vkmack

vkmack: When you are away for a lengthy period of time, you forget how welcoming fanstory can be. I wish I didn't have to work a day job, but don't we all?

<3 <3 <3

vkmack: It's been a busy summer, with family coming and going for vacations and our attempts to swim through the Texas floods. I haven't been here nearly as much as I had hoped, and I've missed it. :(

vkmack: I'm confused as to why writers are randomly using scare quotes or single quotation marks in their writing. These are only used to specify a quote within a quote. The most helpful manuals for writing are The Chicago Manual of Style and Strunk & White, The Elements of Style. The latter is the easiest and handiest.
Even a good website can be helpful for quick reference.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/3-erroneous-uses-of-scare-quotes/

vkmack: After an absence of eight long months, I'm slowly inching my way back onto Fanstory. It's like taking a dip in a spring pool one tentative toe at a time. Please be patient with me. So much has happened and continues to do so. But it's nice to be here when I can. I've missed this Family.

vkmack: I have been away for so long, and I returned tonight to find such wonderful news! Thanks for all of the congrats and kudos. I have such a fabulous family of friends here, and the Fanstory recognition is such an honor. Thanks to you all again. It means the world to me that you are such supportive fellow writers.
Please forgive the absence of over a week, but that bronchitis is finally gone. Thanks for being understanding.
You guys are SO great!

FanStory wrote to vkmack: Congratulations! haiku (celestial pearl moon) won the contest "Haiku Poetry Contest"

vkmack: I'm in bed with acute bronchitis, and, as the old joke goes, it's not so cute. Forgive me if I'm slow to read, review, and post here. I'm also lagging behind in messages. I've been fighting this for a week and have decided to surrender and focus on healing.

vkmack: "And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
~Dr. Seuss

Merry Christmas!

vkmack: I am moving to Austin on New Year's Eve, so the packing is intense right now, as is all the planning. Friends are trying to coordinate their time and energy to help, and I have storage concerns and am tossing and packing and dancing in panic as fast as I can. Please forgive me for being absent. I'd love to be here much more often and feel I'm missing so much. I'll work to catch up with the New Year.

vkmack: Sunday night, I took a break from packing for the big move to Austin to make a treat with my mother, who was here for a visit. We made the Rugelach from the recipe Sunnilicious posted. I have to say that it was incredibly delicious. If you guys have not tried it, let me recommend it--and the story of the recipe as told by our sunnilicious--for the holidays. You won't regret it.

vkmack: So sorry to see another Fanstory member go because people were childishly asking for votes and being bullies.

So sad.

FanStory wrote to vkmack: Congratulations on your third place finish in the Reviewing Competition.

vkmack: Well, I'm back, but I'm seven pounds lighter. Wow. That was a real bug. You guys eat your veggies and drink some OJ.

vkmack: I am recuperating from the flu, so I'm in and out of the fanstory site as I am able to sit at the computer. This was the worst bout I've had with the flu bug in a long time, and recovery is slow, but I'll be back in full swing as soon as I can.
I miss you guys!

vkmack: The easiest and simplest manual for writers in print is The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B. White (yes, that E.B. White). Now in its fourth edition, this is an invaluable tool for anyone wondering where those commas, periods, and quote marks go and why they should be there. In graduate school, every writing professor required that I bring a copy to class, and we read aloud from the pages in order to sharpen our skills. In turn, I have tortured my own innocent students in much the same manner. The work is small and easy to use. Strunk and White, unlike the Great Kate (Turabian), do not contradict themselves either. The Elements of Style is just an indispensable tool for any writer--aspiring or otherwise.

vkmack: Just wanted to say hello and that I'm still here. I'm in the process of moving this week, and the summer has been intense. I've recovered from my surgery really well, and I did so appreciate all the support from my friends here. Now this month, if it's mechanical, I've had issues with it (including the computer). I'll be back on FS with more regularity as soon as things are a little calmer. Please bear with me while I'm "transitioning" from one home to another and putting out fires. Have a wonderful night, everyone.

vkmack: Hello Debra! Thanks so much for the kudos on the uplifting poetry contest. I was out of town for three days (unexpectedly) and returned to find the win--even more unexpectedly. I'm beyond thrilled! I appreciate the support.
Thanks again.
Vista

vkmack: So thrilled to share the win for the Short Poem Contest with rhymster. Thanks for reading and reviewing Dogwood Daze. And thanks to rhymster for so graciously sharing the recognition.

vkmack: Thanks to all for commenting on the state of reviewer affairs. I do want to point out that most people are very constructive and kind in their criticism. Even when they mark a piece of writing exceptional, they clarify why they chose that rating, which is great and helps with honing strengths. On the other hand, as has been pointed out here, sometimes the ratings lack any clarification. And sometimes a request for explanation or suggestions garners no response. Yes, the occasional reviewer is very thin skinned, as is the occasional writer, but we need to be kind to one another and offer help if needed. It's all about learning for me, so please offer constructive criticism. I'm going to say that, as has been noted, a four or below demands an explanation. Please be polite and offer constructive suggestions.

vkmack: If you feel the need to give less than 5 stars, please state why you believe the work is only good or average and how it should be or can be improved. I'm unsure why it would be necessary to say "it's great" but grade it as only good or lower. I am here to improve, and constructive criticism is the only way to do that. Please take note of this--and be kind.