Lessons Learned and Spiritual
Viewing comments for Chapter 18 "Good and Bad Reviewing"Do good and feel good poems
57 total reviews
Comment from Mrs. KT
Debi,
I rated this piece with four stars for the following reasons:
1. Your poem is an example of "Black-White Thinking." Simply stated,
Black-and- White Thinking is a fallacious reasoning phenomenon wherein someone characterizes people as all good or all bad. In the case of your poem, you have chosen to characterize reviews/reviewers as "good or bad." That's not the way the world rolls; nothing is all good or bad, and when one thinks like that or acts like that, it doesn't allow for shades of gray - which on a writing site such as FanStory - a writing site that counts as its membership individuals from all walks of life, social backgrounds, countries, writing abilities, etc, one cannot simply lump them all together as either "good or bad reviewers" or of writing "good or bad reviews."
2. The inference that I draw from such a characterization is that a "good" review is only one that is filled with praise while a "bad" review is one which is critical of a writer's form and/or message. That is a slippery slope to follow.
3. "Smug" is an adjective; adjectives cannot be subjects of a sentence. "Smugness" is the noun form of the adjective "smug."
4. Your poem vacillates pronoun usage: "we, you, they, I."
5. I am prompted to ask you, who is this collective "we" and "they" of whom you write?
You write as though you are speaking/writing on behalf of the entire membership of FanStory, and you have been a member since 2021?
6. That type of verbiage is not only disparaging, but it also fosters the view that FanStory is an all-inclusive clique of only like-minded individuals and does nothing to foster collegiality or self-expression among fellow writers.
7. What it does promote is a "We vs Them" mentality that I personally find very unsettling as a writer and contributing member of FanStory since 2007.
FanStory is an international writing site, and new members, established members, veteran members, and all members are entitled to write reviews as they see fit. That is their prerogative as paying and contributing members of the site.
What you might perceive as offensive, another might perceive as honest. What you might perceive as hurtful, another might perceive as helpful. Smugness has nothing to do with it.
If you, as a writer, do not appreciate an individual's review, "mute" that individual. You do not have to interact with anyone with whom you would rather not interact.
Through our writing, may all of us grow as writers. More importantly, through our writing, may all of us grow as human beings.
Sincerely,
diane
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Debi,
I rated this piece with four stars for the following reasons:
1. Your poem is an example of "Black-White Thinking." Simply stated,
Black-and- White Thinking is a fallacious reasoning phenomenon wherein someone characterizes people as all good or all bad. In the case of your poem, you have chosen to characterize reviews/reviewers as "good or bad." That's not the way the world rolls; nothing is all good or bad, and when one thinks like that or acts like that, it doesn't allow for shades of gray - which on a writing site such as FanStory - a writing site that counts as its membership individuals from all walks of life, social backgrounds, countries, writing abilities, etc, one cannot simply lump them all together as either "good or bad reviewers" or of writing "good or bad reviews."
2. The inference that I draw from such a characterization is that a "good" review is only one that is filled with praise while a "bad" review is one which is critical of a writer's form and/or message. That is a slippery slope to follow.
3. "Smug" is an adjective; adjectives cannot be subjects of a sentence. "Smugness" is the noun form of the adjective "smug."
4. Your poem vacillates pronoun usage: "we, you, they, I."
5. I am prompted to ask you, who is this collective "we" and "they" of whom you write?
You write as though you are speaking/writing on behalf of the entire membership of FanStory, and you have been a member since 2021?
6. That type of verbiage is not only disparaging, but it also fosters the view that FanStory is an all-inclusive clique of only like-minded individuals and does nothing to foster collegiality or self-expression among fellow writers.
7. What it does promote is a "We vs Them" mentality that I personally find very unsettling as a writer and contributing member of FanStory since 2007.
FanStory is an international writing site, and new members, established members, veteran members, and all members are entitled to write reviews as they see fit. That is their prerogative as paying and contributing members of the site.
What you might perceive as offensive, another might perceive as honest. What you might perceive as hurtful, another might perceive as helpful. Smugness has nothing to do with it.
If you, as a writer, do not appreciate an individual's review, "mute" that individual. You do not have to interact with anyone with whom you would rather not interact.
Through our writing, may all of us grow as writers. More importantly, through our writing, may all of us grow as human beings.
