Many good writers seem to get ignored

Hello, everyone, I am relatively new to this site and once I knew of this site and how it operates I was really excited that such a site exist. However, I have noticed that a lot of poems/lyrics and so on of really good writers have "0" comments from anyone although they may have a few reviews (people reading, but not making any comments). I have heard from others that when asked why no one responds many people tell them that either "they were too busy" or that "they had so many other comments to make". The first one is just an excuse because they just don't want to tell you that they think your stuff sucks. The other excuse is to say that your writing sucks, and that they'd rather make comments for their friends...not you.

Majority of the time my stuff rarely get's any comments and at times it's very irritating to see that a few people (10 or more) read my stuff but leave no reply. I personally don't care if I get positive comments or negative..just as long as I get some feedback...instead a lot of the time I don't get any. Although, I'm always appreciative of the people that do leave comments.

Of course I'm not always pissed off when no one comments on my stuff because I always know that I will be overlooked because I'm still new to this site.
Again, I have read many good poems and such from very good writers who have gotten no comments. I always make sure that every thing I read that I will make a comment..regardles.

Also, I've notice that people are posting videos and links to music that they do (I have done this once or twice), but now I see that that is just tacky because this is a site about writing not a talent search agency. This has also pulled many people away from commenting on written poetry and such because they'd rather see a video of someone singing badly.

I don't know, some people say that the more you comment on other peoples writings that more people will comment on your stuff..that's not really the case at all. There seems to be a biased atmosphere on this site.

I do love this site and I will still use this site and expect to be ignored by many some more..lol.
Have a nice day

Did you know there's a forum on YWS called "Will Review for Food?" It's a place you can go to request reviews for your work. If you don't feel the need to request reviews, then you shouldn't be upset when you don't get a ton of them. There are many, many works on this site, and you can't just plop the responsibility of getting comments entirely on those that would leave them. You must take responsibility for your own success on the site.

Also, you have a rather pretentious implication in your title and body that people purposely avoid good writers--while at the same time including yourself in the group. I dunno if that was intentional, but I would highly recommend taking some initiative and getting yourself some reviews, rather than sitting back and complaining about your lack of them.

Thank you for bringing up your concerns, as without them YWS would never improve. I hope that your future experiences at YWS are better than the ones leading up to this thread.

--D

First thing, most of the members on this site have more going on than just this site. Saying we're busy isn't a way to brush you off, we're just busy. As for the whole "new members don't get as many comments" that's probably true. I always try to give my reviews to newer members, though. At this point, there are so many new members joining and posting per day that it's nearly impossible for every work to get serious comments and reviews.

As for the views per comment ratio, I can pretty much say you might get one comment per every 15 views. Especially from people that write well thought out concrete reviews. They take time and effort, and they won't pop up immediately.

If you really think that you're work isn't getting the attention it deserves, go to the Will Review For Food thread and request a few.

Hey there dregy! I'm sorry that you haven't been getting the reviews that you want.
There are a lot of different ways you can get your name out there though! Reviewing other's people work is a big one-- the WRFF link that Ego talked about is another really good one.

People here tend to read a lot and not post comments; they don't mean in a rude way, but there are a lot of reasons why they might not respond. Just consider that they might not have much to say about it. It might be a different style than they're used to, it might be a different genre or just not their type of story (I hate romance and horrors, personally), it might be that they're caught up in the middle of something, read it out curiosity and then realized that they simply didn't have the time to leave a review... there are many, many possibilities.

Again, I'm sorry if the site has been less than rewarding in that respect so far, but I think that if you were to put your name out there a little bit more, that will change. Let me know if you have any questions or anything, and thank you for expressing your concerns.

-Perse

I'd just like to second what Ego said - there is a Will Review for Food thread where you can request reviews, which is what most of the older members do. That is why they get more reviews than the newer members. On YWS, we don't try to overlook new members, but a lot of us do have other requests we need to finish, limited times on the computer, a line-up of things to do, or they have things to take care of in their real lives. It's not all an excuse to avoid good writing or making an extra review.

