This week: It is an Opinion Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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For Authors Newsletter by Dawn
Today the ramble from Dawn comes in the form of opinions. Taking into consideration that many posts, whether blogs or forums, and even reviews are just one person's opinion. |
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Sometimes it helps to remember that it is just someone's opinion.
While in some ways, this might seem obvious. In particular with certain topics and maybe with some elements of a review, we can see that the person is just sharing their opinion. Yet it can also be difficult to handle other times. It is a good factor to consider, something to have as a reminder as we interact with the variety of people here on the site.
Where might you see someone's opinion?
Forum posts could be an obvious answer. Or in the newsfeed when a topic gets suggested or put on offer looking for anyone to respond. When asked about a particular topic, that may be easier to understand how a response could be someone's opinion. That doesn't mean the words used are incapable of causing backlash or won't ever hurt anyones feelings. Just because it's an opinion, it doesn't giver anyway leeway to say whatever they want without taking some thought or having some form of reaction/consequence. But this is more known.
Then there are the reviews. Some things could be fact like the general consensus on using punctuation for sentences in stories and some elements of grammar, to a degree. Many other elements, however, are just what one reader thinks in reaction to an item. Like, it might be an opinion that the story would be easier for others to read if done in a bigger font but that doesn't mean it's wrong to keep things at the standard that the site creates. Or that a character comes off a little off or hard to understand. If something doesn't work in a story or poem, it is a reaction from that particular readers, but others may have a similar opinion.
Some opinions have a basis in experience. For many people, it would seem improbable that a teacher would let their teens out of doing class work just to go line dance in the gym. My experience, however, includes getting points docked in PE class in high school for not taking part in square dancing, which was done the short week leading up to Thanksgiving Break. Someone who reads the starting part of my novel, Boys Don't Read Romance might find it difficult to believe the one character is in a classroom reading while others are off doing something else. But that's thoughts based on their own experiences. Doesn't mean I need to change how it starts but it's something I could consider if I wanted a more "universal school experience" approach, but again, it's still my decision as the writer.
However, when giving an opinion, some thought should be put into place in how it is delivered. Putting in the disclaimer that it is just an opinion doesn't mean it's okay to just rail or say horrible things about someone's work even if it needs a lot of help. There are ways to put things so that the review can be constructive. Examples can be shown. An element can be focused on for a single review. And there is bound to be something good that can be said. Take it from my experience in art class back in college. The "things that are wrong" discussions are easier to handle if there is also something pointed out that was right. Also helps if you're not the only one getting negative feedback but that's a different story since we have individual reviews here, not group ones. So, take some of that into consideration when sharing your opinion too. Yes it's okay but also consider what it might mean for someone else.
WDC is a world wide site with a variety of people who have different backgrounds, experiences and opinions. Let's share them on good terms.
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Do you have any ways that help to handle a situation when someone's opinion doesn't match your own?
Last time, for this newsletter, I discussed the issue of online commitments. Here are a couple of comments sent for that topic:
Comment by NaNoNette  :
I should totally make a commitment to write something today. And then stick to it. Although my excuse for right now is that I wanted to read the newsletters and comment on those.
Comment by W.D.Wilcox  :
So much to do and so little time 
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For Authors: August 07, 2024 Issue [#12673]
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