FanStory.com - Part II

Remember my last post about FanStory.com? When I first looked at the site, it looked like a wonderful service that they offered. I will say, from what I can tell, that the members themselves offer the good service (in the form of personal critiques). Otherwise, the site is there for one purpose, to make money. This isn’t surprising as they are a business, and they do what businesses do best – concentrate on the bottom line (they don’t mask it really well). It's the business side (the vanity/ego side) that you should stay away from.

So what sparked this rant? Lee Goldberg posted an article titled “The Easy Way to Become a Professional Writer”. It really made me take a second long look at the site, and he is right. Take a look at how they phrase their services:

“Not only does the community of writers at FanStory support and help one another, they compete in a yearly ranking system. At the end of each year, the top five authors in four categories receive trophies in the mail. Related to competing, each month FanStory holds many writing contests in which the winner receives $100. To top that, there is a Seal Committee that brands top-notch work with a Seal of Quality, the author gaining the status of professional."

So, is the service useless? I don’t think so (from what I can tell). As long as members can help critique each other’s writing, then it will never be (like I mentioned in my last post). I’m sure there are those out there that believe otherwise, but I’ll stand my ground on this one until proven wrong.

Comments

[Kandie Rosales]

I'm a member of FanStory, Have been now for three months. I have learned so much about writing from them. The feedback has always been helpful and actually has brought me along way from three months ago. When I look at my first stories then and how I write now it's like looking from a 1st grader to that of a 8th grader's work. I couldn't tell an adverb from an adjective before and I have came a long way with the help of those on the site. It's been fun and the contests are great. Guess what I'm trying to say is Fanstory is all about writing and becoming better at it not meeting John and Jane. I joined for one reason and that's to become a better writer and I have. P/S I'm a high school drop-out, believe me when I say I had no idea what an adverb was. Thanks FanStory.

[William T walker]

Re: fanstory.com part two - I agree with the author, yet there is one attribute (or lack thereof) that fan-story has that irks me. I write some political things which I post there (stories, essays) If someone rates your politics, rather than your writing the management at fanstory seems not to care. I repeatedly asked for a rule on this and was repeatedly patronized by management. If someone can not seperate their own prejudices from the writing of another they should not rate that other person. I am not talking about agreement or disageement with that other persons politics (lifestyle, religion, etc), I am talking about the writing. I have found some writing there that I totally disagee with, yet I give that person high marks because the writing is beautiful. Just the rants of an old curmudgeon. Y'all take care now - and come to see us on fan-story. Tim aka the HOG

[Sarah Hudson]

I can totally agree with this posting as i am a member of Fanstory.com and find it thoroughly useful!
Not only that, it is a great place to meet other writers, experience extensive styles of writing and get some good and bad feedback on your own work - which let's face it is what us writers need! Good honest critiques is what helps us improve!

Right then, I'm new to this site, so I'm off to explore! : )

Sarah Hudson