Chuck23: I've had a short story I've been working on for awhile, and decided I will need some help from other fanstorians to ensure I get this going in the right direction. I returned today expecting to have to reactivate my account, and was pleasantly surprised to see it's still active. I guess I better get to work reading and reviewing, so I can earn some funds to promote the story I need help with. I'm going to post it broken up into several sections, rather than ask for help on a longer work.
    I am Cat: Welcome back, we look forward to reading your work.
    Cat -

    Chuck23: I added this tune after watching my beloved Broncos lose big in this year's super bowl. Funny, every time I think about their loss, i think "bye, bye, ms american pie." I am so weird. I'll probably associate the two forever now. -


Chuck23: I just edited one of my shorts from about 3000 words down to 1800, I almost feel like I'm starting over each time I do that. It seems to make the story much tighter though.


Chuck23: I wish I could get motivated to finish something, and start putting up more shorts here again.
    shelley kaye: LOL! check out my portfolio! i have so many books going at once i lost count LOL

    -
    Chuck23: Looks like you write a lot poetry. I wish I was better at poetry. -


Chuck23: I was really pleased with then new story I added, then I read the first review of it. Suddenly I feel like it's the crappiest story I have ever written. Goes to show this is the one hobby I should give up.
    Anisa-: Why should you give it up? If you enjoy it...That's all that matters, really. -
    Taffspride: I agree with Anisa, Why would you want to give it up? Write for the enjoyment of it. -
    adewpearl: I just read the review that has you reeling - it doesn't sound half as critical as you make it out to be. I honestly don't think the reviewer believes it's a crappy story. You need to take a few breaths and lighten up on yourself :-) -
    Chuck23: I'm a perfectionist. I've rewritten it several times over the last few days to work out a kink that made it hard to follow. No-the first reviewer said it was "terrific", and also that they didn't see where it was going <- guess, I never fixed it... made me hate the story all over again. Nothing against the reviewer, I just no longer care for this story because I apparently never did fix it. Frustrated with my writing, because I invest so much into it... Nothing at all against the reviewer, they did not give it a bad review... I'm very temperamental.

    -
    green5587: Chuck, as one perfectionist to another, chill. We tend to create our own angst. Nothing you post on here will be perfect. Use the advice from reviewers and keep working on the piece. make yourself do it. You will feel better, I promise.
    Steph -
    green5587: After rethinking my comment, (sigh) there have been some perfect pieces posted here(thinking of the poet and writer of the year) but a perfectionist never thinks his/her work is good enough and can get really frustrated. I try to grab the advice of the reviewers and go from there. I never give up...I've read some of your stuff and you are good. Keep going.
    Steph -
    Chuck23: Thanks for the encouragement... I'm a little dramatic sometimes. I appreciate your encouraging words. I have really wanted to see something of mine published. I was submitting to various writing competitions quite a bit and decided I would have much better luck getting published if I go for anthologies that are accepting rather than competitions. While I try and save my best for those situations, and post the ones I don't have other plans for to my online collections, but I still expect those online pieces to be above average because I don't want to post anything that sucks.

    Had one of those moments, I thought this isn't suppose to be a hard piece... if I can't even get this where I want it, how can I ever expect to see something published. <- crazy... just had a moment there... appreciate your encouraging words. I throw my hands up in the air all the time, followed with why do I continue to pursue this? Then I sit down and write another story. -


Chuck23: I was just counting how many short stories I have posted on this site. I would like to post 45 short stories here. I have 33 posted currently. I post my stories here that were fun to write, but that I have no other plans for.

The ones I put a lot into, and don't post online, I submit to contests and anthologies. Haven't had one published yet, but hope 2013 is the year for that. In the meantime, I just keep on keeping on.


Chuck23: I had an acquaintance from fanstory that I would trade writings critiques with via email. Word to the wise, careful who take this extra step with in your writing. I began receiving emails from his wife attempting to involve me in their personal life. I do not answer emails from individuals who I did not provide my email to. I believe when you respond to such, you are encouraging further communication. I forwarded them to him, indicating it was between them and did not involve me. In turn, I ended up with a rediculous message on my facebook wall.

It may stem from my OCD, but attempts to embarrass me or degrade me receive the response of being left for all to read.

This may seem a bit personal to share as a profile thought, but I felt someone trying to include me in their personal life overstepped some serious boundries. It was the consequence of trading critiques, and working on a short story with an individual on this site.
    DIS-illusioned: "I began receiving emails from his wife attempting to involve me in their personal life."

    LOL! Some folks sure have issues, don't they? :-p
    I'm glad you informed your FS buddy about this. Can someone say 'Potiphar's wife'. :-p
    Bwaha! :) -


Chuck23: ""No, everybody's fine at home," I said. "It's me. I have to have this operation."

"Oh! I'm so sorry," she said. She really was, too. I was right away sorry I'd said it, but it was too late.

"It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain."

"Oh, no!" She put her hand up to her mouth and all. "Oh, I'll be all right and everything! It's right near the outside. And it's a very tiny one. They can take it out in about two minutes."

Then I started reading this timetable I had in my pocket. Just to stop lying. Once I get started, I can go on for hours if I feel like it. No kidding. Hours.""- JD Salinger "The Catcher and the Rye"

Gawd! I love Salinger. The man is so enjoyable to read. When I pick up one of his books, about half way through I start thinking, I can't wait til I have time to read this one again!
    RighteousLiar: Who the hell is Salinger? And whatever happened to the nuns? -
    Chuck23: Has work slowed down for you yet, so we can finish our story? -


