I share a situation with probably millions of other writers. I love to write; I have a pile of five 3-ring binders filled with the novels and short stories I've written; the hopelessness of the mainstream publishing world frightens me; but I want to do something with the stuff I write. I write mostly fiction and I've written six erotic stories which I'd like to publish using this technology.   I'm 62 years old, married for 35 years, have one son who is a decorated humanitarian. I live in the rural area of northeastern Pennsylvania in a farm house that was built in 1850. We have a huge red barn and ten acres of our own; we have a studio in the barn where we make art and craft items.   I self-published one novel in 2004 called Buying A Year. I'm glad I self-published it but I don't want to do it again. I had one story accepted for publication in Whispering Angel Magazine.   I like to write about people who draw away from society's expectations and find liberation and spirituality through shedding wealth and possessions. That's my favorite topic; the story I've chosen to publish first is about that. My characters are drawn towards living in blue-collar or poor neighborhoods and become entranced--or you could say obsessed--by the trappings of that life. I also like to write erotic stories and I'm a little shy but when I read that this site will have a separate section for "adult" stories, I knew it would suit me.   I didn't start writing until 2000 when I turned 50. Since then I've been overwhelmed, most of the time, by the emotions that writing brings up in me. I wasn't prepared for that. There has been this driving need to get noticed, get my stuff published, gain acceptance as a "good writer." Self-publishing my novel and the acceptance of one story didn't satisfy me; I just wanted more and more. Many times I tried to stop writing completely and put it behind me but that didn't last long; I love to write too much. So I'm grateful for this new technology which allows me to express myself and see what other writers are doing with words.