We see a few Aussies over here too. They travel the world seeking wisdom.

Don't find much do they?

Aussie girls, they bring all the wisdom they need. "...the likes of NickP can rant on if they like"

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

And there I was, thinking we were all mates now. "...the likes of NickP can rant on if they like"

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

You have a good heart Slavandria. (IMHO).

I recall, Slavandria, you said: " I withdraw myself from any further discussion on Mat as I have probably said too much as it is and I know I wouldn't want someone hounding on me." But you couldn't resist it could you?

I was referring to this comment of yours: "The thing is, he didn't think what he did, in your example, was wrong until he was called on it - repeatedly. Only then, did he concede but I'm not even sure if Mat truly agreed with the apology or if he did it to appease us. Personally, I didn't feel it was an honest apology but that is neither here nor there."

Sorry -- so you just wrote that you "never made reference in my posting about your apology to Angelscribe taking so long". You did talk about it, it is in this thread for everyone to see. Did you forget what you wrote?

You have completely and utterly missed the entire point of this post. Firstly it was a summary so I could address the various negative things being said about me in one go. I would have preferred not to do so but some people on this forum have a bad habit of posting personal comments about me without evidence and when challenged they vanish.

The main point, just for you again, is this: I do not care if you disagree with me. I am happy to have discussions. If you persist in tracking away from the discussion and go into the insidious censorship realm of statements like "it's not what you say it's how you say it" then I will call you on it.

I don't want this ongoing conversation to occur! I want this thread to vanish!

What is really just the golden touch you have placed here is this: "You have asked me to give you proof of what I see as your egotistical, snobby, arrogant self. You just did it with this very long post."

This one is just brilliant -- another use is to tell someone they are argumentative and when they say "no I'm not" you say "see?"

The defense I make against you becomes the evidence you lack in the first place? I don't think so.

But here I am getting really bored again. Perhaps I should just act as you do and come out with a raft of insults? Should I call you egotistical and see if you will defend against it?

You see I wouldn't do that because it is low ... very low behaviour.

This is not about last word or look at me or consider me or any bs like that.

Stop writing to me and insulting me! I am heartily sick of it.

Truthfully, I love Aussies. And Kiwis. Nowadays I love everybody.

Australia seems to have a thriving literary scene. The UK's seems in many ways to be stuck in old, dusty ruts. A tired old boy's network. I have never done an English degree but doing A Level English was enough to know that original thinking about (or rather, personal reaction to) "classics" is frowned upon. So I have a sneaking respect for your sneering at English degrees. I suspect they are all about regurgitating and not at all about creating. Writing fiction is a different skill altogether.

I think. But may I add my opinion is not humble at all.

Twenty-five years ago the USA was producing great books. Where are they now?

Hopefully these things are cyclical.

"...the likes of NickP can rant on if they like"

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

Hi Mathew

You have replied to a couple of my posts and offered advice, which I have appreciated.

Some of things you have said however have got under my skin.

The reason, I think, is that you are obviously knowledgeable in this field and your opinion is noteworthy.

I am new to writing, but have already found that I detest certain things about the whole publishing thing and unfortunately, your ideas represent the things I don't like.

It may be just because they are things I don't want to hear however, I don't know.

For example, off the top of my head, you said publishers won't read past the first page of a book if they don't like it.

You said the first line of a book is crucial.

Also, a book can't be based on a single idea.

Bonkers that lot!

Whilst I entirely accept you want to encourage people, it's ideas such as this that make me want to pack the whole thing in.

You have a lot of influence - be careful with it!

The good thing however is that it has inspired me to publish myself, so with any luck, a positive result might come of it.