Uncomfortable

No, it really wasn't meant as an advert! It was more a request for opinions on the issue of writing about guns & shooting, after the tragic event in America... pe ps oid "the progenitor" "the art of tea" "that's an odd courgette"

(having said that, what's wrong with a bit of self-promotion?) pe ps oid "the progenitor" "the art of tea" "that's an odd courgette"

I certainly don't mean to offend... which is why I raised the issue! Obviously I don't feel so uncomfortable that I decided not to post the story, but I feel uncomfortable enough that I questioned doing so and requested the opinions of others on the matter. In response to the "drawing a parallel" issue, I suppose the uncomfortableness arises from the treatment of guns and a massacre (even of zombies) humorously. I generally feel okay (mostly) about doing this (not that such things feature too frequently in my own fiction), but I just wanted to hear what others thought. Regarding my long-standing-ness on this site and the issue of self-promotion (I have to say, I am always happy when discussion go off on tangents... the wilder, the better!)... Yes, I have been a member for quite a long time, but admittedly I have barely shown my face in recent years - either to post fiction or take part in discussions - pretty much since I became a dad in 2008. Lack of time is what it boils down to. I do still write blogs, but I find that fiction requires more of a time/effort commitment... as does taking part in ABCtales discussions - generally fascinating, but the nature of this site as a 'writers' site certainly comes to the fore in this context! I have always, however, questioned the 'main philosophy' that one should not promote one's own work. I ask again... what's wrong with a bit of self-promotion? And may I request a response that does not fall under the category of, "because we just don't do that here"...? Does not self-promotion, of artists of all forms, happen plentifully in the big wide world? Should one just "wait to be noticed," or should one "put oneself out there"? As long as one does not engage in spammage, trollage and the like, what's the problem? I will concede that my present foray into self-promotion (again, I declare not entirely conscious) is not balanced by promotion/commentary of others/others' work. I intend hereby to rectify this situation and have a butchers at "Recently added"... Oh and btw, I'm sure this issue has indeed been discussed previously herewith... probably many times since the site's inception... but nothing new under the sun and all that! pe ps oid "the progenitor" "the art of tea"

Genuinely sorry to hear that, Highhat. You don't come across as a "grumpy old hag"; you're just expressing your opinion, as everyone here is entitled to. Whatever it is you are going through, I sincerely hope things improve for you. pe ps oid "the progenitor" "the art of tea"

You are, of course, right, SF77. We need to be clear of the distinction between fantasy and reality, and not be afraid to point out hard truths. Not that Larry and Mick are really about pointing out hard truths, but you get my point! pe ps oid "the progenitor" "the art of tea"

I agree my story is facetious, blackjack, but even something facetious or otherwise trivial can lead someone to think about bigger, more serious issues. Isn't it better (as opposed to "horrible") that I think about the possible (even if unlikely) impact of what I am writing, rather than blithely write about whatever I like without any concern for how people may feel about it? And can we get off this 'Evils of Self-Promotion' thing? Every time someone says, "I am a writer," one is self-promoting. In the days of blogs, online writing forums, etc, it only takes a few clicks from such a declaration to the discovery of one's material. In fact, by drawing such attention to my own "self-promotion," I'd say that perhaps you are inadvertently promoting me more than I have myself! I am hardly posting multiple ads, links and blatant self-references. I would much rather we spoke of the wider issues, rather than keep referring back to my own work. More about Tarantino, for example! pe ps oid "the progenitor" "the art of tea"