Written For the Friends of Fanny
A Word about the Struggles and Rewards of Writing the Play31 total reviews
Comment from Cindy Decker 2
Jay,
You clearly are a really good writer. I can tell by this essay alone.
I will go over some of your previous work, at a slow pace, because sometimes I become a little overwhelmed.
Happy birthday,
and many more,
Blessings,
Cindy.
I lived in Ford Ord, California, in the 70's: Pacific Grove, John Steinbeck, Cannery Row, The Lone Cypress. I remember the Bay's beauty.ð???
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2022
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Jay,
You clearly are a really good writer. I can tell by this essay alone.
I will go over some of your previous work, at a slow pace, because sometimes I become a little overwhelmed.
Happy birthday,
and many more,
Blessings,
Cindy.
I lived in Ford Ord, California, in the 70's: Pacific Grove, John Steinbeck, Cannery Row, The Lone Cypress. I remember the Bay's beauty.ð???
Comment Written 13-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2022
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Thank you for reading a longer piece than the poem. Your happy birthday greeting touched me, as did your compliment. The penultimate scene from The Incomparable Fanny Barnwarmer comes out at 9PM CA time tonight. I don't know how much you'd get out of it at this stage of the game, but I'd welcome your giving it a shot. I do promote my plays near the top. Again, thank you, Cindy.
Jay.
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Good thing you said almost or I wudda had to take you to task & I spect there are others of us who'd we want more. But then again you may jus be tired a writen in a back wood dialect. If'n that's the care I understan: "Most everyone, I think, in their heart of hearts, felt the play was too long." Literally & figuratively, my preference: "
I've always been one of those nighttime
drivers." I like the little ***Spoiler alert***
See you on the t'other side
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2022
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Good thing you said almost or I wudda had to take you to task & I spect there are others of us who'd we want more. But then again you may jus be tired a writen in a back wood dialect. If'n that's the care I understan: "Most everyone, I think, in their heart of hearts, felt the play was too long." Literally & figuratively, my preference: "
I've always been one of those nighttime
drivers." I like the little ***Spoiler alert***
See you on the t'other side
Comment Written 12-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 12-Aug-2022
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Thank you, Liz. Yes, that's nearly all of it: I AM getting tired of slipping in and out of Fanny's dialogue and into the reporter's more civilized speech, then back into the deep and tangled woods. I'm glad you've stuck with me on it, though.
Jay
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You've done well. It does require hard thinking. It can be wearying.
Comment from Spitfire
I enjoyed this 'ramble', especially the metaphors of the dog's tale and you as a nighttime driver. Interesting paragraph about changing a chapter not erasing what the memory of the original from the reader's mind.
When I wrote my prize-winning play (2nd place in WD's annual contest) I rewrote dialogue many times and even changed the personality of a main character to avoid him being a stereotype. (And here I admit, I paid a professional for advice)
Learning the craft of excellent writing never ends, as you said.
Thanks for the peak inside your head.
Your friend,
Shari
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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I enjoyed this 'ramble', especially the metaphors of the dog's tale and you as a nighttime driver. Interesting paragraph about changing a chapter not erasing what the memory of the original from the reader's mind.
When I wrote my prize-winning play (2nd place in WD's annual contest) I rewrote dialogue many times and even changed the personality of a main character to avoid him being a stereotype. (And here I admit, I paid a professional for advice)
Learning the craft of excellent writing never ends, as you said.
Thanks for the peak inside your head.
Your friend,
Shari
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Hope you wore a shawl. It can be pretty drafty in my head. I'm thrilled you enjoyed that ramble, as you put it. Your six stars are an honor! Thank you. And you won 2nd place in WD's contest? And with a play?! I thought you didn't write plays. I'm impressed. Do you know when they're going to have another contest? Is it for multiple categories, or just playwrighting? Let me know.
Jay
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Go online to WD writing competition and you'll find the information. They will announce the next competition in their fall magazine. The first prize winner gets $1000 and a trip to NYC. AT least that was it five years ago! (I won$500)
The contest is for multiple categories. Names of winners are listed in one issue.
