Don’t Get Me Wrong, But There is a Need for Change
A Need for Change…Such talent, such creative minds abound on The Creative Exile site, yet so few of the members participate, and the few that do cannot maintain the site alone. For the creators are the essence of any undertaking and without their passion and constant participation, the site will surely fail. If all the members wrote daily on the site, the views would be doubled, the site far more accepted than it is. If the creators were at the helm and participated as if it were their only job, their passion, the site would be unlimited in success.
One cannot start any business, and once it’s up and running, decide to leave it alone and drop in every now and then and expect everyone else to uphold and grow it, as is intended. Business and the world does no work like that. The truth is it is the soul and intentions of the creators that uphold and grow business ideas, and without that commitment, the idea will fade into obscurity. That is just a truth of process. Sadly this is what’s happening to this beloved site, as it is a distraction and sideline from the main site for which the creators write. And as such it is the poor cousin always thirsting for attention.
Personally, I have more than 50% of the site content and for the site alone, I do not wish to have to consider bailing, because few are writing and even fewer commenting. This is a sad reflection of a neglect that is not really being considered. You can’t take the heart and soul out of any business and expect it to flourish. Businesses can change hands and then the new owners can inject their own passion to transform the vision, but without change the site is doomed. I’m not being negative, just realistic because I know how this works.
I love writing for the site, but most of the best writers and poets are not participating and three or four people cannot engender a quality site that fifty more people could, and better. That’s a fact. There’s been many attempts to try to get the members to write, but as I said its about the creators commitment not about who’s writing. I do hope this shakes a few minds, because without change nothing will resurrect what could be, on a well designed and potentially successful writing site.
Tony DeLorger © 2018
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Wow. Stone cold truth. Could not have said it better. I may be one of those who do not contribute as much as I should. In my defense when i finish a poem the first thing i do is place it here for comment. I used to get anywhere between 6 to 8 comments on many of my pieces, now lucky to get 2. I see and understand what you are saying. It’s evident. Many poems with 0 comments. Damn, even if its a negative criticism I would like to hear it. No piece of poetry and hardwork should go unnoticed.
I agree Paul, its the sharing that I miss, and getting no comments just makes you feel the process is futile. Lets hope it can change and the site grow as it should. Cheers!
I fully understand both of you, gentlemen. I am very disheartened myself with the lack of participation with posting and commenting. We began this journey in the hopes that all who joined would enjoy the freedom of writing without a lot of rules and restrictions. Unfortunately, most members would rather not volunteer time and talent when they can earn $ at another site, and they each have their own reasons.
I will not be back full time till late tomorrow night or this weekend. Moving has taken a lot of energy out of me and I still have a lot of unpacking and organizing to do. However, I feel your post deserves attention and resolutions, Tony. We (staff) have tried several options to try to recruit new members and encourage inactive members to participate on a regular basis.
I will continue to do the best I can to turn around the current status to one of a forward-moving site with active members. If either of you have any helpful ideas, I would greatly appreciate it, as will John and Ralph.
Tony and Paul, we so appreciate your contributions and dedication to TCE and would be totally lost without you. Thank you so very much. XX
See that’s the crazy part. This website is so well put together and the work that you put in Phyllis to adjust for green lights in the categories is much appreciated and we see you on our posts every time, that’s just it for me. I rarely ever see anyone else beside you, Tony, and on occasion, Donald and John. It seems as though everyone else jumped ship, Anjana, never see her anymore. It’s sad. I get the almighty dollar thing, I do, but to me writing is more than that, my words are worth more than money, your words are worth more than money. I dont deter anyone using their talent to make some money, and there is no real answer as to how to get them back to writing for the knowledge so until then, keep plugging and I suppose if balance is a thing then hopefully it will all balance out and we will gain some new insightful members to go with the already wise individuals we have. I will keep writing here. I enjoy the company.
Me too Paul, I just wish the others made more time for TCE, I have faith in the site and I know it could grow if its allowed. Cheers!
I think it would be very sad if the reason for all our members not writing was money. Surely the quality of work is far more important; or am I drowning in my own expectations. Regardless, its a shame that a well set up and run site is barely alive with the contributions of three or four people, when it could be thriving with the members it already has. I do hope it can turn around. I’ll just keep plugging away. Thanks Phyllis.
PS. I do hope the move is going smoothly and you’re being kind to yourself and coping well. Take care.
