I'm sorry I've been out of pocket again. My health took a turn I wasn't expecting or wanting. Today I go in for surgery, and hopefully, I will then get much better, and I will be able to spend more time at the computer and here again. Plus, I need to get my two novels finished.
I really didn't mean to neglect W.Com, but I'm fighting some health issues again. I will try to pop in more often. I do want everyone to know that I miss being more of a part of this site.
I can't access it but know 5.5 version well. Or 5.0. 6.0 is supposed to be the better version. Can make a ton of things if I had it and memory is refreshed.
I'm going to looking for beta readers for my new novel in about six weeks. If anyone is interested and has experience in going feedback for novels, please let me know. My novel is a Biblical based historical fiction.
I may have a typo in the link I gave for folks to register for the OWFI Writing Workshops. In case I did, here is the correct URL for the schedule and registration form. The workshops reguire only one registration and the whole series is free. https://owfi.org/writingworkshops
We hope we have several sign up who are under 18 years of age.
Do we have any highschool students on W.Com any more? I remember when I first discovered W.Com, back when it was Story.Com, we had a number of teens. I watched them grow up and become adults, and the then-adults become old, like me. I would like to know what teens are now here.
Very good question. There used to be a group who followed and encouraged newbies. If anyone still does, they may know. I rarely come across any teenagers and if they aren't 'active' I don't keep track.
Here's what's been occuppying my time, setting up a series of writing workshops to be held on Zoom. It's a series of 7 workshops, which are free, but registration is needed to receive the link for the workshops (2nd Saturday after noon Sept., Oct., Nov., Jan., Feb., March, and April) and for the recordings of each workshop. For more information contact me at grants@owfi.org.
The workshops deal with how to write, how to write better, how to improve your writing, review the process. The topic titles are The Hero’s Journey, How to build a story, Grammar and Sentence Structure In Writing, “Hook” Readers, Let Your Story Talk, Threat vs Anti-Threat, What do we do now? (tie everything together).
I discovered that 4RV Publishing, my children's book Panther's Snowy Christmas, and I in the Author's category have been nominated in the Critters Readers' Poll. The site doesn't post who nominated, but I would like the bragging rights if people would vote for me. The deadline is tomorrow. The links to the categories are as follows: Author – Vivian Zabel https://critters.org/predpoll/author.shtml Publisher - 4RV Publishing https://critters.org/predpoll/ebookpublisher.shtml Children’s Book – Panther’s Snowy Christmas by Vivian Zabel, illustrated by Athalie Gensis aka Elizabeth Winterhalter https://critters.org/predpoll/novelchildrens.shtml
I'm sorry for being absent so much, but Long Covid doesn't seem to rest or to let me rest. Any strength I have goes into 4RV Publishing and to my writing. I plan to have another novel out maybe next year. What I once could write in a few hours now takes me several days.
It was with great sadness that I resigned as a W.Com newsletter editor. I have enjoyed the years of being an editor, and I will pick up guest spots as I am able.
No, I'm not leaving W.Com. This has been my second home for too long.
I am finally home after five months of struggling to live, learn how to sit, stand, walk again. The first of May I contacted a nasty case of Covid. No one knew for a while if I were going to live or not. I spent a week in ICU, then a week on a step-down hall before being sent to a specialty hospital for a month. Then I spent three months in rehab learning to function. Today is the first time I've been on a computer since May.
I will be back to "normal" some day, but I will be on oxygen for whatever time I have left. However, you're not getting rid of me yet..
I notice someone said he wrote poetry not books. Did you know poetry can go into books as a collection of poems. In fact, 4RV Publishing has a Poetry Imprint. Never sell yourself short by saying you "only" write poetry. Also, people who write short stories can "do" books by putting together a collection of short stories that connect. All writing is valuable.
* Content and content ratings in this area are monitored solely by this member. Page owners have the ability to remove posts and/or block posters who do not follow the content rating or who post unwanted content. In addition, each member can block/ignore another member using the Block/Ignore Members" link on the Account
Options screen.
Printed from https://webx1.writing.com/main/profile/notebook/vzabel
Generated in 0.23 seconds at 11:29am on Mar 14, 2026 via server WEBX1.
Get well soon! 
Reply
un: 
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Community Feed
Puzzle Hub
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
I can't believe this has been my home for over 21 years. 
