SOL: Author Blogs

TechnicDragon: Sibling Magus - Editing / Certs 2

2013-05-21T23:48:45Z

--==( Sibling Magus )==--
I sent out about a half-dozen requests to different volunteer editors from the site. Some responded, some didn't, and I got a couple of responses from my blog. Thank you, everyone, for your support as I continue working on this series. I am enjoying this almost as much as some of you enjoy reading it. So, at this time, I'm closing my notification for my need for an editor. I've found several. I just hope that when they all read this blog, they don't all drop me. Each one found different issues with the first two chapters, and between all of their comments, I really believe the chapters are better for it. So, I hope you are all willing to work with me in your own ways. If some of your feel you don't want to, I leave that to you.

In the mean time, I have submitted the first two chapters for posting and am working out issues with chapter three. So much of this project has already been worked out in my head, I feel like I'm telling it all over again, but only so everyone else can find out what I already know. I wonder if those big published authors feel that way too? Hrms...

Anyway...

--==( Training/Work )==--
Last Wednesday night (5/15) was the webinar (siminar held over the web - for those who don't know) I mentioned previously. It was supposed to last only an hour, and I suppose it would have, if it had actually started. Lemme sum up...

I received an email stating that the instructor had to reschedule the class due to an emergency. I didn't have any problems with that. No, it was the next part that gave me grief. The email went on to state that the new schedule was being worked out and would be assertained by May 15th at 11 am.

Does anyone else see the problem with that? --- Oh, did I mention, I received this email on May 15th at 5pm.

Now?

Well, at any rate, I shot them a reply, pointing out the date mentioned regarding when the new schedule would be worked out, and asking if that had already been the case and that I might have received this notice late. I wasn't complaining, simply trying to get the info.

Their reply was another reminder that my Webinar would be held on May 15th at 7:30pm. The same reminder I got the day before.

Can anyone say... Confused???

So, 7:30 rolls around, I go to the link, and the webinar window comes up, and it says "waiting for organizer..." Other than that, nothing.

On top of this, I'm at the fire station, and a lot of the department members are there prepping for the storms heading our way. For those who live in Texas, you proabably heard about the storms on Wednesday night - or even experienced them first hand. For everyone else, there were a couple of tornados (one reported to be about a mile wide) a lot of hail and almost too much rain.

So, while my frustrations are rising because the Webinar isn't doing anything, the station is buzzing around me and different people keep asking me for help with this or that. If the webinar had been at any other time, I would have been fine - actually kinda excited, I like storms (don't ask me why), but I had to keep reminding everyone that I was taking a class. They would remember, apologize, and go off to find someone else to help.

So, 8:30 rolls around. Things have settled down because the station is ready, we're just waiting for notice that we have to roll out to watch for tornados around our town. We've got the news on, everyones cringing and commenting about the storms west of us -- and heading our way. And I'm trying to log back into the webinar session again but it says the webinar is over!

I didn't blow my top. In fact, all of the tension flowed out of me. The conflict between attending the class at the station and feeling the responsibilities of helping everyone else was gone. Don't get me wrong, I was still confused about the class, and frustrated that the link didn't seem to work. Plus, there was still no notice about that alleged rescheduling. So, I turned off my laptop, watched the storm with everyone else, and put the class out of my mind. I ended up helping with clearing broken tree branches from the roads in town, reported on downed power line, and helped with a gas leak caused by part of an abandoned store's roof having been torn off by straight-line winds and breaking the gas meter. It was a long night.

I got home at about 5:30 in the morning, got to bed at about 7:30 and woke up at around 2 in the afternoon. I checked my email on a friend's phone. At about noon (while I was asleep), the company send out an email with the new date and time for the Webinar: Thursday, May 23, at 7:30pm ====> at the same time the fire station holds it's weekly meetings! :(

Now I have a new conflict, a new frustration. I have to find out if I can take that night off from the meeting to attend the Webinar, especially if I'm going to be in this class.

