Happy Club
See footnote before reading...17 total reviews
Comment from MissMerri
Hmmm... Do I smell a wee scent of bitterness here? I hope not my friend. I know sometimes it feels like you're misunderstood or looked down on or maybe even surrounded by those who don't get where you're coming from no matter how often you declare your position. That isn't the greatest feeling... I know, because that's how most Christians feel in today's world. But please know there are many who read what you write and who do understand and have kindness and love in their hearts for you. My hope is that you will encounter many more of those than the criticizers who make you feel overlooked or misunderstood. You are an outstanding writer who expresses himself with great clarity and consistency using excellent grammar. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. If you enter contests here and see inferior work being given prizes while your entry is overlooked, that's pretty much an experience we all have known at one time or another, and it doesn't feel very good, but we just have to remember the committee will change and your turn will come eventually. Hang in there. We need you.
(This is a clever and amusing little poem that speaks volumes and needed to be written, I'm sure.) MM
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023
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Hmmm... Do I smell a wee scent of bitterness here? I hope not my friend. I know sometimes it feels like you're misunderstood or looked down on or maybe even surrounded by those who don't get where you're coming from no matter how often you declare your position. That isn't the greatest feeling... I know, because that's how most Christians feel in today's world. But please know there are many who read what you write and who do understand and have kindness and love in their hearts for you. My hope is that you will encounter many more of those than the criticizers who make you feel overlooked or misunderstood. You are an outstanding writer who expresses himself with great clarity and consistency using excellent grammar. I don't think anyone would disagree with that. If you enter contests here and see inferior work being given prizes while your entry is overlooked, that's pretty much an experience we all have known at one time or another, and it doesn't feel very good, but we just have to remember the committee will change and your turn will come eventually. Hang in there. We need you.
(This is a clever and amusing little poem that speaks volumes and needed to be written, I'm sure.) MM
Comment Written 14-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023
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Not a wee scent, Adonna; bucketloads of it. Not towards the majority of Christians in this group, who are pretty much of all flavours, good and bad, just like every other demographic. And, of course, some are the salt of the Earth, and I'm delighted to call them friends.
My disappointment is with those who treat FS as a kind of Jesus cheer squad. Who, as I have said more than once, vote anything containing the appropriate buzz words "exceptional", and either don't read anything else or steadfastly refuse to acknowledge it based on its writing merits. I find that to be intellectually dishonest.
Then, of course, there is the committee. These mysterious people, shrouded in secrecy. It appears no one knows who they are, how many, or what qualifications they have to judge anything. But what is clear, at least regarding my posts, is that the merest questioning of anything to do with religion is automatic disqualification in their eyes. Frankly, that sickens me. People who are incapable of setting aside their own prejudices should not be judging contests on a writing site.
Maybe you could drop me a line when the committee is more representative of people in normal society. I'd love to not be wasting time writing stuff that gets dismissed offhand.
In the meantime, thank you for your kindness, and wishing you well with your writing here. You have amazing talent :)
Craig
Comment from strandregs
Someone hates vegimite?
Someone feels the heat?
For every verse the is a terse.
Which makes it even worse.
It seems the physics of rogue critics scrambles Neuton's math.
It seems it's time to dunk them in a shower or a bath.
Not sure what I'm writing .
But, it was fun. :-))Z.
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023
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Someone hates vegimite?
Someone feels the heat?
For every verse the is a terse.
Which makes it even worse.
It seems the physics of rogue critics scrambles Neuton's math.
It seems it's time to dunk them in a shower or a bath.
Not sure what I'm writing .
But, it was fun. :-))Z.
Comment Written 14-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023
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Having fun? Don't you know that's against the rules?!
No one hates Vegemite. It's not allowed. Vegemite is sacred :)
Cheers, Craig
Comment from karenina
Pithy satire that will resonate with many and not change a darn thing, sad to say.
I've been here since 2007--but have taken L-O-N-G sabbaticals...
So, great poem...
Farewell for now?
I really enjoy your work and hope some time away will help you find your way back.
Be well!
Karenina
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023
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Pithy satire that will resonate with many and not change a darn thing, sad to say.
I've been here since 2007--but have taken L-O-N-G sabbaticals...
So, great poem...
Farewell for now?
I really enjoy your work and hope some time away will help you find your way back.
Be well!
Karenina
Comment Written 14-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2023
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Thanks so much, Karenina. Just want to say how I've appreciated your kindness and encouragement. Be well, and enjoy yourself. See you again, hopefully :) Craig
Comment from Mrs. KT
Aw, Craig!
I like to think that I am an optimistic-realist, but I can only take so much of the "Happy Club" mentality.
Sometimes, life is full of snags and warts and bruises and bumps.
And sometimes, it's necessary to share with writers if their writing has hit a snag or not.
I've done a few battles with the "gatekeepers of Happy Club." I've been ousted from their club.
I may start my own someday; there has to be a club that willingly accepts feisty 70-year-old grandmas hell-bent on curing the world of comma splices and spelling errors.
In the meantime, I'll keep the lights on for your return, Craig!
Take Care!
diane
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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Aw, Craig!
I like to think that I am an optimistic-realist, but I can only take so much of the "Happy Club" mentality.
Sometimes, life is full of snags and warts and bruises and bumps.
And sometimes, it's necessary to share with writers if their writing has hit a snag or not.
I've done a few battles with the "gatekeepers of Happy Club." I've been ousted from their club.
I may start my own someday; there has to be a club that willingly accepts feisty 70-year-old grandmas hell-bent on curing the world of comma splices and spelling errors.
