wrt posted responses

[Dixie]

hey ya'll,
i just wanted to take a minute to address something that has been irking me since i joined tf. maybe nobody else feels like this is an issue, but who cares.
i know some of ya'll sweep through the literature section and post "feedback" to people's work just so you can up your post count (come on now, don't lie to yourself). this wouldn't be a big deal (hey, i'd do it too if i was obsessed with reaching avatardom and the titty board), except that your responses are often really generic and curt. remember the kid in highschool that nobody had anything personal to say about, so everyone just wrote "have a great summer" in their yearbook? maybe you were that kid? anyway, these responses to people's work are often like that.
when people post their stuff, i think they're looking for honest, critical feedback so they can improve if they need to. if you don't like something, say why you don't like it, but if you do like something, say why you do like it. "nice work," "keep posting," and "good job" don't really count as feedback, you know?
i understand some people are busy, but don't post when you're too busy to write more than a two word response!
of course not everyone is doing this (and JRVA, i hope you don't think this is directed at you, your response to my stuff just reminded me that i wanted to say something about this problem). alright, i'll come down off my soapbox now, hope i didn't piss anybody off. thanks for your time, guys.
- Dixie

"He went blind and then, a few weeks later, he went dead, which is worse than blind 'cause your options decrease."
- Woody Allen "Hollywood Ending"

[Minx]

I often post just a short reply and I certainly am not trying to boost my post count by any means.

Sometimes I want to show that member that yes I did read it and appreciated it but I don't always have anything critical to say. I am reading the posts to enjoy the work - not write an essay afterwards. I don't think there is anything at all wrong with saying just "Nice work". I think personally I would be a little hurt if I posted something and received "x" number of views but no comments.

Just my opinion.

(And to those of you who post here just to up your count....shame on you!)

[vonstalhein]

J.R.V.A. Busy lad?

[Dixie]

certainly there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that you read something, but i think if you have any comments at all, positive or negative, then they should be voiced to help the writer.

[J.R.V.A.]

Well this is pretty funny. I achevied avator and titty board status long before I started posting responses to peoples work. In fact, I had that status at tf version 3, and it was just as of late by a constant bugging of a fellow tfp membaer that I put up an avator. I could not care lees how many posts I have, and I do not lie to myself. If this is not directed at me, why did you single me out? I post nice work and good stuff comments about peoples work because I want them to know I read and enjoy their stuff period. I am thankful whenever anyone posts in my thread, whether it be a simple word, or a long response. It lets me know someone reads and either enjoys, or hates my stuff. If you don't like a one or two word response, maybe you should put in your thread, " please don't respond unless you have something long, or meaningful, to say". Just an idea, I don't know if that will work or not. If my responses don't really count as feedback, maybe the moderators will reduce my post count, if they would like to do that, I really don't mind. I do enjoy reading your stuff, and that of others. I am sorry I offened you by posting such a short comment, and if there is anyone else that doesnt like short responses, plese feel free to pm me and I will not post any more in their threads. I remember the kid in high school that only got a have a nice summer line, and I remember him smiling because someone actually took the time to write in his book.
Von, I don't know what you meant about busy lad?, But if it was a dig, sorry, I missed it, if it was a compliment, thanks

[Dixie]

oh, come on guys, i'm not picking fights. i'm only reporting my personal feelings and apparently i stand alone on this point. ofcourse i appreciate any feedback, but i guess i feel like the reason i post my stuff is to get better because i value ya'lls opinions, so i'm looking for more detailed responses so i can improve, no need for ya'll to get all hot under the collar. nothin' but love kids.

[torgone]

When I post a response in this forum, I make a deliberate effort to be terse. I am not a writer or critic, so if I tried to analyze someone's writing it would only be a load of crap. Plus, I will not hijack someone else's thread with my long-winded blathering. I have had to edit myself sometimes after a little thought, when I felt I was trying to say too much. I enjoy good writing, and I feel my only proper response is to acknowledge that the words affect me, that I had some connection to what the writer was communicating. If someone takes the time to read your words (which are excellent by the way) and post a brief reply, take it as a complement. Many will read you and only be able to say "This is good." Only a select few will be able to offer actual useful literary criticism. But a lot of people saying only "This is good" is still validation.

[Minx]

Originally posted by J.R.V.A.
I remember the kid in high school that only got a have a nice summer line, and I remember him smiling because someone actually took the time to write in his book.

Good point!

* oooops.....I think that was to "short"

Just teasing you Dixie but I agree with the others....if you want a deep and meaningful reply to your work - maybe say that at the start of each of your pieces. *shrug*

I think we are all big kids - we can play nice, right?!

[Dixie]

yes, ofcourse, minx. nothing but love, darlin'. and it was only an opinion anyway. hell, i need to be shot down every once in awhile.

[torgone]

Dixie,
I have actually thought about this a bit since testerday, and sometimes a more in-depth discussion may be appropriate. Maybe, as Minx said, you could trigger that in your post by asking some questions or offering a critical thought and asking others' opinions. Just a thought. Please continue writing and posting.

[feelgood]

Dixie, I think Halx mentioned in his rules that once a user reaches a certain number of post counts or level whichever, he would go through some of that user's posting to see if he/she has been posting meaningful posts as opposited to short ones like you mentioned.

*Edit: Whoops, mispelt Halx's name. Thanks redravin40 for pointing that out

[redravin40]

Originally posted by feelgood
Dixie, I think Halo mentioned in his rules that once a user reaches a certain number of post counts or level whichever, he would go through some of that user's posting to see if he/she has been posting meaningful posts as opposited to short ones like you mentioned.

Not to make a big deal out of something that I'm sure was a type but the bosses name is Halx.
Halo is a great guy but he don't run things.

As to the subject, I think whatever someone wants to say has value.
I haven't seen a problem with people spamming Lit. so that isn't a problem.

[riptide4070]

I agree with you Dixie but it is nice to just know that people read some of my work. "Nice job" is good enough for me. I don't like expressing what I feel when I read some stuff because I feel a lot with some poems and don't know how to tell someone I don't know how I felt.