If we're going to be libertarian here, sure, anyone can form any group and hope to attract members to that group. Sol wants to create a new group - fine. Members can join it. But what the practical benefit that would be escapes me. I created the Thriller, Mystery, Suspense group, but I didn't intend for members who joined it to post only in that group. It was meant only for a place for like-minded readers/writers to go for discussions or whatever. As it turned out, the only thing I've seen coming out of these myriad groups I'm associated with is the occasional quiz. Perhaps I should be more active administering my group (and if anyone wants to take it over, let me know), but my focus has been posting and reviewing in the Premium group, where the action was and (so far) is. I'm not privy to all the other groups' activities, but I'm not aware of any that have postings only to that group. That would kind of defeat the purpose of this site, IMO. Sol, though, seems to want postings for like-minded writers confined to this new group and for like-minded reviewers to seek those postings out. I guess we could change the mindset of the site and have all the subgroups serve as a minor league, as it were, where genre postings would first go to the applicable group before advancing, if warranted, to the majors (Premium). I don't know, this edict from on high has a "who cares" quality to it unless Sol is pursuing a radical change in the TNBW model, and this is the first step.
227 2018-01-22 19:05:43
Re: The Shred Group (55 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I've read all the posts on this subject so far and, sorry, Sol, but I don't see the need for this shred group. If an author can't take the heat of unfavorable critiques, they can leave. If reviewers are mean-spirited and vitriolic, they can be removed from the site. And we already have a Fight Club group for members who like to duke it out. As far as I know, the Premium Group does not require "niceties" and "encouragement" from reviewers, though most reviewers will try to find something positive in their critiques. They chose to review it after all when they could have passed on it. Finally, I wouldn't want the Premium Group to get the reputation of the place where reviews aren't "honest."
228 2018-01-18 13:33:26
Re: 20 Forgotten Words (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Great list. I've never used any of those in my books but am considering inserting "callipygian" when the opportunity arises. 
229 2018-01-18 13:29:52
Re: Voting is over (9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Congratulations, Janet, and to the other TNBW writers who made it into the top ten in their categories. And though there were only three entrants in the Writers' Workshop category, TNBW came in first. Sol - a suggestion: You can use the first-place medallion in your advertising. I certainly used mine when promoting my book during the last year. Doesn't hurt!
230 2018-01-15 21:26:44
Re: A Slow Death (44 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Yeah, it's amazing what those twenty years of American history have done for the culture.
231 2018-01-15 21:23:54
Re: Voting is over (9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Hold on, there, Janet. The final tallies have not been announced. Though I doubt the positions of you and TNBW will change, we have to wait for the announcement. Last year, it took at least two days to announce the winners.
232 2018-01-14 22:15:36
Re: A Slow Death (44 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Whew! It sounded like TNBW was being disbanded, and I wondered how I missed it. It wasn't trending on Twitter.
233 2018-01-14 21:51:42
Re: A Slow Death (44 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Jeez, what the hell did I miss?
234 2018-01-05 15:08:03
Re: The Telltale Tattoo (11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I grew up in Vermont, where cold weather like this was par for the course and I accepted it, even went skiing in it. Of course, I was much younger then!
235 2018-01-04 22:15:16
Re: The Telltale Tattoo (11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I'm trying to think of another story, but the cold weather has frozen my brain.
236 2018-01-04 18:54:01
Re: The Telltale Tattoo (11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Randy and Mark - You're getting mentions in the Acknowledgments. Thanks for your support!
237 2018-01-02 19:10:10
Topic: The Telltale Tattoo (11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
My latest novel has just completed the editing process and has been sent to the proofreader. I'll be keeping it up on site until the publication date, which likely will be a couple of months yet at least, so there's still time to finish it! I'll be mentioning all those TNBW members who stuck with it all the way through in the Acknowledgments page. I'll need the names you want me to use. And thanks to all who took the time to weigh in on at least one chapter. The help I get from our community here is why I've been a member since 2008. Wow, nine years. Where does the time go?
