Well,

I am jumping on this SPAM bandwagon because it is important
to me.  I read your message Dustin, and understand how you
feel. 

In school, I was told to stick to math, because I *couldn't*
write.  I didn't have the talent, the ability, the motivation...
This became a self-fulfilling prophecy for many years.  After
all, if people I respected, (in this case, my teachers), told
me I didn't have the talent, I shouldn't try, right?  

I was too scared to even pick up a pen.  You see, even though
I dreamt, and, like most of you, played the 'What If...'
game, I didn't want to share my ideas.  No one reads *BAD*
stories.  My ideas are stupid.  I can't focus my thoughts.
I feel so much, but can't put it on paper.  Sound familiar?

I guess, there just has to be a point where you say,
"To hell with it!"  and just pick up that pen.  Now, I'm
still relatively new to the writing scene, but come flame
or praise, (or worse, total apathy), I won't stop writing,
because, like most of you, I still continue to dream.

Hang in there Dustin... I look forward to your next fic.

Nameste,

Anand

_______________________________
| C  S |                      |
| O  Y | "If you can't fight, |
| L  M |                      |
| L  P | and you can't flee,  |
| I  H |                      |
| D  O |   flow."             |
| I  N |                      |
| N  I |  ----Robert Elliot   |
| G  E |______________________|
|    S | Anand Rao            |
|______|______________________|