NightScribe

And let's not forget what happened to the French aristocracy during their revolution. Unfortunately, the Terror that existed afterwards was just as bloody, if not more so, than the initial revolt. But it's a good example of what can/could/will happen if a "new aristocracy" develops. Another case of not learning from the past.

That was very interesting and it's something I've bitched about for years. In my neck of the woods, developers are buying up houses, razing them and building the McMansions. Just last week, I drove out to my dad's (he still lives in the house I grew up in) and I got disoriented; so many new, huge houses. And it pissed me off. Urban sprawl has become suburban sprawl. People I work with are driving 1-1/2 hours to work, because they can't afford houses near the office, so they move out to BFE. And those areas are now getting as congested as the collar counties of the city used to be. WTF?

I really admire their convictions. R.I.P. Flyer and Fryer. True heroes, they died believing in their cause.

I thought I'd share a really nice review I got on my WIP. I know a lot of us have griped about fics with terrible spelling and grammar, so I thought I'd pass along the fact that there are people out there who appreciate a little extra effort and take the time to say so. If only more reviewers could be so succinct!

I've just joined up, too. Over at LJ, I go by Mystic Scribe, but I use the same avatar. Anyone wants to friend me there, feel free. Now I have to go get ready for our ungodly early Thanksgiving get together, which the disgruntled among us are referring to "Thanksgiving breakfast."

Forbes Magazine has listed the wealthiest fictional characters, and dear Lucius Malfoy ranks in at #12. Here's the link: Malfoy Forbes Listing Hmmm....rich, good looking, sharp dresser, thoroughly evil (which equals thoroughly hot) my dream man! (I'm more than willing to compromise on the evil bit ) And just because I love it when thinking about him

hee hee hee...may I suggest a compromise? Mr. Malfoy can mete out your discipline and I'll take Col. Tavington and his riding crop.

I like him better with dark hair, but long, like in "The Patriot." I rewind and rewatch the scene where he kills Heath Ledger over and over and over....*drooling*

Here's a link to a shortened tv interview Jason Isaacs did recently, discussing Harry Potter. Can I add that I would hit that in a New York minute? As many times as possible?

I have to agree that it's fannon. In HBP, Narcissa refers to Snape as Lucius' oldest friend. If he was Draco's godfather, I think she would have mentioned it.

You're absolutely right. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts!

Iggy, that's always been my line! Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day! (Well, what's left of it)

Argh, I hate the one big block syndrome! And they're usually riddled with spelling mistakes, bad punctuation, lack of capitalization, ugh, I could go on. And I really hate when they can't spell a canon character's name right. I was trying to read an HP fic the other day, and they couldn't spell Lucius correctly. I mean, I know he's luscious, but that's no excuse to spell the name Lucious.

As Pixagi said And I've noticed, many times, that these "fanbrats" who think it's easy either: a)get pissed at concrit for the thinly plotted/poorly written/formulaic/MS stories they write b)will leave fics unfinished after 2 or 3 chapters c)never write another one What kind of sucks is that in the case of b and c, those fics are just hanging out there, so people will have a read thinking it's a short, completed fic and find it's incomplete crap. In the meantime, there's people sticking with it, putting in a lot of time, effort, and talent into what they're doing, and their fics sometimes get overlooked. Did I mention I hate those fanbrats?

I remember the first Mac I used at an old job, back in '86. The little bomb was always showing up. About seven years ago, another place I worked, the owner's Mac was always freezing up; but it was fine until he started adding macros and a trackball and other extraneous junk. I've always kept mine simple and they seem to do okay. My last computer would freeze up when I was online and some flash or java thing would screw it up. But no problems with the one I have now and it's already six years old. I think they'll have to bury me with it.

The Regret of Argus Filch is awesome! I truly love that story and you're welcome! I think you may be right; most Lucius fics have him paired with Snape, Hermione or Draco. I'm thinking maybe LM fans are open to something different. And I hate to admit it, but even though I love Snape, I don't think I'll ever be writing another fic where he's the main player. Over saturation, too much of a good thing, etc.