--==( Internet @ Home )==--
I mentioned last blog how I am trying to get internet at home. Well, thanks to a generous donation from one of my readers, I was able to take care of a past bill and tried to get things going again, only to find out that there are several eroneous problems with my credit. Problems I did not do. For instance, I apparently bought a house --- No. I also bought a car --- No. And I apparently hold residence in another town --- No. Unfortunately, until those errors are cleared up, I cannot get internet through Verizon.

So, I went to look for other internet providers who provide services in my area. I've only found two (other than Verizon). The only reservation I have with both is the data limitations. It's not the speeds, they offer 15gbps. However, both cap off how much can be downloaded in a given month. One offers up to 40gb per month and the other, a whopping 15gb. To be honest, I don't know how much data I used with Verizon. They never kept track, or, at least, they never told me. So, I don't know if 40gb per month is even worth it. Granted, it's better than having NO internet, but I don't like the idea of having my internet suddenly turn off in the middle of the month because I've hit my limit. If anyone has any feedback on this, feel free to let me know what you think. In the mean time, I'm going to keep looking and trying to get my credit fixed.

Anyway, thought I would let everyone know what's going on.

TechnicDragon

Jay Cantrell: It's Official

2013-05-21T21:40:50Z

Yep, I've been called a bastard more times today than in all the years I was married (and that's saying something)!

I've already notched 49 e-mails in the six hours since the chapters went up (and the biggest group usually comes overnight) so please bear with me. It will take me a day or two to get back to everyone.

I'm pleased that so many people have enjoyed the story thus far -- and have put up with my penchant for leaving the reader hanging for the next chapter.

I'll do hope the resolution to this situation is satisfactory (if a little off-putting) for everyone.

Regards,
Jay C.

Invid Fan: Computer problems lead to delays

2013-05-21T16:35:35Z

The good news is, my iMac isn't dead. The bad news is, I'm not sure when the new chapter will be posted, and doing a second chapter this week is becoming doubtful.

John Evans: Editor Needed

2013-05-21T16:07:19Z

My last editor has decided to focus on her family and quit editing. I am searching for a new editor who likes my stories, can correct my typos, and can give me quality feedback for improving my plots.

Steve Dallas 54: Nearing the end of "Two Old Friends"

2013-05-20T23:51:08Z

I have two more chapters written, however, I am waiting to post them until I have had a chance to review and proofread again. They are, however, finished.

The story has about three more chapters to be written.

This morning was a little different. I woke up with the last chapter completely ready in my head, so I did something that I try to avoid since I work from home, and I went to the computer and wrote it. Then, this afternoon, I re-read it and did the proofreading and changes. Of course I can't post it until I finish the other chapters, but it sure is nice to know that I have the finale written and ready.

Your comments concerning the book when it is finished are greatly appreciated. In fact, I must tell everyone that I really have enjoyed the encouragement and the assistance that writing a long-form novel such as this one have provided.

I pray that the complete story is a blessing and helps someone find what they need in life. That is the real reason why I write.

Thank you.

Bastion Grammar Jr: Traveller - Entry 02

2013-05-20T16:41:38Z

I can't keep up this pace. I'm going to continue to write this wherever I can and put up chapters as I finish them but it's not going to be every day like it is now. One, I've got a job and family so they're going to take up time. Second...well, I just can't write this that fast. So, I hope you will all forgive me if this torrid pace of writing slows a bit. My goal is maybe a chapter a week but if I finish something sooner, I'll throw it up.

Jacqueline Jillinghoff: Marvel of marvels

2013-05-20T14:29:28Z

I have posted and revised two rhymes in the past two days. I have also posted this blog entry. And I have done it all from an iPhone.

Clee Hill: Trudi 4 - corrections

2013-05-20T12:03:56Z

FWIW a slightly corrected version of T4 is in the queue - nothing major other than a slight change of language per Simon and what he calls his penis...

No need to re-read, if you've read already, but it just smoothes things out a little.

What can I say - the idea of Trudi in such a position is...distracting for the writer as well as the characters...

