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I was just curious about her methods for future reference as I don't have anything published at the moment. I do have some novel ideas I will share once I have tested them at some future date, hopefully. Take care. Vern

Well, since we've been waiting for several months for the contest which would be announced "next week" I don't think it matters a dither who suggests the idea if Sol can't come up with one on his own. The suggestion of an idea doesn't give the "suggestor" any advantage that I can see. Every contest idea comes from someone and no matter where the idea comes from there are plenty of varied and original responses which anyone who might have suggested such idea probably never dreamed of fitting the idea. There is a reason why you can't patent an idea. No matter what it is, it must be executed. Just an idea doesn't make a good story. The execution of the idea does. I could have an idea for a story and spend twenty years on it and it not be as good a story as someone else might present.

My idea is to have a contest period regardless of subject matter or who suggested it.  Just my opinion. Others may differ and I'm sure they will just as  I have disagreed with the suggestion within this post. Take care. Vern

My only intent for commenting on this is to say that it could well join the list of classic insults listed at the beginning of this thread. PC or not, I literally laughed out loud and nary a cuss word was uttered. That is a literary feat extraordinaire imho. Take care. Vern

There is nothing strange going on at tnbw; it is just a normal day. Take care. Vern

So is everyone else; that is within the rules. Take care. Vern

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Yes, I agree that is true and may be part of the problem, but in a follow up post MJ says, "As Moonshine told me, there are always exceptions, and there are places where nothing else you use can hammer that one important thought any better than a tagline." and people still keep providing these examples from numerous authors of fame and fortune who have broken these so-called rules as if these exceptions had not already been allowed for within the so called rule in question.

I think a great deal of the problem is people don't bother to read what has been stated, they just pick out some perceived promotion of a god-like rule which doesn't exist. But to each their own; they may write anyway they wish and find arguments where none exists. I don't know how many times it must be stated there are no concrete rules before it sinks in and folks quit arguing against their own point that there are none. Thanks for your insight. Take care. Vern

It seems to need repeating that NO ONE is saying you can't break rules. Yes, rules are made up by some people for whatever purpose they intend. You have traffic rules; that doesn't mean you can't break them if you so desire; most people speed at least occasionally, some like me, almost always. Traffic rules just as "writing rules" are there for a purpose, but that doesn't mean you must follow them come hell or high water. You may break the rules and get away with it just I do almost every day in driving, but you may also get caught and then there may be consequences. That doesn't mean there will always be harsh consequences since you might get by with a warning even if stopped by the traffic cop. Yes, it is common sense that the rules are made by others, both the writing rules and the traffic rules, as well as all the other rules/laws of the land. No one is placing a gun to your head in this country to force you to follow any rules. You are free as has been stated often in this thread to follow your own rules. You may be stopped at some point by a publishing cop should you wish to go that route, just as you might be stopped by a traffic cop if you insist upon breaking the traffic rules. Or you may never get caught and more power to you should that be the case. Just as there are emergencies which warrant breaking the speed limit, there may be situations where one is compelled to violate so-called literary rules and be justified for doing so. That is common sense. Trying to deny the rules which create a somewhat more orderly road to get to where you are going merely because you may break them without consequence occasionally is not common sense. We all use common sense to make choices. That should apply to your writing life as well as the rest of your life. No one is denying that right to anyone with any so-called rules, whether you agree with them or not. Take care. Vern

Yes, indeed, the so-called rules are primarily for those who wish to publish in the traditional manner. It goes without saying that if you self-publish, you can say or do or not do anything you wish. You can end every sentence with a question mark even if it doesn't ask a question; you can write the entire story in capital letters with no punctuation at all; you can leave out large chunks of important information; you can print the story right to left or start from the bottom of the page and go upward; you can do anything you wish and chalk it up to defying the rules just because you can. You have that right and no one is saying anything against that free spirit and inalienable right. And after you do all that and put JKR or any other best seller to shame, then you just may establish a new set of rules. Here's wishing you the best of luck.

No rules are set in concrete; no one is saying that. They are however a good guideline if you are indeed serious about publishing in the traditional manner. No, you don't have to abide by every single "rule" all the time -- no one is saying that -- but you just might have a greater chance of achieving the goal of traditional publication should you at least try to accommodate them once in a while. So, you are certainly within your right to knock the "rules" as irrelevant for the self publisher every time the subject comes up in a thread, but you also might want to think about just exactly why you are on a writing site to ostensibly improve your writing. After all, if you are free to follow whatever rules you wish because no one can tell you otherwise, why even bother with anything which might help one improve or be more likely to sell a story? I'm just curious because this scenario invariably plays out with any mention of any type of so-called "rule" within one of these threads. Now, I do quite often break so-called "rules" both on purpose and by mistake, but I don't simply break them because it doesn't matter one way or the other as far as publishing goes.

Having made my remarks, I suppose for the sake of "truth in advertising" so to speak, I should say that although I may end up self publishing at some point in time, I am still exploring the traditional route and expect to for some time to come. And I should also say that if I decide to go the self-publishing route tomorrow, I will still stand by the above statements. Take care. Vern

Well, I'm back and though I did make a few bad bets, I would never have bet on that contest being here upon my return; even I, a gambler at heart, would not take on those odds. Still, I am willing to wager a new contest will come about before the end of the year -- I'm not saying which year now, mind you. Take care. Vern

Hijacks -- games up

When reviewing, I always tell the author to use what might help and ignore the rest -- I make that statement in ways that relate to the story such as bury it, kill it, feed it to the dogs, etc. Your job as author is to know the difference and if any suggestion/review makes you uncomfortable that could be a good hint. Take care. Vern