Wally, I am a writer and currently writing a book in which your gerbil story would fit perfectly as a scene. It’s just too damn funny to pass up.
Can I please use it? PLEEEEEASE?!
Hand’s up who thought this was going to be about a certain poster who recently joined .
What’s the book about Bratman?
That story would put the book on the best-sellar list… Good luck on the book, what is it about?
Ya know, after I saw the subject, I thought it might sound like I was gonna ask for Amy’s hand or something. Oh well, all the better to get Wally’s attention I guess.
And don’t take this personal, but I’m a little superstitious about talking about the book till I have it finished. But I guess a quick sentence or two couldn’t hurt.
It’s about an aspiring novelist (write what ya know!) who begins to crack under the pressure from work, bill collectors, his bi-sexual nymphmanic girlfriend, and writer’s block.
It’s a comedy that basically stemmed form my frustrations while trying to write a different story that just wouldn’t gel. Some friends and I were tossing some ideas around about the first story I was working on and I explained how everything piling up on me is keeping me from getting any serious work done on it. They suggested that what I had just said is enough material for a book, so I took it and ran with it. (BTW, it is not autobiographical. My GF is not a nympho. :D) A little embellishment on what really happened in my life to make it more interesting and soon I had a story that was better than what I was originally working on and it’s turning out to be a wonderfully cathartic experience for me.
Congrats 007, Fly with it. I think it is important to go where life takes you and follow what you want to do. I hope you have a ton of success!!
Sounds interesting to say the least .
Pity about the girlfriend though. 
Thanks Nika, I’ll be sure to send all my favorite posters here autographed copies and I’ll try not to get too swelled of an ego after I win the Pulitzer Prize.
And Wally, please take into consideration that I am extending the curtesy of asking permission, instead of just taking your story and claiming it as my own. I won’t use it if you say no, but if you say yes, I’ll be sure to mention you on the dedications page and give you credit for the gerbil.
Exactly what is this “gerbil story?” Did I miss something on a day I was gone from the board or is my memory just really shitty right now because I don’t remember a gerbil story.
And good luck with the book. Sounds pretty cool!
Good luck with the book, BratMan, and I sure hope that you get Wally’s permission. That would be a great story to have in a book!
I sure hope I’m one of your favorite posters, my dear! 
Rachelle, here’s the famous gerbil story
Enjoy!
You’re not going to need Wally’s permission.
There is so much false information about copyright and public domain and the “fair use” provision.
If you want to be a writer, you should bone up on it at the source:
Oh, and if you need a recommendation for a publisher, I’m with Prentice Hall. Direct, no agents. And they actively scout for new talent at the San Francisco book conventions. Although they do have a very specific market, they also own lots of smaller pubishing names.
I know I don’t need Wally’s permission, I stated earlier in the thread that I could have just taken the story, but I like to give credit where it’s due. I would be mad if someone stole one of my stories, so I’m paying Wally the same respect I would like.
Oh Wally! Where are you?
The part about her being a nymphomaniac might be made up, but the other part’s true.
And Wally, I’m beginning to feel that you’re ignoring me.
I haven’t seen a post by Wally all day. Why don’t you try e-mailing a request and the URL of this thread to him?
I was out of town all day. Just got back.
BratMan, I’m flattered that you want to use my worhtless anectode in your book. Feel free to do so.
And I think you’re a classy guys for asking.
It’s all yours, big guy.
You’re a champ too. Thanks.
I was hoping Wally would deny WMUSA’s request.
I would have loved to hear Wally argue that the Hamster Story was an “intellectual property!”
OK, I’m confused. WebmasterUSA thanks Wally? But it was Bratman who started the OP. What’s up? ChiefScott seems to get it…