Chuck23: Each time I come on here with the idea I'm going to update my writings with an edited version, I start reading others work. Then think, I'll fix mine tomorrow.
    DIS-illusioned: Like all other 'normal' writers do. Procrastination is how we keep sane from the tempest called creative writing. -
    Picolae: Do not let that stop you .During the day many ideas come to me , but there's times I want to start writing and the words don't flow. I think it does moments we just need to concentrate in our muse and go out there with our writing. -
    Chuck23: I am a procrastinator. I've rewritten the majority of my stories here in word, but when it comes to posting the rewrites here, I always think -- later. I think nobody reads the old ones anyways. Then I think, maybe there are a few others out there like me who do read old stories or poems in an individuals profile. -
    RighteousLiar: You know, Chuck...
    You never know who is going to read your old stuff. Maybe even a long lost writer friend.
    Righteous

    PS. The nuns are still in the basement... -
    Chuck23: haha, I knew it was you! You know I've been waiting a long time for you to respond. It is your turn, you know! ;-) -


Chuck23: I had a horrible nightmare a couple days back. It was the first I've had in years. I awoke shaken, and sweating. The instant I realized it wasn't real. I thought I gotta write this down. It'll make an awesome story!
    Cozycoleman: Aaah nightmares are great resource for horror. Can't wait to read it. -
    Chuck23: Thank you, Cozycoleman! I admire your style. Funny, how different they can play out on the monitor compared to in our dreams. I'm still finding it worth the write though. -


Chuck23: "I used to write things for friends. There was this girl I had a crush on, and she had a teacher she didn't like at school. I had a real crush on her, so almost every day I would write her a little short story where she would kill him in a different way." - Stephen Colbert
    THE GIFT: Ouch! That's really to the extreme... -


Chuck23: My attention span has been completely shot lately. I want to write, but I'm so bogged down with real-life. When I'm overwhelmed with real life I procrastinate by searching for peeps I'll never see again on Facebook. What an amazing way to kill time, once I finished with my procrastinating and my real work I have no time left to write. Crazy. I am determined this Sunday to enjoy my day off by getting a new start on a new short.
    THE GIFT: Well, real life is full at times and we just got to flow with it. Don't resist just let things run their course and handle life in the best way possible without stress. Easier said than done, maybe, but with God's help on the right track. You're an amazing creative artist and when you feel the light of creativity you will expound in your craft to perfection. Flow in serenity and you will get your "Groove"... All the best, THE GIFT -


Chuck23: "Grand. There's a word I really hate. It's a phoney. I could puke every time I hear it" - J.D. Salinger ... not sure what story this quote came from, I'm thinking Franny and Zooey but could be wrong, feel free to correct me if you know.

In all the present day authors I read, there is no one whose dialog can draw me in the way Salinger can. The man had a gift.
    THE GIFT: It's pretty neat to be gifted... T.G. -


Chuck23: I sometimes think I was born a century too late, as so much of my favorite reading stems from the classics.

Just for fun, a quote from my all time favorite short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper":

"I've got out at last," said I, "in spite of you and Jane. And I've pulled off most of the paper, so you can't put me back!"
    Lady & Louis: I read that story once - is it the one where the narrator seems to be going insane (or being driven insane by her husband)?

    Speaking of wallpaper, I just finished a book that would cure anyone of 19th-century yearnings - "The Arsenic Century". It's a wonder any urban Victorians lived long enough to reproduce, when they were being poisoned by the arsenic in their food, their clothes, their wallpaper, their medicine, their beer or wine - you name it, arsenic was in it. Scary stuff. -
    Chuck23: That sounds scary, sounds like something I would take interest in.

    Yes, "The Yellow Wallpaper" is about a woman whose husband felt she needed some rest. The wallpaper was all she could think about. It is an awesome story. It's documented that a doctor once said that story should never be published as it would drive anyone who read it mad. I loved it! -
    Cumbrianlass: I love the classics. I read Jane Eyre when I was only nine years old. Think I've read it a dozen times since. -
    Lady & Louis: James C. Whorton wrote The Arsenic Century if you're interested. :)

    I remember The Yellow Wallpaper freaked me out a bit reading it - partly due to the suspicion that the husband wasn't Mr Nice Guy at all. -
    Chuck23: Thanks, Lady & Louis... I will check it out.

    Avril - I looked up Jane Eyre... it sounds depressing, what made you want to read that 400 page book more than once? That good, huh?

    I meant Twain and Salinger... I've read many of Twain's shorts more than once, but his novels never more than once.... -


Chuck23: Are there any great horror stories on here that one would recommend reading? Any recommendations that are not of your own work?
    nor84: If you go to the Home Page by pulling down 'home' at the top of this page and then clicking 'fanstory', you'll see a list of categories along the left margin, pretty far down the page. Horror is one of the listed categories.Click on that, and you should be able to read some stories. -
    Chuck23: Thanks Nor84. I've taken that route before. I guess I was hoping that folks had read some that stood out as good reads. -


Chuck23: I don't get around here as much as I'd like. I'm trying to at least do some reviewing about once a week, so I have a dollar or two to promote my work here.

Working full time, and took 9 credit hours for the spring semester in attempts to finish a milestone in my education, and have been spending what little free time remains trying to keep up with my writing.

I do enjoy this site, but find it's hard to gain fans when I haven't the time invest into my writings here.


Chuck23: I just love Dylan....

"A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit
To satisfy, insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not forget
That it is not he or she or them or it that you belong to..."
-Bob Dylan
    Cobalt Blue: So don't fear, if you hear
    a foreign sound to your ear.... -
    Chuck23: You say, "How are you?" "Good luck"
    But you don't mean it
    When you know as well as me
    You'd rather see me paralyzed... -
    Cobalt Blue: I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes... -
    Chuck23: All of Rubin's cards were marked in advance
    The trial was a pig-circus he never had a chance..... -


Chuck23: Every year it comes time to resubscribe, and I renew my membership because I'm determined to add 45 short stories and 5 poems to my portfolio here. I am at 31 shorts, and 5 poems.

I use this site as tool to better my writing. I appreciate all those who point out my errors. For those who give three star ratings and below, I will rarely, scratch that, never say "thank you". I appreciate those folks just the same though, as you make me want to improve.
    redrider6612: If you truly appreciate the 3 and unders, don't you want them to return? They're more likely to return if you show your appreciation. They deserve a "thank you" as much as any other. -
    Chuck23: Very rarely does one providing a three star rating offer advice on how to better the story. If they have advice to offer that is helpful, and they provide a three, then I respond by nominating them as a reviewer.

