My Writers Cafe.

I've been asked quite a few times today what my writerscafe.org is, so heres my response.

There are has been an ever escalating argument between writers on the site for the past few days now - I'm not one to name names however if you are an avid reader you'll know. A lot of my readers contacted me asking my advice on how to process this information and if it was worth staying on this site.

When I joined writerscafe a million years ago, I remember the excitement - giving my work to the world, for them to read and comment on, give me advice on. The most terrifying thing though is that this site is packed with other amazing writers that can cut you like a knife with their words. Don't get me wrong, I neither agree with this practice nor dis-agree, hell, I know quite well that some of work deserved to end up in a bin and not with my name beside it on a site such as this.

My point is though that with this tornado of opinions and positions not all of us will agree to everything or with everyone. That’s life as we know it, and no-one can change that, but we can be more subjective in how we approach each other.

Be respectful, use civilised language when addressing each other - and do not start a campaign of hatred against each other, it isn't productive and isn't good for you. If you’re anything like me and try to get along with all - then it must be a heavy burden on the heart to see some of your favourite writers at each other’s throats. I am mature enough to know that some people will just never get a long - and that’s fine.

When it comes to the point when the writers on here are getting so abusive that it borders on the outrageous, or when we are not thick skinned enough to take such abuse, the writerscafe have wonderful facilities of blocking and flagging - use them if you must, but do not go to war with each other - I beg of you.

What is writerscafe for me - a haven for all writers, readers and friends - let’s keep it that way shall we?

Author's Note

This is not preaching to anyone, just my take on the situation.

Reviews

[Valentine]

Thomas, thankfully I was off a couple of days and missed it..I find if you can't agree with ones writing..block them..do not run them down..I love this site and the people on it and have made some long time friends..so I like Thomas...say please try to be kind to each other..Kathie

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Thanks

[Judas Hammer]

I agree. On one comment I was cursed out, accused of being a Homophobic and then given a run down on her family history. When I later explained to them my point of view they explained my use of a word was abusive and blocked me. This is suppose to be a published author. I say thank you.
Listen as long as your piece is causing discussion I believe you have done you're job as a writer. To me the worst thing to be called is a hack or God forbid thief reprinting a more famous authors work because the style is the same.
If your piece has cause organic debate bravo if people are posting vile garbage to get attention....shame on you tabloid scribbler....

[Tomás Ó C..]

In its first manifestation, it was a brilliant site, but suffered the spats too. Then all was lost, and the new site uploaded, but the old crew went... :-( Very few vets left here now...

Havnt read your stuff yet, Ive some ghost stories up here and more up on www.writingsinrhyme.com but its old fashioned rhyming poetry, akin to David Lewis Pagets but not as good!!!

Ill get a read of yours when I get the chance. Throw an eye on mine if you want!

[Tate Morgan]

I have to agree with you Tomas so many of the older posters are gone now. It is a shame we lost such talent here. I miss many of them and wish they were still around. We had some who were truly brilliant. These petty fights lately have nearly caused the site to commit suicide

[Androglossia]

Right on. 101% agree.

[TLK]

"...but do not go to war with each other - I beg of you."

On one article about the whole situation, a review commenter has said something along the lines of "abused women are at fault, they should get out of the relationship".

To me, this is on a level with Holocaust Denial, in the sense that it sweeps away a vast history of injustice and then blames the victim for being hurt (of course, the Holocaust was centrally organised, and abuse of women is not. But both are only possible when social attitudes allow them to be). Is this kind of comment not worth going to war about?

[Jack...]

Man, you just don't give up, do you?

[TLK]

I'm a feminist. No, we don't give up.

[Jack...]

I just want to say, the above line you posted about abused women being at fault, is so far away from my realm of thinking it pains me to even read it, to me there is no truth in that statement at all. I admire women, all women, I think they are amazing and I believe they can do anything, even single handedly raise a boy to a man. I am not and never have been a part of this way of thinking you refer to. I do not condone most of the things that were said during this war of words that transpired, by either side. But, what you posted above is not a review of this person's work or anything even close to constructive criticism. You are using this review area to post a statement which in my opinion is denying another's opinion. All you are doing is making a case out of one line of this writer's work. I did not read if you liked it or didn't or what you think they can do to make it better.

[TLK]

Fair point -- if this was a poem or story, then to 'score points' by examining an opinion contained would be churlish.

However, this IS an opinion piece -- it could be posted as a blog entry, or as an editorial in a newspaper.

So, I reviewed it in the spirit it was intended. Perhaps I merely wanted Thomas to think about -- and maybe reply to -- the possibility that some statements DO warrant something akin to a war?

[Jack...]

Point taken. I apologize if I misunderstod.

[TLK]

I think you made a very fair point. I certainly don't want to come across as contradictory for the sake of it, and will think before I post. "You are using this review area to post a statement which in my opinion is denying another's opinion" is definitely something to think twice about.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

No, nothing is worth going to war for - even on this site - which let's be honest here isn't exactly ground breaking on a national level. You may feel as a feminist that these statments are an attack and I agree they are. However I wrote a piece on what Writers Cafe meant to me - TO ME - not my opinion on women, men, gender or anything else - What Writers Cafe means to me. Your need to grandstand on my work is unwarranted and leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. If you want to leave a comment on my opinion go ahead - but do not bend my words to suit your cause.

[tamsen grier]

Here, here! The truth is as writers we have to stick together and support each other, because the sad reality is a lot of society is against our craft. I recall a fight with my parents when I told them I wanted to be a professional writer and they threatened to cut me off unless I pursued a "realistic" profession like teaching. Think of all the people who reply with an indifferent "oh" when you tell them your hobby is writing (I've had quite a few first dates that essentially ended at that moment). And, in general, the stronger the vision, the more people will oppose the work. We need to stand together as writers. Harsh criticism is the realm of publishers and, well, critics (a necessary part of the chain, just not ours, dear friends!). As literati we have the obligation to appreciate every voice and lift it with positive discourse.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

You speaks the truth been it that situations if I discuss to my friend about my new poem, they are not interested at all. they think it's useless and waste.

[Alex Falkner]

I completely agree with you, I saw what transpired over the few days, I have to admit to commenting on it as well, I will not name names, or point fingers, but I want to see proper, creative critisim, if you don't have anything constuctive to say, be nice or don't say anything.
Most of us on this site are adults, could we please act like it.

[alltheloveabove]

I agree. It has to be positive criticism.

[Mark]

Here here! Well said and I totally agree. The biggest problem with criticizing someone in writing is that the reader can not hear your inflections, or see your gestures. We are reduced to the bare bones of communication and we often flesh out what we are not given with our imaginations. This often leads to flaming. Hopefully whoever is involved will be able to step back and take a deep breath or, as you said, use the mechanics of this place to ignore the offensive.

[Robbie~xoxo~]

"What is writerscafe for me - a haven for all writers, readers and friends - let’s keep it that way shall we?"

~I agree Thomas... my sentiments exactly... This is an escape(safe haven) for some, expression and therapy for others... But more importantly a place where writers go to support one another, (so I hope)... Thank you for sharing your thoughts, my friend.~xo~

[Rita L. Sev]

Well said. This gets an "Amen" from me. Thank you for writing.