I found out my play won second place out of 200 submissions! It's called Money, Money, Who's Got the Money? and is in my profile. I won third place the next year for The Ballroom Brawl. (I didn't get any professional advice for this one which made fun of the fifty plus community where I lived at the time)
Both plays were farces. Top winners deal with social or political issues or LBQ issues, I'm guessing.
Hope this helps.
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It does indeed help. I should have known I could Google it. After all, I found the cost of a train ticket from Missouri to Brady Texas in 1885! Congratulations on your victory with WD. I'm proud of you!
Jay
Comment from Terry Broxson
Jay, LOL, I love it! I admit I have learned from you and some others the benefit of being a nighttime driver. That is a great way to explain it. As Tom Bodett might say, "We will leave the light for you." Terry
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Jay, LOL, I love it! I admit I have learned from you and some others the benefit of being a nighttime driver. That is a great way to explain it. As Tom Bodett might say, "We will leave the light for you." Terry
Comment Written 10-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 10-Aug-2022
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Ha! I'd forgotten about Tom Bodett. His was one of those voices you hear in the background on the tv and don't have to look up to watch. He's always one you can count on ... as sure as you'll see a Motel 6 somewhere on your trip. Yes, it's that light he left on for you.
Thanks so much for reading and your kind words.
Jay
Comment from Ric Myworld
It's always a pleasure for me to read and learn about all of your characters and stories. You have those refined skills in your toolbox that enhance your abundance of talent to a perfect shine. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 09-Aug-2022
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It's always a pleasure for me to read and learn about all of your characters and stories. You have those refined skills in your toolbox that enhance your abundance of talent to a perfect shine. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 09-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 09-Aug-2022
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Thank you, Ric. I do have a large enough tool box, and a lot of tools in it, but that doesn't mean they're always the right tools, or haven't gotten rusty in their use (or disuse). Thank you, though, my friend. I do hope you get something in my writing to help you along your own journey. You have such a great talent!
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Thank you so much, Jay. I'd have given up writing a long time ago had it not been for the encouragement from you and others.
Comment from LJbutterfly
I've enjoyed Fanny, and enjoyed watching the creativity of her creator. I agree the play is long, but new information is revealed in each scene. Fanny adds an essential piece to the developing puzzle. Most compelling is the delivery of mystery, suspense and historical practices all woven into an entertaining script. Thank you for this post revealing your thoughts as the author. Understanding how the story developed pulls the reader even deeper into the storyline.
reply by the author on 09-Aug-2022
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I've enjoyed Fanny, and enjoyed watching the creativity of her creator. I agree the play is long, but new information is revealed in each scene. Fanny adds an essential piece to the developing puzzle. Most compelling is the delivery of mystery, suspense and historical practices all woven into an entertaining script. Thank you for this post revealing your thoughts as the author. Understanding how the story developed pulls the reader even deeper into the storyline.
Comment Written 09-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 09-Aug-2022
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Thank you, Lorraine. You might want to have this post handy when you read the next segment of "Fanny". I think you'll see the dilemma I got myself in ... and I hope was able ... albeit narrowly, to squeeze my way out of it. Thank you so much for reading this and for the lovely stars. You are a valuable asset for a writer to have in a reviewer.
Jay
Comment from lancellot
You make some good points and explain some things. Yes, outlines are sometimes hard to follow. Things tend to change as your fingers move over the keyboard. As for the 'too long' idea. Once a week posting makes it seem longer. You could post more than on Sundays.
Also, in the script or story itself, exposition make time drag. A lack of action scenes also hurts. Movement makes time seem to go faster.
Something I've notice in my own series. I feel the need to add acts filled with action.
IMHO.
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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You make some good points and explain some things. Yes, outlines are sometimes hard to follow. Things tend to change as your fingers move over the keyboard. As for the 'too long' idea. Once a week posting makes it seem longer. You could post more than on Sundays.
Also, in the script or story itself, exposition make time drag. A lack of action scenes also hurts. Movement makes time seem to go faster.