    The majority of the three's I receive are from reviewers who do not offer suggestions, and have no stories of there own in their portfolio so I can see what style they write, basically to tell if they're my audience. It is very discouraging to receive a three star review when there is no constructive criticism to accompany it. So that being said I don't encourage them to return, but I appreciate the effect it has on my writing as I immediately start looking for ways to improve. -
    redrider6612: Did you know you can block standard members? Near the bottom of the posting page, there is an option to block non-writer reviews. -
    Chuck23: I had no idea, and I've been here two years. Thank you for that one!

    -


Chuck23: Happy Friday the 13th!

    Chuck23: Don't worry bout the guy in the hockey mask, that's just Jason. Why are spoofs better than the original... maybe it's not but it made me giggle. -


Chuck23: "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured."
Mark Twain



Chuck23: It's been awhile since I attempted writing a short horror story. To get myself in the mood, I read a story from Poe, a story from Lovecraft, and a story from Gaiman.

Just for fun, a quote from HP Lovecraft:

I never ask a man what his business is, for it never interests me. What I ask him about are his thoughts and dreams.
H. P. Lovecraft



Chuck23: I haven't been feeling very creative lately. I find myself returning to my oldest stories, and ripping them to shreds then rewriting them.

There can be a lot to work with in an old short.

An excerpt from "Chain Reaction", a story I've never added here:

He wasn't always the general manager of the City Market. He paid his dues just like everybody else, while climbing the corporate ladder. It was his first job, bagging groceries at the local Stop and Shop. His friend Peter worked as a stocker. Peter had been told all his young life that he would never amount to hill of beans. What better way to disprove that statement, than get a paycheck stocking the beans, along with a few other fruits and vegetables. What the two young men loved most about working at the market was the meat. Perfect location directly across the street from the local high school, it seemed they grew more acquainted with the females there, than through any other avenue.


Chuck23: "It's funny. All you have to do is say something nobody understands and they'll do practically anything you want them to." - J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye


Chuck23: "Behind every beautiful thing, there's some kind of pain." - Bob Dylan
    Chuck23: Not necessarily. Pain isn't always a bad thing, but sometimes necessary to obtain something beautiful! :-) -


Chuck23: The majority of the writing I've been working on lately is technical. I hate it. I can't wait for certain projects to pass that I may access my more creative side. I'm thankful for my friend Jimmy, who has kept me active in a shared project with him during the weeks I haven't time to work on short stories. Without our shared writing, all of mine would be boring.


Chuck23: I've been seeing a lot of information come through lately that this is the year of my twentieth high school class reunion. Undecided if I want to attend, I pulled up the alumni to browse and see what folks I'd want to connect with. I found that I am not on the alumni, but somehow erectile dysfunction and hot Asian girls are.


Chuck23: I typically become very upset when I learn I lost another writing contest, not online but through a magazine publication. Today is the first time I saw one that I lost, that I didn't feel upset in anyway. The first thought that entered my mind was I can elaborate on that story now to use someplace else.


Chuck23: I hope to return to posting some new stories soon. I returned to school recently to finish a degree that had very few credits needed to accomplish. I'm excited that my next class involves storytelling, perhaps it will help better my skill.
    Joan E.: Congratulations on returning to school. I hope you also share some poems as well, since I don't read much prose on FS, simply due to lack of time. Maybe you could tell a story in a poem! Best wishes for a healthful and peaceful New Year- Joan -
    Chuck23: Thank you, Joan! I've been working on an essay about my new pup recently, per your last suggestion. :-) -


Chuck23: I haven't been around much lately, but will be back eventually.


Chuck23: It is hard to wait for the results of writing competitions. I had one not long ago who responded immediately with "You're not for us." I can understand that response had I been submitting for publication, but it seemed like an odd response when paying a reading fee.
    JimmytheStone: That's OK Chuck, I take rejection here like that as a compliment. If you don't fit the fanstory social profile you don't win the prize. But you have a real talent, they can't take that away.
    Jimmy -
    JimmytheStone: By the way, great rant on the Italian financial/political scene on your real page. I've been sort of following that story on PBS news on the radio.
    Great to see something oif importance on the minds of inteligent people.
    Jimmy -
    Chuck23: Peace has a price - farewell -


Chuck23: Howard Hughes: Find me some clouds!



Chuck23: I just had almost a week off work and felt like I got a million things done, yet I'm disappointed because I didn't write once.
    Bellydanser: Maybe those million things will clear the way for your writing now, so ... get to work! LOL -
    JimmytheStone: There's a time and place for everything. Priorities matter. Writing is just fantasy. When you have time to daydream, then you'll write.
    Jimmy -
    Chuck23: That's what I'd hoped for Bellydanser-It seems they did as I was able to write for a couple hours today. :-)

    Hey Jimmy, I always love it when you stop by my page. -
    JimmytheStone: Hey I just don't get around this place that often.
    Jimmy
    PS cool puppy -


Chuck23:
"It was a very stupid thing to do, I'll admit, but I hardly didn't even know I was doing it."
J. D. Salinger

I have never read "The Catcher in the Rye", I'm going to have to pick that up next. I'm reading "Frannie and Zooey" currently and I love it!



    Joan E.: I like what must be a picture of the new puppy--you'll have your hands full for a while, but I hope you'll write about him or her soon. Enjoy- Joan -
    Chuck23: Thank you, Joan! I'm sure he'll get his own story before long. He's very rambunctious. It's been 15 years since I had a puppy so he's a lot of fun! -


Chuck23: I haven't been motivated by much lately. I got a new puppy last week. I think he will be my new avatar here.

I hope to get back to my fanstory reviewing and writing over the next couple days.


Chuck23: I don't know why.


