Comment from Mary Wakeford

Excellent

So this is very well written, and not knowing any of the backstory that was mentioned, I'm slightly intrigued by it all. Now I understand why I can't win a damn contest!! I'm fairly new (Feb 2016) and can only speak from my own perspective and experience. Sure, I've noticed a few slight inequities having mostly to do with givers vs. takers, but I do enjoy my time here and have learned so much. I hope to learn more and better hone my writing. I applaud your honesty and loyalty and can't wait to learn who's hot...(tongue in cheek)! Loved it! I hope your fans vote you for a win if they figure out who you are by your style of write!

 Comment Written 01-Jun-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Hi, Mary
I'm so pleased to hear you've had a positive experience. It is a great place and MOST of the people here are wonderful. It's just a few. You're a good writer, you will win contests. It seems like you never will then one day you do, then you do the next day too. It's not really all that rigged, I'm exaggerating, I do that and make all kinds of noise. HAHAHA! My grammar school teachers said I talked too much and didn't pay attention. :))
Thanks so much. Yeah, I hope they can figure it out too. Darn rigged contests!!!! :))

Comment from MissMerri

Excellent

I thought this was definitely well-written and singularly entertaining in places. Also a bit disturbing in others. Example: "This collection of individuals is sorely lacking in honor in general. You may add courage, honesty and integrity to the list, while we are at it." I can tell you are not happy with much of FanStory's population, but this seemed like such a blanket statement, as if ALL were included, yet I don't think you actually believe that this applies to everyone here. (Later you write: "I have people here I love and admire, lots of them. Most of the people here are fine, decent people who are here for the right reason." So I think I'll go with that.) Most are compassionate and honest and honorable.

I'm not sure why you spelled colorful with a 'u' in it. Is that what you meant? And... being picky, I think you forgot the apostrophe in this line: "You see your friends (friend's) name being dragged through the mud," But... for such a long write, I thought the editing was superior. There was very little to correct.

I think this is a most interesting contest, and I do plan to vote, if I can figure out when the booth is open. I agree with you about contests... more people should take the time to vote. The Golden Rule would be a good rule for all of us, all the time... not just on FanStory.

Thanks for spouting off. You've certainly given me much to think about.

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Hi, Merri
Jeesh. Did I answer your message? Boy oh boy, I hope so. I've been so buried and unorganized, something tells me I haven't yet. Jeesh. I'm exaggerating a bit here I guess to make some noise and wake up the sleeping.
Of course this is directed at a select few and for sure, the vast majority of the folks here are wonderful.
I guess that's what has got me going. These few are making it difficult for all of us to enjoy what we enjoy doing.
Oh, I've been adding the "U" in some words 'cause I like the way it looks better than our American spelling. I like pyjamas better too. LOL
The golden rule always applies as you've pointed out. Boy, if we all followed that across the board, the world would be a paradise. Thanks so much. :))

reply by MissMerri on 03-Jun-2016

Wellllll... I certainly know what it feels like to be buried and unorganized but have difficulty seeing you in that way. I hope things look better soon. Thanks for responding. ;-)

reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

You should have seen me last year. I was the absolute worst on the site. I'm better this year. :)) It's the first New Years Resolution I've ever followed through on. LOL

Comment from nor84

Exceptional

Well, I can tell who wrote this one, I think. Will check the guy's portfolio to be sure. I have to say I agree 100% up to the giving up part. Nope. I'm still going to turn in cheaters. I'm not leaving, but I've recognized by not reviewing anymore, I'm part of the problem. That's changing as of today. I WILL review. I WILL give something the stars it deserves, from 3 to 6, and I WILL report any snarky responses to those reviews, not to mention anyone stupid enough to give me a revenge review.

Thanks for stirring the pot.

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Yep, you just may be right. There's those with a big mouth and those with a BIG MOUTH. LOL
I've got to get on the stick myself. I read a nice piece in this same contest and I'm pretty sure I know the author of that one as well. I think between the two of these is the answer. I guess we'll both be getting to work. :))
Thanks so much!

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Ha, this is quite an entertaining read. Personally I think the name should be changed to FanWars or WOSC, Wars of Story Craft. Then everyone would know enough to create their teams and attack the "enemy". It might be kind of fun.

