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*Balloony* Congratulations on your promotion! *Balloony*
  •   1 comment
Thank you, Legerdemain Author Icon! Not the direction I'd intended to go, but now that it's the fact, I'll attempt to live up to it. Stand by for action! ... *Suitdiamond*
Congratulations on your Preferred Author promotion!
  •   1 comment
Thank you so much, Lornda Author Icon! This comes at a time when my plan was to wind my membership down. Well, that plan is out the window! I'll try to use it wisely ... *Suitdiamond*
         Well I like this! I've just returned to the site after spending the day elsewhere, only to discover that no less a personage than The StoryMistress Author Icon is calling me yellow! That's right. After only nine months on the site, I've been named a Preferred Author. This after being gifted a year's upgraded membership just this morning. Thank you StoryMistress and dogpack saving 4premium+ Author Icon for making this a day that I'm not likely to forget ~ or repeat ~ any time soon! The thank you tour has begun on my forum, "Jack's Hideout" Open in new Window.; you can read about the grand adventure at "Let Me Tell You About My Day"  Open in new Window.. I'm really stoked about all this, as you might imagine. I'll have to make some changes tomorrow morning when I can get back into it, as I've been telling everyone that I'm about to reduce my Membership level to Basic. New plan will have to be formulated on short notice, and I'll keep everyone up to date as it happens.
         Now, if you'll indulge me... YAHOOOOOO! Have a great evening. You guys are the best! ... *Suitdiamond*
  •   7 comments
Congratulations, pal *Hug1**Smile**Hug2*
Ned  Author Icon
Congratulations!
Congratulations! *Smile*
Congrats!!!!
         Guess what? Ol' Jack has "(Another) Change in Plans"  Open in new Window.. I know, unbelievable, right? Still, if you have the stomach for one more... oh, I can't say it. If anyone cares anymore, there it is. *Suitdiamond*
         Good morning, all. Having squandered a huge number of column-inches lamenting the fact that I can't write stories anymore, I'm finally sick of my own whining. Everyone gets it. Returning, then, to my preferred function of having fun here, I'm letting that drop and returning my Forum to normal operation. Ready to have some fun? Then join me for a look at "Conspiracy Theories"  Open in new Window. ... *Suitdiamond*
         I've mentioned elsewhere that I will be downgrading my membership in October, and as the new level does not support a Blog, or books of any kind, I will attempt to replace it with a Forum. I've started that Forum now so that it might have some momentum generated by the time October rolls around. You're welcome to look now, or wait until the Blog (and a number of other things) disappears. As always, as regards my material, whatever makes you happy ... *Suitdiamond*

 
FORUM
Jack's Hideout Open in new Window. (18+)
It's where I go to ponder the imponderable. Care to join me?
#2343846 by Jack of Diamonds Author IconMail Icon
New entry at "Jack's Place" Open in new Window.: "The End of the Grand Experiment" Open in new Window. ... *Suitdiamond*
         Good morning, friends, and I hope it finds you well. This morning I tested my new review template on a short story, and it worked great! Now, normally, I post 5-star stories on my Biography page as Recommended Items, but this one is a book entry, so it doesn't allow me to do that. So I'm sharing it here. It's a bittersweet young romance about a boy out on an awkward first date with a girl who isn't giving him much to play off of. The story is Freshly Cut Grass from The Weekly Muse: 52 Short Tales Open in new Window.. It's very much worth a read, and then may I suggest that you tuck into some of those other fine stories that I've highlighted. They're all five stars, and with good reason! Enjoy the ride ... *Suitdiamond*
         Howdy, folks. Got a couple of things for you. First, I've completed something new for anyone who may be interested in reading. It's long at 10,800 words, and you'll find it in the "Steampunk" Open in new Window. folder under "Beyond the Rails" Open in new Window.. I realize that a lot of readers here don't care for long, but if longform steampunk adventure is your thing, one awaits...
         Second, I've spent much of the day so far updating my review template, and one of its points centers around the concept of Forget "write what you know." Know what you write instead. That is not original with me. I read it somewhere in the last month, and it was most likely here, possibly in a newsletter. If anyone can site the original source, I'll be glad to include it in my template. I hate it when people steal my stuff; how much worse for me to steal someone elses?
         Okay, that's it. You may now resume your weekend ... *Suitdiamond*
  •   5 comments
Was it a Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈 Author IconMail Icon newsletter? I too am positive I read it not very long ago.
Raven Author Icon - Thanks, maybe. It was profound. Perhaps Max will recognize it. It's way too good to let it disappear after one sighting... *Suitdiamond*
Raven Author Icon - Not me. Although I've whined about making mistakes in details. There's always someone who catches you.
         Three posts in a week? That is, to say the least, unusual. Consider this your invitation to swing by "Jack's Place" Open in new Window. to discover the meaning "Of Rifles, Shotguns, and Nebulous Projects..." Open in new Window.

