Advice to New Fanstorians
Viewing comments for Chapter 1 "Reviewing for New Fanstorians"Tips and advice for the new members
50 total reviews
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Helen,
I remember my first couple of weeks here on FanStory. Talk about an up and down series of confusion and emotions. I was fanned, then muted... copped a spray from another writer who I later found out to be the partner of the mutee. I had handed said mutee a four rating, as I was following what I thought to be the rules of engagement... and of course I was a green-horn who probably didn't understand. Something good did come out of it though. No the mutee didn't un-mute me, but her partner, fanned me and became a good ally and ushered me into a greater understanding of not only how the site worked, but in the different techniques of writing free verse and using metaphors etc.
As for the reviewing and my style... I have none... no formula, no strategy... I can't even tell what I'm going to write, or how I will react to what I've read. And the money part this time around is second place on my list. I really don't care, but in saying that I do have a real affinity to the excitement I receive when I get a bonus members pump. I guess that's why I am not loaded when it comes to my members dollars... and yeah, that, and I take an eternity to write one review. Which of course you already know.
Well, enough about me. This is, and should be about you, what you've written... and most of all how it was relayed. As usual Helen, you have a wonderful skill of word economy. You say what is needed and omit that which is fill in...white noise so to speak... while on the other hand I seem to bathe in with my long-winded my replies.
I guess if I had to go with one thing that stands out, it's the obvious intelligence that shines through in way and you write. I find your writing to be very thoughtfully considered and always entertaining.
Will this wonderfully written essay help me? Oh wise one, there is always something to garnish that will be helpful to anyone, yes, even if that someone isn't a newbie.
And yes, without fail... the promotion of yet another fellow FanStorian writer... this time the most talented Gloria. Trade Mark Lyenocka!
Good to see you mixing it up... this write the promotion started the conversation. (Smile.)
With our thoughts we create...
avenues of hope.
Warmest regards,
James.
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Hi Helen,
I remember my first couple of weeks here on FanStory. Talk about an up and down series of confusion and emotions. I was fanned, then muted... copped a spray from another writer who I later found out to be the partner of the mutee. I had handed said mutee a four rating, as I was following what I thought to be the rules of engagement... and of course I was a green-horn who probably didn't understand. Something good did come out of it though. No the mutee didn't un-mute me, but her partner, fanned me and became a good ally and ushered me into a greater understanding of not only how the site worked, but in the different techniques of writing free verse and using metaphors etc.
As for the reviewing and my style... I have none... no formula, no strategy... I can't even tell what I'm going to write, or how I will react to what I've read. And the money part this time around is second place on my list. I really don't care, but in saying that I do have a real affinity to the excitement I receive when I get a bonus members pump. I guess that's why I am not loaded when it comes to my members dollars... and yeah, that, and I take an eternity to write one review. Which of course you already know.
Well, enough about me. This is, and should be about you, what you've written... and most of all how it was relayed. As usual Helen, you have a wonderful skill of word economy. You say what is needed and omit that which is fill in...white noise so to speak... while on the other hand I seem to bathe in with my long-winded my replies.
I guess if I had to go with one thing that stands out, it's the obvious intelligence that shines through in way and you write. I find your writing to be very thoughtfully considered and always entertaining.
Will this wonderfully written essay help me? Oh wise one, there is always something to garnish that will be helpful to anyone, yes, even if that someone isn't a newbie.
And yes, without fail... the promotion of yet another fellow FanStorian writer... this time the most talented Gloria. Trade Mark Lyenocka!
Good to see you mixing it up... this write the promotion started the conversation. (Smile.)
With our thoughts we create...
avenues of hope.
Warmest regards,
James.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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As always, you always build me up with your reviews and I'm so blessed by your kind words, James! And yes, Gloria is such a talented poet and when I see that she doesn't play the ranking game, it tells me it's that real talent isn't marked by numbers. I remember reading her posts to help newbies and found it helpful. Each person will focus on a different aspect of Fanstory, so I hope you add your chapter if you are inspired - like what are the real reasons for muting! Ah, the ego. Sigh. Hugs!!
Comment from damommy
You are a great reviewer. I know what you mean about being overwhelmed with so much reviewing. It can take up a lot of time every day, and little time to do chores or errands. I always appreciate an honest review, even constructive criticism. I don't always post high because I get a lot of review that don't say anything and just want the payout.
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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You are a great reviewer. I know what you mean about being overwhelmed with so much reviewing. It can take up a lot of time every day, and little time to do chores or errands. I always appreciate an honest review, even constructive criticism. I don't always post high because I get a lot of review that don't say anything and just want the payout.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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I agree with your strategy. I don't like promoting high because then I hear from people who don't know me and really are not interested in the post. Thanks so much, Yvonne! I always appreciate your reivews! Hugs!
Comment from Sugarray77
I enjoyed reading your essay and liked the varied recommendations, insights and tips that you included in it. It is fun to be on FS and to review others as well as to receive reviews. The friendships are what I like best. Thanks for this informative work, Helen. Hugs!