Chuck23: Every time I reach a new reviewing level, I get discouraged by the amount of points needed to arrive at the next level.

Once I get mid-way through a level, I feel like I'm going to receive my next star soon. Then I reach the next level, I feel like I just reverted back to square one.

    JimmytheStone: Good Norning Chuck. Keep reachin for them review stars, they are elusive. I haven't been here in a while, but sort of followed you here from your other post. It's good to see your still working away at it.
    Jimmy -
    adewpearl: You don't get one darned thing for having reviewing levels - I have oodles of them and I've never received one benefit from them. Don't sweat it. LOL -


Chuck23: I don't know why, but when I have a writing rejected somewhere, I return to see the rejection a hundred times. I have no idea why I do that. Maybe I think that upon my return, I will see something instead that says I was accepted. I'm not nuts, just optimistic on decisions that are already set in stone.
    Spitfire: When I get a negative review, I dwell on that instead of the positives. So I can relate. Aren't rejection letters pretty much of the clone variety? Anyway, I suggest you light a match and watch it burn. You might want to read an old post of mine that addresses the subject of rejection.
    It's a poem called The Bounce Back Syndrome. -
    Chuck23: Good idea with the burning - I'll check it out. Thank you, Spitfire! -


Chuck23: It's hard to get motivated to write when anger is over taking your mind. I just returned from an electronics store where a product that I spent over $1100.00 on a month ago is not working.

Their response: "We are working with you. We are offering to give you a loaner while we ship yours off for up to 12 weeks to be worked on. The loaner will work like the one one you paid for was suppose to work." An hour later, and I'm still pissed.

Now that I got that off my chest, maybe I can finish the writing I was working on.
    OldPoet555: i can relate... anger often disturbs my writing process..amongst other things -


Chuck23: The few times I have chosen to save a work on here that is not quite finished, I post by accident instead.
    nor84: Go ahead and post BUT choose "preview" mode. It will sit in your portfolio until you finish it, without being released to the membership. Then, you leave preview mode and it's released. -
    Chuck23: Thank you nor84, that was definitely the step I was missing. -


Chuck23: Yeah! Tomorrow I will be traveling to OKC to visit family. I'm excited as I only get to visit them once a year.


Chuck23: I don't review any writing that I don't read to the end. I do hope I've never offended anyone one here too bad with a lower than five star rating. I think if I made it to the end of the story or poem, without moving on to the skip option, then it was worth reading. That should be a compliment to the author that they wrote something that held my attention, because I have a very short attention span.
    nor84: Five stars means the piece was excellent, and had nothing that needed fixing. -
    Chuck23: Thank you, nor84. I am aware of how the rating system is suppose to work. However, sometimes people take the critiques to their writing personal. My point was there are some great ideas that are fun to read, but are rated lower only for errors. -
    Bellydanser: I do believe that was how this site was intended to work. Yes, some are very sensitive, but others are very grateful when you can help them take a better look and improve their writing. Count me among the grateful. -
    Chuck23: I am grateful when I'm not being sensitive... -


Chuck23: My favorite dialog that I have ever read is the flowing dialog of J.D. Salinger's "A Perfect Day for a Bananafish."

It was one of those stories. When I arrived at the end I thought how in hell did he do that.

I love the classics.


Chuck23: I am working on a couple of memoirs right now. I haven't been motivated to finish anything lately. I hope while I'm on vacation next week, I manage to finish one of my short pieces.


Chuck23:

Youtube just isn't the same... every year as the holidays get closer, I look forward to the holiday Peanuts episodes.


Chuck23: I don't know why I want a second review star so bad. I feel like I've been trying to earn it for more than a year now, and it feels so out of reach.


Chuck23: I am thankful for writing software that points out my words do not make a complete sentence before I hit post.


Chuck23: The Westboro Babtist Church has the most twisted view ever on what God is. I sometimes wonder how badly they have damaged the "Babtist" denomination by taking that name as a title.
    Bellydanser: The WBC is all about money. The members taunt others intentionally for the reactions so they can sue in court and live off the winnings. The only way they will stop what they're doing is if absolutely EVERYONE ignores them. But they know how to push buttons enough that that will never happen. I'm thankful for the groups who make it a point to preempt what Fred Phelps's followers are up to. -


Chuck23: I was counting the posts in my profile last night and saw that I need one more poem, and eighteen more shorts to have the number I want in my profile by next April.

I think my next post here will be a poem.


Chuck23: "I am dead to adverbs; they cannot excite me. To misplace an adverb is a thing which I am able to do with frozen indifference; it can never give me a pang. ... There are subtleties which I cannot master at all,--the confuse me, they mean absolutely nothing to me,--and this adverb plague is one of them. ... Yes, there are things which we cannot learn, and there is no use in fretting about it. I cannot learn adverbs; and what is more I won't." - Mark Twain

Another one of my favorites, and his opinion on adverbs.


Chuck23: "I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs" - Stephen King

I remember the quote from his book, "On Writing". I don't think it hurts to include a few adverbs in a story, but for the most part I stay away from them because King said to.
    Elizabeth Sullivan: That is the best book about writing I've ever read. He is the King. Sorry Elvis. -
    another jim: "You're both right," he said agreeably. -
    Border Reiver: That quote is becoming far too cliche on this site. -
    Chuck23: I agree, Elizabeth. I have read several books about writing, but none that have stuck with me the way King's has!

    ** shakes head at Jim *** -


Chuck23: I began working on outline last night for my essay. I think I'm a bit backwards, as I continue researching how to write an essay, it appears the outline was suppose to come first.

I have not drawn up an outline for any writing since one that was shared. I saw it was going a hundred directions, and drew up an outline to get it back on track.


Chuck23: I write a satirical banter every other Wednesday. I sometimes think it's crazy that I feel the need to constantly post one every other week, always on Wednesday.

When I look at the page views for my banter, that number constantly encourages me to keep it going. At the same time, I feel if I fall out of routine, people may stop checking in.


