Hunter

Thanks Hunter, 
Was trying to play the sympathy card to get him to read my stories but thanks for blowing up my spot.  

I agree with everything that has already made it to print. First of all, our comments are not personal attacks.  I learned, early on, that I needed to grow a tougher skin when it comes to receiving criticism from editors, and readers as well.  Some of the most harsh comments I've received have come from readers!  Gah!
 
IN GENERAL: Here are the things, in the order of importance, that I look for when prompted by a story submission:
 
1) Is it readable?  If my eyes have to stop to regroup so that I can figure out a missing word, determine some semblance of correct punctuation, missing words, duplicated words, run on and on and on sentences - then I stop.  I go no further.  Done.
 
2) Can I visualize a character being written about?  Is it described well enough so that I can see it with my mind?  Height, weight, hair color, eye color, does he or she walk with a limp? Does he or she wear glasses?  Skin tone.  Teeth?  Any other physical 'visualized' attributes worth mentioning?  Genital size and shape does not count, unless a fuck and suck story is being written (See #3, heh).
 
3) Is 'it' believable?
 
Lastly, when I read a submission it has to be in its 'perfect' state.  This means that all grammar, misspelling, punctuation issues must be already resolved.
 
I am a wordy author.  I admit it.  I own it.  I spend a whole lot of time developing and enhancing my characters, their surrounds, their reactions vs. responses... each of my characters has a 'quirk' or two that make them unique to other characters.  Parents and or guardians central to my kid characters have distinct personalities.
 
Right now I am working on transitioning one of my central characters from one who was horribly abused and made to feel like a piece of dung to becoming the person he really is - a character coming unto his own. I am writing how the other characters are helping to build him up - the important thing to note here is HIS transition to believing it for himself.  The transition IS the story as far as I am concerned - then he can deal with events in a different way... see I'm getting wordy here! :-)
 
These comments are not meant to be 'personal'. They are generalizations.  When we ask for feedback and criticism, we've got to be prepared to receive it.  The option to take it or leave it is up to the recipient.  Sometimes what seems to be the harshest comments are the ones that I have to pay attention to... damn it. :-)

Welcome doubledbbw, I hope you enjoy the site and give some of us other poor little authors a chance.  . I also love Hunter and Joe Writerman's work and am very glad they have shared their amazing talents with us
 
Ken B

Boys in the hood.
 
I commend you for sharing your story plot with this group of blood thirsty sharks  . I am teasing of course but I can see how you feel that way. I really don't think anyone intended to tear apart your story or your talent they were truly trying to offer constructive criticism. As an opening introduction that was a lot of constructive criticism to take all at once. The very first time I posted a story online I received an email within a day tearing it apart and it wasn't nice.  I almost said nope never again, but instead I decided I would show him. Do not give up, reread all the comments above and look at them like a breakfast buffet, take what you want and leave the rest. All of us have room to grow and improve. I do really like the story plot line and think it can turn into a wonderful story. Keep sharing with us and above all else Keep writing.
 
Ken B

Max,
 
Your story has great potential, the story line is great, but you need to clean up your act a bit. I believe stories should not be too "wordy", otherwise your audience looses their desire and patience to wade through the verbage. I am sure there will be some who would challenge me on that statement, but, if you ever want to get bored, try listening to a politician as he tells you how wonderful he is!
 
 
In my own writing, which I am NOT an expert, I write a draft and then proceed to delete as much as half the words as not being needed. There is a great desire to put as much detail into a story as one can, but remember always, "IS IT IMPORTANT TO THE STORY?"!
 
Charles Bird
SeaBird

Hi all I am sort of new here.  I ventured here looking for Hunter's stories and of course found them.  He had been posting them at another site and there were no new ones being posted so I looked and found CastleRoland.  I also am a fan of Joe the Writer Man having read Life on the Farm.  Thanks for letting me become a member!!!!!
 

I'm not only an author in my own right but I also follow quality work written by amateur authors and like all of us, I have my favourites not the least of which are the works published by Hunter.
His style of writing captivates me, his storylines are ingenious and complex but that isn't to say they're hard to follow, - far from it.
I am spellbound by his imagination, each story being very different in nature and content but if there is a common thread, it's one of love and tenderness and the ability for kids to show and demonstrate love one for the other.
Congratulations Hunter!                                Andy.