Advice to New Fanstorians
Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "A Few Tips for Newbies."Tips and advice for the new members
57 total reviews
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
You are so right, there is nothing better than holding your book in your hands. I did that several years ago, three times, but I needed Fanstory to get my brain recharged. You have a point about people not wanting to get below a five and I have trouble giving below a five, but I think a lower number with an explanation is probably most helpful. Thanks for helping me better understand the system.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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You are so right, there is nothing better than holding your book in your hands. I did that several years ago, three times, but I needed Fanstory to get my brain recharged. You have a point about people not wanting to get below a five and I have trouble giving below a five, but I think a lower number with an explanation is probably most helpful. Thanks for helping me better understand the system.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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I know what you mean about Fanstory recharging the brain, it really does help. I don't know how I would get on if I'd not found this site. I do know I would never have become a published author. I will have to check yours out. What are the titles? Thank you for your lovely comments, my friend, I appreciate them a lot. Warmest hugs, Sandra xx
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They were published in the eighties. Not popular fiction but rather a book of Lenten plays for churches called, "You are the Christ", a book of things to do as a church camp counselor, several short stories for church Sunday School booklets, and a short story for Spider, a children's magazine who then sold it to four states for testing programs (and they paid half of what they got on each sale to me.) Can you believe a children's story that earned almost $2000? Anyway, after that my husband and I started rehabbing six older houses and had four teens in the house and life was too much to write, so I got out of the habit until I found Fanstory during the lockdown.
Comment from Wendy G
These days I tend to not rate if it merits less than a five. Many times I have spent a very long time reviewing, and offered suggestions with respect, only to find them ignored, even simple edits like removing those annoying character gremlins. However, your advice is good, and we all need to humbly accept that our writing can always be improved. We're all here to learn. On the other hand our writing is unique and individual and that should be respected as well. ell said.
Wendy
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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These days I tend to not rate if it merits less than a five. Many times I have spent a very long time reviewing, and offered suggestions with respect, only to find them ignored, even simple edits like removing those annoying character gremlins. However, your advice is good, and we all need to humbly accept that our writing can always be improved. We're all here to learn. On the other hand our writing is unique and individual and that should be respected as well. ell said.
Wendy
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Wendy. Your comments about trying to help someone improve, only to be ignored, has been said a few times on here. I've had it myself. I tend not to review them again. Thank you for reading my thoughts on help for newbies. I really appreciate it. Warmest hugs, my friend. :)) Sandra xx
Comment from Cindy Warren
That's good advice. I was a newbie once. I've had people block me for giving them less than a five. Not everything can be a five. Sometimes it's clearly rushed and full of spag. I've learned to skip if it really needs a lot of work.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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That's good advice. I was a newbie once. I've had people block me for giving them less than a five. Not everything can be a five. Sometimes it's clearly rushed and full of spag. I've learned to skip if it really needs a lot of work.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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That is awful! I'm afraid some people believe they are perfect. You didn't lose anything, Cindy, you don't need those in your writing journey. Skip is good. Thanks for reading this, my friend, and sharing your story. Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xxx
Comment from rwilliam
Very well written my friend. Everything you said is true.
I personally like the compliment-suggestion-end with a compliment- way to review. If people are a little thin skinned at first ( as we all are I'm sure). This approach makes hearing a not so great critique easier to take and keeps the person from shutting down.
Great writing.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Very well written my friend. Everything you said is true.
I personally like the compliment-suggestion-end with a compliment- way to review. If people are a little thin skinned at first ( as we all are I'm sure). This approach makes hearing a not so great critique easier to take and keeps the person from shutting down.
Great writing.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Hi Rebekka! Thank you for reading this and for your nice comments. It is so silly that people will block a reviewer for giving a four and constructive advice. I'm afraid those people believe their work is perfect as it is. But some do come round and realise they were only being helped. Thank you for agreeing with what I had to say. Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xxx
Comment from Pam (respa)
This was a real treat when I logged on to FanStory and saw your name in my message box, Sandra. I liked your choice of artwork and enjoyed reading your advice. You haven't missed a beat with your writing and the advice is genuine and makes sense.
