Hobby Thread - November 30, 2024 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb for the last whispers of November. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread.

We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) a spin and it landed on a theme of the written word for this week. Apparently the Wheel is interested in hearing about the talents of the Horde who are clever with the written word. This is NOT a book thread. Repeat. This is NOT a book thread where we debate the contents of our libraries, revel in recent finds, and share regrets of books not yet read. Perfessor Squirrel maintains a marvelous venue elsewhere for that (but check the policy on pants before participating).

This is a thread about a those among the Horde who enjoy writing stories, essays, scripts for the screen, stage or airwaves. This is a thread about those among the Horde who enjoy good poetry, haiku and limericks. Are you the one who comes up with the joke or the dinner toast? Are you silver tongued? Do you write for your own giggles or do you share? Do you keep a notebook with you at all times for random thoughts, rhymes, and sketches? Do you doodle? Do you have a daily writing routine? Do you write in a diary or journal (with instructions to destroy upon your death, no doubt)? Do you write longhand with pen or pencil or write on a computer? Does anyone write on a typewriter? When you write, does your cat need to be RIGHT ON TOP OF WHERE YOU ARE WORKING?

Have you written works that nobody else will ever see? Are you a published author? Are you self published? Have you gone direct to publishing on your own website or substack?

From the left sidebar: the AoSHQ Writers Group has a private online forum for members of the Horde to post their stories seeking beta readers, editing help, brainstorming, and story ideas. Also to share links to potential publishing outlets, writing help sites, and videos posting tips to get published. Contact OrangeEnt for an invite or more info: maildrop62 at proton dot me

TRex has a small dinosaur brain and short arms that make it difficult to come up with words or reach a pen and paper or keyboard. Content below to get the conversation started, but looking for participation from our gray box friends. If meaningful to you, it will be meaningful to the Horde. Do not be shy!

***

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to the written and spoken word. Politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Even though it is arguably religion, college football is fair game. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

***

I asked ChatGPT to write two limericks about AoSHQ.

There once was a site, Ace of Spades,
Where humor and snark never fades.
With a post or a meme,
It reigns supreme,
In the land of sharp wit and charades!
On the web there's a site full of plays,
It's the wild, witty Ace of Spades.
With gossip and flair,
They joke without care,
Keeping trolls in a perpetual daze!

Not bad.

***

What happens when a frog finds a typewriter?

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Self publishing - random resources found on the interwebs. I have never done it but very curious and would like to explore at some point. Any Horde members have knowledge or experience?

A Half Dozen Lessons About Writing and Getting a Book Published

9 Steps to Self Publishing on Amazon: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

Kindle Unlimited Publishing vs. Publishing Wide

How to Self-Publish a Book on Amazon

An Authors Technical Guide to Self-Publishing a Book

Amazon restricts authors from self-publishing more than three books a day after AI concerns

***

Horde poetry:

See the little people,
All among the grass.
Drinking from a flower petal,
Using it for a glass.
A flower pot is their home,
The Flowers are their trees.
I better be careful when I bend down,
Or I'll crush them with my knees.

Thank you NorCal Sierra Foothills Lurker!

***

Writing desks from early American history:

Thomas Jeffersons portable writing desk (of his own design) where he wrote the Declaration of Independence

Alexander Hamiltons Traveling Writing Desk

George Washingtons Writing Desk

***

Do you know the but and therefore rule for storytelling? Trey Parker and Matt Stone, known for South Park and Team America explain here:

***

What is a haiku?

A haiku is a type of Japanese poem that always uses the same number of syllables in a three-line format:

the first line is five syllables
the second line is seven syllables
the third line is five syllables

Unlike other poems, haikus usually do not rhyme.

I asked ChatGPT to write a haiku about the AoSHQ. The results were dreadful. Can the Horde do better?

***

James May Opens Up About The Time He Got Fired From Autocar

May was in charge of putting together the annual Road Test Year Book for the magazine, which included 100 condensed reviews of the cars they tested that year all in one place. The Grand Tour presenter had to edit those reviews down to 150 words each, in order to fit four of them per spread in the magazine.
The task was pretty boring and took several months to complete according to May, so in order to make it less tedious he decided to put in a secret message. Each review started with a big capital letter, a drop cap as it is called, and May edit them in such way that the initials would spell his message.
When punctuated, the message read: So you think its really good, yeah? You should try making the bloody thing up; its a real pain in the arse.

Have you ever planted easter eggs or other hidden messages in your writing?

***

If you are looking for a Christmas gift for your favorite Hordeling, try the Deplorable Gourmet! Contributions by the Horde and CBDs food thread, and assembly and publishing organized by Horde members like BlueBell and Weasel.

TRex wanted to include a few links to sites with gift suggestions for writers. Candidates were fussy, pretentious, trite, excessively expensive, or otherwise unsuitable, so no links here other than the Deplorable Gourmet.

What are you buying for your favorite writer? If you are a writer, what gifts would you suggest? What have others given you that was useful, novel, or meaningful?

***

TRex periodically reads a finance blog called A Wealth of Common Sense. The author, Ben Carlson, has shared thoughts on maintaining the blog and writing in general. Whether or not you are into finance, his thoughts an lessons learned are worth reading:

The Benefits of Writing

10 Years of A Wealth of Common Sense

How to Start a Newsletter

***

Collecting 101: Estimating a George Washington Autograph for Auction

***

Horde Hobby Adoption Idea:

From time to time, a commenter says something about a collection of treasures that need a new home. Usually a relative assembled a collection for passion rather than profit. Things with minimal or modest value are often unbearable to discard or blindly donate to a rummage sale. Examples: stamps, postcards, tools, dolls, matchbox cars, sports memorabilia (like baseball cards), militaria, cookbooks, license plates, etc.

There is a possibility that some among the Horde might want to adopt the collection. Knowing that someone else can handle and potentially enjoy feels a lot better than throwing something sentimental away. TRex is willing to feature one or two a week in the content if there is interest.

TRex can play matchmaker with contact info if otherwise unknown. Logistics for shipping or pickup would be for you to figure out. Parties can work something out privately (like an offering of a nice shrubbery or shipping costs).

Zero desire to create ebay or an estate auction site. Not interested in drama, creating a science project, or arbitrating negotiations or disputes. Life is too short.

Submitters would need to be prepared for the possibility that others may not have interest in their collection. Moderator privilege would apply if submissions or collections are not a good fit for the Hobby Thread. Some things work and some do not.

Yes? No? Great idea? Better in theory than practice?

***

Not writing related, but Matchbox cars qualify as a hobby and the Horde might like seeing this video from 1962 about show they were made:

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Saw these articles and thought about the war gaming thread from a few weeks ago.

Educate the Educators: Institutionalizing Wargames in the Marine Corps Training Command

Progress and Perils: Educational Wargaming in the US Marine Corps By Damien OConnell

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week with a theme of making music? The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Horde submission from JQ of a family heirloom. The drawer for calling cards is clever.

When Dad was in nursing home, an older family friend stopped by to give him an antique photo album. Said she wanted Dad to give it to one of his kids. Photos of Dads parents and grandparents are in it...
I am the proud owner of this slice of family history. Have never seen such a lovely old thing like it, before.
The book part folds up when not in use, revealing a tiny drawer that holds calling cards from visitors. The whole thing is covered in a velvety fabric & has a little painted ceramic cabochon on the front (some wilderness scene I do not recognize).
The photos inside it, are on thick pasteboard (?) and mostly date mid to late 19th century.

Thank you JQ!

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Notable comments from last week:

20241124-Screenshot 2024-11-23 191224.jpg

20241124-Screenshot 2024-11-23 191427.jpg

Honorable mention:

20241124-Screenshot 2024-11-23 190956.jpg

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

***

If words are not your thing and you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different hobby next time. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com Best wishes to all among the Horde adjusting to chilly temps and snow.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 05:30 PM (fwDg9)

2 My only "manifesto" I've ever written was in chalk, on a blackboard in our basement.

When I was 12.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 30, 2024 05:35 PM (Q4IgG)

3 So we can skip the Book Thread tomorrow?

Posted by: mrp at November 30, 2024 05:36 PM (rj6Yv)

4 My writing words is next to horrible
But we do have many talented writers here from books to very witty poetry

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 05:37 PM (fwDg9)

5 Did you hear about the Haikubaru? It's a three row SUV, with 5 seats in the front row, 7 in the middle, and 5 in the last.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 05:37 PM (VNX3d)

6 Oh and of course co-bloggers

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 05:37 PM (fwDg9)

7 Didn't we have a heiku thread once long ago?

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at November 30, 2024 05:38 PM (Wx316)

8 My hobby is watching democrats cry

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 05:38 PM (7kKPC)

9 3 So we can skip the Book Thread tomorrow?

Posted by: mrp at November 30, 2024 05:36 PM (rj6Yv)
***
Negative. Put those thoughts in the barrel and then come back and rejoin.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 05:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

10 5 Did you hear about the Haikubaru? It's a three row SUV, with 5 seats in the front row, 7 in the middle, and 5 in the last.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 05:37 PM (VNX3d)

Lesbian slam poetry? I mean, it's not even 6 PM yet.

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 05:39 PM (7kKPC)

11

I like to write Neanderthal coffee plantation pron!

Posted by: Hunter Bidet at November 30, 2024 05:39 PM (oKYA6)

12 On the subject of blogs - what does the horde think of substack?

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at November 30, 2024 05:39 PM (Wx316)

13 Heh. I find this particularly timely considering the theme of tomorrow's Sunday Morning Book Thread...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:41 PM (BpYfr)

14 I'm not much of a writer, but when #2 son was little we did some comic strips about a couple of rednecks called "Blow Stuff Up". I still have some and they are still pretty funny.

Posted by: fd at November 30, 2024 05:43 PM (vFG9F)

15 Not easy to discount as silly;
More original than Milli Vanilli;
Ace of Spades is the bomb;
The hot chick at the prom;
Then some jerk puts carrots in chili.

Posted by: Orson at November 30, 2024 05:44 PM (dIske)

16 I don't know if this is on-topic or not, but have there been any updates on getting JT the right equipment so he can post again? I know it came up last week, with a lot of people adding ideas.

