Posted Musthavename's thoughts here.
ok another thing now: What can we do about the Tale of the Week forum, especially the Votings? It sucks major donkey behind that we only have like 11 voters for 8 entries! I mean, people are reading AARs and writing AARs like never before, why does nobody care about TotW then? They have the time apparently - they have the interest in stories apparently - but they don't even go into this forum and take half an hour to read those little tales and vote. We're having some new entrants lately and I like that fact, but when it comes to voting the whole forum fails: 1. Due to the low ammount of voters, nearly everyone votes for himself, just to get 1 vote at least. Under normal circumstances this would be lame (see PotW) but this is a different situation and it is kinda reasonable.. 2. Due to this struggle for even 1 vote, the whole competition isn't very friendly, or at least people don't comment on the stories... 3. It's always the same persons winning. I don't like to say this but it is true. And I know that this has to be depressing for the new authors who take their time to write everytime. I would suggest; to back up the MORALE of the TotW troops that: Me, Caradog, Pontifex, Juvenal just take the next week off and do not enter the contests. I know you guys like to write stories, but I simply can't watch this any longer - I mean I want those guys to be happy too ffs. How about that: Instead of delivering your stories to the submission thread, you just post them in the Quickies Thread (if you have a good story written I mean) ------------ And finally to the advertising thing: Sig advertising wasn't a big deal until now I guess... How can we attract the people to at least READ in the TotW forum?
I agree that we should increase the popularity of the forum. But whining doesn't help a bit, so here's what I can help: - Eagle Standard article - front-page announcement Plan B move to whole ToTW thing back tot the AAR Competitions? Plan C move to whole ToTW thing to an AAR forum? Which one? I disagree that anyone should retire, it doesn't work that way. Say: "Hey Giovi retire so that other people can win the PoTW, too! Thanks!" No-no.
I think the thing is, is a large portion of AAR readers are loyal to one or two AARs. They check the first update of any new AARs, but otherwise just stick to their regulars. The major base simply can't be bothered reading a bunch of random tales. It's sad, but thats the way I see it. It wouldn't hurt to try some more advertising and a front page announcement though.
Try making TotW multi-vote. That will solve the problem of authors (including me) that normally vote for themselves. As for publicity, can everyone please consider adding a link to the vote in your signature? Perhaps we could have a stickied publicity post once a week with a synopsis of the stories, just to tickle people's interest - we could take turns providing the texts? @PowerWizard - yes, good practical suggestions.
Okay, I've moved to the vote thread to the M2TW AAR section, let's see if it attracts more voters. I agree with Juv, let's go multi-vote next time. I will submit a front-page news soon, but the new front-page sucks balls in terms of advertising, as not much people clicks on the news links.
multivote sounds really good, unlimited votes? Or should we go with the 3 votes per member like the AAR Comp?
Doesn't matter.
Maybe get an admin to make one of those coloured stickies about the TotW in the TW forums? I dunno..anything to get more views!
Give instructions with the poll to cast up to, say, three votes and most people will obey. Even though the poll actually lets you vote for everyone, it doesn't matter because the more votes you cast, the smaller your effect on the outcome (as PW points out in his link).
Exactly. And good thought, Naturalist.
Mollsomg you speak the truth! The voting isn't that friendly at all and there always is the same people winning. I was going to try and post a thread about this subject but was afraid of people calling me jelous or something like that. Multi-voting sounds good too, you can vote for yourself and the other tale you like. But I don't think it changes anything because the sub-forum will have low amounts of voters.
Hotspur continues his ranting here. Not the first time he openly shows his dislike about AARs and Competitions. Once he even proposed (in a Q&S thread) to "discontinue" them.
The same people tend to win because they're the best writers. Thing is, ToTW isn't like the AAR competitions. You just have to hit the sweet spot where people like it and you win. Other times they won't and you'll get crap all votes. Whereas with an AAR, you write so much that any good / bad moments even out. In other news, haven't they ever heard the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?".
I like most of my stories, yet sometimes they win and sometimes they come last. Whatever the reason is, I haven't yet figured it out (so my career as professional author is currently on hold). I was particularly pleased with my Halloween story, I thought it was second best after "The Man", but then it only got a couple of votes.
well Juvi , did it ever come to your mind that your stories are too complicated ? I mean, most of your stuff is top-notch, but then only the educated and I dare to say older members really understand your text. And those with limited age and knowledge of English will fail at your stories , that's my guess.
I love Juvenal's yarns. I understand them, and English is my second language.
you live in NYC, so that's not really a point. What I'm trying to explain is; when Juvenal wonders why some of his stories don't get that many votes, it is because of the youngsters with (yet) limited english-, life- and general- knowledge simply don't understand them. That's my guess - those that understand Juvi's tales are happy to read pure gold every week
Careful there - I am easily flattered. Actually the whole thing reminds me that it is very difficult to judge the absolute quality of a piece of writing. All you can really know is whether you liked it, which is a combination of the author's intent, your understanding, your tastes, and even your mood when you read it. I have re-read books from my childhood, and I often find they feel completely different to what I remember feeling. The book hasn't changed, but I have. I think that a lot of the strength of really good stories comes from associations with the reader's own experiences and emotions, but if you haven't had the relevant experiences, you won't get the effect. Anyway, I'll keep on writing - even if Hotspur does convert my medal into a campaign ribbon. (grrrrrr!)
You should keep writing, no matter what.
