Keeping An Open Mind
Is there a reason for it? Am I crazy?15 total reviews
Comment from Bill Schott
After reading this, I feel the thrust here is NOT WINNING CONTESTS. I used to feel that way too. It's okay. If you never expect to win, then you'll feel good about it when you do. If there is favoritism, all you can do is quit. My suggestion is to press on, write what you want. Happy day!
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2017
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After reading this, I feel the thrust here is NOT WINNING CONTESTS. I used to feel that way too. It's okay. If you never expect to win, then you'll feel good about it when you do. If there is favoritism, all you can do is quit. My suggestion is to press on, write what you want. Happy day!
Comment Written 15-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2017
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Actually, it's not - I have won several. It's a small part of it, but more, it's about promoting poor writing habits (it lacks integrity - this was once a wonderful learning site), about winning readership by the "cheerleader popularity vote" - a lot of time expected to 'socialize', and more. Maybe I lost focus in writing this - it was for a contest, so I was careful to make it a good entry, but also hoping to 'plant a seed' for some higher thought.
But my recent reply to my latest posting will, perhaps, give you a more clear picture:
As much as I want to answer those whom I consider my friends INDIVIDUALLY, I want to get off the site more - my apologies, but rather than explain over and over, I'm going to cut & paste a reply to another reviewer of these latest postings of mine.
Thanks, but it's funny you should say you're not popular enough... That's more my complaint than anything. And too much socializing, not enough focus on writing. WAY too much - very time-consuming. I have Facebook, email, texting and phone calls for socializing in-house.
It's also the over-inflated egos (a few) but I can't even blame THEM when they're being put up, ignoring something as basic as good grammar. In my opinion, the site has become a popularity contest, and not for the writer's work, for his or her replies/banter and so on.
I doubt I will actually leave; I just need to get away for a while. When I find myself barely able to contain my sarcasm, it's not good for anyone.
As for groups? No thanks. Always been a 'lone wolf', and I like it that way. But if it works for you, that's a good thing. We all have our preferences. As I said, mine is to hone my craft, and this site is markedly different than it was when I joined.
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Very well! :-)
Comment from Ulla
Hi Dawn, thank you for another exciting write of yours. I enjoyed it. Very informative and it took us all on a good ride. I'm sure you'll do well in the contest. Good luck. All the best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2017
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Hi Dawn, thank you for another exciting write of yours. I enjoyed it. Very informative and it took us all on a good ride. I'm sure you'll do well in the contest. Good luck. All the best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 14-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2017
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I thank you, Ulla, but I doubt it - strongly. But I use the idea these contests give me. They are free to enter at least, but I do not expect bugger all.
All the best to you too, my friend.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
You make a very valid point with your contest entry. Makes one wonder. I know Edison is a person we study in first grade. I guess he had an inside line to patents. I hear he beat others out for the same product. Good luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2017
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You make a very valid point with your contest entry. Makes one wonder. I know Edison is a person we study in first grade. I guess he had an inside line to patents. I hear he beat others out for the same product. Good luck with the contest.
Comment Written 14-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2017
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Thanks so much, Barbara!
Comment from Margaret Snowdon
As I've so often said, no matter what you write - prose or poetry,
it's always impressive and a real treat to read, Dawn.
There's never a dull moment - this was most enjoyable.
Blessings,
Margaret
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2017
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As I've so often said, no matter what you write - prose or poetry,
it's always impressive and a real treat to read, Dawn.
There's never a dull moment - this was most enjoyable.
Blessings,
Margaret
Comment Written 14-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 15-Oct-2017
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Hoping to plant a seed, Margaret, for higher thought. You haven't read my latest posting, so I will tell you, I'm leaving for a while, and this is the reply I have been giving to that poem ("Crazy For You"): (don't worry - I'm not really planning on leaving permanently, and I will try to get back, at least to review, especially when it's a book I don't want to miss! *smile* But I need a break! Man, do I need a break - from envy and over-inflated egos, if nothing else. LOL)
As much as I want to answer those whom I consider my friends INDIVIDUALLY, I want to get off the site more - my apologies, but rather than explain over and over, I'm going to cut & paste a reply to another reviewer of these latest postings of mine.