If it's off topic, I apologize. We've lost a few people over the years, and I don't want anyone who wants to comment here to miss out on the opportunity to amaze, delight, satirize, or confound the rest of us.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 05:44 PM (VNX3d)

17 Hour of the Wolf, it is still being worked on.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 05:45 PM (gGMRM)

18 Thank you for the update, Ben Had, and the work to make it happen.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 05:46 PM (VNX3d)

19 Vmom I don't follow anyone on substance but seem to get links thete which I read all the time

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 05:48 PM (fwDg9)

20 >>>>Heh. I find this particularly timely considering the theme of tomorrow's Sunday Morning Book Thread...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:41 PM (BpYfr)
******
So this is going to be on the test right?

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at November 30, 2024 05:53 PM (X81om)

21 Obviously my phone doesn't recognize Substack

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 05:53 PM (fwDg9)

22 Heh. I find this particularly timely considering the theme of tomorrow's Sunday Morning Book Thread...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:41 PM (BpYfr)
******
So this is going to be on the test right?
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at November 30, 2024 05:53 PM (X81om)
---
Well, you can expect at least one essay question, for sure...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:54 PM (BpYfr)

23 Heh. I find this particularly timely considering the theme of tomorrow's Sunday Morning Book Thread...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:41 PM (BpYfr)
******
So this is going to be on the test right?
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at November 30, 2024 05:53 PM (X81om)
---
Well, you can expect at least one essay question, for sure...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:54 PM (BpYfr)

Prove this chair exists?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 05:54 PM (VNX3d)

24 I so appreciate the talent it takes to create anything from a pun to a novel. Given do-overs I would have collected and written down some of the verbal stories I have heard over the years.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 05:55 PM (gGMRM)

25 Kind of embarrassing to admit but I wrote a paper in college that was ridiculously stupid and shallow about the Lord of the Rings and sold it to guy at another school. It paid for my skiing season pass.

So I'm sort of a published author.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 05:55 PM (LkLld)

26 Kind of embarrassing to admit but I wrote a paper in college that was ridiculously stupid and shallow about the Lord of the Rings and sold it to guy at another school. It paid for my skiing season pass.

So I'm sort of a published author.
Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 05:55 PM (LkLld)
---
Nowadays, you can just ask ChatGPT or another LLM to generate that paper for you--for free!

It will be crap, but you might get a "C" if that's all you need to pass the class.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:57 PM (BpYfr)

27 I wrote for my College newspaper.

Does that count as being published?

Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at November 30, 2024 05:58 PM (XIfwF)

28 Well, you can expect at least one essay question, for sure...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

Answer:

Restate essay question.
Meaninglessly and arbitrarily rehash essay question.
Cobble together a disjointed, woke, jargon-filled conclusion.

Profit.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2024 05:59 PM (WXNFJ)

29 22 So this is going to be on the test right?
Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at November 30, 2024 05:53 PM
---
Well, you can expect at least one essay question, for sure...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 05:54 PM
***
Which is why it pays to do all the homework!!

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

30 Unless you count posting here, I'm certainly not published - not for the written word.

Software manuals wouldn't count, would they? Most people used to use them for doorstops.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:00 PM (VNX3d)

31 Like the writing desk pics. I'm a sucker for stuff like this -- Levenger does a few of these and you can check out their offerings at
https://www.levenger.com/collections/desks-lap-desks
Their catalogs are basically pr0n for pen/paper/etc freaks. Love it.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM (q3u5l)

32 Hello horde,
I need your help. My family has abdicated dinner to me. I have either spaghetti or tacos. When I as which they want, I am told to as the others what they want. So I put it up to the Horde and Hordettes. Spaghetti or Tacos.

Posted by: Picric at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM (13tTk)

33 *Sees nic up top. Puts pants on and sits up straight.*
I used to write a weekly sports column for a local paper. Covering the over 35 baseball team offered MUCH smart-assery material. No byline, but people figured it out. Small town. And thanks for the Hobby Thread, TRex.

Posted by: scampydog at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM (41CYW)

34 Hello horde,
I need your help. My family has abdicated dinner to me. I have either spaghetti or tacos. When I as which they want, I am told to as the others what they want. So I put it up to the Horde and Hordettes. Spaghetti or Tacos.
Posted by: Picric at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM (13tTk)

Bacon shell Tacos!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:02 PM (VNX3d)

35 I'm guilty of being the one to offer the toast, and keeping a notebook at all times to jot down whatever thoughts pop into my head...I too wrote on a college newspaper...but other than that, I just read...and comment...

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 06:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

36 I wrote fanfic for about 25 years. First Star Trek, then Star Wars. Zines were expensive, so I earned most of my collection. But the internet killed the zine scene. It became too easy to push the upload button without the intervention of editors and publishers. Plus people stopped buying print zines because they could read as much as they wanted for free.

Several fan writers went on to become real world writers. I just never was able to make the leap; life ate up too much of my writing time. These days, I just don't have the inclination.

Posted by: Livia Augusta at November 30, 2024 06:03 PM (lAAta)

37 Tacos

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 06:03 PM (fwDg9)

38 >>It will be crap, but you might get a "C" if that's all you need to pass the class.

The worst part is he got a better grade than I did.

That still stings.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 06:03 PM (LkLld)

39 JC, that is perhaps the most beautiful photo album/card holder...and to have photos of your ancestors inside...what an incredible gift...I am quite envious of your good fortune (while at the same time being happy for you!)

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 06:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

40 33 I used to write a weekly sports column for a local paper. Covering the over 35 baseball team offered MUCH smart-assery material. No byline, but people figured it out. Small town.

Posted by: scampydog at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM
***
This is outstanding. Love it. This is what local papers need - and national papers can't replicate.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

41 Thanks, TRex!

Dad would be proud to see his heirloom posted here. He lived a Moron Life (in the good ways).

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:06 PM (YoCnN)

42 I was looking for a simple address book (which can no longer be found) and I ran across a book that had a topic for everyday to either jot down thoughts or draw a simple sketch. Fun idea.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:06 PM (gGMRM)

43 The worst part is he got a better grade than I did.
That still stings.
Posted by: JackStraw
---------
LOL. Can relate. Guy cheated off me all semester in college. I signed him in as present when he was not in class. He got a better grade than me and he still reminds me of it all these years later.

Posted by: scampydog at November 30, 2024 06:07 PM (41CYW)

44 Two for Tacos. Wolf I save my bacon to wrap things in.
Bacon wrapped corn
Bacon wrapped dates
Bacon wrapped Mushrooms
Bacon wrapped Green Beans

Posted by: Picric at November 30, 2024 06:07 PM (13tTk)

45 39/
I really meant JQ...apologies, too many Christmas ornaments distracting me....

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 06:07 PM (IQ6Gq)

46 As for writing, I don't do enough -- several projects in the works, mostly stalled right now but expect to have some of 'em back underway this month or next. Have done a novel and some short stories through the Kindle store, one story in an anthology called NOTHING edited by Hannah Kate that's available in the Kindle store and maybe still in paperback too. Couple of other anthology submissions (near misses that I haven't done anything else with just yet).

Not counting things written in college and in the 70s which, if God truly loves humanity, will never be seen by anyone ever again.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 06:08 PM (q3u5l)

47 Third vote for tacos....

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 06:08 PM (IQ6Gq)

48 I need your help. My family has abdicated dinner to me. I have either spaghetti or tacos. When I as which they want, I am told to as the others what they want. So I put it up to the Horde and Hordettes. Spaghetti or Tacos.
Posted by: Picric at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM (13tTk)
---
Those are not mutually exclusive...Embrace the power of "AND"!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 06:09 PM (BpYfr)

49 So I put it up to the Horde and Hordettes. Spaghetti or Tacos.

Posted by: Picric at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM (13tTk)

Put taco seasoning in the spaghetti sauce. Taco Spaghetti. Boom!

Posted by: Emeril at November 30, 2024 06:09 PM (K1HkL)

50 Well, I write sermons ,of course and sometimes calls to worship and prayers. I have written plays for Sunday School classes and youth groups, and I wrote a sermon about the life of Susannah Wesley, who was the inspirational, strong minded mother of
of John and Charles Wesley who started the Methodist movement. I performed in the show for a number of years, but Covid ended that. No, I don’t think I’d ever try to get any of that published.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 06:10 PM (nQdTP)

51 Grateful, a friend and I have a tradition of making a Christmas ornament to exchange every year. This will be year # 50.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:10 PM (gGMRM)

52 BH, that is a fantastic tradition. I would imagine that's quite a collection, and priceless at that.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM (IQ6Gq)

53 I had an article accepted for The Linux Journal which ceased publication before it could be printed.

I, therefore, have been responsible for the demise of at least one print publication.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM (iZEhM)

54
Put spaghetti in taco shells... Double Starch!!!

And you stand a pretty good chance of never having to fix dinner again.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM (eDfFs)

55 My one attempt at a novel, historical adventure, never got published although I believe it came close. Probably the most creative writing I did that saw the light of day was doing a weekly column for a local newspaper. The topics were anything I wanted from my reaction to the first shuttle launch after the Challenger disaster to kitchen rules for single guys. I was a stringer for the paper doing stories of local interest (new or unusual businesses and programs open to the public) rather than hard news. My articles didn't call for much creativity but the writing had to be effective. It was pleasing when I learned that my pieces made a difference.

Sadly, that newspaper, like many others, is long gone.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM (yTvNw)

56 I make a tradition of making an ornament for three younger cousins for St Nicholas Day....the intent is when they move out and have their own first tree, it won't be empty!

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 06:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

57 Three views also of Hamilton and Washington's traveling desks is a better idea.

Posted by: Braenyard - some absent friends are more equal than others at November 30, 2024 06:14 PM (ifF+b)

58 One of my favorite classes in graduate school was a course on how to teach "creative nonfiction."

I'd never given it much thought, but I really enjoyed writing in that genre. We had to write several samples exploring different aspects of storytelling, such as chronology, setting, point-of-view, etc.

Quite fun!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 06:14 PM (BpYfr)

59 Meant “wrote a one woman about the life of Susannah Wesley”

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 06:14 PM (nQdTP)

60 I own one of these writing desks. It stays in my trailer and I like to go out there and write a bit

https://a.co/d/fpp2xuc

I journal in a standard sized Traveler's notebook, with three of the lightweight paper inserts. Date on the top with high and low temp for the day. I don't have a lot of exciting things to write about so this works. I can run over to a second page if I need it. I save them in a binder designed for them. I have journaled in lots of different notebooks, which I still have. The notebook in the writing desk was one that I didn't fill so it has stuff from three completely different years.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 06:15 PM (gfViB)

61 >>LOL. Can relate. Guy cheated off me all semester in college. I signed him in as present when he was not in class. He got a better grade than me and he still reminds me of it all these years later.

