Non-Fiction
Viewing comments for Chapter 6 "Unique with Room for Improvement"All non-fiction
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Comment from karenina
Very well written review of the site. You have covered much--most of which I have observed occurring or have fallen victim to. I had to smile when you shared your experience of giving your first review--four stars. I did the very same thing and to a poet that blew me out of the water because it wasn't a five star rating given. Like all things, being new has a period of breaking in, learning the ropes...
By and large, with few exceptions, I have found the writers on site to be honestly helpful. Many have given me editorial suggestions and done so in a tone that encourages me to learn and improve. A few have not been so diplomatic (to be kind).
As for writers "conspiring" against others, I suppose I haven't been here long enough to know enough about what goes on behind the scenes. I have not experienced that dialogue between any author and myself. I have had my work personally attacked--and nobody wants a two star review on what the reviewer said was a "fine write"--or to be told a poem in a contest is inferior to the other four it is ahead of in votes... That is pettiness and rude and as humans, much less members, we all ought to achieve some level of civility.
I have been on more than a few poet sites. Some were horrible. Some were so strict a writer was not ALLOWED to post UNTIL he or she had written a response to all reviews received AND reviewed a minimum of three poems or stories.
NO site is perfect... I think the price of membership is reasonable, the interaction is on the whole helpful, and most important--I do believe even in a matter of months I am growing as a writer.
I only wish two cents was not the "minimum member dollars" amount for reviewing a non-promoted work. It discourages exposure of many writers who cannot afford to purchase member dollars or to spend three hours reviewing to earn enough to, say--pay a five dollar contest entry fee, promote for $8.95, and purchase pumps to move their work somewhere near the top of the list. It is time and cost prohibitive for many for whom writing is an avocation... Most of us cannot address posting two poems a day, or two stories, etc.
For those that can do that? Here-here! They can and should be rewarded for their prolific ability as well as their talent. The levelling of the playing field, I think, in part comes from the ability for any or all members to participate in the many contests offered. Member dollars and even cash awards are available to each member.
I have been told by several members that some writers associate outside the site and influence the votes and hence the winners. If that is true there is no way for the site to monitor it. I can only say I've had a few first place finishes as well as second or third place finishes and I've bottomed out on more than a few contests--and there has been no urging on my part (or any other writers lobbying me) to influence the vote.
I am happy to have joined. I write, on average, once or twice a week and was encouraged by authors here to explore prose...something I'd never written before coming here. When asked I have recommended the site as the best one I have found over some fifteen years of joining writing sites.
Thanks for sharing your opinions and for igniting in me a rather long response!
Karenina
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reply by the author on 16-Jul-2018
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Very well written review of the site. You have covered much--most of which I have observed occurring or have fallen victim to. I had to smile when you shared your experience of giving your first review--four stars. I did the very same thing and to a poet that blew me out of the water because it wasn't a five star rating given. Like all things, being new has a period of breaking in, learning the ropes...
By and large, with few exceptions, I have found the writers on site to be honestly helpful. Many have given me editorial suggestions and done so in a tone that encourages me to learn and improve. A few have not been so diplomatic (to be kind).
As for writers "conspiring" against others, I suppose I haven't been here long enough to know enough about what goes on behind the scenes. I have not experienced that dialogue between any author and myself. I have had my work personally attacked--and nobody wants a two star review on what the reviewer said was a "fine write"--or to be told a poem in a contest is inferior to the other four it is ahead of in votes... That is pettiness and rude and as humans, much less members, we all ought to achieve some level of civility.
I have been on more than a few poet sites. Some were horrible. Some were so strict a writer was not ALLOWED to post UNTIL he or she had written a response to all reviews received AND reviewed a minimum of three poems or stories.
NO site is perfect... I think the price of membership is reasonable, the interaction is on the whole helpful, and most important--I do believe even in a matter of months I am growing as a writer.
I only wish two cents was not the "minimum member dollars" amount for reviewing a non-promoted work. It discourages exposure of many writers who cannot afford to purchase member dollars or to spend three hours reviewing to earn enough to, say--pay a five dollar contest entry fee, promote for $8.95, and purchase pumps to move their work somewhere near the top of the list. It is time and cost prohibitive for many for whom writing is an avocation... Most of us cannot address posting two poems a day, or two stories, etc.
For those that can do that? Here-here! They can and should be rewarded for their prolific ability as well as their talent. The levelling of the playing field, I think, in part comes from the ability for any or all members to participate in the many contests offered. Member dollars and even cash awards are available to each member.
I have been told by several members that some writers associate outside the site and influence the votes and hence the winners. If that is true there is no way for the site to monitor it. I can only say I've had a few first place finishes as well as second or third place finishes and I've bottomed out on more than a few contests--and there has been no urging on my part (or any other writers lobbying me) to influence the vote.
I am happy to have joined. I write, on average, once or twice a week and was encouraged by authors here to explore prose...something I'd never written before coming here. When asked I have recommended the site as the best one I have found over some fifteen years of joining writing sites.
Thanks for sharing your opinions and for igniting in me a rather long response!
Karenina
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2018
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Once you've been here a while, and it comes faster than you think, you'll have a nice fan base and get a fair amount of reviews every time you post. It's rough on newbies because those first two reviews are usually those nothing types that are just after the member pumps. If you're only getting those, it can be deflating. I totally remember and will always have empathy for newbies.
I know you've seen some of the questionable things that go on here. All we can do is what we do already. I just wish MORE of us were willing to act on things.
Great review. Almost an op-ed itself. Thanks a million. mike
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Being a newbie I made the conscious decision to choose your brilliant analysis of the site as the place to post my comments on YOUR take, and my observations. Most days these slights and few fanatics just roll off my back...
A few have gotten profane and personal and I've referred them to Tom.
Comment from F. Wehr3
Hey, Michael, I enjoyed your post. It's written in your usual rambling style that I've come to know over the years (that's not a slight; it works for you :)). I don't get into all the drama and whatever that goes on behind the scenes. I enjoy my time here. I post things when I feel like and let the chips fall where they may.
Recently I took some time away, didn't really review much. Can't say what it was or where my motivation went. I think it's just a cyclical thing, and I see it from others who have taken breaks. I think I'll be around for a while.
I remember the old days when we had the prose potlatch. Good times, my friend.
Take care,
Russell
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reply by the author on 16-Jul-2018
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Hey, Michael, I enjoyed your post. It's written in your usual rambling style that I've come to know over the years (that's not a slight; it works for you :)). I don't get into all the drama and whatever that goes on behind the scenes. I enjoy my time here. I post things when I feel like and let the chips fall where they may.
Recently I took some time away, didn't really review much. Can't say what it was or where my motivation went. I think it's just a cyclical thing, and I see it from others who have taken breaks. I think I'll be around for a while.
I remember the old days when we had the prose potlatch. Good times, my friend.
Take care,
Russell
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Jul-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jul-2018
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Yes, we had a good run for a bit. I learned stuff! Didn't learn how to stop rambling. Well, I know how to do that, I'm just too lazy to edit. LOL Breaks are good. I'm not doing much this year. I can feel the gearing up process starting to kick in. So I think I'll be more active next year probably. I still hang around though. Most of the drama I see involves friends. I don't really care what anyone has to say about me. They're Obviously JEALOUS! HAHAHA! Thanks for the great review. mike
