David McLeod

One of the first "how to write" books I read suggested an exercise that I've found useful. I've since read other books, including the "classic," "Principles of Literary Criticism," by I. A. Richards (1924), that seem to support the notions behind the exercise. It's a simple exercise and can be done with a printed copy of something you've written plus a yellow highlighter, or, on the computer using the similar highlighting feature in some wordprocessors. Take a few pages of something you've written, something you like. Read it aloud and highlight the sentences, phrases, words that strike you as being particularly good. These, according to the author of the exercise, represent your voice. Now, none of the folks I've studied suggest that "knowing" your voice in this way is going to allow you immediately to write better. In fact, none of them suggest that you'll be able to describe your voice after having completed this exercise. It seems that "voice" is somewhat ineffable; however, it is suggested (and I think it's correct) that conducting this exercise often will provide you with a visceral, subconscious understanding of your voice that will improve your writing. If you try it (or have tried it), please let me know how it works (or worked) for you. Oh, the highlighter doesn't have to be yellow.

I'm not the guy to warn anyone about alcohol: I love the stuff. However, I do know that it can not only reduce inhibitions, but also paint things in brighter colors than they really are. Absolutely: get over him but don't give up. You say you're good looking. Well, that's a start. What are your other good qualities? (Most of never really ask ourselves that question; you'd be surprised at how many you can come up with, if you really think about it.) How can you use them to your advantage?

Hey, thanks Linxe Termoil, Meeko, and hh5. You guys know better than anyone that the most I've done is rub a little carborundum on the surface and revealed the inner shine that you have created. But thanks, again. Now: Back to you, Linxe, Meeko, and hh5: Working with you guys has helped my writing, significantly. Seeing someone else's style and voice evolve is a great experience. I've learned from you, and I hope to learn morre. Others from whom I've learned, and who have been great correspondents include Dolores Esteban, Verm, Jovian, Excuse, and Gardentuber. I can't sign off without a major tip of the hat to TalonRider and the rest of the WST, as well as Myr and the technicians behind this site (especially Steph, ShadowGod, and JSmith). It's been said, once, but it bears repeating: without you folks, I'd not have a voice. Thank you, all.

Welcome to both of you...You've found a great site for readers and writers; excellent support from the more experienced folks (technical, editorial, and whatever). Looking forward to hearing more from both of you.

On one level, the Biblical stricture against homosexuality makes sense: the Hebrews needed all the troops they could get to prosecute their wars, and anyone not making babies didn't support that goal. On one level, the Biblical demand that people multiply and fill the earth makes sense: the more people, the greater the army could be. On one level, creating rules that enforce the notion, "if you are like me, you're good; if you're not like me, you're bad" makes sense. However, all this is much too simplistic. What (please feel free to speculate) is really at the root of the strictures, the rules, and the hate? Please begin with the premise that the relevant religious texts were not written by god.

In that case, welcome back! Probably don't have to tell you where to find some great fiction, good conversations, and lots of help if you're an aspiring writer.

Comcast has been doing this for a couple of months, at least. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) and its successors were supposed to prohibit "combinations in restraint of trade." Unfortunately, with regard to cable TV companies, the "combination" consisted of the cable companies and our local governments who granted the franchises in return for the taxes we pay and they collect in the form of "franchise fees." I really don't see our "cash-strapped" local governments tackling the "cash cows" that the cable companies represent. If anything, I expect to see them adding to our burden by taxing (or increasing the taxes on) the "overage" charges. They say that people have the kind of government they deserve. So, what did we do to deserve the current mess?

Welcome. A good place to start, IMHO, are the anthologies, which feature short stories, poems, and plays by some of the top writers. Glad to have you!

What? Have you been reading my autobiography? Seriously, you've got a great point. The Summer Anthology's theme is "Carpe Diem." Perhaps we'll find some "regular folks" who have the courage to "sieze the day" there. Hmmm. Perhaps there's an idea.

Hello, Estevan, and welcome. It's never too late (or too early: my computer shows you posted at 2:50 AM in some time zone). Besides DomLuka's stories, you'll find a great selection of stories under the "anthologies" tab, as well as some incredibly good stuff in the "hosted" and "efiction" tabs. Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Late to the party, as usual, and all the good lines have been said. Nevertheless, I'll add that this was an excellent story with just the right mix of pathos, love, lust, anger, and fear. The characters were remarkably vivid, especially given the brevity of the story. There's enough about even Devon to make one feel sorry for him.

Welcome. And please do not either be put off or glorified by labels. It's human nature to label. However, you, as all of us, are unique. We label only to help us cope with the incredible diversity (and I don't mean that in the contemporary PC way) that we each represent. Really, not in the contemporaneous PC sense. The GA site has a wonderful variety (see, not diversity, variety) or people who are warm, friendly, and talented., amd willing to share their experience, understanding, and knowledge. I have found some great friends here; I hope and expect that you will, too. Whether you want to be a reader, writer, editor, reviewer, or ... well...whatever...welcome. Oh, and if you want a quick look at the site, check out the Spring Anthology stories.

Forgot those...excellent!

I was heavily influenced by the habit of buying books from used-book stores, and many of my favorites are ancient. McCaffrey, Asimov, and Heinlein, to be sure. I would add Mark Twain and (if you can find them) "The Lensman" series by E.E. "Doc" Smith. Arthur C. Clarke (pre-2001), of course. David Eddings' first series. Shakespeare's English kings (especially Richard III with its hidden messages which prove that Richard III did not murder his nephews). Daniel Quinn's "Ishmael" series. I know, you wanted "books," but my list of authors is shorter than my list of books.

We don't think so. We thank you for your forgiveness.

