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		<title><![CDATA[Online Literature Reading &#x26; Writing Forums - All Forums]]></title>
		<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Online Literature Reading &#x26; Writing Forums - http://www.makeliterature.com/forums]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:44:20 +0100</pubDate>
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			<title><![CDATA[wuthering heights]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=278</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:40:02 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>beckyblonde18</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=278</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[hi i have to write an essay on something for class but am really struggling as i have missed lots of lessons due to a family crisis. the question how are male and female gothic forms developed and presented withing wuthering heights and what do they do to the audiences expectation? does anyone have any tips/ ideas as i am really struggling]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[hi i have to write an essay on something for class but am really struggling as i have missed lots of lessons due to a family crisis. the question how are male and female gothic forms developed and presented withing wuthering heights and what do they do to the audiences expectation? does anyone have any tips/ ideas as i am really struggling]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[Underground Poetry Website]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=277</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:42:50 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>DU_Poetry</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=277</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[This is hopefully of interest to people who write poetry.<br />
<br />
I have a poetry community, which focuses on the edgy and dark side of poetry.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">deepundergroundpoetry.com</span></span><br />
<br />
Sections include self, observational, erotic, drug related, love, upbeat, <a href="http://deepundergroundpoetry/fantasy-story-poems/" target="_blank">story poems</a> (fiction) and <a href="http://deepundergroundpoetry/dark-poems/" target="_blank">dark poems</a>. There's also a category for song lyrics.<br />
<br />
Use the power of words to challenge and inspire people.<br />
<br />
Feedback gratefully received,<br />
<br />
thX]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[This is hopefully of interest to people who write poetry.<br />
<br />
I have a poetry community, which focuses on the edgy and dark side of poetry.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">deepundergroundpoetry.com</span></span><br />
<br />
Sections include self, observational, erotic, drug related, love, upbeat, <a href="http://deepundergroundpoetry/fantasy-story-poems/" target="_blank">story poems</a> (fiction) and <a href="http://deepundergroundpoetry/dark-poems/" target="_blank">dark poems</a>. There's also a category for song lyrics.<br />
<br />
Use the power of words to challenge and inspire people.<br />
<br />
Feedback gratefully received,<br />
<br />
thX]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[I've just added Online Literature Reading &#x26; Writing Forums in 1001forums directory]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=276</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:51:45 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>1001forums</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=276</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Hi all,<br />
<br />
I'm an editor of the <a href="http://www.1001forums.com" target="_blank">1001forums.com</a> forum directory. I have just added Online Literature Reading &amp; Writing Forums in our directory in the category " <a href="http://www.1001forums.com/Art_Literacy/Books_and_Writing/" target="_blank">Books and Writing</a> ".<br />
<br />
You can also post your <a href="http://www.1001forums.com/cgi-bin/commentaires.pl?langue=2&amp;idfo=37568" target="_blank">comments</a> and review your favorite forum <img src="http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><br />
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I wish all the success to your forum, guys <img src="http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><br />
<br />
1001forums]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hi all,<br />
<br />
I'm an editor of the <a href="http://www.1001forums.com" target="_blank">1001forums.com</a> forum directory. I have just added Online Literature Reading &amp; Writing Forums in our directory in the category " <a href="http://www.1001forums.com/Art_Literacy/Books_and_Writing/" target="_blank">Books and Writing</a> ".<br />
<br />
You can also post your <a href="http://www.1001forums.com/cgi-bin/commentaires.pl?langue=2&amp;idfo=37568" target="_blank">comments</a> and review your favorite forum <img src="http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><br />
<br />
I wish all the success to your forum, guys <img src="http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><br />
<br />
1001forums]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[Batman: Year One CH 1]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=275</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:30:03 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>jessenovels</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=275</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;">PROLOGUE</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
	  Midnight, they come out like rats, each one craving their fix. People who were selling their own children to prostitution just to feel the flick of nirvana the drug gave them. And while they sat in the dark corner pumping the poison into their veins, their kid was in the back seat of a strangers car, closing their eyes,  praying what was happing to them was nothing but a nightmare,  that soon it would be all over and they’ll be back in bed, holding on to their stuff bear, with mom and Dad looking over them as they drifted off to some magical wonderland. How they cried and prayed.<br />
<br />
	It’s a common thing to see in Gotham, young children in the back alley being sold like a piece of meat. Some children putting themselves in that position just to feed their younger siblings, while Mother and Father were no where to be found. Drug users getting younger, they were kids looking for something to wash and numb away the pain. Anything to stop the nightmares. But their search for relief was leading them to an early grave.  The new common fashion trend among them.<br />
<br />
	The walking dead, that’s what the elite of Gotham labeled the lower class. Knowing it wouldn’t be long until the venom that was spreading through out the city, caught. up with them. No matter how hard they fought, they would fall like the rest, there was no escaping their fate, they were as people call them, the walking dead.<br />
<br />
	No hope, just death . . . . . <br />
<br />
<br />
                       		         <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BATMAN YEAR ONE</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
				CHAPTER ONE<br />
				    JANUARY <br />
<br />
January 2<br />
Gotham Docks <br />
9:30 PM<br />
<br />
<br />
		“ So, what do these Jap’s want ?” Leo Redmen stood leaning against the black Toyota Corolla, as he stared out to sea.<br />
<br />
		“ They’re interested in purchasing an item. And my father being the saint he is want’s to help. Of course, if they return a favor.” Alberto Falcone, son of Carmine Falcone, the most feared mob boss in Gotham, was on hand overseeing the business deal that his father had setup with the Yakuza. Having an a business partnership with the Yakuza would extend the family’s reach beyond Gotham, making them a force to be reckon with.<br />
<br />
	 “ Ain’t you a little over dress, Al?” Leo stared at the tuxedo Alberto was wearing.<br />
<br />
	“ This isn’t for them,” Alberto pulled a picture from his pocket, and passed it to Leo. “ It’s for her.”<br />
<br />
	Leo whistled as he saw the beautiful red head, with the eye’s to die for. Leo couldn’t fight the notion that he’d seen her before. “ Al, I think I know this girl.” Leo said scratching his bald head.<br />
<br />
	“ She is ,the beautiful,  actress Isabella Montas. I’m meeting her at a banquet later tonight.”<br />
<br />
	“ Is that right.” Leo handed the photo back to Alberto. <br />
<br />
	“ Some little shindig Bruce Wayne is having tonight.”<br />
<br />
	Falcone’s men roamed the docks, making sure any unwanted visitors stayed away. Luckily the cops wouldn’t be a threat, with the Falcone family having it’s grasp over Gotham, the cops in this city were to frighten to lay a finger on them. This city could be renamed “ Falcone City” and no one would object. That was power no one could buy.<br />
<br />
	“ Jesus, when is this snow going to end?” Leo kicked the snow under his shoes, “ With the smell of the ocean and this crap, I’m not sure what I hate most.” Leo paced back and fourth, growing in patient. “ These guys are taking their sweet time, Al.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
	Alberto looked at this watch, the Japs were five minutes late, he knew something was wrong. “ Call my father, change of plans.” Alberto order.<br />
<br />
	“ What, you think they backed out? ” Leo asked.<br />
<br />
	“ I’m not sure, just get a hold of him . . . “ Alberto saw the expression on Leo’s face, turn into a man who had just seen the devil himself. <br />
<br />
	“ Your friends are going be late, they ran into some trouble.” The deep voice called out from behind.<br />
<br />
Alberto snapped his head around to discover a larger towering demon staring him down “ Who are you ?”  He suttered like a child. 		<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“ I’m Batman. “ The demon growled, before delivering a powerful sidekick to Alberto’s head.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
JANUARY 2<br />
2:00 AM<br />
<br />
<br />
		 Alberto Falcone was the future heir to the empire his father had created. Seeing him behind the steel bars of prison was an eerie sight to behold.  It was the first time, anyone high up the Falcone crime family food chain had been seen behind them.<br />
<br />
 Ten years working in the force, and he would have never thought it to be true. It was a first for Sgt. Jim Gordon, though he didn’t expect Alberto to do much time behind bars. Carmine Falcone,  wouldn’t let his only son or men do much time in the slammer. He would make a few calls pull some strings and two hours from now his baby would be out on the streets. <br />
<br />
		“ What a sight it is,” Gordon felt the hard slap behind the back, from his good friend Anthony Chen. “ And look, Alberto even got dressed for this special occasion.” <br />
<br />
		“ So, whose funeral should I be attending this week.” Gordon asked, knowing the first fool to cross Falcone was going to end up dead. <br />
<br />
		“ Wasn’t us.”<br />
<br />
		Gordon sighed. “ Don’t tell me Dent got the Feds involved, if we know by now. ” <br />
<br />
		Chen interrupted Gordon “ It wasn’t Dent or the feds Jimbo.”<br />
<br />
		“ Then who?”<br />
<br />
		Chen was hesitant in telling him, he just wouldn’t believe the story, hell, even he was finding it hard to believe. “ It was a bat.”<br />
<br />
		 Gordon chuckled. “ What?”<br />
<br />
		“ Some huge bat came out of the shadows and jumped them. One of Falcone’s men,” Chen was snapping his fingers trying to think of the name. “ Leo, he won’t shut up about it. He keeps telling everyone it was the Batman that attacked them.” Chen yawned as he spoke, he tired to shake off the drowsiness he was feeling, working the graveyard shift for five days straight was taking a toll on him . “ If you ask me, it’s just some guy in a cheap costume playing hero, whose going to find his nuts chopped off, after Falcone finds him .”  <br />
<br />
		Gordon firmly patted his friends shoulder. “ Your off the clock, go home and get some rest.”<br />
<br />
		Chen was reluctant to agree at first, but he knew Gordon had a point. “ I think you’re right, tell me how fast these guys get released, me and the boys have a bet going on.” <br />
<br />
		Gordon just rolled his eyes at him. “ Just get out of here.”<br />
<br />
		Gotham P.D were suppose to put people like Carmine Falcone and his goons behind bars, not keep them comfortable until they made bail. But the fear, and power that Falcone wield was enough to make any brave soul run into hiding. Some people tried to bring down Falcone in the past, each one either found a new permeant home in the bottom of Gotham Harbor, or were convinced into looking at things in a different perspective, one that paid well and allowed them to keep their lives. In the end it was the same story, Good was defeated and the corrupted triumphed <br />
<br />
		“ This person has to be out of his mind, going against Falcone is pointless. It’s his city, not ours.”  Just like the rest, Jim Gordon had given up hope. To him, there was no chance of saving Gotham. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation <br />
<br />
Carmine: I want the son of a bitch dead!<br />
<br />
Roy: We’ll find him.<br />
<br />
Carmine : You better.<br />
<br />
Roy: Look, first we’re going to get your boy out of prison. Then we’ll deal with the son of a bitch responsible for this whole mess.<br />
<br />
Carmine: What did they see.<br />
<br />
Roy: They saw. . .<br />
<br />
Carmine: Tell me.<br />
<br />
Roy: Leo said, it was a bat.<br />
<br />
Carmine: A what?<br />
<br />
Roy: A giant bat.<br />
<br />
Carmine: What about the others?<br />
<br />
Roy: Same thing boss.<br />
<br />
Carmine: So, they got attacked by a giant bat?<br />
<br />
Roy: Well, a Batman.<br />
<br />
Carmine: Batman?<br />
<br />
Roy: Yes, sir.<br />
<br />
Carmine: So, some freak in a costume jumped my son and my men?<br />
<br />
Roy: . . .<br />
<br />
Carmine: Jesus fucking Christ.<br />
	<br />
Roy: Sir, what do we do about the Yakuza? They’re pissed.<br />
<br />
Carmine: I’ll fix that problem. You just find that costume freak and put a bullet between his eyes.<br />
<br />
Roy: Yes, sir. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
				{center}GOTHAM TIMES <br />
				JANUARY   5{/center}<br />
<br />
		<br />
			          {center}Vigilante or Hero?<br />
			          BY: Sam Rivers {/center}<br />
<br />
<br />
		For the past three nights, a bat or the Batman, as his victims have called him, has struck at the Falcone Empire. Giving this mask avenger the title hero by some of the people in Gotham. Though, to Commissioner Leslie Maywood, the Batman is nothing but a vigilante. <br />
