Posts by SanFranciscoJim

55

Are you Gay

by butterfly in

i "came out" a few years ago, after living straight for 30 years.

tried to deny all those years that i was a lesbian.

but even if i didnt act on it...i still was.

SanFranciscoJim

Yay! Jim I was hoping you would stop by!...Hope all is well and your book is finding success!
Sincerely,
District Overbeer

Hi Valis,

The book is a major reason for not participating much here lately, as I've been quite busy promoting it. I'm happy to say that in the short time it's been out, my novel has already gotten four 5-star reviews on Amazon.com. (Direct link to my book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1932560238/)

Thanks for asking!

And Chris......I'd wonder where you'd gotten off to. Haven't seen you since the San Francisco ACB Conference! Nice to hear from you!

Oh yeah, that reminds me, the 6th annual International Conference for gay & lesbian exJWs is being held in Miami Beach this coming October. Info at: http://www.gayxjw.org/acbconference/

55

Are you Gay

by butterfly in

i "came out" a few years ago, after living straight for 30 years.

tried to deny all those years that i was a lesbian.

but even if i didnt act on it...i still was.

SanFranciscoJim

Hi butterfly. I'm not posting here very often these days, but yes I am gay. You're definitely not alone. I personally have corresponded with several hundred gay, lesbian & bisexual exJWs over the years from all over the world.

Here's a link to the A Common Bond message board: http://frost.bbboy.net/acommonbond

Here's a link to the A Common Bond (California) website: http://www.gayxjw.org/

Here's a link to the A Common Bond Yahoogroup mailing list (has over 300 gay & lesbian exJW participants): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acbgroup

Hope this helps......

22

being sarcastic is a good way to get to know a person

by dh in

jw
friends

i think humour is a good way to establish what wavelength a person is on, what do you think?

SanFranciscoJim

being sarcastic is a good way to get to know a person

Yes, and if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon.

39

Help me out? a request for critique on my writing

by Sirona in

jw
friends

i hope you don't mind me asking, but i know lots of people here so i thought i'd post to ask for your opinions on my most recent short story.

i've posted it here on a short story writing website http://www.eastoftheweb.com/uncut/node/view/2370 honestly i'm looking for constructive critisism - its ok to be harsh.. the story is a bit humourous and is less than 1100 words, so it's a quick read.

if you are really kind, you could comment over on that site too.. i've always wanted to write more and ultimately get something published, and this is a way for me to try to improve and learn.

SanFranciscoJim

Well, I read read read. Now I've got to work on the rest. It's so difficult to rewrite aswell. I suppose that the more I write, the more I will become used to it and then I won't have to completely rewrite stuff.

Sirona, here's the deal on rewrites:

If you have completed your initial manuscript, keep your rewrites to a bare minimum, unless you've discovered glaring errors in syntax, fluidity, or repetition. If you feel undue pressure to completely rewrite something, then set your original manuscript aside and write something entirely new. At a later date, you can reexamine your original work, and then decide if it needs a major or minor overhaul.

If you're writing to be published, you can be assured that your publisher will assign an editor to your manuscript who will do a rewrite for you, whether you want them to or not. You then have the option to rewrite the editor's rewrite, if it doesn't capture the flavor and intent of your initial work. Take it from someone who knows -- rewriting a work that has been rewritten by someone else is more difficult than writing the original manuscript. In my case, I was fortunate that my publisher accepted my rewrite after their editor had done their thing to my manuscript.

Writing for public consumption is never as easy as putting your thoughts down on paper and saying "Here it is." It's a lot of effort. Having said that, the joy and thrill of seeing your end work in print, and receiving compliments from others who have read your work, are experiences that will make your efforts worthwhile.

32

I'm I the only one here that..................

by reganashe in

jw
friends

just hate religion all together.

i don't want to have anything to with it, it makes my skin crawl.

i don't want my daughter to be exposed to relgion in any form.

SanFranciscoJim

Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell.
Spirituality is for people who have already been there.
Man, that is a good one. SF Jim if that was an orginal thought by you may I use it?

Shutterbug, it's not an original thought by me. A very wise man in the Virgin Islands said that to me many years ago. He passed away more than ten years ago. I'm not sure if he was the first person to say it, or whether he was also passing along someone else's wisdom. In any event, I'm sure the orginator of the statement would have no problem with your requoting it. I just thought it was very profound.

32

I'm I the only one here that..................

by reganashe in

jw
friends

just hate religion all together.

i don't want to have anything to with it, it makes my skin crawl.

i don't want my daughter to be exposed to relgion in any form.

SanFranciscoJim

Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell.

Spirituality is for people who have already been there.

39

Help me out? a request for critique on my writing

by Sirona in

jw
friends

i hope you don't mind me asking, but i know lots of people here so i thought i'd post to ask for your opinions on my most recent short story.

i've posted it here on a short story writing website http://www.eastoftheweb.com/uncut/node/view/2370 honestly i'm looking for constructive critisism - its ok to be harsh.. the story is a bit humourous and is less than 1100 words, so it's a quick read.

if you are really kind, you could comment over on that site too.. i've always wanted to write more and ultimately get something published, and this is a way for me to try to improve and learn.

