A Modest Proposal
A Letter to Fanstorians30 total reviews
Comment from prodigal
I am not sure that I agree that we should not be able to review the work before the contest ends because some people have a limitied amount of time. I often will go and review every entry into a contest, especailly those I have created. This is a well written essay and you make your points very clearly. Great job- Sam
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I am not sure that I agree that we should not be able to review the work before the contest ends because some people have a limitied amount of time. I often will go and review every entry into a contest, especailly those I have created. This is a well written essay and you make your points very clearly. Great job- Sam
Comment Written 31-Mar-2009
Comment from Judian James
I loved this Diane and I think you've made a very valid point. I don't do the writing prompt contests because I just don't have the time when the entire timeframe from post to vote is so short. I never review anyone until I'm done with my "fans" and I never vote in a contest unless I've read all entries. Therein lies the rub for me!
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I loved this Diane and I think you've made a very valid point. I don't do the writing prompt contests because I just don't have the time when the entire timeframe from post to vote is so short. I never review anyone until I'm done with my "fans" and I never vote in a contest unless I've read all entries. Therein lies the rub for me!
Comment Written 31-Mar-2009
Comment from Lokman
Great work here, and some excellent ideas. My only concern about the anonymity angle is how to deal with entries that come from people we're fans of . And I can't think of a suggestion.
I do think, that no matter what, errors need to be pointed out and asjustments made in the rating accordingly. Winning a contest is an honor, but the real goal ought to be continually learning and making improvements for the next step of submitting work to the outside world.
Great, entertaining read.
Lokman
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Great work here, and some excellent ideas. My only concern about the anonymity angle is how to deal with entries that come from people we're fans of . And I can't think of a suggestion.
I do think, that no matter what, errors need to be pointed out and asjustments made in the rating accordingly. Winning a contest is an honor, but the real goal ought to be continually learning and making improvements for the next step of submitting work to the outside world.
Great, entertaining read.
Lokman
Comment Written 31-Mar-2009
Comment from rama devi
BRAVO!
This is stupendous and I wish I had a six. It is clever and witty, which is like candy coating for the medicine of being scolded (LOL).
I found this sparking lots of ideas on how to improve the fairness of the voting system. Something profound struck me just now-why not make the entries ANONYMOUS, so that people do not just vote for their friends but for whichever work they truly felt was superior. Also, this would alleviate the problems so intelligently and lucidly articulated in your outstanding essay.
The problem is that our works are posted to the portfolio. The solution is that they are kept in a separate contest forum until the contest i's over and only then posted in the respective profile portfolios.
Just a thought.
I love the humorous tone with which you wrote this, and the personal anecdotes about husband and cat bring this to life.
I think it should be mandatory that voters read every entry, but I have a feeling they do not all do this, thought you do, and so do I. I have mentioned this to Tom some months ago.
Anyway, it is entirely possible that nothing comes out of your proposal, though I do strongly support it. In case things remain as they are, I suppose refraining from reviewing other posts is one solution. Another would be to review with honesty and integrity, which I am sure you do, and let other people think what they like. I have once given an in depth critique to a fellow poet whose work did not meet the criterion of the contest and made lots of suggestions. They gracefully accepted my suggestions, with gratitude, and went ahead to win the contest. That is just another potential scenario of how things unfold.
Anyway, I have also noticed works that do not meet the criterion o the contest winning it anyway, which is a real stumper,isn't it~!
I really appreciate your gesture with this post. See you in the voting booths...
KUDOS>
Love, rd
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BRAVO!
This is stupendous and I wish I had a six. It is clever and witty, which is like candy coating for the medicine of being scolded (LOL).
I found this sparking lots of ideas on how to improve the fairness of the voting system. Something profound struck me just now-why not make the entries ANONYMOUS, so that people do not just vote for their friends but for whichever work they truly felt was superior. Also, this would alleviate the problems so intelligently and lucidly articulated in your outstanding essay.
The problem is that our works are posted to the portfolio. The solution is that they are kept in a separate contest forum until the contest i's over and only then posted in the respective profile portfolios.
Just a thought.
I love the humorous tone with which you wrote this, and the personal anecdotes about husband and cat bring this to life.
I think it should be mandatory that voters read every entry, but I have a feeling they do not all do this, thought you do, and so do I. I have mentioned this to Tom some months ago.
Anyway, it is entirely possible that nothing comes out of your proposal, though I do strongly support it. In case things remain as they are, I suppose refraining from reviewing other posts is one solution. Another would be to review with honesty and integrity, which I am sure you do, and let other people think what they like. I have once given an in depth critique to a fellow poet whose work did not meet the criterion of the contest and made lots of suggestions. They gracefully accepted my suggestions, with gratitude, and went ahead to win the contest. That is just another potential scenario of how things unfold.
