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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Every so often people are kind enough to send me stories or poems to post. Almost always I have a dialogue with them about whether the tale or poem is suitable for the site. In general folk realise that the site is a hobby, and that I have to like the story before it makes the cut.
I don't look for literary merit. I look instead for the emotion in the story. If it is one that catches my heart it usually makes it. Sometimes I suggest tidying or editing. Often I suggest expansion, even if I will not take the story.
I know that turning a story down can hurt the sender, so I do my best to do that well, and kindly. I never lie about a story or poem. I tell the author my own opinion of it. I often show them http://iomfats.org/storyshelf/guide/writing.html an imperfect guide that meets my needs for the site.
Today was a first, though. I got a story, out of the blue, no explanation. Most people ask if they might submit a story, or say "I've enclosed it, please consider it." It was an ok story, it has a good framework, and there is huge scope for enjoying fleshing it out more. I said so. I can't make a decision about hosting the future story based on what I've seen, and I don't want it as it stands. I suggested the author asks for an editor's help and advice.
Now this was a first. I got a rant back! And a complaint! "it was meant as a posting fo the story shelf No questions asked..." That is neve rgoing to happen. Ever.
I confess that has annoyed me more than somewhat. I am not a story posting service. I post what I want. If authors want to put any old unedited stuff online they need to get their own sites or use Nifty or ASSGM (the yahoo group is non commercial, the other makes money for the owners). This was just taking a grave liberty. Ye gods trhe site is a hobby!
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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timmy wrote:
Now this was a first. I got a rant back! And a complaint! "it was meant as a posting fo the story shelf No questions asked..."
If this is a verbatim reproduction of what was written it is the height of rudeness and a demonstration of an ego that is so inflated that it may well cause serious damage to its owner.
We tend to forget that the site, the story shelf and this forum are all timmy's personal venture. We are his guests and he is kind enough to publish stories that he likes. He is under no obligation to do so whatsoever.
I think that whoever it was who wrote that to timmy should offer an apology. Somehow, though, I don't think an apology will be forthcoming.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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It was verbatim. I do not expect an apology, and it has, unsurprisingly, made sure that I will look very carefully at any future correspondence from this person.
It was all the more annoying since I had troubled to take some time to work out precisely what to say to him in order both to say "not yet, the story is unfinished" and to suggest thoughts about what needed to be done in order to make it readable.
The truly stupid thing is that the story has very strong potential, and I tried very hard to encourage him to make it fly.
At present it lacks:- cohesion
- clarity
- characterisation
- continuity
- pace (it jumps over huge parts of plot)
- believability
And that is just the start. But all of these things are easy to correct. It makes an awesome framework, but not yet a story.
But the arrogance to assume that I will post anything that comes along is beyond belief. I'll post anything that is good enough to make me like it. As I make very clear, literary merit is not essential. Emotional merit is.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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saben
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On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
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Such an attitude of entitlement won't get the person far.
They can open up their own website if they believe their story is worth publishing online without amendment.
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
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Dude! You should teach AP Creative Writing!
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Tell him to send it to the Nifty place. They publish anything, no matter how badly written. Some of the stuff on there is really awful.
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I would have, but for the obvious fact that he has put a lot of effort into it, and that it has potential. You see, I care.
I even found him an editor who would be very happy, if he emailed the editor, to work with him.
Regarding Nifty, I have never understood why they don't reject obvious rubbish. They rejected one of mine, which was surprising. Not because my ego says it was surprising, but because the reason they gave was odd, and nothing to do with perceived quality of the work.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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The thing about creative writing is that it is not as hard as folks have you believe. As long as 95% comes from your own direct experience and is "true", ie factual, and as long as you can connect with your emotions, you can write.
Grammar, syntax, spelling etc come second to getting the thoughts onto the keyboard. "Live" the scene and say what you see, smell, taste and touch.
And discard pretty much all formal taught lessons. The teacher teaches those because they are supposed to.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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