Discourse on Things Canadian: -Hockey? Think Curling; think "Men with Brooms." -You'll never see the northern lights anywhere better than, say, Flin Flon. (By the way, is his thumb still red?) -Are Canadians hotter than _____ (you fill in the blank). Well, as David tells George: Many humans think elves are exotic; many elves think humans are exotic. We all think those who are a little different (and safely different) from us are "exotic." -Why has no one mentioned "The Last Coming Out Story" by JasonDiggy (check the eFiction tab)? Wonderful, apparently authentic, Canadian (I will not try to spell that in French) story. -Weather? I remember having to hand-prop a Dakota (C-47 to you) in July because it was so cold the starter wouldn't turn it over. (Okay, hand-prop means sticking a crank into the side of the engine and winding up a flywheel, and then popping the clutch. Yes, a clutch on an airplane engine. You had to be there.) -Think Evangeline, and how the "Cajuns" have enriched the USA-American culture. -Think it's time for me to quit.

These are, I think, the key thoughts. Real conversations do not usually flow smoothly; characters' dialogue should sound and feel real. Misunderstandings, answering the wrong question, abrupt changes of topic, verbal pauses ("uh" "um"), incomplete sentences, run-on sentences and comma splices, among other techniques may be used (sparingly, to be sure) to contribute to a sense of reality. Amen. Playing a scene more than once when showing two characters' different reactions to the same situation can be very effective in character development.

Welcome to the site; look forward to hearing from you on the forums. If you enjoy reading, check out the "Anthologies" tab from the home page for a great sample of short stories that are representative of the best the site has to offer. Larger collections are at "Hosted Authors" and "eFiction" tabs. Authors live on air, water, and feedback from readers...and there are plenty of opportunities to provide feedback. Again, welcome!

I drive a Ford Escape...have for several years...has 60K miles on it. Not the hybrid, though. Nice car, but a little noisy on the highway, and the standard sound system can't play against that. Mileage is in the mid-20s.

Based on the two cars you listed, you're looking for a smallish SUV or what is being called a "crossover." I strongly recommend you check out a large Hyundai dealer's inventory of "lightly used" cars, including those driven by their sales staff in the past year. I have a friend who got an incredible price, and negotiated for a full, new-car warranty on a used Hyundai with less than 20K miles on it. And don't worry about the "nationality" of the car...in the current economy, it's not that important. I don't know enough about Hyundai's models, but the Tucson, Santa Fe, and Veracruz pictures on the corporate web site look like they might be what you're looking for. Here's the link: http://www.hyundaiusa.com/index.aspx

Wow. You really opened yourself up to us; thank you. The greatest gift is the gift of trust. The notion that you wrote some things "for...peace of mind" is fascinating. Someone recently posted that they wrote because their characters seemed so real that the characters "demanded" to be written about (and, to be written about, well). I hope you will expand on the "peace of mind" idea. What was it that gave you that feeling before and after you'd written? Inquiring minds want to know

You said it: "Artists do what they do because they love to do it." On the other hand, I've never met anyone who didn't appreciate sincere flattery or an honest compliment. (I do know several who go into an "Aw, shucks" mode when complimented. It's kind of cute, really. You know who you are. ) I started writing strictly to please myself...and had no plans or intentions of sharing the stories. I think initially my goal was to preserve memories of people I'd known, as well as to create a "better" situation than the one in which I had known them. A fantasy world where male homosexuality was not only normal but essential became that "better" situation. (Can you say "escapism" and "wish fulfillment"?) (I don't know enough about female homosexuality to write convincingly about it; so, it's glossed over (absent, rather). This is a weakness in my writing, and not some sort of statement.) One of Altimexis' stories led me to the GA site. The ease of posting stories; the ability to edit stories after they were posted; the "true-to-original" formatting; in other words, the mechanical aspects of the site, tempted me to post. The most excellent feedback (both "sincere flattery" and "corrective feedback" that pointed out flaws), as well as the personal messages by PM and email; the on-line friendships that have developed; in other words, the personal aspects of the site have kept me interested in continuing to post. In addition, the personal aspects have encouraged me to push beyond my own limitations, to take my writing more seriously, to read and study and to discuss the art and craft of writing, and to participate more actively as a reader, reviewer, and editor. And, yes, to write "for" others. If I were to distill your original question into: Do you write for yourself OR for others? I'd answer: Yes...because it's not an "exclusive 'or' " in the question. (I know that's not the way you asked it. You put more thought into the questions than that.) Thanks for starting this thread. I'm looking forward to what others have to say.

This, too, is an important consideration, and the reason I've never "chatted" on line. (I'm uncomfortable even with "real-time customer service chats" when the "call center" representative is chatting with six or eight people at a time.) I do like to spend some time pondering a story, a post, an email, or a PM before replying. And, I like to ponder my reply. The pause in both processes is especially helpful when there is a cultural or language difference. On the other hand, those differences, and the opportunity to discuss them either in fora or privately is one of the best features of this site. "Anticipate vs. expect: Anticipate includes making preparations for something you expect." --Word Warthog

A very optimistic, upbeat, cheerful answer. Consider one not so happy: lonely, closeted, fearful; but, able here, through technology, to express one's self to others, to communicate with others in the same situation without fear.

You've described two of the tools of illogic and propoganda which AFA uses. The first is "selective evidence"; the second is "the big lie." What you didn't mention is what a cash cow the AFA is for the Wildmon family. If everyone in this country boycotted liars, I suspect AFA would fold in no time at all. I say this after having listened to hours of their radio programming, including a program hosted by one of the Wildmon children, and having identified numerous lies in the form of fallacies of logic and propoganda. One doesn't have to be an atheist to dispise their treatment of the truth. And, how anyone can pretend to call themselves a Christian and spout hatred is beyond even this misanthrope. Okay, selective misanthrope.