Comment from write hand blue

Exceptional

You have produced using appropriate pictures.

A well crafted, sophisticated and inspired acrostic poem.

And a sound track of inspired choice. Not just a poem.

But a visual, emotional, and sound experience.

That leaves the senses of touch, taste and smell left for
you to conquer. LOL.

I like this. :) mel.

 Comment Written 11-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 11-Apr-2014

Thanks, Mel, and this is exactly what I want readers of my PICTAPOEM © series of poems to take away from them. An overall, sensory experience. I'm very pleased to see that this one did just that for you!

Much appreciated, my friend. All poems of this series can be found in my book, A Pictures Worth a Thousand Poems. They all incorporate a similar tactic.

Thanks so much again!

Comment from barleygirl

Excellent

Congrats on placing in this contest . . . from a "fervent" (maybe "lukewarm" is more accurate, with regards to your preferred genre) fan *smile* You are an original becuz of the way you blend the macabre with honest tenderness, & you're great at straddling the fence between make-believe and utter realism. As you mention, it beats the scariness of real life (in particular, politics, for me)!

The strength of this poem is your overall premise, defending the genre, which is an original approach. Oh yeah, another trademark of yours is the plethora of sensory that you embed in your presentation. That's the reason everyone knows it's your piece, even when in a blind contest.

Since you brought up physical attributes of terror, such as adrenalin, endorphins, & other natural intoxicants, I'm reminded to mention why I do not dally in this genre much, as far as reading (& never, in writing). I have fibromyalgia & I'm tense all the time from constant, all-over pain. I hardly ever use pain meds or other drugs; I do everything naturally. So staying relaxed is a big part of my every-moment existence. I can relax & ten seconds later, my shoulders are back up around my ears -- a thousand times a day, no exaggeration. It's a constant battle. I find the increased tension of an intense response to be very uncomfortable. But sometimes I enjoy a suspenseful read, if it doesn't go on for too long.

Thanks for sharing your interesting acrostic.

 Comment Written 10-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 10-Apr-2014

Thank you very much for sharing your story with me, barelygirl. I know all too well the debilitating effects of fibromyalgia. My mother suffers from it. My heart and prayers go out to you.

I have never been one for the "slasher scare", that gory, bloodied, all out slaughter. To me, that isn't even horror, it borders on torture porn. Rather, I like the Edgar Allen Poe approach, or, more recently, the Stephen King tactic. Take an everyday, normal circumstance, throw in something that goes horribly, irreversibly wrong, and mix well.

I do appreciate each and every poem and story of mine that you are able to read & review for me. Your opinions mean a great deal to me, as does each one who cares enough to give what I've written (or, attempted to) their time and attention.

Thanks again for such a complimentary review of this. I sincerely appreciate that!

~Dean~

Comment from L.M.Mullins

Excellent

Great acrostic poem I can see why I didn't win, place or show. The Artwork is fantastic as usual. It's amazing how we are so attracted to the things that terrify us the most. Or is it the things that scare us the most distracts us from the reality that terrifies us.
L.M.

 Comment Written 09-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Apr-2014

Thanks, LM, I appreciate the kind words. I'm just happy this placed, I never really expected it to.

Thanks again!

Comment from BeasPeas

Exceptional

Congratulations, Dean, on your win of the acrostic contest. You state the case well for authors following their passion in writing (or artwork--as is another one of mine). Maybe it will give other writers the courage to not be intimidated by what others think.

 Comment Written 09-Apr-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Apr-2014

Thank so much for checking it out, and for your warm congrats, BeasPeas. I am very grateful -- and really surprised -- that it even placed, because I certainly did not expect it to. I just thought that it was a great forum to tell people why writers of dark poetry and prose do what they do. Again, thanks so much!

Comment from ccto12

Excellent

Oh so deliciously scary DK! Okay seriously I really enjoyed reading this and hearing your thoughts expressed as to why you love this genre. I totally concur with your line "Reality's far scarier to me outside the monster's lair". Just need to watch the news to be reminded of that truth. Your next line made me giggle when you say "Oh can't you write of butterflies with satin fairy wings - that is hysterical!- and "realms of light, doing what's right, you know -- those sorts of things." Love your tongue-in-cheek ending that's starts with telling the reader to relax and ends with a warning to beware, ha, ha. Well written my new FS friend.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014

Hah, so glad you caught the dark humor in this, my friend. You certainly nailed my meaning, and for that I am extremely grateful.

reply by ccto12 on 13-Mar-2014

Funny. You are the third person today who has told me that as a reviewer I've nailed the meaning of their work. I'm on a roll!!! Yippee!

reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014

Just make sure it ain't a dinner roll, LOL...

reply by ccto12 on 13-Mar-2014

Hah hah!

