Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:
vern wrote:
janet reid wrote:

it's just a shame I can join 10 groups at most.

How in the helloworld do you keep up with 10 or more groups. My wife used to play two or three dozen bingo cards and I never figured out how she kept up with those either, lol. Take care. Vern

I think that I'm technically a member of 8 or 9 groups on here now, but I really only participate in 3 with a quick peek in at the others if someone posts something that draws my attention. I honestly don't want a "thread" about a particular work. I appreciated the reviews and feedback, but if someone has more to say about something I've written, I'd rather have that in a private message, especially if we might be having a disagreement or difference of opinion. From what I'm reading here, I think folks' biggest concern comes from those threads.

Okay, so you don't want a thread for your writing, so everyone else automatically don't either? I understand fully where you are coming from, but this is where the problem comes in. Just because x,y,z work for someone, doesn't mean it's going to work for another person. There are others that find a lot of value from the inputs from multiple people on their writing, i.e. they don't want to work in isolation, and it was my understanding that is what the forums/groups are for. Using the functionality to leave more comments on a specific review for a specific chapter only goes so far. E.g. I had a lot of questions regarding future chapters asking for inputs from certain groups - where do I put those if there isn't a chapter to review? If the forums were not intended for this, I'd be surprised.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is, try and think about more than just what works for you and thinking it's okay for you, so it should be okay for everyone else.

Sol has promised that he'll see what can be done within his ability and budget. As I said, if he can do that, it will be really great. If not, then we'll have to adjust. At the moment, we're hiding our groups from everyone, including TNBW members, which doesn't make sense, but if nothing else, then we'll have to. And clearly this will be a bigger 'issue' to those that use the forums for feedback on their writing than those that do not. But that doesn't invalidate anyone's concerns. I'm glad that Sol is willing to take our point of view into consideration.

I'm going to bow out of this one, it feels like I'm about to start the next lap around the same circle I've already lapped twice. smile

vern wrote:
janet reid wrote:

it's just a shame I can join 10 groups at most.

How in the helloworld do you keep up with 10 or more groups. My wife used to play two or three dozen bingo cards and I never figured out how she kept up with those either, lol. Take care. Vern

This was in reply to a suggestion that every writer or every book just open a private group, so I'd keep up the same way I currently keep up with 10+ threads (currently conveniently in a single forum, albeit open for the whole world to read without a password, because *insert any reason why we shouldn't even try*. I'll hardly break a sweat. I appreciate you heartfelt concern though, Vern.

To clarify: If we now have a group for every book, 10 groups are very quickly going to be insufficient. I can't be the only person who reads/follow more than 10 writers on this site. Now add say groups like Romance, Writing Tips, and the Premium group ... sorry, make that 7 books/writers ...

But basically what I'm trying to say is: for every so-called 'clever' solution/suggestion, there are problems associated with it that makes it harder to do what the purpose of this site is supposed to be about.

Seems like you need a reminder, here it is:

TheNextBigWriter, launched in 2005, combines a dynamic community of thousands of writers with cutting-edge tools, contests, classes, and communication to help members achieve their writing goals. By joining the site, you can:
-  Receive Feedback. Post your writing and receive detailed feedback from other workshop members.
-  Discover and Learn from Others. Discover, read, and critique the in-progress writing of other members. Help them and learn from the process. Leaving feedback isn't hard and we'll help you.
-  Connect with Other Writers.  Meet and connect with other writers to share information, tips, and make friends. Some have even found love amidst reading and reviewing.
-  Get Motivated. Enter contests and challenges like the Apple Drabble Short Story Contest to keep you motivated to write and edit.
-  Keep Control. Posting on the site keeps your writing within our password environment. You can restrict it further or open it up to the entire Internet for more exposure if you choose.

http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/guide/about-us

Linda Lee wrote:
njc wrote:

The visibility flag does the job, but at a cost.  The fear/concern is not about people registered on the site, but against peopld not so registered.  We'd like to be visible to people on the site, but not to people off the site.

Given your limited resources, I don't expect a fix tomorrow, but it appears that there are low-effort fixes possible.  If there is a no-index tag that search engines respect, it could be embedded in the forum page headers, perhaps controlled by a per-forum flag.  Making the forum server use the login-check machinery might be harder, especially the part about returning to the desired page after a login.  Those two steps would, I think, completely address the problem.

THIS is why I suggested creating a private group for intensive work specific discussion, and using your 'open' group to promote it. The group owner can 'sticky' an announcement of the private group's existence. It is a sensible, non-taxing workaround that shouldn't interrupt the flow of valuable feedback while providing you with the desired amount of privacy.

