Mystery Writers Forum

General Discussion and News => Chat => Topic started by: MysteryAdmin on October 04, 2006, 05:48:43 PM

Title: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: MysteryAdmin on October 04, 2006, 05:48:43 PM
Everyone (new and not-so-new) pop in here and say hello, and tell us something about yourself: who you are, where you are, what you've written, and what you're reading.

Also, if you're coming over from the Zott site, please send me a PM with your name there (if you're not using the same name). I'll copy your post count over from there. It's not really important in overall scheme of life, but those of you who have contributed there should have your stature commended in some way here.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: CathyJ on October 04, 2006, 09:22:14 PM
I'm Cathy in Missouri, I'm struggling with writing a cozy, and right now I'm reading The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters (also something I'm struggling with; if it were a library book, it would have gone back by now, but since I bought the hardcover, I'll probably finish it).
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: AndyA on October 04, 2006, 10:08:09 PM
Hi I'm Andy from Wellington, New Zealand, signing up on the new 'ship' for a fresh voyage of discovery...(Lots of buttons to try!!..)

AndyA.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: MysteryAdmin on October 04, 2006, 10:59:13 PM
Just thought I'd mention that Bob Mueller =  MysteryAdmin. I'm not sure which persona I'm going to use more often on the site. For now, if you need something administrative, go to MysteryAdmin.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Caro on October 05, 2006, 12:04:08 AM
Here I come, climbing aboard the new ship, too. Bit foggy in ehre. Hope no-one changes names or anything confusing like that!

And hey, where's the spell check??

Caro
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: MysteryAdmin on October 05, 2006, 01:08:32 AM
I should probably look in to the spell-check module. There is one available; just not installed.

Of course, if you're using FireFox, I recommend SpellBound (http://spellbound.sourceforge.net/).

If you're using IE, I recommend Firefox. :)
 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on October 05, 2006, 02:55:57 AM
Hi, Bob,

Thanks again for taking this over.

I'm Jim Doherty.  I'm a policeman in a suburb north of Chicago.  Prior to that, I was an officer in a very obscure federal law enforcement agency.  Prior to that, I was an officer in an even more obscure federal law enforcement agency. Prior to that I worked my way through the latter part of college as a reserve cop in Berkeley, CA.  Prior to that, I worked my way through the early part of college as a civilian student aide for the UC Campus Police.

I've written a number of short stories, one collection of true crime articles called Just the Facts - True Tales of Cops & Criminals, a "work-for-hire" e-book for Barnes & Noble called Raymond Chandler - Master of American Noir (hey,Bob, this italicizing tool is neat!), and an unpublished novel called An Obscure Grave.  My website (actually it's not my website; my publisher just provides it for me) is here:

http://www.deadlyserious.com/JimDoherty

I'm a bit heavier at the moment, and, for the time being,  I don't have the mustache.

I've been on the old MWF site for about five years.  I'll be checking in at both places until the old site closes down for good.

Hey, Bob, where's "Police Procedures?"

JIM DOHERTY

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: MysteryAdmin on October 05, 2006, 03:12:42 AM
Hey, Bob, where's "Police Procedures?"

JIM DOHERTY

Here (http://mwf.ravensbeak.com/forum/index.php?board=18.0), under "Life and Death."
 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jonathon on October 05, 2006, 04:39:12 AM
Hi, Jon here, from Vancouver, BC, Canada.

I have no problem getting ideas or coming up with character names, but I tend to lose interest around the middle of a book and start a new one.  Something I hope to conquer.

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Michele Viney on October 05, 2006, 04:59:48 AM
Hi Michele from Dublin here aka Nutmeg. I work in the film and television industry in production -  the nitty gritty bit not the glamorous bit. Was an Arts Journalist for eight years and I have finally bit the bullet (sorry awful pun!) and started to write a crime novel - at the moment it is leading me around by the nose so goodness knows where I will end up! Only recently joined MWF's old site so I really am a newbie. Many Many thanks to Bob for saving the site, after I only just found the perfect source of info and support I was glad that I did not have to lose it. It looks pretty cool too considering how new it is - I'm with Andy - lots of buttons to try ;D.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathleen Taylor on October 05, 2006, 06:40:35 AM
I'm Kathi (aka Kathleen Taylor). I joined MWF just about the day it was founded and am so glad that Bob is taking over. I hope we don't drive him crazy.

I sold my first magazine article in 1980, and have managed to stay published in one way or another since then. I'm not writing fiction at the moment, but I did write 6 mysteries (all OP now), and 1 mainstream novel (that I still hope will be published). In the last 5 years, I've written 2 knitting books and am on the downhill slide on the 3rd. I might go back to fiction someday, but at the moment, I'm very happy with the needles.

I'll be 54 very soon, have been married since my teens, have 2 grown sons and 3 amazing grandchildren (who will be very shocked when they grow up and read the books their Gramma wrote), and I live in South Dakota.

Kathi    ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on October 05, 2006, 07:29:40 AM
Hi, I'm Kathy W. (not to be confused with Kathi or Cathy or Kathie Hills who will probably arrive soon). I joined the old MWF in 1998, shortly after I stumbled onto the internet, and don't know where I'd be without it. I've watched many online friends conceive stories, write, rewrite, place and win in contests, get agents, get published -- and hope to follow them.

As for me, I'm an ex-chemist, at-home mom for many years with a college freshman son, a middle-school daughter, and an attorney husband. I'm in my early fifties and have lived in Wisconsin all my life. My current WIP is a cozy mystery set in Wisconsin with a suburban mom amateur sleuth -- chosen to keep me from getting sidetracked doing research. I also completed a light romantic suspense which finaled in the Daphne du Maurier contest, and which  I sent around to agents for a year or so. but no luck.

A gazillion thanks, Bob, for this new site! I'm still poking around in the corners, but it looks great.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: ArlineChase on October 05, 2006, 08:00:45 AM
Hi,

I'm Arline Chase. Have been around the forum since 1998 or thereabouts. I have been a writer, writing teacher, and journalist for more than 25 years. When my publisher became ill, I became a publisher, too. Quite a challenge.  ;D  Folks who want to know more about my writing can visit my website at http://www.arlinechase.com . Folks interested in the publishing part can check out my ebooks site, http://www.ebooksonthe.net or my paper books siite http://www.cambridgebooks.us.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Dave Freas on October 05, 2006, 08:16:03 AM
Hi, All

Dave the pharmacist here.  Like another MWF, I posted under testing.  I'll get the hang of this soon.

I have the first book of a series at a publisher and I'm hoping he'll be demented enough to buy it.  I'm also working on two stand-alones right now.

Dave
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Debbie Matthews on October 05, 2006, 08:17:46 AM
I'm Debbie Matthews and have been around MWF since '99.  I'm published in historical romance.

Right now I'm reading "The Girl with a Pearl Earring".  I saw the movie.  Hey, I love Colin Firth!  But hated the movie's ending.  I hate movies that end leaving questions.

I'd been away from MWF a few days when I logged on and saw Lauri's note.  Talk about shocked!  Again, Bob, thanks for taking this on.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Carrie on October 05, 2006, 08:45:07 AM
Hi Everyone!

I'm Carrie and am glad to see that everyone is starting to come over to the new site!  I'm a stay at home mom with two kids (3 and 5), hairdresser, and I'm working on becoming a better writer.  I'm thankful to Bob for taking over and giving me a place to get some really, really great advice! 

Carrie
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zen Mc on October 05, 2006, 08:57:53 AM
I'm Joe Lewis.  I've been showing up at MWF since '98.  I sometimes write under my Zen McCann pseudonym.  I do mysteries, action/adventure, horror and scifi.  Long and short forms as well as screenplays. 

I'm thrilled that Bob was able to take over for Lauri and Joe -- There should probably be some national holiday declared in their honor.

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Alice on October 05, 2006, 11:50:01 AM
Hi.

I'm Alice.  I lurk and have been for several years. I have written some children's mysteries that are unpublished, but that my nephews like a lot.

I am a big fan of Ingrid's work.  I lived in Japan for three years (quite awhile ago, now)



Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: laurihart on October 05, 2006, 01:52:33 PM
I'm Lauri Hart, the original founder of MWF. 

I started it 9 years ago because I was having trouble finding out how long it would take for a body to bleed out if cut in the cartoid artery.  Every group, party, gathering I was at I checked around to see it anyone was a doctor.  When I finally ran into one, he was a bit hesitant to tell me ...even after I explained that I was writing a murder mystery and it was intrinsic to the plot.  I figured there had to be a more efficient way to find information, so I started MWF.

I'm very happy that Bob has volunteered to take charge of MWF.  From what he's set up, he's definitely the right guy to do it. 

Bob, I wish you many happy years of running MWF!

Lauri Hart
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jay Hartzler on October 05, 2006, 02:17:28 PM
Hello all,

My name is Jay and have been mostly lurking these past six years.  I need to post a lot more if I am to reach the coveted Jr. Member status.  

I live in scenic Central Illinois (several hours south of Jim D.) and am the father of two teenaged daughters, 17 and 14 (Lord help me).  I work for a neighborly insurance company maintaining their mainframe computers.  These are the computers that they show in the movies with all the buttons, switches, flashing lights, and spinning tapes (although they don't look like that in real life).

My WIP has been sidetracked for quite some time and I hope to get it back on track.  I am glad Bob has taken over the MWF reins and hope to participate more than I have in the past.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Charles King on October 05, 2006, 02:31:56 PM
Bob. It looks great. There's no replacing our favorite redhead, but MWF is torch that will never be allowed to go out. It's just too damn good of an idea, and has brought so many great people together. Well done.

Charles 8)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Janet Koch on October 05, 2006, 03:02:47 PM
Okay, I'm getting used to it, and it wasn't so bad. I can learn new things! Excellent work, Bob, to set this up so quickly.

One teensy weensy question -- is there a setting somewhere so I can increase the font size? My eyes aren't what they used to be....


Janet
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: MysteryAdmin on October 05, 2006, 04:05:05 PM
One teensy weensy question -- is there a setting somewhere so I can increase the font size? My eyes aren't what they used to be....

Janet
Not for the default theme, which is what everyone is set to use. But you can, by clicking the "Profile" button, go into your profile and change that theme. Click on Look and Layout Preferences, then look for

Current Theme: Forum or Board Default (change)

Click the change link, and switch it to the "Classic YaBB SE Theme." I was able to set that font a little larger. You'd think I should be able to change the font setting on the Default SMF Theme, but I haven't found an easy way yet.
 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on October 05, 2006, 04:33:28 PM
Donna Parker, born a Missouri hillbilly, now living in Alabama.  Not related to Ingrid, which is too bad--from my point of view, anyway.  I've been married for going on 36 years and we have two adult sons.  I've been with MWF a long time, although I can't pinpoint the exact year.  I have three books published now--with very small presses, but published.  The last one was just released Sunday (Woohoo! ;D).  The first two are mysteries and the folks here deserve a good bit of the credit because they answered countless questions and let me look in on their publishing lives to gain inspiration.  Thanks, everybody! I'm so happy and grateful to Bob that we have this nice new home.


Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: AndyA on October 05, 2006, 05:20:10 PM
A way to increase the font/screen is to hold the control key down and rotate the wheel on the mouse. Don't know if it works for all operating systems, XP is okay, hope this helps.

Andy
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Susan August on October 05, 2006, 06:01:13 PM
Wow, cool tip, Andy.  I didn't know that!  It works!

I think it's great that everyone is stopping in and giving profiles...I feel like I'm getting to know everyone all over again!  And lots of new folks, too.

I'm a Jersey girl who grew up in the pharmaceutical world, doing everything from drug discovery to marketing.  After 30+ years in the Dilbert-based corporate world (yes, it's all true!), I escaped early this year to do something different.  So, I have started up my own consulting business, and I aspire to write a mystery novel set in 'pharma' as we fondly call the industry.  I found MWF earlier this year and love the community and the awesome folks here.  It will probably take me years to get my novel written, but checking in here frequently keeps me focused on the goal while I'm distracted by my new business.

I'm married, have 2 daughters in college and grad school, as well as 3 stepsons.  One of the stepsons is married and we're expecting a grandson in December.  This has been a year of lots of changes for us! 

Susan, who loves the new site...thanks, Bob!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Daniel Hatadi on October 05, 2006, 06:33:12 PM
My name's Daniel Hatadi and my day job consists of programming poker machines. No, I don't rush around to clubs with a bat utility belt and fiddle with the machines until they pay copious amounts of cash. Nothing like that at all. It's a plain old office job and aside from the colourful bells and whistles, it's a plain old programming job too.

By now you've probably noticed the slightly non-American spelling. That's because I'm Australian. Don't go thinking I'm some kind of croc-hunter or kangaroo breeder, though, I'm half Croatian, half Romanian by blood. So I only half turn up in photos.

Enough about me, now to my writing.

I came to MWF about two years ago, around the time I started my first novel about my PI-in-training character, Danny Hawaii. MWF has been a great resource and it's great to see it continue in this new format (which as forum systems go, is much more familiar to me). Two years on and I finished the novel, or at least what I call the third draft of it. For the last few months, it's been hiding in a folder on my computer, mostly because I don't believe it's good enough to work on. In the meantime though, I haven't been lazy. I've started a new novel which is a mix of crime and the supernatural, set in both modern and post-WWI Australia.

There are a few short stories of mine floating around the net, at sites such as Shots (http://www.shotsmag.co.uk/fiction/2006/dollars.html) and Thrilling Detective (http://www.thrillingdetective.com/fiction/06_9_04.html), as well as an article published in Crimespree.

I also keep one of these new fangled blog thingies, where you can read about my misadventures with Life, The Universe, And Writing.

There, that should do it. I think it has the highest word count of all these mini-bios, so that means it's good, right?  ;)

Cheers,
Daniel
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on October 05, 2006, 06:44:06 PM
Hello there,

I've joined MWF for a year now. Felt quite alone on my side of the Atlantic until I met you guys. I live in Paris (France) and have been writing mysteries for 2 years. Tried the market (here in France) and failed miserably for three reasons.
1- Mysteries here are mainly translations from English or American authors
2- The genre -- when written by French authors -- is the realm for a selected few
3- (And the main reason I boggled it,) I haven't met MWF yet. MWF taught me how to write (I'm still learning.) It taught me to see myself as a writer. I found there were questions I was asking myself others had too, and I met those who had the answers. I still have so many unanswered questions, I can't thank Bob enough for taking the relay.
Hooray to you Bob for a Job well done ;D ;)
Zara



Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: AndyA on October 06, 2006, 01:00:59 AM
Seeing as my intro is a little sparse compared to others, I'd better expand it a little....

Been a member of MWF since 2002. (Although you wouldn’t know, as my contributions have been even sparser (if there is such a word!))
Like Bob I’m now an ex cop (27 years) and ex Military (MP 9 years)
On finishing my police career, in Scotland, I uprooted my family and dragged them 12,500 miles to Wellington, New Zealand, where now work for a government agency involved in fraud detection.  My web site is not writing related, it’s just the tale of my adventures, moving and now residing in NZ. My work in progress has been on the go for far too long. I keep promising myself, french windows leading to a sandy beach where I can ‘get on with it’. I’m nearly there location wise; I just need to re-motivate myself writing-wise. My characters, plot and story are all there, it’s having the courage to put them together in a presentable format and letting go of them…Although I think the Scottish crime story market has flooded a little now...

Anyway that’s me. I hope to get more involved in the forum (and the writing) now that my lifestyle has changed from the running-round-in-circles police wise, to one with more ‘quality’ time. It’s nice to see the rejuvenation that’s going on within the forum, like a phoenix rising from the ashes…Although; I’m usually on after the other side of the hemisphere has gone to bed.

Regards,
Andy
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Poisonguy on October 06, 2006, 05:03:25 AM
The name's Marcel Stipetic, born in Quebec to a French Canadian mother and Croatian father (How 'bout that Daniel? Hrvatsko bratstvo!). Got my pharmacy degree from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, the location of my WIP about an ER physician who uncovers that the death of a local DA was not due to natural causes, but from an elaborate poisoning. And then the story goes on and on and on...toward a suspenseful, roller-coaster, twisting, I didn't see that coming, end. I've obviously embellished a tad, but the story is really typical of some of the schlock that's out there. Hey, it's my first attempt at fiction. I arrived in Greece six years ago--Kalimera everbody--from Austin, Texas, y'all, where I was the Senior Specialist in Poison Information at a Poison Center. I'm now the Scientific Affairs Manager at Greece's leading Contract Research Organisation, married (finally, according to Mommy) and the boastful father of a 17 month old baby girl (well, I'm fairly sure I'm the father as a colleague once lauded, upon seeing her picture, "You're one of the lucky ones. You don't need a paternity test." Good for me. Don't know what it does for her. I've been on MWF for a while now--I'm terrible with dates. I like to jump into medical folders, especially when questions concern poisons. Poisons are good, no? :P

I'm also a member of The Dirty Deed, a reclusive online mystery critique group over on Charles King's wonderful The Mysterious Writ website.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Dave Freas on October 06, 2006, 07:31:42 AM
Guess I should tell more about myself

Like Susan and Marcel, I work in the drug industry.  I've spent most of those 33 years in retail (yep, I'm the guy who fills your prescription), am in my 17th year at my current position.

I've been married to the same woman for 30 years and we have 2 post-college children (26 and 28), one in Florida and working on a doctorate in forensic anthropology (if anybody needs any help in that department), the other working in Michigan.

I"ve been dabbling in writing as long as I can remember, got serious about it 10 years ago, have been a member of MWF for quite a few years but can't remember how long.

Finally hooked up with an agent this year and have a submission at Bantam at the present time.

Dave
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: CarolG. on October 06, 2006, 10:51:00 AM
Wow! It's really cool to hear background info from so may folks. I've only been hanging around MWF for a few months, so I missed almost everyone else's entrance on the zott board.

I'm working very slowly on a cozyish amateur-sleuth story about the impact on a neighborhood when one of its residents disappears during a blizzard. My day job is legal editing (yes, I'm a lawyer, but I don't sue anyone, just argue all day about punctuation). I've had one crime story (fictionalized memoir) published in an anthology (Dangerous Familes: Queer Writing on Survival), have had a sprinkling of non-crime stories in other places, and have edited anthologies of women's fiction. I've also done stints as a newspaper editor and reporter, freelance feature writer, and editor of instructional manuals for banks.

My spouse Jenny and I got married last year in Massachusetts, which is my home state (even though we're currently in Wisconsin) and which, of course, is the only state where two women can marry each other. We have three kitties of the heart, Louie (the pest), Cleo (the caretaker), and Perrio (the ancient).

Thank you all for being here!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Janet Koch on October 06, 2006, 02:46:36 PM
Ooo, BIG text. I love it -- thanks, guys!

Since I didn't do any self-introduction yet, I suppose I'll do that now.

When I graduated for college with a geology degree over twenty years ago (how many years? good gad!!) I never expected to spend my days designing roads, storm sewers, and septic systems, but that's what you do when you work for a civil engineering firm.

I've been writing seriously for eight years now, with four and a half unpublished novels to my credit. I'm a slow learner, what can I say?

My husband and I and our three cats live in northern Michigan and we're both looking forward to a long white winter of skiing.

