Yes it really is a minefield isn't it. I can see that ranking could end up with the same issue, unless you only ranked the first three, but then you'd never be able to work out who to vote out.
I can see your point about constructive criticism. I tend to think with these sorts of things you always end up being subjective. I think that's OK because it might be that you can't really think of anything to vote them out on, and in fact it is simply because others used the prompts in a way that appealed to me as a reader more. It may not be that constructive, but at least it's not rude or mean to say that. Plus it's all subjective anyhow.
I think grammar picking etc is almost not worth it. Unless it's blatantly wrong and an easy error to pick up. There was an LAS where a story was voted out that I thought had some really basic grammar errors, it was quite difficult as a read. Anyhow in the feedback post a lot of people jumped in to reassure the writer that they were absolutely correct and quite a row ensued in the comments. (In fact I didn't comment, because I was so scared of the supporters who were insisting this story had perfect grammar) The writer had just been angry at those who voted them out, then went on to get support and more angry. I've seen that a few times even with WIAD, where the writers feel cross about negative feedback and the feedback post gets a bit scary.
Anyhow the main thing is that people feel they are getting something useful out of it, and that it can be enjoyable. I don't think it's worth anyone either feeling they can't carry on, or even ending up cross or upset when voted out. It would taint the whole thing.
I think your point about canon etc is at least a reason for voting that wouldn't upset you. I mean with the memorial service thing, you can shrug that off as a different POV. It does show though how you remember negative comments about things, we all find it difficult. You know it might sound trite but there are cultural issues as well, in the way we express ourselves, different cultures see being blunt as OK, whereas others like to couch everything in long winded politeness. I have German friends who have lived over here who think the British are so odd for always saying please and thankyou, and the long winded way we ask for things etc. They laughed at us thanking the bus driver. Yet i found it was really easy to inadvertently upset them because I didn't get their cultural mores as it were.
no subject
I can see your point about constructive criticism. I tend to think with these sorts of things you always end up being subjective. I think that's OK because it might be that you can't really think of anything to vote them out on, and in fact it is simply because others used the prompts in a way that appealed to me as a reader more. It may not be that constructive, but at least it's not rude or mean to say that. Plus it's all subjective anyhow.
I think grammar picking etc is almost not worth it. Unless it's blatantly wrong and an easy error to pick up. There was an LAS where a story was voted out that I thought had some really basic grammar errors, it was quite difficult as a read. Anyhow in the feedback post a lot of people jumped in to reassure the writer that they were absolutely correct and quite a row ensued in the comments. (In fact I didn't comment, because I was so scared of the supporters who were insisting this story had perfect grammar) The writer had just been angry at those who voted them out, then went on to get support and more angry. I've seen that a few times even with WIAD, where the writers feel cross about negative feedback and the feedback post gets a bit scary.
Anyhow the main thing is that people feel they are getting something useful out of it, and that it can be enjoyable. I don't think it's worth anyone either feeling they can't carry on, or even ending up cross or upset when voted out. It would taint the whole thing.
I think your point about canon etc is at least a reason for voting that wouldn't upset you. I mean with the memorial service thing, you can shrug that off as a different POV. It does show though how you remember negative comments about things, we all find it difficult. You know it might sound trite but there are cultural issues as well, in the way we express ourselves, different cultures see being blunt as OK, whereas others like to couch everything in long winded politeness. I have German friends who have lived over here who think the British are so odd for always saying please and thankyou, and the long winded way we ask for things etc. They laughed at us thanking the bus driver. Yet i found it was really easy to inadvertently upset them because I didn't get their cultural mores as it were.