Since I haven't offended anyone too badly in the last two or three days, I thought I'd take another stab at it here. I've noticed that every so often, an 'artist' will post a written work in the writer's gallery. They bring along with their posting their usual followers who then comment on the posted piece. They do so in larger numbers than writers normally get because they just happen to have more followers in their normal artist community. I have to say that I cannot help but notice 'we writers' do not always comment in any where near, if at all, the numbers of reply comments, we afford the usual writer here. That saddens old, grumpy TallPockets greatly. Methinks there is plenty of room at the table, as it were, for all kinds, from all places. Shame on us writers. On the other hand, I have to be candid and tell the 'artists' that follow one of their own to the writer's gallery, please do, take a look at other writer's while you're here following your usual artist. You might enjoy many of the talented writers here in this community. Methinks each side needs to 'give and take' some? Just this one old man's thoughts on the matter. PEACE AND LOVE. TallPockets.

I have to speak to this because I know one person this is happening to and the problem does not lie with her (she's not asking her freinds to comment on her writings), and she is very distressed that this is happening (especially when the comments are directed toward the graphic accompanying the story rather than the story itself). It is nothing we have any control over. I guess education is the only answer to this one...but who comes here to be educated? Certainly no one who is doing the posting is reading this forum. As far as getting people to read more than one person's work, I don't know how to pull that off. Heck, I couldn't find a way to get subscribers to the Renderosity Interactive Magazine to read the article on the website, what hope do I have of coming up with ideas here? I admit I don't post comments often (not in any gallery). It has been heavy on my mind that I am no one to judge someone else's work, and I don't feel comfortable only to be able to post "great job" and have nothing useful to say. Am I the only one intimidated by the idea of commenting on a story or poem? I'm nobody to judge someone else. I tried being an editor and it was agony to me, because I know some people simply cannot deal with criticism, no matter how mild, and I don't feel I have the right to discourage (even unintentionally) someone else. Writing comments that are 100% positive seems equally non-productive...that' means everyone is perfect and no one needs to grow their talent. Comments on the galleries have always been problematic. I don't think they are a very good place to get feedback. That's just my opinion. Remember my bias: I don't think anyone wanting to be published should place a work they hope to be published in so public a place. A private writer's group is a much better idea, in my mind. Ideas, anyone? I'm sure people out there have them.

"I don't feel comfortable only to be able to post "great job" and have nothing useful to say. " -- DIALYN -- thanks for your input. Much appreciated. First, I dont' think saying ''great job'' is a put down or un-useful in any way, shape, or form. If we only commented on 'perfect' written works or artistic works, there would be few, if any, comments anywhere, imho. I am of the opinion, that "Anything worth doing is worth doing, period". Regardless of the quality level one has ascertained. Steaks are preferred by many at the dinner table, but doesn't everyone just love that burger and hot dog on the grill, also? WINK. T.P.

I must admit that I am the one who has ventured into the writers gallery, only to find that my friends have followed my stories and add their comments as they would in the poser gallery. It is very kind of them, however it gives me no real insight as to what kind of a writer I am. I was looking for positive, negative or helpful critism. This is the only way I will learn from my mistakes. I am not a writer, nor an artist, I am simply a nurse. I made my mind up to write about life in the ER as I see it on a daily basis. Some of the stories are humorous, some are tragic. But , that is what I do. I would only ask that a person of greater knowledge in this field of writing give me their honest, and yes, I can take it, opinions of my work. I have read many of the stories and poems here since I began posting in this gallery. Yes, there is life outside of poser!
With my deepest respect , Karen

The entire nature of this site is blind support. There are a few rare commenters that will give helpful advice along the way, but for the most part people are scared to do so. If I run across something truly terrible I might try to give some helpful advice but more often than not just skip the whole thing. There are other sites more geared to writer's workshops that can help a writer assess his/her skills and grow from there. I, being more of the loner type, appreciate the blind support generated from this site just because I am not looking to make literary masterpieces, I am just looking for a way to express myself. This topic has been tackled on almost every forum here at one time or another I bet. I've read it many times in the Bryce forum for example. I think if you are looking for valid feedback on your writings look elsewhere, but do continue to upload here because some of those other sites tend to break a writers spirit. Just asking for valid feedback doesn't always help here (sometimes does, but usually doesn't.)

I find it ironic that in a time where approximately one half of the people voted for a 'plain spoken' person, that we get so darned hung up on 'style' instead of 'substance'? WINK. I agree with Experimental. I'm not here to become a Nobel Prize Writer. Just to spread a little fun, good cheer, a message thrown in here or there, and to make sure that everyone who posts here will never have the fear of looking more stupid than anyone. I 'guarantee it'. WINK.

