Progress or Contamination?
commentary on graphics used in stories19 total reviews
Comment from gypsycaravan
So many points to ponder. My reading memories are of being pulled in a wagon at age 3 to the library every Saturday for story hour and returning with my limit of 10 books borrowed. I rarely pick up a physical volume today between my Kindle and computer, so I feel I'm adapting to progress satisfactorily. Your information that other media could be introduced was indeed disturbing to me I like the silence that accompanies reading so I can use my own imagination to take wings when prompted by some eloquent author. I don't turn on the offered music when listening to some Fan Story's poets. I want to hear the sound of the poem as I read it aloud, experience the poem's cadence, not the beat of the music. Think I skipped indifference and will stop on rebellion and refusal to participate, thank you very much. Your piece is beautifully written. Thanks so much for posting.
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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So many points to ponder. My reading memories are of being pulled in a wagon at age 3 to the library every Saturday for story hour and returning with my limit of 10 books borrowed. I rarely pick up a physical volume today between my Kindle and computer, so I feel I'm adapting to progress satisfactorily. Your information that other media could be introduced was indeed disturbing to me I like the silence that accompanies reading so I can use my own imagination to take wings when prompted by some eloquent author. I don't turn on the offered music when listening to some Fan Story's poets. I want to hear the sound of the poem as I read it aloud, experience the poem's cadence, not the beat of the music. Think I skipped indifference and will stop on rebellion and refusal to participate, thank you very much. Your piece is beautifully written. Thanks so much for posting.
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Thanks for reading. It is not I who suggest adding music or graphics, it is being done and many people are enraged by this addition. In particular, the complaint is that these gimmicks are added to blind contests and make the entry highly identifiable to the few authors that do include them as part of the story entry.
I don't want distractions either, but each to his own taste.
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I knew it was not you suggesting the additional media. I agree that each should do what they want, but maybe omitted in blind entries.
Comment from dreamin'
"the writing is still my benchmark for excellence, as I believe it is with most writers and readers"
I must be a purist, too. If bells and whistles are thought to be needed to entertain the reader, then the author has not done a good enough job creating the imagery through words alone.
I do enjoy seeing the occasional photo or art added to a story, because it often enhances the theme.
When I read something of yours, I hear a single voice---a strong voice that commands attention to each word. Your work is exciting, and thought-provoking. While the subject matter is vastly different each time, and is hardly ever warm and fuzzy, I feel a sense of comfort by the familiar voice.
Uniqueness of voice is what keeps me buying certain author's books, and coming back to you, and a few other writers on here. To add anything more---sound effects, graphics, etc.---would destroy that for me.
minor error "..we now have a zillion video diversions if that I (is?) what turns our crank." looks like you changed your thought mid-sentence. I hate when that happens. :)
Thanks for posting this. I hope a lot of people read and heed.
Debbie
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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"the writing is still my benchmark for excellence, as I believe it is with most writers and readers"
I must be a purist, too. If bells and whistles are thought to be needed to entertain the reader, then the author has not done a good enough job creating the imagery through words alone.
I do enjoy seeing the occasional photo or art added to a story, because it often enhances the theme.
When I read something of yours, I hear a single voice---a strong voice that commands attention to each word. Your work is exciting, and thought-provoking. While the subject matter is vastly different each time, and is hardly ever warm and fuzzy, I feel a sense of comfort by the familiar voice.
Uniqueness of voice is what keeps me buying certain author's books, and coming back to you, and a few other writers on here. To add anything more---sound effects, graphics, etc.---would destroy that for me.
minor error "..we now have a zillion video diversions if that I (is?) what turns our crank." looks like you changed your thought mid-sentence. I hate when that happens. :)
Thanks for posting this. I hope a lot of people read and heed.
Debbie
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Thanks for spotting that. It was a typo, making the is into an I.
Thank you for your exceptionally kind words. When you have someone tell an author that they return to their work because of the strength of their voice in writing is the highest compliment..
Comment from Sasha
I agree with you completely. While I have inserted music occasionally, I do believe the rule should be words only. I don't really like all the bells and whistles and find them distracting and don't add to the story. Great work with this one. Sadly, I doubt FS will change its rules.
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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I agree with you completely. While I have inserted music occasionally, I do believe the rule should be words only. I don't really like all the bells and whistles and find them distracting and don't add to the story. Great work with this one. Sadly, I doubt FS will change its rules.
