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Hi everyone,
I’ll start by saying that this is more of a message than a story. It doesn’t fit the prompt but there are a few things I would like to say.
Number one, I know downvoting has been a big problem on Reedsy lately but only recently after reading Upvoter’s story “Goodbye” did I realize that upvoting can have the same consequences. I have been a person that upvotes others frequently, and I’m sorry for the negative effect it could have had on others. My intention was to help the author’s I gave the points to, not put down others. While I feel that everyone I gave the points to genuinely deserved them, no one person should be able to influence the leaderboard that much.
I appreciate all the people on here that have gotten me higher on the leaderboard, but there are other people that deserve the spot much more than I do. I’m sorry to anyone that I may have bumped off the leaderboard or unfairly taken a spot from. I will no longer upvote authors for no reason or go on any upvote sprees. Additionally, if anyone wants to downvote me I completely understand.
I hope that going forward the number of points on the website can matter less. A lot of writers on here have been discouraged by the downvoting, but we should all remember that our number of points does not determine the quality of our writing.
I also hope that we can support less popular authors here on Reedsy. I’ve come across many extremely underrated authors here. Let’s make it our goal to stop by a new account and read a story by a new author frequently. We’ll never see just how amazing these stories are unless we take the time to read them.
As Amber Evans said,
"Support each other. Lift each other up. Reedsy isn't a site for upvoting or downvoting. I've been downvoted. Again and again. But I'm not going to give a little rant and say how the downvoter is an awful person. I'm going to help those who have been downvoted by, not upvoting, but commenting. Critiquing. Giving them a like on a good story. Reedsy is an example of real life. There will be upvoters. There will be downvoters. But there will be diversity and stories, and we should focus on that. This is not an Instagram site. Points. Do. Not. Matter."
That’s about all I wanted to say. Thank you to anyone who took the time to read my message. I really appreciate it. I'm open to hearing anyone else's point of view on the issues with points.
Thanks for listening, Reeders,
-Maya
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Yes Maya! I agree completely!
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Thanks, Ugochi! :)
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Agree with this but also disagree.
With sites like Reedsy, reddit, wattpad, and others, upvoting usually exists because a person likes the story or comment or whatever it may be, vice versa with downvoting. it's just the system that happens to be in place that allows for this to happen
However, there is a point where it just becomes obnoxious- especially when it comes to tens of hundreds of upvotes, but almost zero comments, which makes it seem like people upvote your story for the sake of upvoting and not for anything else.
Mass upvoting like this also becomes harmful after a point as some will take that as not needing to improve, that they're "good enough." I don't think I need to say how that goes.
Anyways, sorry for the long comment. Much love
-Zenny
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That's a good point. I agree, it's the excessive upvoting/downvoting that is the problem.
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hiiii maya!
I JUST SUBMITTED MY REEDSY FRIENDS STORY CHECK IT OUT PLZ
:D
byeeeee
-meg
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OKAY I WILL RIGHT NOW!!!
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Oh my god this is so sad to see such a great community get bulldozed over something like this. I love this community, and it’s sad that this is happening. I’ve put little things I’d like reedsy to change in my authors notes like having a South Asian category, but I will try to put something like this in my next one.
Anyways, happy reedsying, because the platform is still going strong with its talented members. And it’s good to see people recognising the problems with it.
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Thank you, Ana. It means a lot that you care about promoting change in Reedsy.
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No problem Maya. Good on you for spreading the message.
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:D
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Dear Maya,
Thank you for following me! It means a lot, especially when I have a new job and haven't been writing as much. It showed me there are still people "out there" listening; reading my work. Kristen Barney (I will be writing under kristendagmarsdottir in honor of my mother, and it's real and cool at the same time) You can reach me at kristendagmarsdottir@outlook.com any time! Thank you for being so sensitive to the worth of everyone's contributions. That is a great asset. Kristen
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No problem, Kristen. I'm looking forward to reading your writing.
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Hey, Maya. I know we haven't talked much or anything. But you've always liked my stories and it's been really uplifting. So...I was wondering if maybe I could add you to the world I'm creating of Reedsy writers?
-Lily
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Wow, thanks Lily. You can add me if you want. Hopefully, we can get to know each other better! :)
What are you creating, though, just curious?
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:D
I hope we can get to know each other better, too! I'm creating a fictional world of Reeders that increases in population each time I write a story. So far I have Mj S, Celeste Shinobu, and Megan Sutherland in the world thing.
