Okay, this entire thread has been based on a false premise, that being unable to access the Premium "forum" when it turns out it is actually about not being able to post writing without having enough credits which is a whole nuther ballgame with a slow pitch to knock out of the park. Nuff said. Take care. Vern
151 2019-10-02 01:57:35
Re: Do trial members have access to the Premium forum? (11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
152 2019-09-29 21:09:02
Re: Do trial members have access to the Premium forum? (11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Perhaps he is "Too Young to Know." Take care. Vern
153 2019-09-20 23:05:41
Re: The Disappointed Writer (4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I would say that most any contest which charges a fee is in it for the up front money. Your odds of substantial benefit are probably better with the lottery. But, having said that, if you would like to enter my contest, the entry fee is a paltry hundred bucks, no refunds, or promises. You may enter as many times as you wish or can afford. Any genre, length, or format is acceptable. I will be sole judge and my opinion is final. My personal entry should not be looked upon as getting preferential treatment and should I win, it is purely the writers talent Just send your payment to the site and I will give Sol a handlers fee should he accept the service. Good luck to all who enter. Take care. Vern
154 2019-09-18 02:13:55
Re: Diagramming Sentences in the Tenth Circuit Court (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
njc wrote:
Maybe not. Ambiguity, like evil, can never be completely extirpated.
Do you think that "We get the legislature that we deserve"?
Only if you think we deserve a bunch of crooks and ass kissers. Take care. Vern
155 2019-09-17 22:55:08
Re: Diagramming Sentences in the Tenth Circuit Court (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
njc wrote:
In Chapter 3 of A Republic, If You Can Keep It, under the heading United States v. Rentz, Neil Gorsuch demonstrates how diagramming a sentence reveals the subtleties of meaning created in a statute by the legislature. (p 174 in the hardcover edition; the case was before the 10th Circuit.)
If you must diagram a sentence to understand a statute created by the legislature, then not only the statute should be thrown out, but all the members who voted for its passing should also be thrown out. Oh, never mind, they all should be thrown out anyway. Carry on. Take care. Vern
156 2019-08-31 03:46:21
Re: Creating a World - Need to Determine Seasons and Years (26 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
njc wrote:
Dirk, it's a question of the orbital velocity. Is there enough kinetic energy to bring the orbiting body back out--is the perigee above the atmosphere (corona) of the orbited body? Think of a highly elliptical orbit. Misscrf, is the planetary orbit in or near the plane of the suns' mutual orbit? Vern, for quasistability see Strange Attractors. I don't know if it can apply to the three-body problem, which has only recently gotten a general solution.
There are some stable three-body configurations. Look up Lagrange Points. Misscrf, would a Lagrange Point solution work for you?
"Three-body configurations" per se is not the same as a "figure eight" orbit. Yes, there is a specific circumstance where it might be stable but would it remain stable enough to support intelligent life over a long period? And since it is such a narrow range of possibility, why try to pass it off to the reader when it is unnecessary to build an alien world which would be credible. Trying to explain the technicality as presented in this post would appear as an info dump for the casual reader imho. That is my only issue. But as stated in my initial response, it is the authors choice to do as they please. Take care. Vern
157 2019-08-30 23:45:56
Re: Creating a World - Need to Determine Seasons and Years (26 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Though theoretically possible, such an orbit is generally considered unstable -- from my research. My question thus becomes: Why would you want to create such a system which would require such a technical explanation for the reader. You could simply say it orbited binary stars without getting into the minutia of orbital detail which most readers could live without. If you make a generalization of the system, then the reader can visualize whatever details they need to accept your version of days and nights as described within the story. But it's your story, so do whatever makes you happy. Take care. Vern
158 2019-08-15 22:56:39
Re: Can't Change Cover (3 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Did you do the hodey pokey and turn yourself around? Heck, I never could get a different cover to work other than the default on site so I just figure that's what it's all about. I'm counting on everyone else doing original covers then my plain jane will stand out as unique, lol. Anyway, good luck. Take care. Vern
159 2019-08-11 23:05:28
Re: Inline review bug (4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Just scratching my head here, but why would you want to save an inline review with no comments? It does tell you how many comments you've left and that you need 5 for the points. Okay, you left the summary comment in a regular review, so still wondering why the inline should be saved? I may be a little slow, but I don't get it. Damn, now my head's bleeding, lol. Take care. Vern
160 2019-08-08 13:59:08
Re: Curious about your thoughts on long posts (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
For me, I don't understand why it makes a difference to folks. The credits are the same either way. It takes the same amount of time either way. However, it is easier to get a handle on as one post. If one doesn't have enough time at one sitting they could simply save the draft and continue at their leisure -- at least that's true for the in-line, not sure about a fifty word regular, but if that's all you're gonna leave, you really don't have a time issue, do you? Yeah, I realize that's too much common sense for some reviewers, lol, but hey, it's my opinion and I'm sticking with it.
