h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Incatatus Great to hear from you, and apologies for my slow response which was due to real life things. Please rest assured, no concern is needed. I thought you gave a very good review, and it's always a pleasure to hear from you. You always manage to teach me something new, such as telling me about resitance writing, another thing I've never heard it. Yes, The Witness was a very sensitive subject to cover, and I did realize that it would perhaps make some men feel slightly uncomfortable, although that wasn't an intentional aim, I just wanted to make the story real, make people think. Overall, it's had a very positive reaction, especially from the make audience.

Please always feel free to say what you think or feel about my writing, I'm always open to suggestions and comments - because if nobody ever says - I'd never learn. As you have probably found out yourself, there will always be people who either love, hate or feel indifferent about your work - and you just have learn to take that onboard. You will never be able to please everyone, so sometimes you do need to have a bit of a thick skin, because if not you would be changing your work for ever. But it's always good to get comments, ideas, fresh angles you might be able to look at, etc.

I have noticed that people are beginning to splinter off into different groups in yahoo. As for myself, I'm happy to stick to h2g2 as I've always written here. The 60 word challenge sounds pretty good, how's it going?

I'm still working on my latest story, it's grown a bit bigger than I expected and I still haven't finished. Not sure if it's any good, or if it works but I expect I'l find out when I eventually finish and post it.

Keep in touch,

Foggy

Hi Foggy

I'm glad to hear I didn't cause offence with my comments, I think I was being cautious with my last message just in case.

How are you getting along with the story you're working on? I've come to the conclusion creative writing is a lot more difficult than writing for the Edited Guide, although both have their attractions.

The 60 word challenge (its now been upgraded to 100 words), is quite tough but rewarding, I enjoyed doing my first effort. I hope you're doing well with the first two para's challenge.

As you can probably tell, I'm feeling pretty brain dead today so won't subject you to a long meandering posting full of nonsense. jUst wanted to say hi since I haven't been around much the last few days. BTW I added you to my list of friends (well, I call it a list....) I hope thats ok.

Keep up that fine scribbling of yours, and I'll be keeping my eye out for The Emperor's New Clothes on the FP. Hope all is well,

Inc

Hey! I really enjoy your long meandering posts! I also really enjoyed your challenge entry. That was a really great piece of writing, and I especially like the way you have managed to get to the readers emotions, especially since you only had a limited amount of words to play around with.

Creative writing is certainly different isn't it? Both forums demand creativity, but for the EG, there are not too many ways you can express facts, but in GW (or AWW) you can allow your imagination to take you on its own little journey. I have no doubts that you will go on to produce some other fine work. I do hope you will post some of it in AWW - I'm sure they would really welcome you.

I survived the first round of the para challenge without too many scratches. Most of the comments were fair. Considering I'd left it until the very last evening - and then thrown it together in a couple of hours, I think I got away with my weak effort reasonably lightly.

Thanks for adding me to your friends list, and you will find your name on mine.

Foggy

Hi Foggy

Thanks for your encouraging remarks about my 100 word effort, its nice to have some positive feedback now and then

I've been trying to find your piece for the two paras challenge but with no luck. Am I being a little dense or have you removed it? It sounds as if you weren't entirely pleased with the piece you put forward? If some of the crits were a bit rough (I'm guessing from what you've said), don't worry too much. I'm sure you know sometimes you can't always take all the crits seriously, its generally quite easy to spot the ones that apply to the work.

I have a few ideas I'm working at the moment and I probably will put one up for the AWW which will be a new experience along with GW I work quite slowly though so I can't say when they'll be ready. I notice you have a piece on GW at the moment which I'll be reading soon, I'm always behind with things and I get distracted by the message boards at times

Have a good weekend Foggy and I'm looking forward to reading your GW contribution a little later.

Hi I'm just home from work, and looking forward to the weekend. I have a little bit more work to complete on my project over the next couple of days, but then I can write it up - and forget about it. The exam is Tuesday week so I'll need to concentrate more on the revision next week.

