Alan, new here, Hi, South Africa does have lions, just not in all the streets.

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping to contribute and engage with a lot of you here.

I write science fiction and fantasy, usually not both in the same book but we know how fiction goes.
I love to read fiction of most any kind, I enjoy biographies in non-fiction and have read a lot of manuals and things, but going back, definitely read more fiction than non fiction. Last time I donated my books to the library I gave in over five thousands books I had finished and kept a few years.

I started writing in my teens, had a burglary (not uncommon in SA) and had my boxy computer and all backup disks taken. Started again sometime later, then the third time was with a friend who pushed me to do it and I now have two books to my name, so progress indeed.

I do enjoy helping out a community of writers and aspiring writers, so I would be happy to see if I can help in any way. The world of writing, the landscape of digital distribution, its changing and has changed. Part of our ability to support each other comes first from being willing.

I still work a day job while writing, with the hope that I can switch to full time.
Until then I practice as much as possible and work to deadlines, while keeping up to date on many things science related.

Drop me a line whenever.

Introversion said:

Disappointing to learn about your lion deficiencies. Are they only allowed on avenues and roads, then?

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Our tree lined paths cover both cement, tar and dirt or gravel. Roads the same, without the trees but often surrounded by veld.

So when I say they are only allowed on dirt or gravel, that should tell you enough about where they can go on any named means of travel.

Of course that does not stop them, just where they are not allowed.

Isn't that a picture of a Lynx? Or maybe a bobcat?

We get lions, various kinds of deer, giraffes, elephants, jackals and hyena depending on where you stay and a lot of tortoise wandering around, the old ones blocking driveways at times.

Of course please do not take this as sensationalism, spend 40 years in country and you accumulate the rare occurrences.

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Dude! Congratulations on being a South African author, seriously, kudos.

Giraffes are sticky animals, a bit uptight and snooty, they stick to the nature reserves of which one is probably only a days drive from anywhere you live in South Africa.
We get various other kinds of animals to make up for the scarcity of roaming lions, I think the giraffes are rubbing off on the wild animals and teaching them to start neighborhoods and secure zones for themselves.
By other animals I should probably expand to anything on legs, two, four, six eight, multitude....
Crawling and slimy beings are not discriminated against either, its an equal opportunity street filling kind of place.

Oh, and our shoes....

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Thank you all for the welcomes.

skylessbird2218 said:

hi, alan, and welcome. for me, it wasn't a burglary, but ants.

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That bears some further details...

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Helix said:

It's a puma, aka mountain lion.

And from a fellow denizen of the former Gondwana

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Thank you wildlife citizen.