Welcome to The Writer's Corner - These are the Rules!

[The Helper]

Welcome to the Writer's Corner, a forum devoted to delving deep into the void, exploring the imagination of our members and maybe correcting a few spelling errors! The following are rules, not guidelines to this section;

1. Writings should be in English. All of the TH.net staff speaks English [and occasionally another language, too] and as such, English is needed for everyone to be fully understood. Keep in mind that the head Admin of the Corner, Seth Cross is not at all bilingual [he can only speak English] and will close threads or reprimand people if this rule is broken.
   
   
2. No porn, cybering, etc. etc. Keep in mind we cater to a young audience here.
   
   
3. Keep respectful of other members. Not just the writers, but the other members who may simply be sharing their opinion on a piece of work in the Corner. Remember, we may not all agree, but we do have to get along while disagreeing. If a problem presents itself with another member, report it to Seth Cross, and he will handle it, personally.
   
   
4. You can be critical but no flaming/"destructive criticism" - Do not get personal! Not everyone is a scholar. As mentioned before, we cater to a young audience, meaning some of these stories may be written by younger people. We can't expect the greatest vocabulary or correct grammar. Be considerate when posting your thoughts, lest they "disappear"...

You can cut the edge here but if you think it might get deleted, it probably will. You can try though. We are pretty open-minded here but we do bow to the public. Be creative - and most importantly have fun!

 

[Nestharus]

I have a good suggestion

Don't post mean criticism based only on your opinion ^_^

It can be hurtful to the author

Only post that if they specifically ask for it, and then, you should still only PM it to them instead of posting it in public. Things like that should be kept private.

Mean criticism includes:
You should redo what you did, just burn that. It's that bad, honestly.

It might still be constructive if you point out why it's that bad, but still, it's very harsh, rude, and hurtful.

ktx

btw, sometimes being critical can be hurtful if you do it in a mean way. It might not be personal, but you might generalize the type of writing they did. I don't know. Sorry if I'm bugging some of you, I just think it's an important issue. Maybe it doesn't fall under direct flaming.

Maybe think of someone who's trying to write something and they are trying really hard. Maybe someone else says, that work is crap, here's why, gives a list, literally tears it to pieces. I dunno, that wouldn't be a flame, but that'd be very cruel. That's what I'm talking about if I left it a bit too broad ^_^

 

[Ninva]

Don't post mean criticism based only on your opinion

Being mean is way too general. I could correct your grammar, and for all I know that could send you crying to your room. Don't say it won't because it does hurt when it happens the first few times, I know.

 

[Jindo]

I guess what you mean is:

Keep respectful of other members.

You can be critical but no Flaming - do not get personal!

 

[Ninva]

I believe he wants to be an American and get purple marks on his errors instead of red...

Not to be rude to you, Nest. You're suggest just bugs the crap out of me, and I pray it will be vetoed.

 

[Halahan]

same, in a fashion. Yes its cruel, but writer's are going to face that rejection anyway and if they can't take it now and give up then they'll probably give up later anyway.
most members on here try to be polite and if they really think its a 4/10, they might give it a 5. lol, the only person I can think of who has done something like that is you with that poetry review "This makes it trash, I'm sorry." and you gave reasons and how to improve and everything, I'm just saying you're the only one who has done really anything of what you just suggested be a rule not to do.

 

[Nestharus]

That's why I suggested it. I'm somewhat ashamed..

 

[Halahan]

huh. well as long as you don't no reason to have that rule

 

[Fatmankev]

The RIGHT kind of criticism...

I say that the Writer's Corner needs more destructive criticism.

Think about it - if everyone is only telling people ways to improve their works, then they'll continue to work on it and, subsequently, future works. Sounds good, right? But let's be honest... and honesty is the key word, here... some stuff on here is so awful it leaves a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. In fact, there's so much trash on here that I've almost stopped looking at anything posted by anyone but a choice number of people, because the only thing that reading less-skilled peoples works does it cause pain. It causes me pain, because it wastes my time and infuriates me; it causes the writer pain, because all I can do is tell them how much I disliked it (or, much more often, I just won't say anything and I'll never read their crap again)... really, there's just nothing good that comes out of it.

