On things
Some thoughts46 total reviews
Comment from lyenochka
Hi G-man! Congrats on all those feathers! Wow! And yes, you're right about negative talk about Committee members would also be criticism about winning those feathers. Although recently, I read someone's experience with a Committee member calling his work "juvenile" or something similar, and that is more hurtful than helpful.
The problem about the whole rating thing is that it's tantamount to judging a piece of art. Loving a work of art is completely subjective. While one person loves the topic, or the picture, or the perfectly constructed writing, another person could be offended by the topic, or the picture or have no knowledge of how hard it was to write that particular poetic form.
So since most of us are not writing judges, very few can do work of rating justice. And since so many get offended by anything less than a 5, I give up choosing a number and just focus on what I liked and offer suggestions. After all, that's the best that we can do for one another.
That's my two cents! Thanks for writing, G-man! Always good to see you post.
Suggestion to use commas to indicate the vocative:
I hate to say it people but (I hate to say it, people, but)
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Hi G-man! Congrats on all those feathers! Wow! And yes, you're right about negative talk about Committee members would also be criticism about winning those feathers. Although recently, I read someone's experience with a Committee member calling his work "juvenile" or something similar, and that is more hurtful than helpful.
The problem about the whole rating thing is that it's tantamount to judging a piece of art. Loving a work of art is completely subjective. While one person loves the topic, or the picture, or the perfectly constructed writing, another person could be offended by the topic, or the picture or have no knowledge of how hard it was to write that particular poetic form.
So since most of us are not writing judges, very few can do work of rating justice. And since so many get offended by anything less than a 5, I give up choosing a number and just focus on what I liked and offer suggestions. After all, that's the best that we can do for one another.
That's my two cents! Thanks for writing, G-man! Always good to see you post.
Suggestion to use commas to indicate the vocative:
I hate to say it people but (I hate to say it, people, but)
Comment Written 09-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Here's the thing about when other folk relay something, it's always tinged with their perspective and bias. Did the committee actually use the words they say or are they drawing that from it. We all paraphrase stuff and take the gist of things.
Also taking thee words out of context can have a serious impact on intention. I can picture committee members saying 'that's not what was said'. I'm sure we've all been in those situations in life when things are misinterpreted or misconstrued. I take all of that moaning with a pinch of salt.
I read a piece last week which was bad-mouthing the committees decision to not give a seal. However, they writer in question completely missed the point. He re-wrote the piece, hired an editor and is now looking to publish. This would suggest the committee were correct but was any credit given - NO just mouthing off. These actions would suggest the committee were right and it wasn't ready.
I disagree about the rating being like judging art. Maybe that holds true for poetry but not for prose. If it's badly punctuated and poorly written it's a definable quality. If it's not actually presentable it can hardly not need any alterations.
I think most folk who write should have a basic sense of grammar and punctuation. It's all learnable.
G
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I agree with you that there is always the paraphrasing through the bruised ego. As for the rating, we all have different educational backgrounds some of us have multiple graduate degrees and others barely finished high school. To me, that someone is writing in her late 80s and in chronic pain, whether with proper grammar or not, is something to recognize even if it's not worth the 5 stars. Again, it's the comments that count, not the rating.
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We'll, I'm 50 and in chronic pain and have dyslexia and am neuro divergent...
I review the work, not the person. Not everyone will know about what stuff folk have going on and why should they?
As long as it's not personal and nasty.
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Well, Gareth, you're still younger than most of us and have better eyes. Some are struggling just to see what they wrote. It's their lifeline to the world to be writing. So I give them a pass on the grammar etc.
Comment from rama devi
Thank you for writing this, dear G! It amazes me how so many people malign honest reviewers, mute them, resent them etc. when they are just trying to be helpful and to follow the ACTUAL site guidelines instead of the adopted generic five star review that's the current norm here (since years). When I joined the site, the majority of members used the rating system honestly. My best reviews were the threes with extensive feedback. I'm forever grateful to those who offer critique!