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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I don't feel bugged by anyone's self-expression, but there are only one or two that use these effects, and I picked up on some of the disgruntled discussion and can't disagree that they should be tempered or abandoned for contests.
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I agree. Although I have used then on occasion, I must admit I find them quite annoying. Contests should be for the words not the artwork or music....
Comment from boxergirl
Good job with your commentary. I have mixed emotions about enhancing our post. I really like holding a book in my hand and creating images from its words but I have sometimes enjoyed the graphics that accompanied them. I guess I succumbed to peer pressure on my last post and used different colored fonts. Lol. Probably won't do it again. As far as FS goes, maybe they should require all contest entries to have no enhancements but author's choice on just a regular post. 8-)
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Good job with your commentary. I have mixed emotions about enhancing our post. I really like holding a book in my hand and creating images from its words but I have sometimes enjoyed the graphics that accompanied them. I guess I succumbed to peer pressure on my last post and used different colored fonts. Lol. Probably won't do it again. As far as FS goes, maybe they should require all contest entries to have no enhancements but author's choice on just a regular post. 8-)
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Maybe the ones complaining just haven't figured out how to add this feature. We all us different fonts and colours. I wouldn't do it unless it was high camp comedy, but my attitude is to each his own.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
I don't like the progress. I don't use the special features beyond a picture nor do I use them when I read a posted work. I can see people are losing interest on the site. Nine messages this morning. Where has everyong gone? Wish I knew. You forgot about the Radio. It developed imagination too. Dad said TV was bad and he was right!LOL xsx Nancy
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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I don't like the progress. I don't use the special features beyond a picture nor do I use them when I read a posted work. I can see people are losing interest on the site. Nine messages this morning. Where has everyong gone? Wish I knew. You forgot about the Radio. It developed imagination too. Dad said TV was bad and he was right!LOL xsx Nancy
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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The radio was a big part of my childhood and especially the serial shows with actors playing rolls, but tock and roll made me swoon as well.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Comment from humpwhistle
Ingrid, I read in a quiet room. No TV, no music, no distractions. It's always been that way for me.
Authors who elect to insert distractions onto the page will just have to do without me. No harm. No foul.
My concern is about 'signing' blind entries when there is money (albeit funny) at stake. Being recognized by one's style of writing is not the same as being recognized by one's style of posting.
And yes, I'd be just as happy if blind postings had no embellishments at all. Keep the playing field even -- except for talent.
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Ingrid, I read in a quiet room. No TV, no music, no distractions. It's always been that way for me.
Authors who elect to insert distractions onto the page will just have to do without me. No harm. No foul.
My concern is about 'signing' blind entries when there is money (albeit funny) at stake. Being recognized by one's style of writing is not the same as being recognized by one's style of posting.
And yes, I'd be just as happy if blind postings had no embellishments at all. Keep the playing field even -- except for talent.
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Every sponsor has the ability to rule that no artwork be used. I often see this in haiku competitions. If you check the entries in these prompts, you'll always find colour and font changes as poets try to distinguish their poem from another.
The simple solution is, as I stated, no embellishments of any kind in contests. Writers could be as creative as they choose in posting general stories. However, that is a doubtful outcome as it would need to be a standard that FS adopts, and frankly, I don't see management doing anything about it.
I'm not sure that being identified by style in writing or presentation is so much different. Some people leave specific clues to authorship by using certain fonts or symbols within their stories. Some people might vote for me automatically if I used those tricks, but I imagine there are just as many who would vote against me.
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I agree that be recognized can be to two- edged sword.
I disagree with you about there being little difference between being recognized as a writer, as opposed to being recognized as a poster.
The discussion is not about what management may do. Out of our hands. It's about whether 'blind' is a valid descriptor when some people use bells and whistles to sign their work. L
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Beside the graphics, there are people who use 'signature' fonts and symbols in the body of their story that also identifies their work.
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So? Those should be eliminated, too.
To quote Bob Dylan, 'it can be easily done. Just have it all out on Highway 61.'
Blind entries should all appear vanilla.
My Advanced Editor doesn't even work.
My stuff always looks vanilla.
For blind entries, bells and whistles, fonts, colors, graphics--ban them.
L
Comment from N.K. Wagner
A measured look at the use of multimedia to enhance the written word. When properly produced in the proper venue, it enhances communication. A FB article on a band, for example, is more interesting with a video clip of their performance. On FS, however, it is not used well, and it interferes with this editor's concentration. I won't review those works anymore.