Brilliant suggestion, it's just a shame I can join 10 groups at most. Why then the 10 group limit?

Sure I can also join, leave and rejoin groups all the time, but this is getting silly.

Just my 2 cents.

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(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Rebecca Vaughn wrote:
janet reid wrote:
Rebecca Vaughn wrote:

I deleted the scene I posted on the "Love of Lust" thread.

I think the Medieval Fantasy Group forum is no longer visible, so hopefully I won't have too worry about that.

I've never posted on the Free Group, but I'll have to remember that the Premium Group is visible to anyone with internet access.

If anyone can tell me how to delete the "Titles in the Pendragon and the Beast of Caer Baddan" Thread, I would really appreciate it!

I had my identity stolen by a very unintelligent person. It ended up being six months of headache and time wasted. In the end, I got no compensation. And she got no punishment.

I do NOT want someone to steal the work I have put years of my life into.

I feel it is childish to make things easy for a robber. Forum posts about specific novels IS making it easy for them. If you don't want to be a victim, you lock your doors. So why was this forum made without doors?

sad

Is the thread in the Romance group? I can delete it. Let me know!

I'm also busy to copy everything I need - deleting the NS thread will commence shortly.

Just to confirm, given that there are those that feel strongly to keep this group open, and believe me, that is always the first preference, it will remain as an open group. I might consider adding a sticky note to mention this to newcomers.

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

Let me know if anyone has trouble to delete anything - I'll dust off my moderator's hat and start playing with the red buttons! smile

The Thread in the Romance Group. Could you get rid of it, please? I don't want it hanging about. sad

It's gone! smile

SolN wrote:

This was how the old site worked. In the 10+ years the site has been existence I have yet to hear of anyone not receiving a publishing contract or having any issue whatsoever because of information posted in TheNextBigWriter forum. In fact, I have yet to hear of any publisher having an issue with any work posted on the Internet if it has grown popular. In fact, publishers generally fight to sign work that has become popular online.

In talking with publishers and running my own publishing company, your biggest concern as authors is getting enough people to notice and care about what you have written. If a reader takes the time to dig through a message board on an author website to find a plot spoiler about your book, then you are well  on your way.

But if you want to bottle it all up, I'll look into a way of doing it.

Ultimately Sol, this is your site. And from what I have seen so far, TNBW is by far the best one. I'll rest with your decision, but if you can find a way to give us just a bit more control over what we would like to be visible while keeping the functionality of the forums, that would be absolutely fantastic. If you can't, then so be it, we/I will work around the system to make it work somehow.

I know no system is fool proof. But I'm all for trying as much as possible to not make it too easy too. (wow, this is by far the best writing I have done to date)

Thanks for this.

406

(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Rebecca Vaughn wrote:

I deleted the scene I posted on the "Love of Lust" thread.

I think the Medieval Fantasy Group forum is no longer visible, so hopefully I won't have too worry about that.

I've never posted on the Free Group, but I'll have to remember that the Premium Group is visible to anyone with internet access.

If anyone can tell me how to delete the "Titles in the Pendragon and the Beast of Caer Baddan" Thread, I would really appreciate it!

I had my identity stolen by a very unintelligent person. It ended up being six months of headache and time wasted. In the end, I got no compensation. And she got no punishment.

I do NOT want someone to steal the work I have put years of my life into.

I feel it is childish to make things easy for a robber. Forum posts about specific novels IS making it easy for them. If you don't want to be a victim, you lock your doors. So why was this forum made without doors?

sad

Is the thread in the Romance group? I can delete it. Let me know!

I'm also busy to copy everything I need - deleting the NS thread will commence shortly.

Just to confirm, given that there are those that feel strongly to keep this group open, and believe me, that is always the first preference, it will remain as an open group. I might consider adding a sticky note to mention this to newcomers.

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

Let me know if anyone has trouble to delete anything - I'll dust off my moderator's hat and start playing with the red buttons! smile

vern wrote:

Let's get realistic; nothing is safe on the internet, period. Just being a premium member and posting to only groups/connections does not protect your work. For less than ten bucks, anyone can join for a month and have access to all posted work of premium or basic members and it's doubtful even the private groups would turn down a potential new member should they ask to join. Ten bucks is not going to really thwart anyone so inclined; it's probably cheaper and faster than hacking the old fashioned way.

