Made a post on the AW board

Should anyone be interested, which is doubtful, I made a lengthy post today on the Absolute Write water cooler under the "Never ending . . ." thread. I've been mentioned there so often, but not by name, I thought I would clarify a few points. Now I'm waiting for the blasting to begin. Life can be fun.

Dick,

I am so proud of you--Perfectly said!

There just must be a way for those great authors with PA like Dick, DK, Betty, Abe, Alice, Marie, Shelagh, Brenda, E. Don, Ann and others could be recognized for their excellent writing. One only needs to read their books, poetry, and even posts here to know their abilities. Could we all have been published by others? Perhaps we could have, but that doesn't mean our books would be any better.

And these books are good without all the help and editing that would have been obtained if we had published elsewhere. That is something else I am impressed with.

Carol

I agree , Carol,

After all who wrote the book?

If we don't like our books--why did we write them?

Carol, you are too kind. As I have often stated, churches are full of soloists who wished to be discovered. My little church has traveling ministers of song and verse and painting who entertain for an evening for a love donation and are wonderful. Every English/literature teacher dreams of becoming the novelist they discuss. Many photo journalists hope for the perfect shot that hits the AP wires. And who wouldn't like a Nobel Prize or a Pulitzer?

For "everything there is a season." We all just keep plugging away at what we know best; and for some, the golden day arrives. In the meantime, we have to enjoy the journey. For me, it's one precious moment at a time. "All I know is in this moment." Those precious moments include the support from colleagues, friends and strangers who say a kind word or two.

Dick, I read your post. The honesty with which you expressed yourself is admirable. I don't have much hope for it hitting the mark, however. Once a culture of complaint is created, it voraciously feeds on itself. The occasional attempt to end the frenzy may stall it out for a moment or two, but hunger wins.

I was lurking at that site but tired of its negativity, discovering its impact on my mind in spite of my attempt to put it aside. I guess like pornography and graphic violence, I choose to exclude negativity so precious space for beautiful things is left open.

I read Dick's post as well. Then I got tied into knots as I read comments and decided to come back here.

The knots weren't from the fact I had two books published by PA. The knots were from those who really don't care a hoot about any of us or what we have written.

Has anyone there read Dick's book, or Betty's or Alice's? Perhaps they would not see us as foolish, or taken in by a scam, but just authors who decided not to wait years to be published.

I wrote a book for family. A friend told me it was publishable. I tried publishers and didn't even get many responses, let alone rejections. And my books are beautiful and family has purchased them and gotten them as gifts and friends and strangers have purchased them, not with the success Dick has had, but I was pleased.

And now the book I am seeking a publisher for, and have been for a year and a half, has gotten responses, and personal letters, and comments, and even materials returned with personal comments and ideas when I forgot the SASE. I have made a bunch of writer friends, I have found writing on this messageboard fantastic, and I've gotten information and encouragement to keep writing and keep trying. None of those would have happened on the never ending thread.

The writing industry is changing. There are problems and I believe we can be part of the solution, we can be creative, we can speak our voices positively and encouragingly, or we can be negative and constantly state how foolish we were. I choose the former.

Carol

I agree Carol; looking forward is my plan. I once heard a religious person say, "God is the 'I Am.' That doesn't mean in the past or in the future, but in the present. That's why looking back can be so difficult and worrying about the future so lonely; God is in the present."

One Sunday's message was about the gifts we overlook every day. Instead of lamenting the challenge or adversity, we can put the same effort in finding the hidden gifts there. My life is better when I look for the gift. I had a particularly challenging weekend; I know the gift is there; I just haven't found it yet.

There really are a few good people over there, whether it seems that way or not. If your post impacts at least one person then it was not for naught.

I'm not taking sides. I just see the coin clearly on each side.

Who cares if they listened?

Of course they missed his point completely, but that is why they exist.

I am so glad we all chose PA for our publsiher--even the messsage board was fun.

We would have missed a lot of entertaiment if Dick had gone to Lulu.

The whole PA experience has been hilarious. I can't wait to see Carol.


