51 Reply by JL Mo

(32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

janet reid wrote:

Even if we just have the option to give them points from our own balance would already be a step in the right direction. Although the skeptic in me think it wouldn't make a difference.

Allow me to address your inner skeptic...

Let's say I have 1000+ points in my account. I can afford to pay reviewers. But, poor John Doe, who just joined the site, doesn't have two points to rub together. He couldn't pay for reviewers, so he's screwed out of those reviewers who won't get extra bonus points for reading his stuff. They will come to me, instead.


Your inner skeptic is wise. neutral

Go to forum: TheNextBigWriter Premium

52 Reply by JL Mo

(32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Yes, we've been here, and done this. The former TNBW site was a fabulous site, but not without pitfalls. One of those was reviewing reviewers with a five-star system. It generated some mean and nasty posts in their corresponding forums. Another was listing the "Top 10 Reviewers" on the home page. That, too, generated some hard feelings from those who felt they were being punished for not reviewing enough. The forums became a battle ground over these issues.


As for reviewers dropping off, I'd like to explain the phenomenon with a quote from Homer of The Simpsons, "Oooo, shiny." Or, perhaps from the movie Up, with, "Squirrel!"


What I'm saying is that people get distracted. There are new stories posted everyday on this site, and it's hard to keep up with them, and still offer continuing efforts on current works, and still get any writing done for yourself.


How about we dedicate ourselves to continuing the works we've begun? Each of us can be called to account for a few infractions of dropping out of someone's work, without word or reason. I'd be at the top of that list. (Sorry, Seabrass, jp, janet reid, et al.) But giving people extra credit for sticking around is not feasible. The points have to come from somewhere, and while some of us do have hundreds of points to offer reviewers, others barely gather enough to post their next chapter. Let's give each other a break, and continue our own work, and be grateful for the few that do hang around, rather than complain that we're not as popular as we once were.


Also, I heartily agree with jp's four steps. (See previous post.)

Go to forum: TheNextBigWriter Premium

53 Topic by JL Mo

(1 replies, posted in Chillin)

My story For the Love of Ivory (formerly Elephanthology Light/Dark) is done and will be available on Kindle Monday the 13th of July.

My glass is raised for the memory of Phyl Manning, who was the inspiration for the story. That wonderful woman is not forgotten. *Cheers*

I'm rather embarrassed because I deleted the story from this website in anticipation of the publication, and did not save the reviews. I went back to find the names of some of you fine people that helped make the story great, and they were gone. I did remember Paul and Dags, but then I pulled a "Gilligan's Island" and added an "and the rest" type of acknowledgement. Here's the reference...

"...Paul, a/k/a Skeptikoi and Dagnee of The Next Big Writer website (and the rest of my reviewer group on that wonderful site); and finally, Phyllis Manning, who was the original inspiration for this story. RIP..."

So, my glass is also raised to each of you, and, now that I can breathe, I look forward to reading/reviewing and toasting all of you wonderful writers and your accomplishments. If you'd like, post here when you "get 'er done", and we'll raise a glass together.

Thanks so much!

*clink*

Go to forum: Chillin

54 Topic by JL Mo

(0 replies, posted in Chillin)

It's Independence Day, and if you're looking to hear a little patriotic tribute, other than Proud to be an American by Lee Greenwood here's a few I like. Grab a dog and a brew, prop your feet up, and chill with me...


In America by Charlie Daniels


Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly by Aaron Tippin


And this one always chokes me up...
American Soldier by Toby Keith


Enjoy the fireworks, and stay safe tomorrow my fellow writers.

Go to forum: Chillin

55 Reply by JL Mo

(6 replies, posted in Chillin)

Hey cobber! I just swung through and saw your message. Today is Father's Day, and since everyone has at least one, I'll wish you and yours a Happy Father's Day.

What's going on in your part of the world?

Now I Best get back to the grill. Hope to be back sooner than two weeks!

Go to forum: Chillin

56 Reply by JL Mo

(6 replies, posted in Chillin)

Okay, I'm dropping another quarter in the jukebox... Selecting 50 Ways to Say Goodbye by the group Train.

Go to forum: Chillin

57 Topic by JL Mo

(6 replies, posted in Chillin)

A song came to mind (again), and I really wanted to share. If you've never heard of Bruno Mars, you really should get out more. He does this song that just makes me so Happy. No, not that one. It's the The Lazy Song. It's now the theme song for this group. You're welcome.

