451

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

It is too bad you feel that way, Tamihana. When first-time writers join this site, recognition comes slow. You have to get out and visit the profiles of a lot of other writers. I notice you have only 7 connections to show for a year of membership. In my first year, I had nearly 40. If you want anyone to see your posts, the best way to do that is to make friends with as many writers as you can. Search the groups you are interested in and send connection requests. It doesn't cost a thing to do that. Then, when they post something, go read it and comment. This way you build up points you can use to post your own works.

It takes time to gather reviewers. Keep trying and they will show up. I suggest you find a story you are really interested in reading and get started. Most new reviewers will opt for a Regular review. Surely you can find 50 words to tell the writer what you think. Later, as you gain confidence in your own abilities, venture into an Inline review. They aren't as hard as you think. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) makes mistakes, typos, and bad grammar at times. Don't be afraid to point things like that out. We're happy to have that happen.

Give writing in a new genre a try. I had never given much thought to writing a romance novel, but soon I'll have my first one published. That's a heck of a boost to one's ego. Above all, don't give up.

Bill

452

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I am still using Word (well, actually Office) 2003. I've considered upgrading so I can add Grammarly (it won't support anything under Word 2012 - I think). Maybe I should investigate Wordperfect. I used to use it all the time but switched back in the old Pentium days.

Bill

453

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

That's interesting, Janet. I just typed the same sentence into my Word and nary a peep from it like yours. Maybe I have something turned off that you have checked in the grammar section. It did suggest, however, that I change "feet touch" to "feet touched".

Bill

454

(7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Your profile shows you as joining in May of 2014, JP. Perhaps Janet is right and you need to renew your membership.

Bill

455

(7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Here's what I get when I try to go to your portfolio. This does not bode well, JP:

"Right now j p lundstrom's portfolio is empty."

Bill

** shameful horn-tooting **

For a chuckle about voice-to-text, see my short story "Verbatim". There is a point when technology can bite you where you least expect it. So, beware when dictating to your phone.

Bill

For the twenty years I was in the navy, and ever since, I carry what we called a "wheel pad". It is a simply notebook about postcard size, made of bound paper in which you write everything you're told to do or have done. That way, nothing escapes you. Now, I carry a small spiral notebook in my shirt pocket. When inspiration hits me, I write it down, transcribing it to a special Word file called "Stuff I Might Use".

It seems to work, although, like Corra says, some plot ideas need to be forgotten. smile

Bill

458

(2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I tossed them out of consideration after I read some of the web stories on them.

Bill

What a great review, Randy. I wish you all the best. Your second novel is shaping up nicely also.

Bill

460

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Still leads to a missing page error, but the red button is gone. Thanks Sol.

Bill

461

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Sol. How about a simple button on the "page not found" that this produces that deletes (or otherwise removes/deactivates) the referrer? That should be easy enough to do.

Bill

462

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I still have mine, Janet.

Bill

463

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

denisef wrote:

Hey Bill just saw this I believe that happened when I made a revision on the chapter when I went back your response had been deleted I don't know why perhaps a computer glitch.

No big deal, but it is annoying to have the red button staring at me and I can't get rid of it. Might just be an odd glitch. I suspect Norm is right. Sol will have to get rid of it for me.

Bill

464

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Hasn't this happened to anyone else?

How about it, Sol. Is there a way to get rid of this notification?

Bill

465

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I provided an inline review. Then I received the "redball" notification the review had been responded to. When I went to read it, the chapter had been removed so I received a "not found" notification. However, the original notification on my inline reviews still shows a "New" notification, the red ball is still there, and I can't get rid of it.

How does one clear that sort of thing? One solution might be to add "Delete" to the "View" button as a drop-down. That would be simpler than creating a script to search for reviews given when a writer takes down a chapter with reviews hanging.

Bill

466

(7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Excellent, Denise! I note that you are one of only three that have two books listed. This certainly narrows the odds a little.

Bill

467

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

That happened to me once. I cleared tNBW cookies, closed the browser, and restarted it. One the site, I was back to normal. One of your cookies may have been damaged somehow.

Bill

468

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Good point, KD. I've heard of that happening. But when I get ready to submit a novel to a publisher, I make sure it is scrubbed from both sites I use (Booksie and tNBW). Even then, letting potential readers see some of my unpublished works can't hurt.

Bill

469

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I've been submitting stories under my name so maybe it is time to use it here to avoid confusion. It may take a little while to percolate through my portfolio.

Bill

470

(26 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Looks great, Marilyn. I bet that's a load off your mind.

Bill

471

(4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Interesting. I received an email from this company about six months ago claiming the same thing. They weren't even able to name one of my main characters or where the novel was set. I told them to forget it.

Bill

That is exceptional advice, Amy. I might have to look hard for that little hideaway as it is only three blocks from his office building to the train station. he does go through a park, though. Maybe I can finagle that a little as there is a little pond next to the steam train exhibit. A small, covered alcove would work. My creative senses are tingling here....

Bill

max keanu wrote:

You Only Review Thrice. Hopefully, I can make it back. Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, just my luck.

Oh, Steve, I'm so sorry to hear this. Definitely not something you need right now.

Bill

No, MJ. MCP didn't say anything at all except "nope". When I got that, I began even more exhaustive research into the mechanics of writing (in all POVs). Under first person, there was several sites that had "do this" and "don't' do this" bullets. I violated quite a few of them right off the bat. I could see that and there was no doubt (in my mind) they could see it also. My fault. I rushed it too much. I'll get it together as soon as I can and do some more submittals. A couple look promising at the moment.

Bill

Telling instead of showing is my major hangup. I need to find all those spots and convert.

Bill