Re-writing Other People's Work
What not to do when reviewing15 total reviews
Comment from joan marie
Your qualifications, I read bios, are the reasons I was hoping you'd read Nightwalker. I actually had critisism of the picture I used. I was told the reviewer was "not amused". Well, the reviewer wasn't reviewing the artwork. So it is moot. Brooke just didn't want me to say the same things you had said. Of course, I am not a Haiku writer but do prefer adherence to traditional nature theme. Studied art history and appreciation. I am in no way in your league but you had to start somewhere. After a prolonged illness I am doing what I have always wanted to do, write. I am familiar enough with the site now to utilize it to somewhat of it's capacity to teach. Thanks, joan marie leverone
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2009
  |
Your qualifications, I read bios, are the reasons I was hoping you'd read Nightwalker. I actually had critisism of the picture I used. I was told the reviewer was "not amused". Well, the reviewer wasn't reviewing the artwork. So it is moot. Brooke just didn't want me to say the same things you had said. Of course, I am not a Haiku writer but do prefer adherence to traditional nature theme. Studied art history and appreciation. I am in no way in your league but you had to start somewhere. After a prolonged illness I am doing what I have always wanted to do, write. I am familiar enough with the site now to utilize it to somewhat of it's capacity to teach. Thanks, joan marie leverone
Comment Written 24-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2009
-
Dear Joan, I just found Nightwalker in your profile and I already have reviewed it.
AE
Comment from honeytree
I agree with you Alvin one should not write another's writing.
I guess when reviewing we may mention a few lines when reviewing but to write out for my own use no. I have never done this and won't do this.
Honeytree
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2009
|
I agree with you Alvin one should not write another's writing.
I guess when reviewing we may mention a few lines when reviewing but to write out for my own use no. I have never done this and won't do this.
Honeytree
Comment Written 01-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 02-Jan-2009
-
No, I have always enjoyed your interpretations. What I object to is reviewers totally re-writing an author's work. Then it becomes the reviewer's work and not the author's. Thanks for a great review.
Comment from avatar1957
Alvin, I am so greatful you wrote this little exhortation for other writers. I too have encountered this from of reviewing and it is highly offensive to say the least!!!!
Another pet peeve of mine is other writers will say the poem doesn't do a thing for them or give an opinion which to me is not a review and yes, I do benefit from writers pointing out errors, or lending insight in how my writing can improve.
Some writers have even gone so far as to be judgemental because my poem isn't on the lines of their spiritual belief system, therefore giving me a poor review. I write about a lot of things and my writings are on many spiritual views because of analitical mind, I am a thinker, and I love research. If I discover a subject matter that my spirit bares wittness too I write about it.
Other writers for there own reasons have tried to squelch my writings because I do not believe as they do.
One even was dishonest and said she had to review (needless to say a very poor rating, review) my poem because she wanted to vote on that particular contest. My poem was in fact a haiku and was written correctly 5-7-5
that is why I asked you to ellaborate to embellish on the subject matter!!!!!
This piece is very informative and much appreciated
keep up the good work!!!!
respectfully submitted
avatar1957
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
 |
Alvin, I am so greatful you wrote this little exhortation for other writers. I too have encountered this from of reviewing and it is highly offensive to say the least!!!!
Another pet peeve of mine is other writers will say the poem doesn't do a thing for them or give an opinion which to me is not a review and yes, I do benefit from writers pointing out errors, or lending insight in how my writing can improve.
Some writers have even gone so far as to be judgemental because my poem isn't on the lines of their spiritual belief system, therefore giving me a poor review. I write about a lot of things and my writings are on many spiritual views because of analitical mind, I am a thinker, and I love research. If I discover a subject matter that my spirit bares wittness too I write about it.
Other writers for there own reasons have tried to squelch my writings because I do not believe as they do.
One even was dishonest and said she had to review (needless to say a very poor rating, review) my poem because she wanted to vote on that particular contest. My poem was in fact a haiku and was written correctly 5-7-5
that is why I asked you to ellaborate to embellish on the subject matter!!!!!
This piece is very informative and much appreciated
keep up the good work!!!!
respectfully submitted
avatar1957
Comment Written 01-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
-
Thank you for so thoroughly understanding what I wanted to convey. I have no problem with grammar, spelling, and punctuation corrections, but a review is not an opinion. When a reviewer rewrites another's poem, it becomes the reviewer's poem, not the author's.
-
Alvin I so appreciate, your views on this subject matter. I was beginning to think maybe I was making more of!!!! Now I know I was correct in my thinking!!!! I being very vocal have in a professional way called these particular writers on the error of their ways. Needless to say it caused some tension and some defensiveness on the other hand I am not responsible for how they respond!!!! I just am not willing to put up with the abuse so bounderies were placed and put into order.