Janet, member of MWF since 2001
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: krisneri on October 06, 2006, 08:42:31 PM
I'm Kris Neri, and I can't precisely remember when I started coming here, but it's been a long time. I've had three mysteries published -- two funny mysteries and a standalone suspense, as well as scores of short stories and articles. I teach writing online through the Writers' Program of the UCLA Ext. School, and I'm co-owner of The Well Red Coyote bookstore in Sedona, Arizona. I share my life with one husband, one dog and one cat.

Kris
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: melph on October 07, 2006, 04:11:06 AM
I too have made the jump. Melph
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Cris on October 07, 2006, 08:52:39 AM
Good morning!

I discovered MWF several years ago and found everyone so helpful and supportive, but then got away from writing for a variety of reasons and hadn't been on until last weekend.  Imagine my consternation when I saw that MWF was about to go away!  So thanks, Bob, for picking it up and running with it.

I'm a librarian in Hobbs, New Mexico, in the SE corner of the state.  (We're only 6 miles from the Texas border, so on extremely windy days, the town is in danger of changing locations.) I spent most of my growing up years in Okla., have a degree in Library Science from the Univ. of OKla., & have been director of the library here for 23 years.  My husband is retired, I have a grown son and daughter who both still live here, and two little granddaughters. (Never thought I'd enjoy being a grandma so much!)

Writing mysteries has been my dream since I was 10.  Then it was Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and the Hardy Boys.  Now it's   Evanovich,  Beaton, Cornwell, Grippando, Preston....   I've written several mysteries, but so far none have been published.  Over the years, I've had more success writing articles for magazines, library publications and newspapers. But I refuse to give up.  Some day, the Hobbs Public Library will have copies of my mysteries on its shelves!

Looking forward to more MWF!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kari Elise on October 07, 2006, 09:05:14 AM
I’m Kari and I’ve lurked at MWF for a couple of years but never posted. I was so shocked when I went to the original site and found out it was closing and then so grateful to learn that Bob was taking over the site that it spurred me to come out of Lurkdom. Thanks, Lauri, for creating and maintaining a great site for so many years. And thanks, Bob, for continuing the tradition.

I’m not a published writer but I would like to be. I am currently working on a cozy. I enjoy reading mysteries that range in tone from dark/serious to light/fluffy.  I’m particularly fond of work by Dennis Lehane, Michael Connelly and Robert Crais, but after futzing around for a year or so with an idea for a mystery and not making much progress, it finally dawned on me that I was stuck because I was trying to emulate a style that doesn’t work for me as a writer. I love reading a variety of styles but I enjoy both reading and trying to write cozies. By the way, Kathi, I’m not sure if it is correct to classify your Tory Bauer series as a cozy series but if so then it is my absolute favorite cozy mystery series. Can’t tell you how much I love Delphi, S. D. I revisit it often. Anyway now that I’ve decided to try my hand at a writing a cozy, things are beginning to fall into place. My WIP is set in a fictional town in Virginia and features an amateur sleuth who feels unappreciated on her job and tries to boost her ego by solving mysteries. I’ve written several chapters and am now working on sketching out the backstory of the recurring characters that will populate her world.

I’ve been married for 25 years and spent half of that time in Virginia and half in Florida. I’m a teacher but fantasize about giving up my job and writing fulltime. Sigh. I know I have a romanticized view of what that would be like but still I dream.  No children, but I currently have two little-people-in-fur-coats (dogs) that help to fill up my life.  They are nine months old, full of curiosity and energy, in need of obedience training and a joy.  I love dogs, I love chocolate, and I love a good mystery. 

Thanks again for taking over MWF, Bob.


Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Joyce S on October 07, 2006, 12:28:40 PM
Wow, what a change.

This is Joyce S -- I've been visiting MWF on-and-off for many years. Hmmm, let's see, brief history:

Born and raised on a dairy farm in rural Vermont (no, not all of Vermont is rural). After receiving an Associates' degree from a college in the "big" city, spent 12 years working as a secretary and paralegal in various law firms in the "big" city and obtained my Bachelor's degree in business. Then 18 years in various positions at a wholesale finance company. That company was acquired last year by a huge company, which made me an offer I couldn't refuse so I now find myself living and working just outside Atlanta, Georgia--which is REALLY BIG compared to the "big" city in Vermont. Married, divorced (friendly), and mom to a 21-year-old daughter, who transferred from the University of Vermont to the University of Georgia shortly after I made my move.

My high school writing teacher told me I can correctly call myself a professional writer, since I was actually paid for a short story in a small magazine. But since then, I've just been playing around with writing. But now that my child is an adult and the hectic activity involved with bringing a business from Vermont to Georgia is over, and as soon as I finish participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk here in Atlanta (weekend after next), I plan to get back into writing in earnest. The timing seems to put me in line with the November NaNoWriMo. Has anyone tried it? Anyway, romantic suspense seems to be where the characters in my head are taking me.

That's me in a nutshell. I'm so glad that MWF will continue.

Joyce S

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: sonipitts on October 07, 2006, 02:50:09 PM
Soni Pitts, previously in SE Missouri, now in SW North Carolina (Asheville, actually). Been on the MWF for a few years, although not active as of late. I'm more of a reader than a writer, as far as mysteries go (although I do make a some of my living writing in other venues), but I love to join the conversations and contribute what and when I can. Currently reading/starting the Dexter series (Darkly Dreaming Dexter, et al). Also Lauri King's Sherlock Holmes books, among many others.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: yojinbo on October 07, 2006, 11:24:39 PM
Good evening everyone,

I'm Matt Combs.  I have been at MWF since 2000, mostly as a lurker.  I'm currently a PI in western Washington.  I haven't been writing for a while, but the itch has been getting stronger lately.

Thank you to Bob for this wonderful new site, and thank you to Lauri for everything she has done.

Respectfully,

Matt
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on October 08, 2006, 08:27:39 AM
OK, here goes... (I hope I'm doing this right, being technically challenged!)

I'm Penny, an MWF member since the late '90s, I think. I, too, am so grateful to Bob for keeping this going!

I'm from Israel and have published two children's mysteries - in Hebrew. Unfortunately, I haven't published anything in a while. :-\
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kate Maguire on October 08, 2006, 09:42:30 AM
I made it over! Though I registered as soon as Bob posted the link, and though I have checked in here from time to time, my first visit of the day is always to the old site. There are still messages being posted there. Some of us are die-hards.

I'm Kate Maguire, and for those newer of you, that's an aka I chose when I started to write mysteries. I was published many years ago in romance as Nancy Gramm, the name I generally answer to. MWF was the first writing site I found when I went online in June of '99 and the only one I stayed with. I've made wonderful friends here, both in the group and off.

I live in the Texas hill country, a beautiful place, and yes we actually do have hills in Texas. My DH is a retired police detective, and I'm retired from the telecommunications industry.

My thanks too, Bob. It'll take me a while to get used to this new software, but I'd slog through mud to stay with this group.

Kate
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Pomorzany on October 08, 2006, 10:13:43 AM
Hi Everyone!
Happy to be on board again. I'm Jane Berman and here's a bit about me and my life.
I'm a native New Yorker (just turned sixty!) who came to Israel in 1969 and never left, having a taste--I guess---for the roller-coaster life. For most of my life, I lived in Haifa, but now am settled on a beautiful moshav in the Carmel Mountains with hubby #2.
I've been teaching English in high school for thirty-six years, and am working on the final draft of my mystery novel, written in English, but with an Israeli setting. I have three adult kids and three grandchildren, a fantastic second husband, a really nice ex also, and my slave-driver cat, Hugo.
My big dream----teaching for another few years, then writing full time.
Good luck to all of us!

Jane Berman
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Chase on October 08, 2006, 11:47:08 AM
Hi,

Been lurking at the old MFW site for a few years and plan to continue to lurk here.  I already like the new format.

Last summer I moved from the Yellowstone Valley of Montana to the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  A retired English prof, has-been firearms instructor, and shooting competitor grown too old and too slow, I’ve found folks hereabouts know all they want to know about grammar and guns, so I’m busy exploring the expanded deaf community.  I was pretty sure only three or four people in Montana knew some ASL, but sign is more prevalent here.  What a welcome relief, as speechreading alone is far from 100% for experts – much less my less-than-stellar efforts. 

My online mystery critique group suffered computer complications and apathy attacks during the summer, so I’m in current search for a local face-to-face group.  Lots of mystery readers in the community, so I’m hopeful of finding a couple of local writers willing to swap critiques.  Meanwhile, I’m having fun wrestling with an amateur sleuth work-in-progress.

I join all the others in abundant appreciation for Lauri and Bob.

Chase
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on October 08, 2006, 02:01:08 PM
I'm a bit lost. How come people get stars? What about the (applaud) or (smite) thingies? Smiting is not nice! And when did I pass Kathi in the number of posts?

Hmm, I joined MWF in the fall of 2000.  I remember distinctly that I came on with a very stupid question about what the Shamus award was.  In those days I knew nothing, and much of what I know now I've learned from the folks on MWF. I also remember that people thought I was a troll.  It was a disconcerting first visit!

I write a historical mystery series and straight historical novels. I also write short stories. in case you are bored enough to want to find out more: http://www.ijparker.com

At the moment, I'm working on a short story collection.  I doubt it will sell, but it needs to be done for my own satisfaction.

I'm reading Michael Connelly's ANGEL FLIGHT and listening to Ian Rankin's BLOOD HUNT.  Do we have a place where we can talk about the mysteries we read???  I have some comments on the Rankin.

I read THE GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN EARRING, and also the one by the same author about the unicorn tapestries. Thought the latter better, but I'm probably in the minority on this.  In any case, the format is fascinating to me: historical novels that are short. I haven't learned that trick yet.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on October 08, 2006, 05:24:48 PM
Donna Parker, born a Missouri hillbilly, now living in Alabama.  Not related to Ingrid, which is too bad--from my point of view, anyway.  I've been married for going on 36 years and we have two adult sons.  I've been with MWF a long time, although I can't pinpoint the exact year.  I have three books published now--with very small presses, but published.  The last one was just released Sunday (Woohoo! ;D).  The first two are mysteries and the folks here deserve a good bit of the credit because they answered countless questions and let me look in on their publishing lives to gain inspiration.  Thanks, everybody! I'm so happy and grateful to Bob that we have this nice new home.



  Hey, Donna!  Congrats on the books and much good luck!

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Michele Viney on October 09, 2006, 04:59:24 AM
Hi All

I was just wondering if there was anyone from this side of The Pond - Ireland, UK. Everyone seems to be from USA, apart from Andy A, but Andy you moved to New Zealand and that's even further away! I'm really jealous of all you MWFer's who can meet up in reality!

Michele
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Susan August on October 09, 2006, 08:53:53 AM
I like Ingrid's idea of having a separate thread for books we are reading and want to discuss.  Maybe we can call it 'bookmarks' or something like that.  It would be a good resource to 'check out' when we are wondering what to read next.

Susan
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on October 09, 2006, 12:13:09 PM
Michele,

I'm several two or three generations removed from the Aulde Sod (depending on which grandparent you count back from), but I've still got a passel of cousins and great-aunts and such in both Ireland and England.

Plus, I'm in CWA.  So, though I'm not usually there physically, I've been over there before, and no doubt will be again.

JIM DOHERTY
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Leon on October 09, 2006, 12:48:48 PM

I think I was with MWF from almost the begining.

To decsribing myself as a writer ---
I won 3rd place in a JR. College contest.

If members familiar with my posts on MWF would like, feel free to offer your opinons about the value of my posts on MWF. Perhaps then I would be described more accurately than I could ever describe myself.

Best wishes to you and yours for a successful career.

Leon
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: CarolG. on October 09, 2006, 05:29:37 PM
I like Ingrid's idea of having a separate thread for books we are reading and want to discuss.  Maybe we can call it 'bookmarks' or something like that.  It would be a good resource to 'check out' when we are wondering what to read next.

I like that idea too! Maybe we could also use that forum for a reading group of sorts? (Like... decide on a book to read and then chat about it?)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on October 09, 2006, 05:47:32 PM
re reading group:  experience has shown that people don't all want to read the same book. I'd like to see people share: a) books they recommend; b) reactions to recent books by best selling mystery authors; c) discussions of literary devices in mysteries that either work well or don't work well; d) trends.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: linda on October 10, 2006, 04:24:03 PM
Hi,

"Linda1633," logging in to the new site.  I actually get to drop the '1633' here and become known as "Linda."  I like that. 

And I'm still trying to figure out everything on this site also. (I have NO idea what these buttons are for.) 

I've been a member of the MWF site for 3 years now.  Like Jim, I'm a police officer and have been for over 27 years now.  I work for a large Texas city and have been writing for my entire life.  Albeit, sporadically at times.   

Thanks to MWF I'm getting serious about my writing.  I'm working on a novel and writing an occasional short story.  Nothing published yet, but with the help you can find on the MWF site, how can I miss?

Linda
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on October 10, 2006, 06:53:12 PM
27 years, Linda!

You sure didn't sound that old when we talked on the phone.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jane B. on October 11, 2006, 10:55:21 AM
I'm Jane B. (not to be confused with Jane Berman). I can't remember the other Jane with a different last initial who caused me to begin signing with the "B." back in 1998 when I first joined MWF, but I've always used that moniker here, so I guess I'm stuck with it.

I'm middle 50's, married to my college sweetheart for 30+ years, 3 grown kids, 1 granddaughter, 2 dogs. Over the years, I've started 4 mystery novels, finished 0. I help operate a family business (a baseball academy, of all things) in southern New Jersey, and babysit my 3-yr-old granddaughter a few days a week. I would have to say I'm not a serious writer, because I don't kill myself to find time to write when I'm busy, but I would seriously like to finish a novel before I shuffle off.

I discovered MWF soon after I first dialed up to the internet. I'm a tad reclusive, so I've never wanted to join a writing group in person, but I thought there must be other writers like me in the world who would enjoy the anonymous(-*ish*) association with colleagues that only the internet could provide. I was right. There are tons of them. I tried a few on for size (eh), but when I found MWF, I knew I was home.

Jane B.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Charles King on October 11, 2006, 11:38:07 AM
This might be a non-starter, but besides a Book Thread, maybe a Tv/Movie one as well? Has anyone noticed the explosion of crime related dramas hitting the screens these days: Smith, The Wire, etc. ... Reading highlights this year, for me: California Girl, and Kingdom Of Shadows. I wish I had more time to read for pleasure--Hmm? maybe if I watched fewer crime dramas-- Nah!

Charles  8)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: linda on October 11, 2006, 12:28:05 PM
Awww, Jim, thank you!  (If I knew which one of these smilies was blushing, I'd put it here.)

It's probably from hanging around all these young rookies who keep me young. 

I just can't bring myself to give up patrol completely yet, so I still get out on the street with the guys from time to time.   However, I have learned to point at fleeing 17 year old felons with 6 foot long legs and say "fetch" to the officers I'm with.   ;)  I usually catch up by the time they've made the initial tackle.

Thank you,

Linda
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on October 11, 2006, 01:20:00 PM
Welcome. Linda!  Don't be a stranger.  We love our police officers.

And I have 4 karmas!  Thank you, thank you!  I blush!  (I was really teasing).

Nothing much new:  the big fat novel came back with a request for a few revisions. Fortunately it seems to please overall.  And it looks as though Kirkus will review BLACK ARROW next week.  I mention this because they didn't review my last book and I thought I had slipped into the outer darkness of book reviewing.  :)
And I have been told (by my agent) to do something with Amazon Shorts.  Hmm.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Karen1 on October 12, 2006, 09:45:13 AM
I hope I'm posting correctly.  I'm  glad to hear (and see) the MWF voices I've come to love.  Moving isn't nearly as sad when you get to bring along the neighborhood!

Thanks, Bob.

Karen
     
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on October 12, 2006, 02:13:55 PM
I'm Jane B. (not to be confused with Jane Berman). I can't remember the other Jane with a different last initial who caused me to begin signing with the "B." back in 1998 when I first joined MWF, but I've always used that moniker here, so I guess I'm stuck with it.


Jane B.

That'll be Jane Rubino, or something similar, I think.

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Angie on October 12, 2006, 11:20:59 PM
First - a big thanks to Bob for keeping this board going.  Very, very much appreciated.  I can't remember when I first went to MWF as a lurker (several years ago), but I've been hanging around quite a bit since early this year.  Definitely one of the best places for mystery writers around.     

Last December I quit my day job to write full time.  I'm working on two novels right now.  One is a humorous cozy, the other is a much grittier YA story.  I live in Prescott, AZ, am married, and have 2 dogs and a turtle.  I got my BA in Art & Design, and then promptly went into behavioral health (go figure).  Anyway, I worked for several years with people who have developmental disabilities and then spent several more years working with kids and families on behavioral/mental health issues.  I'm also a voice actress for Coyote Radio Theater and I have a blog thingie over at http://lazyartistslounge.blogspot.com.

It's so great to be here!

Angie
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: ella on October 14, 2006, 12:34:04 PM
I'm here, too, Thanks to Dave. Though I do (did) pop into MWF a few times over the last 2 years or so, I rarely posted.

Finished the first story but may have to go back and add blood guts and gore. Started another and work on it sporadically. Have the rough draft for about 10 chapters and don't know where to go from there.

Busy with a few other things, including dog sports (our version[slow]) of canicross and bikejoring, both started to get both of us exercise, and some training. I have 2 adult daughters and a few days ago got the word to retire.

I'm also grateful to Bob for carrying this on, and maybe I'll be around more.
Ella

Okay, what's the Karma stuff? I don't have ANY? That COULD be good, couldn't it?
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Brenda B. on October 15, 2006, 05:17:47 PM
I want to know about the karma thing too. I can't keep up with this place these days. I don't have time at work, don't make time at home. I don't have time to figure out all the bells and whistles.  And what about that thing that says "smite"? What happens if you click on that? I'm afraid to for fear of offending someone. It sounds awful. The opposite seems to be "applaud." And then there are the things like "hack" and "expositor" by people's names and stars.... I thought the stars were related to the titles, but I've got five stars and I'm a word smith but someone else with 5 stars is an expositor. Someone want to translate all this for me?

I've figured out how to mark "all read", but when I come back I still have a hard time figuring out what I have and haven't read. I did read the post about clicking at the top to show unread posts since last visit. That's helpful. Does it only show the unread posts in the thread or just threads I haven't read? 

What's an avatar? I thought it was a comic creature on one of those Japanese cartoon shows my son watches sometimes.

Like I said in a post, at the old site I guess, I don't handle change well and this place is overwhelming me. I'm sure in time I'll adjust, I just need to make more time to come in and keep up. Somehow.

But thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing it Bob. I would be devastated if I couldn't come in here and wander around like a lost soul and see names and read posts from my writer friends.

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on October 17, 2006, 02:30:23 AM
Hi everyone,

I'm beginning to get the hang of this place. Thanks for doing it, Bob.

I've been registered with MWF since early 2000 -- was a frequent reader for several months before that. I stumbled onto the site shortly after I first subscribed to the internet in 1998. I felt very shy about joining groups at first, but I'm glad I finally did join this one.

I live in North Carolina with a big fluffy cat named Jefferson. I have a  daughter, a nice son-in-law and two grandchildren (a boy 10 and a girl 4) who live about ten miles away. I  have been writing for many years. Mostly non-fiction for magazines with a few short stories thown in. I had 3 children's books published several years ago.  I turned to novel writing in 1999 and my first mystery was published in 2003. Since then I've had three non-fiction and a romantic suspense novels published. My next mystery is scheduled to be published in 2007. I work part-time for my son-in-law at his building company to help pay the bills.

