Hallucination's comment in the Critic's Two cents this last week made me smile. Then I thought... Why do you think I do this? So we have a short poll for you...
Why do I critic here and on other sites?
I'd have said because brutal criticism is fun, but that wasn't an option.
I voted #3, but I would have said masochism again if I could. o_Q
Because you're a masochist on a diet.
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Because he is of a superior breed, a fitter race and it is his moral and princely duty to assist us.
Because you get paid to do it... yeah right! I laughed that you put that in as an option.
I am not in your head, but I believe you are genuinely a nice guy who just wants us to do better. And for that, I thank you.
Option #2 just didn't seem to fit, considering what else would be much more suitable for reading than some of the thoughtless nonsense you come across ever so often around here. Especially those who chose to write about a ridiculous topic and churn 59+ chapters about a minor character from an old game that no one cares about.
Masochism is severely underrated, apparently. Will the answer be revealed to us at some point, or will you let us continue carrying on with our fallacious beliefs? :xp:
Heh, Mach, you put some really negative options in the poll...I mean, "Because bad writing makes him cry," or, "Because he doesn't have a life." Or being paid, as DY mentioned, heh, made me chuckle:D But still, I have yet to meet anyone with a very negative opinion on the excellent advice you've given us budding writers, thank you for that!:)
Anyway, I voted option 2, "Because he likes good writing, and is patient enough to give us advice ." That sort've reminds me of Mach saying, "I'm a teacher, so I like to teach:D"
I voted option one. It's because he loves either us or the stores we keep producing. :D
Masochism is severely underrated, apparently. Will the answer be revealed to us at some point, or will you let us continue carrying on with our fallacious beliefs? :xp: considering this poll was posted about nine hours ago and I have more replies than I usually get for a 70 page opus I am having too much fun to let it end.
Besides, I want a large sampling.
As for DY's comment, I was offered recompense for this column back in october 2005 when it all began. That recompense is incidental, as I have yet to recieve it.
All right, people; On I think it is the 10th of October, I reach my third full year as the Critic. I will post to here which of the answers is correct from my point of view on the next review after that date. However I want everyone who has been reviewed to vote or I will rethink that admission. Before you ask; I will allow slack for those who are no longer memebers.
voted. :)
Most definitely option 3, though options 1 & 2 were close competition.
one last thing...
THX 4 UR EFORTZ!1!!1. xD
"Because bad writing makes him cry" for sure. and i mean that in a good way of course.
"Because bad writing makes him cry"
Then he must weep every time he goes through my my fics.
Then he must weep every time he goes through my my fics.
Mine too. I have to cringe every time he reviews something I wrote, and even if I checked the thing over five times before I posted it, and even corrected the small errors after the fact, something always manages to slip by. Either that or a fact thought sounded good, but then seemed just, odd after I read what he thinks about it. Even if he still said it was a good story.
I might not take his same approach to it, as I tend to be very forgiving about a lot of things. Even if there are things I notice don't make much sense or isn't historically correct, I probably wouldn't see it as a huge problem. Mainly speaking others work, not my own.
Mine too. I have to cringe every time he reviews something I wrote, and even if I checked the thing over five times before I posted it, and even corrected the small errors after the fact, something always manages to slip by. Either that or a fact thought sounded good, but then seemed just, odd after I read what he thinks about it. Even if he still said it was a good story.
I might not take his same approach to it, as I tend to be very forgiving about a lot of things. Even if there are things I notice don't make much sense or isn't historically correct, I probably wouldn't see it as a huge problem. Mainly speaking others work, not my own.
After all my time here I do the same critiquing job on professionals when I read their books and I find just as many small mistakes.
Maybe I am too critical?
After all my time here I do the same critiquing job on professionals when I read their books and I find just as many small mistakes.
Maybe I am too critical?
I never read books specifically to review them, but I do tend to have thoughts on how I thought the the book was. I've found many parts of books I've read that I wasn't fond of, either because of the way it was written, or because it wasn't as thought out as it could have been, etc. Even with these types of problems, I still don't call these books bad. Even Twilight wasn't the worst, its the hype it was given, that I almost bought into. Again, certain details did seem shoved in to buy time, but still it isn't a bad series.
I don't think your that bad at critiquing works, but that is just me. I don't really think anything bad about you when I see what you've written about my work, meanwhile I'm mentally cursing myself out. Though I do hope I've gotten better with the things I've posted since you've seen my various stories.
After all my time here I do the same critiquing job on professionals when I read their books and I find just as many small mistakes.
Maybe I am too critical?
We should be our own worst critics, which is why I want brutally honest feedback. He's here to help and I would trust a professional much more than myself.
