Yahoo Forum Archive
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2004 | - | - | - | 182 | 1042 | 655 | 89 | 25 | 263 | 362 | 316 | 285 |
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2009 | 28 | 3 | - | 39 | 194 | 101 | 72 | 27 | 22 | 15 | 36 | 24 |
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2011 | 1 | - | 17 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 90 | 61 | 32 | 7 | 5 | 8 |
2012 | 30 | - | - | - | 8 | 122 | 76 | - | - | - | - | - |
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I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something could
be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
inflate the scores.
My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as an
award is at stake.
Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention the "okay"?
Or do I not comment on this story at all?
I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It gives
the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am willing
to let things like that slide, and I am not.
What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
Thanks!
Mari
reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something could
be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
inflate the scores.
My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as an
award is at stake.
Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention the "okay"?
Or do I not comment on this story at all?
I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It gives
the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am willing
to let things like that slide, and I am not.
What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
Thanks!
Mari
Hmmm...well, in adding the sentences on what could be improved, you
maybe giving the story more points than one you might consider a
better story, but for which you only leave nice comments. Perhaps you
should either not comment or only give the first part of your
comments, and leave the second have of your comments about what could
be improved on the site where the story is archived.
My two pennies...
Karri
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "merrygoldgamgee"
<MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
maybe giving the story more points than one you might consider a
better story, but for which you only leave nice comments. Perhaps you
should either not comment or only give the first part of your
comments, and leave the second have of your comments about what could
be improved on the site where the story is archived.
My two pennies...
Karri
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "merrygoldgamgee"
<MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
> I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
> reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something could
> be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
> inflate the scores.
>
> My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
> might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
> story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
> upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
> word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
> because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as an
> award is at stake.
>
> Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
> about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention the "okay"?
> Or do I not comment on this story at all?
>
> I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
> the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It gives
> the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am willing
> to let things like that slide, and I am not.
>
> What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
> the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
> of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
> the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mari
I tend to go by length of review. If there's something I consider a
serious flaw, but I liked parts of the story well enough to comment on
them, I just make sure that story's review is appreciably shorter than
all the others. If it's a story I've made substantive critical
comments on before that I think still stand, I might say something
like: "I've critiqued this before at [site], but there are some really
nice points to this story I'd like to share."
Another thing: you could publicly comment on the good stuff, and then
privately e-mail the author with more substantive critical comments or
put the whole thing together in a review at a non-awards site.
Dwim
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "merrygoldgamgee"
<MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
serious flaw, but I liked parts of the story well enough to comment on
them, I just make sure that story's review is appreciably shorter than
all the others. If it's a story I've made substantive critical
comments on before that I think still stand, I might say something
like: "I've critiqued this before at [site], but there are some really
nice points to this story I'd like to share."
Another thing: you could publicly comment on the good stuff, and then
privately e-mail the author with more substantive critical comments or
put the whole thing together in a review at a non-awards site.
Dwim
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "merrygoldgamgee"
<MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
> I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
> reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something could
> be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
> inflate the scores.
>
> My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
> might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
> story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
> upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
> word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
> because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as an
> award is at stake.
>
> Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
> about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention the "okay"?
> Or do I not comment on this story at all?
>
> I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
> the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It gives
> the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am willing
> to let things like that slide, and I am not.
>
> What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
> the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
> of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
> the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mari
Thanks Karri, you've given me a very good idea here. I can count the
characters for the comments on the good stuff and see what the score
is, then limit any comment I might make about what could be improved
to a length that will keep the score the same as it would have been
otherwise : )
Doing that, I can still say what I want, without inflating the
score...
Thanks!
Mari
characters for the comments on the good stuff and see what the score
is, then limit any comment I might make about what could be improved
to a length that will keep the score the same as it would have been
otherwise : )
Doing that, I can still say what I want, without inflating the
score...
Thanks!
Mari
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "Karri" <kln1671@y...> wrote:
> Hmmm...well, in adding the sentences on what could be improved, you
> maybe giving the story more points than one you might consider a
> better story, but for which you only leave nice comments. Perhaps
you
> should either not comment or only give the first part of your
> comments, and leave the second have of your comments about what
could
> be improved on the site where the story is archived.
>
> My two pennies...
>
> Karri
>
>
>
> --- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "merrygoldgamgee"
> <MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
> > I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
> > reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something
could
> > be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
> > inflate the scores.
> >
> > My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
> > might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read
a
> > story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be
commented
> > upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
> > word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
> > because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that
as an
> > award is at stake.
> >
> > Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of
lines
> > about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention
the "okay"?
> > Or do I not comment on this story at all?
> >
> > I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem
with
> > the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It
gives
> > the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am
willing
> > to let things like that slide, and I am not.
> >
> > What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment
on
> > the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a
couple
> > of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment
on
> > the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Mari
If I know the person well or have been specifically asked for a review, I tend to be a bit more critical. But in these awards, there's quite a few authors I've never had contact with, and by and large, these are unsolicited reviews. So I push my critical voice away. If I liked the story enough to comment on it, I'll generally keep the comments positive. If there was something that really irked me, I'll keep the positive comments short and sometimes add in a line or two about what might be improved. But I definitely make certain that whatever I add in won't push the score above the score for a story I liked that didn't have any major flaws.
Hope that made sense. I'm sleepy this morning.
Thundera
----------------------------------
Insanity is just a state of mind.
HawkeyeŭM*A*S*H
----------------------------------
-- "merrygoldgamgee" <MarigoldCotton@aol.com> wrote:
I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something could
be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
inflate the scores.
My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as an
award is at stake.
Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention the "okay"?
Or do I not comment on this story at all?