MYF has been a part of my life for a long time and I'm truly grateful that we have been given a way to stay together. Thanks again, Bob.

Lynette



Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Vivian on October 22, 2006, 09:28:45 PM
A gigantic thank-you to Kathy W. who found my husband's e-mail and got in touch with me! My name is Vivian Chern Shnaidman and I joined the original MWF probably the day it started, back in 1997. My first novel was published on Sept. 4, 2001, and everyone knows what happened a week later. I gradually drifted away from the MWF and writing for pleasure in general - agent-less, publisher-less, and contract-less, I made it through the next five years writing reports for my "day job." If I could bind them all up I'd probably fill a room. (And listen to this: One day someone was yelling at me and accused me of writing reports that "read like novels.")

Maybe an hour after my most recent fit about how I had the chance to be a real writer and I threw it away, I received Kathy's e-mail. I take this as an omen. Ironically, I tried to sign on to the Zott site a few times in the last few weeks and could not get on, even as a guest, and I thought that the MWF was over. And it's not! It's here, with so many familiar names and voices that I literally had to wipe my eyes to keep reading through the posts.

So I think I'm ready to start over. I think I'm ready to look for a new agent, try a new publisher, and maybe even a new protagonist. My book, strangely enough, is still in print (because they couldn't sell all those copies since they never sent them to the bookstores!) I would like to say that I have become a different person in the last few years, but I haven't - I'm just older, with older kids, more responsibilities, and a bit more equity in my house (thank God!) I still speak my mind and get beaten up (metaphorically speaking) over it every day; I still say what I mean and mean what I say. I'm still married to the same husband (15 years) have the same three kids (anyone remember Anonymous Pregnant Squirrels?) who are all taller now. Nobody is in preschool, nobody is in diapers, and my husband got a Ph.D. while I was away from here. I still work with the sex offenders, and I've added DYFS (division of Youth and Family Services) to my plate, with the hope that by next summer I can leave my job and be in full-time private forensic practice. What's amazing is that when I had babies I had time to write! Now they all can bathe and dress themselves, and my big son can even cook a limited repertoire, and now I barely have time to even think about writing. Oh, and Kathi! I am finally knitting something with the intention of felting it on purpose!

So thanks for having me back! I will try to be good - and feel free to send your psychiatry and criminally insane questions my way.

Love,
Vivian
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on October 23, 2006, 08:38:25 AM
Vivian, I am so glad the stars aligned, and you're back on MWF! It's great to "hear" your voice again.

And for anyone new in the last 5 years or so -- Vivian's a great resource when it comes to general medical questions, as well as forensic psychology.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on October 23, 2006, 01:41:37 PM
Welcome back, Vivian.  I never had much of a chance to get to know you.  You sound a lot like me, and I've made my mistakes, too.  So good to have you back.  Congratulations to the Ph.D. in the family and best of luck with the writing plans.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Brenda B. on October 23, 2006, 01:45:24 PM
Ahhh, I feel so much better knowing Vivian is alive and well! ;D And coming back to us!!! :D :D :D ;D ;D

Welcome back Vivian, you were missed.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Janet Koch on October 23, 2006, 03:56:51 PM
Hi, Vivian -- sounds like you left MWF about the time I signed on. And it sounds like you've been living a full life without our help. Glad to have you back, though.

Good luck with getting back into writing!


Janet
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Pomorzany on October 23, 2006, 04:08:15 PM
Welcome, all!

It's heartwarming to read everyone's stories. Beginning to feel like a community again.

Jane Berman
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on October 24, 2006, 12:24:31 PM
Not having any "criminally insane questions," I'll just welcome you back to the fold.  Byron
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: TONYh on October 25, 2006, 11:52:22 PM
::)

The last thing I published was a short story on one of Arlene Chase's contests a few years ago (MOONCHILD).  I started writing in the early nineties, and discovered this place not too long after it started.  I posted often for a while, then financial disaster and personal problems struck. 

I'm just now recovering from prostate cancer, and the past six months have been pretty horrid.

I haven't given up writing, and although it may be awhile before I post much or even feel like writing, this new incarnation of the forum has given me encouragement and the hope I'll be writing again soon.  I'm glad to see a lot of the old crew still at it and having success, and wish the newer members the best.

Anthony H. Stewart

P.S.
It took me a while to post after I joined again, it's hard to sit more than a short period  with a catheter attached,

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on October 26, 2006, 05:07:28 PM
Welcome back, Anthony. I'm sorry to hear the past years have been tough.
I hope things improve and that you recover soon.

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on October 27, 2006, 08:03:52 AM
Welcome back, Anthony! Sorry to hear you've had such a tough time -- hang in there, and do hang around here, too, as much as your health permits.

Take care,

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jane B. on October 28, 2006, 01:43:46 PM

So thanks for having me back! I will try to be good - and feel free to send your psychiatry and criminally insane questions my way.

Love,
Vivian


Whew, took a bit to figure out how to shorten the quote! Hey, Vivian! Welcome back. It's great to have the criminally insane and other assorted perverts represented again! :D I'm not here all the time, anymore, but I check in sporadically. And I recently had a quick visit from The Muse, so maybe I'll be coming more often.

Jane B.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jane B. on October 28, 2006, 01:46:08 PM
::)

I haven't given up writing, and although it may be awhile before I post much or even feel like writing, this new incarnation of the forum has given me encouragement and the hope I'll be writing again soon.  I'm glad to see a lot of the old crew still at it and having success, and wish the newer members the best.

Anthony H. Stewart

Hey, Tony, welcome back! How horrid. I'll be this gang can keep your spirits up. You should stick around.

Jane B.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jane B. on October 28, 2006, 01:52:07 PM

I've figured out how to mark "all read", but when I come back I still have a hard time figuring out what I have and haven't read. I did read the post about clicking at the top to show unread posts since last visit. That's helpful. Does it only show the unread posts in the thread or just threads I haven't read? 

Brenda, I found if you just click on the forum (like Chat), it will bring up a list of threads and next to the number of messages is a button that says NEW. If you click on that, you get the messages posted in the thread since the last time you visited. This works better for me than clicking on "New messages since you last visited" on the welcome page, as that gives you a hodgepodge of messages in no particular order. And just ignore the bells and whistles. I do.

Jane B.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: lschu on October 28, 2006, 03:44:06 PM
I am the author of DEAD AT THE DESK which was published by DryBones a couple of years ago. The publisher died and the company no longer exists. I've also published TO CATCH THE SNOWFLAKES: a memoir of a polio survivor, a teacher, an adoptive parent, a principal, and the faither of an addict...and WILLIE McGUIRE AND THE LAND OF THE PEOPLE, a young readers fantasy novel. Those two were published by PublishAmerica...and BTW I'm very pleased with PublishAmerica. I'm a retired high school principal...retired because of post polio syndrome...and an adjunct instructor at the local community college...and I love teaching there. I live in Council Bluffs, IA...across the river from Omaha, NE. I am on the local community theatre board, the library board, and the department of corrections board. I am married...to the same woman for over 40 years...and have two adult children...a daughter who teaches English in a Kansas City suburb and who spent this summer studying at Oxford University and is now working on her Ph.D....and a son who recently received two degrees from Mt. Marty College in Yankton, SD...and is about to be released from Yankton Federal Prison Camp. We are so proud of both those kids!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jane B. on October 28, 2006, 03:56:02 PM
Welcome! We like to know people's names here--we're different from the usual anonymous web forum. More like a support group. Can you at least make one up and sign your posts with it, so we can remember who we're talking to? Oh, and I don't know the answer to your publishing question, but I'm sure someone here will give you great advice. Hope you stick around--I think you'll like it.

Jane B.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Susan August on October 28, 2006, 05:40:47 PM
Welcome, Ischu.  You've found a very cool place to hang out.

Susan
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: lschu on October 28, 2006, 10:13:18 PM
My name is Larry. Really it's Lawrence...but only my mother has ever called me by that name.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on November 01, 2006, 11:09:29 PM
Hi all,

It's been quite a few years since I've been active, so a big thanks to Bob for going so far back to notify people of the change.  In a nutshell, spent my first 30 years in Chicago, second 30 in Atlanta, and am now retired in Madison WI.  Last known profession college professor computer science, publications many except for fiction which I do basically to entertain myself.  Currently am working on a very adult alphabet book about my mother ala Edward Gorey.  Hard to explain more about my job history other than the last time I looked my complete resume is ten pages long.

Good to see so many familiar names and am looking forward to reading about everybody's adventures and sharing anything that might be useful.
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on November 02, 2006, 06:59:26 AM
Welcome back, Elena!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: scotfiddle on November 03, 2006, 02:45:11 PM
 Hey, 
I'm Karen from Hoover, Alabama.  Donna Parker told me about this site weeks ago and I'm just now getting the time to stop in and say hello.

I'm working on a amatuer detective story, tho some who have looked at it call it a cozy because it has a ghost.  The first few chapters went pretty quickly, but I've been stuck in the middle for a couple of months now and it's been getting harder to find the time and energy to write. 

Looks like there's a lot of encouragement and good advice on this site.  I'll try to check in more often!

Karen 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on November 03, 2006, 03:01:05 PM
Karen!  Cead mile failte!  Never mind.  That's about all I remember of that beautiful language, and I never have figured out how to type accents on this board.

Anyway, I saw the "scotfiddle" and had a feeling that might be you.  So glad you made it over!  You'll probably soon be as addicted to this place as the rest of us are. ;D  If you have any writing questions, ask away.  The amount of knowledge represented here is amazing.

donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on November 04, 2006, 01:20:47 PM
Welcome, Karen!

This is a wonderful place to get unstuck in...

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on November 04, 2006, 02:16:16 PM
Welcome, Karen! This is a great site for motivation.

And Elena, it's so good to see you back! Are you still immersed in your art?

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on November 04, 2006, 06:54:54 PM
Hi Kathy,

It's good to be back, and to catch up on everyones doings.  Funny you asked about my art work - I just finished warping my tapestry loom.  It was a soothing thing to do while trying to think about getting a lap top - maybe I can weave with one hand and write with the other.  One stop chaos, tangle my words and my yarn - in one easy pass!

Hope all is well with you,
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: scotfiddle on November 05, 2006, 06:13:40 PM
Hey Donna,

Tapadh leat! I don't remember much Gaelic either. I've been browsing around and it looks like a wonderful forum, thanks for telling me about it. 

This is probably a stupid question( and if the answer is elsewhere on the Forum, let me know and I'll go there), but what is the 'position' and 'karma' all about.  I noticed that I'm a 'cub' presumably because I've just joined.  Is 'karma' about how many books you have published?  That would be good karma!

Karen
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Golden on November 05, 2006, 09:13:13 PM
Ingrid,

I clicked "smite" and then "applaud". I haven't a clue what it's for. Hope it didn't increase the "karma".
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on November 05, 2006, 10:23:07 PM
Karen, there's a thread about "karma" .  I think this will take you to it:  http://mwf.ravensbeak.com/forum/index.php?topic=55.0
If not, it's on page three or so in the chat section.

Another one is at http://mwf.ravensbeak.com/forum/index.php?topic=41.0 in a thread called "navigating the forum, also in the chat section.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Leon on December 04, 2006, 11:04:36 PM
Red-herring

The only purpose for the device red-herring ---- it is a device designed by one character to mislead another character.

Leon

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Caro on December 08, 2006, 10:00:43 PM
Or by the author to mislead the reader.

Caro
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: jsmith98 on January 06, 2007, 01:53:00 PM
Hi all! My name is Justin Smith and I've just joined this forum.

I'm a mathematics professor in Philadelphia (at Drexel University) and have published my first novel, The Mills of God. It's a murder-mystery in which reincarnation plays a crucial role in solving the mystery.

Writing this was a strange experience because I'm a "techno-nerd" who had trouble graduating from college because I couldn't pass English courses. The novel came to me in a dream (one of those rare "epic" dreams in which years seem to pass).

My hobbies include making wine and writing novels.

A poem from the novel (the main character, Constance Fairchild, writes poetry):


I entered the land of ghosts,
Seeking my ancient traces,
Seeking Time’s faded mileposts,
And Love’s long forgotten faces.
I found it a world destroyed,
With no place left for me.
The pleasures I once enjoyed,
Had succumbed to Death’s decree.
Yet I hold its treasures still,
In my newest, brightest Spring:
My soul’s unquenchable will,
My mind’s light ever rising.
Like the mountain, star, or flower,
I abide through my soul’s 
            Deathless power.


Best wishes to all!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Susan August on January 06, 2007, 07:35:23 PM
Welcome to the group Justin and thanks for introducing yourself.  Interesting that reincarnation is part of a mathematician's novel, since I always think of 'technonerds' (your term!) as skeptical of such events.  My husband is also a mathematician and teaches as an adjunct, having retired from corporate life.  Glad to have you join the group.

Susan
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on January 07, 2007, 12:39:28 PM
Hi all! My name is Justin Smith and I've just joined this forum.

I'm a mathematics professor ...
We're not entirely without mathematicians (for example I'm one--or I was, perhaps) but we can always do with more. I note that your initial interest in joining is to promote your novel.  I trust we'll see more of you than that.
Byron
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on January 07, 2007, 01:54:45 PM
Welcome, Justin.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: jsmith98 on January 07, 2007, 04:13:46 PM
Thanks all!  This looks like an interesting group --- a little like the American Zoetrope screenwriters' group. I found that doing a screen adaptation of a story focuses one's ideas beautifully.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Alice on January 07, 2007, 05:57:38 PM
Hi Justin,

I remember years ago (mid '90's) all the fiction writing groups on AOL were talking about a screen writing book as the best reference for writing a novel.  I cannot remember the name, nor the author of the book.  But the point of the recommendation was that the structure of a play,  three acts, arcs, etc., were similar to that of a novel, and understanding that structure was a weakness not well-addressed by standard writing books, classes, etc.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Janet Koch on January 09, 2007, 09:29:59 PM
Glad to have you here, Justin! It's always great to have new people in the group. Don't know how many of us can recite the value of pi further than a couple of digits past the decimal, but I can't imagine you'll hold that against us  :)

Love the book cover, by the way.

Janet
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Caro on January 09, 2007, 11:56:57 PM
Alice, are you talking asbout Story by Robert McKee?

Caro
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Alice on January 11, 2007, 05:32:33 PM
Alice, are you talking asbout Story by Robert McKee?

Caro

Caro,

I don't think so.  I think the author's last name started with an S and the book was named something like "Screenwriting".  I used to print out all that writerly advise from the boards on aol back then, but I don't remember where I put all the notebooks I kept that stuff in.  I'll have to take a look in my office.

I almost never throw out anything......
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Caro on January 12, 2007, 11:44:50 PM
Okay, that could be Sol Stein or Syd Field. Both write on screen writing in ways that can adapted to novels.

Caro
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Alice on January 12, 2007, 11:53:22 PM
Okay, that could be Sol Stein or Syd Field. Both write on screen writing in ways that can adapted to novels.

Caro

Caro,

You're brilliant!  Sol Stein was the guy!  I found my old notebooks and am having a great time reading through old aol writing board posts that I saved for any number of odd reasons, some which I cannot fathom.  I have only had about ten minutes to do this so far, so I've really only scratched the surface.

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Presidio on January 16, 2007, 12:36:38 PM
I'm a little nervous.

Well, it's nice to be back. I was a part of the old board back in 1998. Not sure who is still here. I was the pregnant lady. My daughter is now 8.

I loved this place, however life and other hobbies (graphics) got in the way. Thru it all, I've still been writing. Working on two novels, with writers block on both. In one I want to rewrite as a screen play before I go further, and in the other I'm thinking of changing course from the original path. Those are the reasons for the blocks. Please no one suggest I start a third project- okay, joking, chuckle.

Life does get in the way. My husbands job moved us, we bought a home and now we are house poor. For the last few years we weren't even online. Yada yada.

As always I'm casual, easy going and a bit of nut. I'm 43 years old, happily married, house poor, and I think leaving the best for last, a pretty kewl Mom.

I need your help. One story is a time travel into revolutionary times. None of my other stories have had any historical fiction. Also I need, inspiration, direction, advice, friendship (okay I'll say it, I missed this place). 

Persidio is a new nick for me. Can't remember what nick I used here, I'll try to remember. I'm using Persidio now because I was born at the Persidio of San Francisco in 1963. It's now a National Park and the old base hospital I was born at is long since torn down. My books if they are ever finished and lucky enough to be published, would propably be under J.H. My maiden name initials.

Did I bore you yet?

I did read the threads before posting in the welcome area, and see you have a new board. Did anyone break out the champagne and christen it?

Nice to meet everyone. More then likely I'll be reading the threads verses posting, as I need to get caught up to speed.

Persidio
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on January 16, 2007, 01:08:52 PM
Has it been that long since 1998?  Yike!  Welcome back, anyway!  Glad things are settling down for you now.  That moving business can be a pain, but living in new places can provide some good jogs to the imagination.

Donna

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on January 16, 2007, 01:19:20 PM
Welcome, Persidio.  Dang!  I always thought that place was called Presidio.  Never mind.  It's been a while since I visited SF.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on January 16, 2007, 03:03:33 PM
Welcome back. Persidio!

I think I may have been around in 1998, and I wish I remembered your other name/nick.

Anyway, enjoy it here, we all love it!

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on January 16, 2007, 05:21:49 PM
Where was I in 1998 ??? Hmm not here, nope. Didn't even know I was able to write then, didn't know cool places like this existed and was... lets say, a little clueless.

I'm one of the "new ones" as far as 98 goes. If you think my English is weird, you are totally right, I'm the Frenchie here. Joined this board because I felt lonely writing alone in my corner. I found a new family here and went into a terrible depression when the old board was about to close. Then Bob saved us all...

So welcome back Presidio!

Zara
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Presidio on January 23, 2007, 04:10:40 PM
Hi ya all

dhparker! Is that you? Cozies right? That's when we used to share our stories. Trying to remember the story you were working on back then.

Hey Ingrid

Thanks so much Penny- you know it may have been HoustnGrl - because at the time I was 34/35 ish... but a girl at heart. Not sure how I would have spelled it though. That's got to be the old nick.

Hi ya Zara- Oh you would have had a blast in 98'. Still rockin' I see.

I had some graphics to make for a friend. The graphics hobby and the writing hobby compete with each other for my time. Was up till 1 AM last night finishing up with the images they needed - so here I am.

Ready to read. Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. It's sooo good to home.

Persidio
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on January 23, 2007, 07:22:54 PM
At last!!!
Hi,
I'm Peg H.  Dave the pharmacist, my dear friend, worked hard to help me get here.  It's typical of my luck, that, try as I might, once I registered--I couldn't enter. LOL   Bob, I must say, you came through with flying colors.  Thank You! 
I was a member a very long time ago--the date?  I have no idea, it's been THAT long.  I'm not even certain which SN I was known by back then.
Anyway, I am the wife of a retired police officer, he retired on disability when he went from relapsing remitting MS to secondary progressive. He was the police firearms instructor for the dept. and is a great resource for me when I need firearms information.
I am over 50--ack! Already?  Over the years, I've written two mysteries (of a series) that, unfortunately, didn't sell.  I got the most wonderful rejections letters!  I am currently working on book one of a brand new series.  My agent is very understanding and patient. 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on January 23, 2007, 07:42:22 PM
Welcome Back Peg
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Dave Freas on January 23, 2007, 07:42:32 PM
Welcome Peg!