238 2017-12-31 22:29:01
Re: New since yesterday! (10 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thanks for the introduction. It would help if you supplied some biographical info on your page so we could get to know you better.
239 2017-12-30 22:54:42
Re: Ottawa, Canada is colder than Mars! (6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Well, Mars is a bit hyperbolic, but sure as shootin', baby, it's cold outside!
240 2017-12-30 02:47:57
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thanks for that team spirit, Norm!
241 2017-12-29 01:50:41
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I don't have a book published in 2017, Janet, so I entered under Authors. I'm voting for your Other book.
242 2017-12-28 19:00:37
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
And don't forget B Douglas Slack in the Romance category for You Only Love Twice.
243 2017-12-28 18:57:04
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
The Kurdish Connection, by our Randall Krzak, has moved up to #4 in the poll. He needs your votes!
244 2017-12-27 19:42:38
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Randy - I noticed The Kurdish Connection is not listed. You should enter it under Thriller novels and spread the word!
245 2017-12-27 17:59:59
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
So far, there are only two entrants in the Writers Workshop category, but thanks to the votes from this site, it's now at #1! And I'm now sitting at tied for #4 for Authors. Thanks, peeps!
246 2017-12-27 17:51:03
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thanks, Bill! Unfortunately, I can't return the favor, because you can only vote once in each category, and I already voted for myself! That means you can't now vote for yourself! 
Tell you what, though, enter your book in the Romance category. I can't vote for you there, either, because I already voted there, too, but other TNBW folks can.
247 2017-12-27 16:48:19
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Oops, I forgot. I'm listed under my real name, John L. DeBoer, not Jack the Knife!
248 2017-12-27 16:46:31
Re: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thanks, Randy. Voters, make sure you complete the anti-robot thing before submitting the vote. And the vote won't be tallied until you click on the link that will be sent to your email. Check to make sure that email wasn't sent to your spam/junk folder (mine was). And, BTW, since I didn't have a new book to enter this year, I entered my name in the Authors Page category. A vote for me as long as you're there to vote for TNBW will be appreciated!
249 2017-12-27 16:20:25
Topic: Readers' poll (32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
The annual P&E Readers' Poll has begun! I just added TNBW to the category of Writers Workshop. Please go and vote! Here's the link: http://critters.org/predpoll/
250 2017-12-15 00:31:36
Re: The "was" wars and "was" addiction (30 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
jack the knife wrote:Memphis Trace wrote:There was no better place than Alabama https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions … amp;wpmm=1
An excerpt:
First, let us pay tribute to the new Alabama busy being born. There were many reasons Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore, but younger voters who insisted that the old ways are not their ways were decisive.Jones overwhelmed Moore among Alabamians younger than 45, taking more than 60 percent of their ballots, according to the exit polls. Moore took about three-fifths of those 65 and older. This augurs poorly for Republicans, and President Trump is deepening this generation gap. The GOP is throwing away its future.
Yes, Vern, I
Memphis TraceI'm afraid it's much too early to consider Alabama being "reborn." Moore was a terrible candidate, not only for his outlandish views, but for his contempt for the law and his likely criminal behavior. Yet he got a huge support from white men and a large majority from white women. In the next election, Jones will probably lose to a more "normal" opponent. So, though I'm gratified that enough white support could align with African Americans to give Moore the win in this reddest of red states (while many Alabama Republicans stayed home in disgust of their candidate), this will most probably be a short-lived victory.
Most likely, you are probably most likely correct, Jack, but the Alabama vote shows that after going all-in for Moore, Trump was dealt a self-inflicted blow which just might wake up a few more Republican congress-people to the fact Trump is not nearly as omnipotent as they are conned into believing from his mouth. Take care. Vern
Yes, Vern, the fear of Trump is waning among congressional Republicans - just a wee bit. Two of the judges he submitted for confirmation - both judged "unqualified" by the bar association - have had their candidacies squelched by Sen Grassley. And Rubio is making noises about not voting for the tax bill. Maybe Flake should reconsider his retirement.
