No Fair!

Talk about not playing fair.

Dick, you ol' scoundrel, you made a post saying you knew it would irritate me, then asked Shelagh to lock it. What's worse, she did!

Boy oh boy, see if I play with you again...

Here's that raspberry I took back when you had a sore arm.

Brenda,

It is very important when dealing with a fox not to to be "outfoxed."

Foxes are noted to be vicious animals so I would be very careful when dealing with two of them.

No need to thank me, just being my usual cheery, helpful self.

Ha! I thought that was pretty slick of Dick, too. Foxy to the max!

Yeah, but then I got locked out of the forum. After making it my life's work - at least for what seemed like a lifetime - I managed to get back.

But Brenda, I only picked out the best part of your message. Thought I was being a nice guy. You know me.

Quite right, Brenda ,

He left out the abrasive, confrontational, leaning towards , but not quite attaining viciousness, part where you stated I had no idea what I was talking about.

Oh how I suffered with that so public put down of my expertise!

I have made it my life-long mission to be right and factual and to never mislead anyone and to be told that I had no idea of what I was talking about when I was speaking--why it broke my heart of hearts.

The doctors were with me all night working valiantly to save me. They were so upset when they heard the cause of my distress that they were going to swear out a warrant for your arrest, but I dissuaded them--Lucky thing for you!

I can see no reason whatsoever why the thread was locked. But I'm not the least bit surprised.

Happy Sunday, folks! =)

It was locked, Mel, because everyone here has heard it all before - again and again and again. Some here have used PA in the past, some here have not. Some liked PA, some did not like PA, some are ambivalent about PA. Even those who have never used PA have heard so much about it that their ears close up at its mere mention.
Nearly everyone who did use PA has moved on and had books, stories, articles and just about anything else you can name published elsewhere since that time. That's the key to it all - they moved on to writing other projects. They haven't forgotten PA, they have placed it in a compartment labeled "Past."
We are all adults, we all make our own judgments. No one here needs to be warned, advised or cautioned unless they ask for advice or assistant. No one needs to be preached at.
You mentioned that I once was interested in Taylor and Adrian. I still am. I still would like to see their mother put aside thoughts of past disappointments, produce new stories, sign up as a member of this board. There is information available, help available, banter and fun available. All I or anyone would ask is that you don't underestimate us. We are intelligent people and productive writers who discuss a variety of subjects, including writing. We also write and in many cases sell what we have written. So think about. We'd like to see you here.

And the fact is, Mel, that most of us can leave the past behind, so long as that same old stale discussion isn't brought up again.

Joining us and having some fun, and giving up all that anger; where's the fun in that? I wouldn't want to spoil your misery, Mel.

I'd like to see Mel here. We are her old friends, and I think E. Don was right when he said Mel became involved with the anti-PA people and left us behind, and I think she misses us or she would not be here.

I am serious Mel. I read your book and I think you are a good writer. I have learned so much from those here, and have gotten close to publication with personal letters from publishers rather than form letters. That would never have happened without this forum, and yes, I have moved on, but that doesn't mean I have forgotten past friends.

I think Dick said it all. That is where most of us are. The other thing that bothers me when we get too much about PA is that we send away those who have never been or never will be published with PA. Some just disappear when we get in those discussions.

Love ya, Carol

I am going to seriously think about things said from friends. Shelegh, not nice or necessary. No wonder I tend to get pi**y.

Mel, when you know me better, you will realise that I have a warped sense of humour. Ask ratface Alice, if you don't believe me. Dick takes a lot of stick from me, too. I do tread a bit more warily with Don ... but I still manage to get up his nose. We have a lot of laughs here and a great deal of fun. We fall out like all families do. We are not perfect!

Hi Mel!

You know I would LOVE to have you here!!!

It would be awesome to have another romance writer around!!

We aren't perfect? Boy, you learn somethin' new every day.

Of course there's one exception:

Shelagh
Admin

She took that for granted, but included herself as well.

Shelagh has the Brtitish humor which is warped and twisted and very funny..

You must miss us, Mel, or you wouldn't keep stopping by.

I remember the past, but will gladly put it aside if you come here.

Well I have a lot of thoughts and a few e-mails from a friend on this board who would like to see fences mended. It's too late to think about it all tonight. But I will say this:

I have posted with you all in various places, but posting here I'm on guard, with good reason. Especially if I were to join. I feel I could not express myself fully for fear of attack. We've done all this before and some of it wasn't fun. I am a vocal and passionate woman about my beliefs although I always try to say things in a way not to offend. I don't feel I can do that with you all and that is compromising myself which I don't feel is fair to do. The other thread was not even about PA, it was about AW, but obviously it was a taboo subject because people got nasty and the thread was locked.

So am I only welcome to discuss "safe" subjects or am I allowed to comment on anything? And I'm not talking about PA either because I get tired of that old song and dance too, believe it or not. But if a new member were going to come here and ask my opinion on PA or any other publisher, I wouldn't hesitate to enlighten them on my opinions. That's what a writing board should be.

And what about the nasty comments, the little digs that go on? I sure don't intend to deal with that all the time. I'll call up my in-laws if I want to feel insulted. Shelagh, I don't know you well enough to know you were just joking so I didn't take it that way. And Alice, you missed my point completely and attacked. I don't want to come here and put up with a bunch of sh*t just to come and post. I shouldn't have to.
Are my writing credentials, or the lack of them going to come into question if I offer another member some writing advice?

Are you willing to accept me here as I am or will I always just be a basher (my word, not yours) who needs to be put in her place?

Mel,

I do not think I missed your point at all--I got it. You were lectuing Dick and Abe on calling Absolute Write ,members, Absolute Whiners.

They were not referring to you. You said they lowered themselves to the level of those they talked about.

I spoke in their defense--not mine. They deserve some respect.

Do not always blame others for what you begin.

Shelagh is the moderator here and if any of us are out of line, she will so state.

She does not need any flak from you or anyone else.

As you can see, Mel, this board has become very similar to AS. There are a few presumed 'gatekeepers' who have found their way here and have assumed the duty of establishing a line of defense. So sorry. They do not speak for everyone, but it's difficult to get past the abrasion.

Some members have left, and others are planning to.

Just for the record, as you know, I appreciated your efforts on the AS board. You tried to see both sides and create an atmosphere where everyone could voice opinions, but that didn't work, just the same as it's not working here.

AS would probaby be glad to have you back, AW too,--don't worry, I for one willl never go back to either place. I was banned fom AW because I asked to be and ran from AS.

Go where you are happy--if you don't like me--fine you don't have to.

You don't need to change for me, by the same token don't expect me to change for you.

I will now leave this thead as I have nothing to add or subtract from it.


AS YOU WISH!

Edited to please Brenda -- Thank Heavens I have no more to say for awhile. Enjoy the rest and relaxation.

Alice, I am a member of this board, part of the 'us' you continue to use. You do not speak for me, nor do you speak for everyone.

deleted by merri

I have to agree with Don. The tone of this board has changed beyond recognition in the last month. I know I don't post unless I have something positive or constructive to say, but I do read the posts each day.

When you started this forum a year a go, Shelagh, it was a pleasant place to visit. We could express our opinions freely. Now it seems that if we don't agree with certain individuals we get sneered at and made to feel unwelcome.

I would suggest that everyone re-reads their post, thinks about whether or not their comment is likely to offend, and engages their brain before hitting the send button