DirtyMartini's Forum Posts

12 Aug 2011

Oh the Muppets...lol...yeah, I know some people who are real muppets... happy8

I think maybe I'm in the mood to head Downtown this weekend instead of hanging with muppets...just a thought, let's see what Petula has to say about it...

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12 Aug 2011

Sandwich...

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10 Aug 2011

Quote by Louise
yeah lol...I have another 290something forum posts until I get my forum guru badge

Yeah, it will happen before you know it...if I didn't post so many contest and submission calls, I'm sure I wouldn't have mine either...btw, I'm not the only one with the Forum Guru badge...

Apparently someone name Guest has been posting a lot as well... happy8

Btw, I'm only about 28,100 views away from getting my Famous Story badge...

Just saying... icon_smile

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10 Aug 2011

Quote by Louise
yeah lol...I have another 290something forum posts until I get my forum guru badge

Yeah, it will happen before you know it...if I didn't post so many contest and submission calls, I'm sure I wouldn't have mine either...btw, I'm not the only one with the Forum Guru badge...

Apparently someone name Guest has been posting a lot as well... happy8

Btw, I'm only about 28,100 views away from getting my Famous Story badge...

Just saying... icon_smile

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10 Aug 2011

Hey Lisa...are there any openings for chat room moderators at the moment?

I'd really like to get my Chat Room Moderator badge next... happy8

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10 Aug 2011

Hey Micho...loved that Santana video...thanks... happy8

I'm going to have to borrow that one...I post a video every night over on Facebook, and I see that one being posted there by me in the near future...

In the meantime, here is the Classics IV with a classic song...

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10 Aug 2011

World Poetry Movement Open Amateur Poetry Contest...$1000 first prize, no entry fee... hello1

You have to the end of August...you can submit one poem, on any subject...it doesn't say anywhere that it can't be previously published, so...I sent them "Happiness And Purpose"...sort of flipped a coin there, actually...

We shall see...here is the link...and once again, best of luck to all... happy8

http://www.poetrycontest.com/fb-sign/

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9 Aug 2011

Yeah, I tend to agree with you Lisa... icon_smile

I agree that using proper names within dialogue should not be overused, as in his examples, but there is nothing wrong with using it now and then...like you mentioned, when you greet people...and sometimes for emphasis...

For instance...

"I tend to agree with you Lisa," DirtyMartini started, "and as long as it's not overused, I don't see a problem."

"Well, thank you," Lisa responded with a smile.

To me, that is normal dialogue in every sense I can think of...

Dialogue is something that is somewhat exempt from a lot of traditional "rules"...it is, after all, people speaking...and people don't always adhere to proper English usage in speech...that is the subject of a whole other thread, no doubt...

I can think of other examples where it would be perfectly acceptable to use proper nouns within dialogue...in a room with multiple persons, for instance...

"Hey Scooter," DirtyMartini started, "pass that pipe over to Sharon. She's been waiting patiently for it."

"Sure Al," Scooter answered, "I've been waiting for Louise to get done with it, but she don't want to give it up."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," DirtyMartini grinned, "She hogs the pipe almost as much as Yas."

"The main thing is that we get everything smoked up before Rascal gets here. You know how she is."

"Yeah, she's a legend I hear." Scooter chuckled.

"Hey Scoot," DirtyMartini started, "Maybe there should be a Smoking Badge on Stories Space."

"Oh yeah Al," Scooter beamed, "Suggest it to Lisa. I could think of a few legends that would get that one fast."

See, that to me would seem like perfectly acceptable dialogue...and I would tend to think most people would agree...

As far as the chit-chat goes...again, I think it's a matter of using common sense...and like using proper nouns, it's simply a matter of avoiding excess usage, and knowing what seems like normal and "natural" conversation...

Now pass that pipe, whoever has it now... happy8

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9 Aug 2011

Quote by Louise
It makes me ashamed to be a fellow human being!

Hmmm...that's a bit extreme...yeah, I didn't realize how bad it was, but the reports seem to be worse and worse from what I hear from the news and people I know on FB who live over there...

Go use it as inspiration for a poem...try to find some good in all this...well, I think I commented one time that I have to look at the bad things that happen to me as inspiration for a story or a poem...

Just trying to find some semblance of reason for stuff that happens around me...I know it's not always much consolation, but it's something...

