Non-Fiction
Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "Reviewing Reviewed"All non-fiction
23 total reviews
Comment from Dean Kuch
There are members who resort to reviews offering nothing of value containing the minimum required words just to get credit for the review, collect the money, and advance in the rankings. Is that "the game's" fault? OR, is it the game player's? Shortchanging reviews to collect the reviewing stipend is rampant here. This is a fact. ... Amen, brother; you're preaching to the choir. It is also just as deflating when the response to your lengthy, in-depth review is something like; 'Many thanks.' Huh? That's it? You mean I busted my ass pointing out nits and errors while also giving praise where praise was due, spent thirty minutes of my life doing so (time I'll never be able to reacquire, by the way), and all I get is for my efforts is; "Many thanks"?
Don't do me no favors.
Works needing major corrections are considered four-star pieces and in some cases three-star pieces. Those would be Sonnets with the wrong number of lines or out of meter, wrong syllable counts in pieces where such is a requirement, contest pieces not meeting contest parameters, etc. Some reviewers will revisit a piece if corrections are made, some will not ... a personal choice, not a requirement. ... Those who award four stars or less should be able to back up their rating with constructive suggestions for improvements.
I received two, 1-star ratings in succession by the same...person (and I use that term loosely, ahem), who had nothing but good things to say about the poems they rated so low--except... they didn't like horror.
REALLY?!? The category my poetry is written under is always clearly listed at the top of each post.
Tell ya what, Sparkapotamus, you claim you don't like horror? Then move your monkey ass on down the road and leave me and my writing the hell alone.
That's basically what I told 'em, although I realize we aren't "supposed" to retaliate.
I let the first time go with a simple 'Thank you.'
I lambasted them then muted their account the second time around.
Many of you don't truly know how to offer a good review. Reviewing can be learned. Seek out the Recognized Reviewers and the award-winning reviewers. These are among the few merit-based awards Fanstory offers. Read THEIR reviews and you'll discover what exceptional reviewing is all about.
This is a topic that consumes many of us in the day to day here. I'd like to offer something concise and to the point, but I'm not normally of that ilk to begin with. So, apologies for MEGA rambling.
I could go on ... ...Yes, Michael. I'm sure you could go on for quite some time because there are so many intricacies to reviewing properly on this place called FanStory.
I have contemplated leaving the site for good more times than I care to mention.
I have also done so on occasion for months at a time as well.
But there are no rama devi's, giraffmang's, or Michael Cahill's on those "other" writing sites. And, quite frankly, nowhere else on the internet do you get the amount of valuable feedback and are able to read expertly written prose and poetry than right here on this site.
Excellent essay, myfiend friend.
I'm a bit wary of awarding you a six based on what you said the "norm" here should be.
But...what the hell...it's...
~Dean
  |
There are members who resort to reviews offering nothing of value containing the minimum required words just to get credit for the review, collect the money, and advance in the rankings. Is that "the game's" fault? OR, is it the game player's? Shortchanging reviews to collect the reviewing stipend is rampant here. This is a fact. ... Amen, brother; you're preaching to the choir. It is also just as deflating when the response to your lengthy, in-depth review is something like; 'Many thanks.' Huh? That's it? You mean I busted my ass pointing out nits and errors while also giving praise where praise was due, spent thirty minutes of my life doing so (time I'll never be able to reacquire, by the way), and all I get is for my efforts is; "Many thanks"?
Don't do me no favors.
Works needing major corrections are considered four-star pieces and in some cases three-star pieces. Those would be Sonnets with the wrong number of lines or out of meter, wrong syllable counts in pieces where such is a requirement, contest pieces not meeting contest parameters, etc. Some reviewers will revisit a piece if corrections are made, some will not ... a personal choice, not a requirement. ... Those who award four stars or less should be able to back up their rating with constructive suggestions for improvements.
I received two, 1-star ratings in succession by the same...person (and I use that term loosely, ahem), who had nothing but good things to say about the poems they rated so low--except... they didn't like horror.
REALLY?!? The category my poetry is written under is always clearly listed at the top of each post.
Tell ya what, Sparkapotamus, you claim you don't like horror? Then move your monkey ass on down the road and leave me and my writing the hell alone.
That's basically what I told 'em, although I realize we aren't "supposed" to retaliate.
I let the first time go with a simple 'Thank you.'
I lambasted them then muted their account the second time around.
