posted
I was writing a message for our board a few minutes ago when Clay phoned to say *he* was also in the act of posting a message here.
Clay and I have a long, really remarkable history of similar coincidences. Actually, some of them truly (and unarguably) qualify as ESP, not mere coincidence. (Remind me to tell you someday about one event that made a believer out of me.)
Anyway, I read his messages as soon as I logged on. Having never allowed myself to ever, under any circumstances, read my children's mail when they were growing up, it's a real treat to be able to do it here--ethically and guiltlessly--after three decades.
I'm pleased to see that he found fellow sports enthusiasts among us here--and I'm very amused to see that he (almost) admitted to you that I'm right about why he hasn't found a suitable wife. I was also somewhat startled to discover that his grandmother is apparently on his side.
I suppose I could phone my Mom and attempt to change her mind, but to the best of my knowledge, no one has ever been able to change my mom's mind once she has made it up. Instead, I shall rely on Clay's good judgment. And perhaps...a little prayer. (Prayer, you may not have realized, is a very subtle and highly effective way of "meddling" in your children's lives without them realizing it. )
On another topic...I loved Karena's message. I always feel honored and proud to be a part of our group on the bulletin board. And on many occasions, I also feel humbled by the amazing kindess, kinship, and warmth that you have all created here. Moreover, you always welcome newcomers and you share what you've created here wholeheartedly with them, as well. That's one of the things I've most loved about all of you here.
The other thing that I find profoundly moving is that when rifts occur and tempers begin to flare, you all move in to heal the rift, not widen the breech. As you all know, the written word, without facial expressions or a tone of voice to clarify and/or soften its meaning and intent, can really be perilous.
I noticed a message tonight from Lynsey Rousseau explaining and apologizing for an anonymous message she meant only as a joke. That was a truly nice thing to do, Lynsey, and courageous as well.
No one knows better than I that the written word can be a difficult, weighty, unwieldy, inaccurate tool at times. I couldn't begin to count the times that I've been astonished by readers' wildly varying reactions to something I wrote in a novel. Sometimes, right here on our board, I'm genuinely taken aback. Sometimes, after I recover from my surprise and think about it, I can see how and why a particular reader might have felt as she did.
I know, I know--you want examples. Let's see...the last time it happened here was a month or two ago when I dropped in (and out) unannounced. While scanning the messages, I came across a discussion about "trite" lines in novels. There, I was startled to discover that one of our board members remarked on a line *I* used in PERFECT which she felt was trite. Near the end of PERFECT, when Julie's mother asks where Zack and Julie are, Katherine points to a ferris wheel and says, "They're up there--on top of the world."
My initial reaction to the idea that could seem trite was a twinge of indignation and frustration. Followed by...chagrin. In retrospect, that line *is* kind of trite. Seemed like a great line when I wrote it though...fitted the mood, the moment, and the event. Pefect line. Perfectly trite, in retrospect.
A similar thing happened on a visit here not long before the one above. Someone commented on a line of Julie's in PERFECT...She remarks that "beauty makes me cry." Or perhaps it was "beautiful things make me cry."
In any case, someone remarked that that line was similar to Deborah Kerr's line in An Affair to Remember. I was startled by that comment, but not for the reason you think. The truth is, after I wrote that line in PERFECT, I almost took it out twice during revisions. The line bothered me because it seemed so...so *common.* So obvious. Not at all unique. I mean, when I wrote that line, I believed (possibly incorrectly) that tears are a rather common, usually feminine, reaction to intensely beautiful, emotional moments. For one example, people tend to get teary at weddings.
If I'd have realized the line was used in AATR, I'd have automatically taken it out rather than allow any sort of similarity. Now that I've watched AATR again for the first time in at least 20 years, I have now concluded that the line in AATR was also a little too obvious, and too common to do justice to their movie. Or to my book.
Speaking of books, I haven't finished WATER'S EDGE, so I'm going to go back to work.
I understand that one or more of you are planning to come to the all-day lecture/seminar I'm giving in Houston as a charity fundraiser. Please let me know who you are by e-mail so that I can make arrangements to spend some private time with you that evening.
It is so good to see you posting again! We have missed your presence here on the Board and are always so happy when you find the time to make a brief, albeit very important, appearance.
We are so excited about 'Water's Edge' and speculate almost daily, about it's contents. It will be most exciting to read and finally see the ending.
Gabriel and I are doing well..I am taking very good care of him! lol..good to see you and I should be seeing you in August..
How wonderful to see you here again. Thank you for your words of wisdom. We do what we can to create a fun and friendly place here. This is an escape for so many people, somewhere to leave life's issues aside. It is never nice when those issues spill over.
But we are mature when all is said and done.
You and Clay have such a special relationship. He is so proud of you! What a great son. That is the best compliment a parent can have, a great child. I was telling him that finding the love of his life takes timing. LOL! Not that you want to hear that, but she will come. Clay deserves someone really special, someone who will touch his life in amazing ways. It will happen, have no doubt.
