New Improved Writers Guild

[Kementari]

Yes the Writers Guild is finally back! A few months ago the entire guild was accidentally deleted and the threads were not able to be retrieved, but I think its time that we started anew...

This guild is for aspiring writers. You can discuss or post your latest short stories, long stories, lyrics, chapters or poems and get creative criticism from your peers. You can also post any questions or concerns about writing that you may have.

If you would like to join the guild post here and ask or you can pm me. You do not *have* to be a member of the guild to post stories or poems or give your opinions to others.

The Prancing Pony is the official home of the Writers Guild, so do not post in the empty guild space on the forum, hopefully there will be a new guild to replace it soon...

Thanks

[Ciryaher]

It's great to see the Writers' Guild starting up again, and I'd like to be the first to rejoin :D

This is really a great place to bounce your ideas off of other writers, to see what they have to say about your pieces. I encourage every aspiring writer and poet to join in hopes that ideas and honest opinions can benefit all of us :)

[Kementari]

*gasps* someone finally posted! Yay Cir! :D

I hope we eventually spark some interest into the guild again, at one point we had about 40 members

[Talierin]

*waves hand wildly in the air* I'm here! Don't write much, but I do read nearly everything in here.

[Maeglin]

I'm here, I never bothered to take a look at the Writers Guild before or even come into the Prancing Pony section, but writing is something I love to do, and while I may not be active that much, I will read as much as I can.

P.S. Don't worry, I think my guild is taking your empty space soon.:) :D

[faila]

I would like to join. Im not the greastest author but i occasionally write some poetry, And im working on a short story as well. I would love to join a group of writers (especially at this message board, all of you are awesome)

[Aglarthalion]

Count me in as a member. =) I do enjoy writing poetry and short stories mainly, even though I am not the best author in the world. And reading the works of others is also something I find very relaxing and enjoyable, and I generally like reading what I write - poetry and short stories (although if a work I've been following grows, I'll try to stay with it). And yes, I'll try to crit when I can, but usually what I feel I need to say has been said by the time I write my crit. ;)

But that being said, you may want to know that I am not around all the time, usually on half a dozen times a week at most. And sometimes I may disappear for lengthy periods. But I will try and come here when I can, which should be quite regularly at the present time (although, school beginning in a month = a lot of hard work for the year ahead).

Regards,

Aglarthalion Ainagil

[Lantarion]

Heey, me too, me too! :D
I was saddened by the loss of the Languages-thread.. But we can start a new one, by Jove. :)

[Ciryaher]

*putters on his pipe* Jolly good, Lanty, I do believe we should recreate that dashingly good-looking Languages thread!

Whoever voted for the third option should be scalped and then given a swirly in a salt-water toilet...

Anyway! :D I think that the Writers' Guild is a great organization, and I welcome everyone who joins (and rejoins) this!

[Maeglin]

Originally posted by Ciryaher


Whoever voted for the third option should be scalped and then given a swirly in a salt-water toilet...



Ouch! thats harsh Ciryaher.:D

[Kementari]

LOL Cir! I think a :p at whoever done it would suffice

Thanks for joining everyone. I'll put up a members list soon :)

[Anamatar IV]

Originally posted by Ciryaher


Whoever voted for the third option should be scalped and then given a swirly in a salt-water toilet...


*Whistles inoccently*;)

I voted for that 'cuz there was no option for those who didnt wanna join.:p I'm no writer;)

:rolleyes:

[Ol'gaffer]

Yes! brilliant! we shall write again! a new day will rise! We will rise from the ashes like a phoenix!....And nobody will throw a stone at me until I say the word Jehova.

[klugiglugus]

What exactly do you do?:confused:

[Aglarthalion]

Originally posted by klugiglugus
What exactly do you do?:confused:
Well, read the first post of the thread. Specifically, this paragraph:
Originally posted by Kementari
This guild is for aspiring writers. You can discuss or post your latest short stories, long stories, lyrics, chapters or poems and get creative criticism from your peers. You can also post any questions or concerns about writing that you may have.
;)

[Kementari]

Thanks Aglarthalion :D

[HLGStrider]

I will post a lot and give opinions and read and have fun and write!

WRITERS GUILD!

I miss the language thread... and I'm just starting to get my language really down right...

I tried to start it up by posting an attachment with a sample of my language's writing... but the attachment was too big... I can't seem to reduce it to small enough which is a real pain.

[Lantarion]

Ooh, I'd love to see how you got your writing system to work! I've tried creating a sort of systtem, and I sort of have a word-symbol thing going (where one symbol corresponds to a whole word), but that would take ages to make properly.. I think the alphabet-thing might work better. :)
My little language, which I have only recently started to seriously work on, will certainly find a nice little shelf in the new Languages thread. Let the writing commence! :D
PS: the Poetry-thread seems largely to be a place simply to present your poetry, but very little if any commenting is done.. I hope this will be rectified in the new Guild. :)

[Smokey]

I was a member of the original guild, can I join again?

[Kementari]

Originally posted by Smokey
I was a member of the original guild, can I join again?

Sure you can Smokey.

[HobbitGirl]

I was a member of the old guild. I am so happy to see it again! May I rejoin?

[Kementari]

Originally posted by HobbitGirl
I was a member of the old guild. I am so happy to see it again! May I rejoin?

Yes certinly!

I've put the members list up

I think that i have persuaded Ciryaher to help co-lead this guild. So if you have any questions you can pm either him or me

[Ol'gaffer]

so is this starting? if it is then I'll start it.
I'm currently working on a short story about the final days of the earth, the final moments and what will in my opinion go through peoples heads at those very moments, if any are interested I'll post it here once it's finished.

[Kementari]

That sounds wonderful gaffer! please post it when your done :)

[klugiglugus]

Wen does it start?

[Maeglin]

I actually have something that I had to write for my English final, but its not exactly a story, its a speech, and when I brought it to my Enlish teacher that I had last year he thought it was very well written speech/paper, but then when I presented it on my final with my current teacher I only recieved a 63 on it!:eek: :mad: I was very angry about this, for I had put a lot of time into it searching for the information I needed and analyzing the poem that was the subject of the speech, so if nobody minds I would like to post it here later and get the opinion and criticism of a 3rd, 4th, however many people would like to look at it party.

[klugiglugus]

reply to question any body???:mad:

[HLGStrider]

It already started... about a week ago.

