David McLeod

The forum title is "I hate the news," although it seems to have drifted to goings on in our schools. James has brought us back to center, I think. Regarding "television journalists": I understand that in the UK they're honest enough to call them "news readers," and there's no pretense that the talking heads are journalists. I've taken to using that terminology in the USA, and people seem to find it both amusing and enlightening. They universally agree with the appellation. If there is a journalist on television, I'd like to hear about him/her. I've worked in radio and television (behind the mike and behind the camera, respectively), and have nothing but contempt for what I see now. With over 120 channels coming in over the cable system, I'm usually at a loss to find anything...news, especially...to watch. The most irritating thing about the news, especially on the major cable channels (CNN, Fox, CNN Headline) is that the talking heads seem obligated to add some cute, inane, personal remark at the end of each story, and banter among themselves consantly. There's one guy on the weekends who is especially banal. On the other hand, PBS this afternoon ("Talk of the Nation") had the Secretary of Labor on. I heard bits and pieces between errands. She sounded like nothing more than a political flack, reading her talking points and pointing fingers at the previous administration. I could not believe PBS had sunk to the depths of the television news channels. Thank you for listening. Film at eleven.

Yeah, I understand the difference, it's the application of prison terminology to the schools to which I object.

If I'm not mistaken, five posts makes you eligible to read the "Sneak Peak" forum. I think. (I know that's not what you meant, but the coincidence was too good to pass up.)

First, as a product of the society that invented "USA Today," I have the attention span of a may fly. By the time I read the last sentence of your post, I'd forgotten the first. Which is why I quoted the whole thing, here. Oh, on the contrary, I'm sure I remember forums with useful information not in spoiler tags. I think I remember some... I read spoilers after I've read a chapter (and sometimes to help me remember what I've read). (I think.) I also read reviews before I read a new chapter in a story, mostly to see if I've left a review and if I liked the story, so far. But I must disagree that those things...what are they called? Oh, yes, spoiler tags. Are most useful.

Wow. I'm impressed with anyone who uses words like "thematic structure." Seriously. I'll trade you a grammar check for a lesson in that.

Welcome, Circle. Looking forward to sampling your writing!

Welcome to the site. There are always people willing to help. Hope you find all that you are looking for.

Quoting an unnamed friend, "The worst sex I ever had was excellent." It's a cute aphorism (if it's common enough to have the distinction of being called an aphorism), but it's a very poor way to make an incredibly important decision. Friendship and sex are much too important to enter into either casually, IMHO.

Regarding endemic bullying, guns, and other instances of violence in schools: B.F. Skinner and his students showed that laboratory mice and rats, when confined in crowded conditions, became exceptionally aggressive and demonstrated antisocial behavior. At one time, the phrase "lock down" applied only to prisons; now, it is routinely applied to schools. I read that schools are banning recess, because of fears that children will hurt themselves on the playground. I read that schools are eliminating physical education programs in order to cut costs. I read that class sizes are getting larger. The schools in the suburban and upper-middle-class area in which I live all have one or more "resource officers" on duty at all times. "Resource officer" is a euphemism for "police officer." The grammar and high schools which I attended were small enough that every one of my teachers knew my parents, and the parents of virtually all of the students. We knew that misbehavior of any kind would be dealt with both at school and later at home. That is not true, today. I find it easy to put the preceding together and reach the conclusion, "Well, do we really expect otherwise?"

Glad to see someone bring up the Quakers. They have a long tradition of acceptance and openness. I learned, recently, that at a major, national Meeting ("convention"), there were forums for "non-Deist Quakers." This is not to say that the Quakers don't have common practices and traditions; however, they are much less dogmatic than any other religion with which I am familiar.

IMHO, reviews of stories are usually less informative than the discussion forum posts; therefore, I often check the forum as well as reviews before deciding whether to read a story. Yes, I risk having a surprise spoiled; however, there is a simple way to post spoilers. Heck, even David the Luddite managed to

Welcome to the GA community. You should find a lot of people who are ravenous for new stories, and who are willing (eager) to offer support. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Couldn't have said it better than James. Except (well, what did you expect?) to add that the hopelessness of the situation is just a little too unbelievable. The Salvation Army would not turn him away, for example.

Second the thought that it's body type, physique, and other non-age factors that are more important than age. Agree that the person who made the chart was probably just anti-Speedo. Don't want to see thongs, anywhere. They leave entirely much to the eye, and too little to the imagination. In the USA, the brief Speedos (and I assume that's what we're talking about) have given way to some sort of compression suit that goes from near the waist nearly to the knee. If not that, long, loose shorts are usually worn. In large part, because the brief Speedos were too...oh, what's that word? Oh, yes, "gay." I predict that in another 20 years, we'll be back to the full body cover of the 1890s or so.

James, Again you think deeply and well. I would add to the fast food metaphor: it's decidedly not the best food you're going to find, and it's probably unhealthy. Your last thought, however, was the most important: we all have a need to belong (something Maslow missed, I think) and a need for companionship, and those needs can be strong enough to suppress other needs (safety, to continue the Maslow thought). I think that the need to belong, the need to associate, can be more important than the need for sex, and that the two can easily become confused, especially in the mind of a young person.

Welcome to the site. You'll find some excellent samples of people's work in the "anthologies" section, if you've not already found that.

Hi, welcome to the site. This is a great place for writers. Please be sure to let us know when you post something.

Wow. One of the best things that happened to me today was discovering this thread and having the pleasure of reading all the things that made you happy. Thanks!

Kalen, Welcome. I'm looking forward to reading your story and your reviews.

Ditto. Voted, I hope, but could only vote for the first of the three poems. Which were very nice, by the way, and really belonged together.

Good link; thanks.

IMO, the key to creating a good story arc is, first, understanding that a story must have an arc. There's enough PWP (porn without plot) that fails because it does not have an arc. Second, perhaps, is understanding what an arc is, and your initial metaphor (sex) is an excellent way of understanding that. There are other things that are important. For example, an intellectual knowledge of what constitutes a plot and what are the "seven classic plots." (Of course, depending on the reference, there may be more or fewer than seven.) IMO, it's essential that the story arc include a strong protagonist who has a goal about which he or she is passionate; and a strong antagonist who puts obstacles in the path of the protagonist (and has logical reasons for doing so). Thanks for starting this topic; I'm looking forward to seeing what the really talented people have to say.

Welcome to both Neon and Blackguard. It's always nice to have new folks with new talents. Looking forward to hearing more from both of you. (Blackguard...how about putting up some of your music?)

Chase, Welcome to the site. Sounds as if you have set some excellent goals for yourself. I believe you will find many folks happy to discuss any questions you might have. There are excellent forums for both writers and editors and, as you said, many examples of excellent writing. If you've not tried the "Anthologies" tab, I recomment that as a place to start. It contains examples of short stories, poetry, and plays from some of the best writers on the site. Again, welcome.

I don't suppose J. M. W. Turner counts.