I like your introduction about giving background of when you joined the site. It is helpful for new members to know they aren't alone in what they might be experiencing. You are also very encouraging about what they can accomplish and how others on the site can help. Excellent advice about the rating system and how they can change a rating if the writer says they have made changes. I also like how you remind them that people are putting themselves out there when they write, and it is important to be aware of that.
Very good concluding paragraphs. It has made my whole day seeing you on the site and writing, my friend.
What a ego boost [an ego boost]
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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This was a real treat when I logged on to FanStory and saw your name in my message box, Sandra. I liked your choice of artwork and enjoyed reading your advice. You haven't missed a beat with your writing and the advice is genuine and makes sense.
I like your introduction about giving background of when you joined the site. It is helpful for new members to know they aren't alone in what they might be experiencing. You are also very encouraging about what they can accomplish and how others on the site can help. Excellent advice about the rating system and how they can change a rating if the writer says they have made changes. I also like how you remind them that people are putting themselves out there when they write, and it is important to be aware of that.
Very good concluding paragraphs. It has made my whole day seeing you on the site and writing, my friend.
What a ego boost [an ego boost]
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Hi Pam, you have no idea how I've missed being here with you and everyone else. I missed it so much. But at the same time my head wasn't in writing mode, I couldn't even reply to the lovely messages I had, and the poems, it was an experience to learn how many of your cared about how I was getting on. But, I'm back!!
I'm so glad you liked my peice on helping newbies. It took me a long time befoe I got it right. I'm glad you're pleased I'm back, that is so heartwarming. Bless your heart, my friend. And the sixth star! What a lovely bonus! Thank you, oh, and a big hug for finding that error! I've corrected it now. I'm looking foward to your post tomorrow. Love you lots, dear friend. Sandra xxx
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You are very welcome, and I know it was hard for you not to be here, and I missed you terribly. On the other side of the coin, you are better, and you get to see what we were doing here. It was heartwarming and made us feel we were helping you in the only way we knew to do. Write our feelings. I liked your piece for newbies very much, and you've still got your style. You are very welcome and deserving for the stars and review. Have a great day and weekend, too!
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Sandra, you've done an excellent job of imparting your thoughts and advice to the Newbies on this site. I wish I had such a book to follow so I wouldn't have made some of the mistakes I did.
It really is a fun site, and sometimes you just have to become honest with yourself.
Hugs,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Sandra, you've done an excellent job of imparting your thoughts and advice to the Newbies on this site. I wish I had such a book to follow so I wouldn't have made some of the mistakes I did.
It really is a fun site, and sometimes you just have to become honest with yourself.
Hugs,
Rhonda
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you, dear Rhonda! It took me a long time to navigate the site, and I made some big mistake as well. But the benifits were more than worth it. Can't wait for your next chapter! Warm hugs, my friend. Sandra xxx
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
This is an excellent piece of advice here for newbies especially regarding the rating system which I still feel should be better clarified at the start by the site owners because harsh ratings can do untold damage to morale and motivation. I can't pretend that I don't see the downfalls here but at the same time, like you, it has been a great adventure with lots of lovely friends on board and I wouldn't have missed this opportunity for the world. Thanks again, Sandra, and I hope you're now fully recovered and feeling a lot stronger. Small edit: There is no other feeling a(s) good as.. My best wishes Debbie
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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This is an excellent piece of advice here for newbies especially regarding the rating system which I still feel should be better clarified at the start by the site owners because harsh ratings can do untold damage to morale and motivation. I can't pretend that I don't see the downfalls here but at the same time, like you, it has been a great adventure with lots of lovely friends on board and I wouldn't have missed this opportunity for the world. Thanks again, Sandra, and I hope you're now fully recovered and feeling a lot stronger. Small edit: There is no other feeling a(s) good as.. My best wishes Debbie
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much, Debbie. I'm glad you thought my comments on the rating system was valid. I know how easily it can upset people. When I first joined Fanstory the ratings were followed properly, and no one got upset. But it's different now.