I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It gives
the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am willing
to let things like that slide, and I am not.
What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
Thanks!
Mari
Yahoo! Groups Links
Hope that made sense. I'm sleepy this morning.
Thundera
----------------------------------
Insanity is just a state of mind.
HawkeyeŭM*A*S*H
----------------------------------
-- "merrygoldgamgee" <MarigoldCotton@aol.com> wrote:
I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something could
be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
inflate the scores.
My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as an
award is at stake.
Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention the "okay"?
Or do I not comment on this story at all?
I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It gives
the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am willing
to let things like that slide, and I am not.
What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
Thanks!
Mari
Yahoo! Groups Links
Thanks Dwim...I feel though that if I only comment here about the
good stuff, that I am telling everyone else who might read my review
and use it to decide to read the story that I thought the whole story
was fine, and that I think it is all right to include things
like "okay" or what have you in a story when I don't think so at all.
Karri said something that made me think of a good solution - I'll
just check the score before I add any comments about what could be
approved, and make sure that the score doesn't move to a higher one
because of that : )
I really liked what you said here: "I've critiqued this before at
[site], but there are some really nice points to this story I'd like
to share." and I will definitely use this where it is applicable!
Thanks for your input!
Mari
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "dwimmer_laik" <dwimmer_laik@y...>
wrote:
good stuff, that I am telling everyone else who might read my review
and use it to decide to read the story that I thought the whole story
was fine, and that I think it is all right to include things
like "okay" or what have you in a story when I don't think so at all.
Karri said something that made me think of a good solution - I'll
just check the score before I add any comments about what could be
approved, and make sure that the score doesn't move to a higher one
because of that : )
I really liked what you said here: "I've critiqued this before at
[site], but there are some really nice points to this story I'd like
to share." and I will definitely use this where it is applicable!
Thanks for your input!
Mari
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "dwimmer_laik" <dwimmer_laik@y...>
wrote:
> I tend to go by length of review. If there's something I consider aon
> serious flaw, but I liked parts of the story well enough to comment
> them, I just make sure that story's review is appreciably shorterthan
> all the others. If it's a story I've made substantive criticalreally
> comments on before that I think still stand, I might say something
> like: "I've critiqued this before at [site], but there are some
> nice points to this story I'd like to share."then
>
> Another thing: you could publicly comment on the good stuff, and
> privately e-mail the author with more substantive critical commentsor
> put the whole thing together in a review at a non-awards site.could
>
> Dwim
>
> --- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "merrygoldgamgee"
> <MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
> > I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
> > reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something
> > be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it woulda
> > inflate the scores.
> >
> > My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
> > might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read
> > story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to becommented
> > upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has theas an
> > word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
> > because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that
> > award is at stake.lines
> >
> > Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of
> > about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mentionthe "okay"?
> > Or do I not comment on this story at all?with
> >
> > I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem
> > the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. Itgives
> > the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I amwilling
> > to let things like that slide, and I am not.on
> >
> > What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment
> > the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and acouple
> > of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just commenton
> > the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Mari
Thank you Laura : ) If I know the author well I will smack them and
make them change it, lol! But I don't think that I agree that these
awards are "unsolicited" reviews - the authors know that this is a
comment based awards, and to me that means that they are
inviting/soliciting comments. I know that is why I have work
nominated here, so that I can hear what folks think about my writing.
By and large here, I *am* pushing my critical voice away and staying
positive, overlooking many things that I would recommend being
changed if I was betaing the story for the author. It is just with
blatant things like a huge hole in canon or words like "okay"
and "watcha doin'" in an otherwise good story that I feel I should
mention something.
I am going to do as you do, and insure that I don't push the score
above the score for another story I liked that didn't have any major
flaws, and also that any negative comments don't increase the score
from what it was before adding that comment.
Thanks!
Mari
(P.S. It is so funny that you are just getting up...I've just
finished my dinner and it will be dark in a couple of hours, lol!)
make them change it, lol! But I don't think that I agree that these
awards are "unsolicited" reviews - the authors know that this is a
comment based awards, and to me that means that they are
inviting/soliciting comments. I know that is why I have work
nominated here, so that I can hear what folks think about my writing.
By and large here, I *am* pushing my critical voice away and staying
positive, overlooking many things that I would recommend being
changed if I was betaing the story for the author. It is just with
blatant things like a huge hole in canon or words like "okay"
and "watcha doin'" in an otherwise good story that I feel I should
mention something.
I am going to do as you do, and insure that I don't push the score
above the score for another story I liked that didn't have any major
flaws, and also that any negative comments don't increase the score
from what it was before adding that comment.
Thanks!
Mari
(P.S. It is so funny that you are just getting up...I've just
finished my dinner and it will be dark in a couple of hours, lol!)
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "Laura" <thunderalaura@j...> wrote:
>
> If I know the person well or have been specifically asked for a
review, I tend to be a bit more critical. But in these awards,
there's quite a few authors I've never had contact with, and by and
large, these are unsolicited reviews. So I push my critical voice
away. If I liked the story enough to comment on it, I'll generally
keep the comments positive. If there was something that really irked
me, I'll keep the positive comments short and sometimes add in a line
or two about what might be improved. But I definitely make certain
that whatever I add in won't push the score above the score for a
story I liked that didn't have any major flaws.
>
> Hope that made sense. I'm sleepy this morning.
>
> Thundera
>
>
> ----------------------------------
> Insanity is just a state of mind.
> HawkeyeM*A*S*H
> ----------------------------------
>
> -- "merrygoldgamgee" <MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
> I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take my
> reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something
could
> be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
> inflate the scores.
>
> My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
> might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
> story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
> upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
> word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
> because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as
an
> award is at stake.
