Writing and Contests
Just an observation.60 total reviews
Comment from nomi338
I applaud your calling out unscrupulous behavior among some so called writers. I am also sickened by so called writers who bombard the site with three or four lines of nonsense sans any tpe of promotion in an attempt to highly rated based on their numerous posts. I am a writer who waits until I have something of import to post and I always promote my writing. I care about my craft, which means I listen to authentic critiques and apply the suggestions that work for me. As a result I have become a much better writer. Shame on people who do underhanded things just to improve thier standings on the site. I am a serious writer who wants to improve to the point where I can become someone the world will want to hear from.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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I applaud your calling out unscrupulous behavior among some so called writers. I am also sickened by so called writers who bombard the site with three or four lines of nonsense sans any tpe of promotion in an attempt to highly rated based on their numerous posts. I am a writer who waits until I have something of import to post and I always promote my writing. I care about my craft, which means I listen to authentic critiques and apply the suggestions that work for me. As a result I have become a much better writer. Shame on people who do underhanded things just to improve thier standings on the site. I am a serious writer who wants to improve to the point where I can become someone the world will want to hear from.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Nomi, thanks for the comments. Terry.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Hah! (laughy face here)
Yeah, I got a three the other day, but I didn't relate it to a contest entry. Mighta been.
People suck. My wife and I repeat that often.
Concerning contests, men have a distinct disadvantage in FanStory, in my opinion. We are less inclined to write about cats, dogs, or grandbabies. And when contest rules state poetry or prose, guess what - yup poetry wins again.
Hope I didn't turn into one.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Hah! (laughy face here)
Yeah, I got a three the other day, but I didn't relate it to a contest entry. Mighta been.
People suck. My wife and I repeat that often.
Concerning contests, men have a distinct disadvantage in FanStory, in my opinion. We are less inclined to write about cats, dogs, or grandbabies. And when contest rules state poetry or prose, guess what - yup poetry wins again.
Hope I didn't turn into one.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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LOL, Not you Wayne, thank you for the six. Terry.
Comment from Annmuma
Well, this would have fit the 'rant' contest nicely!! It is certainly a hit-the-nail-on-the-head post.
Sometimes contests become popularity contests and the writing quality can move to second place. I lack empathy for any writer whose main concern is to 'win', particularly when the 'win' involves anything other than working to improve their own writing skills. Writing should - in my opinion- be fun first and foremost. If reviews come, if contest wins come, that's just icing on the cake.
I miss seeing your posts as they added a lot of quality to the Fanstory portfolio.
ann
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Well, this would have fit the 'rant' contest nicely!! It is certainly a hit-the-nail-on-the-head post.
Sometimes contests become popularity contests and the writing quality can move to second place. I lack empathy for any writer whose main concern is to 'win', particularly when the 'win' involves anything other than working to improve their own writing skills. Writing should - in my opinion- be fun first and foremost. If reviews come, if contest wins come, that's just icing on the cake.
I miss seeing your posts as they added a lot of quality to the Fanstory portfolio.
ann
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Ann, thank you for the six and your thoughts. Terry.
Comment from GWHARGIS
Ah, you are so clever. I had a review giving me back handed compliments. Almost passive aggressive. I thought about blocking him, then just started asking for suggestions from said reviewer. They stopped their pettiness and now I get real honest reviews. There is no need to belittle another writer. Great post. Gretchen
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Ah, you are so clever. I had a review giving me back handed compliments. Almost passive aggressive. I thought about blocking him, then just started asking for suggestions from said reviewer. They stopped their pettiness and now I get real honest reviews. There is no need to belittle another writer. Great post. Gretchen
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Gretchen, thank you. Terry.
Comment from John Ciarmello
BRAVO, Terry, and an excellent observation it is! We should never strive for deceit in any area of our lives, especially not within a venue with little or no relevant value outside of a slight ego boost. I haven't seen this done to me, but I don't enter many contests. If you say it's happening, I'm sure it is. Great observation piece! Best, JohnC
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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BRAVO, Terry, and an excellent observation it is! We should never strive for deceit in any area of our lives, especially not within a venue with little or no relevant value outside of a slight ego boost. I haven't seen this done to me, but I don't enter many contests. If you say it's happening, I'm sure it is. Great observation piece! Best, JohnC
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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John, I saw two examples this week, and todays prompted me to post. Terry.
Comment from Douglas Goff
I have to six this. I have experienced said phenomenome.
Also when I was ranked the number two novelist, some of the old school writers, who have never reviewed me before, came out and hit me with more four star ratings in a week then I had received since I joined. Once I was out of the top ranks it stopped.