[Kementari]

Id like to read that Glor. That really stinks your teacher must just really have bad taste in writing

Klug, like Elgee said its been started for a while now

[HLGStrider]

Different teachers have different rules. Some want you to be very entertaining. Others want to you to be very factual. Some want logic. Some want truth. Some want you to back their political party... You have to feel them out... No two teachers will grade a paper the same way.

[faila]

Originally posted by HLGStrider
Different teachers have different rules. Some want you to be very entertaining. Others want to you to be very factual. Some want logic. Some want truth. Some want you to back their political party... You have to feel them out... No two teachers will grade a paper the same way. THats why is school you either write extremely complicated and technical so they are completely confsued and give you a high grade becuse they have no idea what to give you, or you write exactly what they want. Either way it works, especially with english teachers. You leave out what you really think and go for the "audience".

[Maeglin]

OH NO! I can't find the disk! I think I left it at school! Okay well I'll have to get it tomorrow and put it up then.

[Beleg]

Faila THats why is school you either write extremely complicated and technical so they are completely confsued and give you a high grade becuse they have no idea what to give you, or you write exactly what they want. Either way it works, especially with english teachers. You leave out what you really think and go for the "audience".

You are absolutely correct there. There are teachers such as that in my school.

Coming to the topic, I would also like to join this respectble gathering. I have been writing from many years now, but only recently have i started writing Fanfictions about Tolkien's work. I would probably be posting my story in one or two days.
I would like to join this prestigous guild and would like to contribute in the world of Tolkien Writers!!:D

P.S: I hope i haven't offended anyone.

[Kementari]

Originally posted by Beleg_strongbow
Faila THats why is school you either write extremely complicated and technical so they are completely confsued and give you a high grade becuse they have no idea what to give you, or you write exactly what they want. Either way it works, especially with english teachers. You leave out what you really think and go for the "audience".

You are absolutely correct there. There are teachers such as that in my school.

Coming to the topic, I would also like to join this respectble gathering. I have been writing from many years now, but only recently have i started writing Fanfictions about Tolkien's work. I would probably be posting my story in one or two days.
I would like to join this prestigous guild and would like to contribute in the world of Tolkien Writers!!:D

P.S: I hope i haven't offended anyone.

Yay! Thank you for joining.

Agreed faila. It isnt very fair but thats the way it is. But not *all* teachers are like that :D

[Beleg]

Hey, it should be meh who should be thanking you guys! I just wanna ask that will anyone of you with a sound knowledge of Tolkien's world linguistic will be willing to beta-read a tale? And thanks for letting me join in this group! :d

[¤-Elessar-¤]

Hey, everyone. It's been a long time since I've been associated with this guild, so long that I didn't even know it was gone :eek:

But anyway,

Kem, you, or anyone else, mind if I join?

[Kementari]

Originally posted by ¤-Elessar-¤

Kem, you, or anyone else, mind if I join?

Nope :) thanks for joining

[HLGStrider]

I think we need to find away to spruce this guild up. At the moment it is just disconnected threads with little discussion... any ideas?

anyone think of a good discussion thread on writing topics?

[Beleg]

I think we can choose a certain topic for fanfiction or poetry and then ask the members to write fanfiction on it. And we can choose judges who would review the fanfiction and award positions and points and the winner would recieve some special title or something like that.

[Kementari]

Good idea Beleg we should have a (friendly) competition or something to liven things up. Itd be fun

[HLGStrider]

Gosh... great idea. If I can only controll my competitive nature... he he...

[roguelion]

Hey guys. Id like to join, Im not a super writer, but im not bad either..:D

[Kementari]

Originally posted by roguelion
Hey guys. Id like to join, Im not a super writer, but im not bad either..:D

Your names on the member list :)

[roguelion]

Thankyou!

[Emowyn]

I'll join...if I'm allowed that is :p

[Kailita]

Oh, this looks very interesting...I would very much like to join. I love to write...stories, poems, everything...and I love to read other people's writing, especially when it's centered around fantasy topics. Ooh, how fun! :) I'm usually a little shy about sharing my stuff with other people...(probably afraid of being bashed)...but I'd like to join this guild, and maybe once I've warmed up to it, contribute a few things? :)

[Kementari]

Thank you both for joining

Im really shy about posting my stories to

Ive been putting some more thought into competitions. I think its a great idea if we can all do this in a friendly way. Three categories to start off with would be Poetry, Tolkien-related fan-fic stories, other Non-fantasy stories, and Essays.
We could do this much the same way as the competions in the Guild of Tolkienology except I dont think i could get such elaborate prizes. This will mostly just be for fun and the winners could brag in there titles and signatures; though if you'd like me to send a plaque that could be framed, thats possible :D

Any suggestions would help. Anyone interested?

[Kailita]

Thank you very much. :) And it's good to know I'm not the only one who's shy about putting work out there. ;)

The idea about the friendly competitions sounds good to me. I don't know if I'll join in, heh, but I'd like to watch and see what everyone else puts and etc. Sounds like fun...can't wait to see it get started...

[HobbitGirl]

Hey hey! Kailita! Aiyah Conacita! So you found this thread, eh? Good thing you did, cause the writer's guild rocks! :D Have you posted in the languages thread yet? Enlighten us all about Kachitish! :D:D

[Lady Rían]

I would like to join as well. This sounds great!
I have been working on a novel for some time now. And I finished a script. Though it was never used. I write poetry, and right now I am working on a story with my dearest love Snowy. I think we would both like to join!

[Halasían]

Well, I missed out on the first one though I was here to read some of it. I guess I may as well join now. The lesson here is to ALWAYS save your threads, for you never know when disaster will strike and they disappear.

I have been writing a novel off and on since 1975, and probably will never finish it, but recently I have gotten help from my dear love Rían, and we are writing some here in one thread in the Prancing Pony. So yes, I have been trying to get it all together once again. I do like to write Tolkienesque and other fantasy, as well as some historical fiction.

Look forward to writing with you all!

[Beleg]

Okay, Kel I just wanted to ask that have you thought about a proper competation? We dont need anything fancy, just a small scale comeptation will be enough of a start and i guess Winner's could be assigned special Title's in their signature and should be made the ambasedors of the Guild. Just an honorary post but it would help to enhance the literary skill of some Tolkieniete's here.
We can also have a small club consisting of Members who are expert writers and who many help the new-comers or those weak in basic constitution of English words.

