Comment from mermaids

Excellent

I have had my share of bad reviews. Your poem is so true, helpful criticism is one thing but I feel it a reader really does not like the writing, then just do not review it. Excellent poem here with much wisdom to impart.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

Comment from Sarah Das Gupta

Excellent

I agree with your comments. Most reviewers do their best. There do seem some who write more or less the same thing in response to very different poems! It should perhaps be less expensive to promote your writing. I admire the skill you have in putting all types of subjects into perfect rhyme!

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

Comment from Jim Wile

Excellent

Nice commentary in a very well-written poem, Debi. You post a lot more than me and get many more reviews, so I'm sure you've gotten a few stinkers over the years. I've had my share of criticism, but I've been fortunate enough not to have had any that I would consider rude. I think the attitude to take is the one you expressed in your line: They are the one who is confused. Jim

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2023

Thanks Jim. Actually this poem was about someone who insulted a friend, who also works hard on her chapters and someone who doesn't follow along, must not have read that one either and for sure didn't look in the notes for clues. Fine, right. But he couldn't even fake it. He started asking stupid questions and was rude. Well when I heard that, I became a bit of a friendship mama bear and wrote this poem. I was hoping that a little humor would tame it a little so I didn't sound too preachy, but like my kids always said, "mom its too bad you can't stick up for yourself that well." I knew in my heart that there would be nobody that would review who were guilty. I have been so blessed by 99% of you lovely friends. Thank you Jim

Comment from Pam (respa)

Excellent

-Good artwork and nice presentation, Debi.
-You make some good points in your poem
with effective imagery and rhyme.
-I like your line about the "twilight zone."
-I also like "smug cannot be debated."
-A very good closing couplet puts
the icing on the cake!!
-Well done.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

Comment from jenintorre

Excellent

You are so right here. I am sure some reviewers don't bother to read the story/poem. They are just after the points as several just write the same meaningless comments every single time and I guess to everyone. It really shouldn't be allowed. I don't even bother to read them when I see the name. Take care. Jen

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

Comment from estory

Excellent

You bring up a lot of good points, a lot of pros and cons about the system on Fanstory, in an appropriate rhymed format. I tend to just stay away from poems that I feel are underwhelming, rather than post a 3 or 4 star review. People don't receive these well in the scramble for popularity here. Of course being civil and honest in reviewing is important. I try to apply the four years I spent studying literature at Hofstra and learning to critique and analyze it in my reviewing. I try to say something about style and construction, as well as the imagery used and the imagination in articulating the theme. There are always those who are just after the member dollars and some don't even review at all. It's a problem not easily solved I think. You need to encourage people to read other people's stuff or the whole thing is for nothing. Unfortunately, I have come across many people who are just interested in posting their own material. Some have flat out told me they have no time to read my stuff, but want me to read theirs. estory

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2023

Thanks so much estory. You are spot on, and I agree completely.
For some, the luxury of reading others work, only makes it harder to do your own. What I am saying is that after I write and thank reviewers, I have no vision left. The way it is, I am having 2 eye surgeries in June, and hopefully will be able to fix what shingles did to my retinas a few years ago. But after June, watch out, cause here I come. It is hard too have to spend my own to promote, as I am not rich. However, this dream means that much to me. Like many, I had put it on hold to raise a family and now it is my time.
Thank you for this awesome review and comments. You are so sweet,

Comment from Mary Vigasin

Excellent

That I earn some points and member dollars is what I need, however, if that were my only goal, I am doing myself and the writers a disservice and missing the point of FS entirely. How can I develop writing skills, if my only goal is member dollars? There are gems in the 2-cent post just as in the higher dollars.
Truthfully, if I do not understand a post, I skip over . A critique does not deserve a lower rating, if I as a reviewer do not understand the message where others do, but at the same time, the worst review is one that just serves up compliments without reading or understanding the work just for member dollars.
oops. I went on to long!
Well-written and very much stated.
Best wishes,
Mary

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2023

Thanks so much Mary. You are spot on, and I agree completely.
For some, the luxury of reading others work, only makes it harder to do your own. What I am saying is that after I write and thank reviewers, I have no vision left. The way it is, I am having 2 eye surgeries in June, and hopefully will be able to fix what shingles did to my retinas a few years ago. But after June, watch out, cause here I come. It is hard too have to spend my own to promote, as I am not rich. However, this dream means that much to me. Like many, I had put it on hold to raise a family and now it is my time.
Thank you for this awesome review and comments. You are so sweet,

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Fortunately there are not too many of those types of reviewers. I had to laugh at one of mine, it was a 1700 word chapter in one of my novels, the reviewer told me how much they liked my poem, it had a good flow and the rhyme was smooth. I checked out her comments and found everyone had the same review. I told her what I thought, and that she had a funny idea of poetry! LOL. If I can't read a piece, if I don't understand them, I skip. My reviews have at times been long enough to be a novella!!! LOL Well done, my friend, I would like to say I hope those reviewers will read this one and see they are found out. But you'll probably get...
....how much they liked your poem, it had a good flow and the rhyme was smooth....
Love and hugs, Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Good evening, Debi.