Or, as Pers said:

People here tend to read a lot and not post comments; they don't mean in a rude way, but there are a lot of reasons why they might not respond. Just consider that they might not have much to say about it. It might be a different style than they're used to, it might be a different genre or just not their type of story (I hate romance and horrors, personally), it might be that they're caught up in the middle of something, read it out curiosity and then realized that they simply didn't have the time to leave a review... there are many, many possibilities.

Some people just don't feel comfortable reviewing certain things. We all have our fortes and our weak points.

There was also something you said that I would like to point out:

Also, I've notice that people are posting videos and links to music that they do (I have done this once or twice), but now I see that that is just tacky because this is a site about writing not a talent search agency. This has also pulled many people away from commenting on written poetry and such because they'd rather see a video of someone singing badly.

This is a writing website - you're right. Lyrics are writing - it's a form of poetry that you put music to. Lots of the time, reviewers comment on things like flow - and sometimes it's hard to pick out the flow of something unless you've heard it sung. Other times, the lyrics don't read right unless you've heard the song sung or played. We're not trying to get famous, we're trying to help a reviewer understand the piece better. (And that last bit wasn't necessary - we have lots of members who are very talented singers.)

So, if you want reviews - request them. We aren't biased, and I would personally enjoy reviewing any work. I might not get to it within the first five seconds of your request, seeing as I have limited time (like many users), but I will get to it eventually - as will almost every other reviewer on this site.

All you have to do is ask.

Hey there, Dreg Well, I read the other replies people left, and I suppose I don't have much else to add. Because they really have good points. Sometimes I read through works that I would like to review but don't because I don't feel I have the time or attention to give the proper review the work deserves in that particular time or moment. But usually I come back! I will say that much.

And sometimes I do happen to overlook certain works, because it isn't exactly a style or genre I'm interested in or use to reviewing, so I won't. Mostly because I hate to critique when I probably don't even know what I'm talking about! So I review what I know I will be most helpful reviewing instead.

If you're looking for reviews though, like Perse and some of the others mentioned, the WRFF (Will Review For Food) thread is a good place to be! I hope your outlook on reviewing here changes. There really are some great people out there willing to offer their assistance. But the more reviews you give yourself, the more likely you are to receive them. So I would just work on keeping yourself out there, and if your work is interesting there is no doubt someone will return the favor. I've had that happen to me many times. Chin up!

-Smy

If I read something and don't comment on it, it is honestly because the poem is so bad that the task of pulling apart and fully criticizing it is a daunting task that I often don't have the energy to do properly.

I agree with this person somewhat,
In a setting of this kind quantity of reviews is highly important, even a simple 'like/dislike' is helpful in numbers, it shows trends, and can provide a gage of how good your work really is,
That does not mean detailed is bad, in fact it's far better, But with one detailed review you can't separate the important useful advice from the writers opinion, and you can't see trends (everyone dislikes that character, I should change her, Ect.)
This is true to the point I've seen it proposed that you should get three reviews saying the same thing before you change something.
On this forum Quality is very good, But quantity is sorely lacking.

(BTY, If anyone needs reviews feel free to P.M. me)

Cthulhu wrote:On this forum Quality is very good, But quantity is sorely lacking.

The fact that you would rather see 10 "OMG LYKE SOOOO GOOD" reviews than one well thought out, thorough review says more about the state of mind that you and the original poster are using than the quality of the site.

Quality over quantity, not the other way around. If you want to get better, you want quality reviews. If you want attention and "fame," then you probably want more reviews.

The fact that you would rather see 10 "OMG LYKE SOOOO GOOD" reviews than one well thought out, thorough review

I didn't say that.

Quality over quantity, not the other way around.

The point is that there is no quantity now.

If you want to get better, you want quality reviews. If you want attention and "fame," then you probably want more reviews .

Are you saying I'm shallow, Interested only in fame? Or that I don't want to get better as a Writer? Both implications are highly insulting

I think what Cthulu was trying to say was that, while the quality is good, we're lacking a bit in the quantity department; not that he valued quality over quantity. And looking at the list of works with one review, I'd have to agree.

At the same time, though, we all have to realize that everyone on here has lives outside reading and reviewing. For instance, I know I'm nowhere near as active with my reviews as of late due to my workload. This is the time of year when semesters are ending and so the tests and projects begin piling on, so it's not surprising reviewing activity is down.