Yes, I'm feeling so much better now that I'm home and can rest properly. Hospital is not the most restful place to be in! Oh, and thank you so much for finding that error, I've corrected it now. Warm hugs, my friend. Sandra xx
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A pleasure!
Comment from Chloe Lynn
Thank you for that chapter. It was a really big help for me. I am most definitely a newbie here at Fanstory. There were some excellent points in the chapter that gave me new understanding like how to rate other authors and such. Thank you! Keep writing.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you for that chapter. It was a really big help for me. I am most definitely a newbie here at Fanstory. There were some excellent points in the chapter that gave me new understanding like how to rate other authors and such. Thank you! Keep writing.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Hi Chloe, thank you for reading this, I really hope it does help you and other newbies. I read your story this morning, and thought it was really good. It will make a good book for teens. (and old teens) Warm hugs, my friend. Sandra xx
Comment from BethShelby
This is really good Sandra. This is encouaging and will make new writer aware they have joined the right site. Some of us have made suggestions about dealing with things that discourage new writers but you have made them see it as a positive experience. I hope you are getting much better and will have a healthy year ahead.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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This is really good Sandra. This is encouaging and will make new writer aware they have joined the right site. Some of us have made suggestions about dealing with things that discourage new writers but you have made them see it as a positive experience. I hope you are getting much better and will have a healthy year ahead.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Beth, I think we lose some newbies when they get a harsh reply for handing out a 4. Poor things. I'm glad you liked my thoughts on reviewing.
Yes, I'm doing so much better now that I'm home with my husband, or should I say, my umm guard? I'm not allowed to overdo it, he is taking what the doctor said to me to a new level! Lol. Bless him. Thank you, dear friend. Warmest hugs, Sandra xx
Comment from Ric Myworld
If it weren't for a couple people who shared information and helped me along, I was about to quit and give up my first week on the site. One of them was Gayle (Showboat-who owned G&J Publishers who printed most of FanStorian's books). She asked me to add a chapter to her multi-book, which scared me to death. I barely knew a noun from a verb. But not wanting to turn her down, I wrote "Reasons to do the Write Thing." I'd be afraid to go back and read it now. But those like you who take time to offer advice and encouragement can make all the difference. Thanks for being the adorable you and sharing your knowledge and experience.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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If it weren't for a couple people who shared information and helped me along, I was about to quit and give up my first week on the site. One of them was Gayle (Showboat-who owned G&J Publishers who printed most of FanStorian's books). She asked me to add a chapter to her multi-book, which scared me to death. I barely knew a noun from a verb. But not wanting to turn her down, I wrote "Reasons to do the Write Thing." I'd be afraid to go back and read it now. But those like you who take time to offer advice and encouragement can make all the difference. Thanks for being the adorable you and sharing your knowledge and experience.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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It's easy to quit, and so much harder to lift your chin and learn from those with good advice. I remember Gale, it's a shame we lost her. Did she just leave? It wasn't something... worse?
I'll go searching your portfolio now to see if I can find that piece you wrote for her. I can't imagine you being scared to death. :)) Thanks for reading this, my dear, sweet friend. Love and hugs. Sandra xxx
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Gayle died of cancer. I?m not sure you want to read that Reasons to do the Write Thing post. I was new to writing. LOL. Hope you?re almost back to 100%!!!!!
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I didn't know that. I'm sorry, Ric.
I'm doing good, it won't be long before I'll be swimming the Atlantic Ocean, and then put on my running shoes to come and have a cuppa tea with you!! Lol. 😂🥰xxx
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I can't think of anything I'd like better than sharing a cuppa tea with you or a dip in the Atlantic. :-)