I never read books specifically to review them, but I do tend to have thoughts on how I thought the the book was. I've found many parts of books I've read that I wasn't fond of, either because of the way it was written, or because it wasn't as thought out as it could have been, etc. Even with these types of problems, I still don't call these books bad. Even Twilight wasn't the worst, its the hype it was given, that I almost bought into. Again, certain details did seem shoved in to buy time, but still it isn't a bad series.
I don't think your that bad at critiquing works, but that is just me. I don't really think anything bad about you when I see what you've written about my work, meanwhile I'm mentally cursing myself out. Though I do hope I've gotten better with the things I've posted since you've seen my various stories.
If you had not gotten better I would have been more direct, believe me. If you don't believe me, look at some of the writers I have reviewed over the years.
We should be our own worst critics, which is why I want brutally honest feedback. He's here to help and I would trust a professional much more than myself.
Thank you for that praise. Once I have sold to a decent publisher I will consider myself a professional. But be wary of being your own critic. After one nasty comment from Jim Baen I spent almost fifteen years before I was willing to try again.
Oh, BTW, 179 people have viewed this thread, yet less than 10% have voted. Am I that unappreciated?
Oh, BTW, 179 people have viewed this thread, yet less than 10% have voted. Am I that unappreciated?
IIRC, guests are counted as views too, so I guess people just assume this is a discussion about the Machievelli.
I assure you that you are appreciated by at least this fan.
In fact it was mostly because of Machievelli that I started writing in the first place. Before that, I never just decided 'you know what, I've got a great idea for a story. I think I'll just open a word document and start typing.' It was always, 'I gotta write a twenty-page term paper. I'll just open a word document so I can get it done with.'
(Now you're going to hear my life story)
I saw another fan's fiction on the very same character I've been writing about, but it wasn't done very well. I decided that I was going to do it the way it should have been written... and that way was to make it like Machievelli would have done it. Of course I was far from proficient over the first few chapters and never considered posting them online. Then I figured 'how would I know unless I posted them?'
So I did... eight chapters and only three responses on another site. That really killed my enthusiasm, since I got the impression that no one was reading it. Then I looked back to the site where he posted his fic Return from Exile and figured 'why not?'
Well the encouraging feedback was what convinced me to keep doing it. I just thought he would like to know that I'm here because of him.
I assure you that you are appreciated by at least this fan.
In fact it was mostly because of Machievelli that I started writing in the first place. Before that, I never just decided 'you know what, I've got a great idea for a story. I think I'll just open a word document and start typing.' It was always, 'I gotta write a twenty-page term paper. I'll just open a word document so I can get it done with.'
(Now you're going to hear my life story)
I saw another fan's fiction on the very same character I've been writing about, but it wasn't done very well. I decided that I was going to do it the way it should have been written... and that way was to make it like Machievelli would have done it. Of course I was far from proficient over the first few chapters and never considered posting them online. Then I figured 'how would I know unless I posted them?'
So I did... eight chapters and only three responses on another site. That really killed my enthusiasm, since I got the impression that no one was reading it. Then I looked back to the site where he posted his fic Return from Exile and figured 'why not?'
Well the encouraging feedback was what convinced me to keep doing it. I just thought he would like to know that I'm here because of him.
DY, I am humbled by this posting. I know I have been here forever but to know that someone decided to post just because I was here makes me feel much better about my life.
Please, keep writing. It's not me you have to satisfy, but then again, I worried more about those who commented than those who did not.
Now it's over 240 views, and stil only 16 votes? Less than .75
Option 2 FTW!!!! :D
Thanks for everything Mach!
I remembered when I first started posting The Second Coming of Evil. Looking back at the first chapter posted and the last chapter posted even I can see a HUGE amount of difference.
You've helped me grow as a writer and I appreciate that!
And the reson I chose option 2? ... Well .. If you can go through the SCOE and still review my other works .. well ... Haha .. that's big thumbs up in my book! :D
I voted option one. It's because he loves either us or the stores we keep producing. :D
I put this one in more for sarcasm than anything else CL7, but I like that someone did choose it.
I see over 300 have viewed this, and still only 18 have voted. My real reason must not be that important.
Perhaps they simply all think you're a masochist? :p
Perhaps they simply all think you're a masochist? :p
Maybe.
I put this one in more for sarcasm than anything else CL7, but I like that someone did choose it.
I see over 300 have viewed this, and still only 18 have voted. My real reason must not be that important.
Truth be told I've always wondered myself...and I did indeed vote :)
Thanks for all your input Mach...I don't know if my writing shows it but I do try to take your suggestions to heart when writing. I respect your opinions and am glad you continue to give them.
view to comment ratio is now .053%...
