IndianaIrish: For all members who remember the outstanding poetry of past FanStory instructor and member, Ray (mountainwriter49), you'll be pleased to know he has a wonderful book of poetry newly published. Titled "Winsome Morning Breeze", the book contains exceptional examples of sonnets, tanka, and Blank Verse poetry. It's really an excellent book of poetry that I'm sure you'll enjoy and treasure. The book can be found on Amazon.
    tfawcus: Thanks for the heads-up. I was lucky enough to experience Ray?s teaching. A marvellous man and a fine poet. I?ll definitely be getting a copy of his new book. -
    Brett Matthew West: Ray's book would be a welcomed addition to any poetry collection. Thanks for the info. -


IndianaIrish: It's with sadness that I want to share the passing of FanStory member, Debbie Johnson. A member since 2012, she has shared her talent with prose and poetry.
Deb was severely injured and disabled from an accident and used her experiences to write several books to help other disabled adults and children. She also became the facilitator of a poetry group for disabled members of her community.
Debbie was a published writer of several poetry books and was included in many anthologies. She's had her poetry published in several magazines. Deb was a valued contributor to two published anthologies consisting of FanStory members~Haiku Anthology ... Observations and Insights and Under the Ginkgo Tree Tree ... An Anthology of Japanese Short Form Poetry.
Debbie will be immensely missed here on FanStory, in her community, by her family and friends, and her beloved beagle.
    Gloria ....: To Debbie's fans, friends and family please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I was one of her fans and the last review I wrote for dejohnsrld (Debbie) was A Small Blessing about a child's sandal she'd noticed outside a screen door at her new place. She took a photograph of the shoe and wrote a lovely sonnet about it. That was her gift as a writer, to see mystery, beauty and insight in and among the gritty realities of life.

    She was a valued member of our community and will be sorely missed by all. -
    Irish Rain: So sorry to hear this. God bless her family. -


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Night Gathering finished third in the contest "5-7-5 Horror"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Feed the Animals finished third in the contest "5-7-5 flower"


IndianaIrish: A message posted by Jimi in the General Forum that she was notified by daughter Miranda that Brooke Baldwin (Adewpearl) has passed away.

Brooke will always be a part of FanStory and her legacy of incredible poetry, excellent teaching skills, and compassionate, helpful reviews will always echo here in the halls of FS. She taught so many of us different forms and techniques of writing poetry that are present in our writings today.

Rest well, Brooke, and have a great time discussing poetry with Emily Dickinson.
    Irish Rain: I will never see a dandelion as a weed. God bless Miss Brooke, she gave us whimsy, and shared Sawyer. Godspeed. -
    Sarkems: Oh no, RIP Brooke, I remember you with fondness. -


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Hey, Mommy! finished third in the contest "100 Word Story"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Crowd Goes Wild finished second in the contest "Tyburn poetry"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Night Diamonds finished third in the contest "2-5-2 Poem"
    l.raven: CONGRATULATIONS Karyn...this is a stunning poem sweet girl...love Linda xxoo -


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Winter Cardinal finished third in the contest "Bye Bye Blackbird"
    michaelcahill: A lovely poetic vignette. Your usual! Congrats! :)) -


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Congratulations! tanka (lacy snowflakes) won the contest "Tanka Poetry Contest"
    michaelcahill: Ahh ... I remember reading this and thinking it was awesome. Congrats! :)) -
    krys123: Congratulations, Karyn; and what a Merry Christmas gift. Congratulations again and God bless You and your family.
    Alx -
    Dean Kuch: Congratulations on a beeeeeeeeeautiful tanka, Karyn.
    Well done...
    ~Dean -
    IndianaIrish: Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to offer your kind congratulations. I truly appreciate your kindness! -
    MissMerri: Well, well, well, I am so glad to see this amazing tanka won first place. It is only right and proper that it would. I thought it was perfect. I must have been right! *grin* Congratulations my friend! I'm so proud of you! -
    BeasPeas: Congratulations on your win. Marilyn -
    Kelly Grim: Well deserved win... I remember reading this and thinking it was AMAZING! Congrats! -


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Slow Dancing finished first in the contest "DANCE "


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Congratulations! The Funeral won the contest "75 Words Flash Fiction"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: senryu (tiptoeing) finished third in the contest "Senryu"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Royal Blue finished first in the contest "5-7-5 Bye bye blackbird "


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: haiku (dewy tulips) finished second in the contest "Haiku Poetry Contest"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Congratulations! Midnight Fear is the new Story of the Month!


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Hear Me Roar finished second in the contest "Beautiful Creatures"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Thomas and the Villain finished third in the contest "100 Word Story"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Small Inspiration finished third in the contest "Lune Poetry Contest"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: haiku (nations meet to save) finished second in the contest "Nature haiku"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: La La Land finished first in the contest "Haiku Movie Review"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Gift Exchange finished second in the contest "Dribble Flash Fiction"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: haiku (kids watermelon) finished third in the contest "Haiku Poetry Contest"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Digging In finished second in the contest "100 Word Story"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Curious Georgie finished second in the contest "Surprise! 80 Words or Less"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Charlie's Winter finished first in the contest "200 Word Story"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Christmas Surprise finished first in the contest "Antonym Poem"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Congratulations! Tender Touches won the contest "Quinzaine Poetry"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Winter Heat finished third in the contest "Essence poetry"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: haiku (November rain) finished first in the contest "traditional haiku"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: haiku (inner peace) finished first in the contest "haiku - zen"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Quirky Quilters finished first in the contest "Tongue Twisters!"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: hot apple cider finished first in the contest "5-7-5"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: haiku (three herons wait) finished second in the contest "Haiku Poetry Contest"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Best Friends Till the End finished second in the contest "100 Word Dash"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: fragrant magnolia finished first in the contest "5-7-5 about spring."


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: The Storm Cellar finished third in the contest "100 Word Story"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: feel of the spring sun finished third in the contest "5-7-5"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Congratulations! Jonathan Quick won the contest "Tombstone Poetry"


FanStory wrote to IndianaIrish: Congratulations! haiku (one dim star) won the contest "Haiku Poetry Contest"


IndianaIrish: Thank you from my heart to all of you who sent your kind thoughts, prayers, and sympathy during my husband's sudden illness and passing. I appreciate your kindness and friendships more than I can say. I hope to get back to reading, reviewing, and writing very soon. I hope I didn't miss too many of your masterpieces!
Karyn