Triond: Should It Become a Writing School as Well as Writing Site?
Recently there have been several articles and complaints about the inferior writing of some members. Triond has begun to have the reputation as a site where new writers can gain writing skills. Can we keep that worthy reputation and restore the sites reputation as a site where people will find high quality articles? Should we do both?
In the last three or four days I have read at least as many articles regarding the poor writing skills of some of the members on Triond. Some of these articles are by new writers who have less than a dozen articles posted others have been by long time members.
While I too, have noticed many writers, especially those who have just started out writing, are not as proficient at the craft as all of us would like or wish them to be, I have a different take on this trend than others seem to have.
My view is that there has to be a site where new writers can go to learn and practice good writing skills.
What better place than Triond?
While I can understand the views of some of these other writers, especially the ones that point out that sometimes good writing gets lost among that of poorer writers and thus hurts the views all of us get, I think there is a solution for that. Not an easy one by any means, but a solution that could work to everyone’s benefit.
Why don’t the tried and true writers on this site, the ones who know they write well, take one new writer under their wing and help them acquire the skills to improve their writing and the overall writing of the site.
I am convinced for each bad writer on this site there are an equal number of great ones. Using your skills to teach someone else how to write better would enhance this sites reputation in a number of ways.
First, Triond would earn an even better reputation as a great learning site. New members who have a real passion for writing would see this site as the perfect opportunity to gain the skills. This would enhance the site by adding to the group of passionate writers we all have have on this site.
Second, by improving the quality of content across the board, Triond would once again be a site people would look to for great content that was written well. This would enhance views and ultimately income for every one concerned.
Third, though I can prove this would happen, I feel that we would begin to weed out those people who truly are writing simply to make a few pennies and become a site where most if not all the writers are here because they love writing. This would further enhance the sites reputation and the reputation of all of it’s writers.
The truth is that there is a real need for a site where new writers regardless of skill, can learn and practice writing. Triond has become that site. Over the few months I have been here, not only has my own writing improved but I have seen many other writers work improve as well. If everyone of us on this site is committed to improving our own writing and helping others improve theirs this can be the greatest writing site on the entire web.
I personally think it is worth investing the time and effort into helping others, and I know that many other writers on this site feel the same way. Perhaps it is time, Triond forms a formal mentoring program.
They could do this by toughening up their publishing requirements, but instead of simply rejecting an unpublishable article, suggest to the writer, a member who could work with them to them make their article reach the publishing guidelines. Instead of feeling rejected, the writer would then feel like he was being given the tools and the help he needed to succeed while it would be maintaining a higher quality of writing for the site.
That would definitely benefit all concerned. Just think Triond could become, a writing site and a writing school all rolled into one!
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October 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 am
Interesting
Best Regards
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 am
We all have an opportunity to “fix” our postings. I agree that everyone should be given a fair chance at learning to become a better writer. However, even seasoned writers on Triond still leave misspelled words and grammar errors. There is always room for improvement in everyone’s case.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 am
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Triond is good the way that it is. Let people learn from some of the corrective comments that the better writers could leave-and done nicely and not trying to be a know-it-all. I love Triond just like it is!
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:56 am
Would be a good idea Martie but unless Triond thinks it will help them with the bottom line they probably will not do it.
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 am
Nice article. I agree that triond is a place where everyone is welcome. When we read other people’s stuff, we learn from them. After a few weeks all of us have been over our old articles and “fixed them up”. I too am a new writer and i would gladly accept the help from an experienced writer.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I believe every one learns from their experiences. I understand your frustration but you need to understand that those who are not ‘good enough’ will learn by the time. Happens with everybody.
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
A nice article and triond as such is a good platform for all aspiring writers.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I vote yes! We all had to start somewhere. Why not start here. Great article Martie! Put this one on your site.
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Interesting idea. As always though, the bottom line is money!
October 2nd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
You are the optimist. I don’t think it will work. One of the reasons I like Triond is because I have no responsibilities. I love the wonderful freedom.
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Interesting…mmm. lets see….well a good idea none the less, but what about those writers here on this site that do not know that they write poorly? Maybe to them they are the next Steven King or something like this. I guess what I am trying to say is to the part about well decent writers mentoring poor writers. What if the ones who think they are good writers end up not being published do to the change of high published guidelines?
Now I know that their is indeed quite a few maybe more than a few excellent writers on this site, but what about the ones who only think they are?
I speak for myself now, because I know that I am not the best writer on this site, not by a long shot and at time my grammar can be poorly and even spelling can be a problem, but I also know that my main source of thought is well…what would you say? mmmmm well delivered to some degree.
Let me get some members thoughts on my writing skills, are they at all understandable? or poorly written?
Please be truthful thank you
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:15 am
Great article! I think one of the main problems is that some writers are so eager to get an article finished, posted, and earning money that they don’t take the time to spell check or reread their articles before submitting. Some people also don’t seem to understand the importance of using proper grammar and complete sentences.
I for one think that people should at least have some grasp of the English language before trying to write for audiences online. If someone has trouble with grammar, they should at least have someone they know review their articles before posting so they won’t appear foolish or illiterate. I don’t expect everyone to be brilliant, and I know I’m not the best writer on this site, but if someone is calling his/herself a writer, they should at least be able to form a complete sentence and use spell check.
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 am
You have some very good ideas here. It would be good to put some of them into practice. A great article.
Christine
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Great Ideas, While in High School so many years ago, my spelling was ok, but my grammar stunk. I am hoping that over time it improves, and if those who do read my articles, and find errors please point them out to me. Constructive Critizism never hurt!
Awesome article
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
This is a very nice idea! You got my vote, Martie!
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Good thoughts and an interesting idea. Maybe it will catch on. Why don’t you messages the editors with this idea?
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
By implementing a better Quality control and approval system this problem can be eradicated. When users submit their work, it must go through a quality check and approval by the Triond staff.