Sincerely,
diane
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Diane, with all due respect, and that is what this was about, is not reading the posts and collecting the money, and those who feel the need to belittle, with lacking respect. Which makes me incredibly sad. I pray before writing much of my work, and I don't believe there is a gray area with lack of respect for others. You either have it or not. And almost everyone here has it as stated in my poem. There is nothing bad about praising people, nor letting others know that it is wrong to cheat others of their rights to have their posts read. It would be so wrong of me ever to apologize for that. But a friend was hurt and I prayed and this was the outcome,
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Debi,
With all due respect, I stand by my review and my convictions expressed in said review, especially after receiving the following message this morning at 2:00am from the individual who prompted you to pen your poem:
________________________________________
Diane,
I was most saddened to read your review of Debi Pick Marquette's poem on reviewing. Was that dress down really necessary? I wonder what is really going on here, Diane. Debi has some serious health issues going on and she takes the time to write. Not only that, she is my friend and did not deserve the things you said. If anything, she was offering comfort and encouragement to me with some really ridiculous reviews I've had lately.
I hope you can find it in your heart to apologize to her.
(name redacted) xo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Best wishes on your writing journey, Debi.
Feel free to mute me.
I most certainly am on my way to mute both of you.
diane
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Diane, I do not revenge review, nor do I revenge mute. If I had no hope for our friendship to reunite, I may have muted long ago. However as hurtful and obvious as your feelings are for me, it has been only you who has been disrespectful and making wrongful accusations. So it confuses me why you would mute me. I have never harassed you, put you down or tried to hurt you, yet I just can't seem to win. I am saddened by this, because no matter what I continue to pray that maybe the things that you once thought about me, you had now seen were so unjustified. Being accused of doing something that you didn't do is shattering for me. Any of my ignorance in not writing about whether I got my information from my grandson or my mothers book or father's memories were just that. But my ignorance was from not realizing that it was necessary. It was a rough lesson to learn. Very rough. I may be many things, but I am not a liar. I do hope you can find a place in your heart to understand what I am saying. What I have been saying all along.
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
ll be right back. I'm 100*% Greek, so I need to philosophize about this one, and try to write something that doesn't just make sense, only, in my mind. :)
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ll be right back. I'm 100*% Greek, so I need to philosophize about this one, and try to write something that doesn't just make sense, only, in my mind. :)
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
Comment from jessizero
I asked someone to explain something yesterday, but I wasn't trying to be rude. Now I feel terrible. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Best wishes to you.
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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I asked someone to explain something yesterday, but I wasn't trying to be rude. Now I feel terrible. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Best wishes to you.
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Jessi, that is why you are such a great reviewer. There is a difference between genuinely wanting to understand and being there to grab the points and run. OMGosh, you remind me of me, where I am always worried that I may have hurt someone's feelings. I know that you have seen that side in me. But your big heart is why you ask, and you should be proud that you are who you are. I know I am proud to call you a friend and one of the best reviewers ever.
Comment from Scott Dylan Thomas
Hi Debi,
Love the humorous yet honest tone of the poem. I 've thought about writing a poem about a similar subject, getting so wrapped up in reviews and what other people think, when it's all so subjective. My only suggestion, would be about using more punctuation at the end of the lines or stanzas. That's just my personal preference though.
Best of luck!
Scott
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Hi Debi,
Love the humorous yet honest tone of the poem. I 've thought about writing a poem about a similar subject, getting so wrapped up in reviews and what other people think, when it's all so subjective. My only suggestion, would be about using more punctuation at the end of the lines or stanzas. That's just my personal preference though.
Best of luck!
Scott
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Hi Scott, I truly appreciate your very kind review and comments. You are certainly one of the good guys. However, it took a couple years for me to get used to not using punctuation at the ends of poetry, because I think it looks too much like a story, and poetry it is not needed because it is a natural pause. I would like to use the question mark tho, but then I have some say, if you use one use the other, which for my carefree style, it would stunt it somehow. Do you know what I mean? And thanks again my friend.
Comment from Heather Knight
Respect is really important. My reviews might be trite because sometimes I find it difficult to express my opinion (mainly when the post is a very short poem), but I make an effort not to offend anyone.
Thanks for sharing.
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Respect is really important. My reviews might be trite because sometimes I find it difficult to express my opinion (mainly when the post is a very short poem), but I make an effort not to offend anyone.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I do understand. I have had reviews that I am positive they just wrote the review, so they got the attached money, because the actual review mad zero sense with what I wrote. I wish we could do something about that. Thank you for sharing this post, so I know I am not the only one who sometimes feels this way.
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I do understand. I have had reviews that I am positive they just wrote the review, so they got the attached money, because the actual review mad zero sense with what I wrote. I wish we could do something about that. Thank you for sharing this post, so I know I am not the only one who sometimes feels this way.
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
Comment from w.j.debi
You've taken a clever and creative way to review reviewers. Yes, we've all had those reviews where we wonder if the person bothered to take time to read, or the ones that were just plain mean to be mean.
I do appreciate honest feedback and suggestions on improvement that are meant as helpful. How else will I learn or correct my mistakes?