So have you thougt about the competation? Any specific Plan?

[Jesse]

I want to join this guild. Writing is my specialty. Currently I am writing two stories. One is a brand new Science Fiction series that I've created. The other is my short Star Wars fan fic which will be posted on www.fanfiction.net when the 1rst chapter is done.

[Wonko The Sane]

I was an old member, I'd like to join again.

[Kementari]

Thanks for joining Jesse :)

Your names already on the Members list Wonko

[Wonko The Sane]

Oh...Sorry. I was confused...
You know like when they spin you for hitting the Pinata and you think you're hitting the Pinata but you're really not...

[Kailita]

Originally posted by Wonko The Sane
Oh...Sorry. I was confused...
You know like when they spin you for hitting the Pinata and you think you're hitting the Pinata but you're really not...

Hehe...nice analogy...

[Wonko The Sane]

Not really.

This is a nice analogy:

"Peter's boat glided across the water in exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't."

[Kailita]

*Blinks, trying to process that* Umm...yeah. (Oh, congrats on your engagement, btw, even though I know this isn't the right thread for that...)

[Bethelarien]

May I join the Writer's Guild? I'm beginning a story (it definitely qualifies as fan fiction), and I'd like some opinions on it. Of course, I only have the prologue and a page of Chapter 1 done, but hey! It's a start!

[Wonko The Sane]

:) Thank you Kai! :)

*spouts more writer appropriate analogies.*

"He was as tall as a 6 foot 2 inch tall tree."

[Kailita]

Kai...hmm...there's a nickname I haven't been called yet. *Likes the sound of that...*

[Wonko The Sane]

Yay!
New nickname for Kai.

[Lonna]

Hey, Everyone, I'm back after a couple of very busy months. Count me in the Guild.

Writing is my life . . . as necessary as breathing. Funny that I haven't had much time for writing lately!

We have snow on my mountain. Shoveling it is exhausting. Driving through it is dangerous. But when the sun finally shines through the heavy gray clouds and lights up the white-manteled evergreens, the glow resembles Heaven . . .

Hope you are all having a good winter. Spring is almost here. Soon the daffodils and tulips will poke up through the snow (let's just hope we don't get another blizzard and freeze all those flowers).

[Wonko The Sane]

Welcome Lonna!
(But your sig's too long! ;) )

[Lonna]

Thanks for the advice, Wonko. I shortened my sig (you should have seen it before I shortened it the first time).

[Wonko The Sane]

It's still too long though (the limit is three lines)

You could condense it by removing the space and putting your web address on the same line as your e-mail. :)

Or you could use size=1 to make it smaller. ;)

[Lonna]

Wonko, How's this?

[7doubles]

why did the birds stop singin
can you tell me what song is about
and who whould make up, the background noise
i just wish there was more of me
to go around
to go around
to go around
i want to be apart of that noise
i come around
i come around
can you hear me or am i talking to the page
my cuputer is driving me insain
yesterday, tomarrow and the day before
lalala
rectal pendisidis
nanana
hemroidal toncelectame
just dont take me off your cristmas card list
and i'll still paint your easter eggs

[Rhiannon]

Ahem. Tal just shoved me through the door. She promises you won't bite me if I come beg with deference to join.

[7doubles]

the people of the long lake hide benath the shadow of doom
down below the mountain side lies the dragons tomb
within his voults of stone he counts his gold in mounts, a dog that hords his bones
and then he sleeps apon the heaps his bed a golden throne
but greed of men and discontent will fall apon the land
and in its wake shall rise the drake to inflame the heats of man

"Smag"

[Lonna]

Hey, fellow writers, here is my quote for the day:

The publishing world is a Tower
Guarded by the Dark Lord.

If you can't get in the Big Black Gate
Like Frodo
Find another way.

[Wonko The Sane]

Yeah.
You could sell your stuff to internet porn story sites. :)

[Lonna]

Hey, Wonko, there's an idea.

Well, actually, I thought I'd just write for the local (small ) newspaper from time to time ($35 per feature story or interview, including photo) and try to sell my 3 books (slowly but surely) on http://www.amazon.com. I do have a small but hi-tech "print on demand" publisher that doesn't distribute my books well, so the promotion is up to me and I'm. . . . FRUSTRATED . . . . as you might have guessed. At least I get a tax break for all my writing losses.

Hey, I can publish right here on TTF! People give me feedback!

Congrats on your engagement. Where are you trying to emigrate to? Maybe I'll move to New Zealand. I wonder if they let Americans in there.

Have a great week.

Spring Poem

Spring has come to my mountain
daffodils and tulips
bloom in the shadows of evergreen trees
and the new grass spreads like a blanket
on which I'd like to lie down,
look up,
and feel the sunlight on my face

[7doubles]

i liked tat spring poem Lonna.
here is one from me.

the sping sings of violins from cricket bows
the sweet sent of dew on budding rose
memories becon
the gentel stir that lonely harts will pine
though you'll never know all the love you lost, from the love you find

"melloncolly"

[klugiglugus]

Hey can I join the writer's guild thingy ma-jig?

[Lonna]

Just ask, and our esteemed moderator will put you on the list! Then you can add whatever poetry or prose you see fit to share with your fellow writers' guild members.

It's spring! The breeze blows warm now
across the melting mountains

[Wonko The Sane]

Mountains don't melt.
*impish grin*

[Lonna]

Thanks for pointing that out, Wonko.

Perhaps mountains do melt in Mordor . . .

***wistful gaze of possibility***

[Elendil3119]

Is this guild only for those who write poetry and stories? Cause I'm not much of a poet OR a story-writer. Rather, I like writing essays and research papers. Would that be OK for this guild?

[HobbitGirl]

I don't see why not. It is a guild of WRITERS, after all. That doesn't specify what type of writing. :)

Attention members! I need your help! Or feedback, rather. I have two stories posted in this Prancing Pony forum, Kidas's Ride and the Wars of Lohan. The latter is by Kailita and myself. Please post any feedback you have about the former and pm either Kailita or myself with feedback for the latter. Need feedback! <is feedback dehydrated>

[7doubles]

yea i write mostly song lyrics.

[Kailita]

*Pats HG's head* It's okay, HobbitGirl...deep breaths...you'll get some feedback. Just be patient. :D

[Wonko The Sane]

HG, PM me the link.
I'm really busy but if I get the link I'll respond.

:) And ask Tar. I'm REALLY good with feedback on stories and such.

