FanStory wrote to ScarBundy: My Cat From Hell finished first in the contest "I used to _____ (fill in the blank)"


ScarBundy: Everyone, PLEASE stop voting for or giving five star reviews to your friends. Even in blind entries, you can usually tell someone's writing based on their personal style, especially if they're your friend. Stop reviewing based on subject matter alone. If the construction is poor, the author needs to know. Not to be mean to them, but to help them improve! A contest WINNER'S piece should not be riddled with mistakes. Stop rewarding mediocrity!!!
    Abby Wilson-hand: I don't know what your problem is nobody votes because they are blind entries they don't know who they are voting for.if you have a problem with fanstory take it up with Tom -
    Dean Kuch: Granted, this does happen at times, ScarBundy, I agree.
    I was once in a senryu contest where the entry that wound up winning was hardly a senryu at all.
    Who knows what prompts members into voting as they do. If any of us had an inside track to that sort of information, we'd be winning every contest we entered.
    Just write it off to human nature and forget about it.
    ~Dean -
    mrsmajor: On a site like this, with so much going on, it is possible for things like you have mentioned to happen...it is not the norm, and I suggest you ignore, and forget it.. -
    ScarBundy: Abby, you have been specifically instructed by the site to leave me alone. -


ScarBundy: I am seriously annoyed. How can someone be a "top ranked author" when their writing is so scattered, grammatically incorrect, and littered with spelling mistakes!? I joined FS to write and receive feedback on my writing. But I read some of the ratings people give on other writers' works and I wonder if they know how to actually critique.
    Susanjohn: Awe don't be annoyed...that's no fun! :-) ya just got to get to the people that really know this stuff!!..Me?..I'm lucky if I find a typo...I can just tell you my thoughts and how much I enjoyed reading. hang in there!! So many talented people here..truly. Now turn that frown upside down and go write something pretty. :-)))) -
    Susanjohn: and if you do...I'll give you my bestest review!! -
    giraffmang: I wonder which "top ranked author" you are referring to? You haven't actually received many bad reviews. A couple of fours and a three (I read them).

    Critiquing is not a high priority on the site. It is more like feedback, and in a lot of quarters 'cheerleading'. There are some excellent reviewers out there if you can attract them to your work, but of course, people also have to be open to it as well... another skill that is frequently in demand.

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    ScarBundy: You're all misunderstanding me. I'm not complaining about people giving ME poor reviews. I'm complaining that some of the "top-ranked authors" have terrible grammar skills. I'm reading their writings and finding so many run-on sentences, misuse of commas, and misspelled words! They are getting "fluff" reviews that make them think what they are writing is grammatically good. -


ScarBundy: I just need to get this off my chest. I don't agree with leaving 4, 5, or 6 star ratings for things that have numerous spelling and grammatical errors. Regardless of how much you like the subject matter, if a piece of writing has a lot of errors, it is not worthy of a high rating.

Giving those high ratings to poorly constructed writings is going to cause the author to think they're writing well. That's enabling that person to continue writing without striving for improvement.

I fully support novice writers getting experience. But just because you enjoyed the subject of the story/chapter/poem doesn't mean it is without errors.

I'd like to see more reviews begin given based on the actual composition of the work, rather than just because it was written about horses and you love horses.

Rant over.
    janalma: I completely agree with you. Often those high ratings or contest votes are given because the author is liked or the voter feels sorry for them. This is an ongoing gripe with many folks on here. They call them fluff reviews and ratings. Goes on continually.
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    ScarBundy: It is SO frustrating! I came here for valid feedback, but I feel like I can't be accurately compared to so many of the other writers here... All some people do is write whatever comes out of their head. There's no organization, no editing. It's just raw thought and it doesn't translate into written text. I legitimately saw a contest entry littered with spelling and grammar errors being given SIX STARS!!! Oh, and when I reviewed it and gave it 2 stars for such errors, I was chewed out and told to re-read it because obviously I didn't read it right. -
    mrsmajor: If you are having serious difficulties, it might be a good idea to notify Tom...it seems you are a new member here, and I do agree from time to time, we may have a problem as you mentioned..but I have been on this site for 12 years, and I find the site offers more positive, then negative...Any unpleasant responses to your reviews ca be reported to Tom...we are not here to be insulted, and Tom does respond to our complaints... -
    janalma: This is as much a social site as a writing site. Probably the person who chewed you out thought he/she was a really good writer. Because.....everyone feels sorry for them because of their sad story told on here or because they are old and almost illiterate. I think that attitude is insulting and condescending. -


FanStory wrote to ScarBundy: Siberian Husky finished third in the contest "Witty animal 5-7-5 contest"