I must admit that I get so involved with a lot of other galleries (My terragen, photography, etc,) that I don't always have time for the forums. How about sending a weekly or monthly condensed email version of the forum messages posted to our inboxes? To me the forums are for notices, techniques, improvements and suggestions and the galleries are for the artwork themselves with comments for each individual piece. Even if you don't know much about a style ie: poetry, you can still say whether it shows a clear picture or what emotions it evokes in you, if it does that is. I just feel incredibly restricted as I have to choose between my photos, terragen and writing instead of being able to post one of each per day. Another way to get people to view the writers gallery is by selecting a picture from another section (ie poser) and writing a short prose or poem then letting the artist know what you have done. Then post in the relevant forum what has been done and put a link to the writers gallery. Just my humble input though. Hugs to all and thanks to those who have taken time to comment on my artwork.

"Pound, pound, pound!!!" lol! Those writing tips sound great Dick, I've enjoyed receiving your tips on improvement even if I don't always implement them.

Hi, there seems to be a problem with entry no 11's thumbnail. It has been entered as a zip file instead of a jpg pic. You can still read the poem though..

I have found another: South African Short Story Publishing Association http://www.sasspa.org/ which has some very good guides to publishing and other info.

Attached Link: http://home.universalclass.com/arts/creativewriting/index.htm

Greetings all, just wanted to put my few cents worth in. Entry #1 is fantastic. A completely fresh POV. Well done. Nice simple writing that was a pleasure to read. I agree with Susan and ask for more. Entry #2 didn't grab me unfortunately. Even so I plodded through to read it. There were some evidence of good humor and fantastic imagery but on the whole a bit to 'busy'. Just my humble opinion though. David - Are the gliches sorted out or did one of the submissions not make the standard? Come on people, submit your writings......

Just read the Challenge and I would like to say congrats for an excellent one. This is what a writing forum should be about. Good luck to all.

So glad to see you are back online! Hope you are stronger now. Hugs to you.

LOL! I would definitely be too ashamed to have a recording of my driving through town with all the SA minibus taxi's using the same roads as myself. It would be perfect blackmail material against me.

I have found that using my tea breaks (5 - 10 min) and my lunch break (30min) at work gives me enough time to write either a couple of poems, if I am that way inspired, or a chapter on my ongoing saga. Who needs re-runs on TV when your characters take hold of your life and decide that it is time for them to develop in ways you have no control over. If you look at all that time in one day, you will actually see how to fit your day around your writing even if you work full time. That recorder is a great idea as something as simple as driving down a road in autumn and watching a wrinkled golden leaf flutter down from a tall tree can be remembered, not only the mental image but the atmosphere around it. It is amazing at how reading these little memories can shift you back into gear when you have a writers block too.

Someone hand me that shotgun! lol. Sweet TP, thanks for the advice. Acutally found the writers gallery yesterday and posted a piece there... Now I know where to hang out...

To those three toes... ;O) Should you come and sink yourselves Deep into warm caressing sands Of that special place of mine In wild South African lands. The strangest sensation you will find One that seems to pull them down to grow roots deep within The fine sands of mottled brown For not only lush green trees grow here and birds and animals abound The people are so cultural And plenty to be found From stomping feet in pounding rhythm colourful beads and fur round flame, To boerewors on spitting braai where everyone knows your name. The differences may be vast and wide Within this raw wild land But deep inside we're all the same As God originally planned. So visit this place, my special home And curl up deep inside The warm hot sands would welcome you With arms stretched open wide.

Prayers and hugs to her for a quick recovery!

Just another factor to consider first though.. A submission of story for the contest, writer agrees to give Jarusa Ideas exclusive publishing rights to publish story on website. Contest open to US residents only. Have a happy day!

Lol Jon, thanks for the chuckle!! Welcome Faith, there's a super bunch of people here with a few interesting challenges if you are that way inclined..