<br />
	Ms. Maywood was quoted saying “ This Batman, is not a hero, despite popular belief. The Gotham P.D well not stand by, while this vigilante roams around Gotham, putting people lives at risk. He needs to know, there are laws, and they are there for a reason, no man is above them. Even the Batman.” <br />
<br />
	Despite the fact, the Batman has delivered the Gotham P.D some of the most notorious of Falcone’s men. Some responsible for countless of murders, and killings of  distinguish advocates against the corruption. <br />
<br />
	Three days ago, Alberto Falcone was the first victim of the Batman, he and his men were arrested while conducting a business deal with members of the Japanese crime organization the Yakuza. I tried to get more detail about this alleged deal, but Gotham P.D has denied that such a deal was taking place. <br />
<br />
	The biggest shocker to the citizens of Gotham was when Alberto Falcone was released from their custody in a matter of hours. A spokesmen for the Gotham P.D Stated that  “ there was inefficient evidence to hold Alberto, and at this moment he is a victim from a brutal assault.” The spokes men did clarify one thing. “ I want the citizen of Gotham to know, that releasing Alberto Falcone has nothing to do with the recent rumors of corruption in the police force. The Gotham P.D works to protect and sever the citizens, not Carmine Falcone.” <br />
<br />
	The question still remains, is the Batman a vigilante or a hero? I guess that’s a question for the people to decided. But, with Gotham in it’s darkest moment, perhaps this mask vigilante is the one that can save Gotham from despair. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Luis Restaurant<br />
10: 00 AM<br />
<br />
		“ Save Gotham, these people think this freak is there beacon of hope. HA! “ Salvaorte slammed the news paper on the table. Annoyed with the sudden press the Batman was receiving.  “ I oughtta shoot the guy who wrote this crap.” <br />
<br />
	For the past two days the Batman had brought nothing but panic around the crime families in Gotham. For now, he was only striking at the heart of the Falcone family. But, you would have to be a fool not think Batman wouldn’t set his sights on the other families soon. On the other hand, the Batman was doing them a favor for the time being, by taking out Carmine Falcone, this meant more business for the Maroni  Family. Which was seeing there profits rise after the recent events that had occur the past days. <br />
<br />
<br />
	“ I say we find this Batman and hang him.” Salvatore Maroni young brother Paul, was the most concern about this issue. And being the dark head little devil he was, he wanted nothing more but to tear the insides of the Batman. “ Give me a week, I’ll find him.  I’ll gut him alive, and I’ll make sure he regrets ever putting on that costume.” <br />
<br />
	Salvatore admire his brothers hunger for violence, the boy was willing to get his hands dirty no matter what, like their father Lugi said. “ This boy has the demon inside him.”Salvatore could testify to that, he once saw his brother mutilated some poor bum who short changed him. It was the first time he saw his brother  laugh out hysterically . He kept the poor sap testicles for a souvenir for that speical moment. He knew his brother still had them in a jar at this home uptown. <br />
<br />
	“ That’s it champ, you keep that up. When the time comes, I want you to murder the son of a bitch. “ Salvatore motioned for the waiter to come, “ But, for now let’s enjoy some breakfast, we’re in a nice restaurant. Let’s forget about the whole Batman thing.”.<br />
<br />
	“ I’m going to kill him, I’ll make this Batman scream.” Paul Maroni said as the waiter came. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
E-mail<br />
Subject: The cool kids<br />
From: agentrobin2010@yahoo.com<br />
<br />
<br />
	The cool kids are starting to talk about you. You should really get to know them better, try introducing yourself to Sal and Paul real soon, they’ll love you. <br />
<br />
P.S<br />
Ask Pauly about the jar. <br />
<br />
	Love ya<br />
	XOXO<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation <br />
5:30 PM <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Leslie: We had nothing, we couldn’t detain him.<br />
<br />
Harvey: That’s bullshit and you know it.<br />
<br />
Leslie: No, it’s the truth Harvey.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Don’t feed me the same bullshit, you do to the public.<br />
<br />
Leslie: What does that mean?<br />
<br />
Harvey: You know damn well what I mean.<br />
<br />
Leslie: We’re clean, we’ve got nothing to hide.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I want to believe that. <br />
<br />
Leslie: If you got something to say, then say it.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I know things have gotten rough, but this Batman has given us the golden opportunity we need.<br />
<br />
Leslie: . . .<br />
<br />
Harvey: We can stop it, stop the corruption.<br />
<br />
Leslie: I have no idea what you’re talking about.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I see Falcone has you bought.<br />
<br />
Leslie: How dare you !<br />
<br />
Harvey: How dare I,  I know you covered up that deal with the Yakuza. I want to know what they were after! <br />
<br />
Leslie: There was no deal.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Don’t lie to me.<br />
<br />
Leslie: I’m not.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I’m giving you one last chance,  come clean.<br />
<br />
Leslie: . . .<br />
<br />
Harvey: Now tell me the truth.<br />
<br />
Leslie: I have nothing to hide Mr. Dent.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Unbelievable. So I assume you and goons are going to take out the Batman.<br />
<br />
Leslie: Goons?<br />
<br />
Harvey: Oh, did that slip.<br />
<br />
Leslie: The Mayor wants this vigilante off the street, and we plan to do so.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Damn you.<br />
<br />
Leslie: Mr. Dent, If you want to stop this man hunt, then take it up with the mayor. For now this conversation is over.<br />
<br />
				- Call Ended- <br />
<br />
	“ I believe in Harvey Dent.” <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
January 19<br />
1: 35 AM<br />
The Narrows <br />
<br />
<br />
“ Please, let me go I have two kids.” Margert Lewis cried as she was pined down on the cold wet cement floor. The blaring train above drowned out her screams for help. “ I’m begging you, don’t hurt me, they need me.” <br />
<br />
	Her attacker was a man with long brown hair, courted teeth, a slumped forehead and a giant in stature. His right hand ran up and down her body, while his left hand was wrapped tightly on her neck. His eye’s glared down on his victim enjoying her weakness. “ What will you offer me in return? “ He chuckled, loosen his grip and licked his lips waiting for her to answer.<br />
<br />
	“ Myself,” She slowly lifted her dress. “ Do what you want, but just let me go. I swear nobody has to know, I promise you. Please.” She quivered with fear. <br />
<br />
<br />
	He scoffed at her, as she offered herself to him. “ You tempt me with your flesh,“  He chuckled heavily, the stench from his breath was horrendous each time he spoke.  “ Your flesh means nothing to me, it’s your screams that I want. “ His grip tighten around her. “ And I will have them.” <br />
<br />
	“ Who are you?” Margert cried, kicked , and scream as she fought to escape her attacker. But, it was no use.<br />
<br />
	“ My name is Solomon Grundy !” <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
January 20<br />
Heartbreaks Club <br />
12: 30 AM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
	It started off as a job to pay for her college tuition, working as a bartender at the Heartbreaks Club, just until she was done with her studies. But, each month that passed Gilda found herself attached to the little jazz club that was on the out skirts of Downtown Gotham, nearing the slums. HBC was Gotham’s hidden gem, people who drove by each day had no idea that it existed. At first glance it appeared to be a run down bar with nothing to offer. But, looks were deceiving. Only the jazz audacious knew of the club existence and the occasional lucky dope who walked in, hoping to find mischief Many well know jazz musicians had traveled to grace HBC in it’s life time. From such artist as Billie Holiday, Miles Daves, George Benson ,and Ella Fitzgerald. Many of the famous musicians still arrived from time to time, but not as they used to. Gotham reputation was thriving out business.<br />
           . <br />
<br />
	Gilda’s own parents never approved of her lifestyle, seeing so much potential in her, and knowing she settle with a job that paid her to serve drinks, and wait on drunks disappointed them. In her entire career working at the HBC they never once set foot in Gotham, unwilling to accept her profession. And though some would fight frantically for their parents approval, Gilda could care less, it was her life to live, not theirs. To Gilda, this small club was more then a job. It became apart of her soul.<br />
<br />
<br />
	The job itself, allowed her to meet the man she fell head over heels for. He was a usual costumer, handsome young man with blond golden hair, always ordering his usual martiny. Gilda would always tease him for it “ You are aware that there’s other drinks.” He would just nod casually and smile. “ You’re very predictable. Some girls love a man with a sense of adventure.” <br />
<br />
	“ Is that right?” He said rasing an eye brow. “ I could have sworn that women were into the same old same old. Are you sure they’re not into that ?” <br />
<br />
	“ No they’re not.” <br />
<br />
	“ Well, how do you know?” He asked.<br />
	<br />
 	“  As it turns out, I’m a woman and I should know.” <br />
<br />
	He slumped forward, looking back and forth. “ So, you like a guy with some sense of adventure?”<br />
<br />
	“ I do.” <br />
<br />
	“ well, then let’s put that to the test,” He cracked his fingers and arched his back. “ Go on a date with me.” Gilda almost drop the shot glass she was cleaning. “ Did I catch you off guard?” <br />
<br />
	“ No, not at all. I just love to fumble with these shot glasses” Gilda was never good with out of the blue proposals. She tried to find an excuse to say no. “ I would love to go out, but, I hardly know you.” <br />
<br />
	“ Well, get to know me. I’m a very interesting person. Like for instants, I’m a member of a fan club dedicated to short-circuit.”<br />
<br />
	Gilda didn’t know what to say, she loved the sense of humor, though at the time she wasn’t  completely sure if he was joking or not. She bit on her lower lip trying to think on what to do. “ Okay, but,” she warned him.” If you pull anything weird, I’ll aim for your balls.” <br />
<br />
	“ Fair enough.” He said with a grin. “ I wouldn’t have it any other way.” <br />
<br />
       The movie they went to see was god awful, the dinner was mediocre, and the rain ruined a wonderful night. Despite the fiasco, he managed to keep her smiling and laughing through out it all. That had been over a four years ago, and that same man that had won her over. Walked into the HBC with a dozen red roses, and the same boyish smile. “  Look what the cat dragged in.” Gilda fixed him his usual. “ So, are you done saving Gotham Mr.Dent?”<br />
<br />
	Harvey rolled his eye’s, knowing Gilda was poking fun at him. Since the appearance of the Batman, people began to spread rumors who this masked vigilante might be and knowing Dent was the only ray of light that dared to define the Carmine Falcone empire, people assume he was the man in black. Which was completely untrue, he was just the District Attorney who refused to sell out. “ I am done for today, so, I wanted to visit my number one girl.” <br />
<br />
	“ You’re cheating on me, you bastard.”<br />
<br />
	“ Never.” <br />
<br />
	“ Turn around.” Gilda instructed Harvey, he did as he was told. “ You’re lucky you got that ass, because if you didn’t I would be so pissed right now.” <br />
<br />
	“ The very same ass, that got me into the position I am now.” <br />
<br />
	“ I thought it was your charm?” Harvey walked over to Gilda, place the roses on the counter. Leaned in and kissed her. “ I would have bet my left arm it was your charm.” <br />
	<br />
	Harvey held Gilda tightly against himself. He was desperate to get away from the job, and just nestle with her. “ These would be for you.” He hand her the roses. “ What do you think?”<br />
<br />
	“ Harvey, you shouldn’t have.” <br />
<br />
	“ Now, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t bring flowers?” Harvey asked, but quickly withdrew the question, knowing Gilda would come back with some funny wise crack “ Never mind, don’t answer that.” <br />
<br />
	“ Darn, you know me to well.” She pouted<br />
<br />
	 Harvey took a look around the empty club. “ Did I come during closing time?” <br />
<br />
	Gilda sighed “ I wish. No, this is the rush hour.”<br />
<br />
	“ What happened?” He asked<br />
<br />
	“ The Batboy happened.”  Gilda said, with a bit of distaste. <br />
<br />
	Harvey corrected her. “ Batman.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda didn’t care. “ Sure he started to take the law into his own hands, put a couple of punks behind bars, but that hasn’t put the people of Gotham minds at ease.  People have been keeping clear of here Harvey and it’s not because they have something to hide, it’s because people are preparing for the war that’s going to break out in the streets.” <br />
<br />
	“ Not if I do my job right.”  Harvey jumped quicky to respond. “ I won’t let anything happened to anyone. The mob is going to have to go through me first.” <br />
<br />
	“ So, Gotham has another crime fighter. Will you be wearing a mask as well?” <br />
<br />
	“ I don’t need one.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda held back her emotions, unwilling to show him how much she worried about him, that each day she feared of losing him because of his job, but she needed to be strong for him. “ I would be less worried if you did.” She put the roses aside, and began cleaning the counter out of nerves.<br />
<br />
	“ Gilda,” Harvey grab her hands gently, reinsuring her that there was nothing to be worried about. “ Change is coming, there’s finally a sherd of hope on the streets. This is our chance to make things right, we can save Gotham.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda refused to look Harvey in the eyes. “ I don’t care.” <br />
<br />
	“ How can you say that? “ <br />
<br />
	She looked up at him “ If the price of saving Gotham is your life, then I don’t want it.” <br />
<br />
