John Langfeld: I will be having a little out-patient surgery tomorrow morning, so will be slower than usual for a little while in responding and posting 'cuz right arm will be in a sling. No matter. Just sayin'.


Poetic Veneer
19904
5/7/13

pre-op jitters
cutting-edge fear
keeping him all angsty
like some damn athlete
making light of the cut
when all along he'd rather wax
keeping everyone else in stitches


John Langfeld: October 21' I will miss you, but do your thing. Me, too, almost.
    DIS-illusioned: October 21 is still on its way. It's only May. :-p ... :) -


John Langfeld: Boston reminds us of many things, not the least of which is the resilience of those who are downwind of men-with-white-hoods.


John Langfeld: Watch our for Tex Terror.


John Langfeld: in DC, blossoms, buildings and walking off butts.
    Val Crisson: I live in DC, and I'm always walking my butt off. Enjoy our beautiful blossoms. -
    John Langfeld: Wonderful time! Thanks. Saw about 8 cool blossoms. LOL Love DC, National Art Gallery, Ruth's Chris, the Metro, the people, the internationality of everything. Two days of heaven just for fun and it was indeed! -


John Langfeld: Out of the Bachs

I made the off-hand comment on a poetry website that I frequent (heh) that there isn't a category in the list of labels provided that describes my work. Someone suggested that most of my poetry is 'commentary and philosophy.' Odd. Why didn't I see that label as relevant? I suppose it is because that is what drives me -- as a responder, a seeker of patterns, a looker for reasons and goofs. Kinda like analyzing Bach Chorales looking for Neopolitan 2nd chords.

I suppose.


John Langfeld: o o did some 4s


John Langfeld: singsonginess, spiritualocity, just sayin'


John Langfeld: I have been reviewing more nicely lately; that is, I talk with writers of poems that are rich in implication or simply beautiful for the tongue. The teacher in me wants desperately to suggest things for writers of mediocre craft, to show why something reads lame even when the idea isn't, stuff like that. I skip those.

There was a wonderful article written hears ago (by Fry?), the point of which was to say that is was not important to fathom what a poem means. It is essential to fathom "how" a poem means.

Reviewing should be about "how" shouldn't it? Just wondering and will ponder some more. The jury is out for me on this still. No need to fix my idea. It ain't set yet.
    DIS-illusioned: ...I'll have whatever John's having--a double, on the rocks. LOLz! :) -


John Langfeld: OKAY NOW I FINALLY GET IT: You pass by the things you think inept or ineffective and review only those things you like so you can give all 5s and 6s and make everyone feel good.

I guess that means that no review is a bad review.

This is all very odd or, at least, very safe -- not to mention discouraging. I was hoping for some "real" feedback. I'll hang for a coupla more daze and then decide whether or not to act on Heminway's dictum: "...never mistake motion for action."
    Celtic~Soul: There are many of us here who believe in honest, constructive, and thorough feedback. Sadly, there are way more here who are just in it to earn member $ so they can post their own work and spread the fluffy fives around. If you have a sincere desire to learn and grow as a writer, helpful reviewers are here! Try connecting with rama devi, Nor84, William Walz, CallahanMR, juliajames, jejo, Sally Carter, suneagle, and others (even me, but I don't review a lot anymore). You'll find just the kind of help and feedback you're seeking. -
    Sarkems: Bit insulting to those who have given you feedback, John. I don't give you fives to make you feel good, I give them to you because you deserve it. OK, I'm not the best on poetry, but I do know what I like...I've seen many posts like this recently, and I know this isn't how it's meant, but I take the time to read and comment on someone's work, and I am now getting a little tired of feeling that every time I give a five, I worry that it is 'fluff'. Perhaps I should start giving out fours for the sake of it... -
    John Langfeld: Not meaning to insult at all. I appreciate you, emsey. Typically, the folks who shouldn't be downwind of this frustration take it to heart, because they get it. I read on an acknowledgement page once: "I want to thank those nameless many whose constant harassment made me feel I might be on to something." Made me laugh, sort of. heh

