Of FFs, Comments and PMs - Page 3

Originally posted by: madmaxine

Let me also say something I should have said in my earlier post. I enjoy the forum way more than I enjoy the show. And the reason is that it's filled with wonderful, funny, creative writers. So, kudos to everyone out there who make my life better every single day.

Cheers!

Vidhya

Originally posted by: madmaxine

I've read some of the responses and I feel compelled to say something.

Let's examine this issue objectively. In the last month or so (this seems to be a recent development) I've seen several of these "threats" being delivered. In my opinion, they accomplish nothing except maybe reducing the time it takes you to PM people. (which I know can be a significant saver!) But I'd like to hear if anyone has actually seen an upsurge in comments in response to a threat? That'd be something. And if it has happened..in all probability, its temporary. You can't scare people into doing what you want them to do. Not in real life and definitely not in an online forum where everyone is cloaked in anonymity.

Look, let me make a practical suggestion to all the writers out there frustrated with the lack of comments. (And you have every right to be frustrated..I understand how mind numbing the pm-ing process is!) Simply delete the people you haven't seen commenting. You may ask people to unbuddy you. 90% chance it ain't gonna happen. Because face it. People are lazy as hell. (primary example...me!) So, if you want to make life easier for yourself, take action. Delivering a threat accomplishes nothing. Real life example. My Mom used to insist on my drinking milk every morning when I was a child. I hated milk. I would wait for an opportune moment and spill it every single effing day. (yeah...I was a wicked baby). End result: Nothing. My Mom would bring another glass of milk and make me choke it down. Moral of this long story: Nothing changes in response to an expression of frustration.

But let me end by saying this. Ultimately this is an online forum where we come to have some fun and blow steam off. If you're that teed off about it...say something about it. Its your forum as much as it is mine and you can say exactly what you like. I'll respect your right to do that. All I'm saying is, don't expect results from it.

Let me also say something I should have said in my earlier post. I enjoy the forum way more than I enjoy the show. And the reason is that it's filled with wonderful, funny, creative writers. So, kudos to everyone out there who make my life better every single day.

Cheers!

Vidhya

@bold: absolutely. The writing on the forum is the reason I keep coming back to it. Now if only the unpleasant aspects would go away!

Originally posted by: tangam

ha Vidhya you beat me to it actually came back to say the above . I infact started watching the show because of the fiction it inspired...intrigued I watched the show...there are days that I actually dont watch but continue to read...and there are authers that I simply keep an eye out for and most of the time randomly score thru the forum for anything new to read when I have the time...so saying I luv all you creative people on the forum not just the writing I have great respect for the VM makers (a complete enigma for me)...and now I have found certain comfort in some posts (again landmarks of amazing writing) to argue the toss in...

So saying I think it is unnecessary to give ultimatums if the pming is cumbersome and you are not getting results with it simply do away with it at the end a single heartfelt comment is far greater than millionse forced and vomited...

@bold: I wish I had written those lines. Well said, Tangam.

Originally posted by: AquaBluez17

You know you could just stop reading and take the people who add you on purpose off of your pm list

I mean no offense or anything but they way the post has been worded makes a writer, any writer, feel that they have to judge their own writing...

I don't think its fair to say that people who " can't string a sentence of two together" are considered bad writers and even if they are, it's not fair at all to be labeling them as such.

Main point I feel, as a person with self rights and hopefully one who can string her words together in a way which is understandable, labeling someone in such a harsh manor is completely degrading the person; even more so than their requests for people to comment.

Not to be rude, I just feel that if someone has a problem with people asking for comments, then simply delete them. Make their lives easy. Make your life easy.

@bold: I can delete them from my PMs, but can I delete their fiction posts?

The point here is not just being pinged with unwanted PMs, it is also the writers' attitude that threats would get comments. Sometimes when I see those lines at the bottom of a post, I lose the will to comment altogether.

This is the real world--- a plumber is supposed to be able to fix pipes, a carpenter to cut and shape wood, a cook able to know his or her spices.

I don't know why it is rude to say that a 'writer' who does not know the basics of writing--grammar and spelling, should not continue to be called a writer.

