The Story Lover

I prefer Times New Roman and occasionally use Geneva. I have found Garamond works well for some things.

Cracker, Are you directing your frustration towards the readers who don't respond to you stories or the functioning of this board? I am beginning torealize the old saying "you can bring a horse to water but you can't make him drink" is true. I also belong to several boards and moderate one and I do see the same thing: lots of members and only a few posters. As a fellow author, newbie that I am I am experiencing the same thing. However as a site owner I do have a sligh advantage I can see daily how many people are reading my story from my site as well as the GA Links Page. I am going to ask everyone here the question I ask an author whose stories I also edited. Who do you write for? Do you write for the joy of writing? Do you write for yourself? or do you write for the feedback from the readers? I believe that you have to write for the first two and that if you write solely for the third you will spend many frustrating days and nights. Does that mean I don't write for responses? NO I beg for them also and when I do get them I am ecstactic whether positive or negative. I have been lucky so far the few I have received have been positive and the negative ones were of a positive nature. AS I have stated before I read for years before I started responding. I think a lot of readers just want to read a story and go on to the next one. I wish it wasn't true but I am believing it more and more. I realize that as an author of only 2 chapters so far and only a few humble poems I haven't experienced as much frustration as the rest of you may have, but for me II am going to continue to write until the muse leaves me. Of corse my mind may change when I have written as many stories and chapters as the rest of you have. As for me I am just going to read and enjoy the comments I do receive and go on from there. Thanks for letting me get my 25 cents out. TSL

Mike, Sorry about the mouthful and it was directed at mostly readers this time. You notice how many authors have replied versus readers? And yes you have responded every time I wrote to you. I also read Louis L'Amour's stories while growing up many a chore didn't get done as a result. At least my missive provoked some heartfelt discussion among us I only hope it increased reader response as well. TSL

Myr. Movieguy's site is one of those that keeps disappearing. TSL

BW, You have a very good point and I do try and put the title in the subject and defintely in the body of the message. And I thank you for responding to responding to my emails regarding "Castaway Hotel" I do hope you continue to write your wonderful heartwarming story. I will edit my earlier post to include the suggestion about the story name. Thanks for all the feed back ,now where are the readers? TSL

Myr, You have replied here or by email, Thanks, TSL

First to all of the writers who post here and other sites on the net a Great Big Thank You and a HUG for the entertainment and enjoyment you have provided! I do know how hard it is to write a convincing story. Second to all of the readers out there who have never responded or posted thanks to an author get off your &^%'s and do it now. Our thanks and comments are the only way authors know if they have reached anyone and if people like their stories. I have been guilty of this in the past and have seen authors quit writing due to lack of response from the readers. I have also seen stories continued and changed due to an outpouring of response from readers like you and me. If your excuse is privacy get a Yahoo or MSN email address, but respond to the authors whose stories you enjoy. If there is something you don't like let them know that also, be tactful and tell them why you don't like it. Now on to the Authors again when you ask for readers comments please reply with at least a comment saying thank you for writing, if you get too many replies to respond to at least say thanks in your next chapter or even post an open thank you letter. We readers really do want to know that you received our comments and what you do think about them. If you ask for critical comments than be mature about those you do receive and think about your response don't just send out a knee jerk biting response as I can guarantee you that response will be posted all over the net. I am not saying you have to sugar coat your words but at least thank them for taking their time to read and respond to your story. Please do the authors a huge favor when emailing them please place the title of the story in the subject line. This will help make sure they read the email. Thanks for reading this and thanks again for all the stories and the many hours of enjoyable reading. TSL

Thanks for making my day Movieguy. I haven't laughed so hard in quite awhile

I still have Eight hours and six minutes left So Happy New Years to Everyone Happy New Year

Myr, Thanks for the Wonder Skin it keeps me in the Holiday Spirit Ok the Christmas Spirit. Please keep up theg great work you have sone for us all.

BOOO - Hisss Only in the UK would they think of that

Lynne, Glad you are out of the hospital and feeling better. Take it easy and we will see you when you are back to "Normal" or as "Normal" as any of us are

Lynne, I don't think anyone thought you didn't love your grandson or that you did not have any sympathy for his family. We all understand what waiting to get treated and cured is like. Especially when you have been under the weather for so long.If anyone gives you grief I'll just stick CW on them. I hope you do get to have your surgery this time and everything goes well. I will be out of town for the Holiday so I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Keep your chin up Lynne we are all pulling for you.

Pupil Appeals Harry Potter 'Witchcraft' Nov 1, 9:12 AM (ET) JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African schoolboy appealed to education authorities after refusing to answer an exam question on Harry Potter because he believes the best-selling children's books promote witchcraft. Eighteen-year-old John Smit did not answer a comprehension question on a review of one of J.K. Rowling's books on the boy wizard, worth 30 percent of his English exam. "He wouldn't answer it because it supports witchcraft, and we're against witchcraft ... the Bible is against witchcraft," Smit's mother, who did not wish to give her first name, told Reuters. The family has written to provincial director of examinations to complain. Authorities have yet to respond. "I hope they will give him his average mark. This shouldn't happen again," she said. African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley said South Africa needed a clear policy to avoid other pupils facing moral dilemmas during exams. "I have read (Harry Potter books), I have researched them thoroughly, and my personal opinion is that they are witchcraft manuals," Dudley told Reuters.

I couldn't find the Poll - There was no mention in the contest topic where it was or to vote :wacko: I thought it would be with the contest entries or in "The Lbrary"

https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/index.php?showforum=47

"Me thinks thou dost protest too much"

What can i say i am a little slow sometimes. I just jump and don't always read the intro.

One of the fastest ways to turn off a reader besides extremely poor writing skill or an extremely poor story is to ask for feedback and never acknowledge it or acknowledge it with a flame. I have written to several authors telling them how much I liked their story and why I liked their story and never received a response! I responded to one author who threatened to quit writing if he didn't receive any repsonses - he also left out his e-mail address in that chapter. He did write another chapter but has never responded! If an Author requests feedback please at least acknowledge the response even if it is as short as this response I received from an author -"thank you for your comments I appreciate that" Too many authors put an e-mail address in a story and ask for feedback I think only because they think it is expected from them. OK I am off my soapbox now. Thanks to all of the hard work all of you authors who respond and especially to Crackerwriter who always responds even when I am driving him crazy

I am glad to be here hope to have many posts regarding the great stories here - Sorry it took so long to say thanks. But I wasn't expecting such a large welcome.

Pyro, I have read several of your stories particularly "The Lonely Prince" I wish you had continued that one longer. I think I sent you an e-mail regarding that story when I read it on Nifty. If I didn't I apologize and say thank you now. I do check your site occasionally for new things but haven't been there for awhile I do remember the color scheme didn't like my eyes. Anyway keep on writing and I'll give you some more feedback lately. BTW - Mike AKA Crackerwriter will be too busy to read your stories soon as he has a lot writng to do or his obsessed fans will :ranger: Have a great day