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Hi Diane: Im grateful to you for the kindness' you and the Group have shown
me. I tell all my relatives and friends that joining your group have given BACK
to me more than I can ever express or give. You see...the LIVING poets of today can very well be the famous poets of TOMORROW and to be part of this now is breathtaking. We all have lived and loved dif. lives yet we share thoughts
and derive critiquing without pain.....our planet is round, we are walking on it
so short a time...it is great to realize we are HUMAN and feel for others' no
matter where, what, when or who they are...we have HELP all along the
way and God be Praised for people like you who will take a chance and
LEAD. Love to you all...Oregonian Carol gror1@aol.com

Happy web site birthday!

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                                             !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                          !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diana,

Thank you for your vision and your work. (Now let's cut the cake!)

Scott

Hi Diana and all the great members here in Aylad's Group. *ss*

First thanks to Diana for the Aylad's Group and the work she do for this
group, I like to part off this Aylad's group, and hope it will stay as a
big part of the Cyberspace and real life.
One year is a long time and I hope we stay here for many years more.
Thanks ! Diana...and all members in Aylads..*ss*
>From me...???
Artlove and Peace !
Frank Mothe.
Future artist.
Future art group-Denmark.

Diana,

I can't believe it's been a year! I've only been a group for about 7 or 8 months,
but wow, the time does pass by quick. Sorry I haven't contributed anything lately, I have meant to, but never found the right time, nor what I wanted to. And now that I am getting married, it's stressing me and my writing out more and more, I am happy that I am getting married because I found my "Prince Charming", but I will be glad when the wedding date is here and the wedding is over.
Amy

Diana....I think I first joined your group simply because it was another
opportunity for me to share my work. However, I have stayed with you
because of the warm response I have had from you, and several other
members, who now feel like close friends to me. I am always impressed by
the amount of time and effort you spend to make this service meaningful and
relevant. So, a salute to a lovely lady, and a sincere "thank you" for a
very important chunk of my internet experience.......Bob Ludden

A few months ago I was new to the internet but hooked on writing fictional
>short stories for a hobby. My first surfing effort located Aylad's and I
>made tentative enquiries about joining. I received a friendly invitation to
>submit a story for work shopping. I made it clear that I wanted critiques
>which would 'tell it as it is'. I wanted people who would point out
>inconsistencies in plot, careless sentences, awkward sentences, unreal
>dialogue. In fact, all the errors of beginner writers. I have my wife to
>tell me 'it's a nice story'.
>I'm happy to say I've found a couple of members here ready to do this. I've
>received some very helpful comments but they are too few. Are the others
>unable to say what is good and what is bad about a story or are they just
>too polite? We really need a hard hitting group of reviewers if those
>submitting writing are looking to be published some day. I believe that no
>matter what a critic says about my work I can always fall back on the old
>adage of writers, 'If you don't agree, stick to your guns.'
Ern Carne

Diana - I joined the group to get help with my writing. When you only read
your own stuff, your lose perspective. I searched the net under writer's
groups, and Aylad looked friendly. It's been everything I hoped. I especially
enjoy communicating with such a talented group of writers and artists.
Debbye

This is a warm and lovely place. I'm going to like it here, and I can't
wait to get to know you all. There's so much ease and fun around, and an
understanding of what a writer is that I can't put into words. Maybe I can.
A welcoming, a quietness, a fussylessness, a making of space. An 'okay -
then do', quietly said. But more than that. I'm a music nut as well,
classical, jazz, flamenco, in any order you like, and much else, and many
years ago I was very interested in the American composer, Edward McDowell,
and read some stuff about him. I learned of the McDowell Colony, which was
described as a kind of retreat for artists of all kinds, set-up in memory of
him - a quiet place for crazy people, to talk about the things they can't
talk about that drive them crazy, and work without interruption among like
people. Because we are all mad, you know, to think the things we think, see
the things we imagine we can see. But being mad is lovely, and so who wants
to be sane? And this place feels exactly how I thought the McDowell Colony
would feel - an exciting breathless tranquillity, far away from sanity's
maddening straightjacket. So hello mad people. I love you. And Edward Mcdowell.

Take care all of you, and God Bless - David

There are many things I like about Aylad. I like the international diversity
of the members. I enjoy the views and critiques of so many about so many
kinds and styles of writing. I appreciate the hard work and innovations of
our Web Mistress, Diana. The energy of this group helps me to read and write
more than I otherwise would. I am a better writer for having become
involved. I hope my participation has done the same for others.

Scott Jordan

I joined the group, I guess I was looking for both feedback on
my work and exposure to the work of others. It has been very beneficial to
share my work with others and to be given the opportunity to see what others
are writing. I thank you for offering this chance to expand myself as a
writer.

Bridget Gage-Dixon

Last night, I emailed 34 agents from your list. Have already gotten 3
legitimate agents' responses and they all want my manuscript. I checked them
out in the "1999 Guide to Literary Agents." Of course, there will be
"turn-downs," but I'm thrilled. Emailing queries is SO much easier.

Pam

Thank you for your encouraging words, I have really come home when I
joined this group. .Everyone one in the group are kind ,and very creative. I look forward to getting up in the morning and hearing the words "YOU GOT MAIL" :)
thanks again .Rosemary

Just a short email to thank all those people who responded to my latest submissions. I really value the feedback, it helps me to sort out where I'm going with my writing

Peter Barns