This has excellent sentence mechanics, pacing, thematic tone, style and wit. Excellent points too, especially how those who resent the honesty turn around an dish out scathing reactions. My guru always says: "If you're pointing one finger at someone, there are three of your fingers pointing back at yourself!"
Excellent satirical overtone, especially here:
The Committees - Or, as some members would have you believe, the evil cabal of anonymous bastards whose sole purpose is to ridicule your work and sit in a darkened room laughing manically planning on whose day they can ruin next.
A couple of minor nits:
*plough through everything sent to them no matter
plow
*unless that's OK spelling?)
*I hate to say it(,) people(,) but one of these categories probably vastly outweighs the other.
Excellent observation here - I totally concur:
Here's the other thing about ratings - no one deducts stars. To suggest stars have been deducted means you think you have an entitlement to five stars.
I've had my fair share of mutes over the years (but not in many years, since I'm much less active here than previously, as you know). However, I also had my fair share of grateful ROM nominations, gifts and graciousness from members who had the maturity to absorb the review in the kind spirit intended.
Thanks for sharing this.
Warmly,
rd
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Thank you for writing this, dear G! It amazes me how so many people malign honest reviewers, mute them, resent them etc. when they are just trying to be helpful and to follow the ACTUAL site guidelines instead of the adopted generic five star review that's the current norm here (since years). When I joined the site, the majority of members used the rating system honestly. My best reviews were the threes with extensive feedback. I'm forever grateful to those who offer critique!
This has excellent sentence mechanics, pacing, thematic tone, style and wit. Excellent points too, especially how those who resent the honesty turn around an dish out scathing reactions. My guru always says: "If you're pointing one finger at someone, there are three of your fingers pointing back at yourself!"
Excellent satirical overtone, especially here:
The Committees - Or, as some members would have you believe, the evil cabal of anonymous bastards whose sole purpose is to ridicule your work and sit in a darkened room laughing manically planning on whose day they can ruin next.
A couple of minor nits:
*plough through everything sent to them no matter
plow
*unless that's OK spelling?)
*I hate to say it(,) people(,) but one of these categories probably vastly outweighs the other.
Excellent observation here - I totally concur:
Here's the other thing about ratings - no one deducts stars. To suggest stars have been deducted means you think you have an entitlement to five stars.
I've had my fair share of mutes over the years (but not in many years, since I'm much less active here than previously, as you know). However, I also had my fair share of grateful ROM nominations, gifts and graciousness from members who had the maturity to absorb the review in the kind spirit intended.
Thanks for sharing this.
Warmly,
rd
Comment Written 09-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Many thanks for your thoughts on this, Rama.
Plough is indeed UK English.
This was sort of ironic as a few who reviewed it have actually muted me! lol Muting doesn't bother me, although some folk who mute you when you've never reviewed them is a bit puzzling, or haven't for some time.lol
All the best
G
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Maybe those muters matured! I've had people mute me, initially, and then come back and beg for critique, because they realized they needed it and that I was just trying to help.
All the best!
rd
Comment from Zoe Webb
Lots of insights I agree with. It's good to see another writer writing about their experience on the site. The stars thing does kind of make me feel like this can be a kudos factory, at times.
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Lots of insights I agree with. It's good to see another writer writing about their experience on the site. The stars thing does kind of make me feel like this can be a kudos factory, at times.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Yeah, the star thing annoys me. Specifically the sense of entitlement!
Many thanks GMG
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Hi G,
I'm glad you took the time to spell it all out for us. Per usual, you were direct, honest and to the point. I can say that you have been one of the greatest sources of learning for me. I had to grow a thick skin at times, but I always knew you were going to be right, and I always looked for your reviews to gauge how I was doing.
I've, also, learned through your example. Your work is flawless, and I know it's because you don't put it out until it is ready. You are meticulous, but interesting as well. You have writer and storyteller wrapped up.
I agree on just posting your own work. I prefer it that way, but lately have used the contests as a way of getting a writing prompt as my Muse seems to have gone on a 3 year strike, maybe 4.