Comment from Twilightspire

Exceptional

Nicely written. First, let me say the picture was superb. The poem itself is a very good example of why one would write horror. It seems like a good way of saying "up yours" without actually saying it to all of those people who want us to write about "fluffy puppies and hook ups." Heh heh. Wonderful word choice and I love how you wrote it with sentences instead of just a word to go along with the corresponding letter.
-T.J.

 Comment Written 12-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 13-Mar-2014

Hah ha, you said it my friend, not me. Well, maybe I did leave little clues "pointing" in that direction. If I used my middle finger when I "pointed", does that count, LOL?

I lose every single prompt I enter that is not specifically designated as horror, or thriller, but I enter anyway. See...there goes my infernal middle finger again! Anyhow, I do it to give people who aren't partial to cooing babies and butterflies something to read that they might like. My acrostic? It won't win the contest, I'd almost guarantee it. But at least it gave me a forum to get my point across.

Thanks again, TJ. Much obliged!

Comment from Treischel

Excellent

Well that completely explains it! Wevare all a little nuts, and thrill seekers at heart, I also think there is a bit of curiosity involved. Of course that just might kill the cat?

 Comment Written 12-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 12-Mar-2014

How right you are, Mr. 'T'. According to Mr. King we're all a bit loco, but what does he know, right?
Thanks for taking a gander at this one and commenting. I really appreciate it!

Comment from alexgeorge

Excellent

Great! You have transcended the bounds of this humble site, my talented horror friend. I love the clever way you played with the word horrorwriter. So much talent waiting to be discovered--hopefully soon enough will be plucked by an agent.

 Comment Written 12-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 14-Mar-2014

Thanks, Alex, I appreciate that, coming from you! Now, if the faceless FanStory voting committee feels the same way, it'll be all uphill from there!

I appreciate it, sincerely.

Comment from Leineco

Exceptional

It always amazes me, that a writer, could question another writer's source of inspiration (judgmentally)! Do they ask Gungalo why she writes about sex, or Adewpearl why she writes about her grandson?

And even more mind boggling is that they register dismay at what they have read! (If they find the genre distasteful. . .why do they repeatedly read it???)

I think you answered the question quite admirably. . .LOL and even in poetic couplet form :-) Not only have you explained what moves you to write what you write, you have (reflectively speaking) also explained why we who adore the genre, do so.

Simply stated - because your muse (and our curiosity) demand it! It's just one of the myriad of ways to contemplate the human condition. And the world we live in.

Nicely done :-)

P.S. re:I wouldn't do this if it were not for you.

Or...would I?
Of course you would! Your mind just works that way :-)

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 11-Mar-2014

Hah, Leineco, this has to be one of the most entertaining reviews I've ever received. For one thing, you nailed my reasons for writing this right on the proverbial head. Another reason is, you "get it". You write in the genre too, so you understand why it is what we do. And to read a glowing review such as this, from someone who understands, well...that makes it all the more special. Horror writers are not monsters. We are just average, everyday men and women who enjoy scaring the crap outta folks. Now, what's so terrible about that?

Comment from lindalcreel

Exceptional

I think some people forget that Stephen King has authored a great book about writing that I have found to be most helpful. The beauty of writing is that nothing is, nor should it be, predictable. That's what makes reading so much fun. Even though I would never attempt this, I can appreciate the poems you put before us. They are always entertaining and I commend you for your talent.:)

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 11-Mar-2014

An excerpt from Stephen King's book: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft-
"The real importance of reading is that it creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing; one comes to the country of the writer with one's papers and identification pretty much in order. Constant reading will pull you into a place (a mind-set, if you like the phrase) where you can write eagerly and without self-consciousness. It also offers you a constantly growing knowledge of what has been done and what hasn't, what is trite and what is fresh, what works and what just lies there dying (or dead) on the page. The more you read, the less apt you are to make a fool of yourself with your pen or word processor."

Thanks, Linda, and I included that quote above from Stephen King because it is one of my favorites in the book. I really appreciate your support of what I do, and I am very grateful you continue to do so.

XXXOOO
~Dean~

reply by lindalcreel on 11-Mar-2014

My pleasure:)