>
> Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
> about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention
the "okay"?
> Or do I not comment on this story at all?
>
> I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
> the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It
gives
> the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am
willing
> to let things like that slide, and I am not.
>
> What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
> the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
> of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
> the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mari
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "merrygoldgamgee"
<MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
discussed reviewers awards on the staff list. I hope she doesn't mind
quoting her here.
This is her opinion on contructive feedback and the awards:
"Don't want to encourage "Constructive" feedback here. Why? Because
it's said over and over in the rules and FAQ's that it's counter
productive. The worst story out there deserves the most constructive
feedback. Should it win the award? I'm all for constuctive criticism,
this just isn't the place for it. These are the "feel good" awards. Or
the Golden Rule awards: if you can't say something nice, don't say
anything at all. That said, any reviewer can include constructive
feedback provided they know they're adding to that stories
point-count. I slipped in a short phrase now and then. "
I hope it helps. I surely kept it in mind while writing reviews.
Rhapsody
<MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
> I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take myAinae calls this the feel good awards, for a reason. A while ago we
> reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something
> could be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it
> would inflate the scores.
>
> My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
> might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
> story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
> upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
> word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
> because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as
> an award is at stake.
discussed reviewers awards on the staff list. I hope she doesn't mind
quoting her here.
This is her opinion on contructive feedback and the awards:
"Don't want to encourage "Constructive" feedback here. Why? Because
it's said over and over in the rules and FAQ's that it's counter
productive. The worst story out there deserves the most constructive
feedback. Should it win the award? I'm all for constuctive criticism,
this just isn't the place for it. These are the "feel good" awards. Or
the Golden Rule awards: if you can't say something nice, don't say
anything at all. That said, any reviewer can include constructive
feedback provided they know they're adding to that stories
point-count. I slipped in a short phrase now and then. "
I hope it helps. I surely kept it in mind while writing reviews.
Rhapsody
-- "merrygoldgamgee" <MarigoldCotton@aol.com> wrote:
But I definitely understand your concerns. I was working my way through drama last night, and there were a few stories that I liked but that had enough flaws for me to hold off on reviewing altogether.
Thundera
----------------------------------
Insanity is just a state of mind.
HawkeyeŭM*A*S*H
----------------------------------
>> But I don't think that I agree that these awards are "unsolicited"Sorry, bad word choice on my part. I meant to say that for most of these authors, they're not here because they want their stories critiqued or beta read. Most of these stories are finished, and I suspect that many authors consented to the nomination because these are awards and they feel their stories have a chance of garning a few reviews. So while it's true that the reviews might not be "unsolicited," the authors aren't asking for a beta read. *shrugs* That's how I see it, anyway.
>> reviews - the authors know that this is a comment based awards, and
>> to me that means that they are inviting/soliciting comments. I know
>> that is why I have work nominated here, so that I can hear what
>> folks think about my writing.
But I definitely understand your concerns. I was working my way through drama last night, and there were a few stories that I liked but that had enough flaws for me to hold off on reviewing altogether.
>> (P.S. It is so funny that you are just getting up...I've justAh, the strange phenomenons of living on a round world. Really, this would all be much simpler if the earth was flat. ;) Of course, then we'd run into other problems...
>> finished my dinner and it will be dark in a couple of hours, lol!)
Thundera
----------------------------------
Insanity is just a state of mind.
HawkeyeŭM*A*S*H
----------------------------------
"That said, any reviewer can include constructive
constructive feedback on anything here, my concern is an otherwise
really good story that has an obvious, easily corrected flaw.
I think that my plan to make sure that any constructive comments on
things like that doesn't take the score out of the point level where
my other comments already put it should be fine. I will not be
changing what their score would be anyway then : )
Mari
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "rhapsody_the_bard"
<rhapsody74@g...> wrote:
> feedback provided they know they're adding to that storiesThanks Rhapsody : ) I'm certainly not planning to give reams of
> point-count. I slipped in a short phrase now and then."
>
constructive feedback on anything here, my concern is an otherwise
really good story that has an obvious, easily corrected flaw.
I think that my plan to make sure that any constructive comments on
things like that doesn't take the score out of the point level where
my other comments already put it should be fine. I will not be
changing what their score would be anyway then : )
Mari
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "rhapsody_the_bard"
<rhapsody74@g...> wrote:
> > an award is at stake.mind
>
> Ainae calls this the feel good awards, for a reason. A while ago we
> discussed reviewers awards on the staff list. I hope she doesn't
> quoting her here.criticism,
>
> This is her opinion on contructive feedback and the awards:
>
> "Don't want to encourage "Constructive" feedback here. Why? Because
> it's said over and over in the rules and FAQ's that it's counter
> productive. The worst story out there deserves the most constructive
> feedback. Should it win the award? I'm all for constuctive
> this just isn't the place for it. These are the "feel good" awards.Or
> the Golden Rule awards: if you can't say something nice, don't say
> anything at all. That said, any reviewer can include constructive
> feedback provided they know they're adding to that stories
> point-count. I slipped in a short phrase now and then. "
>
> I hope it helps. I surely kept it in mind while writing reviews.
>
> Rhapsody
"So while it's true that the reviews might not be "unsolicited," the
authors aren't asking for a beta read."
I certainly agree with that!
"But I definitely understand your concerns. I was working my way
through drama last night, and there were a few stories that I liked
but that had enough flaws for me to hold off on reviewing altogether."
Yes, I've come upon some that I haven't reviewed for that reason.
