Confessions of an AC Content Producer 3

Then along came Rose Hunt with My Dirty Little AC Content Producer Secrets and a forum challenge to continue the train. Since Rose called me by name, I've accepted her challenge and give you, Confessions of an AC Content Producer 3: The Dirtiest Secrets.

Addiction is a wonderful thing. I'm addicted to many things, but AC is my crack-du-jour. It gives my writing an outlet and has some wonderfully, talented writers.

From the time I get home from work, until the time I go to bed, my computer is on and AC is somewhere on my screen. That is secret number one. I really need to get more exercise. I got winded tying my shoes this morning. It's either exercise or loafers that I need.

I have a magic laptop
After some recent changes to the AC site (and none to my computer), I discovered that my laptop has the ability to rate an article as many times as I can click. It is a huge temptation to abuse this power, but I am able to refrain.

I'm happy to say that my articles are rated by my readers and not me. I'm also happy to say, you should stay on my good side if you don't want your ratings in the toilet.

I can't be the only one with this power. It is reasonable to assume that others have it too and have less self control than me. Maybe it's because I'm hooked on the new TV show Heroes, but I imagine there are others out there with different superpowers.

I wish whoever has the power to clean up the scrambled articles left by the format conversion would step forward. The content producers would elect you god and follow you anywhere. You might even get a nice fruit basket.

I like comments
More than high ratings, I like to see comments. An article rated at 4.8 with zero comments looks very suspicious. When someone takes the time to type, "Good job," or "I disagree with your opinion, but you wrote well," it means more than a rating of 5.

I'll even take comments like, "You completely screwed up. This article is full of poor grammar," if that is true. What I hate to see is the comment thread abused. Debate is good. Name calling is just poor form.

Please be specific and provide examples of why I'm an idiot. Someone commented recently that I contradicted myself, but not how. I chased him down, shook him by the virtual collar, and demanded an answer. I'm relentless.

I hate to rate
I hate to rate anyone poorly. If it's a bad article, I'll either say so or go. But I don't rate people down without a comment.

If you rate my articles down and do not tell me why, you are not helping me improve my writing. "2.1" does not tell me where I can improve. Giving me a poor rating because you don't like the topic or my stance doesn't do anything; not even hurt my feelings.

OK that's a lie. It does make me mumble "Gutless punk," on my way to the fridge. Then I go outside in my bathrobe and scream at kids to get off my lawn. That's always a pick-me-up.

I hate the comment voting feature
Specifically, I hate the "minus 10" rule. If a comment gets 10 thumbs-down votes, it is automatically removed from the thread. This makes it difficult to follow a debate when the points being discussed a missing. I've been known to give a comment a thumbs-up in an effort to keep it on the thread.

Actually, it is pretty funny when someone is voted off the thread. It makes the next person's comment of, "You're a moron," look like it was aimed at someone who agrees with their hate speech. It's even funnier when they end up collapsing the thread until they are replying to their own comments.

Speaking of comments
If I ever remove a comment from my articles, I will email you and tell you why. Nothing is more frustrating than having a comment deleted with no explanation. I've only used this feature once. I know the person and explained why to their face.

That "X" in the upper left corner deletes comments. You can't be an AC member for almost a year and not know that. If you delete my comments, tell me why. I promise not to comment on your articles if that is what you want. I also promise never to read another thing you write if you can not be courteous.

I don't write for money
"Bull!" you say. Of course, we all like a little extra scratch, but half of my writing here at AC was submitted for free. I do it more to improve my skills as a writer.

Would I write for money? You betcha! There are independently, verifiable, uncompensated sources that tell me that my writing is good enough for money. But this is the real world and Random House isn't beating down my door...yet.

I dream of the day that someone makes me an offer. But that has nothing to do with writing. It's a means to an end.
Step 1: Become rich and famous.
Step 2: Crush my enemies.
Step 3: A fruit cup and a nap.

My soul is so much lighter now. Thank you for hearing my confession. Go in peace.