Have You Heard?
Essay37 total reviews
Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin
Hi, Mikey
= You are so right.
= Really is no place here for vanity and/or rudeness.
= The few ornery one's I've received, I tell them kindly that I have not intention of changing my style to suit them, so perhaps they would be better off NOT reading/reviewing me.
= Of course, I tell them I will kindly return the favor. (*<*)
= So sad to see a few bad apples ruin for the rest.
= I REFUSE, I tell you. Great essay.
* Cheers & Blessings *
Keep Smilin'... Jackie <> Jax (*>*)
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Hi, Mikey
= You are so right.
= Really is no place here for vanity and/or rudeness.
= The few ornery one's I've received, I tell them kindly that I have not intention of changing my style to suit them, so perhaps they would be better off NOT reading/reviewing me.
= Of course, I tell them I will kindly return the favor. (*<*)
= So sad to see a few bad apples ruin for the rest.
= I REFUSE, I tell you. Great essay.
* Cheers & Blessings *
Keep Smilin'... Jackie <> Jax (*>*)
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Hi, Jax.
I just thought I'd make a little noise and let some of the newbies know that there's some of us here that will step up when need be. There's a lot of us. The crybabies are pretty noisy all the time. But they shut up quick when we've had enough, yes?
Thanks a million. Blessings to you, mike
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Occasionally this needs to be said, and you said it very well here, Mikey. I have no problems with anyone... that I know of. I don't play the petty games. If someone acts like a jerk, I just ignore them. :)
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Occasionally this needs to be said, and you said it very well here, Mikey. I have no problems with anyone... that I know of. I don't play the petty games. If someone acts like a jerk, I just ignore them. :)
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Yep, me too. I just ignore most of it or laugh. Lots of newbies lately and some friends getting picked on, so I thought some people should know there's some really crazy people here too that it wouldn't be wise to anger. HAHAHA!
Yep, no games, ignore them. That's the plan. :)) mike
Comment from Dawn Munro
LOL! WAY TA GO! This is GREAT! (Can I post my telephone number now? How about my email address, my street address, my Facebook page, umm, errr, what else...? Sounds like fun. Imagine just how much attention I could garner! I'd be a STAR!)
Seriously. I learned THE hard way, and mostly, I could not give a crap anymore. My thinking? Say whatever you want about me behind my back because you're not just a gossip undeserving of any respect if you do, you're a chicken-shit because you won't say it to my face, thereby giving me a chance to undo any of the influence you might have with others who are less bullying and/or judgemental.
And as far as those who DO give what you say credence - do YOU really think the same is not being done to YOU by this person too? (If so, it's laughable.)
No, no, Mikey, say it ain't so! Don't say you won't write like this whenever you feel like it - I'll repeat what I know you've read in at least one of MY none-fiction editorials: this is a writing site. There are all kinds of different writing, and that includes cookbooks! WTF? Sorry, but censure (or attempts at censure) DO get under my skin. THIS IS A WRITING SITE>WE SHOULD FEEL NO PRESSURE TO LIMIT OURSELVES. WE SHOULD BE FREE TO WRITE ANYTHING as long as it isn't a personal attack against another member and NAMES THAT MEMBER.
That's how we LEARN! I am so sick of people who try to tell someone else how/what to write! (Example - "I realize this isn't creative writing..." YES. Been there, done that, and we should NOT have to - the fact that we do simply proves your point about those who would turn this into a vanity site.)
Okay, guess you know what I think of this editorial by my response to it. *grin* I especially liked the part where you say, "If you think you are being talked about..." etc. - That's calling it like it is, and that takes courage - kudos. (It's also damn supportive for anyone IN those circumstances.)
So please, if you talk about me, make sure to say how wonderful I am, okay? (HAHAHAHAHA)
Big hugs coming your way. :)
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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LOL! WAY TA GO! This is GREAT! (Can I post my telephone number now? How about my email address, my street address, my Facebook page, umm, errr, what else...? Sounds like fun. Imagine just how much attention I could garner! I'd be a STAR!)
Seriously. I learned THE hard way, and mostly, I could not give a crap anymore. My thinking? Say whatever you want about me behind my back because you're not just a gossip undeserving of any respect if you do, you're a chicken-shit because you won't say it to my face, thereby giving me a chance to undo any of the influence you might have with others who are less bullying and/or judgemental.
And as far as those who DO give what you say credence - do YOU really think the same is not being done to YOU by this person too? (If so, it's laughable.)