Chuck23: Writing is ideal for anyone who has strong feelings on something that they can not represent in a politically correct way.

I always have enjoyed Hank Williams Jr., but understood completely when Monday Night Football yanked his opening song. If only he had some characters he could've played out those ignorant comments with, rather than making them himself.


Chuck23: "A good [short story] would take me out of myself and then stuff me back in, outsized, now, and uneasy with the fit."
- David Sedaris

I will always admire this man! He is one of the few authors I can return to read more than two or three times, and find myself enjoying it just the same or more with each read.


Chuck23: Last night, I read the first short story that I had ever written. I saw right away, that it could use some work. Maybe I'll do a rewrite, and promote it once again to see how the revisions go over.

I don't actually think anyone cares what I read, write, or revise. I just don't have a blog, so I have made the profile thoughts section my daily blog.
    Lynn27: You are growing as a writer. Which is a very good thing. -
    Chuck23: Thank you, Lynnace27 - that thought crossed my mind yesterday, when I was reading my first story. -
    Metal Head: Go for the re-write, Chuck. A while ago I created a L&K workshop where I posted one of my earlier stories and asked folks to save it to their hard drives. Then I posted a re-write based on what I'd learned here and asked for comments. It's a great way to gauge your improvement. -
    Chuck23: Thanks, Metal Head! The rewrite went over well - but now considering the suggestions, I may need another rewrite. -


Chuck23: I read several essays yesterday from david sedaris, "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim". That man could make anything funny. The last time I read the book was probably two years ago, and when I picked it up yesterday I felt like I was reading it for the first time as I couldn't wait to turn each page.


Chuck23: Hi Bellydanser, I can appreciate your suggestions on ways to begin. Perhaps I should have been more specific, as I am currently more than three pages into it.

No - it is not meant to be a short story. I have written more than thirty short stories over the last couple years. I wanted this one to be different, and I would like to write an 'essay'. I have found some guides online, but thought I would look for suggestions here too, since it is a writing community.

It is probably one of the few writings that I will do in order of events. It is based on my father over that five year period, and his project.


Chuck23: I am currently working on a non-fiction essay about an event from my childhood. It is not something I would have ever thought would be hard to write about, yet I feel I have a hundred blocks when trying to write on the subject.

I write very few essays. I have read some brilliant ones on this site recently. Those essays are my inspiration to start my own.

The subject may sound boring to some. My father who was diagnosed with Multiple-Myeloma when I was ten, was given only a couple months to live at the time of his diagnosis. He did prove the docs wrong by staying with us five more years. During his illness, he began a project of adding a basement to our home. The basement was dug only with a shovel and wheel barrow, and was complete as an additional room to the house before his passing.

This is a memory from my life that is huge to me. I would love to tell the story with the emotion and humor that it has always held in my life, yet I am stuck currently.

I intend on reading a lot of David Sedaris essays to help get me going on it again. I also found a short story, "Things I didn't know my father knew", by Peter Crowther, that I intend to use as inspiration.

Does anyone have an suggestions of other author's that may inspire humor or strong emotion for non-fiction essays. Are there any tools that you would suggest that may be helpful when working with this genre?
    Bellydanser: Is this truly an essay or perhaps a non-fiction 'story'?

    You could start with the diagnosis and how you found out as a child. Was it shocking or did you not completely understand at the time. Or you could start with what has brought this to the forefront in your life now and then flash back. There are as many ways to approach it as there are writers. Good luck, whichever way you choose. It sounds like a story worth reading. -


Chuck23: Sometime ago, I wrote a story for an individual who is very special to me. It was something that I put a lot of myself into, and was made to only be shared with that person. I hope that it meant is much to him as it did to me.


Chuck23: I'm a little bit embarrassed by the comment I wrote yesterday, but have decided to leave it rather than delete it.

Sometimes it is easy to let things just roll of your shoulders, other times it is not. I've been discouraged with this site for the last couple months, because I have let stuff rub me wrong that shouldn't have.

I did join this site to learn, and I have learned a lot here. It can be very discouraging when one begins listening to those who are there to bait them into an argument, or those who knock you down a little bit lower with each story or poem that you post.

I'm aware of the mute button, I typically use it on the person after the one who pisses me off, because I refuse to use it on the one trying to bait me. I don't want to give them the satisfaction of pushing me to mute them. I'm a very odd duck.
    Carolyn 12: Hello-thanks for visitng my page. Never let anyone discourage you from writing. There are bullies in all walks of life including reviewers. Stop writing only when you say-enough. I imagine then- your eyes will be permanently closed. :^) -
    Chuck23: Thank you, Carolyn - I'm far to stubborn to let some one bully me to stop writing, but I do sometimes think it is easy to buy into the bs, when someone insinuates "You're not good enough." -


Chuck23: I must admit I don't understand this site at all. I don't run others into the ground, as it has been done to me here. When I see that someone is discouraged, I try to offer up a kind word. What I've noticed a lot lately is when I comment on someones profile, even to say congratulations on a win - I check back sometimes to see what the authors response was, to find that the comments above and below mine remain, but I was deleted. I'm not sure what I did to cause so many folks so much disgust that they didn't even want my comment of a congratulations, or best wishes on their profile - but today I just found this is the fourth time it's happened in under a month.

My apologies for whatever it was that I have done to all of you.
    Celtic~Soul: Maybe they're not deleting your comments. Are you certain you're clicking on Save after you write a comment? It's easy, when you're busy, to neglect that step! -
    Chuck23: Yes, when I go back to see if there was a response, my comment is there. When I go back a day or two later my comment is gone, but the others remain.

    I am honest in the fact that I am unaware what I did to bring about the action of deleting me.