[Estrella]

wiggles kinda giddy. "Yay!" fellow writers! i love to write and stuff. anything. i also love to read. Russian poetry being my favorite. may i join as well?"

[Lonna]

Dear Estrella,

Of course you can join. Russian poetry--sounds like a challenge. I like your signature quote.

[Estrella]

TY Lonna! - feels so accepted- It's nice to know that poetry survives... OH! question. Anyone do poetry slams. If you do tell me bout yours... please!

[Lonna]

There was a poetry slam at the local community college a few months ago. I was almost in it, but I missed the deadline to enter by about 5 minutes. I watched, though. It was interesting--a lot of good performance poets, characters all! There was a panel of judges who narrowed the best poets down to 3 and then picked 1 winner (out of about 30 poets). Next time, I'll try to be on time.

[Estrella]

Only one's i've done were school sponsored. i'm very heavily involved in the noble page, my schools literary magazine. I almost made it to the top five, but we had so many good poets. But i have stutter, so... i was not a good as i would've been if i'd practiced more. :( but se la vi, no?

[Lonna]

Estrella,

That's good that you are involved in your school paper. I worked on my school paper too. It's great experience. I'm a writer of science fiction and fantasy novels (and one nonfiction cancer survival book), which you can check out at www.amazon.com/

I'm not well known, so I don't make much money on my books yet. I did get a part-time job at my local small-town newspaper in January, and I've made more money writing interviews and taking photos for that. Well, a writer needs to support herself! Like actors, most of us are barely making it. But we keep on going because we love our jobs. Or maybe we're just crazy . . .

Don't let a stutter stop you! If you don't want to do performance poetry, publish it in word form. Do you do photos or graphics too? It's fun to illustrate poems. I rarely do performance poetry or public speaking because of all the other duties in life that I have to perform.

:rolleyes:

[Estrella]

you're thinking of the newspaper, i worked on the literary magazine, that only came out once a year. I can write stories, but i have little control over what i write or in what form, i try not to control it too much, though, things go wrong when i do. I've only been published in the Noble Page, my school Magazine.

I already know my chances of making it as a writer are slim to nill, so i plan to be a special education teacher, and hopefully get published outside of my school on the side. But i do draw a little. About 8th grade i stopped caring if people teased me or not, so i never let my stutter stop me, i'm a bit too... outspoken in fact, almost got into a cat fight once, when a debate got out of hand...:eek: It's cool that you've atleast been published.

[Kailita]

*Blink blink*

For us uneducated people...what is a poetry slam?

[Estrella]

You're not uneducated, it's quite common. A poetry slam is like a reading, only so much more fun! There's usually five judges, who score the poetry, and the audience can't boo the poets reading, but they can boo a judge if they think they scored too low ( happened at my slam). at the end you have a winner. At adult slams there's usually alchocol involved. It's soo much fun!

[Kailita]

Ooh, sounds like fun! :D I've never heard of anything like that before. Thanks for the explanation. :)

[Lonna]

Estrella,

I did work on the literary magazine for my school before finally getting a job at the newspaper. That magazine was a lot of work and a lot of fun--reading other people's poetry and deciding what to publish.

That's good that you're outspoken. I am, too, and it's gotten me in a lot of trouble. A woman once yelled at me that if I wasn't going to leave the area--permanently--that she would (though we didn't quite get to the cat fight part). She told me to stay the **** away from her, and I did.

About the poetry slam, we should do that online sometime, if we could. What do you think?

[Kailita]

Originally posted by Lonna
About the poetry slam, we should do that online sometime, if we could. What do you think?
Ooh, that sounds like a lot of fun! We should do it! :)

[Estrella]

That would be soo much fun!

[Wonko The Sane]

Well, I don't know if it would be as fun as you think.

First of all it's the spoken part of the poetry slam that people are judged on, much more so than the poetry. The focus is the performance rather than the actual writing.
However online we don't have the benefit of speech. And the focus would be on the writing rather than the performance.

[Estrella]

Wonko, i agree with you that it may not be as good as a real slam, but i strongly disagree with you that it 's the performance more than the words. It is about the SPOKEN word. However, this is another topic completely, and one that i don't care to get into right now. I think we should see how people generally respond to the idea, and see if we have support for it. if worse comes to worse, we can have a little poetry contest. A written contest.

[Wonko The Sane]

I'm just concerned how some people will take it if they lose the contest.

I know that not every writer on this forum has what it takes to win because there can only be ONE winner. Some people might get their feelings hurt...

That's mainly what I was trying to avoid. I was trying to avoid people judging others on the quality of their writing to avoid pain.

That's all.

[Estrella]

-nods- ok, mi amigo(a?). then that's what you should've said! :p
No one would be required to do it, and those that did would understand that there would only be one winner. That is the nature of a competetion after all. Those that could get thier feelings hurt need not even sign up. However if we were to have a competition, we would first have to choose an organizer, and then possibly gather an audience of sorts.. sort out the details.
And in the words of the great Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtenshenko, " if i wished to become a poet, then i must not only learn to write well, but also learn to defend my words." This also applies to the understanding that you're gonna have critics, you just must simply tell them to go to heil. :p

-laughs-

[HobbitGirl]

Ooo, poetry slam idea sounds good! I agree with Kai. Funness! Can't wait. :D

[Estrella]

Ok, if we are serious about doing this poetry slam, we need to get organized, we need someone to head it all, we need someone to do some sort of advertising, then we need jugdges, and last but not least, poets! We also need to decide on rules. I know that we will have to make some modifications, as this is online, and therefore, we are voiceless. ( Voice: help help, i can't speakkkkkkkkkkkk! :eek: )We must also decide on the level of censorship.

[7doubles]

i can slam man
poetry slamb bam
i ran for president of the poetry slam fans
i know it
i'm a poet
understand or bestow it
did fizzidy flop supercop...dam
i'm the hip hop pop, uncle sam
i'm the massiah of the poetry rock scam

[Lonna]

I'll be one of the judges. We can make it lighthearted and have winners for different categories to avoid hurt feelings.

Like: funniest poem, best rhyming poem, weirdest poem, etc.

What do you think?

[Estrella]

Yo doubles, You're the man!
Cool cat, you can really slam.
but i warn you, i'm also a rhyme fiend,
and you can bet, i'm one of the best you've ever seen!
So beware my friend, when we meet
on the stage, I will greet you beat for beat.
Consider this a friendly chalenge, not an open threat
can't wait to meet you on the stage, for it is now set!

