Comment from emrpoems

Excellent

A terrific story told in 100 words. Loved that you left much to the reader's imagination in this one. Could be developed into a longer story

 Comment Written 26-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 27-Mar-2015

Thanks for your interest in this series, Erica. I very much appreciate that, and your complimentary review. It is always a pleasure to hear from you.

Thanks again! ~Dean :}

Comment from giraffmang

Exceptional

Honestly, this petrified me before I read a single word. Dolls really freak me out.

Loved this entry into the book. It is so simple and so chilling.

G

 Comment Written 25-Mar-2015

Comment from evilynne

Excellent

You certainly did tell this in short form; it is still eery even though there is no actual gore in it. As always,the writing is perfect. Evi

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 25-Mar-2015

Thank you for checking this chapter out for me, Evi. I truly appreciate that. You're right, I do try to shy away from putting too much gore in most of my stories. Still, there are times when a little blood just needs to be shed. Thanks again for the excellent feedback. I really appreciate it. :}

~Dean

Comment from Sasha

Excellent

Great work with this one. Terrific illustration too. Most people don't check the contest box and miss out on voting. I usually put a little post-it above my computer to remind me of the day of a contest entry I reviewed. This must have been a blind entry since I missed it completely...sorry, you definitely would have gotten my vote.

 Comment Written 24-Mar-2015

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reply by the author on 24-Mar-2015

No worries, Sasha. I thought it would do much better than it did too, but you never know how the contest voting is gonna pan out. Still, I really appreciate the feedback just the same, my friend. ~Dean

Comment from Trybuck

Excellent

Is that blood trickling from her lips?? Oh no! It isn't your blood is it Dean??

I read a couple of your reviews and I would say don't measure your writing ability by these little contest for they are definitely not a measuring stick.

I know it feels good to win or even come close but it's still not a real guide to one's writing ability.
Well done with your entry, Buck

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2014

Thanks, Buck, and I appreciate that. And that could be my blood on her lips, I'm not sure, LOL.

I was very discouraged by the results of this contest, I'll admit. I felt I had a good concept, and got a lot said in just 100 words. But, the voters felt differently, and I just have to dust myself off and keep on doing the best I can.

That's all any of us can do, right?

Thanks again for you thoughtful comments and review. They are appreciated, my friend. :}

Comment from mikemagine

Excellent

You did it! Got out a great story in 100 words! Very creepy and you could do just about anything with this! Expand it to novella or novel-size story. I give you a virtual six:-)

Great work!

Mike

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2014

Thanks a bunch, Mike. I just wish about four more voters felt as you did. I got trounced in this contest, and my doll has been left broken and bleeding in the corner.

I appreciate your review, and I'm happy you liked the story, at least. :}

reply by mikemagine on 21-Oct-2014

Dean, I just want to affirm you: you're one heck of a writer, to say the least! You know how us humans are:-) We're so often squirrelly in our thinking. Often, we don't even know what we really want!

I've never seen less than great writing from you and I'm sure plenty others feel the same way. And...Stephen King suffered a huge number of rejections before he got an approval.

You might say "Well, I'm not Stephen King." I'd respond "He's not Dean Kuch." Can it really be said, objectively, that King is better than you or anyone else? Where's the real, solid proof???

"57 million Elvis fans can't be wrong." Oh, really?! I'd take Hendrix, Zeppelin, Joplin, Michael Jackson, Nat King Cole, and QUITE a few others over Presley, any day! Isn't LUCK so often the predominant factor, Dean??? It even says so in Ecclesiastes...

Not trying to beat you up, just trying to encourage you and help you be the absolute best you can be!

Peace and God bless!

