11-05-2013, 03:44 AM
While I recognize that everyone on here operates on a strictly volunteer basis, I think a little more stringency/structure could be very useful. Even if that means self-demotion for me.
Here's what I have in mind.
1. Reserve the ability to comment or post in "serious workshopping" for people who have racked up a high number of quality posts. The number should be 100 or above, and the ratio should be favorable, in terms of comments vs. posted work.
2. Have a similar standard for an intermediate forum. Make it 50 posts or above.
3. Have assigned gradations of mentorship. Different mods should be assigned to different forums, and permitted power within those forms, in accordance with their experience, skill, expertise, etc. As much as we all love Milo, he can't be everywhere at once.
4. I would also like to see more mods try to mimic the level of involvement and concern Milo displays in his critiques. Too often, in commenting, we all content ourselves to keep a safe and happy distance from what we're reading.
5. Mods need to take a very relaxed and congengial stance with beginners, so as to not discourage them from writing outright. This is very, very important. We are all coming into this as strangers. To have someone tear you apart on your first post can be . . . traumatic.
My experience in academic creative writing is limited. Even so, within the short time I've been here, I've seen how congenial an internet forum can be to honing your craft -- if the right people make themselves available, and have the courage to call you out. And, lest I forget it: if I can have the courage to stomach being corrected.
Here's what I have in mind.
1. Reserve the ability to comment or post in "serious workshopping" for people who have racked up a high number of quality posts. The number should be 100 or above, and the ratio should be favorable, in terms of comments vs. posted work.
2. Have a similar standard for an intermediate forum. Make it 50 posts or above.
3. Have assigned gradations of mentorship. Different mods should be assigned to different forums, and permitted power within those forms, in accordance with their experience, skill, expertise, etc. As much as we all love Milo, he can't be everywhere at once.
4. I would also like to see more mods try to mimic the level of involvement and concern Milo displays in his critiques. Too often, in commenting, we all content ourselves to keep a safe and happy distance from what we're reading.
5. Mods need to take a very relaxed and congengial stance with beginners, so as to not discourage them from writing outright. This is very, very important. We are all coming into this as strangers. To have someone tear you apart on your first post can be . . . traumatic.
My experience in academic creative writing is limited. Even so, within the short time I've been here, I've seen how congenial an internet forum can be to honing your craft -- if the right people make themselves available, and have the courage to call you out. And, lest I forget it: if I can have the courage to stomach being corrected.
“Poetry is mother-tongue of the human race; as gardening is older than agriculture; painting than writing; song than declamation; parables,—than deductions; barter,—than trade”
― Johann Hamann
― Johann Hamann