 |
 |
 |
| |
99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall'
With my reader list passing 120. I am flattered by the fact that more than 95% of those people are there through 'reciprocation' ' they chose me to be on their reader list first. Oh, I know there are people with double (and more) the number of readers, but I am, as my sister puts it, chuffed that, in this community, there are so many people who think it worthwhile to have me as a reader.
But, the other day, I got to thinking.
Why would one choose someone to be on their reader list?
I figure there are two main answers.
#
First, it is a request for that person to comment or critique on what they have uploaded as 'readers/friends only'.
The implication is that the chosen person has expertise or knowledge that can improve the chooser's ability to write well, especially with pieces that are works in progress, intended for a specific audience and/or publication.
This is where the real value of Edit Red lies ' gathering a chosen support network that can give a relatively objective opinion on the actual work.
Writing is a solitary occupation, in that no one can write a piece for you (if you want to be a writer; of course, there are people who want others to do the writing, while they get the accolades ' ghost writing). If you are aiming at an audience (getting published), then you want to know whether you are writing well enough to communicate your intent to that audience, and your support network can help tremendously, from spotting 'finger errors' to clumsy statements that might be misinterpreted.
How many people do *YOU* need in your support network?
Considering my reader list and quality of the comments made, I'd suggest that it would be 10 or fewer people, not counting the EditRed administration and support team. Certainly, it would not be more than 20 people.
#
The second reason, which seems to be more prevalent, is to be part of a 'clique'. Not in a bad way, but to get to read those pieces marked as 'readers/friends', a kind of 'I'll be your reader if you'll be mine'. This makes the whole process almost a popularity contest ' kind of 'XXX has 600 readers, thus is 'better' than YYY, who has only 599 readers, and YYY has to be 'better' than ZZZ who's only got 100.'
Of course, the second reason is not THAT simple. The first rationale also plays a part in selecting readers and asking for reciprocation (it is done automatically when you ask someone to be one of your readers).
I could expand on this, but I'll leave it to you to take your own meaning of the possibility.
#
What's the point of this article/blog/whatever?
First, a lot of material put into 'reader/friend' status should be 'public'. This is what will help other members decide whether you can help them in their writing career. It's free to view for everyone, and they can evaluate what you have to offer. Unless you really are going to send the piece out into the publishing world and need to protect your copyrights, it is published if you put it up here ' it also helps to be able to refer people to get a sample of your work to your EditRed page.
Second, choose your readers carefully. Can they really help you? Can you give them help, IF they reciprocate on readers lists? If either of those answers is 'no' or 'not really', then the chances are that you are using the second rationale.
Third, if someone puts you on their readers list, do you think that they can help you if you help them? If so, then reciprocate! Otherwise, be nice, make a note of who they are, help them when you can, but DON'T reciprocate on lists!
Fourth, in the next little while, I'm going to go through my readers list. It's going to be cut down drastically. I'm not sure, yet, how many will be left, but it will be under half of what's already there. I don't know if it will take me off some people's reader list, but I'll take my chances. Maybe, I'll then search out and keep track of those who still have me on their lists'
If this offends anyone, I apologise ' it's not intended to slight anyone on a personal level. It's about gaining back some of my time.
Want to comment on this Essays?
Sign up to Edit Red and you will be able to comment on Essays and get access to: Upload your own stories and poems, get readers and their feedback, promote your work...
|
 |
|
[Back to top]
|
|
 |
Comment by: Cherley - 2007-04-11 03:45
|
|
LOL Peter, I see I'm still here, but perhaps this is public. I didn't check. I find that I have a handful (and I have a small hand) of people who actually read my work. You are a good reader and I'm proud to have you on my reader's list.
Sometimes I don't always know what to say about someone's work so I may only say. Nice or ooo or ah, but as you know, if I notice something that doesn't seem just right, I'll certainly tell the person.
I think when some people first start they add as many readers as they can because they are so anxious for feedback. After a while it settles in and you kind of know who you're readers actually are. |
 |
Comment by: Midden - 2007-03-22 04:11
|
|
Heh, some good points on something that I've often pondered myself. Personally though, I don't care all that much about it... my own reasons for joining EditRed are because I've been writing all my days, and when someone read them a while back, he said "hey you should join that EditRed place, full of writers." That, and nothing more.
If someone adds me solely for me to read and comment his/her work, then that doesn't bother me either. I'm not losing out, I like to read other folks stuff. If they don't ever comment on my own, then, again, that's fairy nuff. It sure is nice tosee that wee red NC when you log in here, but at the end of the day, you'd rather it was a meaningful comment and not just someone commenting in the hope that you wil return.
Personally, I couldn't care less. I just enjoy writing, and knowing that I've neither the skill nor the will power to get published, I post it all up here. But, the paranoia which runs rife in my soul forces me to make the greater majority of it as readers only because... well, because you never know! |
 |
Comment by: - 2007-03-21 13:31
|
|
I simply joined EditRED, several months ago, to enter a contest. Yes, shameful as it is, that's my BIG reason. I learned a little about the site upon joining and realized a very big world of writers was right there, waiting to be tapped into, at my fingertips. I don't often meet too many writers in the 'real' world and for that, alone, thus far, I have found this site invaluable.
I had to delete my account a couple of months ago but I'm glad to have returned.
I'm not looking for praise, accolades nor to win a popularity contest. I am merely following a path that will lead me to fellow writers. |
 |
Comment by: Brissie - 2007-03-18 21:27
|
|
Whew! Thanks for not de-listing me. :-)
I have one more comment to make about the reader / friends only listing of items. While I don't think my stories are fit for publishing (okay, I did have stars in my eyes when I started!), I do have other reasons for not wanting them listed as public. That is, the stories are not for open internet reading as they would be if I list them as public and not reader only. And of course if I have something I would want out there for all to see (on the internet or elsewhere) I would be seeking to publish it, therefore wanting to keep the story reader only on editred.
Having said that, I have kept a few stories public. Perhaps people will 'entertain' themselves reading those while waiting for the reader request response?
Cheers |
|
|
A good blog Peter. Part 1, for me and everything that is behind EditRED, is exactly how reader lists should be used. Of course there are those who want to add lots of readers and see large numbers as some kind of value system. However, those who think and act in this way shoot themselves in the foot. The writers who only have 15 readers, but who they interact with, critique with and learn from get infinitely more out of EditRED than those who spend time just adding people to their list.
We can but share these thoughts I guess.
I think the serious writers always look at these huge reader reader list totals and know exactly what to take from them, that it is likely that member isn't serious about sharing and growing as a writer, but simply about un-reciprocated reading.
I wonder should there be some kind of standard for appearing on each other's reader lists? |
| 1 2 3 Next |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
