1) Triond Forum

I would love to see a Triond Forum where we can all weigh in on issues. I know that forums are quite easily set up and I believe that if Triond editors were too busy, perhaps some of the senior Triond writers could moderate the forum and filter the key issues to the editorial team.

2) Triond Mail

That there is no internal mail notification simply makes me batty. I don't know how hard it would be to provide an option to receive emails when a writer friend on Triond sends an internal email. I don't check my Triiond 'email' very often and if someone has written I have no idea of knowing. Therefore if I happen to check and someone wrote a week ago I am already considered rude for not responding. Personally I would like the choice to be rude or not. :)

3) Formatting

This might be me, but every time I center a photo or a caption it never stays centered. Is there an article that explains all the features in the online editor? BTW - all of the numbered headings are centered. I hope they stay centered. The first draft of this article got bumped for 'readability' as I had all of the Numbered Headers Capitalized. I see they are still not centering. Drat!

4) A Save As Draft Button

I'd love a save as draft button for every step of the submission / writing process. I once wrote a piece that got lost because when I hit the submit button the site had timed out. I believe I was doing some editing on a submitted piece. That was annoying to say the least. In Blogger there is outside software you can use to create offline, that way you always have a back up. I know I can use msWord but I dislike it - and I can't get it to format any better than the online formatting that I wrestle with.

5) Financial Monitoring

I would like to see a hit-meter on my own articles - just like you can have when you set up a blog or website. I know there is a counter but I'd like a little better verification of ad clicking and things that are tracked by Triond. Let's keep everyone honest. I'm in no way suggesting that Triond does anything devious, but this is a partnership and we deserve a full accounting.

6) Authors By-Line

When I have written something and it is published in the various sites I would prefer that clicking on my name lead back to my Triond profile, or that my Triond profile is called into the web where I am published. (And that could be an option for the user.) I would also like to have the option of showing my email if anyone wants to back to me.

Postscript:

Another thing I dislike is the double underlining that acts as advertising for certain words or phrases. It detracts from the links that one creates, making it hard and annoying for the reader. I find that particular type of advertising extremely distasteful. As a last thought, perhaps if ebough of us copy-paste this article and email it to the Triond editors they might respond with some of their thoughts.

Triond writers simply choose a topic that they wish to write about and go for it. They write, day after day, excercising their skill and becoming better at it. This is because they know that their is no way that one can become a great writer without writing, just as one could not be a great singer without actually singing often. Practice makes perfect, and while perfection might seem a steep goal, without practice no one can ever come near to perfection.

It is a writer's dream to be able to move his or her audience on the level that he or she is trying to. The journey begins with knowing where you want to take your audience, and then being able to successfully lead in that direction using only the written word. It is a very satisfying experience, when you discover that you have finally learned how to communicate, not only ideas and technical details but also the atmosphere of feeling that surrounds any given topic. 

Of course, you could practice writing on lined paper at home, but you would not be able to gain the satisfaction of having a solid readership and helpful feedback from people all over the world. That is why Triond is so great. Writers get to practice, read the works of other artists, gain personal readership, and recieve valuable feedback from that readership. May we all take advantage of such an awesome opportunity!

Happy Writing!

Many people do not comment. I could have 10 views and 7 comments for example.

1. This is going to sound strange, but consider commenting on HALF of the reads. This will not cut the time in half since we still read.

2. I would also like to throw out another idea; comment on one of the pieces for the person you are friends with in your tight circle. The views will be counted, the person will know you were there by your one comment and time will be given to you to create.

I won't suggest anything else, since it would require more reading, but would love comments on these issues, my friends.

2.  Length: follow the retail guideline: KISS, Keep It Simple, Stupid! It is easy to get too wordy, read over your material and see what can be edited out without sacrificing the work

3.  Style: hot topic issue! Don’t be afraid to break out of the norm and try your own style, just admit if it doesn’t work!

4.  Topic: Angst is easy to write about, I do it all the time. Try breaking free of your normal topic; maybe look at the same issue from another angle.

5.  Rhyme: don’t use a word simply because it rhymes. There are resources online to help you out, or it may be a chance to reflect on that particular stanza.

6.  Write it down! Keep a pen and paper by your bed, office chair, in your coat… You never know when a good idea will strike and by morning it may be lost forever.

7.  Publish: Use resources like Triond; https://www.triond.com/  and poetry websites; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/poetryinyourownwords/ try out your material out on a broad audience.

8.  Feedback: give and receive. Be supportive of other writers and offer positive, constructive feedback. If someone slams you, ignore it. Focus on feedback that gives you something to work with.

9.  Variety: folks will tire of reading the same story told a multitude of ways. Look at something simple, say a leaf, and think of all that is behind it and write about it, silly or serious.

10.    Fortitude: don’t give up. Attend workshops, read other authors, mix up your style… just keep at it!

Some years ago, I belonged to a Writers Club. Members would read their work out loud, and be given feedback.

I noticed that most  people took criticism personally, to the extent that they defended their work and argued back. What they didn’t do was to think about what was being said and decide if any of it was useful or valid.  

