Writing and Contests
Just an observation.60 total reviews
Comment from Carlos' girl
Amen.
This is fun and on point.
Really, if you want to be a good writer, than perfect your craft and don't worry about everybody else.
I do think some shenanigans are going on in general with the contests.
Judith
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Amen.
This is fun and on point.
Really, if you want to be a good writer, than perfect your craft and don't worry about everybody else.
I do think some shenanigans are going on in general with the contests.
Judith
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Judith, thank you for your thoughts. Terry.
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Most welcome
Comment from Gloria ....
Many millions of hours ago, okay I'll admit that might be a bit of an exaggeration but it feels like it sometimes, I entered a 5/7/5 contest. It was about the Canada Goose eating a bunch of junk food left in the park, and then depositing a lot of goose poop on the grass around the lake. My final line was: crappy neighbourhood.
Well, my word! if that didn't start a whole controversy among the membership about me plagiarising President Obama which I can guarantee you I did not. But "they" were having none of it, so they started a contest about me, a new member. Can you imagine it?
The one thing I did learn from that most unpleasant and unwarranted experience was to Google everything I wrote after that to see if what I considered my original idea was in fact original. That is a good lesson for us all because we as writers are expected to deliver original material. Our readers have to trust us, and that means we have done our research. If and when we find plagiarism in our work, even if it is accidental, it is our job to rework the lines because our truthful insight is unique.
My experience has been that 100% of the jokes told to me by family, friends, the church bulletin and pastor were not original, so don't ever go there. This is a writing site where we learn to craft our view of life, and yes that includes jokes, which are incredibly difficult to write.
I think it's important to think of FanStory as a place to melt away envy to lead to the creation of something new. Cynical interpretations of others' motivations are damaging because the fact remains we cannot read minds or the intentions of others even in or especially in defense of a friend we feel has been unfairly attacked.
Thank you for sharing your observations, Terry. This too shall pass.
Gloria
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Many millions of hours ago, okay I'll admit that might be a bit of an exaggeration but it feels like it sometimes, I entered a 5/7/5 contest. It was about the Canada Goose eating a bunch of junk food left in the park, and then depositing a lot of goose poop on the grass around the lake. My final line was: crappy neighbourhood.
Well, my word! if that didn't start a whole controversy among the membership about me plagiarising President Obama which I can guarantee you I did not. But "they" were having none of it, so they started a contest about me, a new member. Can you imagine it?
The one thing I did learn from that most unpleasant and unwarranted experience was to Google everything I wrote after that to see if what I considered my original idea was in fact original. That is a good lesson for us all because we as writers are expected to deliver original material. Our readers have to trust us, and that means we have done our research. If and when we find plagiarism in our work, even if it is accidental, it is our job to rework the lines because our truthful insight is unique.
My experience has been that 100% of the jokes told to me by family, friends, the church bulletin and pastor were not original, so don't ever go there. This is a writing site where we learn to craft our view of life, and yes that includes jokes, which are incredibly difficult to write.
I think it's important to think of FanStory as a place to melt away envy to lead to the creation of something new. Cynical interpretations of others' motivations are damaging because the fact remains we cannot read minds or the intentions of others even in or especially in defense of a friend we feel has been unfairly attacked.
Thank you for sharing your observations, Terry. This too shall pass.
Gloria
Comment Written 03-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Gloria, thank you for commenting. Terry.
Comment from pome lover
hmm, I haven't seen that, meaning the ugly criticism, though I have gotten a couple of totally unwarranted (smile) 4s from newcomers to FS.
I confess, however, to being a contest junkie. I just can't keep up with the points needed to enter and so when I have written some "stupendous" :)
entry I have to fork over the dear old dinero. ugh.
Anyway congratulations on this piece winnig All Time Best.
Katharine
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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hmm, I haven't seen that, meaning the ugly criticism, though I have gotten a couple of totally unwarranted (smile) 4s from newcomers to FS.
I confess, however, to being a contest junkie. I just can't keep up with the points needed to enter and so when I have written some "stupendous" :)
entry I have to fork over the dear old dinero. ugh.
Anyway congratulations on this piece winnig All Time Best.
Katharine
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Katharine, thank you. Terry.