It wasn't so much I wasn't pleased with my work in GW, it was just okay, nothing special, and the first thing that came into my head. It's on the site but isn't worth reading, lol. But I would like you to read A3581624 when you get the chance. I'd like to know your thoughts on it. I only posted it a couple of days ago, so it still might need some fine tuning, but I'm reasonably happy with it.

I am really pleased to know you will be posting in AWW. Please let me know when you do, and if you would like, but only if you don't mind, I'll ask a couple of friends from AWW if they would also read your work. They are both miners, and always looking out for good entries, which I'm sure it will be. They are really nice people in AWW, and I'm sure you will soon get to know a few people.

You have a good weekend also

Foggy

Hi Foggy

I'm intrigued-a project-an exam-revision....? I wonder what all this can mean. I assume you have been doing a course and you are about to take exams for it? I'd be interested to know what the course is and how you get on with the exam. I realise my little message may interupt your revision schedule so I'll try not to take up to much of your time.

I read your story a short while ago and I was very impressed. I began to wonder in what way it was going to unfold, especially after reading some of your more 'darker' stories, so I wasn't too sure what to expect. I think what I could personally learn from reading this is the balance of this piece, How you set up the woman's frame of mind, then the chance meeting with the blind man, and the ending which ties it all together. Obviously it had been very well thought out. It seems to me writing comes quite naturally to you. I do think its a very well put together piece of work. Its a great story and well worth reading

Whenever I've critted other people's work on GW (something I find difficult to do), I tend to point out those phrases you hear elsewhere. I hate to do this to this story because it stands on its own, but I did think the opening of 'The dark cloud hanging over my head' was one of those phrases and might put some people off reading any further. I would also say the same with 'Like a thief in the night'. Its a sort of short hand for what you really want to say I think.

As I said I really don't like bringing up these small points because I don't think the story deserves negative comments, but if I didn't feel I wasn't being honest with you, I don't think it would be worth me making any comments about this story. I hope by the way you will feel as free to be honest about anything of mine you read. Just to add what might be a tricky question, what are your thoughts about this story?

Talking of my work, I would like to post work on AWW but I write so slowly it will be a while before I get round to this. When I do though I would be very pleased for you to put the word out to a few of your friends . I'm going to have to try and make a concerted effort to see if I can get my pace of writing up a bit. It makes it more difficult when I write so slowly.

There's no time like the present, so I'll dash off and see what I can teaze out of this sorry brain of mine thats worth posting. Good luck with the revision and if you don't resurface from it all until after the exam, I hope it all goes well. Good luck Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the story BTW, it was an excellent read and very well written.

Bye for now Foggy

Inc

Hello Inc Great to hear from you! Ah! the course. I've been undertaking a Health & Safety course called IOSH. It's a five day course - but they have been running it over one day a week. Just as well really, it's quite intense - and the project has been more involved than I thought. I finished it over the weekend, (whew) it's currently only in rough but all I need to do now is to write it up. The exam is next Tuesday so I expect I will need to start revising soon. But needless to say, I'll be glad to get it over and done with. It certainly isn't anywhere as near interesting as creative writing.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story, and I do appreciate the critique and honesty. I'm always happy to hear other people's thoughts, and comments - so don't ever feel difficult about approaching me with any points you have to make. I value your opinion. I've changed the opening back to 'My depression wasn't immediately obvious'. I'm not sure about 'the thief' but I will have a think about it.

I'm still working on the story. I want to improve the paragraph relating mankind to the river, and also bring something from that back into Gail's thoughts nearer the end. My thoughts about the story - hmmm, can you explain that a little further. Do you mean how it has turned out, or why I've written it, what I think of it in general or something else? (Forgive me, but I am a blonde )

I'm so glad you will be posting on AWW. There really are some good people in the forum, and I just know you will fit in perfectly.

Well no revision for me tonight! I'm up at 5am in the morning to get to the course in time (yuck) but having a study day at home on Wednesday. I expect I'll do a bit of writing also.......

Foggy

Oh, I still can't think of a suitable title either!

Just a passing thought Foggy. If the night phrase was omitted the sentence would still work.

