RFL:

Hello My Fan Story Friends,

I want to explain my absence these past weeks and let you know I am back on board with something I have never written before -- a play. I am going to post it tonight and hope to get your feedback so that I can make this play into a marketable product. Writing this play has been my fun reward at the end of the day for all the other projects I have been working on, which has taken my time away from you all. So, here is what I have been doing:
1. Completing an academic manuscript on a model I created for developing, implementing, evaluating and disseminating evidence-based initiatives to improve health care. Waiting on a publication decision.
2. Working on a consultation dig, which is taking more time than I originally envisioned it would. But the pay is good!
3. Taking a course in short story writing.
4. Writing a book proposal re: the model I mentioned above.

So you see, my friends, it is not shopping or long lunches that have kept me from you. I hope to hear from you soon.

Best,
RFL

November 12, 2018 at 5:48PM
    DR DIP: NO EXCUSE!! lol
    November 13, 2018 at 12:14AM
    RFL: Thank you for commenting, Dr. Dip. I could have said that my dog ate my computer. lol
    November 15, 2018 at 9:58PM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

The New Generation finished third in the contest "Family Free Style"

October 11, 2018 at 12:13AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Bacon vs. Popper: 2018 finished first in the contest "Everyone's Wrong About Science"

September 8, 2018 at 12:13AM
    Xia Thornwood: Congratulations. Your entry was very creative.
    September 8, 2018 at 3:59PM
    lyenochka: Congratulations, RFL! Very creative approach!
    September 8, 2018 at 4:22PM
    RFL: Thank you, my friends, for you congratulatory comments. Means a lot to me. Best, RFL
    September 8, 2018 at 6:17PM
    michaelcahill: I knew I should've majored in science. Congrats! :))
    September 9, 2018 at 1:00AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Mel and Morpheus finished second in the contest "first date"

September 4, 2018 at 12:13AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

What does Blind Really Mean? finished third in the contest "Review: Contests and Competition "

August 23, 2018 at 12:13AM
    michaelcahill: You really nailed this problem down cold. A lot of people read all of these, so that's a good thing. Solid ideas and maybe doable too. Great work. :))
    August 23, 2018 at 1:03AM
    RFL: Thank you, Michael. And congratulations to you for the first place finish. Very well-done piece. I love your humor. Best, RFL
    August 23, 2018 at 6:58AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

FanStory Should Pay finished third in the contest "Review Reviewing"

August 1, 2018 at 12:13AM
    michaelcahill: Quite a bit not brought up by others. Well done. Congrats! :))
    August 1, 2018 at 4:06AM
    RFL: Thank you, Michael, for taking the time to write to me. I have sent you a congratulatory message as well re: your first place finish. I am pleased to be in your company. Best, RFL
    August 1, 2018 at 12:28PM

RFL:

Hello Friends,

I find this thought difficult to write so please bear with me. Usually, I get really excited when I win a contest. That is, when I think I have won it on merit. But when I come in at second or third place when there are only two or three entries, respectively, I feel uncomfortable to say the least.

Oh, I can sure use the membership dollars to promote other more worthy works, but I question the rationale for giving ribbons to all entries in a limited entry contest. Perhaps every contest should require at least five entries or not go forward and, of course, refund the other members' entry fees if the minimum number is not reached. Ah, is that the rub? The refund?

Guess I will have to add another recommendation to my piece on Review of Reviewers, although this is not so much about reviewers but about the policies on the site.

Thank you for hearing my concern.

July 24, 2018 at 1:51PM
    Jannypan (Jan) : Some contests recycle so many times, then all of a sudden they are in the booth regardless of how many entries. Even of it states how many must be entered, there are times that won't happen. As far as awarding ribbons to all places 1st through 3rd, that is the common practice & has been debated to the nth degree. There are some 'winner takes all' contests that appear. I don't believe FS will ever change from the 'split' of winners.
    July 24, 2018 at 2:12PM
    RFL: Thank you, Jan, for taking the time to reply to my concerns. Best, RFL
    July 24, 2018 at 3:42PM
    michaelcahill: When the reviewing contest is over, rumour has it they'll be one on "Contests and Competition" ... so, you might have a chance to weigh in there.

    Like Jan says, some of the contests simply don't draw the interest and the site sends them to the booth as is. And, yes, there is the occasional competition where it seems everyone ties. On the whole it works pretty well and there are winner take all.

    Yes, there are flaws, everyone agrees. It was, not too long ago, winner take all ONLY. This was the site's response to many complaints.

    A member may always sponsor their OWN contest and there is leeway as to the terms. I often run a contest for ONLY those who have never won a contest. Well, there are many options. Three bucks to run a contest. :))
    July 24, 2018 at 5:46PM
    nor84: Every member who sponsors a contest has the option to make it 'winner takes all.' All they have to do is make the choice. The default option is, of course, 'blind' and 'split pot.' Site daily prompts, of course, will always be 'split pot.'
    July 24, 2018 at 6:04PM
    RFL: Thanks to all of you who have responded to my concern. I will take all your wisdom into account. Maybe I will sponsor a contest -- TBD.
    July 24, 2018 at 8:35PM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

The Bitch Fight finished third in the contest "Falsely accussed"

July 23, 2018 at 11:10AM

RFL:

Tonight, I wish to highlight and applaud one of my FanStory friends who has gone out of her way to provide me with not only great insights about the politics of this site, but has also gone out of her way to edit a short story I wrote. Her thoughts and edits were beyond helpful, and I will incorporate all those edits and other comments into my story to make it better. What this author did was way above and beyond any recommendation I made in my recent "Review of Reviews". Yet, that piece that I wrote started the correspondence and eventual agreement to read each others work from a reviewer's eye.
So tonight I wish to not only say a public thank you to Phyllis Stewart, but acknowledge her mentoring of a "newbie" as G. has identified my status here.

