Roseanne Dowell, aka Roe on the LR website, lives with her husband in Parma, Ohio. She has six grown children, and twelve grandchildren. When she’s not writing she enjoys quilting, ceramics, and wood working. A mystery reader, that is also her preference in writing. Roe has been published several times in the Cleveland Plain Dealer as well as on the Longridge Writers Web Site.

Need help? Looking for an answer to a question, some encouragement or maybe you just need a friend. You know about the chat room but your schedule doesn’t allow you the pleasure of joining in, Maybe you’re new or shy and just don’t feel comfortable asking a question in a group. What do you do?

Bring your questions and thoughts to Post A Note. Pick your category, post your question or comment, then sit back and wait. I guarantee within hours, maybe minutes of your question being posted (there is a delay) you will receive more answers, ideas, thoughts and general comments than you imagined. New students, former students, young and old utilize this site. Benefit from the diversified categories of opinion and fact. Find your niche, hunt for an idea or just relax and enjoy the beneficial remarks from one of the questions or comments and the flurry of advice and variety of comments offered by others. We all have questions, ideas and opinions. Here is the place to voice them. Even if you are able to enjoy our chat groups and attend Mary Rosenblum’s Forums, you might have a left over question or comment, and you don’t want to wait until the next chat, you want to discuss it now; bring it to Post A Note. Some of us don’t have the benefit of enjoying the chats, and listening to the vast conglomeration of ideas and brainstorming that goes on; if you think others would profit from an idea gathered during a chat, post it. A thought pops into your head in the middle of the night, there’s no one around to discuss it, here’s the place to share it.

Okay, so now you have an idea, you’re excited – you enter Post A Notes. What are all these categories? What do they mean? Where do you post?

Don’t Give Up – Writer’s block a problem, don’t feel like writing, lost your desire, maybe you’re feeling discouraged or you just want to quit? Have you been ill and need more time? You might just need a break or a fresh idea. Not sure what to do, where to turn, running around in circles. Family problems, no time to write, feeling down? Tell us about it; let us help. You’ll soon find out you are not alone. Most of us, at one time or another share your pain, bouts of despair and feelings of worthlessness, wondering if we have what it takes, or if we good enough. We’ll offer encouragement, ideas and advice on how to get past these feelings.

Genre Writing – Did you ever wonder what genre writing is? Were you curious about writing style? And just what makes a story fantasy and another sci-fi? What are the differences? What about mysteries? What is a cozy mystery? How do we distinguish a romance from other genres? And what in the world is sub genre? Where did all these categories come from and what is their purpose? Have an idea for a story but aren’t sure what category it fits? Post your questions here and find out.

Writing Buddies – Need a friend? Want to communicate with another writer who understands your torment over character or plot? This is the place to find someone who can relate as only another writers can. Looking for a critique group? How about a suggestion and help on where to publish a story; or maybe you need someone to read your work, make suggestions, offer an objective critique. Hunting for someone to help you brainstorm? Stuck on a plot? Families and friends might offer some encouragement but no one knows the problems and joys of a writer like another writer. Discover the willingness of others to be your writing buddies.

General Discussion – Not sure where to post, don’t know what category you fit. Any question, comment, or concern fits this category. Receive a rejection? You’ll find it’s not a bad thing. Need to vent, here’s the place to get it off your chest. This is the place for you. Non writers can’t understand your frustrations. Need a pat on the back. Have some good news or a funny story you’d like to share. What about editors and agents, where and how do they come into play? How do we go about getting an agent? How should we query? What do editors want? No question, topic or concern is too big or too small.

Post A Notes is not just for questions. Read the comments; write your own. Pick up an idea or tip and maybe learn something new. Share your ideas, your tears, your fears and your joys. We want to hear the good news as well as well as the bad. Did you receive an encouraging note from an editor? But, alas it was still a rejection. Tell us about it. We are part of your world, we understand, hopefully we can help.

Receive words of wisdom from Mary Rosenblum, our web editor, who takes the time to read and post all the questions, comments, and concerns in Post A Notes; as well as adding her own helpful hints, tips, or encouraging words. Learn from the mistakes and successes of others. We’re all past or present students; all looking for the same thing- a helpful hint- a bit of encouragement – a pat on the back- a new idea -but mostly to say or hear those all important words "I’ve been published."