Finally!!

Dave
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on January 23, 2007, 09:06:03 PM
Glad to have you with us again, Peg!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on January 24, 2007, 06:39:36 AM
Glad you made it back, Peg!

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on January 24, 2007, 07:56:51 AM

dhparker! Is that you? Cozies right? That's when we used to share our stories. Trying to remember the story you were working on back then.


Yep.  It's me...er...I.  Zara's language is easier for that.  "C'est moi."  Cozies, yes.  I don't remember what I was working on then, either.  Probably hasn't been published.  Two pretty traditonal cozies have been.  The lastest one (released in October) is kind of a cozy with a fairy tale twist.  I won't bore you with details, if you're interested, you can look at my website. http://donnaparker.w4aw.org

I'm so embarrassed.  I wish I could remember exactly who you were in 1998.  I don't remember HoustnGrl.  I remember a couple of "pregnant ladies".  Maybe I can use age as an excuse. sigh.

Your time travel historical sounds interesting!  We'll watch for questions in the "Historical Mystery Writing" section.   ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on January 24, 2007, 10:48:47 AM
Welcome back, Peg!
And better luck with your new series...

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on January 24, 2007, 06:16:22 PM
Thank you all for the wonderful welcome!  It's good to be back. 
Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on January 25, 2007, 09:39:37 AM
Welcome, Peg, and very good luck with the new series.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Chuck on January 27, 2007, 12:10:24 AM
I'm an old member from way back who managed to find this place again. My old computer died last year. By the time I got another one and started rebuilding my bookmarks, MWF had moved. I can't tell you how many times I went to the old entrance page, clicked on the logo and got nowhere.

Anyway, I see a few names I recognize and some new ones. Hopefully, this beast will keep running for a while and I can start contributing again.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on January 27, 2007, 12:13:42 AM
Welcome back Chuck!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on January 27, 2007, 12:17:01 AM
Hi Chuck!  Welcome back.  ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Chuck on January 27, 2007, 12:36:44 AM
Hello, Peg and Zara. It's good to be back. I figured MWF was gone. Glad it's still here and the old gang is still around.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on January 27, 2007, 09:20:12 AM
Chuck! I'm one of the old-timers who has missed you. It's good to have you back.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on January 27, 2007, 09:30:05 AM
Welcome back Chuck,
Glad you were able to fiind us again.  And, may your new computer give you all the worry free use you want  :D
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Chuck on January 27, 2007, 11:37:05 AM
It'll never, ever replace my old Royal typewriter. Sixty-seven years old and still working fine.   ::)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on January 27, 2007, 12:07:24 PM
I was hoping you were the Chuck with the Royal Typewriter.  Glad to know it and you are still going strong.  It's great to have you back!


Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on January 27, 2007, 01:03:01 PM
Welcome back, Chuck!

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Chuck on January 27, 2007, 01:09:59 PM
Yep, back and with a book published, although I think I might have goofed by going with PublishAmerica to do it. I was swayed by the fact that they're now getting some fairly well known names signing with them. I did learn that someone actually found a copy of my book on the shelves of Barnes and Noble in Midland Texas, for whatever that's worth. 

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on January 29, 2007, 09:39:06 AM
A published book? How wonderful! Tell us about it, please!

And what's wrong about your publisher? Something to do with distribution???

Penny (who's clueless about American publishing matters.)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Chuck on January 29, 2007, 01:39:17 PM
Not much to tell Penny. I had the book in ebook form for some time. When the contract expired, I took it back and adopted some of the suggestions I'd heard. The book is titled GOSCHE. I originally wrote it in two viewpoints, one from the main character Dante Gosche, and the other from the viewpoint of the detective hunting him, in alternating chapters. Got lots of praise for the Dante side and comments that the detective chapters slowed the book down.

So, I rewrote it beginning to end and discovered that it was, in my opinion, too short, just over 200 pages. I let it sit on my old computer for a couple of years and was going to just dump it and forget about it. One day my wife was on my computer while hers was being fixed and started reading it. I told her I thought it was way too short and I'd done as much as I could. She told me to give it a shot anyway.

I did some snooping around and came up with PublishAmerica, which has a LOT of bad press and some good reports, figured the book wasn't doing anything anyway so sent it to them, and they took it. After some editorial work back and forth, they were finally satisfied and it's been out since September. So far, no idea of the sales, but it is available on Amazon, in some Barnes and Noble, and Waldens book stores or can be ordered by them, and through the company of course (cheaper).

Two people who've bought it absolutely love it, which makes me happy, but they're friends and I'm not sure they'd say otherwise even if they hated it.



Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on February 03, 2007, 02:15:03 PM
Well, it certainly seems like you're on the right track, Chuck.

Good luck with it!

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Pat Cortinez on February 06, 2007, 01:41:33 PM
Hello MWF Members,

For the last several months, I have been lurking because I have no experience writing fiction, because  I have had  nothing useful to contribute to the forum, and because I am intimidated. by your experience, expertise, and success.  I have learned so much from you that I feel compelled to introduce myself.

For most of my life ‘home’ was in various locations of eastern Washington state.  After twenty-five plus years of teaching—mostly history at the college level—I took early retirement in 2004.  I sold my home, gave my car to charity, and moved to Mexico.  The move was premeditated; in fact, much detailed planning and preparation went into the procedure.  Awaiting me in Mexico was an older home on two lots which I had purchased the previous summer.  Since moving to Jerez, Zacatecas, my time has been occupied with remodeling the old house, and constructing an addition and a garage.

Anticipating retirement, I had assumed that there would be lots of time for writing fiction.  Wrong!  Too many interruptions and distractions.  As an historian, I spent decades getting as close to the truth as possible, as close as the evidence would allow.  Now to write fiction I must create, fabricate, lie…this is a major reversal of thinking for me. 

My work-in-progress is a mystery set in San Marcos, a small fictional Mexican town with a sizeable foreign population.  The main character is a middle age widow  recently appointed the acting U.S. attaché.  She is responsible for maintaining amiable relations between the townsfolk and the expats, and for solving mysteries—why are gringos turning- up dead? 

Pat Cortinez



























Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on February 06, 2007, 04:32:07 PM
Welcome, Pat!  I'm glad you decided to introduce yourself.  Please don't be intimidated.  Wade right in.  Everybody here was once a beginner and we all had a million questions.  Once in awhile somebody asks historical questions.  You'll know the answer to those, so don't worry.  Your time to contibute useful information is coming.  :D

Your story sounds interesting!  Hope to see you around here often.

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on February 06, 2007, 04:34:43 PM
Wow Pat,
I am glad you introduced yourself - I knew that many people retired from the states to Mexico, but have never "met" one before.  Wouldn't mind one bit hearing about your moving adventures.

And, I'm delighted you are trying your hand at fiction.  As you so aptly said, it is a different world.  I found the learning curve between non-fiction and fiction to be both steep and exhilarating.

But, as to why gringos keep turning up dead - that's a hard one, however, I have every confidence that your attache will apply her skills of finding out the truth and all will be revealed.

Que te vayas bien.
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on February 07, 2007, 07:06:25 AM
Welcome, Pat! And good heavens, don't be intimidated. Some of us don't have anything useful to contribute, but it doesn't stop us from posting.  ;)

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Caro on February 08, 2007, 07:29:30 AM
Welcome, Pat. I think you're very brave, moving to another country like that. I couldn't do it, I know.

And Chuck! Welcome back! I was wondering what happened to you. Congrats on the book being out, Interesting that PA actually edited you! WTG. Now if you could persuade those who have read it to post on Amazon, that would be good.

Caro
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on February 08, 2007, 09:29:25 AM
Welcome, Pat.  Interesting background.  You are adventurous.  More power to you.

Ingrid
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on February 09, 2007, 08:14:49 AM
Welcome Pat, and I'm sure we'll enjoy having you with us.

Good luck with your move and establishing your new home, and - writing of course!

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Janet Koch on February 09, 2007, 05:52:10 PM
Nice to have you with us, Pat!

I bet it's warm in Mexico right now, isn't it? (Insert sound of slightly envious sigh.)


Janet
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on February 18, 2007, 12:14:23 AM
I've been busy finishing up a manuscript and have missed a lot of the posts. Just wanted to say welcome to all the new people and a welcome back to new, but older members.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on February 20, 2007, 09:51:57 PM
Lucky you Lynette, I'm still stuck  ;)
I saw in another thread that you put 'the end' on your WIP. I Intended to finish mine last month but ... Well let's make it this month then. It's not as if I had an editor breathing down my neck.

Congrats by the way. I wish you a lot of sales.

Zara
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Glen on February 24, 2007, 07:51:48 PM
Hello, all. I'm Glen Allison from Mississippi, and new to the forum.

I'm a writer/producer of marketing materials (specializing in promotional videos for companies.) Over the past two decades, I've written nonfiction articles, a nonfiction book, ad materials, publicity releases, etc.

I love writing -- and reading -- mystery fiction. I've written two mystery novels, MISCUE and NETBLUE (which are OP at present) but I'm hoping to attract a new publisher.

I've been on a hiatus from fiction writing for the past two years -- due in part to my becoming dad at age 47 to a boy, now 5 (custody situation; his parents are druggies and ex-cons).

A month ago,  I picked up a WIP and begged it to take me back. So, 50 pages into it, here I am.

I believe this is the same mystery writers group I visited a few years ago. If so, I already know this is a supportive community. I'll try to do my part.

Thanks for having me.

Glen
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on February 24, 2007, 08:58:02 PM
Welcome on board Glen
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on February 24, 2007, 09:07:58 PM
Welcome to the group, Glen.  This is a great site and you may find it addictive.

I gather your series character, Al Forte, is a PI specializing in bodyguard work, similar to Greg Rucka's Atticus Kodiak?  That's great.  We could use some more PI writers here.

This is on my mind because I just sent in my dues check to Private Eye Writers of America.  Are you in PWA by any chance?

I'm peripherally acquainted with another Mississippi mystery writer,  Louisa Dixon, who used to run Mississippi's state police and who wrote a couple of novels based on her experiences when she left the job.  Do you know her? 

And how are you faring post-Katrina?
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on February 24, 2007, 10:28:44 PM
Hi Glen,
 ;D Welcome aboard! 

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Glen on February 24, 2007, 10:48:41 PM
Thanks so much, Jim. I could tell the folks in this forum were gracious and helpful with a brief scan of the posts already.
Don't know Rucka's Kodiak series protagonist; I need to check him out. My WIP is actually based in my town here in Mississippi, instead of the New Orlean's base of Al Forte. And I do need to join PWA; it would be helpful.

Louisa Dixon have mutual acquaintances but have never actually met her; I'll have to deliberately cross paths with her.

I'm actually in north Mississippi, an area relatively unaffected by Katrina. Our coastline communities, however, are still recovering (and receiving much less publicity than others).

Thanks, though, for asking. I'll have to send you copies of the Forte series on your birthday, sir. :)

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Angie on February 25, 2007, 01:57:07 AM
Welcome!  Always good to have new(ish) folks around.

Angie
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on February 25, 2007, 07:52:08 AM
Welcome, Glen! It's nice to meet you.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: penny on February 25, 2007, 09:42:54 AM
Welcome, Glen!

Penny
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on February 25, 2007, 01:55:13 PM
Don't know Rucka's Kodiak series protagonist; I need to check him out. My WIP is actually based in my town here in Mississippi, instead of the New Orlean's base of Al Forte. And I do need to join PWA; it would be helpful.

I think you'd like the series.  He's a bodyguard working out of NYC.  The first book, Keeper, was a Shamus nominee.  Coincidentally, that also dealt with abortion politics, not unlike your first. 

Louisa Dixon have mutual acquaintances but have never actually met her; I'll have to deliberately cross paths with her.

I've only met her via e-mails.  Janet Rudolph, who owns, operates, and edits Mystery Readers Journal was doing an issue on Mysteries Set in the Deep South.  I got in contact with her and former Knox County Homicide Detective David Hunter about contributing short articles about how they turned their professional law enforcement experiences into fiction.

I'm actually in north Mississippi, an area relatively unaffected by Katrina. Our coastline communities, however, are still recovering (and receiving much less publicity than others).

To get into the news, it probably helps to have a totally dysfunctional state and local government that can't get their acts together and blame everything on DC.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Laura J on March 07, 2007, 07:30:06 PM
Hi, guys,

I guess it's been long enough, that while a lot of your names are still familiar to me, mine won't be to you.  LOL. 

I do write traditional mysteries (aka cozy), and I have a completed manuscript for which I'm looking for an agent.  I'm working on book two in the mean time, with books 3-6 roughly outlined, and another series in the making as well. 

I am a single mother of two boys, ages 11 and just shy of 13.  I live in Alabama, and I tell you this much, I do NOT envy you northern birds your snow right now.  It was warm and sunny today, over 70 degrees.  :)  (ducking so I won't get pelted with all the snowballs hehe)

I was out of the MWF loop for a while because of technical difficulties on my part for a time, then MWF had moved and I only just discovered that.  I look forward to getting to know you all again. 

Laura J
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on March 07, 2007, 08:26:01 PM
Welcome back Laura,

Glad you were able to find us again  :D

Don't worry about ducking, the sunny temps forecasted for around 50 should turn our streets into flowing rivers - you're too late for snowballs of frustration.

Best wishes on your agent search,
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on March 08, 2007, 02:05:14 AM
Hi Laura,
Welcome back!


  <Pelting you with snowballs> 


We had more snow today--light an fluffy and only enough to cover the ground.
Peg H  ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Glen on March 08, 2007, 08:48:33 AM
Welcome back, Laura, from a fellow writer next door (the state next door, anyway).
And good luck on your agent-seeking efforts. I'm in the same boat; I've got a work in progress (after having published two mystery novels with a small publisher). I'm working on getting my new work in front of an agent.

I'm sure many can relate to the sometimes excruciating process of marketing. I HATE the thought of having to push myself and my work on others, but with the publishing business being and actual BUSINESS, it is what's required, up to a point.

I'll share a minor successful step in that direction:

A friend of mine, who's on an arts council in her community, calls me.

"Why don't you send us a short story for our contest?" she says.
"I'm not really a short story writer, but... why not?" I say.
So, I write it and send it in.
It wins third place. Woohoooo....

But, I wasn't necessarily planning to drive three hours to go collect that third place check and certificate.
Except for the fact that the judge of the contest was a mystery novelist, who'd published with national publishers. Who had an AGENT.
So, I call and ask my friend, "What are the chances of me coming down early and having lunch with Miz Novelist/Judge before the ceremony?"
She worked it out. I went, lunched, chatted, laughed, was charming funny Glen and almost completely non-pushy.

But I did say this. "I just thought that, since you chose my story, you might not mind if I met with you, in hopes that my work-in-progress could rise above the slush pile with a national publisher. It's sorta in the 'life is too short' category'"

And she said, "You're a good writer. I wouldn't mind if you sent something to my agent and tell her I sent you."

Now, I don't know what will happen with this contact. But I do know this: If I hadn't written the story and sent it in, and called and invited myself to lunch with her, she probably wouldn't have pulled me aside and said, "OMG, you're fabulous.. here's my agent's card and cell phone and address!"


Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Laura J on March 08, 2007, 12:48:37 PM
Thanks, Elana!  And thank goodness your snow is melting.   No snowballs from you.  Although Peg has nailed me with one or two.  I'm able to duck most of them, however, so I'm holding my own so far.  Whew!!

Glen, congratulations on your short story getting you an entrance into an agent's office!  I can't wait to hear how it turns out.  Sadly I don't have any art council friends, and the authors I know personally are in different genres than mystery, or they are published as you are, with a small press without an agent.  But I keep plugging away at getting my name out there SOMEHOW!  LOL.  Thanks for the encouragement. 

Laura
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on March 09, 2007, 02:01:17 PM
Welcome back Laura! Don't worry for the snowballs, cold is good for the complexion   ;)

And Glen congratulations on a good move. Keeping my fingers crossed... §§§§ (...and toes  ;D )

Zara

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on March 14, 2007, 07:41:01 PM
No more snowballs Laura J.  ;D  We actually hit 79 degrees today!  My yard is now devoid of snow and has become it's usual spring swamp.  The dogs have tracked so much mud onto my kitchen floor I'm thinking of planting  Irish moss in the grout lines.  If you haven't figured it out yet, my idea of cleaning is sweeping the room with a glance.   ;)  <sigh> Sooner or later I will have to drag out the mop.

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Laura J on March 14, 2007, 08:40:57 PM
It's been around that for days here.  This weekend we'll have a cool snap and be in the sixties.  LOL. 

Laura
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on March 16, 2007, 03:28:07 PM
Quote
No more snowballs Laura J.

I take that back.  :-\   With this snowstorm we're getting today we'll be digging out for days. -=pelts everyone with snow balls!=-
(Where is Dave with that snow shovel?) ???



Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: James on March 20, 2007, 01:09:12 PM
Hi. I'm James, and I live in Scotland.  I'm a full time travel writer that is trying to break into mystery fiction, as I've had it up to here with aircraft, trains, airport security and editors that never reply to proposals.

For a while, 'way back when, I wrote drama, and had a few plays produced, and I also nearly broke into TV screenwriting (I had a commission from the BBC to develop a  TV series that I suggested) but screwed up (it's a longer story than that - I'll tell you about it if you have a spare week or two).

Now I live by myself in a 17th century cottage in a small town in SW Scotland, having left Glasgow and its chattering and creative classes that frequent the trendy wine bars and coffee shops behind. My social life has improved, and within a dozen miles of where I live there must be about 20 full time writers scribbling away in various genres. We meet ups for chats and drinks, as there are some good pubs and eateries around here.

My favourite authors are RD Wingfield, Robert Goddard, William McIlvanney. Lawrence Block,  and - oh - there are so many.

And that's about me really.

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on March 20, 2007, 04:49:52 PM
 ;D  Hi James,


Welcome!


Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on March 20, 2007, 05:10:59 PM
Welcome James,

Delighted you found your way to The Forum.

Lovely environment you live in for mystery writing.  And perhaps all those transportation and security woes will bear fruit on the printed page  :D

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: James on March 20, 2007, 05:33:59 PM
Thanks everyone. Good to be here among like-minded writers.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Angie on March 20, 2007, 08:14:03 PM
Howdy to all the new folks - I keep forgetting to check this thread, so there are a few new names.  But welcome!  Better late than never, no?

Angie
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Laura J on March 23, 2007, 11:25:07 AM
Welcome, James,

I've been an on and off member of this forum for a long time.  And even when life causes me to disappear for a time, I always come creeping back in.  These folks here are supportive, encouraging, and knowledgable.  I know you'll be happy here.  :)

Laura
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on March 25, 2007, 12:07:20 AM
Hi James, and welcome.

Laura J it's good to see you back. I'm not here as much as I used to be. Been working hard to get a manuscript out. Almost through with it though.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on March 28, 2007, 10:44:14 PM
Welcome James 


  ::)  :o I'm late for the party again !

Zara
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on March 31, 2007, 12:58:06 AM
 ;D  I think we need to get Zara a nice calendar and a watch...maybe a thyme plant or two.

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Zara on March 31, 2007, 07:45:21 PM
Peg,

If your calendar can make time go slower, send it over.  ;)  I'm still working on my WIP, the one I was supposed to finish in January...  ::)
How time flies. Does anyone have one of those butterfly net to catch some of it?