Good to hear from you, friend,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Hi G,
I'm glad you took the time to spell it all out for us. Per usual, you were direct, honest and to the point. I can say that you have been one of the greatest sources of learning for me. I had to grow a thick skin at times, but I always knew you were going to be right, and I always looked for your reviews to gauge how I was doing.
I've, also, learned through your example. Your work is flawless, and I know it's because you don't put it out until it is ready. You are meticulous, but interesting as well. You have writer and storyteller wrapped up.
I agree on just posting your own work. I prefer it that way, but lately have used the contests as a way of getting a writing prompt as my Muse seems to have gone on a 3 year strike, maybe 4.
Good to hear from you, friend,
Rhonda
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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There's nothing wrong with entering contests but that's all there seems to be these days. Even creating ones around their own writing. It's sad.
G
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Yeah, I noticed that as well, and, like you, I?m not on his as often as I once was, so things start to stand out.
Comment from jmdg1954
G,
Everything you wrote in your essay I feel was spot on.
I joined the site in 2009 and left in 2016 due to burn-out, and frustration within the process. I planned on an approx 6 month hiatus but actually was 6 years till my return last November. And guess what? Simply as you wrote, the same problems are still here.
I'd say I give 95% five star rewards. Anything less will most of the time garner a negative response and I don't wish to deal with that. I enjoy telling the writer how their story/poem/script effected me, what I got out of it. If I spot any miscues, I'll point them out.
When I get a 3-4 star review and depending what is said or how it's said, more times then not, I'll nominate that reviewer.
Well, I've taken up enough of your time! Always a pleasure.
Cheers.... John
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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G,
Everything you wrote in your essay I feel was spot on.
I joined the site in 2009 and left in 2016 due to burn-out, and frustration within the process. I planned on an approx 6 month hiatus but actually was 6 years till my return last November. And guess what? Simply as you wrote, the same problems are still here.
I'd say I give 95% five star rewards. Anything less will most of the time garner a negative response and I don't wish to deal with that. I enjoy telling the writer how their story/poem/script effected me, what I got out of it. If I spot any miscues, I'll point them out.
When I get a 3-4 star review and depending what is said or how it's said, more times then not, I'll nominate that reviewer.
Well, I've taken up enough of your time! Always a pleasure.
Cheers.... John
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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The personal insight it invaluable to the writer. When someone shares about how it made them feel or sparked a memory is great, it's the bland, generic comments I dislike which leaves you wondering if they actually read the post.
many thanks, John
G
Comment from Goodadvicechan
Review is different than editing. Review has guidelines but no measures. It is more relying on individual's knowledge and beliefs. It is nice of some reviewers offering editing comments.
I enjoy this club and learn a lot from my reviewers. Thanks to everyone.
Thanks for expressing your views. Happy writing.
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Review is different than editing. Review has guidelines but no measures. It is more relying on individual's knowledge and beliefs. It is nice of some reviewers offering editing comments.
I enjoy this club and learn a lot from my reviewers. Thanks to everyone.
Thanks for expressing your views. Happy writing.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Many thanks for checking this out. GMG
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Where do I start? I agree with every word you wrote, even though I have no doubt been guilty of the 'money-grabbing part' a time or two. For a while, I was posting chapters of a book, regular 'Ohmie' stories, and enterring contests. I don't like to reward reviewers too meagerly any more than I enjoy reviewing for very little compensation. Also, in order to get a sufficiency of reviews, a piece needs promoted at least to the second page. So, all that to say I'm too cheap to actually purchase funny money with legal tender.
Maybe you can help on that score - is it better to spend the 9.95 for 4 days of promotion, or to buy 3 1/3 bumps?
Your vocabulary and word choices are titillating. Thank you for going to the effort.
I posted a piece on reviewing that I wish I could undo. I postulated that a review should be on the writing, not the content. I was wrong, and discovered so almost immediately finding myself reviewing content. GRRRR! I now believe it should be both - sometimes.
The ratings - 100% correct (in my opinion). But, I recognize that I lack qualification to determine whether a piece is 'publish-ready' since I am barely published, very barely.