No, no, Mikey, say it ain't so! Don't say you won't write like this whenever you feel like it - I'll repeat what I know you've read in at least one of MY none-fiction editorials: this is a writing site. There are all kinds of different writing, and that includes cookbooks! WTF? Sorry, but censure (or attempts at censure) DO get under my skin. THIS IS A WRITING SITE>WE SHOULD FEEL NO PRESSURE TO LIMIT OURSELVES. WE SHOULD BE FREE TO WRITE ANYTHING as long as it isn't a personal attack against another member and NAMES THAT MEMBER.
That's how we LEARN! I am so sick of people who try to tell someone else how/what to write! (Example - "I realize this isn't creative writing..." YES. Been there, done that, and we should NOT have to - the fact that we do simply proves your point about those who would turn this into a vanity site.)
Okay, guess you know what I think of this editorial by my response to it. *grin* I especially liked the part where you say, "If you think you are being talked about..." etc. - That's calling it like it is, and that takes courage - kudos. (It's also damn supportive for anyone IN those circumstances.)
So please, if you talk about me, make sure to say how wonderful I am, okay? (HAHAHAHAHA)
Big hugs coming your way. :)
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Oh, we have all that info. I've got a google map shot of you standing by your car. HAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Oh, of course I'll write like this if I FEEL like it, I'm just not planning to.
Yep, it's all writing. Everything ya read, somebody writ. AND they got paid!
Fortunately you ARE wonderful, so I don't have to make anything up.
Thank you so much. One thing that's cool is to find out I'm not at all alone. :))
Waiting for them hugs. It's a bit of a distance. Mine are on the way. mike
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LOL. Yup, you know me. (LOL - kidding - thank you. Right back attcha.)
Your editorial inspired a poem I just finished - I'll post it as soon as I can work up a certificate. ("Yeah, So What?" it's called. I think you'll like it. LOL)
Comment from Gloria ....
Ha, trust you dear Mikey to bring up and with panache, a very important "issue" on the site. I think one of the first posts I read from you was on the importance of reviewing. See, I remember although perhaps not chronologically.
There are cliques on site or the coffee klatch fully calquing on gossip. It's only because we find each other so massively fascinating. And I think it's important to mention at this time this is NOT a Tom issue, this a membership issue. Unless of course Tom is masquerading as the one star reviewer. Nahhhhh. He has a ton of complaints to manage.
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about the ranking system now but after leaving it after 6 weeks I have a much clearer idea than I did before, but I've yet to formulate any theories or any of that crap. I'd always known it was a lot of work reviewing in order to earn member dollars to promote your own writing. That's much heavier on the poetry side than in the other categories. Perhaps that is because poetry can be written a lot faster. By now it doesn't take me much longer than half an hour to whip up a perfectly unremarkable sonnet. LOL. Practice makes perfect, yes? But to write a story takes about four hours. If a lot of research is involved, such as reading books, magazines, interviews, google searches that kind of thing it can take up to 40 hours and a lot more. But if it's an off the top of my head write, I like others, can whip up a passable story in an hour. As long as commas don't count. ;-)
The problem I see with the ranking system is people start believing their own press. I never believed for one second I was the third "best" poet on site. I was the person in third position in the poetry category. I see myself as a writer who sometimes writes poetry and sometimes I don't write a blessed thing.
And sure there's envy in every human endeavour and most vicious among writers. That's a fact. I was surprised to read that Gloria Steinem had quashed the career of an up and coming feminist by calling all her significant contacts in the publishing world, slamming the woman, for no reason other than she was envious. And that was supposed to be the sisterhood where the enemy was oppressive men not other women. So much for the sisterhood of cooperation and no competition and blah blah blah!
Of course people do that here too. And they even stick their foot out to trip you if they get a bee in their bonnet. Nothing new there. But usually they get someone else to do the dirty deed for them--cowards!
Anyway having written all that the ranking system IS fun, but it most definitely is not indicative of the "best" writing. It's a game and it should be fun. We hope our top five in all categories play fair and show leadership abilities as they are the flagship of the site.
Let's hope your post has helped a few people who may be bewildered by their reception here.
Now get back to being the real Mikey that people keep asking to return. I'm anxious to meet that fellow myself. :))
Great job, my dear.
Gloria
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Ha, trust you dear Mikey to bring up and with panache, a very important "issue" on the site. I think one of the first posts I read from you was on the importance of reviewing. See, I remember although perhaps not chronologically.
There are cliques on site or the coffee klatch fully calquing on gossip. It's only because we find each other so massively fascinating. And I think it's important to mention at this time this is NOT a Tom issue, this a membership issue. Unless of course Tom is masquerading as the one star reviewer. Nahhhhh. He has a ton of complaints to manage.