Lonna i lovvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeee it! - giggles in anticipation-

[Kailita]

Ooh, yes yes yes, sounds like fun! Great rhyming out there! :D

How many judges are we going to have? I would offer to be one...but I'm way too lenient as a judge. I love all poetry, I would never be harsh enough. ;)

So I think I'll just watch. But it should be great! :)

[7doubles]

yo yo yo, check this fella
estrella, i'll open ya up like an unbrella
i'm super fly, kid ryme
old king rap like father time...father ryme
stop, watch
and i'll prove it
i'll be rocken stone henge
like i was a druid

word from the poet
if you got it....show it

[Estrella]

Master Poet, you
Express your self well but you
Seem to only rhyme.

I can also Rhyme
But i can also not rhyme
Can you do the same?

First off call me star
and you seem to wish to know me,
So here's my Haiku

Like Eternity
I am patient, and can wait
I rush for noone

Your rhymes are high strung
and scream for peace of mind
Like city snow , they dirty

You wanted me to show
That i am a poet
Well write in 5-7-5

- Starr

[7doubles]

star 575 off the hook ya lord
spining rhymes with raps on the fly
a ball on the bounce to the top
you want a piece of me, come on and get some
one by one they all bow to the great one
i'm like spanish fly a mac 10 on rhyme
so don't shoot your mouth off just to whine

[Lonna]

Sounds like we're going to have fun with this. I'll be a judge. Who else wants to be one? Maybe we could get by with 3 judges and have 5 categories of poems, with a winner in each category. Like best rhymed poem, most musical poem, funniest poem, best unrhymed poem, and weirdest poem.

We could set a start date and a finish date, to allow people to post over, say, a week. Then the each judge could compile his/her own list of winners and one runner-up in each of the 5 categories, get together with the other judges, and announce the results a weel later.

What do you think?

[LadyDernhelm]

I would love to join as a new member...

[7doubles]

good ideas Lonna. run with the ball.

[Ol'gaffer]

Great idea, let's make it happen.

[Lonna]

So, who else wants to be a judge? We need 2 more to make our little poetry contest work.:)

[Lonna]

Welcome, LadyDernhelm!

[LadyDernhelm]

Originally posted by Lonna
Welcome, LadyDernhelm!

Many thanks. I write, stories and poetry. ;) I expect to fit in rather well here.

[Estrella]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! we're gonna have a poetry contest! we're gonna have a poetry contest! we're gonna have a poetry contest! oh Lady Dernhelm,welcome to the club! - continues to do her happy-poetry-contest- dance-

[LadyDernhelm]

What sort of a poetry contest? Someone mind filling me in?

[7doubles]

a slam. 5 catagorys, 3 judges, one entry submission for each catagory.

[Kementari]

I've had several people suggesting we have another contest, and since everyone seems to want a poetry contest, i think we should get one started. I am very busy at the moment though *personal life very messed up* so I will not be able to organize this contest: the job is open for anyone. Your already off to a good start: different categories and a better judging system than the last contest is a must .

Good luck

[Estrella]

I like your idea, Doubles. We first need to decide on a date, length of entry submission time, and possibe censorship, ect. We also need to decide on rules, without them it'll be some sort of Mayham. Then we need someone in charge of advertising for this, and a submission process, like a seperate thread or something. and we need to decide on the judges. Make it all final. - laughs evily and takes out a whip- NOW WORK! - laughs harder-

just joking!

:D

[7doubles]

one thing we all want
is something we all need
try my best to tred this whater
just to breath
i'm drounding in disease
somebody....save me

nobody comes
nobody leaves
gods revenge on men
won't Mary
pray for peace
oh mother.... save me

...[mother Mary please don't worry]
..........please don't weep

"mom":unfin(needs begining & ending) dope corus

[Estrella]

way cool doubles. A certain mystery about it. Leaves people guessing.

[LadyDernhelm]

I'm still so confused. ;-)

Am I allowed to enter a poem in this? If so, are there length requirements?

EDIT: And does it have to be written specifically for this?

[7doubles]

that was not part of a contest Lady D. it was a song i'm working on, spir of the moment like!

[Estrella]

Ok. One i propose unlimited length. I say we have the entry date untill June 1, and we announce the winners on June 5th. Is that ok w/ the judges?. Ok Doubles. your good at catchy rhymes, will you do some sort of advertising, you know maybe post advertising on the other treads ( por favor, mi amigo Poetico). Finally, i will start a new thread, where people can post their entries. The title will be very clear. Lady D, that is where you post. It will be up as soon as we all agree. Sounds like a plan people?:

[7doubles]

grrrrate:p
"be a part of the big spring jam
post your entry in the poetry slam"

[Lonna]

Sounds good to me. I'll be a judge. We need 2 more.

[Estrella]

I remember two other people offered to be judges, Lonna, i think we can proceed with the plan. Doubles go post your stuff, where you think people will be interested., and i will start a new thread for the contest, and explain the different catagories. Yay! we're gonna have a contest, we're gonna have a contest, we're gonna...
Anyway. Lonna i'm gonna use your idea for the five catatories, and Doubles , Spring Jam sounds way cool as a title, may we use it as the offical title? ( i'm just gonna assume it's not copyrighted, and post using it before you answer.. i know you won't mind :p )

[7doubles]

go for it

[Estrella]

I'm glad you gave your permission, cause it be difficult to undo now ;) . Anyway , Yay! we have submissions, now we need two more judges. If worse comes to worse i will be a judge, but i'd rather not do it.
CALLING ALL JUDGES! I repeat, calling all judges!

[Kailita]

Hmmm...okay. I know I said that normally I wouldn't want to be a judge...but I've taken a look at some of the entries (awesome, all of them) and decided that if another judge is still needed, I'd love to fill the position. :) The hardest part is going to be choosing the best ones, because they're all so wonderful so far! Yay for our Writers Guild Poets! :D

[LadyDernhelm]

I'd volunteer to be a judge, but a) I'm awful at picking winners and b) I've already entered, so I'm disqualified. ;)

Happy judging, though, to whomever gets picked.

[Estrella]

I'm not gonna enter ither, as i'm one of the organizers. Yay! too bad Lady D, but good luck! One down, one to go! thank you Kalita, i'm sure you'll pick fine.