Comment from Nicki Nance
This just made me happy. I have only been here since late November, and I a few of our fellow writers have tried to snack on me. I hope my dismissals tasted like vinegar. Now you have enlightened me, and I will be sure to stop and smell the testosterone. Thanks for a great read.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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This just made me happy. I have only been here since late November, and I a few of our fellow writers have tried to snack on me. I hope my dismissals tasted like vinegar. Now you have enlightened me, and I will be sure to stop and smell the testosterone. Thanks for a great read.
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Nicki, hang in there! Terry.
Comment from Spitfire
The ending cracked me up, Terry. I don't follow or vote for the contests you are talking about. Maybe I should. Sounds like high drama. I wonder about the IQ of some FS members!
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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The ending cracked me up, Terry. I don't follow or vote for the contests you are talking about. Maybe I should. Sounds like high drama. I wonder about the IQ of some FS members!
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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I am glad I made you laugh... that was also one the points. Terry.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is very good and quite amusing. Now I know where the 2s come from. You can write only a few words and still make your point in an ironic way that should make the culprits feel stupid.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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This is very good and quite amusing. Now I know where the 2s come from. You can write only a few words and still make your point in an ironic way that should make the culprits feel stupid.
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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LOL, thanks, Carol. Terry.
Comment from Paul McFarland
That's a good one, Terry. If I remember correctly, you had a piece earlier about contests. I love your last two observations. I was going to criticize your first observation, but I thought it might piss you off.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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That's a good one, Terry. If I remember correctly, you had a piece earlier about contests. I love your last two observations. I was going to criticize your first observation, but I thought it might piss you off.
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Paul, LOL, Terry.
Comment from mrsmajor
Well...that was an interesting post, and I do agree with some of your ideas...Actually, although I've been on this site since 2004, I don't enter many contests. I do enter a contest when the subject is something I care about, and by entering I might get some reviews that really mean something to me.
It's the reviews that I want, maybe some real comments on form, as well as substance...
I've been around long enough to recognize the writings of some here, and I notice that there are times when it's difficult to really choose a winner, many writers are good at what they do, and they often get the reviews, and win.
I just hope that those that don't win do not begin to question their own ability.
I've seen some of the best technical writers get few votes simply because of the subject matter of a contest... I just don't think winning a contest is more important then getting worth while reviews...It was the reviews that helped me be the best I could..and still get better..
Your post had a bit of humor to it, I enjoyed that...thanks for sharing...
Warmly,
Victoria
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Well...that was an interesting post, and I do agree with some of your ideas...Actually, although I've been on this site since 2004, I don't enter many contests. I do enter a contest when the subject is something I care about, and by entering I might get some reviews that really mean something to me.
It's the reviews that I want, maybe some real comments on form, as well as substance...
I've been around long enough to recognize the writings of some here, and I notice that there are times when it's difficult to really choose a winner, many writers are good at what they do, and they often get the reviews, and win.
I just hope that those that don't win do not begin to question their own ability.
I've seen some of the best technical writers get few votes simply because of the subject matter of a contest... I just don't think winning a contest is more important then getting worth while reviews...It was the reviews that helped me be the best I could..and still get better..
Your post had a bit of humor to it, I enjoyed that...thanks for sharing...
Warmly,
Victoria
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Victoria, thanks for the comments...I am glad you enjoyed the humor. Terry.
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You're welcome, Terry,
it was indeed my pleasure!
Comment from Jasmine Girl
Please don't retire from writing. You can always write. We have a 98 year old poet here at Fanstory. It looks like you will win the write of the month for this story. Congratulations.
Well done.
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Please don't retire from writing. You can always write. We have a 98 year old poet here at Fanstory. It looks like you will win the write of the month for this story. Congratulations.
Well done.
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 03-Mar-2023
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Thank you, I do read and love Jaybird. Terry.
Comment from jessizero
This was a very interesting piece, and I think you have a great point. I don't know why anyone would tear down others to try to build up themselves. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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This was a very interesting piece, and I think you have a great point. I don't know why anyone would tear down others to try to build up themselves. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
Comment Written 02-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 02-Mar-2023
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Jessi, thank you for your thoughts. Terry.