I think reviewing consumes a lot of time and it can take up to 60 reviews to earn enough member dollars to post ONE poem to the front page at over $1.00 with the base certificate and 30 MCPs. Some people pay to post with real cash and do very little reviewing so that creates a bit of an uneven playing field. It's great work if you can get it but the fact is if everyone did that no one would be getting many reviews.

There have been a few heated discussions in the forums about this matter over the years. It's a successful business model for the site that only becomes dysfunctional when too many non-reviewers post to the front page and the worker writers' (think of bees here) poems are left to languish in the hinterlands no matter how much they review.

I think it would be more generous to celebrate reviewers who in large measure are doing their very best rather than singling any one out for derision in what sounds to be more of a misunderstanding than a "greedy" taking of a member dollar without reading, yes?

Anyway, Debi as my old friend Red Green used to say, 'keep your pen on the paper'.

Cheers,

Gloria

PS: I noticed you use word wrap which makes the text box wide on any device, and I love that. Care to share the code?

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023

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reply by the author on 23-Mar-2023

Thank you Gloria, for one of the classiest and kind reviews. It is a complete pleasure to read and respond to such a respectful review.

This all started when a friend was deeply hurt over the remarks from a reviewer, who had not read, or wouldn't have made them. I even happen to like the guy, but this time it made me angry, an emotion I hate. Even people that hurt me, I forgive easily and move on.
I like to think that I have the "wouldn't hurt a fly" personality, but to see this guy treat anyone, especially a friend, hurt me and I become a bit of mama bear. Isn't that why we are writers, to let those things inspire.
I thought I handled well by praising the majority and pointing out the two things that should not happen; not taking the time to read and being disrespectful. The rest I tried to add a little humor. And 99% were loving it and gave them a chance to tell some of their experiences. In my eyes a very healthy thing.

And please Gloria, understand that this is not against you at all. I have always cared so much for you as you have been very kind, but to be told by one (once again, not you) how to write, what I can and can't write about, have the audacity to judge me and accuse over and over and pick at everything I do or say, takes my rights as a writer away from me. Like I said, 99% of people care and know me well enough and know that I write from my heart.

Honest reviews are always welcome. I have taken some of the hardest reviews and turned into friendships where I actually am thanking in a book that I am doing. But it is the 1% who find fault in all that will finally destroy me. It is hard on my health and my husband almost made me quit after it happened once before, as it cause a flare up of my lupus, which put other organs, especially my kidney disease into a critical stage. I don't think what I do should be that important to the anyone, especially when most enjoy my writing. However, my integrity is not here to stomp on and destroy. And that is why I am still here. I may be a Christian, but I am still human.
God sent me here for a reason, and I always pray before doing posts like this. I know when He says yes and no, and this he nudged immensely.

As far as how the reviewer promotes or not, is a personal thing. I am not rich, nor do I like using my own money for this. But when I picked FanStory it was because I knew I didn't have much time left to fulfill my one bucket list item that had always been so important to me.
As I am sure many have, I put off that dream to care for family and do life. According FS, promoting was important to get those reviews and it is so much fun, and I am learning something new everyday.
Also if people like me didn't promote with our own money then how would others be allowed to post more of their own work in less time?

My health and vision are very limited to say the least. I have an opportunity to see better and review more after my two eye surgeries in June. Unfortunately my health isn't as easy to fix. My family loves me doing this because they see mom fulfilling her own dream, which has cause less stress on my body. At least up until the last month or so.

I have a problem with anyone who feels they are superior and have the right to judge me without even knowing me. I have been given a gift to love others and tell them how I feel. The fact that I had no childhood is why God gave me that gift. Making up for past hurt. If anyone wants to challenge me on anything, they should first hear that part so they can judge more accurately. This is why I stick up for what I believe in so strongly. I believe that too to be a gift, along with honesty and integrity.
And I also hurt easy, literally and emotionally. If I make a mistake, I admit it. If I don't I will fight to prove it. Which I shouldn't have had to offer to send a precious book of my mothers to see, for someone to see, just so I can prove it. I am honest and care about others feelings, so I am thankful that God gave me the heart He did.

We are artists and may step on toes, but I try so hard not to. When I see wrong, I call it out, but at least use a little humor and fun along the way. And never judge another's heart unless I have lived it. Therefore judging only myself because at the end of the day........

As much as I didn't see why anyone should be upset over this except the guilty, I understand your points and appreciate them too. But I am honest and stand by my feelings of right is right and wrong is wrong. And disrespect is something that I just cannot tolerate.
I know I am all over the place with this and don't feel well enough to go back and edit at this time. But I thank you once again for being that person who knows how to speak so kindly and respectfully. The two things I admire most in anyone.
And lol, like I said, not about you and didn't proofread. Just wrote from my heart.
And I am not sure about word wrap, but if you explained what that is, maybe I could go into my settings and see if there is a code.

Thanks again my dear friend, for giving me the opportunity to also tell you a little more about why I do whatever and however.. You are so gracious, my sweet friend.

Comment from Paul McFarland

Excellent

Nicely done, Debi. It took me a few months to get in the swing of reviewing. I try to be helpful and gentle if I think the poet is struggling. I guess that's the teacher in me.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2023