Fist bump.

We shall get our reward in Valhalla.

Although I have to admit the skiing was awesome.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 06:15 PM (LkLld)

62 Grateful, how wonderful. Bringing out those favorites really makes the spirit come alive.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:16 PM (gGMRM)

63 Many of those old pictures, are of "shirt-tail" relatives. The lady who gave the album to Dad, was married to one of his (second?) cousins. Or something like that?

There is a wedding photo of Dad's parents, but I didn't provide a pic of that. A large copy of that pic, in an antique (you know: the oval, with convex glass type) frame was stolen from Dad's house. It must've sold out of some pawn/antique place FAST. I want to *cause harm* to the person what stole it.

Anyway-- I've yet to carefully remove the photos, and see if there's anything written on the backs. Afraid to tear the photo sleeves!

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:16 PM (YoCnN)

64 And for the record, TRex has neither a small brain or tiny hands, and is a most accomplished writer. No books to date, although ideas are in the works. But his work has been published in periodicals that will forever live in the Porsche Archives in Stuttgart Germany.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 06:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

65 Dogs and a Deer

https://tinyurl.com/msdy59s4

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 06:17 PM (7kKPC)

66 Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM (yTvNw)

That’s great! Sounds very interesting

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 06:18 PM (nQdTP)

67 Ben Had, would these work?

https://tinyurl.com/nnzhmw5e

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 06:19 PM (gfViB)

68 >>Dogs and a Deer

Fantastic.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 06:19 PM (LkLld)

69 53 I, therefore, have been responsible for the demise of at least one print publication.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM
***
Well, you kind of guest contributed to the Hobby Thread, so maybe we've broken the jinx?

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

70 I'm no writer-- my mind would always blank when we had in-class "creative writing" assignments.

Funny, because Mom taught college English and Technical Writing courses.

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:21 PM (YoCnN)

71 69 53 I, therefore, have been responsible for the demise of at least one print publication.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM
***
Well, you kind of guest contributed to the Hobby Thread, so maybe we've broken the jinx?

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

He certainly hasn't ticked off any of Pixy's hamsters!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:21 PM (VNX3d)

72 So I put it up to the Horde and Hordettes. Spaghetti or Tacos.

Posted by: Picric at November 30, 2024 06:01 PM (13tTk)

Put taco seasoning in the spaghetti sauce. Taco Spaghetti. Boom!
Posted by: Emeril

This is how they do tacos in Cincinnati.
Similar to their chili.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at November 30, 2024 06:22 PM (/lPRQ)

73 I made living as a technical and business writer. Like the newspaper and magazine articles I had published, they didn't call for a lot of creativity but had to be effective. (Although some of those government proposals could get pretty creative.) Writing under tight deadlines doesn't leave room for imaginative or creative approaches. Bummer. Clarity and organization were more important.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 06:22 PM (yTvNw)

74 The photo album is wonderful! Make sure that everyone is identified. As generations pass, names and reletionships are forgotten. Auctions often have family albums in them because no one remembers who they are.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 06:22 PM (XeU6L)

75 As for typewriters, I have them and am looking into using them more. There is a site called Typepals, where you can write to folks using your typewriter. It is fun and I'm writing to a woman in CO. Really is nice and I need to expand that.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 06:23 PM (gfViB)

76 Notsothoreau, yes it would. Thank You so much.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:23 PM (gGMRM)

77 Ugh. Have to go make a phone call that I do not want to make.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 06:24 PM (XeU6L)

78 I haven't tried creative writing since school... and I'm not revealing how long ago that was. I have ideas, just not the ability to translate them into interesting works.

So, I'm left with the jokes and jests I post here for the most part.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:24 PM (VNX3d)

79 73 I made living as a technical and business writer. Like the newspaper and magazine articles I had published, they didn't call for a lot of creativity but had to be effective.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 06:22 PM
***
Technical writing is extremely difficult to do well. Simplify and explain. Respect to your skills if you did that as a profession.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

80 73 I made living as a technical and business writer. Like the newspaper and magazine articles I had published, they didn't call for a lot of creativity but had to be effective.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 06:22 PM
***
Technical writing is extremely difficult to do well. Simplify and explain. Respect to your skills if you did that as a profession.
Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:25 PM (IQ6Gq)
---
A coworker has shared a story about working at his old job where they'd hire CREATIVE writers when he kept telling them they needed TECHNICAL writers to help them with their products. They never listened to him.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 06:26 PM (BpYfr)

81 The photo album is wonderful! Make sure that everyone is identified. As generations pass, names and reletionships are forgotten. Auctions often have family albums in them because no one remembers who they are.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.
----

Thank you, Mike. It is a beauty.

Even Dad didn't know all those people. Neither did the lady who gave it.. Now, I'm not aware of anyone left to ask.

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:27 PM (YoCnN)

82 I made living as a technical and business writer.
-------

Having been engaged in R&D through most of my life, I found that conveying information to the technical writers of the manuals for equipment was a a bit of a task. One must be constantly vigilant regarding the absence of technical knowledge on their part. This is not a criticism, just an observation.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 06:28 PM (XeU6L)

83 I, therefore, have been responsible for the demise of at least one print publication.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:12 PM

Well, you kind of guest contributed to the Hobby Thread, so maybe we've broken the jinx?
Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:19 PM

Perhaps, but out of an abundance of caution I chose to not submit anything to the AoSHQ cookbook.

Oh, I do have one piece of advice for writers. Use pronouns sparingly. Every time you use one, there's the chance that the reader will fail to understand who you are talking about. It's almost never a mistake to replace a pronoun with its referent. When I'm writing a document, I often make a clarifying pass where I look for ambiguous references and replace them.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:28 PM (iZEhM)

84 Technical writing is extremely difficult to do well. Simplify and explain. Respect to your skills if you did that as a profession.
Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

I've worked with great technical writers and marginal technical writers. Sometimes I'd have to rewrite what the technical writer had created because it wasn't correct.

My hat's off to those who do it well. It's a specialized skillset, and wonderful to work with those who do it well.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:29 PM (VNX3d)

85 Even Dad didn't know all those people. Neither did the lady who gave it.. Now, I'm not aware of anyone left to ask.
Posted by: JQ
------

Yup, that's how it happens.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 06:29 PM (XeU6L)

86 Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:21 PM (YoCnN

Well, we have something in common. My mother was an English professor and my dad as well. She kept journals for years and years but it seemed toobpersonal to read them so I threw them out. She also saved funny errors and typos from her students. One was from a quote from Shakespeare’s Richard II. The student wrote, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crow.” It’s supposed to be “crown” of course, but mom got a laugh thinking of a crow perched on somebody’s head. “That would make somebody uneasy, she said.”

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 06:29 PM (7qkbg)

87 Darn, I'm sorry I missed the start of this hobby thread! I've wanted to be a writer ever since I learned what those little bugs on the paper (to quote Tarzan) meant. I've written probably millions of words, most of them less than deathless, with pen or typewriter, a manual I still have but never use, and lately with computer and software.

As some of you know, a couple of my short stories have been picked up by anthologies, including one from Raconteur Press; and I have a mystery novel being considered seriously by a publisher called Left Field. Yes, I know, consider the name, but who knows what might happen.

I am, however, seriously planning to offer some of my other long works in the self-publishing realm, so the links TRex added above will be very helpful.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 30, 2024 06:30 PM (omVj0)

88 I iz writer!

It's a cheap hobby, really. At minimum, pencil, paper, flat surface (avec cat unless you deploy Decoy Books/keyboard). As someone almost 29, I remember the bad old days of typing and correction fluid/tape and I am profoundly grateful for word processing software and computers. Even if they did kill off WordPerfect and I still haven't come to terms with that ...

And speaking of computers, I have on my own re-homed old laptops I no longer needed to help aspiring writers. (I work in the software industry so I have a LOT of computers and just cull the bottom layer. Maybe not as many computers as Pixy but more than a normal person.) Anyway, maybe there could also be a "Desperate Writer Seeking *technobobble*" kind of post? People with extra gear and people who need extra gear?

I've written a lot, published a good bit, and know a few things about the process and industry. Please feel free to ask questions!

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 30, 2024 06:31 PM (5ILy6)

89 A coworker has shared a story about working at his old job where they'd hire CREATIVE writers when he kept telling them they needed TECHNICAL writers to help them with their products. They never listened to him.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

The bosses were used to reading budgets from on high. Therefore, they were only familiar with fiction.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2024 06:33 PM (WXNFJ)

90 I love great songs. I have zero musical talent but I do love it.

Imagine being able to write something that is only a few minutes long that can be put to music and touches millions of people.

It seems to extract a heavy toll but what a gift. I'm in awe of people who can do that.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 06:33 PM (LkLld)

91 I enjoy writing so much I examined the instructor's prior syllabuses to make sure there were no term papers required. I succeeded and never wrote a term paper through 3 degrees. Yes I am proud.
I have written instruction manuals for hardware communication software. My measurement for success was not having people contact me to explain any of the manuals. I was mostly successful.
My one failure was, just before a manual went to print, the technical writer came to me and asked if really wanted to post my bosses home phone number with a 'call any time 365 by 24' sentence.
(earlier the boss had chewed me out for something and said 'I read everything that goes out of this company' so I took him at his word. I also deleted the line from the manual after ascertaining I could just get one proof copy with his phone number in it, sigh.)

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 06:33 PM (oOwIn)

92 A coworker has shared a story about working at his old job where they'd hire CREATIVE writers when he kept telling them they needed TECHNICAL writers to help them with their products. They never listened to him.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

The bosses were used to reading budgets from on high. Therefore, they were only familiar with fiction.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2024 06:33 PM (WXNFJ)

That sounds very close to government accounting, or Bistromathics.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:34 PM (VNX3d)

93 I wrote fanfic for about 25 years. First Star Trek, then Star Wars. Zines were expensive, so I earned most of my collection. But the internet killed the zine scene. It became too easy to push the upload button without the intervention of editors and publishers. Plus people stopped buying print zines because they could read as much as they wanted for free. . . .

