I really wish I didn't have to waste my time writing this, but yet again, I find I've been conned by a 'freebie' member.

I'm quite disgusted to see someone post a comment in a thread implying that her PC will prevent her from continuing to communicate with this site. (does she seriously think we are stupid enough to believe that?)

I had really begun to think that she was better than that, and I would love her to prove me wrong, but I suspect she won't.

So I've made a decision that, from now on, I'm not willing to invest my time and energy in freeloaders who are just passing through to keep their egos massaged. As full members, we pay to be part of this site. Is there nothing we can do to dilute the bad feelings these freeloaders generate?

Dee

Dee,

I'm really sorry that your enthusiasm and goodwill have been taken advantage of. You are such a staunch member of this site and really go out of your way to welcome and help newcomers,as you have helped me along the way.

Please don't lose that enthusiasm and love of your craft!

Sue
xxx

I don't really understand what's happened here (perhaps I'm too ignorant!!), but I'm sorry you're upset, Dee. And I'm also sorry you've got flu (did I read that somewhere or am I imagining it??) - I'm just coming out of mine so I know what it's like!!...

Keep on hanging in there.

Lots of love

A
xxx

Hi Sue, thanks for that. I won’t lose my enthusiasm to WW. It would take more than that. I’m just tired of spending time on freebie members who subsequently prove to be freeloaders. There’s a limit to how many times I can bounce back from them so I’ve decided it’s best to avoid them in the first place.

Many thanks for your concern. I appreciate it.

Dee
x

Hi, Anne, yes you’re right. I do have flu… thank you for noticing… it’s the pits, isn’t it… but it hasn’t boggled my brain… grrrr!

I won’t mention names (I’ll WWmail you if you’re desperate to find out) but someone came on the site needing help because of a problem with an agent. Now she has a new agent, her free month is coming to an end, and suddenly her computer won’t let her log on to WW any more…

Dee

Hmm, see what you mean, Dee - it is upsetting. Sorry you've borne the brunt of it all.

And my advice is whisky and lemsip (but not together!) - hope you get better soon...

Lots of love

A
xxx

Anne, thanks again. To be honest, I don’t think I've borne the brunt personally. I just feel angry when people treat WW like that. We are (rightly) so welcoming to new members… I just hate to see people abusing the site.

Dee

Ah...but you must understand that the minute I get my publishing contract I won't be posting to the likes of you. I'll be sending self-regarding-self- congratulatory messages to Will Self (although I haven't figured out how to address them yet). And I'll be pretending that I've never heard of WriteWords at book signings.

But by then of course I'll be so old (and so will you) that we've all forgotten each other. And even if we haven't, I can always blame my computer.

Best

Sion

This is beginning to look like television – loadsa repeats…

Wonder if we get royalties?

x

I know where you're coming from Dee, but you were one of the key people whose help, advice and encouragement made me realise that it was worth becoming a full member in the first place. However, it didn't take me long to reach that decision. I'd say ten days was more than enough time for new members to decide whether it's worth their time and money. Afterall, you can only upload one piece.

Anyone disagree with this, or am I being a roit barstuard?

Colin M
sober

Colin, I agree. I just checked My WriteWords and see that I joined on 15th Sept, and my membership expiry date is 19th Sept. So I must have paid up after just four days. It doesn’t take a month to realise you can’t fully participate in the site without being a member. Mind you, £35.00 is a lot of money to someone on a tight budget so there’s nothing wrong in making the free month last.

I have to say, I wasn’t entirely sober last night and I was very angry, otherwise I might have toned it down a little, but I still stand by what I said.

And thank you for those kind words. I’m glad you’ve stayed.

Dee

Dee,

It is obvious that I am the member you are griping about.

To those of you interested to know, I have answered Dee mnore fully in my thread titled something like, "should I look for a new agent?" If you follow the links I have posted there, that will prove that Dee is wrong, and that she owes me a big, fat apology.

I am having intermittent troubles with my computer; I am struggling to get online here, and most other places too.

I did have my doubts about joining WW, but having spent nearly a month here I did intend to join once I have this computer issue sorted. I am now not so sure, having been the focus of hostile postings on my thread from both Dee and Terry Edge, and now reading this thread.

I have to admit that all this has given me serious doubts about whether I do want to sign up for a whole year, if this is how you treat people struggling with problems.

Dee, you have been very supportive and helpful towards me and I truly appreciate it. I have, as you know, found you very friendly and kind. However, I am upset over the hostility you are now directing towards me and suggest that if you want to work it out, send me a private message or two. We can bash this out in private, and you can try to repair the damage you have done to my feelings about this board.

Fights break out quite a lot around here. It's a sign of an active community. If you stick around, things will sort themselves out.

Colin M