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Advice to New Fanstorians

Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "Reviewing for New Fanstorians"
Tips and advice for the new members

50 total reviews 
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
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Wise advice here Helen. We have to be careful with our critique as people are protective about their work and some are reluctant to learn new techniques when it comes to writing. Newbies can't all be good when they first start, but if they are willing to learn, they will excel on Fanstory. The difficulty is when they are stubborn and refuse to learn. I concentrate my action in the actual review rather than the rating. A fine post Helen, newbies will learn that you are always helpful and kind, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Thank you, Dolly! I totally agree with that - focusing on the review, not the rating. I know in UK schools grading is much more strict than here so I know many arguments were with strict ratings from other countries! Lol. Hugs!
Comment from karenina
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Wow.

So thanks for this!

I've been here a long time and when I sign on and see I have forty reviews I automatically go to the last page and work my way forward.

(My thinking was they've been waiting in my queue the longest)

I never thought about the payouts doing this the way you do!

(Hmmm. There's $100 I messed up on)

Also, I don't post enough to worry about rankings, but so never knew when promoting an older work there is no benefit to this years rankings...

(As you know I like to poke around and review older work that needs one more review for "Recognized" or "All Time Best.")

I wonder, now if that even matters...

(I'll still do it unless you inform me it affects a writer negatively!)

I do try to get to the front page. Maybe once a week I manage to fit in the time...


Your hints are very helpful... and not just for Newbies!

Karenina


 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Thank you so much, Karenina! And I'm glad you do take time to promote other people's old works. It is such a boost of confidence for them. But it won't improve their rank for this year and usually those people don't care because they probably haven't been posting often anyway. Thanks for noting what was new to you! I learned that from Phyllis Stewart. Hugs!!
reply by karenina on 12-Jan-2024
    A great thing about FS! We always learn from one another!

reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    How are you doing? Any tests run yet?
reply by karenina on 13-Jan-2024
    I'll email soon.
reply by the author on 13-Jan-2024
    Okay! 💖 Heading to bed soon.
reply by karenina on 13-Jan-2024
    Me too...long day!
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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I do the same as you, I work through the ones in my inbox first, unless it's an accidental up next post, and then I'll turn my attention to the presentation page, I try above all things to be encouraging, or as I've found recently, posts that are obviously prose, either article or essay, I'll say so, people are being conned by the so called...experts, beautifully written, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Thank you for always being such a great encourager, Roy! I'm glad I'm in good company with my strategy of reviewing!
    Hugs!
reply by royowen on 12-Jan-2024
    That?s right
Comment from LJbutterfly
Excellent
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I'm glad I read this post. I'm going on my third year here and am still learning. There are days when my reviewing time is limited or I don't get to review at all. I therefore focus on my inbox and rarely get to the Bonus Reviews. You have answered a question I've had. I wondered why reposted articles that reached ATB status, never had a rank number. Thanks for these tips.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    I didn't even noticed the "rank number" of a post. But I learned about it when a fabulous author here (she has gone to Heaven a few years ago) was repromoting an old novel to get feedback and I noticed her rank kept going down. When I asked about it, she explained that posts from previous years do not influence this year's rank. So I thought it was important to point that out. Thanks for reviewing! Hugs!
Comment from Sanku
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I too slog from from my in box listing , from top to bottom and as you said there would be no time left to go to the home page..Thank you for the article .I have identified some authors ,but not all

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Lol. I didn't mean to identify or label any author.
    But that is a style we need to be aware of to prioritize our reviewing time! Thanks for reviewing, Santha! If you have any suggestions or advice, please add to the book! Hugs!
Comment from CrystieCookie999
Excellent
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I liked reading this. It made a lot of sense. It pointed out some things I had always wondered about on ratings and promoting as well. We all have busy lives to one extent or another. Some of us are better off financially than others and can do higher promotions. Sometimes we get distracted when we are about to promote a post, and we have to come back to it in the next half hour to an hour just to play catch up. But I think your article is helpful.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Thank you, Crystie! I'm glad you found it helpful. If you have some pointers to share, please add to the book!
    Hugs!
Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This will be a most useful guide to newcomers as reviewing can be quite daunting at first. Especially if an author gets cranky with you right off the bat which happened with me when I wrote that raconteur and beer don't rhyme with a five star. I have since learned rhyming is more nuanced than I had previously thought.

I think there was a story that I heard long, long ago about reviewers being awarded more if a writer let the freebie work out and then promoted, but I haven't noticed that, so I promote with at least a treasure chest and lucky leprechaun straight off. The warning about the new ratings not applying to the current year's ranking is a good one.

Very clear writing here and a most worthwhile project. I expect I will be adding a chapter. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Thank you so much, Gloria! I know what you share will be so appreciated! You already gave us the Tutorial way back when so if the newbies read, I hope they are helped! Thanks for the many stars on this. Hugs!!
Comment from Iza Deleanu
Excellent
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I'm so sorry that you get only two cents on My posts. Let's make a deal I will let you know when I get above 60 with a piece. I might disappear again cause I have 3 new classes and still two jobs. But I will let you know when I have something with more incentives to share

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Okay! Deal but before you disappear, please message me and let me know how to pray for you. Thanks for reviewing! Hugs and prayers for blessings on your work and classes! 💖🙏
reply by Iza Deleanu on 11-Jan-2024
    Amazing:)
reply by Iza Deleanu on 11-Jan-2024
    Read the Will-y on the first page it will get you 84 points:)
Comment from Navada
Excellent
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This all makes a lot of sense and reflects my own learnings in the few months I've been here. I've just copped a three star review from a newbie to which I responded very graciously and gave them some gentle advice about reading the Q&A about the star ratings before doing much more reviewing. I hope they stumble across this piece! :)

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
    Thank you for the review! Great response to the newbie! Blessings!
Comment from Bill Schott
Excellent
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I always learn something new and useful from you, Helen. The front page postings are important as that's where the money is at. Short on money, the site challenges allow members to spent little and still win.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 11-Jan-2024


reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
    Yes, you're right. For the site contests we don't need to promote high but it's nice for our dedicated reviewers. Thanks so much, Bill. You're so busy now but if you think up something that would really help a newbie, please add your two cents (not literally). Hugs!