One or two of them even went so far as to say they would pass my writings up in the future, Alvin, I am not offended by that, in actuality I truly hope they will pass my writings up it will save me a lot wasted time.
So, again I thank you writing this essay, I believe everyone on fanstory needs to read it
Respectfully submitted
avatar1957
Comment from StevenJosephBruening
I whole heartledy agree, reviews are meant to be personal critues of pure like or dislike for a work and is more coun & kin to a crtique (though, in a peoper critque, some CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions are to be expected, and dutifully noted), a review, especially by those unqualified in the area (I count myself first and foremorst aong thses sumoetimes offenders, sometimes, letting the "review" get the "better" of me, for this, I deeply aplogise).... But I digress, and my reviews tend to be full of typos and errors of masterpieve unto themselves, so I shall quietly just "nod" my jead and pretend I know what the world is going on... Take care.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
|
I whole heartledy agree, reviews are meant to be personal critues of pure like or dislike for a work and is more coun & kin to a crtique (though, in a peoper critque, some CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions are to be expected, and dutifully noted), a review, especially by those unqualified in the area (I count myself first and foremorst aong thses sumoetimes offenders, sometimes, letting the "review" get the "better" of me, for this, I deeply aplogise).... But I digress, and my reviews tend to be full of typos and errors of masterpieve unto themselves, so I shall quietly just "nod" my jead and pretend I know what the world is going on... Take care.
Comment Written 01-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
-
Thank you for this review. I see no problem with correcting syntax, grammar, and spelling. But totally re-writing another person's work is totally out of line. It makes the work the reviewer's and not the author's. Thank you for understanding the message here so well.
-
You are most welcome.
Comment from adewpearl
Oh, Alvin, thank you so much for this posting - nothing rankles me more than to have people actually write my entire poem over for me - my reaction in my gut is always - Okay, you like that poem you just wrote - so post it!! I wanted to review something of yours the first day of the new year and had a haiku in mind, LOL, but if people listen to your advice and start this new reviewing year without rewriting people's work, that is just as good as a beautiful haiku! Brooke
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
|
Oh, Alvin, thank you so much for this posting - nothing rankles me more than to have people actually write my entire poem over for me - my reaction in my gut is always - Okay, you like that poem you just wrote - so post it!! I wanted to review something of yours the first day of the new year and had a haiku in mind, LOL, but if people listen to your advice and start this new reviewing year without rewriting people's work, that is just as good as a beautiful haiku! Brooke
Comment Written 01-Jan-2009
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
-
Well, you get both your wishes. I just posted a New Year's haiku. Thank you for totally understanding what I wanted to say.
-
thank you - I am on my way to read and review it!!!!!
Comment from c_lucas
Give a man a fish and you have fed him for one meal. Teach his how to fish and you have fed him for life. It is okay to show another way, but do not demolish the writer's work to put your point across.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
|
Give a man a fish and you have fed him for one meal. Teach his how to fish and you have fed him for life. It is okay to show another way, but do not demolish the writer's work to put your point across.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
-
Yes, you understood exactly what I wanted to convey.
-
You're welcome, Alvin. Happy New Year. Charlie
Comment from pasinger
This is a very strong work. You have come out guns blazing to defend your professional status as a writer of Haiku, at which you are of course highly qualified. You have every right here to express righteous indignation. Not only are you one of the best writers but also a very valuable and helpful critic.
I agree you should never re-write a work, it is the writers not the reviewers. It starts off as one thing and one is trying to turn it into something else. That is not professional or courteous. It is far better to let an author know what emotion is evoked by the words, the imagery it presents and generally what the relevance of the piece is, we are not here to re-write work but to present work and by interchange of encouragement become better writers.
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
|
This is a very strong work. You have come out guns blazing to defend your professional status as a writer of Haiku, at which you are of course highly qualified. You have every right here to express righteous indignation. Not only are you one of the best writers but also a very valuable and helpful critic.
I agree you should never re-write a work, it is the writers not the reviewers. It starts off as one thing and one is trying to turn it into something else. That is not professional or courteous. It is far better to let an author know what emotion is evoked by the words, the imagery it presents and generally what the relevance of the piece is, we are not here to re-write work but to present work and by interchange of encouragement become better writers.
Comment Written 31-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2009
-
Thank you for understanding exactly what I wanted to convey. When a reviewer re-writes an author's words, the work becomes the reviewer's, not the author's.
