Provoking Suicide, Or Worse
contest entry, nonfiction25 total reviews
Comment from Ric Myworld
I hope this story and the statistics stomp the hell out of some toes. I've had a few get mad at me because I only give at least a five on reviews. They say that I'm not doing anything to help those who can't write. I say, of course I am, I'm trying to instill the confidence for them to keep trying, just like I had to do, and doing it with encouragement. I do offer some advice, or try to share what I've learned from some of the wonderful people who do care on this site, and even some of the mean one's. And with any luck, when they keep trying, rather get their feeling hurt and leave, they will well deserve those five's and sixes real soon. Thanks for your fine read, and best of luck in the contest! :-)
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2016
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I hope this story and the statistics stomp the hell out of some toes. I've had a few get mad at me because I only give at least a five on reviews. They say that I'm not doing anything to help those who can't write. I say, of course I am, I'm trying to instill the confidence for them to keep trying, just like I had to do, and doing it with encouragement. I do offer some advice, or try to share what I've learned from some of the wonderful people who do care on this site, and even some of the mean one's. And with any luck, when they keep trying, rather get their feeling hurt and leave, they will well deserve those five's and sixes real soon. Thanks for your fine read, and best of luck in the contest! :-)
Comment Written 25-Jul-2016
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2016
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What an incredibly wonderful review - exactly! This is going to sound odd, but bear with me - I raised Golden Retrievers for years. I trained many dogs. Positive reinforcement works 200% better than anything else!
But that aside - the professionals don't act like some do here! They really don't! As writers, we are NOT in competition with each other (except in a contest). It's a matter of what you write, how you've written it, and timing - the right place at the right time - your piece is exactly what that magazine needs for next fall's edition, for example.
PROFESSIONALS KNOW THIS - They WORK TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.
Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)
I have been fortunate to have avoided these bully's. I do hope I would just let it roll off my back. There is never an excuse for such behavior and I hope Tom is being kept informed and getting rid of them. There have been at least 2 Fanstory suicides lately that I have heard of. So very sad. Good write, my friend~Debbie
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2016
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I have been fortunate to have avoided these bully's. I do hope I would just let it roll off my back. There is never an excuse for such behavior and I hope Tom is being kept informed and getting rid of them. There have been at least 2 Fanstory suicides lately that I have heard of. So very sad. Good write, my friend~Debbie
Comment Written 11-Mar-2016
reply by the author on 11-Mar-2016
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Oh NO! 2? Are you sure? (*#$@!!
Bad enough being bullied on line, but God only knows, there are enough bullies out in the world, too - who knows what somebody on FS might be suffering...
Thanks, Deb - see you in just a minute!
Comment from michaelcahill
You've put this better and much more pointedly than any of my attempts over the years. Wow. You are exactly on the money here. Now, I'll be able to say, "What she said!"
I keep saying, we're writers, surely of all people we should be able to deliver a critique with compassion and kindness. I know of the woman you speak who took her own life. A most sad story and close to home if this could be called a home to us of sorts, I think it is.
You know we're on the same page. Thanks for putting it out there perfectly. I just happened to spill out one of my rambling essays today about this site and related matters. Great minds. :)) mikey
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You've put this better and much more pointedly than any of my attempts over the years. Wow. You are exactly on the money here. Now, I'll be able to say, "What she said!"
I keep saying, we're writers, surely of all people we should be able to deliver a critique with compassion and kindness. I know of the woman you speak who took her own life. A most sad story and close to home if this could be called a home to us of sorts, I think it is.
You know we're on the same page. Thanks for putting it out there perfectly. I just happened to spill out one of my rambling essays today about this site and related matters. Great minds. :)) mikey
Comment Written 11-Mar-2016
Comment from royowen
Hear! Hear! Dawn I for one stand along side you, I have written one or two along these lines myself. Nothing distresses me more than hurtful comments, I've been the receiver of one or two myself, it's strengthened me in many ways, but it's still not easy. I commend you, it's tough if you're learning too. Gently does it with a critique. Well done, my caring friend, you are one of my great loves onsite. Blessings, Roy
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Hear! Hear! Dawn I for one stand along side you, I have written one or two along these lines myself. Nothing distresses me more than hurtful comments, I've been the receiver of one or two myself, it's strengthened me in many ways, but it's still not easy. I commend you, it's tough if you're learning too. Gently does it with a critique. Well done, my caring friend, you are one of my great loves onsite. Blessings, Roy
Comment Written 11-Mar-2016
Comment from Writingfundimension
Hi, Dawn
I really wish I had a six left for this superbly written piece. Yes, you are going over a subject that has been written about many times on this site, but you have presented it in an especially potent way. The example of John Kennedy Toole stunned me... it was not a story I'd read before.
