1

(41 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

vern wrote:
SolN wrote:

So, I think we have two separate questions.

1. Can AI reviews be helpful? I think the answer is yes. As I've seen on Booksie, AI is good at spotting grammatical problems and can also provide feedback on plot, character development, setting, etc. It has "read" all of the best-selling work out there so knows the formula of what works and what doesn't.

2. Should reviewers use AI to leave reviews on TNBW? I believe the answer is no. When you leave a review, you are representing that you have read the work and are providing "your" opinion, not the opinion and feedback of someone else or a machine.

I've also thought about whether AI will replace human writers. I believe the answer is yes for technical work and potentially some non-fiction. For fiction, I think it might become its own genre - AI Written. I like to use clothing as an analogy. Much of the clothing we wear is made by machines in modern times. But the really valuable clothing is still hand made. Why? Because there is something human in the creation, the stitching, the fabrication and people who wear it find appealing. It's original and unique in a way machine created clothing is not.

This all leads me to two thoughts.

1. Perhaps we need to add some AI feedback to TNBW like what we have with Booksie. I think authors might find it helpful.
2. Reviewers should be be substituting AI for their own feedback. I believe a site where everyone simply pasts AI feedback is a diminished one that one that has no more reason to exist.

Happy to hear all of your thoughts.

Sol

I see nothing wrong or right about AI checking grammar/punctuation since it is simply based on preestablished "rules" and if you use Word, it pretty much does that automatically as you type, but as far as getting into plot, etc., it may have "read" all the bestselling works but I doubt it knows what will be a best seller and simply mimicking best sellers of the past is only giving the reader a regurgitation of what someone else has produced. Creativity, at least for now, is in the realm of humans, not machines. Any use of AI for reviews on this site should be banned in my humble opinion along with the person who submitted it as their own. My opinion outside the machine looking for a wrench to toss in the gears. Take care. Vern

How would such banning work? Would we need an AI program to detect AI? And then what? Have it eliminate one of its “own”? AI programs have shown remarkable abilities in self-preservation, including one instance where a program blackmailed its engineer to prevent him from dismantling it. An advantage of advanced AI is its ability to “learn.” Scary stuff.

2

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Not you, Randy. I’m talking almost two months, not a little behind as we all fall prey to on occasion. Anyway, I’ve said my piece. The scofflaws know who they are, and I hope they’ll mend their ways. My only intention in this post subject was to remind authors of their responsibilities if they want to be active participants on this site. I thank Sol for creating it, a valuable resource for authors wanting to present their creations to the critiques of their peers. I’ve workshopped all my books here and plan to continue.

3

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I won’t name names, Dirk, but it’s definitely not you.

4

(6 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

All reviewers should receive the courtesy of a reply from authors they’ve reviewed. I thought that was a given on this site, but recently I’ve been disappointed. Almost two months have elapsed since I published reviews for two postings, and I’m still waiting for replies from the authors. If you have issues with the review, fine, communicate that. But no response at all means I’ve no idea how my reviews were received, making me think I’ve wasted my time - time better spent reviewing other works on the site instead. For sure, a truant author will not receive any further reviews from me. I don’t think I’m alone here in this respect. If it was a simple oversight, okay, stuff happens. But I urge everyone to periodically check your reviews list to make sure you’ve kept current.

5

(1 replies, posted in Thriller/Mystery/Suspense)

Welcome, Ironwolf. I look forward to your postings.

Jack

6

(9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Congrats, MJ!

7

(16 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Kudos, Dirk!

8

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

George FLC wrote:

I don't really know you much at all, but I know good news when I hear it. Congratulations!

Thanks, George!

9

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, Vern. Appreciate it!

10

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Randall Krzak wrote:
jack the knife wrote:
Nathan B. Childs wrote:

Congratulations, Jack. How many published books does this make?

Thanks, Nathan! This will be my sixteenth, including three co-authored novels.

Way to go, Jack!  Hope you can do another 16!

I should live so long! smile

11

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Nathan B. Childs wrote:

Congratulations, Jack. How many published books does this make?

Thanks, Nathan! This will be my sixteenth, including three co-authored novels.

12

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, MJ and Dags!

13

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, guys!

