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| Holy Hangovers... It's a new year, but other than the dull roar in the back of my head, I still suffer from snails and their slimy little trails! I am convinced they are here, left over from some spell Rainey has cast and forgotten about. Though she claims not |
| Rainey says she's ready to party!!! But... I'm not sure I am up to it? Not to mention it's going to take me an extra ten minutes to check out all these new fonts. Man, does The StoryMaster   ever take a day off? We are so blessed! {/u}{/b} |
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Joey Says...Where's Winter?  - Not on my end. I'm viewing on desktop, not mobile, if that makes a difference. |
| Joey Says...Where's Winter? - Oh, I'm guessing you meant your next post. Yes, I see the video there. |
| Yesterday, as is my usual, I woke before dawn. When I flicked on the kitchen lights, a single roach skittered across the sink counter. I knocked over several items before I was able to swat and smash the vile insect. I started the coffee, then proceeded to spray the entire kitchen with disinfectant. I emptied all the drawers and cabinets, reapplied roach bait, and mopped the floors with a heavy dose of soap and bleach.. This morning, as I headed for the bathroom, I met my smiling wife coming out as she replaced a small matchbox in her robe pocket… I thought nothing of it until I entered the room and spied another six-legged roach on the vanity counter. |
Intuey - Blessings For 2026!  - I get the "joke" but I still don't see why anyone would do all that because they saw one cockroach  |
Intuey - Blessings For 2026! - If they were a Germaphone surely they would not need tricking in to cleaning the kitchen no?!  |
| Oh! Holy Butterflies and crunchy colored leaves. Can you feel the change in the air? Something's coming! Yes, praise be to the seasons, Rainey tells me she has cooler plans for my inspiration this Fall. |
| Wow- when it becomes a sign of rebellion or some kind of perceived hated to raise your own nation's flag in your own front yard. I say it marks our country as fallen.... I've had enough! My family has been fighting for what has become this nation since 1607. I urge caution to those who would come onto my property with fuel and matches. I promise I will be the one spreading the lightning like flashes they might sense for a few brief seconds.. |
| In England it is not really socially acceptable to raise/wave/show off our flag unless it is to support a football game. I find it weird as most countries I have visited are openly patriotic with their flags. A Union Jack is a little more acceptable but can still have perceived racist connotations, but it is more the England flag. You are in America and I thought everyone had the flag out there |
Jellyfish~Happy New Year 2026  - here we don't fly flags. We wear them, especially on Australia Day. I have a flag t-shirt and thongs, and flag towels are everywhere. Otherwise, you don't see our flag. In fact, where I live, there are more Cornish flags in windows that Australian ones! When a Palestinian protestor burnt an Australian flag a few months ago, the consensus was, "It's just a flag. And you spent money on it. Well done, wasting your money." Very few people bother burning flags here. It's just a flag. |
| Not sure what prompted your post. If someone is giving you grief for flying a flag then shame on them. I cannot believe that has become a mainstream attitude. I have no doubt that there are more extreme highly vocal elements that advocate all sorts of hate. Seems the fringes of all sides ofthe political spectrum have sucked the air out of rational and tolerant treatment of otbers. Fly it with pride . |
I just finished an item, I hope to enter it in the "The Bard's Hall Contest"  If anyone has a chance to take a look, I have trouble with these 300-word-count flash fiction prompts. and since I see in the new posted rules that we cannot edit after posting I need to sort out any big issues before I post my entry.
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Joey Says...Where's Winter? - I've just written a story limited to exactly 100 words. These flash fiction projects with precise boundaries are a useful exercise in cutting out the unnecessary.  |
Beholden  - I know, I know, soon someone will send us the Hemingway tale "For Sale, Baby's shoes, never worn." Writing the tale is not my problem figuring out what to cut is... everything I write plays as a vibrant movie in my brain. It's why my elevator proposals suck. |
| Joey Says...Where's Winter? - You can edit an item up until the contest closes. Once the contest closes, your item is in the judging phase and the rules state: You may edit entry up until the contest ends for the month. You may not edit during judging process. I hope that helps. |
| I've added a new entry to my book, ""Oh, Really, Joey, you can't say that!"" : "Of Prompts and Recycled Posting" Hope your head doesn't start spinning |
Y esterday or the day before, I saw a post in our news feed inquiring about Nano Write Month. But before I could double-check, I got sidetracked until this morning. So, for that person that I missed replying to... here is some sad information about (NaNoWriMo). The official National Novel Writing Month contest, which traditionally ran every November, is no longer operating. The nonprofit organization behind it announced its shutdown in early 2025 due to financial struggles, following years of challenges, including controversies over AI policies. I haven’t seen any comparable substitutions. But I/We have our ear to the rail, listening for the next big writing thing to come down the tracks. For those needing more info try this link: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/articl... . |
| Incidentally, "Publishers Weekly" is a great periodical; it contains tons of information that those actively working in the craft will find invaluable, offering a wealth of current insights about writing. There a free and subscription options as low as $15 a month or an annual fee of $199. I am not employed or compensated by them in any way, just saying I get lots of good info from them. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/articl... |