It's the ones that are good, that have maybe one simple, but to me,
big thing that detracts from my full enjoyment of the story that I am
so concerned about. Do I review, and not say something, implying that
I enjoyed the whole story without reservation, or do I not review at
all, which really isn't fair to the story or author? Neither of those
*feels* right to me, so I shall say something, just not let it move
the score into a higher one than I already gave it...
"Ah, the strange phenomenons of living on a round world. Really, this
would all be much simpler if the earth was flat. ;) Of course, then
we'd run into other problems..."
Yes indeed! Since I moved to the Shire I am constantly working out
what time it is in different zones...Mom is in central time, brother
is in Eastern time, friends are all over the place! It's hard to
coordinate phone calls, that's for sure!
Mari
authors aren't asking for a beta read."
I certainly agree with that!
"But I definitely understand your concerns. I was working my way
through drama last night, and there were a few stories that I liked
but that had enough flaws for me to hold off on reviewing altogether."
Yes, I've come upon some that I haven't reviewed for that reason.
It's the ones that are good, that have maybe one simple, but to me,
big thing that detracts from my full enjoyment of the story that I am
so concerned about. Do I review, and not say something, implying that
I enjoyed the whole story without reservation, or do I not review at
all, which really isn't fair to the story or author? Neither of those
*feels* right to me, so I shall say something, just not let it move
the score into a higher one than I already gave it...
"Ah, the strange phenomenons of living on a round world. Really, this
would all be much simpler if the earth was flat. ;) Of course, then
we'd run into other problems..."
Yes indeed! Since I moved to the Shire I am constantly working out
what time it is in different zones...Mom is in central time, brother
is in Eastern time, friends are all over the place! It's hard to
coordinate phone calls, that's for sure!
Mari
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, "Laura" <thunderalaura@j...> wrote:
>
> -- "merrygoldgamgee" <MarigoldCotton@a...> wrote:
> >> But I don't think that I agree that these awards
are "unsolicited"
> >> reviews - the authors know that this is a comment based awards,
and
> >> to me that means that they are inviting/soliciting comments. I
know
> >> that is why I have work nominated here, so that I can hear what
> >> folks think about my writing.
>
> Sorry, bad word choice on my part. I meant to say that for most of
these authors, they're not here because they want their stories
critiqued or beta read. Most of these stories are finished, and I
suspect that many authors consented to the nomination because these
are awards and they feel their stories have a chance of garning a few
reviews. So while it's true that the reviews might not
be "unsolicited," the authors aren't asking for a beta read. *shrugs*
That's how I see it, anyway.
>
> But I definitely understand your concerns. I was working my way
through drama last night, and there were a few stories that I liked
but that had enough flaws for me to hold off on reviewing altogether.
>
> >> (P.S. It is so funny that you are just getting up...I've just
> >> finished my dinner and it will be dark in a couple of hours,
lol!)
>
> Ah, the strange phenomenons of living on a round world. Really,
this would all be much simpler if the earth was flat. ;) Of course,
then we'd run into other problems...
>
> Thundera
>
> ----------------------------------
> Insanity is just a state of mind.
> HawkeyeM*A*S*H
> ----------------------------------
On 11 Jun 2005, at 12:13, merrygoldgamgee wrote:
I remember Ainae saying last year several times that comments were
comments -- so if you don't like a story, going on about how bad it is
only gave it more points. My suggestion is that you decide how many
points you think the story merits and write about that much comments.
I can think of one story where I had some problems with a part of the
basic premise but thought that the story was very well told in spite
of that and thought it merited a 6-7. So I wrote some comments about
the parts I really liked, and then said a little about why I disagreed
about the premise. But the amount of comments I wrote didn't exceed the
6-7 point range.
If it takes more than you feel right giving, why don't you email the
author privately? Log into the MEFA2005 site, go to the members/authors
list, and beside each name there should be an email link. At least
there is for me. That way you could offer to give critical advice to
help the story, without it inflating their score.
Marta
*****
Home is where you hang your @.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> I am doing some reviews and could use your opinions. I take myHi Mari,
> reviews very seriously, and part of that is saying if something could
> be improved. Obviously I can't do that in depth here, as it would
> inflate the scores.
>
> My problem is, that I am reading some very good stories, yet some
> might have what I consider to be a flaw. For example, I just read a
> story that has a lovely chapter one, that deserves to be commented
> upon, but chapter two is not of the same quality, and has the
> word "okay" in it - normally I would disregard the whole story
> because of that, but here it doesn't seem quite fair to do that as an
> award is at stake.
>
> Do I leave a nice comment about chapter one, and a couple of lines
> about why I felt chapter two wasn't as good, and mention the "okay"?
> Or do I not comment on this story at all?
>
> I won't just comment on the good stuff, and ignore the problem with
> the second chapter, as that reflects on me and my integrity. It gives
> the impression that such things don't matter to me, that I am willing
> to let things like that slide, and I am not.
>
> What do all of you plan to do about cases like this? Not comment on
> the story at all, leave a comment about what you liked and a couple
> of sentences about anything you felt was wrong, or just comment on
> the good stuff and pretend that you didn't see anything wrong?
>
I remember Ainae saying last year several times that comments were
comments -- so if you don't like a story, going on about how bad it is
only gave it more points. My suggestion is that you decide how many
points you think the story merits and write about that much comments.
I can think of one story where I had some problems with a part of the
basic premise but thought that the story was very well told in spite
of that and thought it merited a 6-7. So I wrote some comments about
the parts I really liked, and then said a little about why I disagreed
about the premise. But the amount of comments I wrote didn't exceed the
6-7 point range.
If it takes more than you feel right giving, why don't you email the
author privately? Log into the MEFA2005 site, go to the members/authors
list, and beside each name there should be an email link. At least
there is for me. That way you could offer to give critical advice to
help the story, without it inflating their score.
