Getting back to speed

[skyring]

Well, it's been a busy day what with this Cackleberry thing. Very distressing, and not what I really need at the moment, but it had to be done, and I'm hoping that something positive comes from it.

Apart from all the messages of support that is. Forum posts, emails, LJ comments, even a phone call! I must be doing the right thing if so many people I love and trust tell me so!

Sunday was My NaNoWriMo meeting. We assembled in Garema Place by the big silver pillow, upon which I naturally released a book, only to be topped by Calissa who released two!

There was a protest march assembling nearby and for a while we had more peoplee than they did. we considered amalgamation, if not forced recruitment:

"Wadda we want?"
"50 000 words!"
"Wenna we wannit?"
"Now!"

But instead we hied ourselves off to a nearby cafe, where I asked the smiling waitress whether if you ordered pasta and antipasto you went hungry. "There's always one!" she said "But with this table there's eleven!"

That's what happens when you get a team of high speed novelists together.

A pleasant lunch and I got some good lines which I'll try to winkle in somewhere.

I feel rather ashamed, though - even Calissa, who was undergoing treatment for a sore writing wrist right there at the table, has written more than I have! Basically, I'm almost a week behind.

Afterwards Kerri, DD and I went to the Botanical Gardens, where we walked in the rainforest gully, admired the wildflowers and had an icecream or two at the kiosk. I took some pix which I'll upload as soon as I free up some space on my hard drive.

Comments

[rarsberry.livejournal.com]

That would have been an interesing protest!!
Keep writing, you can do it, and it will be great. :o)

I've been reading you awhile,

[paulaplays.livejournal.com]

and thought it time I post a comment! I sent you a PM recently regarding your work that is available for download on lulu.com (I think that's the right name?) but I think it may not have gone through as my computer has been a bit fussy lately. I downloaded all 4 of your titles and have been reading the one about bookcrossing. I am really enjoying it.

I will be following your NaNoWriMo progress and wish you all the best.

I'm very sorry about the cackleberry issue on BC. For what it's worth, I thought your letter to him was very gracious and well-written.

Re: I've been reading you awhile,

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I like writing. BookCrossing is easy, because it's something I love. I've got a bad case of stage fright with the NaNoWriMo thing at the moment, but I'll get there!

Re: I've been reading you awhile,

[eireannaigh.livejournal.com]

I am pulling for you Pete. I love reading your stuff.

Curiousity killed the womble......

[wombles.livejournal.com]

What cackleberry thing are we talking about? BTW search for cackleberry as an LJ member turns up an interesting profile!

Re: Curiousity killed the womble......

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Cackles has been sailing very close to the wind for some time. In fact, so far as I'm concerned he went well over it a couple of months back. Making offensive comments on the BC forums is the tip of the iceberg.

I won't say any more in a public forum.

But as you know, he has done a lot for BookCrossing, and I just wish he could relax and be happy and be a good example.

As a member of the support team I received a complaint of an offensive and abusive post this morning, and I wrote him what I thought was a private email in my official capacity (such as it is) saying that I was liable to terminate his membership if I saw any more offensive posts. With Cackle's history, I know I'd have backing on this right from the top, but I respect what he does for BookCrossing enough that I asked if he could find a way to progress.

Unfortunately he reacted badly to this, and I understand why he would do this, and posted my letter. http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/5/2928104

Re: Curiousity killed the womble......

[bookczuk.livejournal.com]

You have permenant hero status and "Mr Good Guy" rating in my books. But you already knew that.

And your writing is brilliant. I can hardly wait for you to do more. I am churning out drivel, but am happy at least to try.

Re: Curiousity killed the womble......

[silvanime.livejournal.com]

And in my book also. You guys do a fantastic job *hugs*

Finally made the 1000 word mark yesterday! My wrist is feeling a little better, so I hope to get some more done tomorrow.

And if you made the word limit in 10 days last year, then I know you can do it again this year, if it gets to that. Which I'm sure it won't :D

I'm looking forward to reading Squirty Bertie

Re: Curiousity killed the womble......

[bookczuk.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad your wrist is a bit better! I've been worried.

Re: Curiousity killed the womble......

[silvanime.livejournal.com]

*hugs* You are gorgeous!

It is feeling better, but I suspect it's going to be a long process. I've changed the setup of my desk a little and that has seemed to have some effect as has limiting the amount I do. I'm planning to have a chat with my chiropractor about it though.

And good on you for doing so well at NaNo!

Re: Curiousity killed the womble......

[woosang.livejournal.com]

Even people in the forum are questioning why a private matter has been made public. The general community in AUstralia would back you all the way, even if we love Cackles and know how much effort he did last year, if you feel you need to perform the final act then you MUST be very sure it is the right thing to go.

Sad business but I know you will do the right thing.

Re: Curiousity killed the womble......

[skyring.livejournal.com]

At the moment the ball's in his court. After he posted my email he then made a very angry and abusive post, which seemed to me to be deliberately provocative. I arranged for the abusive content to be deleted, and removed his posting ability for a couple of hours.

He's now able to post again if he wants and we'll see what happens. The one thing I wanted, which was to sort this thing out in quiet private conversation, hasn't happened, but my cyberdoor is open.

[lizmopuddy.livejournal.com]

I second the thought above, your letter in BC was very fair, and very well-written. Unfortunately, the reaction is indicative of his current behaviour. It is very sad, but I think you absolutely did the right thing.

[beckerbuns.livejournal.com]

I don't usually read the BC forums for this very reason... But I went and read the thread you mentioned and this person strikes me as an attention whore, plain and simple. Your email was right to the point and offered some good suggestions (and was polite). He strikes me as an ass and there's no solution for THAT problem, I guess...

I love your work.

[sirroy.livejournal.com]

I've told you that a couple of times already.

I can't believe what Cackleberry is up to. He started off fighting with me and then he seemed to turn on someone else, in a most vicious way while suggesting that he wanted the original thread about me to die.

I am beginning to think he has serious personal issues.

Re: I love your work.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Thanks, SirRoy! I must say that your breezy attitude has left me chuckling just about every time our paths have intersected.

This probably isn't the forum to debate Cackleberry's own issues, but the viciousness you mentioned has been seen before and the two alternatives seem to be to force him to stop posting, or to find some way within himself that allows him to deal with his anger.

I hope that we can keep him as a valued member of the community, but one way or the other, these attacks on other members WILL stop.

[myopicmeringue.livejournal.com]

Sorry you're having a hard time with cackleberry. I didn't know what was going on, but I took a look at the forum post, and it seems like you've acted in a fair way, and it was wrong of him to post your PM. I find him an odd character.

[(Anonymous)]

You know I'm right behind you, Pete. As a community I think we have the right to, errr, humanely and respectfully eject or silence those who seek to tear others down.

Bron, hoping for positive outcome.