Posted by: Livia Augusta at November 30, 2024

***
Livia, I've never done Trek or SW fan fiction, but I have done a number of Man From U.N.C.L.E. stories and one for Girl From U.N.C.L.E.. Unlike a lot of fan fictioneers, I tried to tell a real story, a la a magazine story, with a beginning, middle, and end, and with real suspense. However, mine also feature the focus character, Solo, Illya, or April Dancer, learning something about himself or about the world -- without hitting the reader over the head, I hope. I flatter myself that each of my scripts would have made a good episode of the show.

Three of mine have appeared in fanzines for the show.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 30, 2024 06:35 PM (omVj0)

94 I hope I don't screw this up. Sitting in bar one night with a legend in our industry he told this story. John was training horses in a place in Arizona when his elderly Mother came to visit him. Mom noticed that there was a team of mules and a wagon on the ranch and she told John that she would love to take a ride on the wagon out into the desert. Now this wagon was used to carry the muck from the stalls.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:35 PM (gGMRM)

95 Dad spent his last years going through old photos & slides. I gave him a device that could "read" slides and 35mm film so he could save to computer. Too bad he didn't finish the task, but there's a lot on his old computer.

I have it, but no place to set it up. Yet.

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:36 PM (YoCnN)

96 I iz writer!

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 30, 2024 06:31 PM

Why, yes. Yes, you are. Saw you talking about your books on the Sunday morning book thread many years ago, so I bought some.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:37 PM (iZEhM)

97 Willowed from the Gardening Thread:

I may have gone a bit crazy in ordering Spring Bulbs this year, but I want to be able to look out the window by my chair and see lots of pretty flowers as spring arrives this year.

Will leave it to our yard service to plant them all.

Told Mr. TiFW that I am going to be spending lots of money over the next few months and then he won't have to worry about it any more. Unless the next Mrs. iFW is a bigger spender than I am 🤣🤣🤣

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth - AoS Ladies' Brigade plucky comic relief. Eat the cheesecake, buy the yarn. at November 30, 2024 06:37 PM (SRRAx)

98 I am glad I went to school before the technical age and could still hand in hand written papers in college. In seminary they had to be typed but my husband kindly did that for me as he types much better and more quickly than I do.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 06:37 PM (8vKhJ)

99 Please note proofreading is no longer part of my writing skill (if it ever was).

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 06:37 PM (oOwIn)

100 I have a number of people I "follow" on Substack. There is an enormous amount of talent out there.

As for the idea, you would have to ask the writers but for a reader it's like free stuff.

There are some I would subscribe to if I had any money.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at November 30, 2024 06:37 PM (QB+5g)

101 I do like to analyze songs, or at least try. Some are without meaning

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 06:38 PM (fwDg9)

102 The writing I do these days, like my drawing, is for my amusement only: essays. I enjoy putting ideas on paper in ways that are enjoyable to read and, hopefully, would lead to further speculation about the topic. (Beware the rabbit holes.) Never been sure if this is a personality thing or if I'm channeling Montaigne.

My preferred method is to use fountain pens. I enjoy the way they glide across the paper, adding a tactile aspect to the writing. I have a few that just feel right in my hand. And fountain pens encourage me to slow down and consider each word which is part of the pleasure. Depending on my mood I've even gone to a quill or dip pen and bottled ink. Definitely hobby writing.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 06:38 PM (yTvNw)

103 91 earlier the boss had chewed me out for something and said 'I read everything that goes out of this company' so I took him at his word.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 06:33 PM
***
I love technical writing with a slightly subversive flavor or sprinkled with references that are meaningless to some but hilarious to those that get it.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

104 I made living as a technical and business writer. Like the newspaper and magazine articles I had published, they didn't call for a lot of creativity but had to be effective. [ ... ] Clarity and organization were more important.

Well then you definitely didn't write any of the tech manuals that I've ever read.

Posted by: Oddbob at November 30, 2024 06:39 PM (0eKJD)

105 "Describe yourself in 6 words or less"

Concise.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 06:39 PM (MeG8a)

106 I drank your milkshake.
You left it sitting right there.
What did you expect?

a haiku from your dog

Posted by: Eromero at November 30, 2024 06:40 PM (jgmnb)

107 hilarious to those that get it.
Posted by: TRex

The guy who was about to send the manual out for publishing 'got it' just fine after he found out it was my boss's phone number.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 06:40 PM (oOwIn)

108 For the last 10 years of my career at Monster International Financial Services Firm, I wrote Business Requirement Documents for a Bank's Division. Unsurprisingly, the big bosses decided that any complete BSD had to have a minimum length. If memory serves, 100 pages.

More than a few times, I had to fluff it up with "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.. . . . ." to meet the minimum.

No one ever called me out on it.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 30, 2024 06:40 PM (WXNFJ)

109 Longbows or crossbows
A smart military blog
Cruel Ace is best

Posted by: Heidi at November 30, 2024 06:40 PM (5LAwZ)

110 Not sure why I stopped buying from Levegers. Mostly I like Baum-Kuchen

https://tinyurl.com/4k2xcwm3

There's just something about having nice writing gear. Some of the things are expensive (like the Superior Labor stuff). It's a weakness

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 06:40 PM (gfViB)

111 "Describe yourself in 6 words or less"

Concise.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 06:39 PM (MeG8a)

Live Human Male.

In 300-400 years, I might need to replace that with "Dead Human Male."

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:41 PM (VNX3d)

112 Oh, and another piece of advice on writing: If someone tells you that there's a problem with something you wrote, they're probably right. If someone tells how how to fix a problem with something you wrote, they're probably wrong.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:41 PM (iZEhM)

113 Sabrina,

I've seen your postings on A Literary Horde from time to time, and have always wanted to ask. Do you know anything about this publisher Left Field?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at November 30, 2024 06:41 PM (omVj0)

114 102 The writing I do these days, like my drawing, is for my amusement only: essays. I enjoy putting ideas on paper in ways that are enjoyable to read and, hopefully, would lead to further speculation about the topic. (Beware the rabbit holes.) Never been sure if this is a personality thing or if I'm channeling Montaigne.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 06:38 PM
***
This is worth highlighting. Even if you never publish, the mere act of working through the thoughts and being able to put them into clear words is often the best way to understand the subject matter or refine what you think and why you think it.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:41 PM (IQ6Gq)

115 "Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

Posted by: Raoul Ortega at November 30, 2024 06:42 PM (1SaUl)

116 Oh, and hobby (but not written word) related - I have told the Daughters of TiFW that I will do my best to get the other 4 cross stitch Christmas stocking designs worked up for future grandchildren if I have the time and the ability. I will have to leave the name fields blank, but a friend's DIL who does cross stitch has said that she would be willing to complete them as needed.

There is a shop in town that "finishes" stockings; it is mostly a needlepoint store, but they have finished all of my other stockings without any quibbling 😊♥️

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth - AoS Ladies' Brigade plucky comic relief. Eat the cheesecake, buy the yarn. at November 30, 2024 06:42 PM (SRRAx)

117 >>I do like to analyze songs, or at least try. Some are without meaning

Me too. Some are tissue. Some are magic.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 06:42 PM (LkLld)

118
No one ever called me out on it.
Posted by: Tonypete

Well it did what you intended: it didn't provide any information while proving no one read your efforts.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 06:43 PM (oOwIn)

119 "Describe yourself in 6 words or less"

Concise.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 06:39 PM (MeG8a)
---
I've used this exercise in my class. I've asked my students to describe their college experience in 6 words or less.

Conciseness and clarity was the point.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 06:43 PM (BpYfr)

120 Frankly, I got nothin' to contribute here but thanks for the thread, TRex.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at November 30, 2024 06:43 PM (mH6SG)

121 Jet pens is a good company and ships fast from CA (even though they have a lot of Japanese stuff)

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 06:44 PM (gfViB)

122 I have a Photo book like that, it has all my Grandfather's photo album. It has Pictures of my Great Great Grandfather that served in the Civil war and the Bar where he worked in Lancaster County PA. My Grandfather has his first Picture of himself wearing long pants, which was a big deal. I am worried about the album if I need to better preserve it

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 30, 2024 06:45 PM (CLfFk)

123 "I've asked my students to describe their college experience in 6 words or less."

Great except for the classes.

Posted by: fd at November 30, 2024 06:45 PM (vFG9F)

124 I used to love using fountain pens, but I haven't used one for years.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 06:45 PM (8vKhJ)

125 Carrots in chili?
Syrup on French toast a must!
Sou vide no way

Posted by: Heidi at November 30, 2024 06:46 PM (5LAwZ)

126 Unbeknownst to John the stall cleaners would load the wagon and drive out until they were out of sight of the barn and then whip those mules until they ran so hard that all of the muck fell out of the wagon. John says "sure Mom, I'll take you for a drive"
The ensuing tale of John trying to hang onto Mom when those mules hit the run and dump spot had us crying with laughter. The man could tell a tale.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:46 PM (gGMRM)

127 106 I drank your milkshake.
You left it sitting right there.
What did you expect?

a haiku from your dog

Posted by: Eromero at November 30, 2024 06:40 PM (jgmnb)
***
Good poetry is evergreen and reveals a great and universal truth. Substitute "milkshake" for anything else edible. Well done, Sir.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:46 PM (IQ6Gq)

128 "Describe yourself in 6 words or less"

An enigma.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at November 30, 2024 06:47 PM (mH6SG)

129 Six words or less, huh?

Okay...

"Just Some Guy"

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 06:48 PM (q3u5l)

130 My writing aspirations were extinguished in high school when I turned in an absolutely awesome creative writing assignment and only got a B.

Posted by: fd at November 30, 2024 06:48 PM (vFG9F)

131 I had missed the Music hobby Thread. Thanks OB for mentioning ukuleles. Because of arthritis in my chord hand I had trouble playing the guitar. And fell in love with ukes in Hawaii. They are easy to play, versatile, and portable and I've collected several .

Unfortunately, all I got was mocked here by guitar musicians. I've moved on to simple piano blues because of thumb issues.

Don't be a hater. Lol!

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 06:48 PM (5LAwZ)

132 "Describe yourself in 6 words or less"

Glib

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at November 30, 2024 06:49 PM (QB+5g)

133 "Jackass. With five words left to sell."