Something I've notice in my own series. I feel the need to add acts filled with action.
IMHO.
Comment Written 08-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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Thank you, Lance. I would be happy to post once a week. I am an extremely slow writer. I spend over 8 hours on each scene, followed by making it FS-ready. The article you reviewed replaced this week's Fanny, so it will be two weeks between last scene and the next. But even if I was more prolific, like my friend Lance, I wouldn't be able to review enough posts to pay for promoting more than one a week I know some writers here who don't bother with reviewing because they buy their own Member bucks and always promote in the 1, 2, or 3 position.
Thank you, Lance, for your thoughts. I appreciate your taking the time.
Jay
Comment from royowen
I like the expression of being a night time driver, personally I prefer to be a daytime driver, but that's when I'm actually driving a car, (I like a broad vista when driving) I must admit that as a writer, I'm always blessed by the direction one's writing unexpectedly takes, I'm with you Jay, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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I like the expression of being a night time driver, personally I prefer to be a daytime driver, but that's when I'm actually driving a car, (I like a broad vista when driving) I must admit that as a writer, I'm always blessed by the direction one's writing unexpectedly takes, I'm with you Jay, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 08-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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Thank you, m' man! I appreciate your reading this. And you are always so positive.
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Most welcome
Comment from Sally Law
Thank you for sharing your insights about the reviewers of Fanny Barnwarmer. My problem as ablind reviewer is that I use an audio reading device for the blind. It doesn't work well, if at all, with Fanny's dialect. I haven't reviewed in awhile because of the reader, which I rely on esp for long stories.
Be blessed, dear Jay. You're an exceptional writer with many stories to craft. Sending you my best today as always, and hearty congratulations on your win,
Sal XOs
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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Thank you for sharing your insights about the reviewers of Fanny Barnwarmer. My problem as ablind reviewer is that I use an audio reading device for the blind. It doesn't work well, if at all, with Fanny's dialect. I haven't reviewed in awhile because of the reader, which I rely on esp for long stories.
Be blessed, dear Jay. You're an exceptional writer with many stories to craft. Sending you my best today as always, and hearty congratulations on your win,
Sal XOs
Comment Written 08-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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Thank you so much, Sally, especially for your explanation of why you can't read heavily accented pieces. I full understand. Not reading it won't decrease your creative IQ, nor diminish your vocabulary. Thank you. The Will of Louis Creed is on my queue to read later today.
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Thank you, Jay, for your understanding. I already responded to your review and thank you again! Blessings,
Sal :))
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Hello. I'm new to FanStory this year, but I'll weigh in anyway.
I think that it is perfectly acceptable to change a plot line. just tell readers what you've done in notes. Heretofore, I've mainly posted short stories, but a few that require chapters. Those, I've completed before posting a chapter, or two a week.
However, currently I've posted a story that for me, has turned into chapter one. I have now written nine more, though not posted any of them. I'm considering it.
"dang-git" - I've known people who pronounced ending g's so hard they make their own syllable - dang-guh, or even dang-kuh. But I think most would say "dang-it".
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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Hello. I'm new to FanStory this year, but I'll weigh in anyway.
I think that it is perfectly acceptable to change a plot line. just tell readers what you've done in notes. Heretofore, I've mainly posted short stories, but a few that require chapters. Those, I've completed before posting a chapter, or two a week.
However, currently I've posted a story that for me, has turned into chapter one. I have now written nine more, though not posted any of them. I'm considering it.
"dang-git" - I've known people who pronounced ending g's so hard they make their own syllable - dang-guh, or even dang-kuh. But I think most would say "dang-it".
Best wishes.
Comment Written 08-Aug-2022
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2022
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I know what you're saying about going back and revising. And of course, I do ultimately go back and revise, but what I was getting at was that the mind of the reader doesn't have that option, especially if the word or words revised carried an emotional impact on the reader's mind.
Thank you, Wayne, for your encouraging words and the stars. I could have sworn you had been here for years.
Jay
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Jan this year.
But I feel like I've reviewed hundreds. I've posted about 110.