Marta
*****
Home is where you hang your @.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Ainae calls this the feel good awards, for a reason. A while ago weI'd offer a caveat on this, and of course this is just my opinion, not
> discussed reviewers awards on the staff list. I hope she doesn't mind
> quoting her here.
>
> This is her opinion on contructive feedback and the awards:
>
> "Don't want to encourage "Constructive" feedback here. Why? Because
> it's said over and over in the rules and FAQ's that it's counter
> productive. The worst story out there deserves the most constructive
> feedback. Should it win the award? I'm all for constuctive criticism,
> this just isn't the place for it. These are the "feel good" awards. Or
> the Golden Rule awards: if you can't say something nice, don't say
> anything at all. That said, any reviewer can include constructive
> feedback provided they know they're adding to that stories
> point-count. I slipped in a short phrase now and then. "
>
> I hope it helps. I surely kept it in mind while writing reviews.
>
Ainae's or the official policy of the awards or anything:
I show I care by being critical. :-) Really! If your story doesn't
involve me, I will just call it "okay" and move on. If you immerse me
in a world I hadn't imagined before, then every flaw in that world
jumps out to me, and I enjoy it more for thinking about Middle-earth
more closely. I know, for example, that one story I really liked caused
me to work out the engineering of the palantir case in the White Tower,
and when the author's description didn't work for some really picky
reason, I explained to the author why I felt this way. Granted, I knew
this author very well, but if I didn't care about the story I would not
have taken the time to point out the problem.
And this isn't the place to completely bash a story; it probably should
be balanced with good feedback. But if you're like me and you're most
critical of the best stories, then I don't see any problem with
offering some constructive (and considerately said) criticism. Just
maybe hit the hilights of what bothered you, and still be conscious of
the almighty character count. If you think the story could be improved
and you're willing to work with them, by all means offer.
Marta
*****
Home is where you hang your @.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, Marta Layton <melayton@g...> wrote:
sounds weird, but when you read or review: turn off the beta inside
you. It is about 'reader' comments, not your view on it as a beta.
Once you do this, you will notice that flaws won't jump at you that much.
put in a review. Why? Because we are all different and might have
different views on what might be seen as constructive criticism. Even
if you have the best intentions, the author might get hurt by it. Feel
good awards, that is what is important.
Just my 2 eurocents.
Rhapsody
>> Ainae calls this the feel good awards, for a reason. A while agoI know that some of you are beta-readers, I am one myself and this
>> we discussed reviewers awards on the staff list. I hope she doesn't
>> mind quoting her here.
>
>> This is her opinion on contructive feedback and the awards:
>>
>> "Don't want to encourage "Constructive" feedback here. Why? Because
>> it's said over and over in the rules and FAQ's that it's counter
>> productive. The worst story out there deserves the most
>> constructive feedback. Should it win the award? I'm all for
>> constuctive criticism, this just isn't the place for it. These are
>> the "feel good" awards. Or the Golden Rule awards: if you can't say
>> something nice, don't say anything at all. That said, any reviewer
>> can include constructive feedback provided they know they're adding
>> to that stories point-count. I slipped in a short phrase now and
>> then. "
>>
>> I hope it helps. I surely kept it in mind while writing reviews.
>
> I'd offer a caveat on this, and of course this is just my opinion,
> not Ainae's or the official policy of the awards or anything:
>
> I show I care by being critical. :-) Really! If your story doesn't
> involve me, I will just call it "okay" and move on. If you immerse
> me in a world I hadn't imagined before, then every flaw in that
> world jumps out to me, and I enjoy it more for thinking about
> Middle-earth more closely.
sounds weird, but when you read or review: turn off the beta inside
you. It is about 'reader' comments, not your view on it as a beta.
Once you do this, you will notice that flaws won't jump at you that much.
> And this isn't the place to completely bash a story; it probablyI think this should be communicated to the author privately and not be
> should be balanced with good feedback. But if you're like me and
> you're most critical of the best stories, then I don't see any
> problem with offering some constructive (and considerately said)
> criticism. Just maybe hit the hilights of what bothered you, and
> still be conscious of the almighty character count. If you think the
> story could be improved and you're willing to work with them, by all
> means offer.
put in a review. Why? Because we are all different and might have
different views on what might be seen as constructive criticism. Even
if you have the best intentions, the author might get hurt by it. Feel
good awards, that is what is important.
Just my 2 eurocents.
Rhapsody
"I know that some of you are beta-readers, I am one myself and this
sounds weird, but when you read or review: turn off the beta inside
you. It is about 'reader' comments, not your view on it as a beta."
No, of course not. When I read a story for the first time, if I am the beta, I read it straight through with my *reader* head on because then things that will jar or distract other readers jump out at me. I don't even consider the work from a beta point of view until I actually go in to work on it.
The same when I am just reading stories for my own enjoyment. I don't read them from a beta perspective at all, I'm not working, I am there for entertainment. I am not going to be bothered by a bit of incorrect punctuation or a misspelled word if I am reading a really good story, but I will be distracted from my enjoyment of the story by a problem like a huge canon error, or modern word. And if I am, so will others be, who might not communicate this to the author. They might just stop reading the story, or fail to recommend the story to their friends, or even skip over any other works by that author in future, when the author might not even be aware that there is a problem.
So, I understand what Marta is saying about caring enough about a story to mention a problem to the author - if the story is not really good already, and wouldn't benefit from my suggestion, I would not say anything here. It is only my desire to help the author that would cause me to mention anything.
And, I understand what you are saying about these being "feel good" awards. I appreciate that fact! I am not a big fan of many awards programs because too many folks tend to get hurt. I am a fan of this one because it's a helpful, constructive program.