Blushingly...CH

Bastion Grammar Jr: Traveller - Entry 01

2013-05-20T03:34:07Z

I've posted a new story called Traveller. I've read many time-travel/do-over stories on SOL over the years and, for the most part, I really liked them. There were a few things, though, that I just didn't like. Things like the emotional toll going back in time would have on a person. Most of the stories I've read just have the person accepting the time travel immediately. Some, which come with powers such as telepathy or what have you, have the character accepting not only the change in his life but the ability to do strange things. They were great stories but hardly realistic. I wanted to try my hand at this and make it as real and compelling as I could. The result is...Traveller.

I first had to come up with a mythos for a do-over. What and how would he go back in time. I'm a comic book buff and one of the coolest stories I've read is when Barry Allen - the Flash - races for a neutrino to stop some disaster. He runs so fast, he becomes pure energy and 'loops back' to the lightning bolt which gave him his powers in the first place. I thought that was an interesting plot device -- so I've used it here. Alex was hit by lightning when he was 7, I think. Chance was electrocuted in his bath tub. I don't think I'm giving anything away by pointing out the connection -- if you read the story, I think I made it much more obvious than I originally intended. Electricity, it isn't just for powering light bulbs any more.

There will be sex in this story. A metric ton of it. I just haven't got there yet. Sex should fit in a story instead of be the story. The former is good for reading. The latter is good for masturbation. I'm not against masturbation - I really LOVE masturbation, it's the fourth or fifth best type of sex you can have, after vaginal, oral, anal, armpit, titty-fuck, dry humping...okay, maybe it's the eighth or ninth best type of sex...somewhere in there - I just want to write a good story.

The prologue and Chapter 1 are posted and I'm writing chapter 2 now...well, no, I'm writing this blog now but...well...you know what I mean. I'll post Chapter 2 as soon as I finish it...probably tomorrow, if I get time to finish it. If not, sometime later. It'll be more of Alex coping with the change so, still no sex yet. If you read it, the sex will come (or cum)...

GraySapien: Updating the blog

2013-05-20T01:48:45Z

I've gotten several very nice letters and answered the later ones. I tried to reply to the first few and they bounced; I have to cut/paste email addresses before they will go to the sender rather than the big trash can in the sky.

I have three almost ready and I'll post it this coming week; four is underway, five is mostly written, and I'm working on adding complexity to the story.

I thought about writing fiction, longer fiction, for a long time before I made the decision to post this. Glad you're enjoying, and reading through my maunderings about learning the new 'trade'.

FWIW: I'm continuing to reinvent myself as I get older. I find myself thinking "Wow!" from time to time as new adventures pop up. Writing? Writing nonfiction (I started that activity three years ago when I joined Mensa)? Performing music as part of a band? That began about 5 or 6 years ago but I've recently passed through a plateau and I'm now improving again. I've morphed from back-row accompanist who sometimes read song lyrics to someone who's perfectly comfortable entertaining people. Music, and now writing, are just different genres for that.

For you who've come along for the ride, thanks; thanks more than I can tell you.

Tomken: Grace Jensen story

2013-05-20T01:37:29Z

"Grace Jensen Debauched" is NOT a story in the Swarm Cycle Universe. The first of four parts was just posted. I hope you enjoy the story. As always, I appreciate any feedback. Favorable responses are satisfying, but negative responses (hopefully) help me to become a better author.

I'm not very far along at all with the next Swarm story. My fellow authors are together quite productive. Swarm fans should see a pretty steady stream of new works.

BarBar: Bec3 is finished

2013-05-19T22:14:34Z

I am pleased to have finally finished book 3. The story of Thanksgiving weekend took way longer to write than it should have. To those who have patiently supported me throughout that time, thanks.

There will be a Bec 4. It will describe the events of the Monday immediately after Thanksgiving. Because it is focused on just one day it will be significantly shorter. I have started working on it but I intend to have it finished before I begin posting.

In the meantime I have a number of other short projects that I have had in my head for a while. Sally deserves another visit -- for example.

Cheers
barbar

Clee Hill: Trudi 4 is in the queue

2013-05-19T19:40:41Z

So I took a break from exams today - only one more to go thank God - and finished the edit on Trudi 4.

