My apologies, Ronald. I was trying for a bit of cultural humor from the Bloom County cartoons. Turns out, Bill the Cat says ack, not gack. My bad.
3,101 2016-10-26 01:34:55
Re: The Query Letter: short and sweet, or "Be my friend" (43 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
3,102 2016-10-26 00:06:32
Re: Scrivener (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
jack the knife wrote:
I'm still using Word for Windows 7. Since I switched from Explorer to Google Chrome, I've noticed that when I paste a document onto the site, I lose my paragraph separations and my italics. So I have to go through editing to correct the errors. Anyone know what the problem is and how I can avoid it?
I'm also using Win 7/Word 2007/Google Chrome. Same problem as you. I just manually go through it to fix the chapters after I publish them. I haven't raised it with Sol.
3,103 2016-10-25 23:57:51
Re: Scrivener (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
max keanu wrote:
THanks Norm,
Ugghh, I was using Story Mill on mac, but now on an HP/Win10. Same deal you mention on Story Mill. Perhaps Google Docs is the best and simplistic way to start up my writing again.
I was using Google Docs years ago. None of the export options to get it into Word worked completely. I think I just finally cut & pasted, created the styles I needed in Word, and then went through the whole draft, applying styles manually. It's not as bad as it sounds. Set everything to Normal first, then go through applying other styles where needed. Google still enhances Docs, so hopefully the export options work better now.
Also, be aware that Docs only supports about a half dozen styles, most of them headings. It's been like that forever. The only way to create your own is to modify one of the existing styles. I don't think you can rename them, though, so you may have a style called Heading 3 that you use to format indented text, an epigraph, or whatever you're trying to highlight. The other option is to use the default styles as is, and manually format wherever you need formatting other than Normal and Headings. The lack of user-defined styles was a key reason I bought a refurbished Windoze machine over the cheaper Chromebooks..
3,104 2016-10-25 23:36:19
Re: The Query Letter: short and sweet, or "Be my friend" (43 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
ronald quark wrote:
Shadyia is a courtesan of the Silver Rose. When Demos Azari, fanatical advisor to the wicked Innocenti, requests Shadyia’s favor, he threatens the brothel sisterhood if she fails to comply. Despite her madam’s command, integrity makes Shadyia refuse. But this is only the beginning of Shadyia’s woes. Demos has bound a demon inside an enchanted box—a demon he believes will free mankind from its obsession with the gods. But the imprisoned fiend has an agenda of its own: the slaughter of humanity. Only an enchanted ruby, hidden in the labyrinth beneath the Silver Rose, can keep the demon in the box. Only Demo’s sworn enemy, the magician Aaron, can find the ruby—but not without Shadyia’s help. As the great city of Anderholm dangles at the edge of ruin, Shadyia must decide whether to join Aaron on his quest or betray him to preserve the sisterhood she cherishes above all.
Gack! :-)
3,105 2016-10-25 03:46:51
Re: Say the first word that comes to mind... (1,634 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Aggressively passive.
3,106 2016-10-25 02:56:37
Re: Scrivener (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Unless it's changed in the past two years, there is no automated way of going back and forth with an editor. It can generate a Word file and you can then use Word's track changes/comments to work with your editor. When that's done, you cut and paste bits (scenes?) of the Word file back into Scrivener. I'd be very interested if someone has found an easier way to handle that.
3,107 2016-10-24 21:41:05
Re: Say the first word that comes to mind... (1,634 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Ancient cave paintings.
3,108 2016-10-24 05:51:07
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Flayed alive, actually. Useless trivia: it turns out, the origin of chemises dates back to Roman tunics, and has at various times been both a man's or women's garment or undergarment.
3,109 2016-10-24 04:44:48
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
amy s wrote:
Sometimes he writes so he can pull off Star Trek puns. The punier the better:-)
That's a lovely red chemise you're wearing, Dr. Ess.
3,110 2016-10-24 03:05:42
Re: The Query Letter: short and sweet, or "Be my friend" (43 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
There are seven unique names in this short summary. I had to read it several times to wrap my head around it. Also, I was unable to figure out what the Silver Rose referred to. At first I thought it was the name of the sisterhood, but the last sentence seems to suggest otherwise. I suggest simplifying it to reduce the number of names. And definitely lose the italics. It's hard to read. Also, I believe the word "which" after "enchanted ruby" should be "that".
3,111 2016-10-22 02:29:36
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Kdot wrote:
She also does things that will horrify Joseph.
Such as shooting helpless opponents?
No, she's more of a physical fighter. She beats their brains in. She's present at the fight between Joseph and Apollo at the Neuer Mond dinner. Apollo, of course, has his enhanced abilities from God. Joseph will have Billie. I still need to make Joseph lose, though, so Joseph has to find a way to reign her in.
3,112 2016-10-22 01:26:42
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
bill kandiliotis wrote:
I can only suggest two things about Billie/Anikh. 1) she has to play a part in moving the narrative forward, why did God put her there? How will her being there, causing mischief, determine the outcome of Joe's journey. 2)if she is an evil entity, her backstory should be consistent, was she a bad person? A killer. Another nagging issue, since we are delving into the supernatural, what are the laws of the universe that govern these players? As a scifi reader I am anticipating a grand ultra universe with forces at work trying to influence the outcome of our universe. This has good potential.