Posted by: Oddbob at November 30, 2024 06:49 PM (0eKJD)

134 I am sort of writing/writer-adjacent - my little sister was the editor of The Battalion, the student newspaper at Texas A&M, her senior year (back in 1984). She majored in journalism while there.

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth - AoS Ladies' Brigade plucky comic relief. Eat the cheesecake, buy the yarn. at November 30, 2024 06:49 PM (SRRAx)

135 119 I've used this exercise in my class. I've asked my students to describe their college experience in 6 words or less. Conciseness and clarity was the point.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 06:43 PM
***
Applicable for resumes too. Giving me a three page novella for a resume with micro details does not help your cause. Act like you've been there.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM (IQ6Gq)

136 "Describe yourself in 6 words or less"

I'm just this guy, you know?

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM (iZEhM)

137 I am worried about the album if I need to better preserve it
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio
-------

Perhaps, make a companion book that describes each photo-- person, event, date, etc.

Also, put the album where it won't be in direct sunlight! My book is quite faded, but of course could be worse. I have no idea how it was stored before Dad got it.

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM (YoCnN)

138 131 I had missed the Music hobby Thread. Thanks OB for mentioning ukuleles. Because of arthritis in my chord hand I had trouble playing the guitar. And fell in love with ukes in Hawaii. They are easy to play, versatile, and portable and I've collected several .

Unfortunately, all I got was mocked here by guitar musicians. I've moved on to simple piano blues because of thumb issues.

Don't be a hater. Lol!
Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 06:48 PM (5LAwZ)

We recently purchased tickets to go see The Ukuleke Orchestra of Great Britain when they come to Galveston in April - VERY excited!!!!

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth - AoS Ladies' Brigade plucky comic relief. Eat the cheesecake, buy the yarn. at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM (SRRAx)

139 I think Echos From an Old Hollow Tree is one of the writers on Substack and X. I like Hickman's Hinterlands too. His wife's is Polite Company.

I do subscribe but had to cut back on things I wasn't reading. There is a lot of interesting stuff and I like to support writers when I can.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM (gfViB)

140 six words or less. My way or the highway.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:52 PM (gGMRM)

141 106 LOVE IT!

Posted by: Heidi at November 30, 2024 06:53 PM (5LAwZ)

142 Heidi,, hugs sweet lady.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:54 PM (gGMRM)

143 130 My writing aspirations were extinguished in high school when I turned in an absolutely awesome creative writing assignment and only got a B.

Posted by: fd at November 30, 2024 06:48 PM
***
Fred Smith's business idea was panned by his college professor. He founded FedEx.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:54 PM (IQ6Gq)

144 Hobby mockers suck
Shove your guitar up your arse
Ukuleles rule

Too angry?

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 06:54 PM (5LAwZ)

145 Applicable for resumes too. Giving me a three page novella for a resume with micro details does not help your cause. Act like you've been there.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM

Following the advice on YouTube, I edited my resume down to two pages a year ago, but I found that during interviews I was talking about stuff that wasn't on the shortened one, so I went back to the full four-page one.

Which got me the rocket science job. That's pretty cool.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:54 PM (iZEhM)

146 I drank your milkshake.
You left it sitting right there.
What did you expect?

a haiku from your dog
----------

LMAO!

First line could be adapted many ways--

"I ate your pork chop"
"I stole your shoe"
...

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:56 PM (YoCnN)

147 122 I have a Photo book like that, it has all my Grandfather's photo album.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 30, 2024 06:45 PM
***
Wow. Just wow.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 06:56 PM (IQ6Gq)

148 Re: Left Field publishers -- Never heard of them before, for good or bad. Didn't recognize any of the faces (I've been involved in the Seattle writing scene for years) or the books they list as theirs.

Services listed seem pretty standard, but you'd need to learn how people who used them think about it.

No red flags showed up for me, but like I said, never heard of them before.

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at November 30, 2024 06:56 PM (5ILy6)

149 Oh, good heavens - I scribbled embarrassingly derivative fan fiction as an early teen, kept a diary, wanted to be a writer from early on. I sort of blundered into blogging, and it turned out that there were people who loved-loved-loved the stuff that I wrote... "You like me! You really like me!"
It was the blog fans who encouraged me to dip a toe into writing the book-length genre that I really loved - historical fiction. I can only think that I got the million words of crap writing out of my system (through blogging, and before that, working for Armed Forces Radio), before I got into publishing ... and there I am, a small-company publishing owner, and a small regional-interest writer.
Wouldn't have had it any other way.

Posted by: Sgt. Mom at November 30, 2024 06:56 PM (Ew3fm)

150 Oops ~~"I stole your shoe"~~

"I destroyed your shoe"

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:57 PM (YoCnN)

151 Theresa. UOoGB cracks me up. Psycho Killer, Teen Spirit by Nirvana. Hilarious and well done.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 06:58 PM (5LAwZ)

152 Teresa haven't watched them in a long time but a few years ago they were on my weekly play list.

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 06:58 PM (fwDg9)

153 I drank your milkshake.
You left it sitting right there.
What did you expect?

a haiku from your dog
----------

OMG. Excellent! Lol.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 06:59 PM (5LAwZ)

154 Oops "I stole your shoe"

"I destroyed your shoe"
Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:57 PM (YoCnN)

"I stole your slipper"

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 06:59 PM (VNX3d)

155 TRex's short arms
Reach the keyboard for fine words
To share with Morons.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:00 PM (VNX3d)

156 145 Following the advice on YouTube, I edited my resume down to two pages a year ago, but I found that during interviews I was talking about stuff that wasn't on the shortened one, so I went back to the full four-page one.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 06:54 PM
***
I suspect your resume is packed with substance. Most of the long ones I see are word vomit. They including everything they've touched, trying to make up for quality by adding quantity.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

157 Thanks for today's hobby thread TRex.

And thanks for posting my album!

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 07:01 PM (YoCnN)

158 I'm sitting right here
While you eat in front of me
Fuq is wrong with you ?

Posted by: Black Lab at November 30, 2024 07:01 PM (7kKPC)

159 Heidi,, hugs sweet lady.
Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 06:54 PM (gGMRM)

Ben Had! Hugs a plenty back at you!

Posted by: Heidi at November 30, 2024 07:01 PM (5LAwZ)

160 I still remember an exercise from high school. You had to day what profession you wanted to go into and list the tools and skills you needed. I said I wanted to be a writer and I would need paper and a pencil. I don't think that's what they were looking for.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 07:02 PM (gfViB)

161 Perhaps, make a companion book that describes each photo-- person, event, date, etc.

Also, put the album where it won't be in direct sunlight! My book is quite faded, but of course could be worse. I have no idea how it was stored before Dad got it.
Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM (YoCnN)

It's not in Sunlight, right now it's in my Fireproof Safe, I might try and find a Photo archivist and have them take a look.

I also have my GrandFathers Photo's from the 20 when he was in the Navy, and he went to Australia and New Zealand and he has a picture with a real head hunter.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 30, 2024 07:02 PM (CLfFk)

162 I pooped on your pillow
And I'm not saying why
You figure it out

-- a haiku from your cat

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 07:02 PM (q3u5l)

163 155 TRex's short arms
Reach the keyboard for fine words
To share with Morons.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:00 PM
****

**SNORT**

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

164 BH, I have always respected someone who can tell a good story or yarn. No different than writing, just a different means.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

165 Snow falls so gently
Masking fallen poop left aground
Until stepped upon

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:04 PM (VNX3d)

166 NOW we're getting to the Horde poetry I was expecting...

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

167 Following the advice on YouTube, I edited my resume down to two pages a year ago

I'm revising mine Just In Case and trying to get it onto one page. Removed all the details from jobs 20+ years ago except names and dates. The specific tasks and tech are stuff that nobody would care about even if they did happen to recognize it.

Posted by: Oddbob at November 30, 2024 07:06 PM (XlcU8)

168 ...wait, shouldn't it be an essay about whether to do tacos or spaghetti? A paragraph, at least....

Posted by: Barkingmad59, wandering lurkette at November 30, 2024 07:06 PM (hBG3V)

169 74 The photo album is wonderful! Make sure that everyone is identified. As generations pass, names and reletionships are forgotten. Auctions often have family albums in them because no one remembers who they are.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.
---

I have about fifty from the mid-late 19th century forward. The last person who could identify persons pictured died in 1982. They are all mounted on that hard surface that JQ mentioned. I've held them at all angles with different lighting looking for an indention or a hint.

From the same era there is, about the sized of a calling card, a stock piece with a hundred little slices makes a beautiful design that creates an oval frame with a woman's name centered. The little card is a work of art.

Posted by: Braenyard - some absent friends are more equal than others at November 30, 2024 07:06 PM (ifF+b)

170 BH, I have always respected someone who can tell a good story or yarn. No different than writing, just a different means.
Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)
---
Storytelling is a craft like any other. It takes time, patience, and practice (lots of practice) to master the skills, regardless of the medium (book, poem, song, video, etc.)

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at November 30, 2024 07:06 PM (BpYfr)

171 Hobby mockers suck
Shove your guitar up your arse
Ukuleles rule

I do sense some unresolved issues

Posted by: Heidi at November 30, 2024 07:06 PM (5LAwZ)

172 I have a small collection of old photo albums, none of them from my family. One came from the dump. I have one that is from a trip to Japan. You can date it only by the big hat and long skirt of one of the women, likely late 1800s. I love looking at the clothes. I have three framed photos from a yard sale. They are marked with the woman's name and were taken before her marriage in 1910. My husband found a relative on Ancestry and was able to post a copy for them.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 07:07 PM (gfViB)

173 >>I suspect your resume is packed with substance. Most of the long ones I see are word vomit. They including everything they've touched, trying to make up for quality by adding quantity.

I've seen a lot of resumes. The most shocking thing to me is not even the content it's the writing.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 07:07 PM (LkLld)

174 114 ... "Even if you never publish, the mere act of working through the thoughts and being able to put them into clear words is often the best way to understand the subject matter or refine what you think and why you think it."

Understanding and refining my thoughts is why I'm attracted to the essay format. It might be a few lines from Shakespeare that resonate with me or why I enjoy handloading ammunition or the confluence of science and imagination. So many possible topics. And no deadlines!

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:07 PM (yTvNw)

175 6 words or less?