I'm not sure exactly how I feel about the ranking system now but after leaving it after 6 weeks I have a much clearer idea than I did before, but I've yet to formulate any theories or any of that crap. I'd always known it was a lot of work reviewing in order to earn member dollars to promote your own writing. That's much heavier on the poetry side than in the other categories. Perhaps that is because poetry can be written a lot faster. By now it doesn't take me much longer than half an hour to whip up a perfectly unremarkable sonnet. LOL. Practice makes perfect, yes? But to write a story takes about four hours. If a lot of research is involved, such as reading books, magazines, interviews, google searches that kind of thing it can take up to 40 hours and a lot more. But if it's an off the top of my head write, I like others, can whip up a passable story in an hour. As long as commas don't count. ;-)
The problem I see with the ranking system is people start believing their own press. I never believed for one second I was the third "best" poet on site. I was the person in third position in the poetry category. I see myself as a writer who sometimes writes poetry and sometimes I don't write a blessed thing.
And sure there's envy in every human endeavour and most vicious among writers. That's a fact. I was surprised to read that Gloria Steinem had quashed the career of an up and coming feminist by calling all her significant contacts in the publishing world, slamming the woman, for no reason other than she was envious. And that was supposed to be the sisterhood where the enemy was oppressive men not other women. So much for the sisterhood of cooperation and no competition and blah blah blah!
Of course people do that here too. And they even stick their foot out to trip you if they get a bee in their bonnet. Nothing new there. But usually they get someone else to do the dirty deed for them--cowards!
Anyway having written all that the ranking system IS fun, but it most definitely is not indicative of the "best" writing. It's a game and it should be fun. We hope our top five in all categories play fair and show leadership abilities as they are the flagship of the site.
Let's hope your post has helped a few people who may be bewildered by their reception here.
Now get back to being the real Mikey that people keep asking to return. I'm anxious to meet that fellow myself. :))
Great job, my dear.
Gloria
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
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Damn. I recall reading that about Ms. Steinem and I have read similar stories about others in positions like hers doing that very thing. Hell, that's as revealing as can be, isn't it?
The six soothes the fact that your review is far superior to my article. HAHAHA. But, that's okay as I happen to adore talent. Everything you say about the rankings is true. When I played the game I was a raw newbie without a clue. I didn't even realize I was probably as unwelcome to the ranks as a ... well, everything I'm coming up with is too crude to type here ...
The work, as you say, was INSANE and that was stories and novels where the pace is much more leisurely. I can't even imagine the poetry wars. Wow. Especially for you, I know you don't short change in your reviews or responses.
Well, whatever I left out you have filled in perfectly. So, I think anyone who wants to know can get a clear idea of the dynamic at play here. It's pretty damn funny that the more honest and fair minded you are, the more likely you are to be attacked and viewed as a threat. Why is that, I wonder. I suppose it's the same reaction one gets to seeing something alien to them, abject fear.
The real Mikey. HAHAHA! I have no idea what they're talking about. I suppose the anxiety is all that I have going for me. Everyone needs some kind of hook, yes? mike
Comment from DonandVicki
A very emotional essay Mike and I would agree with you about most of the problems that you write about but I try not to get caught up in a lot of the crap If someone pisses me off, even once I just block them.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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A very emotional essay Mike and I would agree with you about most of the problems that you write about but I try not to get caught up in a lot of the crap If someone pisses me off, even once I just block them.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Good advice of course. I just get tired of seeing it I suppose. I'm for sure done with paying it any mind at all. :))
Thanks for the awesome six and advice. mike
Comment from patcelaw
Michael, this is well written and makes important points as to the behavior of the writers and reviewers here. As I see things, we are all writers who have come from difference experiences, educational levels and emotions. To pass judgments on the other writers is sheer nonsense. As a reviewer, if I don't understand a work, I will either ask for an explanation or skip. I make no notice at all of the persons ranking. I think that the new format is at fault partly because the writer's info is right there beside the work, where in the classic format it is not there. Patricia
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Michael, this is well written and makes important points as to the behavior of the writers and reviewers here. As I see things, we are all writers who have come from difference experiences, educational levels and emotions. To pass judgments on the other writers is sheer nonsense. As a reviewer, if I don't understand a work, I will either ask for an explanation or skip. I make no notice at all of the persons ranking. I think that the new format is at fault partly because the writer's info is right there beside the work, where in the classic format it is not there. Patricia
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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Partricia, Thanks for the sensible take on all of this. I think all you say makes a great deal of sense. Thanks for taking the time to offer your insights and advice, mike
Comment from Sasha