	Harvey didn’t know how else he could reinsure Gilda that nothing would happen to him. The easy way out would be to tell her that she was overreacting. But, being District attorney did put a target on his back. Ever since he was appointed, threats on his life had been made. Luckily none of them carried out, then again why would they. Falcone had his grasp on the city, any cases taken to court always ended quickly with his men walking out free. <br />
<br />
	Harvey knew people who were bought by Falcone, and worked with them on a daily basis. Co-workers/friends who encouraged him to take a taste, and give up his pursuit on cleaning the streets. He was tempted at times to abandoned what he believed in to make a healthy profit. But, his conscience wouldn’t allow him to, no matter how strong the urge. It was this that  had everyone from cops, mobsters, and the citizens of the city watching his every step.  Each one poundering the question <span style="font-style: italic;"> " How long will he continue to take up the fight, how long until he breaks ?" </span> <br />
<br />
Harvey knew the risk of going down this road, every choice he would make would come with a price, he could die a hero for his cause or give in and sell out the people he promised to change the city to. “ I’m not going to let anyone harm come to us, babe." <br />
<br />
	Gilda began to cry. “ You had to drag me along.” She smiled playfully.<br />
<br />
	“ Of course, I would never dream of going down alone.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda slapped him gently on the chest. “ You’re a bastard.” She leaned in,  kissed him refusing to let go. <span style="font-style: italic;"> “ Please look after him."</span> Gilda prayed hoping if there was a god, that he would protect Harvey. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Converstaion<br />
January 20<br />
12:15 AM<br />
<br />
Roy: Take it easy.<br />
<br />
Alberto: Why can't we  do this somewhere else!<br />
<br />
Roy: Listen, the Bat has raided the last four drops of shipments in the past weeks. We need to throw him a curve ball, catch the bastard off guard.<br />
<br />
Alberto: Can't we just ship this thing to them!<br />
<br />
Roy: Are you kidding me, this wouldn't make through customes. We can't afford to set off any red flags.<br />
<br />
Alberto: jeeze...<br />
<br />
Roy: You should know better, Al, we keep sinking this fast we won't have a business to protect. Not with that fucking roach Maroni trying to take our profits from under us. <br />
<br />
Alberto: We should kill him and be done with it.<br />
<br />
Roy: I want the same thing, but your father wants to talk it out with Sal soon. Hope they come to some sort of peace treaty.<br />
<br />
Alberto: If that doesn't work?<br />
<br />
Roy: Then I'll kill the son of bitch myself.<br />
<br />
Alberto: I like the way you think.<br />
<br />
Roy: Kid, it's the only way I've manage to stay in this business for so long. <br />
<br />
Alberto: I really wish we brought more men.<br />
<br />
Roy: Hey, we got Gotham P.D hunting down this bat freak. Leslie promises us to bag him soon. So relax and do your job. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
January 20<br />
12: 30 AM<br />
The Narrows <br />
<br />
	“ Double check, I want everything to go down without a hitch. The Yakuza won’t give us a second chance.” Alberto Falcone, paced back and forth around the warehouse, scratching his head, and rubbing his hands nervously. “ I want everyman to keep their fucking guard up, the Batman won’t be making a sound. Tell them to keep their eyes on the shadows.” Alberto pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it up and took a small puff to clam his nerves. It wasn’t doing the trick, so he brushed back his slick black hair, adjusting his glasses finding someway to control himself.<br />
<br />
	“ Relax Al, we’ve got everything covered from head to toe.” One of his men assured him.<br />
<br />
	“ It better be, “ Alberto flicked his cigaret. “ We can’t afford any fuck ups. We’ve taken a hit these past weeks, this fucking Bat is driving away business.” The Batman had forced them to a corner, here they were forced into a warehouse in the Narrows, conducting business like some low level street gang.<br />
<br />
Alberto watched his men bring in the package the Yakuza’s had come for. A new state of the art EMP ( electromagnetic pulse bomb) courtesy of Prime Tech. <br />
<br />
	The warehouse garage doors began to open. Falcone’s men, quickly began to surrounded the area as members of the Yakuza entered, with their own heavily armed escort. Each one equip with semi-automatic weapons. “ Alberto Falcone, I presume.” Out of the pack of men, a short bald Japanese gentlemen with dark sunglasses walked to shake Alberto’s hand, as the garage closed behind them. <br />
<br />
	“ You are correct.”  Alberto reinsured him<br />
<br />
	The man carried a switchblade in his left hand, it was barley visible. “ My name is, Ryo,”  They shook hands. “ I was sent by my associates to over see this deal.”<br />
<br />
	 “ What happened to the first guy?” Alberto wonder. <br />
<br />
	“ A broken jaw and he’s afraid to set foot in Gotham, after what happened.” <br />
<br />
	“ What about you, Ryo, are you afraid? “ <br />
<br />
	” Afraid of what ?” He took off his dark sunglasses.<br />
<br />
	“  The Batman.” <br />
<br />
	Ryo chuckled loudly, his voice echoed through the warehouse. “ I laugh at this man running around in a child’s costume pretending to be a hero. Matter of fact, my associates are not pleased that you and your father are having difficulties in dealing with this kind of nuisance. It makes them rethink this partnership.” <br />
<br />
	“ Is that right ?” Alberto bit on his lower lip, trying to suppress his anger. <br />
<br />
	“ How can they do business with a man, that can’t take care of one vigilante that posses no threat?”  <br />
<br />
	Alberto looked at Ryo’s armed escort and pointed the obvious. “ Then, why bring this many well armed men? <br />
<br />
	He replied in a bitter , yet embarrassing tone. “ Just in case if... ,“ the words fought to come out of his mouth. “ The Batman shows up.” <br />
<br />
	“ Ain’t no one crashing this party.” Falcone’s armed guards reinsured them both. “ It’s going to take more then a guy with wings to get through us.” <br />
<br />
	In that instant four flash bangs came crashing through the warehouse windows, “ He’s here! “ Alberto Falcone shouted in sheer terror, his eye’s widen in panic as he saw the flash bangs explode. A bright white flashed engulfed the room with an earth rattling sound, that deafen them. But the worst was yet to come, a second later the warehouse garage was plowed into by sheer force, from a vehicle that resembled a tank. “ God, no, it can’t be ?” Alberto yelled unable to get to his feet, the rest of his of men had been dazed and knocked out cold from the sheer force of the flash bangs. It was over for Alberto and his men.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation <br />
1:35 AM<br />
<br />
Harvey: Yeah?<br />
<br />
Maxwell: What are you up to?<br />
<br />
Harvey: Having a drink with a wonderful woman.<br />
<br />
Maxwell: Well, you better put that on hold and haul ass to the narrows.<br />
<br />
Harvey: What’s going on?<br />
<br />
Maxwell: Our bat friend just gave us a clear win.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Who and what?<br />
<br />
Maxwell: Alberto,  the  Yakuza clients and a weapon hot out of Prime Tech Corporation! Gotham P.D won’t be able to cover this up.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I’m on my way. <br />
<br />
<br />
			- Call Ended -<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
* ALBERTO BUSTED *<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/gothamundergroundnews" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/gothamundergroundnews</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation<br />
January 26<br />
10:00 PM<br />
<br />
Roy: We’ve been having a slight problem.<br />
<br />
???: Slight is an understatement. I hear Carmine wasn’t able to bail his boy out of the slammer this time.<br />
<br />
Roy: We know you’re the best, well second to Victor.<br />
<br />
???: Yeah, but Victor is dead. So that makes me top dog.<br />
<br />
Roy: That it does. We need you to get rid of our bat problem.<br />
<br />
???: How much for the contract ?<br />
<br />
Roy: One Million.<br />
<br />
???: Sounds decent.<br />
<br />
Roy: Can you resolve this issue? <br />
<br />
???: I’ll find this guy before you know it.  <br />
<br />
Roy: We need you to come alone, we can’t risk the Batman finding out we’ve paid a hitman...<br />
<br />
???: Hey, a hitman is some no talent hack you hire on craigslist, I’m a professional assassin.<br />
<br />
Roy: Forgive me, profession assassin to deal with him.<br />
<br />
???: This guy is a tricky bastard, he’s a creature of the night. <br />
<br />
Roy: He is very unpredictable.<br />
<br />
???: I’ll the roam the streets, get into his shoes, and find his weakness. <br />
<br />
Roy: That’s what I like to hear, Deadshot. Don’t fail us.<br />
<br />
<br />
		- Call Ended - <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
visit the site to the novel and follow the interactive websites at<br />
<a href="http://www.batmanyearone.wordpress.com" target="_blank">http://www.batmanyearone.wordpress.com</a><br />
<br />
also check out the author's site<br />
<a href="http://www.jessenovels.wordpress.com" target="_blank">http://www.jessenovels.wordpress.com</a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;">PROLOGUE</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
	  Midnight, they come out like rats, each one craving their fix. People who were selling their own children to prostitution just to feel the flick of nirvana the drug gave them. And while they sat in the dark corner pumping the poison into their veins, their kid was in the back seat of a strangers car, closing their eyes,  praying what was happing to them was nothing but a nightmare,  that soon it would be all over and they’ll be back in bed, holding on to their stuff bear, with mom and Dad looking over them as they drifted off to some magical wonderland. How they cried and prayed.<br />
<br />
	It’s a common thing to see in Gotham, young children in the back alley being sold like a piece of meat. Some children putting themselves in that position just to feed their younger siblings, while Mother and Father were no where to be found. Drug users getting younger, they were kids looking for something to wash and numb away the pain. Anything to stop the nightmares. But their search for relief was leading them to an early grave.  The new common fashion trend among them.<br />
<br />
	The walking dead, that’s what the elite of Gotham labeled the lower class. Knowing it wouldn’t be long until the venom that was spreading through out the city, caught. up with them. No matter how hard they fought, they would fall like the rest, there was no escaping their fate, they were as people call them, the walking dead.<br />
<br />
	No hope, just death . . . . . <br />
<br />
<br />
                       		         <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BATMAN YEAR ONE</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
				CHAPTER ONE<br />
				    JANUARY <br />
<br />
January 2<br />
Gotham Docks <br />
9:30 PM<br />
<br />
<br />
		“ So, what do these Jap’s want ?” Leo Redmen stood leaning against the black Toyota Corolla, as he stared out to sea.<br />
<br />
		“ They’re interested in purchasing an item. And my father being the saint he is want’s to help. Of course, if they return a favor.” Alberto Falcone, son of Carmine Falcone, the most feared mob boss in Gotham, was on hand overseeing the business deal that his father had setup with the Yakuza. Having an a business partnership with the Yakuza would extend the family’s reach beyond Gotham, making them a force to be reckon with.<br />
<br />
	 “ Ain’t you a little over dress, Al?” Leo stared at the tuxedo Alberto was wearing.<br />
<br />
	“ This isn’t for them,” Alberto pulled a picture from his pocket, and passed it to Leo. “ It’s for her.”<br />
<br />
	Leo whistled as he saw the beautiful red head, with the eye’s to die for. Leo couldn’t fight the notion that he’d seen her before. “ Al, I think I know this girl.” Leo said scratching his bald head.<br />
<br />
	“ She is ,the beautiful,  actress Isabella Montas. I’m meeting her at a banquet later tonight.”<br />
<br />
	“ Is that right.” Leo handed the photo back to Alberto. <br />
<br />
	“ Some little shindig Bruce Wayne is having tonight.”<br />
<br />
	Falcone’s men roamed the docks, making sure any unwanted visitors stayed away. Luckily the cops wouldn’t be a threat, with the Falcone family having it’s grasp over Gotham, the cops in this city were to frighten to lay a finger on them. This city could be renamed “ Falcone City” and no one would object. That was power no one could buy.<br />
<br />
	“ Jesus, when is this snow going to end?” Leo kicked the snow under his shoes, “ With the smell of the ocean and this crap, I’m not sure what I hate most.” Leo paced back and fourth, growing in patient. “ These guys are taking their sweet time, Al.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
	Alberto looked at this watch, the Japs were five minutes late, he knew something was wrong. “ Call my father, change of plans.” Alberto order.<br />
<br />
	“ What, you think they backed out? ” Leo asked.<br />
<br />
	“ I’m not sure, just get a hold of him . . . “ Alberto saw the expression on Leo’s face, turn into a man who had just seen the devil himself. <br />
<br />
	“ Your friends are going be late, they ran into some trouble.” The deep voice called out from behind.<br />
<br />
Alberto snapped his head around to discover a larger towering demon staring him down “ Who are you ?”  He suttered like a child. 		<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“ I’m Batman. “ The demon growled, before delivering a powerful sidekick to Alberto’s head.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
JANUARY 2<br />
2:00 AM<br />
<br />
<br />
		 Alberto Falcone was the future heir to the empire his father had created. Seeing him behind the steel bars of prison was an eerie sight to behold.  It was the first time, anyone high up the Falcone crime family food chain had been seen behind them.<br />
<br />
 Ten years working in the force, and he would have never thought it to be true. It was a first for Sgt. Jim Gordon, though he didn’t expect Alberto to do much time behind bars. Carmine Falcone,  wouldn’t let his only son or men do much time in the slammer. He would make a few calls pull some strings and two hours from now his baby would be out on the streets. <br />
<br />
