Writerscafe shouldn't be a gatekeeping opportunity

I have been on writerscafe for over a decade at this point. In that time, I have encountered and interacted with some truly wonderful people and writings. This community truly is unique and I would love for it to remain that way to all comers. Any way I can contribute to that, I will.

I do not feel like I should have to justify every action I take, but in this case I will make an exception so that maybe a change can occur.

As anyone who has reviewed me may have noticed, I do not respond to reviews. 

I have not for many years. I used to, back when I first joined, but then I stopped. I stopped for many reasons. I did not want to just say thanks. That felt insincere after a while and could get annoying if you ever happen to get a bunch of reviews at once. It also reduced the chance of me feeling the need to respond when someone left a review I didn't appreciate as much. 

If there has been any confusion about my attitude towards reviews, let me clear it up. I appreciate anyone who takes the time out of their day to appreciate my work and say something. (I appreciate you even if you don't say something and I never know because that's what I think every writer hopes for - to touch someone's mind or heart). I sincerely hope that anyone who reads my stuff and reviews does so because they like it. Not because they feel obligated to.

That's how I treat reviewing. I review anything I like and am drawn to. I review anytime I have something to say and I try to make it a meaningful review. I'm not perfect, and sometimes that probably is not communicated, but it is my intent. 

I have left well over a thousand reviews on this site. I have seldom gotten a review back. I do not expect one. I have rarely gotten a thanks. I do not expect one. I reviewed because I wanted to. I hope that whatever I had to say helped that person and I move on. 

No one is entitled to a review. 

No one is entitled to a thank you.

Sure they may be nice, but the fastest way to ruin anyone's good intentions is to demand it as a right.

And I completely understand if that means some people chose not to review me. Or read me. Or ever interact with me again. That's their choice. All I ask is that if you don't like me or how I operate, leave me alone. I'm not trying to bother you; don't bother me.

Author's Note

I feel like this should have a quick post script added. For those who’ve already reviewed this is 3/15/24. I welcome any and all discussion on the topic. Even if anyone disagrees and thinks I’m wrong. There are some things I did not say. This was in response to a specific interaction where I received continued (I would call it harassment) from someone who felt they could pressure me into doing things the way they decided I should. Secondly a large reason why I no longer respond is I simply have no time. I work a full time job. Just last year that meant 60+ hr work weeks. I do not have the time to be on here like I did when I was in high school.
As mentioned in the post, I do not respond to reviews and would find it hypocritical to start now (not to mention all the previous reasons still apply) but if anyone would like to personally discuss anything I’ve said with me, a message is always welcome. Assuming it’s not hostile of course.

Reviews

[Lorry]

Well at least now they can't say they don't know and yes, isn't it surprising how many people know all these completely unwritten rules about how this place works, despite everyone else thinking they know better too!
I remember one person tell me that they only review people who review them and didn't even see the obvious flaw in saying we should all do that! It took me about three seconds to figure out that I'd we all did that, we'd be forever waiting for our first review and I've even seen her giving that same piece of advice recently to a new writer!
Maybe that's how it works here, with everyone thinking their thoughts are right and never accepting change.
I doubt it though and doubt I know any better either.
I mean, personally I'd have a button that gave anyone who started a review with "well I just think....that gave them a shock, but that would only lead to mayhem when someone would hack it and turn it up from mild shock to electrocution.
Maybe it is best to let people be without resorting to making people pee themselves and just always look on the bright side of life (tee time tee diddle um 🎶)

[Mr. Revan]

I came back to this site tonight just to.. look I guess. And I saw a pleasant review from you. First one I've gotten in years. And it was thoughtful. And I appreciated it. So I figured I'd check something of yours.
I love the honesty, the attitude, the REAL. I'm not too good at reviews. God knows I haven't left one in over 5 years. But I appreciate ya!

[Laz K.]

my two cents: people may have different reasons for coming here, writing , and/or posting. naturally, it feels good to be "noticed," but if anyone takes writing seriously, they'll do it to improve their craft, and not so much for the "narcissistic supply." on a slightly different note, in my experience, most people do not actually "review," but rather comment/respond to the "meaning" of what they read. reviewing would entail a more detailed analysis of form and content. plus, the assumption is always that everyone's writing comes from personal experience. it's a pedestrian approach to assume that if someone writes a sad piece, they must feel sad, and therefore need comforting. so, what about crime novels? the author is a killer? anyway, i think everyone is here partly for some recognition, and to receive, one should start by giving.

[Anne Martin]

I've been here for nearly 20 years now, on and off. I review very little now. I treat reviews as a way to impart some of my experience, although I hope I do it in a constructive way. Hidden in that experience is the knowledge that by reviewing, you get more reviews of your own work. By thanking your reviewers (or responding, at least), you create a relationship with them, and they are more likely to visit your work again. Over the years, I have posted over 300 works/chapters/poems here, which is only a fraction of my output during the past 20 years. I am always interested in feedback, although I rarely edit anything because of a review. Some others do, but I find that is rarely the case.

In the past, some reviewers have reviewed only to show how superior they are. They are published author, so they say, and they nitpick everything in a demeaning manner. Yeah, well I'm published, too, but there are various levels of publishing - journals, magazines/ezines, self-publishing, published by a third party, etc. I've edited pieces for publication, yet I know I don't have all the answers - only my opinions, and one can take them or leave them. Most leave them, and I understand that. Some come here to learn, but most come to get their writing out there. No publishers are going to come to the WritersCafe to find new and exciting work to publish. They probably get enough in their slush piles.

As those who interact with me here know, I post most of my work elsewhere on WordPress. There, I am read more frequently, but there is less genuine interaction unless you go out and seek it. It isn't a review site as this purports to be. If I think something I write there will be interesting to some of my friends here, I post it here as well, but I've given up initiating anything here.

Like the WritersCafe itself, my presence here is mostly a ghost ship. When someone reviews me, I poke my head in and respond, and sometimes I'll post a flurry of poems, or maybe just one. I'll look at the writing of whoever reviews me, and if I find it interesting, I'll review. To be completely honest, I don't come here to review generally, just to write. I'm writing a novel now, so little poetry is coming out.

I don't see any gatekeeping going on, per se, but there are a few who intimidate. The owners of this site have very little to do with it these days, as far as I can see. It's just the users who sometimes don't behave.

[Twilight]

It's simply wrong, the basis of this write; as referred to in your Author's Note. And, I knew someone else around here; who was pressurised about how they should write. There isn't anything in this Chapter by Green, which a fair-minded person would disagree with. Even if, other people prefer to use this site in different ways; it should never be used as an excuse for people to criticise others in aggressive ways. Of course, constructive criticism can be expected; but reviewers cannot "demand" that writers should write in any particular way. Indeed, writers with any level of writing ability; are entitled to share their works here.

[Dylan Macadham]

................Well said!

[Neville]

Well said .. as far as I am concerned, I post here mainly to keep a personal record of my scribbles and have probably never reviewed anyone formally without having first been reviewed since I know that there are many who prefer to read only .. However, if someone is kind enough to leave an opinion of my work, then I always endeavour to return said gesture in an open and honest and often constructive manner .. I doubt that this will ever change now whether folk like it or not .. Neville

[The Analog Kid]

I have been on here since 2008 and I concur.

[Marie]

You have given your reader something to think about for future reference, Green. Thank you for your open honesty. Blessings your way...

[Fia Naturie]

This is well said. Appreciate the honesty