It's on the queue and, well, let's say I'm curious to see what kind of feedback I get on this one.

Hopefully the formatting works this time too...

CH

Sage Mullins: Notes about chapter 47

2013-05-19T18:15:27Z

Just a couple of notes about the recently-posted Chapter 47. A few readers expressed confusion about the trip to Florida that was Inez's Christmas gift to Pat. That "gift trip" was not the same one that was described later in chapter 47. There are two different Florida visits involved here. The first one was brought up in chapter 46, and was a simple holiday visit. That's the one you read about in the just-posted chapter. The second one - the "gift trip" - will take place a few months from the current point in the story, in March. That's the one where they'll be flying into Tampa, and out of Miami.

I can understand the confusion surrounding this, and I hope I've cleared it up.

On another note, a couple of readers have mentioned the similarity between the clam shell scene in Chapter 47 and another seashell scene in the novel "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I've actually never read "Gift from the Sea", so this is a complete coincidence. After glancing over the chapter in question in "Gift from the Sea", I have to agree, it's an uncanny resemblance, right down to the relationship analogy which Inez mentioned in my story. I've done a slight edit on chapter 47, adding a few lines where Inez mentions having read that particular book.

Anyway ... onward to chapter 48!

Marketeer: What a piece of work is man? So ignoble and lacking in reason.

2013-05-19T01:39:21Z

Excuse my bastardization of the most mediocre of famous playwrights, but I'm obviously a piece of work.

Some life motto. Too short to rush? Then how, dear reader, do I explain I Walked 47 Miles Of Barbed Wire?

It starts out pretty good, in my humble opinion. And then when I get towards the end, it was like I was rushing to post on a schedule because... well, I was. I wanted to post it that day, and was so enthralled with the first half, and then the hour came that I needed to pick up my wife, so I wrote this bullshit excuse for an ending and posted it.

I apologize. I have broken off the story where the first chapter should have ended, and will present you with a second chapter that I don't find so embarrassing.

GraySapien: Combat Wizard

2013-05-19T01:11:24Z

Part two has been posted and part three is finished. Since I'm doing my own proofreading and editing, I'll wait a few days to let the 'familiarity' bleed off and then read it through again to see if any errors pop out at me. If not, I'll then post that one and write the next part. I prefer to stay one part ahead of what's posted. Not fast, but then this is my first effort at writing a long story.
I've found that if I edit too quick after writing, I miss some errors. better to go slow and catch more mistakes.
I've decided that only "T" will be written in first-person. All other characters that enter into the story will be in third person. That is, "T" will say thing like "I saw/felt/did...", and all others will be "He/she saw/felt/did...".
I tried it using first-person for all with listing the character name by the chapter title, and it just didn't feel right to me.

Sevispac: Hello World

2013-05-18T17:03:15Z

If you enjoy my stories you can find illustrated versions here.

To learn why I write, click here.

"What a wonderful world it is that has girls in it!" - Robert A. Heinlein

oyster50: Hello, summer!

2013-05-18T16:25:12Z

We're finally into it" Heat indexes in the high nineties, lows at night in the seventies, humidity equivalent to a soaking, steaming bath towel.

That means that outdoor activities be conducted with an eye to how long before I run into danger from heat stroke.

Also means that I will spend more time indoors, writing.

We're coming along nicely with Community and Melodic Redemption. Stoney's getting ready to have to face his past in a more direct fashion.

Cindy and Dan are getting ready to show up on a job together. With a surprise.

And to the dozens of you who've taken time to write to me, my deepest thanks. You make me want to excel at this.

Coaster2: Boring? Predictable?

2013-05-18T16:08:13Z

I didn't expect an overwhelming response to my latest story (Kristiana), but although the score is very respectable, I've had very little feedback on it. Was it that boring? I'm beginning to think so. I'm also beginning to think my stories are becoming a bit predictable. I may change the names of the characters and the locations of the action(?), but a romance story is a romance story and I've fallen into a repeating format that I've got to shake myself from. The Contractor was an attempt at just that. Time for a rethink about which direction I should travel.
cheers,

Cainneach McEinri: Rewrite of Part 1 nearly complete

2013-05-18T03:26:00Z

The extensive revision of Sarah's Saga part 1 is nearly complete. I need to go through it one more time before sending it out for proofing and comment. So with some luck it will begin being posted in a couple of weeks or so. I don't think the subsequent segments will take as long to revise.

