Good morning, all. Lots to respond to, I'll see if I can cover the high points.
First, thank you all for your responses to my "annihilation of the Yor" dilemna. Never doubted that you guys would be more than willing to assist. 
Second, Monte Carlo, I'm a professional writer (as I take it Terl is, as well?), and he may have already told you this, but it bears repeating: it is much easier to edit than it is to write. So always do a two-pass writing process: write as much as you can, as fast as you can, without worrying about spelling, grammar, punctuation, even about content. This is often referred to as "sprinting." If you're really stuck you can even begin writing exactly what you're thinking ("...I can't think of anything..."). It's purpose is to "prime the pump" and get the juices flowing. You (and/or someone else!) can always go back and spend time editing--to put the finishing touches on the rough parts.
Lastly, I would encourage all to persevere in doing whatever is necessary to protect this community. Like many here, I was first attracted by the strong sense of community (which included a liberal sprinkling of 'grace' for noobies, spammers, off-topic'ers, and so forth). The thing that has scared me off or driven me away from communities--in the past--is in-fighting.
Personally, I saw the Empire forums as a place (primarily) for the 'veterans' to interact with each other and with the new 'recruits' (combination grog hall and training grounds, as it were), and the Galactic forums as a place where noobies were most likely to cruise by, dip their toes in the water, and check the place out. For that reason I believe that it is imperative for the veterans to maintain a presence in the Galactic Forums--because it is their presence there that will cause people to want to stay (or run them off, as the case may be) and eventually wander in to the Empires forums.
Just my two cents worth. (Now back to Greldonizing the Yor, and NO, I will NOT be using the little Greldonizer!)
[Edit: Top of page, accidentally but providentially, taken by a Guardian for the Guardians!]
[Message Edited]
          
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| I am sure he meant it the way he said. I was just teasing him. |
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Likewise  Although I think Terl could be in for some cheap shots before too long, following his comment about the greatest sport on Earth over in the Pony.
If you want me to explain cricket to you Terl, please ask - it may take a few (hundred) pages, and you still won't have a clue afterwards but you don't have to go around sacrificing your flies or fouling off a sinker all the time 
Oh, btw, I'm also a big baseball fan. 
 
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| Second, Monte Carlo, I'm a professional writer |
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Very good advice Major Dallas. Thanks heaps. It seems that alot of potential and professional writers have come to play galciv. Anyone have an opinion on why?
  
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Arhhhh, I like Cricket also.
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And lets not forget Mag who won the last cricket world cup  . Too bad we didn't win the Rugby World cup as well.
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| who won the last cricket world cup |
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| Too bad we didn't win the Rugby World cup as well. |
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Uhhh...well, the Devils won the Stanley Cup last year. That would be the only sport I remember. 
   
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| I get discouraged when I read how difficult it can be to even get manuscripts read |
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It's probably not THAT hard. It's hard for me, because I'm the sort of person who would give up after reading something like, "Before you send us anything, phone first."
 
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| Greldons praise might come easily, but its no less important IMO. |
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Yes and no. Pleasing Greldon with your writing is just as valid and satisfying as pleasing anyone else. However, if you submit something to a publisher and say, "My qualifications as a writer are that I wrote a story and some guy on the internet called Greldon liked it," they'll laugh in your face. (Even if they don't know Greldon.)
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OK folks, I'm outta here now. Won't be around much tonight as out on the beer.  Maybe I'll get a few slurred posts in later on.
Got a bomb just about ready to go at home though, so I'll submit that one sometime tonight.
Later all!
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| Yes and no. Pleasing Greldon with your writing is just as valid and satisfying as pleasing anyone else. However, if you submit something to a publisher and say, "My qualifications as a writer are that I wrote a story and some guy on the internet called Greldon liked it," they'll laugh in your face. (Even if they don't know Greldon.) |
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I couldn't help but laugh at this. I just hope you really dont think I'm that stupid and niave.
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This site says that they will help you to publish your books  Link I don't know, does anyone know this company???
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I got to go now peoples, it's very late here and I need my beauty sleep after all. See you all soon at the Grog or in the Ravens Claw.
Good Night.
For Honor and Justice!
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| Anyone have an opinion on why? |
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I'll take a shot at that.
First, the community. There is a 'criticial mass,' if you will of fun-loving, well-educated, highly articulate individuals here, interacting through some delightfully written posts. It's like popcorn: the sight, the sound, and the smell all conspire to attract others who happen to be like-minded.
Second, the game. It's epic in scope (and don't writers just LOVE an epic ); self-paced (by which I mean that I can proceed frantically or tantrically, and it's my choice); and highly-involving (by which I mean that the decisions I make have logical, obvious consequences, so that my involvement makes a difference!)--and everyone likes to believe that they make a difference, writer or not! It doesn't hurt that those decisions often yield fruit in the short-term so that every turn it seems there is something happening as a result of what I did, or another set of decisions to be made that I am aware will have an effect in very short order. (Note: I believe it is this that creates that classic, but difficult-to-achieve, "just one more turn" feeling.)
Third, the medium. We're in a forum. People who don't like to write are less likely to participate because it's a written medium. (It's the obverse of the fact that most of the people who tend to participate seem to have computers! )
FWIW.
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| I couldn't help but laugh at this. I just hope you really dont think I'm that stupid and niave. |
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No, just giving an extreme example of a case where one man's opinion wasn't as important as another's.
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| ...does anyone know this company??? |
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Renegade, I don't know that particular company, but I know the industry very well--having worked extensively with print publishers for the last 12 years or so. This is a "self-publishing" house. For a fee, they will publish your book and promote it to some extent. However, buyer beware! I have had many friends and acquaintances who went this route: some with good results and some with outright horror stories. The 'promotional' part is often the stickler--as it never seems that the author gets out of it what they expected. Also, one of the significant differences between a professional publisher and a self-publisher is the active participation of an editorial staff. A professional publisher will (almost as a rule) assign editorial resources to ensure that a book is as good as it possible can be. After all, it's their investment, as well. A self-publishing house is less motivated to do so since they have little or no investment and since an editorial staff would cut into their profit margins.
I'm not saying to rule out self-publishing. I know people who have gone that route and been very satisfied. But I am saying keep your eyes wide open and be realistic in your expectations.
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