    Thank you for you insight. High 5! -
    John Langfeld: Thanks, you ol' Celtic Soul! I will hunt some more. -
    rama devi: Warm welcome to Fanstory, John. Indeed, those who want a serious writing site with in-depth honest critique are a diminishing minority here. However, in a site that has so many active members, there are still enough of a similar frame of mind and attitude to make it worthwhile continuing to be involved. You'll find a full spectrum here--with varying degrees of intensity in terms of reviewing styles. It takes time to connect with those who share similar values ad priorities, but once you do, it can become a satisfying and helpful experience. :) Good luck! -
    October21: Well-said Rama. If anybody knows anything about reviewing it is you!!!:-)

    John, every work I read of yours is six stars. I give lower because I either don't have the six or have a critique:-) -


John Langfeld: and what is the portfolio data supposed to tell me?
    Sarkems: Which bit? Status is all about your rankings, if you are into that kind of thing. Certificates lists all the available tools for promoting your latest work... -


John Langfeld: Okay...cent pumps, cent points, certificates, member dollars...geez...way too much...energy vampire just to read and write. Then when I said, Ok, I will buy some member dollars, they wanted money. I was under the impression reviewing things earned me points or something. Do y'all use your own cash to hawk your words?
    Taffspride: Reviewing will earn you points and, member dollars which you will then use to purchase certificates and member cent pumps that will push you work higher on the listing page thus gleaning more reviews. The more member dollars awarded for your posting the more reviews. Most members will review work offering higher rewards. Thus earning more to promote their own work. Hope this makes sense. -


John Langfeld: Okay,I still have no clue what to do with these point thingies.
    nor84: What do you mean by 'point'? -
    nor84: When you post your work, buy a certificate. then, use the member cent pumps to increase the amount the work will pay your reviewers. When you buy the certificate, there is a place to indicate how many pumps you have and how many you want to use. -
    redrider6612: You use them to promote your posts. Buy a certificate, then apply MCPS until you push it as high as you want it. -


John Langfeld: Okay, what is the strategy for this earning "dollars" thing? I reviewed some things and got some points or some such. I am not sure what the goal is...to get something I posted higher on the list so more people can comment/review? Interest. Once I post, if I do nothing am I still eligible for a poem of the month award or something? See? I don't really get the marketing portion of this. On CaptureMyChicago, for example, once you post have no more hoops to jump though...people respond on the merits of the photograph. I worry I paid for a year not knowing there were hoops involved in conversation levels.

So, can someone enlighten me about strategies? When do you buy stuff? To what end?
    Sarkems: Okay, I'll try to answer this. The appeal of this site is that people review your work. To encourage people to give feedback, the site has created a system whereby to post your own work you have to buy a certificate with member dollars. There are two ways to do this. 1) spend real money, or 2)review. Of course, having paid real money to join, most then choose to review, which means people get what they came here for. You can promote as high as you like, but I think you need a percentage of six star ratings to be in the running for "book of the month". If you get 15 reviews and 25% are six star for example, you might be considered. If you get 75 reviews but only 5% are six-star, you probably won't be. I think that is how it works, anyway. How much you promote is up to you. Depends how much feedback you want and how much rankings are important to you. -
    John Langfeld: thanks. I love the reviewing part...not sure about the buying higher positions...will play. I appreciate the help. -
    Sarkems: The higher you push it, the more money people get for reviewing. I don't over-promote myself, but pump my work just enough to reward people a bit for taking the time. There's two certificates, one two-day, one four-day. I stick with the two-day, personally -
    October21: Hi John!

    It took me six months to figure it all out properly. Some facts about Fanstory-

    Six star ratings- you get to reward members with six "six star reviews" each week. You get those ratings all on Sunday to give out throughout the week. Give six stars for writing that you consider exceptional. You can only give two "six star ratings" to one single member per month.

    Votes - If a reviewer has been especially helpful (whilst being polite) you are able to give them a vote for reviewer of the month. You can give out six of these for the entire month.