Many of you don't truly know how to offer a good review. Reviewing can be learned. Seek out the Recognized Reviewers and the award-winning reviewers. These are among the few merit-based awards Fanstory offers. Read THEIR reviews and you'll discover what exceptional reviewing is all about.
This is a topic that consumes many of us in the day to day here. I'd like to offer something concise and to the point, but I'm not normally of that ilk to begin with. So, apologies for MEGA rambling.
I could go on ... ...Yes, Michael. I'm sure you could go on for quite some time because there are so many intricacies to reviewing properly on this place called FanStory.
I have contemplated leaving the site for good more times than I care to mention.
I have also done so on occasion for months at a time as well.
But there are no rama devi's, giraffmang's, or Michael Cahill's on those "other" writing sites. And, quite frankly, nowhere else on the internet do you get the amount of valuable feedback and are able to read expertly written prose and poetry than right here on this site.
Excellent essay, my
I'm a bit wary of awarding you a six based on what you said the "norm" here should be.
But...what the hell...it's...
~Dean
Comment Written 23-Jul-2018
Comment from Insignificant Weed
I can see that you are passionate about the reviewing process and the star rating system. I am relatively new to the site and am really enjoying it. I just love the five star ratings! I have no troubles with the other ratings except that I am rated as a "54" place novel writer when I haven entered only one book - and it is not a novel. It is a book of meditations. Go figure.
Let me tell you, even with the ruckus over the reviews, they a lot better than some of the stuff I see on Facebook. In general, you are dealing with focused writers and the bulk of them with degrees and literary prizes to their name. I don't want to lose that. You learn to accept the reviews with a grain of salt and ferret out what is helpful and what is not.
I would just like to point out a minor grammatical error: "A reviewer can give you a lousy unfair review for no reason at all, it is NOT against site policy." - here you have joined two sentences with a comma but no coordinating conjunction. You can fix it by using a semicolon or adding a coordinating conjunction.
I applaud you for your sincere dedication to making this site a true literary site. You do not want to get into the minutiae of academic editing. This is a very comfortable site which you have pointed out.
 |
I can see that you are passionate about the reviewing process and the star rating system. I am relatively new to the site and am really enjoying it. I just love the five star ratings! I have no troubles with the other ratings except that I am rated as a "54" place novel writer when I haven entered only one book - and it is not a novel. It is a book of meditations. Go figure.
Let me tell you, even with the ruckus over the reviews, they a lot better than some of the stuff I see on Facebook. In general, you are dealing with focused writers and the bulk of them with degrees and literary prizes to their name. I don't want to lose that. You learn to accept the reviews with a grain of salt and ferret out what is helpful and what is not.
I would just like to point out a minor grammatical error: "A reviewer can give you a lousy unfair review for no reason at all, it is NOT against site policy." - here you have joined two sentences with a comma but no coordinating conjunction. You can fix it by using a semicolon or adding a coordinating conjunction.
I applaud you for your sincere dedication to making this site a true literary site. You do not want to get into the minutiae of academic editing. This is a very comfortable site which you have pointed out.
Comment Written 23-Jul-2018
Comment from kiwijenny
Everyone comes to the site with a whole different motivation, a whole different background, and a whole different set of reference points. A person steeped in hallmark card greetings is not going to be able to appreciate a poet steeped in Rimbaud. That would be like a kindergartener marking a PhD's work. It is not possible, and it is usually the kindergartener who rates down for ridiculous reasons.
Yay, I love this quote. I've had a few 2 stars with profuse praise...it made me go grrrrrrrrr
I thanked them any way...
God bless...
|
Everyone comes to the site with a whole different motivation, a whole different background, and a whole different set of reference points. A person steeped in hallmark card greetings is not going to be able to appreciate a poet steeped in Rimbaud. That would be like a kindergartener marking a PhD's work. It is not possible, and it is usually the kindergartener who rates down for ridiculous reasons.
Yay, I love this quote. I've had a few 2 stars with profuse praise...it made me go grrrrrrrrr
I thanked them any way...
God bless...
Comment Written 23-Jul-2018
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi, Michael,
I like your approach to reviewing the review process. I do believe there are a few people who have never read the Q&A and have no idea what the site actually says about reviewing.
I have a few notes for you - but first --- please, go back and enlarge your font, the teeny tiny print was so hard to read!
A few notes,
'Reviewingit is the key to all things Fanstory.'
