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Good Sunday morning, Ann and all!
In one of my book series, the mc's surname is Malone, as well.
I named him Dax. Dax Malone.
And his sibling, as a nod to (factually) the greatest sitcom of all-time, could be Samantha. Samantha Malone.
Dax and Samantha Malone.
All the best!
Justin
Be nice to have a contest where the minimum word count needs to be 5,000 words. The higher the better! Any genre, just make it nice and long! Who's with me? *crickets*
I'm with you!
God knows I'm verbose.
... when something reads awkwardly and I don't know why, I'll simply say that - "That passage just didn't read smoothly for me, but I can't put my finger on it.
...just don't be rude.
Alan
My thoughts, too, Al.
I have no issue with someone offering what they perceive is a better way to phrase something. Hell, I welcome it! I don't know a damned thing about writing other than what my heart tells my fingers to do.
But don't be a dick.
That's pretty much a way to live. Don't. Be. A. Dick.
It's so easy!
When I was a child, my mother always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
They wouldn't be here if they knew everything. This site is for learning, and whether you believe it not, you don't know everything either. Not everyone writes the same way you do. Not everyone knows all the rules to abide by when it comes to the art of writing. They are here to learn, else their work would be in the best-sellers list at Barnes & Noble, and so would yours.MJ
Ahhh. This is stated perfectly.
It IS a workshop site, after all.
Brilliant, MJ. People like you, those who guide, lead-not-tell and do it with encouragement, make time here worthwhile.
Personally, I accept all reviews and know I have much to learn. And I will reply graciously.
Furthermore, any feedback I give will be respectful. Someone showed courage, putting their creation out there, into the world.
To be an asshole about it... Well that just shows what sort of person you are.
A piece a shit. In case you were unsure.
But the anonymity of these interwebs has certainly bred a more courageous human being.
Wasn't the case... just a few moons ago.
Stay great, MJ. Keep being a reason to remain on this site. You're one of mine.
Was just thinking out loud. It was a fun exercise. And it was interesting how I saw each of our styles begin to drift closer to the center of each other.
I recommend it, if even as a fleeting project. No commitment necessary. 
~2 years ago, I was in a brief funk with my writing.
I had finished 3 novels that I was proud of, though I knew they needed a LOT of work. I began writing short stories to take some of the stress off. Novels are hard, hehe.
So, I suggested to a friend of a friend, who was in the same boat, that he and I go back and forth, chapter to chapter, writing a story and seeing where it went.
I wrote the first entry, opening things up with some direction. He replied a couple days later with chapter 2. Neither of us having a clue (except for our previous entries) where the piece was going. Things began rolling and we got a good dozen chapters down (over 50 pages worth of material) before it fell apart, for no reason other than other projects consuming our time.
Any interest in something like this?
It was a fun experiment. And somehow, fruitful. It was interesting to see where we'd each take the tale upon reading the other's entry. And I would 'test' beta readers out to see if they knew who'd written which chapters and such.
Anyways, just an idea.
:'(
What a movie story. That it is fact, not fiction, makes it all the more powerful.
Considering the little I know about you MJ, what I DO know paints you an amazing woman.
I sit and read in awe.
Considering all you've endured, much beyond this, we know... I would say your dream came true right in the nick of time.
As for mine? Some have. I guess the important ones. I have an amazing woman I call my wife. Twenty years strong. And I have two pretty spectacular children that I worry over as the word turns darker with each revolution. But, they were raised right, so there's hope...
The ones that didn't... Will they? I'm 45, so there's still time. Though, I'll never run off tackle for the 'Skins, so...
London calling to the faraway towns
Now war is declared and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls
London calling, now don't look to us
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling, see we ain't got no swing
'Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing
The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growin' thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning, and I, I live by the river
London calling to the imitation zone
Forget it, brother, you can go it alone
London calling to the zombies of death
Quit holding out and draw another breath
London calling and I don't want to shout
But when we were talking I saw you nodding out
London calling, see we ain't got no high
Except for that one with the yellowy eye
The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growin' thin
A nuclear era, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning, and I, I live by the river
The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growin' thin
A nuclear era, but I have no fear
London is drowning, and I, I live by the river
Now get this
London calling, yes, I was there, too
An' you know what they said? Well, some of it was true!
London calling at the top of the dial
And after all this, won't you give me a smile?
I never felt so much a' like a'like a'like
Welcome, bud. Like Mark (and yourself), I am new, as well. He's already said it as succinctly as I could. This site has been both rewarding and stimulating.
Enjoy and reach out, should you have any questions. There are many 'regulars' here who are eager and willing to help.
Brilliant! It helps, immensely. Thank you, corra. I agree on all points.
Hello all and thank you for the warm welcome here. My 2 weeks here have been amazing. I've learned, already, which is astounding in and of itself. I've also met some wonderful people, supportive, constructive and creative.
The reason for my post here is I have decided to return to my first novel, Childhood's End : A White Road Tale.
It is in desperate need of a rewrite, which I started last year but dropped when I fell into a downward spiral of malaise.
Taking what I have learned over the past three years, since I rekindled this passion from my youth, I know I can improve it and tell the story that wants to be told.
It is a throwback tale of horror, with a heart.
I took what I grew up with in the 70s and 80s (it's even set in ~'83.) and wrote a coming of age story that ends in, well... blood.
My question is this. Does today's world have the same patience? Will they be able to sit through ~ half of the novel as it crawls towards the "action"? Am I a fool for still believing in the slow burn? For believing that the lives and experiences of my characters matter? That anyone would care about their day to day before hell ascends on them?
Now, I'll be clear. Nothing will sway me to change much. That may sound stubborn or arrogant, but the truth is, I am telling the tale that wants to be heard, nothing more. I won't bend for sales, etc. Especially not with this piece.
So, am I a fool?
Are those stories dead?
I had this issue as I scrambled for something "acceptable". Still haven't found it, but I noticed it updated when I cleared my cache and restarted my browser. Maybe that will help you.
Welcome, Louis!
I got the very same advice from MJ and Ann when I posted my first piece last week and they were spot on.
You will find the players here insightful, professional, courteous and active.
I am over the moon having stumbled upon this website. The people here have made it the place to be.
Welcome aboard, Matt. Being new here myself, all I can do is assure that there are some incredible people here.
In my one week with this site, it has surpassed my experiences with other, less helpful ones.
Beautiful and uplifting words, all of you.
I commend your decision to stick with it, Dave, going so far as to rework your life around your passion. That is precisely the sort of dedication that pays off. I hope yours comes in, soon.
I will follow your advice, though I didn't necessarily need it. I do all this for, well... me. I enjoy it.
In the same way I won't stop listening to music running the gamut from Ayreon to Bowie, Blood Ceremony to Prince, because you don't like it, I won't stop writing what I like to.
Bravo us!!!
Ok I was able to publish my tale into the premium group here. Thank you all for your time, support and help!
Cannot thank you all enough for the kind words and suggestions. I will work on gaining enough points to post this, and then some. I am thinking I've finally found a home for my passion. You've all been welcoming and forthright. Thank you.
Portmanteau
Oh. Oh my. Thank you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate these kind words. And your time.
I am sparkling new here and am working towards garnering enough points to post it here. The site is asking for near 30 points and I am about halfway there.
Again, this means the world to me. Feedback of all types are welcome and appreciated.
Write feisty!
J
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