    I may have done something to these people that I am completely unaware of. I just felt that an apology was necessary since it is happening so often. -
    Tonulak: Take everything in stride Chuck, you've got to develop a thick skin here because not everyone plays fair. Some have their clicks they hang with others are seeking true interactive poetic relationships, others want to be patted and told their awesome, then you have those who just go around giving bad scores for no reason. Just be true to yourself and alway nice. Just get that skin thickened up or it will consume you. -
    Carolyn 12: I just read your sroty I'm still here. Very moving. I look forward to reading more. -


Chuck23: "These folk say that on a table in a bare room on the ground floor are many peculiar bottles, in each a small piece of lead suspended pendulum-wise from a string. And they say that the Terrible Old Man talks to these bottles, addressing them by such names as Jack, Scar-Face, Long Tom, Spanish Joe, Peters, and Mate Ellis, and that whenever he speaks to a bottle the little lead pendulum within makes certain definite vibrations as if in answer. Those who have watched the tall, lean, Terrible Old Man in these peculiar conversations, do not watch him again."

H.P. Lovecraft

"The Terrible Old Man"

I don't know what it is about his language, but his wording sends a chill down my spine with every few lines I read.
    koneart: Me too! I used to read all his stuff over and over again....hum...should check him out again. Thanks for the reminders. -


Chuck23: I hope to post my current work sometime next week. I have been a bit discouraged with my writing lately, and have taken to reading more.

I was inspired to write the story, when I read about a publication that was accepting stories for an anthology that would donate all proceeds to charity. The topic was, "The Witch". I was excited about the idea of submitting my story to them, but I missed the deadline - so it will be posted here instead. Not that it would have been accepted, but I was excited about the opportunity of the possibility.

In it's creation, I have read more H.P. Lovecraft than any other author. I hope his influence will be reflected when I post the finished story this week.
    Celtic~Soul: Hey, Chuck, there's an annual Halloween story contest on FS, maybe you could submit your witch story for that. It's probably posted in the contest list. -


Chuck23: Each time I feel I haven't the time to read, I remember something King once said about reading and writing going hand in hand.

"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that."
�?? Stephen King

I have been very lazy in my writing lately. I'm currently working on a new Horror story. Perhaps I screwed myself from the very beginning when I decided on a title prior to the subject. I am determined to use the title, "The Last in Line." I now have worked up a subject, and still have no idea how to really make the subject work with title. Yet I'm determined - that will be the title of this work. Who does that crap? Anyone else?

Oh, well. I'm off to read some Lovecraft, and perhaps the two will work themselves out as my mind goes to work on it while I read.
    another jim: LOL! Don't let your determination to use that title force you to write the "wrong" story. I think lots of writers make that mistake, i.e., decide on a title way too soon. IMO, the title is the LEAST important component of storytelling. And guess what? If your story is publishable, there's a very good chance that an agent or publisher will insist that the title be changed anyway...unless your last name happens to be King or Patterson or Evanovich or Sparks. ;-D

    I don't think I've ever given any story I've written a title until after it was completed. I find it interferes with whatever creative processes are at work.

    But hey, if it works for you... -


Chuck23: Some say writing is good for the soul. I'm sure many plague their characters with their own issues, as a way of working through it.
    Cumbrianlass: You got that right. Who needs a shrink? Vicarious living, I call it. -


Chuck23: For the first time ever, since I started writing about four years ago - I wrote out my story with pen and paper. Sounds kinda stupid, I'm sure. Never in the previous 4 years have I been able to do this.

Typically when I pull out a pen to initiate writing, I get one or two words and my mind goes blank, and I have to wait til I'm at a computer to actually get it going.

It was nothing but a rough draft, but I was proud of it - typed it up and submitted it from the original pen and paper piece... maybe that block has come to an end.
    Celtic~Soul: That's awesome, Chuck23. I have a couple of writer's books and have read interviews of big name authors that advise doing first drafts longhand. It tends to make you write slower and concentrate on hat's going down on the page. I've done it a few times. It keeps you really focused. -


Chuck23: My account was updated after the misunderstanding.
    koneart: Good deal. I knew it would be. Sometimes it just takes patience. Glad to hear it.... -


Chuck23: I have never complained about anything on this site, and I've been here for more than a year.

I have since received a ribbon for tieing for 1st, after asking that I that I also be acknowledged for the tie. I never received any apology what so ever - basically it's as though it was my fault. Just want folks to know how items are handled on this site we all pay to be members of.

I didn't receive an apology or even so much as an explanation, just a big, "No problem" I'll update it.

Whatever - what a joke to anyone else who joins contests on this site.
    koneart: Your story shows as a contest winner--did you receive the 20$? [the prize was 60--you should have gotten 20] -
    Chuck23: No - my account was never updated with any of the winnings. Tom never apologized for the error. It was just "no problem" here's a ribbon... I was never announced as one of the wiinners.... So it has a ribbon now that is the extent of it I guess no winnings... And no apology for the screw up... -
    koneart: I think, also, that since it was a member generated contest makes a difference, too. Just tell Tom you didn't receive the prize money. He probably doesn't know you didn't receive the money. I've always received good feedback from FS, so I'm surprised you are having an issue.....Just write him so he knows what's going on. -
    Celtic~Soul: Yes, just send Tom a friendly message that you not only hadn't received the win acknowledgement (and thanks for adding it, btw), but that you also didn't get your share of the prize. Tom, the site administrator, is very helpful in these situations and happy to rectify anything that goes awry. Just need to bring it to his attention! Much of those aspects of the site are somewhat automated, but at times there's a glitch and he just needs to fix it. But bear in mind, he's really busy, handling all kinds of queries and requests every day, so he does what he can as soon as he can.

    Also, this was a FS member-created contest, not the Pulitzer! Enjoy your rewards. Take a deep breath and start working on your next project! :) -
    Chuck23: Thank you, koneart, for your advice. I have never before had a problem with this site - I was just upset that it wasn't rectified, and the attitude I got when I inquired about it. My first note to Tom was very friendly.

    The second one I just said it could have been handled better.

    "Also, this was a FS member-created contest, not the Pulitzer!" <- that's a hell of a smart ass remark to write, Celtic - soul. Did you actually just degrade me because I was upset that I was not acknowledged with the two other winners, and the situation was not rectified.



