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 lyenochka
Thank you for contributing to this book, Sandra! Your successful publishing experience is bound to encourage the new members here. I also liked how carefully you advised about the rating. Informative and helpful post!
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you for contributing to this book, Sandra! Your successful publishing experience is bound to encourage the new members here. I also liked how carefully you advised about the rating. Informative and helpful post!
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you, dear Helen. I'm so glad you think it is helpful. You never know when writing if you come across a bit of a know-it-all. :) Sending a warm hug, my dear friend. :) Sandra xx
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Warm hugs back! So thankful you're here. You're the ideal Fanstorian and you show us the way!
Comment from aryr
Very wise words that you chose, Sandra. I would call this very wise words that you said. This is because you all said that was very wise words. They were just that. Blessings, smiles n hugs!!!
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Very wise words that you chose, Sandra. I would call this very wise words that you said. This is because you all said that was very wise words. They were just that. Blessings, smiles n hugs!!!
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Alie. I'm glad you thought them wise words. My new chapter will be out tomorrow, (At last!!!) Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xx
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You are so very welcome, Sandra. Can't wait to the next chapter.
Comment from royowen
You are right Sandra, one has to realise that some writers may not be award winners, but they are sharing their hearts with their peers, I've learnt to be gentle, I'm amazed how people with English as a second language have improved so much you wouldn't realise it was a second language, language propensity is so subtle, thanks for this, you're a lovely person Sandra, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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You are right Sandra, one has to realise that some writers may not be award winners, but they are sharing their hearts with their peers, I've learnt to be gentle, I'm amazed how people with English as a second language have improved so much you wouldn't realise it was a second language, language propensity is so subtle, thanks for this, you're a lovely person Sandra, blessings Roy
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Yes, Ulla is one of those who write in English even though it is her second language, or third. How I wish I could speak another language fluently. I can speak Spanish, but only enough to get me by.
So many people don't realise that when they critisise in a harsh way, they are destroying that poor writers hopes of ever achieveing
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Yes, Ulla is one of those who write in English even though it is her second language, or third. How I wish I could speak another language fluently. I can speak Spanish, but only enough to get me by.
So many people don't realise that when they criticise in a harsh way, they are destroying that poor writers hopes of ever achieving their dreams. Thank you, Roy, for your thoughtful comments. You're a lovely person too, my dear friend!! :)) Sandra xxx
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I learnt from my wife who is a language teacher, speaks 4 languages even though she?s a 4 gen Australian,
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4 languages?? How wonderful is that!! She must be so clever. I do admire people who can switch languages without thinking about it. I wish I could. So, did she teach you another language?
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She still teaches French to retirees, speaks German fluently, she studied in Switzerland, Indonesian well, has an unfinished masters studying Geotha, she corrects some of my poor grammar, but more than that, she?s a wonderful wife, mum, grandmum, a friend, friend to refugee women a mentor, she loves the Lord. I?m so lucky, but she knows nothing of publishing, heh heh. But you are so, so clever yourself Sandra,
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'm not in your lovely wife's league, Roy. I just had a glimps of her when we had that face chat. I enjoyed that. We must do it again. xxxx
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PM me on the prep of the book please Sandra, bless you
Comment from mermaids
I have been here since 2009 and I agree, Fanstory is a wonderful site. I also agree with your points about reviewing. I try to focus on what I like about a poem or prose writing. The suggestions I have received over the years have definitely contributed to my writing skills. Excellent advice here for the reader.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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I have been here since 2009 and I agree, Fanstory is a wonderful site. I also agree with your points about reviewing. I try to focus on what I like about a poem or prose writing. The suggestions I have received over the years have definitely contributed to my writing skills. Excellent advice here for the reader.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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It is so much better to take in the advice given, so long as it's good advice, than stomping off. We have the opportunity to learn so much on here, and I will always grab free advice whenever possible! Thanks so much for reading, and your nice comments. I really appreciate them. Warmest hugs, my friend. Sandra xx
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
I am supposed to write one too. I told Helen I would write a cautionary tell. Listing my mistakes. and my solutions. She liked it, since I told her I had made plenty of gaffs. If you can't laugh at your mistakes, what can you laugh at? I have been writing again.
