Cherries

Is it something that could be considered? :-)

Wed, 2010-06-30 11:28

#3

Insertponceyfre...

I think they quite often do Auntie-Ann, it's just not always clear who the cherry pickers are, apart from Tony.

Wed, 2010-06-30 11:45

#4

I do try and leave a note when I can - but it is a long business and it does take time so writing notes on every one would be even more onerous. I will ask the other Eds if they would like to be identified and then they can be more open about leaving notes and the like!

Wed, 2010-06-30 11:51

#5

I've read some without any comments at all... I am just interested in what makes these stories stand out. Everyone has a different take on the same piece and it is all down to taste but it would still be good to know. You are right, I don't know who the cherry pickers are and if they commented I might not know. Maybe a sentence beginning with "This was cherry picked because it is... (thought provoking, funny, cleverly written, emotional, or whatever)" :-)

Wed, 2010-06-30 11:59

#6

Thanks Tony. I appreciate it takes time to read people's work and writing a note is time consuming. It only needs a simple sentence though... It doesn't have to be in depth!

Wed, 2010-06-30 17:56

#7

Fair comment - I'll try and do it!

Wed, 2010-06-30 18:43

#8

What a star! :-) xx

Thu, 2010-07-01 11:09

#9

rjnewlyn

I suspect it really would be rather a lot of work on their part - harder to explain why you like something (apart from a variety of words which all reflect a gut feeling and could end up sounding a little crass). Easier, I would have thought, to comment on the ones that nearly made it, but not quite, to explain why (and more helpful for the writers). And the anonymity aspect is a good thing, I think (assuming the Eds are also contributors and don't want a lot of fawning comments about their own posts).

Thu, 2010-07-01 12:14

#10

I don't understand why it would be a lot of work for them to write a sentence or two about what they liked in a story, but not a lot of work for them to comment on work that didn't make it!? Surely they take the same time and effort! I'd say it is easier and quicker to say something positive, than it is to try and work out a polite way to play the critic to other people's work without upsetting them! I'm sure that some writers do like to know what they're doing wrong, but more importantly they like to know what to aim for! I'd like to think that the people who use this site are not so shallow as to fawn! If the Eds are writing here it is doubtful that they would cherry pick their own work, so it has little to do with my request. The Eds are not fools and I'm sure that they only cherry pick on merit alone, and not on how nice someone is to them. If this were not the case then this site would be pointless! There are also some people who just want to share their work without it being judged, (for therapeutic benefits perhaps). Those people will care very little about people's opinions of their work, so the comments won't really be worth the effort! A few words about what stands out in a piece would be far more beneficial than fault-finding, and I don't think the Eds would be crass. A simple statement about what worked well would be encouraging and informative... Without such comments the work could have been picked at random without even being read! I am not saying that is what happens, but if it's worth reading and cherry picking then it's worth a comment of praising surely?

Thu, 2010-07-01 13:16

#11

Thankyou rj for sticking up for us! But I do take Auntie's point - and I am making a determined effort to comment more and make constructive comments.

Thu, 2010-07-01 17:26

#12

My apologies, I wasn't having a pop at anyone... I simply asked for something to be considered that I think will benefit the writers on here. As a 'learning' writer I'd like to know what readers are looking for, (not just my own opinion or guess work), it would be very useful. Anyway, thanks for taking it on board, I really appreciate it! :-)

Thu, 2010-07-01 23:50

#13

LKilby

I'm new to this site, and may have missed some points relevant to this conversation, but I believe that Auntie and Rj both have some excellent points. Whilst giving constructive criticism to the Items that were a near-miss for Cherry-picking is a great idea, the thought of a simple praise on other poems is certainly an idea to be considered. I don't know much about the team of Eds working on this site, but is it not a plausible idea to give simple praise to Item's, then develop another sentence upon that to the near-misses? Liam ~

Thu, 2010-07-01 23:57

#14

rjnewlyn

Fair enough - so long as it doesn't clog up the system or dissuade people from taking on the Editor role (and allows anonymity if that's what they want). I agree with Auntie that it can be helpful, but I'd thought that explaining why something is good was more what the rest of us readers are for.

Fri, 2010-07-02 00:11

#15

LKilby

Certainly, Editor anomymity is a key aspect of this site, and they should be allowed to retain it if they are so inclined. However, possibly an account specifically for reviewing is an idea? Clogging up the system is an aspect to be reviewed following the implentation of this idea. If it becomes too tedious or overwhelming for the Ed's, then the idea should be scrapped. Other than that, the solution is simple a merging of your's and Auntie's idea's. Praise to all writers who have put effort into their works, and then an extension on the praise with constructive criticism to the near-Cherries. Again I say, that any overwhelming on behalf of the Ed's should be noted and this idea reviewed. Liam ~

Mon, 2010-07-05 18:16

#16

Now now. I am certainly trying to leave more comments and I see that the other eds are doing the same. We hope that this improves things!

Mon, 2010-07-05 20:02

#17

I am already glad to see there are more comments from you anyway :) only if you have the time to give.

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Mon, 2010-07-05 23:02

#18

Here here Kahdai... Thanks eds :-) xx

Tue, 2010-07-06 22:13

#19

Highhat

I certainly don't think we should eliminate the cherries. That would not be ABCtales at all.

Mon, 2010-07-19 12:00

#20

Harry - cherries have proved to be far too popular a feature of ABCtales to be removed. They may be controversial but the vast majority of members still want them!

Thu, 2010-07-22 21:45

#21

haha mee too! :D

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Fri, 2010-07-23 16:36

#22

chooselife

I've been away for a while - do we still have poem/story of the week? I think a few comments on why a piece has been cherried is a good idea. Comments on those that haven't are probably only worth while if a piece is close to a cherry but just falls short. In my time I've seen exceptional work ignored and idiotic posts cherried – but that's my opinion as opposed to those of the editors. But that's what criticism is all about – a viewpoint or perspective. But posters, please remember this is a collaborative site, and your opinions count. You reap what you sow. Don't post and expect a cherry or comment unless you yourself take time to read and comment.

Sat, 2010-07-24 16:03

#23

Yes we do and (I.P.) inspiration point, I really like trying them! Its a forum topic title, with that weeks date. I think most poems that get cherries get more comments anyway, one of my silliest poems got a cherry, not my best ones.

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Sat, 2010-07-24 18:24

#24

rjnewlyn

I have to say that I've agreed most of the time with the cherry/not decisions on my stuff - not always at the time but looking back a week or so later, it's easier to see. There are still some of my favourites that are on my 'not' list but that can't be helped. With the others, I think it's no bad thing to try out something that doesn't seek to please (like burning your first pancake). I think anyone getting loads ought to be worrying that they're not taking enough risks - the rest of us can be thankful we have no such concerns ...!

Sat, 2010-07-24 19:23

#25