How many folks live anywhere near Notre Dame? We ought to have a mini-convention.

Wth our great heads together we can overhaul PA and Absolute
Write and anything else we wish to improve.

Shelagh and Abe fly on over.. Ahad, you too!
Fun, fun fun!

Dick, Don and DK can speak E.Don and Abe can sing.
We will eat Betty's strawberries and Ann can show off her grandchild.

Carol, DT, Marie and I will listen. Mel you are invited too.

Good, Shelagh is on her way.

By the way, who or what is Absolute Write?

Don't ask! 8/

As far as I can tell, it is just a literary message board like this one. I have visited there a few times, but for some reason it does not seem to offer anything that would draw me in.

There seems to be a near irrational PA hate thing going on that borders on something unhealthy. I would not spend that much time bashing anything that I can think of off hand. There also seems to be a penchant for screen name that hide identities in order to mask posts on the internet. If you can't stand by it, don't say it.

Some of this kind of stuff occurs when people try to be overly clever and overly cute in attempts to impress each other. It seem to be a lot of energy focused on a target that could care less. Of course other things are discussed there also, but it is what it is.

Mel,

I'd love to have you here, but do you feel you have to choose between them or us?

Carol

I agree, DT; I have wished that I was not so candid in my remarks sometimes, but I stand by them as my own words. My avatar is me. Also, some of the avatars and pictures at the site are a bit offensive from my perspective.

There are some useful threads at the site and information to help authors. It's too bad so much negative energy takes away from the more professional pieces.

Yup, I had to go take a peek too. It seems I have registered there at one time or another. The screen said 'Welcome back'!, when I got to the site. I thought Dick's post was right on target. I have chalked my experience up to just that--experience. I read and signed the contract, and will live with that decision.

I do think I might try to get my rights back, however. I think I could do a very good rewrite and shop it around. Especially with all that I have learned from those of you who share your experiences. For that, I will be forever indebted.

Bravo, Dick. Good show. I've tried to get in there to make a similar comment or two, but wasn't accepted. Ann

Ann,
I would love to read your comments on there.
Phooey !

Carol, I just posted this at AW. Maybe this will help answer your question.


******Though things have been a bit uh...let's say spirited, I am glad to see
two sides come together as one. I hope you understand where I am coming
from.

Being a PA author (unfortunately), I have gotten to know several PA
authors, Dick being one of them. I don't regret that part of it. Whether they are pleased with their
contract, that's up to them to decide. I have fallen out with some of
them over my beliefs, yet there are others who I do not wish to lose
contact with. Then I came here and got to know others who were helpful
and kind, and did not judge me. They taught me that there is much
better out there than what vanity publishers provide. I know that my
manuscript was worth more than a stinkin' dollar!

I belong to both groups, and at times I feel I belong to neither. It's kind of weird.

I hope with this latest turn of events, writers will benefit from both
sides of this publishing issue. Not PA, but people like Dick who do
have vast knowledge to help other writers. And also veterans here at
the AW. Hell, there is so much knowledge here, maybe they can even put
their heads together to figure out the economic crisis!

I said maybe. =)*******


I know there is a lot more to both sides than this little post. There is a lot of animosity where PA is concerned. Mere mention of that publisher turns people ugly. That ugliness comes from both sides, not just from people at AW. There are PA authors who can be just as nasty, and it is from that time that drove me further to AW. I was accepted there no matter my publisher or my thoughts. My time at AS did not help. I take some of the blame there, but I did the best I could. It didn't change how I felt for friends, friends from both sides of the issue. I was caught between them and I could not choose even then, although some thought I did. I am a vocal and passionate girl about my beliefs. Sometimes this does not set well with others. It's just the way I am and I have no desire to change that. I really try not to cross lines.

There should not be all this animosity. We are all writers. We want to write and help others if we can. Some have different ideas about how to go about helping others, but I feel most is done with the best of intentions.

No, Carol, I don't wish to choose. I am just being cautious.

Shelagh wrote:

By the way, who or what is Absolute Write?

Come on Shelagh, are you trying to cause Armaggedon?

Reconsidered post