Blind Entries.
It's tough to lose.28 total reviews
Comment from w.j.debi
This is an insightful commentary on the voting booths. Like it or not, people do have their favorites and if they are following a particular author they may recognize the writing style, or font, or color, or some other identifiable mark in the presentation.
True, we should be voting for the best writing every single time, but sometimes ya wonda...
reply by the author on 12-Dec-2016
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This is an insightful commentary on the voting booths. Like it or not, people do have their favorites and if they are following a particular author they may recognize the writing style, or font, or color, or some other identifiable mark in the presentation.
True, we should be voting for the best writing every single time, but sometimes ya wonda...
Comment Written 12-Dec-2016
reply by the author on 12-Dec-2016
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I wrote this is a fit of frustration since I made the mistake of entering a prompt. The usual writer won. He's not speaking to me now. LOL
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LOL. His loss
Comment from IndianaIrish
Awesome essay, Shari. We never had blind contests until members moaned about contest winners getting votes from friends.mso, blind contests were born. We all know they aren't completely blind, but with writers using the same doodads on their posts, or using author's notes, it's very easy to recognize the author. It isn't fair to contestants who play fair. But certain people get away with it over and over again. Well written and nothing to change.
Smiles,
Karyn :-)
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2016
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Awesome essay, Shari. We never had blind contests until members moaned about contest winners getting votes from friends.mso, blind contests were born. We all know they aren't completely blind, but with writers using the same doodads on their posts, or using author's notes, it's very easy to recognize the author. It isn't fair to contestants who play fair. But certain people get away with it over and over again. Well written and nothing to change.
Smiles,
Karyn :-)
Comment Written 28-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 29-Nov-2016
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Thanks, Karyn. A lot of members are aware of what goes go behind the scenes, but Tom holds the reins.
Comment from rama devi
Good points. Thanks for voicing this. I agree and had noticed the same tendencies. This is well penned but I noticed two minor nits:
I told him(:) to my knowledge, God never owned a pen.
or
I told him, "To my knowledge, God never owned a pen."
* Suddenly(,) there's no huge gap between winner and losers.
Excellent closing note:
I leave it to you, dear reader. Do members vote for content, style, or personality?
I wish the voting had more integrity. I rarely--almost never--enter prompt contests. But even the site contests seem to have the same winners all the time--and almost never do my poems win or place, even in a decade of entering numerous contests and even on posts that garner many dozens of sixes. I do think that group is biased, but it's human nature, and I am resigned to never winning, though I did win one last year, which surprised me!
However, I must say, I think the choices of the judges have improved from years back. The winning entries are usually very good ones...if not the best of entries I read through the month. But sometimes the runner ups are far better caliber than the winning ones, and it makes me wonder who is on that darn committee. I've told Tom numerous times that I think he should have a judge for cash contests who is NOT a member. He gets defensive whenever I mention it. Obviously, he' have to pay that person in real money, so he prefers to avoid the issue.
Anyway, didn't mean to ramble on...
Love,
rd
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2016
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Good points. Thanks for voicing this. I agree and had noticed the same tendencies. This is well penned but I noticed two minor nits:
I told him(:) to my knowledge, God never owned a pen.
or
I told him, "To my knowledge, God never owned a pen."
* Suddenly(,) there's no huge gap between winner and losers.
Excellent closing note:
I leave it to you, dear reader. Do members vote for content, style, or personality?
I wish the voting had more integrity. I rarely--almost never--enter prompt contests. But even the site contests seem to have the same winners all the time--and almost never do my poems win or place, even in a decade of entering numerous contests and even on posts that garner many dozens of sixes. I do think that group is biased, but it's human nature, and I am resigned to never winning, though I did win one last year, which surprised me!
However, I must say, I think the choices of the judges have improved from years back. The winning entries are usually very good ones...if not the best of entries I read through the month. But sometimes the runner ups are far better caliber than the winning ones, and it makes me wonder who is on that darn committee. I've told Tom numerous times that I think he should have a judge for cash contests who is NOT a member. He gets defensive whenever I mention it. Obviously, he' have to pay that person in real money, so he prefers to avoid the issue.
Anyway, didn't mean to ramble on...
Love,
rd
Comment Written 25-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2016
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Thanks for noting the spags. What you said makes me feel better about not winning. I do agree that the caliber of most winners is excellent in the site contests.