I recently wrote this on a poser image I posted... it is so true here:

~This place is a cauldren of human emotions. The anguish,fear,and need is wearing. As the protective layer of the self is weakened, the pain seeps through and begins to stain the soul. Survival in this place requires a deep kindness nestled in a very dark sense of humor, and a faith tempered with cynicism.~

Have a joyful, and full life and live it to it's fullest. You may find yourself facing me or someone like me in my daily work place (The ER ). I hope that person has the kindness, the humor , and faith to see you through whatever your needs may be!
Karen,RN,BSN,MICN

Miss Karen - from what I've seen of ya' so far, you are far to exemplary of a human being to attend to the likes of TallPockets in the ER. WINK. PEACE be with you, kind soul. Write on. Now, where the heck are all the 'writers' here? I never have known most of ya' to be the 'silent' types? WINK. T.P.

excellent addition karen, and very true here. I hope I do not wind up in the ER anytime soon, hospitals make me very nervous. As for TallPockets remark as to where all the 'writers' are, I don't know, they don't seem to check out the forum very often. Start making cross references in your posts in the gallery and perhaps people will drop by, but I doubt it.

I have a hard time even remembering to go to the Gallery. I'm an old timer here and still tend to post directly into the Forum rather than the Gallery. I'm making a conscious effort to post in the Gallery, but old habits are hard to break. I do occasionally comment on pieces posted in the Forum, right down to coping and pasting into my word processor to make in-line edit suggestions. When I have done that the writers concerned always seemed to appreciate the effort. I could certainly understand if someone would take offense at that, after all, who am I to tell someone else how to write. But so far no one ever has. And as far as I'm concerned, that's the kind of feedback I most appreciate myself, though I rarely get it. As others have said, this is probably not the best place to look for meaningful feedback. I think everyone around here sort of walks on eggshells least they offend someone. It really is a shame, because constructive criticism is very useful. However, not everyone knows how to take criticism and so to avoid hurting feelings we hold back. On the flip side, not everyone knows how to give constructive criticism, which can be devastating for some. For myself, don't hold back on my stuff folks. I've got the hide of a rhino when it comes to critiques on my writing. As to people following certain artists that's life. People here develop bonds among themselves and come to regard people they have never seen or met as friends or at least as familiar names. It's only natural for folks to encourage those they've come to know. jon

I tend to read the forums when I have a chance, though my Renderosity usage has been a little lower lately re: some personal stuff... cara

I want to thank Cara for her suggestion on my latest effort. She was right on the money! It is amazing that small edits here and there can make such a huge difference in the story. So, cagewench, A huge thank you! By the way, I am pretty tough skinned, I can take it! I do understand that folks don't want to tell others how to write, which is exactly why I asked for help. I am not a writer, just a nurse trying to use words rather then images to tell my story. Reading all your postings in the gallery humbles me, and i am grateful for any help offered. Karen

aawwwwwwwww you're welcome! cara

Yeah, Miss Cara Mae is a sweetie - as are MANY others here. Wooohooo! WINK.

Crescent - had a specific vision in mind when she started the writer's forum - waaaaaaay back when :) Cres wanted this forum to not only be a fun place to rub-elbows with other writers, but also a place for sharing ideas and improving our craft from the critiques of our fellow writers. Praise is easy - honest, constructive critiques are hard. Not only to receive, but to give. Like many here, I belong to a writer's group, whose members are brutal in their critiques. The first day I read a story, I drove home in tears, vowing to never go back to another meeting - that was over 5 years ago - and the only time I missed a meeting was last year when I was in the hospital with a stroke. There is a fine art to giving a constructive critique, and an equally fine art to being able to accept and reject the suggestions directed at your work. First thing to always keep in mind - the person critiquing your work, is doing just that critiquing your work, not critiquing you. Ye Gads ... I am rambling on and on it is waaaaaaaaaay TOOooo late - I have to get to bed before dialyn starts to tear out her hair cause I am not using em-dashes :P Dee-Marie

I don't post critiques in the galleries very often. The space provided for constructive criticism is very small and artists often treat their works as if they were children. If you mention in a poem that l1 would work better if...they go off in a tiff.

I've neglected what is probably a bigger part of myself than my gallery for far too long...As a community the writers at renderosity have changed. Originally we concentrated on the writing and not the graphic, Now the writing is second fiddle.
This is a graphic driven site for writers this is a sad fact.

Trying writing a serious vignette and have the words do the painting.

Message edited on: 02/10/2005 07:25