To My Friends In WritersCafe.org ~

A letter to you...

To My Friends In WritersCafe.org ~

 

To be a friend, is to be honest. If I say something to you, it is for you alone. I don't say the same things to everyone in the Cafe. I give honest reviews, with tact. If I review you, know that my review is authentic, not copied and pasted, or filled with false flattery. False flattery is lies, and quite frankly, I have more respect for my friends than that. We are here to learn from each other, and lying is not conducive to the learning process.

 

Ratings and badges in the Cafe mean nothing to me. I do not review, to get reviews. I do not give high ratings, to get high ratings. In fact, I have turned that feature off on my writings. I am inconsistent with my activity in the Cafe, and disappear at times. This does not mean I do not respect my Cafe friends, it means that I respect my home life and for whatever reason, it demands more of me at any given time. I have five children and they take precedence.   

 

I believe in constructive criticism, and welcome it. Constructive criticism does not consist of negativity. I can point out an error in grammar or something I do not understand, without belittling the reviewed. Constructive is defined as: a positive building up process. I do value the reviewed's feelings and if I hurt them in any way, please let me know. I am not here to judge, or be judged, I am here to learn and sometimes, teach. I do not respond to negativity, it is unworthy of my attention. Any person who comes off as negative, will be ignored completely.

 

Every writer here, is important in my eyes...

 

God bless you all...

 

Imogean~    

Reviews

[R J Askew]

It's tricky isn't it...the balance between saying what we honestly feel and not wanting to offend or hurt in any way. Yet to flatter falsely is terrible. But some people are more sensitve than others in the nature of things. But from what you say I think you are a very honest reviwer and that is of vital importance here. The points system dilutes the reviewing process as many people are tempted to review positively merely to encourage others to do the same to them.

[Mysteral - Night Prowle..]

Just happened to be browsing and stumbled on this. Great comment, echoes my thoughts entirely. Thanks for sharing your ideals.

[Kelley Pascoe]

Brovo! Its about time someone said this Imogean(smile)
Thanks for sharing.
G.B.Y.
Kelley

[Wisconsin]

Oh, and also, I'd like to add that I find it extremely ironic that the one person who had an honest yet against-the-grain, not-so-flattering opinion several reviews ago kind of ended up getting chewed out in some of the other reviews here. What's up with that?

[Carl]

Thank you for writing this. Many a world hinges on the type of review they recieve. People tend to forget that words carry weight. Hertbreak Pain Hurt can all be felt if a person or their work are shot to peices. And the worst thing of all is that person may never pick up his pen again. And wht new talent will never join the Cafe if all its established writers do is slate and slagg off. I hope mnay will read your price and use their words and reviews to build encourage and equip the writers of this time and a time to come

[Hedra Helix]

seriously;)

gah, how does one expect to get better as a writer {goal here at WC right?} if all their reviews are padded with sugar?

I find it weird, we're all adults {mostly;)} why can't most of the community tell the difference between a helpful critique {pricesless} and jerkiness/a*s kissing?
I find it completely insane.

anyhow, you go girl;) I love me some straight priorities!

[Jessica L Auster]

Oh man, I'm glad someone finally said something regarding this matter. =]

[Kara Emily Krantz]

AMEN. i am pasting this to my site, so people will know that I feel the same exact way.

hugs

[*** Hey Jude***]

This letter is such an important piece that needed to be written. A review is something to help all grow as a writers, not to break them down or puff them up. I understand and also think that its so important to set your priorities, especially with your family! One of the great parts of this letter "Constructive is defined as: a positive building up process." Thanks so much for writing this letter from your heart~ Jude xo
PS There is a place to write notes in conjunction with the review

[Arthur Henn]

Well said and your honesty is always appreciated.

Art

[Wisconsin]

Wonderfully penned and beautifully written! I could definitely relate to what the protagonist was going through. Beautiful piece! You've outdone yourself once again!