		“ What a sight it is,” Gordon felt the hard slap behind the back, from his good friend Anthony Chen. “ And look, Alberto even got dressed for this special occasion.” <br />
<br />
		“ So, whose funeral should I be attending this week.” Gordon asked, knowing the first fool to cross Falcone was going to end up dead. <br />
<br />
		“ Wasn’t us.”<br />
<br />
		Gordon sighed. “ Don’t tell me Dent got the Feds involved, if we know by now. ” <br />
<br />
		Chen interrupted Gordon “ It wasn’t Dent or the feds Jimbo.”<br />
<br />
		“ Then who?”<br />
<br />
		Chen was hesitant in telling him, he just wouldn’t believe the story, hell, even he was finding it hard to believe. “ It was a bat.”<br />
<br />
		 Gordon chuckled. “ What?”<br />
<br />
		“ Some huge bat came out of the shadows and jumped them. One of Falcone’s men,” Chen was snapping his fingers trying to think of the name. “ Leo, he won’t shut up about it. He keeps telling everyone it was the Batman that attacked them.” Chen yawned as he spoke, he tired to shake off the drowsiness he was feeling, working the graveyard shift for five days straight was taking a toll on him . “ If you ask me, it’s just some guy in a cheap costume playing hero, whose going to find his nuts chopped off, after Falcone finds him .”  <br />
<br />
		Gordon firmly patted his friends shoulder. “ Your off the clock, go home and get some rest.”<br />
<br />
		Chen was reluctant to agree at first, but he knew Gordon had a point. “ I think you’re right, tell me how fast these guys get released, me and the boys have a bet going on.” <br />
<br />
		Gordon just rolled his eyes at him. “ Just get out of here.”<br />
<br />
		Gotham P.D were suppose to put people like Carmine Falcone and his goons behind bars, not keep them comfortable until they made bail. But the fear, and power that Falcone wield was enough to make any brave soul run into hiding. Some people tried to bring down Falcone in the past, each one either found a new permeant home in the bottom of Gotham Harbor, or were convinced into looking at things in a different perspective, one that paid well and allowed them to keep their lives. In the end it was the same story, Good was defeated and the corrupted triumphed <br />
<br />
		“ This person has to be out of his mind, going against Falcone is pointless. It’s his city, not ours.”  Just like the rest, Jim Gordon had given up hope. To him, there was no chance of saving Gotham. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation <br />
<br />
Carmine: I want the son of a bitch dead!<br />
<br />
Roy: We’ll find him.<br />
<br />
Carmine : You better.<br />
<br />
Roy: Look, first we’re going to get your boy out of prison. Then we’ll deal with the son of a bitch responsible for this whole mess.<br />
<br />
Carmine: What did they see.<br />
<br />
Roy: They saw. . .<br />
<br />
Carmine: Tell me.<br />
<br />
Roy: Leo said, it was a bat.<br />
<br />
Carmine: A what?<br />
<br />
Roy: A giant bat.<br />
<br />
Carmine: What about the others?<br />
<br />
Roy: Same thing boss.<br />
<br />
Carmine: So, they got attacked by a giant bat?<br />
<br />
Roy: Well, a Batman.<br />
<br />
Carmine: Batman?<br />
<br />
Roy: Yes, sir.<br />
<br />
Carmine: So, some freak in a costume jumped my son and my men?<br />
<br />
Roy: . . .<br />
<br />
Carmine: Jesus fucking Christ.<br />
	<br />
Roy: Sir, what do we do about the Yakuza? They’re pissed.<br />
<br />
Carmine: I’ll fix that problem. You just find that costume freak and put a bullet between his eyes.<br />
<br />
Roy: Yes, sir. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
				{center}GOTHAM TIMES <br />
				JANUARY   5{/center}<br />
<br />
		<br />
			          {center}Vigilante or Hero?<br />
			          BY: Sam Rivers {/center}<br />
<br />
<br />
		For the past three nights, a bat or the Batman, as his victims have called him, has struck at the Falcone Empire. Giving this mask avenger the title hero by some of the people in Gotham. Though, to Commissioner Leslie Maywood, the Batman is nothing but a vigilante. <br />
<br />
	Ms. Maywood was quoted saying “ This Batman, is not a hero, despite popular belief. The Gotham P.D well not stand by, while this vigilante roams around Gotham, putting people lives at risk. He needs to know, there are laws, and they are there for a reason, no man is above them. Even the Batman.” <br />
<br />
	Despite the fact, the Batman has delivered the Gotham P.D some of the most notorious of Falcone’s men. Some responsible for countless of murders, and killings of  distinguish advocates against the corruption. <br />
<br />
	Three days ago, Alberto Falcone was the first victim of the Batman, he and his men were arrested while conducting a business deal with members of the Japanese crime organization the Yakuza. I tried to get more detail about this alleged deal, but Gotham P.D has denied that such a deal was taking place. <br />
<br />
	The biggest shocker to the citizens of Gotham was when Alberto Falcone was released from their custody in a matter of hours. A spokesmen for the Gotham P.D Stated that  “ there was inefficient evidence to hold Alberto, and at this moment he is a victim from a brutal assault.” The spokes men did clarify one thing. “ I want the citizen of Gotham to know, that releasing Alberto Falcone has nothing to do with the recent rumors of corruption in the police force. The Gotham P.D works to protect and sever the citizens, not Carmine Falcone.” <br />
<br />
	The question still remains, is the Batman a vigilante or a hero? I guess that’s a question for the people to decided. But, with Gotham in it’s darkest moment, perhaps this mask vigilante is the one that can save Gotham from despair. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Luis Restaurant<br />
10: 00 AM<br />
<br />
		“ Save Gotham, these people think this freak is there beacon of hope. HA! “ Salvaorte slammed the news paper on the table. Annoyed with the sudden press the Batman was receiving.  “ I oughtta shoot the guy who wrote this crap.” <br />
<br />
	For the past two days the Batman had brought nothing but panic around the crime families in Gotham. For now, he was only striking at the heart of the Falcone family. But, you would have to be a fool not think Batman wouldn’t set his sights on the other families soon. On the other hand, the Batman was doing them a favor for the time being, by taking out Carmine Falcone, this meant more business for the Maroni  Family. Which was seeing there profits rise after the recent events that had occur the past days. <br />
<br />
<br />
	“ I say we find this Batman and hang him.” Salvatore Maroni young brother Paul, was the most concern about this issue. And being the dark head little devil he was, he wanted nothing more but to tear the insides of the Batman. “ Give me a week, I’ll find him.  I’ll gut him alive, and I’ll make sure he regrets ever putting on that costume.” <br />
<br />
	Salvatore admire his brothers hunger for violence, the boy was willing to get his hands dirty no matter what, like their father Lugi said. “ This boy has the demon inside him.”Salvatore could testify to that, he once saw his brother mutilated some poor bum who short changed him. It was the first time he saw his brother  laugh out hysterically . He kept the poor sap testicles for a souvenir for that speical moment. He knew his brother still had them in a jar at this home uptown. <br />
<br />
	“ That’s it champ, you keep that up. When the time comes, I want you to murder the son of a bitch. “ Salvatore motioned for the waiter to come, “ But, for now let’s enjoy some breakfast, we’re in a nice restaurant. Let’s forget about the whole Batman thing.”.<br />
<br />
	“ I’m going to kill him, I’ll make this Batman scream.” Paul Maroni said as the waiter came. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
E-mail<br />
Subject: The cool kids<br />
From: agentrobin2010@yahoo.com<br />
<br />
<br />
	The cool kids are starting to talk about you. You should really get to know them better, try introducing yourself to Sal and Paul real soon, they’ll love you. <br />
<br />
P.S<br />
Ask Pauly about the jar. <br />
<br />
	Love ya<br />
	XOXO<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation <br />
5:30 PM <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Leslie: We had nothing, we couldn’t detain him.<br />
<br />
Harvey: That’s bullshit and you know it.<br />
<br />
Leslie: No, it’s the truth Harvey.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Don’t feed me the same bullshit, you do to the public.<br />
<br />
Leslie: What does that mean?<br />
<br />
Harvey: You know damn well what I mean.<br />
<br />
Leslie: We’re clean, we’ve got nothing to hide.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I want to believe that. <br />
<br />
Leslie: If you got something to say, then say it.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I know things have gotten rough, but this Batman has given us the golden opportunity we need.<br />
<br />
Leslie: . . .<br />
<br />
Harvey: We can stop it, stop the corruption.<br />
<br />
Leslie: I have no idea what you’re talking about.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I see Falcone has you bought.<br />
<br />
Leslie: How dare you !<br />
<br />
Harvey: How dare I,  I know you covered up that deal with the Yakuza. I want to know what they were after! <br />
<br />
Leslie: There was no deal.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Don’t lie to me.<br />
<br />
Leslie: I’m not.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I’m giving you one last chance,  come clean.<br />
<br />
Leslie: . . .<br />
<br />
Harvey: Now tell me the truth.<br />
<br />
Leslie: I have nothing to hide Mr. Dent.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Unbelievable. So I assume you and goons are going to take out the Batman.<br />
<br />
Leslie: Goons?<br />
<br />
Harvey: Oh, did that slip.<br />
<br />
Leslie: The Mayor wants this vigilante off the street, and we plan to do so.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Damn you.<br />
<br />
Leslie: Mr. Dent, If you want to stop this man hunt, then take it up with the mayor. For now this conversation is over.<br />
<br />
				- Call Ended- <br />
<br />
	“ I believe in Harvey Dent.” <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
January 19<br />
1: 35 AM<br />
The Narrows <br />
<br />
<br />
“ Please, let me go I have two kids.” Margert Lewis cried as she was pined down on the cold wet cement floor. The blaring train above drowned out her screams for help. “ I’m begging you, don’t hurt me, they need me.” <br />
<br />
	Her attacker was a man with long brown hair, courted teeth, a slumped forehead and a giant in stature. His right hand ran up and down her body, while his left hand was wrapped tightly on her neck. His eye’s glared down on his victim enjoying her weakness. “ What will you offer me in return? “ He chuckled, loosen his grip and licked his lips waiting for her to answer.<br />
<br />
	“ Myself,” She slowly lifted her dress. “ Do what you want, but just let me go. I swear nobody has to know, I promise you. Please.” She quivered with fear. <br />
<br />
<br />
	He scoffed at her, as she offered herself to him. “ You tempt me with your flesh,“  He chuckled heavily, the stench from his breath was horrendous each time he spoke.  “ Your flesh means nothing to me, it’s your screams that I want. “ His grip tighten around her. “ And I will have them.” <br />
<br />
	“ Who are you?” Margert cried, kicked , and scream as she fought to escape her attacker. But, it was no use.<br />
<br />
	“ My name is Solomon Grundy !” <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
January 20<br />
Heartbreaks Club <br />
12: 30 AM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
	It started off as a job to pay for her college tuition, working as a bartender at the Heartbreaks Club, just until she was done with her studies. But, each month that passed Gilda found herself attached to the little jazz club that was on the out skirts of Downtown Gotham, nearing the slums. HBC was Gotham’s hidden gem, people who drove by each day had no idea that it existed. At first glance it appeared to be a run down bar with nothing to offer. But, looks were deceiving. Only the jazz audacious knew of the club existence and the occasional lucky dope who walked in, hoping to find mischief Many well know jazz musicians had traveled to grace HBC in it’s life time. From such artist as Billie Holiday, Miles Daves, George Benson ,and Ella Fitzgerald. Many of the famous musicians still arrived from time to time, but not as they used to. Gotham reputation was thriving out business.<br />
           . <br />
<br />
	Gilda’s own parents never approved of her lifestyle, seeing so much potential in her, and knowing she settle with a job that paid her to serve drinks, and wait on drunks disappointed them. In her entire career working at the HBC they never once set foot in Gotham, unwilling to accept her profession. And though some would fight frantically for their parents approval, Gilda could care less, it was her life to live, not theirs. To Gilda, this small club was more then a job. It became apart of her soul.<br />
<br />
<br />
	The job itself, allowed her to meet the man she fell head over heels for. He was a usual costumer, handsome young man with blond golden hair, always ordering his usual martiny. Gilda would always tease him for it “ You are aware that there’s other drinks.” He would just nod casually and smile. “ You’re very predictable. Some girls love a man with a sense of adventure.” <br />
<br />
	“ Is that right?” He said rasing an eye brow. “ I could have sworn that women were into the same old same old. Are you sure they’re not into that ?” <br />
<br />
	“ No they’re not.” <br />
<br />
	“ Well, how do you know?” He asked.<br />
	<br />
 	“  As it turns out, I’m a woman and I should know.” <br />
<br />
	He slumped forward, looking back and forth. “ So, you like a guy with some sense of adventure?”<br />
<br />
	“ I do.” <br />
<br />
	“ well, then let’s put that to the test,” He cracked his fingers and arched his back. “ Go on a date with me.” Gilda almost drop the shot glass she was cleaning. “ Did I catch you off guard?” <br />
<br />
	“ No, not at all. I just love to fumble with these shot glasses” Gilda was never good with out of the blue proposals. She tried to find an excuse to say no. “ I would love to go out, but, I hardly know you.” <br />
<br />
	“ Well, get to know me. I’m a very interesting person. Like for instants, I’m a member of a fan club dedicated to short-circuit.”<br />
<br />
	Gilda didn’t know what to say, she loved the sense of humor, though at the time she wasn’t  completely sure if he was joking or not. She bit on her lower lip trying to think on what to do. “ Okay, but,” she warned him.” If you pull anything weird, I’ll aim for your balls.” <br />
