I did write something for a flash. It didn't come out so well--it was too large a story for the time and the constraints of the flash, but I really liked it. One of the guys who critiques (these are critiqued, mostly, I think, to show they were read) likes to say, "I like this--" and go on, but he mostly says, "I don't like this--" for everyone's story.

Well, no duh! It's actually a stupid thing to say; mostly, even the authors don't like them all that much. Still, though, there's great potential, just in that little thing.

Anyway, after a time or two of where the recipient is upset, you literally don't pay attention to what he says. It's like using a mallet swatter on a fly, and you just think, Oh, well. Fortunately for him, he's very good at these flashes, so he doesn't get the experience the joy .

I've been working on improving my writing and getting stronger. I don't know that I'll ever make it past the vignette-type stories. This might be one of my writerly quests, but I think that's all right.