What happened? (Page 1 of 2)

Now that you mention it, I see the trend you pointed out. Over the years I have posted quite a few stories/novels here and had two of them go on to be published, giving credit where credit was due on the Acknowledgements page to those who helped greatly in the success. Beginning early this spring, the level of readership/reviews did seem to drop off. I must include myself as a glaring example of this phenomena however. I've been a total sloth in reviewing as much as I had before. Instead, I find all sorts of excuses to keep from logging in and commenting/reviewing. For that I apologize. I like your phrase "drive-by comments" as it accurately describes many of those I have seen on other's posts.

I have been involved in an ongoing personal health and family struggle, but can now see the light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. In the past nine months or so I've hardly touched pen to paper, so to speak, and my work on my latest novel, a sequel, has suffered. I hope I will get my act together, overcome my massive writer's block, and continue as before: reading, reviewing, chatting in a forum, and generally returning to this site much more often than I have been lately.

Bill

Hey Ray,
I haven't been around for quite some time, but in general I agree with your comments. Even prior to this newer site coming to be, there were cyclical downturns that happened on the old site too. But, I've always chalked it up to it being the nature of the beast when you consider the majority of writers who frequent sites like this aren't full-time writers. Living life naturally takes priority so we're forced to suffer the resulting ebb and flow of active participation.

I think the only viable work-around is to keep widening your circle of reciprocal reviewers. As much as I used to loathe having to continually build new relationships, it was a necessary evil. The downside of this is it ups our read/review commitment to the point it can sometimes be counter productive because there are too many to keep up with.

Either way, I don't know what genre you favor but I'm slowly getting back in the swing and am open to picking up new R/R's. I'm not very helpful with fantasy, sci-fi or heavy historical--but I'd be happy to take a peek at something if you'd like to point the way.

My view on this subject:  At the old site, you did get a number of reviews, although there were dry spells and sometimes a lot of waiting. But most were of the "Good job!" variety. The reviewers were fans, not critics. I say this, although there were thoughtful suggestions and proofreading.

At the new site I noticed a difference right away. Fewer reviews, but the ones given were more thoughtful and more holistic (to use current pedagogical jargon). So for me, it's the difference between 20 fan comments (always appreciated) and three or four people willing to work with me to make a great manuscript.  That's better in my opinion.

And with that said--hey, come on. Review my stuff. It's been ages. What's with this site, anyway?  lol

Now, that's something I can get behind. The trial period is pretty short. When I first joined, it took me at least a month of heavy posting to get reviews that did some good. Within that month, I spent a lot of time editing and replacing chapters after a critical review. Boost the trial period. And, while we're at it, perhaps some method could be found to "loan" points to some deserving soul who is just too timid to give a meaningful (if any) review to an old hand. Once they build points of their own, the "loan" could be repaid.

Bill

“Amen,” the lady in Fulham mutters.  “Er um.  Second, I mean.”
*grumbling from the whinging Nays*
*foreman bangs gavel*
“Order!” he shouts. “I have a second.  Those in favor?”
...

Of course you do. :-)  Look around, Vern. This place is a ghost town. I'm worried this site will become unsustainable for Sol. Beyond a longer trial, I would add a monthly paid rate to allow new members to see just how great this site is, then decide to buy a longer membership to save $.

I was curious about other sites, so I did a comparison. I won't name the competitors, but the best one didn't support the concept of books, putting the onus on users to keep it organized. Also, chapters only remain readable/reviewable for thirty days. Then you have to gather more points to republish. That's ridiculous. Like us, they have a lot of dead groups, although more active forums. They also allow users to donate points to others. Hint. :-)

Course, maybe the newbies are reading the opining of the curmudgeons and malcontents on this forum ... LOL

PS: Vern, although you are a curmudgeon of the highest order, I am specifically excluding you from this (joking) slight.

Usually when we have a lull, we have a contest to perk up interest.  Strongest Start, a flash fiction...
Contests always bring in new blood, and some of them actually stick around a while.

I’m not being argumentative, but is that really true?  Maybe a long time ago, but the last few years it seems like contests merely stir the pot of regulars PLUS pull in lurkers (not being derogatory, but referring to those who don’t contribute much otherwise, but pitch in to the forum and seem game for a contest—sorry, Vern, LOL that resembles you too).  I’m not suggesting it’s a bad idea, but I see contests more as making a fluffy meringue of the leftover eggs as opposed to contributing new ingredients for a cake.  Metaphorically speaking ...

8. The Next Big Writer
This is an international forum where writers can receive feedback on their writing and support on every other part of the creative process from drafting to publishing and marketing. The critiques are often thorough and many come from published authors. Keep in mind that there is a monthly cost associated with the membership, but it might be worth it to be able to bend the ear of published authors.

Perfect for: writers seeking in-depth critiques from an international audience.

Perhaps I should use myself as an example.  I came here in 2008 because of the Strongest Start contest.  Though I didn't win, it sure made a better writer out of me when I received those reviews.  The 'regulars' on here have some great ideas and through the years have made very helpful suggestions since we are blind quite often when it comes to our own work.

Ray is correct when he says the old gray mare ain't what she used to be.  My first year here was filled with one review after another, some flowery and full of BS, while others stuck the knife in. I think it's not so much that the membership is falling below normal, but that we as reviewers are also slacking off. It takes both to make this site work.  I for one am guilty.  I'm not reviewing as much due to life at my Animal Sanctuary getting in my way, but when someone posts and gets zero reviews, whether good or bad, it doesn't encourage them to stick around. 

As for the "fly-by" reviews Ray mentioned, I for one have been guilty of starting an in-line, but only getting part of the way through it and realizing I'm rewriting the story, which I don't want to do.  I always leave the door open and in my remarks tell the writer I don't want to rewrite their work and have given examples of what I feel they need to work on, but if they want more help from me, to reach out and I will be happy to help.  And many have, both through private messaging and quickie notes.  I don't do it just to grab points because, after being here for eleven years, I've got more points than I will ever use in a lifetime.  If I point out to someone one time that they need to make sure quotation marks are both before and after their dialogue, I don't feel it necessary to highlight it every time in the remainder of the chapter.  If I point out they are constantly changing tenses, then any writer who is serious about their work will go through the entire chapter and make necessary changes.  I don't see the need to keep pointing it out.  Therefore, your 5,000-word chapter with 25 paragraphs may only be highlighted by me in the first 10 paragraphs if you repeat your mistakes throughout.

MJ