Like you though, I think most writers are genuinely interested in helping each other on this site and give reviews that are encouraging and helpful. It is a great community.
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You've taken a clever and creative way to review reviewers. Yes, we've all had those reviews where we wonder if the person bothered to take time to read, or the ones that were just plain mean to be mean.
I do appreciate honest feedback and suggestions on improvement that are meant as helpful. How else will I learn or correct my mistakes?
Like you though, I think most writers are genuinely interested in helping each other on this site and give reviews that are encouraging and helpful. It is a great community.
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
Comment from Cedar
Hello Debi,
This one caught my eye as I was scrolling down the screen. And, as I read your words it reminded me of a poem that I posted 4 or 5 years ago called,"Receiving Reviews." Feel free to read it if you wish. Our poems are so much alike.
I've been a member here at Fanstory for 14 years now, but haven't been active for a while due to health issues. The reviews have gotten much better throughout the years because of the rule changes. Take my word, it used to be much worse, to the point of warnings from the site and eventually being disqualified from the site.
Please don't get discouraged. As long as you like what you write, in the long run, that's really all that matters.
Just write what you feel in your heart, how can you go wrong by doing that. Regardless of what other people may think. You have a great talent in writing poetry, please don't let the negative opinions of others steal that away from you...I wish you the best of luck...Bill
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Hello Debi,
This one caught my eye as I was scrolling down the screen. And, as I read your words it reminded me of a poem that I posted 4 or 5 years ago called,"Receiving Reviews." Feel free to read it if you wish. Our poems are so much alike.
I've been a member here at Fanstory for 14 years now, but haven't been active for a while due to health issues. The reviews have gotten much better throughout the years because of the rule changes. Take my word, it used to be much worse, to the point of warnings from the site and eventually being disqualified from the site.
Please don't get discouraged. As long as you like what you write, in the long run, that's really all that matters.
Just write what you feel in your heart, how can you go wrong by doing that. Regardless of what other people may think. You have a great talent in writing poetry, please don't let the negative opinions of others steal that away from you...I wish you the best of luck...Bill
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Oh Bill, you are so kind, and I don't let others bother me anymore, but wrote this because I could relate to a friend who let some idiot ruin her day. She inspired me to say what we all have been thru. We don't get enough days in this life, to allow someone else to take one away from us here and there. And especially for those like you and me with health problems, ignorance causes stress and as my lupus dr says, stress is a killer. What gives anyone the right to let their egotistical ways hurt us? So I had to toughen up for my life, literally. But a friend is worth fighting for too, and so I wrote this for her, me, you and all who have met that egotistical jerk. Thank God most people are like you. I will check out your post as soon as I get a little caught up. Thanks so much, my dear friend.
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So sorry to hear about your lupus. It seems as though we both have an auto-immune disease. I've had a very rare form of MS for 31 years now. I have constant double vision with swollen eyelids, muscle weakness in my hands, left arm and right leg to the point of being homebound. It makes it very difficult to type and to see what I am typing. But, we must force ourselves to do things or else we will simply lose our will...Good luck and write anytime...Your friend..Bill
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Bill, you may be a long lost brother. Lol... I'm just getting ready now to see my eye surgeon, which I will have cataracts (no biggie) but also to try to correct the damage in the retinas after shingles got in there. And on the Bright Side(my motto and literally) I live in a very colorful world. I too have seen double since the age of 17 after an eye surgery to correct lazy eyes. I have had a painful last forty years, but I continue to always look on the bright side. And you are one my friend. So happy to have met you and I would like to tell you the other similarities but lately God keeps giving me a bright side even if I have to look harder to find it. Hang in there Bill and thank you.
Comment from aryr
This was absolutely great, Debi. I liked the picture and your words because they showed the truth. A good review does show the proper respect to the writer, where as a poor review shows ignorance and the lack of respect. Very good job. Blessings n Hugs!
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This was absolutely great, Debi. I liked the picture and your words because they showed the truth. A good review does show the proper respect to the writer, where as a poor review shows ignorance and the lack of respect. Very good job. Blessings n Hugs!
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
Your last line said it all, and your rhyme and rhythm are excellent in this poem. I smiled because I had a reviewer who had everything backward in my poem. This one is outstanding. You go, girl!
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Your last line said it all, and your rhyme and rhythm are excellent in this poem. I smiled because I had a reviewer who had everything backward in my poem. This one is outstanding. You go, girl!
Comment Written 22-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 22-Mar-2023
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Verna, as always, you are so sweet. I thank you so very much for your kind words and review for my review poem. You sweetie, are the essence of a real reviewer, and I hope I have shown you how much you are appreciated.
I also thank you for your gift of six stars!
You have no idea how much the whole package means to me!
Thanks again my dear friend!
'
