Case in point! I commented on how some posts disappear like a puff of smoke, while others stay highlighted for days on end. My above post only lasted less than two hours, but the one above it, to which I referenced, was on the notifications for over two days. Splain me that, Sol.
EDIT (by Dirk): PRIORITY: High.
Okay, why do some posts in the forum stay for days in the notifications ( see Sol’s above), while other posts are there for only an hour or so, then disappear?
The timeout bug in the forums still exists. Sol, was any attempt made to eliminate that bug, or am I testing the original version with the timeouts?
Sorry for my ignorance, but what’s the timeout problem in the forums?
SolN wrote:Users would not be able to post until they becoming a paying member. I actually don't think the trial works that well. I'd rather have people explore the site a a free member (who cannot post) and then when they are ready, upgrade and publish their work. That was the old site model and it seemed to work better.
I agree.
Ditto.
One reason second chapters don't get reviewed is the reviewer doesn't receive an acknowledgment that the writer has seen their review. Unless i’m confident it’s just an oversight on the writer’s part, I don't review another chapter until I know that my kind of reviewing is what you are looking for. I don't know about others on here, but after I spend an hour of my time reading and commenting, if the writer expects me to read their next chapter, I need to know you are seeking my line by line edits, or you need something different. I noticed several of your chapter 1 reviews went unacknowledged by you, so maybe they also wanted to know you at least saw their work.
Also, when I receive a review and a reviewer points out several glaring mistakes (we all make them), I immediately change the copy on this site first so the next reviewer doesn't have to spend their time making the same suggestions.
Food for thought. Also, if you are paying $20 a month here, you are overpaying. Check again because it's not that much. If you are, let Sol know so he can correct your monthly amount.
Happy trails,
MJMJ
What she said.
Hi MJ, the site wasn't actually down which made this one tricky. A security certificate expired which blocked access to the site. But I am going to put monitoring in place to let me the team know when there is an outage.
Sorry for the inconvenience. I know people are still a bit traumatized from the last real outage.
Sol
It feels like another nail in the coffin, Sol. Why should it have been allowed to expire? The trust factor has become an issue. I’ve been here for what seems like forever, and I’ll go down with the ship if I have to, but I’d like TNBW to get its act together, and I hope that is what you’re trying to do.
I didn’t know TNBW was in danger of folding until Dirk posted his warnings. I started out in Booksie and quickly saw that the site was strictly for beginners - that if you were serious as a writer, you needed something more advanced. I did learn some things there, but knew this was the “ minor leagues.” Maybe it’s changed in the interim, I don’t know. But I’ve been happy at TNBW and have run all my books through here. But if the site goes down, I’ll labor on without it. I’ve seen bestselling authors commit errors I naively considered disqualifying, based on what I’ve learned here, and lord knows I have my own recurring faults. But I’ve been in the business long enough to realize that these miscues don’t matter all that much if you’ve got a good story to tell and are reasonably competent enough to have it engage a reader. I know of several good writers who have left the site, presumably because they felt it couldn’t make them any better in ways that actually counted.
Basically, I use TNBW now as a Beta-reader audience, and I plan to continue as long as it’s possible to do so. I’ve made some good friends here over the years, and I’d like those relationships to continue, regardless of what happens to TNBW.
Hi, All,
I'm thrilled to be back with some amazing news to share regarding my recent health journey, and let me tell you, it's been quite the rollercoaster ride! Over the past two months, I've been through a whirlwind of doctors' visits, tests, surgeries, and infusions—all stemming from a cancer scare that had me on edge.But here's the incredible part: I am overjoyed to announce that I am now officially cancer-free! It's been a tough road, but I've emerged victorious, thanks to the skilled hands of some remarkable medical professionals.
From my electrophysiologist's PA, who ordered tests after my complaints concerning lack of energy and erratic blood pressure following a heart ablation in December, to the oncologist who delivered good news, I've been surrounded by a team of angels in scrubs.
It all started with a visit to a gastroenterologist, who ordered iron infusions to address my low hemoglobin levels and scheduled a colonoscopy. That colonoscopy brought a frightening diagnosis of cancer in my cecum—a part of my anatomy I never knew existed! But thanks to the skilled hands of a specialist surgeon, I underwent a hemicolectomy (yes, I learned some new medical jargon along the way!), and I'm thrilled to report that all 18 lymph nodes removed during the procedure came back negative for cancer. Talk about a sigh of relief!