[Lonna]

Good work, Kalita and Estrellla! Let the Spring Jam begin!

[Estrella]

Yay! 14 posts 14 posts, 14 posts...
hmm. anyway. Help! i have a half formed story running around in my head, and i can't get it out! it's like that stupid cat in the tree that won't come down. it just stops at the first sentence... and i can't get anymore out. It's driving me nuts! Anyone know a story exorist?

[7doubles]

let the story of howdy leave you.
let the story of howdy leave you.

true story, i actuly knew Jason Miller. the priest from the exorsist. he was from my home town of Scranton, Pa.
that was based on the true haunting "saposenly" of theese freaks from Willks Barry, Pa. the Smirls family
funny story.

[Estrella]

Lol...i could tell some stories about the town i lived in in KS for 4 years... the people were nuts.. i think everyone was related to someone else somehow.

[7doubles]

believe it
i seen her leave
yaha
gone now
all the
posa~bilitys
and
from now on
i think
i be~lieve
in nothing
else you
say to me
but something
inside
tel~ls me
not to
trust in
any~thing

"i agree": unfin

[Estrella]

If the world were upside down
then the cieling would be the ground
all things high would be low,
and all things dull would glow
If happy were sad, then sad,
then sadness would be bliss,
and while pondering my thougths, i've realized this:
The flow of space and time could change in a wink,
blessed are those that can flow with a kink?

[Wonko The Sane]

Hey, everybody.

I'll be a judge as well.

[Estrella]

yay! we have our third judge!. Ok, Wonko, you can't be a judge if you've already entered in a poem. ok. and If you are a judge, you can't enter. have you entered any poems?

[Ledreanne313]

Hi! I would like to join!

EDIT: I deleted this part, just so you know Estrella.

[Estrella]

Ledranne, Kementari is busy right now ( darn real life! ;) ), but i'm sure you can join. Don't feel stupid. I started writing a story and it somehow turned into LOTR fanfic too. and i hate to write anything like that, since i hate to copy ideas, stories, ect. But i lost the disk it was on, and i didn't save it on my computer!:mad:
I haven't stopped kicking myself since. I'm sureyou could set up a link for it, or maybe even E-mail to people. though it would be a bit awkard. I also have a way w/ words. I even did my mother's english homework for school in like 45 minutes, and she got an A on it. I"d love to hear your story!

[Kementari]

Im still checking in from time to time. Yes, of course you can join Anne! ill add you to the list.
BTW *Great* job with the contest!!! I hope i get around to posting one of my poems though i doubt ill win anything

[Estrella]

you still alive? Shoot! ;) hehehe You can post untill June 1...
Welcome to the guild Anne!

[Wonko The Sane]

Thanks. :) I have not entered and I do not plan to. :)

So I'll judge!

[Estrella]

Great! it's all working out.

[Wonko The Sane]

Have you entered yet Llita or are you going to be a judge?

[Estrella]

i'm not going to be a judge,but since i was one of the organizers, i'm not going to enter. besides, i'm working on a really good story right now, so i don't really have a chance to.

[Wonko The Sane]

You really should enter anyway!!
:) Make it more interesting!!

[Estrella]

Don't want people to say it was fixed if i were to win. But i may post some more poems on this thread... i'm going to try and find one that one of my friends wrote on Chat-roomese, and English in general. It is sooo funny! but if i weren't an organizer, then i'd enter it. sorrry..:(

[HobbitGirl]

Who are the judges again? I know Kailita's one...who else?

[Estrella]

It's Kailita, Lonna, and Wonko.

[HobbitGirl]

Ah. Thank you. :D

[Estrella]

no prop..
I finally found the poem. It was written by one of my friends on my school literary magazine staff with me.

Untitled, by anonymous

What words are called " words of wisdom" when
our society is not wise?
we constantly quote to peace and justice through
Sacrifice and war.
Remember the Old adage, "An apple a day keeps
the doctor away?"
Remember the new news , " modern day apples
have Chemicals that Destroy!"

"Yo yo u wassup but man dude kool!" says
HotGuyGetsTheChick2001.
"n/m, man, but dude man kool i like got laid yo,"
says SexyManGetsTheWoman2002.
Words have been lost in an era when typing it to slow
Electronics are only better is we shorten an already perverted
Languange inot single Syllables.

" Hey! i luv u," says " HotChich29.
"aw so swt cuz shes so qt," says $exyGirl65.
Who should I blame, AOL?Digichat? They're all anonymous.
So much for the days when words could create wisdom.

Who really does speak English, then?
And why are we trying to get everyone in the world to speak it?
Oh yeah, English is the numbo 1 bomb,
If they don't speak it, they don't exist.

D'accord, the French would say, [I]C'est n'existe Personne.
Fine. No one exists.

I just thought this poem was funny as heck, since i understand it, and it seemed relevant since one of the complaints was spelling and grammer.

[EllethBronwe]

I would love to join.

[Lonna]

Everything is looking good for the Spring Poetry Jam. I and the other 2 judges eagerly await entries. There's still time, so

--calling all poets--
send us your poems!

Lonna

[Estrella]

four days left.. four days left... four days left!
anyway, A poem came to me while i was pouring half a bottle of hotsauce on my Ramen, It was weak hot sauce.

Spice of life bottled

People, they say,
That things will never change,
That history will equate
And I agree, and disagree, at once.
It’s so easy,
When tired to be
Lazy, but I say,
For better or worse,
The ride is half the fun,
So I’ll hold on, and see what comes
‘Cause even if I wanted to,
I can’t undo the past.
So throw in the Tabasco,
Or even habanera
So sorry, people of Dune, it won’t
Make your eyes blue, but red sauce
In little bottles is the
Spice of life, its crazy,
it’s zany, and all around fun.
It’s life. And I love it.

Muhahahahaha, Tabasco rules all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Helcaraxë]

This is an oppurtunity I've been waiting for!!!

I am an aspiring fantasy writer who hopes, though it would be impossible to equal Tolkien, at leat not to disgrace him. So when is the guild going to be operational?

[Ledreanne313]

Hey, will someone post in my poetry contest!!! Please??

And I need 2 more judges. So please volunteen!

[Estrella]

I'll judge. Send me the details...

[Helcaraxë]

I'm dying to join the guild, but its not listed in the guilds section of the forum! Where do I find it?:eek: :confused:

[Lonna]

Morgoth"sBane,

I think we can just add you to the Guild from this thread. Welcome!

