Which Is Your Best Six?

[Michael Brown]

I have an idea in mind for a little project, and I'm trying to find out from each of you who are interested in responding, "Of all the pieces you have posted here on the site, which one do you think represents you best for the type of writing by which you want to be known?" So many of you have produced so many good pieces and have written hundreds of comments telling others how beautiful and effective you thought their work was, but now I'd like to turn the tables. Take a moment to reflect on your own output, and don't be shy or reserved. Imagine the site was going to be revamped and all of your pieces but one would be deleted (yes, this is sort of a desert island survey).
What's your personal best?

NOTE: This discussion/forum is still open, but I have started on the project. To see the Work in Progress click on this link: http://mudjob.blogspot.com/p/work-in-progress.html
The goal is to have a year's worth of good reading all in one place.
At the moment, the image map includes the Guest Writings posted at MuDJoB along with the favorites noted in this discussion, but there is actually space for 378 links. Some links currently don't go anywhere, but don't let that stop you from mousing over the graphic, which can be updated to include more authors. There are already many, many live links.
Enjoy.
--M

NOTE 2: Latecomers to the discussion, I have added links to your titles on the image map, but for now you'll find them in the column of logos until I get around to adding another column of images some time soon.
I have to say, I'm disappointed that the links on image maps do not work here on ning sites, and although the links do work on blogspot where MuDJoB is, the alternate text boxes, which help identify the pieces and authors, do not.
I have attached the web page below and if you open it in Internet Explorer it works the way it is supposed to (not in Firefox, though, and I haven't tested Chrome).
Please keep your notices coming in. I add them as I see them, and will get around to enlarging the map to show everyone who wants to have a link included.
And nothing gets moved. As Sandra pointed out, this is just a collection of links to direct readers to the location where the stories currently reside, somewhat like a Virtual Anthology.
Hope you're enjoying reading the work of all your friends. I sure am.
Happy reading.
--M

[Sandra Davies]

Out of 200+ - hell Michael, that's a big and difficult question. But I'll try.

And what a good idea - will you let us know the results?

[Teresa]

I enjoyed writing and thinking about The Terrace. Those characters are so real for me and I often think about continuing the story, but I'm afraid to break the spell. Unselfish love, personal transformation and second chances always resonate with me.

[Javed Baloch]

Not that difficult for me, compared to Sandra's millions, only 9 posts so far. :) I normally try and judge a particular post by the kind of feedback it receives. (Yourself, Mike Handley and Khaalidah have always been very helpful in that respect, so thank you once again).

I believe it has to be none other than Faery (Part 1) (http://sixsentences.ning.com/profiles/blogs/faery-1)

I have to say the idea appealed to me on a certain level, a terrified little son and the ghost like figure of his father, a cross dressing fiend which was best described as a cross between jame gumb and pennywise by Mike. The whole thing gave me shivers when I wrote it down.

[Mike Handley]

This wasn't easy. Nonfiction best describes my life as a writer and my forte. But my favorite blog here is "Kindred Sex," one of the few pieces of fiction bearing my byline. It also drew more responses than anything I've published at 6S. Here's the url:
http://sixsentences.ning.com/profiles/blogs/kindred-sex

[Mike Handley]

Thanks, Bill. Sometimes our little wild hairs work, eh? Plus, sex always sells.

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

Should we count ones on the blogspot, as well, or only ones on the social network?

[Michael Brown]

I should add I'm having a hard time with this myself as sometimes when I think I've topped myself, and edited and honed a piece to the best of my ability, I post it and get only a few comments, and other times when I'm reaching and just sort of throw something together, I'm amazed by receiving a dozen or more positive remarks, and it makes me think that's the kind of writing I must be best at.
But here in this discussion, I'm trying to get insight into the minds of the creators, and so I think we should respond with our own favorites, regardless of how they were received. Teresa gave a terrific response, and for those, like Leviathan, who have not yet built up an enormous body of work at 6S, don't be shy. His reply was good, too.
We might broaden this to include any short piece you've posted anywhere, but if your favorite is outside of the social network here at Ning, please include a link to it.
You'll be able to see the individual responses here, and if my project works out, I should have a nice little surprise for everybody in a couple of weeks.

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

I was thinking about what you said about posting a "best" honed piece only to get a few comments and then getting a slew of comments on something you threw together. I do notice, in general, that those pieces that get a lot of comments are ones that are not necessarily literary or even well written, but make remarks that relate to the lives of the readers. Also, it depends greatly on when the blogs are posted. Sunday evening is a good time. Monday night is bad. Why? I don't know.

[Kristine_ES]

too new for this, perhaps?

best six...ehm...one that hasn't been writ yet?

[Michael Brown]

Kristine, the range has been expanded. You can select any short piece you've posted anywhere. Only please supply a link.

[Kristine_ES]

Hi Mike
It's not six but it's short and it's my favorite:
http://bronczilla6.blogspot.com/2010/09/fetch-yer-daughter.html

[Jeanette Cheezum]

How short? Would it be 6 sentences or 1800 words?