Come summer though, I'm thinking that quantity will pick up per usual since most of us will have free time on our hands.

I didn't say that.

even a simple 'like/dislike' is helpful in numbers

You DID say that.

The point is that there is no quantity now

Actually, the point is that you don't think you're accumulating reviews quickly enough. You've been here less than a month; some pieces take a couple months to accumulate a decent number of reviews, simply due to sheer number of pieces that are posted on the site. I again point you to the Will Review for Food forum.

Are you saying I'm shallow, Interested only in fame? Or that I don't want to get better as a Writer? Both implications are highly insulting

That depends. Are you more interested in the quantity of reviews than the quality of them? Because the quoted text seems to imply so. I said IF you are interested in getting better, you want quality reviews--and IF you want fame, you PROBABLY want quantity. And that begs the question:

Are you?

You DID say that

No, I said that I preferer detailed reviews, but If every one who read my stories were to provide any kind of review, or critique, or comment, It would be helpful to me.

Actually, the point is that you don't think you're accumulating reviews quickly enough. You've been here less than a month; some pieces take a couple months to accumulate a decent number of reviews, simply due to sheer number of pieces that are posted on the site.

I've been on three writing sites now, and lurked in almost a dozen. YWS has the lowest number of reviews on the web.

Because the quoted text seems to imply so.

When taken out of the context I put it in, and twisted maybe But I did not say that.

That depends. Are you more interested in the quantity of reviews than the quality of them? I said IF you are interested in getting better, you want quality reviews--and IF you want fame, you PROBABLY want quantity. And that begs the question:
Are you?

I just told you that Implying that was insulting.

[quote]YWS has the lowest number of reviews on the web.[quote]

That's quite a claim. Do you have any sort of evidence? Are you talking about total reviews, or reviews per person, or reviews per item, or reviews per active member? Because all of those statistics have their pros and cons, and none of them individually is representative of the reviewing quality on this site as a whole. I'd love to see the numbers, which you undoubtedly have on hand (Right? I mean, making such a claim would beg for you to back it up).

As for implication, I imply nothing; I gave you terms that make logical sense. People who want lots and lots of reviews without regard for quality probably don't care too much about getting better. People that just want solid, helpful reviews probably don't care as much about garnering that coveted "Featured Work" spot on the front page.

I don't know you--we just met--so how am I supposed to know which group you fall into? You're placing yourself, sir/madam. I'm glad to hear that you prefer quality reviews! Really, I am. Maybe you should go out and make some, as to contribute to the community you've decided to criticize for its lack of reviews. If you want to continue this conversation further, PM me. I personally won't clog the forum anymore with this topic.

Do you have any sort of evidence?

Of course I have evidence, I would not have said it other wise. What evidence do you have to refute me?

Are you talking about total reviews, or reviews per person, or reviews per item, or reviews per active member?

Reviews per piece of writing, compared to the time it took for that piece to gain that number of reviews.

none of them individually is representative of the reviewing quality on this site as a whole.

The point at issue here is quantity, We all agree that quality on here is not a problem.

I'd love to see the numbers, which you undoubtedly have on hand

Sarcasm, what fun.

On the OYAN forum the lowest number I've seen is three, (considered a travesty) and reviews posted more than two weeks after posting of a piece are negligible, with them most being posted in the first two days on average, (highs are not avalabe at the moment)

On the 'creative writing forum' the lowest number I've seen is 4, with a normal number being 12, all detailed, with 2 pagers not uncommon, and I've seen stories with over 60 responses.

On 'Writing forums' you can get a detailed review in less then 12 hours and a normal number in ten days is 6 with 12 being the high in that time and 1 being the low.

On 'Writes Beat' the normal in one day is 5 with a high of 10 and a low of 1, the highest number I saw was 16

Note that on these sites a review is every 5-15 comments. On YWS it comes to every 20-50 (for this count on all sites I've ignored one liners)

WARNING: several of the forums are not 'family friendly' and have very poor moderation, I do not recommend looking them up.

garnering that coveted "Featured Work" spot on the front page.

What '"Featured Work" spot'?