Authors, what was your favorite Comment or Review?

[Former Member]

Almost every author must have at least one Comment or Review that stands above all the others. What was the Comment or Review? What made it so special? What do you like best?  ;–)

[W_L]

Well, I'll start and this was right after I finished Book 1 of 0's and 1's:

 

I shared this with @Kitt as well, because she deserves part of the praise. Writing a story is one part writer and one part editor/beta reader. Most of you know my grammar and typos are atrocious, but my ideas are interesting and thought provoking with grounded reality to what is "possible" within the realm of conspiracies and human nature.

 

 

From: xxx
Sent: Friday, September 9, 2016 9:15 PM
To: xxx
Subject: "Zeros and Ones"

 

Dear WL,

I just discovered your story "Zeros and Ones".  What a great story line!  I had a hard time putting it aside to get other things (like eating) attended to.

I also want to commend you and/or your proofreaders.  I'm a picky reader and my eye/brain often spot incorrect words (typos that happen to get by the spellchecker) or grammatical errors.  I have served as a proofreader for some other stories.  I saw practically no errors in your story.

I liked the philosophical debates between the characters, and the different personalities and approaches they each contribute.

Jesse seems a bit unbelievable as a 12 year old, but I liked him anyhow.  Hope he continues to have a role in Book 2.

Is Book 2 available yet?  Maybe on a different site?  Bad enough to leave us hanging at the end of Book 1 -- sure hope the story hasn't ended there.

One more question:  This is just fiction, isn't it?  It's an awfully scary, but believable plot.  You don't actually have any knowledge of a C.I.S.S. type group, do you?

Stan

 

--------------------------

 

This was hands down, when I knew I had created an interesting story and needed to keep going into book 2.

 

[Dodger]

I'm going to choose the very first comment I ever received, after posting chapter one of The Cockney Canuck. It was the first time I had posted anything on-line, and I was terribly nervous about what people would think. The plan was to wait and see what reaction it got before deciding whether or not to continue with the story and post chapter two. I was bracing myself for the worst but Lisa's comment absolutely made my day and gave me a much needed confidence boost.

 

Needless to say, I decided to post chapter two and three years, 114 chapters and 2000+ comments later, it's still going strong. Here is the very first comment.

 

 

What a fantastic start, Dodger. I'm so impressed by your first chapter.

 

You had me in tears when reading about Robbie's mom dying, and his anger at her and everyone and everything else. His anger is just one of the five stages of grief he'll go through. It seems so unfair that this had to happen to him. It's too bad Tom's family didn't offer to take him in, although I'm not sure his aunt and uncle would have let them.

 

I'm anxiously awaiting chapter two. Great job, Dodger.

 

 

[Former Member]

So Timmy, was it one of the ones where I tell you that I want two of your apparently straight character to fall in love with each other? Or when I suggest that someone should send you a couple cases of mouthwash-flavored ice cream? Or do you prefer when I call you ‘Denny’ (after Brother Denmark in SatW)? I know, the one where you responded by saying we’re both in danger of becoming ‘Eric.’  ;–)

[Timothy M.]

I do appreciate your clever poking, DQ, but teasing will never be a favorite of mine.  

I'm still trying to decide between several great comments. Do I choose one by @Thirdly who always make me laugh? The ones with praise for my story which makes me  with gratitude and pride ? Or something by @Lisawho always leaves great comments ? Or something else ? It will take me a while to find out, but I think this topic is interesting.

Edited February 3, 2019 by Timothy M.
adding another @mention, because my stupid browser will only let me do one at a time.

[Former Member]

45 minutes ago, Timothy M. said:

I do appreciate your clever poking, DQ, but teasing will never be a favorite of mine.  

Well now that you’ve Commented, many more people will check out the Topic because they’ll see your name (the goal of the poking). I never expected that any of my Comments would ever be mentioned by any author. There are too many others who are much more insightful than I could ever be. I think unusual and idiosyncratic are the most charitable descriptions possible for my musings.  ;–)

[Carlos Hazday]

Carlos Hazday is an author who does not shy away from hot topics. 'Hunting Season' is a story that deals with the reality of racism, and how one young man took a stand against it.  CJ is a shining example of a hero. I highly recommend this story to anyone who believes that one person can make a difference.

[Mikiesboy]

This is hard because every one of them is important to me but to choose for prose, this one I don't think I will ever forget:

 

It is from, deville, because while I’d done tons of research for the story, never once had I thought that someone who read it, would have actually gone through what happened to Don in Changes. It was very humbling.

 

A really strong start! God do I know how it feels, watching the track paramedics work whilst you standby like an idiot, helpless, terrified, furious, sitting in that waiting room when they bring a bag of leathers, they had to cut off his body! Then the recovery. 

 

 

 

For poetry, it will have to be this one from AC Benus:

 

It's so nearly impossible to teach what lies at the motivation to want to write a poem, or put another way, write one that is disciplined to speak about the self in a way meant to touch others. Many write in forms as if the forms are the thing motivating the work. Others speak extemporaneously, ad nausaum, about themselves with no thought of others relating to it. 

