On things
Some thoughts46 total reviews
Comment from w.j.debi
I am happy to see your name in my inbox. I never know what to expect, but you never disappoint.
This is an excellent critique of the writers/reviewers on the site. I admire your ability to present arguments in an organized manner full of useful examples. I loved "no one deducts stars."
Before I posted my first work, I read the site rules. When I pushed release for my first post, I held my breath, hoping for a three, but prepared for a two or a one since I was new. Imaging my delight to get five stars. Was I better than I thought? I wonder how many other newbies think the same thing? It doesn't take long to learn that five stars it the norm.
One thing I miss is, when I first joined there were classes on poetry and prose writing. I took several. Those seem to have disappeared. I go to other sources for training now. I still learn from honest reviewers and even follow a few of them as I read reviews they do on other people's work as well as on my own.
I agree that committee members should remain anonymous. Otherwise, people might pester them about whether their work is good enough to submit for review and then blame the committee member if the work didn't get the prize. I admire anyone who gives their time to be on a committee. It can't be easy.
Still, I love posting here. It's a 'feel good place' on days I need it, and I learn from those that do give honest feedback and point out what I can do to improve, or even if I did something right.
Glad to see you back and hope to see more of your work.
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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I am happy to see your name in my inbox. I never know what to expect, but you never disappoint.
This is an excellent critique of the writers/reviewers on the site. I admire your ability to present arguments in an organized manner full of useful examples. I loved "no one deducts stars."
Before I posted my first work, I read the site rules. When I pushed release for my first post, I held my breath, hoping for a three, but prepared for a two or a one since I was new. Imaging my delight to get five stars. Was I better than I thought? I wonder how many other newbies think the same thing? It doesn't take long to learn that five stars it the norm.
One thing I miss is, when I first joined there were classes on poetry and prose writing. I took several. Those seem to have disappeared. I go to other sources for training now. I still learn from honest reviewers and even follow a few of them as I read reviews they do on other people's work as well as on my own.
I agree that committee members should remain anonymous. Otherwise, people might pester them about whether their work is good enough to submit for review and then blame the committee member if the work didn't get the prize. I admire anyone who gives their time to be on a committee. It can't be easy.
Still, I love posting here. It's a 'feel good place' on days I need it, and I learn from those that do give honest feedback and point out what I can do to improve, or even if I did something right.
Glad to see you back and hope to see more of your work.
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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Yeah, I wonder what happened to all the writing courses. I know a lot of folk get their social lives from the site and that's good too but it's still a writing site for me first and foremost.
Many thanks as always. G
Comment from Sally Law
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insightful, G. I really appreciate this. I can say I have had all of these issues since I joined FanStory in 2018.
FanStory is more than just a write's forum for me. It has become my source of social media. I'm very connected to many. I have fans and friends all over the world.
Being blind has its disadvantages and has opened me up to some unnecessary critiques which bothers me. My equipment doesn't always catch it, and it's frustrating. Still, I plug away and encourage those with disabilities like myself. We have many on FS with sight impairments. I'm probably the worst.
Thank you again for sharing.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sally :))
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insightful, G. I really appreciate this. I can say I have had all of these issues since I joined FanStory in 2018.
FanStory is more than just a write's forum for me. It has become my source of social media. I'm very connected to many. I have fans and friends all over the world.
Being blind has its disadvantages and has opened me up to some unnecessary critiques which bothers me. My equipment doesn't always catch it, and it's frustrating. Still, I plug away and encourage those with disabilities like myself. We have many on FS with sight impairments. I'm probably the worst.