In the meantime, I'll keep the lights on for your return, Craig!
Take Care!
diane
Comment Written 12-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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I used to belong to an "English Language" FaceBook group that was full of PhD holders and professors. These people were constantly defending the idea that spelling, punctuation and grammar don't matter, and that to insist they do is a cultural insult (to those who can't manage them, of course). Needless to say, these enlightened individuals weren't Boomers. It also goes without saying that most of them couldn't construct a grammatically correct sentence or spell, even if their lives depended on it.
Anyway, don't get me started!
Enjoy your writing, Diane, and keep fighting the good fight!
:-)
Craig
Comment from Rachelle Allen
I'm a member of the Outcast Club, so I find this delightful and hilarious. You naughty little heretic, you! Where have you been all my FS life?!! Let's be forever friends and rot in you-know-where together!! xoxo
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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I'm a member of the Outcast Club, so I find this delightful and hilarious. You naughty little heretic, you! Where have you been all my FS life?!! Let's be forever friends and rot in you-know-where together!! xoxo
Comment Written 12-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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lmao OK, let's!
And also, thanks for the lovely stars and for making my day with the comments :)
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi Craig,
This sounds like a good club to be stupid with. But I think that maybe letting sad people in will make them happy. I don't see how their would be any battles if this is a fantasy world for the members.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Have a great rest of the week.
Joan
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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Hi Craig,
This sounds like a good club to be stupid with. But I think that maybe letting sad people in will make them happy. I don't see how their would be any battles if this is a fantasy world for the members.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Have a great rest of the week.
Joan
Comment Written 12-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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In this fantasy world there would be no battles? Never a truer word spoken, Joan. All a bit Orwellian, isn't it? Enjoy your weekend, it's nearly here for us :) Cheers, Craig
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Yes, Craig, it is Orwellian. The weekend is so close and I can?t wait.
Joan
Comment from Daylily
Well, this certainly must jostle a lot of sleepyheads awake! I love satire because there can be a lot of truth coming out between the lines. Of course, there are no perfect places in this world...so why should we expect it of any website?
What I have discovered is that most FS members appreciate honest reviews and respond well to them. However, it seems like there is always a stickler to be found in a bowl of creative whipped cream.
I hope your sabbatical is a brief one! Smiles, Lily
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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Well, this certainly must jostle a lot of sleepyheads awake! I love satire because there can be a lot of truth coming out between the lines. Of course, there are no perfect places in this world...so why should we expect it of any website?
What I have discovered is that most FS members appreciate honest reviews and respond well to them. However, it seems like there is always a stickler to be found in a bowl of creative whipped cream.
I hope your sabbatical is a brief one! Smiles, Lily
Comment Written 12-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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You used the word "creative", Lily. I hope you realise that's a taboo word on this particular site. Sameness is the only goal worth pursuing. We are the Borg.
Have a great day, and thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)
Comment from Teri7
Craig, I am not quite sure what to say about this poem. I have no idea what prompted you to write it. I have not ever gotten very many votes to win anything on here. I write because it makes my heart happy to write. Thank you for sharing! Teri
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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Craig, I am not quite sure what to say about this poem. I have no idea what prompted you to write it. I have not ever gotten very many votes to win anything on here. I write because it makes my heart happy to write. Thank you for sharing! Teri
Comment Written 12-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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It's not the votes that matter to me, Teri. It's the fact that it's not a level playing field. In the eyes of those who run the site, some opinions are clearly more worthy than others. That's why they have endless competitions on one single theme, and nothing to encourage writing from different perspectives. If FanStory wants to be a church, they should say so, not pretend otherwise. That's not an attack on individual members, unless they are one of the minority who never read or acknowledge anything besides their own narrow view of the world. There are a plethora of writers out there with interesting ideas, and they've produced more than one book.
Anyway, if writing here makes you happy (and I can see no reason it shouldn't), enjoy!
Craig
Comment from damommy
Aww, now, Craig. You've gone and done it. You're giving up instead of standing your ground. Don't you realize if you leave the site, you've lost? Only by hanging in there and keep your voice here will you win. There are plenty of people here who won't give you a hard time even though they don't believe the same as you do. I still think a club is a good idea. DON'T LEAVE!
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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Aww, now, Craig. You've gone and done it. You're giving up instead of standing your ground. Don't you realize if you leave the site, you've lost? Only by hanging in there and keep your voice here will you win. There are plenty of people here who won't give you a hard time even though they don't believe the same as you do. I still think a club is a good idea. DON'T LEAVE!
Comment Written 12-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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It's time for a break, Yvonne. Permanent or temporary, time will tell. I want you to know I'm very grateful for your support. Keep up the good work with the profile funnies, they were often a highlight of the day for me.
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Okay. I'll miss you. Can we stay in touch by email?
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Sure can :)
Comment from Annmuma
All I can say is "I'm going to miss your posts". They are always thought provoking, well-presented and an opportunity to not only review my own opinions, but open my mind to others. Well done and well said in this post. Fanstory will be made less by your absence. I wish you would reconsider or at least drop in every so often! ann
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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All I can say is "I'm going to miss your posts". They are always thought provoking, well-presented and an opportunity to not only review my own opinions, but open my mind to others. Well done and well said in this post. Fanstory will be made less by your absence. I wish you would reconsider or at least drop in every so often! ann
Comment Written 12-Oct-2023
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2023
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I haven't decided yet if it will be a permanent break or not. Last time I got sick of it, I was gone for a year. Some of my other friends have taken similar "sabbaticals". Some have stayed away. Thanks, Ann :)
