1) firstly, he was accurate and clear 2) secondly, he pulled no punches
Oh, lord! Now I'm crying. Must get my hankie.
Thanks, Survivor. *sniff*
Posted by JBSkaggs (Member # 2265) on :
The first thing Survivor did for me was to piss me off enough to actually rewrite the story rather than defend it! Up until then I was determined to PROVE my writing was the best method.
Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :
Survivor helped me see how often I used conceits, especially in my first story he critiqued.
Not that that was the only thing wrong with it...
[This message has been edited by Keeley (edited February 18, 2005).]
Posted by HSO (Member # 2056) on :
Thanks, Mike... you crack me up... you know that? I was kidding. Kidding!
I'm going to refrain from responding in this topic any further. But I will lurk and enjoy.
Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :
Ohhhh.
So sorry.
Posted by djvdakota (Member # 2002) on :
With his first post in my behalf, Survivor taught me that he was a decent guy. He actually gave me a compliment and helped make my transition to Hatrack a smooth one. It was only LATER that I came to know his dark and sinister side. He was like SATAN! Drawing me in with his silken threads!
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
I remember he told me I was an idiot is such a wonderfull way that I knew this was the place for me.
Posted by Doc Brown (Member # 1118) on :
Survovor and I have bumped in each other many times in the past four years. The first time we tangled, I believe, was in a thread about realism vs fantasy. It turned into a contest of who could push things so far that Kathleen would close the thread.
As I recall, we both failed.
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
When I first came to Hatrack I noticed that this guy "Survivor" seemed to show up in a lot of discussions, often with lengthy expositions and opinions. I figured he was either a delusional know-it-all, or someone with a somewhat superior intellect. (I'm not a hundred percent sure which it is or if it isn't something completely different all together ).
My first actual interaction with Survivor was on the first story I happened to sell. He sort of liked the idea but not enough to read more than the 13 lines I had posted, but at least he gave me that much. Before I even got to "know" him, I had a respect for him.
Now, I don't always agree with him, but he usually has something good say and it is almost always worth reading.
Thanks Survivor.
[This message has been edited by Robyn_Hood (edited February 22, 2005).]
Posted by rickfisher (Member # 1214) on :
Survivor improved my writing before ever critiquing a single thing I wrote. When I was first getting ready to post something that I hoped he'd volunteer for, I suddenly started noticing certain things and thinking: Survivor will crucify me on that! These were errors that had made it through maybe a dozen drafts, and suddenly I was able to see them for myself. So now I've got a little imitation Survivor that sits in my head and tells me how terrible my writing is. That allows the real one to be nicer to me.
Also, the real one is much funnier than my internalized version.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Ah, but just wait till my iteration takes over your entire brain, then he will be much more like the real me Posted by JBSkaggs (Member # 2265) on :
Survivor, maybe you could digitally copy your brain and offer a ACTUAL WORKING alternative to Grammatik. (I have never understood how grammatk makes its decisions) You could be a Billionaire overnight.
Posted by dpatridge (Member # 2208) on :
that would be pretty nifty, a robotic critiquer actually worth it's weight... hmm... I smell an idea!
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Well, for the present you have to be content with running me in your wetware.
"All that I ask for myself is just a tiny little corner of your mind. An occasional taste, an occasional touch...."
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
<"All that I ask for myself is just a tiny little corner of your mind. An occasional taste, an occasional touch....">
Is that from Dune Messiah?
Posted by JBSkaggs (Member # 2265) on :
Sounds like the Baron Harkonnen inside of Paul's sister when she was succombing to possession.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
My first Survivor topic was "What was wrong with Happy Head Inc." Which I thought was the weirdest coincidence as I had just taken a cartrip with someone discussing that story. It was really weird finding out they were one and the same.
Posted by dpatridge (Member # 2208) on :
i believe that is correct JB... he would quote one of the great masters of SF, wouldn't he? ...
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
I don't know that I would call Baron Harkonnen one of the great masters of SF...oh, wait, I get it Posted by Jimbob squarepants (Member # 2342) on :
Survivors response to my first post on FF has made a huge difference in the way I am writing and reviewing my work. I almost feel irresponsible for posting it with all of the flaws it had. (I should say HAS since I have not yet reposted the revisions I have made) Anyway thank you to everyone here on hatrack for all of the advise and inspiration.
Posted by HSO (Member # 2056) on :
Heh. Is Survivor on vacation? Haven't seen any posts from him lately. I hope everything is all right.
Anyone know? I suppose I could try emailing him...
Posted by Jeraliey (Member # 2147) on :
Franc? Everything all right with Survivor?
Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :
maybe he's writing...
Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :
I'm glad somebody asked, I thought maybe I was going crazy (oops, too late for that I guess ).
Maybe we need to get out our Official Hatrack Bosun Whistles to try summoning our Penmanship captain...
Posted by TaShaJaRo (Member # 2354) on :
I started lurking here back in November of last year but did not actually join until February. Survivor's posts were one of the major reasons I finally broke my silence and joined. I was curious who he was because he was so darn good at pointing out precisely what needed work in any given piece and stating it in such a clear, non-inflamatory manner. I want to do that!
I too have noticed his absence lately....
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
Yes, Survivor is on vacation. He gets back on Tuesday. I haven't been too on the ball my own self. Though I'm kind of surprised he hasn't logged in.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
I was running around Ft. Jackson the past couple of days. We pulled out Sam's computer and watched a DVD, but the bay wasn't wired for internet access and Sam won't be allowed to use his computer for the first couple of weeks of AIT. I'm using the other Sam's computer right now.
).
).