hey, steven--
how's it going? i haven't seen you around for a little while, but was wondering if you'd be interested in joining the "furious flash fiction fridays" circle?
we're looking for strong writers and critiquers, people willing to post flash fiction every week for critiques, and i think you'd fit the bill. please check it out--the group would benefit from your efforts, and you might have some fun, too.

Thanks for the note. I'd be eager to hear about your school of writing and your perspectives as well. Best of luck with everything in the meantime.

Thanks, Steven! I just enjoy having a community like this to go to. It's exciting to watch Scribophile grow.

I understand completely. I'm doing the same with Per Diventare, starting from scratch. This site has given me enough feedback to know where I need to go and what I need to do. Keep in touch and let me know how it's going. I like your style of writing.

Oh computer. I've not yet begun reading it. I've had sort of a mess of issues with my computer, with my job, with my sanity, with the fact that killing people is, for some reason, illegal... But I hope to get to it soon so that I might recapture my will to live. How are you? I've been considering your critique, because it's interesting to see how characters come across to others I never really saw Matt as being terribly professional, just having a lot of money from his parents. I think I need to drive that point home a little more, perhaps.

I've not begun.

Hey man, really appreciate your critique. Matter of fact I hope to provide a revised version based on your suggestions pretty soon. By the way, I am loving your work, Love Warriors. Can't wait to read more. Again, thanks.

you're welcome!

The Iowa border is about three hours away, but have close friends in Sioux City, so I travel that way a lot. Crazy how close we are.

hey, i just noticed your announcement of your recent nuptials! congratulations!!

oh, yeah? i haven't peeked at it yet. i've only read a couple of his short stories (and seen 'fight club', o' course), but after hearing about how fabulous he is, i may check out his new book. see what you've done?
i've read about a half-dozen essays so far in the publishing book, and i'm liking it! i enjoy how so many people dive into the publishing world with nothing but hope strapped to their backs....and they still make it.
thanks for suggesting the book!

hi, steven--
thanks for your critique of my eyeball story! you've given me fabulous encouragement and solid suggestions--when i revisit for edits i'll be sure to refer back to them.
(is 'guts' the story in the swimming pool, with the grate? i read that one, and whooee...i was so disgusted i had to laugh! i had no other way to express my shameful glee. )
thanks again!

to answer your book interest question: To be honest, I haven't read the Stephanie Meyer books (I know, some would call it a sin LOL) but I've heard they are REALLY GOOD. I have been wanting to but haven't really had time. And who writes the His Dark Materials trilogy? it sounds interesting, again that I haven't read.

I have become a fan because I think you can go places with your writing and I want to wach you climb! Just finshed another cririque for you.

I am at least 87% certain that I can find it somewhere in my black heart to forgive you. The other 13% is fighting the urge to spank.

Oh, I'd start from the beginning. I guess I have about half of it posted. I'll try to read yours tonight or if I get a break today I'm excited to see where it's going! My first chapter needs editing, but I have to think some things through before I do it so that I don't muck it up worse.

hee--thanks! i stumbled across a site of nothing bu obama quotes, and that one struck a chord in particular. glad you liked it! si se puede, dude.

I will go and take another look at it, just remember that you asked me to. Sometimes I can be a little to hard, just know it has nothing to do with the person writing.

Yeah, I'd love to read it. I have read Survivor, although not in years. I loved it, though. It comes to mind a lot lately because of the whole FDLS thing.

Thanks for your critique. It has really made me think critically about the amount of information I'm sharing with the reader, specifically with the connection between character and reader in mind.

wow!!! thank you so much for the indepth critique! i can see now why you were the critiquer of the month; you have new ideas and help tremendously to improve the existing story. THANKS again!!!!
~Fainne

hi, steven--
thanks for your critique! it's funny you pictured a mobster as my mc, because i pictured this frazzled chick as kinda like... me.
something i need to work on bringing across a bit better, eh?
i appreciate your suggestions and comments--very helpful!

hello steven-- i know that you critiqued Chronicles of Odralon, and now that I have edited it MAJORLY i would like it if oyu could come ead it again. thanks!
~Fainne
ps: it is now in 1st person, and even the storyline is changed a bit. thanks again!

Wow, all the degrees and such that you have are most of my goals for next year.

Awesome work too.

Glad you liked it. I have been meaning to get back to that one for a long time now.

congrats on being critique of the month!! HUGZ

I changed Music, please read it. I need to know if it was better before or now?

No, you said the truth! I did not think you where to harsh, I mean, even if you were its someones job to say if its bad and needs to be fixed. Really it was fine.

hey, i know you critiqued me a while ago, but i hardly get time to do anything except post writings. anyway had some free time so i wanted to say thanks for the critique, itwas really helpful. also, i love the tilte you came up with and am pretty sure i am going to use it. anyway, thanks.

Thank you so much for your critique on Music. I did add a little bit of a jazz feel into this piece, I play sax and want to put what I felt into words. Thank you again.

i've been there probably way too long at this point--i've done various supervisor work (inventory, trainer, merch) and some mgr work a long time ago (1999 merch). right now i'm on the ipt, and loving the schedule--makes for plenty of writing time!

Thank you for the critique. The next chapter does, indeed, have more Matt. Thanks for noting the language choices, I hadn't thought of that, and it's a good idea. You seem fun, too

ha! you're kidding! i work at borders, too.
hey, howzabout that stock price, eh?

Lullaby is one of my favorite books. Possibly my favorite, but these thigns change daily, I'm afraid. Maybe the notion of babies dying is too appealing to me... but then, I love most things Palahniuk.

Hey, glad it was helpful. I read it over again and it seemed a little harsh, but I didn't mean it to be. I'm glad you didn't take it that way.

I didn't know the piece is part of a longer work... although knowing that, I think my point is still valid. Like I said, it won't be easy, but if you can really nail that voice, that piece has a ton of potential!

hey steven- thanks for the critique on C of O!! i can really see how the wise man thing would help the story as far as Seirian's leadership would help. also, thanks for cluing me in on some ways to improve my writing- slimming and condensing... i will take a good look and do some editing!
~Fainne

Hey Steven,
Thank you for your critique on innocence lost. Am I wrong or has freeverse seemed to be come taboo on Scrib?? I HATE end rhyme. I don't like to read it, I don't like to write it - the whole thing just feels unnatural to me. So many people believe that poems HAVE to rhyme in some way - it aggravates me. LOL - I added Aphrodite to my reading list - I will read and comment sometime either today or over the weekend so I can return the critique. I became a "fan" too (since we have the same views on poetry) - I look forward to reading your work. Check out the other poetry / short stories if you are interested. Guilty Love is long - but I am trying to get it publshed (working with an editor / agent) - so if you can comment on things that need to be improved - it is only a rough draft - feel free to tear it apart. Thanks! Merry Meet!

Hello Steven E.A.
I did read one of your works, it was Aphrodite. I read it twice as a matter of fact...I was left with something very rare, for me anyway, I was speechless. I didn't exactly know how to critique it!! I wanted to give it some thought before I tried...I thought it was very good!!
Regards,
Rusti Fae

Just wondering if you've been to the Iowa Writers Festival at the University? I'm looking into going this summer and looking for someone who's been. BTW, I'm from a bit further north, so hello, neighbor.

Thanks for your critique. Everything you said completely makes sense. I wasn't even aware of the past and present tense mixes. Thanks for pointing it out.