Sigh
A lot of people will also be re-viewing the thread, increasing the viewing figure even if they don't make a second or third post.
view to comment ratio is now .053%...
Sigh
If you think that's low you should make a thread with the word 'porn' in the title.
If you think that's low you should make a thread with the word 'porn' in the title.
Question, kid. How can I write one and still make it PG 13? BTW, did you read my latest posting to Irreverent thoughts?
Perhaps: "The Machiavellian View on Pornography"
Perhaps: "The Machiavellian View on Pornography"
Another person who knows how it should be spelled!
Maybe, but I'm picturing the original of my name, and thinking of how he would view modern day Pornography:
Yes, how can I convince the government do this my way?
Via blood and bayonet. :carms:
Nah. Old Nicollo didn't believe in direct action. He was more like Henry II who merely said 'Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?' when Beckett became a problem. If he were alive now, all illegal drugs would have been legalized, taxed, and people under their influence treated like DUIs. Think of all the revenues that would generate! Enough to actually cover Obama's health plan.
And make actual revenue? Heresy! :xp:
Question, kid. How can I write one and still make it PG 13? There's nothing wrong about making the title not match the content. =D
BTW, did you read my latest posting to Irreverent thoughts?
I have, and it's nice to see a very short story thread going on. o_Q
I just got hit by that 'Not love one person, but love all people' line from AOTC, and it went out of control.
And make actual revenue? Heresy! :xp: Not to my namesake. Control of the people was his mantra. Make their weakness pay for your control. An elegant solution
[resists clicking the final option, just because it's funny]
But if you had no life, you'd be on here 24/7 so obviously you have a life. :P
[tries to decide and then finally does, votes the third option]
[resists clicking the final option, just because it's funny]
But if you had no life, you'd be on here 24/7 so obviously you have a life. :P
[tries to decide and then finally does, votes the third option]
Thanks AC. You've raised the ratio of votes to .45 percent.
Thanks AC. You've raised the ratio of votes to .45 percent.
The deadline for you guys is october 23, the day I started back in 2005. the poll now stands at .38%. If you want the truth as to why, I suggest you get it to 50%
Oh, BTW, 179 people have viewed this thread, yet less than 10% have voted. Am I that unappreciated?
What? Do you believe that everyone who looks at this forum is a member? I've been reading content from this site for months and only recently decided to get on the bandwagon.
BTW: I probably saw this thread four times. Can I vote four times to make up for that?
What? Do you believe that everyone who looks at this forum is a member? I've been reading content from this site for months and only recently decided to get on the bandwagon.
BTW: I probably saw this thread four times. Can I vote four times to make up for that?
I wouldn't mind, though the poll probably only allows one. I figure the rating (I assume people look a minimum of five times) is closer to 2.7%. That's just me venting
Heh, Mach, you put some really negative options in the poll...I mean, "Because bad writing makes him cry," or, "Because he doesn't have a life." Or being paid, as DY mentioned, heh, made me chuckle:D But still, I have yet to meet anyone with a very negative opinion on the excellent advice you've given us budding writers, thank you for that!:)
Check some of the commentary by the Source over the years.
Oh, I made an egregious error back a few posts. On the 23rd of this month I will have been your critic not for three years, but for four.
Well the votes, what there are of them, are in:
The thing to remember is that I chose these options with malice aforethought; Except for one, all of them are equally valid:
Because there are some of us worth the effort 0
Actually if I didn't think you guys were worth the effort, I could have stopped ages ago.
Because he's being paid for it 0
Actually I am being paid for this. The reward is small, and has yet to be delivered, but I did accept the job with that in mind.
Because he thinks he's better than us 1
When it comes to writing, there are many of you I surpass, however except for one or two, I can honestly say I do not surpass most of you in the willingness to expose yourselves to ridicule by posting your work. I hope that my attention and comments have helped you brave it more than once.
Because he loves us, every one! 1
The joker in the deck; I was thinking of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol here.
Because bad writing makes him cry 2
Bad writing doesn't make me cry as much as someone who could be good churning out yet more dreck. No names.
Because he doesn't have a life 3
Actually if I had more of a social life, I wouldn't do this; but even then part of me would itch to.
Because he's a nice guy that wants us to do better 10
Yes I want you to do better. I want a bunch of you to one day become famous and comment that I might have helped even a little bit in honing your craft.
Because he likes good writing and is patient enough to give us advice 16
The largest number of votes, but the real reason is not this one. I do like good writing the way a gourmet likes a good meal. I want to be satisfied when I put the book down because I know I can pick it up again and still enjoy the read.
Now which one is the truth? Ask me again when the votes treble...