Honestly, I don't care about ranks, that's completely NOT what I'm here for, but I do care about fair play. I'm very suspicious of the rankings and wonder if the top authors are just playing the "star game" better than the rest of us.
I also try to avoid the non-blind contest because it appears that they may be a bit of a popularity contest. You will notice that you only see new, or lower ranked winners in the blind contest. Common sense tells why that would be.
Finally, I have been submitting some of my books recently. The non-monetary voter wins from these sites are just for fun. One editor told me to stop listing them, unless it is a $$$ win contest, as they actually detract from a positive Query result.
So get on here, improve your writing, and have fun. I wouldn't worry too much about the rankings, not that they aren't an accomplishment, but if some people are ''gaming" the system, then I wouldn't sweat where you sit in the ranks. I use this site as my proving ground platform. I generate pieces here and flush them out, improve them with feedback, then drop them in other places. And I've been winning. Just my two cents.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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I have to six this. I have experienced said phenomenome.
Also when I was ranked the number two novelist, some of the old school writers, who have never reviewed me before, came out and hit me with more four star ratings in a week then I had received since I joined. Once I was out of the top ranks it stopped.
Honestly, I don't care about ranks, that's completely NOT what I'm here for, but I do care about fair play. I'm very suspicious of the rankings and wonder if the top authors are just playing the "star game" better than the rest of us.
I also try to avoid the non-blind contest because it appears that they may be a bit of a popularity contest. You will notice that you only see new, or lower ranked winners in the blind contest. Common sense tells why that would be.
Finally, I have been submitting some of my books recently. The non-monetary voter wins from these sites are just for fun. One editor told me to stop listing them, unless it is a $$$ win contest, as they actually detract from a positive Query result.
So get on here, improve your writing, and have fun. I wouldn't worry too much about the rankings, not that they aren't an accomplishment, but if some people are ''gaming" the system, then I wouldn't sweat where you sit in the ranks. I use this site as my proving ground platform. I generate pieces here and flush them out, improve them with feedback, then drop them in other places. And I've been winning. Just my two cents.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Douglas, thanks for the two cents and the six stars. Terry.
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Sorry. I tend to ramble on
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I was discussing your recent entry in the Gift contest yesterday, you ramble all you want, you write good! Terry.
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Ha. I had to add something. I read the piece to my mom and sister and they insisted that I add what the family has referenced the incident as for the past forty years. The Jesus Versus Vader Affair of ?79. Gosh they laughed so hard they were actually tearing up. Calling it that irked me for for years so I had left it out, but added it since it tickled them so much. Ahhh good times. By the way, your contests are my favorites. Keep up the good work, brother.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Holy Moley. R u speaking to me? Of me? i.d.k. I can be a challenge at times but my divining rod has been out of business for way to long. I have only given less than five stars, one time and that was a four. I think the person remains sore.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Holy Moley. R u speaking to me? Of me? i.d.k. I can be a challenge at times but my divining rod has been out of business for way to long. I have only given less than five stars, one time and that was a four. I think the person remains sore.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Tom, you are one of the good guys, and you also try to do some fun contests. Thanks for the comments. Terry.
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Hip-hip-hooray, even if not true to think someone said I am a good guy. Appreciate you.
Comment from royowen
You're absolutely correct Terry, (it's still good to see you writing my friend, no matter) when you've been a victim of these self appointed critics, who will give you one star, in the midst of some good reviews, one wonders about some folk, well done, Terry, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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You're absolutely correct Terry, (it's still good to see you writing my friend, no matter) when you've been a victim of these self appointed critics, who will give you one star, in the midst of some good reviews, one wonders about some folk, well done, Terry, blessings Roy
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Roy, thank you for the thoughts. Terry.
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Welcome
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Wise advice, we should keep the contest arena open for everyone to have a fair chance at winning and there is little point in putting another writer down, what good will that do? I have never seen this happen on Fanstory, but I take your word for it, love Dolly x
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reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Wise advice, we should keep the contest arena open for everyone to have a fair chance at winning and there is little point in putting another writer down, what good will that do? I have never seen this happen on Fanstory, but I take your word for it, love Dolly x
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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I have seen it twice this week. Thank you for the comments. Terry.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I don't enter contests, because I have noticed that they integrity in them simply isn't there. I can see, from your post that it may be getting worse. I would like to think we're adults here, but maybe not. LOL Thank you for sharing this with us. I hope the people who need to read this do.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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I don't enter contests, because I have noticed that they integrity in them simply isn't there. I can see, from your post that it may be getting worse. I would like to think we're adults here, but maybe not. LOL Thank you for sharing this with us. I hope the people who need to read this do.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 01-Mar-2023
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Barbara, thank you for the comments. Terry.