<br />
	“ Fair enough.” He said with a grin. “ I wouldn’t have it any other way.” <br />
<br />
       The movie they went to see was god awful, the dinner was mediocre, and the rain ruined a wonderful night. Despite the fiasco, he managed to keep her smiling and laughing through out it all. That had been over a four years ago, and that same man that had won her over. Walked into the HBC with a dozen red roses, and the same boyish smile. “  Look what the cat dragged in.” Gilda fixed him his usual. “ So, are you done saving Gotham Mr.Dent?”<br />
<br />
	Harvey rolled his eye’s, knowing Gilda was poking fun at him. Since the appearance of the Batman, people began to spread rumors who this masked vigilante might be and knowing Dent was the only ray of light that dared to define the Carmine Falcone empire, people assume he was the man in black. Which was completely untrue, he was just the District Attorney who refused to sell out. “ I am done for today, so, I wanted to visit my number one girl.” <br />
<br />
	“ You’re cheating on me, you bastard.”<br />
<br />
	“ Never.” <br />
<br />
	“ Turn around.” Gilda instructed Harvey, he did as he was told. “ You’re lucky you got that ass, because if you didn’t I would be so pissed right now.” <br />
<br />
	“ The very same ass, that got me into the position I am now.” <br />
<br />
	“ I thought it was your charm?” Harvey walked over to Gilda, place the roses on the counter. Leaned in and kissed her. “ I would have bet my left arm it was your charm.” <br />
	<br />
	Harvey held Gilda tightly against himself. He was desperate to get away from the job, and just nestle with her. “ These would be for you.” He hand her the roses. “ What do you think?”<br />
<br />
	“ Harvey, you shouldn’t have.” <br />
<br />
	“ Now, what kind of man would I be if I didn’t bring flowers?” Harvey asked, but quickly withdrew the question, knowing Gilda would come back with some funny wise crack “ Never mind, don’t answer that.” <br />
<br />
	“ Darn, you know me to well.” She pouted<br />
<br />
	 Harvey took a look around the empty club. “ Did I come during closing time?” <br />
<br />
	Gilda sighed “ I wish. No, this is the rush hour.”<br />
<br />
	“ What happened?” He asked<br />
<br />
	“ The Batboy happened.”  Gilda said, with a bit of distaste. <br />
<br />
	Harvey corrected her. “ Batman.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda didn’t care. “ Sure he started to take the law into his own hands, put a couple of punks behind bars, but that hasn’t put the people of Gotham minds at ease.  People have been keeping clear of here Harvey and it’s not because they have something to hide, it’s because people are preparing for the war that’s going to break out in the streets.” <br />
<br />
	“ Not if I do my job right.”  Harvey jumped quicky to respond. “ I won’t let anything happened to anyone. The mob is going to have to go through me first.” <br />
<br />
	“ So, Gotham has another crime fighter. Will you be wearing a mask as well?” <br />
<br />
	“ I don’t need one.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda held back her emotions, unwilling to show him how much she worried about him, that each day she feared of losing him because of his job, but she needed to be strong for him. “ I would be less worried if you did.” She put the roses aside, and began cleaning the counter out of nerves.<br />
<br />
	“ Gilda,” Harvey grab her hands gently, reinsuring her that there was nothing to be worried about. “ Change is coming, there’s finally a sherd of hope on the streets. This is our chance to make things right, we can save Gotham.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda refused to look Harvey in the eyes. “ I don’t care.” <br />
<br />
	“ How can you say that? “ <br />
<br />
	She looked up at him “ If the price of saving Gotham is your life, then I don’t want it.” <br />
<br />
	Harvey didn’t know how else he could reinsure Gilda that nothing would happen to him. The easy way out would be to tell her that she was overreacting. But, being District attorney did put a target on his back. Ever since he was appointed, threats on his life had been made. Luckily none of them carried out, then again why would they. Falcone had his grasp on the city, any cases taken to court always ended quickly with his men walking out free. <br />
<br />
	Harvey knew people who were bought by Falcone, and worked with them on a daily basis. Co-workers/friends who encouraged him to take a taste, and give up his pursuit on cleaning the streets. He was tempted at times to abandoned what he believed in to make a healthy profit. But, his conscience wouldn’t allow him to, no matter how strong the urge. It was this that  had everyone from cops, mobsters, and the citizens of the city watching his every step.  Each one poundering the question <span style="font-style: italic;"> " How long will he continue to take up the fight, how long until he breaks ?" </span> <br />
<br />
Harvey knew the risk of going down this road, every choice he would make would come with a price, he could die a hero for his cause or give in and sell out the people he promised to change the city to. “ I’m not going to let anyone harm come to us, babe." <br />
<br />
	Gilda began to cry. “ You had to drag me along.” She smiled playfully.<br />
<br />
	“ Of course, I would never dream of going down alone.” <br />
<br />
	Gilda slapped him gently on the chest. “ You’re a bastard.” She leaned in,  kissed him refusing to let go. <span style="font-style: italic;"> “ Please look after him."</span> Gilda prayed hoping if there was a god, that he would protect Harvey. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Converstaion<br />
January 20<br />
12:15 AM<br />
<br />
Roy: Take it easy.<br />
<br />
Alberto: Why can't we  do this somewhere else!<br />
<br />
Roy: Listen, the Bat has raided the last four drops of shipments in the past weeks. We need to throw him a curve ball, catch the bastard off guard.<br />
<br />
Alberto: Can't we just ship this thing to them!<br />
<br />
Roy: Are you kidding me, this wouldn't make through customes. We can't afford to set off any red flags.<br />
<br />
Alberto: jeeze...<br />
<br />
Roy: You should know better, Al, we keep sinking this fast we won't have a business to protect. Not with that fucking roach Maroni trying to take our profits from under us. <br />
<br />
Alberto: We should kill him and be done with it.<br />
<br />
Roy: I want the same thing, but your father wants to talk it out with Sal soon. Hope they come to some sort of peace treaty.<br />
<br />
Alberto: If that doesn't work?<br />
<br />
Roy: Then I'll kill the son of bitch myself.<br />
<br />
Alberto: I like the way you think.<br />
<br />
Roy: Kid, it's the only way I've manage to stay in this business for so long. <br />
<br />
Alberto: I really wish we brought more men.<br />
<br />
Roy: Hey, we got Gotham P.D hunting down this bat freak. Leslie promises us to bag him soon. So relax and do your job. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
January 20<br />
12: 30 AM<br />
The Narrows <br />
<br />
	“ Double check, I want everything to go down without a hitch. The Yakuza won’t give us a second chance.” Alberto Falcone, paced back and forth around the warehouse, scratching his head, and rubbing his hands nervously. “ I want everyman to keep their fucking guard up, the Batman won’t be making a sound. Tell them to keep their eyes on the shadows.” Alberto pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it up and took a small puff to clam his nerves. It wasn’t doing the trick, so he brushed back his slick black hair, adjusting his glasses finding someway to control himself.<br />
<br />
	“ Relax Al, we’ve got everything covered from head to toe.” One of his men assured him.<br />
<br />
	“ It better be, “ Alberto flicked his cigaret. “ We can’t afford any fuck ups. We’ve taken a hit these past weeks, this fucking Bat is driving away business.” The Batman had forced them to a corner, here they were forced into a warehouse in the Narrows, conducting business like some low level street gang.<br />
<br />
Alberto watched his men bring in the package the Yakuza’s had come for. A new state of the art EMP ( electromagnetic pulse bomb) courtesy of Prime Tech. <br />
<br />
	The warehouse garage doors began to open. Falcone’s men, quickly began to surrounded the area as members of the Yakuza entered, with their own heavily armed escort. Each one equip with semi-automatic weapons. “ Alberto Falcone, I presume.” Out of the pack of men, a short bald Japanese gentlemen with dark sunglasses walked to shake Alberto’s hand, as the garage closed behind them. <br />
<br />
	“ You are correct.”  Alberto reinsured him<br />
<br />
	The man carried a switchblade in his left hand, it was barley visible. “ My name is, Ryo,”  They shook hands. “ I was sent by my associates to over see this deal.”<br />
<br />
	 “ What happened to the first guy?” Alberto wonder. <br />
<br />
	“ A broken jaw and he’s afraid to set foot in Gotham, after what happened.” <br />
<br />
	“ What about you, Ryo, are you afraid? “ <br />
<br />
	” Afraid of what ?” He took off his dark sunglasses.<br />
<br />
	“  The Batman.” <br />
<br />
	Ryo chuckled loudly, his voice echoed through the warehouse. “ I laugh at this man running around in a child’s costume pretending to be a hero. Matter of fact, my associates are not pleased that you and your father are having difficulties in dealing with this kind of nuisance. It makes them rethink this partnership.” <br />
<br />
	“ Is that right ?” Alberto bit on his lower lip, trying to suppress his anger. <br />
<br />
	“ How can they do business with a man, that can’t take care of one vigilante that posses no threat?”  <br />
<br />
	Alberto looked at Ryo’s armed escort and pointed the obvious. “ Then, why bring this many well armed men? <br />
<br />
	He replied in a bitter , yet embarrassing tone. “ Just in case if... ,“ the words fought to come out of his mouth. “ The Batman shows up.” <br />
<br />
	“ Ain’t no one crashing this party.” Falcone’s armed guards reinsured them both. “ It’s going to take more then a guy with wings to get through us.” <br />
<br />
	In that instant four flash bangs came crashing through the warehouse windows, “ He’s here! “ Alberto Falcone shouted in sheer terror, his eye’s widen in panic as he saw the flash bangs explode. A bright white flashed engulfed the room with an earth rattling sound, that deafen them. But the worst was yet to come, a second later the warehouse garage was plowed into by sheer force, from a vehicle that resembled a tank. “ God, no, it can’t be ?” Alberto yelled unable to get to his feet, the rest of his of men had been dazed and knocked out cold from the sheer force of the flash bangs. It was over for Alberto and his men.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation <br />
1:35 AM<br />
<br />
Harvey: Yeah?<br />
<br />
Maxwell: What are you up to?<br />
<br />
Harvey: Having a drink with a wonderful woman.<br />
<br />
Maxwell: Well, you better put that on hold and haul ass to the narrows.<br />
<br />
Harvey: What’s going on?<br />
<br />
Maxwell: Our bat friend just gave us a clear win.<br />
<br />
Harvey: Who and what?<br />
<br />
Maxwell: Alberto,  the  Yakuza clients and a weapon hot out of Prime Tech Corporation! Gotham P.D won’t be able to cover this up.<br />
<br />
Harvey: I’m on my way. <br />
<br />
<br />
			- Call Ended -<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/gothamundergroundnews" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/gothamundergroundnews</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phone Conversation<br />
January 26<br />
10:00 PM<br />
<br />
Roy: We’ve been having a slight problem.<br />
<br />
???: Slight is an understatement. I hear Carmine wasn’t able to bail his boy out of the slammer this time.<br />
<br />
Roy: We know you’re the best, well second to Victor.<br />
<br />
???: Yeah, but Victor is dead. So that makes me top dog.<br />
<br />
Roy: That it does. We need you to get rid of our bat problem.<br />
<br />
???: How much for the contract ?<br />
<br />
Roy: One Million.<br />
<br />
???: Sounds decent.<br />
<br />
Roy: Can you resolve this issue? <br />
<br />
???: I’ll find this guy before you know it.  <br />
<br />
Roy: We need you to come alone, we can’t risk the Batman finding out we’ve paid a hitman...<br />
<br />
???: Hey, a hitman is some no talent hack you hire on craigslist, I’m a professional assassin.<br />
<br />
Roy: Forgive me, profession assassin to deal with him.<br />
<br />
???: This guy is a tricky bastard, he’s a creature of the night. <br />
<br />
Roy: He is very unpredictable.<br />
<br />
???: I’ll the roam the streets, get into his shoes, and find his weakness. <br />
<br />
Roy: That’s what I like to hear, Deadshot. Don’t fail us.<br />
<br />
<br />
		- Call Ended - <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
visit the site to the novel and follow the interactive websites at<br />
<a href="http://www.batmanyearone.wordpress.com" target="_blank">http://www.batmanyearone.wordpress.com</a><br />
<br />
also check out the author's site<br />
<a href="http://www.jessenovels.wordpress.com" target="_blank">http://www.jessenovels.wordpress.com</a>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[The Trouble with Bianca]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=274</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:17:27 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Lmc71775</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=274</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[I can’t believe Cora did that!  I’m so mad at her.  <br />
<br />
First she says she’s my best friend, and then I see her hangin’ out with Bianca at the ice rink?  Bianca!  Of all people we hate, Cora had to pick the most popular girl in school to skate with.  Then she had the nerve to act like she didn’t even know me.  Did she even see me?  She had to.  Well, it didn’t help that I was skating with Timmy, my little brother who can’t even walk yet.  I hate when Mom makes me watch him.  He is like a pimple on my forehead, it’s so embarrassing.<br />
<br />
I never wanted to go in the first place, but Mom forced me to.  I knew they were all going to be there—Bianca and her crew.  But Cora too?  So she blew me off after I had to babysit; now I know why!<br />
<br />
Cora and I go way back.  We’ve been friends since kindergarten when we first had Mrs. Carrish together.  It’s like my dad would say, “You girls are like two peas in a pod, always together.”  Well, until Bianca moved in the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
