Writers Cafe OPEN All Weekend - Drop In & Relax
Welcome back to the Writers Cafe.
Thanks so much to all for your kind words and patience.
Thanks to also to those who helped spread the word by blogging about the Writers Cafe being open again. or or adding the post to StumbleUpon. Excuse the dust while we improve the site.
Let’s catch up first. What have you all been up to writing wise? Share your marvellous mini successes, milestones, challenges and questions. Are you looking for joint ventures or networking opportunities? Do you have jobs to offer?
Feel free to leave a link to a great writing related post to share with us - yours or someone else’s.
Oh, but first… Grab the beverage of your choice. Help yourself to double chocolate cake, profiteroles and nibbles, then settle back and relax.
Anything writing or blogging related goes, but here are a few things I’ve been curious about.
Is It Okay To Use Comments For Posts?
When someone comments at a blog, does that give the blogger permission to quote those comments (attributed) in a post, or is it protocol to get permission first?
This is something I’ve struggled with lately. I quoted a friend’s comments and she was fine with it. In fact, she liked it. I decided later, I should have asked first.
For:
On the one hand you could argue comments are public for anyone to read.
Against:
The other point of view is comments are “between friends” and/or informal, and the commenter may not be happy to have them broadcast and highlighted in a future post.
What do you think?
Have you quoted comments or been quoted? If you knew your comments may be quoted as a post, would that affect what and how you say it?
Check Out This Video - Changing Face of Communication
Check out the brief video - The New Face of Communication at this post.
It’s quite thought provoking. What are the implications for us as writers and communicators?
Hi Yvonne. How are you? I hope you’re feeling much better now and hoping the same for your mom.
I’m glad the cafe opened early and thought of saying hi but I regret that I have to leave soon because we’re having friends over tonight. I’ll just come again later.
Before I go, I’m happy to say that my friend KK gave me a wonderful gift. I didn’t win her contest but she gave me my own domain name and 2 years free hosting.
My site is already up but still needs a lot of tweaking. You can check it out at:
http://mysoulfulthoughts.com
I’m still maintaining my old blog but I’m looking forward to posting more at my other site.
How wonderful, Rach that you were given a free domain name and hosting.
Your site looks great. It’s definitely much better to have your own domain name. Enjoy your new site.
Hey, welcome back, Yvonne! (Hangs up coat and hat and takes a seat.)
Well, we just finished up a new WILF group writing project this week> - and set a new record for the number of entries! Now that was exciting! Folks wrote some great stuff, too! Hopefully word will continue to spread.
On the subject of comments, I say it’s the “You can’t fight city hall!” principle. Everyone knows that once your words are out there on the Internet, there is NO WAY to take ‘em back. So you just have to understand the basic fact that once it’s out there, it’s public!
Sure, there’s a time and a place for private conversations and comments. But that place isn’t in a public forum like a blog comment - it belongs in a personal email instead.
Personally, if someone quotes something I said in a comment, I’d be happy about it. Unless it was some comment I wished I hadn’t made - and then it would be a lesson learned!
Hi Robert - Great to see you here.
Yes, pull up a seat and make yourself comfortable… lots of catching up to do! I look forward to getting back to your group writing projects. They’re always fun.
I agree with you if someone comments, it’s in the public arena, but I just wondered about the “niceties” or courtesies of “re-using” the comments in a post.
I also take your last point. Comments often come up when you search for a topic in Google, so they’re certainly not private.
Anyone else with input on this?
Hi Yvonne!
I use the better comments from my readers to create a post occasionally. No one has complained. I view it sort of like linking. When I first started blogging, I wondered if some bloggers would object that I was linking to their work in my posts and whether I should ask permission to link.
I agree with Robert, if something’s confidential or secret it shouldn’t be in a comment. Comments are basically out there for everyone to see. Sometimes the comments are even more interesting than the posts. (Not here, of course, LOL.) So, comments can’t really be just between friends, because there’s no way to know who will read it.
I’m not even sure that something confidential should be sent in an e-mail, although I would NEVER post someone’s e-mail to me without permission. I view those as just being between me and that person.
As a commentator, I’ve had my own comments highlighted a few times. The first time it happened it really surprised me, but I didn’t mind. It is a good reminder to be careful about what I put in the comments, though.
Now, speaking as a blogger, I would never post a comment that I thought made the original commentator look bad. I think that’s just good sense. I’m not saying all bloggers are this careful, though.
Hi Yvonne
Glad to see you back. It’s been a manic couple of weeks.
I don’t mind my comments being quoted if they are attributed. After all, they are already out there. I’ve seen people link back to the original comments thread, which is a good way to do it.
