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Advice to New Fanstorians

Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "Suggestions for New Writers."
Tips and advice for the new members

22 total reviews 
Comment from damommy
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I wish they'd do away with the ratings altogether and just give good, honest reviews. If we didn't have to choose how many stars, we might review better.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    I agree. FIve stars only means we've read it and and six stars if we really liked what we read only there are enough of them to do much with.
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    I agree. FIve stars only means we've read it and and six stars if we really liked what we read only there are enough of them to do much with.
Comment from T.A. Walk
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I like this, too bad I didn't see this when first I started again lol!!

I'm going to suggest my daughter reads this to learn a few things!!

Thank you for sharing!!

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    If I've said something anyone finds helpful, I am pleased.
    Beth
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
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Well, this is very clear, Beth! Thank you for posting and clarifying. Though I'm not exactly a newbie, I sometimes feel like one! I'm completely blown away right now by this mad scramble to post anything and everything so your third para from the bottom resonates well with me. Have absolutely no idea what the banner advertising is all about and keep collecting those ridiculous leprechauns which, again, make no sense whatsoever, to me:)) Thanks again Debbie. PS Couldn't we expect some input about all this stuff from the site owners at the start of our membership? Take care Debbie

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Thank you Debbie. Being new on the site can he confusing and discouraging. If I said anything helpful, I'm glad. It is from my experience and my opinion and not necessarily the way FanStory would want it stated.
Comment from Ric Myworld
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These type books are great for new FanStorians and every tip can make a big difference to those just starting. I almost quit my first week on the site, but thanks to Gayle (Showboat) who owned G&J publishing company (I think was the name) who did most of the books for FanStory writers, she asked me to post on her Multi-Author book. I barely knew a noun from a verb, but I added my thoughts any way. The post's name was "Reasons to the Write thing." Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    This site can be confusing and discouraging for new writers. Particularly the rating system which doesn't really make much sense. The best part is all the really neat people you get to know if your stick with it.
reply by Ric Myworld on 11-Jan-2024
    Yes, I agree, it's hard in the beginning and sadly a lot of people give up too soon. But if they'd stick around there are some nice people like you. :-)
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
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All good advice, Beth. I like what you said about looking at other people's reviews first. I do that sometimes when I'm not real clear on the message in, say a poem. So I look to what other's say. But for Newbies, it would be a good learning experience all the way around.

Promotion is good advice as well as entering contests, but being sure on the rules.

Thank for sharing your advice, good for all of us, not just newbies.

Take care,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Thank you Rhonda. I appreciate the review. I did follow my own advice on this since it was a part of a multiple writer book. It does pay much.
    Beth
reply by davisr (Rhonda) on 11-Jan-2024
    Okay, thank you!
Comment from barbara.wilkey
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Thank you for sharing this post. It has valuable information in for people new to the site. I get so frustrated when I've reviewed like ten or more posts and each of them were 1point 2. I always try to post high, so people get rewarded for reading me.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Thank you, Barbara. I love it when you have something posted. I'm always entertained and well paid. I wish everyone one was like you.
    Beth
Comment from royowen
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I must admit I worked it out fairly quickly when I started, I enjoy being ranked, and others will approve your work, (although I got a one star review yesterday , along with a lot of literary malarkey yesterday by a standard member, who thought I should be grateful, heh heh, I've had about three of those) beautifully wrutten, some good advice, although some never promote their wirk. Beautifully written, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    I got two stars on one I won the $100, gift certicate on and 7 stars from the committee because it didn't appeal to the reviewer. She was new to the site.
    Beth
reply by royowen on 11-Jan-2024
    I?ve had three one?s and a few twos heh heh, one yesterday.
Comment from patcelaw
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This is a very thoughtful writing about tips for new fans to be able to promote their work. I appreciate it so much and I agree with the things that you have to say. I wish you a very good day. God bless. Patricia.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Thank you Patricia. I really appreciate the review and comments.
    Beth
Comment from Brett Matthew West
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While you make some viable points in this piece, have to say four things:

First - it is my firm belief the FanStory Good Ole Boy rating system needs to be completely eliminated. Period. End of statement. Five and six stars mean very little under the current rating system and how most members abuse them.

Second- almost all members, of course there are some exceptions, take personal offense to receiving any less than 5 stars regardless how poor quality their writing is, or if helpful suggestions are offered and a change of stars would be presented. Never have, and not sure, I would change a rating I gave.

Third - One should always be proud of their writing, however not of the mind one can not put out a high volume of quality writing.

Fourth - do not believe the length of a piece of writing should be limited to anything less than required for the piece, not some scale most FanStory members want to go for in support of chasing Funny Money.

Now, a couple minor tics noticed:

In P3 "want get" should be won't get.

In last P - "is good way" should be is a good way. And "Fanstory" should be FanStory.

(Just because we have slightly different theories about some points does not mean I do not think, like your writing remains, that this is not a good piece. It is.)


 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Just my opinion. Not rules that apply to everyone.
    I do agree with you first point. The rating system means nothing but I don't think it wll change. I don't think most people or capable of rating anything fairly. If it doesn't happen to be something they don't personally find interesting they would like to give it a low rating. Skip the ratings. Something I wrote didn't appeal to someone and they said it didn't interest them and gave me two stars. It won first prize with the committee and they gave me seven stars and a $100. gift certificate.
    Thanks for pointing out my tics.
Comment from Julie Helms
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I have only been here for several weeks, so this was very helpful. There are areas of Fanstory that are difficult to navigate, or just aren't very intuitive. You cleared up several issues for me, thank you!

Typos:
"you want get many", should be won't
"and if agree", if you agree

I have to say I don't like how five stars is basically a default rating. If I get five stars on something I wrote, I want to know that I can be proud of it. But once I started looking around and seeing some very poor writing with five stars on it and no suggestions for improvement, I realized I couldn't really put any weight in my own five stars.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Thank you Julie. This site can be confusing and discouraging for new people. The rating system doesn't mean a lot but its been this way a while, so I pretend it doesn't matter and go with it. The best part is you get to know some really neat people who will become your friends and be there if your need them. Thank for seeing my tifs.
    Beth