Thank you again for sharing.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sally :))
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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Many thanks for reading and reviewing, Sally. I'm dyslexic as well as being neurodivergent so I know about some writing difficulties. But at least technology means you don't have to sit on the sidelines.
much appreciated
G
Comment from evilynne
I found your opinions here most interesting. I have at times read about unfairness, politics, cheating, on the site. I don't get this and have never found this. I appreciate any reviews (although sometimes I think I do get off too easy). The stars are like a bonus to me, and I hope they are given with sincerity. Of course, six stars make me happy but less is okay if awarded honestly. Your ideas here are well stated. I really don't care much about the committees. I assume that they know their stuff and are honest in their judgement. I recently have been entering more contests, just to give myself assignments to work on, since I'm somewhat stressed out at times. It doesn't matter, I usually don't take home any prizes. It doesn't matter if I think an award is due, it is what the judges think. Oh, by the way, I don't have a sixer to award you. I certainly think your article is worth that. Evi
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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I found your opinions here most interesting. I have at times read about unfairness, politics, cheating, on the site. I don't get this and have never found this. I appreciate any reviews (although sometimes I think I do get off too easy). The stars are like a bonus to me, and I hope they are given with sincerity. Of course, six stars make me happy but less is okay if awarded honestly. Your ideas here are well stated. I really don't care much about the committees. I assume that they know their stuff and are honest in their judgement. I recently have been entering more contests, just to give myself assignments to work on, since I'm somewhat stressed out at times. It doesn't matter, I usually don't take home any prizes. It doesn't matter if I think an award is due, it is what the judges think. Oh, by the way, I don't have a sixer to award you. I certainly think your article is worth that. Evi
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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I sometimes think folk like conspiracy theories and look for excuses rather than face facts! lol
Much appreciated
G
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
I'm so glad that you put all this down in an effort to try and clarify a system that so often doesn't make sense and can be very divisive. A 'good' isn't a bad review as it has come to be considered. An 'excellent' normally means perfect which is rarely the case. We just seem to end up being frightened of offending or, worse, be subjected to possible retaliation. Sometimes the finger slips when scrolling for the appropriate star and I think it is right to question the rating if it comes out of the blue. I did this the other day when the review barely touched on my post but simply expounded on the reviewer's love of this particular verse form (hardly relevant), saying she was new. But it is often a stressful exercise and a time-consuming one if done properly and, right now, I'm spending longer on reviewing than I am on my own work which is not what I came here to do! Hours can be taken up just trying to get enough dollars to post. So probably hardly surprising that people's hearts simply aren't in it. And money takes precedence over critical reviewing!
I could say so much more. So thanks for sharing this very worthwhile post. Debbie
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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I'm so glad that you put all this down in an effort to try and clarify a system that so often doesn't make sense and can be very divisive. A 'good' isn't a bad review as it has come to be considered. An 'excellent' normally means perfect which is rarely the case. We just seem to end up being frightened of offending or, worse, be subjected to possible retaliation. Sometimes the finger slips when scrolling for the appropriate star and I think it is right to question the rating if it comes out of the blue. I did this the other day when the review barely touched on my post but simply expounded on the reviewer's love of this particular verse form (hardly relevant), saying she was new. But it is often a stressful exercise and a time-consuming one if done properly and, right now, I'm spending longer on reviewing than I am on my own work which is not what I came here to do! Hours can be taken up just trying to get enough dollars to post. So probably hardly surprising that people's hearts simply aren't in it. And money takes precedence over critical reviewing!
I could say so much more. So thanks for sharing this very worthwhile post. Debbie
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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I don't think people understand how important & beneficial giving a decent review can be to your own writing. It's still writing and it helps you see things that can inform your own work. Many thanks
G
Comment from Mary Shifman
Your post makes a lot of good points. I'm still confused about the whole rating system. When I first joined FanStory, I took the rating system to heart. I gave a couple of four stars and the authors flipped out. I was later told by someone (I can't remember who, not that it matters) that we never give less than five. To me, that makes the system useless. I don't even know why we need a rating system except to boost our egos. I do admit, it feels pretty darned good to get a six!