If you are interested in proofing the story send me an email.

Cheers, Cainneach

MattHHelm: At Long Last

2013-05-18T01:44:25Z

Chapter 1 of Book 3 just submitted for posting as a continuation. If you bookmarked the story the next chapter should appear soon. Happy reading and thanks for the words of encouragement.

Invid Fan: Two hate magnet stories in a row. Sweet.

2013-05-18T01:20:46Z

I will be honest, I didn't expect that.

I'm an atheist. I love studying religion, though. It's a fascinating subject, and as I'm able to look at them all equally I can dive into various theories without being offended. "A Servant of Wisdom" is based on one of those theories. One there are some problems with, and it's not the majority opinion of most Biblical scholars, but it's a fun one. Well worth exploring in a fictional sex tale.

Each of the first two chapters has gotten the dreaded '1' vote.

I'll be curious to see if this keeps up. My gay tale only got two of those total, one at the start and one at the end. Given I did put a warning in the description, I wonder if the problem is that most Christians don't consider themselves worshipers of the God of Abraham. After all, they worship Jesus :)

RoustWriter: Chapter 227 of Book 3 is in the queue

2013-05-17T22:54:50Z

This week with Arlene and Jeff:

...Rebecca grasped the young man’s left wrist, folding it inward, and tucked his elbow under her arm as a fulcrum to produce the come-a-long. As she turned and walked down the street, his skis clattering to the sidewalk, the young man suddenly pranced on his toes, whining in a high-pitched voice as he stumbled along with her like a puppy following its mother. “Oh, oh, ouch. Shit, that hurts. What the fuck is the matter with you?” he whimpered. “Are you butch or something?” That pissed Rebecca off. When he suddenly tried to snatch away, she increased the pressure for a couple of seconds, momentarily bringing him to his knees...

Have a goodun;

Roust

aroslav: 2013 Ektelon Nationals Udate

2013-05-17T21:47:33Z

Following along online for the National Racquetball Championships in Fullerton, CA. Rocky Carson and Kane Waselenchuk are on track to meet again for the championship on Sunday. Carson meets D De La Rosa this afternoon at 4:00.

Upsets abound in the Men's Elite (Tony's class). Number 1 seed Bobby Ferreira was defeated by #17 Brandon Robbins in his first match yesterday. Robbins is set to play in the Semifinal tomorrow. Number 15 seed Paul Julbes (Olympia, Washington) took out #2 Jonathon Clay. Julbes is playing #23 Will Reynolds right now for his spot in the semifinals. Could be interesting.

In the Women's LPRT Pro championship, the inimitable Paola Longoria is set to play for her semifinal berth this afternoon at 5:00. Rhonda Rajsich is playing now for an opportunity to meet Samantha Salis Solis in the semifinal. Assuming Paola wins her match, she'll meet Cheryl Gudinas in the semi-final. All these players have been mentioned at one time or other in the Model Student series and it's great to see them still charging into the final championships. Good luck to all!

Pookie: Melissa's Secrets - Chapter 45 Posted

2013-05-17T13:51:20Z

Chapter 45 - Educating Melissa - Meet The Parents - has been posted. For those who have wondered about Greg Livingston's background, this chapter should give you that. This chapter is all about the Livingstons, and Melissa learns quite a bit during an evening alone with just her parents.

Chapter 46 will be posted sometime between June 1-16, hopefully closer to the 1st.

Have a fun weekend!

Pookie
5/17/13

Quote from Chapter 45:

“Too bad we didn’t get any hands on training like that in sex-ed. We didn’t even get a live demonstration,” I jokingly complained.

“And who would you have wanted to be the demonstrators?” Mom teasingly asked me.

“Perhaps the PTSO could have provided parent volunteers like they do for everything else.”