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The only times I've ever won were when my poems were NOT having a mystical or philosophical flavor (like a free verse about writing, a haiku about a wolf, etc.) So it is clear that the majority on the committee does not like my esoteric overtones (or Eastern influences, I imagine). One of my poems this year that was the most highly acclaimed by reviewers with many dozens of sixes and some claiming it was my best poem yet did not even place in the contest. And that one was NOt esoteric either. However, the ones that placed had merit too...so I believe it is also a matter of taste and content not just caliber of writing. Some of the winning entries in various contests don't have great writing caliber, IMHO compared to other entries.
It makes me wonder if it is not just the committee but also the Fanstory algorithm that excludes me poems because it compares ratios of sixes to the number of reviews. That means that any post with tons of reviews might have a 'watered down' ratio. A member from LONG back who left informed me he had been on the committee and that they only look at a voting booth of 15 to 18 poems. He claimed that the poems got into the booth via a computer generated algorithm. Tom denies this, but when I've asked him to explain to me how posts are chosen for the committee to look it, he claims that all entries are considered. It's pure BS. I believe he considers it an honest answer, even if it is the computer algorithm that is doing the considering. I gave up long ago caring about the contests. I enter them as an exercise for my muse and expect no wins. So if I do win or place, it's a fine surprise but never a disappointment if I don't.
Hope that helps...not sure if the info is accurate but I don't know how they choose those entries for consideration otherwise.
Warmly, rd
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LOL
All I know is that one of my pieces made book of the month. It was the worst chapter I have ever written!
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LOL! :-)
Comment from F. Wehr3
Interesting essay, Spitfire. I didn't participate in this vote because my first impression was, "What the hell is a lowku?" A depressed Haiku?
I don't believe many people read all the entries. All the contestants cast their vote on the first day and then not many others do. How many other votes were cast? ten or twelve?
As for the extensive notes at the end, I believe this is why some contests have stipulated no author notes or even images. Still I can identify many based on font and content.
No such thing as blind? Only to the very new people.
Take care,
Russell
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2016
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Interesting essay, Spitfire. I didn't participate in this vote because my first impression was, "What the hell is a lowku?" A depressed Haiku?
I don't believe many people read all the entries. All the contestants cast their vote on the first day and then not many others do. How many other votes were cast? ten or twelve?
As for the extensive notes at the end, I believe this is why some contests have stipulated no author notes or even images. Still I can identify many based on font and content.
No such thing as blind? Only to the very new people.
Take care,
Russell
Comment Written 25-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2016
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I didn't get the name until I read the subject matter. Rather a satire on the pronunciation of haiku. It's amazing that now you can vote for yourself, yet there's almost always a few entries with no votes.
I've noticed too that high paying posts win over two centers. Just hope the winner gets enough money to replace the cost.
Thanks for you input, Russell.
Shari
Comment from TheWriteTeach
Excellent post, Shari! I think practically everyone on this site will identify with this piece. Everything you mentioned is very true. I have to say, when I created the Lowku contest, I made it 'blind' because I was trying to avoid the 'popularity' vote, and get a 'quality' vote. However, as you stated, many authors have a distinct writing voice and followers recognize that voice.
I question if it is correct to chastise the authors for their unique style, rather than the voters who opt for the 'popularity' vote rather than the 'honest, quality' vote? Voters need to actually read and understand the work itself; look for quality, for errors, on or off prompt, etc. Contests on this site are to judge and honor quality writing, not a favorite author. I do not believe when voters play favorites, it is the authors' fault. Authors write to the best of their ability and should not be punished for their unique voice just because voters aren't playing fair. I do not believe authors should be expected to 'dumb down' their work to avoid being recognized. That seems counter productive to me. I truly believe the voters are at fault and need to stop the popularity vote and start voting for quality.
Suz
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2016
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Excellent post, Shari! I think practically everyone on this site will identify with this piece. Everything you mentioned is very true. I have to say, when I created the Lowku contest, I made it 'blind' because I was trying to avoid the 'popularity' vote, and get a 'quality' vote. However, as you stated, many authors have a distinct writing voice and followers recognize that voice.
I question if it is correct to chastise the authors for their unique style, rather than the voters who opt for the 'popularity' vote rather than the 'honest, quality' vote? Voters need to actually read and understand the work itself; look for quality, for errors, on or off prompt, etc. Contests on this site are to judge and honor quality writing, not a favorite author. I do not believe when voters play favorites, it is the authors' fault. Authors write to the best of their ability and should not be punished for their unique voice just because voters aren't playing fair. I do not believe authors should be expected to 'dumb down' their work to avoid being recognized. That seems counter productive to me. I truly believe the voters are at fault and need to stop the popularity vote and start voting for quality.
