Thread: There’s a divide on this site that shouldn’t exist...

There’s a divide on this site that shouldn’t exist. It’s the divide between those who post and crit in Workshop and those who post and crit in Fiction. When I look in Fiction I don’t even recognise a lot of the usernames I see there. I’m not going to put forward reasons why this divide should not exist, because someone will only howl me down. But it shouldn’t exist. The thinking people can figure out why for themselves.

I don't see what you're ranting about. People post where they want to. If they choose fiction, fine; if they choose the workshop, that's fine too.

Perhaps a virtual Mason-Dixon line is in order?

Originally Posted by Baron

I don't see what you're ranting about. People post where they want to. If they choose fiction, fine; if they choose the workshop, that's fine too.

You know as well as I do the meaning of the word 'divide' used as a noun. There are two groups of people who mostly don't know of each other's existence. If those two groups mingled it can only benefit both.

People are free to browse the forums and choose where they want to post, Edna. I've no doubt there are reasons why some feel more comfortable on the fiction boards, just as the publishing first rights issue is a major reason certain members prefer the workshop. In reality, and at risk of causing offense, I think the Workshop is better suited to those who believe their work to be at a publishable standard. If some of those who congregate there wish to browse the fiction boards and offer encouragement where it's deserved, nobody will object.

My browsing for reading is in the poetry, fiction, and non-fiction boards, both for reading pleasure and for finding suitable material for the Newsletter. I don't offer much criticism as I don't feel qualified. That's something I plan to change. Not that I can make myself more qualified, but I can begin to offer more comment.

I don't look in the Workshop. Perhaps I should, for the enjoyment of reading the better material that's there. But I would certainly be uncomfortable offering any comment in the Workshop. It would not be appropriate.

There is a natural divide that's quite understandable. People here are, as the Captain points out, free to read and comment where they choose, and some of us will be more comfortable on one side of the divide, and some more comfortable on the other.

I honestly didn't realize that there was a difference between the genre boards and Workshop (other than the fact that Workshop was a bit more read restricted). I hope no one took me as arrogant when I asked if my post in Children's/YA fiction should have gone into Workshop instead. I didn't know that Workshop was generally considered a place to post "better" stuff.

And I'm sure that the fact that I haven't provided much feedback on others' works is the reason that my own has received none, but I also feel woefully unqualified to be criticizing what everyone else has written

justbishop - It's been my understanding that material posted in Workshop is material deemed about ready for submission to publishers, and thus a cut above the ordinary.

And it's true that those who do not comment tend not to get comments. Join me in making an effort to post more responses in the poetry, fiction, and non-fiction boards. I'm going to start that today.

There is no elitism in the Workshop, it's just members only.

This Forum relies on new members, the way to attract new members is by catching the interest of visitors. Fiction allows visitors a chance to see work which they wouldn't do if Workshop were the only place to exhibit.

I repeat there is no elitism in Workshop,... but personally I wouldn't be seen dead in Fiction (snigger).

Originally Posted by garza

It's been my understanding that material posted in Workshop is material deemed about ready for submission to publishers, and thus a cut above the ordinary.

There's far too much deeming going on around here.

If the two were combined into one forum then it would mean that fiction would be a closed board to non-members. That would not be helpful to the site in any way for the reasons qwerty has given.

Okay, I was wrong. Delete the thread.

If the thread helps people to understand why the two sections exist then it's worth keeping, Edna.

The two sections are needed, without question. But the statement 'There is no elitism in the Workshop, it's just members only' provided me with my laugh of the day.

lol. just goes to show how little i knew about the writing politics of the forum.
i always post in the workshop because i thought myself to be an amateur in need
of criticism to improve. i had know idea i was mingling with the elite in there.