It's great to get feedback, and one of the recent comments has been the number of new users who post over-long first posts in the archive/groups and then are surprised when nobody has the time to read all 65000 words. Although we decided against imposing any specific word limit, we have set up a warning now. If you try to submit over 2500 words, the system will politely remind you that this is a course of action likely to result in zero comments!
That's a really good idea, thanks.
Brilliant idea, David.
Dee
Well for what it is worth, in my opinion this is a really bad idea.
Obviously no one is likely to read an upload of 65,000 but that doesn't mean people should restrict themselves to just 2,500. I've read lots of things of more than 2,500. In most cases you are going to get very little idea about a person's writing or the story itself from such a short upload.
By warning people they won't get feedback if they upload more than 2,500, you are implying they will get feedback if they upload less. Are you guaranteeing feedback for less than 2,500 words? They are going to be very disappointed when still no one comments on their work.
Instead, newcomers should be warned there is a lot more involved if you want to get feedback. Like critiquing other people's work if you want them to read yours, and taking the time to thank people who give you feedback on your work. There is nothing more offputting than when you spend hours reading and commenting on someone's work and they just respond by uploading a new piece without thanking anyone.
It also helps if people join in group discussions and maintain a regular appearance, not just uploading their own work and then disappearing for six months before coming back to upload another piece.
These warnings shouldn't just be for newcomers, because plenty of old members do these things too. In fact in some cases they are the worst cuplrits and set a very bad example.
Best wishes
Toshi
Toshi, Writewords has both Site Hosts and Group Hosts to guide new members on WW etiquette. I'm not sure what more we can do.
Feel free to WWmail me if you have any particular concerns in this area.
- NaomiM
I have no idea what you mean, Naomi. I was just commenting on the new warning for uploads over 2500 which everyone else seemed to think was such a good idea.
Best
Toshi
No worries Toshi. You seemed to be making several points (about Group etiquette) so I assumed there was more to it than that. My apologies for getting the wrong end of the stick.
- NaomiM
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