Problem Entry Notification

[Deb Porter]

Hi everyone.

Until now, I've contacted members by email about problems with their entries (over and under count issues, blank entries, the odd rude word here or there, formatting problems--that sort of thing), and I'll definitely still make every effort to contact people (although one over count entry did slip by me this week because of my computer problems). However, I'll now use the FaithWriters' private messenger service to make contact (not the one here on the boards).

Doing this is much easier for me (easier to send a PM than to have to log in to admin, find the member's email, and then send them an email). I wasn't in the habit of using the PM service before because, until we introduced the levels of membership, I couldn't be sure everyone had access to their private messages. But now, if you can enter the Challenge, that means you are a Gold or Platinum member, and have access to the PM's at FaithWriters. Problem solved.

So if your private message notifications tend to go into your spam box, you might want to keep an eye out for them (or at least log on to FaithWriters now and then if you have an entry in so you can see if there's anything in your PM box at FaithWriters -- not here on the boards) just in case.

Love, Deb

[Dee]

Good idea--and vey efficient, Deb.

[di11]

yes great idea then it stops one wondering WHY there challenge piece is not up on the boards.
is there a way of diectly relying to a private message through the private message system? I seem to have to go search the persons name in the Find an author and then create a new message to make a reply. i know the persons email appears but i dont always want to use their email adress

[petiteprayer]

Sounds good!

[Sparrow]

Sounds great, Deb! I'm all for anything that makes your life easier.

is there a way of diectly relying to a private message through the private message system?

Yeah, a reply button would be handy....

[Shann]

I just saw this andhave known you provide this whenever possible, but I just wanted to take A minute to commend you for going above and beyond. The rules are clearly stated and most contests like this would just DQ the entry. But you care so deeply about the person behind the entry.

That's a pretty special character trait to have, Deb, and on behalf of all of us who appreciate your kind heart I say Thank you!

[Deb Porter]

Awww Shann. Thanks for that.

I just can't bear to see people disappointed.

Love, Deb

[Allison]

And may I just say that Deb really does go above and beyond not to disqualify entries... more than most people know, I'd reckon.

[DizziDee]

Hi Deb.

Goodness knows what happened to my entry this week for 'Dropout.' It's gone all wide and silly. I'm impressed that a few people had the patience to read it through to the end but I wondered if you had any idea where I went wrong. I noticed it when I hit the preview button several times but couldn't find a reason for it so in the end sent it anyway hoping that by some magic at the other end it would righten itself. It didn't!!! ha ha silly me! I'm not good with computers. Please have you any idea what I did? Also I was surprised to see it in there. I thought it would have been chucked overboard.

Hope you can help,

Danielle xx

[Shann]

Danielle, I know that happened to me once when I used stars to show two different points of view. Even though hinting it didn't look bad when I hit the preview button it got all wide. So Iwas thinking maybe you used stars or another symbol in your story?

[DizziDee]

Thanks Shann.

Although I didn't use anything apart from dots, which I've used lots of times before, you've got me thinking. I was away on holiday and finished my entry in a hurry to meet the deadline. I wonder if I pressed something to do with the formatting without realising. I didn't have time to investigate so I sent it hoping for the best.

Thanks for that Shann. I need to go buy a 'Computing for Seniors' manual!!!

Danielle, xx

[Deb Porter]

Hi Danielle.

I did notice your entry and wondered what may have caused it. It's one of those weird things that happens now and then to different people.

Did you upload it as a file? Or did you copy and paste it into the submission box? (I'm clutching at straws here, trying to act like I may have a clue.)

If you want me to check for you when you submit your next entry, send me a quick email.

Love, Deb

[harrybro]

I wasn't in the habit of using the PM service before because, until we introduced the levels of membership, I couldn't be sure everyone had access to their private messages.

[Deb Porter]

Hi Harry.

Even now that's a bit of a risk when commenting on articles, but at least with the Challenge we are now sure all the entrants have access to the Private Messages over at FaithWriters (because Gold and Platinum members get that as part of their packages, and only Gold and Platinum members can enter the Challenge).

Love, Deb

[Shann]

Even though all authors have to be at least a platinum or gold member to submit their stories, not everyone who comments on them is. So say someone comments on your article and you want to PM them, it is possible they may not have access to the PM system if they are only a gold member, right?