I have never made bones about being a contract, for a living, an tomorrow I will be spraying out a house, painting-wise, and my biz has suffered immensely in the last year or so...

That being said, and this is a testimony to the kind of people that this show attracts, particularly to this website.

Our Philippa Conners is a fabulous person, whose warmth you can tell, by having the caring insight to arrange a SPY-IN.

Besides remodeling and painting, etc. I am a serious writer. I am a professionally trained screenwriter, with hopes of making a commercial score one day soon.

Because I am writing an aviation-political thriller, now over 201,000 words, I look to draw insight, inspiration, and examples anywhere and everywhere I can. Burn Notice was a natural draw for me. Our own P.C. after I told her what I was doing, not only cheered me on, but helped me with info on Washington D.C. that I needed for the novel, since she lives in the area.

Because of the challenges I have had and finally becoming so irritated with L.A. and London, AFTER I proved myself on more than one occasion...nothing! So, I set to write the novel version of one of my first screenplays. I have used the Internet, I have called places, and I must tell each and every one of you that everyone I have contacted has been a huge help!!!.

Here, has been no exception! I could care less about blogging and all that, but this show, and the people on the website and the show's cast can crew have pulled me in, via my heart strings.

No one here knocks you. We don't really disagree, as much as we introduce a perspective that one person may not have considered.

As I said, I look to get any help or info that I need to do my research, so I know what I am writing. I might have gotten slammed on another website, but not here.

Four years ago, when I began the novel, I needed some info on Hemingway, as I started with Hemingway in his home in Cuba, on the day that Fidel Castro took power. I found Kelley, a novelist, journalist, non-fiction writer, etc. etc. etc. oh, and an editor...!!!!

Now, almost four years later, we have an agreement that he will edit my novel and I will turn one of his novels, which he sent me and I have read it, into a screenplay. We will saving one another thousands $$$$ by extending a hand and helping one another with some of our strong suits.

The gals at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce as the same. They are a bunch of basically retired women, who live and work there in Key Largo, Florida (wow, not to terribly far from our action). I called and said what I was doing and would they be able to help me? Now, a couple of years later, I have been adopted by them. I am Little Bro. or Brother.

They wanted to read what I have written, and I said when I finished it they could, and they yelled "No! We want to read it now." I caught them during a bout of boredom...

I am termendously grateful for any and all help I get. Here and there...

All in all, we must be an exchange of encouragement. Life is hard enough, without the bitter diatribes!

So, keep this in mind, in what I have said. I am a person, not a fictitious person, who draws a little something special from being here. I look to bolster anyone up as well. There is much joy in that.

It is within this that I wished so much that I could be there with many of you next month in D.C. Strangely, Kelley lives in D.C. as well, and I would need to meet him, but the phone and e-mail continue to be the next best thing to being there.

Cheers to all,

Technical

Aww, shucks, Techincal. You've done all the hard work, you know? Kudos to you for continuing to take risks and follow your dreams.

I'm sorry you won't be able to connect with us while we're all in the DC area next month, but please know that if you're ever in Virginia/DC those of us who live in the area would love to meet you for dinner or coffee and chit chat on this n' that!

I am have done, and am doing all of the hard work, but where would I, could I be without the kind efforts of friends like you? No man, or woman is an island. We depend on all to make life happen.

Yes, I am sorry I won't be able to attend, but I do have and live in hopes of coming to D.C. sometime in the near future.

I look forward to reading and possibly seeing some pics of the meet up.

Technical

Well, maybe that's why this board is so close... We're all writers!

Like you, Technical, I have written a novel. I've worked very closely with a free-lance editor to complete it. Now I need to finish the synopsis and get it shopped out to an agent... who will (hopefully) see that it gets published. Unlike you, though, my novel is set in the Wyoming 1880's... you know, cowboys and all that... But, I have come across a wide range of people willing to help me in my research. It's amazing what you can find out if you just ask!

Until the novel is published, I will continue to go to "work" every day and accomplish my tasks there... But, the idea that I could be writing full time is a seductive draw, and my soul tells me I that's what I need to be doing. Good luck to you and your friend in your endeavor. I wish you the best of success!

And, yeah... our own PhilippaConnors "innocently" sent me some photos of a pub she went to one weekend. I immediately thought of stories that could be happening in and around that pub... and I plan to use her pictures in research for an upcoming story.

(Oh, and I'm not ignoring the ones on this board who have read my completed novel... Y'all do some pretty thorough book reports, I bet you were great students! Let's hope you'll be reading that novel in hardback or paperback some day!)

And, Phi... you know I'll be with you in spirit in DC! I just wish I could be there in person!

Well, I'm not a writer, just a BN fan..............wanted to wish you all the luck in the writing world and send good wishes your way keep up the good work .

I'm not a writer either, alhtough I've been told I'm not a bad editor (thanks, Phi ). I'll echo elisetx and wish you all the best in your writing endeavors!

Guilty as charged. I am a writer as well.

I have three unfinished novels and countless outlines for many more. Just can't seem to finish them. [Sigh]

I would also like to share my appreciation for this community that has attracted so many intelligent, creative and wonderful people.