Thanks to TRex I guess:

eclectic eccentric with delusions of adequacy

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 07:07 PM (oOwIn)

176 Snow falls so gently
Masking fallen poop left aground
Until stepped upon
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:04 PM (VNX3d)
---
Walking farther on
Buck busy banging a doe
Pause to let them finish

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:07 PM (ZOv7s)

177 Picric's Dilemma:
Serve Spaghetti or Tacos
The Horde says Serve Both!

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:07 PM (VNX3d)

178
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People. He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.

Posted by: SMOD at November 30, 2024 07:08 PM (GITLP)

179 Finally!

Posted by: t-bird at November 30, 2024 07:08 PM (Rd2/L)

180 171 Hobby mockers suck
Shove your guitar up your arse
Ukuleles rule

lol I bought 2 ukeleles as a Christmas present for me and my son.

We're gonna make it big.

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:09 PM (7kKPC)

181 The Resume:

Yeah, here's the Cliff Notes
Resumes are not my life
Shove it up your arse

Too much?

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:09 PM (5LAwZ)

182 158 I'm sitting right here
While you eat in front of me
Fuq is wrong with you ?

Said every Lab ever!

Posted by: Heidi at November 30, 2024 07:09 PM (5LAwZ)

183 178
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People. He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.
Posted by: SMOD at November 30, 2024 07:08 PM (GITLP)

Hells to the Yeeeahhh

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (7kKPC)

184 >>I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Kaboom.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (LkLld)

185 Moderator privilege for breaking political news that the Horde would want to know: Trump picks Kash Patel to head FBI

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (IQ6Gq)

186 I've seen a lot of resumes. The most shocking thing to me is not even the content it's the writing.

It can be truly cringe-worthy.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (mH6SG)

187 We recently purchased tickets to go see The Ukuleke Orchestra of Great Britain when they come to Galveston in April - VERY excited!!!!
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth - AoS Ladies' Brigade plucky comic relief. Eat the cheesecake, buy the yarn. at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM

And now I have, too.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (iZEhM)

188 wow!!!! so glad....amazed really, that Trump chose him! Left will go, if possible, more insane.

Posted by: zigggggy at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (K5Rdg)

189 Kaboom.
Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (LkLld)
---
Can we put actual milk on it this time? That powdered stuff made me sick.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (ZOv7s)

190 88 ... "Even if they did kill off WordPerfect and I still haven't come to terms with that ..."

Sabrina,
You and me both. As mentioned, I don't compose on computers but if I did a simpler program like WordPerfect would meet all of my needs and more.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (yTvNw)

191 Best Haikus are pet perspective Haikus! Thanks all for the laughs!

Posted by: Heidi at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (5LAwZ)

192 Oh, you add water to the powder and then pour it on the cereal. That makes sense.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (ZOv7s)

193 My wife wrote a short book on our experiences raising children. She asked me to write two chapters. I had not written in a long time, but the challenge of writing those two chapters has re-lit that passion to write.

She went with a quasi-self publishing route. We did spend money to hire an editor, which I highly recommend. The editor helped her hone in on the topics of the book and then fixed all the grammar.

A friend did the cover art for us and every year we just have to pay a $50 fee to the publishing house to keep it in print.

While it isn't Shakespeare, her heart was that maybe if it helps one person, then it will have all been worth it.

Lots of people say they are going to do something, very few follow through. I am immensely proud of Mrs. WunderKraut.

Posted by: WunderKraut at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (U2RS2)

194
The bosses were used to reading budgets from on high. Therefore, they were only familiar with fiction.
Posted by: Tonypete
------
One of my favorite single-frame cartoons shows a guy in the background in a hospital bed, partially shielded by a curtain. In the foreground are three doctors huddled together. One of the docs is saying, 'We have to be careful with this one, he's an economist so he is familiar with guesswork'.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 07:12 PM (XeU6L)

195 175 6 words or less?

Thanks to TRex I guess:

eclectic eccentric with delusions of adequacy

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 07:07 PM
***
You could have stopped with two words.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:12 PM (IQ6Gq)

196 It's no mystery that I am 29+
So I wrote my own obituary in advance.
This is something you really don't want others to do.
But my mother is still with us, so I can revise it if I need to.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 07:13 PM (MeG8a)

197 Sabrina,
You and me both. As mentioned, I don't compose on computers but if I did a simpler program like WordPerfect would meet all of my needs and more.
Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (yTvNw)
---
WordPerfect 6.0b was arguably the zenith of word processing. The ability to see and edit the code allowed you see how much garbage was screwing up the formatting. It made for better copy and the size the program was miniscule compared to the garbage being cranked out today.

In those days, disk space was limited so lean coding was the way to go. Oh, and I hate how each new edition of Word has a different default font.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:14 PM (ZOv7s)

198 Kaboom.
Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (LkLld)

I wanna see Mr. Koolaid break through the wall and say “Oh Yeah!!!”

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2024 07:14 PM (W6hoT)

199 lol I bought 2 ukeleles as a Christmas present for me and my son.

We're gonna make it big.

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:09 PM (7kKPC)

Excellent. Heres the name of the group I won't be using now.

"Two Strings Short". Remember me when you're famous.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:15 PM (5LAwZ)

200 I pooped on your pillow
And I'm not saying why
You figure it out

-- a haiku from your cat
Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 07:02 PM (q3u5l)
====

My senior year of college a friend asked me to keep watch over his cat during winter break while I was working on my thesis. He had a big King size bed and the cat pooped on it every day he was away.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at November 30, 2024 07:16 PM (RIvkX)

201 >>It can be truly cringe-worthy.

My career has been mostly about communicating with other people and so are the people I've hired. Or not.

It's astounding what is being produced by 4 years of "higher learning" these days.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 07:16 PM (LkLld)

202 196 It's no mystery that I am 29+
So I wrote my own obituary in advance.
This is something you really don't want others to do.
But my mother is still with us, so I can revise it if I need to.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 07:13 PM (MeG8a)
---
I wrote my obituary after a friend of mine very close in age was killed in a car accident. I update it now and again and resend it to my wife and kids. Memento Mori.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:16 PM (ZOv7s)

203 Andrew McCabe said that Kash Patel would destroy the FBI. I can’t imagine a better endorsement!

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 30, 2024 07:17 PM (W6hoT)

204 190 88 ... "Even if they did kill off WordPerfect and I still haven't come to terms with that ..."

Sabrina,
You and me both. As mentioned, I don't compose on computers but if I did a simpler program like WordPerfect would meet all of my needs and more.
Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (yTvNw)

It looks like it still exists, sort of, maybe, as part of a suite.

wordperfect.com

I remember using it years ago, DOS and Windows, and regretted switching to Word. I still miss Reveal Codes.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:18 PM (VNX3d)

205 124 ... " I used to love using fountain pens, but I haven't used one for years."

Hi Fenelon,
If you have the time to write in longhand there are several excellent and affordable fountain pens out there these days. The Lamy Safari comes to mind. It is light and the steel nib is very responsive. Get the optional converter to use bottled ink all for about 35 bucks. I prefer the fine or extra fine nib for writing. I have pens worth several hundred dollars but the Safari sees regular use.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:18 PM (yTvNw)

206 Mr E, I am now a fan of your poetry. That was fantastic.

AZ Deplorable, eclectic, yes. eccentric, yes. with delusions of adequacy - not remotely.

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 07:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

207 It's no mystery that I am 29+
So I wrote my own obituary in advance.
This is something you really don't want others to do.
But my mother is still with us, so I can revise it if I need to.
Posted by: gourmand
-------

I have pondered this. Undecided at the moment. What has brought the question to mind is that I have discovered so much about people after they passed away. OTOH, what difference does it make?

Winston Churchill: 'History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.'

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 07:19 PM (XeU6L)

208 Three of mine have appeared in fanzines for the show.

Wolfus, I'm sure you're familiar with the Man From U.N.C.L.E. fanzine archive, https://www.mfuarchive.net/. Would you share your pen name of your writings so we can read them?

Posted by: jayhawkone at November 30, 2024 07:19 PM (gSJ0P)

209 I have pondered this. Undecided at the moment. What has brought the question to mind is that I have discovered so much about people after they passed away. OTOH, what difference does it make?

Winston Churchill: 'History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.'
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 07:19 PM (XeU6L)
---
I did it for two reasons. First, it was one less thing for them to worry about when they are grief-stricken and struggling.

Second, I could have a little fun with it to lighten the mood.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:21 PM (ZOv7s)

210 "Even if they did kill off WordPerfect and I still haven't come to terms with that ..."

Sabrina,
You and me both. As mentioned, I don't compose on computers but if I did a simpler program like WordPerfect would meet all of my needs and more.
Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:11 PM (yTvNw)

Apache OpenOffice is a descendant of Lotus Office which is what I learned on. It has all the functionality you need for composing and is not as irritating as an MS product which will try to do things you don't want done as a favor to you because you paid a lot of money for it.

There is some issues for transferring directly to other users who use MS products, but personally I will send things in PDF anyways. (and I use Sumatra for PDFs also)

Posted by: Kindltot at November 30, 2024 07:21 PM (D7oie)

211 WordPerfect User
Lost in the Past with Great Tools
Nothing to replace

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:21 PM (VNX3d)

212 Can't choose what to eat
Can't make everyone happy
I'm not a taco.

Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at November 30, 2024 07:21 PM (GbY9M)

213 The Cat

Pet me pet me please
I promise I won't draw blood
Oops, damn the stray claw

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:21 PM (5LAwZ)

214 I appreciate people who can write by hand, but I was not blessed with good handwriting (short arms and all). I learned to type pretty well. My brain moves faster than I can write. If I could have done my post-high school educational exams on computer rather than blue book, I suspect my grades would have improved. I like drawing boxes and arrows and outlines to help understand something, but I leave the pen and paper behind when transforming into words.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:22 PM (IQ6Gq)

215 It's astounding what is being produced by 4 years of "higher learning" these days.

I was tasked with reviewing a batch of resumes a while back. Every single one went in the infamous "round file". I'm not a prick. I'm willing to give people a chance but when they can't coherently communicate with me on their resume, all bets are off.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at November 30, 2024 07:22 PM (mH6SG)

216 Used Word Perfect for a while early in my computer job -- it wasn't what I learned on and I never really did get used to it, so I can't say I miss it. But if memory serves, it left your screen wonderfully empty of all the annoying menus and prompts and clutter that other programs left there to distract you.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 07:24 PM (q3u5l)

217 Excellent. Heres the name of the group I won't be using now.

"Two Strings Short". Remember me when you're famous.
Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:15 PM (5LAwZ)

We're going with XS Phat

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:24 PM (7kKPC)

218 This a hilarious thread.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:25 PM (5LAwZ)

219 Time to say good night and thank you before the next act takes the AoS stage. As always, thanks for being here and participating. Your stories, wisdom and poetry make this magic. If you're a lurker, thanks for reading. Write any time.