Zara
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Char on April 27, 2007, 07:13:01 PM
I write short stories, quirky adventures.  So far a number have been printed in college publications, you know, campus desktop anthologies.  I'm finding out I'm safer writing about what I know, have seen with my own eyes.  TV and movies have misled me, but I recently found a Discovery Channel program called "Mythbusters" that's helping me tell reality from special effects.   I'm really impressed wih the network you mystery writers have here.  Char for Charlene.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on April 27, 2007, 07:16:24 PM
Welcome Char,

Glad to have you on board.  I love Mythbusters - in my book nothing beats entertaining science.  Did you see the episode where they tried to shot a sniper through his scope?  They got it into it, but never through it.

Quirky mysteries sound like a lot of fun.

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lee Lofland on April 27, 2007, 07:24:03 PM
Hi Char and welcome. If I can ever be of assistance please let me know. This is truly a great site that's home to a great group of really talented people as you'll soon see.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Char on April 27, 2007, 08:24:35 PM
Thanx, Lee.

No, Elena, I didn't see that episode, otherwise (blush) I wouldn't of needed serious ballistics show and tell, or why everyone but me knows shooting through scopes was how Cain got Abel and is in every other major book

since, LOL.

Just kidding, your gun guys are fun.  I might try to come up with a stumper, like if a six-gun and a half shoots a minute and a half, how much does a pound of gun powder weigh?

Aren't all mysteries quirky?  Char for Charlene.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on April 27, 2007, 09:45:32 PM
Hi and welcome to the group Charlene! ;D

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Velda on May 26, 2007, 01:01:38 PM
Hi ;D  As you can tell from my screen name I'm a huge fan of Raymond Chandler and the whole golden noir era, but lately I've discovered some fantastic new writers like Denise Mina and Barry Maitland.

I've been writing for many years but haven't managed to be published in the mystery genre yet. My current goal is to write a short story that deserves to be called noir and my dream market is the new publication Murdaland.

I also belong to the Zoetrope site and have a good rating as a reviewer so would love to offer any help I can to other writers. Well enough about me, I have lots of browsing to do...oh and by the way, my real name is Carol. Glad to meetcha.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on May 26, 2007, 02:21:32 PM
Hi, Carol!

 Welcome aboard!


;D :D ;) :)


Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on May 26, 2007, 04:23:19 PM
Welcome aboard, Velda.

I used to teach an on-line course about Chandler for the Barnes & Noble website.  You and I should have much to talk about.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Velda on May 26, 2007, 04:52:56 PM
Thanks, Peg H, it's great to see that someone loves the dreaded smileys as much as I do. And thanks, Jim- I wish I'd known about the online Chandler course. I'd have signed up in a heartbeat. Cornell Woolrich is another on my most admired list. I wonder if there's a course online on his work?
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on May 26, 2007, 10:05:38 PM
Welcome, Carol!  As you've already seen, this is a great place.  Make yourself right at home.  We're glad you're here!

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on May 26, 2007, 10:25:12 PM
Welcome Carol.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on May 28, 2007, 04:10:30 PM
 ;D I'd like to welcome fellow Pennwriters Mikeh and Jackie Werth to the board.  They are good people.  I do believe we'll be seeing a few others arrive since Dave, Lee, and I talked about how great the board is at the conference.

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Velda on May 28, 2007, 10:11:29 PM
Thanks Donna and Lynette, very nice to meet you. And welcome to Mkeh and Jackie. Yay! I'm not the new kid now :D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on May 31, 2007, 07:16:56 AM
Welcome, Velda, Mikeh, Jackie -- and Carol, if I missed you earlier! Listen, if any of you have questions or topics to discuss, dive in. I think we need new voices and ideas to jumpstart  conversations around here.

So, what's on your mind?

Kathy W.

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Velda on June 01, 2007, 10:30:14 AM
Hmm..well, many of you here seem to be much more published and pro than I so my questions and interests may sound lame to some but..oh what the hell... Lately I've been lookiing for noir stories written by women. I think Denise Mina's novels would fall squarely into contemporary noir category, but since I am a short story writer I'm particlarly interested in that form. I'd love to hear comments and recommendations and any thoughts about in what ways, if any, female writers differ in their take on the noir genre.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on June 04, 2007, 02:39:09 PM
Hey Lee,

Your other heckler made it!  :P   I see she registered today.  Welcome Debbie!  ;D

Everyone,
Shenicki is Debbie another Pennwriter and the other half of the heckling duo in Lee's sessions at Pennwriters.

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: SheNicki on July 07, 2007, 06:30:51 PM
Hello everyone,

Debbie Z. from Pennsylvania.  Finally, I've gotten in.  I am in the process of writing a mystery at the moment.  This is my first adult novel.  I've written two middle-grade novels that are sitting in the drawer.  The first will probably remain in the drawer, but I'm still working on the second, hoping to get it shaped up in order to get it published.  Hopefully, I can get the help I seem to need to get moving on it.  Looking forward to meeting and talking with all of you.   

Lee, I'm getting all of my questions ready for you and I am still looking forward to buying you're book.

Debbie Z
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on July 08, 2007, 12:19:10 AM
 ;D Hiya DZ... Yay! You made it! 

Big hugs to you and the 2 new grandbabies.

Peg H.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on July 08, 2007, 07:49:43 AM
Welcome, Debbie! I'm glad you made it in.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on July 08, 2007, 02:00:58 PM
Welcome Debbie - delighted you are with us.

Between all of us we pretty much cover the arcane -
as well as the mundane! 
Enjoy   :D

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Dave Freas on July 08, 2007, 10:01:23 PM
Hey, Deb!!

Welcome aboard!

And a delayed Hiya to Mike H.

Dave
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Janet Koch on July 13, 2007, 12:16:53 PM
...coming in late...

Welcome aboard, Debbie -- it's nice to have you with us!

Janet
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: rskillings on July 30, 2007, 01:00:02 AM
Hi, all. It's been a long long while, but I'm starting to get back into the swing. Life is very very busy, but that muse insists. I see some familiar names... nice to reconnect! :)

Rhea Skillings
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on July 30, 2007, 07:51:52 AM
Rhea!  Welcome back!  What are you up to these days?

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on July 30, 2007, 03:16:53 PM
Wow! Great to hear from you again, Rhea! Can you give us  a quick update on life and what you're writing?

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Matthew S. on July 30, 2007, 05:30:41 PM
What?  Did somebody say Rhea is back!?  Cooooooool. 

So Rhea, how are the twins?

Matthew S.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: rskillings on July 30, 2007, 10:35:44 PM
Thanks for the Welcome Back! :)

Well, lots of changes for me. The twins are about to enter 2nd grade, just celebrated their 7th birthday. Wow it goes fast! :o

Last year I had a crisis of my day-job and changed from Aerospace to non-profit, conservation software, which I love.

I'm tossing around several ideas for mysteries these days. I've been exploring paganism and that community is ripe with possibilities for murder ;) I've also long toyed with some kind of animal-conservation mystery - I'd started a zookeeper mystery awhile back that I might explore further. I've been reading some fantasy as well, and would like to try something a bit more gritty than what I've read. I'm very out of the loops right now, though, basically have lost contact with everyone.

Basically, loving life, loving my job and family and living in the Colorado mountains.

Rhea
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on July 30, 2007, 11:28:00 PM
Welcome back Rhea,

Good to see your name again,
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lilly on August 02, 2007, 08:08:38 PM
Hi I'm Lilly, (Chuck's wife)

I used to post to the old board a way back to 2001. Not sure if any of you remember me or not. I have recognized a few names from back then. I enjoy reading murder/espionage types of novels, and also writing the same. My current manuscript is surrounded by espionage, intrigue and murder in conjunction with computer technology. As it stands now, I have in excess of 103,000 words and I'm looking at another 30,000 or 40,000 before completion by September 30, 2007. It's not as bad as it sounds. I do have a TV/Video Producer interested in this script at this time thus giving me more than enough incentive to finish the book.  ;D

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on August 02, 2007, 09:10:53 PM
Hi Lilly!

Glad to see you with us.

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on August 05, 2007, 03:17:01 PM
Hi Lilly,
Welcome back  :D

May your fingers fly over the keys with a smooth flow of the requisite needed words to finish - and then may you dazzle the producer!

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jean Lauzier on October 25, 2007, 01:02:08 PM
Hey all...

This reminds me of writing a bio which I hate:--) But anyway...

I'm Jean...co founder of StoryCrafters a all genre writing forum site (y'all are all invited to join us) was past Sen. Editor for WOW-Women On Writing (I've got several interviews/articles there) but discovered I'm really a writer at heart not an editor.  I'm a Long Ridge Writer's Group grad and instructor for the Long Story Short School of Writing.

I have a short story in the first paper issue of www.mouthfullofbullets.com  (http://www.mouthfullofbullets.com) called Tyger, Tyger, (came out in Sept.) and another short coming out soon with Mysterical-e.  Oh, I also have a piece in Tony Burton's By The Chimney With Care "Christmas crime" anthology that came out last year.

I'm really glad to find y'all...I was needing more genre related info.

Jean
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on October 25, 2007, 03:13:37 PM
Welcome, Jean.  This is a great place!

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on October 25, 2007, 06:28:11 PM
Welcome Jean,
Glad you found us.  Hope you enjoy the adventure  :D
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on October 26, 2007, 12:54:00 AM
Welcome, Jean. 

Always nice to see a new face...er name ;D

Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on October 26, 2007, 10:15:30 AM
Welcome, Jean! This is a great place, and it's great to have a new voice to keep the conversation going. It sounds like you write in other genres, as well as mystery?

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jean Lauzier on October 26, 2007, 11:03:47 AM
Hey all...

Thanks for the warm welcome.  I look forward to getting to know you.

Yeap, I write in most of the other genres...I haven't finished anything horror-wise but I do have an axe-murderer in his caddy on the prowl.  Maybe one of these days I'll take him out and play with him.  (That sorta sounds kinky:--)

I've had a couple short romance pieces published and gotten a very nice rejection from an editor at Harlequin for a novel.  I'm revising it for another publisher and pondering another romance for Harlequin.

I've also had a short fantasy piece published a while back.  I haven't sent a lot of fantasy out...but I play in it often.  I think I mentioned I'm pondering a mystery or a dragon fantasy for NaNo.

When I was Sen. Ed. for www.wow-womenonwriting.com, I did a LOT of non-fiction.  Mostly author interviews and before that some "how to write" beginner type articles.

Anyway...I do look forward to getting to know you all and becoming involved here.

Jean
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Chris S. on November 29, 2007, 09:47:22 PM
Hi everyone.

I'm Chris.

I live in Hawaii and found this mystery forum while searching for fellow mystery writers. I'm in the process of writing several short stories and writing my first novel. This seems like a great place to ask questions and bounce off some ideas! That's about all for me right now.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on November 29, 2007, 11:19:15 PM
Welcome Chris,

Glad you found us.  You sure are right about this being a great place to find out the answers to those nagging questions as well as bouncing ideas.  Looking forward to your posts.  :D

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on November 30, 2007, 01:06:07 AM
Glad to have you here, Chris. This is the best place there is to ask questions. If nobody knows the answer they will always point you in the right direction.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on November 30, 2007, 01:24:00 AM
Hi Chris,

Welcome aboard!

Peg H  ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on November 30, 2007, 06:01:31 AM
Welcome, Chris! Ask away -- we'd love to have some new questions to get us thinking.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on November 30, 2007, 11:54:38 AM
Welcome, Chris.  There is an amazing amount of knowledge in the minds of our members.  Whatever you ask, somebody is sure to have an answer!

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: fawnridge on December 21, 2007, 07:26:30 AM
Hello everyone.

My name is Ricky Ginsburg and I'm one of the thousands of unpublished mystery writers. I've completed three novels in the past two years and have started a fourth. The most recent one and my current effort are both based on a strong, female detective named Rosie Epstein. The setting is Boston - 1975 and 1976. There's lots more about me at my website - www.fawnridge.com/ricky - if you've an interest.

I found this site through a Yahoo search regarding the FBI and their role in kidnappings. Exactly the answer I was looking for, so I've been inspired to join in, poke around, and see if I can help or receive help from others.

I'm currently looking for a writing buddy or two. I write constantly, often 2000 words a day, and I have way too much free time on my hands.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on December 21, 2007, 03:08:34 PM
Hi Ricky,

It's always nice to see a new face.  Welcome to the forum.

Peg H  ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ingrid on December 21, 2007, 05:41:56 PM
Hmm!  I must've been inattentive for a while.  Welcome Chris, Rhea, Peg, and Lilly.  Wait, I forgot someone.  Anyway:  welcome all!

Ingrid

Ah, yes.  Welcome, Ricky.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on December 22, 2007, 08:37:30 AM
Welcome, Ricky! This is great site, and we can always use more questions and more answers. Glad you found us.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Janet Koch on December 23, 2007, 10:07:53 AM
Hello --- and welcome! --- to Ricky and anyone else I've missed in the weeks I've been sadly inattentive to the MWF. Two thousand words a day? I'm in awe....have you heard of NaNoWriMo? You'd beat the deadline by five days!

Janet
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: kimsmith on March 27, 2008, 05:42:21 PM
Newb checking in :) -- well, not new to mystery, but new to the forum. Glad to have found you!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on March 27, 2008, 10:37:32 PM
Welcome to the forum Kimsmith.
 ;D
Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on March 28, 2008, 06:59:11 AM
Welcome, Kimsmith! Glad you found us. What do you like to be called, and what are you writing?

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on March 28, 2008, 10:26:25 AM
Hi Kinsmith, glad to have you onboard  :D
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ryan on April 12, 2008, 07:35:20 PM
Hello! I first joined MWF about 10 years ago. I been posting sporadically ever since. I'm back again, hopefully for an extended stay. Nice to see some familiar "faces" still around.

Right now I'm about 25,000 words into my academic-themed mystery. I'm also in the process of finishing my doctoral dissertation (defend May 12!).

-Ryan
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on April 13, 2008, 01:10:42 AM
Welcome back Ryan,

Delighted you are taking a short break from your dissertation and my very best wishes with it .  Can you tell I'm a retired professor?   :D

What is your topic?

Love academic mysteries - looking forward to hearing more about yours.

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on April 13, 2008, 02:50:45 AM
Welcome back Ryan!

Peg H  ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Q on April 13, 2008, 08:23:10 AM

Good evening. Greetings all! I'm Peter Knight (behind the cryptic 'Q') and am currently in ...Aaargh! - Well, Argentina actually. I been a mystery fan as long as I can remember. As a writer I've worked for some obscure newspapers (my own by-line in one on armed conflict 'Legitima Defensa' Jorge Frank Ed. , Buenos Aires, for about six years); as well as fiddling with short stories and an ongoing novel, working title Tales of Chestamovarado. Last years NaNoWriMo I finished the 50 K words, The Danzig Daughters with a great beginning and a fine ending and about 49,000 words in between . In general, a long way to go :-\

So I'm glad to have found this board, get to know how it's really done and bring my tuppence  worth ($0.007 at the old vlaues ;D
Or whatever I can...

:)Q (aka Peter)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on April 13, 2008, 03:29:37 PM
Welcome, Peter.  It's been quiet here lately, but the archives are worth reading.   :D  Even when it's quiet, this is a supportive and helpful group, and if you have questions on any topic, somebody here almost always can and will answer them.

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on April 13, 2008, 04:06:08 PM
Hi Peter!

Welcome to the forum.

 ;D Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Q on April 13, 2008, 04:31:36 PM
 ;D
Thank you Donna and Peg. For being 'quiet' to two welcomes already!

I've been a member of the StoryCrafter forum where Jean Lauzier (I notice she is already here) aimed me in this direction and looking over the archives, there is indeed a lot of good stuff.

:) Q

PS I see Donna, that you've begun a web-log (I guess we just have to accept the word 'blog' someday) with  WordPress just about the same time as I did - an elegant layout and nice theme and your content is wonderful. I can't say the same alas, the setup is wrong and it's a bit aimless for now. 


Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on April 14, 2008, 09:32:20 AM
Welcome Q, glad Jean steered you in our direction.

Looking forward to your posts.  "Q" certainly puts me in the spirit of mysterious doings!

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on April 14, 2008, 02:05:13 PM
Thank you for the kind words!  We'll look forward to reading yours when it's ready.  :)
Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Ryan on April 14, 2008, 04:06:22 PM
Thanks, Peg and Elena,

Yes, just a short break from the diss, Elena. I'm drafting the conclusion now...almost there.

I'm getting a PhD in Technical Communication and Rhetoric, which roughly translates to a degree in researching professional communication standards. My dissertation is a quantitative study – it explores the effects of an instructional mode that explicates a genre's formal features compared to an instructional mode that does not emphasize form (the norm in introductory tech writing classes).

I also do a lot of consulting work. Right now, I'm in year three of an editing contract with the Texas Army National Guard. This May, I start a job with a Health Sciences Center, editing and teaching seminars on grant writing.

Looking forward to reading more of the MWF archives. It's been quiet here lately.

Okay...back to the diss.

-Ryan
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on April 14, 2008, 04:16:39 PM
Oh, dear.  I didn't read back far enough yesterday.  A belated welcome to Ricky and Kimsmith, and welcome back, Ryan.    We're glad to have all of you!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: seanachi on May 19, 2008, 02:07:43 PM
I'm Kathleen in Mississippi.  I'm an as-yet-unpublished romantic suspense writer.  I read widely across several genres--some of my latest reads: Maddy Hunter's Top O' The Mournin', Karen Marie Moning's Darkfever, Katie MacAlister's Playing With Fire, Nora Roberts' The Hollow, Lee Child's Running Blind, and I'm presently working on Marcia Talley's Sing It To Her Bones, Stephen White's The Program, and Riddley Pearson's Cut and Run. My current WIP centers around the witness protection program.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on May 19, 2008, 02:50:10 PM
Love your sign-in name, Kathleen.  It's what we all are or want to be.  In light of that, cead mile failte!  (I can't make the necessary accents on those words, but welcome, anyway.)  Somebody here is sure to have an answer to your question.  This place is a vast store of knowledge.  We're glad to have you.

All the best with your WIP!
Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kelly K. on June 14, 2008, 07:07:21 PM
Hi.  I'm Kelly.  I was a member of MWF way back when, on the Zott board.  Life interferred with my writing, and I've had a hard time getting back to it, but I've joined a newly-formed writers group locally, and after today's meeting I feel enthusiastic about writing again, and that feels good.  I've seen some names I recognize from before, which is nice :)  I had to do a little looking to find you all again, but I'm glad I did.

I'm not published as a mystery writer, but hopefully that's not a permanent condition.  I got some good feedback on my chapter one today, which gave me some ideas I want to work on.   The work-in-progress is a mystery-romance.  Even though it's been two or three years since I've worked on it, I still like what I've done and planned so far, so I take that as a good sign.

I'm looking forward to catching up with things on this forum.

-- Kelly
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on June 14, 2008, 08:43:39 PM
Welcome back, Kelly.  It's slow around here.  Maybe you can help pep us up.   :)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kelly K. on June 14, 2008, 10:17:22 PM
Thanks, Donna.

I did read Constancy's Waltz before and enjoyed it very much (my mother being from the Missouri Ozarks and my having spent much of my childhood there).  I'm sorry the second is out of print, but am looking forward to reading the third one.  ;-)

-- Kelly
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kathy Wendorff on June 15, 2008, 07:25:52 AM
Kelly, great to see you back and writing! And yes, we definitely need some more energy around here.