Go to forum: Chillin

58 Reply by JL Mo

(9 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

j p lundstrom wrote:

"...I can't afford to waste time these days..."

Off topic, I know, but your statement brought a song called One Day to mind. Thanks for the break. smile

Go to forum: FAQ for members

59 Reply by JL Mo

(2 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

No, you're right. My original post had been edited, and the "back-assward" comment was for anyone who had read it pre-edit.

Go to forum: FAQ for members

60 Reply by JL Mo

(9 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

I first worked with computers while in DOS mode. Are you old enough to know that reference? Back then, you pretty much guessed (and failed) too many times to be hesitant. I just dive right in. Failure is an option, as it turns out. big_smile

Go to forum: FAQ for members

61 Reply by JL Mo

(3 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

You are most welcome.

By the way, feel free to post something here that you had a hard time locating. While I appreciate the sites FAQ (you know I do) sometimes a quickie FAQ might be called for.

Go to forum: FAQ for members

62 Reply by JL Mo

(2 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

For the first two that show up with your profile, I post the work of which I'm most proud. Current exchanges of ongoing work are a great way to polish material, but if someone is seeking you out, you'd want to put your best work at their fingertips. IMHO.

Go to forum: FAQ for members

63 Reply by JL Mo

(2 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

Sounds like a plan. I'll look into it, however, it's been a while since I've been onsite. So, give me some time. Feel free to jump in anytime. smile

Go to forum: FAQ for members

64 Reply by JL Mo

(4 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

Congrats! I look forward to reading it.

Go to forum: Spirituality & Religion

65 Reply by JL Mo

(10 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

Thanks for sharing, Radley. There is no offense that I could glean from your post, in any way, shape, or form. Heart-breaking. Yes. But offensive? No.

There are so many injustices in this life. Yours is a primary example. Only the Father knows why some people suffer so greatly, while others sail through life unhindered. We like to believe those who suffer much in this life will have the greater rewards in the next, but we can't say for sure.

If that is true, however, your friend should be rich beyond measure.

Go to forum: Spirituality & Religion

66 Topic by JL Mo

(3 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

I started this silly little post because I had to email Sol for help on something for this site. In his (quick) response, he said it would be added to the FAQ section. That's when I realized the sites FAQ section is quite extensive, and it might be nice to have a quick and easy reference for how to do the quick and simple stuff. So, I created this for others, but mostly, for myself.

Anyway, for those looking for the actual, and much more detailed and extensive, FAQ...

Pull down the blue button with your name on it, click Help Guide. The second selection under "General Information" is the site FAQ.

I just learned that my use of the bookshelf is back-assward. Meh, live/learn...

Go to forum: FAQ for members

67 Topic by JL Mo

(8 replies, posted in Fight Club)

I like getting reviews. I mean, who doesn't? I've got thick skin and can take any measure a reviewer wants to dish. I may or may not decide to utilize the review, but that's my choice.

Then, along came ALex. This person posted two reviews on two of my stories. Great, right? Well, maybe, except they were as generic as tap water and, get this, identical!

Yep, the both read,
"...
hello

You have a great book and great potential to be the next best writer. I think if the right person reads your book, you may be on the way up that ladder. I too hope to be the next best writer. It's my dream. Check my stuff out too, thank you, ALex..."

If it had been left at that, I would have grinned and given an equally generic reply, then dismissed the author. However, this was too good an opportunity not to mess with. This is my reply, which I coped and pasted to both (again, identical) reviews...

"...Bwaahahahahah!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

When I first joined this writers group (many moons ago), another writer warned me of those reviewers who copied/pasted reviews. In my time here, I've suspected a few of them, but your identical reviews, posted on the same day, for my two stories Elephanthology Light and Elephanthology Dark is the most blatant example(s).

It made me laugh. And it begs the question, is this a case of TLDR?

Bwaahahahahah!
~JL Mo..."

After that, I tried to message this person, and their account is closed. So, all's well that ends well.

*End of Rant*

Go to forum: Fight Club

68 Topic by JL Mo

(9 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

Have you replied to all of your very kind reviewers? Do you know how to be sure if you did or not?

On your profile page, under your image, is the title Feedback. The first category under this title is New Regular Reviews. Never mind that it shows -0- New, click the ‘View All’ anyway.