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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Your post makes a lot of good points. I'm still confused about the whole rating system. When I first joined FanStory, I took the rating system to heart. I gave a couple of four stars and the authors flipped out. I was later told by someone (I can't remember who, not that it matters) that we never give less than five. To me, that makes the system useless. I don't even know why we need a rating system except to boost our egos. I do admit, it feels pretty darned good to get a six!
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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It does indeed feel good with a six! lol I still use the rating system and I have the mutes to prove it! Much appreciated
G
Comment from Sanku
I agree .When I came here first I made the mistake of thinking 4 stars means 'good'. I got very bad reactions (one even vile) for giving four stars .Then i read up a lot of reviews and got a general idea of what goes here Rankings are based on number of reviews which again is directly proportional to the member dollars offered ,If your work is promoted to the home page then number of reviews would be more.
I totally agree that many reviews are 'money grabbers'
But then how else can a site like this work?
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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I agree .When I came here first I made the mistake of thinking 4 stars means 'good'. I got very bad reactions (one even vile) for giving four stars .Then i read up a lot of reviews and got a general idea of what goes here Rankings are based on number of reviews which again is directly proportional to the member dollars offered ,If your work is promoted to the home page then number of reviews would be more.
I totally agree that many reviews are 'money grabbers'
But then how else can a site like this work?
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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I'd love to see a cap on promotion to even the playing field so you can't buy the rankings! It won't happen though. many thanks
G
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
You've raised a lot of good points here, Gareth, and I do agree with you. If you've ever read my author's notes, you'll see I always ask and often get some brilliant help. Without those people, I'd never have written a book. I've still got so much to learn, I know that because some reviewers go into a lot of detail about my writing. Until that stops, I'll always be an amateur. So, I guess that's what I WILL always be!! Lol. 4s never bother me, some give me a reason, some are from standard members.
I don't enter contests anymore, I used to with my children's poems. I should try and write some more poems. I have so much to do that I only manage one post a week. I don't know how people can write and post every day. It takes me ages to write a chapter.
I'm going to print this off and put in my Gareth folder, (yes, I still have it, and it's grown somewhat!!) This will keep my focused and on track.
Well done, my friend, I enjoyed reading this. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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You've raised a lot of good points here, Gareth, and I do agree with you. If you've ever read my author's notes, you'll see I always ask and often get some brilliant help. Without those people, I'd never have written a book. I've still got so much to learn, I know that because some reviewers go into a lot of detail about my writing. Until that stops, I'll always be an amateur. So, I guess that's what I WILL always be!! Lol. 4s never bother me, some give me a reason, some are from standard members.
I don't enter contests anymore, I used to with my children's poems. I should try and write some more poems. I have so much to do that I only manage one post a week. I don't know how people can write and post every day. It takes me ages to write a chapter.
I'm going to print this off and put in my Gareth folder, (yes, I still have it, and it's grown somewhat!!) This will keep my focused and on track.
Well done, my friend, I enjoyed reading this. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2023
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Many thanks once again, Sandra. G
Comment from Pearl Edwards
I chuckled when I got to the paragraph on The Committees. I've never personally read anything, that I remember, about them. Personally I decided some years back not to go into contests I would rather write and post and me, I am grateful for all that I have learnt from reading other writers work and for help I have received and still do. This was an interesting read G without being a rant.
Cheers
Valda
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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I chuckled when I got to the paragraph on The Committees. I've never personally read anything, that I remember, about them. Personally I decided some years back not to go into contests I would rather write and post and me, I am grateful for all that I have learnt from reading other writers work and for help I have received and still do. This was an interesting read G without being a rant.
Cheers
Valda
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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I still like getting help but so few people actually do that these days. It's a pat on the back and off they go. I rarely enter competitions anymore either. All the best
G
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
You make a lot of good points. I review because I like to help people and like a good story. If a story is very badly written, I don't let them know I read it. If it is badly written but has redeeming qualities, I offer a lot of help. Some appreciate it. An interesting thing from the other day, I told someone when they talk about someone, the words they say should be in the same paragraph. She said NO ONE had ever suggested that so I must be wrong. That's scary.