    -
    Celtic~Soul: No, Chuck 23, I wasn't degrading you--or even denigrating you. I was just urging you keep it in perspective as the FS member-sponsored contest that it is. My remark was intended tongue-in-cheek to emphasize a member contest here vs. what's possible beyond FS's 'walls'. Sure it's nice to be recognized for a member contest (which has been done on both the work and the 'win' icon on your profile page), but as far as your writer's resume goes, it doesn't carry any weight. As I said, I'm sure if you communicate your deep disappointment to the site, Tom will take care of it as best he can. It just seems applying all this energy to writing would be more beneficial. I've been on this site a long time, and I learned early in my experience here that, as with life, things aren't always as rosy as we'd like, and it's more useful to put that energy and emotion toward the next writing project. I hope another win is in your near future! (And that'd be the best 'revenge' for the oversight, wouldn't it?) -
    Chuck23: I'm not really a vengeful person - I really didn't put any energy at all into my profile comment. I only felt a comment on the subject was necessary, and felt my own profile was a better place for it than the forum. -
    Celtic~Soul: Comments members make on their profiles appear in the Profile Thoughts forum on the forums page.

    Glad you got things worked out and Tom updated your account! -


Chuck23: I would really like to know what happened here, because I am ready to quit this site right now.

6 votes I'm Still Here by Chuck23
6 votes A Reflection by robo1224
6 votes Grief's Inflections by fairydancer

It says the contest ended with a two way tie, apparently the other other two folks with 6 votes a piece tied, and I was never acknowledged.

I do not request votes in blind contests, and am offended when others do so as the contest was meant to be blind. I can't think of any other reason as to why I was not acknowledged - can someone please give me some insight here.
    koneart: Hum--interesting question that I think I would present to the site manager. I bet it's computer generated and simply picks the top two....Don't quote me. You should ask. I think the forum has a special place where you can ask these questions. -
    shelley kaye: might have been a glitch - i think you should message tom about it using the "contact us" link....
    -
    Chuck23: I appreciate your feedback. I sent a pm to them. I am just very insulted right now. I will look in the forum as well, and see if I can find the thread. Thank you! -
    Chuck23: Thank you, both. I was so upset after I pm'd them that I posted it here too. Thank you for your suggestions, and calling it a glitch which is not something I considered. -


Chuck23: I'm currently writing a new short entitled, "I'm still here." Once I finish my new piece, I plan to go through some of my older ones to clean them up a bit.
    Ure Connection: Ure Connection: Well done Chuck23, you won the contest, Lifes Mirror. Your work recieved great reviews. Aaron
    August 5 at 2:35AM
    -
    Chuck23: Thank you, Ure Connection! -


Chuck23: I finished my revisions to "One Suit, Wild Card" over the weekend. I'm much happier with it now.


Chuck23: I'm doing a rewrite on, "One Suit, Wild Card" today. I'm not sure how soon I'll post the changes.

It's funny - I noticed I have it saved in word document as "One Suit, Wild Card Structure". I guess I knew the first time I posted it, I had the base of good story. A good story that needs some work, which is where all my fellow fanstorians come in.

I appreciate all of you, because you help me better my writing. The last few stories I've posted have gone over ok the first time around. When I revise taking into consideration the opinions of the readers, they go over 100 times better.

So thank you to all of you, even those who are kinda harsh in their comments. Those are the ones that are best for me, because they make me want to better myself. The encouraging ones keep me from giving up all together - all are important!
    nor84: It's against site rules to repost. If it's still in your portfolio, you can revise and repromote it, but your fans won't get it in their inbox. I wish it were otherwise, but that's the rule. -
    Chuck23: All I ever do is revise the one that is within my portfolio. I only meant that I will be making so many revisions that it will be a different story once revised. Much like my revision of "Minions", much will change for the better.

    No, I would not delete the original and re-post, because I don't want to lose any reviews from my original.

    Thank you for your comment! -
    Ure Connection: Well done Chuck23, you won the contest, Lifes Mirror. Your work recieved great reviews. Aaron -


Chuck23: I appreciate those reviewers who offer advice on how to better my writing. I do not get offended by the lower ratings when the person who rated my writing low took the time to read and tell me what they didn't like about it.

It doesn't mean that I'm gonna change my style, but I take all suggestions into consideration when I do my final edits.


Chuck23: I'm in the middle of two shorts currently. Both are for prompts on this site, that I will post in the next couple days. Funny how sometimes I feel like I'm at a lack of creativity, while other times I'm overwhelmed to get it all out before I lose it.


Chuck23: I'm very confused with this site. Every time I click on a friends profile, my screen goes blue and it is says this account is not available. Does that mean that I'm muted? That makes no sense to me, so I wonder if something happened to their account. Hope all is OK, Jimmy.
    adewpearl: I'm pretty sure which Jimmy you're talking about. I just clicked on his name and got the account not available message, too. This has happened to me with quite a few friends over the years. It usually means there was some dispute - it could be something like he defended himself in replying to a review and the person reported him.
    Usually when Tom suspends a person for most infractions, they're back within a day or so. -
    Chuck23: Thank you both for responding - I heard from him. I get concerned when I lose a friend... -


Chuck23: I've decided to try something new with my current writing. I usually start editing a short way into the story. On my current short, I have decided to write the entire rough draft before returning for the first edit.

I'm constantly learning. I'm anxious to see if there is any improvement by editing this way.


Chuck23: I'm working on a new story today. For me anything over 2500 words is a long story. This will be a long story.

I often stay under 2500 words, as I edit out about fifty percent of the original writing in hopes to make every word count.

My longest story so far was just over 11,000 words. That one was a shared writing with another individual. I don't think that individual cared for my editing of cutting so much of the original writing. However, the end result was very tight, and it is a story I am proud of.
    JimmytheStone: Good Morning Chuck
    Gllad to see your writing again. I look forward to reading it
    Jimmy -


Chuck23: I knew when I posted, "The Controller", I was going to receive some feedback that I was confusing. I've made some adjustments from the feedback.

