RussellN

If you don't want to break up the forum into smaller parts, then remove the words 'and Advice' from the forum name. This should stop people posting questions in there as requests for Advice without posting anything for review.

To me and obviously to many others, 'Critique and Advice' means requests for Critiques, and also requests for Advice that isn't Research or a Writing Tip.

Strange thing this English language of ours.

Russell

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valeca

This has happened before. Members get focused on a singular meaning, assuming it to be the only one.

Here's a brief explanation:

Writing Tips & Advice = Advice meaning 'writing related', but not specific to a particular story.

IE:
"I'm having trouble focusing on my writing. Any suggestions?"

"Maybe try adjusting your writing time, or set aside the story and focus on something else for a few days."


Critique & Advice = Advice specific to a particular story.

IE:
"Your story feels forced and the main character's behavior isn't consistant and is confusing to the reader. Perhaps you could do a detailed character outline, or write some flash pieces with the character to solidify their reactions before doing a revision."


There is a difference between the two--justifying the wording of the individual forums.

Hope that helped clarify things a little.

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Selorian

The confusion caused by the use of the word 'advice' in two forums is a perfect example of the confusion there would be if forums were seperated into numerous specialized forums. All the staff would be doing is moving posts because of complaints by members of misplaced posts. If this is already a problem, imagine the confusion there would be with the suggested forum changes.

Along with the explanation valeca provided above, there's the fact that a critique and advice for a story are two very different things. For that reason, both words are necessary for the forum title--Critique & Advice.

One last note--look closely at the heading for the C&A forum at the explanation of what belongs there. That should be fairly self-explanatory with the inclusion of the word 'Works', which I highlighted.

Critique and Advice
Works seeking critique, advice or assistance.

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mammamaia

i agree having 'advice' in both may be confusing... to make your explanation more clear to viewers, val, consider doing this:

general writing tips/advice
excerpt/work critique & advice

to me, that makes it visually clear that in the first, 'advice' only refers to 'writing' in general... and the second to specific pieces... to clarify even further, the second can be changed to 'help'...

i do think this is something worth changing, since using 'advice' in both can certainly be confusing to newcomers [and even some oldcomers]...

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valeca

Writing Tips & Advice
Share your tips, tricks and advice.

Critique and Advice
Works seeking critique, advice or assistance.

They don't need clarification. It's plainly stated for anyone willing to take a moment to read, rather than just seeing the title of the forum section.

Here's a novel concept. People post in the wrong forums. If you notice it and it bothers you that much, click the 'Report Post' button and it'll be moved if need be. If it doesn't bother you enough to spend the 13 seconds it takes to report it, move on with your WF experience and forget about it.

This 'We Need To Divide The Forums' thing is getting irritating.

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