I am always very careful when I make a suggestion to an author to be kind and considerate of their feelings. A writer's ego can be a fragile thing, and an inconsiderate comment can make a talented author stop writing altogether. To me, the most important part of my involvement in the fandom (aside from enjoying the stories!) is to encourage writers.
Hugs,
Mari
In an email dated 11/6/2005 8:38:29 pm GMT Daylight time, "rhapsody_the_bard" <rhapsody74@gmail.com> writes:
Marigold's Red Book
www.berryarts.com/marigold
Marigold's Recommendations Page
http://www.geocities.com/marigoldsrecommendations/
Marigold's Live Journal
http://www.livejournal.com/users/marigoldg/
Tales of The Red Book
http://www.livejournal.com/users/talesofredbook/
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for awhile. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
Sam, in Mordor, RoTK
sounds weird, but when you read or review: turn off the beta inside
you. It is about 'reader' comments, not your view on it as a beta."
No, of course not. When I read a story for the first time, if I am the beta, I read it straight through with my *reader* head on because then things that will jar or distract other readers jump out at me. I don't even consider the work from a beta point of view until I actually go in to work on it.
The same when I am just reading stories for my own enjoyment. I don't read them from a beta perspective at all, I'm not working, I am there for entertainment. I am not going to be bothered by a bit of incorrect punctuation or a misspelled word if I am reading a really good story, but I will be distracted from my enjoyment of the story by a problem like a huge canon error, or modern word. And if I am, so will others be, who might not communicate this to the author. They might just stop reading the story, or fail to recommend the story to their friends, or even skip over any other works by that author in future, when the author might not even be aware that there is a problem.
So, I understand what Marta is saying about caring enough about a story to mention a problem to the author - if the story is not really good already, and wouldn't benefit from my suggestion, I would not say anything here. It is only my desire to help the author that would cause me to mention anything.
And, I understand what you are saying about these being "feel good" awards. I appreciate that fact! I am not a big fan of many awards programs because too many folks tend to get hurt. I am a fan of this one because it's a helpful, constructive program.
I am always very careful when I make a suggestion to an author to be kind and considerate of their feelings. A writer's ego can be a fragile thing, and an inconsiderate comment can make a talented author stop writing altogether. To me, the most important part of my involvement in the fandom (aside from enjoying the stories!) is to encourage writers.
Hugs,
Mari
In an email dated 11/6/2005 8:38:29 pm GMT Daylight time, "rhapsody_the_bard" <rhapsody74@gmail.com> writes:
>--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, Marta Layton <melayton@g...> wrote:--
>>> Ainae calls this the feel good awards, for a reason. A while ago
>>> we discussed reviewers awards on the staff list. I hope she doesn't
>>> mind quoting her here.
>>
>>> This is her opinion on contructive feedback and the awards:
>>>
>>> "Don't want to encourage "Constructive" feedback here. Why? Because
>>> it's said over and over in the rules and FAQ's that it's counter
>>> productive. The worst story out there deserves the most
>>> constructive feedback. Should it win the award? I'm all for
>>> constuctive criticism, this just isn't the place for it. These are
>>> the "feel good" awards. Or the Golden Rule awards: if you can't say
>>> something nice, don't say anything at all. That said, any reviewer
>>> can include constructive feedback provided they know they're adding
>>> to that stories point-count. I slipped in a short phrase now and
>>> then. "
>>>
>>> I hope it helps. I surely kept it in mind while writing reviews.
>>
>> I'd offer a caveat on this, and of course this is just my opinion,
>> not Ainae's or the official policy of the awards or anything:
>>
>> I show I care by being critical. :-) Really! If your story doesn't
>> involve me, I will just call it "okay" and move on. If you immerse
>> me in a world I hadn't imagined before, then every flaw in that
>> world jumps out to me, and I enjoy it more for thinking about
>> Middle-earth more closely.
>
>I know that some of you are beta-readers, I am one myself and this
>sounds weird, but when you read or review: turn off the beta inside
>you. It is about 'reader' comments, not your view on it as a beta.
>Once you do this, you will notice that flaws won't jump at you that much.
>
>> And this isn't the place to completely bash a story; it probably
>> should be balanced with good feedback. But if you're like me and
>> you're most critical of the best stories, then I don't see any
>> problem with offering some constructive (and considerately said)
>> criticism. Just maybe hit the hilights of what bothered you, and
>> still be conscious of the almighty character count. If you think the
>> story could be improved and you're willing to work with them, by all
>> means offer.
>
>I think this should be communicated to the author privately and not be
>put in a review. Why? Because we are all different and might have
>different views on what might be seen as constructive criticism. Even
>if you have the best intentions, the author might get hurt by it. Feel
>good awards, that is what is important.
>
>Just my 2 eurocents.
>
>Rhapsody
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Marigold's Red Book
www.berryarts.com/marigold
Marigold's Recommendations Page
http://www.geocities.com/marigoldsrecommendations/
Marigold's Live Journal
http://www.livejournal.com/users/marigoldg/
Tales of The Red Book
http://www.livejournal.com/users/talesofredbook/
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for awhile. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
Sam, in Mordor, RoTK
What I've been doing is making beta-type comments at the website where
the story is, if I feel it's okay to do so, and reserving the right to
send a private e-mail if I think there is something the author would
agree is an outright error. My comments here are generally about the
shiny parts of the stories, because that's what I want to count when
the characters are totalled.
the story is, if I feel it's okay to do so, and reserving the right to
send a private e-mail if I think there is something the author would
agree is an outright error. My comments here are generally about the
shiny parts of the stories, because that's what I want to count when
the characters are totalled.
