David McLeod

Say it with sincerity...if you can't be sincere in every word, delete those you don't believe in...otherwise, it's fine.

No way! Obviously you don't know how to cook it, or don't use enough butter.

A friend who had the B&N version returned it after I reminded him that after civilization collapses, there won't be electricity to charge any of the electronic readers, and he would be wise to invest in books (as well as soap and liquor, two things that will be in demand). Oh...consider Robert Heinlein's "Farnham's Freehold" if you're into apocalyptic fiction. It's old, but contains a number of very current themes.

My favorite changes every time I look at this forum. Today, it's "Catcher in the Rye." Stay tuned...

Lot of excellent advice here. The one I like best was the "be yourself" ("do you") thought. One of my best friends was (dead, now) the most unimposing, poorly educated, physically unattractive, worst dressed guy one could expect to see at 3:00 AM in...Wal-Mart. Yet he was also the most genuine person I've ever known. Nothing was hidden (nothing was flagrant, either); what you saw was what you got. And that was a welcome relief. Good luck...

Confusing? Yeah, at first. And, there are parts of the site I don't use simply because they're too complicated for the descendant of Luddites. Still, the forums and messenger are easy (and great) and eFiction is super easy as a reader and an author. Welcome, and keep pushing keys on your computer until you find one that works!

First, I should answer the question: both. I wash and rinse off with a shower nozzle on a hose, and then fill the tub to soak. Anyone who has read any of my stories of World would likely have guessed that. The only difference is that there isn't a bevy of boys (of the age of consent, of course) in my "hot soak." The tub is shorter than most, but it's also deeper tham most, and has just enough room for two people who enjoy each other's company a great deal. Now...the fantasy. See above, or read one of my stories. I recommend starting with "The Paladin" or "The Translator." Thank you for this opportunity for self-aggrandizement. I know you didn't address the question to me, but I've driven through idaho several times both east-west and north-south, but never had opportunity to spend any time there. I'd like to hear your stories. Not only clumsy, but athletic and noisy, and I don't like to mop the floor, after. Love the notion of outside in a thunderstorm. I just hope the neighbors are all fearful of the storm and hiding under their beds. No, actually, all but one of the neighbors.

Hmph. Always hoped it would be Jughead.

Thanks to the tech folks for maintaining the site: it's clean, bright, easy-to-use. Thanks also to everyone who has ever read a story and left a review or a comment on a forum thread. I've learned a lot from you all.

"Everything in excess; moderation is for monks!" (Robert Heinlein, I believe.) I visit the gym daily...it's a mandatory, physio thing to keep the nerves firing and the muscles responding. Given that, allow me the liberty of saying that a healthy body is so much better than one that isn't. And, that what works for one person might not work for another. Exercise is good for several reasons (endurance and endorphine production are two that immediately come to mind).

a and b, above.

Good rant. You raised a lot of interesting and valid points. If I may elaborate: A good review from a fellow writer (I'm thinking Nephylim, for example) is worth more than a thousand "read counts." And, by "good review," I don't necessarily mean just compliments, but a few words saying what was especially good about a story, and a few words about what might be improved. Hmm, again, I'm thinking Nephylim. On the other hand, any review, even (as you said), the "I like it..." or "keep writing," is valuable. There is a great deal of stuff in eFiction, and I agree that it can be difficult to find what I want to read. Naturally, I look for favorite authors (and have linked to some using that feature of eFiction, although I often forget to do that). When I see a new story by a new author, I often will read the first few sentences or a paragraph or two. If I'm not hooked by then, I leave (leaving a "read count" but not a review). And, yes, if I read something good by a new author, I'll take the time and effort to leave a review or contact him or her by PM or email...There is something very rewarding in offering encouragement to a new talent. End of my rant!

Hope you find it...that sounds like one heck of a story.

When I was growing up, I thought that if you didn't do it, you'd go blind.

Congratulations on being published...and for sharing the news. It's heartening to all of us.

James, thank you for sharing that story. If someone were to come from the future, where and when would he most likely appear? I'm thinking a hot after hours club in NYC...

