Darla9: I've been asked to write a story for a three year old. This is much harder than I expected. I am SO out of my depth LOL
    adewpearl: I read quite a few stories on this site intended for small kids but written with vocabulary for 12 year olds, so watch out for that pitfall :-) -
    Darla9: I'm going to post it here when I'm done. My vocabulary is probably wrong as I have no experience with writing for children whatsoever, but I'm hoping my fellow good souls from fanstory will show me the right path. -
    Tsukuyomi969: I think your best bet would be to read a book like that first. -


Darla9: My review of The Casual Vacancy: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/520979659


Darla9: To those of you who are interested: I have not given up on my book, I just had a crazy few months. I've just moved to another city and I'm looking for a job. It's been hard to put myself in a right frame of mind to write. But I have not given up. Chapter three is almost done and I will be posting it soon. Thank you so much for all the encouraging emails! It means so much that you want to keep on reading. :)


Darla9: A big thanks to all of you who read and reviewed the first chapter of my book. This is such a huge deal for me and I find your comments and suggestions extremely helpful. Thanks again everyone! :)


Darla9: My short story 'The Cure' have been accepted by the Wicked Industries magazine. It will be published in the second issue in August. I am so excited. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and to adewpearl, Jonesy, Adri7enne, Halfree, Titanx9 and Allison78 for the extremely helpful comments and pointing out the spag. Thanks guys! :-D
    Tsukuyomi969: Congrats! I'm so happy for you. I'm gonna take a drink for you tonight! -
    adewpearl: Congratulations - and you're most welcome :-) -


Darla9: It really confuses me when I get average, and then five minutes later exceptional rating for the same story. Am I great, or do I suck? I guess I will never know lol
    nor84: A review is only the reviewer's opinion, Darla. Some people give 5 stars to everybody, others give 3 stars or 4 stars with suggestions. If you get 3 stars with suggestions, it means there are things you need to learn -- in that reviewer's opinion -- and he or she should be telling you what those things are. -
    purrfect tale: Don't go by the stars, but by what people say in the review. -
    Razz: Dealing with differing opinions is like that. The more people there are the more confusing everything becomes. Don't try to figure it out. Just write your heart out. If we write to please others...in the end, we please no one. Be true to your self. -
    Darla9: Thanks, guys :) I appreciate your comments. -
    christianpowers: Here's what I do. I always believe the bad reviews and try to be skeptical of the good ones. I try to never defend myself unless a comment is completely absurd, but, even then, I try to ask for elaboration instead of answering with a harsh retort. Because sometimes I've found out the absurd comment was not as absurd as I thought. Mostly, I just try to learn and leave my ego out of it. Good luck with that, though. We're only human. Hope this helps. -


Darla9: "You have the imagination to write excellent fiction and that's the part you can't learn, it's born in you." - one of the nicest things anybody has ever said to me :) Thank you purrfect tale! :)
    Tsukuyomi969: My sister and I were arguing about that very same thing--can you learn to be a creative/imaginative person? She says anyone can learn to be a good writer, and can learn to have good ideas. I disagree. -
    Darla9: I agree with you Tsukuyomi :) I think you can learn how to write, you can learn the craft, but the imagination and creativity is something you are born with. -


Darla9: Merry Christmas everyone


Darla9: I've used the same name for the main character in my last two short stories without even realizing. I've only noticed it now. I don't even like the name Lisa that much. How bizarre LOL
    Bellydanser: The mind works in mysterious ways. Perhaps you were a Lisa in a previous life. ;-) -
    Darla9: LOL that's definitely a possibility ;) -