NEW USERS! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

It's ok Martin, it's like me an Cheetos: The last time I ate them I got food poisoning. I'm pretty positive it wasn't the Cheetos that made me sick, but now cheesy snack puffs and violent illness are inextricably linked in my mind.

It's ok Martin, it's like me an Cheetos: The last time I ate them I got food poisoning. I'm pretty positive it wasn't the Cheetos that made me sick, but now cheesy snack puffs and violent illness are inextricably linked in my mind.

Heheheh, exactly! I went nearly 20 years without eating Chinese food, for similar reasons. (I also eventually learned that La Choy does not count as Chinese food, but it's the only kind we had when I was growing up. My Mom is not an adventurous cook...)

To be fair: smilies weren't the problem, bullies were the problem. If that forum hadn't had bullies, the smilies wouldn't have bothered me.

But now they're inextricably linked in my mind, giving me a psychological curse that some people around here (you know who you are) like to tweak now and then.

We do?

Who would be that mean??

Good evening all!

I just registered, of course, and now I'm here to introduce myself.

As my username indicates, my name is Sean Dodds. I'm 24 years old. I live in Pennsylvania, but I'm originally from the West Coast (WA and CA.) I've lived in Saudi, Egypt, Morocco, France, and, of course, the USA. I'm a junior at Embry Riddle Aeronautical U., and I'm looking forward to heading to OCS to earn my commission as a Naval Officer.

For fun, I love to fly fish, fly air planes, ride my motorcycle Athena, participate in Greek Warrior shows/combats (full contact), SCUBA dive, shop till I drop (yes, it's true), hang out with friends, and indulge in the Olympian delights of Starbucks. I run one motorcycle club, and I'm a member in another. We partake in veteran/breast cancer/children functions to raise money and awareness for those charities. As a side "job," I teach ninjitsu and goju ryu martial arts, though I don't charge my students.

As an aspiring writer, I look forward to many more years of writing and talking with my fellow writers and readers out there.

I look forward to any responses, and I hope you all have a great week.

-Sean

Wow! Cowboy, welcome to WOTF!! That was quite a list. Looking forward to getting to know you. Are you waiting on Q4 results too or got one going for Q1? Lots of people with military background have won this contest. Seems that is one big theme in Science Fiction/Fantasy. Good luck!

Hello Sean Cowboy Dodds!

Wow, you sure have a plethora of experiences--that's story gold for any author!

Welcome to our little (though continuously growing) community.

And now for the hard question of the day: Smilies or no smilies?

*chuckles*

I've been reviewing the growing discussion on your question. Smilies or no smilies?

Wow! Cowboy, welcome to WOTF!! That was quite a list. Looking forward to getting to know you. Are you waiting on Q4 results too or got one going for Q1? Lots of people with military background have won this contest. Seems that is one big theme in Science Fiction/Fantasy. Good luck!

In response to this reply...

Thanks for warm words! I just received a congratulations for being an honorable mention. This is my first submission to the Writers of the Future, so I was/am pretty jazzed about that! Certainly called for a crystal glass of Tawny. I look forward to getting to know you, as well. 'Yer right about the military theme - David Weber is one of my dad's favorites. As for my story, it wasn't military in theme, but I do do those!

I've included my IM contact in my profile, everyone, so please feel free to contact me there! The more I can learn from the rest of you, the more I'm likely to be a better writer.

Welcome aboard, Sean! Nice to have you join us, and good luck!

Thanks Kyle!

Welcome aboard, Sean!

Hi, My name is Adam Hakim I am happy to join. Writing is my passion and second career option. The board looks like it is full of some great folks, with good suggestions. Happy to join.

Welcome Cowboy and Adam!

Hey all,

I've been lurking in the forums since Q2, when I sent my first submission in to the contest. I figured I'd register, step out of the shadows, and properly meet my fellow writers (and illustrators).

So, at 26 I've been around and done a few things. I was a U.S. Navy Cryptologist , an EMT (while studying aimlessly in college for years), a Vampire...er.. phlebotomist, clinical research assistant and now I'm your friendly cable guy. I've been writing since high school, though only recently have I begun to send out my stories.

My first submission to anyone, was WotF in Q2 vol 28 and my story made out as a Semi Finalist. I am so excited to have found such a community, with everyone sharing the same goal and even helping one another get there. The winners who come back and offer their advice--well, it just seems like a good crowd. So here I am; glad to be here.

Good luck to everyone!

Wow, a bunch of new people. Welcome and congrats to those who have received HMs.

Yes, welcome to everyone new! Nice to have you join us.

And welcome Adam Hakim and A.M.Jarvis!

It's great to have so much fresh meat... er, I mean, new faces!

Welcome Sean, Adam and A.M.!

It's great to have so much fresh meat... er, I mean, new faces!

There's little I can add to that.

Welcome aboard, And welcome Adam and A.M.Jarvis!

Greetings to all the new additions. Glad to have you.

Welcome, A M Jarvis. Good writing name - reminds me of E E "Doc" Smith.

Crypto eh? In my chosen job, I'm the guy who hopes you're right. 😉

Crypto eh? In my chosen job, I'm the guy who hopes you're right. 😉

I was always right, well... no missiles hit my ship, anyway. Welcome aboard, Sean. Look forward to stressing out over the contest with you.

Think a little... deeper, Crypto. Not a skimmer - not in the blood.

I think this contest is a lot of fun - hard to be stressed over something I enjoy. Besides, your previous job on the Big Blue must've been big on responsibility. You're a far more experienced sailor than I, so I'm sure you can handle it and throw a good story out there.

Welcome, all!

Big Howdys to you all, Sean "Cowboy" Dodds, A M Jarvis, and Adam Hakim !!!

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A cryptologist may figure out if it adds up and means anything, I dunno ...

The tank...

And thank you very much!

Scott, I *love* that last image. Wow!

Welcome Sean, and good luck with the Contest.

Welcome Sean, and good luck with the Contest.

It's Brad!

Thanks Brad!