I regret to tell you I will be unable to go to your conference in August. I am working on my thesis and have my orals around that time. But the good news is I will be in Houston in November I hope you will be around then. And I wish you blessings between now and WE's release, your conference and the RT convention.
Thank you for all you are.
Naomi Thornton
Posts: 2705 | From: #11 Upper Brook Street, London, UK | Registered: May 2000
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But do not let us take you away from your work - I know how addicting we can be! haha
Nice of you and clay to drop by and congratulations on your upcoming grandchild.
We would love to keep you here and have you post with us but we know you're busy so we understand that you must get back to your life and job. SO we will try very hard not to keep you.
posted
Hi Judith! Thanks so much for taking the time out to visit us. It's always a pleasure. I agree with you in that over the years that this board has been running, that there have been quite a few negative posts from various anonymous people, and they have only strengthened our friendship here. It has brought us closer together, and we have learned that our friendship is too strong to be disrupted by outsiders whose only goal in life is to stir trouble. It's too bad those same people don't know that our community here is too stable to unbalance.
I won't be able to see you at your seminar, but I hope to see you in November at the Romantic Times convention.
Karen
[This message has been edited by KaReN JeSsUp (edited 06-22-2000).]
Posts: 3667 | From: Under the covers cuffed to Jess | Registered: Apr 2000
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It is so good to have you visit us tonight! It is always a pleasure to see you or Clay posting on the board. Thank you for your kind words - without you this board would not have even been possible, and we would not have met other wonderful ladies whose friendship we cherish.
I regret to say that I will not be able to attend either your conference in August or the Romantic Times convention in November, but please let us know if you are ever in California. I would love to meet you sometime!
I look forward to seeing you on the board again soon.
posted
Judith! Gosh, I loved that post. Thank you so much for dropping by. You always do brighten the place like a ray of sunshine. At the risk of seeming trite, of course. *grin*
Love to you!
-- Jessica
[This message has been edited by Jessica Farrell (edited 06-22-2000).]
It's great to see you on here again. You and Clay have a truly special relationship and I hope that he finds a very special woman to love. Love comes, but once in a persons life and when he finds it he'll know and hold on to it with everything he has.
I wish that I could come to the fundraiser, but as I live to far away I can't. I would love to meet you in person.
posted
Hi Judith! It's wonderful to see you posting again but I thought you said you were going to try to do at least one post a day! hehehe Just kidding! I know you have to finish Water's Edge and I am patiently (hah! *Ü*) waiting for it. Thanks for coming by!
michelle
[This message has been edited by michelle (edited 02-02-2003).]
How wonderful to hear from you. I absolutely cannot wait to read Water's Edge. I love the medieval time period for romances. I know it will be spectacular. Any chance you'll have a contest to win a signed copy or perhaps one of those pre-published ones? (what do you call them?) Can you tell how very ANXIOUS I am?
As for Clay, why I think he will probably surprise you one of these days and find the PERFECT daughter-in-law.
I know how much you would like his search to be over for ONCE AND ALWAYS, but I also know you wouldn't want to set DOUBLE STANDARDS for your children. REMEMBER WHEN you said to your darling daughter, "WHITNEY, MY LOVE, SOMETHING WONDERFUL will happen one of these days and UNTIL YOU allow nature to take its course, it can be so frustrating." She listened to her very wise mother and it wasn't long before the man of her dreams appeared.
I know it would take A KINGDOM OF DREAMS, along with a few MIRACLES, to give our children everything you hope and pray for them, but rest assured dear mother, PARADISE is just around the corner for your wonderful son, and when it arrives it will seem ALMOST (like) HEAVEN...
It is then we will see the TENDER TRIUMPH in your eyes as you witness the happiness your wonderful children have achieved in their lives. Think of the DOUBLE EXPOSURE of seeing both your children happy and content spending their lives with the ONE AND ONLY (possible new book title...) love of their lives.
The NIGHT WHISPERS of love soon, ...I see it in my crystal ball... Clay and a beautiful young woman walking hand in hand along the WATER'S EDGE of a beautiful exotic island...(on their honeymoon, of course)
Vickie *who knows she has taken a few liberties here but just couldn't resist*
[This message has been edited by Vickie (edited 06-22-2000).]
We are all thrilled that both You and Clay could drop by and spend sometime with us. As always a message posted here by either of you is alway a true highlight.
Thank you for your kind words as I couldn't agree more with the ladies of this board being so amazingly wonderful.
Oh and congratulations to you as I hear the McNaught family is expecting another addition! Give Whitney our best!
posted
Thanks for being here Judith and thanks for your wonderful post. If you would have told me 7 months ago that I would have met some women on the internet who love you as much as I do and that I would be going to Hou to meet them, I would have thought you were crazy!
