Greetings to all the writers here. Yeah, I'm not new on this site. If you have some spare time, maybe you could read my new story. Its entitled "Rose Garden", a short story.
Why, is a comment a necessity? I didn't even ask any of you to leave a comment on any of my writings. I just ask you to read. And yes, I read other writings in this site too. But I don't leave a comment. Why? A comment will not increase the value of a piece.
Commenting isn't simply about increasing value, it's about offering feedback and appreciation for the piece. It's nice to receive comments and it's great to give them too. You should give it a go!
He didn't ask for feedback... he asked people to read it. Nothing wrong with that. Under my original guise as paulgreco, I asked for feedback on some stuff I wrote on my first visit here ten years ago. The stuff wasn't great but I got people's attention, enough encouragement that I had "something" - so I carried on trying, then started to get cherries and some recognition. Soon I had enough confidence to send pieces out and got rewarded with a couple of magazine pittances. So nobody will convince me you shouldn't be cap in handy. If you think people are being and you can't be doing with them, just ignore them. I wouldn't bang on about it. Sites are intimidating enough without someone telling you off.
I didn't accuse you of being intimidating Richard - read my comment again - but I did say you told him off. Whether you think you did or not, it would have felt a hell of a lot like a telling off. My point is, 1) this guy did not ask for feedback, just pointed people in the direction of a story which, like so many, was probably getting lost in the reams of stuff that gets posted here 2) to my knowledge this guy hasn't self-promoted before so why the need to push the old "you comment first then we'll think about it" chestnut? If someone constantly asked for attention without contributing and - certainly - if that someone started getting @rsey if they didn't get attention, THEN it may be time for a word in the shell-like. At this stage, I'm afraid, I just don't buy the need to ram site ethics down someone's throat.. especially when those ethics have always been hotly disputed in the first place. On his piece, someone else started saying something like, "This is not the best way to get feedback" directly before GIVING HIM FEEDBACK. Some people just cannot help themselves from blurting this gripe the second someone dares to point to themselves. I think, in this swamp of text, everyone is entitled to flag up their own work once. If they start to take the piss, then's the time to start drumming home site policy, IMO. I'm glad you like my work, thanks. But I wouldn't be posting it here if I'd have copped your tut-tutting when I first gingerly asked for attention all those years ago. I'd have left.
Okay, I probably made too much of that.. apologies. I am not back here to fall out with people. I'm as sensitive as writers get and I find it impossible to hold my tongue on stuff like this that makes me feel uncomfortable. I think I lived up to my name and did not get out of order.. just made a valid point. But enough tut for tut. Point made and I get where you're coming from.. I just believe in a more generous approach to arm wavers. Having been one myself. Don't be afraid to get involved in anything though. Your arguments are just as valid as mine. Nobody "won". What's to regret?
Thank you lads. This is such a touching moment. I can feel my eyes watering with the sheer joy of seeing my brothers kiss, sort of, and making up. Does anyone else feel a group hug coming on? No? Probably just me then. Ah well, all's well that ends well.
Ho ho. I'll do a hug. Just me and Richard, mind. Not sharing it with anyone else. Don't do group hugs: slippery slope.. before you know it, we'll be dogging. It's a gateway hug.
Nemo vir est qui mundum non reddat meliorem
Nemo vir est qui mundum non reddat meliorem