Introspection: Some thoughts:

It's an awful feeling, to think that some of my more critical reviews might have hurt people. Is it better not to review at all? After taking the time to view and read someone's work, should I not feel entitled to comment honestly? Is a bad review worse than no review? It is never my intention to offend.

Everyone here seems to rate everyone else very highly nearly all of the time. If I hadn't been influenced by the ratings given by others, I'm sure I would be a lot harsher with my own marking. It works both ways, of course. At this early stage in my FanStory career, my work is probably rated a little higher than it deserves to be. Meh. I guess it's nice to be nice.

After just twenty-four hours on the site, I am already appreciating poetry more than I have done for fifteen years. I have never written much poetry, I often find it quite tiresome, and a lot of poetry feels clichéd and hackneyed... but, I have read a few gems here, and it is truly inspirational. I am determined to develop my poetry-writing skills.

I think that this place is going to be good for me. FanStory might never lead me directly to fame and fortune, but it has turned writing into a game. I like this game. Here's hoping it stays fun.
    rama devi: Warm welcome to FS--I love your pen name! Over the years, a growing majority of members tend toward giving too high ratings and treating this more as a social site than a serious writing site. However, as FS has a huge membership, there is still a significant minority who value (and trade) honest critique with honest ratings. There are also many who give honest critique but only five star ratings, as they do not want to have to deal with the emotional reactions to lower ratings exhibited by some members.

    To find like-minded members, I recommend scanning through the reviews for a post you gave a lower rating to so you can she who the reviewers are that also did the same. For the honest reviewers, the reactions to reviews can sometimes be rude. Such reactions are reportable.

    It's sad that the general consensus here is to view helpful reviews as hurtful if the rating is less than a five. It's a deep misunderstanding, but the rift has been discussed numerous times by many members (especially in the reviewing forum) and everyone seems to agree to disagree.

    When I first joined here, more people used the rating scale. Due to the influence of too many avid reviewers giving only fives, honesty in ratings has become rare. I hope new members like you serve to bolster the perspective that honest ratings are a form of KINDNESS not cruelty. Though intended to be kind, inaccurate high ratings tend to lead someone to believe their writing is better than it is--only to be cruelly disappointed by rejection notices from publishers, etc.

    Best wishes,
    rd -
    nor84: I agree with everything Rama said. Review with an effort to help the writer improve his/her craft. Consider the recipient's feelings. Start with praise for anything done well, then explain what could be better, and end with another something you enjoyed. -
    Introspection: Thanks for the info, Rama, and thanks for the welcome. Good review format advice, Nor. I will try to stick to that positive-negative-positive pattern from now on.

    The last couple of reviews I've written, I guiltily awarded four stars, because to give them five stars would have been to do a disservice to the better work I'd rated five. I've already concluded that, for the most part, only six star reviews will be very meaningful in terms of quality. And even that is no guarantee.

    My reviewing has been a little erratic during my first twenty-four hours here, as I've been finding my feet, but I'm definitely in the "honesty is the best policy" camp. I will figure out who my camp-mates are soon enough! -
    Tessa Kay: I've had my share of disappointed replies, but there were also many who were grateful for honest critique. And they make it worthwhile in the end.
    One thing I have found out only after a while, is that you can upgrade the rating if the needed changes have been made. And then there's always the skip button...
    Welcome to FanStory. Ratings this way or that way, it's a great place to get you writing.
    lol -
    Introspection: Thanks, Tessa. It certainly is a great place to get writing. I didn't expect I'd be trying my hand at a horror story! -


Introspection: I have always enjoyed writing, but in the past, I was always too shy, too lacking in confidence, to share my writing with the world. During the past year, I have started to take it more seriously. I know that I have some natural talent - technically speaking, my writing is very sound - and I think that I have a great foundation.

Now I want to do this for a job. I want to make a modest living from my writing. I need to refine my craft. I need to practise different styles. I need to share my work. I desperately need some useful feedback from anyone who isn't my mum.

I look forward to becoming an active member of this community, and I particularly look forward to entering a few contests.

Peace, love, and respect.
    RPFoster: May I be the first to welcome you here, and if I can flaunt my passion at my age, you can at your age. ;) -
    Introspection: Thank you very much, RP! I'm loving the site so far. I'm itching to post some more stuff - I didn't realise there was a daily posting limit. I'll just have to hold my horses and choose more carefully tomorrow. -