It seemed like everything changed that summer before eighth grade started.  We would hang out as usual, either at the park or milling around near our school and talk for hours.  Cora loved swinging and texting at the same time.  She said she got a kick out of it even though it made her dizzy afterwards.   Sometimes we’d go to Mc Donald’s for a cheeseburger and small fries and just share one coke and refill the one cup.  We’d laugh at how much money we’d save.  I think it was 39 cents or something.  We were such dorks.  But when Bianca moved across the street from her, Cora changed.<br />
<br />
I remember the last conversation we had about Bianca.<br />
<br />
“Did you see what Bianca was wearing today?”  Cora said so excitedly as if she’d seen a movie star.<br />
<br />
“Who cares,” I replied, thumbing through Seventeen Magazine as I sat on the bed in Cora’s room.  Her walls were still painted pink with white unicorns for a border, from when she was little.  She kept telling me she wanted her parents to change it into something more current, but deep down I think Cora liked it that way.<br />
<br />
Cora curled her fingers around her blonde hair, staring out the window, clearly not listening to me, “She had the latest Skinny jeans on.”<br />
<br />
“So?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, you’re right.  So what?”<br />
<br />
“Cora, I thought you hated her clothes anyway?”  I asked her as I looked up trying to find what she’d been staring at.<br />
<br />
“I do…it’s just…” Cora trailed off.<br />
<br />
“It’s just what Cora?”  I got up and flew the magazine on the bed.  “What are you looking at anyway?”<br />
<br />
I scanned outside the window and demanded to find out what Cora was so focused on.  Bianca!  Of, course, who would have guessed, she was getting out of her parents car with David.<br />
<br />
“Isn’t David like a sophomore or something?” I asked Cora as she continued to gape out the side window.<br />
<br />
“No, a freshman.”<br />
<br />
“And her parents let them date?  That’s nuts.”<br />
<br />
“No, it’s not like that.  I think both of the parents are friends and let the kids hang out since they’ve known each other so long.  There like best friends or something.”<br />
<br />
“Boy, Cora, you sure know a lot about them.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, stop.  They live right across the street.  What do you expect?”  Cora said as she slapped me in the arm.<br />
<br />
“Ouch…Gosh, Cor, didn’t know you were a stalker,” I said to her and couldn’t believe I did either cause from the looks on Cora’s face; I could see I hurt her feelings.<br />
<br />
“So what’s that suppose to mean Jane?”<br />
<br />
I froze up and didn’t know what to say.  I knew she was upset and I crossed the line.  I could totally see she was jealous of Bianca and liked David.  She talked about him all the time.  With “I love his sandy brown hair,” to “did you see that smile Jane, isn’t he gorgeous” type of thing.  <br />
<br />
“I’m gonna get going.  I’m sorry Cor, didn’t mean it, I’ll see ya later.”<br />
<br />
Cora didn’t even flinch when I opened the door and left.<br />
<br />
At that point, I knew we didn’t have the same feelings about Bianca.  Deep down I knew she didn’t hate her, she just envied her.  <br />
<br />
Where, I on the other hand, hated Bianca’s guts to the core.  I knew she was no good when she was talking about Cora behind her back that day in the bathroom stalls.  I couldn’t believe how she made up all these rumors about Cora being adopted.  The whole school was murmuring about it for days.  I’ll never forget how bummed out Cora was about it.  I spent my whole weeks allowance on hot fudge Sundaes and Swedish Fish for her ‘til she got over it.  And I swore to myself I would never tell her how the rumor actually got started.  I didn’t want to stoop to Bianca’s level.<br />
<br />
But this took the cake and the icing and the cherry on top when I saw her at the Ice Arena.  She was in fact hanging out with Bianca and David and three of their other friends, who remain Bianca clones to this day.<br />
<br />
I was worried Cora would turn into one of them.  I was losing my best friend right before my very eyes.  I had to confront her.  I had to ask if this was really true.   But I couldn’t.  I just skated with Timmy, who was now drooling on my hand.  So I got off the ice and cleaned him up.  I figured I’d wait til I got home to call Cora and see what she had to say.  I texted her in the bathroom while I wiped Timmy’s face off, but she never responded.  And the worst part was I knew she had her phone on as she was texting right on the ice.<br />
<br />
“She’ll text back eventually,” I said to myself as I crammed my cell phone in my pocket, “there’s gotta be a reason why she’s ignoring me.”]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I can’t believe Cora did that!  I’m so mad at her.  <br />
<br />
First she says she’s my best friend, and then I see her hangin’ out with Bianca at the ice rink?  Bianca!  Of all people we hate, Cora had to pick the most popular girl in school to skate with.  Then she had the nerve to act like she didn’t even know me.  Did she even see me?  She had to.  Well, it didn’t help that I was skating with Timmy, my little brother who can’t even walk yet.  I hate when Mom makes me watch him.  He is like a pimple on my forehead, it’s so embarrassing.<br />
<br />
I never wanted to go in the first place, but Mom forced me to.  I knew they were all going to be there—Bianca and her crew.  But Cora too?  So she blew me off after I had to babysit; now I know why!<br />
<br />
Cora and I go way back.  We’ve been friends since kindergarten when we first had Mrs. Carrish together.  It’s like my dad would say, “You girls are like two peas in a pod, always together.”  Well, until Bianca moved in the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
It seemed like everything changed that summer before eighth grade started.  We would hang out as usual, either at the park or milling around near our school and talk for hours.  Cora loved swinging and texting at the same time.  She said she got a kick out of it even though it made her dizzy afterwards.   Sometimes we’d go to Mc Donald’s for a cheeseburger and small fries and just share one coke and refill the one cup.  We’d laugh at how much money we’d save.  I think it was 39 cents or something.  We were such dorks.  But when Bianca moved across the street from her, Cora changed.<br />
<br />
I remember the last conversation we had about Bianca.<br />
<br />
“Did you see what Bianca was wearing today?”  Cora said so excitedly as if she’d seen a movie star.<br />
<br />
“Who cares,” I replied, thumbing through Seventeen Magazine as I sat on the bed in Cora’s room.  Her walls were still painted pink with white unicorns for a border, from when she was little.  She kept telling me she wanted her parents to change it into something more current, but deep down I think Cora liked it that way.<br />
<br />
Cora curled her fingers around her blonde hair, staring out the window, clearly not listening to me, “She had the latest Skinny jeans on.”<br />
<br />
“So?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, you’re right.  So what?”<br />
<br />
“Cora, I thought you hated her clothes anyway?”  I asked her as I looked up trying to find what she’d been staring at.<br />
<br />
“I do…it’s just…” Cora trailed off.<br />
<br />
“It’s just what Cora?”  I got up and flew the magazine on the bed.  “What are you looking at anyway?”<br />
<br />
I scanned outside the window and demanded to find out what Cora was so focused on.  Bianca!  Of, course, who would have guessed, she was getting out of her parents car with David.<br />
<br />
“Isn’t David like a sophomore or something?” I asked Cora as she continued to gape out the side window.<br />
<br />
“No, a freshman.”<br />
<br />
“And her parents let them date?  That’s nuts.”<br />
<br />
“No, it’s not like that.  I think both of the parents are friends and let the kids hang out since they’ve known each other so long.  There like best friends or something.”<br />
<br />
“Boy, Cora, you sure know a lot about them.”<br />
<br />
“Oh, stop.  They live right across the street.  What do you expect?”  Cora said as she slapped me in the arm.<br />
<br />
“Ouch…Gosh, Cor, didn’t know you were a stalker,” I said to her and couldn’t believe I did either cause from the looks on Cora’s face; I could see I hurt her feelings.<br />
<br />
“So what’s that suppose to mean Jane?”<br />
<br />
I froze up and didn’t know what to say.  I knew she was upset and I crossed the line.  I could totally see she was jealous of Bianca and liked David.  She talked about him all the time.  With “I love his sandy brown hair,” to “did you see that smile Jane, isn’t he gorgeous” type of thing.  <br />
<br />
“I’m gonna get going.  I’m sorry Cor, didn’t mean it, I’ll see ya later.”<br />
<br />
Cora didn’t even flinch when I opened the door and left.<br />
<br />
At that point, I knew we didn’t have the same feelings about Bianca.  Deep down I knew she didn’t hate her, she just envied her.  <br />
<br />
Where, I on the other hand, hated Bianca’s guts to the core.  I knew she was no good when she was talking about Cora behind her back that day in the bathroom stalls.  I couldn’t believe how she made up all these rumors about Cora being adopted.  The whole school was murmuring about it for days.  I’ll never forget how bummed out Cora was about it.  I spent my whole weeks allowance on hot fudge Sundaes and Swedish Fish for her ‘til she got over it.  And I swore to myself I would never tell her how the rumor actually got started.  I didn’t want to stoop to Bianca’s level.<br />
<br />
But this took the cake and the icing and the cherry on top when I saw her at the Ice Arena.  She was in fact hanging out with Bianca and David and three of their other friends, who remain Bianca clones to this day.<br />
<br />
I was worried Cora would turn into one of them.  I was losing my best friend right before my very eyes.  I had to confront her.  I had to ask if this was really true.   But I couldn’t.  I just skated with Timmy, who was now drooling on my hand.  So I got off the ice and cleaned him up.  I figured I’d wait til I got home to call Cora and see what she had to say.  I texted her in the bathroom while I wiped Timmy’s face off, but she never responded.  And the worst part was I knew she had her phone on as she was texting right on the ice.<br />
<br />
“She’ll text back eventually,” I said to myself as I crammed my cell phone in my pocket, “there’s gotta be a reason why she’s ignoring me.”]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Love poem]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=273</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:26:34 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>kamrinjacobs</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=273</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[share your poem here.............. <br />
Have I told you yet...<br />
How much you mean to me...<br />
Have I told you yet...<br />
About all the happiness you bring!<br />
Have I told you yet...<br />
That you mean the world to me!<br />
Just in case I haven't...<br />
I want you to know that...<br />
You're the best thing<br />
that's ever happened to me!<br />
I Love You!!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[share your poem here.............. <br />
Have I told you yet...<br />
How much you mean to me...<br />
Have I told you yet...<br />
About all the happiness you bring!<br />
Have I told you yet...<br />
That you mean the world to me!<br />
Just in case I haven't...<br />
I want you to know that...<br />
You're the best thing<br />
that's ever happened to me!<br />
I Love You!!]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Help me Out?]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=272</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:11:47 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>bilalkhan</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=272</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[can any one tell me that what is the name of the essay of famous writer Gabril  Markiz written about life and its reality <br />
which he wrote before his death]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[can any one tell me that what is the name of the essay of famous writer Gabril  Markiz written about life and its reality <br />
which he wrote before his death]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[A mysterious individual arrives mysteriously.]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=271</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:22:20 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Esper_Creed</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=271</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Hello, all. I've been looking for a decent literary forum to become a member of for quite some time, and I believe this is one of the better ones I've seen, though it does appear to not be very active currently.<br />
<br />
While on the internet, I try to maintain a certian level of anonymity, so I rarely ever honestly reveal any facts about myself other than my obvious interest in literary arts. I do hope to, perhaps, make some new friends here and help others as well as myself become a better writer.<br />
<br />
Currently, my goal is to become a published Author one day. My current fixation is on science fiction, however, I also enjoy reading and writing fantasy stories. I've never written anyhing longer than about 15,000 words so far, but I fully plan on passing that on my next piece, hopefully.<br />
<br />
I basically live behind my computer, so I am online pretty much all of the time so should anyone need advice or just someone to talk to I'm usually always around, somewhere. Just send me a pm.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hello, all. I've been looking for a decent literary forum to become a member of for quite some time, and I believe this is one of the better ones I've seen, though it does appear to not be very active currently.<br />
<br />
While on the internet, I try to maintain a certian level of anonymity, so I rarely ever honestly reveal any facts about myself other than my obvious interest in literary arts. I do hope to, perhaps, make some new friends here and help others as well as myself become a better writer.<br />
<br />
Currently, my goal is to become a published Author one day. My current fixation is on science fiction, however, I also enjoy reading and writing fantasy stories. I've never written anyhing longer than about 15,000 words so far, but I fully plan on passing that on my next piece, hopefully.<br />
<br />