I like your idea about contest material being completely unembellished. If what we're judging is the words that seems perfectly fair.
Well done, Ingrid. :) Nancy
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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A measured look at the use of multimedia to enhance the written word. When properly produced in the proper venue, it enhances communication. A FB article on a band, for example, is more interesting with a video clip of their performance. On FS, however, it is not used well, and it interferes with this editor's concentration. I won't review those works anymore.
I like your idea about contest material being completely unembellished. If what we're judging is the words that seems perfectly fair.
Well done, Ingrid. :) Nancy
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Flat, no embellishment--of any kind--rules for stories in blind contests would soothe the savage beasts, but it's unlikely that FS would make any adjustments to their current policy.
Though I've enjoyed the cleverness, in general, the innovative appreciation has passed for me, and I'm with you, I want the words to do the telling. thanks for all the stars.
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Of course they won't. Many here are not serious writers but want the edge in contests against serious writers. I guess it's a way to spread the wealth. I just hate to spend days writing something to lose to a cute kitty photo. There's something wrong with that. Don't mind losing to better words - there are plenty out there - but a third party's work?
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Ingrid,
well as you know I'm in my early fifties and TV was in by the time I got here and very effectively used as a baby-sitting mechanism... only thing was we only had two channels in the country and the children's programs came on in the afternoon and of course all in black and white. I never picked up a real book until I was in my thirties... I actually though I had a serious reading problem as I went to sleep every-time I tried to read... Yea, even in school.. but now I couldn't imagine ever not reading... and like you with a failing eye-sight.
For me though, I wouldn't read anything with sound effects intertwined into the story... the bells and whistles don't attract me to the shine... it's the imagery that paints the picture for me... and if that is lost or replaced by trickery of the senses, I'd go back to movies, TV etc... are people getting that lazy that they need prompting to an image? Or is it the writers that want to dazzle us with smoke and mirrors that have lost their natural flair towards writing?... so I say contamination!
With our thoughts we create,
visuals of the mind,
James xx
check... diversions if 'that I' what turns our crank?
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Hi Ingrid,
well as you know I'm in my early fifties and TV was in by the time I got here and very effectively used as a baby-sitting mechanism... only thing was we only had two channels in the country and the children's programs came on in the afternoon and of course all in black and white. I never picked up a real book until I was in my thirties... I actually though I had a serious reading problem as I went to sleep every-time I tried to read... Yea, even in school.. but now I couldn't imagine ever not reading... and like you with a failing eye-sight.
For me though, I wouldn't read anything with sound effects intertwined into the story... the bells and whistles don't attract me to the shine... it's the imagery that paints the picture for me... and if that is lost or replaced by trickery of the senses, I'd go back to movies, TV etc... are people getting that lazy that they need prompting to an image? Or is it the writers that want to dazzle us with smoke and mirrors that have lost their natural flair towards writing?... so I say contamination!
With our thoughts we create,
visuals of the mind,
James xx
check... diversions if 'that I' what turns our crank?
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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What was a 'wow factor' in our lives before smoke and mirrors became mainstream, now is pretty dull. Familiarity can define what we like and do not. I'm a purist, not wanting or needing accessories to my reading experience, but I don't hold those in contempt who have latched onto graphic enhancements.
Hope all is well, stud muffin. ingrid
Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin
Hi Spiritual Echo,
I love this! Before we moved I had a 1000 book library, but downsized to 500, and I wish I would have never gotten rid o them! I love to hold a book in my hand - there's just nothing like it.
Cheers & Blessings
Keep Smilin'.... Jax
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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Hi Spiritual Echo,
I love this! Before we moved I had a 1000 book library, but downsized to 500, and I wish I would have never gotten rid o them! I love to hold a book in my hand - there's just nothing like it.
Cheers & Blessings
Keep Smilin'.... Jax
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 01-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014
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I did something even worse. I'm not sure how many books I had, but when I moved seven years ago there were twenty full cartons. My son innocently asked me why I was paying so much money to movers each time I changed houses. I thought about it, and all twenty cartons were donated to the library. Nut, huh?
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HUH - NO! I bet the library loved you. I sometimes go out into my office and just sit there and look at them. How weird is that?
Cheers
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LOL...that's exactly what I did. Display and look at them as if they represented a journey. But I didn't reread a single one.
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Oh my goodness, I've read some books 3 and 4 times!
