#9 - Copyright on Mibba? Need an Answer - Comments

@ prevail.

Wow, it is really helpful.

Actually writing reviews is harder than most people would think.

It is an art itself.

You want to go to the point, which would bring a backlash.

You want to be nice, the review would lost its objective.

I agree with you that the main purpose of reviews is to improve and not just judge.

Both the readers and authors would be benefited.

The readers would know if some writing is right for them.

The authors would get feedback to refine their works.

I would write some blogs about review itself, it would be great if you provide some insight into this topic.

Thanks again, very helpful!

No worries, and if I could just suggest one more thing?
When delivering con/crit it is best to use what some have dubbed the "sandwich method". You begin by complimenting their work, pointing out something you liked about it, you give them your criticism / improvement suggestions and then round it out by complimenting their work.

e.g. Hi, I really loved your piece on nature! Your use of imagery is fantastic. However, I noticed that your grammar could use some improvement, might I suggest these changes to make it flow better? Regardless, your piece still conveyed a strong sense of setting and mood.

As you can see, it forms a sandwich, which is nice and easy to swallow but also can help a writer improve! Obviously it can be more fleshed out, and can go into further details.

@ valentines.

Thanks M, I will ask them first and respect their work.

@ prevail.

Yeah, You are right, everybody is working so hard on their stories, it is a bad practice to just criticize them, I will go to talk with them first.

Thanks again, very appreciate.

You need to be careful if you're going to analyse people's writing. We have a lot of amatuer writers on this site, not to mention young writers, and while I understand that you have good intentions some people may not take kindly to you writing about the flaws or negatives in their work. Constructive criticism is encouraged here on Mibba, but we're also trying to foster an uplifting community. If you have any con/crit it's best to tell the author personally so that they can try and improve on their work as they go, rather than put it in a blog / review for all to read.

qblinux:

In a blog, for instance, included parts from different writings written by different authors, one of the authors refuses being quoted, I have to change the blog, sometimes, maybe rewrite.

If you're going to be reviewing people's works, your schedule should revolve around theirs, in my opinion. Writers on this site work hard, on and off site. I would recommend sending a PM to the authors you plan to review to ensure they're okay with it, and f they say no, respect their decision.

@ prevail.

Thanks jacqui.

I understand that some would be happy to have their stories more exposure.

But I am not going to just talk about their writings, I would go deeper to analyze them, that means there would be some negative sayings on those writings.

I would be doing things as objective as possible.

Then things are going to be complicated.

I think that maybe it is a good idea to talk to authors first.

some people don't like surprise.

Oh, I almost forgot that you are a writer too, let me see what you've got.

Thanks again, be well !

As far as I know, you are allowed to quote authors and their works as long as you reference them (even just a "this is from x by y" sort of deal) and don't claim them as your own. Most authors on Mibba are usually thrilled to have works cited or reviewed in blogs as this means more exposure for them!

If you want to double check with people definitely go ahead with it though, but I wouldn't worry too much. I doubt there is too much legality here aside from creative commons which just claims that you cannot claim an idea, wording, etc. as your own unless you change 30% of it, but I doubt that you'd claim it as your own. If someone asks you to take it down I'm sure it's an easy fix!