Getting up at 5am. I shudder at the thought

Inc

how about like a silent tresspasser, or maybe like a tresspasser. Either of those more fitting?

Works for me Foggy

Hello! How's the writing going? I'm still working on my river entry. (At least I have a title now)

'Like a silent trespasser it entered so quietly' I think that works much better. I have also played around with the river paragraphs, trying to relate the first to mankind as a whole, and then on to an individual level in the second. I've also tried to draw the reader back to the idea of the river through Gail's thoughts nearer the end. It's getting there, but needs a little bit more thought.

I'm still not sure when you asked what I think of the story. I will come back to you with a reply - if you let me know what you mean.

The course went well on Tuesday. I'm writing the project up today and doing some studying over the weekend for the exam. I'm going to try and persuade my boss to let me have Monday as a study day. I'm sure he will agree if I twist his arm.

Are you trying another challenge?

Foggy

Hi Foggy

I'm glad the course went well the other day and good luck with the exam. My fingers will be crossed.

I'm also pleased the river story is coming on so well. It was already a well written piece so you didn't really need to take much notice of my remarks.

I thought I should just mention to you I've decided to remove my profile from H2G2, occasionally its just time to move on I think It would have been a little inconsiderate not to tell you so you don't post messages to me when I'm not here.

I know you're writing will go from strength to strength, and I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as you already do.

Bye Foggy, its been very enjoyable knowing you

Inc! Please, I know it's your choice, but do you really have to go? That was such a shock to read your message. Is there something more to it, anything I can do to help? You would be such a good person to have in AWW. Is there nothing I can say to make you reconsider? I really don't want you to leave the site.

If you want to talk about this off site, my addy is [email protected]

Foggy

Dear Inc,

I’ve given myself a little while to take in your message, and to send you another - in the hope you might pop back and read it. It is no secret that I am deeply disappointed to think you are leaving/or have left the site.

You have so many things to offer. You have a great way with words, and you are obviously a talented writer. Your whole understanding of literature and what makes it work comes shining through every time. I think you would be a great asset to AWW, and I’m sure they would soon recognize your talent, because talent you have in abundance. Not only does this site want people like you, it needs people like you who can offer so much on so many different levels.

On a personal level they say you can never tell what anybody is like over the net, but I tend to disagree with that. Okay, you might not be able to know the whole person but I still think it’s possible to have a sense of someone. Everything I sense about you is good. You are a good person, kind and considerate and someone worthy of knowing.

Please change your mind,

Pauline

Oh how awkward Apparently it takes a while for my PF to be deleted.

I am really, genuinely touched by what you have written Pauline and it really shows what a good, thoughtful person you are. My decision to leave this site has nothing to do with anything when I think about it. I've been tempted to do this for a while now and have been resisiting. I knew I would do it eventually though.

I have grown quite close to this site and for that reason it feels good to be able to move on from it That may be a bit difficult to understand, but there is a sense of freedom in this

I've made a note of your email address and you can get mine from the MSN Get Writing group if you like. I'll still be popping back now and then to read your work because its too good to miss.

Just keep those stories coming along because they are well worth reading

Tony

Tony, Thanks very much for the reply. I'm glad you didn't leave before I had a chance to contact you. I have a real sense of sadness about you leaving, I can't really explain why, because I don't understand it myself. But it is real, that's all I know.

I don't know enough to understand your need for freedom, but I'm sure if you feel it is the right thing to do then I must accept it. It still doesn't change the fact that I will miss your presence.

Good luck in every thing you do. You are a fine man, so please keep in touch.

Good luck,

Pauline

What a wonderful entry you have on the front page today. I love the photograph that was used as well, it's very dramatic. I'm sure you are also a very enlightened person.....

I didn't quite make the front page - but The Witness has been featured in The Post today.

Hello You know you can't write two superb entries that both make the front page (I'm dead envious) and then get me to really look forward to your messages, and then dump me! Come on, I might be blonde, but I'm a sensitive girl and I can't take the rejection....... I like knowing you're here.

It was just an off day, right?

Foggy