As Linda pointed out, the automatic copyright on site protects your work as well as anything and can be used in court to defend it and go after anyone who profits from it. Of course using a pen name is a no brainer should your work become famous and someone starts to Google  your name to find non-public info. If I Google my real name, none of my writing shows up since I don't use it, at least in the first million or so entries and should someone want to put that much effort into finding it, then there is probably nothing which can prevent it, and certainly no constraints on this or any other writing site.

Common sense is our best defense, but yeah, I wouldn't mind paying the lawyers after the fact that someone else has made millions from my work when so far I haven't been able to get a traditional publisher or movie mogul interested as the original author. If someone else can knock down the doors, then all they need do is come to me and I'll gladly offer an agent's commission for their efforts.

So, yeah, we can worry ourselves sick over the possibility of our work being hijacked or we can accept that absolutely nothing is safe from prying eyes on the internet and deal with any future stolen property rights with the courts on our side should it come to that. Just my opinion which has been stated in similar forums before this one. Take care. Vern

This is a slightly different issue though Vern. For one, it will (should IMO)  take more than a simple google search to gain access. That is my problem. It doesn't make sense that I have to access the site with a password and have the option to hide my work within the site from the wider internet, but the forums are a free for all. Sure, with sufficient motivation anything can be done, but really, one click? No effort?

Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:

You do realize that when you post on here, you are copyrighted. And an online copyright is only $35. Yeah, there will still be unscrupulous people who might steal your stuff, but that is a chance you take in today's electronic world. Still, if you're copyrighted and find out, you do have legal recourse.

This has nothing to do with this issue Janet. Before I signed up, I made sure my rights would still be intact. However, the main reason of this protection was, you need a password to sign in. The issue is, you don't need a password to access our forum posts. That's a big deal. Yes, anyone can create a profile and have access, but again, they need to dig deeper than a simple Google search to get the brilliant idea and two, they need to go through a bit more effort to gain access compared to clicking on a link. But this is me, because I for one have been using the forums extensively for feedback and advice.

409

(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

KHippolite wrote:

I kind of set off the firestorm.

You see, when you Google my character names, you get -- as a first result -- the ending of the story.

This wasn't the case on the old site - the forums there were protected. This Google tribulation is something new that came with the new site.

Having the ending up your story come up on a casual search is about as bad as it gets sad

You'd think accessing a site with a password would require access to the whole site with a password ... It's not on IMO.

Sure, someone can open a fake account etc etc, but again, a simple Google search. I'm not sure what the new site developers were thinking.

It's a good thing this was mentioned. As I said, I doubt Sol is going to change anything despite njc suggesting it's doable, but at least we now know and can work around it, even if it's less desirable.

410

(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:

A good reason not to have your novel in a thread. Leave that for the posts. If you need more feedback, take it private. We have that option.

I have found immense value from multi-person discussions. There are ways around not using the forum, but they all are very limited and ugly. Judging by Sol's silence, it looks like the few of us that's doing this will have to accept it, adapt and move on. But I'm disappointed.

I also made a note to delete all my work on the old site too.

411

(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Rebecca Vaughn wrote:

I suppose it is impossible to protect yourself from a determined professional hacker. But if the forums come up on google searches then your stuff is visible to the whole world without anyone even having to try!

The forums are made to discus the books and thus there should be privacy in place so that someone can't just type something into a search and click on one of the results and find out that so-and-so kills so-and-so, or such-an- such happens at the end of such-and-such book, or whatever.

If the groups are not private, I'd rather not be in groups.

Couple of issues here. The first, when I too signed up for TNBW, I was promised a certain degree of protection. That now turned out to be for x, y and z, but not a, b and c after the horse has bolted. I have the option to publish my WIP on site as I wish. I have the option to limit access to my freaking Facebook page. So why don't I have it for the forums. I know there are ways around this, but like Rebecca says, please make it a tad harder than a simple google search.

Second issue, I stand by all my comments, every single one. But, I have made comments here that is meant for here. I expected that it would take more than just a simple google search to get to it. If I wanted that, why the hell pay a fee to join this site? And if I had known, I might have decided not to post at all. But how was I supposed to weigh the risk without being given the complete picture.

Third issue, Sol does not need google searches to find our threads. Wants maybe, but not need. What he needs is for us to get published and spread the word of how great this site is and how we couldn't have done it without. Imagine sales pitch for the site when I accept my international writing award: Great site, but you can't intteract with the other writers because you know ...