"My comments here are generally about the shiny parts of the stories,
because that's what I want to count when the characters are totalled."
I agree, I don't want any comments other than my "good" comments to
count in the total, so what I have done is copy and pasted the number
of characters = score chart from the FAQ onto the word doc where I am
writing out my comments, and am checking meticulously to make sure that
if I do feel I want to add a comment about something less than shiny
like an "okay" that it doesn't take the score up into another level.
It's working really well. And out of over forty votes I have only made
two mentions about something that needed fixing (the story with
the "okay" and one rather big plot hole) and did not exceed the score I
had already given the story either time. : )
Mari
because that's what I want to count when the characters are totalled."
I agree, I don't want any comments other than my "good" comments to
count in the total, so what I have done is copy and pasted the number
of characters = score chart from the FAQ onto the word doc where I am
writing out my comments, and am checking meticulously to make sure that
if I do feel I want to add a comment about something less than shiny
like an "okay" that it doesn't take the score up into another level.
It's working really well. And out of over forty votes I have only made
two mentions about something that needed fixing (the story with
the "okay" and one rather big plot hole) and did not exceed the score I
had already given the story either time. : )
Mari
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, C Dodd <rabidsamfan@v...> wrote:
> What I've been doing is making beta-type comments at the website where
> the story is, if I feel it's okay to do so, and reserving the right to
> send a private e-mail if I think there is something the author would
> agree is an outright error. My comments here are generally about the
> shiny parts of the stories, because that's what I want to count when
> the characters are totalled.
Oh, gosh, that's way more work than I'm doing. I just read the story,
open the review box and wax enthusiastic for a little, and then go
onto the next story. I don't even pay attention to how many points it
means!
open the review box and wax enthusiastic for a little, and then go
onto the next story. I don't even pay attention to how many points it
means!
On 6/11/05, merrygoldgamgee <MarigoldCotton@aol.com> wrote:
> I agree, I don't want any comments other than my "good" comments to
> count in the total, so what I have done is copy and pasted the number
> of characters = score chart from the FAQ onto the word doc where I am
> writing out my comments, and am checking meticulously to make sure that
> if I do feel I want to add a comment about something less than shiny
> like an "okay" that it doesn't take the score up into another level.
>
> It's working really well. And out of over forty votes I have only made
> two mentions about something that needed fixing (the story with
> the "okay" and one rather big plot hole) and did not exceed the score I
> had already given the story either time. : )
>
> Mari
>
>
>
> --- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, C Dodd <rabidsamfan@v...> wrote:
> > What I've been doing is making beta-type comments at the website where
> > the story is, if I feel it's okay to do so, and reserving the right to
> > send a private e-mail if I think there is something the author would
> > agree is an outright error. My comments here are generally about the
> > shiny parts of the stories, because that's what I want to count when
> > the characters are totalled.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEFAwards/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> MEFAwards-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
On 11 Jun 2005, at 23:15, C Dodd wrote:
the textbook is a 2-3, how much is a 6-7, and how much is a 9-10. So I
do aim for a general score. And if the score is a good bit off what I
wanted after I submit, I may go back and edit the comment. But for the
most part I write until I feel like I've written roughly enough for how
much I like the story.
Marta
*****
Home is where you hang your @.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Oh, gosh, that's way more work than I'm doing. I just read the story,I know. I havedeveloped something of a feeling for how many lines in
> open the review box and wax enthusiastic for a little, and then go
> onto the next story. I don't even pay attention to how many points it
> means!
>
the textbook is a 2-3, how much is a 6-7, and how much is a 9-10. So I
do aim for a general score. And if the score is a good bit off what I
wanted after I submit, I may go back and edit the comment. But for the
most part I write until I feel like I've written roughly enough for how
much I like the story.
Marta
*****
Home is where you hang your @.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
With so many to read and review I'm afraid most of my comments aren't
going to be worth very many points. I'm making all my reviews
"tentative" at the moment, so they'll count at the end, and I've
decided (though I haven't needed to do so) that I will put a "no" and
make the review a draft if I run across any stories I don't like at
all. My half-formed intention is to look at the categories when
they're up and make sure that the one I like best has the most words
in each category where I vote, but heaven only knows if I'll get that
far. I'd rather be reading...
(I do wish, though, that the filter which gives me only stories I
haven't reviewed would filter out my own stories where I can't review
as well.)
going to be worth very many points. I'm making all my reviews
"tentative" at the moment, so they'll count at the end, and I've
decided (though I haven't needed to do so) that I will put a "no" and
make the review a draft if I run across any stories I don't like at
all. My half-formed intention is to look at the categories when
they're up and make sure that the one I like best has the most words
in each category where I vote, but heaven only knows if I'll get that
far. I'd rather be reading...
(I do wish, though, that the filter which gives me only stories I
haven't reviewed would filter out my own stories where I can't review
as well.)
On 6/11/05, Marta Layton <melayton@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 11 Jun 2005, at 23:15, C Dodd wrote:
>
> > Oh, gosh, that's way more work than I'm doing. I just read the story,
> > open the review box and wax enthusiastic for a little, and then go
> > onto the next story. I don't even pay attention to how many points it
> > means!
> >
>
> I know. I havedeveloped something of a feeling for how many lines in
> the textbook is a 2-3, how much is a 6-7, and how much is a 9-10. So I
> do aim for a general score. And if the score is a good bit off what I
> wanted after I submit, I may go back and edit the comment. But for the
> most part I write until I feel like I've written roughly enough for how
> much I like the story.
