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The Silhouette
Acolyte
25 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 21:02:47
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If I were to write a story or book, could I base it in Toril, or would I get in trouble???
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With the rise there are boundries, those that let those boundries get in the way, let the rise become their fall. |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 21:13:05
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If you write it on the internet for fun... just fine.
If you try to profit from it in any way...they send the law ninjas after you in the night. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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The Silhouette
Acolyte
25 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 21:23:06
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| Haha real funny, how bout if I sent it to them after I finished it so they could publish it?? |
With the rise there are boundries, those that let those boundries get in the way, let the rise become their fall. |
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Jerard Doonsay
Seeker
USA
65 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 21:27:53
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| I've heard that they plan the story archs so far in advance that nothing we do would make any difference to them. Though by sending your material they might decide you are a good enough writer to write for them on a regualr basis. But who knows for sure. And my source wasn't necessarily that reliable. |
May history live forever in the writings and stories of those who wish to tell them.
Please come and enjoy my website http://ferien.aribytes.org |
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Forlorn
Seeker
59 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 22:13:31
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Well, according to law anything published about realms is TSR's.
So NOONE can publish anything offically unless TSR aproves.
But there is a great chance in internet for a name (it would be illegal though) but I believe and heard that TSR is looking for good writers. Thus one may have a chance if he or she wrote a book under TSR supervison.
If anyone dares to to send any of their material to TSR or any large coorperation I strongly recomend that before they do the writer must buy or take the copyrights (whatever) or at least consult a lawyer if they a name on the cover.
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 23:15:34
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While I find your innocence refreshing, I find your naivete saddening.
I will say this though, writing a story, and writing a book are two very different things. A book implies that it saw print, which most do not. Worry about writing a story first. Try down at the adventures section of the boards here.
Start small. Heroes didn't start on dragons you know. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
Edited by - Capn Charlie on 13 Sep 2004 23:18:19 |
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DDH_101
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1272 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2004 : 00:09:16
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Like many of the others have said, you should try writing a story first. In fact, one of our members here; Bookwyrm, wrote a very good story that takes place in the Forgotten Realms and posts them here at Candlekeep.
BTW, didn't somebody say that Ed Greenwood even read the Jack Archer stuff? |
"Trust in the shadows, for the bright way makes you an easy target." -Mask |
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Aldrick the Nightblade
Acolyte
37 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2004 : 01:03:26
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| I belive that getting started at a young age(like me) writing FR things,you could easily mold yourself into a good enough to writer for them. I am 14 and already thinking about a writing career, so when I am 20 i should be able to write for them. Am I right? |
"Turn your face to the shadows, and let the sun fall behind you" |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2004 : 06:30:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick the Nightblade
I belive that getting started at a young age(like me) writing FR things,you could easily mold yourself into a good enough to writer for them. I am 14 and already thinking about a writing career, so when I am 20 i should be able to write for them. Am I right?
By 20, it is possible that you could be writing for them... But it is not guaranteed. In the world of those who write for a living, there are no hard and fast rules on how to get in or stay in. So yeah, at 20, you could be a rising star in WotC. Or you could be doing something else, and getting rejection letters, and not actually getting anything published until you were 45.
I'm sure many of the established Realms authors will back me up when I say this: if you want to be a professional writer, it takes a lot of work, a lot of patience, and a lot of practice. You have to put much effort into it, and no matter how great you think something is, some editors will still not like it. Do not disregard the advice of others, for some of it will indeed be useful. Just keep at it, and stay hopeful. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Mystery_Man
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2004 : 16:44:40
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| ....wishes were fishes we'd all be pope. |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2004 : 17:04:50
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| I'm actually writing a book, and I wish to know where i should post it. Is there any e-mail adress of WotC? |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2004 : 17:17:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
I'm actually writing a book, and I wish to know where i should post it. Is there any e-mail adress of WotC?
I'm not aware of WOTC accepting unsolicited novels. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 14 Sep 2004 : 19:27:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Thelonius Andrass
I'm actually writing a book, and I wish to know where i should post it. Is there any e-mail adress of WotC?
I don't mean to put a dampner on it, but i'd suggest that you post your story to forums or fan fiction sites on the web. You'll find many who are willing to help you with your writing and give feedback. It is certainly a waste of your time and effort to simply send a story for a publisher, such as WotC, without any backing or going through the correct channels, they won't give you a chance. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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The Silhouette
Acolyte
25 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 00:56:20
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I am writing a story first fyi, and I am 14 too!! So what, a girl can have dreams cant she??? |
With the rise there are boundries, those that let those boundries get in the way, let the rise become their fall. |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 01:16:01
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Dreams yes, misconceptions and unrealistic hopes, no.