Karen
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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I am supposed to write one too. I told Helen I would write a cautionary tell. Listing my mistakes. and my solutions. She liked it, since I told her I had made plenty of gaffs. If you can't laugh at your mistakes, what can you laugh at? I have been writing again.
Karen
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thanks, Karen! You really do have to laugh at your own mistakes, it's a lot easier that way! LOL. Warm hugs, my friend. Sandra xxx
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I will make my long list of errors soon. Karen :-)
Comment from lancellot
This is interesting Sandra, but I think it shouldn't be for Newbies. Most newbies are more honest than the vets. Many of the older members give phony praise reviews, review only for cash, give only five stars when they absolutely know the poor excuse for a script, story, or poem has no context, little content, full of SPAG and the writer never tries to improve nor cares to.
-Read what the other reviewers say. No, I have to disagree here. You should not be influenced by other reviewers. Stay true to your reading. Most other reviews on FanStory are fake, praise only, and have just enough lines to satisfy the requirement.
I would also caution about all the: must, better to say: should.
Whatever it is, please remember the work you are reviewing is someone's baby, they worked hard on it and deserve some respect.
- I must interject here again. This is not always the case, and more than often not even close. Many do not work hard (why should they, when their friends will give a five or six anyway) Many are here for other reasons than art or to improve. Some have outright stated that in their notes and profiles.
-Most six-star reviews on FS are not given based on merit but name and to friends. Many outright state this in their reviews, that they save their sixes for their friends. And it's the friendship element that leads to many biased reviews.
In any real-world contest, you would never be judged by your friends (those you have a relationship with)
You state some good things here, especially in the first paragraph, but I think you do not want to hurt feelings so this skews a bit.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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This is interesting Sandra, but I think it shouldn't be for Newbies. Most newbies are more honest than the vets. Many of the older members give phony praise reviews, review only for cash, give only five stars when they absolutely know the poor excuse for a script, story, or poem has no context, little content, full of SPAG and the writer never tries to improve nor cares to.
-Read what the other reviewers say. No, I have to disagree here. You should not be influenced by other reviewers. Stay true to your reading. Most other reviews on FanStory are fake, praise only, and have just enough lines to satisfy the requirement.
I would also caution about all the: must, better to say: should.
Whatever it is, please remember the work you are reviewing is someone's baby, they worked hard on it and deserve some respect.
- I must interject here again. This is not always the case, and more than often not even close. Many do not work hard (why should they, when their friends will give a five or six anyway) Many are here for other reasons than art or to improve. Some have outright stated that in their notes and profiles.
-Most six-star reviews on FS are not given based on merit but name and to friends. Many outright state this in their reviews, that they save their sixes for their friends. And it's the friendship element that leads to many biased reviews.
In any real-world contest, you would never be judged by your friends (those you have a relationship with)
You state some good things here, especially in the first paragraph, but I think you do not want to hurt feelings so this skews a bit.
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Hi Lance, I've finally got to your review, but you already know what I'm going to say, I think, if you read my PM. I do agree that in the real world it would be virtually impossible to win a contest, not with the judges and experieneced authors around the world entering. I know, I've tried. I did win a poetry contest once, long ago, and was asked to recite it for the winners CD, which is now probably out of date. Thanks for reading and giving me your thoughts on this piece. Warm hugs, Sandra xx
Comment from John Ciarmello
This is great advice, Sandra, and right to the point.
A 12-year record is pretty impressive, so everyone should take your advice. It's a beautiful community of peeps, and as time passed, we all learned about each other and made it a point to absorb what was taught and what was suggested.
I'm not sure I'll be here for twelve years, but that's just my pessimism kicking in! Lol. Let's just say I'm optimistic that I can control my pessimism so it's possible! :) Best. JohnC
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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This is great advice, Sandra, and right to the point.
A 12-year record is pretty impressive, so everyone should take your advice. It's a beautiful community of peeps, and as time passed, we all learned about each other and made it a point to absorb what was taught and what was suggested.