>
> Marta
> *****
> Home is where you hang your @.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> ________________________________
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
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>
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> MEFAwards-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
--- C Dodd <rabidsamfan@verizon.net> wrote:
it, but the drafts will never count anyway
...Or, I found if I entered one character, saved it, then erased and saved
again, the system thought I had reviewed it for 0 points.
>Enter one character, then save it as a draft, and it will think you've reviewed
> (I do wish, though, that the filter which gives me only stories I
> haven't reviewed would filter out my own stories where I can't review
> as well.)
it, but the drafts will never count anyway
...Or, I found if I entered one character, saved it, then erased and saved
again, the system thought I had reviewed it for 0 points.
----- Original Message -----
From: Larian Elensar
To: MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 11:35 PM
Subject: Re: [MEFAwards] Re: Opinions?
Enter one character, then save it as a draft, and it will think you've reviewed
it, but the drafts will never count anyway
...Or, I found if I entered one character, saved it, then erased and saved
again, the system thought I had reviewed it for 0 points.
Oh neat! I'd been wondering how to get my own stories out of my way as well. What a cool idea!
Dreamflower
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, MarigoldCotton@a... wrote:
They might have seen the movies and based on that maybe continue on a
cannon error. I always assume an author has a reason, the same for
using modern words. It might have been a conscious decision to use it
or regarding a canon error: they simply don't know.
the author is more useful in that case.
not. And besides that, I did get wonderful feedback from you on many
occasions, so I experienced that personally. Ah well, I told you many
times how much I appreciate all you do!
Hugs back,
Rhapsody
> "I know that some of you are beta-readers, I am one myself and this<snip>
> sounds weird, but when you read or review: turn off the beta inside
> you. It is about 'reader' comments, not your view on it as a beta."
>
> I am not going to be bothered by a bit of incorrect punctuation or aRegarding canon errors: not everybody might be as versed in canon.
> misspelled word if I am reading a really good story, but I will be
> distracted from my enjoyment of the story by a problem like a huge
> canon error, or modern word. And if I am, so will others be, who
> might not communicate this to the author. They might just stop
> reading the story, or fail to recommend the story to their friends,
> or even skip over any other works by that author in future, when the
> author might not even be aware that there is a problem.
They might have seen the movies and based on that maybe continue on a
cannon error. I always assume an author has a reason, the same for
using modern words. It might have been a conscious decision to use it
or regarding a canon error: they simply don't know.
> So, I understand what Marta is saying about caring enough about aOh I understand, but then I think a direct dialogue between you and
> story to mention a problem to the author - if the story is not
> really good already, and wouldn't benefit from my suggestion, I
> would not say anything here. It is only my desire to help the author
> that would cause me to mention anything.
the author is more useful in that case.
> I am always very careful when I make a suggestion to an author to beAs I have considered to quit writing before, in a way I am glad I did
> kind and considerate of their feelings. A writer's ego can be a
> fragile thing, and an inconsiderate comment can make a talented
> author stop writing altogether. To me, the most important part of my
> involvement in the fandom (aside from enjoying the stories!) is to
> encourage writers.
not. And besides that, I did get wonderful feedback from you on many
occasions, so I experienced that personally. Ah well, I told you many
times how much I appreciate all you do!
Hugs back,
Rhapsody
I'm not paying attention to the points except in those two cases where I added a critical comment, so I didn't increase the score with it. For every other story it is just random waxing, lol! I think it's fairer that way, and besides, there are soooo many stories to comment on! I have no time to check scores on everything, I'm not going to get through all of the stories that I want to anyway : )
Mari
Marigold's Red Book
www.berryarts.com/marigold
Marigold's Recommendations Page
http://www.geocities.com/marigoldsrecommendations/
Marigold's Live Journal
http://www.livejournal.com/users/marigoldg/
Tales of The Red Book
http://www.livejournal.com/users/talesofredbook/
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for awhile. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
Sam, in Mordor, RoTK
Mari
>Oh, gosh, that's way more work than I'm doing. I just read the story,--
>open the review box and wax enthusiastic for a little, and then go
>onto the next story. I don't even pay attention to how many points it
>means!
>
>On 6/11/05, merrygoldgamgee <MarigoldCotton@aol.com> wrote:
>> I agree, I don't want any comments other than my "good" comments to
>> count in the total, so what I have done is copy and pasted the number
>> of characters = score chart from the FAQ onto the word doc where I am
>> writing out my comments, and am checking meticulously to make sure that
>> if I do feel I want to add a comment about something less than shiny
>> like an "okay" that it doesn't take the score up into another level.
>>
>> It's working really well. And out of over forty votes I have only made
>> two mentions about something that needed fixing (the story with
>> the "okay" and one rather big plot hole) and did not exceed the score I
>> had already given the story either time. : )
>>
>> Mari
>>
>>
>>
>> --- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, C Dodd <rabidsamfan@v...> wrote:
>> > What I've been doing is making beta-type comments at the website where
>> > the story is, if I feel it's okay to do so, and reserving the right to
>> > send a private e-mail if I think there is something the author would
>> > agree is an outright error. My comments here are generally about the
>> > shiny parts of the stories, because that's what I want to count when
>> > the characters are totalled.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEFAwards/
>>
>> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>> MEFAwards-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>>
>> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Marigold's Red Book
www.berryarts.com/marigold
Marigold's Recommendations Page
http://www.geocities.com/marigoldsrecommendations/
Marigold's Live Journal
http://www.livejournal.com/users/marigoldg/
Tales of The Red Book
http://www.livejournal.com/users/talesofredbook/
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for awhile. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
Sam, in Mordor, RoTK
If you have any questions about the archive, or would like to report a technical problem, please contact Aranel (former MEFA Tech Support and current Keeper of the Archive) at araneltook@mefawards.org or at the MEFA Archive group..