Frankly, I don't give a tinker's damn whether I tend to give out too many fives or sixes when I review. And I take it as a point of pride that I have never won the reviewing contest. The members who are considered pros on this site rarely even visit it any longer. And when they enter contests, it's not very likely they'll even place. That says a lot to me.
Excellent, really excellent Dawn.
:) Bev
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Hi, Dawn
I really wish I had a six left for this superbly written piece. Yes, you are going over a subject that has been written about many times on this site, but you have presented it in an especially potent way. The example of John Kennedy Toole stunned me... it was not a story I'd read before.
Frankly, I don't give a tinker's damn whether I tend to give out too many fives or sixes when I review. And I take it as a point of pride that I have never won the reviewing contest. The members who are considered pros on this site rarely even visit it any longer. And when they enter contests, it's not very likely they'll even place. That says a lot to me.
Excellent, really excellent Dawn.
:) Bev
Comment Written 10-Mar-2016
Comment from Shirley E Kennedy
A very powerful essay on a topic all too often considerd taboo.
When suicide or attempted suicide touches your life it never truly leaves again.
I agree with you in that every writer should be treated with respect.
The world is fast becoming a truly dangerous place and many innocent lives are lost
through the perspectives they, or others hold.
Certainly a pertinent and timely reminder.
Good luck in the competition.
:-) Shirley
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A very powerful essay on a topic all too often considerd taboo.
When suicide or attempted suicide touches your life it never truly leaves again.
I agree with you in that every writer should be treated with respect.
The world is fast becoming a truly dangerous place and many innocent lives are lost
through the perspectives they, or others hold.
Certainly a pertinent and timely reminder.
Good luck in the competition.
:-) Shirley
Comment Written 10-Mar-2016
Comment from frogbook
A great and powerful piece again, Dawn. One tries not to let these reviews hurt but they do sometimes. And for one already in distress could be very difficult. Very well said and wise. So glad you shared. JoAnn
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A great and powerful piece again, Dawn. One tries not to let these reviews hurt but they do sometimes. And for one already in distress could be very difficult. Very well said and wise. So glad you shared. JoAnn
Comment Written 09-Mar-2016
Comment from olliebuster
A real toughie. Writing is placing a piece of yourself on the line. One can get engrossed to such an extent that only success is seen. The reader's or publisher's opinion does not count. With your heart and soul fishing out there, the only thing which is acceptable is approval, success. One easy way is to kill oneself. The other is to kill the people who rejected you. Which is the lesser of the two evils. Real people absorb real pain. Bully is a kind word. The writer is always neuter gender. A thought provoking piece. Well done. Olliebuster.
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A real toughie. Writing is placing a piece of yourself on the line. One can get engrossed to such an extent that only success is seen. The reader's or publisher's opinion does not count. With your heart and soul fishing out there, the only thing which is acceptable is approval, success. One easy way is to kill oneself. The other is to kill the people who rejected you. Which is the lesser of the two evils. Real people absorb real pain. Bully is a kind word. The writer is always neuter gender. A thought provoking piece. Well done. Olliebuster.
Comment Written 09-Mar-2016
Comment from Sasha
Thanks you so much for posting this. You hit the proverbial nail on the head with this one. Fortunately, I seldom pay much attention to the cruel and/or hurtful comments often given my writing. I write for me and if I like it, that is really all that matters. Consideration for the feelings of the person you are reviewing should be number one on the list of do's. It is for this reason I stay out of the forums which have turned into a means to insult, degrade, and criticize other writers. I refuse to participate in such childish and moronic behavior.
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Thanks you so much for posting this. You hit the proverbial nail on the head with this one. Fortunately, I seldom pay much attention to the cruel and/or hurtful comments often given my writing. I write for me and if I like it, that is really all that matters. Consideration for the feelings of the person you are reviewing should be number one on the list of do's. It is for this reason I stay out of the forums which have turned into a means to insult, degrade, and criticize other writers. I refuse to participate in such childish and moronic behavior.
Comment Written 09-Mar-2016
Comment from boxergirl
This is an important essay, Dawn. Hopefully it's not just the choir reading it. Words are like bullets and once they are fired, we can't get them back. I agree whole heartedly with your statement about social media. It has given really mean people a place to spew their cowardly opinions. What they are forgetting is that the Big Guy upstairs is collecting every miserable word they say.
And maybe your post will help curtail it a bit.
Blessings,
Karen
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This is an important essay, Dawn. Hopefully it's not just the choir reading it. Words are like bullets and once they are fired, we can't get them back. I agree whole heartedly with your statement about social media. It has given really mean people a place to spew their cowardly opinions. What they are forgetting is that the Big Guy upstairs is collecting every miserable word they say.
And maybe your post will help curtail it a bit.
Blessings,
Karen
Comment Written 09-Mar-2016