'Short changing Shortchanging reviews to collect the reviewing stipend is...'
'With that in mind+, I offer...'
'...wants serious critique, by all means+, give...'
'...but I'm not normally of that ilk+, to...'
Good luck in the competition,
~patty~
|
Hi, Michael,
I like your approach to reviewing the review process. I do believe there are a few people who have never read the Q&A and have no idea what the site actually says about reviewing.
I have a few notes for you - but first --- please, go back and enlarge your font, the teeny tiny print was so hard to read!
A few notes,
'Reviewing
'
'With that in mind+, I offer...'
'...wants serious critique, by all means+, give...'
'...but I'm not normally of that ilk+, to...'
Good luck in the competition,
~patty~
Comment Written 23-Jul-2018
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written review on the reviewers of works on FanStory. I was unable to find any mistakes or spags. That is usually the first things I pick up on. Grammar and tenses are my weakest points and usually don't find to be able to improve.
|
A very well-written review on the reviewers of works on FanStory. I was unable to find any mistakes or spags. That is usually the first things I pick up on. Grammar and tenses are my weakest points and usually don't find to be able to improve.
Comment Written 23-Jul-2018
Comment from giraffmang
Hi Michael,
despite the glaring ONE typo, this deserves a six. It covers the basis completely. Your guidelines are so simple but are golden.
Reviewing it the key to all things - is.
Despite endless criticism, there's not a thing wrong with "the game" itself. It's a functional framework encouraging quantity and steady activity. There is NOTHING wrong with encouraging writers to write and reviewers to review ... is there? - this is so true. The game is there, folk can choose to play it or not play it. It's not compulsory. Although I have to say that the ones who complain the most about it are the ones who profess to not be bothered by it... I don't particularly think that the reviewing or rating system is in need of a revamp or change. the problems lie in that folk don't follow it. That will be the case no matter what system operates.
THEN, they post their work. What do they expect in return I wonder?- yep, and more baffling is that they believe the reviews they get are genuine because obviously no one would treat them in the manner that they treat others because, you know, their work is always 'outstanding'.
I truly don't understand why serious reviews cannot be reserved for serious authors and the rest can be left alone to their own devices. Must everyone meet YOUR criterion for membership? - well, personally I try to stick to the site guidelines as much as possible. every member should, in essence, be familiar with this and should know what to expect. However, it's in the way the information is presented that is the key that accompanies the ratings, in my opinion. I will tailor my language when I know the author is 11 years old, or may have communication or mental health difficulties. but you don't always know. Not all four letter words are bad one. My favourite one is TACT which quick frankly should be super-glued onto the word honesty on this site. lol
Your number 1 guideline is the key to all things - consistency.
number 2 - I've seen folk say if you can't agree with a piece for whatever reason, skip it. I don't always believe this should be the case, providing you can still remain objective. The author has set out with a firm opinion or intent, they should expect that someone would challenge that, but it shouldn't affect the rating or the reading of the piece for what it is. The reviewer has a right to respond to that premise and challenge to a certain degree.
3- yep, and the snide, backhanded compliments too.
4- I have found that many of those who want a serious critique, really don't... but then it's easy to avoid them.
Reviewing is the most frustrating aspect of Fanstory. Yet, everything I know about writing, I learned here through reviews. Some of the best reviewers to be found anywhere are right here at Fanstory and their services are absolutely FREE. - couldn't agree more here. I'd never written a story before I joined. there's a steep learning curve and you can learn so much by reading and listening.
|
Hi Michael,
despite the glaring ONE typo, this deserves a six. It covers the basis completely. Your guidelines are so simple but are golden.
Reviewing it the key to all things - is.
Despite endless criticism, there's not a thing wrong with "the game" itself. It's a functional framework encouraging quantity and steady activity. There is NOTHING wrong with encouraging writers to write and reviewers to review ... is there? - this is so true. The game is there, folk can choose to play it or not play it. It's not compulsory. Although I have to say that the ones who complain the most about it are the ones who profess to not be bothered by it... I don't particularly think that the reviewing or rating system is in need of a revamp or change. the problems lie in that folk don't follow it. That will be the case no matter what system operates.
THEN, they post their work. What do they expect in return I wonder?- yep, and more baffling is that they believe the reviews they get are genuine because obviously no one would treat them in the manner that they treat others because, you know, their work is always 'outstanding'.