This will take you to the My Reviews page. All of your writing that has been reviewed is under the tab Regular Received. Under the “Reply” category is a simple Yes or No. That indicates whether you have responded to a review or not. If it shows “No”, then be a good doobie and click the action button, and at least say “Thanks.” Click submit.


Check the entire database. Reply to the reviewers. It’ll only take a minute, and it’s the polite thing to do.


BTW~the same holds true for each of the other tabs at the top as well. They list the chapters you've reviewed, along with a Yes or No if the author has responded or not.

Go to forum: FAQ for members

69 Topic by JL Mo

(2 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

This one took me a while. If anyone has a better way of doing this, please let us know.

Find the book you want to review. When you have it up on your screen, about mid-screen, you'll find a button labeled "Add to Reading List". This is the key. Click that, and the button will now read "Added to Reading list". The next time you're ready to review that author's work, select "Reading List" from the pull down menu (the button with your name on it at the top right hand of the screen), and the title is there. When you open that, click on the "Chapter" blue bar and you'll see what chapters you have, and have not, reviewed.

Ta-Daa!

Yeah, go ahead, laugh. It really did take me a while to figure out.

EDITED...
Go ahead, laugh harder. I read the sites FAQ and realized I had it back-assward.

Go to forum: FAQ for members

70 Reply by JL Mo

(15 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

I already responded to that query, so you must be looking for someone else's opinion. But, it might have been a case of TLDR, so I'll highlight it for you.

JL Mo wrote:

So, yes, I believe the flood was real. Yes, countless numbers of humans died, but not necessarily from anything more than an imperfect planet.

I can't speak for your character's motivation. I'm not guided in that direction.

Go to forum: Spirituality & Religion

71 Reply by JL Mo

(15 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

Norm d'Plume wrote:

"...There are two "versions" of God in the book, one in each of the two characters' heads, telling them different, even conflicting things. The intent is to keep open throughout the book whether this is the real God doing these things for a purpose, or simply mental illness on the part of the two teens..... I want to include faith-based arguments for some of the more troubling aspects of the Bible, including God's wrath. "

The "real God" or mental illness? I come away from that question as if you are setting yourself up for an argument and/or persuasion. I'll leave the critiquing for the reviewers.

If you're not going to be clear who/what is guiding these children, what difference does it make if it's faith based?

Norm d'Plume wrote:

"...The arguments I've read are usually either 1.) the Bible was written a long time ago and not everything in it is true, or 2.) every word in the Bible is the Word of God, and if you question it, you're going to Hell.

I'm wondering if those of a Christian faith have come across other answers..."

The only way someone can tell you that you're going to hell, or not, is by throwing God off His throne. Anyone who tells you they have all the answers is a liar. The Holy Spirit guides each of God's children to a place of peace for their needs. Christians understand this. Sadly, it can't be explained. To be "born again" is to be awakened to the Spirit.

May God bless your continued quest.

Go to forum: Spirituality & Religion

72 Reply by JL Mo

(15 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

Have you heard the Song of Job by Seatrain? Originally released in 1970, it's a fabulous synopsis, set in true 1970's music. It's six minutes long, but really, really cool.


Edit:
But like most things, the book is better.

Go to forum: Spirituality & Religion

73 Reply by JL Mo

(15 replies, posted in Spirituality & Religion)

mikira (AKA KLSundstrom) wrote:

"...The thing is God doesn't frown on us questioning these things. In fact He welcomes it..."

I agree. He wants us to seek. The scripture says "Seek ye first..."

God doesn't mind us complaining, either. Just ask Job. big_smile

Go to forum: Spirituality & Religion

74 Topic by JL Mo

(2 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

On the authors public profile, two posts are under the heading "Featured by Author." The two under mine were not what I would have chosen. Here's how to change it.

Go to your portfolio. The stories (presuming you have more than two) are in a certain order. The top two are the 'featured' ones. Use your mouse and grab the title you want to feature and drag it to the top.

Done.

Go to forum: FAQ for members

75 Topic by JL Mo

(2 replies, posted in FAQ for members)

I spent a good portion of a day trying to figure out an issue I was having. I went to the provided FAQ page, and the answer wasn't there. I tried to sift through some of the other forums, and got completely lost. In the end, Sol to the rescue. (Thanks again, Sol!)

So, this has to happen to other members. That's what this group is for. If you have a question about how to work this site, and don't want to bother Sol, you might find someone here who already knows the answer.

Dump your questions about this site here. If no one else can answer it, we'll ask Sol.

Go to forum: FAQ for members