I basically live behind my computer, so I am online pretty much all of the time so should anyone need advice or just someone to talk to I'm usually always around, somewhere. Just send me a pm.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[to much talking, help]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=270</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:49:55 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Brittland</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=270</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[i feel as though i use dialog to much in my stories. it's like my characters never shut up and there's not enough descriptions of what they're actually doing, seeing, what's going on, ext.<br />
<br />
how can i get better at describing detail and action?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[i feel as though i use dialog to much in my stories. it's like my characters never shut up and there's not enough descriptions of what they're actually doing, seeing, what's going on, ext.<br />
<br />
how can i get better at describing detail and action?]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[hello out there]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=269</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:40:42 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Brittland</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=269</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[hi, i'm a new member here, and thought i'd say hi.<br />
i'm 18 and from the us.<br />
i love to write, especially fantasy/adventure type stuff, but have never finished anything really. i'm afraid i always get preoccupied by some new idea.<br />
but now i'm trying my best to stick to what i'm writing.<br />
i found this site on google and thought i'd join. hopefully it'll help me.<br />
&gt;_&lt;<br />
[sorry about the spelling, not my strongest area.&#93;<br />
<br />
and hi again.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[hi, i'm a new member here, and thought i'd say hi.<br />
i'm 18 and from the us.<br />
i love to write, especially fantasy/adventure type stuff, but have never finished anything really. i'm afraid i always get preoccupied by some new idea.<br />
but now i'm trying my best to stick to what i'm writing.<br />
i found this site on google and thought i'd join. hopefully it'll help me.<br />
&gt;_&lt;<br />
[sorry about the spelling, not my strongest area.]<br />
<br />
and hi again.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Earning money is now simple with papatoto.com]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=268</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:04:06 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>medha1</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=268</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Posting articles for free in papatoto.com gives you money from the hits, impressions, ecommerce network and other affiliate programs...<br />
You can write about almost anything from fun material, information based and any other thing....]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Posting articles for free in papatoto.com gives you money from the hits, impressions, ecommerce network and other affiliate programs...<br />
You can write about almost anything from fun material, information based and any other thing....]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Orwell and Huxley in Context]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=267</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:06:55 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>RonPrice</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=267</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[FAKE<br />
<br />
Fake news made its debut on TV in 1962 with That Was the Week That Was--a weekly comedy review. This review included a fake news segment and was anchored by David Frost who went on to host The Frost Report in 1966/67 which parodied a current events show.  I began my pioneer-travelling life in the Canadian Bahá'í community in 1962 and, by 1967, I was living among the Inuit on Baffin Island which had no TV at that time. <br />
<br />
In 1968 Rowan &amp; Martin’s Laugh-In became a weekly series which also featured a fake news segment usually anchored by Dick Martin.  The fake news was introduced by a song that began: “What’s the news across the nation? / We have got the information / In a way we hope will amuse you.”  By the time the program went off the air in 1973 I had become an international pioneer, teaching high school and living in South Australia. <br />
<br />
Although Laugh-In went off the air in 1973, it took a mere two years for another weekly-sketch comedy to hit the screen: Saturday Night Live which debuted on 11 October 1975 just ten weeks before my second marriage.  Both that program and my second marriage have been going for the last thirty-five years. -Ron Price with thanks to Ana Kothe, “When Fake Is More Real: Of Fools, Parody, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Americana: Journal of Popular American Culture, Volume 6, No.2, Fall, 2007. <br />
<br />
Can things like this which<br />
we spend so much time on<br />
be so very unimportant???<br />
<br />
Is this entertainment permeation,<br />
this spurious gratification, part of<br />
our disillusionment over the lack<br />
of a definition of culture and moral<br />
solutions......this preference for fun<br />
over edification........and part of the<br />
very complexity of issues we face,<br />
part of a new public discourse of<br />
amusing ourselves to our death!(1)<br />
<br />
Had we forgotten that alongside <br />
Orwell's dark 1984 vision there was<br />
another, slightly older, slightly less<br />
well-known equally chilling vision:<br />
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.(2)<br />
<br />
A different kind of Big Brother <br />
was required to deprive people <br />
of their autonomy, maturity &amp;<br />
history.  Huxley saw people as<br />
coming to love-not even aware <br />
of oppression-adore technology <br />
that simply undoes....capacities <br />
to think.He feared we would be<br />
reduced to passivity &amp; drown in <br />
seas of utter triviality-irrelevance.<br />
<br />
(1) Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, 1985. <br />
(2) Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, 1932.<br />
<br />
Ron Price<br />
10 February 2010<br />
Revised on 11/2/’10<img src="http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[FAKE<br />
<br />
Fake news made its debut on TV in 1962 with That Was the Week That Was--a weekly comedy review. This review included a fake news segment and was anchored by David Frost who went on to host The Frost Report in 1966/67 which parodied a current events show.  I began my pioneer-travelling life in the Canadian Bahá'í community in 1962 and, by 1967, I was living among the Inuit on Baffin Island which had no TV at that time. <br />
<br />
In 1968 Rowan &amp; Martin’s Laugh-In became a weekly series which also featured a fake news segment usually anchored by Dick Martin.  The fake news was introduced by a song that began: “What’s the news across the nation? / We have got the information / In a way we hope will amuse you.”  By the time the program went off the air in 1973 I had become an international pioneer, teaching high school and living in South Australia. <br />
<br />
Although Laugh-In went off the air in 1973, it took a mere two years for another weekly-sketch comedy to hit the screen: Saturday Night Live which debuted on 11 October 1975 just ten weeks before my second marriage.  Both that program and my second marriage have been going for the last thirty-five years. -Ron Price with thanks to Ana Kothe, “When Fake Is More Real: Of Fools, Parody, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Americana: Journal of Popular American Culture, Volume 6, No.2, Fall, 2007. <br />
<br />
Can things like this which<br />
we spend so much time on<br />
be so very unimportant???<br />
<br />
Is this entertainment permeation,<br />
this spurious gratification, part of<br />
our disillusionment over the lack<br />
of a definition of culture and moral<br />
solutions......this preference for fun<br />
over edification........and part of the<br />
very complexity of issues we face,<br />
part of a new public discourse of<br />
amusing ourselves to our death!(1)<br />
<br />
Had we forgotten that alongside <br />
Orwell's dark 1984 vision there was<br />
another, slightly older, slightly less<br />
well-known equally chilling vision:<br />
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.(2)<br />
<br />
A different kind of Big Brother <br />
was required to deprive people <br />
of their autonomy, maturity &amp;<br />
history.  Huxley saw people as<br />
coming to love-not even aware <br />
of oppression-adore technology <br />
that simply undoes....capacities <br />
to think.He feared we would be<br />
reduced to passivity &amp; drown in <br />
seas of utter triviality-irrelevance.<br />
<br />
(1) Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, 1985. <br />
(2) Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, 1932.<br />
<br />
Ron Price<br />
10 February 2010<br />
Revised on 11/2/’10<img src="http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif" style="vertical-align: middle;" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" />]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Websites for writers]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=266</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:42:54 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>pbsneetch</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=266</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[My name is Amanda and I'm a freelance web designer who mostly works on writers' and artists' websites. I strive to keep my prices affordable and the rates listed on my website are only a guideline... I'm always willing to work within a client's budget. I offer free hosting and the ability for you to update content yourself in order to keep your website fresh.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in creating a website, please check out my website at <a href="http://www.plainbellysneetch.com" target="_blank">http://www.plainbellysneetch.com</a>. You can contact me from there, or directly at plainbellysneetch@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
Thank you!<br />
<br />
Amanda]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[My name is Amanda and I'm a freelance web designer who mostly works on writers' and artists' websites. I strive to keep my prices affordable and the rates listed on my website are only a guideline... I'm always willing to work within a client's budget. I offer free hosting and the ability for you to update content yourself in order to keep your website fresh.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in creating a website, please check out my website at <a href="http://www.plainbellysneetch.com" target="_blank">http://www.plainbellysneetch.com</a>. You can contact me from there, or directly at plainbellysneetch@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
Thank you!<br />
<br />
Amanda]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Websites for writers]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=265</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:40:52 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>pbsneetch</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=265</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
My name is Amanda and I'm a freelance web designer who mostly works on writers' and artists' websites. I strive to keep my prices affordable and the rates listed on my website are only a guideline... I'm always willing to work within a client's budget. I offer free hosting and the ability for you to update content yourself in order to keep your website fresh.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in creating a website, please check out my website at <a href="http://www.plainbellysneetch.com" target="_blank">http://www.plainbellysneetch.com</a>.  You can contact me from there, or directly at plainbellysneetch@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
Thank you!<br />
<br />
Amanda]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hi everyone,<br />
<br />
My name is Amanda and I'm a freelance web designer who mostly works on writers' and artists' websites. I strive to keep my prices affordable and the rates listed on my website are only a guideline... I'm always willing to work within a client's budget. I offer free hosting and the ability for you to update content yourself in order to keep your website fresh.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in creating a website, please check out my website at <a href="http://www.plainbellysneetch.com" target="_blank">http://www.plainbellysneetch.com</a>.  You can contact me from there, or directly at plainbellysneetch@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
Thank you!<br />
<br />
Amanda]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Writing for the Online Environment]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=264</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:02:56 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>emmabrown47</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=264</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Writing for the Online Environment is an easy- to-follow manual aimed at anyone who needs to create or edit electronic content that will be published on the web, on an intranet or by e-mail. It is a great book and helps a lot in developing ones writing skills.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Writing for the Online Environment is an easy- to-follow manual aimed at anyone who needs to create or edit electronic content that will be published on the web, on an intranet or by e-mail. It is a great book and helps a lot in developing ones writing skills.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[How To Develop Your Writing Skills?]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=263</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:58:38 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>emmabrown47</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=263</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[How To Develop Your Writing Skills?<br />
<br />
Here are some ways on how to develop good writing skills in English. <br />
<br />
1) Read Books.<br />
<br />
If you’re an avid reader, then this should not be a problem for you. Reading books helps you get a better grasp of the English language. You’re able to see how people use certain words or construct sentences apart from the examples on your language handout or references. Plus, you’ll also gain more confidence in your own writing style. <br />
