The Need for Change, TCE…Part 2
Following on from my original post regarding the lack of participation and commenting from members, I would like to propose some changes. They are not without fault, but at this point, few are writing or commenting anyway.
In order to get a member to post and be commented on, I propose a simple obligation. Anyone who posts on a particular day, regardless of number, must also comment on at least two other works on that day. Will this upset a few, who obviously don’t like to comment? Well if it does who cares…they are not really contributing anyway. A site like TCE is for writers to express themselves but also for critique and sharing from within the writing fraternity. One without the other is an imbalance, one which presently plagues TCE. Without effort and obligation, no site will thrive.
Secondly, the manner of comments should change from the pleasantries now being accepted, to a more professional critique, offering if necessary, some tips or suggestions to improve the work. We have a profoundly talented group here and the combined experience is outstanding. What with all this talent and knowledge, we can’t help each other to grow our perspective and skill set? This should not be an obligation but a privilege, to share and aspire to greater quality of work.
If we adopt these simple tasks to the process here on TCE, I believe it will head us in the right direction. Once people have begun to change their habits, the camaraderie will improve and the quality of communication will benefit the site enormously. Also an obvious change in numbers commenting would hopefully bring back members that have relented on the site.
Writers need to be read and also have feedback, as we all learn from these encounters. As professionals, we cannot take criticism to heart, provided it is given in the context of positive giving. Often we never see what is obvious to someone else, particularly from our peers, who may see what we do not. So sharing and trying to improve is what we all want, is it not? I believe if there is nothing positive to say about a work, then approach it generally, perhaps emphasizing what could improve it. Negative reviews are just hurtful and never helpful.
I ask you all to consider these two changes to try to draw back those writers we have for all purposes, lost. We need equity, sharing and obligation to make this site, with all its potential, break this holding pattern.
Please consider…
Tony DeLorger © 2018
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Tony, I like your thoughts and suggestions for going forward. I greatly appreciate and admire you for being so dedicated to TCE and speaking out in a positive manner. I believe if we give your suggestions a chance it will, indeed, bring members closer as a team with the goal of helping each other.
In an effort to give positive critiques, I would like to mention that in this sentence of yours: “Often we never see what is obvious to someone else, particularly from our piers …” the word piers s/b peers, which is the correct English spelling. Piers are platforms supported on pillars or girders leading out from the shore into a body of water, used as a landing stage for boats. I realize that many words in Australia are spelled differently than the way they are spelled in America (ie: honour in Australia and honor in America), so it is not always easy to choose the correct spelling. I believe you mean ‘peers’, with the definition of: a person of the same legal status: a jury of one’s peers. a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status. Hope that helps. Maybe piers was just a typo?
I hope many members read this article of yours and jump on the band wagon to make TCE a success. If there is anything anyone thinks I should be doing or not doing as Senior Editor and Newsletter Editor, I would be grateful for suggestions.
Thank you, Tony, for caring for the site and for all of us.
Thanks Phyllis, I thought it worth bringing up again. And thanks for the missed-spell, I often do that, use the wrong form, but missed this one. I know the difference but in the rush of getting it down, an oversight. Cheers!
Tony, in June 2017 I sent out a survey (approved by Ralph and John) and we received some good responses from several members, which prompted a few changes on the site. The questions were:
Greetings to All Members.
Since birth of The Creative Exiles (TCE) we have gone through a lot of changes. The Home page now shows a lot more articles to choose from and we have many more categories for your writing preference. From the Home page there is easy access to other pages in the menu bar.
We appreciate feedback from our authors and feel it is time for a survey to see what you think of the site. It is a simple survey that will only take a few minutes of your time. We want to hear your voice on any future changes to be made.
Following are questions for your opinions. Please answer each question in as much detail as you like.
