One Final Say
Not being railroaded any longer37 total reviews
Comment from samandlancelot
John,
We writers do make mistakes, but bashing a writer with words and one-star reviews is childish and unproductive. It isn't reflective of the majority of helpful writers and reviewers on this site. We can't be chased away from what's good for us because of a few bad apples.
Bad apples! Can I use that? Do I plagiarize whenever I use a string of words someone else has used? We can't let others interfere with our attempts to write what we have to write, to the best of our ability.
Patricia
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2013
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John,
We writers do make mistakes, but bashing a writer with words and one-star reviews is childish and unproductive. It isn't reflective of the majority of helpful writers and reviewers on this site. We can't be chased away from what's good for us because of a few bad apples.
Bad apples! Can I use that? Do I plagiarize whenever I use a string of words someone else has used? We can't let others interfere with our attempts to write what we have to write, to the best of our ability.
Patricia
Comment Written 11-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 11-Jul-2013
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Agreed. I was going back and forth among writers and Tom for almost one week and I said "enough"!
Just wanted to give you a heads up. Honestly, I think someone was gunning for me...
Have a great day and keep writing...
Comment from barleygirl
Oh darn! Your story "Bamboozled" seems to be gone. This piece might be improved if you included it (it's only 10 words), so one could see the writing in question. The title sounds so familiar, I swear I did read it. Oh well.
I've read some of your work & it seems absurd that you would plagiarize, since your own style is plenty strong (not to mention honest), & your material is plentiful & clearly drawn from your own life experiences.
I don't know who the FanStory Police are, but I've had a few critics who are plenty willing to put me in my place when I don't follow some unwritten code. I've never given 1 or 2 stars, but I've been raked over the coals for 4 stars! How can we differentiate, if everyone gets 5 stars? But I admit, I've been bullied, so I'm defensive when giving 4 stars. I see a similar trend in my own reviews. Almost all 5 stars (could I REALLY be that good?) & those who give 4 stars sound defensive.
Anyhow, I'm just too forgetful to remember what I read yesterday, so I'd have to go a fur piece to plagiarize. But let's say something was subconsciously regurgitated & I could be the next one ostracized.
You know, I started coming to this website becuz I was SO sick of the friend-cliques & BS on Facebook. But this is starting to sound familiar. I was blocked by numerous people on FB, becuz once a week, on Fridays, I would do some slightly raunchy postings!
I know this isn't related to your piece, here & now. I'm just saying, ya gotta ignore the haters. Period. They'll get theirs when the cows come home. Who let the cows out, anyhow? *smile*
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Oh darn! Your story "Bamboozled" seems to be gone. This piece might be improved if you included it (it's only 10 words), so one could see the writing in question. The title sounds so familiar, I swear I did read it. Oh well.
I've read some of your work & it seems absurd that you would plagiarize, since your own style is plenty strong (not to mention honest), & your material is plentiful & clearly drawn from your own life experiences.
I don't know who the FanStory Police are, but I've had a few critics who are plenty willing to put me in my place when I don't follow some unwritten code. I've never given 1 or 2 stars, but I've been raked over the coals for 4 stars! How can we differentiate, if everyone gets 5 stars? But I admit, I've been bullied, so I'm defensive when giving 4 stars. I see a similar trend in my own reviews. Almost all 5 stars (could I REALLY be that good?) & those who give 4 stars sound defensive.
Anyhow, I'm just too forgetful to remember what I read yesterday, so I'd have to go a fur piece to plagiarize. But let's say something was subconsciously regurgitated & I could be the next one ostracized.
You know, I started coming to this website becuz I was SO sick of the friend-cliques & BS on Facebook. But this is starting to sound familiar. I was blocked by numerous people on FB, becuz once a week, on Fridays, I would do some slightly raunchy postings!
I know this isn't related to your piece, here & now. I'm just saying, ya gotta ignore the haters. Period. They'll get theirs when the cows come home. Who let the cows out, anyhow? *smile*
Comment Written 05-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Barley... FYI... This was my ten word entry;
Panda Bear dissatisfied with food service. Eats shoots and leaves.
So I say "whatever" to those who tried to bring me down. And whatever is a nice way of saying, FU to them. Time to move on, right? Thanks for your kind words and hope to read yours and you read mine, in other words we'll do each other (part of my sick humor). Welcome to the site and hope to read you around. John
Comment from Pen&Ink
Well John, I'd tell you to let us know how you really feel, but that would be needless. You managed to stay within the parameters of decency on this piece. I might not have. Your question is an old one: If a second person happens to come up with the same theorem or proof, should he or she be branded a plagiarist? I think NOT! Hang in there, John.
Ray
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Well John, I'd tell you to let us know how you really feel, but that would be needless. You managed to stay within the parameters of decency on this piece. I might not have. Your question is an old one: If a second person happens to come up with the same theorem or proof, should he or she be branded a plagiarist? I think NOT! Hang in there, John.
Ray
Comment Written 05-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Thank you Ray. It bordered on the up-surd for some time. Even yesterday I received a message from a FS member calling me a bully. Me! Bully!