Yes, it would be sad, Tony, if the reason for all was money. I am sure many members may have other valid reasons for not spending time on TCE. If any active member can help us promote, recruit new members, encourage inactive members, it would be great. If we all work together as a team it would help. It may also help to promote, share the newsletter and let me know what may help to put in the newsletter to attract new members.
The move went well. There are still some issues to tie up, it will take time. I am doing the best I can with personal matters, it is not easy, yet I have faith in myself and know all will be as it should be. Thank you for your concern and support. Take care.
Very well put, Tony.
I happen to be one of those people that joined in hopes of committing myself 100%. At the time, I thought it would be possible. For the last eight months, my husband and I have been trying to help my daughter when she left her boyfriend. I went from tons of free time, to a constant babysitter. Now that my daughter is on her feet, and things are starting to slow down, my husband and I will be moving. Most of this summer is going to be wrapped up in restoring the old house and yard. Hopefully by the end of this summer, I can be back to writing in full swing.
One thing I can try to do is commit myself to commenting more. I do have a horrible habit of reading something and then not commenting on it. Most of the time it stems from not knowing what to say. I didn’t want to get into a rut of saying something lame like, “nice poem”, “great piece”, etc.. In the past, if I did start to say something meaningful, I could almost guarantee I would be interrupted. I admit, I am one of the worst!
You guys are all doing an amazing job here. I, too, would love to see this site grow by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first site I have joined in the last year that is suffering. I notice that once people get into a comfort zone, they often don’t want to leave it. Like other writing sites I have joined in the past, it wasn’t about making money. I don’t have a talent for that. I was sharing a small piece of myself to a group of people I seen as special. I have faced a lot of hardships over the last five years that have left me too wounded to write online most days. I hope to change that in the future.
Sorry about the rant. I have truly enjoyed your posts. It took me awhile to realize that the weekly letters were going to my junk folder. That I have now remedied. I will try to on more to comment and share. Speaking of sharing, when I tried to share this link from the FB button, it didn’t bring up a picture. It only showed “The Creative Exiles” with the title link. I deleted it and copied it straight from the URL. Again, it only showed “The Creative Exiles” with the title link. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is there something I need to do different?
Here I go again…
Thanks Tony, and the team, for putting so much creativity, sweat, and tears into this site.
Just take care Phyllis, I know as we all get older we often have expectations we cannot possibly meet, both mentally and physically. I know I must think I’m twenty years younger and I often do too much and mess my body up: the last move is evidence of that. It took me some two weeks to physically get over it. Let the universe settle you where you’re supposed to be and give it all time. Cheers!
Thank you for this post, Tony, and Paul, and Phyllis for your comments. Your concerns are very valid. I admit I am probably one of the people this is aimed at and admit guilt at not posting as much as I would like.
Due to my freelance writing commitments taking precedence for quite some time (I was having trouble even meeting deadlines) writing for myself at both The Creative Exiles and Hub Pages had to take second place. That work has eased off a little in recent months and I have started to publish more than I was though still not as regular as I liked.
I have noticed that many posts here recently have no comments or only one or two, whereas if I post at HubPages I may get between 50 and 100 comments. Money is an incentive for many there and other places but never has been for me, though like everyone, I want what I write to be read.
I agree, something has to be done to boost the site participation but I am not sure what. Any suggestions are most welcome.
Thanks John, its a difficult one, and I too don’t know exactly how to get members to be more committed to the site. But its hard to write and get no or few comments. I know in time we get views but feedback is a necessary part of writing on line, otherwise it feels like we’re speaking to a void. Cheers!
Writing and comments go hand in hand. Being fairly new here, and fairly sensitive (poor me), I always await with baited breath any comments on my “writing.” Two here who I respect a lot have gifted me their time, but not lately. Others have every now and then. I appreciate all comments, good, bad and constructive. However, I do not appreciate demeaning ones, as I presume all people would not as well. Thank you, Tony, for writing this!
Commenting is of course a choice, if a piece speaks to us we can support the author with praise or constructive criticism. Often if a piece is not up to scratch or in my opinion requires a critique that I wouldn’t want to hear as a writer, I wouldn’t comment, choosing not to comment too negatively. The choice is always ours. The problem with the site is participation all round. Its just a shame that so few people are contributing, as the site has such potential. Thanks Donald.
Very well put, Tony.