PS. Love the new theme; I’ve been considering it as well
I link to the post on which the comment was made and sketch out the subject. That way, if readers missed the post they can get the whole context without my using a direct quote.
Hi Yvonne, so good to see you back
BTW there was some weird technical hitch an hour or so ago, got a ‘fatal error’ message when I tried to access the comments - so I went off and did something else, and all seems to be fine now.
On commenting, I do (frequently) highlight the comments that people have made on my site. I do it with some care - I mean I would only highlight positive, useful and constructive comments, and I probably wouldn’t do it with someone who’d only commented once in case I scared them off.
I started exploring this a little while back as I was wondering who owned the comments - me or the person who left them, and the copyright seemed to be a little obscure. The general advice seemed to be that it was okay to use them so long as you attributed them. I had an idea I’d set this out somewhere in a post on comment policy but couldn’t find it on a quick look, so I guess new readers wouldn’t be able to in a hurry either! Which is another interesting question, about how you should let people know what your blogging policies are - I have tried to pull all mine together as part of a ‘welcome’ page, but you’d only find it if you went looking. On the other hand if it was too ‘in your face’ I think it’d be off-putting.
Anyway, I’m meandering, so don’t be quoting my late Friday thoughts!
Joanna
Laura - Great summation. You hit all the key points for consideration.
Sharon - Seems like linking back to the original comment is a good option too - I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks for pointing it out.
Legbamel - Good point about providing the context - covers the commenter and the blogger - Thanks
Joanna - He he… no I won’t quote you… (not this time anyway). LOL… interesting dilemma about having a blogging policy and how to have it obvious but not “in your face”. Does anyone here have a blogging policy? Feel free to leave a link.
Note To All: Issue with the new theme I’m trying to get sorted out, so thanks for your patience with technical issues. Let me know if there are further problems.
Hi, Yvonne!
Glad to see you back! Hope things are going well with both you and your mom!
I’ve been writing a lot about philanthropic websites on my blog lately (such as Free Rice and Search Kindly, among others). I’ve also signed up with several new paid-to-post sites, so I’m doing a few more sponsored posts these days–though I’m still waiting for my blog to be approved by a few of them. (One has accepted me, but I’ve decided not to go with them, since they require bloggers to take every assignment offered by them; and I always retain the right to choose posts that I can adapt to the topic of my blog and/or my blog’s readers.)
I’ve also sold some articles lately, including a reprint appearing in the Nov. 8th Absolute Write Newsletter, some newly written material sold via Constant Content, and a few of the articles I write regularly for one of the companies I contract with.
Though I don’t recall ever having built a blog post around a comment, I wouldn’t expect that most bloggers (or others) would mind having their comments turned into posts, as long as those posts were complimentary to them and their ideas. On the other hand, for anyone who is inclined to ask the commenter’s permission first, I don’t suppose it could hurt–and it might actually help avoid misunderstandings.
Great to see everyone!
Jeanne
Hi, Yvonne,
Glad you’re back.
And, I like the new look of your page.
HHHMMMMMM, that coffee’s so gooood!
I really wouldn’t mind my comment being quoted since this is a public forum. I keep sensitive “lines” between the other person and myself thru the e’mail or the phone.
Once more, it is really nice to “read” you again.
Princess
Good to see the Cafe is open again. This is such a neat way for sharing of ideas among writers and bloggers. Very interesting comments regarding comments. I’ll try to get back later to add my comments on the topic….have to dash and keep up with my weekly “Country Kitchen” newspaper column so I don’t miss deadline.
Yvonne,
It’s great to have you back! Hope you and your family are all doing much better.
I have written posts based on comments several times. If it’s a first-time commenter, I e-mail for permission. One person asked three questions in a comment, and she was thrilled when I asked for permission to quote and answer each question in a separate post. If I write about a comment from a regular visitor, though, I don’t ask permission, but I try to remember to e-mail the commenter to let them know.
Sometimes I will add a sentence to a post pointing out a comment that is especially note-worthy.
Jeanne - Gosh! You have been busy… great to hear things are going so well for you. Thanks for your kind thoughts also.
Princess - Lovely to be back and thanks for your kind words. I take your approach. If it’s confidential, I email.
Mary Emma - Some great feedback here on the comments issue. I’m guessing people feel the same about comments/postings in public forums too?
Lillie - I can imagine that reader must have been thrilled to get such extensive feedback from you in the form of 3 posts.
Emailing the commenter is a nice touch too. Thanks also for your good wishes - much appreciated.
Hi Yvonne,
So glad you are back! Just grabbing a quick cup of latte on my way out the door- gotta work this weekend. I will try to stop later and visit, but I couldn’t let the morning go without telling everyone hi and letting you know how happy we are that you are back! Hope all is well-
Teresa (keltrehai)
Teresa - How thoughtful of you to call in especially to say hello and for your lovely words. You guys are all just so great.
