CL Huth: If anyone is wondering, I am off trying to finish my 4th book for my publisher. See you in 2022.


FanStory wrote to CL Huth: The Old Man finished second in the contest "SUPERNATURAL~ (NOT HORROR fiction)"


CL Huth: Sorry, folks, I'm lost in the final day of Nanowrimo!


FanStory wrote to CL Huth: Guardian finished third in the contest "100 Word Story"


FanStory wrote to CL Huth: Dragon Slayer finished third in the contest "Sentence"


CL Huth: I'm done. I'm out for the rest of the week. If I hadn't paid for a year, I'd be gone again. See you on Monday.


CL Huth: You know what? A three star isn't death, folks. It's just a perspective from another person. I get it. Criticism is hard, but the point of places like FS is to grow as a writer. If you can't do that, you're never going to survive as a published writer.

I get 2 and 3 star reviews on my published works sometimes. I don't like them, but I understand that not everyone is going to like my work. Getting defensive doesn't help. I know, I've done it. I've wasted energy that could've been used for writing on people who just aren't into my work.

But eliminating critics because they don't fall in line isn't helpful either. Writing, for the most part, is subjective.
    Carlos' girl: But surely you must know the unwritten rules here at fanstory? You were here before, right? It has not changed lol. -


CL Huth: I'm in a weird headspace right now. I'll get better, but until then I'm going to be posting old stuff until my must comes back.


FanStory wrote to CL Huth: Ghost Girl finished third in the contest "SUPERNATURAL~ (NOT HORROR fiction)"


FanStory wrote to CL Huth: Victim of the System finished third in the contest "Parenthood: An indelible memory"


FanStory wrote to CL Huth: Til Death? finished third in the contest "A Good Turn Gone Wrong"
    CL Huth: YAY!! What a great thing to wake up to this morning! Thank you! -


CL Huth: It's interesting to me how much has changed here... and how much has not. Thank you to everyone who has shared reviews. I'm here to be helpful, if you want, or just a voice in the wind, if you don't.


CL Huth: I wonder if anyone I knew back in the day is still here. Or if anyone remembers me. Writing is a weird life thing, and somehow I always end up back here at fanstory.
    Jesse James Doty: No, I changed my mind, you write horror and terror and I don't want any part of it!
    -
    CL Huth: Aw, James, I write some nice stuff, too. I'll post some of that. -


CL Huth: Whew! I've been gone a long time! Let me see how I can remedy this, and how much I've missed!


CL Huth: No vacay. My granny passed Wednesday morning. Funeral was this afternoon. Driving home from TN starting today.
    Debra White: Sorry to hear about your Granny....
    Drive safe :) -
    mrsmajor: I am so sorry to hear about your Granny, be very careful on the drive...ox xo ox! -


CL Huth: Going on vacay for a few days! So excited to see my daughter! Woot!


CL Huth: Trying a new review tactic for poems by breaking my rating down into three or four points: Sentiment, Flow, Imagery and Technical. That way, when I rate them lower, but they did well with, say, imagery, they can see that I saw it.

I still get cranky replies. Not everyone can be Maya Angelou, folks.
    shelley kaye: feel free to cruise through my portfolio any time! ;-)

    -
    rosehill (Wendy): No crabby-pants here either. Nothing is more fun than a truly dissected poem and dialogue between two authors. I'm here to learn. I get enough six-star reviews from my family. They are kind, but not terribly informative. I'm pretty sure I don't always achieve perfection. This seems a wonderful way to approach reviewing and I would like to borrow your system if I may. - Wendy -
    CL Huth: @Shelley_Kaye, I just might!

    @Rosehill, you are more than welcome to use it! I'll see if you have a poem, so I can show you what I do now. :-) -


CL Huth: HOORAY!! I won a contest!
    MissMerri: Congratulations! I'm very happy for you. Hope this helps the crankiness. :p -
    Adri7enne: Congratulations, c. It was bound to happen. You're a terrific writer. -


CL Huth: Gods, I am not doing any contests for a while. The results just make me cranky. *sigh*
    Michaelk: I feel your pain. Enter something you think is really good, just to receive two votes. I'm slacking off of contests too. (After the next one) -
    CL Huth: Yup, still feel like this. *smh* -


CL Huth: So...I've started leaving disclaimers when I leave a review that isn't five stars. Cos I'm tired of the 'well, everyone else likes it!' replies. Not the point of a writing site. Everyone can get better. Even us published authors. Even high ranked authors and poets. If you can't improve your skills, if you think you don't need to, then you're never going to get far in the writing world.

And that's okay. But I prefer to not be mediocre.
    kellyolsen: I agree whole-heartedly. I often give fours, even threes, when I feel it is called for. It's not my issue when a writer is unable to take criticism as it is intended...as constructive. It is my issue, as a reviewer, to be honest. I put a lot of time into a review and don't hand out 5 or 6 haphazardly. Sorry! Some people need to put time and effort into their work more than others. I am always willing to learn more about my craft. -


CL Huth: Woo-hoo! Voting begins today on my first FS contest! I'm so excited to see what happens! Good luck to everyone!
    michaelcahill: Still having fun??? Ha! Enjoyed your entry. Welcome to the cutthroat world of friendly competition!!! Just kidding. :)) -
    CL Huth: Michaelcahill, I used to be here in 2001, and man, I'd forgotten how contests are, yanno? I lost, but c'est la vie. I'm glad you enjoyed my entry! -


CL Huth: Anyone know how I change my gender here? My little Scottie dog says 'he' for my novel ranking, and it's driving me nuts!
    donaldww: You need to find a reputable Doctor that specializes in this kind of change. Not something you should try on your own.







    -
    pipersfancy: Now fellas... be nice.

    I'd probably contact Tom and ask his to correct the issue. -
    michaelcahill: Tom can do ANYTHING! He can even change your gender. Wow. Pay your dues people, pay them on time. That's my advice.... -
    Phyllis Stewart: It might help if you edited your profile and included your gender where it asks. -
    Phyllis Stewart: It might help if you put it in your profile, which I see is empty. Just indicate your gender where it asks. -
    CL Huth: You guys are hilarious! -


CL Huth: Gotta find my balance. Forgot how easily people get feelings bruised.
    Adri7enne: It's impossible to review honestly without bruising a few feelings. People are so used to accepting 'fluffy fives' here. They often let the ratings and standings go to their heads and believe its an indication of how good they are. Anything less than a five insults them. It's the nature of the site. -
    el twelve: I believe if they get bruised it is their issues. I do believe that constructive criticism is constructive. -
    CL Huth: I think 4 stars is a good rating for a good piece that just doesn't rate on an epic level, yanno? Doesn't mean you're a bad writer/poet. Like eating a really good meal at a four star restaurant. Still good and enjoyable. Just not five stars. -


CL Huth: I haven't been here in years. So much has changed. So much more hasn't. Guess we'll see how long I stick around this time.