Completely different theme next week. It will be a lot of fun, so y'all come back now, ya' hear?

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

220 Wife is sick in bed so I get to cook dinner.

I already ordered pizza

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:26 PM (7kKPC)

221 We're going with XS Phat

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:24 PM (7kKPC)

You're killing me. LMAO.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:26 PM (5LAwZ)

222 It's no mystery that I am 29+
So I wrote my own obituary in advance.
This is something you really don't want others to do.
But my mother is still with us, so I can revise it if I need to.
Posted by: gourmand

Dad wrote his own, and it was a blessing to me when I was doing his funeral and estate. I am not sure if he was inspired by Mark Twain or just from dealing with estates in his business.
There would have been no way for me to have dug out all that data on his life. Of course he was a joiner of clubs, civic organizations, fraternal organizations, bands, and had changed careers about five times, and obtained degrees or certifications in most of those fields.

Posted by: Kindltot at November 30, 2024 07:26 PM (D7oie)

223 Second, I could have a little fun with it to lighten the mood.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
-----

I knew a guy was hospitalized for some while. He recovered somewhat, but was terminal. He recorded his parting message, and it was played at his funeral. Very dry wit, cracked up the attendees a couple of times. The one comment that I recall was, 'Just because a person in the hospital is unresponsive, that doesn't mean that we don't hear what you are saying...'

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 30, 2024 07:26 PM (XeU6L)

224 Completely different theme next week. It will be a lot of fun, so y'all come back now, ya' hear?
Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

Plaid? Tartan? Ludicrous Speed?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:27 PM (VNX3d)

225 Time to say good night and thank you before the next act takes the AoS stage. As always, thanks for being here and participating. Your stories, wisdom and poetry make this magic. If you're a lurker, thanks for reading. Write any time.

Completely different theme next week. It will be a lot of fun, so y'all come back now, ya' hear?
Posted by: TRex
-------

APPLAUSE!!!!

*throws roses onto the stage*

Posted by: JQ at November 30, 2024 07:27 PM (YoCnN)

226 Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:18 PM (yTvNw

Thanks very much.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 07:27 PM (mL4+M)

227 187 We recently purchased tickets to go see The Ukuleke Orchestra of Great Britain when they come to Galveston in April - VERY excited!!!!
Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth - AoS Ladies' Brigade plucky comic relief. Eat the cheesecake, buy the yarn. at November 30, 2024 06:51 PM

And now I have, too.
Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 30, 2024 07:10 PM (iZEhM)

Ooh - maybe a mini meet-up? We are going with friends, but they could be Morons 😊♥️

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth - AoS Ladies' Brigade plucky comic relief. Eat the cheesecake, buy the yarn. at November 30, 2024 07:28 PM (SRRAx)

228 TRex, Thank you .

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 07:28 PM (gGMRM)

229 I used the freeware modeled on Word Perfect. "Word-Star". And it was pretty damn good.

Oh, and appointing Kash Patel to head the FBI, is along the lines of appointing Simon Wiesenthal as head of the Nazi Party.

Oy Vey!...some things, there, they're gonna change, bubby!

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (Xo+UM)

230 Ben Had

Can you send me an email please.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (LkLld)

231 San Franpsycho at 200 --

Cat pooped on the bed every day? Talk about holding a grudge.

In my case, the cat pooped on my pillow because one week I had the effrontery to try a different brand of cat litter (a futile attempt at odor control). This was apparently an unforgivable transgression, and I never made that mistake again.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (q3u5l)

232 The grandkids have been gone since Tuesday, and I feel like I'm getting my life back. Quiet, peace, thinking, brainstorming.

I tend to do almost all my work on a computer but I will do conceptual stuff on note pads, scratch paper, etc. I keep a pad next to my bed so if I get an idea I don't lose. Sometimes I see stuff in dreams and need to write it down.

This is particularly important in fiction, but sometimes game mechanics are revealed. I recall doing battlewatch a few years ago during an exercise and I passed the time playing solitaire with a deck of cards next to my monitor. I had enough rank and seniority that it was taken as a given that I was a strange duck, so no one said anything.

But those hours of solitaire opened my mind and cracked the mental block about a game mechanic.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (ZOv7s)

233 Wife is sick in bed so I get to cook dinner.

I already ordered pizza

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:26 PM (7kKPC)

You mean.

Wife is sick in bed
I had to order pizza
I call it cooking

OMG! Someone stop me!!!

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (5LAwZ)

234 I keep waiting here
Do you not see my food bowl
Going to starve now

Posted by: Piper at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (p4NUW)

235 221 We're going with XS Phat

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:24 PM (7kKPC)

You're killing me. LMAO.
Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:26 PM (5LAwZ)

That was his idea.

I was leaning towards Shotglass Messiah

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (7kKPC)

236 Wife is sick in bed
I had to order pizza
I call it cooking

OMG! Someone stop me!!!
Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (5LAwZ)

Excellent

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:30 PM (7kKPC)

237 104 ... "Well then you definitely didn't write any of the tech manuals that I've ever read."

Oddbob,
Most tech manuals have me grinding my teeth in frustration. Poorly organized, assuming the user knows more than they do, and it seems English is, at best, a third language.

When I wrote my first user manuals, after the introduction the first instructions were how to switch on the stand alone dumb terminal, use the phone coupler to connect to the mainframe and a caution about getting the key punch cards out of order. That approach required step by step clarity that seems to be rare these days.

I use a number of Castle Arts art supplies and wrote them an email praising their instruction booklets. They were amazed that anyone appreciated them.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:31 PM (yTvNw)

238 That's right, Kindltot. You do it so it is one less thing for your loved ones to deal with.
Besides, in my family and circle of friends, I'm the best writer.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 07:31 PM (MeG8a)

239 JackStraw, will do.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 30, 2024 07:32 PM (gGMRM)

240 I was leaning towards Shotglass Messiah

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:29 PM (7kKPC)

LOL. use it before it's taken.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:32 PM (5LAwZ)

241 In my case, the cat pooped on my pillow because one week I had the effrontery to try a different brand of cat litter (a futile attempt at odor control). This was apparently an unforgivable transgression, and I never made that mistake again.
Posted by: Just Some Guy
------
Better than in your shoe.

Posted by: Fat Freddy's Cat at November 30, 2024 07:33 PM (XeU6L)

242 That's right, Kindltot. You do it so it is one less thing for your loved ones to deal with.
Besides, in my family and circle of friends, I'm the best writer.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 07:31 PM (MeG8a)

Dad told me once, "whatever you do, don't put in the obit that I have gone to join Jesus"

I was never sure if he thought that would have been declasse or inaccurate

Posted by: Kindltot at November 30, 2024 07:33 PM (D7oie)

243 Yes every day. It was awful.

He and his cat had a very weird co-dependency.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at November 30, 2024 07:33 PM (RIvkX)

244 I'm coming to the conclusion that this new bourbon I bought is good, but not good enough to justify the price.

I'll enjoy finishing the bottle, but it will not be replaced.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:34 PM (ZOv7s)

245 TRex,
Thanks for another fun hobby thread. This one, especially, brought up some interesting memories.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:34 PM (yTvNw)

246 Thank you TRex for another excellent thread and of course all the morons who have shared there wit and wisdom (except for you, you know who you are!)

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 07:34 PM (oOwIn)

247 41 In my case, the cat pooped on my pillow because one week I had the effrontery to try a different brand of cat litter (a futile attempt at odor control). This was apparently an unforgivable transgression, and I never made that mistake again.

Posted by: Just Some Guy
------
Better than in your shoe.

Posted by: Fat Freddy's Cat at November 30, 2024 07:33 PM (XeU6L)

My in-laws were visiting and our cat peed on the guest bed just before my FIL went to take a nap. he was not amused.

We quickly changed the sheets, and then caught her just before she did it again.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:35 PM (5LAwZ)

248 Dad told me once, "whatever you do, don't put in the obit that I have gone to join Jesus"

I was never sure if he thought that would have been declasse or inaccurate
Posted by: Kindltot at November 30, 2024 07:33 PM (D7oie)
---
I"m going to have Masses said for both my parents and there's nothing they can do to stop me. My father took it in stride. "I'll be dead, so what do I care?"

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:36 PM (ZOv7s)

249 Whatever you do don't start my new time waster Spider solitaire it's evil

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 07:36 PM (fwDg9)

250 Oh, while he was napping.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:36 PM (5LAwZ)

251 Before my mom moved in with us she was married to her 2nd husband who died unexpectedly.
What a mess it was. No wifi passwords recorded anywhere, no will, no nothing. Plus he would stash $ in the pages of books. And he had hundreds of books. We had to fan thru every one.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at November 30, 2024 07:37 PM (MeG8a)

252 I guess Lucy the Fink
Isn't so much of a fink
She pees in her box

Posted by: nurse ratched, garbage at November 30, 2024 07:37 PM (aJVMf)

253 And he had hundreds of books. We had to fan thru every one.
Posted by: gourmand du jour

What a great guy to leave such a gift!
A literal treasure hunt!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at November 30, 2024 07:38 PM (oOwIn)

254 Yes every day. It was awful.

He and his cat had a very weird co-dependency.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at November 30, 2024 07:33 PM (RIvkX)
---
The elder cat in the house is intermittently marking the family room in protest of the grandkids and their mother (my eldest). That's a regular blood feud, and for that reason I've begged my daughter not to spend the night. She finally gets it - her stuff will be piss-bombed.

The grandkids were also targeted, but they are now very eager to feed and brush her. Their sacrifices are acceptable.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:38 PM (ZOv7s)

255 Fat Freddy's Cat at 241--

The same cat (pretty sure -- we had 3 at the time) peed not in my hat but on a jacket that I'd left on a chair. When I picked up said jacket (a rain jacket, fairly waterproof lining) the pool drenched the clothes I was wearing.