Thanks, but it's funny you should say you're not popular enough... That's more my complaint than anything. And too much socializing, not enough focus on writing. WAY too much - very time-consuming. I have Facebook, email, texting and phone calls for socializing in-house.
It's also the over-inflated egos (a few) but I can't even blame THEM when they're being put up, ignoring something as basic as good grammar. In my opinion, the site has become a popularity contest, and not for the writer's work, for his or her replies/banter and so on.
I doubt I will actually leave; I just need to get away for a while. When I find myself barely able to contain my sarcasm, it's not good for anyone.
As for groups? No thanks. Always been a 'lone wolf', and I like it that way. But if it works for you, that's a good thing. We all have our preferences. As I said, mine is to hone my craft, and this site is markedly different than it was when I joined.
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I understand fully, Dawn - good luck - but don't lose touch. hugs, Margaret
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Thank you, Margaret - you are always, always wonderfully supportive. One more poem I am about to post, and then I am off. (FanStory has such a grip on me - so many wonderful friends, in spite of my complaints...)
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I won't be posting much come next year, altho I'll still pop in as much as I can. M
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We must stay in touch (and I want ALL your books!)
Comment from Mitchell Brontė
Dawn, whenever you write, whether it's correct or not, tongue in cheek, sarcastic, clever, witty, poignant, one things for sure there's always a reason behind your words and it's always blooming interesting.........well worth the entrance fee.
Mitchell
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2017
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Dawn, whenever you write, whether it's correct or not, tongue in cheek, sarcastic, clever, witty, poignant, one things for sure there's always a reason behind your words and it's always blooming interesting.........well worth the entrance fee.
Mitchell
Comment Written 14-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2017
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Mitchell, you're so encouraging - I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments. (But what was not correct? LOL. I can't help the question - it's my perfectionist drive, otherwise known as obsessive/compulsive tendencies/disorder! HAHAHA!)
All kidding aside, thanks so much. It means a whole lot coming from you - you know what I think of your talent.
(Now what entrance fee? Hahahaha!)
Comment from royowen
People are funny, unless you are recognised, (who does the recognising, I'm not sure) one won't attain credibility, unless that undefinable "thing" happens. Then they can create new rules, and the herd follow. Yes, even in the church, one will meet the "golden people", those for one reason or other, are unusually "magnetic" beautiful, or some other attractive attribute that sets them apart, I've tried to work out, or define...famous, lucky, or anything to do with fleeting influence, yet as you say, sometimes genius is not recognised until life's "bird has flown", whoops! Another cliche! These are merely observations. Well done, dear Dawn, blessings Roy
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People are funny, unless you are recognised, (who does the recognising, I'm not sure) one won't attain credibility, unless that undefinable "thing" happens. Then they can create new rules, and the herd follow. Yes, even in the church, one will meet the "golden people", those for one reason or other, are unusually "magnetic" beautiful, or some other attractive attribute that sets them apart, I've tried to work out, or define...famous, lucky, or anything to do with fleeting influence, yet as you say, sometimes genius is not recognised until life's "bird has flown", whoops! Another cliche! These are merely observations. Well done, dear Dawn, blessings Roy
Comment Written 13-Oct-2017
Comment from Mrs Happy Poet
Yes my friend this is well written the people you listed have their own personal achievements in life which we can all have you don't have to be famous to do so well done regards Jill
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Yes my friend this is well written the people you listed have their own personal achievements in life which we can all have you don't have to be famous to do so well done regards Jill
Comment Written 13-Oct-2017
Comment from Joan E.