14

(20 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I’ve just been informed by the publisher that “Revival” has been accepted for publication! The timeline is unknown at this point, with the editing process about to begin. The publisher wants a different title, though, so I’ll let you know when we decide on it. Thanks to all TNBW readers who helped me bring this novel to fruition. Your valuable suggestions for improving the manuscript is why TNBW will always be my writing workshop site.

15

(7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Marilyn Johnson wrote:
jack the knife wrote:

Thanks, Dags. Helene didn’t affect us, but the week before we got torrential rain from a tropical storm that wiped out many roads and bridges in my area. We thought we had it bad until Helene destroyed Asheville, in the western part of the state.

Happy to hear all is well with you, Jack. We're still digging out here in NE Georgia. We've got trees down everywhere, the roof is torn off our barn, a monster tree is blocking our driveway, and our pond is overflowing. A tornado tore the tops off a swath of huge oak trees in my back yard and toppled more than fifty of them. These trees are anywhere from fifty to over a hundred years old. My power was off for ten hours. My daughter lives only 15 miles from me, and her power is still off today, four days later, with no idea when it will come back on.

We have one grocery store in the small town where I live, and their computers are down, they have no incoming food because their home office is located in Asheville, NC, and their offices and trucks are underwater. So shelves in my town are empty, and this dock workers strike is not going to help us one bit.

Has anyone heard from Vern? He's in the western part of North Carolina where a huge amount of damage was done.

MJ

So sorry to hear that, MJ. Mother Nature’s devastation, augmented by climate change. And we have another month - or more! - of potential severe storms. The threat is real, and all of us should have plans to escape if need be.

16

(14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Good news!

17

(14 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

dagny wrote:

Natfoot--
I just remembered you live in Florida. Are you okay? Let us know.
dagfoot smile

My brother-in-law lives in Panama City Beach. He dodged the bullet, and I hope you did too.

Jack

18

(7 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Thanks, Dags. Helene didn’t affect us, but the week before we got torrential rain from a tropical storm that wiped out many roads and bridges in my area. We thought we had it bad until Helene destroyed Asheville, in the western part of the state.

If we’re in a character’s POV, I would use frown, since the character would be unlikely to think of his brow furrowing, but he is likely to voluntarily “frown.” For an observing character, both would be acceptable and avoid overdoing an action description by using alternatives. Your second example would be used only for an observing character, since it would be an involuntary action by the POV character. Hope I interpreted your question correctly.

20

(124 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

The clock is ticking.

21

(124 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Case in point! I commented on how some posts disappear like a puff of smoke, while others stay highlighted for days on end. My above post only lasted less than two hours, but the one above it, to which I referenced, was on the notifications for over two days. Splain me that, Sol.

EDIT (by Dirk):  PRIORITY: High.

22

(124 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Okay, why do some posts in the forum stay for days in the notifications  ( see Sol’s above), while other posts are there for only an hour or so, then disappear?

23

(35 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Dirk B. wrote:

The timeout bug in the forums still exists. Sol, was any attempt made to eliminate that bug, or am I testing the original version with the timeouts?

Sorry for my ignorance, but what’s the timeout problem in the forums?

24

(12 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Nathan B. Childs wrote:
SolN wrote:

Users would not be able to post until they becoming a paying member. I actually don't think the trial works that well. I'd rather have people explore the site a a free member (who cannot post) and then when they are ready, upgrade and publish their work. That was the old site model and it seemed to work better.

I agree.

Ditto.

25

(11 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Marilyn Johnson wrote:

One reason second chapters don't get reviewed is the reviewer doesn't receive an acknowledgment that the writer has seen their review. Unless i’m confident it’s just an oversight on the writer’s part, I don't review another chapter until I know that my kind of reviewing is what you are looking for. I don't know about others on here, but after I spend an hour of my time reading and commenting, if the writer expects me to read their next chapter, I need to know you are seeking my line by line edits, or you need something different. I noticed several of your chapter 1 reviews went unacknowledged by you, so maybe they also wanted to know you at least saw their work.

Also, when I receive a review and a reviewer points out several glaring mistakes (we all make them), I immediately change the copy on this site first so the next reviewer doesn't have to spend their time making the same suggestions. 

Food for thought.  Also, if you are paying $20 a month here, you are overpaying. Check again because it's not that much.  If you are, let Sol know so he can correct your monthly amount.
Happy trails,
MJ

MJ

What she said.