Hope I haven't worn you out with my blather (for no $$$$)
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Where do I start? I agree with every word you wrote, even though I have no doubt been guilty of the 'money-grabbing part' a time or two. For a while, I was posting chapters of a book, regular 'Ohmie' stories, and enterring contests. I don't like to reward reviewers too meagerly any more than I enjoy reviewing for very little compensation. Also, in order to get a sufficiency of reviews, a piece needs promoted at least to the second page. So, all that to say I'm too cheap to actually purchase funny money with legal tender.
Maybe you can help on that score - is it better to spend the 9.95 for 4 days of promotion, or to buy 3 1/3 bumps?
Your vocabulary and word choices are titillating. Thank you for going to the effort.
I posted a piece on reviewing that I wish I could undo. I postulated that a review should be on the writing, not the content. I was wrong, and discovered so almost immediately finding myself reviewing content. GRRRR! I now believe it should be both - sometimes.
The ratings - 100% correct (in my opinion). But, I recognize that I lack qualification to determine whether a piece is 'publish-ready' since I am barely published, very barely.
Hope I haven't worn you out with my blather (for no $$$$)
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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So right Wayne. I don't use my own money. Yu don't need to if you put in the time. Even when I was high in the rankings for five or six years i only promoted with what I earnt on site. Lee and I averaged about 70 - 90 posts a year but the higher ranking folk were posting 300! There's no way they were not spending real money.
in fact, the year I finished 2nd, the 1st place writer admitted on her website that she spent a fortune in real money to be number 1. that's just sad. She had 314 posts to my (2nd place) 92 posts (with no real money spent)
Mind you, folk are paying ridiculous payouts now as well.
I'd usually go for the extra day of promotion over the bump. the extra day gives a longer reviewing period but the higher pumps usually attract the money-grabbers.
We all change our minds about stuff and older posts can be qquite funny. It's easy to redress the balance.
All the best
G
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Thank you for taking the time for your kind reply.
Comment from Melodie Michelle
Preach it! You are so right. Here recently I was "attached" not critiqued, however I was told I was the one in the wrong. I did defend my work especially when I saw this person was a non writer and that was checked yes to allow reviews from non writers unbeknownst to me. Long story short, it is in my work titled UNEARTHED FAITH if you care to check it out! It was from Bruce the Slasher and he gave me a three star. I wouldn't defend my work but he venturing attached me so I think there should be some rule against attacking outright and critiquing constructively!
Thank you for posting and may God bless you!
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Preach it! You are so right. Here recently I was "attached" not critiqued, however I was told I was the one in the wrong. I did defend my work especially when I saw this person was a non writer and that was checked yes to allow reviews from non writers unbeknownst to me. Long story short, it is in my work titled UNEARTHED FAITH if you care to check it out! It was from Bruce the Slasher and he gave me a three star. I wouldn't defend my work but he venturing attached me so I think there should be some rule against attacking outright and critiquing constructively!
Thank you for posting and may God bless you!
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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There is an avenue open by reporting reviewers to the site administration if it's just an attack.
All the best
GMG
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I did report it and I was told I shouldn't have defended my poem but it is what it is.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Hi. I've been wondering where you've been, but we all have our outside stuff to deal with from time to time. I've just come back after a month of deliberate absence (I did still write, just had no desire to read reviews, or review myself to raise the money to post. So I wrote just for me, which was fun).
I find you have scratched away at the surface of many questions/problems here, but I would have liked to see you dig deeper. Maybe cover less subjects to affront that horrible consideration that people don't like reading long things, and divide the post in two?
'A review that mentioned nothing about your story / book / poem isn't a review'. I disagree. Sometimes peoples' work re-awakens long-lost memories in me. This says a lot about the value of their writing, and when it happens I think it's worth making this the heart of the review, even if I talk about the memory rather than the work (given that I never understand how the trigger works...).
Muting - I always wish someone would have the courage or the thought to say that forcing someone to ignore you is a demonstration of great ignorance, and rude to boot.
Anonymity - I believe in it 100% because of my professional upbringing. If you take away anonymity you enter into a destructive tit-for-tat scenario.