[Ledreanne313]

Estrella, what information do you need? Due dates and rules are in the thread, if you want me to post them here. So I guess you're a judge! Thanks!

Anne

[Estrella]

cool i'll check it out.

[Ledreanne313]

Estrella, it seems the contest wasn't very successful. There are only arund 5 poem entries, so I really don't need another judge. Unless people start post now. POETS PLEASE ENTER!!!!
If I do need another judge, I'll PM you.

Thanks, Anne

[Lonna]

Sorry about the lack of interest in your poetry contest. It's probably just that summer thing--everyone out at the beach, park, or something. Hope we have better luck in September!

[Estrella]

cool. Summer does tend to make people lazy. i'm sure it'll pick up in september!

[Helcaraxë]

I'm confused. Where do we post our writings? Where IS the writer's guild?

-MGB

[Lantarion]

Hehe, the Prancing Pony = the Writers' Guild. :)
If you want to post something of yours, just go ahead and make a thread.

[Helcaraxë]

Yes, but to keep seperate and organized, it'll need a new home.

-MGB

[syongstar]

I would like to keep words of beauty" seperate and organized" at the prancing pony and have done for years but recently someone pm me that there should only be on the poetry thread to "clean up" the prancing pony" the seem to be lost on pages of poems and general discussions on that thread~~*~~

[Lantarion]

Um.. Sorry could you clarify that a bit? :confused:
Originally posted by Morgoth"sBane
Yes, but to keep seperate and organized, it'll need a new home.

Seperate from what? Look, something that has been suggested is that the PP be renamed as the "Guild of Writers" and move it to the Guilds section. So far nothing has happened.
But I have been uncertain about the creation of yet another nnon-Tolkien Guild. As YayGollum said, if the Prancing Pony is functioning well as it is, why change it?
But the PP functions as any Guild would, so I don't see why it shouldn't be 'promoted' to Guild status.

[elithraniel]

Mae govannen!
I was wondering if I could join the guild. I really love to write; actually at the moment I'm trying to get back on my feet and start writing again. I think this would be a really great way for me to get started again. I actually have some stuff from a couple of months ago I'd like to share...
Vanya sulie,
Elithraniel

[Helcaraxë]

Oh, I get it.

"I can see clearly now
The rain has gone..."

[Arebeth]

My English is awful and up to know (I'm still hoping) I'm only able to write correctly in French. But, doesn't matter, I'd like to try.

All loves are possible. (From my own experience, I dare say, sometimes it's a malediction. Anyway, sounds poetic.)

[elithraniel]

Can I enter the poem contest? I'm not sure if the days are up yet but I thought I would ask anyways!

[Ledreanne313]

When is the poetry contest going to start, Estrella (I think you are the maker?)? I have written three new poems that I just finished (one took me all summer!) and I cannot wait to enter.

Anne

[Kelonus]

Poem contest? Hmmm interesting, although I'm not much good on that. Hi, well I am too a writer for those who may not know. I mostly written two books so far and one I've typed up the other is in work. I'm fantasy/adventure style.

[Lonna]

Dear Anne,

I'm supposed to run the contest this time. Since I just got back from New Zealand, it will have to wait until the end of September. Patience, please!:)
I'll let you know when it starts.

[Ledreanne313]

I envy you. I wish I had just returned from New Zealand:(

Okay, just PM when it starts, I can't wait. I've been waiting all summer to for it (and I just finished my poem!)

Anne

[Kailita]

Hurrah, poetry contest! :D *Waits with anticipation*

Can I ask in advance to be one of the judges again? :)

[Estrella]

hehehe. the poetry contest! i can enter this time! can't wait. ahh New Zealand! i'm jealous! it's not fairrrr!:(

[elithraniel]

Yes, I would really like to know when it starts--- PM me when it does. New Zealand? No fair, its SO gorgeous over there. When I went I took the Lord of the Rings tour, they show you all the places they filmed. It is amazing to see it for real! I even got to see where some scenes for Return of the King were filmed. Amazingly the Pellenor looks EXACTLY like I imagined it. Anyone thinking of going to New Zealand it is an amazing place--- take the LOTR tour you will love. It also really gets you writing, I wrote some really great stuff while I was over there. Anyways, cheers!
Elithraniel

[Ledreanne313]

How come I am the only one that DIDN'T go to new Zealand!?! NO FAIR!:(

Anne

[Lonna]

It's the first Day of Fall
Come One; Come All
to the Contest of Wits
Words, Rhyme, and Bits!

I'm posting the Fall Poetry Contest in The Prancing Pony. Just post your poems. The deadline is October 15.

Categories:

--Rhymed Verse
--Free Verse (no obvious rhymes)
--Narative Poem (tells a story)
--Funny Poem
--Descriptive Poem (images--nature or something)

I'll be the judge,
if that's OK with you all
(I have a Master's degree in poetry
which took me a while).

By the way, I've just posted my best photos of New Zealand on my website. Check them (and our travel adventure stories) out and tell me what you think.

[Lonna]

Kalita has agreed to be the 2nd Judge for our Fall Poetry Contest. We need a third as tie-breaker. Anyone interested? Just PM me or reply to this post.

Thanks!

Send in your poems. Each person can send as many as she/he wants. Remember the categories and please mark your poem in the category which you think fits.

[Rhiannon]

I'd be happy to judge, Lonna, but I'll step down if someone else wants to.

[Kailita]

Bwa! Rhian! :D *Huggles*

Wow, we've gotten off to a fantastic start everyone! Keep those poems coming! And please remember - for the sake of Lonna, myself, and possibly Rhiannon as the third judge - to include the category of the poem you're posting: Rhymed, Free, Narrative, Funny, or Descriptive, as Lonna explained above. That just makes our job a little easier. :) Good luck!

[Rhiannon]

Eep! *is huggled* Nice to see you too, Kaia... :D

Hurray for poetry!

[Lonna]

Thanks for being the 3rd Judge. So we're all set!

Send those poems!

[Estrella]

when did (or does) it start?

[Lonna]

Estrella, it started yesterday, Sept. 23, the First Day of Fall.

Hope you send in lots of poems!

All the best,

Lonna

[Estrella]

yay! i will. been a bit scatter brained lately. thanks!

[elvenprincess13]

I would like to join, but not if there are any major rules or anything. I tried being in the Guild of the Elves for a bit, but I didn't have the time to put up the required one post a week. I write short stories and poems all the time and would love to have people read and edit my work.