Oh, let's hope so! I would so love to see Lucius in the seventh book (it's possible; if Bella broke out of prison, Lucius could pull a Shawshank too) and see him in the last film. Something so deliciously wicked about him. That was a great bit of casting. What's more interesting is to hear an adult actor asking to be brought back; he obviously really enjoys working on those films (I've heard him mention how he likes his "Paris Hilton wig"). The whole thing just warms the cockles of my heart.

Seventeen days ago, I started posting my new fic. A week ago, I posted the fourth chapter, and as of last check, it's gotten an additional 134 hits. This, for me, is huge, and leaves me quite pleased, yet totally mystified. I'll explain; the first story I posted, fifteen months ago, has something like 870 hits. This new one, so far, is going gangbusters. And I haven't even gotten to the meatiest parts yet! (Which, incidentally, is killing me. I'm driving myself crazy wanting to post the next two). Anyhoo... Has anyone had this experience before? I'm still writing in the same archive, HP, but a different pairing. Think that has something to do with it? It's really the only change I made, I haven't drastically changed my writing style or anything. Well, I'm going to cut this short because there's a bit of a t-storm raging right now.

Although it pains me greatly *sharp, stabbing pain in my side* I will say this for MS Word; it has the automatic spell and grammar check. Appleworks has spellchecker, but it doesn't do it as you go along, and there is no grammar check at all. It's a wonder I manage to write anything even remotely literate. And, I hate when the dictionary doesn't recognize words; then I've got to pull out the monster Webster's and double check. Like the word "soupcon"; it suggests something like "soup can". Argh! I'm also too incredibly lazy to add names; I'm always hitting the "skip" button for "Lucius, Draco, Snape", etc.

I was simply referring to the badly written PWPs I found; I've got an unholy knack for finding crap.

What's MS word? What are these problems you speak of? *laughing gleefully* Sorry, I couldn't resist; I'm a diehard Mac user with an unhealthy love for Appleworks (nee Clarisworks) and I won't touch an MS product, unless I'm forced to by my evil, PC using company. Feel free to slap me.

Awww....look at the cute, little shagging spuds! Talk about mashed potatoes! (Okay, I realize they aren't root vegetables, just highly inflamed smilies in the color of passion-purple!)

The blocks I've dealt with are mutiny and detail, but to a minor degree. Mutiny is never a problem, it usually ends up making the story better. I'm convinced that's the subconscious at work; knowing what should be written, even if I'm not initially aware of it. Details are a bit more of a hassle, but I either take a break from the fic, work on something else completely, or dabble with a different chapter. The only other block I can think of is the lazy block; cousin to boredom. I won't be bored with the story, or grappling with details, etc., I just don't feel like sitting down and doing any work. That's what I hate the most. The only thing I'm already dreading is after I finish my WIP; I'll have total muse block.

Thanks for posting that link, I laughed my butt off!

I definitely know that cringe inducing moment you're talking about. I remember how AWFUL the short story was I wrote when I was 16, that made me want to become a writer. My teacher read it to the class; yeah, it was good for a 16 year old, but I'd wince every time I came across it later. Any copies of it have long since disappeared, it was so lame and embarassing to me, I couldn't keep it around, but oh, do I remember it. We had to write a "pact with the devil" story. So Satan shows up at this chick's apartment and she thinks he's just a wack job who broke in while she was sleeping. He's trying to convince her to sell him her soul (he's looking for *ahem* a "companion"-see, underlying smut even then!) and she says: "Yeah, you say you're Satan? Then prove it." The doorbell then rings and she answers. A girl scout is standing there in full uniform. "Hi, I'm Suzie and I'm from troop 666! Wanna buy some cookies?" "At 11:00 at night? No, damn you!" Girl scout vanishes in flash of light, only the lingering smell of brimstone left behind. I still shudder over that crap.