Need I say I was late for work that morning?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 07:38 PM (q3u5l)

256 A.H Lloyd

You were mentioning army chaplains last night. This is the movie I mentioned last night being about them , I just couldn't recall the name. Chris Pratt of "Guardians of the Galaxy" is in it:

https://tinyurl.com/4zredm4e

Have a nice rest of the weekend, folks Nice thread . Thanks, Trex for coordinating it.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 07:39 PM (M7DcK)

257 Whatever you do don't start my new time waster Spider solitaire it's evil
Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 07:36 PM (fwDg9)

It's dragged you into its web, against all your efforts to break free?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:39 PM (VNX3d)

258
tinyurl.com/4ppxc9p9
20 Tweets from Bad Blue

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 07:39 PM (fwDg9)

259 244 I'm coming to the conclusion that this new bourbon I bought is good, but not good enough to justify the price.

I'll enjoy finishing the bottle, but it will not be replaced.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:34 PM (ZOv7s)

I am that way with this bottle.

Knob Creek single barrel. It's just okay.

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:39 PM (7kKPC)

260 Spider Solitaire
Timewaster Extraordinaire
Skip has been caught whole.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:40 PM (VNX3d)

261 Just a suggestion. If you are writing for yourself and for fun, at least for a first draft try using a different writing instrument. Quill, dip pens, fountain pens, manual typewriters, graphite pencils, whatever. See if the instrument influences your words. I've found it makes a difference.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:40 PM (yTvNw)

262 It sucks you in and won't let you win

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 07:40 PM (fwDg9)

263 Speaking of poop, my OSU Buckeyes dropped a deuce once again today against "that team up north". This is getting really old.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at November 30, 2024 07:40 PM (mH6SG)

264 Speaking of obituaries, why hasn't Vic been added to our absent friends yet?

Please add his name as soon as possible.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 30, 2024 07:42 PM (LkLld)

265 260 Spider Solitaire
Timewaster Extraordinaire
Skip has been caught whole.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:40 PM (VNX3d)
***
Ha! Well done.

Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

266 Been a while since I played Spider Solitaire, but I always found it amusing to put all the cards up before starting play. Never won a single round...

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 07:42 PM (q3u5l)

267 258
tinyurl.com/4ppxc9p9
20 Tweets from Bad Blue
Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 07:39 PM (fwDg9)

That Andrew Cuomo tweet really chaps my ass.

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:42 PM (7kKPC)

268 We have a movie marquee
NOOD

Posted by: Skip at November 30, 2024 07:43 PM (fwDg9)

269 One aspect of writing with different instruments is learning to appreciate paper. Different pens and inks work better with certain paper. It's a fun adjunct to the effort.

Posted by: JTB at November 30, 2024 07:43 PM (yTvNw)

270 . It is funny the turns threads take . A thread on writing turns to "various ways cats pooped and peed on my belongings or that of my family. " I laughed.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 30, 2024 07:43 PM (BkN1R)

271 My hidden message story: my boss went to a trade show out of state. Folks who did not read their email kept walking up to his desk and complaining, which, since my desk was right there, required me to explain. So I put a sign on his desk which kept the complainers busy for a tic and answered the usual questions. I formatted it as a square with both left and right margins justified. The column of first words of each line of text read: Eric Loves Golden Showers. Only a few got the joke. One who did was the business owner who could be curt, but luckily he laughed and asked "This you?" Always gave me a smile after that.

Posted by: aawlberninf350 at November 30, 2024 07:43 PM (SXVlR)

272 Well, it's been real. See you next Hobby Thread.

Posted by: DiddlySquat at November 30, 2024 07:44 PM (5LAwZ)

273 269
that is such a great comment, because it is so true

Posted by: Grateful - the range bag lady at November 30, 2024 07:44 PM (IQ6Gq)

274 Ha! Well done.
Posted by: TRex at November 30, 2024 07:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

I have my moments.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf - Remember Vic and VNN! at November 30, 2024 07:44 PM (VNX3d)

275 Thanks for the thread, TRex.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at November 30, 2024 07:44 PM (q3u5l)

276 Knob Creek single barrel. It's just okay.
Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:39 PM (7kKPC)
---
I always thought Knob Creek was priced out of its quality range. I'm drinking Brother's Bond, which I got an e-coupon for. Honestly, I prefer Evan Williams BIB, which is half the price.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:44 PM (ZOv7s)

277 I always thought Knob Creek was priced out of its quality range. I'm drinking Brother's Bond, which I got an e-coupon for. Honestly, I prefer Evan Williams BIB, which is half the price.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at November 30, 2024 07:44 PM (ZOv7s)

So there's my next experiment. Thank you.

Posted by: jsg at November 30, 2024 07:45 PM (7kKPC)

278 Cat poop my pillow
No need for odor control
Clean linens abound

Posted by: Tuna at November 30, 2024 07:45 PM (oaGWv)

279 I wrote my first book for kids, "Castle Falcon," about 20 years ago. After a long period of attempting to find an agent or publisher, I finally published it on my own in 2012 on Amazon.

I then wrote another kid's book, "Roger Mantis." I spent a long time trying to find an agent and publisher for this one, too. During that time I started doing work for a small publisher formatting both paperback and ebooks for them. Eventually the publisher wanted to take a look at "Roger Mantis," and published it in 2019. During this time I picked up a lot of experience in the tech of getting a book ready for publishing.

Finally, I wrote a "teenage vampire" book, "Zorya," and after a short attempt at getting an agent, decided to publish it myself. During this time, self-publishing has gotten a lot easier with more sophisticated tools at Amazon and elsewhere. Getting the books up for sale has turned out to be the easy part. Marketing is the bitch.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0084N53YI

Posted by: Tom Alan Brosz at November 30, 2024 07:47 PM (+W6G0)

280 Because we can't find anyone that can add Vic to the Absent Friends. Pixy doesn't do it.Ace said one of the Cobs does it. We keep asking and no one seems to know who can do it.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 08:01 PM (gfViB)

281 I have a sneaking suspicion that the cob that handles the absent friends list never liked Vic and won't own up to it. It shouldn't be that hard to do. This is my conspiracy theory.

Posted by: NoLongerintheBellyoftheBeast at November 30, 2024 08:15 PM (OpLc2)

282 Reason being, the warp speed that Bandersnatch got placed on the list, but weeks and now months go by, but no listing for Vic.

Posted by: NoLongerintheBellyoftheBeast at November 30, 2024 08:18 PM (OpLc2)

283 I was extremely pleased to discover this site. I wanted to thank you for ones time just for this fantastic read!!
I definitely loved every bit of it and i also have you saved to
fav to check out new stuff on your web site.

Posted by: game online at November 30, 2024 10:00 PM (SJYEW)

284 We keep asking and no one seems to know who can do it.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at November 30, 2024 08:01 PM (gfViB)

We all know who does it, and what a grudge-holding asshole he is.

He's dull and repetitive, and everyone pretends he's irreplaceable.

Posted by: spindrift at November 30, 2024 11:35 PM (3M/ZA)

285 I mainly lurk on here, but I’ve written a novel about two farm boys in Iowa who find an old Colorado treasure map and decide to go to Colorado. People on ALH have helpfully beta read a sample of it. It’s set in the near future where the West has become a depopulated desert due to drought. The boys travel through the Ogallala aquifer under Nebraska, which has mostly dried out and has become a secret hideout from a tyrannical government, so Trump’s team may render the idea an anachronism. I put in some Dante’s Inferno Easter eggs. In Colorado they get caught up in car football, played with jeeps, trebuchets and large nets. They draw government opposition because the Colorado mine is a secret lithium location that is about to be used to produce eV batteries as part of a mandate and lithium has become rare due to a Civil War. I’ve sent it to three publishers so far.

Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at December 01, 2024 12:48 AM (tRYqg)

286 I am but a half-baked writer.

I write song lyrics, but my tunes are incredibly dull.

I wrote a coloring book for my grandkids, to teach colors and numbers, but boy was my drawing lousy!

I tried to write a playlet, but I ended up feeling sorry for the villain and gave it up halfway through.

I did, however, finish my first book. Maybe I'll read a second book someday!

Here is my most famous poem, written when I worked in an office:

- Coffee Break My Heart -
Alas, I shed a silent tear
Came for coffee, none was here
Some carefree soul came through the door
Took the last cup, made no more
Drank his fill, but left me dry
I'd like to spit into his eye

Posted by: Persnickety at December 01, 2024 02:00 AM (mJCOG)

287 I’ve had a bunch of magazine articles and several nonfiction books published over the years, with another in the works.

I’ve been wondering about the effects of AI on the writing industry. As I see it, an author will soon present a book proposal which the publisher would previously have accepted, but will now turn down, turning to AI and saying, “Give me 100,000 words using this synopsis as a starting point.”

The product will be crap, but the publisher will turn to a hack writer and pay him a fraction of the going rate to polish it up to something readable. Eventually AI will get to the point that it will write the whole thing for pennies.

At this point, for purely reasons of profit, I can’t see it going any other way.

Thoughts?

Posted by: Don Hollway at December 01, 2024 07:11 AM (ZPagi)

288 I have been going through the process of having a book published through Amazon. It's a strange work, a story created by a mad artist friend, consisting of just under two hundred fifty beautifully done paintings of life the Southern California hills during the early 1940's.
The project manager at Amazon has been great to deal with, but their editorial "staff" is worse than incompetent. Time and time again they ignored my instructions, and "edited" text that I expressly told them to leave alone. I put "edited" in scare quotes because these guys took perfectly grammatical sentences and turned them back to me with glaring errors. I finally had to withdraw the copy I sent them, and edit the thing myself. I've invested serious money in this project, and I've been wrestling with these guys for over two months, now. I still have not received a printable copy back from them.
I'm sure they could do OK with someone's first try at writing a novel: plug it into ChatGPT, and print whatever bland, deracinated version of the prose the computer came up with. But this project isn't that, and so far they've been all but worthless.

JWM

Posted by: jwm at December 01, 2024 09:38 AM (IMKow)

289 My husband has a blog that unfortunately, he only rarely updates. He writes creative non-fiction about land, trees, pets, etc. from his point of view as a forester in the Southeast.

https://rayclifton.blog/

My oldest son writes poetry and music, both lyrics and instrumental parts. Again, only occasionally. Which saddens me greatly.

https://www.instagram.com/johncliftonmusic/

Posted by: BClifton at December 01, 2024 08:28 PM (s5j9I)

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