*Suitdiamond*
I've a new blog entry up for your entertainment. Come join me in "Cracking the Code" Open in new Window.

Jack *SuitDiamond*
         I've made a rare Special Award this morning on "Jack's Diamonds" Open in new Window.. When someone writes a poem about you, and it's as flattering and favorable as anyone could ask for, it would be difficult in the extreme to include it in consideration for a "best of the month" award and not be insurmountably biased. So a special award it is, and now I can judge all my other entries fairly. Behold...

STATIC
A Friend Open in new Window. (E)
A fond WdC memory
#2326844 by Amethyst Angel 🌼 Author IconMail Icon

*Suitdiamond*
         I have finally added the fourth chapter to my book, "Hunter's Creed" Open in new Window.. I have the same problem that I did when I quit writing fantasy years ago: Everything I write looks ridiculous to me. I write this stuff, but it isn't believable, at least not to me. I find it difficult to throw my will and dedication behind a story I don't believe a word of. But fantasy is what's working for me right now, and if I'm going to write, I see no option but to lean into it.
         Fortunately, there are a number of skilled and knowledgeable fantasy readers here, and I trust that if I'm writing something ridiculous, someone will tell me. For the record, I'm not trying to write slapstick here. I'm looking at a serious work with some comedy relief, mostly provided by the ghostly sidekick. This is NOT a veiled request for reviews; it's only 40% finished in any case, but if anyone does find their interest piqued enough to take a look, I wouldn't be upset if you let me know about any problems. Thanks. You guys are the best ... *SuitDiamond*
  •   7 comments
Jack of Diamonds Author Icon - Your answers are always so thorough, I feel sheepish for having asked my question wrong. The second part of my question was intended to be a reflective question. "What would you tell me about my writing if you were looking at it from the outside?" The implied second half would be, "Now, can you tell yourself that same thing about your own writing?"

Of course, you had already answered that in the first part of your answer.

That's what happens when an amateur tries to help a pro. *Wink*

I really appreciate your answer, though. Experience like yours is invaluable to truly amateur (non-professional) writers like me.

Adding my two cents in after finally sitting down with your latest chapter... I find it a perfectly reasonable cliffhanger. I like how Darion is doing his best to train Tina, and I'm hoping Luca is a Chekhov's gun to help save the day at the end... Is that too corny?
Amethyst Angel 🌼 Author Icon ~ Glad you're enjoying things. I believe I mentioned in the overview that these kind of stories are cliched and predictable. I left out the word "corny," but it can't be discarded entirely.

I have so much going on right now that all I can do is make a few notes so that some of these ideas don't get lost, and move on to the next one. Apparently, that ten-year logjam has broken loose and is coming down the sluice all at once! There are certain things in addition that I want to accomplish today, but I'm prepping and planning and psyching up to get back on track with this tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, keep an eye on your newsfeed... *Suitdiamond*
         The blog is back. Yeah, I know, but it's just too convenient a tool to talk with friends old and new. Anyway, the new entry is "The Juice" Open in new Window.. Drop by if you like and see what it's all about ~ *SuitDiamond*
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