What's With Some of the New Members (Page 1 of 4)

Good question, Randy. I've found it happens occasionally. I post most of my work on both sites, but remove it from Booksie when I begin the second edit here. In most cases, I've found Booksie is a "kinder, gentler" site where hardly a cross word is spoken, even if deserved. here, you will get a more honest review, even if you don't like it. Thick skin is required in most cases. I do try my best to help a newcomer, though. I might be tempted to lay off a rough review if the storyline is well presented and coherent, correcting or advising on grammar, dialogue and structure--not content.

Bill

I opened Paula June's story around lunch time, got interrupted, so I left it open and tended to other things.  I came back that evening, and it was still on my screen, so I read it and left an inline review.  Then, when I hit enter, I got a message that the chapter had been deleted and account closed.  I spent probably 30 minutes or more on that review, only to find out nothing I did mattered.  I wondered the same thing, Randy.  What the heck???

Yes, what is with the kids these days?

I've been reviewing a lot of new members' work, as well, with nary a reciprocating review. I thought it was helpful--I remember being thrilled at my first reviews--but maybe not everyone feels the same.

I agree that on tnbw the reviews are honest, sometimes painfully so. But that's what I'm looking for. Some other 'writing' sites seem more like chat rooms. If that's what a person wants, I don't think they'll find it here.

There's a book called 'The Rainbow Fish' that is read to youngsters across the country in the early grades. In the story, a fish with sparkly scales is asked to share his sparkle. Every time another fish asks, the rainbow fish gives away some of his sparkle, until at last they are all equally drab. Take that, Rainbow Fish! Why would you teach little kids that all they have to do is ask for something, and it's theirs? (I don't think that was the author's intention, but that's how it comes across.)

That's the thinking among some people--writers included. Write something, and wait for sparkling reviews. When they're not forthcoming, the faint if heart go somewhere else. They don't want to rewrite, change and make corrections. Let them go--it's just a pity we have to waste time meting out the truth.

It's a pity, too, that they're not reading 'The Little Red Hen' to kids in school anymore. You remember it--that's the story that teaches us if you don't work, you don't eat.

There is another group of newcomers as well. Those who thank you for your in-depth review and say "yes, I know I have to do thus and such." Then, the next chapter comes out and it is filled with the same errors you pointed out the first time. One of two of these exchanges I can tolerate, but more than two and I drift away to see if I can help another.

Bill

Speaking from the perspective of a newbie, it's hard to review someone else's work and even harder when reviewing a more experienced writer. I've been giving plenty of reviews, but feel shy about doing so. We're talking here about reading and reviewing genres we maybe not so familiar with. It can be hard to fully appreciate a good story when it's not what you're used to reading, and so on. I'd figured that the point system, at least in quantitative terms has reciprocity built in. Lots of things to figure out as a newcomer.

Right you are, MJ. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a newcomer to TNBW take the offered advice and improve his or her writing. I've seen it myself many times.

I am always open for grammar, syntax, spelling and other corrections to my own posts. I thrive on them, actually, as they sometimes add an aspect of thinking I hadn't seen before. I've ben known to change a whole scene based on a suggestion.

Bill

I agree with Christine. As a newbie, I don’t feel qualified to do a line-edit, especially since I throw punctuation around like confetti. But I do offer regular reviews and reciprocate with reviewers.  And try not to late the day go by without a reply. And when someone reviews me, I immediately jump on the edit and make corrections. I’ve been on this site for 6-weeks, and can see a vast improvement with my writing, thanks to the reviews. That’s why I’m here, to learn.
Not to have my ego stroked.
That’s my two cents.

I remember worrying about how to write a review. The advice given above could be invaluable to new reviewers, but judging from my own experience, the maze of opinions presented in the forums would be the last place a newbie would look for guidance. In a few days all this helpful knowledge will be buried in a haystack of political, social and professional opinion. Not to mention the just plain goofy.

Would it be too difficult to add a section to the 'Reviewing Work and Providing Feedback' portion of the 'Help' page?

It could be called Suggestions for New Reviewers or something similar. It could encourage new members to give their impressions of such areas as Effective Title, Action, Mood, Characters, Story, Setting, etc. I think anyone could do this without previous experience.

Any thoughts?

Yes, we can do that. And we can even point to this thread. Good idea!

I’m with Jack. There’s a section before each posting where you can state what sort of reviews you want. If all you want is a reader’s impressions, say so. If you don’t like line edits, then by all means let a reviewer know that. If you state, any and all feedback is welcome, then be prepared to get some feedback you don’t agree with it’s up to you to use or lose the feedback. And don’t put this all on the newbies, there are plenty of established members that get prickly about someone commenting on there work. And just because someone is new to the site, or even new to writing, that doesn’t mean they don’t have valid opinions. We are all readers, and I can assume lovers of books. A reader’s opinion is just as valid as a writer’s.
Nuff said.

Yes. Totally agree.