476

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I saw the review, Randy, but I haven't read it yet. When I originally posted the story the way I outlined above, I was told several times that it felt like an info dump and not a true beginning. This was probably true because I didn't have any dialogue at all. If I did this again, I'd have a lot more dialogue. I feel this is a good story, but I'm having trouble getting it underway. In most of the stories I've read, if there are more than one MC, then they usually meet or are active in the first chapter. I'm basically floundering here after my inability to get my first one on the road.

Bill

477

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Chapter 15 is our of order. I somehow messed that up. So, I've taken it down and will repost when I straighten things out. I'm sorry about that. Good catch, Megan.

I have something else I'd like to gather opinions on. Should I insert. before Chapter 1, Two more chapters? The first chapter, would give some background on Shell's travels and his brush with the robbers, plus his decision to travel to where he meets Marnee. The next chapter would be a departure from Shell's POV and be totally in Marnee's POV as to how she fares after being captured and sold to the slaver camp. I'll also detail how she escapes and ends up falling over Shell in the woods.

Would this help to improve some of the confusion as to where they're coming from (literally and figuratively)?

Bill

478

(4 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I got mine already. An Epson printer that is so cool it even has its own email address. If I want to print an email, I forward it to my printer. Land sakes! Where will all this newfangled stuff end?

Bill

479

(0 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Does anyone have any experience with this software? It's the only one I can find that will work with my 2003 version of MS Word. It seems to be fairly thorough. Grammarly will not work with Word 2003 - and it is an add-in, not stand-alone.

Bill

480

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I like the dragons also. I sent you a PM.

Bill

481

(3 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Apparently, the editor I dealt with at Wild Rose Press was able to tell from three chapters (the first two and the last) that You Only Love Twice basically stunk. Why that opinion took 7 weeks is beyond me. Actually, it took more than 7 weeks as I had to wait 5 weeks before the initial return. So, after 3 months, I am back where I started.

I am not bitter, although it may sound that way. Instead, I've done what I did with the other rejections - I stuck the email on the wall and drove a big pushpin through its heart.

Oh well. Kindle Self Publishing is looking better and better.

Bill

482

(18 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I didn't see this thread until after receiving the email connection request. Luckily, "Nyx" was gone before I clicked the link.

Bill

483

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

To paraphrase Lincoln, You can't please everyone all the time.

Bill

484

(17 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Aha! He reviewed Chapter 7 of The Long Trek Home. It was similar to Randy's review, short and filled with generalities. Nothing more since that review.

Bill

485

(17 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I've had that happen a couple of times. When I quickee'd one reviewer back, asking how well he liked the interplay between the two main characters, he told me he'd loved the dialogue. This was bogus, as I'd made the two names up just for this particular quickee. Needless to say, I didn't reciprocate.

Bill

486

(12 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Basic)

Welcome to tNBW, Jonathan. I write several genres you may be interested in. I am currently shopping a post-apocalyptic adventure.

Bill

487

(15 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Actually, Norm, I thought that might be the case, but a friend has Word 2016 and she can import my RTF files with no noticeable errors. I often write while I am on trips, and my laptop runs Ubuntu 16.10 and Apache Open Office Writer. That software also translates to/from Word 2003 just fine. It could very well be that I don't use any real fancy formatting tricks, though. OEWriter on Windows works the same. What is odd is that I've found (and reported) a bug in translation between OEWriter for Windows and OEWriter for LINUX.

Bill

488

(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

489

(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

490

(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

491

(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

492

(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

495

(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

497

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

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

Bill

498

(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

499

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I still have mine, Janet.

Bill

500

(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