Reviews from

Ponderance On Reviews

The wonderful world of reviews

20 total reviews 
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Brett, very good advise indeed from your friend. If you don't enjoy writing, what's the point of writing in the first place. An critique should always be welcomed. It's that we learn. All the best. Ulla:))

 Comment Written 13-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2016
    As I always say, write for your own enjoyment.
Comment from Kooky Clown
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I read your article with great interest I do not write stories very often if ever but what you said was in my eyes very true . There is one point that I would like to say and that is I am not happy about the way that when we review something if I mark less than a five I am criticised for it and it may be because I did not like a certain piece.
Now I read a lot of material but because I don't think I can give a five rating I skip it. Probably this is wrong but it does save getting abusive replies.

 Comment Written 12-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 16-Oct-2016
    Too many people on this site get bent way out of shape if something they write does not receive an automatic 5 star review whether it deserves one or not.
Comment from Thomas Bowling
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

In the words of that great American philosopher Tommy Smothers, "Oh yeah." A very good piece we should all take heed and be better writters.

 Comment Written 11-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2016
    Thanks. Glad you enjoyed this articles.
Comment from BeasPeas
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I found your essay to be well written and clear. The only point I disagree with is the first one. It really doesn't apply in my case anyway. My preference is diversity--to write on whatever topic strikes me at the moment. I don't want to be bored with my own stuff or other writers' repeated topics. This is similar to typecasting in the movies in which an actor grows to hate what he does because he cannot break free of what he himself has locked into, confirming what others expect of him. To try something new is a breath of fresh air to the writer and everyone else.

Otherwise, I think your friend is correct. Although, to be sure, we must please ourselves first or we please nobody. Marilyn

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2016
    Appreciate your comments and support.
Comment from barkingdog
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I hope those that read this take your advice to heart as well as Dean's.
We should put forth out best efforts, but be willing to accept critique.
The readers' minds are the final destination of the writer's work.
A writer needs to know if the work arrived as intended.
What did arrive and what didn't.


:) e

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 11-Oct-2016
    Appreciate your comments.
Comment from misscookie
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You captured my attention from the first line to the last
And the artwork you choose wasn't only cute but, a perfect match
Everything you wrote and said made sense and as for Dean he is one of the most talented writer here.
Thank you for sharing.
Cookie

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 10-Oct-2016
    Thank you misscookie. Appreciate your comments.
Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I know! It's daunting, isn't it? To start out from nothing as a writer is a brave move, and most of us don't realise that or we'd never get started. Nevertheless I'm so glad I did, because I have learnt so much thanks to people on the site like yourself, willing to share what they know and help others. I hope my attempts to do the same have worked in some small measure, (and it would be small.) It wasn't long before I realised, when I was a newbie, that I knew NOTHING! Giddy

 Comment Written 10-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 10-Oct-2016
    Thanks. Appreciate your comments.
Comment from judiverse
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This is excellent and shows a lot of thought. I don't know about changing styles. J.K. Rowling had tremendous success with Harry Potter, but when she turned to another style, her book turned out to be a dud. If you write to please the readers, I don't think that works. As you believe, it's best to write primarily for your own enjoyment. So true that a blank paper is a blank paper, regardless of what grand plans the writer has. It's meaningless until the words are there to see. I don't think a writer should rely too much on criticisms. He should feel free to accept what he believes will work and reject suggestions that won't. Very well presented and deserves a 6. judi

 Comment Written 09-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 09-Oct-2016
    Thanks.
reply by judiverse on 10-Oct-2016
    You're very welcome. Happy trails. judi
Comment from mrsmajor
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted


I read this post more than once, to make sure I understood it...and of course we will all have our own ideas on the subject of reviewing...from what I read it appears to me that your post does lean toward the writer of prose...I say lean toward, because a lot of what you say does apply to any writer...I don't believe in the very idea of the comments you posted..."What does the reader know anyway"...or "My way is the only way"...yet, I believe, as a poet only, that when I do take a great deal of time to create a piece, it is with a sound idea and thought of what I am saying, implying, or what a story I chose to create is meant to convey... No matter one's good intentions, not every reader is a good reviewer, and so here on this site, I have learned just who the good reviewers are...That is not an insult to any one that reads a piece, ignoring the difficulty of the form used, and yes not mentioning that... I say that because if a reader understands the essence of a poem I have written, gets my message, that's just as important to me...I repeat, not every reader is a good reviewer, and its not that I don't appreciate every reader taking the time to read one of my poems, any review I get is also reviewed for its value...and then my actions are based on my acceptance of that review...am I saying my work is pure perfection, of course not, but what I am saying, is that not every review is perfection either...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us...

Best Regards
Victoria

 Comment Written 09-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 09-Oct-2016
    I assume, and correct me if I am wrong here, but by good reviewers you mean the ones who automatically give a 5 Star to review to anything that is written regardless if the piece deserves them or not, be it poetry, prose, or blue cheese?
reply by mrsmajor on 09-Oct-2016


    Why not assume that every writer, especially those that have been writing for a long time, does not give 5 unless they are due, either for prose or poetry...

    The value of every review is up to the writer to either accept or not to accept...I've been on this site since October 2004, and yes indeed I do know what a good review is...Perhaps your idea of a good reviewer just doesn't agree with mine...but then I don't know what you consider a good review, nor would that matter to me...we all come to our own conclusions based on our experience on this site...
Comment from country ranch writer
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Dean is the man when it comes to getting the best knowledge on such a subject. hope he didn't leave trails of blood on your carpet. He is has a funny side to him and likes to prank people close to Halloween. write what makes you feel comfortable with.

 Comment Written 09-Oct-2016


reply by the author on 09-Oct-2016
    Thanks.
reply by country ranch writer on 09-Oct-2016
    s m i l e s