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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You make a lot of good points. I review because I like to help people and like a good story. If a story is very badly written, I don't let them know I read it. If it is badly written but has redeeming qualities, I offer a lot of help. Some appreciate it. An interesting thing from the other day, I told someone when they talk about someone, the words they say should be in the same paragraph. She said NO ONE had ever suggested that so I must be wrong. That's scary.
Comment Written 10-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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It is quite shocking that firstly, folk don't know this, and secondly, no one mentions it. Years ago it all seemed a bit more of a collaborative effort. Much appreciated. G
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
There are a couple of things here that I agree with you on and feel strongly about. I often read others' reviews for something I have read. More often than not, it is not a review, just comments on the story and a similar story that the reviewer has experienced. I don't mind people sharing their stories with me, where relevant, as long as they also tell me what they liked or didn't like about the story. There are a few who are very good about pointing out ways to "make my story better" out to me. I'm never offended by these comments, I welcome them. I may not always agree, but they are doing what they're supposed to do.
Anything else is, as you said, trying to grab member dollars to promote their own work.
I hate giving someone four stars, but when I do, I always offer encouragement along with a lesser rating. I've had writers thank me for "being the only person actually to offer advice." I've also had writers tell me "My writing is perfect as is, everyone else liked it." I never review these people again.
If I enter a contest and don't win, I read the winners to find out what they wrote that was better. Most times they are excellent pieces of writing, and I understand why they won. But sometimes there are spags and a lot of unnecessary or uninteresting information, and I wonder why the piece was even considered.
I still enter the occasional contest, but mostly I write because I love to, post because I have fans who really do enjoy my work, and continue to read and review because I love this community. However imperfect.
But because I'm expected to rate this, I'm giving it five stars because it was well-written and you did a fine job of stating your thoughts. I won't give it six stars because it's a viewpoint instead of a creative, researched, compelling piece of writing. And because I don't have six stars to give on a Friday:-)
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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There are a couple of things here that I agree with you on and feel strongly about. I often read others' reviews for something I have read. More often than not, it is not a review, just comments on the story and a similar story that the reviewer has experienced. I don't mind people sharing their stories with me, where relevant, as long as they also tell me what they liked or didn't like about the story. There are a few who are very good about pointing out ways to "make my story better" out to me. I'm never offended by these comments, I welcome them. I may not always agree, but they are doing what they're supposed to do.
Anything else is, as you said, trying to grab member dollars to promote their own work.
I hate giving someone four stars, but when I do, I always offer encouragement along with a lesser rating. I've had writers thank me for "being the only person actually to offer advice." I've also had writers tell me "My writing is perfect as is, everyone else liked it." I never review these people again.
If I enter a contest and don't win, I read the winners to find out what they wrote that was better. Most times they are excellent pieces of writing, and I understand why they won. But sometimes there are spags and a lot of unnecessary or uninteresting information, and I wonder why the piece was even considered.
I still enter the occasional contest, but mostly I write because I love to, post because I have fans who really do enjoy my work, and continue to read and review because I love this community. However imperfect.
But because I'm expected to rate this, I'm giving it five stars because it was well-written and you did a fine job of stating your thoughts. I won't give it six stars because it's a viewpoint instead of a creative, researched, compelling piece of writing. And because I don't have six stars to give on a Friday:-)
Comment Written 09-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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I think that's it. When someone shares something because the piece resonates with them it's sort of nice as you've made them feel and think. It's the reviews which mention nothing about the piece so that you don't even know if they've read it that I dislike the most.
I have no issues with rating according to the site guidelines. it's what gave me recognised reviewer status (there's only 7 of us). I have no issues with being muted either as I'm not a money grabber so i feel like I'm not losing out! lol