NEW WRITERS!

Just some thoughts.

Hello there. If you're a new writer here on this site, I speak for many when I say--welcome. Writers cafe is one of the best writing sites on the web for its ease of use and friendly layout. You have the option to write whatever you want and read whatever writer you'd like. The site also has friendly people. (smiling here). 

My writing has been among those posted for many years but I'm in no way a moderator or "Popular member" asserting my ego. I'm merely here to try and understand and help you.

Let's take a look at some things about the site. 

FRIEND REQUESTS 

If for personal reasons you don't want to get reviews or friend requests, there are options to opt out. But for those that do, read on.   

Writing reviews is a good way to get noticed. It's the foundation for getting reviews on what you've written if that's your goal. A friend request allows you to stay in touch with writers you like and vice-versa if they accept your request. 

Sadly, for years, there has been an annoying tradition for writers to seek a friend request from someone without reviewing him or her first. Why is this annoying? Well, posting a review before sending a friend request makes the writer more confident in returning the favor. Otherwise, they may not know who you are.  

Imagine standing in a restaurant and you get a note from someone saying they'd like to be your friend. How odd would that be? :) But if that same person came up to you and said Nice shoes! You'd feel confident in saying hello to that person again on another day. That may be an odd (and silly) example, but you get the idea. If they decline you, they have their reasons.

If you are hesitant to write a review because you're not confident in your abilities, try looking at what others write and you may get ideas. Even if you have to paraphrase something you read, it may be a good start. Any review that genuinely shares how you feel after reading a poem or story is good as long as you don't try and insult the writer.

If you have no interest in giving reviews, you are free to follow a writer without having to ask for a friend request. If your only motive is to get reviews, that will come off as pretty selfish and disqualify you from any future reviews.  

CRITIQUES

I have learned, improved and appreciated the suggestions from others on how to improve what I've written. Sometimes our mistakes are more evident through someone else's eyes. However, If you don't want advice or suggestions from others to improve what you've written, simply saying so in the author's notes should be enough. I've seen lots of people ignore the suggestions of others when they could have just said "no advise or suggestions on my writing is wanted," within the author's notes. 

BLOCKING/UNFRIENDING

Being blocked is no fun. Having been blocked or taken off someone's friend's list without a reason can feel bad and may, in some circumstances, wind up burning your bridges, but this happens. In the past, I've even heard from others about people who acted as friendly as can be to them in a reply or message only to find out that same friendly person blocked or unfriended them later. This can be puzzling, to say the least, but life goes on.

On the other hand, if someone insults you in any way, or you feel their review is too harsh or insulting, you have the right to block them. No one needs that. 

GETTING NO REVIEWS

We each want to know we're not wasting time here. We want to get recognition in some way for what we've done. But despite writing what you think is good, you may not get a lot--or any--reviews. This could be due to several factors. Your writing may not be understandable; the topic may not be interesting; the title may not be catchy enough; the first sentence may not grab the reader; the reviews you've given may have something to do with it, or there could be numerous mistakes in what you've written. 

As for my myself, if I see one obvious mistake, I know they'll be others. If I'm right, I tend to pass it up, knowing it's not going to be a smooth read. But even these points may not be the real reason. Yes, I've wondered why the reviews for something I've written have not been forthcoming also, but I've been fortunate enough to get so many in the past, I don't worry about that anymore. But not getting any response can be disheartening and people have gone elsewhere in the past. In other words, it sucks sometimes and we've got to make the decision to keep at it or move on.  

ALTERNATE ACCOUNTS

Yes, there are people here with more than one account. I've had about three others I rarely use because of problems in the past with stuck friend requests, stuck read requests, stuck messages...etc. People use them for personal reasons I guess. Using them to insult is wrong though. That's where the blocking option comes in. 

FINALLY

If you need help, have a question, or are bothered by something, feel free to ask someone. As a writing community, we need to get along. If you feel the need to block a writer, at least leave them a docile message before doing so. The same with unfriending someone.  

If you like someone's writing, but don't want to review, perhaps it would be better to decline to ask for a friend request. You can always check their page for something new later.

If someone has reviewed you and you'd like to review them back but don't understand their poem or story, send them a message. You could just say you apologize for not reviewing, but you aren't sure you understand what they've written. I've done it before and the result was fine. At times, the language barrier might be a problem.  