I happen to be one of those people that joined in hopes of committing myself 100%. At the time, I thought it would be possible. For the last eight months, my husband and I have been trying to help my daughter when she left her boyfriend. I went from tons of free time, to a constant babysitter. Now that my daughter is on her feet, and things are starting to slow down, my husband and I will be moving. Most of this summer is going to be wrapped up in restoring the old house and yard. Hopefully by the end of this summer, I can be back to writing in full swing.
I have a horrible habit of reading something and then not commenting on it. Most of the time it stems from not knowing what to say. I didn’t want to get into a rut of saying something lame like, “nice poem”, “great piece”, etc.. In the past, if I did start to say something meaningful, I could almost guarantee I would be interrupted. I admit, I am one of the worst!
You guys are all doing an amazing job here. I, too, would love to see this site grow by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first site I have joined in the last year that is suffering. I notice that once people get into a comfort zone, they often don’t want to leave it. Money was the first excuse. I haven’t joined the sites to make money. I don’t have a talent for that. I was sharing a small piece of myself to a group of people I seen as special. I have faced a lot of hardships over the last five years that have left me too wounded to write online most days. I hope to change that in the future.
Sorry about the rant. I have truly enjoyed your posts. It took me awhile to realize that the weekly letters were going to my junk folder. That I have now remedied. I will try to on more to comment and share. Speaking of sharing, when I tried to share this link from the FB button, it didn’t bring up a picture. It only showed “The Creative Exiles” with the title link. I deleted it and copied it straight from the URL. Again, it only showed “The Creative Exiles” with the title link. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is there something I need to do different?
Here I go again…
Thanks Tony, and the team, for putting so much creativity, sweat, and tears into this site.
Thanks Tammy, and no-one can take exception to people having lives and commitments. I’m in a unique position of being about to devote my writing to this site alone. That is my choice as I believe it has great potential and I want to help it grow. The problem is participation as so few of our members are contributing and that is a great shame. The sharing on FB is a problem I’ve brought up with Ralph and obviously its still not fixed, but it will be. Thanks for your candor and look forward to your return, after things settle down for you and your family. Take care.
Tony this insight from you, the most prolific writer on this site is long in coming, however you hit the nail on the head, dead center. Participation by members at any site determines the longevity of that site regardless of whether it’s a money site or not. I was excited when invited to join TCE and personally refereed 7 fellow writers to the site. However at the beginning there was continuous squabbling between management and members about the proper mechanics of SEO, it was a very sour note for many, restrictions and negativity arose often between members and certain staff members.
Writers simply want to write and not have to play around with the mechanics of how their poem should be placed at a site, we leave it up to the technicians to do that. Although the restrictions have been lightened up, I believe it came too late for many. The members I referred saw this disquiet as well, they entered a few poems, saw very few comments on their work and also the arguments back and forth between members and staff. I understood that the site was in its infant stage, yet I saw great potential for growth in membership. Unfortunately for me and others, receiving one, or two or no comments at all on our placed work drove us away.
Without full participation from fellow members it becomes disheartening. The few comments that did appear were often from the same people over and over again. I enjoyed reading many of the poems from very creative talented poets, I often left many comments and was happy to do so. Unless the members who are inactive can be drawn back to the site to pen with their fellow writers I don’t see any reason for them to return. As mentioned by John Hansen and others, not everyone is placing their work at a site for MONEY but for those who do, I say all the best to them. But COMMENTS are the lifeblood for most writers, we all feel a real sense of camaraderie when in sync. Do you want to write at a site where you receive MANY comments or a site where you receive one or a few or NONE.
I truly believe TCE has all the elements to become a great site. Management needs to find more CREATIVE ways to not only find more talent, but KEEP the ones they already have, happy and comfortable enough to stay writing at their site. For me, I get more results and comments when I place one of my pieces in Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or from my own site. Yet I see so many great works placed here that sink into oblivion due to the lack of active members at the site, that is so sad. There is incredible talent, it just needs to be harvested in a more professional manner not only to its membership but to the public at large. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, so I truly believe that management can, if they work in harmony with all members, can find a way to keeping them at this very CREATIVE site. Thank you Tony for your wise words and seeing into the future. I wish only the best for TCE.
Beautifully said and completely accurate, Vincent. I’m still plugging away, hoping for the best, but change is necessary to grow the site. And thus far it remains in a holding pattern. Cheers my friend.