Kathy W.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kelly K. on June 15, 2008, 11:29:04 AM
Thanks, Kathy W.

When I first logged on yesterday, I was a little overwhelmed by the new look of the site (which I do like and am already getting used to  :)) and the number of threads (after two or three years, they were all new).  Once I paid closer attention, I did notice that a lot of them were kind of old. 

I don't know about pep or energy, but right now, at least, i've got a lot of enthusiasm.  It is great to be back.

-- Kelly
Title: But why is my Karma so low?
Post by: Kelly K. on June 17, 2008, 08:50:27 AM
Okay, I get why I'm a "cub" (new to the forum, fewer posts, right :-\). 

But why is my karma so low?  At least it isn't zero now, but I'd really rather have good karma  :(

-- Kelly
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on June 17, 2008, 12:59:47 PM
Karma goes up one point when somebody clicks "applaud" on one of your messages.  Most of the time few of us think much about the applaud-smite-karma foolishness, but sometimes it happens.  Hardly anybody ever "smites," which would lower karma, but applause happens occasionally.  As for such matters as "cub," "ink-stained wretch," etc. I think they just represent a mechanical commentary on how many  postings one has made. 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kelly K. on June 17, 2008, 01:34:28 PM
Thanks, Byron.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: MTH on July 14, 2008, 05:09:50 PM
Hope I'm doing this post right. I was on the forum but have been away a couple years. Still working on refining my novel "School of Lies."
Michele
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: pabrown on July 14, 2008, 10:52:54 PM
Just rejoined this group. At least I think this is the group I belonged to a few years ago (the Zott board) My first book, L.A. Heat was published by Alyson Books in 2006. I just revised and reissued it in e-book format available in Mobibook or Kindle editions. I love the way e-books can give new life to out of print books.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on July 15, 2008, 10:42:59 AM
Welcome back Michele and P.A. - yes this is the board you remember.

Delighted to have you with us again.  Very belated congratulations on "L.A. Heat", and on the new your revised format.  Hope "School of Lies" is going well.

Elena
Title: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Cameron on August 13, 2008, 11:33:08 AM
Hi, I'm Cameron Cay.  I posted over on the Medical questions forum and was asked to introduce myself over here.  I'm a multipublished author (35 books) who is in the process of switching from genre fiction to suspense.  I live in Texas and have been writing for eighteen years.  If you're reading this and you're a doctor, please jump over to the medical forum and help me out with a plot problem!  Thanks, Cameorn
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: lucid119 on October 30, 2008, 01:03:50 PM
I'm Pamela Jane, a children's book author, and I'm writing a y/a thriller (my first). 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on October 30, 2008, 04:58:18 PM
Hi Pam!
Welcome to the board.

 ;D Peg H
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on October 30, 2008, 09:15:33 PM
Yay!  A new member!  Welcome, Pam.  It's good to have you with us!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on October 31, 2008, 12:10:28 PM
Welcome!
A Y/A thriller, much fun - I know kids around here who are avid readers and always looking for a new thriller.
Best wishes,
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on October 31, 2008, 03:29:26 PM
Welcome Pam. It's always nice to see a new member. Hope you like it here and will stay. We're a friendly sort, if we do get quiet sometimes.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lady Lea on January 06, 2009, 11:57:49 AM
I just found this forum and would like to introduce myself here.
My name is Lea and I am writing my first novel.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on January 06, 2009, 02:37:19 PM
I hope it's a mystery.  Have you been writing other stuff?
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on January 06, 2009, 02:59:10 PM
Welcome Lea. Feel free to jump in and ask questions. Why not tell us a little about yourself and about your writing. You'll find this to be a helpful and friendly bunch.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on January 06, 2009, 09:57:24 PM
Hi,

I'm Arline Chase. Have been around the forum since 1998 or thereabouts. I have been a writer, writing teacher, and journalist for more than 25 years. When my publisher became ill, I became a publisher, too. Quite a challenge.  ;D  Folks who want to know more about my writing can visit my website at http://www.arlinechase.com . Folks interested in the publishing part can check out my ebooks site, http://www.ebooksonthe.net or my paper books siite http://www.cambridgebooks.us.
Arline was having trouble getting her websites updated and repaired, and in desperation changed sites and hosts and everything else.  So now the website is
 http://www.writewordsinc.com

I keep hoping she'll make a more extensive reappearance here.
Byron
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on January 06, 2009, 10:52:59 PM
Glad you found us Lea, make yourself at home.
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Inner Prop on February 26, 2009, 08:18:53 AM
I'm Bill from Chicago.  I live in Mundelein, Illinois USA now.

I've been writing for over 20 years and I've actually been paid three times (a total of $30).

I'm married with three children.  I have a degree from the University of Illinois.  I'm an Eagle Scout.

I like Rugby, swimming, anthropology, astronomy, and history.

I like to write SF, fantasy, comedy, horror, and mystery.

I think my biggest writing challenge is staying focused.  My biggest mystery writing challenge is hiding clues.

I have a blog where I've posted a few stories and novel excerpts:  http://illini6.blogspot.com.

I've had stories on anotherealm.com, mirabile visu (http://mirabilevisu.yuku.com/) and a few others that I don't think are out there anymore.

I belong to a Yahoo group called Shortmystery.

I hope to learn a lot here and to eventually tell you all of my successes.

Oh, and Inner Prop.  I love Rugby Union and that's the position I play, Prop Forward.  When I'm really trying to accomplish something I call on my inner prop to give me extra strength.  It's like an inner child, only more violent.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on February 26, 2009, 01:30:37 PM
Welcome Bill,
The folks here are always helpful and I'm sure will try to answer any questions you have. Sometimes it gets a little quiet (well, actually a lot quiet) so new faces are always a plus.
Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on February 26, 2009, 04:15:25 PM
Welcome Bill.  I'm jealous of your fabulous income so far, though if you don't subtract any expenses at all, I may be doing as well.  Does it sound like I'm the right person to ask for advice?  Maybe not, but once in a while I've been able to furnish some, invariably ignored.  Information, then?  Depends on the subject.  I'm an escapee (i.e. retiree) from academia, where most crimes, if any, go undetected, but what would you like to know? There are quite a few of  us, and the cops, especially (we have at least three), can tell  you stuff you might need in a mystery novel.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on February 26, 2009, 09:03:51 PM
Bill,

Welcome to the group.  I'm at SMFS, too.  So are several other MWF members.  I think you'll find us a convivial group, always willing to help out a fellow member.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Princesse Kranky-Pants on March 27, 2009, 07:51:27 PM
Everyone (new and not-so-new) pop in here and say hello, and tell us something about yourself: who you are, where you are, what you've written, and what you're reading.

Also, if you're coming over from the Zott site, please send me a PM with your name there (if you're not using the same name). I'll copy your post count over from there. It's not really important in overall scheme of life, but those of you who have contributed there should have your stature commended in some way here.


Hi to everyone. It's no mystery that I'm new...this is my first post!

I've been learning to write novels. I have written children's stories and short stories, but mostly my work has been technical manuals. I think I have the basics of grammar, but we'll see! My first attempt at a novel is number one in a series of three. The series is called, "Bound by Destiny," and the novel is called, "In a World Apart." The genre is Romantic Suspense.

I'm here to learn. I hope I can also help others.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Lauren

PS: No avatars? ::)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Bob Mueller on March 29, 2009, 01:41:43 AM
PS: No avatars? ::)
Yeah, I'm trying to save bandwidth and storage. Plus, the old site we came from didn't use them, so most of the folks who started up here had never used them.

welcome!

And, I'll ask the obvious question. What's the story behind your nick?
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Princesse Kranky-Pants on March 29, 2009, 02:30:21 AM
PS: No avatars? ::)
Yeah, I'm trying to save bandwidth and storage. Plus, the old site we came from didn't use them, so most of the folks who started up here had never used them.

welcome!

And, I'll ask the obvious question. What's the story behind your nick?

Ah, the nick.

I used to call myself PrincesseBonBon as a joke on myself. Then I changed it to Kranky-pants when I posted on another board. I called myself Write4U2 on yet another board, and really didn't like being referred to as Write4U2. Sooooo, when I registed here, I combined the Princesse with Kranky-Pants. Stupid stuff, I know.

I found your board, and will be interested in cops and robbers stuff as well as attorney/PI stuff. My next book will have a man being framed for murder in it. I did post a chapter in the critique section and look forward to pats and pans.

Lauren
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on March 29, 2009, 09:15:48 AM
Welcome, Lauren!  It's great to have a new member.  We've slowed down a lot in recent months, but there's still a ton of good information on here, and a few of us still check in regularly, even if we don't always have time to post (or don't know the answers to the questions that are asked  ;)). 

All the best with your writing!
Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on March 29, 2009, 12:59:22 PM
PS: No avatars? ::)

Somehow I suspect that looking in the dictionary wouldn't tell me what "avatars" means nowadays.  Maybe some kind soul would explain?  Byron
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on March 29, 2009, 05:21:57 PM
Don't feel alone, Byron. I don't know what it is either.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Bob Mueller on March 29, 2009, 10:00:00 PM
Avatars are small images, usually about 100 x 100 pixels, that users can use in 'net forums as kind of an identity tag. Here's the Wikipedia explanation, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_(computing)#On_Internet_forums) along with an example.

I chose not to use them here for a couple of reasons. The old site didn't use them, and I figured that most people coming here from Lauri's site wouldn't miss what they had never used. The other reason is storage and bandwidth. Granted, a 100 x 100 image only takes up about 10-15 kB by itself. But we have 260 members right now, and I'm piggybacking this site with several others on the same domain.

It's similar to the idea of a Facebook profile picture, if you will. Avatars can be any kind of image. I have several that I rotate through at GlobalAffairs.org You may be able to see it here: http://www.globalaffairs.org/forum/member.php?u=1590
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: B L McAllister on March 31, 2009, 12:06:00 PM
It's easy to see why you decided not to use them.  Sounds like they are utterly worthless. (Of course most of the web has also evolved into utterly worthless stuff, but it's not necessary to follow suit.)
Byron
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: TheDeeMan on April 11, 2009, 04:58:06 AM
Hello everyone. I'm Darryl Hughes aka TheDeeMan aka "Dee". I'm a writer from NYC. I write the 2007 Glyph Comic award nominated 50's style alien invasion webcomic G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures (http://www.webcomicsnation.com/moniquem/gaak/series.php) and the upcoming 19th century murder/myster/adventure webcomic The Continentals (http://www.webcomicsnation.com/moniquem/continentals/series.php) which is sort of like Sherlock Holmes, mixed with equal parts of the 60's tv show "The Avengers", with a dash of James Bond for flavor. Both with artist Monique MacNaughton. Nice to be here. Nice to meet you all.

Dee
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: cambric on April 11, 2009, 10:05:19 AM
Hello,

My name is Bob, I'm 43 yrs old, father of 3 and I live in Michigan.

I've been in love with writing for 25+ years, though it's taken me a long time to actually understand 'how' to write well.  I am working on my first full mystery novel; I've written two unbelievably horrible books...at the time, I thought they were decent, actually quite good...then I went to college and took up writing and reread my stories and was horrified at the pathetic grammar, 'telling' instead of 'showing', etc...

Live and learn!  I've read a lot of advice from other authors on this site and am impressed.  I've been working on this mystery novel since last August or so, and thanks to some great advice on this site, I've changed it up a bit and gotten 5 redone chapters.

I hope to keep learning and finishing this book by the end of this year.

Bob
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on April 11, 2009, 01:21:01 PM
Welcome, Dee!  I don't think we've had a... well, I started to say a comic mystery writer, but maybe we have had a few of those.  Let me say a writer of mystery comics.   ;D  Good to meet you, too.  Hope you will enjoy the site.  Lots of good mystery writing info in the various threads.

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on April 11, 2009, 01:27:29 PM
Welcome, Bob!  It's great that this forum has been helpful to you.  We have some wise and talented people here.  We used to be more active, but there's still a lot of good advice posted.

All the best on your work-in-progress!

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: meunier on May 12, 2009, 08:16:53 PM
Hi,

I'm Randall Meunier.  I just published my first book and I'm working on the second.  My first, "The Pepperell Connection" is set in guess where?  Pepperell Mass.   The book took five years off and on to complete.  There were many times I didn't think I'd finish it.   I've only just begun my second and I don't know if finishing the first inspired me but I'm covering a lot more territory in a shorter time frame.   I just joined the site and it looks like a great place to gather ideas and keep the interest fresh.  My web site is www.randallmeunier.com.  Visit and drop me a line.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: mysterygirl on May 21, 2009, 10:04:02 PM
Greetings - I just joined the forum.  I am an avid reader of mysteries and have thought about writing for a long time.  I do write as part of my job (lawyer) but that style of writing tends to wither creativity.  I hope that by joining forum I will become inspired to do more than just think about possible story lines! :)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Bob Mueller on May 22, 2009, 12:12:13 PM
Greetings - I just joined the forum.  I am an avid reader of mysteries and have thought about writing for a long time.  I do write as part of my job (lawyer) but that style of writing tends to wither creativity.  I hope that by joining forum I will become inspired to do more than just think about possible story lines! :)
Ah - a lawyer. You'll come in handy for folks, I'm sure. Welcome! What's your specialty?
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on May 22, 2009, 01:32:53 PM
Welcome to the forum. If any group can inspire you to wirte, MWF can.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: mysterygirl on May 22, 2009, 09:33:58 PM
I work for the Department of Homeland Security.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on May 23, 2009, 09:18:18 AM
MG,

Re your comment below:

I work for the Department of Homeland Security.

Ah!  A fed.  I used to work for an agency that is now part of DHS. 

Welcome aboard.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on May 23, 2009, 10:25:38 AM
Welcome!  We're glad to have you with us.  There are lots of good posts for inspiration, even if not too many of them are recent.   :)  Check out the "Priceless Advice" section, for instance.

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: TheDeeMan on May 24, 2009, 04:37:25 AM
Welcome, Dee!  I don't think we've had a... well, I started to say a comic mystery writer, but maybe we have had a few of those.  Let me say a writer of mystery comics.   ;D  Good to meet you, too.  Hope you will enjoy the site.  Lots of good mystery writing info in the various threads.

Donna

Yeah Donna, it is a different sort of pathway into the enre, but not unique. There are uite a few mystery/detective webcomics out there. One of my favorites is Tim Broderick's "Odd Jobs". If you're interested you can find it here:

Odd Jobs
www.webcomicsnation.com/timbroderick/oddjobsswcn/series.php

And of course my own comic "The Continentals" starts this summer. So be on the lookout for that too. :)

Dee
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: TheDeeMan on May 24, 2009, 04:56:15 AM
Sorry I gave the wrong url to Odd Jobs. Here's the right one:

Odd Jobs
www.webcomicsnation.com/timbroderick/oddjobswcn/series.php

Dee
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on May 26, 2009, 02:53:21 PM
Welcome Dee. Good to have a different type mystery writer here. We learn from everyone.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on June 02, 2009, 01:31:49 AM
Hi, everyone, I just joined tonight because this community looks like it really cares for its members and I hope to not only learn a lot but to contribute as well. I've just begun planning a mystery/suspense novel and hope to get a lot of information from these boards. I've not written for "grownups" in the past five years.

I've been writing mostly for children and have completed two middle grade mystery novels. The latest one is "resting" for a few months after being critiqued by a great group of writers during the last year. Hopefully after a final edit it will be ready for submission rounds. The first one, well, it was a "first" children's novel and is collecting dust in the back of the file cabinet.

My very first completed novel was a grownup murder mystery and I loved writing it. I knew it was perfect and the world was waiting for it so I entered it in the St. Martin's Press contest.  :-[Oh, how naive and innocent a newbie I was back then! My cheeks flame every time I pull it out and read a chapter or two.

Hopefully, this one will be a lot better. With your help I know it will be!



Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on June 02, 2009, 08:32:23 AM
Welcome, Kat!  The forum isn't as active as it once was, but it's still a great place.  There's plenty of helpful information already on here, and if you have any questions, just ask.  Somebody will try to answer them. 
:)

All of us were newbies once, and we probably all still have those first manuscripts that make us blush now.  I call mine "Writing 101, Writing 201", etc.  Maybe they'll never be publishable, but they taught me a lot about how to write--and how not to write.

I love kids' mysteries.  Sometimes I would rather read books written for kids than those written for "adults".  ;D

Hope you will feel at home here.  All the best with your work!

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on June 02, 2009, 10:20:42 AM
Thank you!

I googled for mystery writer message boards several times and never found you until I googled mystery writers forum. I wonder how many writers are out there and just can't find this board and if there's anything we can do to help spread the word to make it more active.

One of the boards for children's writers is set up like this but the owner has added members only sections (after 50 posts) that include: Agent response times, Publisher response times, and Magazine Response times. Those are not for chatting just listing submissions on such a date, request for partials or fulls, then final date of rejection or acceptance. It really helps to learn which ones respond, how long it takes, and in what form.

They also have a critique group section where you can sign up to join critique groups or start your own through yahoo, google, etc. That's how I found my children's writers group--they're tough but dead on about things that need changing.

I think more people would check in each night if these things were offered in a private section for members only.

Thanks again for the warm welcome--it meant a lot to me.






Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on June 02, 2009, 01:01:04 PM
Welcome Kat,

This is a helpful place and is always there when you have a question. I know you will enjoy being in this group.

Like most writers, I have those first manuscripts in my desk and can't believe I thought the writing was wonderful when I did it. I pulled one out a few years ago and liked the idea, but hated the writing. I rewrote it from beginning to end and it became DUO OF OPPOSITES, one of my personal favorite books. Maybe because it hung around so long. So wait a few years and take a second look at your first work. Probably not publishible in the its present form, but who knows what you may eventually do with it.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on June 02, 2009, 04:44:13 PM
Great Idea!

 The basic story is good and the MC is memorable-- the writing is ... :-\. I might just use it in its present form as a too wordy synopsis.  ;D

Title: Hi from an oldie
Post by: elizabethp on June 04, 2009, 03:46:17 PM
I used to post year five--six years ago--learned a lot and loved the support. I was working on historical mystery novels. Put them away after a while when I got tired of the "getting published" game. I focused instead on consulting and business writing. I have articles printed regularly in business newspapers (including a credit in the Boston Globe) and I also write corporate communications for my main client right now.
My husband and I have written several screenplays together and are working on the great agent hunt. Ugh. Recently I pulled out my novels and thought I'd give them another spin. Had my first bad experience already. See pub. post.
We moved to the South from NE and are loving it so far.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on June 04, 2009, 09:52:08 PM
Glad to have you with us! I read the bad experience story and commented over there but just wanted to say welcome.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on June 05, 2009, 09:10:55 AM
Glad to have you with us Kat. Best wishes with your current WIP  :D

Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on June 05, 2009, 10:49:08 AM
Welcome back, Lizzie! 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on June 05, 2009, 10:50:06 AM
Thank you, Elena! It's great to be a part of this board!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: capanarius medievalist on June 15, 2009, 01:04:12 AM
Greetings, I'm Sam, a medievalist making my first, tentative foray from the world of academia to the world of mystery writing.