The first time I read one of my short stories to the group, it was pulled to pieces. That hurt, in fact it made me cry (on the way home, though, not at the group). I almost decided not to go back, after all, what did they know? My story was good, wasn’t it?

The fact is, it wasn’t very good. I was still very much a beginner. Luckily, I went back to the club, and decided to listen to any criticism my work received. When I wasn’t sure what was meant I asked, polite, questions. That way, I slowly learned how to improve.

The next time your work is criticised, try not go get defensive. By doing that, you run the risk of missing something useful. Try listening  instead. Even if you  KNOW the person is talking nonsense,  the next thing they say may be extremely pertinent. You won’t get to hear that comment if you have upset them by arguing.

I soon realised that Club members  who took the defensive line rarely rewrote their work, or changed it in any way and more often than not, they remained unpublished.

Others who listened with an open mind, then rewrote their work accordingly, gradually improved and as a result, they began to get the occasional acceptance amongst the rejection slips.

1. Never Make It Personal

   You would think this is obvious, but the responses on forum boards tell otherwise. If the Green-Eyed Monster is rearing its head in your feedbacks, consider whether this is the impression you want to give about yourself. Also ask if you’re criticizing more than writing. If you are, it’s time to discover why your own writing is stalled.

2. Never Give an Emotional Critique

   If you are having a bad day, decline on giving feedback. To do otherwise will make your words sound bitter. Give yourself time to settle down, return, and be professional. Don’t turn someone’s work into your punching bag. You’ll regret it later.

3. Never Say You “Loved It” or “Hated It” Without Citing Examples

   Writers get enough vagueness from their query letter responses. They don’t need the same from their peers. You can say why you felt the way you did, but you must state why something did or didn’t work for you. Did the writer use passive language ad nauseam? Adverbs clinging to weak verbs? Is the dialogue more wooden than Pinocchio? Point out examples in the prose.

4. Never Be Dishonest

   A critique should always be honest. Trying to spare feelings because the work stinks doesn’t help the writer. If it’s awful or masterful, say so. Was there a line worthy enough to line a bird cage or be encased in gold? Point out where it was done. Not only does this help the writer, but others who need to hear it. People learn from examples and missteps—good and bad.

5. Never Destroy a Writer

   Do your best to judge the level a novelist can take criticism. Often, the recipients will tell you with their words and actions—written or otherwise. No beginner is ever as thick-skinned as they say. New novelists always take criticism personally. Be prepared for them to lash out. Frustration at being told they aren’t a master is always a hard thing to hear when you think otherwise. Getting thick skin has to start somewhere.

6. Never Rewrite Something for an Author

   This is hard for the experienced who know what’s wrong with the prose and how to fix it. If you are tempted—don’t! Rewriting something for someone else doesn't help. Instead, it teaches writers to rely on others to correct their mistakes—something they should do on their own. Examples have their place, but reworking entire passages is something else. Even though the intentions are good, you’re hurting the writer. Your voice dominates the prose when it should be theirs. Don’t do it.

7. Never Tell Someone to Quit Writing

   You have no right to do this. Period. No matter how bad the characters, dialogue, and plot is, you point out the errors and hope the writer learns from them. If they do nothing to improve their writing, you can point this out too. But never tell them to quit. You can suggest reading novels on the chosen genre, how-to books, agent advice, etc. Yes, some authors will never be published. But it’s not your place to stomp their dreams to the ground.

Agents and editors do that fine, thank you. There’s no need for help there.

So what should you not do?

1. Take it Personally

   There is nothing worse than seeing a hopeful writer lash out at his or her peers because they found something lacking in your writing. Not only have you marked yourself as an amateur, kicking and screaming on the metaphoric floor, but chances are you've become a pariah as well. The next time you ask for a critique, don't be surprised if no one is willing to help you.

2. Be Ungrateful

   Let's say the remarks are scathing. Show your professionalism with a thank you. Even if you disagree, be thankful anyway. This will not only show you can take the comments, but you're also polite about it. People will be willing to help you repeatedly for that fact alone.

3. Be Rude

   You are asking for criticism. This is not your chance to be critical of other people. Remember that most writers who offer help are taking the time to give their opinions on how to improve your work. That's time they're not writing or reading for themselves. If you decide to verbally attack that person's opinion, don't expect much of a response when you ask for help again.

4. Throw a Tantrum

   This happens more often on internet boards than in person because of the anonymity the internet provides. But this does not mean you will get away with it. People have long memories, and if you decide to show your proverbial rear on the boards-people will remember. The other thing to keep in mind is agents, editors and publishers read those forums as well. If you used your real name and threw a hissy fit, they will recall that unfortunate moment when you query or promote your manuscript. It will be a rejection before you get your foot through the door.

5. Not Listen

   Reposting a query letter or an excerpt of your work with little to no changes per suggestions will be noticed. It will tell those who gave feedback either you are not paying attention, don't care, or not willing to listen. They in turn will give you the same.

Always remember writing for publication is hard. If you think lay critiques are rough, you are not ready for the professional agents, editors and critics who will not forgive a misstep. And people do listen to professional critics.

Get your thick skin now before those critics eat you alive. And always remember: It's not personal, it's business.