AuthorStand

Since joining AS, though not that long ago, I've done my best to respond to requests from other members to read & review their work. I've also sought out more established writers here and read a few of their compositions as well. I'm extremeley grateful for the reciprocal reviews I've recieved yet I'm finding many more who seem to forget that this process works both ways. I fully understand time contraints but for me at least if you're not willing to read & review mine I'll devote my time to those who value, as much as I do, the constructive feedback.  

Bill

William, :):):) In all honesty, I do have to totaly agree with you. I have you on my MUST READ list. I am trying to get to you as quickly as I can. :) Honest! I read because I want to. But if I take the time to read a story or poem, I am also considerate enough to review it. But a few do read and leave no review. :( Oh well. I only have one a head of you. I Truly HOPE your work is not scary!!

Hi Again William, :):):) I feel so silly here. I thought I had seen your name before. I read your wonderful story "ROGER" I am now begining Page 2 of "SHELL GAME" So far so good!! :):) I see so much Talent here. Now I need to get back to your interesting story!! I promise to leave a review!! :) I did the last time too. I will try and finish soon. But I am having to read in between doing a few things.

Thank you Linda & I did read your review on Roger when you left it. Thanks again. Also I've left several reviews for you & promise to continue with more. Happy reading & writing.

Bill

@ Bill, :):):) I did finish reading your Excellent story, THE SHELL GAME  It was really well worth the read!! My review should be up most anytime now. :):) Thank You so much for sharing with us all. And Thank You for your nice message. :)

 I just recently started posting and reading stories here. I've tried to read and review a story from everyone that has given me a review, but I do think I have missed one or two. If I owe someone a review, please PM me and I'll get on it ASAP.

 I've read and commented on two of your stories so far and will continue reading and commenting. I am slow though with it since I try and cycle through different authors who have read my work, read stories from other authors who haven't all while doing the same thing on another site(Bookrix.com). It's pretty intensive considering I'm studying to advance myself in my new job, plus taking care of the kids lol Either way, I'll keep reading your work

I read and commented on your story Breaking Glass on Christmas Day.  I've been reading what I can when I can so if I don't read anything else of yours right away I will get to them when I get a chance. 

Virginia, I realize that I've not yet read & reviewed any of your work. Will do so now. I noticed one which has no reviews yet (perhaps because of its' length 3200 which to me is nothing - I like longer stories) "You are meant for more". Let me be the first to review. Will be up soon as I finish reading. 

@William..   I just read and reviewed Street Legal.  Very good story.  I enjoyed how you described everything from the character's point of view and how it related to his emotions.  Very well written!!  :-)

I have been through the writer website experience a fair bit.

Let me take a crack at a new idea here.

Any time, another person comes to this website, and you are feeling unread, let's set up a "I NEED LOVE NOW!!!" topic for the unread person to post in. And for anyone, ANYONE that is on AS, to instinctively, CHECK this topic for unread writers who are circling the drain and go give them some love or attention or, if it's in you to do do, READ his piece.

Some days, it's just about being heard, I think. We don't ask for much.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY think this problem can never be solved. Why? Because the way _I_ browse (and I bet you do this too) is NOT IN ANY LOGICAL manner.

I mean, I came online tonight with a plan to look at Gary Barlow's songwriting style and check out this "Google" London youtube studios subject and here I am, on AuthorStand, reading posts.

I feel the internet makes us BROWSE this way. And whether you, personally, in your linear, "I am writing this story now someone please review it, this seems logic to me, why haven't you reviewed it, I reviewed YOURS" way are feeling UNREAD...

I don't think anyone is DOING this intentionally.

Feedback, anyone?

Another good example. I have all KINDS of people I subscribe on youtube. In the main, lately, all I DO is browse. And I'm NOT checking those subscription account. Hm.....

Heather

wordwan

Heather - very good point. I'm as guily as anyone of having the best intentions of reading someone's work - especially if there's a new requested post & then getting distacted for one reason or another and it's forgotten. A couple of things I'm doing now though that work for me are:

1. I immediately download the story & keep the reminder in my inbox until I've read & reviewed the story. After a while if too many have built up it forces me to set the time aside & do my intended job.

2. Also I always make it an absolute point to read & review anyone who has done the same for me. The other side of that is there have been some authors whom I've read & reviewed several times & have received no reciprocation.  Oh well, I move on to someone else. To me a great part of this site is sharing equally. Enough said.

Bill

I, too, feel the same as Bill. He has been kind enough to read almost everything I've written and I try to do my best to return the favor. And I do the same thing...download the story. Sometimes it can be overwhelming as I have a full-time job and three young kids at home, so time can be an issue. However, I will get to it. But if they don't read any of my work at all...well...I only have so much time. So I will read Mr Barrett's work! And all the others who have been kind enough to read mine.

After being on here for awhile, you find out who is serious about helping each other. And it seems to me that it is only a handful of the same, gracious people (I won't name names). It is usually the people who are posting in the forums, entering the contests, etc...

And my hat is off to you wonderful people!

I have been going through the list of entries for contest #11 and because of the loooong list, I am picking stories at random to try to give more people a fair chance. I don't know how helpful my reviews are since I still have a lot of learning to do with my own stories, but I try to be as honest as I can without hurting any feelings. I often see mistakes in other's writings that I don't see in my own. So, please don't think of me as a hypocrite if I point out the same flaws in yours that I make in my own. I guess I'm just too close to my own work to see it (that's what you good people are for :-)). I've been reading a lot of writing books lately to help me refresh myself on the art. So, hopefully my skill will get better with each story I write.

 Maybe, another idea is to get ONE reader. ONE more reader on the site, each chance you get. 

And get THEM to read and do a review for the ones of you who get behind on reviews. I bet in the course of your day, you talk to one person. I bet you could convince them to read someone's work and do a review. Ask them what kind of reading they like and hand them a list of authors they might enjoy. Or summat.

In fact, you better be able to. *grin* That new reader could read YOUR work.

Just a thot. Trust me I've done these kinds of websites before. What also happens is people like Linda burn out and leave. Because they spend so much time reading other people's stuff. We have to watch that. Especially if there are any younger writers here.

And presently, just a guess, I sense, mostly the older writers are around. The younger kids have left.

The core here is an older crowd. Correct? Let's try getting some of you people eyeballs. Or getting paid.

Heather

wordwan