The 5th is nice, but I prefer "Eroica," the 3rd; or "Ode to Joy" (without the vocals). Anyway, glad to find a serious music lover.

I've considered posting on Nifty, and once started a story deliberately designed for that site. However, I decided I liked the story too much to give it to them on their terms. Technically, it appears to be a bit of a challenge to post and even more so to edit a post. I haven't looked recently, but I think they require html (which I can't do) or an older version of MS Word than I use. Yeah, I can save in legacy format, but it's just another step in the process. I don't think I've ever read about a way to edit a post. A lot of stories on Nifty seem to be poorly formatted. I don't know if that's the fault of the site or of the submitter, but I think it's a software thing that I don't know how to deal with, and I don't want my stories looking like medieval manuscripts without paragraph breaks. That said, I agree that Nifty is an important site and an important resource, and that I've found some exceptionally good stories there. To recapitulate: "The only rule that applies to every writer is this: if you want to be a writer, then write something." Nifty provides an audience and perhaps some feedback for people who have the desire but who are still developing their talent.

Hey, Paya, I just found this thread...and your message. Thanks for the rant, and the story...which I hope is adequate but would be surprised if it were great...is in beta, now, and should be posted in a couple of weeks. It's different from anything I've written, before, so please don't expect too much.

Thank you! Feeling better all the time, in large part because of all the support and good wishes. Thank you! Glad to be back...still catching up, however. Thank you, Dolores. Always good to hear from you. I am ready when you are...and what a wonderful journey that will be! Ah, but it's worth it. Sam, thank you. Really made my day! Yeah, round is a shape and neither of us will ever be in the shape we were as kids but there are other rewards to maturity; there's something to be said for quiet contemplation and deep friendships.

Thanks! Oh, did I mention that she looks to be about 22, and could be justification for becoming bi. ... Nah. I would be very easy to spot among the youngsters. Yes, please! Who needs Viagra? Endorphines and gym eye candy are quite sufficient, thank you. (Again with the silver lining!)

If there were a canonical list of rules for successful writing, that one would be near the top. I've added it to my list, for sure.

I've read all but Mussolini. But then, I've read the Bible, the Qur'an (in translation, which isn't the same thing), Little Black Sambo, and Stranger in a Strange Land. Interesting list, though. Ideas aren't dangerous; people are dangerous. Those who do not read history aren't necessarily doomed to repeat it, but they're more like to fall prey to those who do read history. (This may be off topic, but I really couldn't find a better place to say it than in one of James' forums.)

What a question, and what a fun set of answers. I love you all. For your minds, of course. Strictly platonic. Play for you; tonic for me.

Just read the story (English Teen Circumcised in USA after getting screwed into having to come to Atlanta). (Just kidding. I love Atlanta. As long as someone else is driving. Preferrably someone with NASCAR training. Who is driving a tank. With operational weapons.) First, the story: superb. Excellent mix of medical stuff, interpersonal relationships, and unique perspective on teen angst. Also kind of sexy. I'm looking forward to more. Second, the issue. Having come in late on the circumcision conversation, there may be nothing new to say. I do recall (from history, not personal experience) that whether or not gentiles converted to Christianity had to first become Jewish and, therefore if male, be circumcised, was a significant issue for the early Christian movement. The Apostle Paul, who set himself up as the first Church Lawyer, argued not. He was, however, a Hellenic Jew, and perhaps that affected his opinion. Circumcision was not a Greek custom. This was a serious and rather emotional debate, and resulted in the persecution of Christians by the Romans. Under Roman law, Jews living in the empire around this time enjoyed a somewhat protected status; they did not, for example, have to acknowledge the divinity of the emperor. When the new Christian movement became too far separated from its Jewish roots, its members became a non-protected minority. When they refused to venerate the emperor, they got fed to the lions. (A simple description of a much more complicated situation, but illustrative, I hope.) Third, "rant mail." Congratulations! It meant that your writing affected someone strongly. Perhaps not the way you wanted, but strongly. And that's one mark of a great author. (I've never gotten a rant. Anyone? Please?