It's friendships or acquaintances like ours that stop me from leaving besides my competitiveness and the fact I don't want them to win.
Thanks my friend... We'll keep on writing... John
Comment from EMB
Ah. This was the thing "ET" was talking about a week or so ago. I ran across "FanStory Travesty," and the only thing it did for me was remind me that the site still has its drama addicts, and it's been a while since they've had their "fix." Haha!
I wouldn't lose sleep over "them."
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Ah. This was the thing "ET" was talking about a week or so ago. I ran across "FanStory Travesty," and the only thing it did for me was remind me that the site still has its drama addicts, and it's been a while since they've had their "fix." Haha!
I wouldn't lose sleep over "them."
Comment Written 05-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Haven't yet and probably won't... Thanks for the words. John
Comment from deb552
Ok now things are starting to make sense! I'm sorry I hadn't read this sooner, cos now I know what you meant about me friend a cross the pond over stepping his boundary. I didn't know about the ten word contest or the plagiarism accusation till you mentioned it in that PM. BUT now I understand what you were talking about. I think you have done a great job in venting with your clear and concise choice of words. This is the part of the site I don't like, members getting so caught up in the power they feel by reviewing, they lose all sight of how hurtful they can be! A simple PM to you about the book title, 'Eat, Shoot, and Leave,' could have given you the necessary alert, preventing the hysterics that followed. And now, like you've said, it's over, you've vented, so get back to the fun stories you write about the grandkids, and dogs!!! I'm just sorry you had to go through this at all! Best wishes my friend! deb
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Ok now things are starting to make sense! I'm sorry I hadn't read this sooner, cos now I know what you meant about me friend a cross the pond over stepping his boundary. I didn't know about the ten word contest or the plagiarism accusation till you mentioned it in that PM. BUT now I understand what you were talking about. I think you have done a great job in venting with your clear and concise choice of words. This is the part of the site I don't like, members getting so caught up in the power they feel by reviewing, they lose all sight of how hurtful they can be! A simple PM to you about the book title, 'Eat, Shoot, and Leave,' could have given you the necessary alert, preventing the hysterics that followed. And now, like you've said, it's over, you've vented, so get back to the fun stories you write about the grandkids, and dogs!!! I'm just sorry you had to go through this at all! Best wishes my friend! deb
Comment Written 04-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 05-Jul-2013
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Thanks deb for reviewing this rant of mine. Should never have been needed, but that is part of life. Even yesterday I received an accusatory message from another writer. I'm a nickel away from leaving the site because of the BS involved. But I won't; 1) I'm to competitive. 2) I'll feel as though they've won and they certainly aren't winners...,
Great hearing from you... Later. Johnny
Comment from Carolyn 'Deaton' Stephens
You know, I haven't read the 'other' story you refereed to John, with an imagination like yours, you would never feel the need to copy anyone else's work. But, by the same token, it would be very difficult not to use similar phrases etc. That have surely been used by someone before. After all, Solomon himself said, 'there's nothing new under the sun'. Have the best 4th ever, :-) Carolyn
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2013
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You know, I haven't read the 'other' story you refereed to John, with an imagination like yours, you would never feel the need to copy anyone else's work. But, by the same token, it would be very difficult not to use similar phrases etc. That have surely been used by someone before. After all, Solomon himself said, 'there's nothing new under the sun'. Have the best 4th ever, :-) Carolyn
Comment Written 04-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 04-Jul-2013
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Finally I get to sit down... Worked this morning(newspapers)... BBQ'd and swam all day,everybody left,yea!!
Happy 4th to you to ...
That plagiarism, fraud, cheater really has me ticked off. But I'm trying tonputvit behind and move on. My ten word entry was as follows;
Panda Bear dissatisfied with food service. Eats shoots and leaves.
What plagiarism? If someone uses the words war and peace in a sentence, I'd that cheating. I'm about to tell these people and this site to F-off and go somewhere else. I'm still getting a note or review referring back to that. Enough is enough. Know what I mean? I just want to write what's me! That's all.....
GO YANKEES!!!! Later... Be good. Johnny
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You are perfect in every way.... except...you've got to get over that Yankee thing! (The way things are going, we may not meet at Cards stadium for us to win the World Series anyway, wouldn't that just be awful.?) :-( Carolyn
Comment from Zue65
I do understand you frustration, sometimes people giving reviews are just too harsh and insensitive. i am a newbie here just joined lat June 13, so I haven't experienced yet, what you have just exposed. But I have two unique reviews totally different from all the positive 5 star and several six star reviews I got here. Well, I just look at it as my encouragement too, but sometimes it could be damaging, especially when the words are unkind and not gentle enough to take in as another form of encouragement. There are really people who are sick that they enjoy hurting other people, I think we have to live with that, God bless.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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I do understand you frustration, sometimes people giving reviews are just too harsh and insensitive. i am a newbie here just joined lat June 13, so I haven't experienced yet, what you have just exposed. But I have two unique reviews totally different from all the positive 5 star and several six star reviews I got here. Well, I just look at it as my encouragement too, but sometimes it could be damaging, especially when the words are unkind and not gentle enough to take in as another form of encouragement. There are really people who are sick that they enjoy hurting other people, I think we have to live with that, God bless.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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Nassus... Welcome to the site. Yes it has faults, but for the most part you can get as much or as little as you want from it. My dilemma last week was, I did not tell a joke, was accused of many things and got very defensive because of it.