[Lonna]

We would love to have you join the Writers' Guild. There are no official rules that I am aware of. Just send us some good poetry or short stories once in a while.

[Kelonus]

I would like to join. Did I post here before?

[goldmare]

It's been awhile since I've been here, and I'm hoping that either I'm still on the list or I can join again. Let me warn you guys, I'm only able to get here once every two weeks or so, sometimes more, sometimes less. Plus, there's school, so I hope it's ok if I don't post all that much. Anyways, glad to be back. :)

[Lantarion]

And glad to have you back! :D

[Helcaraxë]

I'm a Tolkienologist, but I consulted GG and he gave me permission to be a member of both guilds at once. So, is my membership official? :) :D With the Guildmaster of Writer's approval, of course.

[Lonna]

Certainly! Welcome!

[Thindraug_2]

I need help with a couple of my stories I need some one to help me edit my storys.

[Kailita]

Hmm...what kind of editing? Just grammar and spelling, or actual content?

[King Aragorn]

Can I join? I like to write stories, and I'm writing on a story that I've been working on for a few months.

[e.Blackstar]

Oh oh! Me, pick me!

[Thindraug_2]

what's going on treyar!

[Hammersmith]

Sure, I'll become a member. I don't know if I'll post anything for a while, but my brains are open for the picking. Also, how many people here are published, self or otherwise, and how many here are professionals?

[Lonna]

Welcome, Hammersmith and all new members!

Well, "published" is a word to consider. Just by writing on this forum you are published on the WWW.

Professional--that's another interesting word. Technically, you are a professional if you get paid for what you trained to do. Does that mean if you're on the staff of your local newspaper but get only $10 per photo and $45 per story?

Do the status and the money matter--or the quality of your writing? Many great writers never saw their words in print. They died pennyless, unknown, and often insane. But we love their words still, make them into movies, and teach them as Classics in literature classes.

On the other hand, many writiers (especially in the 20th Century) ammased fortunes because of mediocre novels or screenplays.

I'd like to say we at the Writer's Guild are all Published and Professional. Welcome to the Guild.

By the way, I do have 4 published books (1 sci fi; 1 fantasy; 2 cancer survival stories, part 1 & 2). I sell them mostly through http://www.amazon.com. But I can't say I really make a profit, since I love to give my books away. And I am hoping for a bigger publisher to reprint my books and distribute them for me (doing it yourself gets tiring and expensive).

I also have a Master's degree from San Diego State University, and I taught college for 10 years before deciding to stay home with my children and write wonder adventures. I do photography, too--not just for my local newspaper, but for the book I'm making "Adventures in New Zealaned," our beloved place.

Check out my website if you like: http://www.lonnawilliams.com.

But truly we are a family here at TTF, and published or not, we read each other's work with gratitude, giving feedback when asked.

Viva la pluma--the power of the pen, published or not.

Hope I haven't bored you with a long answer.

Welcome, again, and all the best with your writing. ;)

[Lonna]

Lanty, I've missed you! What are you doing these days? Any new writing projects?

I'm honored that you still use that little proverb in your signature. How true it is! When I am too busy to write, I feel as though I am not fulfilling my best talents, my service to God, my destiny!

I'm about half way through "Selah's Sword," slow going since I started working on a picture book of our 2 summer "Adventures in New Zealand." Perhaps seeing those lovely NZ photos again will inspire me to finish "Selah's Sword."

Any suggestions?

All the best!

Lonna :)

[Hammersmith]

Wow, Lonna, those books look sweet! The Sword of Selah especially. I totally understand what you mean about published/professional as well. Personally I'm looking for publication (though not actively - now is not the time) and - well, I don't currently have a "real" job, so if anyone asks, I'm a writer ;)

I've also been paid as a freelance editor from time to time, which is a useful resume/CV statistic, but not too serious.

Keep it up, all!

[Lonna]

Thanks, Hammersmith!

[Jesse]

May I rejoin this guild? I was a member of the old one...

[Lonna]

Certainly you can rejoin the Writers' Guild!

Welcome--bring the best tea and chocolate cake to welcome Jesse!

(Chrous sings, a toast is made, and we all promise to keep working on our writing projects).

All the best with whatever writing you are doing now. :)

And I liked your new website, Jesse. :)

[Lonna]

Dear Lantarion,

We have been missing your lovely poetry & stories. Where have you been?

[Eledhwen]

Hello everyone! I'm sitting here feeling really sorry for myself. I woke up with a cold this morning, and took it with me to a job interview. :(

I am using a free web builder to display some of my shorter writings (see sig) as the one I used for my art work wouldn't take that amount of text. There's other stuff to go on there too, when I get round to it. Eventually ('appen!) I'll get round to doing a proper site like Lonna. Tempest Fugit!

[Lonna]

Eledhwen, Thanks for calling my site "proper." I hope you feel better, and I'm sure you'll have a very proper writing site indeed, before long. :o

[Eledhwen]

I hope so. I didn't get the job (surprise, surprise!)

Hmm...what kind of editing? Just grammar and spelling, or actual content?I think fair criticism of stories (remembering mercy) is more useful than editing; then the author can self-edit and so improve all the quicker.

[Lonna]

Yeah, I think content feedback is very useful. One can take a grammar class or buy a grammar book & learn all about commas, verbs, etc. The grammar should be the easy part! It's coming up with a unique story, setting, & characters that is difficult.

All the best, everyone, with your editing! :)

[L'Silinrul]

I am interested, activity isn't a problem as I am on daily... most of my writings are not middle-earth based, however.

I tend to mostly do poetry and short stories, I have had longer stories... but, those are rarities.

[Lonna]

Welcome, L'Silinrul!

You might also want to post your poetry in our poetry section at the Prancing Pony Inn.

All the best and Happy Easter!

[L'Silinrul]

Did so a couple days ago...

and happy Easter to you as well.

[Kelonus]

Wow, it's been a while how is everyone?

[Angoreth]

Hey,

Just wondering if I could rejoin :)

[Kementari]

Hey Angoreth

The Guild has been very very inactive for a long time now, but if enough members want to contribute, I think we could start anew

[Angoreth]

Ah I see.
Well, I'm willing and able now that nothings getting in the way.

[Eledhwen]

It's a bit like a pub gathering; if you're there and you're contributing, then you're in.:cool: :p