151

(89 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Looking forward to reading that thriller, Temple!

152

(4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I use Chrome on a PC. I have the occasional problem of the site not letting me highlight only the word(s) in question, so I explain in my comment what I was referring to. Another constant problem is not allowing a highlight to continue into the next line without including the whole rest of the paragraph. Again, I adjust for this in my comment.

153

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks!

154

(19 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Well, there's been a change on my profile page. The works not mine are now gone, but mine haven't come back.

155

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Yes, it appears to be a widespread problem, as noted on Suin's thread. And it's the same unviewable stories planted on the profile pages in these cases. Looks more like mischief than a "glitch" to me. But we'll see.

156

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

To get to my WIP, "Deep Cover," you'll have to go to Author's postings on my profile page until this gets straightened out.

157

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Discovered today that the works listed on my profile page are not mine! I've messaged Sol. Better check your pages if you haven't done so recently.

158

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I'll be going to Amazon!

159

(46 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Sometimes I wish I had never taken up  writing and exposed my stuff to critics. Because then I wouldn't have learned the "rules" and could enjoy books without being distracted by the breakage thereof. Case in point: I'm currently reading a John Sanford novel. It's replete with unnecessary dialogue tags and ellipses. He's a bestseller. Okay, he's in the club now and can do that without some editor telling him he can't. BUT - the "rules" would make his writing better. I would like to see the first novels of these bestselling authors to see if the rules were followed then. If so, that would prove the oft-held theory.

160

(14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Congratulations, Randy!

161

(16 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Congrats!

Dirk - Taste is always personal, but I gotta disagree with you about "And Then There Were None." (!945)  Maltin gives it 4/4 stars. I've seen it a number of times. Great cast, and I liked the score! I haven't read the book on which the movie is based, and I doubt you'll come across the book with Christie's original title (which was changed for obvious reasons): "Ten Little Niggers."  I agree with Temple about Thomas Harris. "Red Dragon," on which the movie "The Silence of the Lambs" was based, is chilling and compelling.

163

(78 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Amen.

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(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Dirk B. wrote:

Based on examples from other writers, when I shortened it, I kept caps: "The Guard stands with you, Imperator." as opposed to "The guard stands with you, Imperator."

You had it right.

165

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Good to hear, Marilyn and Temple! We here in the U.S. tend to ignore the devastating storms that occur on the other side of the globe.

166

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I' was without power for two days but now back on line. Still raining, though, and speaking of that, did the dam hold, Marilyn?

I assume you're looking for an agent because you want a Big-5 publishing contract. You should research agents carefully re their track record in that regard. The only advantage of snaring an agent is to get that elite contract. Medium-size publishers usually don't require an agent middleman; in fact, some prefer you don't have one. Several years ago I did the agent research thing, narrowed them down by expressed interest in my genre and proven track record. I sent out dozens, if not hundreds, of queries. Less than half bothered to reply at all. Of those that did respond, they did so with boiler plate rejections. Occasionally, I received a reply that addressed the actual query, explaining the reason for the rejection. Those were my favorites. Eventually, I gave up looking for an agent and went directly to publishers. Goodness knows I wouldn't mind having an agent that could get me an advance with Putnam or the like, but until then I've got a publisher who is author-friendly, is sticking with me, and has offered to renew the  contracts for my earlier books. Good luck with your search. You might get in touch with GPyrenees- who did find an agent back in the day - for tips.

168

(4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I agree with Vern about #5! Consequently, that makes #6 moot. #25 is priceless!

169

(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Congratulations, Janet!

170

(14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I'm surprised Temple wants it spelled out. One writes, "Poverty claimed another victim," and the reader can make the interpretation -  helped, perhaps, by the description of the victim when discovered, but not necessary, since we should already have a context in the story.

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(10 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I would add a #6 for Ms. Marsh's consideration: Don't overuse hyphenated words, especially when the words don't get hyphens. (Heavyset, not heavy-set, Ms. Marsh.) Doesn't she proofread her posts?

172

(16 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

The Getaway in Space

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(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Marilyn Johnson wrote:

Another thing that annoys me:  classified ads.  I read one this morning in a newspaper:  For Sale:  White woman's purse.

I wonder what happened to that white woman. And how about those headlines like, "Springfield school needs to be aired."

174

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I used to like Clive Cussler's books. I still like the imaginative stories, but I find it hard to read them as literature anymore. His dialogue tag and POV errors, as well as his penchant for adverb modifiers,  distract me from the story.

175

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Basic)

Now that's what I call perseverance! Congratulations.