My mystery reading list includes: Susanna Gregory, The Medieval Murderers, Margaret Frazer, Michael Jecks, Candace Robb, Bernard Knight, and CJ Sansom (just to name a few), though I am always on the lookout for new writers. (This may be heresy, but I also enjoy historical fiction and some fantasy.)

I've interests in the history, politics, theology, military, religion, monarchy, and society of England generally, and particularly from the Saxon invasions through the Restoration.

Though this ‘brave new world’ is intimidating, I’m taking the advice of joining a community/forum of writers and finally setting my ideas to paper.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on June 15, 2009, 11:01:43 AM
Welcome Sam, I'm looking forward to your posts. Mystery writing is great fun, but then I may be biased  :D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on June 15, 2009, 11:26:12 AM
Welcome to the group. We have all types of mystery writers here so your interest will fit in just fine. Jump in with your posts and you'll find MWF to be a friendly and helpful place.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: capanarius medievalist on June 15, 2009, 05:29:25 PM
Many thanks, Elena and Lynette. :) I'm still getting the knack of navigating and posting, though I'm quite glad to discuss and to contribute.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on June 15, 2009, 10:55:33 PM
Welcome, so far I have found this to be a great place to hang out. Kat
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on June 16, 2009, 07:30:14 AM
Welcome, Sam!  You'll find great information in the older posts here, and plenty of encouragement and support as you write your mystery.  Make yourself at home.  :)

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: mysterywriter73 on June 20, 2009, 10:28:35 AM
Yo all -

I'm Mary Ann from Tucson, Arizona. I belong to the Arizona Mystery Writers and to the Society of Southwestern Authors. I've been writing what I thought was a mystery, which mysteriously morphed into suspense, for about 4 years.  :o

It's only midway from being completed because a children's book distracted me (hoping to get that published soon), followed by a novella dealing with revenge in the southwest in 1875.

Maybe my "mystery" is to figure out when I'll finish my suspense novel. My background lies in the legal profession (this side of the bar).  I'm glad I found y'all.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on June 20, 2009, 11:29:53 AM
Welcome Mary Ann,
It's no mystery you found a great place to hang out  :D

Browse, lounge, enjoy - best wishes with your children's book.
Elena
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Dave Freas on June 20, 2009, 12:58:08 PM
A big "Hello!" and "Welcome!" to all our new members.

And to all who have been here for a long time, "Isn't it great seeing an influx of new people?"

Dave
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on June 21, 2009, 04:39:06 PM
 ;D Welcome, Mary Ann, I, too have a children's book, a mystery, about to make the rounds. It has been through two critique groups and a lot of self-editing so I think it's ready. Hope to hear your book gets picked up soon! Kat
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on June 22, 2009, 07:33:10 PM
Welcome, Mary Ann!  We're glad you found us, too.  Make yourself at home here and jump right into whatever discussions are going.

Donna
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: mosuna on August 08, 2009, 02:23:04 PM
My name is Mo...I used to be rather active a loooong time ago on the old site, but then life intervened and my writing took a back seat. Looking forward to being a part of the community again, though my schedule does get rather overloaded when school is in session. I am currently writing a mystery (about 15,000 words into it) and am hoping to keep the momentum going!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Mo on August 08, 2009, 02:33:32 PM
I am such a dork...I apparently already had an account here...went back to an old thread, found my username...and voila! So..."mosuna" is the same as "mo" which is the same as ME!  :-[
Anyway, I'm back and hope to remain so...I have a bad habit of starting and stopping, starting and stopping...


Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: tippster on December 09, 2009, 01:11:15 PM
I'm Rebekah from Indiana. I'm still pretty new at writing. I'm a nurse at the local hospital and work 12 hour shifts, but I find time to write when things are not so busy. I'm reading Locked Rooms[i by Laurie R.King.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on December 09, 2009, 07:47:05 PM
Welcome, Rebekah, glad to have you join us. Kat
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on December 10, 2009, 10:49:35 AM
Welcome Rebekah. You'll find this a friendly and helpful place.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on December 10, 2009, 08:05:25 PM
Welcome aboard, Rebekah.  Always nice to have new blood.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: wonderactivist on December 28, 2009, 10:42:30 AM
Howdy Everyone! 

I'm Lucie in Oklahoma.  Your wonderful forum has already enlightened my work as I've shyly read your posts over the last few weeks - thank you.  I'm currently buried in my first mystery and the biggest adjustment I've had to make is actually setting aside enough time to take writing seriously.  I'm a SAHM and holistic home educator of two boys 10 & 14.  I volunteer with scouts & homeschool group, plus work part-time at the local bookstore.  Writing fiction has long been my passion and, while 2009 was the year I kept my writing routine for the first time, I hope to make 2010 the year of focus:  completing one novel. 

My greatest challenge so far has been plotting for the long haul - I keep writing myself into corners!  I probably need to ask a few questions about evidence gathering and retention but don't wish to be redundant.  Is there one guide to those technical issues that anyone would recommend?

Oh, I'm reading The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, rereading some Sherlock Holmes (the Illustrated Strand stories) with my 14 yr old, plus currently A Christmas Carol as a family.    I've recently finished a couple of shorts from  Stephen King's Four Past Midnight, the Collectors by Baldacci, Lullabye by
Palahniuk(sp),and several books on writing.  King's writing book and Steering the Craft have inspired me the most.

With highest appreciation,

Lucie Smoker

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: CC on December 28, 2009, 08:33:08 PM
Hi,
   I'm C.C.  I live in NC. I'm 55 years old, but don't look a day over 10. Married, to a NSDH, no children at home now but I do have 5 dogs,including a Doberman, who saved my life and 2 Bloodhound brothers that are trying to kill me with their DROOL.  I'm working on 2 murder mysteries and a book of humorous poems for children.  I'm not published yet, but I will be.  And when that happens, I'm moving to the tropics with my Doberman (40 years in Chicago and 15 years in NC is enough COLD  even  for the dead) buying a house by the ocean and living happily ever after.  Oh wait,that was last nights dream. This looks like a fun and supportive forum and I hope to learn a lot: i.e. WHERE IS THE SPELL CHECK?????????????????? Never mind, I just found the spell check.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on December 29, 2009, 08:35:29 PM
Welcome Rebekah, Lucie, CC, and anyone else I missed,

There's a wealth of information here.  Do check out the forum's Priceless Advice section.

I highly reccomend Lee Lofland's book Police Procedure & Investigation, Hallie Ephron's Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel, and Strunk and White's Elements of Style.

Good luck with your writing!  ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: wonderactivist on December 30, 2009, 09:03:56 AM
Thanks Peg! 
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Kat on January 19, 2010, 10:23:35 PM
Welcome Lucie and C.C. Hope you enjoy being a member and get lots of good information. Kat
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Abbs on February 14, 2010, 07:53:41 AM
Hello people - I'm in Wales at the moment but have lived in London and Liverpool for large chunks of time. Was pointed here from Mark Billingham's site, btw. I'm impressed by the global spread of members here, and look forward to hearing diverse views.

I was a journalist and have some non-fiction books published, but I'm trying to finish off my first novel - getting to the end of the second draft but really struggling with the first chapter now that the rest is written. I'm sure you know what I mean - searching for the irresistible hook, the powerful first line... Also need to work out what sub-genre it's in. I see there's lots of advice and debate about this on the forum so will work my way through threads and try not to ask too many idiot questions. Is it just me, or does anyone else get a bit overwhelmed by the odds against finding an agent, let alone a publisher, let alone readers who buy unknown authors? Will be good to have a bolthole full of like-minded writers to chat to. Look forward to getting to know you all.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Elena on February 14, 2010, 09:44:15 AM
Hi Abbs,

And a big warm welcome. Glad you found us.

Congratulations on getting the first draft of your novel done - a huge accomplishment!

The only thing I know to do about the overwhelming odds is to just keep going, one step at a time. Lot's of thoughts here about every stage. And feel free to ask questions.

Elena   
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Peg H on February 14, 2010, 04:02:46 PM
Hi Abbs, welcome to the forum!   ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: NCwritergal on March 17, 2010, 09:00:17 AM
 Greetings.  I'm new to mystery/thriller/suspense writing, though I do have a couple of finished horror/drama screenplays I am trying to sell.  I've got into the genre with medical thrillers by Robin Cook, though at that time my main interest was horror.  I am now more into mystery/thriller novels than horror, and I have just started work on my very first thriller.  I enjoy books by such authors as Mary Higgins Clark, Joy Fielding, Jonathan Kellerman (whom I recently discovered via my local Edward McKay bookstore), Tess Gerritsen, Michael Connelly, among others, though I do still enjoy Dean Koontz and John Saul.  Ciao!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: janbab44 on April 07, 2010, 05:39:35 PM
I'm Janet, a mystery writer.  I've had one book published, SQS MYstery #1: Shadows in the Night, available on-line at Barnes & Noble, Target, etc.  It was published by PublishAmerica in late 2008.  I'm currently working on a sequel.  I live in Poplarville, Mississippi, and work as a legal secretary in Picayune, Mississippi.  I have been married 46 years and getting ready to retire at the end of this year.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: calggal on April 19, 2010, 09:31:06 PM
Hi I'm calggal from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  I write short fiction, and I have an outline for my first mystery novel, but everytime I get it on the computer I get a virus and end up losing everything.  This has happend to me 3 times,  >:(so hopefully my new virus software holds up.  Right now I'm reading The Little Death by P.J. Parrish and next will be Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. :)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: catwoman on April 21, 2010, 03:44:43 PM
Hi Everyone!  I am a lifelong mystery reader and wannabe mystery writer.  Right now, I am reading 'Permed to Death' by Nancy Cohen.  I go back and forth between "serious" mysteries and "cozy" mysteries.  I am thinking of trying to write a cozy, though.  I just need a little motivation and a lot of inspiration!  ;D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: mgerrard on April 25, 2010, 12:14:36 PM
Thanks for the welcome, Bob. I'm Mike and live half the time in Arizona, half in England. I'm a travel writer for a living, but have just finished my first crime novel (writing one, that is, not reading one), and am on the long search for an agent. A friend recommended this forum to me, so I'm still trying to navigate around it.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Abby on May 17, 2010, 11:59:41 AM
Hello,
My name is Abby. I've written one mystery and am now working on a new suspense mystery. I found this forum in hopes of learning and sharing. I've been writing for about twenty years, I started with short stories. Great to be here.

Abby ;)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on May 17, 2010, 05:23:29 PM
Welcome aboard, Abby:  I think you'll like this forum.  There are lots of friendly and knowledgeable people here.  I like your attitude, too...learning and sharing.  That's why we are all here.  ;D

Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JMaschino on May 18, 2010, 09:51:25 PM
Hello everyone.  My name is Jake, I live in a very small Maine town.  I am a disabled Gulf War vet with a lot of time on my hands.  I have written two mystery novels, collecting dozens of rejection slips on each, and am currently at work on number three.  Looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on May 19, 2010, 09:03:27 AM
Welcome, Jake.

Sorry to hear about your disability.  You have my utmost gratitude and respect for your service.  I hope you are coping well and do well with your writing.

This is a good forum to kick around ideas and get help from lots of experienced folks.  Just out of curiosity, were the rejection letters helpful?  Did any of them offer advice or just use a form letter?  How are you going to adapt mystery three based on what your reviews were on mysteries 1&2?


Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JMaschino on May 19, 2010, 12:46:30 PM
Old Bill, the rejection letters were just your typical form letter, no advice nor any indication that the material I sent was even read.  Before beginning mystery novel #3, I reread dozens of novels from my favorite mystery writers taking detailed notes on how they crafted their work, red herrings, clues, the roller coaster ride of suspense, and their skill that kept me turning page after page until I had reached the end.  I then sat down and wrote a detailed outline hopefully using some of the elements I discovered from my heroes.  Mystery #3 may receive as many rejections as the first two, but it is better written and I hope any rejections will be accompanied with some advice.  I decided to join this forum with the hopes of improving my craft and meeting other writers.  Thanks for the kind words about my years serving in the Army.  As I tell anyone who asks, I was simply doing my job, and zigged when I should have zagged.

Jake
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on May 19, 2010, 05:27:02 PM
Jake:

Sounds like you have a good plan in place to improve mystery #3.  Good luck.

As for agents...I think in these modern times a "thanks, no thanks" response shows little or no respect to budding, prospective, wanna-be writers.  I realize they are swamped with queries and manuscripts, but we jump through hoops to abide by their arbitrary submission rules, the least they could do is jot a hand note back even if it's only a "don't give up your day job just yet."  After all, that is their job, is it not?  Brutal honesty is apparently not one of their attributes.

Sorry, I could go on but that's only because of my mood today...better get back on my meds now.

Old Bill
Spec 5, Army Signal Corps
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: zahachta on May 21, 2010, 10:12:45 PM
Hi I'm Nicole Dahl & I'm finally feeling ready to write. :) I'm a little shy, so I'll probably lurk around a bit.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on May 22, 2010, 08:38:08 AM
Hi, Nicole,

Lurk all you want but no reason to be shy here.  Lots of friendly writers (published and unpublished) with lots of life experience to share.

What type of writiing are you interested in?

Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Colourful.Daze on June 03, 2010, 12:01:11 PM
Hello! Just joined and will also lurk a bit until I get my bearings, this seems, already, to be a wonderful site. I barely had my password typed in before I got a warm welcome :)
Cheers
D.
I am interested in writing mystery & urban fantasy.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on June 04, 2010, 04:56:30 PM
Hey D:

Welcome...may I ask what an urban fantasy would be?  Oh, wait, would that be you wake one morning to a sunny day in a big city and your spouse has breakfast ready...while eating breakfast, you read the lotto numbers in the paper and realize you are the only winner, and your boss calls to tell you the board of directors has just promoted you to CEO...your freeloading son tells you he found a new job AND a place to live...for the first time in 5 years the dog hasn't had an accident on the kitchen floor...the garbage men actually got ALL the garbage INTO their truck AND replaced the lids on the cans...and there are no DPW crews jackhammering anywhere in your neighborhood?  (Okay...I know the garbage part kicks it up to a miracle, but am I close?)

Good luck with your writing.  ;D

Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: TRU on July 21, 2010, 10:55:21 AM
My name is Matthew. As far as writing goes I am a songwriter, however, I have ideas for young-adult mysteries and I thought this might be a nice place to come to "grease the wheels" and get my thoughts flowing.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Widget on August 01, 2010, 11:43:02 AM
I am Widget, I live with my mother, in a fourteenth century house in rural Suffolk, East Anglia[anybody been to the county in good ol'merry England? I am doing a wb course and also trying to set myself up in a business venture as a research assistant, freelance.  Yes, I like to keep busy.   I enjoy reading, creative writing obviously, listening to music, classic and light.  We have three cats, a Burmese called Lucy, a Bengal called Mystery and half Bengal called Puschkinia, shortened to Pushy or Pushkins.   :D
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Mystery Mom on August 02, 2010, 01:28:56 AM
Hi, I'm Mystery Mom. I worked as a journalist for about five years before becoming a blog-at-home mom. Blogging is fun, but because I'm not the sales-y type, it doesn't exactly pay the bills. Of course I realize that mystery writing doesn't pay the bills, and will in fact probably create bills, but I don't have to leave the house to do it, and it seems a bit more ethical than pimping out my kids' privacy for affiliate commissions.  :P  (No offense to the other mom bloggers out there. I just hate you for your success, that's all!)  Anyway, I've always wanted to write mysteries and I might as well do it while I have the chance to stay at home.

I'm writing what I hope will be the first in a sort of rom-com mystery series. I spent my childhood reading Poe, Doyle and Christie along with a lot of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott (it might surprise you to know that the latter also wrote a whole whack of thrillers under a pseudonym). What I'm trying to do is write a really well-crafted mystery novel that also deals with the comical love life (or lack thereof) of a headstrong, contrary female protagonist. I'll admit that while I think this form of book would likely appeal to a fair-size demographic (chick-lit fans who enjoy a good mystery), I'm really just writing something I'd like to read! I've gotten most of the book outlined, although I'm still working out a few twists in my head and some of the characters need more fleshing out, and I've written about 6,000 words so far (though I'm sure they'll all change!).

I am never caught up on my reading, as I have three very young kids. I'm currently reading "Finger-Lickin' Fifteen" by good ol' Janet E., along with "The Greatest Show on Earth" by Richard Dawkins, a few random parenting books, and I am now on my third year of trying not to throw "Eat Pray Love" across the room.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: ashleybsmith on August 04, 2010, 03:28:46 PM
Hi everyone. I'm Ashley Barnett Smith and I'm a mystery novel writer. i have published two books at Lulu.com. My most recent one is titled "THE COLUMNIST'S BLOG" which my publisher gave a  very positive remark. Lulu said it is a "remarkable book." You are welcome to visit my website at: 

http://sites.google.com/site/ashleybarnettsmith/
 or the product site:

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-columnists-blog/11773393

I am delighted to join you and hopefully follow your blogs everyday.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Sweetbriar on August 14, 2010, 03:06:14 PM
Hi everyone!  I'm Sweetbriar.  I found Mystery Writers' Forum just yesterday.  Thought I would lurk for awhile and then decided to just jump in.  I'm unpublished and love all types of fiction....mysteries are my favorites....but I'll read the backs of cereal boxes if nothing else is around! 

I work at a radio station as Traffic Manager and would love to use it as a background for a mystery series.  That's actually what I'm working on now.

I read all kinds of mysteries and suspense, but my two favorite authors are Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark.

I'll probably look around a bit before beginning to post, but you never know.

See you around the boards!

Sweetbriar
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: coffeelover on August 14, 2010, 05:33:59 PM
Hi, I'm Susan. As you can tell by my handle I love coffee, been drinking this elixir since age five. I've always loved to write, mostly children's fantasy but love to read and watch mysteries. Originally from CA, now living in AZ in the boondocks.

Never been published and always had a hard time going past chapter five in a story unless others gave me feedback. I finally read a short book on fictional writing "Guide to Fiction Writing, Phyllis A. Whitney" which since then I can't stop writing and my organization has fell into place. I admit I am the worst speller in the world, thank god for spell check and Webster's Dictionary.

I'm very much loved as my husband has allowed me to follow my heart and pursue my happiness without having to work. I'm hoping my writing and passions (gardening, home steading, psychic abilities, history) fall together which one day maybe they will start to pay some bills.

I'm excited to be here and working on my first mystery

Coffee Lover
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: timberline on August 16, 2010, 04:42:41 PM
   Thanks for the welcome, Bob.  I tripped over this site purely by accident.  I'm a writer who keeps getting drawn back to mysteries.  “Chain of Events,” a Det. Mike Mullally story, was published by Over My Dead Body! July 24, 2010, at http://www.overmydeadbody.com/giersbch.htm.  An earlier Mike Mullally story appeared in Big Pulp, and I’m expanding a piece on him into a novella as we speak. And two pieces with Jimmy Huang, Hong Kong detective, appeared in the now-defunct Mouth Full of Bullets.
   My fiction has appeared in Bewildering Stories,  Big Pulp, Every Day Fiction, Everyday Weirdness, Lunch Hour Stories, Mouth Full of Bullets, Mystery Authors, OG Short Fiction, Northwoods Journal, Paradigm Journal, Short Fiction World, Southern Fried Weirdness, and Written Word.  A comic novel in two volumes of short stories, Cruising the Green of Second Avenue, has been published by Wild Child (www.wildchildpublishing.com). Oh, and there were three decades of corporate communications experience prior to getting some fun out of writing.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on August 16, 2010, 05:25:12 PM
Welcome, Walt.

