs on the side of caution.