Suz
Comment Written 24-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2016
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Right on, Suz, and I should have addressed that issue too. Thanks for the six.
Some one hacked into my computer weeks ago and I didn't pay attention to the warning sign. Today, My computer locked and I had to fork over $318 to get rid of the virus. It's called Trepan and can be used to steal your identity!
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Oh no! I hope the virus was cleared out before anyone got your identity. The money seems like a lot, but if it saved your identity, it was well worth it. This stuff is so scary.
Comment from amada
Oh yes, I have had my experiences with blind entries. I thought it was a very good idea at the beginning, but, how you express, there are ways to circumvent the rules...as in everything. Great call to the editors!
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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Oh yes, I have had my experiences with blind entries. I thought it was a very good idea at the beginning, but, how you express, there are ways to circumvent the rules...as in everything. Great call to the editors!
Comment Written 23-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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Thanks, amada. I'm already seeing some changes made in the rules.
Comment from maggieadams
I haven't been on site (much) for nearly a year, so I have been away from all the "politics" of this site. But, you pose a provocative discussion. I still could pick out familiar 'markings', style or tone and yes, we tend to vote for familiarity or people who we have formed a bond with....maybe blind entries should be re-figured. How are you?
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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I haven't been on site (much) for nearly a year, so I have been away from all the "politics" of this site. But, you pose a provocative discussion. I still could pick out familiar 'markings', style or tone and yes, we tend to vote for familiarity or people who we have formed a bond with....maybe blind entries should be re-figured. How are you?
Comment Written 23-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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Maggie!
What a lovely surprise to hear from you again. I'm cutting back a lot on my posts next year. Too much pressure to earn points so people will read your work.
Comment from Heidi M
I appreciate the information you've shared here, Shari. I'm new enough to the site that I wasn't aware of all these issues. I have only entered one contest. That was my first day on the site and I didn't really know what I was doing. I just know I spend a ton of time reviewing so I can promote my own posts. I appreciate the feedback I've received but don't know how long I will remain. Thanks for posting this, Shari.
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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I appreciate the information you've shared here, Shari. I'm new enough to the site that I wasn't aware of all these issues. I have only entered one contest. That was my first day on the site and I didn't really know what I was doing. I just know I spend a ton of time reviewing so I can promote my own posts. I appreciate the feedback I've received but don't know how long I will remain. Thanks for posting this, Shari.
Comment Written 23-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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The pressure to review is robbing me of life. Did you know that starting every new year, the ranking starts anew. You have to post six pieces of any one genre in order to get ranked. It's a rat race.
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I did not know that. I still have a lot to learn. Thanks for giving me a heads up so I know what to expect.
Comment from Leen1
Thank you for putting into words my findings some time ago. Although I do enjoy the contests I find them to be as you stated so therefore I have not written nor entered for some time.
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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Thank you for putting into words my findings some time ago. Although I do enjoy the contests I find them to be as you stated so therefore I have not written nor entered for some time.
Comment Written 23-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2016
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Haven't heard from you in a while, Leen. This post is not like my usual thing, but I was too frustrated not to vent.
Comment from Kaydoe
Hi Shari, I think you made most likely true points about blind entries. I did read some of the reviews by other people. I read you may take a break from FS. I hope you do get your work self published. You are a very gifted writer. Hope Frank is doing well. I always enjoyed your stories.
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2016
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Hi Shari, I think you made most likely true points about blind entries. I did read some of the reviews by other people. I read you may take a break from FS. I hope you do get your work self published. You are a very gifted writer. Hope Frank is doing well. I always enjoyed your stories.
Comment Written 22-Nov-2016
reply by the author on 22-Nov-2016
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The responses were an eye-opener for sure. My favorite part of writing is rewriting so I can't wait to get started.
Frank's doing well except for the memory lapses.
Last night for example he asked if Nichole ever got married.
I said yes, she married Jeff.
He answered, "What does he look like?"
He wasn't joking either! I found it amusing.
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I have a friend whose mother was in the nursing home and she had 2 pictures of her husband, one young and one older. She said she had 2 husbands. Well, hang in there and keep writing.
