To answer various posts in one go ...

I live in Australia so I'm asleep while the rest of you are posting. I think I referred to this as "tried and executed before I wake" in some other post. So, if it seems like five people or whatever had to say something to me before I answer ... it's because I'm asleep. You may notice my posts have time-stamps of 1am etc. So, Slavandria -- that is why I did not answer regarding angelscribe until the next day.

On to how I write on forums ...
The really great thing about forums is that all evidence is there to see, cut, paste, link, etc. We have a problem here because you can't easily find posts but in general the threads are still there and it doesn't take that long to find some posts.

SO ... if people wish to stop talking about whatever the topic of the post is or whatever topic has branched off that and wish to start making assertions about me personally, then yes, I am going to ask you to prove your assertions. All the writing is there for you to do so. That means if you write "you are arrogant, egotistical, unyielding, flippant, holier-than-thou, know-it-all, etc" then I am going to ask you for evidence. I am going to directly challenge you on personal points you make about me. If you believe it then support it.

It is incredibly easy on forums for people to start up with comments like "it is not what you say it is how you say it" -- an insidious censorship that is very difficult to oppose. I would ask those who have said comments about me to consider what you would do if I said the same comment back to you. What response would you post if I told you you were "presenting opinions as fact"? Would you ask me for evidence? Would you just ignore it? If there are rules here that you think I am violating them cut, paste, rewrite, show me. Vague comments about "I feel..." all without evidence isn't really going to convince anyone.

A few times now I have challenged a personal comment made against me and then another typical forum move occurs: silence. Or just a move about silence: a single sentence answer saying something like "see, I knew you would do that" etc.

I really did not join YWO to get into arguments but please be very clear on this point: should you say things like "you present opinions as fact" or that I am egotistical etc, then I will pick up on that and expect you to back up your claim. I would also point out that when people are discussing topics with me that I NEVER make those kinds of claims about them. I have in recent days told one person he is pretty weak because he came out slapping me and now vanishes when asked to explain. I do stand by that.

As to my experience in writing/publishing/me being the be-all/end all etc.

I'm being cruel or undermining in my tone when talking about this? Now I really am going to have to ask for evidence for this one. Anyone who has read my posts should know that I have made some fairly negative comments about teachers who smash down students who want to write. I have never implied or directly said anything negative about the various plans, ideas, hopes, dreams, etc, people have.

If someone comes on here and says they are going to hire an author adviser then I am going to give advice about asking for a resume, setting clear goals, writing a contract and a whole lot of things (because I really despise that profession). As for me talking about non-writing topics (psychology is a laughable science) -- yes, I agree that is very likely insulting to Psychologists. No, I have not seen new evidence to change that view. Yes, if new evidence arises then I will look at it.

As for being defensive, opinionated, argumentative ...
Yes, if you write "you present opinions as fact" then I will call you on it and expect you to back up your claim. So yes, I will be defensive in that respect.

Opinionated ... I have had a hard time working out how this is a negative claim. My negative version of it is "have a lot of opinions but little evidence for them". I suppose opinionated can also refer to contributing to various forums more than other people. I work from home as a writer ... it's about a four-hour a day job. The rest of the time ... swimming, writing, reading, forums, eating ...

Argumentative: I do love discussions. I do love the rub and spark of clever brains against each other. Some people on YWO get it: yes, we can have three or four posts back and forth about SD and mathematics and by the end we may not agree but no one is angry about it. Other people don't get it: one or two posts and suddenly they are writing about how I write or making personal claims about me. Then thread jack and off we go as I call them on it.

Ok ... hopefully that is most of the answers to the various posts.

I think some people are getting confused as to the source and context of various things I have said. Yes, I do claim a lot of knowledge about publishing, agents, contracts, licensing, editing, author advisers and other bits in that field. The only person to ever say anything about what I wrote there was an author adviser herself who didn't like what I said about her generally despicable profession. HOWEVER ... this does not mean I have the same amount of knowledge about other fields. I am not claiming expertise in the subject of "psychology is a laughable science". I claim I have a degree in it, read widely and find my view supported by others around the world. It is very easy for people to sum up ideas and lose context. On the surface of it the statement "English degrees kill more writers than they make" is fairly contentious. But read the thread and you see it hardly comes out as me stomping all over the place. I talk directly from my experience.

The point I really want to make is this: if you disagree with something I have written then come on and write that you disagree and say why. Don't come on with "you're opinionated" or some garbage like that.

If I write something insulting or you're upset by the way I've written it then I'd expect you to call me on it right then and there. Don't wait six forums threads later and make vague comments about me that cannot be substantiated with evidence. If someone insults me then I call them on it right then and there.

... my last point ... how much do I care really ... tending to zero. I will call people on insulting personal statements because I think you wouldn't say or do that if you were standing in front of me so why should it be different here? But fatigue really is setting in. I am happy to talk about these things to a limited degree but I can't actually see what anyone hopes to gain from this. I'm not putting IMHO at the start of what I write ...

Thank you to the various people who have supported me. It's pretty terrible to be tried and executed in the night.

Sorry for the long post -- didn't want it to get lost in various smaller ones.

mmmmm i'm not sure the starting of posts about yourself is the way to go. It smacks of a sense of inflated self importance.

Everyone has something valid to contribute on forums, in conversation and life generally. You like others do your bit. But then you go a bit further, and maybe further still. The Henry Miller of YWO.

I say keep doing it, it is funny and stimulating and makes everyone else just a little happier about themselves. You eveidently don't mind antagonising a few people, having people think you might be a bit of pratt or generally leaving huge elongated posts that incite conversation and debate about you... "Lets talk about Matt baby.."

So crack on fella -indulge your every whim, but do ensure the sound and sensible critical advice remains...that's what we really need... The frog and the scorpion - by Steevan Glover is available December 2008 http://www.steevanglover.com

There's one for the resident psychologists - or do we need a psychiatrist?

I've got to be honest Matt, but I don't know where you find the time to post such huge replies. My life is always busy and I often cannot find time to spend 10 mins viewing the forums, let alone posting replies that equal the length of some short stories! I do say again, that I am all for debate and healthy argument but I am getting a little tired of the 'Matthew Fergusson' threads that are appearing. You certainly know how to stoke up emotion - do you have this effect in your professional life? Just curious....

What time is it in Australia? When do you go to bed so we can judge and execute you again? "...the likes of NickP can rant on if they like"

I occasionally rant on at http://amonsterinthemirror.blogspot.com/

Made a not very funny joke. The ABC Checklist for New Writers

Visit my website: Lorraine Mace

You are absolutely right and I can see that it is very much time for me to go to bed. It's freezing outside but here in the lounge it is a balmy twenty degrees, my eyes are filled with sand, I'm mistyping and transposing letters AND I'm substi ... subshut .. using was instead of were.

Yawn...
and goodnight. :-)