Mike

reply by the author on 21-Oct-2014

What I don't understand about this website , Mike, is that I'll get 20+ positive reviews, but all after the contest is already over. I'll get several while it's going on, but just four votes? C'mon, people! If it sucks, I want them to tell me it sucks, but also tell me WHY they felt it sucked.

reply by mikemagine on 21-Oct-2014

I'm stumped there, Dean. People think in the strangest ways, sometimes. All I can suggest is talk with someone/s you know real well and get their feedback. Mostly, remember, how the contest went - that does NOT diminish you as a writer!

DON'T give up!!

Mike

Comment from PatVallesMangan

Excellent

Well our author certainly has achieved a lot of story in few words as flash fiction demands. The horror is conveyed and the picture is a perfect match to the story! Now, his partner is not coming home. He's stuck alone with an evil doll! The perils of e-bay! Really enjoyed! perfect for the season!

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Oct-2014

Thanks, Pat. I wish about four more voters had felt the way you did after reading this one. Can you believe that some people even claimed it was confusing? I mean, c'mon, it wasn't too hard to figure out what was happening, was it? I felt it was pretty darn straight forward myself, and I am very pleased to know that you did too.

Thanks so much again for your great review! :}~Dean

reply by PatVallesMangan on 20-Oct-2014

Yes, I do believe. One of my stories was trashed by someone who didn't even read it. It was obvious. It was NOT hard to follow at all and truly enjoyed!

reply by the author on 20-Oct-2014

I'm very happy that you did, my friend. :}

Comment from padumachitta

Excellent

Hey Dean. What a wonderful entry for this, you sure nailed it. The doll is scary. It starts kind of ok, then whacks ya up side the head. The hope, then the casual remark that puts end to it all...
padumachitta

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Oct-2014

Thanks, padu, now if only about four more voters had felt as you did, I'd have a bit more than just 2.36 in funny money sitting in my member dollars account, LOL. I got my butt spanked in this contest, 7-4. It's gotten lots of great reviews after the contest has ended, however, and that always makes me wonder...where were those that liked this so much and just what were they reading while the contest was going on?

Odd...

Thanks so much for your excellent review. Much obliged! :}

~Dean

reply by padumachitta on 21-Oct-2014

Hi. Mmm, I hear ya. I admit Idon't vote as often as I should. It depends on my works schedule. I don't have time to review every entry..I can read them and vote, it would be faster. But I feel bad not writing a review.
Perhaps it is more important to vote than write reviews for them....
'Cause often when the blind can be seen I kick myself for not voting....
Phew...that was long winded:-)
At any raye this buddy of yours, likes raeding your stuff...I'll keep my eye out for the contests in the future
padumachitta

Comment from country ranch writer

Excellent

I'M JEALOUS YOU GOT THREE MORE VOTES THAN ME AND MIKEY TAKES HOME THE PORK CHOPS SO WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE BARREL RACING GOOD NEWS I HOPE?

 Comment Written 19-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 20-Oct-2014

Well, we can't win 'em all, right, country? But it would be nice, wouldn't it, LOL?

She quit barrel racing. The young man that was teaching her was killed by a drunken driver, and after his funeral, she stopped going to the ranch altogether. It broke her heart.

reply by country ranch writer on 20-Oct-2014

I FEEL FOR HER BELIEVE ME I KNOW EXACTLY HOW SHE FEELS IT HAPPENED TO ME YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS ABOUT HER AGE.DRUNK DRIVERS NEVER LEARN.THIS TO WILL PASS BUT LET HER HEAL HERSELF NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE SAY WILL NOT MEND HER BROKEN HEART RIGHT NOW, PATIENCE AND LOVE DAD IS ALL YOU CAN GIVE RIGHT NOW. JUST BE THERE FOR HER.

reply by the author on 20-Oct-2014

I will be, country. You can rest assured of that. :}

Comment from Jackreese

Excellent

This is why I never liked dolls. My mom collected them and displayed them in glass cases where I would insist they were watching my every move. The story you told was creepy and well done for the word count you were allocated.

 Comment Written 19-Oct-2014

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reply by the author on 19-Oct-2014

Thanks, Jack. I really appreciate your kind comments.