As I said initially, this is a great site. A place where you can learn from your mistakes and learn from others. Not everyone is going to be the nicest person, but life is like that wherever you go, isn't it? So don't sweat the small stuff. Write about it if you have to. :)    

Reviews

[θεά]

Relic, this is a very well-written and well-needed piece. You have not only given clarity to the newbies, but also to a lot of people in the community who may not have the sensibility to write and review or may be driven by ignorance and confusion. This surely helps and I hope many read this piece and imbibe the fair-play and generosity of spirit that writers ought to espouse.

Cheers!
To many more writers like us.

Best,
M.

[Relic]

Thanks very much for a great review, M.

[Verse]

If it weren’t for the comments dating back more than a week, I’d swear you wrote this for me! :):)

V

[Relic]

lol, I'm glad you liked it verse. There's another one that's similar but I'll tell you what it is another time. ;)

[Verse]

Another time, then. :). Heading out to the movies... it’s Friday evening where I live, time for some fun (not that this isn’t fun... you get it.)

Laters,

V

[Relic]

Funny enough, I can't find the poem I mentioned. Have a good night, verse. It's friday here as well.

[Tara Marie]

Thanks for your helpful and experienced advice, Relic. When I first came aboard here. I was shy and unsure of my talent. I never really dove in until recently. And I'm so glad I have. Because you're right. Most people are friendly and seem to be very helpful.

Big smiles,
Tara Marie

[Relic]

There's always someone willing to help, Tara. Thanks for your thoughts. They're much appreciated. :)

[Tara Marie]

For sure...

[Melissa]

This is a nice intro. Writer's Cafe has been such a generally friendly and welcoming community. As a new person, I found this helpful. Thanks!

[Relic]

I'm glad you liked it Melissa, thanks for reading. :)

[Richard🖌]

Fine work, Tim!
What a marvelously thoughtful, informative, and candid soliloquy on the Café's finer points of personal understandings, and how helpful it will prove to be in navigating through the many entanglements a newbie will inevitably, almost invariably, find themselves confronted by.
To me, one (but not all) of the most indelible aspects of this informative piece you've proffered (that should be a reading must for all novices to any poetry/writing site) will be the value to them in preparing themselves as they naively venture forth, to avoid being stunned, turned-off by, and/or discouraged by that which they will surely (as we know) run across or will be foist upon them.
You've expressed, in a sincerely unselfish, caring, and skilled manner, everything any newcomer will need to know, and you've done so in a clear, inclusive, and concise way, that they will feel grateful, appreciative, and welcomed by … plus, you've gained the respect, fandom, and friendship from each of them you so well deserve, as you have from every member who reads your well thought-out and presented words.
This piece should definitely be displayed in its entirety on the "Sign Up" page as a "Please Read" welcome indoctrination … it sure would save a lot of dysfunction, misunderstanding, and hurt feelings. And, it would, probably, weed out a lot of weak-spirited quitters before they ever get started … LOL!
Poetry sites are definitely NOT for sissies!

Brilliantly rendered!
Thanks, Dear Tim … love the perfect picture choice, too; I wish I'd thought to do this! ⁓ Richard : )

[Relic]

Wow! Thanks so much for your thoughtful review, Richard. It's appreciated. :)

[Richard🖌]

As are You, my new friend. : )

[Davidgeo]

Pretty sound advice. Yours usually is. You're a very helpful creature around these parts.

[Relic]

Thank you D. I appreciate your review very much.

[Davidgeo]

It was my pleasure.

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

LOVE THE IMAGE...LOL...

A DARN GOOD WRITE !!..AS ALWAYS !!!

JAZZY

[Relic]

Thank you for reading, Jazz. :)

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

You are welcome..... :)..................

[Delmar Cooper]

I don't write non fiction, but If I did I'd want to write something like this, a helpful and cheerful trail of bread crumbs for a newbie to follow.

[Relic]

Thank you, Delmar.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Ah, I wish I had read this earlier when I joined but lol at least I learned first hand hahah :P
I'm glad you wrote this down for the newbies, hopefully they appreciate it.
The alternate accounts part bugs me though. I know you stated your reasons for making other accounts but I've encountered several who made another account to stalk/flirt and what not with those accounts while maintaining a fake identity :x And some making another account when I blocked them after they sent sexual pms lol but yeah, that's kinda inevitable if you're on a site like this.
I agree with all the other points you wrote. :)

PS funny pic, it resembles me when I was first here hahaha shy and timid :P

[Relic]

Thanks for your thoughts, Dr.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

You're welcome, Tim (:

[Tate Morgan]

Relic nice to see you reaching out to all the new writers As always your friend tate

[Relic]

Thanks very much, Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

You are welcome relic. As usual another sleepless night So i turned to the cafe for entertainment

[Relic]

I've had many of those. The cafe never sleeps I guess.