Melissa
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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I enjoyed reading your essay and liked the varied recommendations, insights and tips that you included in it. It is fun to be on FS and to review others as well as to receive reviews. The friendships are what I like best. Thanks for this informative work, Helen. Hugs!
Melissa
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Yes, I agree! And you developed more friendships through Jim's class where you got to interact with people more. Thanks for reviewing! Hugs!
Comment from Sally Law
Well, you learn something new every day! First, and most alarmingly, how did I not know you majored in Russian literature? News flash burn. I think my eyes were scalded as well as my brain! I knew you were smart, but good heavens, girlfriend. This was new news to me.
I really appreciate the wonderful advice on reviewing other's work. I do notice a pattern with those in my fan base and when they typically post. I don't mind at all if some can't afford to pump their work, but that's how I earn my cashola too, so I must balance the budget, so to speak. There's some really superb writing on the 2 cent line though.
I review my inbox first. I always have. They're the ones I have a relationship with and trust the most. Since I'm blind, this is really important to me. A cruel review or over reaching critique, like one un-gentleman gave me last year was so ridiculous and so uncalled for, it bummer me for weeks. He didn't like the font I used or capitalized letters, so he gave me a three. It was a blind post, and I had five sixes and came in second place in the contest. That's kind of stuff makes me retreat from blind contests and from reviewing new people. I usually wait and watch before jumping in. Naturally, I've become more cautious.
I like to know who I'm dealing with too. This is important because real relationships are based on connections, even if it's just back and forth in a review.
Thank you so much for the great advice and for being such a stellar role model us here on Fabulous FanStory.
Sal XOs
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Well, you learn something new every day! First, and most alarmingly, how did I not know you majored in Russian literature? News flash burn. I think my eyes were scalded as well as my brain! I knew you were smart, but good heavens, girlfriend. This was new news to me.
I really appreciate the wonderful advice on reviewing other's work. I do notice a pattern with those in my fan base and when they typically post. I don't mind at all if some can't afford to pump their work, but that's how I earn my cashola too, so I must balance the budget, so to speak. There's some really superb writing on the 2 cent line though.
I review my inbox first. I always have. They're the ones I have a relationship with and trust the most. Since I'm blind, this is really important to me. A cruel review or over reaching critique, like one un-gentleman gave me last year was so ridiculous and so uncalled for, it bummer me for weeks. He didn't like the font I used or capitalized letters, so he gave me a three. It was a blind post, and I had five sixes and came in second place in the contest. That's kind of stuff makes me retreat from blind contests and from reviewing new people. I usually wait and watch before jumping in. Naturally, I've become more cautious.
I like to know who I'm dealing with too. This is important because real relationships are based on connections, even if it's just back and forth in a review.
Thank you so much for the great advice and for being such a stellar role model us here on Fabulous FanStory.
Sal XOs
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much, Sally! You do a spectacular job here and I'm glad you share with all of us! And you do it in spite of your vision issues - like Ginger Rogers doing all of Fred's moves but on stilts! Lol.
Anyway, thank you for the lovely review and if you have some words of advice to newbies (like not rating someone low because you didn't like the font! Sheesh! I think my worst rating was a one star and the comment was "meh." ) You really can't take that kind of review seriously. Hugs!
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You're so very kind. I like that, Ginger Rogers with the moves! Love you, dear. Thanks, again! Sal xoxo's
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💖💖💖
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Helen, I am so slow learning the ropes here, much to my disadvantage at times. Any assistance given like yours is greatly appreciated although why the site owners themselves can't provide more transparent information is beyond me. I dropped an absolute clanger at the end of the year by posting on Sunday. Though very favourably received, of course it all counts for nothing this year. I'm now completely stunned by the mad scramble to post anything and everything at the moment! What it must be costing is nobody's business. It took me until about 3 months in last year to appreciate the value of posting on Sunday (and that was through the lovely Mike of Walkerman). But thanks, Helen, for your welcome input in this post. Although I'm not quite a newbie, I'm as good as:( Debbie
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Helen, I am so slow learning the ropes here, much to my disadvantage at times. Any assistance given like yours is greatly appreciated although why the site owners themselves can't provide more transparent information is beyond me. I dropped an absolute clanger at the end of the year by posting on Sunday. Though very favourably received, of course it all counts for nothing this year. I'm now completely stunned by the mad scramble to post anything and everything at the moment! What it must be costing is nobody's business. It took me until about 3 months in last year to appreciate the value of posting on Sunday (and that was through the lovely Mike of Walkerman). But thanks, Helen, for your welcome input in this post. Although I'm not quite a newbie, I'm as good as:( Debbie
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Oh, Debbie! You are a super reviewer and wonderful poet! Very few members ever climbed the ranks as fast as you did. You knew how to review and promote which I didn't do until after a year of being here. Still I'm rather gun shy and won't promote high because I don't want to be reviewed only because of the promotion $$. So keep up what you're doing. Don't worry about the frenzy at the beginning of the year when people want to get their ranking. I think it's best to just keep a normal pace throughout so your fans know what to expect. Hugs!
