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Critiques and Opinions
By
Grampa Pogi
| Posted:
16 July 2009
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I'm fairly new to this forum (a novice writer at that) and most of the time, I would rather keep my opinions to myself because a novice writer should refrain from giving advice. I had expressed this sentiment earlier and each time I break it, I shudder because some people may not take it as an advice but an affront to their erudition. However, I found some items from other sites that are helpful (at least for me) and I would tend to share it. In addition, whatever little knowledge I had gleaned from other sites would definitely help some of us. This is why we are all here to learn and comment on each other's amateur work. I am. I didn't expect Grisham and Clancy lurking around :-).
That said, I noticed something peculiar on this site. I wouldn't rate an ugly kudo unless I put a comment, why I think it was bad, ugly or it really stunk. A kudo of 'Good' to 'Fantastic' may not require an explanation but still, it would sure help the writer a lot. I don't know, perhaps the web managers would look into this; that a kudo may require a comment and vice versa. Some people would rate a "kudo" of a "not-so-good" or "better', yet won't say why he/she thinks so. I think this is bloody ignorant (excuse my Filipino :-). It doesn't help the writer in any way, shape or form. I'd rather see an honest and polite (or even a downright rude or impolite) comment without a kudo than a good or bad kudo without a comment, especially when there are more kudo ratings than the number of comments.
There's another I would like to point out. You are a writer and you'd like to think so. (We all do). I have a problem critiquing or answering someone's query or making a comment (welcomed or otherwise) if I don't see his or her personal description even if it was only a tiny blurb like 'cops hate me so I started writing' or 'I don't like comments from non-English writers' or 'I write therefore I stink'. Perhaps, just put anything, something, in your personal profile so that it may encourage some of us to write or not to write a reply or a comment. Sometimes, I would think real hard and would think twice or thrice before posting a comment or an advice on someone who had written a 'writing guide' (which I have yet to receive :-). It would be like a pre-schooler teaching a professor.
Critiquing or writing a comment on someone's work is very personal and sending one to someone you know nothing about is akin to talking to the unknown fellow in the next toilet stall in a public washroom, with other people milling around, telling him his shit stinks :-).
Let's not hide behind a keyboard.
All articles on this website by
Grampa Pogi are copyright ©Grampa Pogi and should not be reproduced
without the author's prior written consent. All opinions are the opinions of their
respective authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Writers' Circle.
| Comments | |
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Grampa Pogi, you've raised some very good point. Couldn't agree with you more. BTW, do you (or anyone) know how the"kudos" work? We can only vote on a scale of 1 to 5, so how can a single vote end up in decimals? I've voted on some articles and then found that the score I gave was reduced to some low decimals. How does it work, really?
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Hi BobChoi,
I believe if you click on Carl's link (he's the founder), you'd be able to see a complete explanation of how the kudos work. Thanks.
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That's something I've always thought about, Grampa Pogi. I too am a novice writer, and I want to improve, so I need comments form people. Kudos can help too, but just giving me a kudo without a comment is very rude and ignorant indeed. Like I checked my poem "The World of Autism and Neurotypicality" (like to write poems about autism since I'm autistic), only to find out I had a "not so good kudo" without a comment. It made feel sad not only because the person didn't type me a comment, but also because it implies to me the person hates autistic people or ignorant of autistic people. T-T Made me so mad that day that people still think that people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome are disease ridden people needing to be cured. Saying that implies to me that God made me a flawed human being inferior to the majority (sorry if I'm using any jargon here.)
Sometimes when people do that I go to tears. But like you, I really hesitate giving a critique to a proffessional because it's like the horse training the rider; however, sometimes we must critique to build relationships and improve our writing skills.
That's all I have to say.
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Grampa Pogi,
Your comment rings true.
I joined the writers circle less than a week ago.
So far the only people to have spoken/commented are
Bobchoi and your good self.
Though my story has over 100 readers I have no other feedback.
I don't know if it's good or bad, liked or hated.
What type of person likes my stories - Male/Female, old or young and it doesn't promote me to post more.
I fortunately write because I like it.
I don't usually look for feedback, I have friends who read my work and all like it, though I guess this is taken with a pinch of salt as I do make them coffee and if they stand close I can punch them :D
Friends don't like to offer bad feedback and that's fair enough.
Writers should.
I do agree that it wouldn't be right for a novice to correct someone's work, a simple "I liked it" or "It lacked story for me" etc would be acceptable at least to start the conversations that can follow.
I don't know how many people are registered with the site but it does surprise me that there is so little feedback and kudos given.
Tell me and I will listen
Show me and I will watch
Involve me and I will understand.
Bring it on, we can take it.
Honest.
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I don't bother with the kudos, I just give good and honest feedback
(the kind I want to receive on my work).
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Hi
I'm new to the forum and haven't had chance to alter my profile yet, but reading your comments I'll make that my next stop :-)
Just a couple of thoughts:
I'm not an established or experienced writer, but don't feel the need to hold back on commenting on anyone's writing. I know that sounds conceited, but here's my reasoning. Even if I was, I would still want to know what other writers and more importantly, readers, think. Writers often make the most thoughtful and helpful readers, and if everyone holds back out of respect, or because they're unsure of their status compared to others, no one will get any useful feedback.
So whatever your own experience level, if you have a thought about or comment to make on something you read, make it known. That way we all win, so long as you remain polite and constructive.
We all like to get feedback, but as you say making comment can seem very personal, especially if it's perceived as negative. And often it's the person making the comment who might be more sensitive to this than the one receiving it. Yes, it's great to get a high kudos rating and even better to get flattering comments, but the things that help us improve are the constructive criticisms. Even if they're accompanied by lower scores.
I know it can hurt to get a low rating and no explanation, bit even the reader who rates you low with no comment (who maybe doesn't want to upset you with the reasons why they didn't like a particular piece) gives you more information than the reader who gets half way through, hits the back button and doesn't even give you a rating.
So maybe it's not all that pleasant, but it's not necessarily rude or ignorant, just not as pleasant as a great review.
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This is a really good post if you ask me. A "real" writer wants to know if his/her works is being interpreted properly. I would NEVER want to publish or post anything that needs more prep. However, I am still very new at the whole novelist thing myself, so advice is most important to me. In fact, it's one of the most important things any artist of any sort can appreciate.
I hope to get a lot of reviews and constructive criticisim on this site, whether good or bad. I am grown and I can handle it!!
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Grampa pog we all put our work up for inspection and hope that it will attract feed back. I sometimes start to read someones work and find its not my cup of tea and dont really have a coment and will always give a kudo mark. I apoligise to those I may have insulted.
I do however think those who take the time to coment are helping to keep us all writing. From this article I have learned a lesson in future will make an effort to make coments.
many thanks for giving me a kick up the backside
mature gent
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Hey there
I find comments more helpful than kudos, but often people will be more truthful in their kudos. I still like getting good kudos though : )
Audrey
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Good point, Grampa!
Rating an article badly without a reason is nonsense.
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Kudos
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From 3 votes
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Total posts: 659
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Roles:
Writer
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Scarborough, CANADA
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Retired System Engineer, Filipino-Canadian, born in Manila, educated at San Sebastian College, University of the Philippines and various schools in Canada. Previous careers: Cartographer / Graphic ... (Read more)
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