Of course people who claim the rankings don't mean anything to them get excited about rankings. Yeeesh. That's a dodge maneuver basic. You pretend the ball is over there ------> and when people chase it over there, you get your slam dunk.

Yep, the whole damn things (thing's) a pyramid scam.

Geeeeze would people actually pay real money to buy another account on another device just to win contests? I guess that's addiction for ya. LMFAO.

Well see, there you go. You've already started writing the rule book of FanWars.

Rule #1
Sending private messages, bad-mouthing fellow members is perfectly legal activity here at FanWars.


Rule #2
You can strip down naked, Skype each ... ;-)

Not much we can do about it if people want to conspire behind our backs to undermine us. Of course when FanWars is introduced undermining competitors would be done out in the open. That way the other person can return the favour and also demand proof of "said accusations".

You approve of plagiarism? Lifting things off the internet and entering them verbatim is okay with you?

You gotta admit it would make the game move a lot faster. I've seen quite a bit of joke copying and the practice seems to escalate when nothing is done. In FanWars it won't be allowed though. Moreover, if a person on the opposing team catches the plagiarist said guilty party has to write 100 reviews for free without receiving a single cent or any of the other goodies.

I don't bitch (too much) about the member created contests, I rarely enter and only into those very few that I admire and want to keep my nose to the grindstone learning a form or those contests that support a cause. Sadly, that number is now nil.

Haaaaa, good job with this. I hope lots of people read and post their own thoughts.

FanWars is a good idea though, isn't it? Then at least you'd know where the shots were coming from and could shoot back with impunity.

Gratuitous use if (of) the F word. Love that extra warning.

Fun post author. I look forward to reading the other contestants offerings and I shall of course vote for the I one I THINK is the best.

Gloria

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

FanWars would be entertaining. I would fare well, though I'd tire of it I'm sure as would anyone who actually wanted to write something of note. But I'd love a week of all out warfare with the gloves off. That would be sweet.
Having shot my big mouth off, I've come to the conclusion that I'm just going to kick back and see if any one gets inspired to do something. HAHAHA!
I'm hoping for FanWars. That would be fun. Short of that, a double Black Russian or two will do fine.

Comment from GeraldS

Excellent

Your writing is fine. But I honestly don't know what to make of the narrative or sentiment expressed.

Personally I think a lot of people on this site expect too much. They pay their membership fee and humbly post their creations expecting homage that might be due to a Hemingway or a Steinbeck.

The people who have been on the site for a while and fancy themselves as professional writers decry "fluff" reviews and the reviewers who regularly award 5 stars to less than stellar postings, but God help the person who rates a piece they post with less than five or six stars.

In my opinion FanStory is really nothing more than a social site for people who write prose or poetry as a hobby. As such it serves a useful purpose. People make friends with others who have similar interests and wile away untold hours reading, reviewing, posting, entering contests, and commenting on the forum strings. It keeps a lot of mostly older folks off the streets and out of trouble. For some it relieves isolation, boredom, and loneliness. For others it provides a therapeutic outlet for real or imagined illnesses both physical and mental.

I'm not suggesting that their are no talented writers on the site, but don't hold your breath waiting for any of them to make the best seller book list any time soon.

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Most of what you say is true and I'd have to agree across the board really. It's like anything, it depends on what your looking for. Everything you speak of is certainly here in abundance. I actually have no problem with any of it to be honest. I'm only concerned with some of the blatant issues like plagiarism and those who review dozens upon dozens of pieces without even reading them. But even there, so what? There are some exceptional writers here, but yes the vast majority are just hobbyists enjoying a social experience.

Comment from barkingdog

Excellent

You'll have to put me in the second category. I don't have time for the assholes who need, for what ever reason, muddy the waters--fuck with others' enjoyment.
Sometimes it's best to report and then ignore the buggers.
Like you said, the majority of us here are good-guys. I'll hang with them.

Well said, clearly written, mystery writer.

Good luck in the contest.