Comment from Mrs. KT
Dear Alvin:
I am afraid that I am one of the three reviewers of whom you speak regarding one of your very latest lovely haikus. However, if I may, I need to share with you that I did what I did in an open review because there was an extra syllable in the second line, many reviewers had not noticed it at the time, your offering was a nominee in a contest and the imagery and content was surely deserving, but the structure was off, and I felt that had I sent you a private message, I would be going against the contest's regulations. It was my way of drawing your attention to the need to fix the line; it was in no way an attempt to demonstrate an inflated ego on my part. I thought that if I rewrote the offering, I would get your attention, and you would address the second line - which you did. My sincerest apologies if I in any way insulted your craft.
On a similiar note, I had a reviewer completely rewrite "Up On Sullivan's Hill." I had so much enjoyment penning that offering, and the reviewer just took over. Needless to say, I was in shock. Recently, another reviewer misinterpreted a word in one of my offerings and just went on and on about how I lack knowledge of the subject matter of which I was writing. I was shocked.
Be well, friend. And again, my sincerest apologies.
diane
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2008
|
Dear Alvin:
I am afraid that I am one of the three reviewers of whom you speak regarding one of your very latest lovely haikus. However, if I may, I need to share with you that I did what I did in an open review because there was an extra syllable in the second line, many reviewers had not noticed it at the time, your offering was a nominee in a contest and the imagery and content was surely deserving, but the structure was off, and I felt that had I sent you a private message, I would be going against the contest's regulations. It was my way of drawing your attention to the need to fix the line; it was in no way an attempt to demonstrate an inflated ego on my part. I thought that if I rewrote the offering, I would get your attention, and you would address the second line - which you did. My sincerest apologies if I in any way insulted your craft.
On a similiar note, I had a reviewer completely rewrite "Up On Sullivan's Hill." I had so much enjoyment penning that offering, and the reviewer just took over. Needless to say, I was in shock. Recently, another reviewer misinterpreted a word in one of my offerings and just went on and on about how I lack knowledge of the subject matter of which I was writing. I was shocked.
Be well, friend. And again, my sincerest apologies.
diane
Comment Written 31-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2008
-
NO, you are not one of them. I always enjoy reviews of my work, and I don't ever recall you rewriting my words. Pointing out syntactical errors, such as syllabic count, is fine with me. Re-writing my words is not.
Comment from babylonia
i am guessing it was someone who hasn't been here long. sigh. definitely lets people know where you stand which is important. easy to read and follow. no spaggies do i see. imagery is excellent. keep up the good work~
love,
barbara
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2008
|
i am guessing it was someone who hasn't been here long. sigh. definitely lets people know where you stand which is important. easy to read and follow. no spaggies do i see. imagery is excellent. keep up the good work~
love,
barbara
Comment Written 31-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2008
-
One of them was; another was a "recognized reviewer"! Thanks for a good review of this piece.
-
yeah, i hate when that happens. sometimes you just can't write something in perfect english. but haiku is your specialty. i think that jealousy rears its ugly head around here sometimes.
love,
barbara
Comment from Helvi2
Hi Al,
If you're talking about a reviewer re-writing the poem within the review, I know how you feel. I have had this happen to my own work. I love to receive help, but when someone rewrites my whole poem and tells me blatantly, "This is the way you should have written it!", I don't like it at all. They are not correcting anything or giving helpful suggestions. I feel like they are bulldozing and burying my work.
I want to know what I did wrong, where the mistakes are and how I can correct them? A lot of effort is put into re-writing what you've written, but there is no effort of any kind in helping the writer. It irks me to be left in the dark. I don't want them to re-write my poem. I want to re-write it myself with their help and guidance.
I treasure a reviewer who tells me what they like and where things could be better. You my friend ARE a great reviewer.
Happy New Year
Helvi :o)
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2008
|
Hi Al,
If you're talking about a reviewer re-writing the poem within the review, I know how you feel. I have had this happen to my own work. I love to receive help, but when someone rewrites my whole poem and tells me blatantly, "This is the way you should have written it!", I don't like it at all. They are not correcting anything or giving helpful suggestions. I feel like they are bulldozing and burying my work.
I want to know what I did wrong, where the mistakes are and how I can correct them? A lot of effort is put into re-writing what you've written, but there is no effort of any kind in helping the writer. It irks me to be left in the dark. I don't want them to re-write my poem. I want to re-write it myself with their help and guidance.
I treasure a reviewer who tells me what they like and where things could be better. You my friend ARE a great reviewer.
Happy New Year
Helvi :o)
Comment Written 31-Dec-2008
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2008
-
Thanks for understanding exactly what I wanted to convey.