And although constructive criticism is nothing but constructive, most of the time, people will present some of the problems with someone's story and finish with. "You're story is very interesting, and I'm really interested in seeing where you go with it," or some other such nonsense. Again, BAD! Do not get their hopes up! Do not fill their minds with your shameless praise, for they thrive on it and will continue to write. Some people are, simply put, not meant to write. Do not encourage these people. If you do, then you're a damned fool. God has other plans for these people, like succeeding in sports, making a rock band, or becoming a master of the custodial arts.

So, I ask you all - nay, I beg of you - do not be afraid to put someone down. You can do it in a way that's not mean, if you so choose, and that would be much better for everyone, but do not give them false hope. Do not lead them down a path that will only waste the time of everyone involved. Instead, let them know that they have no future in this field before it's too late.

Let's all try to practice a little destructive criticism, fellas, shall we?

 

[Ninva]

Sounds Good

I agree with you, Kev.
I started out in the third grade not knowing how to read or write, but during those times I was fat and stupid. After the spoiling was done I was abused harshly. Now I think I've done more with my life during those harsh times than I have during the time I was ignorant and spoiled, and I still am.
Thus I believe we should support destructive criticism even though I probably won't take part in it (unless someone totally mocks the art of literature like I do).

 

[Fatmankev]

Yeah, true destructive criticism as I spoke about would be a little harsh, but tone down my idea a little and practice it in a respectful manner to achieve maximum excellence.

 

[esb]

I do agree with Fatmankev, but not many people are used to your type of criticism, and could get a wrong image of TheHelper.net. I do agree however, that without criticism, people can't improve their skills (if they had any).

I don't write much, but sometimes when I do, I expect them to tell me how the honestly feel. I judge whether I think they are right or wrong, and I don't like lying to myself, so criticism does work.

On another note, what about cursing in literature? Are they allowed? Well, Seth already said no, but at another thread I remember someone saying it was ok as long as it was minor. I wouldn't want to read something with a "bad word" after another, but it distracts me a lot when I see a * here and there.

 

[Fatmankev]

On another note, what about cursing in literature? Are they allowed? Well, Seth already said no, but at another thread I remember someone saying it was ok as long as it was minor. I wouldn't want to read something with a "bad word" after another, but it distracts me a lot when I see a * here and there.

Well, take another look at the name of this thread. Now, take a look at the first post. Check it twice. Return here, and realize that no where does it say that profanity is prohibited; however, if the public generally has a problem with your work then you will have to censor or remove it.

Edit: Honestly, I didn't mean to sound like an ass right thar. Forgiveth me.

 

[DM Cross]

No.

 

[Pineapple]

Its the way of the world. It happens in the writers corner, in the graphics zone.

It is called Ass patting.

People love compliments and hate to be told they can improve. So, they get 'defencive' when they are told how to improve. Yet, thats not always the case.

I mean seriously, don'tsay sometihng is good if its not. It doesn't need to be a rule. It needs to be what you start doing.

Here is a new flash: NO ONE CARES IF YOU THINK ITS GOOD OR INTERESTING! Seriously. It seems like a useless post "It is good/interestion, lets see where it goes." I can say that in any thread, and I might never have read the story. People should say what needs improvement or what they like - will they? Nope. You are liked more if you give compliments.

/rant

 

[DM Cross]

You are liked more if you give compliments.

I am statistic proof that you are wrong

 

[Fatmankev]

But when have you ever given a compliment?

Annndd... I am not sure what your earlier post was regarding. Please elaborate, you know, with a sentence and what not; yea, give it a subject and verb and uuuuuhvrythang.

 

[Ninva]

NO ONE CARES IF YOU THINK ITS GOOD OR INTERESTING!

Haha, but I do. That's my total aim, so you're kinda off when you made that statement.

 

[Fatmankev]

Haha, but I do. That's my total aim, so you're kinda off when you made that statement.

I believe he meant when someone posts, "Your story was interesting," without elaborating on why it was interesting.

 

[DM Cross]

Let's all try to practice a little destructive criticism, fellas, shall we?

No.

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