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(7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Marilyn Johnson wrote:
jack the knife wrote:

Thanks, Dags. Helene didn’t affect us, but the week before we got torrential rain from a tropical storm that wiped out many roads and bridges in my area. We thought we had it bad until Helene destroyed Asheville, in the western part of the state.

Happy to hear all is well with you, Jack. We're still digging out here in NE Georgia. We've got trees down everywhere, the roof is torn off our barn, a monster tree is blocking our driveway, and our pond is overflowing. A tornado tore the tops off a swath of huge oak trees in my back yard and toppled more than fifty of them. These trees are anywhere from fifty to over a hundred years old. My power was off for ten hours. My daughter lives only 15 miles from me, and her power is still off today, four days later, with no idea when it will come back on.

We have one grocery store in the small town where I live, and their computers are down, they have no incoming food because their home office is located in Asheville, NC, and their offices and trucks are underwater. So shelves in my town are empty, and this dock workers strike is not going to help us one bit.

Has anyone heard from Vern? He's in the western part of North Carolina where a huge amount of damage was done.

MJ

So sorry to hear that, MJ. Mother Nature’s devastation, augmented by climate change. And we have another month - or more! - of potential severe storms. The threat is real, and all of us should have plans to escape if need be.

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(14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Good news!

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(14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

dagny wrote:

Natfoot--
I just remembered you live in Florida. Are you okay? Let us know.
dagfoot smile

My brother-in-law lives in Panama City Beach. He dodged the bullet, and I hope you did too.

Jack

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(7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, Dags. Helene didn’t affect us, but the week before we got torrential rain from a tropical storm that wiped out many roads and bridges in my area. We thought we had it bad until Helene destroyed Asheville, in the western part of the state.

If we’re in a character’s POV, I would use frown, since the character would be unlikely to think of his brow furrowing, but he is likely to voluntarily “frown.” For an observing character, both would be acceptable and avoid overdoing an action description by using alternatives. Your second example would be used only for an observing character, since it would be an involuntary action by the POV character. Hope I interpreted your question correctly.

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(148 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

The clock is ticking.

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(148 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

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.

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(148 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

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?

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(35 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Dirk B. wrote:

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?

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(12 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Nathan B. Childs wrote:
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.

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(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Marilyn Johnson wrote:

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,
MJ

MJ

What she said.

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(2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

SolN wrote:

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.

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(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Marilyn Johnson wrote:

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! ❤️

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(17 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

dagny wrote:

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.
smile

To each his own, Dags.

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(17 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

dagny wrote:

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. smile

Well, he’s lost me as a reader.

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(17 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Dirk B. wrote:

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?

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(13 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

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.

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(22 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Good to hear, Bill!

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(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Only a three-hour drive to Charleston, one of my face cities.

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(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Great!

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(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Did you find a place?

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(58 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Sol, CE Jones reported to me that she can’t get her account restored. Can you please look into that for her?

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(10 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Best of luck to you, Mike!

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(58 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

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. smile