726

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

At this point in time, reading anything is hard to do.

~Tom

727

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

As the man who backed into the bologna slicer said, "I'm getting behind in my work". I have, at the moment, 17 new posts to review, and another 31 backed up for a single author. I regret that very much as I try very hard to get to posts as fast as I can.

My problem is that my eyes are acting funny - tearing and burning. The Optometrist at the base tells me it is related to stress and maybe my working in the back yard has put a bunch of pollen in them.

I've found that if I read more than one (possibly two) chapters, I can't go on until I rest for an hour or so. To this end, I apologize for not getting right to those backed-up chapters, poems, and stories.

But, I will get to them.

~Tom

728

(212 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I use Word (or OE Writer) so when I read, and comment, an in-line review I have my copy open in another window. As I agree with a nit, I make the change. That way, I'm always up to date and can grab a chapter if I wish and post it immediately.

~Tom

729

(23 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I agree with Janet and JL, Mike. I posted a 2338-word chapter and it cost be 7.4 points. Something is out of whack somewhere.

~Tom

730

(32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

You post an interesting thought or two, Janet. When I log in to the site first thing in the morning, and I find that I have 10, 12, or even  23 new postings, my inner-self begins to shout 'no. no way'. I simply don't have the time to read, and more importantly, give a good review, to that many posts. So, I do as many as I can and hope that the next day doesn't bring any more. Complicating this is that my eyesight is nowhere as good as it should be. I wear trifocals and peering at a screen for more than an hour (even with the magnification and de-colorization of the chapter -- thank you, Sol) gives me a headache.

You mentioned donating points. That might be an inducement to old-timers on the site, but a new writer doesn't have that option. I can see where the rating star system would not be a very good idea - and I wasn't a member of the old site. I used to be a member of a forum where stars were given for providing a solution to a problem. This didn't go well at all.

Maybe there just isn't a solution. In my case, I favor just PM-ing a steady reviewer and telling them how much you appreciate their continued support. It can be part of the 'finishing blurb' on a review, but personal contact is my way to go.

Somewhere out there is a solution. We just have to find it.

~Tom

731

(32 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

This is a great idea! My reviews seem to taper off also. But pegging them to a chapter number probably isn't the best way to go. I'd just add up the number of chapters in a given novel and go from there. We have control over the chapter number so someone could start at, say, 30 and climb from there. Not that anyone here would do that - this is just an illustration. I have a book, an autobiography, actually, that is over 100 chapters. I don't dare start it here because I know nobody could stay with that amount (and I don't blame them).

~Tom

732

(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I guess I'm fortunate enough to have a whole room devoted to books. 3.5 walls are covered by bookshelves. if I didn't need a door, that would be covered too.

~Tom

733

(342 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I don't know for sure, Ken. Depending on which machine I'm on, I use either MS Word (2008) or Open Office Writer (latest version). The character renders just fine in my copy on the computer, but changes to either a question mark, or just plain gets ignored when I paste the story into the tMNW editor. I do note that you don't appear to be using Times New Roman, though. What is that font?

I have not tried Janet's solution. That might work. I'll have to see.

~Tom

734

(342 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

The actual problem with "foreign" fonts is that the tNBW site doesn't support them. I've run across Dirk's problem when I use a Japanese word that has an accent over/with a character. Plus, of course, there is a whole font set devoted to just Japanese pictographs which are not supported here either. To solve that, I write it out, make a screen grab, work on the grab in my photo processing software, crop and then upload it to my web site. Then, I can refer to it as a "picture" in the tNBW edit window. It works, but it sure is cumbersome.

~Tom

Hi, Randy.

I use the numbering system in my novels. It is a simple way to keep them straight. I see nothing wrong with adding a short title afterwards, though. In this environment, you also have the box for initial chapter notes where a longer description can be placed. Sometimes I use it, sometimes I don't. It is all a matter of personal choice. Go with what you're comfortable with.

~Tom

736

(342 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

~NJC: I get that bad selection notification if I try to highlight ANYTHING containing more than one paragraph. Try the last word of one para and the first word of the next para. You'll get that warning.

I get it even when I am on my Linux machine, so it isn't Windows or the browser. I use Firefox on Linux and Pale Moon on Windows.

~Tom

737

(342 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I really hate to keep harping on this, but I'm still not getting emails when someone posts in a forum thread I am subscribed to. Just now, I went back to a thread and found four more posts after mine - no email for them.

~Tom

738

(13 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)

Perhaps. But why quote me? Speak to the source.

~Tom

739

(13 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)

I like Ken's suggestion. It is more active than mine.

~Tom

740

(13 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)

Could you combine the two, Dirk? How about "Windsor watched Lupus bristle at the use of his first name, and suppressed the urge to smile."

~Tom

741

(33 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Mr. Bell: Since December, 2014, the Federal Government has lifted the ban on medical marijuana. See the following:]

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-med … story.html

~Tom

742

(33 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I agree completely with Janet, Max. Put this into an editorial as it give a far more personal tone than just of anything else I've read.

~Tom

Surprising that Readers Digest isn't among those publishers. Granted, they like shorter stories, but the DO pay for first-person stories.

~Tom

744

(5 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)

Interesting topic, Janet.

The choice of a title is important to me. But, until I get into the story and develop a solid arc, it might just be 'working title' or similar. Later, I tend to go for descriptive titles that give just a little insight into what the story is about. Failing that, I fall back on puns and word play. But, the pun or word play has to be related to the story.

~Tom

745

(3 replies, posted in The Aurora Mission)

Just take your time, Karen. We'll be here. In actuality, it gives me time to polish up the drawings I've already made and to start new ones.

Having a job you don't like is a real curse. Just try your best to hang in there. I find that meditation works for me.

~Tom

746

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Sincere condolences to you, Linda. Family is important. Take your time and get back when you can.

~Tom

747

(27 replies, posted in The Aurora Mission)

Here are the conceptual drawings from Karen for the two classes of space ships, Cargo (as yet unnamed) and Explorer (Aurora & Beowolf).

http://intellisigsys.net/aurora/cargo_class_v1.jpg

http://intellisigsys.net/aurora/explorer_class_v1.jpg

~Tom

748

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

OFF TOPIC--- Sol, as long as you're here, can you kick-start the email forum notification system? We haven't been getting notificaitons for a few days now.

~Tom

749

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Lesley, you have a PM.

~Tom

750

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

What is your operating system, Lesley? if it is Windows, there will be a Notepad. Just right-click on an empty space on your desktop and select "New --- Text Document". Don't even bother to change the name from "new Test Document.TXT". then do the copy/paste bit.

If you are on Linux, then use GEDIT in place of Notepad.

~Tom