But I'm so happy that I'm here on this board making friends!! I just moved to anoother state and wasn't able to take my wonderful friends & neighbors w/ me, but I was able to take the JMBB women right along w/ me!!! I love that!!
posted
Judith! Thank you for dropping by. I totally agree with your comments. Words are something that sink deep inside our souls. Even though we might be joking, some of our words hurt. It is always important to think about a human being first.
I am anxiously awaiting my trip to Houston in August. I am so looking forward to the seminar.
posted
Hi, Judith! What a treat to log on this morning and read a message from you! It's great to hear what you're up to. I have a friend who I occasionally have ESP moments with; it's very odd when it happens but kind of neat. I'll be in Houston in August, and I can't wait to meet you! Looking forward to it!
It is so nice to hear from you. I have been away for a little while, moving to Vail, Colorado, (YIPPEE!!) sorry I got side tracked. Anyway I just wanted to say that I am anxiously awaiting the release of Waters Edge and I am terribly upset about not being able to go to Houston (that is not confirmed, but it doesn't look promising!).
Well, since I am at work, I guess I had best work! LOL
Always great to see you! I'm beginning to regret that i live in England coz now i can't come to see you! lol i haven't got much to say, really, because i'm kind of speechless with happiness! lol so i'll leave it at that, Abi
posted
Hi Judith!!!!!!!!! I wish I could go to Houston. I am pea green with envy about all you ladies getting to meet with Judith. Maybe one of these days I will be to meet JM and the Dreadnaughts.
posted
*Sam I know exactly what you mean about "pea green with envy*
Judith...thanks so much for stopping by...I could actually "feel" the love you have for your family and the kindness you show each person on this board....To me, you are the BEST!!!
I am so glad that you found a little time in your hectic schedule to say hi to us all. You have no idea how much we love hearing from you.
I know you are hard at work trying to finish up Water's Edge (I cannot even tell you how grateful we are for that fact lol) so we won't keep you for long! We can't WAIT to read it.
Congratulations on the wonderful news about the new addition to the family!
-Jenn
Posts: 3497 | From: the arms of the delectable Jason Fielding | Registered: Apr 2000
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Ah, well, it looks as if I am late in greeting you as well. *sniff*
But it is exciting to log on to the bb and see any McNaughts posting here.
Congratulations to you on becoming a grandmother again. That is *very* exciting, and we are all keeping Whitney in our thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for posting more "inside scoop" on how you write your wonderful novels. I never tire of reading those.
And speaking of novels, if you perhaps need any assistance in getting WE done - you know - proofreading, typing, or simply making sure the coffee pot remains full while you write - don't hesitate to give me a call!
Love, Lynda Maitland
Posts: 2136 | From: The Bluegrass State | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
Hi Judith, and thanks so much for taking time out of you busy schedule to say hi to us! We *do* love these little visits! It's also very nice when you share some of your thoughts about our posts with us, sure brightens my day! Congratulations on the upcoming new addition to your family!!
posted
Hi there. This is my first time to communicate via the internet... The information I'm seeking is in regard to the Houston conference Judith M. mentioned earlier. When is it and how does one register?
Posts: 28 | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
Welcome Allegra and Sunny! Do make yourselves at home and post often. :)
Sunny--There are actually two Houston events. The first is a seminar Judith is doing in August on HOW TO WRITE AND GET PUBLISHED. Space is limited on that one, but Judith gave us the number if you'd like to call the Arts Alliance people and get the info. (Try the BB Search engine and look for her post about the seminar.)
The second one is the RT Booklover's BookFair this November 12th, also in Houston. Judith is scheduled to be there signing books. (At least, I do hope she's still planning for that.)
Welcome again! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!
-- Jessica
[This message has been edited by Jessica Farrell (edited 06-22-2000).]
posted
I'll add myself to the "day late and dollar short" group, but I just had to say hello. We're all so giddy and excited for days after you post. And as the Houston trip in November draws closer, I hate to think about how we will be acting!
Shannon
Posts: 7593 | From: God only knows | Registered: Apr 2000
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We love having you here Judith. And every time you drop by and say such wonderful things on the bb... we feel even more blessed that we have one another. And I thank you (and S&S) for bringing all of us together. And everytime you come by, we have something to boast about!! Our favorite author *likes* to hang out on (her) bb! LOL!
I'm afraid I'm 'TWO days late and TWO dollars short.' But I couldn't miss this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to visit with us on the board. *Clay, too* I love the way you always manage to give us a boost with your kind praises for the JMBB, as well as englightening us with your wonderful words of wisdom.
And, as a granny of eight, let me congratulate you on the impending birth of grandbaby number two. Grandkids are wonderful, are they not?
Good luck with Water's Edge. I look forward to it's release.
CeeCee *who will be with the Dreadnaughts in Houston this November*
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I hope you will be around then. And I wish you blessings between now and WE's release, your conference and the RT convention. 
I know you have to finish Water's Edge and I am patiently (hah! *Ü*) waiting for it. Thanks for coming by! 