Better that you learn how things really are, and go out prepared for the harsh reality than be filled with pretty beliefs that everyone is nice, the world is fair, and if you are a good person and try your best you will succeed.
Not a land of gumdrop trees and jelly bean fields is this harsh world. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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The Cardinal
Senior Scribe
Canada
647 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 14:28:35
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Write thy story, and give it a few shots. This may not be a warm and fuzzy place, but that doesn't mean you cannot try.
One never knows what the future holds. Perhaps something good, perhaps something bad, but that is the essence.
Keep in mind perhaps a bit of what some of the other scribes say, however thou art young yet, and should enjoy your dreams for the time being. Reality can come later... plus it's vastly over rated...
Practice the skills of writing, see what happens, Rome wasn't built in a day they say, however it did become a dominant empire in time. Who knows you may become very famous, may be not. "You can but try" just be careful... Well enough of this, World harsh place, but don't mean you can't try to follow a dream. |
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MuadDib
Senior Scribe
South Africa
442 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 14:32:26
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I agree with Deimos, write your story, hell and be proud of it too despite what anyone tells you. Post it on the web somewhere, make it clear that it is fanfiction and if you want WotC or anyone else for that matter to know about it, send it around. If they reject it or ignore it, who cares? Do it anyway.
Don't let killjoys get you down. |
MuadDib - Candlekeep Inn Barhand |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 15:22:34
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I wasn't trying to be a kiljoy, just shed a bit of reason on this. When you come in bubbling, asking to be salvatore's apprentice, and apparently actually expecting a affirmative reply to that, it is a bit saddening.
And wasn't I the one that first suggested writing something here and starting small and realistically?
I didn't want to be a buzzkill, just put a bit of a realistic slant on this. That, and I jsut thought it would be a better idea to start small here in a more nurturing environment, and hopefully nurture new writers, not encourage them to run directly into the lion's den first thing off. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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The Cardinal
Senior Scribe
Canada
647 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 16:11:35
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No worries Capn Charlie, Perhaps we ourselves misunderstood the nature of your reasoned words. To us it just seemed like the scroll took a very sharp dive, perhaps not as kill joy.. but too much thoughts on reality can be perhaps overwhelmingly depressing causing dispair or apathy. Just making sure that one doesn't throw up there hands and quits before the starting gate is even open, tis all  But we must say that we do agree with you. Besides, there was no request to be Salvatore's apprentice but we understand the meaning.
As for ourselves.. we find charging into a lion's den to be a 50/50 chance. One might surprise the lion... or be devoured. "There's a Chance to win in every Battle" |
It has to be Certain, the Gods Hate Me. For whatever irrevokable Fate, I have been made the walking Joke. Either that, or Beshaba is overlyfond Of Me.
-Unknown |
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Hamlet
Acolyte
Bulgaria
30 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 16:30:03
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Deimos: Besides, there was no request to be Salvatore's apprentice but we understand the meaning.
Eh, but there was, and was deleted either by the author or by the moderator. In either cases I can only smile, wink and remind myself that everyone has a place under the sun after all, and also that things happen to you easier if you help them a bit. |
If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, and you have to make fortitude saves, you know it's a druid. -- Capn Charlie
Well, lesson learned ... do 'NOT' piss off a trapped lich. -- Cardinal Deimos |
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 17:29:07
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For the would be writers out there in the world purchase the following books:
The Elements of Style, 4th Edition by Strunk jr, White and Angell.(very helpful)
On Writing by Stephen King. (helpful)
A little black notebook with pencil (When you have great ideas but no where close to home)
Also when possible take a course from the local Jr College on Creative Writing. A good course would have you write something in all genres.
The following link is for the guidelines at Wizards...
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/submissions
One last thing get an empty shoebook to collect all of your rejection letters...when that gets full....get another one! |
I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 18:23:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
For the would be writers out there in the world purchase the following books:
The Elements of Style, 4th Edition by Strunk jr, White and Angell.(very helpful)
On Writing by Stephen King. (helpful)
A little black notebook with pencil (When you have great ideas but no where close to home)
Also when possible take a course from the local Jr College on Creative Writing. A good course would have you write something in all genres.
The following link is for the guidelines at Wizards...
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/submissions
One last thing get an empty shoebook to collect all of your rejection letters...when that gets full....get another one!