Writing is not some fancy la-la land, it doesn't just fall from the sky---people who write put serious effort into it. If some people don't feel the need to learn the basics of writing, why should'nt anyone point that out?

Look at some of the best fiction in the forum and the blogs--- there isn't a single error of spelling or grammar, there is excellent diction, characterization (sticking with the voice of the characters in the show or otherwise) , plotting--in fact not just good English, but also good story-craft. That take a lot of practice---talent is seriously overrated.

I'm not being rude, just practical--- every writer should judge himself or herself--- otherwise why write? And then threaten action against lack of comments?

And no, I'm not labeling someone in a "harsh manor"!

Originally posted by: Neemsundari

: I'm just saying that writers need to enjoy their writing enough not to have to threaten their readers

Originally posted by: Neemsundari

@bold: I can delete them from my PMs, but can I delete their fiction posts?

The point here is not just being pinged with unwanted PMs, it is also the writers' attitude that threats would get comments. Sometimes when I see those lines at the bottom of a post, I lose the will to comment altogether.

This is the real world--- a plumber is supposed to be able to fix pipes, a carpenter to cut and shape wood, a cook able to know his or her spices.

I don't know why it is rude to say that a 'writer' who does not know the basics of writing--grammar and spelling, should not continue to be called a writer.

Writing is not some fancy la-la land, it doesn't just fall from the sky---people who write put serious effort into it. If some people don't feel the need to learn the basics of writing, why should'nt anyone point that out?

Look at some of the best fiction in the forum and the blogs--- there isn't a single error of spelling or grammar, there is excellent diction, characterization (sticking with the voice of the characters in the show or otherwise) , plotting--in fact not just good English, but also good story-craft. That take a lot of practice---talent is seriously overrated.

I'm not being rude, just practical--- every writer should judge himself or herself--- otherwise why write? And then threaten action against lack of comments?

And no, I'm not labeling someone in a "harsh manor"!

I agree with ya 200%.. I am writer myself.. I am an occasional commenter sometimes...but hell I do comment... To all the current.. and future writers... ur readers are the main source of ur FF being read.. they are ur audience.. and threatening them will not result in a good outcome.. .. u write because u love to write.. like me.. I don't expect...them to comment every time...just knowing that my work is being read and appreciated... brings joy to my heart..

Great post dear.. and yes.. I do agree.. some of FF's writers are amazingly talented and Love reading their stories...

Lastly, Kudos to all the writers.. ... because sometime.. coming home from hectic.. day and finding PM's from the wonderful FF's we have in the forum and reading their stories just takes the day's stress away!!!

Vika

Absolutely true. . .
It totally amuses me too, when Im threatened I'd be unbuddied if I didn't comment for the FFs that I never read. Especially when I wouldn't have asked for those PMs in the first place!! :)

That being said, I remember reading your comments on my FF... So I thank you for thinking my work was worth your commenting.. :-D

Excellent post!! :-)

Edited

Oh, it isn't your comments that I read. . . Neither do i pm you. . . So it ain't an issue with me!! B-)

But coming to a writer's point of view, after reading soumi's reply, i think she's right, you know?

Originally posted by: -_-harsh42

Absolutely true. . .
It totally amuses me too, when Im threatened I'd be unbuddied if I didn't comment for the FFs that I never read. Especially when I wouldn't have asked for those PMs in the first place!! :)

That being said, I remember reading your comments on my FF... So I thank you for thinking my work was worth your commenting.. :-D

Excellent post!! :-)

Originally posted by: vikaluvsmish

I agree with ya 200%.. I am writer myself.. I am an occasional commenter sometimes...but hell I do comment... To all the current.. and future writers... ur readers are the main source of ur FF being read.. they are ur audience.. and threatening them will not result in a good outcome.. .. u write because u love to write.. like me.. I don't expect...them to comment every time...just knowing that my work is being read and appreciated... brings joy to my heart..

Great post dear.. and yes.. I do agree.. some of FF's writers are amazingly talented and Love reading their stories...

Lastly, Kudos to all the writers.. ... because sometime.. coming home from hectic.. day and finding PM's from the wonderful FF's we have in the forum and reading their stories just takes the day's stress away!!!

Vika

@bold 👏