I was discouraged and thought about taking it down. I decided, that style is not for every audience. There will be some stories that many enjoy, and others that are more for me and the few who enjoy that style with me.

Any feedback on how to make it better, or less confusing is always appreciated. The other two shorts I have, that are similar in style are, "Even Split" and "Ideal".
    JimmytheStone: I thought the controller was interesting, That's my taste. Not everyone likes everything. Please yourself first, then your adoring minions. the rest of the world will fall where it will.
    Write to your audience,
    Jimmy -
    Chuck23: You're my audience! I love my minions! -


Chuck23: Today, I will work on my writing. I was just going through the contests prompts here, and found some awesome ones. I think I will stick with my original work though. We'll see.


Chuck23: As a kid, I was a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock. Yesterday, I received my first copy of "Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine."

I'm excited to read the stories within, and see if I learn anything new to weave into my own stories.


Chuck23: I'll be doing some reading today, and will get back to my writing on Sunday.
    JimmytheStone: Good Morning Chuck
    I saw your little retort on my page.
    Very astute -


Chuck23: I spent a couple hours this morning on a fun satirical piece, that I keep separate from my Fanstory profile.
    JimmytheStone: Good to see your workin' on your stuff again. I'll keep checkin' back on ya -


Chuck23: Every other Tuesday, I look for a news article to do a satirical spin on. Although, it is not a writing a post on Fanstory - it is my writing project for today.
    JimmytheStone: Do your best stuff for yourself, give fan story what's left over
    Jimmy -


Chuck23: The weekend came and went, and I did not get my short finished. I wrote for about three hours on it yesterday, and I'm happy with how far I got. Maybe next Sunday, I'll get it posted.

I was going through my emails this morning. I have never understood why I save certain ones. Then it hit me - I need to write a short on the topic. Then I can dump them.


Chuck23: I wrote for an hour yesterday. I intend to write for a few hours today.

When starting a new story, I like to write every thought that comes to mind, and then return to it afterwords and edit it into a story. From my rough drafts I would say more than 50% is deleted, as I work to create a story.


Chuck23: Yesterday I finished reading, "A Tramp Abroad", with the exception of the appendix. I love Twain's humor.

Today I will work on my short humor piece. I hope to finish it over the weekend, but it may take longer depending on the length.


Chuck23: As I head into the weekend, I'm looking forward to a couple days off. I'm anxious to get going on my stories.

I've been reading Twain's, "A Tramp Abroad" recently, and hope to finish the story this weekend. When I'm at a loss on where to take a short story, I find that reading a few shorts gets me going in a good direction with my own writings.
    JimmytheStone: Good Morning Chuck23
    I see you stopped by again. If you want something to read I just threw out another short.
    David and Goliath, it's from my manuscript.
    I didn't promote it. I like to keep my good work strictly among friends. -
    Chuck23: Soon - thanks for the anticipation! -


Chuck23: My friend, Jimmy, has inspired me to start keep a short blog here. My schedule is kind of funky right now, so I write on my days off.

I have a couple shorts that I jotted down ideas on for this month. My next story to be posted is from a writer's digest prompt. "Pretend that there is a small man/woman operating the control system of your brain. Write about your day from his/her perspective. How does he/she feel about you?"

I am currently alternating between humor and horror. After I finish the prompt, I'll get back to another short horror story I'm working on. The horror story is going to be the longer of the two works.

Thanks for the inspiration of keeping a blog here, Jimmy!
    JimmytheStone: Hey I can't believe I inspire anyone. But thanks -


Chuck23: I appreciate the suggestions and feedback provided by those who review my work. I've been working from the suggestions to edit my current stories.


Chuck23: I joined Fanstory in April of 2010, with a specific goal in mind for this site. I joined with the plan that 90% of my writings would be short works, and only 10% poetry. I had a specific number in mind. Forty-five short works, and five poems.

It does not appear that I will be meeting my goal this year. April is right around the corner, and currently I have posted here 4 poems, and 20 short works. I am not too down on myself for not making it, as my hours had increased at my day-job, giving me less time for my passion.

I have decided to add another year to my Fanstory subscription, that I may complete my goal.
    JimmytheStone: I'm so new to this internet crap forgive me, but I want to ask you something off the record, is that PosiBble? I HAVE WORK THAT I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SEE, I'M SURE YOU HAVE HAD THE SAME FEELING. I'm skeptical of the website, but I admire your work.
    Jimmy

    -
    JimmytheStone: Hey Chuck 23, sorry about the caps lock, I crushed my foot with a forklift today and have drank too much medication.
    Sorry, Jimmy. -
    Chuck23: lol - I think you can put it under lock in key if you want to work on it prior to posting... not sure if that's what you meant. Sorry I missed your message til today. -
    Chuck23: Thank you, Jimmy! I appreciate the compliment! -
    JimmytheStone: Hey Chuck 23, I see you been checking on me, Thanks.
    It means a lot.
    Jimmy -
    JimmytheStone: Het Chuck23, you go ahead and get caught up in ratings. If I wrote Minions I would.
    Jimmy -
    JimmytheStone: Good morning Chuck23
    Thanks for stopping at my place.
    What nothing to read here?
    I wrote something just for friends to find.
    I think you gotta click on see all on my page cause I didn't promote it.
    It's called I am the Bullet.
    read it if you have time.
    Jimmy -


Chuck23: I have developed a love for writing over the last couple years. Currently, I only write short stories and poetry, perhaps in the future I will take on a larger piece of work.

I am still searching for my style, one that defines me, with my creation of my own short stories. I love short stories! I attempt them from all different angles. What I hope to develop while on this site, is the dialogue. I hope to learn from others here, on that specific point.

OCD may be noticed as a topic in several of my writings, as it is a subject that I would like to bring some awareness to. I think the most enlightening short story that I've ever read on the topic is, "The Yellow Wallpaper", by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.