I’m thrilled to be back on deck again. Enjoy the coffee!
Hi Yvonne — and welcome back.
I’ve been working on Teaching Sells, a course about online learning as a business. It’s pretty interesting and Yarro probably learned a thing or two from it.
Also got the class comments back from when I did “technology for writers” presentation at Write on The Sound here in Seattle-land in October. Comments I pretty much expected, but there are a couple of things I can do with it before I present something similar in May.
This is an interesting theme. Lot of work to be done on it.
Oh…and comments. Scot’s rule is this: what goes on the Internet, stays on the Internet. I attribute, but will use good comments for posts and reference them. Some of the best ideas come from readers — or leaving comments and that triggering a post like the one I left here on Mind Mapping that I then did a post on at my blog.
I’ll check in later…nice to see you back.
Hey Scot - Great to see you here. I joined Teaching Sells too. We’ll have to touch base on that.
I agree that sometimes the comments are just as interesting as the post. Comments certainly add to the conversation. Thanks for your insights.
Hi Yvonne and everyone
I realised that I forgot to mention that Brad Shorr and I have kicked off a writing project (I don’t think I’m ever going to be that great at self promotion…)
It’s called Connecting Words - the idea is to write about a word or words that connects you in some way with another person - maybe a conversation or conversations that developed around it, or a new insight into the life of another blogger that you might have been talking to in another part of the world.
It’s maybe a slightly different sort of concept, but we’re hoping that it’ll be easy and fun for people to write about - and that new connections will spring up as people share each other’s words, and the learning that has flowed from them
You’d all be most welcome to take part. It’s running till the end of November.
I’m sure we’ll learn a lot from doing it whatever happens - I can already see ways to make it easier and better when I do the next one (assuming I do!). It’s helped a lot having someone to develop it with though. And Brad and I love exploring the possibilities of new words!
Joanna
Hi Joanna - That looks like fun. I’ll give it some thought.
Wow, I´m a bit late here. Glad to hear that you are doing better, Yvonne, and your mom, too.
This past week, I gave up all my low paying writing jobs and all the frantic deadlines to focus on just two things, blogging (I´m now ghostwriting three blogs) and writing articles for Constant Content. It has really freed up my time and I´m earning more for less work . . . leaving me able to play with the kids a little more. It´s taking a bit to work out a new writing schedule, but I will eventually start working on an ebook as well.
As for comments, I don´t see an issue with using them as a post. If someone comments on your blog, they are giving you their opinion, I think it´s fine to highlight that opinion.
Hi Everyone,
I’m back with some comments regarding comments. Most seasoned bloggers realize the comments they leave are “fair game” for being included, whether paraphrased or quoted, in someone’s post, particularly the person whose blog they commented about. In fact, I’ve found this a great way to keep a topic going or add more information. Some people don’t read the comments and others don’t check back. So a post with added info from comments is great.
However, new bloggers may not realize that comments often are quoted. Unless I know the person and have an understanding with them about using their comments, I like to get their permission first, especially if I’m going to use their name. (This is a carryover from my print journalism days.) Technically, from a copyright sense, anything a person writes is theirs and can’t be used without their permission…now there’s some variation regarding length. And copyright may vary in different countries. That’s what makes it such a gray area at times.
However, by asking permission and developing a friendly relationship, you may find that person very helpful when you need future info. Also, most bloggers are thrilled to be quoted, especially if you link to their blog or web site.
Use the tip I give anyone who is being interviewed…never assume anything you say (in this case, leave as a comment) is “off the record.”
Now personal e-mails is a different matter…what anyone sends me in one of those is considered private unless I check and get e-mailed permission to use a quote.
Yvonne, comments become public as long as your blog is public. The commentator should perfectly know what he/she is getting into and assume responsibility. Hiding behind our own fingers doesn’t do it.
On the other hand, taking a comment without the author’s permission and publishing it on another blog it’s like scrapping content. So that’s a minus.
But in general, it really depends on a series of factors of influence.
Now, off-topic: the new design is great. More clear, more focused. A very good choice.
And I am glad to see you back.
Mig
Genesis - Great to hear you are moving on to better paying jobs. Congratulations.
Mary Emma - Thanks for you input on this. I think you’ve summed it up well.
Mig - As you say those “factors of influence” mean you have to weigh it up whether you are quoting comments or actually commenting. Thanks for your good wishes & positive feedback on the new theme.
Nov 16th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
[…] to my friend Gunfighter, who is now a paid artist! Go by and contribute to Yvonne Russell’s Writer’s Cafe…is it okay to use comments without citation or permission? This is a cool article via Mr. […]