Stephen King has a book on how to write? That seems odd... Though the man tells a good story, his writing style is quite atrocious (IMHO, of course). |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 18:33:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
For the would be writers out there in the world purchase the following books:
The Elements of Style, 4th Edition by Strunk jr, White and Angell.(very helpful)
On Writing by Stephen King. (helpful)
A little black notebook with pencil (When you have great ideas but no where close to home)
Also when possible take a course from the local Jr College on Creative Writing. A good course would have you write something in all genres.
The following link is for the guidelines at Wizards...
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/submissions
One last thing get an empty shoebook to collect all of your rejection letters...when that gets full....get another one!
All of these suggestions are quite good. A few other sources I'd recommend (as a fellow writer and someone who knows a few things about TSR/WotC) are:
www.malhavocpress.com/workshops.html (good advice from a good editor with whom I used to work)
http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/Workshops/burnit.html (an interesting essay on assessing your writing; other faqs and links on page good reading for prospective authors)
Both of these sites have great links and advice on other books to read, far more than I'd bother to list here.
Best of luck with your dreams and ambitions, but know that writing as a career is far tougher than it seems at first. I don't say this to discourage but to underscore that the advice above is all sound and every prospective writer needs to understand just how arduous the road ahead can get. Best of luck to any of you contemplating it.
Steven
Who reminds people that the Lord of the Rings was a hobby to JRR Tolkien, not his day job, and it took him 26 years to write it....just food for thought.... |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 18:58:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
For the would be writers out there in the world purchase the following books:
The Elements of Style, 4th Edition by Strunk jr, White and Angell.(very helpful)
On Writing by Stephen King. (helpful)
A little black notebook with pencil (When you have great ideas but no where close to home)
Also when possible take a course from the local Jr College on Creative Writing. A good course would have you write something in all genres.
The following link is for the guidelines at Wizards...
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/submissions
One last thing get an empty shoebook to collect all of your rejection letters...when that gets full....get another one!
Stephen King has a book on how to write? That seems odd... Though the man tells a good story, his writing style is quite atrocious (IMHO, of course).
I actually agree with you Wooly, I tried rereading his old stories a couple of years ago and it hurt my eyes, but I did find the above book a good read and helpful..it does have some nuggets that any starting writer could put to practice |
I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 05:57:04
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Realistic == good.
Anyway, well, sometimes WotC puts out an open novel call, and to the best of my knowledge, if you're chosen, they don't really care about your age or occupation.
Uhm, at the moment, I'd suggest you give fanfiction archives a try. The Adventuring section here, Fanfiction.net (very large audience -- as large as you'll get for FR fandom, anyway -- but no quality control. Self-upload. Wonderful self-management, although contacting the Powers that Be can be something of a pain), and if you want a place with quality control, there's Skyehawke.com. Oh, if your fic happens to involve characters from the Drizzt novels, give Lavender Eyes a try.
Then, of course, you'll have to keep in mind that putting things up for public view is to open yourself to all kinds of feedback. That includes anything from polite, to condescending, to outright mock-the-living-daylight-out-of-your-writing. |
Edited by - Winterfox on 16 Sep 2004 05:59:58 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 07:28:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
Then, of course, you'll have to keep in mind that putting things up for public view is to open yourself to all kinds of feedback. That includes anything from polite, to condescending, to outright mock-the-living-daylight-out-of-your-writing.
I think this last bit is a very important point to consider. For every person that loves a particular author's work, there's someone else who cannot stand it. Writers need to have some thick skin. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 08:05:03
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| If by "thick" you mean depleted uranium, and "skin" you mean "armor plating" then yeah, you pretty much got it. Not everyone is as kind as the people here at the Keep. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 10:11:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Capn Charlie
If by "thick" you mean depleted uranium, and "skin" you mean "armor plating" then yeah, you pretty much got it. Not everyone is as kind as the people here at the Keep.
And there are people who'll make me look like a sunny Carebear. *cue evil music* |
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Capn Charlie
Senior Scribe
USA
418 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 10:32:45
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Well, Winterfox, you have always been at least marginally kind and courteous in even your worst tirades, not slipping into the sheer vulgarity and pointlessly abusive speech that many do.
And especially of what I have seen here, it seems that you actually want people to do better, and try to constructively criticize. |
Shadows of War: Tales of a Mercenary
My first stab at realms fiction, here at candlekeep. Stop on by and tell me what you think. |
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The Silhouette
Acolyte
25 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 19:54:11
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| Thank you everyone...this has been very...educational...yes thats the word... |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 20:13:13
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quote:
Originally posted by The Silhouette
Thank you everyone...this has been very...educational...yes thats the word...
I certainly hope we didn't discourage you... I know that my intent was simply to inform you that writing professionally is not an easy road to follow. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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