    Promoting work- Use member cent pumps to raise your posts' place on the listing. The higher it is, the more reviews you'll receive. It can cost up to 60 member dollars to get your post to first place. On poetry, you will get more reviews than stories and stories will provide more feedback then book chapters.

    Reviewing work- Sometimes you can review works that offer bonuses, and you will have a chance at getting a free member cent pump by reviewing them. On the first page are works that pay the most cents and bonuses- the top 12 are featured. It's always good to check that out.

    Posts- You can only post 2 works a day- whether poetry or a story.

    Reviewer level- When reviewing you will get points- these go towards your reviewer level. When you have reached a certain level you will earn your first blue star.

    Rank - When you have posted two+ short works you will have an author ranking- same for poetry and prose. Your ranking is calculated by your rating averages.

    While reviewing- be honest and kind. Try to say what's good about the piece as well as what needs improving.

    Receiving reviews- when you receive reviews, ALWAYS thank the reviewer, regardless of the rating or comments. Even just "thank you" at the VERY LEAST. You will make friends and fans this way, and personally, I find it VERY rude if a reviewer doesn't thank me! I have taken the time to comment on their post so they should take the time to simply reply with gratitude for that.

    Receiving low ratings- When you get a low rating on your work from a reviewer, do NOT complain. Thank the reviewer. If they haven't said why they are giving you... Lets say... Four stars, politely ask them to clarify their choice. Example of reply:

    Hello!

    Thank you ever so much for your kind comments. I appreciate your taking the time to stop by and review so graciously. It would be great to know why you have rated my piece four stars, so I am able to improve. Thank you for your time and enjoy your day!

    Best wishes,
    Your name

    - see?

    Recommendations- I recommend you check out these poets- adewpearle, mruss1, Visionary1234, Treischel, reconciled, 9999pool... These authors- JMdaSilva- amazing reviewer and VERY kind person, Spitfire, Phyllis Stewart, snemes, dmt1967, Tina Mckala. Basically those I am fanning LOL! They are all lovely, supportive and AMAZING people!

    Hope this helps! I was 12 when I joined so I didn't understand straight away. Then I had help from some wonderful members and caught on LOL! Good luck!! -
    Sally Carter: I would say that if you want good reviews, it's worth saying so somewhere on your profile. Some writers can get very snippy if they receive less than 5 stars for every post.
    The higher you promote (as Emsey said, either with real money or FS dollars earned through reviewing) the more reviews you are likely to get back, because reviewers will get a greater reward. However, many people will offer a meaningless comment, just to get a quick dollar. The kind of review that says, I love your writing, your choice of artwork was awesome and I wish you luck in the contest you have entered - is worth zippo. If you post a bit lower, enough to give people a reasonable number of cents to get them interested, you are likely to get fewer reviews, but probably of better quality.
    Welcome here. It's a great place once you have sussed it all out. -
    John Langfeld: Well...there are protocols! I appreciate all your input. Anyone ever attend the IA Summer Writing Featival in poetry? Amazing experience, critiques very helpful. as an experiences arts educator, defensiveness was always the first thing to go unless you enabled it. So, I will be gentler, focus on poetry which moves me...but folks don't grow if the scale is 1-6 in theory but 4-6 in practice. I want to hear direct responses. Notncorn-syrupy ones. Heh. Will ponder some more and be more careful... but, 1 doesn't meet expectations; 6, exceeds them. Perhaps the site needs to help us woth criteria. Personally, I use ISSA...how imaginative, sensitive, skillful and authentic a piece is...ormperson place or thing for that matter. -
    October21: LOL... Don't worry.... None of us are...
    Another tip- try to follow back those who fan you. You'll make more friends that way who will help you get to know the site and introduce you to others:-) -
    John Langfeld: I just got a 2! I must be doing something right! -
    rama devi: So glad to see a new member who shares a similar attitude about critique. I'm one of the few who does use the rating system fully (1-6). It is not easy to carry that torch, but those who grow to value such reviews do appreciate them and respond graciously. -


John Langfeld: I want to get published and be on David Letterman so he can ask, "How do you come up with all this s***?"