mariontl: Thanks Sally :)
- Marion


mariontl: I am honoured that the Alzheimer's Society of Canada has placed my poem " Long Way Home " on their website, in the Creative Space section.
I wrote " Long Way Home " for a contest entry. The contest was organized by CodyJack.
There is a lot of good writing in the Creative Space on the alzheimers society site, including works written by those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/creativespace/writingroom-long_way_home.htm

http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/creativespace/writingroom-intro.htm

Thanks Codyjack for putting on the contest that inspired me to write " Long Way Home. "
    Sally Carter: Well done Marion! I just went and had a look at it. Your poem sits very well there and I'm not surprised they wanted to use it.
    Apart from this particular success, your post is a useful reminder that we can be imaginative in looking for potential outlets. Big congrats again.
    Sally -


mariontl: I am very disappointed with this site, because my poems are read by very few people. I have spent a lot of time writing reviews to try and earn certificates to bump up my poems closer to the top, so they will be read and reviewed. It takes hours and hours of reviewing to earn enough dollars for certificates. I am spending way too much time on here. I refuse to pay any more money on top of what I paid to join for the 2 yr membership, just in order to bump my poems up so they will be read.
    Sally Carter: It takes a while! I have been here about 18 months, and when I joined I was getting hardly any reviews. The longer you stay, the more people will get to know you, and those who like your particular style will probably become "fans". That means every time you post a piece of work (unless it is in a "blind" contest) they will get a notification and will check our your latest piece. I promise, it does happen! You just need to be patient. I have never been able to afford to put something up at the top - and I am not sure that those reviews are always worth getting anyway. I would hate to spend all that money to put myself in the dizzy heights and then just get a stock review that says how lovely your poem is! So, long story short, don't give up, and don't spend a fortune!
    Best wishes, Sally -
    redrider6612: I just took a look at your reviews (and the way you replied) and I think you're getting some helpful feedback. Do you feel the reviews are helping you improve? Or are you unhappy with the quantity? It all boils down to this: what is your motivation for being here? Do you want to learn and grow as a writer? Or do you want your ego stroked? If you promote too high, you'll get a lot more shiny fives, but those won't help you improve. And rank doesn't mean anything outside of FS.

    I learn a lot from reviewing as well as being reviewed.

    One thing I've found helps me to rack up member dollars is becoming a fan of the more prolific, gifted writers here. That way my inbox has a steady flow of newly promoted stuff.

    Of course, you have to do what you think is right for you. Personally, while the system here isn't perfect, I haven't found anywhere else that I can get the quality of feedback that I get here. -
    mariontl: I am here in the hope to improve my writing, and to get inspired to write more often. I was disappointed to see one of my poems was read by only 12 people and another was read by 20 people, but I will try to be patient. After all, I have not been here that long, and I have received good reviews with some helpful hints.
    I will do as suggested and become a fan of more of the prolific writers on fanstory.
    Thanks. -


mariontl: I wrote my first poem when I was 12.As a teen I wrote poems,including a couple about Elvis Presley.(I am a huge Elvis fan)I plan to visit Graceland in the near future with my daughter, who is also a fan.I feel privileged that I have 2 poems and a quote that I wrote published in the book "Remember Elvis" by Joe Esposito.I was not paid for my contributions,but to see my writing and my name printed in an Elvis book made me very happy.
I like to write poetry, draw and paint. Unfortunately, I don't make time for these hobbies and procrastinate and let other things stand in the way. However, I am glad I joined Fanstory.com,because it is helping me to get into the habit of writing daily,and I am learning from critiques.This is a great group of people on this forum, with helpful advice and reviews and support that I know will help me in my goal to improve my writing skills.
Now to find a way to get inspired to paint....
I am married with 2 children, one boy, one girl, in their 20's,and I have a beautiful 1 yr old granddaughter. I am an animal lover that owns both dogs and cats.
I work as a long term care aide in a care facility.
- Marion