I certainly agree that "closing one's mind to possibilities" dampens the human spirit and creative thought. Thank you for sharing your research (and writing tips) both in the essay and in your notes--I learned a lot about Thoreau, including the possibility that "kill your darlings" was his saying! Cheers and best wishes in the contest- Joan
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2017
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I certainly agree that "closing one's mind to possibilities" dampens the human spirit and creative thought. Thank you for sharing your research (and writing tips) both in the essay and in your notes--I learned a lot about Thoreau, including the possibility that "kill your darlings" was his saying! Cheers and best wishes in the contest- Joan
Comment Written 13-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2017
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What would I do without you? Thank you, Joan. But as far as Thoreau, there are some who say it wasn't him - so I can't say with certainty of course... *smile*
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Like you, I want to believe they were Thoreau's words. More smiles and have a serene weekend- Joan
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:) You also. :)
Comment from giraffmang
Wright brothers had obeyed the naysayers (and those pesky gravity 'rules' held them back. Instead they used those rules to reach for the stars.)- I think you need a full stop either after naysayers or the brackets as that sentence and paragraph isn't closed off.
Prose, too, has restrictions: spelling, grammar, and punctuation are all equally vital. But why? - that's actually an easy question to answer in it lies in a shared knowledge base. The majority of folk use the same systems otherwise communication breaks down. Don't speak Russian, try having a conversation with some...
"Killing our darlings" *, anchoring our scenes*; these are the things that should be understood by anyone calling him or herself a writer. - true, however, if there is no shared basisi of understanding then a lot of this becomes meaningless and cannot be communicated as intended. Try reading a piece with no punctuation or speech marks or paragraphs or sentences. Doesn't read too clever now.
The thing, for me, is that if the basic fundamentals aren't there, the story and writing suffer greatly. Ambiguity creeps in, meaning goes awol and accessibility gets flushed down the pan. Too many people like to quote top authors as breaking the rules and cite it as to why they do, but here's the kicker - they're not top authors. Most of them cannot string a worthwhile sentence together. It's like anything, you learn the basics - the building blocks. No foundation, what happens to the house? It crumbles like a white turd on a roasting hot day...
Good essay, technically sound.
G
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2017
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Wright brothers had obeyed the naysayers (and those pesky gravity 'rules' held them back. Instead they used those rules to reach for the stars.)- I think you need a full stop either after naysayers or the brackets as that sentence and paragraph isn't closed off.
Prose, too, has restrictions: spelling, grammar, and punctuation are all equally vital. But why? - that's actually an easy question to answer in it lies in a shared knowledge base. The majority of folk use the same systems otherwise communication breaks down. Don't speak Russian, try having a conversation with some...
"Killing our darlings" *, anchoring our scenes*; these are the things that should be understood by anyone calling him or herself a writer. - true, however, if there is no shared basisi of understanding then a lot of this becomes meaningless and cannot be communicated as intended. Try reading a piece with no punctuation or speech marks or paragraphs or sentences. Doesn't read too clever now.
The thing, for me, is that if the basic fundamentals aren't there, the story and writing suffer greatly. Ambiguity creeps in, meaning goes awol and accessibility gets flushed down the pan. Too many people like to quote top authors as breaking the rules and cite it as to why they do, but here's the kicker - they're not top authors. Most of them cannot string a worthwhile sentence together. It's like anything, you learn the basics - the building blocks. No foundation, what happens to the house? It crumbles like a white turd on a roasting hot day...
Good essay, technically sound.
G
Comment Written 13-Oct-2017
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2017
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1) right you are - period should be after the brackets - my bad
2) again, agreed (You would have to know my reason for writing this piece to understand, and that I share...)
3) 100% accurate
4) again, accurate - I could not agree more with most of this, BUT...(lol), mine is an ulterior motive that has nothing to do with FanStory's contest, nor will this piece be used anywhere else
5) put a comma between adjectives, you! LOL - just messing with ya "roasting(,) hot day" (Phe-ew, what's that smell?)
Thanks, G-man. Really appreciated, though I guess it's hard to know from my reply. MOST of the time corrections are important (for the right reasons); wish I could explain more... Let's just say it's a roundabout way of imparting some information for personal reasons. *grin*
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written informative nonfiction article about looking at others work with an open mind. We all have unique styles and ideas, and not everyone will find our work acceptable all the time.
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A very well-written informative nonfiction article about looking at others work with an open mind. We all have unique styles and ideas, and not everyone will find our work acceptable all the time.
Comment Written 13-Oct-2017