There will be some brief hints before she dies that all is not as it seems. Maybe she rolls her eyeballs up into her head, claiming it's a nervous tic. TBD. At first, Joseph will welcome her to his head. Who would do otherwise for a sweet little girl? Later, once her sinister nature becomes evident, there will be a discussion with God about why she's there. Apparently, it's to help Joseph found his religion, although God won't explain why. She does sh*t that Joseph wants but would rarely dare do himself. She also does things that will horrify Joseph.
3,113 2016-10-21 08:07:21
Re: Anyone want to play again? (60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
In what demonic paint store did they make you work in? Green and blue make white?
3,114 2016-10-21 07:36:14
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
They all want increased time with the body. Joseph kept them mostly in check during v2. I was saving the subplot of Andrew taking over for book two. But, hey, why wait? I'm going to make Billie so nasty even Andrew is afraid of her!
3,115 2016-10-21 06:46:50
Re: The Sorcerer's Progress (1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
We all gotta die sometime. I believe in doing it spectacularly! Just ask Trump.
3,116 2016-10-21 06:44:09
Re: Anyone want to play again? (60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I don't know, Seabrass, she doesn't look green to me. Maybe after a little more absinthe...
3,117 2016-10-21 05:29:49
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
It seems little Anikh will be returning in v3, having been totally dumped mid-story in v2. She's the girl Joseph rescued from the hospital who died in his arms and took up residence in his head. I didn't have a good use for her. Until Bill K. returned to TNBW! His review gave me the idea to resurrect her. Picture Regan from the Exorcist (her head all a twirling) in Joseph's head. Her new name in v3 will be Billie, naturally. Among other things, she's going to be the ghost who takes on the pedophile guard in King of the Slaves. No need for Joseph to do it when I can let her at him! I have got to rewatch the Exorcist! She can also take over in a TBD prison scene where Joseph is almost raped. She'll be off pouting when Joseph really needs her to kick the shogun's ass.
3,118 2016-10-21 05:06:11
Re: Anyone want to play again? (60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:
She stared into nothingness, mind numbed by the effects of absinthe, but it was better than the alternative.
Bathe a Wookie?
3,119 2016-10-21 05:04:29
Re: The Sorcerer's Progress (1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Manticore-skinned Veethan? As Thurston Howell once said, "Watch your language! There are ladies present." And Amy's here, too. :-)
3,120 2016-10-20 23:29:10
Re: Anyone want to play again? (60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Leia thought, Han is dead and the Wookie here desperately needs a bath!
3,121 2016-10-20 17:11:03
Re: Snuck vs Sneaked (186 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Dill Carver wrote:
Norm d'Plume wrote:Why not just put armed snipers all along the border? It worked relatively well for the East Germans... Jobs lost to illegal immigrants? 0. Cost of capturing, arresting, housing, feeding, trying and deporting illegal immigrants? $0. Number of illegals who die trying to walk across the open desert? 0. It's pretty much win-win.
Armed Snipers?
Is there any other kind?
Whilst unarmed Snipers might be easier to train and cheaper to equip, you might also find them to be a tad less effective within their primary role.
Har! The East Germans were desperately trying to stop their own people leaving. An exodus to the West. I think that rather than a perimeter of snipers, they had an extensive physical barrier; a wall (and fence in places) that was manned by the military and the police. Sentries (armed ones), attack-dogs, minefields and barbed-wire.
I'm not saying that a wall of containment around the USA is a bad idea BTW. It's just that mass emigration is not perceived to be the issue. No interception by arresting or detaining for border infringement or transgression? No capture at all, simply gun everyone down from a distance and hopefully with a headshot? You say that this would reduce 'the number of "illegals" who die trying to walk across the open desert to zero (is this were the unarmed snipers make their killin'?). How many snipers to cover the whole border 24/7? It worked relatively well for the East Germans? Yeah, so well that their state, their country; the GDR, ceased to exist. LMAO
I'm glad you're laughing. For a minute I thought you took my post seriously. If it moves, shoot it! I should make that my signature.
3,122 2016-10-20 01:24:38
Re: Snuck vs Sneaked (186 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Why not just put armed snipers all along the border? It worked relatively well for the East Germans... Jobs lost to illegal immigrants? 0. Cost of capturing, arresting, housing, feeding, trying and deporting illegal immigrants? $0. Number of illegals who die trying to walk across the open desert? 0. It's pretty much win-win.
3,123 2016-10-19 02:39:20
Re: Snuck vs Sneaked (186 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Have you ever sneaked a Snickers as a snack while snucking a pair sneakers?
What do I win?
3,124 2016-10-19 02:35:51
Re: The Sorcerer's Progress (1,528 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Found it on Google. That's the whole poem.
3,125 2016-10-19 00:17:02
Re: Say the first word that comes to mind... (1,634 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Indoor outhouse. (My grandmother had one.)