I know too many members that have quite for this very reason...it is so sad. I stay out of the forums because they are abused by so many to complain about other writers. This is very well written, and long overdo. I admire your honesty and feel this is deserving of 6 stars. Keep up the great work.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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I know too many members that have quite for this very reason...it is so sad. I stay out of the forums because they are abused by so many to complain about other writers. This is very well written, and long overdo. I admire your honesty and feel this is deserving of 6 stars. Keep up the great work.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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I think that's what bothers me the most, the loss of talent and good people. All of the "who cares" business people devote their time to astonishes me. I'll never understand why it matters so much. Thanks so much. I can't wait to read you once again. mike
Comment from l.raven
HI Michael, if people don't like the ranking system...let them tell Tom...the people who are at the top have earned where they are...they write everyday on here...and their words are why they are where they are...they talk and communicate together because they work writing together...inventing forms...they have so much in common...nothing wrong with that...there is no elite at the top...the ranking system doesn't allow some of the most talented to rise...they are friends...and that is how it should be...I am friends with everyone up there...do I have their talent...HAIL NO...never will...but we are all friends...I agree there is a problem with the ranking system...should not be judged by the money you pay...but by the TRUE amount of people who review you...your talent and your fans would determine your place on the list...but the ones at the top are not the problem...it's not about the money...they f___ing work for it...they know every form on here...they challenge each other to get better everyday...and they take a pride in there work...they are true writers and poets...TALENTED...they have earned their place...yes there are other talented poets that should be at the top as well...but that is the fault of the ranking system...it sucks...lets just enjoy all the talent we do have on here...there is so much of it...top...middle...and bottom of the list....just how I feel about it...your where you should be Gloria...your talent has earned it...luff Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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HI Michael, if people don't like the ranking system...let them tell Tom...the people who are at the top have earned where they are...they write everyday on here...and their words are why they are where they are...they talk and communicate together because they work writing together...inventing forms...they have so much in common...nothing wrong with that...there is no elite at the top...the ranking system doesn't allow some of the most talented to rise...they are friends...and that is how it should be...I am friends with everyone up there...do I have their talent...HAIL NO...never will...but we are all friends...I agree there is a problem with the ranking system...should not be judged by the money you pay...but by the TRUE amount of people who review you...your talent and your fans would determine your place on the list...but the ones at the top are not the problem...it's not about the money...they f___ing work for it...they know every form on here...they challenge each other to get better everyday...and they take a pride in there work...they are true writers and poets...TALENTED...they have earned their place...yes there are other talented poets that should be at the top as well...but that is the fault of the ranking system...it sucks...lets just enjoy all the talent we do have on here...there is so much of it...top...middle...and bottom of the list....just how I feel about it...your where you should be Gloria...your talent has earned it...luff Linda xxoo
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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You know we are on the same page in the same book. I thought I'd lay it all out there one time and then be done with it. I just want to write and hang out with the people I like. A lot of this is fun and it used to be a lot more fun. So, I'll do what I enjoy and hang out with who I enjoy and everyone else ... can do as they will. Thanks xxoo mike
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I agree with you...it used to be more fun...but there are still a lot od great people on here...and I love reading their poetry...you so welcome you...luff xxoo
Comment from seaglass
I haven't ran into this problem on fanstory but everywhere else. At church, at work,and organized. Activities. Im a recluse so that helps. Hope your post resolved some of it.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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I haven't ran into this problem on fanstory but everywhere else. At church, at work,and organized. Activities. Im a recluse so that helps. Hope your post resolved some of it.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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You do what I should do, write. Ha! I've seen this elsewhere too of course. It just seems like this, a group of writers, is an odd place to find it. Well, maybe it helped, maybe it didn't. Back to writing for me. mike
Comment from Zinnia48
These kind of activities happen in all groups: religious, professional.....It's to be expected. I try to keep the focus on my writing, and on the writing of others in this site--especially people whom I have come to care about. I have grown tremendously in the last couple of years through their guidance, and try to keep my mind open in gratitude! Caroline
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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These kind of activities happen in all groups: religious, professional.....It's to be expected. I try to keep the focus on my writing, and on the writing of others in this site--especially people whom I have come to care about. I have grown tremendously in the last couple of years through their guidance, and try to keep my mind open in gratitude! Caroline
Comment Written 07-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2016
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I've improved beyond any reasonable expectation on my part too, Caroline. You're advice is solid as a rock. I think I'm going to follow it. Thanks a bunch, mike