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9 Aug 2011

5 Creative Flaws That Will Expose Your Lack of Storytelling Experience...

There are a million ways to cripple a story. Here are five of them. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being inexperienced (we’ve all been there). Unless it shows up in your story in a way that detracts from it.

Anyway...here is the link...do you agree with all of them?
http://storyfix.com/5-creative-flaws-that-will-expose-your-lack-of-storytelling-experience

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8 Aug 2011

Quote by ladysharon
Talking to them on the phone is one thing. Seeing them in person is way better.

Oh, you are so correct Lady Sharon... hello1

Every published author I spoke to told me exactly the same thing...and in the last year or so that I have been exploring publishing, and basically taking my writing hobby to "the next level" I have had the pleasure of talking to a few published authors...and when I say "published" authors, I don't mean self-published e-books...

And again...they all say the same thing... happy8

If you don't know how to meet agents in person, there are writing groups all over the world that organize events where you can meet agents in person...the one I will end up joining, probably next year, I was told about by Caridad Pineiro, an erotic author who I met and spoke to at the Somerville Street Fair on October 3, 2010...right here in lovely Somerville, New Jersey...

She was at the fair as a spokesperson for Liberty States Fiction Writers...here is the link to their site...
http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/

There are plenty of other groups and events where you can meet agents...you just have to search...

But, when you are ready to do it...that is the way...in the meantime, keep doing what you've been doing...submit stuff to paying sites, enter contests, etc...so, when you do meet with an agent you have something to show...

I can tell you quite frankly that no agent is going to be interested in you if all you can say is that you write stories and post them on the net...but, you already know that...

Good Luck to all... icon_smile

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8 Aug 2011

Quote by ladysharon
after I'm done collaborating with Gerald with a story, you wanna work on one, Alan?

Oh, no thanks Sharon...I really have enough writing projects I'm way behind on...

I have enough to keep me busy for the foreseeable future...and then some... happy8

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8 Aug 2011

Quote by ladysharon
The last answer to the question is hilarious.

I know...if a publishing company tells you they don't have a phone because it's too much of an expense...it's probably not a good sign... happy8

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8 Aug 2011

Quote by Sherzahd
only one on my page that makes me proud.

Hmmm...let me guess which is the one that makes you proud...Chat Room Legend? Lol... happy8

And I sleep...I might get up sometimes and go on the internet, but I sleep...

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7 Aug 2011

Oh OK, the JFE site is working again...read their FAQ page sometime if you want some entertainment...I posted the link above... happy8

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7 Aug 2011

Btw...the other thing I'd like to add...if some publisher contacts you with a "deal"...that in itself should send up a red flag...legitimate publishing houses don't normally work that way...

Publishing houses have no shortage of authors lining up...it's hard enough for an unknown writer to get a manuscript read without an agent as it is...a legit publishing house certainly does not have to go out looking for business...

No matter how good you are...it's just not the way the system works...so, if someone contacts you with a publishing "deal"...be wary...

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7 Aug 2011

Quote by Sherzahd
Thank you for bringing up this topic, it is something of concern for all serious writers.

Here is one link that some of you might find useful. Courtesy of my good friend Alan, but since he isn't here right now, I will post it.

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/08/solicitation-alerts-justfiction-edition.html

That link that you posted there Yas refers to a post about a specific publisher, JustFiction-Edition which has been soliciting aspiring authors with publishing "deals" which are of less than favorable terms to the author...it had been brought to my attention because someone on this site was offered such a "deal"...

Basically what JFE does is offer a writer a deal for both print and e-book...at 10% royalties for both, and then never actually offers the print books for sale on Amazon...so, essentially, the author is signing themselves to an e-book deal at 10% royalties...that is how their little scam works...

There are other less than favorable terms in their "deal"...for instance, the author is only paid once a year...so, by the time they are due to pay the author, they will probably be out of business.... happy8

I tried going to their FAQ section a couple of times today...all the terms are listed there, but the site seems to be non-functional...perhaps they folded up shop already...here is the link...
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justfiction-edition.com%2Fsite%2Ffaq%2F32&h=qAQA_qs-o

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7 Aug 2011

I was just going to say Jacquie...I just posted this link a couple of weeks ago here...

http://www.storiesspace.com/forum/yaf_postst277_Writer-Beware-is-an-industry-watchgroup-to-alert-authors-of-scams.aspx

That will tell you if there are any "issues" with a publisher...