:) e

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

I've ended up with the same conclusion. We gave it our best effort for over a month to no avail. So, yep, hang with the cool kids, report the idiots and leave it at that. Thanks a bunch. :))

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

Mikey, you shoud remove the reference to Potlatch. It tells readers who you are. This is a sure winner, I think. Very well done. I think it's worth at least 2 stars, maybe 3. :)

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Oh yeah. I did that. Good point. I was hoping for four. But, yeah three is reasonable. I couldn't spell intercourse so I went on the cheap there. LOL

Comment from Jim Lorson Sr

Excellent

I absolutely agree with all that you have written and brought to the forefront. I have been on this site 8 years now. Eight years ago, transitory was a great place to be. I had written poetry sporadically thirty years ago. I joined to see if I had any talent and my first posted poem is titled, "Broken". The reviews I received from the best author's validated my talent. Throughout my first four years, I met some very helpful people. Two of them helped me with my reviewing which put me on the right path to be successful. I never concerned myself with rankings. All I cared about was getting quality reviews for the poetry I wrote. Then, around 2014, things began to change and not for the good. Over the last for years, I have slowed down composing poetry and stories.

I enjoyed your honesty and your language does not bother me at all. I would like to wish you good luck in this contest. Also, I would like to chat more with you after this contest is over. You can send me a private message and I will give you my email address.

Have a great day and stick to your guns,

Jim

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Hi, Jim
Good to hear from you. I will send you my e-mail when the contest is over. Remind me if I forget. :))
Lately it's been the worst. We got quite a few of us to raise a bit of hell and got a little bit done, but way short of what we hoped for. So, it all continues. Folks are just not aware and I guess not all that interested. Not my usual language, but I just wanted to raise some eyebrows and I guess some ire too. Thanks for the great input. Talk to you soon. :))

Comment from Word Junkie

Excellent

Hello Author,

I didn't see fuck nearly enough to label its use as gratituous. Repeated is more like it. I was, in fact, a bit disappointed. ;)

Good essay. However, I think that demanding honesty of everyone is a bit like pissing into the wind. Even though we're only dealing with words, some people are paranoid about using, and in turn, receiving, the "wrong" words. If we're confident about what we post, and confident about what we say, hoping, of course, that we have the ability to tactfully say what we feel needs to be said, how can we go wrong? Therein lies the problem. Some people--writers, even--lack tact. Instead of saying, I think or I would, they only know how to say, you should, as if they are the experts. This is when feathers get ruffled.

So, is the crux of the problem dishonesty, or is it lack of structure which would allow even tactless individuals to review honestly, without attacking? Many newbies, I believe, do attempt to review honestly, and the first time a poster responds with STFU, they climb beneath their computer desks, and then--due to the necessity of earning member dollars--return to write fluff reviews, which are deemed "safe."

Now, if we possessed a basic template with 'I liked,' and 'I didn't like,' or 'This worked for me,' and 'This did not work for me,' reviewers might be willing to swim a bit further.

I enjoyed this thoughtful and thought-provoking essay.

Good luck in the contest!
Lana

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Well, Lana, I'm a bit older and I just couldn't get fuck in there as much as I could when I was younger. But I was kind of hoping the quality made up for that a little bit. I own a Bentley if that makes a difference. This is a wonderful candid review and I can clearly see why you were recently honored with kudos from the review committee. That's one of the sites few REAL awards. Congrats on that. We are sorely in need of good reviewers. It amazes me that creative writers can't show more tact in their reviews. One would think we could tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they would look forward to the adventure.
I'm so pleased you enjoyed this. I enjoyed your review a bunch. Thanks so much. :))

Comment from nordicgirl

Exceptional

Well, it is not too hard to figure our who this psycho fool is! Changing the world I see and some streked underpants for good measure. Yes, cover all the bases. I don`t involve myself except through what I pick up from you. This sounds like truth to me. If they will not listen, kick it with your buds and let them go to hell. Got Black Russians on ice with full ice trays. Yeah, a winner. NG

 Comment Written 31-May-2016

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reply by the author on 03-Jun-2016

Why thank you. Of course, I don't drink. This gentleman sounds pretty wild. Does he go crazy when he drinks Jack Daniels? Whoa, sounds like a fun guy. LOL