hi Mike, that's what I heard, which is why I didn't go--will catch it on Sky Movies, it probably won't be too long before it comes around.

Yes, and when you consider that sometimes ("World War Z" for instance) they start filming before they script is finished, you wonder what they're thinking.

Hi Melissa You're most welcome. I've found those two questions useful whenever I've gotten frustrated with a situation, too. Sometimes it's not easy but when I can do it, usually it turns the situation around...or if not the situation, at least my view of it! best regards, Jurgen

Hi Louise, Thanks, and good luck with the second draft! best wishes, Jurgen

Thank you, Matt, it's always nice to hear that the blog or my books have been helpful!

Thanks for sharing your experience, Dianna.

Thanks, I think there's some kind of law that says when you write something about spelling and other errors you will make at least one yourself!

The novella could help you attract followers, but of course getting people to buy or read the novella also will take a marketing push. There is so much material out there, even for free, that it's challenge to find readers. If it is in some way controversial or has an unusual subject matter, it could work.

Please don't give up! Sometimes the stories that are hardest to tell (and to sell) are the ones we most need to hear.

Oh no, the contagion has spread! I'd say it used to be guys 75% of the time.

Great, let me know how it goes--how many people check it out, whether you get useful feedback, etc.

I have a hunch there may be a two-tier price structure--more for a book without the ads. Like you I'd prefer not to be distracted by ads...we are already bombarded with ads on every possible surface. Now it's hard to find a cab without a tv screen showing ads. I discovered you can turn this off but they made sure the switch is hard to find.

Hi Sunil, Thanks for clarifying that. I should have mentioned that Showwatcher is distinct from Scripted.com, which links writers and businesses that need writers to do blog posts, Tweets, etc. and pays writers.

My favorite story along those lines is from an author--I'm sorry to say I've forgotten her name--who did a talk and signing at a bookshop. A teen-age boy was hanging around after everybody else had left so she chatted with him for a while. Finally he said, "Could you give me a book?: She said sure and started to take one off the pile to sign it. "Oh no," he said, "not one of yours."

Yes, I believe so.

Hi Wendy, You're welcome. Good luck with your books--would be interesting to hear whether going with different covers helps the rate of sales. - best regards, Jurgen

hi, thanks. Yes, some people find the robot voices annoying, some like them. I think they're kind of amusing and in a weird way make you pay more attention. Anyway, it's fun to add a little extra to the serious content.

Hi Susie, Thanks for letting me know--the link was broken but I've fixed it. I hope to see you at the MAD!

Hi Sheila, Apologies, there was a mistake in the way it was posted. I have corrected it now. Thanks for letting me know, Jurgen

Yes, I couldn't believe it when I first read how many books Isaac Asimov wrote--numbers vary but it's probably between 400 and 500!

Yes, it's true. Click the link within my post to get more details.

Thank you, Carolyn. Yes, I think several kinds of big businesses could do with shaking up!

Thanks Neil. You could probably tell that I basically agree with you. If somebody who is totally new wants to get the experience of working to order and getting feedback from an editor, they may want to do a few articles. A local newspaper might consider those credits better than nothing, but they won't mean much above that level. Still, I try not to discourage people who are starting out fresh, I just try to make sure they understand what to expect and what not to expect. And while we could debate whether this is exploitation of the willing, at least it's not like the bogus "we'll show you how to make big money writing for the web" people who take a "registration fee" and then leave you high and dry.

Another excellent idea, Katherine. I find some of my best ideas come when playing. Sometimes I pretend I'm pitching the idea to someone (usually not out loud) and in the process flesh out the idea. Not so different from playing with an imaginary friend.

Hi Nick, The 3-D model is a great idea. Also maps, because it's very easy to lose track of where things take place, how long it would take to get from one to another, etc.