<br />
If you’re not a fan of books, you can always read short stories or feature articles online. Even some magazines will help you develop good writing skills in English. <br />
<br />
2) Start Writing.<br />
<br />
If you want to develop good writing skills in English, you’re going to have to write something at some point. A lot of people who keep journals are able to practice their English very well. I suggest you do the same as well. <br />
<br />
If you prefer typing to actual writing, that’s not a problem either. Your writing skills will not be impeded by whatever method you choose to use. Writing in a notebook will not necessarily make you a better writer than typing on your computer. However, stick to the one you’re more comfortable with. <br />
<br />
If you don’t want to write a diary, try writing essays. In my case, I often enjoy writing “what if” essays. Ask yourself a “what if” question and answer it in essay form. This way, you won’t run out of ideas and tire of the exercise immediately. <br />
<br />
3) Put Your Work Out There.<br />
<br />
Part of the ways on how to develop good writing skills in English is feedback. How else would you know how good or bad your work is unless you show it to others? A lot of people fear this stage because they don’t really want to hear others criticize their work.<br />
<br />
However, that is part and parcel of the whole process. It’s like the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Do you really want to live the rest of your life wearing no clothes just because you can’t handle a little honesty? <br />
<br />
It’s natural to be a little apprehensive about showing your work to others, which is why I suggest you only show it to those people who you really trust. They will give you the honest feedback you need without mocking you for your efforts.<br />
<br />
Even successful authors need to keep learning how to develop good writing skills in English. You can’t remain stagnant just because you’re too lazy to read or write or too afraid to hear what other people think. You have a lot more potential than you realize.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[How To Develop Your Writing Skills?<br />
<br />
Here are some ways on how to develop good writing skills in English. <br />
<br />
1) Read Books.<br />
<br />
If you’re an avid reader, then this should not be a problem for you. Reading books helps you get a better grasp of the English language. You’re able to see how people use certain words or construct sentences apart from the examples on your language handout or references. Plus, you’ll also gain more confidence in your own writing style. <br />
<br />
If you’re not a fan of books, you can always read short stories or feature articles online. Even some magazines will help you develop good writing skills in English. <br />
<br />
2) Start Writing.<br />
<br />
If you want to develop good writing skills in English, you’re going to have to write something at some point. A lot of people who keep journals are able to practice their English very well. I suggest you do the same as well. <br />
<br />
If you prefer typing to actual writing, that’s not a problem either. Your writing skills will not be impeded by whatever method you choose to use. Writing in a notebook will not necessarily make you a better writer than typing on your computer. However, stick to the one you’re more comfortable with. <br />
<br />
If you don’t want to write a diary, try writing essays. In my case, I often enjoy writing “what if” essays. Ask yourself a “what if” question and answer it in essay form. This way, you won’t run out of ideas and tire of the exercise immediately. <br />
<br />
3) Put Your Work Out There.<br />
<br />
Part of the ways on how to develop good writing skills in English is feedback. How else would you know how good or bad your work is unless you show it to others? A lot of people fear this stage because they don’t really want to hear others criticize their work.<br />
<br />
However, that is part and parcel of the whole process. It’s like the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Do you really want to live the rest of your life wearing no clothes just because you can’t handle a little honesty? <br />
<br />
It’s natural to be a little apprehensive about showing your work to others, which is why I suggest you only show it to those people who you really trust. They will give you the honest feedback you need without mocking you for your efforts.<br />
<br />
Even successful authors need to keep learning how to develop good writing skills in English. You can’t remain stagnant just because you’re too lazy to read or write or too afraid to hear what other people think. You have a lot more potential than you realize.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title><![CDATA[Google loves fresh content]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=262</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:55:25 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>emmabrown47</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=262</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Google seems to avoid stale content. Give the Googlebot something new to read on each visit and my experience has shown that it will be back often.<br />
If you're a "little guy", just getting ready to launch a new site, I have two suggestions-<br />
<br />
1. Spend some time building the site before you start publishing it. So many people rush to put their "home page" out there hoping to get indexed quickly. This is a big mistake in my opinion. Make sure you have at least 10 - 20 pages of unique content before you launch your site. You will be much better off if you can have more content right at launch.<br />
<br />
2. If you want the site to actually draw traffic, plan to add new content as often as possible. I try and add a minimum of 5 new pages a week to my primary sites. Obviously the more pages the better, but I'm not a full time SEO or web designer and have to be realistic. Set a schedule to add content that's do-able for you and stick to it.<br />
<br />
If you follow these suggestions at the end of year one you'll have a site with 250 - 300 pages of original content. While surely not the largest on the web, if you target your keywords well in your copy a site of this size should help you start drawing some relevant traffic from the search engines. Keep this up and after 3 years you will have a site with close to 1,000 pages that should be drawing a fair amount of relevant search engine traffic.<br />
<br />
Did I mention Google likes fresh content? :-)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Google seems to avoid stale content. Give the Googlebot something new to read on each visit and my experience has shown that it will be back often.<br />
If you're a "little guy", just getting ready to launch a new site, I have two suggestions-<br />
<br />
1. Spend some time building the site before you start publishing it. So many people rush to put their "home page" out there hoping to get indexed quickly. This is a big mistake in my opinion. Make sure you have at least 10 - 20 pages of unique content before you launch your site. You will be much better off if you can have more content right at launch.<br />
<br />
2. If you want the site to actually draw traffic, plan to add new content as often as possible. I try and add a minimum of 5 new pages a week to my primary sites. Obviously the more pages the better, but I'm not a full time SEO or web designer and have to be realistic. Set a schedule to add content that's do-able for you and stick to it.<br />
<br />
If you follow these suggestions at the end of year one you'll have a site with 250 - 300 pages of original content. While surely not the largest on the web, if you target your keywords well in your copy a site of this size should help you start drawing some relevant traffic from the search engines. Keep this up and after 3 years you will have a site with close to 1,000 pages that should be drawing a fair amount of relevant search engine traffic.<br />
<br />
Did I mention Google likes fresh content? :-)]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[New member]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=258</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:45:35 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>emmabrown47</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=258</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Hi, My name is Emma and i just love reading novels and writing short stories and articles.<br />
I am here to share my feelings and views.<br />
Thanks for letting me be a part of this forum.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Hi, My name is Emma and i just love reading novels and writing short stories and articles.<br />
I am here to share my feelings and views.<br />
Thanks for letting me be a part of this forum.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Savvy Authors Workshop Series]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=257</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:26:46 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Siolastre</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=257</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">\\*****Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged*****//</span><br />
<br />
Savvy Authors (savvyauthors.com) is presenting a series of short, intensive workshops as a part of our First Annual Bootcamp for Writers.  The workshops are &#36;5 each.  Or join Savvy Authors between now and Feb 14th for &#36;25 and take them all for free - a &#36;20 savings.<br />
<br />
More information about these workshops may be found here: <a href="http://www.savvyauthors.com/workshops.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.savvyauthors.com/workshops.cfm</a><br />
<br />
More information about Savvy Authors and our Bootcamp for Writers may be found here:  <a href="http://www.savvyauthors.com/members/index.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.savvyauthors.com/members/index.cfm</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Plotting for Pantsers – Beth Daniels – Begins 2/14<br />
<br />
Assaulting A Writer's Thinking – Lea Schizas – Begins 2/21<br />
<br />
How, When and Why to Change Point Of View Mid-Scene    - Laurie Saunders – Begins 3/7<br />
<br />
Foreshadowing – June Diehl – Begins 3/7<br />
<br />
Writing Erotic Love Scenes – Tambra Kendall – Begins 3/7<br />
<br />
Before Copy Editing – Claudia Suzanne- Begins 3/14<br />
<br />
Worldbuilding in Science Fiction and Fantasy - Christine Amsden- Begins 3/14<br />
<br />
How to Promote When You Don’t Know How to Promote – Jamison Wolfe- Begins 3/21<br />
<br />
Crash Revisions – Holly Lisle- Begins 3/28<br />
<br />
Promoting with Social Media – Theresa Meyers- Begins 3/28<br />
<br />
Ten Ugly Truths About Publishing – Renee Rocco- Begins 4/5</div>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">\\*****Permission to Forward Granted and Encouraged*****//</span><br />
<br />
Savvy Authors (savvyauthors.com) is presenting a series of short, intensive workshops as a part of our First Annual Bootcamp for Writers.  The workshops are &#36;5 each.  Or join Savvy Authors between now and Feb 14th for &#36;25 and take them all for free - a &#36;20 savings.<br />
<br />
More information about these workshops may be found here: <a href="http://www.savvyauthors.com/workshops.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.savvyauthors.com/workshops.cfm</a><br />
<br />
More information about Savvy Authors and our Bootcamp for Writers may be found here:  <a href="http://www.savvyauthors.com/members/index.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.savvyauthors.com/members/index.cfm</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Plotting for Pantsers – Beth Daniels – Begins 2/14<br />
<br />
Assaulting A Writer's Thinking – Lea Schizas – Begins 2/21<br />
<br />
How, When and Why to Change Point Of View Mid-Scene    - Laurie Saunders – Begins 3/7<br />
<br />
Foreshadowing – June Diehl – Begins 3/7<br />
<br />
Writing Erotic Love Scenes – Tambra Kendall – Begins 3/7<br />
<br />
Before Copy Editing – Claudia Suzanne- Begins 3/14<br />
<br />
Worldbuilding in Science Fiction and Fantasy - Christine Amsden- Begins 3/14<br />
<br />
How to Promote When You Don’t Know How to Promote – Jamison Wolfe- Begins 3/21<br />
<br />
Crash Revisions – Holly Lisle- Begins 3/28<br />
<br />
Promoting with Social Media – Theresa Meyers- Begins 3/28<br />
<br />
Ten Ugly Truths About Publishing – Renee Rocco- Begins 4/5</div>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[New novel! -- THE CAIN LETTERS!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=256</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:25:07 +0100</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>Pierre_Roustan</dc:creator>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.makeliterature.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=256</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Pierre Roustan here with my debut novel, the last vampire thriller of 2009, THE CAIN LETTERS! Book one of the REVENANTS OF ANARCHY.<br />
<br />
Purchase it as an e-book on Amazon, Bookstrand, Smashwords and other distributors as well as on <a href="http://eirelander-publishing.com" target="_blank">http://eirelander-publishing.com</a>! Be enthralled by a sleek, sexy vampire hunter and the most ...savage and succulent of solemn vampires, many of them, in fact.<br />
<br />
Learn more about me on my blog at <a href="http://writingandreading.today.com" target="_blank">http://writingandreading.today.com</a> and my web site at <a href="http://pierreroustan.spaces.live.com" target="_blank">http://pierreroustan.spaces.live.com</a>. Thanks so much, everyone!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Pierre Roustan here with my debut novel, the last vampire thriller of 2009, THE CAIN LETTERS! Book one of the REVENANTS OF ANARCHY.<br />
<br />
Purchase it as an e-book on Amazon, Bookstrand, Smashwords and other distributors as well as on <a href="http://eirelander-publishing.com" target="_blank">http://eirelander-publishing.com</a>! Be enthralled by a sleek, sexy vampire hunter and the most ...savage and succulent of solemn vampires, many of them, in fact.<br />
<br />
Learn more about me on my blog at <a href="http://writingandreading.today.com" target="_blank">http://writingandreading.today.com</a> and my web site at <a href="http://pierreroustan.spaces.live.com" target="_blank">http://pierreroustan.spaces.live.com</a>. Thanks so much, everyone!]]></content:encoded>
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