Some folks might not agree with that. I admit I sounded snarky with what I got slapped for, but I didn't know how to state it better.

Well, this still isn't the time or place to debate anyone's merits for a hypothetical job that won't be up to the general populace of the board to choose anyway.  Let's try to stay on topic so Fred will get useful info out of this.

I've been fairly absent for the past six months or so (a lot of IRL chaos and tragedy...but that's beside the point) but the biggest reason I kept coming back in the couple of years before that has  been the sense of community here, the silly threads (and not just my Secret Hollowed Out Volcano in Weird) and the sheer wit of some of the folks around here.

I do like the idea of a sort of "constable" group of more experienced members who can snuff trouble before it gets started.  That might be a good way to keep things moving smoothly...not so much "board specific moderators" as a roving band of sanctioned do-gooders.  Somehow I see Shecky being involved here...

Truthfully, Fred, I've been wondering why the Angst Corner has been allowed to live for this long, but that's another discussion entirely...

Still, I said my peace about the chat.  I'll truly miss Mac's, and my Secret Hollowed Out Volcano in Weird.  I hope something like the Mac's we all remember comes back - somehow I doubt we'd have all become friends with the late Bob in a chat, nor would we have all stood trembling at the threat of Helen's pun dumpster if not for the persistence of chatting threads.  

I'm not claiming to have answers for the stupid things people do (like reporting a post in a dead, locked thread...I mean, really...).  You can't fix stupid.  I suppose there might not be a "right" answer, but I don't see myself spending much time in chat...that's just me, though.

A vanity press won't even edit your work, much less help you market it or get it put on any bookstore shelves.  Unless you're going to sell the book yourself, I wouldn't go that direction.  Something I was told by a very successful author is "the author should only sign the check on the back."  If you gotta pay for it, it's probably a scam.

How can we help you today? BTW, how do you get in touch with an agent anyway? Are they expensive?

Important piece of advice I've been given by a couple of published authors - an author only signs checks on the back.  If an agent or publisher asks for money, walk away.  Quickly.  They get a percentage of the profits, not a fee up-front.

I fill out a "character sheet" on each character going in, but it fleshes out considerably as I go along.  I do always want to have at least what they look like, and tags and traits identified (see Jim's blog if you don't know what those are).

I'm glad one of us does!

Check out a used bookstore for an Air Force manual called "Tongue and Quill" - it'll give you an overview of how reports and briefings are written as far as style and structure, but yeah, the terminology and acronyms might give you fits if you try to write one.