Also, did you want to choose your own personality, features, power, etc or should I just do whatever? If you want to choose, I have a few things you need to tell me. :D
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This sounds really cool! What should I tell you? :D
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Don't freak out...
Hair(anything from just a vague description to every detail is fine):
Eyes(anything from just a vague description to every detail is fine):
Clothing preferences(anything from color preferences to exact outfits is fine):
Personality:
Fav Color(if you want multiple, please choose up to two):
Choose a power:
Power: Elemental - Weakness: restrictions based on area(ex. No water in a desert)
Power: Mental(telekinesis, mind reading, psychic stuff, etc, etc) - Weakness: will always tell the truth. But can, of course, ignore questions altogether.
Power: Shapeshifter - Weakness: at the beginning, the shapeshifter will need to study and memorize the animal they wish to shift into. Note they can simply shift their appearance, not just turn into animals. The more they shift into that animal, the easier it will be and the less time and knowledge of that animal they will need. Also whenever transforming, they will have one part of their body that will always stay the same. (ex, blue eyes or brown hair or a birthmark)
Power: Magic - Weakness: needs to study and memorize all spells exactly. Wand.
I...am so sorry. This is a lot of writing for something so small.
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Hair: Curly and kind of golden/ brown
Eyes: Green
Clothing preferences: Anything comfortable and easy to move around in, like hoodies and leggings
Personality: Friendly but introverted, adventurous, kinda smart (my faction is Dauntless and my house is Gryfinndor if that helps) I'm not very good at describing myself. Lol
Fav Color: Purple and gold
Power: Magic!
This is really fun! Thanks so much for including me! :D
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Hey, Maya. I like that you wrote a letter to us, all of us. I also thank you for enlightening us to both the pros and cons of upvoting as well as downvoting.
-Lillian
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Thanks, Lillian.
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Aww this is really sweet and thoughtful! Great job!
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Thanks, Coco.
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🥰
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:D
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I post here to see if my ideas are like, I completely understand where you are coming from.
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I'm glad you do, Amy. Hopefully going forward points won't matter as much.
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ITS OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
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Yay!!! I'll read it as soon as I get the chance (cause I'm in school rn) :)
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OKIEEEEEEEEE :D
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:D
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Hello Maya (it's Maya!). I've been following you for a while and I think I posted feedback on one of your stories, but honestly I haven't been very good about reading stories lately. Downvoting and upvoting has discouraged me a lot, though I try not to show it. I never ask for upvotes, but I always appreciate it when people do upvote me. My dream is to win, or even be shortlisted, but while I know that may never happen, my dream has changed to move up higher, and I really hate myself for that. I'll find myself hoping that people will decide to upvote me instead of hoping they'll I've me constructive criticism, though I also really hope for that. Thank you for this message, I do believe that it was very necessary.
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I understand what you mean. I feel like it's harder for one person not to care about the points if everyone else does. Don't hate yourself for wanting to move higher on the leaderboard, we all kind of lost sight of what is important on here.
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:)
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I read Luke's version of this.
Again, I don't know how to respond.
It's good that you put your thoughts out like this.
:|
Your bestie,
Brooke D. <3
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Thanks, Brooke. :/
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You're welcome.
And I don't mean to offend you or anything, I just... Yeah. Sorry.
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How did you offend me? I'm confused.
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Nevermind.
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Okay.
How are you today?
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1: I do love the idea of upvoting, but I will admit it has to stop being done excessively.
2: I love that transition from "We became our own worst enemy" to "Hey wanna play scribl". Honestly, relatable.
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haha - well, it was funny :D
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Yes, the transition was a little strange. Haha :D
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Both of you are totally right, I read upvoter's message as well. It sucks that this had to be a problem, but welp too much of everything is bad I guess. It's very discouraging to write with all the things that's been happening here lately, while more bad things happen in the real world. Writing's my escape from reality, it's sad to have it slapped right back into my face :((
Hope your having a good day/night tho..
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You too! I hope you'll still be able to find enjoyment in writing on here. You're not going to leave, right? Just asking, because it feels like everyone is leaving lately.
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I just got here, I feel like leaving now would put my time and writing to waste
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Good!!! :D
Want to chat if you're not busy?
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Of course, what do you wanna talk about?
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Not sure, do you have anything in mind?
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