Read and enjoyed your "Chain of Events".  Nice writing, good short story...well paced.

This is a nice forum with lots of good experienced people willing to help others.  I'm sure you'll fit right in.

Good luck with your Mullaly novella.

Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Criminal_Writer on August 27, 2010, 08:15:09 PM
Hey guys. I'm from Massachusetts, and I'm looking to enter the world of criminal fiction for the first time. Haven't published a book so far, although I've written for a newspaper as a sports writer. Looking forward to taking part in the discussion on mystery writing.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Emperor007 on October 21, 2010, 03:25:36 AM
I am so glad to be here and I thank you for your acceptance.   I am a published author and screen writer.   I have a website that is for reader and writers of woman sleuths and other adventuresses.  I tried to help others with links for developing story lines and such or providing excerpts for readers  of both my upcoming books, as well as, others.  I think I have given as much information about my motives for being here and about myself that should be expected on an introduction from a new member.  Thank you.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: fleamailman on October 24, 2010, 05:59:19 PM
"...hi..." said the goblin, friendly as ever, continuing "...really nothing much to say about me I suppose, married, two children, etc., but then it gets more complicated doesn't it, I mean I could go on explaining yet more external details here, which you would then rightly dismiss as merely superficial, demeaning, and cheap, whereas who I really am , who I am inside that is, is something I can't even begin to explain then, other than by saying that it merely none of those external superficialities again, for how else can one explain it now..."

(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:pTtiHcoRCC4EGM:http://www.altfg.com/Stars/i/in-a-lonely-place-gloria-grahame-humphrey-bogart.jpg&t=1)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Sandy on October 26, 2010, 11:50:28 PM
Greetings and Multitudinous Felicitations  :)

I'm Sandra - username Ratsach. I've been writing Tolkien based fanfiction for about 8 years. Two years ago I decided to branch out into totally original writing. My first published short story will be out Nov. 1st.

I want to write a cozy mystery, as that is what has been my favorite type of story for most of my life. I am, however, having trouble getting started. I'm hoping hanging out with other mystery readers and writers will help me to channel my story. ;)

I'm in my 50s with a wonderful husband, two grown children, three grand kids and two cats. Hubby and I like Bluegrass music. He plays five-string banjo and I play at being a fiddler.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on October 28, 2010, 01:37:37 PM
Welcome, Sandra:

You sound very talented...I like music but all I can play is the radio (old joke from Old Bill). ::)

Lots of good people here willing to help.  Good luck with your break into the cozy world.

Congrates on the publishing of your short...just curious-where was the SS published?

Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on October 31, 2010, 02:44:31 AM
Welcome to all the new members. I've been away for a while, but I enjoyed reading all your posts. You'll like it here. Jump in and make yourself at home.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: lpayeur on November 01, 2010, 02:38:14 PM
Hello, all! New to the forum, I've just been poking around! I've wanted to be a writer since I learned how to read and write! I think I may have been the only 4th grader reading V. C. Andrews! Needless to say my vocabulary also outgrew my peers! I love to read a good horror or thriller, Stephen King is always at the top of my reading list. With four kids, however, it hasn't been easy to read or write! So, as my passion to write has grown immensely, my ability to sleep has dipped to 3 or 4 hours.
Title: Hello, I'm really new here. Samantha
Post by: Samantha Fury on November 23, 2010, 03:18:43 PM
HI!  I'm Jacks Girl over at Christian Writers, here I am Samantha or Sam.

I write Mystery Drama Romance.  I love this place already.  I'm always needing some info on police or detectives.  Can't wait to get into the fray of things. 

I have self published one book, sold 70 so far.  My fan base is growing and I'm working on my second book.  I will post links to my web site when I find out if this is allowed.  I thank you all for welcmoing me into your home. 

Please excuse any bad speeling until I learn how to spell check on this site.. LOL!!

my novel is no Amanzon Street Justice Charlie's Angel
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: SvensKenR on November 28, 2010, 12:45:41 PM
Hi, Bob, I'm Ken, in southeastern PA, (Philadelphia suburbs).

I was a Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie fan in childhood and was told as a child I should be a writer. Well, as John Steinbeck (I believe) put it, you should write because you have something to say, and that can be very hard to define.

I am currently working off and on upon a short story that originated from reading that "Ellery Queen" welcomes new writers, and from working in the mortgage industry for a number of years. It is also influenced by my B.A. in Russian and general interest in Russian culture. I am wondering if Jewish readers will object to an attempt to create Jewish protagonists when I'm not Jewish - but Zane Grey was not a cowboy, either. Part of the reason for that choice was the setting of the story: Philadelphia's "Little Kiev" corridor.

I also had a strong interest in sci-fi in my younger years and tried to write some of that, but after becoming a Christian I found that most sci-fi necessarily ignores any prospect of Christ returning - something that makes it very difficult to project ahead by centuries. Not to mention that as a genre it more often flouts conservative morality than not. A flavor which some of its most famous founders, most notably Asimov, imparted to it.

My literary influences include the classic Russian authors, one or two modern ones, (especially Solzhenitsyn), Winston Churchill, C.S. Forester, Heinlein, A.E. Van Vogt, and many others.

One reason I am trying to start with a short story is that economy of space and time is mandatory, and I constantly have to watch the tendency to create a new character as a source of dialogue every time the story changes direction. (FYI for readers: even Leo Tolstoy, the epitome of long-winded Russian authors - "War & Peace", "Anna Karenina", etc. - was able to write short stories. One of them, "Notes of a Madman," had a lot to do with my eventually becoming a Christian.) So maybe I can do it too.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Hawk on December 08, 2010, 04:07:19 PM
Hello All

Just popping my head in to say thank you for having me - though that may not prove agreeable once you start reading my work!

I mainly write fantasy -which in my story is a mystery/thriller in a fantasy setting - does that make sense?

I do have another work - put it away some years ago for a reason I can no longer remember. The original title was "Black is not always White" - it may be changed later.

The story centers around how five men, in five different locations, could have been killed by the same attacker when all the deaths happened on the same day, at the same time - with onlookers describing exactly the same the same person as the killer.

Adding to the mystery is the fact that ballistics have proved that the gun used to kill the five men was used in every one of the deaths.

Anyone want to make a guess how?

It is possible, I can assure you!

Looking forward to reading your WIP asap.

Cheers

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on December 09, 2010, 10:19:58 PM
Welcome Hawk:

Sounds like you have an interesting story going.  Good luck with it.  Not too many people post WIPs unless they have a specific problem or need a review of a certain part...but don't let that stop you if you'd like to post something.  There is a special critique section of the forum that is only available to members after sign in...bottom of forum page...where most post their stuff for critique.

I'll take a guess at the ballistics:  If someone handloaded a once-fired projectile into a new casing and refired that bullet in a gun without rifling, it could conceivably keep the rifling marks on the projectile to seem to have been fired by a different gun.  Hmmm...I'll have to try that sometime.  Problem is unless a gunsmith made the barrel specially for that, there are few if any smoothbore guns around.

Again...good luck,

Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: twbwrites on December 20, 2010, 04:22:43 AM
Hello all,

My name is Tom and I'm in central Texas. Working on my finishing my first short story after many, many stops and starts. I am currently trying to finish John Dickson Carr and Carter Dickson series, have had a hard time finding them all in paperback (OOP).

I'm an old-fashioned mystery fan - Christie, Queen, and Carr are definitely my influences. The more impossible (and far-fetched) the crime, the better!!!

Thanks,

TWB
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: sinister on December 27, 2010, 04:21:09 PM
Greetings.  My name is Ethan and I'm in sunny Portland, Oregon. 

I'm working on a sci-fi noir-ish (kind of) murder mystery that I originally wrote as part of National Novel Writing Month in 2009.  I've also got two other half-written novels that I'm working on, and I also write short stories and poetry. 

As far as mystery writing is concerned, I am a complete novice.  My first draft of this novel is ...not very good, but it was fun to write.  So I'm doing research, making notes, and trying to hammer out a coherent plot with realistic and interesting characters.

My exposure to mystery fiction is limited to a little bit of Agatha Christie, a fair chunk of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and a smattering of noir (well, Humphrey Bogart.)

:-)
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: mandacity on January 05, 2011, 09:50:58 AM
Hi,
Just introduced myself on Bob's site?  I'm a little confused - not an uncommon or particularly distressful state for me.   How many different sites are on this forum?  Anyway I'm a cozy writer.  Never seem to finish what I write.  Have three mysteries started and all kinds of scribblings tossed here and there.  Hope this site can keep me motivated.  Live in Minnesota.  Am very cold.

Mandacity
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: the_anonymous_echo on January 18, 2011, 02:37:42 AM
Greetings. I'm Jonah, grad student and aspiring writer--I think. Truthfully I''ve only recently been rolling around the idea of making stories of my own. I had to take a few creative writing courses as an undergrad and I was told that I seem to have an aptitude for it. Before that I'd really only written a little poetry and lyrics for the band I was in. But I've always been an avid reader and mystery is easily my favorite. Now that I'm done trying to be a rock star and I'm focusing on my masters I can't seem to throw this idea I have of a hardboiled P.I. His character and the world around him is taking shape whether I like it or not--but I think I like it. So here I am at the beginning of this new avenue in my life and I figured it would be nice to interact with some like-minded souls. From what I've read in the posts so far this seems like a relaxed, supportive group of nice folks who are genuinely passionate about literature. Hope I can contribute. Anyway...howdy!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: shanteper on February 05, 2011, 09:28:40 PM
Hello, I'm Shannon and I love to read and write mysteries. I'm a kindergarten teacher by day, so I've usually had my fill of happy faces and rays of sunshine by the time I get home and am ready for a nice bloody dead body or two.
I have sold two mysteries for middle grade children to a small press. The first should come out early this spring. The crimes have gotten little more serious in each book, and I realized I was no longer content with vandalism and arson, and wanted to write a murder, so I've moved on to adult fiction. Granted, my first attempt is a cozy. Baby steps.
My favorite modern mystery authors are Tana French, Elizabeth George, and Reginald Hill, but Agatha Christie will always be my hero. I live in Florida, but love British mysteries.
I'm excited about meeting other mystery addicts like myself!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Stetson on February 08, 2011, 12:21:23 PM
Hi guys, I'm Frank and I'from Italy.

I always loved mysteries and started writing about crime when I was 12. Now I write detective stories set in the U.S. and my stories are much better... or at least I hope so.

My favourite authors are Raymond Chandler, Robert Crais and John Grisham. But, in my opinion, the best is James Ellroy.

Hope to see you around,

Stetson.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: scattolina on February 25, 2011, 11:30:01 AM
Hello from Cary on beautiful Whidbey Island in Washington State:) I am writing a mystery/thriller featuring a serial killer set here on Whidbey Island. I took early retirement from teaching to finally get serious about my writing. I belong to a novel writing group here. Whidbey has been described by Seattle newspapers as "The World's Largest Artist Colony."

I owned a mystery bookstore for four years  in California and am a life-long mystery reader. I calculated at one point (while I owned my bookstore)  that I'd read more than twelve thousand. I continue to read several a week.

In order to jumpstart my creativity, I recently enrolled in an on-line novel writing class and have joined Sisters in Crime. I also decided to get more in touch with the mystery-writing community.

Regards,
Cary

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: vtcs on February 27, 2011, 08:40:05 PM
Hi,
My name is Vivian Chern Shnaidman and I was one of the early members of the original MWF, way back in 1997. My first (and so far only) novel was published in 2001 - exactly one week before 9/11. I got dumped and sad and I basically fell off the writing wagon. In my "day job" I'm a forensic psychiatrist and I've been focusing on my regular work and my family for the past ten years or so. My goal for this year is to either find a real agent and editor, or to self-publish my two additional books on Amazon and/or B&N.com. I say that I'm too busy, but I was almost as busy when I wrote the books to begin with - I know I'm just afraid to fail again.
So I'm back here - I think some of the old crowd is still here - I was so emotional reading through the old posts and seeing the familiar names! It's going to take me a while to get the hang of this format, so I apologize in advance for screwing up!
If anyone is interested in my one existing novel it's called HOMICIDAL INTENT and it was published as a paperback original by Dell in 2001. By Vivian Chern (Didn't use the Shnaidman for that - long story - but I may use it now - what do you guys think?)
Regards to all,
Vivian
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Dave Freas on February 27, 2011, 09:11:31 PM
Welcome Back, Vivian.

Good to have you with us again.

Dave
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: MarciaPost on March 01, 2011, 08:45:09 PM
Hi, I'm passing through and beginning to realize just now what an interesting place this is.  I'm currently on the west coast and looking forward to the next Mystery Writers conference at Book Passages in Marin.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: JIM DOHERTY on March 01, 2011, 10:24:49 PM
Vivian!

Re your message below:

If anyone is interested in my one existing novel it's called HOMICIDAL INTENT and it was published as a paperback original by Dell in 2001. By Vivian Chern (Didn't use the Shnaidman for that - long story - but I may use it now - what do you guys think?)

Welcome back!  

I was looking forward to getting Homicidal Intent autographed by you at the 2001 Bouchercon in DC, but you were a no-show (though, to be fair, so were about a third of the registrants).

Since you've left, I've left my old job and gotten a new one with the AMTRAK Police (I'm already a sergeant), I've had my first book published (a collection of true crime articles called Just the Facts), I've won a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America (Best Short Non-Fiction for one of the chapters in JTF), and my first novel (still-unpublished), was a finalist in the CWA's Debut Dagger competition.  And I'm now the police technical advisor for the Dick Tracy comic strip, and (in April) will start doing their "Crime Stopper Textbook" feature for the Sunday strip.

And that's just me.  Think how much catching up you have to do!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: dhparker on March 03, 2011, 08:49:02 AM
Vivian!  So good to see you here again.  I often wonder about all those great people who were so much a part of the forum "back in the old days".   All the best with getting back into your writing!
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: ambermg on March 24, 2011, 06:56:42 PM
Hi, I'm Amber. I'm about halfway through my suspense novel. I've written several other novels in other genres before I decided to try my hand at a mystery/suspense. I'm excited because I feel like I've finally found my genre. The first five pages of this ms and the synopsis won first place in the Winter WMX Grabber competition judged by Tom Colgan of Penguin Books. So now I'm just trying to finish it and make it the best I can. That's why I'm here.....

I just finished reading, "Sing you Home," by Jodi Picoult (love her).

Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lillian on March 29, 2011, 04:00:44 PM
Hi

I'm Lillian and I hail from South Australia. I write romantic comedies and romantic suspense. My first romantic suspense novel is due for publication with Siren BookStrand in June. I seem to have cracked the e-publishing market but I would dearly love to step up to the big leagues and get an agent and a NY publisher.  I have a lot to learn and a long way to go.

Thanks for letting me join I am looking forward to meeting you all.

Best wishes
Lillian
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Eyre on April 05, 2011, 02:06:19 PM
Hi Everyone!

Well, I am probably well out of my element here, but I had a wild hair today and thought up what I think is a great novel plot. Long story short, I got the idea from reading the latest chapter of a "Castle" fan fiction story today and within 3 minutes I went from "how the author could have added a twist" to "OMG! I think I just laid out a brand new novel!".

Now, I have to:

Only problem is, while I have read my fair share of murder mysteries, I'm deep deep 'green' when it comes to writing them.  My Dad is a retired police officer (not homicide detective), so I can gleen some technical stuffs from him. Otherwise, I foresee myself doing a LOT of research!

Just a warning, I will not be posting often here (at least in the beginning) because I will be reading a lot of posts here, doing at least the first 3 of my above to-do list, and do my 'day-job' (small business owner - build and host websites and SEO services ... number of employees = ME!).

May I ask - how do you all ask questions and yet provide enough background of your story without actually giving away your story (that could potentially be plagiarized)? Not that I am being paranoid about that aspect. But I do want to know how much I should detail when asking questions in the future.

Any other tips/tricks for a budding murder mystery writer? Anything I need to do at the very beginning of the process so as to avoid headaches later on?

And how the heck do you create new characters when all you have in your head are previously created characters (from books and TV shows)?

Thank you for providing this forum and I hope to learn much from you all!

Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Old Bill on April 06, 2011, 07:19:35 PM
Welcome, Barb.  I think a lot of your questions will be answered just by searching this forum and finding out how things are done.  There is a lot of talent here.  I am an unpublished writer with several works in progress (WIPs).  Remember we all started from scratch.  I've never given a thought about plagiarism on this site given the quality of the people I have interacted with.  But if you are concerned, be aware that the 'Critique Area' is only visible to signed in members if you need to keep something sorta private.  Also many members are available for critiques via a personal message or email.  Mostly, you can ask a question in a generic way and get some great feedback.

Now that you have an idea, the rest of the story will come out of your mind.  (My wife says I'm out of my mind a lot.) ::)  So just let yourself go wild and create characters you think will be interesting.  By the time you are well into the story, you might not even recognize your original idea it will have changed so much.

So, good luck and good research.

Old Bill
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Lynette on April 23, 2011, 12:05:21 AM
Hi and welcome to all the people who have joined MWF in the past few months. After being a member for years, I was locked out for some reason, but I'm back in again.

A special hello to Vivian Chern. Great to see you back. And to those of you who haven't read it, I have a copy of HOMICIDAL INTENT. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Hope you will write more, Vivian.

Lynette
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: ty treadwell on May 14, 2011, 11:04:29 AM
Hi everyone,

After browsing the site for a while, I've finally found time to join in the conversations.  I've been writing mystery and suspense stories for many years and have just put together a collection of both published and unpublished tales called Down a Crooked Road, by Ty Treadwell.  I'm looking forward to comparing notes on both the short story market and the book market for mysteries right now.

http://www.tytreadwell.com
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Jed Power on May 19, 2011, 08:06:00 PM
Hi Everyone,

    My name is Jed Power.  Years ago, after becoming discouraged with the endless rounds my crime novels made to publishers & agents, I put them aside in disgust.  Now the bug has bitten again and I've dusted off all 5 and am doing re-writes (1 needs almost nothing; most a lot).  I also have had a few short stories published.
     I collect vintage Noir/Hardboiled paperbacks which in part includes a near complete collection of Dan Marlowe who was my Dad's best friend. 
     Hope to have some fun & pick up on all the changes that have come about since I dropped my pen.  Thanks.  Jed
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Frederick Williams on May 31, 2011, 10:49:02 AM
Hello All,

Many thanks for having me as a new member. I hope I can cope!!!

I mainly write fantasy, but, I have had this idea for a mystery novel floating around in my head for ages and can't shake it off.

My best to all.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Rowan on June 12, 2011, 09:43:56 PM
Hello! I am Rowan and I am a young writer with delusions of grandeur.

Right now I am working on a cozy and plodding my way through some of the greats. I am fairly sure that the contents of my bookcase makes my roommates nervous. My latest purchase, The Invention of Murder by Judith Flanders.

I guess I joined for some help working my way through the various intricacies of my stories.

Kiiti.
Title: Re: The Welcome Wagon Thread
Post by: Bob Mueller on June 19, 2011, 11:18:17 PM
I think I'm going to go ahead and close this thread out. I'm running a mod that sends out a "Welcome" post to every new member, so having two threads to say hi in is probably redundant.

New folks, feel free to introduce yourselves in your Welcome post. Anyone who's wanting to see what's going on with others is welcome to start a chatting thread.
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