All I want to do is get back to writing, pursuit of my goals and dreams. Capish?
Thank you for the review and sharing... We could fan each other? That would be helpful... John
Comment from Leineco
I too saw the story "FanStory Travesty" - I have to say my reaction
after reading it, was to wonder why someone didn't just e-mail
the author of the supposed "rip-off" and inform him/her of the
seeming plagarism.
Even more, I wondered why someone would spend $$$ promoting
a lynch mob.
Sorry the incident was handled so poorly.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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I too saw the story "FanStory Travesty" - I have to say my reaction
after reading it, was to wonder why someone didn't just e-mail
the author of the supposed "rip-off" and inform him/her of the
seeming plagarism.
Even more, I wondered why someone would spend $$$ promoting
a lynch mob.
Sorry the incident was handled so poorly.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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Thank you L for reading my rant. I appreciate your stopping by and hope that this incident is left in the rearview mirror. Lets get back to writing... John
Comment from Gypsy Starchild
I do not want you to think I am singling you out, or trying to "railroad you"... I have given a couple of pieces three stars in the last couple of days for the same reasons...
I feel like this piece is very uncreative and immature... I am not sure if the person who you are referring to is really a child as his profile claims, but if he is... how old are you? Seriously?!
The best advice I can give you regarding this work and the issues that you have outlined within...
1) Save your joke quotes for something longer than a 10 word story, so your whole story is not a quote. The fact that it was a book, and you had never read the book is beside the point, it was still a quote, and not an original thought, regardless of the source. I have never read the book either, but I had heard the joke... If I had come across your post before it was removed, I would have given you a very low rating as well... maybe I would not have been so harsh as to give you a one, but you can check my reviewing record and see that a two would have been highly likely.
2) Get someone who is good with SPAG to take a look at this for you. I am just a mere poet, and I am horrible with SPAG, but even I can see it is loaded with grammar and punctuation errors....
Oh, yeah...and
3) Grow up and act your frickin age.... if a child can knock you off of your "proverbial horse" you have balance issues.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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I do not want you to think I am singling you out, or trying to "railroad you"... I have given a couple of pieces three stars in the last couple of days for the same reasons...
I feel like this piece is very uncreative and immature... I am not sure if the person who you are referring to is really a child as his profile claims, but if he is... how old are you? Seriously?!
The best advice I can give you regarding this work and the issues that you have outlined within...
1) Save your joke quotes for something longer than a 10 word story, so your whole story is not a quote. The fact that it was a book, and you had never read the book is beside the point, it was still a quote, and not an original thought, regardless of the source. I have never read the book either, but I had heard the joke... If I had come across your post before it was removed, I would have given you a very low rating as well... maybe I would not have been so harsh as to give you a one, but you can check my reviewing record and see that a two would have been highly likely.
2) Get someone who is good with SPAG to take a look at this for you. I am just a mere poet, and I am horrible with SPAG, but even I can see it is loaded with grammar and punctuation errors....
Oh, yeah...and
3) Grow up and act your frickin age.... if a child can knock you off of your "proverbial horse" you have balance issues.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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Gypsy Starchild,... Go back to your lala land for you know not what you speak...
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You still need to do some work on those SPAG issues!
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And I do know that the other party handled this in a lot more adult fashion than you... When it was pointed out to him that two wrongs do not make a right, he did the mature thing and pulled his posts down.... And he was not a imature crybaby about reciving an honest review.
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I am curious... how do you feel about the fact the kid who questioned you is no longer here with us on FS... his profile disappeared... Who's the bully? To bad he wasn't old enough to own a credit card or he might still be with us...
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And who was that? There was no kid?
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Don't play dumb.
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Don't be smart. There were three members in cahoots. Which one. All three names still ate listed.
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Only one of them had a profile that claimed that they were a child... and when profiles are removed, they don't remove the picture... try clicking on it.
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Excuse me... apparently complaints have been heard because his profile page has been restored.
Comment from MelReyn
Oh John. I read the travesty piece but did not review. I felt that it was a crucifiction and didn't want anything to do with it. Now I wish I would have said something. Writing is hard enough without all the drama. (But I suppose as writers we are wired to make drama.) Honest mistakes happen, and besides that, it's impossible to know everything. Your delightful stories about your grandchildren and puppies are strong. Don't stop writing over this.
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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Oh John. I read the travesty piece but did not review. I felt that it was a crucifiction and didn't want anything to do with it. Now I wish I would have said something. Writing is hard enough without all the drama. (But I suppose as writers we are wired to make drama.) Honest mistakes happen, and besides that, it's impossible to know everything. Your delightful stories about your grandchildren and puppies are strong. Don't stop writing over this.
Comment Written 03-Jul-2013
reply by the author on 03-Jul-2013
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Mel, thank you for your support. I have no intention of stopping. Those three who cultivated this are no where near worth stopping for.
Looking forward to getting back in the saddle.... John
