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Some of them are rich hacks.  Which matters more: the praise of your professional peers or of your present and future audience?  I'm not saying you can't have both, but some of those hacks have created stories that fill C.S.Lewis's definition of myth: a story that can suffer changes in plot, character, place, and era, and still remain recognizable as the same story.

Put The Phantom of the Opera in ancient Greece, replace opera with the plays and choruses, and it would be the same central story.  Replace the congenital deformation with acid scarring, and you have the same central story.

Convince me that Gaston Leroux was not a hack writer.  He was a newspaperman, and his stories were sold as serials.  And he gave us not only Phantom but The Mystery of the Yellow Room, a classic of mystery/detective fiction.

Know the rules, yes.  But know when they can be broken to gain something else.  Be not afraid to boldly split the infinitive, if it will take you where no story has gone before.

If Gaston Leroux doesn't convince you, what about Damon Runyon?

My latest attempt. The reference to radar suggests he's scanning, which is confirmed the next time he speaks.

While the senior exorcist continued to pray, Connor closed his eyes and furrowed his brow. He turned his head slowly from side to side, like a radar dish.

you did say you're mostly in it for the money, so...

Hi Ray

1.    Click ‘Post your Writing’ tab from the home page header.
2.    Click the red button labeled; ‘Add New Content’
3.    Fill in the form, making sure to choose ‘book’ from the 1st dropdown
4.    Click the button on the bottom of the page marked; ‘submit basic information and summary’
5.    Choose the cover you desire
6.    Click ‘upload image and create your cover’ or ‘use TNBW generic cover’ buttons on bottom of page when done
7.    Click the “Next’ button on bottom of page
8.    Click Add Chapter
9.    Fill out form at top of page, enter chapter content on bottom of page, then click ‘Next’ on bottom of page
10.    Choose your publishing options then click red button.
11.    When ready, click the green button to ‘Publish’

To add a new chapter to the above project:
1.    Click “Post Your Writing’ tab from the home page header
2.    Scroll down your portfolio list for the name of the book you’d like to add to.
3.    On the right side of that book listing, there is a small ‘Action’ tab which brings a drop down menu—click ‘add chapter’
4.    Fill out to form to indicate the chapter number and other information. Paste your content in the appropriate window and hit next.
5.    Fill out publishing info and follow the same final steps as above.
6.    Rinse and repeat for future chapters.

Once you've added all your current chapter content to a new single book project, you can delete your old one so people don't get confused.

I followed the goddamned instructions ...

How about the winner(s) get their main work spotlighted on the home page for a week? Could have a Contest Winners section up temporarily. Not too long since that would annoy Temple and Vern. Leave the cash in the bank to pay for ongoing enhancements.

Temple Wang wrote:

... image removed ...

And, what's your problem with this, pray tell?

Bill

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

Contests always bring in new blood, and some of them actually stick around a while.

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 disagree with expanding the free trial period. In fact I think it is more of a hindrance to being a meaningful member. The free trial only encourages those who aren't already serious about writing. They see an opportunity to throw something out and get some "applause" without really having to commit to reading and reviewing to gain enough points to publish beyond a sparse beginning. And then when they don't receive the expected accolades, they simply quit without any investment having been made. Yes, there are/may be exceptions to my skepticism, but if so, they are few and far between.