Comment from Ric Myworld
It's always nice when hints are shared to help writers new to the site since it can be a daunting process in the beginning. Had it not been for a few, I'd have never made it past the first week or so. Thanks for sharing. Wish I had a six.
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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It's always nice when hints are shared to help writers new to the site since it can be a daunting process in the beginning. Had it not been for a few, I'd have never made it past the first week or so. Thanks for sharing. Wish I had a six.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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Thank you so much, Ric! I'm sure you could share some of those things you learned that first week! Appreciate you!
Hugs!
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I shared them years ago when Gayle (Showboat- who owned G&J Publishing) asked me to add a chapter to her book. I barely knew a noun from a verb, but I couldn't refuse her. So, I wrote "Reasons to do the Write thing." I'd be afraid to go back and read it now. LOL. Hugs back at you!
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I found it and saw that I had already reviewed it! But in this reading, I found a sentence that I didn't understand. So I updated that review!
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You can always find something impossible to understand in whatever I write. And especially way back then. LOL.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this with us. I started in 2008 and wish I had something like this to help me get started. I did recognize myself in your list. I'm number 3. LOL I think I'm going to change that in about the 24th. I think I'm going to begin my new novel, but only post it maybe every other week until I finish this one sometime in the spring. We'll see if I can keep it up.
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Thank you for sharing this with us. I started in 2008 and wish I had something like this to help me get started. I did recognize myself in your list. I'm number 3. LOL I think I'm going to change that in about the 24th. I think I'm going to begin my new novel, but only post it maybe every other week until I finish this one sometime in the spring. We'll see if I can keep it up.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2024
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Yes, thank you for being faithful and predictable! Appreciate your very sane way of dealing with the posting level and of course, we all love your reviews!
Hugs!
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
I found this very interesting and helpful. I must admit that after years of grading papers from students who couldn't write well or didn't make the effort to learn how to correct their mistakes or just didn't have anything interesting to say, I decided I'd spent long enough at that. Also, I decided that I didn't want to hurt feelings, so, given the limited time I have to "play" on FanStory, I would seek good writers to review. I hope that's not too selfish, but FanStory is my pleasure time.
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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I found this very interesting and helpful. I must admit that after years of grading papers from students who couldn't write well or didn't make the effort to learn how to correct their mistakes or just didn't have anything interesting to say, I decided I'd spent long enough at that. Also, I decided that I didn't want to hurt feelings, so, given the limited time I have to "play" on FanStory, I would seek good writers to review. I hope that's not too selfish, but FanStory is my pleasure time.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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Thank you, Verna! You have such a wise approach. If we want to just enjoy writing and reading, it's better not to stress over the rating thing. Hugs!
Comment from John Ciarmello
I'm not sure what category I fall into with my posts, but I can tell you that I'm an inbox junkie and try to satisfy that first.
After I've covered that, I'll go to the poems, stories, and chapters and see if I missed anyone. Then, it's off to the following categories to check on the upcoming talent and perhaps to make a new friend here and there.
Hey! It's a plan! And like you, I'm such a creature of habit.
Thanks for posting this, Helen. I'm not a newbie, but I've learned a little from this. Best, JohnC
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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I'm not sure what category I fall into with my posts, but I can tell you that I'm an inbox junkie and try to satisfy that first.
After I've covered that, I'll go to the poems, stories, and chapters and see if I missed anyone. Then, it's off to the following categories to check on the upcoming talent and perhaps to make a new friend here and there.
Hey! It's a plan! And like you, I'm such a creature of habit.
Thanks for posting this, Helen. I'm not a newbie, but I've learned a little from this. Best, JohnC
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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I like that "inbox junkie". And I know you know some key info that you can share. I'm glad you make time to make new friends! I haven't had time to do that. Appreciate your review, JohnC!
Hugs!
Comment from Mrs. KT
Goodness, Helen!
You have certainly mapped out interesting strategies regarding reviewing on FanStory!
I just read what I like - whether it's posted on the Welcome Page, "Up Next," or I receive a message from one of my fans regarding a new post.
Smiled at the titles you have rendered upon your 5 noted promoters.
Thank you for sharing!
diane
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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Goodness, Helen!
You have certainly mapped out interesting strategies regarding reviewing on FanStory!
I just read what I like - whether it's posted on the Welcome Page, "Up Next," or I receive a message from one of my fans regarding a new post.
Smiled at the titles you have rendered upon your 5 noted promoters.
Thank you for sharing!
diane
Comment Written 11-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 12-Jan-2024
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Ah, I like that you call it the "Welcome Page" as my term of "Front Page' confused people. I'm pretty sure that's what Robyn called it. Where is that gal? Thanks so much, Diane!
Hugs!