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An open letter to the Lords of LifeFeb 20 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line All writers should be encouraged here, none should be rated using less stringent criteria regardless of age or comfort with the English language.
Dear young writers of Epinions, So glad to see that you're enjoying the site. Since so many of you seem to be constantly trying to improve your ratings and numbers of hits, let me share a few tips with you. How to get high ratings Write really well. Ok, so you want more advice? Write really, really well. And don't try to talk your way into a higher rating by telling the rest of us that you are but a child. Want to hear a secret? I don't care how old you are. The only way I am going to give a review a high rating is if that review is very well written. How to be trusted by many Let's assume that you've already taken care of the first point, and have written several really wonderful reviews. Your trust list ought to grow by leaps and bounds at this point - but has it? If not, let me toss out just a couple of ideas. First, take a look at the kinds of comments you leave. Of course, you may say whatever you please. Bear in mind, however, that if a helpful comment is met with a jaunty " I write like I want, so suck my d*ck!", there is a better than average chance that your reader won't be adding you to his or her trust list any time soon, and indeed may have added you to that merry crew of blocked members. Comments seem to be key in inching your way into the hearts of others on Epinions. Leaving a comment indicating polite disagreement is one thing, being rude is another. However, showing breathtaking lack of understanding of another's plight is another way to be roundly ignored. For example, I recently read an editorial about Emily, the little girl of another member who is seriously ill. One young writer left a comment to the effect that he understood completely, and by the why, as he was a good writer, would everyone please go read and rate his reviews? I found that to be the definition of insensitivity, and I'm sure many other members also took note of that remark. Next, consider what message you are sending by your profile page. If you display a photo or put a witty paragraph or two, that will interest people, which is what you want ( I assume). However, don't try to convince everyone else of the superiority of your person or writing with something like this: There ismuch discrimination hereagainst kids. Yet, theycan host writeoffs, and get atleast30people that trust them Trust me, no one is going to give you the sympathy vote, and a message like that is nearly guaranteed to make you sound whiny and petulant. Note: I have four children. I therefore have access to all of the whining anyone could possibly wish for in real life, and therefore am not about to listen to it online. How to get return reads I really wish I didn't even have to mention this - but please, if you are old enough to write here, you are old enough to do it on your own. It is not going to help your writing or your WOT if a relative writes to everyone who doesn't give you perfect ratings. It only creates resentment. Rewriting a review until you get it right will improve a rating I give, and most people are the same. Having your mother or siblings attack a rater for rating is only going to get you blocked, and you really don't want to do that. I am not anti-kid. I have four of my own. I do understand being fiercely protective of them, even if at times they may not deserve it. However, my children don't write here - partly because I don't feel they are nearly good enough, and partly because I do know that my feelings would be hurt if I felt that someone was attacking my child. Still, I do know that being a mama tiger on the site wouldn't help my kids, and it isn't really going to help you in the long run. Epinions isn't a creative writing site, although the very best reviews are creative and the best writers pay close attention to language. It isn't a high school, either, even though at times I'd be hard-pressed to prove it, judging from some behaviour here. Very few people on Epinions care one way or another about the age of a writer, but most people care a lot about the overall quality of writing in a review. So, if you don't receive a VH every time you write, don't even think about complaining that your rating is based on age discrimination. By choosing to write here, you are telling me one thing: you believe that your writing can compete with that of any adult's. If it can, you'll see it in your ratings, and will have a lot to be proud of. If not, either keep working at it, or find a site devoted to nurturing children who enjoy writing - but don't complain that you aren't being treated fairly. What really would be unfair is if everyone were to decide to rate your reviews using a different set of criteria just because you are young. That would teach you... what? Certainly not how to be a better writer, although I think it would teach you that self-pity can accomplish the same thing as hard work, with half the effort involved, and sorry, but I don't consider that a useful life skill. Not that Epinions is designed for teaching writing or life skills, although you certainly can pick up both of those here if you choose. Many writers here are wonderful mentors, and will go to great lengths to help other writers. I suggest that you find another member whose writing you like and who has left helpful comments, and just ask for help in editing or tips on rewriting. I hope that some of you will at least think for a few minutes about some of the points I've tried to bring up. I admire your enthusiasm for writing, and I realize just how much fun there is to be had here, and even wish you the best of luck. I also wish you hours of hard work so that when your high ratings come rolling in, you'll experience the pleasure of accomplishing something that you've had to work hard to get, as there is nothing like that feeling. Now, enjoy your kingdom, and be kind to those of us who are currently "...dying in exile". 1 Cindy 1. From A Woman Of No Importance by Oscar Wilde  |
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