Congratulations, Randy. That's why you're my favorite thriller writer (in fact, my only thriller writer, as I usually don't like that stuff.)
Aw, gee. 
In another Forum thread, there's a discussion about ways writers could earn more reviewing points. The zero points your posting rewards a reviewer would tend to turn away potential readers of your story, M.J''s and M.D.'s kind words notwithstanding. You're obviously serious about the craft, and this site can help you hone it - if there's an inducement (points) that makes the valuable time spent by a reviewer worthwhile. Since you are a member of Premium, where most of the good reviewers reside, perhaps it's your settings that should be checked. Make sure that you allow anyone who is a member of ANY of your groups to review and receive points for doing so.
2000 points??? 3000 points??? Wow! Do you guys only review and never publish?
I'm like Seabrass. I'm always short on points.
Kiss,
Gacela
I've posted 8 novels on TNBW and am working on my ninth, so it's not for the lack of posting I've accumulated the points.
I've been here since 2008, Dags. That helps!
Seabrass - You could maybe try posting shorter chapters. You'll get more reviewers, methinks. I'm retired, so I have the time to read a long chapter - especially if it's well-written. But others might be intimidated by, or have an attention level that can't survive, a lengthy review. I know from experience that your reviews are both thoughtful and eagle-eyed. I try to do the same with my reviews. It's just math. Do more reviews, get more points. I've got over 4000 points that never seem to go down. Each chapter I post costs me an average of 6-8 points, and every chapter I review gains me 1.2 - 3 (yours!) points. So you have to review more than you post. I like the system Sol has set up, though maybe the points for reviewing versus the points to post could be tweaked to make it a tad easier to post.
Good interview, Randy. I'm so glad you found a publisher who believed in you and your stories. And Ann Everett - thank you for offering the platform for TNBW writers! That goes above and beyond. I'm looking forward to Sept. 22!
I'll give it a go, Ryan.
Some would say speaking to the audience - in an aside way, not just a self-descriptor, a la, "I hate spinach," by the first-person narrator - is wrong. But a few well-known writers, Harlan Coben among them, do this frequently. It's like they're bringing the reader into the club, as it were, to participate with the character, rather than being a passive observer. Personally, I try to avoid this, though sometimes I let an aside slip in.
Welcome back, Allen!
OMG. I Googled them. I didn't know Harry Bosch was in a TV series. Amazon TV, but still! An iconic character created by Michael Connelly.
Oops. Some of my answers must be wrong, because I can't think of any TV shows for them. Perry Mason, Dragnet, and Spenser are the only ones I can think of. Sorry for not reading all the rules! Oh, and Raymond Burr, Jack Webb, and Robert Urich were the actors in those shows.
(Not sure about #4)
1. Hercule Poirot
2. Miss Marple
3. Nick and Nora Charles
4. Perry Mason
5. Lord Peter Wimsey
6. Nero Wolfe
7. Spenser
8. Joe Friday
9. Nancy Drew
10. Harry Bosch
Extra credit: Colombo
There's a middle ground, Denise, between being agented and self-publishing. (And, BTW, having an agent doesn't ensure you'll get published.) That is small- to medium-sized publishers who don't require an author to have an agent before reviewing a manuscript. In fact, these publishers would prefer you not have an agent to get between you and them and muddy the waters. Anyway, it's another option.
Good one. Mine's up on Sept. 22 - my birthday!
Congrats on the new venture! I, too, was puzzled by the Home page pic.
Oops. I misspoke. He did review a chapter of my book. As with the above, a glowing, non-specific review of a chapter well into the story. But I gave him the benefit of the doubt and reviewed his first three chapters; at first I received no feedback, and then when I complained (just a little), he gave me a generic thanks. He seems to be a serious writer, so maybe he just needs to see this forum to understand that what he's doing doesn't cut it. If you're reading this, (name withheld), I suggest you do in-line reviews in the future to show that you really did read the chapter reviewed and are willing to spend valuable time critiquing it.
Aw, gee, he didn't review my book. 
Sorry, Jonathan. I didn't realize you were already a Premium member. My bad. Looking forward to seeing your postings.
Welcome, Jonathan. I suggest you become a Premium member. Premium pays points for reviews and requires points to post one's own stuff. This encourages members to review, making it a two-way street, a win-win for both poster and reviewer.
Exactly, NJC.
I see C J got in ahead of me to state the disadvantage of first-person past tense, and that the easier route is writing a story in past tense. We obviously think alike, C J! Gray Martin does a good job writing in present tense. Perhaps he'll enter the discussion.
I've said this before, I think, on this site, but I avoid present tense. Purely personal, because I've found it too easy to make tense errors using present, in that past tense is usually required in parts of the story, as when a character is referring to a past event, for example. But that's just me. The only disadvantage of first-person past tense, IMO, is that the reader will know the main character will survive whatever peril you put him in, or else he couldn't be doing the narration!
I've gotten ideas for a new novel, didn't write them down, and then forgotten them. Once I did write it down but then couldn't find the scrap of paper I used! Oh-so-clever plot segments often come to me lying in bed just before drifting off to sleep. Sometimes I can remember them!
Tate has always had a terrible reputation. Not surprising its execs are in legal jeopardy.
Congrats, Randy!
