Hi everyone.
Just wanted to let y'all know I'm doing a major revision on INTO THE WELL. Need to make a major shift in the plot line, going back to Ch. 25. So, I've made those chapters inactive until I can get each revised and reposted. I'll be reposting with points available, so if anyone who's already reviewed any of those can grab points if you want to take a look back over the revised version.
Thanks to everyone who continues to support my humble efforts at literary genius. 
Bobbie
Congrats to Catherine on her much deserved win. And I am honored to share second place with dagny. Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest, and for those who gave such great feedback on my little tale.
Thanks for holding the contest, Sol. It was a lot of fun!
Bobbie
Thank you all for your well wishes. Recovery is slow, and I fear my muse is still sick. As always: Be very, very careful.
Ray
Feed the muse some homemade chicken soup and make it drink hot lemonade. It'll perk up.
Bobbie
Here's a complicated answer.
a:
Your book strikes closer to Star Trek in tech and terminology (eg tractor beams, shields, beaming (which you renamed but follow the same rules), food dispensers (which you also renamed but are similarly infinite)). Do i recall correctly that Tlaan even has a positronic brain?. As such, you can benefit from renaming to help you escape established principles. The more "Common" your terms, the closer you will land to Star Trek, and once you land there, you won't be able to escape.
Yo, K! Thanks for the complicated answer. :-)
I definitely have to go back and change terminology now. I have never wanted to get lumped into the "Star Trek" mold. Making the changes won't be so difficult with find/replace feature. First I have to come up with the terms, however. As for T'Laan - no, he doesn't have a positronic brain. I've not used the term positronic at all, in describing him or anything else.
Thanks for hanging with my little story. I appreciate your input so much!
Bobbie
Hey, Bobbie. I told you this would be a great group to join. I'm so glad you're here. Christine, I am looking forward to getting to know you and your work. A word of advice--post a topic for your books. You will get some great feedback.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel!!
I'll see if I can get some chatter started. I do have an issue with my books --LADY SILVER and INTO THE WELL. I have a couple of reviewers who are telling me I need to come up with my own terms for common sci-fi staples like 'tractor beam' and 'computer.' In the original draft, however, I had different terms and I was advised to change the terms to the 'usual'. One reviewer said something to the effect: "A tractor beam is a tractor beam. You may as well call it that."
So...what's the general consensus? Common staple that everyone recognizes or make up my own stuff?
Bobbie
Hi Gacela.
Thanks for the invite and the welcome. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone - I think I know a good many already - and sharing thoughts and ideas. I've never been big on forums such as this because the ones I've associated with tended to go quiet after a few postings. Could just be I have lousy taste in forums! LOL
I'm enjoying your current version of Helga's adventures. Good call on changing Patrick!
Bobbie
Ray!!! OMG!! I was SSSSSOOOOOOO relieved to see this posting! I have been worried sick about you, my friend. When you feel up to talking a bit, give me a call.
Bobbie
It’s a tempest in a teacup.
It's a wonderful example of a self-isolating brain trying to maintain a degree of sanity.
Just saying.....
Bobbie
Back atcha, dear Rachel!!
You go, girl!! Congrats!! *happy dance*
Bobbie
Done. And good luck!!
Bobbie
((((HUGS))))
Can't get cooties through the internet....not yet, anyway....so here's another....((((HUG))))
Bobbie
Hi Rachel. Congrats on getting your novel done!! I enjoyed reading EXILE, and look forward to you posting your next manuscript.
Let me know when you get it published on Amazon and I'll try to do a review there.
Bobbie
Hi KC.
If you're looking to improve your writing, you've come to the right place. Welcome aboard!
Bobbie
Done! Good luck!
Bobbie
Way to go, MJ! Congrats! So happy for you. :-)
Bobbie
I would tell you my real name, but then I'd have to kill you.
Oh, wait...I use my real name on site....dammit....nevermind....
The Writer Wanna-Be Formerly Known as Bobbie
Four. More. Years.
Hi Sol.
I have a question about the contest. Can an entry be reviewed by others and then edited after submission? Is peer reviewing of a submitted piece...or a piece to be submitted....permitted?
This is the first contest offered since I've become a member. Looking forward to it!!
Bobbie
Hi Birdie. Welcome to the site. I look forward to reading your work.
Bobbie
Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanza! Blessed Winter Solstice! And happy, merry, blessed, honorable, whatever other modifiers I'm missing, special day for you!
And Happy New Years, when the time comes.
Bobbie
Done.
I'm looking for opinions on the topic of chapter names. Is it better to give a chapter a name, in addition to its number, such as: Chapter 10: Girl Meets Boy? Or is it better to go with simply the chapter number? Or just the chapter name?
Also.....when numbering chapters: Roman or Arabic numerals?
What say you?
Bobbie
I'm planning to post Chapters 6 - 10 of LADY SILVER later today. I'd be glad to have your opinions on it, Ray. There will be points involved, of course. I'd be appreciative for any and all reviews.
As a side note: I remember seeing somewhere that this forum has over 11,000 people signed up for it. That was one of the reasons I joined the site. That's a hell of a lot of exposure but there must a shit-pot of inactive people out there. I don't have my postings set for internet view (or whatever the setting it - the name escapes me at the moment). Maybe a seasoned member can tell me if more reviews are possible with the broadest availability setting? I shied away from the open to all setting because of concerns about people ripping off my stuff. Is that a baseless concern, or not?
And I still plan to hit the rest of your postings, Ray, as soon as I get done making a bit of cash on the side here. I'm almost finished with my wonderful dissertation on the importance of maintaining proper eye health. Then I'll get back to the shit I _really_ want to be doing.
Bobbie
I've been a cooking fool today, that's for sure! Getting as much done ahead of time as I could before tomorrow's Thanksgiving major feed. My son and I will be meeting other family members at my baby sister's house. Tomorrow also happens to be her birthday, so we get a two-for-one celebration. Just another excuse for that extra piece of cake none of us needs!
What am I thankful for? Too many things to mention, so I'll just say I'm thankful for family, friends, and solitude.
Bobbie