 

  And so, let it be. 

 

  But your poems here do have that soul driving them towards a meaningful existence. If you are uncomfortable with the forms of Japanese poetics, you are not when it comes to the heart of why they exist. So, if you need to be thinking of them as 'brutish,' then please keep working at it and producing poems at this level. I love them. 

 

Edited February 3, 2019 by Mikiesboy

[Former Member]

4 hours ago, Carlos Hazday said:

 

Comment deleted

Edited February 3, 2019 by Former Member

[Carlos Hazday]

You asked for favorite review or comment; that's what I gave you.

[Former Member]

4 hours ago, Carlos Hazday said:

 

Comment deleted

Edited February 3, 2019 by Former Member

[Carlos Hazday]

Here's a link to the story and the review

 

 

[Former Member]

2 minutes ago, Carlos Hazday said:

Here's a link to the story and the review

I’m sorry I misunderstood your first post. I guess I was expecting more what @Dodger and @Mikiesboy wrote and your more succinct response threw me. But you posted exactly what I asked for.

[Carlos Hazday]

17 minutes ago, droughtquake said:

I’m sorry I misunderstood your first post. I guess I was expecting more what @Dodger and @Mikiesboy wrote and your more succinct response threw me. But you posted exactly what I asked for.

 

I try to say as much as possible with as few words as possible. That also applies to my writing. If you ever read anything of mine, you'll notice my writing is a bit more stark and subdued than others.

[Parker Owens]

I guess one of my favorite reviews was a critical response to a late chapter in A to Z. It is way too long to quote here. It was polite and respectful, but at the same time took issue with problems the reader encountered in characterization and plot preparation. What I appreciated most was that a reader took time to think carefully about what I’d written, and then took further time to write a note that both supported me as a storyteller and helped me understand what bothered him. 

[northie]

Like @Mikiesboy, I appreciate all comments. Some of my favourites occur when the person is moved by my writing to tell me (and others) something about themselves while also commenting on the story.

 

Here's @Carlos Hazday commenting on Willpower:

 

Quote

Damn, that was hard to read and I did sniffle at the end. Spent too many hours in the old AIDS wards visiting sick men. Attended too many funerals. My grandmother died in a nursing home with a feeding tube in her. My mother's currently institutionalized for the same dreaded Alzheimer's that took her mother.

 

You captured the sadness of homophobia, AIDS, and dementia, and put me through the ringer. The ending's realistic---I kept hoping Max wouldn't be a miracle and recover---yet offers a glimmer of hope. To buck the usual trend of readers asking for more, I'll implore you leave this little gem as is. I caught glimpses of several possible future developments floating through my mind; decided to ignore them all. Each reader can fast-forward as much or as little as they choose. I choose to hit stop along with you. Well done.

My thanks to him and everyone else who takes the time to comment on my, and other people's, stories.

[Thirdly]

Hmm. Well,  all comments are gold to me. But, let me find a few memorable ones. To be fair, I won't choose any on collaborations since those comments count for two. 

 

He's a Bastard: Shout out to @RolandQ, who gave me the very first comment on the first original story I jotted down. The comment was very, very encouraging. My many thanks.

 

Tuesday Staff Meetings: It was surprising to me how many readers and fellow authors enjoyed this one. @Timothy M. @droughtquake @BlindAmbition and, certainly never least, @Puppilull were all wonderfully encouraging (I also view them all as mentors since they're all awesome and then some), as well as everyone else who left their thoughts and comments. @Hellsheild wrote the most hilarious comment at the end that I still enjoy to this day. 

 

My Faceless Bus Stalker Alpha (why are my story titles always so weird?): By this point I pretty much kidnapped @Hellsheild and poked at the previously mentioned mentors about miscellaneous opinions and tips. @Wesley8890 @Starrynight22 @Geemeedee @chris191070 @mikedup @JeffreyL @Brokenbind and others are the reason I try my best with each and every chapter. Wesley's reactions are my life. LMAO.

[W_L]

4 hours ago, Carlos Hazday said:

 

I try to say as much as possible with as few words as possible. That also applies to my writing. If you ever read anything of mine, you'll notice my writing is a bit more stark and subdued than others.

 

I should get into your writing.

 

I am the opposite, I try to say as much as possible with more technical knowledge than can fit into a chapter. 

 

I wonder what drives writing styles? Are authors attracted to a genre or genre attracts an author?

Edited February 3, 2019 by W_L

[Aditus]

The appropriate answer is probably: I love all comments and reviews I got equally. That cast away: When I'm feeling bad about my writing I'll read Thirdly's Red Running Shoes review or Timothy M.'s.

[Hellsheild]

2 hours ago, Thirdly said:

By this point I pretty much kidnapped @Hellsheild and poked at the previously mentioned mentors about miscellaneous opinions and tips.

All I'll say about this is that you can't kidnap the willing. I saw the free candy sign on the van and hopped in willingly. But if a ransom appears you can tie me up for appearance...I may like it.