I'm not sure I'll be here for twelve years, but that's just my pessimism kicking in! Lol. Let's just say I'm optimistic that I can control my pessimism so it's possible! :) Best. JohnC
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you, John. I am so glad I found this site, it helped me realise a childhood dream, and on top of that, the bonus is making so many lovely friends along the way. You included. You only have another 10 years to go to have been here 12 years! This month is your 2nd anniversary at FS. Congratulaitions! Warmest hugs, my friend. :) Sandra xx
Comment from Sally Law
A wonderful and encouraging post on FanStory reviewing and the strong community of support we have here. I appreciate your honest comments about how far you've come.
I quite agree, there's nothing like a completed book, whether it's on here or published. I always celebrate. I just published my seventh book with Amazon Books in December. I'm getting ready for The Foundation Fighting Blindness Fundraiser in the spring.
Good to see you, my friend. I trust you're feeling better! Love & Blessings,
Sal xoxo
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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A wonderful and encouraging post on FanStory reviewing and the strong community of support we have here. I appreciate your honest comments about how far you've come.
I quite agree, there's nothing like a completed book, whether it's on here or published. I always celebrate. I just published my seventh book with Amazon Books in December. I'm getting ready for The Foundation Fighting Blindness Fundraiser in the spring.
Good to see you, my friend. I trust you're feeling better! Love & Blessings,
Sal xoxo
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Hi Sal, thank you for reading my post. It took me ages to get used to navigate the system when I first joined.
What is involved when it comes to fundraising you are getting ready for? I admire anyone who joins any fundraising for such worthwhile charities. I don't know about in America, but they don't get enough government funding here in the UK, most rely on fundraising.
I went through your portfolio yesterday, looking for the first book in your series. I want to start at the beginning, where we get to meet the characters for the first time and get to know them. But I couldn't find it so I went onto Amazon and bought it. I'll read it once I've finished the book I'm reading at the moment.
Thank you again, my friend, and thank you so much for all your prayers while I was so ill in hospital, I know they worked! Love and hugs, Sandra xx
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Thank you, Sandra. I give away autographed books at my local Foundation Fighting Blindness fundraiser every year. We raise money to findcures for genetic blindness like I have. I have a rare case of retinitis pigmentosa. I also havethree Audible books and give out coupons for a free book to those who he was ve as n Audible app.
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Sorry. Anyway, it's coming up here in April, I believe. I have a new book just outfor my blind friend's,so I'm really excited. Blessings,
Sal XOs
Comment from Sugarray77
Well said, Sandra! Thank you for your wise words and encouragement. Your explanation of the rating system was accurate and will be helpful to newbies. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Melissa
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Well said, Sandra! Thank you for your wise words and encouragement. Your explanation of the rating system was accurate and will be helpful to newbies. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Melissa
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Melissa! I sincerely hope it will help newbies, especially on the ratings. Many have had a rough time from the person they reviewed because they gave a 4 and not the 5. Thanks for your lovely comments, my friend. Warmest hugs, Sandra xx
Comment from Rosemary Everson1
I do wish we're given more sixes but I know that's impossible. I run out of them before I even get to Sunday.
We have several wonderful writers on here, who deserve lots of respect.
I have installed the Grammarly icon so I catch my errors but not every one of them.
Suggestions? 2nd paragraph, get or given?
6th paragraph, two of "the" in the sentence
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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I do wish we're given more sixes but I know that's impossible. I run out of them before I even get to Sunday.
We have several wonderful writers on here, who deserve lots of respect.
I have installed the Grammarly icon so I catch my errors but not every one of them.
Suggestions? 2nd paragraph, get or given?
6th paragraph, two of "the" in the sentence
Comment Written 12-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
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Thank you so very much for reading this, and more thanks for pointing out those errors, Rosemary. I read it through so many times, just in case, and I guess in the end my brain got fed-up and told me it was perfect!! Lol.
I tried Grammarly once, but everytime I tried to get it to apply UK Spelling, it reverted to American. I even got in touch with them, and it still did it. Although we say the same things, the spelling of the words are at times quite different, and some meanings are different too. I can see the advantages of installing it if it uses your own countries language.
Thanks again, dear friend. Warmest hugs, Sandra xxx
