For me it's absolutely an addiction. As Cicle said, I started on the sister site and wrote there first in that genre because that's what the site is about . My first story was written for my enjoyment and was amazed when it was approved. Now, I'm relieved when I finish a story or a chapter. Within no longer than a day I have to start something else or I get the Joneses. If that's not an addiction, what is?
I NEED MY FIX!!

Yes, it's wrong to consume something and then want your money back. I also doubt that your friendly neighborhood book dealer would allow you to return a book without an argument or at least a skeptical look. I've signed, but object to using this issue for a lead in to a different very controversial issue.

I see you still haven't fixed the time and date thingy. Alan's writing in my future again.

trite

Yes, but it's sort of embarrassing when I get emotional at the sad parts, or start laughing when I hit the humorous ones.

I have never had a problem making eye contact in conversation, but I do have some difficulty expressing myself as clearly as I'd like. However, with writing, I have the time to think of what I want to say. I was surprised to find I have a vocabulary that I would never use in everyday conversation but have it accessible when writing.

I don't remember too clearly, but I think I was with my mom

I would like to see opinions on scoring and comments.
Do you think they are equitable?

I admit I have read stories written by some of my friends and not scored them because everyone else gave it a 5, and I didn't think it deserved it, but it was a friend, so I chickened out.

You know that your friends are going to go easy on you when scoring. Do you take that into account?

Should comments on stories be anonymous? Even your friends would tend to be more honest with their opinions.

I think I've written stories that received a straight 5 score, and after rereading them, didn't think it deserved it.

Do you want honest criticism on your stories? I do....I think.

I don't really know. I do know I'm addicted now. I had never written, except for some letters years ago, before July. I started on the other unnamed site just to see if I could turn some my mental fantasies into stories. I was amazed to being allowed to publish. I certainly enjoy the wonderful comments I receive, but now that I've started I'll never quit.

Lisa, Forgive an old neanderthal, but what the heck is an android app? The only picture I get is a mechanical gorrila

This is a story I wrote for my eight year old grandson, Simon. He asked me to write him a mystery. The setting is in the nineteenth century and I put in some school history of that period. Simon straightened from his slump and waved his hand frantically in the air, thinking, “ I know, I know, call me!” Finally the teacher had asked a question that he thought he knew the answer to. ...

Added 17 Jun 2013 | Category Childrens | Votes 10 | Avg Score 4.7 | Views 1,202 | 4 Comments

The wide walkway that was a few steps above the lengthy beach was teeming with the sun loving crowd. The first days of warm weather after weeks of a wet, dreary Spring drew the multitudes. As Melanie navigated her way among the strollers she looked past the sandy beach. Very few had braved the still chilly waters of the lake but there were some taking advantage of the warm sand to get...

Added 30 Apr 2013 | Category Horror | Votes 9 | Avg Score 4.67 | Views 1,008 | 7 Comments

They sat around the table pondering the the future. Marshal Hagen finished his food, quickly drained his glass and stood. “I'd like to say that this was great meeting you all, but under the circumstances I think I'll postpone that. I better get back to my partner.” Tom said, “Wait a bit, Art, if you're not in a rush. We have a prisoner out in one of the outbuildings but he hasn't been...

Added 24 Apr 2013 | Category Action | Votes 27 | Avg Score 4.92 | Views 1,710 | 6 Comments

The release of tension and fear was widespread through the colony and was shown in myriad ways. Although there were not many churches of organized religions in the colony the ones that were present were filled with people of all beliefs giving their thanks to their Creator. Many who claimed no religion at all yearned for a place to express their gratitude and to pray for their dead. At...

Added 16 Apr 2013 | Category Science Fiction | Votes 9 | Avg Score 4.22 | Views 672 | 5 Comments

Just after dawn the stranger trudged into Harper's Gully leading his horse. They stopped at the watering trough where the horse plunged his muzzle and the man filled his hat which he poured over his head. The water only removed some of the dust from him. He pumped a stream of water from the pump, captured a double handful and slowly swallowed it. He pulled the horse from the trough...

Added 15 Apr 2013 | Category Action | Votes 12 | Avg Score 4.08 | Views 1,088 | 7 Comments

The first meeting of the new government was held on a Friday evening. The first order of business was swearing in the new elected officers by the Marine's chaplain, the Reverend Stark. The first to take the oath of office was Eric Reid, the Territorial Governor. He was a mid fifties man, looking quite fit, with a broad smile and a full head of white hair. He had been Governor of one of...

Added 04 Apr 2013 | Category Science Fiction | Votes 9 | Avg Score 4.67 | Views 810 | 4 Comments

In the late morning Kari stood at the kitchen sink in her robe, a little bleary eyed after being up late explaining to the members of the colonists’ groups how and why Ida had accomplished so much as head of the transition to civil government. Most of them were very satisfied with the results, although a few groups were unhappy that their priorities had not been paramount. She looked...

Added 28 Mar 2013 | Category Science Fiction | Votes 8 | Avg Score 4.25 | Views 721 | 5 Comments

My first exposure to the wonders of television was shortly after the Second World War when a hardware store up the street put one in their front window. They turned it on when programming started which was, depending on the channel, sometime in the afternoon. They then left it on until the following morning when they shut it off to allow the vacuum tubes to cool. It was the first one in...

Added 25 Mar 2013 | Category Musings | Votes 7 | Avg Score 4.71 | Views 1,147 | 5 Comments

As he looked around all he could see, except for the long line in front of him, was a thick fog. It was certainly different from any other fog he'd seen. Instead of a damp, gray, chilly, fog, this one seemed to be warm and inviting, even cheerful with its rosy glow. Looking to his rear he saw more people joining the line in a continuous stream. Immediately behind him was a short, elderly...

Added 19 Mar 2013 | Category General | Votes 11 | Avg Score 4.82 | Views 784 | 10 Comments

The Council sat there for a few moments, stunned by Troyal's announcement that they may be at war. But then he continued, “I'm sorry if I have led you to a hasty conclusion that war is imminent, I don't think it is or even if it means war. Who knows how far this ship has traveled or how long ago it left its starting point. When I said soon I meant within some hundreds of years, not next...

Added 11 Mar 2013 | Category Science Fiction | Votes 8 | Avg Score 4.75 | Views 638 | 5 Comments