Work in Progress

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... maybe they left because they didn't like the critiques of their work. Some of the members who asked for help didn't appreciate the advice they were given. They wanted to grow from praise not criticism.

Domenic,

In the chattter box we chatter.

Are you ready for Christmas yet?

I don't think you can talk a writer out of writing.
I haven't managed to anyway.

To some extent, the lack of "work in progress" may come down to the fact that excerpts that at too short are hard to say much about out of context and excerpts that are long take a while to read.

As rude as it may sound, most of us are too busy to read and then offer solid comments about a multiple-page manuscript. That, more than anything else probably leads to the small talk, the log in, read something fast, say something fast, and then move on to Facebook or one's own work.

Malcolm

Domenic,
As Alice mentioned, the Chatter box is for chatter.
As Shelagh mentioned, honest critiques are not always welcomed.
As Malcolm pointed out, getting someone to read a lengthy post is the first hurdle. Most have other things on their schedule and move on quickly. I seldom read long posts unless it is a Blog or something I am keenly interested in. Asking for help usually gets a positive response. Expecting help by chance is risky.

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Teach then...What do you want us to learn?

I remember well your last lesson. I am negative, don't like writers, complain about my health etc.,

Do teach me more. I am sure that session helped you far more than it did me.

It gave you an opportunity to vent your bad feelngs towards me publicly.

Perhaps you could commence a class on how to be kind to folks.

As Shelagh noted, unless it's good, people don't want critiques of their work, they want affirmation. Read responses to critiques in places such as the Writing Craft forum on writers.net if you don't believe that.

And as Malcolm noted, most of us don't prioritize the time to do solid critiques of others' work, anyhow. There are more effective ways to learn the craft than to spend hours critiquing pieces in genres we would probably never look at otherwise.

Domenic,

We are waiting--don't hold back. Wherein are we wrong?

Chatting in the Chatterbox--such a travesty!

Merry Christmas!

Perhaps you could edit our posts.

Aw Phooey!

Another hit and run! You dash in here, sling a mudball then run far away.

Why not stay and defend your remarks or rescind them?

That would be the sporting thing to do.

When you think we have forgotten, you will be back.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You don't seem to get it Alice...I do not want dialogue with you.
All you do is side-tract threads on writing. I am in this forum to learn how to write...not blow up you ego.

Fine! As you wish... You are as usual so very right

Domenic,

As I see it, the main purpose of the Chatterbox is to establish a sense of community. We get to know each other; we get to know who among us tends to be brutally honest, who tinctures criticisms with a touch of honest sugar, who focuses on all the positives, and whom we can trust to not be merely subversive.

We also get to see what kind of advice and criticism is helpful to each of the varied personalities who chat here.

The important thing about posting WIP's is being able to trust. We've become wary here, of blind trust.

As for myself, my presence in the chatterbox has helped me to get to know my fellow posters. I have a good idea of whom I can trust to give a valid response, of whom I can listen to, and whom I should take with a grain of salt - positive or negative.

It helps to know where the critic's credentials lie, and how much experience that critic has in specific areas.

And all of these facets are best determined, I personally think, by the informal conversations that take place in the chatterbox.

Stop in and visit sometime; let us get to know the real Domenic. We will have a better idea of how to help you, if help is really what you are looking for.

Ann

domenic Pappalardo wrote:

Has the work in progress become a thing of the past? I like to read what writers write. Watch how they grow from the help of other members. Has Published Authors become just a chat room?...Just a place to talk to friends about everything except writing?

Maybe those who came here to learn gave up...maybe they read to many post that stated..."It's a wast of time."

I am not a writer, but my attempt to edit is as follows: See the next post.

alice wrote:

domenic Pappalardo wrote:

Has the work in progress become a thing of the past? I like to read what writers write.and watch how they grow from the help of other members. Has Published Authors become just a chat room, just a place to talk to friends about everything except writing?

Maybe those who came here to learn gave up...maybe they read too many posts that stated..."It's a waste of time."

Domenic,

Do you put up a tree? Feel free to tell about it on my tree thread.
I want to build your ego. You need an ego repair. Somewhere you have been hurt.

Happy people do not go around telling others off.

I don't post in-progress work often. Unless the people reading the work really know what you are trying to convey it does not make much sense to me to post it. My work changes so much from in-progress to finished that posting it is a wasted exercise. Each writer has a different style and the responses you get may be more of their style versus your style. If I have a particulay issue that I am having trouble with such as a transition from one scene to another, that seems to be where a post could help more.

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Domenic,

About split infinitives: The infinitive of a verb is the basic form of a verb -- often used with "to" in front of it. The most well-known split infinitive is: to boldly go where no man has gone before.

Correct grammar is: to go boldly where no man has gone before.

The infinitive is "go" and putting an adverb (boldly) between "to" and "go" splits the infinitive.

http://www.google.co.uk/dictionary?q=split+an+infinitive&hl=en&sl=en&tl=en&oi=dict_re

I like to read what writers write, to watch how they grow from the help of other members.

I like to read what writers write and watch how they grow from the help of other members.

"Watch how they grow" has a slightly different meaning. If I asked a group of children to blow up a bunch of balloons, I might say, "Watch how they grow!"

Fine I will leave--because of you.

You just answered your own question. Why try to help someone write?

They wrote it the way they want it. Now do enjoy yourself.

I refuse to be publicly verbally abused.

domenic Pappalardo wrote:

I am not leaving the forum.

Why not? It obviously doesn't have what you need. Try AbsoluteWrite, Writers.net, or one of the dozens others of writing forums around.

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domenic Pappalardo wrote:

Shelagh...you are correct. Capt Kerk was from the wrong side of the Moon.

Kirk.

Domenic,

If Alice left the forum, the members who claim to have left because of Alice will not return; they'll lose the excuse for leaving, that's all.

Shelagh, you are the admin...why do you allow members like Alice to force herself on other members?
I understand why others left...