Decorative Ironwork

Hi sue,

I love this poem, it's so original, we have a wrought
iron bannister going up the stairs, in the shape of
leaves, it's a really amazing craft I think, you
express it so well.

Jenny.

Hi Jenny, I'm glad you like the poem because I really enjoyed putting it together and was pleased it came out well. You really are a star with your generous comments. You’ve always been supportive of my work and I really appreciate it. You keep my confidence up. But I'm a failure as far as getting cherries are concerned. I think I've now submitted around 140 stories and poems and have only got six cherries. It must be the worst record at ABC. I think they're a mean lot in editorial. My work can't be all that bad. I do put a lot of effort in, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. Some member’s profiles on ABC look like cherry orchards and poppy fields, in fact, I think I'm going to write something about it. I suppose CHERRY ORCHARDS AND POPPY FIELDS might be a catchy title. What do you think? Ah well, I've had a moan. I'll keep trying.

Nice to hear about your wrought iron banister - very posh. I've always been fascinated by decorative ironwork and the people who make it. It's a wonderful craft. Whenever we’re out for a ride or exploring and I see a blacksmith's I always pop in. I love the smells you get in there and I love watching the blacksmith make something. Brilliant.

Thanks for commenting,

sue

Hi sue,

please don't feel down about not getting cherries,
I think your work is great, it's a funny old world
this ABC Tales and what one person is into another
isn't, remember that.

Personally when I first joined ABC Tales, I thought
that it was like getting a medal, getting those
cherries, but now I realise that it's only one
persons opinion. I love my stories and so should
you love yours no matter what.

I'm sure people do read and enjoy your stories,
otherwise as with this piece, you have 34 people
who have read.

Keep writing, do it for yourself, not for anyone else, I don't personally get many cherries, but now
I don't care, at least I'm getting my work out there
for people to read if they want to.

I hope this helps, just remember we are all special
in our own way.

Take care and keep writing, but not for the cherries.

Jenny.

Hi Jenny, you are such a nice person, and very encouraging to me. I don't really write for cherries and I do write for myself and hope people will enjoy what I've written. But I do hate bias and favouritism and it strikes me there are certain favourites with the editors. I cannot draw any other conclusion. I have compared various authors' work and it strikes me there is quite a lot of deserving author's that have written very good pieces and never get a mention. The whole point is, what are ABC editors judging on? Just to award cherries if the piece appeals to them? And if a piece is close to making the grade, why don't they suggest what can be done to turn it into a winner? Do the editors just judge on what they like? I mean there's a lot of stuff I read that I don't like, but I can acknowledge that it is good of its own field, or at least the author has made an effort. I've never received one encouaging comment from an ABC editor. In fact when I first joined I had a lot of sarcasm directed at me from certain editors. I don't think they are editors any longer, or at least I haven't noticed their names come up lately.

I'm sorry to go on, I guess I'm just on a downer. But I do believe there should be parity in editorial appraisal and it is obvious this isn't the case.

I can understand that stories start at a disadvantage because there is a lot a text to wade through and poems are easier to read, but stories should get a fairer hearing. What about comments on dialogue, characterisation, plot, pacing etc?

Anyway, I'm getting boring.

Many thanks for writing, Jenny.

Best wishes.

sue