Re: Endurance Points

Sending an occasional gift of points to someone isn't likely to run out of control, since it takes a lot of time to build them up. But I recently received two extraordinarily detailed reviews where the reviewers put in hours of effort. I would gladly read extra works to build up enough points to reward them from time to time, just as I read to get enough points to publish. If I know someone is new and trying their best to give a good review or trying to stay with me, I'd probably give them an occasional gift as well.

There are people who read more than they write (me included), so we've built up quite a horde. Once those are spent, however, the system equalizes for everyone and you have to read even more to get the points to give away. If someone is a prolific writer and puts up stories at five times my pace, and they're getting lousy reviews or people don't stick with them, then they need to slow down and read more.

There are other reviewers who give barely any feedback and they're getting the same points as someone who goes out of their way to give better reviews. The current system doesn't reward the quality of reviews. It's a communist economy, where everyone gets an equal share no matter how much or little effort they make. Let the cream rise to the top.

As for giving incremental credit for later chapters, the points can come from the system, just as the system currently gives extra points for reviewing new members.

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Re: Endurance Points

See comment in the other thread about points, Dirk. And I totally agree with your last paragraph. Can't say I agree with your second paragraph. You have to read to post. Maybe those folks, like me read and post, read and post.

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Re: Endurance Points

Some of you "old heads" forgive me ladies.  Experienced reviewers and writers answer this question.  I have gleaned from reviews I have received and given that there are two ways of reviewing.  The writer who is looking to lure a publisher should write by all the rules and write to the quirks and whims of a professional publisher.  The writer who is looking to self publish has a little more freedom to shall we say challenge the rules of thumb, so to speak.  Would it help any of you more experienced reviewers if you knew specifically what type of publishing the writer is going to seek?  It seems to me a self publish review could be done in less time with less attention to problems that may not occur when self publishing.  I would like to know the answer if for not other reason than to get this idea out of my head.  Thanks Mike

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Re: Endurance Points

Norm d'Plume wrote:

Sending an occasional gift of points to someone isn't likely to run out of control, since it takes a lot of time to build them up. But I recently received two extraordinarily detailed reviews where the reviewers put in hours of effort. I would gladly read extra works to build up enough points to reward them from time to time, just as I read to get enough points to publish. If I know someone is new and trying their best to give a good review or trying to stay with me, I'd probably give them an occasional gift as well.

There are people who read more than they write (me included), so we've built up quite a horde. Once those are spent, however, the system equalizes for everyone and you have to read even more to get the points to give away. If someone is a prolific writer and puts up stories at five times my pace, and they're getting lousy reviews or people don't stick with them, then they need to slow down and read more.

There are other reviewers who give barely any feedback and they're getting the same points as someone who goes out of their way to give better reviews. The current system doesn't reward the quality of reviews. It's a communist economy, where everyone gets an equal share no matter how much or little effort they make. Let the cream rise to the top.

As for giving incremental credit for later chapters, the points can come from the system, just as the system currently gives extra points for reviewing new members.

I wholeheartedly agree with Dirk's entire post. And if you think about it, if we have the capability to reward reviewers using our points, then there is nothing stopping you to enter a private agreement with someone to review your entire novel for a certain number of points.

For those who don't have enough points, either review more or post less novels or post less new chapters or don't award reviewers (for both quality and quantity). That will also give reviewers some much breathing space to keep up with their reviews. And I'm fully aware of my bias in that I only work on a single book at a time, so members who prefer working on multiple books at any given time, might not like this idea so much. But I honestly think it will balance things a lot more than anything else.

Heck, I'll let go of wanting the "old forum" format back if I can have this!

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Re: Endurance Points

Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:

See comment in the other thread about points, Dirk. And I totally agree with your last paragraph. Can't say I agree with your second paragraph. You have to read to post. Maybe those folks, like me read and post, read and post.

Janet, surely you read, write and post, read, write and post! tongue

But in seriousness, I agree, take it out of my bank account. (And yes, I can afford this opinion as I review much more than what I use to post, so my bias may be showing but I do not apologise for this, because if you give good reviews, and get extra points as a reward, it will also make it easier to post your own writing -somewhat - sooner).   [general comment, not specific too you Janet!]

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Re: Endurance Points

Mike Roberson wrote:

Some of you "old heads" forgive me ladies.  Experienced reviewers and writers answer this question.  I have gleaned from reviews I have received and given that there are two ways of reviewing.  The writer who is looking to lure a publisher should write by all the rules and write to the quirks and whims of a professional publisher.  The writer who is looking to self publish has a little more freedom to shall we say challenge the rules of thumb, so to speak.  Would it help any of you more experienced reviewers if you knew specifically what type of publishing the writer is going to seek?  It seems to me a self publish review could be done in less time with less attention to problems that may not occur when self publishing.  I would like to know the answer if for not other reason than to get this idea out of my head.  Thanks Mike

You might call me an "old head" just don't do it to my face, lol. To the point, what difference should it make how a book will be published? I'm of course assuming you want it to be bought and read and appreciated however it is published. And to that end, I would assume you would like the best advice a reviewer might be able to give whether you end up using it or not.

I do not and would not change the way I review even if I knew - which I don't unless someone comes out and tells me - how you intend to publish. From what I perceive, most authors on site are going or will go the self-pub route simply because it is way easier and faster to do so and in fact is probably the only way most of us will get published although I still hold out stubbornly for the traditional route.

I review with the intent of giving the most enlightening suggestions I possibly can to help create a more viable story from a mass marketing viewpoint. Of course I'm no expert, but that is the goal and hope that would be the goal for any who reviews me - all we have is our honest opinion of what works or doesn't. And to that end, it makes absolutely no difference in the method of publication as to how I for one undertake a review. Take care. Vern

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Re: Endurance Points

Thanks Vern.  I kinda figured that would be the case with most. Just curious.  Mike

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Re: Endurance Points

Mike Roberson wrote:

Thanks Vern.  I kinda figured that would be the case with most. Just curious.  Mike

If I had to guess, I'd say that it doesn't come down to the quality of reviews, but might change the number of revisions writers will put their work through before publishing?

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