Thanks for supporting me on this one, Mary.

It's always a struggle to keep the printed word fresh as opposed to the electronic media. But there's a place for all of us in this world.

Web reporting tends to be just that - reporting. The emphasis is on raw information and timliness. Editing is almost non-existent - just look at all the grammar and spelling errors in the H-16 Worlds reports (although that may be an "English as a second language" issue.)

I encourage the contributors to the HCA News to write "non-linear" stories. Once you've read "We woke up, we sailed, we partied, we crashed" (repeat five times) - it all sounds the same. We have the luxury of time and reflection (the older I am, the better I was) when composing for the printed page. We also edit when necessary - to the point of rewriting entire pieces in some cases. Most of our authors are sailors first and writers second. But we have the luxury of time to groom things for the printed page.

Don't get me wrong though - we don't sit on stuff, since we know that it will take 4-6 weeks to get in people's hands from the time it gets uploaded to the printer. (Although, I have to admit, the printer did a really quick turnaround this time - uploaded on 10/22, arrived at my house 11/3.)