SanFranciscoJim

Its great that you went ahead and wrote it. That is the biggest step I think for many people who would like to be "proper" writers. I've got a great idea for a book that has been going around in my head for about 2 years, but until I tried the short story route I didn't know if I even could. Even now, I've got a lot to learn before I could even attempt it. The thing is, I'm only 28 so I've got plenty time (Goddess willing).
I looked at the site. The thing is, I haven't got a current paypal account so I'll have to create one. Also I'm in UK so is that OK for postage? I'd rather have a copy signed by the author! When you're up there in the best seller lists I can say I know you! LOL
Sirona

Sirona, the most important thing is to remain true to your own style of writing. If you try to stick to a "suggested format", you'll end up dousing your own creativity, and that would be a shame. You'll find that writing a full-length novel is very different from writing a short story. I hope you'll give it a try.

Regarding ordering a copy of my novel, I'll ship them anywhere worldwide. I believe that Paypal works in the U.K., too. If not, you can mail me an international money order (available through your Post Office), and I'll send you an autographed copy by overseas priority mail. My mailing address is on my website.

If you do write that novel that's living in your head (and I hope you do!), of course I'll be first in line for an autographed copy, so I can say I know you, too, when you make the bestseller lists.

39

Help me out? a request for critique on my writing

by Sirona in

jw
friends

i hope you don't mind me asking, but i know lots of people here so i thought i'd post to ask for your opinions on my most recent short story.

i've posted it here on a short story writing website http://www.eastoftheweb.com/uncut/node/view/2370 honestly i'm looking for constructive critisism - its ok to be harsh.. the story is a bit humourous and is less than 1100 words, so it's a quick read.

if you are really kind, you could comment over on that site too.. i've always wanted to write more and ultimately get something published, and this is a way for me to try to improve and learn.

SanFranciscoJim

Sanfranciscojim - I can't express how you've encouraged me to carry on writing. I am also really surprised that a published writer would compliment my work! Do you remember starting to write "seriously" for the first time? I am often filled with doubt. The fact is that this story is my second short story in as many weeks, and what drove me to actually get on with it was a desire to simply write something even if people didn't enjoy it (that and the fact that I just got a new laptop, so it's now so easy and enjoyable to sit and type). The first story wasn't up to scratch in my opinion, but I will be going back to revise it (I'm letting it lie for a bit because I want to look it over with fresh eyes).

Sirona, you would be amazed at the number of published writers who are willing to critique another writer's work. Where compliments are due, you will get them.

I've been writing since I was in High School (and I'm 47 now), although this was my first full-length novel. It had been living in my head for years, and last year I finally decided to take time off from work to write it. I did so without any expectations of ending up on the New York Times bestseller list (although that would be nice! ) -- I did it because I wanted to, and enjoyed doing it. Seeing my book in published form is the fulfillment of a dream of a lifetime. I am currently working on two more novels, one of which I hope to have completed by the end of this year.

sanfransiscojim - I forgot to mention that I will definately be reading your book (if I can get a copy)!

If you're interested in ordering an autographed copy of my book, you can do so through my website (linked in my post above). Or, if you'd prefer, the book is available through Amazon.com at this link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1932560238/

If you do get a copy, I hope you'll let me know your thoughts on it as well. By the way, my avatar is the cover of my book.

Once again, I wish you every success with your writing. Develop your own style. Be comfortable with it. Don't be overly influenced by others, but do prepare yourself to get edited by your publisher. You always have the option of a re-edit, and that's where the hard work comes in. Stick to your guns and make sure that your writing sounds like you've written it. You'll know when it's right!

39

Help me out? a request for critique on my writing

by Sirona in

jw
friends

i hope you don't mind me asking, but i know lots of people here so i thought i'd post to ask for your opinions on my most recent short story.

i've posted it here on a short story writing website http://www.eastoftheweb.com/uncut/node/view/2370 honestly i'm looking for constructive critisism - its ok to be harsh.. the story is a bit humourous and is less than 1100 words, so it's a quick read.

if you are really kind, you could comment over on that site too.. i've always wanted to write more and ultimately get something published, and this is a way for me to try to improve and learn.

SanFranciscoJim

As a published writer myself, I want to congratulate you for putting your story in print. A lot of people dream of writing, but I salute anyone who actually takes the time to put their thoughts into words. There are many talented, eloquent people on this board who have this ability, and I hope that, by your example, more will take the opportunity to enter the writing field, even if only as a hobby, if not a vocation.

Your storyline is unique. This is a mark of a good writer. So many stories have been rehashed that it takes someone with a special talent to come up with a work as unusual and entertaining as yours is. It is difficult to critique your work simply because it is so short, but I would say that you're off to a fine start. Perhaps the only criticism I might have is that you could have told us a bit more about the characters in the story through more vivid description, but in a short story that is not always an absolute necessity.

By the way, in case you aren't aware of my novel, it's called Squares, Triangles, and Saucers, and is a story about a young man who is abducted by extraterrestrials while on his way to the Caribbean to commit suicide. If you're interested, you can read more about my book at: http://www.rationallunacy.com/write/scifi.html

Best of success with your writing, and once again, congratulations!

109

Daddy, why did we have to attack Iraq?

by Larry in

daddy, why did we have to attack iraq?.

questions and answers about foreign policy (and the u.s. invasion of iraq).

anyway, saddam hussein came to power through a military coup, so he's not really a legitimate leader anyway.

SanFranciscoJim

Q. Daddy, if China and American corporations are evil, why do you buy cheap Chinese goods at Wal-Mart and support both institutions?
A. Uh....um...well....um...well, son it's always easy to point fingers and do nothing. It's easy for me to complain about things, buy cheap Chinese goods and not support American made products. But it's still President Bush's fault that all these jobs are being moved overseas.

Q: Daddy, if it isn't President Bush's fault that so many jobs have moved overseas, then why does the Walton family (which owns Wal-Mart) vote Republican?

A: Ummmm....errrrrrr.....I.......