The way I review, I read the entire post before starting a review and then go back through it with a second read to leave comments. It is easier and more fun to read it through without stopping for suggestions and you get a feel for how things connect so you don't have to question something that's explained later -- though you might wish to say the explanation would work better at an earlier point. Anyway, I think you already have the solution when you say you prefer a single post. A good reviewer will adjust to what you offer. Nuff said. Take care. Vern
161 2019-08-08 01:11:29
Re: How many secondary characters should I name? (3 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Strictly from personal preference, I would say if they only show up once there is really no need to name them if they have a sufficient title to identify them. If they have a recurring role then they probably should have a name, the shorter the better, which would then remain consistent throughout. For me, too many names, especially when bunched, clutter the story so much as to confuse or at least slow down the reader. Not generally a good idea. Just my opinion of course for what it's worth. Take care. Vern
162 2019-07-30 22:44:37
Re: To Prologue or not to Prologue (12 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
To prologue or not to prologue, that is the question which continues to arise on site quite frequently. And the answer is: well, there is no consensus, so do whatever you think is best for the story, but imho, if the question needs to be asked, then the simplest thing to do is make the prologue chapter one and forget about it. And now you can read the rest of the story. And the beat goes on. Take care. Vern
163 2019-07-29 13:51:32
Re: The power of Google (3 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Big Brother knows all, lol. Take care. Vern
164 2019-07-19 11:42:26
Re: Album released/tour beginning (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Memphis Trace wrote:
vern wrote:Hello, John, good luck with the tour (and congrats also). Googled Go Fetch and after sifting through some doggie sites found what appeared to be an official web site but couldn't get any of the music to play. You might post a link on here. Anyway, perhaps finishing the tour will spur you on to finish Antagony -- couldn't resist that before GP got to it first, lol. Take care. Vern
From youtube, this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNPgz23mMXQ appears to be a teaser trailer for the album.
Memphis Trace
Thanks, Memphis. Not too shabby, John. Take care. Vern
165 2019-07-18 22:57:53
Re: Album released/tour beginning (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Hello, John, good luck with the tour (and congrats also). Googled Go Fetch and after sifting through some doggie sites found what appeared to be an official web site but couldn't get any of the music to play. You might post a link on here. Anyway, perhaps finishing the tour will spur you on to finish Antagony -- couldn't resist that before GP got to it first, lol. Take care. Vern
166 2019-07-17 22:52:04
Re: Wife Very Seriously Ill In Hospital (19 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Good thoughts on the way. Take care. Vern
167 2019-07-14 20:56:07
Re: Eyes going wide, eyebrows shooting up, etc. - Writing Craft (1 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
It makes no difference if it is "involuntary" or not, the person is still doing the action so you can say it however suits your style of casting words. Your word choice is really all that matters. Does it fit the rest of your descriptive style or would it be jarring to say it one way or the other. Anyone making a comment about it is merely expressing their opinion of how it sounds to their ear, not any type of rule or how anyone else might perceive it. You could just as easily say, "His eyes snapped open like venetian blinds" if it suited you and I'm pretty sure someone would tell you they/you couldn't do that, but you see, I just did so it is possible to do it your way. Take care. Vern
168 2019-07-11 11:40:39
Re: Couldn't Change My Book Cover. (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
"You Can't Change a Book by It's Cover" by Rachel Parsons
Soon to be in print. Good luck. Take care. Vern
169 2019-06-25 22:40:39
Re: How to confuse and frustrate readers (20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
j p lundstrom wrote:
Very informative and quite readable. We should all pay close attention to this one. No excuses!