****
1. What do you like about TCE?
2. What do you not like about TCE?
3. What changes would you recommend?
4. If you have not yet posted to the site, is there anything we can do to help you get started?
5. What is your opinion of the weekly newsletter: THE TCE GAZETTE, which is sent out every Thursday. Is weekly okay with you, or would you prefer every two weeks, or once a month? You can sign up for the newsletter on the Home page at: http://www.creativeexiles.com/
****
Do you think we should run out another survey, and if so, what questions should we ask? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.
I’d like to know the reasons why members have just given up and don’t post anymore. Question….
1/ Why are you not contributing- is it expectations about SEO’s, lack of commenting, lack of real critiquing, layout or presentation of site, lack of direction of the site, problems with administration.
I just want to know the truth as it is the only way to work on a solution. Cheers!
Thanks, Tony. I like those questions. I will check with Ralph to see if we can send out the survey – I do think it is needed.
Thanks for this additional post voicing your concerns, Tony, and for your dedication to the success of the site.
Like All Poetry does, I feel the requirement to comment on at least two other poems/stories before your post can be published is a good move. It is certainly not too much to ask of members on a site like this.
Constructive and honest comments is also a good thing to aim at but not sure how we can ensure that. I am all for another survey to members addressing the questions you propose.
John
Glad you agree John, we must get over this hump and once more people are invested, anything can happen. Cheers!
You have some very good suggestions Tony. I have already tried to follow the right process by reading and commenting on some poems before I post a new one. One thing that I would like to see here is having notifications on comments. Please let me explain. Often I leave a comment or someone leaves me a comment and after the pleasantries are exchanged like thank yous or some others I never know if anyone responded back. Say, I write in a comment – I found your poem to be very creative. Then I leave this comment and I do not know what the persons response was because I don’t get informed when he or she responded back even if it is just to say thank you and it would give me a chance to express my pleasure to the poet. So I would like it if I could come on here like on other sites and see I have notifications. I look and see that someone has responded to the comment I left and I can choose to respond further and thus acknowledge the fact that I see they have replied. This is the best I can explain. Then I think it is a very good idea to have to read at least two poems but I even think it might be great to find the time at least once a week to read all the latest poems. I know I have been at fault for not taking a look at the creative writing as well and will remedy that in the future.
Good point Rasma, notification of response on comments would be great, rather than to keep looking for them haphazardly. See what Ralph can do with that.
Hi Tony,
I think you are addressing a great subject here. You have been doing wonders to promote this site. I agree with Rasma, too. It would be nice to have a notification of response for our comments.
In these last two months, I have been going through some major life changes. On the day that we were handed eviction notices-because our apartment building was sold- my husband and I were fortunate enough to have found a house. My summer is going to be filled with restoring a 100 year old house that hasn’t been lived in in nearly ten years, or so. I am trying to convince my husband that it will make great writing material if I could describe the process. He isn’t to keen on the idea.
I had mentioned in a previous comment that my goal would be to try and commit more to writing on this site come this winter, once things slow down. In the meantime, I will try to pop in and out of here as I can to help support the site.
Thanks for posting your thoughts about this topic. Hopefully it will help.
Dear Tammy, please excuse me for interrupting your comment to Tony. As editor and site manger, I monitor and read comments as well as posts. Your request: “It would be nice to have a notification of response for our comments.” is a technical issue and should be addressed to Ralph (RJ Schwartz) who is our WebMaster. Tony is doing all of us a great favor by asking all members to contribute to the site by posting their works and commenting on posts of other members. He has some very good ideas and is asking for support and responses to assure the future of TCE. Our Tony is very dedicated to giving TCE support and helping all members. He is a valuable and well-loved member. It is very admirable of you to post comments to help support Tony’s cause – thank you for that, we greatly appreciate your contributions.
Tony, I apologize for interrupting your comment thread.
Thanks Tammy, your words very much appreciated. I guess we all have commitments in life and some greater than others. I am lucky to be able to spend a great deal of time working and posting for the site. I just want it to grow and prosper. Lovely to hear from you and good luck with your renovations, sounds great.