Next up was a visit to an oncologist, who delivered the best news I could have hoped for: "No chemo for you, young lady!" With that weight lifted off my shoulders, I'm now focusing on the road ahead, which includes a few more iron infusions to boost my hemoglobin levels and kick-start my energy levels.
Throughout this journey, which has seen me shed 32 pounds—definitely not a weight loss plan I'd recommend—I've been surrounded by the love and support of friends, family, and, of course, the incredible medical team who guided me through every twist and turn. My sweet husband learned the secrets to feeding feral cats and even how to clean litter boxes!So here I am, filled with gratitude for the early detection of my cancer, the expertise of my medical team, and the countless prayers and well wishes that have lifted me up during this challenging time. I'm eager to dive back into life with renewed energy and enthusiasm, and yes, I'm even dreaming of writing a new book!
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. Here's to health, happiness, and many more adventures ahead! Blessings to you all, and I can't wait to reconnect here soon.
MJ
Wonderful news, MJ! ❤️
Jack the Knife wrote:
Well, he’s lost me as a reader.Jack--
It's the age-old argument: Style vs plot. Lots of authors I read have writing styles I personally can't stand, but their plots are excellent. And authors that have a great writing style but terrible plots. The trick is reading them until you can't anymore.
To each his own, Dags.
Jack the Knife wrote: I just finished reading a thriller by Brad Thor, a bestselling novelist. He starts so many sentences with “ing” participles, it is painful to read. Where are the editors?
When you have a huge fan base you don't need no stinkin' editors.
Well, he’s lost me as a reader.
Below is a great, short article on when to use ing verbs and when not to:
https://mythsofthemirror.com/2020/03/08 … n-fiction/Until now I didn't even notice where I was doing it wrong. Admittedly, readers may not make the distinction either, but publishers very well may. In some cases, even when used correctly, it strengthens the writing when you avoid them.
The article also gives examples of when its okay to use them.
My thanks to Elysse for the push I needed to look into this in more detail.
I just finished reading a thriller by Brad Thor, a bestselling novelist. He starts so many sentences with “ing” participles, it is painful to read. Where are the editors?
Aw, jeez, MJ. So sorry to learn of your trial, and I pray a cure will be coming. Feel free to consult me for any questions you might have regarding treatment. I dealt with this often in my former day job.
Good to hear, Bill!
Only a three-hour drive to Charleston, one of my face cities.
Did you find a place?
Sol, CE Jones reported to me that she can’t get her account restored. Can you please look into that for her?
Best of luck to you, Mike!
Okay, Sol. You can ignore my DM. My account should be paid up to August 11, 2025 now, since I paid again to get access to the site when it shut down. If you wanna give me six months free on top of that, I won’t refuse it. 
Yup. Same here. They’re gone. Have to add those published books to your bookshelf again.
No huge issue, but when I went through the process of reestablishing my WIP on the site, everything worked except for the book cover image upload. Even the generic cover didn’t work.
Oh, and another thing. All my connections created in the last two years have disappeared. Thanks, Barry Campbell, for making me realize that. We’re connected again. I can’t remember all those to whom I connected in the last two years who are still active, so if you check your list and you think I should be on it and I’m not, send me another request.
I paid again to get access to the site early 5his morning.
I’m glad the site is back up and running again, but chagrined that all content after April, 2021 has been lost. And I was asked to renew my membership because my subscription had “expired,” when it hadn’t. But apparently one has to rejoin this new site. I trust Sol will follow through with his promise to prorate the subscription fees.
I won’t be reposting all the previous chapters of my current WIP. Those who have reviewed “Revival” before the site crash can continue with the new chapters. If the site is working now, I’ll post my next chapter later today.
Well done, Randall. I, too, enjoyed Clear and Present Danger, along with the novels of Vince Flynn (RIP) featuring Mitch Rapp.
Dae - can’t you double-space the manuscript and either attach it or paste onto the email, depending on the guidelines?