There may not be a good reason, but there is always an excuse to be found. Take care. Vern
170 2019-06-25 01:57:27
Re: The Hurrieder I go, the Behinder I get (3 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Well, at least you're writing, if only to the forums. As Doris Day would say, "Que Sera Sera" so go with the flow. Life comes first. When you're ready, it will come again. Good luck. Take care. Vern
171 2019-06-21 22:57:39
Re: How to confuse and frustrate readers (20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Dirk B. wrote:
At the risk of starting a feeding frenzy, I agree with Mariana. Head-hopping done well is often more concise. The following is from a scene in the POV of Father Romano, listening to Alessandro talk to a third person.
Without head-hopping:
Alessandro attempted to speak several times but seemed to have trouble finding the right words. Finally, he said, “...”
With head-hopping:
Alessandro attempted to speak several times but had trouble finding the right words. Finally, he said, “...”
When it's obvious to the POV character from context (omitted above for brevity), why spoon feed the reader "seemed to have"?
Naturally, I follow the herd, but it doesn't mean I always like it.
I wouldn't consider it "head-hopping" in either case. You don't have to be in someone's head to see they are having trouble with words. You would have to be in their head to know what particular words they were searching for, but that's a different scenario. Anyway, that's my totally non-professional opinion. Take with a large block of salt. Take care. Vern
172 2019-06-21 01:47:47
Re: How to confuse and frustrate readers (20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Rules are made to be broken, so break all those and you're on your way to being a great writer. Take care. Vern
173 2019-06-17 22:51:03
Re: Skills Necessary for Writing Well (7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Dirk B. wrote:
Does anyone knows of a good writing book that encompasses most (all?) of the writing elements highlight in this blog post? I'm currently reading the Write Great Fiction series, but it's just an excuse to charge $10 for each major story element.
I seriously doubt any book will cover all or even most of the elements listed -- probably too much territory for too little demand. Take care. Vern
174 2019-06-16 03:52:37
Re: Minor vs. major scene breaks - Writing Craft (3 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Any of those methods will work or you could simply change the scene through the narrative. Authors differ in how the breaks are handled so you get to choose what seems right in your case. Whatever you decide should transition smoothly for the reader. The mind fills in gaps constantly in life and will do so within the novel unless blasted with something to throw it for an unintentional loop -- you have to work hard for that, lol. Take care. Vern
175 2019-06-08 02:00:55
Re: How to word this? - Writing Craft (4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
It seems to me that whether you are Catholic, non, or atheist, etc., in reading the passages, you would understand that a prayer is being given and that certain rituals coinciding with such prayer are being practiced and there would be no need to explicitly explain every detail let alone repeat those details. You could simply start the prayer and end at some point … and go on to your next scene. All the minute detail is akin to describing someone about to drive off by saying, "they open the passenger door, get in, put the key in the ignition and start the engine, look both ways down the street, back up slightly to get around the black Chevy with a busted tail light which is parked in front of them, then put the car in drive, and turn the steering wheel slightly to the left and after looking both ways again, slowly steer onto West 63rd St heading northeast, blah, blah, blah" Virtually no one is going to care about that minute detail imho. I expect even Catholics don't go through life reciting every detail or expecting to read every detail as though it were a religious service. But you are the author and can write it any way you wish. Take care. Vern