Anyway, I have also noticed works that do not meet the criterion o the contest winning it anyway, which is a real stumper,isn't it~!
I really appreciate your gesture with this post. See you in the voting booths...
KUDOS>
Love, rd
Comment Written 31-Mar-2009
Comment from Nicky B
The simple solution is just to write a review before or during the contest voting period to point the discrepancies out. No one worth their salt will be offended. The last comp I entered had a small word limit which I wasn't aware of. My story was way over the amount designated. I was just simply told in a few critiques, no sweat. Take care. Nick.
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The simple solution is just to write a review before or during the contest voting period to point the discrepancies out. No one worth their salt will be offended. The last comp I entered had a small word limit which I wasn't aware of. My story was way over the amount designated. I was just simply told in a few critiques, no sweat. Take care. Nick.
Comment Written 31-Mar-2009
Comment from KYPollard/El Gato
This is a well written message and need to be said. I agree 100% with your suggestions. I mean, how can we measure ourselves if we do not get honest feedback? And how can we give honest feedback without getting black-balled?
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This is a well written message and need to be said. I agree 100% with your suggestions. I mean, how can we measure ourselves if we do not get honest feedback? And how can we give honest feedback without getting black-balled?
Comment Written 30-Mar-2009
Comment from Sasha
Excellent. I totally, completely, and unanimously agree with each and every item you addressed. I have one to add. Have you ever noticed the number of "views" versus the number of "ratings" is shockingly unequal? Not that anything can be done about this but it continues to befuddle me when I see a writing has received 112 views but only 11 ratings? How can this be. Maybe the administrators can put a "lock" or "saftey" mechanism on the site so that if you click on a writing, you are required to give a rating. The only reason I mention this is the number of views counts towards your ranking as well as the number of ratings. While the ratings are more important someone with 112 views and only 11 ratings is ranked higher than someone with 45 views and 15 ratings. I am, of course presuming the ratings are not 1, 2 or 3's. Just a thought.
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Excellent. I totally, completely, and unanimously agree with each and every item you addressed. I have one to add. Have you ever noticed the number of "views" versus the number of "ratings" is shockingly unequal? Not that anything can be done about this but it continues to befuddle me when I see a writing has received 112 views but only 11 ratings? How can this be. Maybe the administrators can put a "lock" or "saftey" mechanism on the site so that if you click on a writing, you are required to give a rating. The only reason I mention this is the number of views counts towards your ranking as well as the number of ratings. While the ratings are more important someone with 112 views and only 11 ratings is ranked higher than someone with 45 views and 15 ratings. I am, of course presuming the ratings are not 1, 2 or 3's. Just a thought.
Comment Written 30-Mar-2009
Comment from Amicus
Well argued, Diane. I think the idea of blind listings and anonymous voting is the way to go with a general release to come after the contest/prompt voting booth closes. I don't think many "real life" contests publish the entries or allow judges access to the author's identity before the voting is over for many of the same reasons you and other's on site note.
In any case, you made your case for change well. Good for you!
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Well argued, Diane. I think the idea of blind listings and anonymous voting is the way to go with a general release to come after the contest/prompt voting booth closes. I don't think many "real life" contests publish the entries or allow judges access to the author's identity before the voting is over for many of the same reasons you and other's on site note.
In any case, you made your case for change well. Good for you!
Comment Written 30-Mar-2009
Comment from patwannabe
Mrs. K.T., this is excellent. I haven't entered any of the writing prompts contests as of yet, but everything you wrote certainly makes sense. I hope you get lots of replies on this. Good luck, patwannabe
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2009
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Mrs. K.T., this is excellent. I haven't entered any of the writing prompts contests as of yet, but everything you wrote certainly makes sense. I hope you get lots of replies on this. Good luck, patwannabe
Comment Written 30-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2009
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Hello!
So far there has been very solid discussion about the need for anonymity...so that is good! Thank you! And do enter the contests; they are wonderful exercises in creativity! diane
Comment from Journey woman
You have excellent suggestions and keen observations. Personally, my opinion is, contestants should not be allowed to vote. The votes should only come from writers who aren't in the contest.
Thanks,
Journey Woman
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2009
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You have excellent suggestions and keen observations. Personally, my opinion is, contestants should not be allowed to vote. The votes should only come from writers who aren't in the contest.
Thanks,
Journey Woman
Comment Written 30-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 30-Mar-2009
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Hello! I surely like that idea coupled with contestants identified only by the title of their offering or by an identifying number - known only to the writer and the site.
thank you so much! diane