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6 Aug 2011

C Hope Clark in her latest newsletter started off with a paragraph which made me laugh out loud actually... icon_smile

"Now that everyone writes ebooks like grocery lists, we become faced with the all important issue of who will review these ebooks and make them famous on Amazon."

Yes, it does kind of seem like e-books are about as common as grocery lists these days, perhaps more common actually...but, if you happen to be one of those people who has an e-book out there on Amazon, and you're watching the cobwebs grow on it while you're trying to figure out a way to sell more than the two copies you've already sold...and those were to your mom and your aunt...

What do you do? Get it reviewed, of course...probably the best way to jump start book sales is with a good review...here is one link, this is the Crossroads Directory...
http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/book-reviewers.html

Here is another link for Review the Book...an appropriate title, I would guess...
http://reviewthebook.com/

And lastly, a directory of Twitter book reviewers...on GalleyCat...
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/best-book-reviewers-on-twitter_b11136

There are other recommendations like find reviewers on Facebook and "friend" them...review other people's books on Amazon and subtly suggest they do the same for your book...join writing groups and organizations related to your genre...that last one is really a good idea, from what I'm told btw...

If you have a book out there...especially if you are one of the billions of people these days that has a self-published e-book, expect to spend a fair amount of time and effort promoting it...at least if you want to actually sell any...

Once again...Good Luck... happy8

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6 Aug 2011

Quote by ladysharon
Who's neck do i have to wring to get it?

Lol...that's the attitude... happy8

I think you need to post a Playlist and at least one video...you really have to have everything...

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6 Aug 2011

Island welcomes new fiction, poetry and non-fiction from writers around the world. Prose 2,500 to 5,000 words. Poems may be any length, but they rarely use those over two pages. Pays a minimum of $100 AUS...good luck... icon_smile

Island Magazine: News
http://www.islandmag.com/im/index.php

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6 Aug 2011

Dancing With Bear Publishing is looking for kid's stories, holiday stories, stuff like that...no, they don't want your erotic stories...don't even try...they have various anthologies coming up and they pay $50 per story...go for it my friends... happy8

Special Submissions Call
http://www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com/specialsubmissionscall.htm

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6 Aug 2011

Every Night Erotica publishes a new erotic story every night...hence the name... icon_smile

I happen to know for a fact that there are more than a few people here who write some stories that can't be posted here on this fine site known as Stories Space...so, for those writers, check out this site...

They pay three bucks per story, which is not exactly going to make you rich...but they accept previously published stories... hello1

So, if you happen to have an erotic story that you've already written...why wouldn't you send it in?

Note that they have a 2k word limit, though they bought my story "Sexual Healing" which is 2027 words...if you've already sold something to an e-Zine, and send them a nice note, sometimes they'll be a bit more flexible with stuff like word counts...

Here's the link...
http://www.everynighterotica.com/

I tell people there are more reasons to sell a story than just the money...if you have any aspirations to get something published in the future, like maybe a novel someday, and maybe be looking for an agent up the road...you might want to have more in your "writers resume" than simply that you write stories and post them on the net...selling stories to e-Zines is a good thing, and this one is one of the easier ones to get into...perhaps because they buy thirty or so stories every month...

Good Luck... happy8

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5 Aug 2011

Are you a widow or widower with a story, essay or poem? Silver Boomer books is looking for stuff to include in an upcoming anthology due out next year...

Silver Boomer Books
http://silverboomerbooks.com/submissions.html

Notice they're not taking submissions for this one until December...they do have other stuff going on though, all aimed at the "older" crowd...

And don't all look at me... happy8

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5 Aug 2011

gulf...

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5 Aug 2011

Quote by ladysharon
Self-promotion does work.

Once you commit yourself to self-publishing, and a lot of people seem to be going that route these days, you have no choice but to self-promote...

There is nobody else who is going to do it for you...

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4 Aug 2011

Van the man...

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4 Aug 2011

Here's another...