July 21, 2018 at 4:48PM
    Phyllis Stewart: Thanks, Rona. Glad to help. I'm a retired English/Math teacher, so "marking papers" comes naturally. You don't need much red ink, so your work is a pleasure to read. :)
    July 21, 2018 at 8:00PM

RFL:

The fact that I won the Someone Else contest means a great deal to me. Why? Because the CEC wrote to me that my initial entry was invalid because I wrote about waking up as a golden retriever, and I was clearly told that a dog is not "someone." I may disagree with that assessment, but okay, sometimes I try to obey the rules, and am grateful for the second try.

I also saw that the Butterfly entry was not in the final vote, but guess that was for the same reason. I did think that was a lovely piece.

I couldn't decide what to do, because I had other priorities on my plate for the day. Yet, I decided to write another story, totally different. All of a sudden this idea came to me "out of the blue" about the Beaver Coat.

I said to myself, "I have to do this now while the idea is still percolating in my brain." My husband was gracious enough as he always is to cook dinner while I write. And then he read it for me before I submitted it.

I guess I am trying to make a few points here. First, I am so energized by winning this contest and knowing that other writers thought this was a promising piece.

Second, I do appreciate that I was given a second chance to submit a story that was approved by the CEC.

Third, and maybe this is most important to anyone who wants to write: When you get the idea and the inclination, you need to sit down at your computer, or with pad and pencil (I am not judging) and let your creativity flow.

So that's my message for tonight. Thank you my FanStory friends.

July 13, 2018 at 5:32PM
    CD Richards: Congratulations on the contest win. I happen to agree with your assessment - if I told either of my wonderful canine companions that they are not considered "someones", I'd bet met with howls of derision. Nevertheless, as we know, teacher, the customer and the CEC is always right, so you did the right thing.

    July 13, 2018 at 8:54PM
    CD Richards: * are always right - my bad.
    July 13, 2018 at 8:56PM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

The Beaver Jacket finished first in the contest "Someone Else"

July 13, 2018 at 1:10AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Finding One's Self finished third in the contest "Memories"

June 30, 2018 at 6:10AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Ono, Oh, No! finished second in the contest "Hawaii getaway"

June 28, 2018 at 12:13AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Innocence is Bliss finished second in the contest "Two Children"

June 26, 2018 at 5:10AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Fantasy on the Fourth Floor finished first in the contest "Stuck in an elevator"

June 24, 2018 at 2:10AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

I Miss You, Poppy finished third in the contest "Father's Day contest"

June 21, 2018 at 12:13AM
    Ginnygray: Congratulations Rona!
    June 21, 2018 at 1:08AM
    RFL: Thank you, Ginnygray!
    June 21, 2018 at 7:04AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

My Tenth Year finished second in the contest "Me"

June 17, 2018 at 12:13AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

The Flight finished second in the contest "Dating romance"

June 15, 2018 at 12:13AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

My Seville Abogado finished third in the contest "First Romantic Experience"

June 13, 2018 at 2:10AM
    michaelcahill: This is a gorgeous poem that really transcends this little contest. Top notch writing and an engrossing and authentic tale. Well done and congrats! :))
    June 13, 2018 at 5:07PM
    RFL: Thank you so much, Michael for this lovely note of congratulations. How thoughtful of you!
    June 17, 2018 at 7:54AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Holes in the Wall finished second in the contest ""My Child Would Never Do That""

June 6, 2018 at 7:10PM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Let Them Be finished third in the contest "This Is My Life!"

May 28, 2018 at 5:10AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Damn That Train Whistle finished first in the contest "A Typical Day "

May 28, 2018 at 1:10AM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

Love's Compass finished third in the contest "5-7-5"

May 21, 2018 at 3:10PM
    michaelcahill: A beautiful piece, so thoughtful. Love being a compass to find one's self when lost. Most cool. Congrats. :))
    May 21, 2018 at 3:31PM
    RFL: Thank you so much for understanding. This was actually an ode to my husband who did not know I posted this poem until I read it to him tonight. I am so grateful that he found the compass that would lead me to where I am now. Love to all, Rona
    May 21, 2018 at 9:34PM

RFL:

My husband just came through the door.
He asked me about my afternoon.
I said that my computer was my companion,
Allowing me to open my heart since noon.

He asked if that was all I needed,
A technical device to fill my soul.
I said, "Oh you don't know, do you?"
I have so many friends that make me feel whole.

"Who are they?" he asked really wanting to know.
"Oh," I said, "there is Meia, apky, and Sylva too,
Not to mention jlsavell and Knighteagle, and lynette.
Then there is Sharon and Priscilla, to name a few.

So many friends, so soon, and many I can't name.
You have given me encouragement and love.
Although I may not one day for my writing win fame,
You have helped find in your communication,
A special place where all my writing lies -- a treasure trove.

Thank you all my friends and to FanStory for opening a new chapter in my life.

May 20, 2018 at 6:28PM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

The Escape finished second in the contest "Emotional Dependency"

May 17, 2018 at 1:10AM
    RFL: Thank you fellow (or is that politically incorrect?) reviewers for your support and encouragement. You have given me the encouragement I need to keep writing in this creative venue. I am so enjoying the freedom it allows compared to academic/professional writing.
    May 18, 2018 at 12:52PM

FanStory wrote to RFL:

A Contemporary Miracle finished second in the contest "Overcomer"

May 3, 2018 at 1:10PM