I truly don't understand why serious reviews cannot be reserved for serious authors and the rest can be left alone to their own devices. Must everyone meet YOUR criterion for membership? - well, personally I try to stick to the site guidelines as much as possible. every member should, in essence, be familiar with this and should know what to expect. However, it's in the way the information is presented that is the key that accompanies the ratings, in my opinion. I will tailor my language when I know the author is 11 years old, or may have communication or mental health difficulties. but you don't always know. Not all four letter words are bad one. My favourite one is TACT which quick frankly should be super-glued onto the word honesty on this site. lol
Your number 1 guideline is the key to all things - consistency.
number 2 - I've seen folk say if you can't agree with a piece for whatever reason, skip it. I don't always believe this should be the case, providing you can still remain objective. The author has set out with a firm opinion or intent, they should expect that someone would challenge that, but it shouldn't affect the rating or the reading of the piece for what it is. The reviewer has a right to respond to that premise and challenge to a certain degree.
3- yep, and the snide, backhanded compliments too.
4- I have found that many of those who want a serious critique, really don't... but then it's easy to avoid them.
Reviewing is the most frustrating aspect of Fanstory. Yet, everything I know about writing, I learned here through reviews. Some of the best reviewers to be found anywhere are right here at Fanstory and their services are absolutely FREE. - couldn't agree more here. I'd never written a story before I joined. there's a steep learning curve and you can learn so much by reading and listening.
Comment Written 23-Jul-2018
Comment from Pamusart
Hi Michael. I hope tonight finds you well. I agree with you. I feel that some of the top ranked poets are not posting poems of high quality but they can afford to post twice per day and promote it well. Or they have gotten lots of people to become a fan. I won't mention names. I skip posts when I have nothing good to say or it is really full of errors. I got a one star review just last week another three. Both were effusive in praise. Probably hit the wrong rating. I thank them for the review and ask how it could be improved. They never reply to that query. I do not do that to others. I do always give fives regardless of quality but I will still point out errors in a nice way. I don't necessarily agree with grades. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for sharing
" SOME are simply not talented buy enjoy writing. Do you intend to rate". Think you meant but rather than buy
"I truly don't understand why serious reviews cannot be reserved for serious authors and the rest can't be left alone to their own devices". Did you mean can rather that can't?
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
|
Hi Michael. I hope tonight finds you well. I agree with you. I feel that some of the top ranked poets are not posting poems of high quality but they can afford to post twice per day and promote it well. Or they have gotten lots of people to become a fan. I won't mention names. I skip posts when I have nothing good to say or it is really full of errors. I got a one star review just last week another three. Both were effusive in praise. Probably hit the wrong rating. I thank them for the review and ask how it could be improved. They never reply to that query. I do not do that to others. I do always give fives regardless of quality but I will still point out errors in a nice way. I don't necessarily agree with grades. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for sharing
" SOME are simply not talented buy enjoy writing. Do you intend to rate". Think you meant but rather than buy
"I truly don't understand why serious reviews cannot be reserved for serious authors and the rest can't be left alone to their own devices". Did you mean can rather that can't?
Comment Written 22-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
-
Great eye! Fixed both of those nits. Thanks.
Those ones are usually from newbies who don't know better or simply think they KNOW BETTER. LOL I generally give fives to everything. After all, we all came here because we could write and for the most part, everyone here CAN write. I offer suggestions, corrections, thoughts, compliments .... whatever occurs to me as a reaction, all cordially of course. I've found that most writers can READ and the stars don't blind them to what is written. :))
Great feedback as always. Thanks a million. mike
Comment from country ranch writer
Ya got good pints there Mikey I received sever threes from some guy annoying as it was the thing was he veer gave me any reason for it or where to improve on it. That is frustrating to say the least! If you are going to do this at least point out what the heck is wrong with the piece. Is what I am saying.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
|
Ya got good pints there Mikey I received sever threes from some guy annoying as it was the thing was he veer gave me any reason for it or where to improve on it. That is frustrating to say the least! If you are going to do this at least point out what the heck is wrong with the piece. Is what I am saying.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
-
Hello, My dear friend. Boy that's irritating. Those three star glowing reviews without an explanation. Jeesh! Oh well, somehow we managed to weather the reviewing storm and get better and better. So something is working right!!! Thanks a million. mike
-
I just told the person if you are going to give some one a three they had to give a explanation why
-
I just told the person if you are going to give some one a three they had to give a explanation why
Comment from barbara.wilkey
You've brought up some very good points. I have one more point to add. Many people will only review poems because it's easier to get rewarded. Since prose is longer, it takes longer to read it and then write a review, so one has to work harder to get the money. The really good authors are the hardest ones to review because, rarely is there anything wrong with their posts so it appears one is only heaping praise on them. You're one of those authors. I enjoyed reading and wish you luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
|
You've brought up some very good points. I have one more point to add. Many people will only review poems because it's easier to get rewarded. Since prose is longer, it takes longer to read it and then write a review, so one has to work harder to get the money. The really good authors are the hardest ones to review because, rarely is there anything wrong with their posts so it appears one is only heaping praise on them. You're one of those authors. I enjoyed reading and wish you luck with the contest.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2018
-
I LOVE reading your wonderful words. You sure make me feel like I can write. :))
You're so right about prose versus poetry. We've approached Tom before to no end. But it would be nice to get a bigger reward for the much bigger chore of a long story, yes? I'd even pay a bit more to post. It would be worth it to get some extra reviews.