Contests - I find that contests are like obstacles in a horse race. They give something to aim for. In fact they promote productivity. But I don't get much fun out of them as a reader.
Anyway, thanks for making me think this evening, kay
PS love the drawing of you. You should have quoted the source.
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Hi. I've been wondering where you've been, but we all have our outside stuff to deal with from time to time. I've just come back after a month of deliberate absence (I did still write, just had no desire to read reviews, or review myself to raise the money to post. So I wrote just for me, which was fun).
I find you have scratched away at the surface of many questions/problems here, but I would have liked to see you dig deeper. Maybe cover less subjects to affront that horrible consideration that people don't like reading long things, and divide the post in two?
'A review that mentioned nothing about your story / book / poem isn't a review'. I disagree. Sometimes peoples' work re-awakens long-lost memories in me. This says a lot about the value of their writing, and when it happens I think it's worth making this the heart of the review, even if I talk about the memory rather than the work (given that I never understand how the trigger works...).
Muting - I always wish someone would have the courage or the thought to say that forcing someone to ignore you is a demonstration of great ignorance, and rude to boot.
Anonymity - I believe in it 100% because of my professional upbringing. If you take away anonymity you enter into a destructive tit-for-tat scenario.
Contests - I find that contests are like obstacles in a horse race. They give something to aim for. In fact they promote productivity. But I don't get much fun out of them as a reader.
Anyway, thanks for making me think this evening, kay
PS love the drawing of you. You should have quoted the source.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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If a reviewer doesn't mention the work, it isn't a review. A review is supposed ot be of the work. however, if it sparks something for the reader it's fine to mention it but it needs to be related to the post. It's a bout specifics - less of the bland phrases which mention nothing about the work which leaves you wondering if they even read it.
One of the issues with the prompts is that they only encourage writers to write for the site, the site's way. It's a very tiny pond and if people want to seriously write then they're shooting themselves in the foot by falling into the FS trap.
many thanks for your thoughts on this
G
Comment from cat frenette
Well said giraffmang! I agree.
As far as Reviews vs Critiques go, I wish there was a way to request honest critiques. Maybe a 0 star option so that a writer could request honest feedback that they could know was not based on favouritism or an quick response. That way, we can stream our work depending on if we are only here for the fun, or only here for the money, or only here to get some expert advice.
In the fairly short time I've been here, I've noticed that the ratings don't really mean what the scoring suggests. I've seen some poorly written pieces (in my opinion) that received 6 stars with no explanation as to why, or very clearly didn't follow the rules outlined in a competition. I've also seen some amazing writing that got mediocre ratings with no reason as to why.
As for competitions, I like them for the simple reason that I have very little imagination. Or maybe I'm just too lazy to come up with my own ideas, but give me a prompt, some rules, and a deadline, and sometimes I come up with something that amazes me. :)
Thank you for your perspective. It reminds me of that old saying, "be careful what you ask for - you might get it".
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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Well said giraffmang! I agree.
As far as Reviews vs Critiques go, I wish there was a way to request honest critiques. Maybe a 0 star option so that a writer could request honest feedback that they could know was not based on favouritism or an quick response. That way, we can stream our work depending on if we are only here for the fun, or only here for the money, or only here to get some expert advice.
In the fairly short time I've been here, I've noticed that the ratings don't really mean what the scoring suggests. I've seen some poorly written pieces (in my opinion) that received 6 stars with no explanation as to why, or very clearly didn't follow the rules outlined in a competition. I've also seen some amazing writing that got mediocre ratings with no reason as to why.
As for competitions, I like them for the simple reason that I have very little imagination. Or maybe I'm just too lazy to come up with my own ideas, but give me a prompt, some rules, and a deadline, and sometimes I come up with something that amazes me. :)
Thank you for your perspective. It reminds me of that old saying, "be careful what you ask for - you might get it".
Comment Written 08-Jun-2023
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2023
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I try to put a note in the author's notes or the post asking for decent reviews, like here when I asked for people's thoughts! lol
the prompts are good for sparking interest and imagination although there are many sites that do this as well. I'd love to see just more posts rather than so many competition posts.
All the best
GMG
