" I passed a guy in the street the other day and thought he looked familiar, then I realised it was me coming back."

That is soooooo funny. It is really good to hear from you. I don't worry much about the people on here who just stir up shit because that is what they are...shit stirrers. Makes it tough on the people who are real though. Don't lose your originality Duncan. Good to hear from you.:):):)

Hi Duncan,
I hope you get a chance to read my steampunk story.
Thanks
Kirk (Munich)
"Aethunium"

Thank you so much, Duncan, for both the encouraging comment and the backing. I really appreciate it. x

I know you are off site now but I enjoyed your message. The photo IS me.....a few days ago....ha....it sounds like you are really keeping active and that is the secret I am told and that you are really doing some wonderful work. You are one of the first people I talked with when I first came on this site. (seems like years ago) I hope things will continue to go well for you. I have been taking french for many months now. I am finding it difficult for if you don't use it daily, it gets so boring. Nice chat.
Shirley

Duncan:
You are a man who is in and out of here like a hummingbird. :) I took the legs down as it was to much excitement for the fellas but the picture is me as well. I hope life is giving you lemonade. :)
Shirley

Hi Duncan!

Thank you for taking the time to read my awful book. :P I'm actually surprised how many people have taken a liking to it - 100 WAYS began as a fun piece to keep my sanity while writing SECOND BREATH. Thank you so much for the backing as well. You are very sweet! :D

Racheal

Duncan, thank you SO SO much. You are so kind. What a lovely review. I am rubbish with dashes - never have gotten to grips with the fiends. When I do my edit (got to finish this rough draft first) I am going to arm myself with your sage advice and get on top of them. :) And I do apologise for taking so long to thank you - have not been onsite for a couple of weeks. :) xx

People who don't give a shit make the perfect critics; I can always expect an honest, no BS opinion :)

I have a feeling The Kept might not hold your attention for long, but I really appreciate your taking a look at it.


I've added Sunday Girl to my list as well. I am interested in seeing how everyone copes with the girl's addition to the family and how/ if they help her reclaim her childhood.

Thanks Duncan. I'll be back with you soon.
Jes.x

Thank you Duncan. That has made it so much clearer.
Is it more acceptable to agents/publishers to use these dashes rather than commas?
Jes.x

Thank you for the comments and the backing Duncan. Even more thank you for telling me how to do the N and M dash. I'm still not sure which should be used where or what the difference is, but I'll find out how to use them properly. I;ve noted them down.
I've added your book to my watch list and will get back to you in a day or two.
Take care, Jes.

YES

I think it's good to write what you know, and stick with your strengths.... I had someone tell me I should write in third person, because it would be easier to show more.

but I originally tried to write in third person - fail!
I do better in first, it was hard enough for me to write my pitch in third, and that's only one paragraph lol

:)

you know how many people have told me 'show don't tell' and then offer a 50 word explanation on how I should do so, when in fact my 5 word sentence on it's own is actually a show? ya - it gets tiresome... sure, i'm not perfect either, far from it... and sure, I need to show more and tell less.... but sometimes, it's ok to tell too ;-)

ah there it is :)

it's good stuff!
I've been reading a lot of dark stories recently - I need to find something lighter else i'll have nightmares tonight lol

lol little plastic man, I just read your comment!

so the thing with the 'got' - thank you, I've applied your corrections to my copy, but it's too late to make edits to the one on ED... boo.

as for the had thing when placed with a word 'ed'

what I learned in school, is that if you're writing in past tense and you are referring to something further in the past, then you need both the 'had' and the 'ed'

so her saying 'I had baked hours before' - is correct... however, some of the other 'had' and 'that' are super extra, and i'm looking through the entire MS now cutting out the extra words. i'm fairly comfortable with the first 8 chapters... but ya, it'll never be perfect..

thanks for the advice and the kind words!

thank you for backing me Duncan :)

:) at my service, you say?

haha pleasure to meet you, Little Plastic Man

Hi Duncan,

I just wanted to write a quick note to say thank you for your kind comments and backing. It's really appreciated.

I've added your book to my WL and will give you some honest critique before the end of the week.
I'm currently editing Limerence so i'm a little behind with my reads.

Thanks again.

Claire C Riley
Limerence

Just had a thought you might find interesting since you are fond of Dickens. I don't want to give the end of the story away just yet, but he (Dickens) did in fact travel up from London to view the outcome of Rush!
Margaret. x