I have to ask, why in the Random Read are there so many pieces about suicide? Are you trying to keep membership numbers down? Is it a natural selection thing (given that we have a Darwin in our midst?). Do tell. Or is this information available only on a need to know basis?

Adele.

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Also, why are there so many pieces on the Random Read by people who are no longer active members of the site?

Adele, the random read only picks up work which is visible to everyone on the internet. I suspect the majority of us avoid that option now, so a lot of the older stuff keeps reappearing.

Dee

Ah, that explains it, Dee. Thank you.

Adele.

I went to a Tales of the Decongested short fiction bash at the Poetry Cafe, and of the eight stories read, seven had a death absolutely central to the story. I suspect it's an easy route to seeming Signifcant. Or something!
Emma

Emma, that makes me think of a description I once heard of British fiction as being written by the depressed for the depressed.

Having said that, one of the three writers whom I name as favourites in my WW profile, Cesare Pavese, officially committed suicide, whilst another, F Scott Fitzgerald, drank himself to death, so I guess it's not just the Brits...

Adele.

My tutor on the MPhil says he was once interviewed by a Greek student studying Welsh Writing in English, who began, 'So, you are a famous novelist and poet. Why have you not commited suicide?'

Priceless!

I don't understand why temp members who joined for 1 month, uploaded 1 piece of work, then disappeared stay in the system. Isn't it possible to wipe them?