Bright Hub
http://www.brighthub.com/

"Editorially-managed channels pay $10 up front per title plus
continuous revenue share residual payments. Payments occur monthly
via PayPal. Writers apply by submitting a résumé and writing
samples to one or more channels. Successful writers become members
of specific channels with assignment lists available only to
members of the channel. Writers may also pitch their own article
ideas to the channel manager. Editing is transparent; each article
is assigned to an editor based on subject matter. Buys electronic
publication rights, writers are free to publish work elsewhere in
print publications only. Accepts writers worldwide."

And another...

Demand Media Studios
http://www.demandstudios.com/

"Apply by submitting a résumé and writing samples. New writers must
complete a probationary period where they write three paid articles
edited by a senior editor. Successful writers are assigned a queue
of 10 articles. Approval for a larger queue occurs on a rolling
basis. Writers may apply for assignments that pay more per article.
Editing is anonymous and writers are allowed a maximum of one
revision after which the article is accepted or rejected.

Pays twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays by PayPal, with deadlines
of midnight Pacific time on Sunday and Wednesday, respectively.
Articles for regular assignments range from $3 to $25 or $30,
depending on internal site and format, $15 is standard. Publisher
buys all rights. Accepts writers from the U.S., Canada, and the
U.K. only."

And another...

WiseGEEK
https://www.wisegeek.com/freelance-writing-jobs.htm

"U.S. writers apply through the website, which requests writing
experience and writing samples. Foreign writers provide the same
info by an email without attachments. Pays on a rolling basis upon
acceptance of batches of five or more articles. Articles vary in
price, from $10 to $14 each through PayPal only. Writers go through
multiple stages of paid test articles with detailed commentary at
each stage. Successful writers are able to claim a queue of 5
articles and are assigned a specific editor. Subjects range from
gadgets to government. Publisher buys all rights. Accepts writers
worldwide."

And finally...one more... happy8

The Writers Network
https://www.writersnetwork.com/apply

"Writers apply by submitting a résumé and writing samples. Pays for
articles on a rolling basis upon acceptance via PayPal. Apply by
submitting a résumé and writing samples. Successful writers may
claim a queue of 5 articles ranging in price from $10 to $25,
mostly on home and garden related subjects. Beauty and fashion
related articles were added in April 2011, more categories have
been planned for addition in coming months. Editing is anonymous.
Publisher buys all rights. Accepts only writers in the United
States."

The links should go to the writer's section...if I screwed up, let me know and I'll change it...

Good Luck... icon_smile

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4 Aug 2011

Check out this site as well...

Demand Media...
http://www.demandmedia.com/

Oooops...btw, from the same article in Writing World...here is what someone had to say about the above link...

"Cheap is rarely good. Publishers that pay cheap rates will get
cheap content. It will not be well researched nor will it be well
written in most cases. Content farms like Demand Media may be
attractive to some because of their 'exposure' but as a writing
colleague and friend of mine says, 'You can die from exposure.'

"I tell my writing students to have more respect for themselves as
writers than to write for these types of publishers. I tell them
that it is better to write for free for a publication that you
really like or an organization that you support than to write for
an organization like Demand Media that would suck the life out of
you and leave you with no energy to do any other type of writing."

Al McCartan also disapproves of such content farms. He wrote:
"In order to make a 'quid' in writing, I went down this road and
found it wanting."

OK, so it's not all a bed of roses...but, it is something to consider if you want to make a few bucks writing...and of course, there is a downside to everything, and whenever you write for someone else you have to expect to make some compromises "artistically"... happy8

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4 Aug 2011

This is interesting...obviously, the internet has created a huge demand for written stuff...since everything on the net is written by someone, one would think... happy8

Here is an excerpt from the latest Writing World newsletter that I pulled this link from...

" I have sold content to Constant-Content and they do offer higher paying requests.

"I make sure that I don't do any that are less than $50 per
article. They do often have articles that go up to $200 and every
once in a while you will see one for $500. I figure if it doesn't
pay at least $50, it's not worth my time.

"You can also list your own articles on the site and put your own
prices on the articles - this way you are in control of what you
charge and since they are able to see a sampling of your writing,
it will speak for itself. The buyer will get what they pay for.
What I have been told regarding all those who are willing to work
for less - many are from other countries and aren't used to getting
the pay we get here - so they are happy with the small amount they
are making."

OK, so you can make money writing for sites on the internet...this site should give you an idea how to get there... icon_smile

Here's the link...
http://www.constant-content.com/

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