Reviews from

Advice to New Fanstorians

Viewing comments for Chapter 6 "Juggling Your Time"
Tips and advice for the new members

33 total reviews 
Comment from scongrove
Excellent
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Thank you for sharing, Rhonda :) Great advice! I've been sharing my stories here since 2014. In the beginning, I had no clue how to write. LOL! I had a story in my head but absolutely no training. I was advised by a friend to start here. I'm so glad I did, too! It took a lot of courage to share my story and believe me; I got hit by a few mean people. But there were more helpful members that truly gave me the time and patience to help improve my writing. I have also learned to grow thick skin. It's hard to get negative feedback, but I believe it helps you along the way to become a better writer. And I admit that some comments almost made me quit writing. Thank goodness for God's loving grace. He kept me going.

Thank you for believing in me!
Sincerely,
Shana :)

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Hi Shana,
    I second the thick skin part! I come and go on that one, lol. I try not to get my feelings hurt when someone is being intentionally mean, but then I just say, thanks for the review, and let it go, lol.

    Thanks so much for the review,
    Rhonda
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
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Thank you for sharing this with us. I know new people to this site will enjoy reading it. I have been here since August of 2008. My FanStory family has helped me become a better author. The best part of this site tis the help given by others but also the support.

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Hi Barbara,
    Thanks for your review and comments, my friend!

    I didn?t realize you?ve been on here that long. You?ve got me beat! I know this site is better for your time and effort.

    Hugs,
    Rhonda
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Excellent
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Thank you for the reminder that we are all people.
This is my third year and it took me far too long to fully understand the reviewing system. At first, I thought we were all complete strangers and I should simply point out errors and move on. I gave no consideration to possible hurt feelings. I wasn't rude, merely a bit too callous. (If I'd misspelled a word, I appreciated having it ponted out: SPAG - ponted (pointed)
Great! My feelings were undamaged. It took a while for me to learn to say: Honey, you write so beautifully, but there is a tiny little correction you may want to make. I'm afraid you have accidentally miss-typed the word pointed.
Now I know that we hear from (hopefully) the same people. I'm lucky 'everyone' didn't block me.
Thank you for your post.

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Hi Wayne. I find you a wonderful reviewer. I know you are going to be honest, and you help me shape my work, but you do it with polite compassion.

    I remember when I was a newbie and one of the best writers on here blocked me. It broke my heart and took another member talking to him to unblock me, and that took years, lol.

    Take care, and thank you for this review and all the others,
    Rhonda
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
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Crikey, Rhonda!!! How on earth do you juggle all that and still write quality stories? I really need to organise myself!! This is the year of mega changes for me!!

I enjoyed reading your advice to newbies, but it's also an eye-opener for me! Lol. I totally agree with this part: 'Good writers are born, great writers have to work for it, and that's what we are here to help you do.'

That is so true! Excellent, my friend. Love and hugs, Sandra xx

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Hi Sandra!
    Thanks for your review!
    We all juggle things to write, sacrificing time, housecleaning, health issues etc.
    Helen, knowing my particular struggles, challenged me to write this chapter!

    Hugs,
    Rhonda
Comment from karenina
Excellent
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FanStory fills a need for those of us who love to write...

Not all begin with even the most basic of ideas what to expect from a writer's site.

Your life balance comments are especially important!

I celebrate all who come at this with the eagerness to soak up the great advice when offered...and not allow some one star reviewer to destroy their esteem.

Some are here as much to make friends as to write.

Bless them!

I urge so newbies to stick it out for a month...

By then they'll begin to be familiar with the site and likely will begin to establish a fan base...

I've been here since 2007.

I wouldn't think of leaving, even as I post less and less.

Great group of people!

Karenina

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Hi Karenina!
    You?ve been on here as long as I can remember, and was probably one of those patient guides I had. You should add a chapter to the book if you haven?t already!
    Hugs,
    Rhonda
reply by karenina on 13-Jan-2024
    I'm planning on it. On Monday... Let's hope the muse cooperates! I do remember you from EONS ago! It pays so stick around, right?

    :)
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    It does pay, and I remember you, too! You were there when I would post two chapters a week, plus some poetry and short stories! I only taught one subject back then, now I have 6. It?s not a time thing, just a creativity sink. I think what I?ve learned here has helped there, too.

    I look forward to your chapter!

    Hugs,
    Rhonda
Comment from royowen
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I think we are born to perhaps write, my educational background was probably well below par, I stumbled on writing by learning a musical instrument in my forties, and wrote lyrics and music, fronted a gospel band, and the occasional poem, but then God led me here. I'm an accidental. But you had a background of writing, and you wrote and write terrific stories. Beautifully written Rhonda, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Roy, you could never consider yourself an accidental! I?m a science, not English, teacher. It?s that love for it that drove us all here.

    Thanks for your review,
    Rhonda
reply by royowen on 13-Jan-2024
    That?s true
Comment from Wendy G
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You are right - one must maintain balance in life, even with the things that bring us pleasure and help us to grow as writers, which we all want to do. Just one quick edit in your piece, if I may. Towards the end " ...or just casual acquittances ..." (acquaintances).
Wendy

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    lol, thank you Wendy. Gotta love auto correct! I?ll fix it at once!

    And thank you for the lovely review,
    Rhonda
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The six stars are for the workload you have, and you still took time to write this praise of Fanstory. I know I actually did most of my writing when I had four kids age 2 to 6 and grew a lot of our food, but I would never have had energy to be a full-time teacher, also. God bless you for all you do to be a good writer and help us here on Fanstory.

 Comment Written 13-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Hi Carol. Thank you for the 6 stars! I?m so pleased at the gift. It really doesn?t matter what one does to stay busy, because busy people are busy people. I?m sure you threw yourself into raising kiddos and needed the writing to complete you. I appreciate your kind words,
    Hugs,
    Rhonda
Comment from Debi Pick Marquette
Excellent
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And me without a six! This was brilliant. I hope and wish that it would be mandatory for every newbie to have to read this book before they can review. The advice that I have read from you and from Helene is priceless. I've seen too many newbies come and go that thought they knew it all and had it all together. Sadly, a lot of them didn't make it very long. So hopefully, by reading these wonderful words of advice it can help them grow into it gradually, and become a part of us that much sooner.

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Hi Debi! I agree they should read it, but I guess, like us most will find out the hard way. I?m glad Helen came up with the idea, and I?ll take the virtual six, sweetheart!

    Much love,
    Rhonda
Comment from Douglas Goff
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This is a great introduction to the site. I started at 54 like you did. But I'm only working on my second year.

I really think this sight is what you make of it. Is it perfect? By no means. But there is so much to glean and gain. I have throughly enjoyed my visit.
D

 Comment Written 12-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Hi Douglas! It has been fun, though it?s had its ups and downs, for sure!