Cherry

Cherries are mythical creatures that can be as elusive as the holy grail. It is best to write for oneself and enjoy the whole fun process of writing, editing and redrafting. Like wilky, my second ever piece was cherrypicked.I was a mixture of thrilled and confused. I'd spent days on my first story (which is cherryless), and put it through a few redrafts. I wrote the second story (which was cherrypicked)in about an hour while still in my bed. The most important thing, in my humble opinion, is to have fun, continue learning as you write and read widely. If you do that it won't be long before you're back here telling us what it was like to get your first cherry.

I think I posted four pieces at the beginning and two were cherried. Oldpesky's description of thrilled and confused pretty much sums it up I reckon. And even though rationally I know the cherries are very subjective, I still yearn for them when I post work and experience a moment of great joy when I get them but deepening gloom as I realise it just ain't going to happen. In a strange way I'd like there to be a "no cherry" signal to show you haven't got one. Maybe a raspberry for work that hasn't made the cut. (I'm not serious about this by the way) One of my stories that I was so convinced was brilliant didn't get cherried that I was forced to write my one and only abctales poem to get over it. And that was cherried! It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world.

No need to feel abashed, Alex. You've started a good topic here. I'm sure many others will have the same mixed feelings. It can be a bit of a lottery at times and depend on which editor got out of whose bed on what side on a particular afternoon. Hardly the most scientific of procedures but for the most part it seems to work. The other thing to remember is that the awarding of cherries can be relative to how that particular writer has improved or has written something completely different from their usual genre or style...or something like that. Now then, I'm off to read your latest piece of work and celebrate your cherry with a mug of tea and a fresh cream slice. Mmm, any excuse for a cake works up these parts.

Some of my cherries, I was surprised at, as I have written far better pieces, which were cherryless. I suppose it depends on the taste of the person who awards them.

Ah UB40 - not sure which Alex that was aimed at but I enjoyed it. And now have Rat In Me Kitchen going round in me head.

Aaaaggghhh - so have I now.

None of my poetry which is intended to be humerous and often raises a laugh amongst those who hear it has ever been cherried! On the other hand a lot of my stories which were nearly all written 40 years ago have been. I wish I was younger!

I am completely new to this site. I enjoy writing but don,t understand the rights and wrongs of submitting work. For instance does you section of a story have to be posted as a chapter. I enjoy writing short stories based on actual life events of around 3 thousand words.

Hi Sam, I faced the same dilemma when I joined. Write as much as you like when you like, BUT if you want to keep your audience' attention limit the submission to 1000/1500 words or so. This is about as much as is comfortable to read at any one time on a computer. There is a limit of three submissions per day and it sounds as if you should split your stories into two parts (chapters) If practical leave the first part with some sort of cliff hanger to make your readers wonder what on earth happens next. Best of luck!

I was very nervous about posting (fear of judgment, betrayal of motives fear of failure - take your pick from these and then add some of your own). I was in bed Sunday morning reading to my 6 year old son and pregnant wife (The Hobbit) when; during a break I saw a cherry and poem of the week award. I am still embarrassed at my reaction and my son still lives in fear of the memory! Scratch. PS. "The Hobbit" is not my wife.