| Joey Says...Where's Winter? - Publishers Weekly is indeed a great resource. I've been known to refer to it myself back when I was active. Two things I've never understood, though: 1. Why does anyone need a special contest or calendar month to write? You're writers; get to it! 2. Who thought it was a good idea to make it November, the month that begins the runup to all the big Western holidays, most of which involve travel for family gatherings, not to mention all the prep involved? Genius move, that. I'm surprised and impressed that it lasted as long as it did...  |
Okay, I just entered a new post in my BLOG. It was sparked/inspired by Charity Marie - <3  's post "A Date" This posting is a result of her comments. After reading her post, I asked myself, When was the last time I dated anyone? "My Last Date" |
Oh, for the love of WdC, I can't believe I missed Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ 2026  's WdC anniversary... 18 years, oh my. But luckily for us, I set up a few trail cams this last spring, and look what they caught slipping through one of our special enchanted backdrops. Though I must admit it appears she knew the camera was there, or she has excellent reflexes and turned to face the lens when it clicked, which I am sure is why her staff is at the ready.  Happy Anniversary, WebbY! And I ... we all (as if I could speak for everyone) love you! We give thanks to all the lords of magic for letting you come out and play with us. |
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| Wow, I was doing some maintenance in my Portfolio and noticed one of my items last month "Dance of the Fairies" got 220 views yet only one very short review, nobody else even bothered to rate it. Good or bad. That is not how things used to be on WdC. Yes, I know getting reviews has always been a challenge. However, folks used to leave a comment or two, even if it wasn't a full review. Over these last few years, I have been thinking that I have improved in our craft. Now I wonder. I try as much as I can to stay on the sidelines of the political fray, being mindful of my fellow writers' egos and feelings. I have even learned to show a little empathy for those who have not been blessed with the same luck as my household. Yet it seems the harder I work to grow and learn, the farther I slip into oblivion, or is it the abyss? Bowels of Sheol notwithstanding, I'd even welcome the disparaging remarks if it sparked a bit of passion. but I cannot seem to get even a heartfelt... "Joey you suck... go eat worms and die" So the question begs, is it me, am I so out of touch with my efforts that I can only garner attention if I spark the contempt and ire of the malcontents in our forum? If so, then perhaps I should reevaluate and look for greener pastures... (oh, see how low I am to be lazed into embracing the cliche?) |
Angelica Weatherby- Snowangel  I am not sure, Amazing is the correct descriptor, more especially the old stuff, most of which should have been long forgotten and relegated to the recycle bin. Yet it is interesting to look back over 12 years of stuff and see the differences. (I started to say improvements) Alas, the world is a marvelous place, full of wonder and grace, if we can find the time to witness. A word of note for those who might see this post, our dear Angelica jumped right in and added her voice to the review column. Which I deeply appreciated. But so as not to offend my fellow writers here on WdC... I was lamenting, wallowing in a bit of despair, not trolling for reviews. As I mentioned in my reply to her review, it took me four days to write this, and after seeing the responses-or lack thereof-I had a sudden case of "Woe is me." When I thought about the return on the investment, hence my self-indulgence pity party. |
Alas, Joey Says...Where's Winter? , you have hit on a universal truth. I see that you've been here almost since the beginning, and maybe that's why it's taken so long to see this phenomenon in action. It's that slow, gentle slide. This is my third incarnation here. Some of you may remember the others. I was first here in the early teens as Mr. Crusty  (long story) when I was working on my steampunk collection. I returned in the late teens as Blimprider  when it had grown to a series and was in its heyday. Now that I'm not worried about publishing anymore, I'm back as some sort of happy-go-lucky riverboat gambler, or I don't know what. Jack's my name, and that seems like fun, anyway. The point is, every time I've been back, separated by those hiatuses... hiati? Anyway, every time, I encounter less interaction than the last. I'm not doing serious business this time, I'm just pursuing a hobby. Odd-numbered days I review, even-numbered days, I write. I give a monthly AwardIcon for my favorite story of the previous month, and feature 5-star stories on my bio page, and yet as of this writing, I have given 110 reviews while receiving 34. But if you're going out in search of greener pastures, there aren't any. I know. I looked. Some sites like Smashwords and WattPad let visitors see their chat logs, and they're just full of people asking how they can attract more readers. So, that's a given. The reason I stay with WdC is that, so far at least, I haven't had my lineage, humanity, or right to keep wasting air challenged by trolls here. That may be because of the admins' policing, but regardless, this is a place I can come to enjoy conversations that generally don't end in death threats. That's worth something. Tell you what. I'll scan your port for my review subject today. Let me know if there's anything you'd specifically like eyes on, and if it's in my comfort zone, I'll make it that. I generally choose my reviews from the Please Review page, so if you drop something there now and then, I'll find it. Never let it be said that the riverboat gambler ignores distress signals! ... Jack  |
| I've only been here for 14 years, and I have noticed 3 things. 1) I get less abuse than I used to 2) I get less views than I used to 3) My own participation in WdC has no bearing on views I get. For the record, I don't care if I get reviews or not - I just feel happy when people read my stuff. Unless I ask for reviews... which, I must say, have been harder to get. I have one I want to submit, but, well, you know the drill... On that, I'm not sure if I've reviewed you or not... Need to hit your port, I think... |
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Now, the ones Rainey my Muse holds... well, there's no telling their origin, or what corner of my feeble mind she is going to stash the slime-balls. But no doubt, when I least expect it, they will slither/slip/slide across the page of wherever I am trying to compose, forcing me to figure out how to explain them to my readers or worse yet to my characters.