[MacGreg]

A long, long time ago, someone emailed me this regarding a story posted elsewhere:

 

I don't normally email the authors of stories, but I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your writing.  Most of the stories on ____ tend to be poorly-written and unrealistic, but this story actually had good grammar and a character who acted in a realistic manner (so far).  You kept up with Hemingway's Iceberg Principle, which I idolize, and for that I say, hurrah! Props to you, sir..."

 

It was the first "review" on a published piece of writing that I'd ever received, and being compared to Hemingway was hella humbling and motivating.

 

More recently, I received a comment from a reader about a chapter in my Dissonance story here on GA. I've received a ton of great comments on this story from readers along the way, and I appreciate every single one of them, but this comment got me right in the gut, and I always remember it:

 

Got to say I hate this chapter.

And I've got to explain that statement. Travis did to his abuser what I wanted, and to some degree still do, to do to my abuser.

It's taken me three reads to read and take in each word. The first couple of times there were sentences and paragraphs that I just glanced over. I couldn't deal with it.

 

Mac, don't apologise for writing so well.

Years ago an English teacher told a class I was in, "A story should make you cry, shout and scream, and if it doesn't then it has failed to tell it's story honestly."

Keep telling your story honestly.

 

I know from what I and several other people I know have experienced, that what you have written happens, no matter how much we try to ignore and dismiss it.

We all want our lives and the lives of our friends and loved ones to be all happy happy joy joy, but the reality is it's rarely the case. We have troubles, joys, love and laughter, grief and agony. You've just written what happens. Keep doing that.

 

Love you and what you write.

 

 

Makes writing worth it.

[Former Member]

1 hour ago, MacGreg said:

More recently, I received a comment from a reader about a chapter in my Dissonance story here on GA.

And I actually remember reading that Comment too!  ;–)

[Carlos Hazday]

4 hours ago, W_L said:

 

I should get into your writing.

 

I am the opposite, I try to say as much as possible with more technical knowledge than can fit into a chapter. 

 

I wonder what drives writing styles? Are authors attracted to a genre or genre attracts an author?

My editor has been a huge influence. One tiny example. How many times have we read 'so and so nodded their agreement'? Not in my writing. Nodding signifies agreement so the last two words are not needed. You'll find dozens of similar examples in my stories.

Edited February 3, 2019 by Carlos Hazday

[W_L]

2 hours ago, MacGreg said:

A long, long time ago, someone emailed me this regarding a story posted elsewhere:

 

I don't normally email the authors of stories, but I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your writing.  Most of the stories on ____ tend to be poorly-written and unrealistic, but this story actually had good grammar and a character who acted in a realistic manner (so far).  You kept up with Hemingway's Iceberg Principle, which I idolize, and for that I say, hurrah! Props to you, sir..."

 

It was the first "review" on a published piece of writing that I'd ever received, and being compared to Hemingway was hella humbling and motivating.

 

More recently, I received a comment from a reader about a chapter in my Dissonance story here on GA. I've received a ton of great comments on this story from readers along the way, and I appreciate every single one of them, but this comment got me right in the gut, and I always remember it:

 

Got to say I hate this chapter.

And I've got to explain that statement. Travis did to his abuser what I wanted, and to some degree still do, to do to my abuser.

It's taken me three reads to read and take in each word. The first couple of times there were sentences and paragraphs that I just glanced over. I couldn't deal with it.

 

Mac, don't apologise for writing so well.

Years ago an English teacher told a class I was in, "A story should make you cry, shout and scream, and if it doesn't then it has failed to tell it's story honestly."

Keep telling your story honestly.

 

I know from what I and several other people I know have experienced, that what you have written happens, no matter how much we try to ignore and dismiss it.

We all want our lives and the lives of our friends and loved ones to be all happy happy joy joy, but the reality is it's rarely the case. We have troubles, joys, love and laughter, grief and agony. You've just written what happens. Keep doing that.

 

Love you and what you write.

 

 

Makes writing worth it.

 

I love that!

 

That reminds me of something, my English teacher came into our literature class (we could do both as seniors in high school) and we had prepared questions to ask about books we had to read throughout high school. It was on the topic of critically evaluating books we studied.

 

Our questions were meant to be part of a critical review for stories, we had read. It's kind of like high school kids getting our reviews in for books we had to suffer.

 

I had one question in particular:

 

"Is there merit reading "Goodbye Mr. Chips" versus any of the thousands of other stories with similar settings and plots as students?"

 

My Literature teacher hated "Mr. Chips" and my English teacher loved it, so it set them off on a debate, on whether the story is for students or self-aggrandizement for teachers, who teach old English literature. No one else had anywhere near the fireworks my question sparked between those 2, I got an A from both of them, because my question and the critical review later not only challenged a reader's interpretation of an author, but also the interpretation itself from established source.

Edited February 3, 2019 by W_L

[Valkyrie]

I appreciate all comments/feedback from readers, but I have to say I particularly looked forward to @CassieQ's comments on The Hollow Hills.  She never held back in regards to one character in particular, and I loved how the story invoked such strong emotion.  I also appreciate @TimothyM''s support and lovely comments about The Old Ways.