This leads me to think I won't belong to any groups other for general discussions and to limit any discussion on my writing to the reviews section. That is effective to fade into the background of the dark interwebs, but in terms of getting feedback and having a discussion involving multiple people, it's horrible. And here I thought that was what this site was all about.

Typed on my phone, sorry for any nits due to thick fingers.

Ditto. Thanks Dirk.

But a new thought spun in Drech's mind.
We can tell a man's true upbringing by the way he behaves!

This and removing the section break before 'When Drech had walked a distance away' work better in my opinion. You can even, for the really slow-witted ones like me, rub it in just a tad more, but this is all up to you ...

But a new thought spun in Drech's mind.
We can tell a man's true upbringing by the way he behaves!
Why haven't I noticed it sooner?

Or some such. It could push it too much again as the other two changes are already an improvement and gives me that 'missing link' I've missed the first time around. This could also only be me ... so if everyone else 'gets' it, you might not need to change anything else.

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(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Rebecca Vaughn wrote:

I think we should all try to protect our intellectual property.

If a writer gets famous, then people start selling illegally obtained drafts of that writer's books. It happens all the time. Drafts from old books that are already published and drafts from new ones that are still being workshopped.

I don't expect to ever "make it big" but still, better to be overly cautious now, and then have the ability to choose to be lenient later. Then to be careless now, and have no control later on.

This is one of the bigger issues. I don't need more crap, writing is already hard enough as it is. Sure, we can proof this is our original work, but why go through all the trouble if it could've been avoided altogether. I do post my works to members and connections only, but if a google search open the forum threads, it's really not hard to open an account and gain access to the site. The probability is low, but it's possible.

For most of us, it's not a big issue now. We're not published. And we're not famous. But you can never say never.

I'm trying hard to figure out how some of my posts can be twisted and used against me. But I for one never underestimate the motivation of a properly motivated individual. I mean, if you post a pic of the presents under your Christmas tree and it goes viral ... *shakes head*

njc made a pretty decent suggestion in the main forum on this subject. Sol's silence is disconcerting though. Not sure if he has taken some time off or something, but he's not really forthcoming at the moment.

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I'm also glad we have Janet TP around to give us a published author's POV. smile

I've left a few extra comments on the latest chapter's review! smile Also, I'm starting to see how compelling writing trumps everything else. Despite all the "oopsies", I still read each chapter eagerly. That said, I have made some really brilliant blunders myself! And that's why we're here, for others to give us a fresh set of eyes and tell us where we have missed things! So we're all good, no need to feel bad!!!! smile

416

(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

If I google my name and adjust the search criteria to exclude Literary Agent, my TNBW posts is top of the first page. Others don't have the luxury of having a lit agent with the same name to push their results down.

The current members will remain automatically.

The issue to me is, I don't want my posts in a so called secured, limited writers community to be visible so widely. Call me paranoid, but given social media as is, I think it's best to be safe than sorry. But this is me.

If the rest of the group is okay with it as is, I can edit or delete my posts that I feel I don't want the rest of the world to see. I stand by all of my comments and posts, but they were posted for TNBW, not the www and I don't want to think twice or how many times before I reply or ask something to make sure it will stand the test of all contexts. As I said, this is me.

417

(26 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Hi everyone

The Romance group settings as is allows our threads and posts to come out in Google searches (all our posts). Plan is to make the group private (which means new members will have to 'apply' to become part of our group) and also to limit its visibility (it won't come up when groups are searched and will only be by invitation).

The first is not a problem, I'll accept every new member. The work around the second issue would be I'll just have to send out invitation every now and again for those interested to join, to let me know.

Before I do this, I would like your comments/suggestions/opinions first.

Thanks!
Janet

418

(2 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

I'm getting to old for this, today feels like any other day ... LOL
In any case, wishing everyone a happy new year and lots of happy writing too!
Cheers Janet

http://www.thereportertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/happy-new-year-2016.jpg

Oh, good question! Scathach herself is really just a "cameo". But I have used her school for two purposes. One is to build the schism with Drech on one side and Enhinti's friends on the other. Enhinti is currently working for the rival school to Scathach's. Drech being accepted by Scathach thus extends this rivalry. The second purpose is to get rid off the "Cunedda's sons are unworthy" problem. In the first book Drech fights five of Cunedda's sons one at a time and beats them all. In the fifth book, Drech will fight the youngest son who turns out to be a true contender. That last chapter with the school (hopefully) explains why the youngest is so good. Mainly because he got taught at a really famous and secretive school. If you don't feel these things are worth a whole extra chapter though, definitely tell me! smile

Rebecca, keep in mind that I'm late to the party. I've only read book III and now book IV. It seems to me that you have a (REALLY) good reason to have this scene included - I like how it extends the rivalry/tension between Drech and Enhiniti. I guess Drech doesn't know that Enhinit works for the rival school? *snickers* That'll be good!!!! In any case, no need to delete it - it has purpose. I'd probably change my comment then to maybe foreshadowing or hinting (subtly of course!) at some of this purpose and reason for having this scene. As it stand now, and this is only my opinion, it reads kind of out of place and I couldn't make out what the purpose of the scene was. So if you add something, as I say, subtly, for the slow ones like me, it will very likely make my whole comment go away.