Well, thanks for your always uplifting and encouraging words. It's true, after a while we do learn a lot of the basics and don't need the corrections we once did. But we ALWAYS want to get that reaction, did you like the story?, good characters? believable dialogue? etc., etc., :)) mike
Comment from Gloria ....
Other than your excellent subtitle, "this is an exceptional six star op-ed, what most impressed me about your Op-Ed was the fact you've conducted scientific research. Can't argue with good ole empirical research as far as I'm concerned.
That said, you've offered some terrific advice. I almost always love all my reviews with the only exceptions being the three and one stars because my mother wears army boots. LOL. I think for the most part everyone does the very best they can and are to be applauded for doing so. Now if I can only get my deceased mother to stop wearing army boots all would be happy for me in FanStory Land. ;-)
I think the star graph offered by the site is the best guideline for reviewing and after that consistency. It's pretty easy to tell when a reviewer is being unfair. I do find it really disturbing that a reviewer can dish out a one star and as long as they write in the comments section, "the piece was really good, and I enjoyed it," that isn't considered against site policy. Isn't the one star considered part of the review? I guess they missed the other part of the one star that says, "poor; major rewrite required."
Anyway excellent op-ed, well organized, interesting and you clinched the deal with the scientific research.
Best of luck to you in the contest.
Ange
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018
|
Other than your excellent subtitle, "this is an exceptional six star op-ed, what most impressed me about your Op-Ed was the fact you've conducted scientific research. Can't argue with good ole empirical research as far as I'm concerned.
That said, you've offered some terrific advice. I almost always love all my reviews with the only exceptions being the three and one stars because my mother wears army boots. LOL. I think for the most part everyone does the very best they can and are to be applauded for doing so. Now if I can only get my deceased mother to stop wearing army boots all would be happy for me in FanStory Land. ;-)
I think the star graph offered by the site is the best guideline for reviewing and after that consistency. It's pretty easy to tell when a reviewer is being unfair. I do find it really disturbing that a reviewer can dish out a one star and as long as they write in the comments section, "the piece was really good, and I enjoyed it," that isn't considered against site policy. Isn't the one star considered part of the review? I guess they missed the other part of the one star that says, "poor; major rewrite required."
Anyway excellent op-ed, well organized, interesting and you clinched the deal with the scientific research.
Best of luck to you in the contest.
Ange
Comment Written 22-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 22-Jul-2018
-
As you know tireless research and scientific methodology has always been the cornerstone of my investigative reports. I'm pleased you agree it has served me well here. :))
I can ask anyone here to name, in their mind, a few authors who NEVER write anything less than five or six-star efforts and ALL will immediately begin a mental list in both poetry and prose. Still, the authors on those lists get absurd low star ratings for less than honourable reasons. It may be a blight on their character and their cohorts, but it's an injury to the innocent authors who suffer as a result. There's nothing worse than injustice and to be the recipient of unfair treatment. No matter how much sense and intellect we apply to the consideration of the source, the pain is not abrogated. It's a shame the site does NOT stand up for it's authors in these situations. HA! Right back on the soapbox, eh?
I've read many a post by you, Ange, and you're a voice of reason when it comes to issues here at Fanstory. It's people who operate above board like yourself that keep me around. Wonderful and fun feedback and review. Thanks so much.
Mav