Hope this helps/makes sense! Janet

KHippolite wrote:
janet reid wrote:
Rebecca Vaughn wrote:

Your list of likes about the movie were my complaints! But we cannot all enjoy the same stuff I guess...

I would like to see a historical account of Queen Gorgo though. That would be interesting!

Surely we all can agree on the superbness (is this even a word?) of the beefcakes?! yikes

In the graphic novel, the Spartans aren't wearing anything under those skirts, so there's a whole lot of flapping around

I don't care. As long as they are wearing skirts, and no shirts, I'm good. tongue

421

(15 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:

And he's a part of the U.S. Civil War. I get where you're coming from. She would have been better off making him a southern aristocrat who managed to hold on to something after the War OR a Rhett Butler type.

Exactly! smile

422

(520 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)

Elisheva Free wrote:
janet reid wrote:
amy s wrote:

(Virtual wine glass appears)

Clink!

Just a glass? Not a bottle? sad

I have two bottles in my fridge... plus loads of chocolate from Christmas. I could celebrate on your behalf? ;D

-Elisheva

You are my new hero. Clearly well prepared for any eventuality! Wine + chocolates. That's EXACETEDLY my style! Thanks for helping me out on this one!!! big_smile

Rebecca Vaughn wrote:
amy s wrote:

I agree that the film was rife with inaccuracies, but the beefcake was nice to watch. I found it thought-provoking to learn about Thermopylae. Our entire civilization would be a very different place if the Persians hadn't chosen 1) that site to land, 2) that pass as a choke point, and 3) 300 men hadn't been standing in the way. As far as significant-globe-changing-battles, that one is certainly near the top of the list. That, and the battle of Marathon.

Here is a site I liked. http://ancientgreekbattles.net/Pages/48 … opylae.htm 

Don't know how much more accurate it is than others, but still an entertaining read.

Oh, and '300' also let Lena Headey get a meaty role (Cercei Lannister from Game of Thrones)

Your list of likes about the movie were my complaints! But we cannot all enjoy the same stuff I guess...

I would like to see a historical account of Queen Gorgo though. That would be interesting!

Surely we all can agree on the superbness (is this even a word?) of the beefcakes?! yikes

424

(15 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:

That's Scottish. Just ask me. I'm Scotch-Irish descent, and when I get mad, my words come out with an Irish brogue though I've never even been there.

Not exactly what I meant! smile What I tried to say is, if you look at the title and the cover, you expect a Scottish lord/Highlander, not an English earl that has lived his whole life in London. Technically, yes, he's Scottish, because ancestors. In practice though, the author has taken a cheap shot - and this is only my opinion. To me, it has a feel of: I want a Scot as the hero, because Scots are drool-worthy, but don't know anything about Scots, Scotland, or how to write their 'accent', so I'm just going to make him English and call him Scottish. And then she carries on. I'd be more forgiving if there was actually a good reason why he was in England and not in Scotland, but nadda, nothing, zilch. You can insert *any nationality*, and it would make no difference. So why do it then?

425

(15 replies, posted in Romance Inc.)

Rebecca Vaughn wrote:

The author is trying to win the "big cock contest" by giving her hero some extremely large maleparts.

It is just an ego trip.

The measuring anatomy is not just female characters or female authors. Male characters and male authors will do the same to female characters in the book. The man guessing the woman's bra size as double D? Or her hip/waist ration?

It is all just to stroke the ego of the writer.

To me, there's a difference though. Guys do that IRL, trying to guess cup size. I think a few of them are pretty good at it too. Whereas women notice a guy's size, but we don't measure to the nearest inch. At worse, they'll go 'he is/was huge' and even that is all relative. But so many fingers and yay thick?

I could have double standards, but if a guy talks double D, it rings true. Not so much when women start measuring to the nearest inch ...

But that it's possibly just to stroke the author's ego, I think that's a really good explanation!