Horror Aficionados discussion
Off Topic
>
When authors are their own worst enemy...
Is that your high school picture?I grew up in the seventies. Nobody propped us up. If you weren't good at something, nobody told you otherwise. I sucked at just about everything and have the lack of trophies to prove it. If we didn't turn in an assignment, we got a zero. There is a local school system that would give students a 60 for not turning in something.
This is all so true! A year ago, I entered a contest and won an honorable mention award. I wasn't happy or proud of myself. I don't celebrate mediocrity. So many of my friends (I'm 21 btw) expect things to be handed to them. They feel successful when they get a C in a class. They do as little work as possible and they're okay with average. I know I have an unhealthy relationship with the word "perfection," but I just don't understand most of the people in my generation.
Kate wrote: "This is the link:http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Eats-Dogs...
This is from the sample:
'I Once dated..."
Kate, she was the idea woman! That cracks me up EVERY time!
Mod
LOL. Honorable mention. My son loves the idea of trophies but hates sports and his car is always the slowest at the pinewood derby. My dad bought him another kid's trophy at a thrift store, lol.
Jon Recluse wrote: "When did "survival of the fittest" become a crime?"Now, Jon, if we can't be equally fittest then no one should be. That's when it becomes a crime.
Mod
"That's wonderful! What for?"
"Existing!"
Mod
Tressa wrote: "Is that your high school picture?
I grew up in the seventies. Nobody propped us up. If you weren't good at something, nobody told you otherwise. I sucked at just about everything and have the lack..."
The picture is from a corporate gala I attended. I *amateurishly* cropped out my co-workers.
To your other point, the parents of my local school system are the ones who are still pushing for their kids to be given the world for just showing up. Celebrating mediocrity is not helping them get ready for the real world, only blowing their expectations way out of the realm of reality. However, the mentality is already ingrained in these children and is changing the way managers must interact with this generation. Just google anything about millennials or generation Y and the workplace and you'll see more of what I mean.
I grew up in the seventies. Nobody propped us up. If you weren't good at something, nobody told you otherwise. I sucked at just about everything and have the lack..."
The picture is from a corporate gala I attended. I *amateurishly* cropped out my co-workers.
To your other point, the parents of my local school system are the ones who are still pushing for their kids to be given the world for just showing up. Celebrating mediocrity is not helping them get ready for the real world, only blowing their expectations way out of the realm of reality. However, the mentality is already ingrained in these children and is changing the way managers must interact with this generation. Just google anything about millennials or generation Y and the workplace and you'll see more of what I mean.
Tiffany wrote: "This is all so true! A year ago, I entered a contest and won an honorable mention award. I wasn't happy or proud of myself. I don't celebrate mediocrity.
So many of my friends (I'm 21 btw) expect..."
"C's get degrees!" was something I heard way too much in college. Your post just reminded me of this.
So many of my friends (I'm 21 btw) expect..."
"C's get degrees!" was something I heard way too much in college. Your post just reminded me of this.
Jon Recluse wrote: "Change "existing" to "taking up space"...."
"Taking up space" is what many of them do, and part of the problem is the parents seeing public education as nothing more than "free babysitting". Strangely enough, these parents who expect their kids to be given awards and an education are rarely the ones to sit down with them and help them with their homework or get their kids to study. It is this really weird sense of entitlement for doing nothing that boggles my mind.
"Taking up space" is what many of them do, and part of the problem is the parents seeing public education as nothing more than "free babysitting". Strangely enough, these parents who expect their kids to be given awards and an education are rarely the ones to sit down with them and help them with their homework or get their kids to study. It is this really weird sense of entitlement for doing nothing that boggles my mind.
Mod
"Taking up space" is what many of them do, and part of the problem is the parents seeing public education as nothing more than "free..."
True.
J. wrote: ""C's get degrees!" was something I heard way too much in college. Your post just reminded me of this..."Two-Oh and go! (2.0 and go!)
I've read some articles about Generation Y and the workplace. Read one about them taking phone calls in the middle of an interview or answering so inappropriately it shocked the interviewer.
Mod
The last one couldn't remember his job when she wasn't in the office to do it for him.
The company gave him a raise and transferred him. Union job, y'know.
Anyway, half the applications are written in text speak.....WTF?
Even when I'm texting I spell out every word! And use the correct punctuation. I'm old school like that. I can't do otherwise.
Mod
Tressa wrote: "I've read some articles about Generation Y and the workplace. Read one about them taking phone calls in the middle of an interview or answering so inappropriately it shocked the interviewer."
I've actually sat in on a few of those when I was in HR. I am a millennial but I would never wear flip-flops or cut-offs to a corporate interview or drop the f-bomb at work, but I've definitely witnessed it (and no, they didn't get the job). Unprofessional behavior though runs through every generation. The trend is that I'm seeing more Gen Yers demanding more of their workplace and it is slowly causing things to change. With more boomers retiring, the focus is shifting towards hiring and retaining the newer generations. Retention seems only to be important when you have to continuously replace whole departments who leave for better pay and benefits elsewhere.
I've actually sat in on a few of those when I was in HR. I am a millennial but I would never wear flip-flops or cut-offs to a corporate interview or drop the f-bomb at work, but I've definitely witnessed it (and no, they didn't get the job). Unprofessional behavior though runs through every generation. The trend is that I'm seeing more Gen Yers demanding more of their workplace and it is slowly causing things to change. With more boomers retiring, the focus is shifting towards hiring and retaining the newer generations. Retention seems only to be important when you have to continuously replace whole departments who leave for better pay and benefits elsewhere.
No f-bombs at work?!?! I sit in the middle of a trade floor. Every other word is an F-bomb! I seriously have trouble toning it down outside of the office.
I'm sure most of any generation don't behave so unprofessionally; but some things end up defining a generation.I think there's less loyalty toward workplaces, for the fact that most younger workers get bored with staying in one place and want to move on. Maybe this isn't such a bad thing. I know a lot of old timers who have stayed in one job all their lives because of the stability and comfort of it. I myself love working at the same place since 1989, growing old with people I know so well and have an affinity for just because we've been through it all together.
Ken wrote: "No f-bombs at work?!?! I sit in the middle of a trade floor. Every other word is an F-bomb! I seriously have trouble toning it down outside of the office."
Context is everything. Not everyone will work in the same type of environment. That language may be perfectly acceptable in some places, but in a corporate job interview where everyone is expected to look and act clean cut it is not. It really comes down to culture of the workplace and "sensing the room". I was once hiring for a director position and every other word out of one woman's mouth was "f-" and "s-" and even "c-". She had the credentials on paper and the experience, but she wasn't the right fit for the company personality-wise.
Context is everything. Not everyone will work in the same type of environment. That language may be perfectly acceptable in some places, but in a corporate job interview where everyone is expected to look and act clean cut it is not. It really comes down to culture of the workplace and "sensing the room". I was once hiring for a director position and every other word out of one woman's mouth was "f-" and "s-" and even "c-". She had the credentials on paper and the experience, but she wasn't the right fit for the company personality-wise.
Mod
I work for the New York Racing Association.
My workplace sounds like an episode of "The Sopranos".
And that's mostly from the corporate offices.
The comment about "C's get degrees" reminds me of an incident in college when my class was getting ready to take a final and the professor was willing to exempt students from the test if they were willing to accept their grade to date as their final grade. One girl found out she had a D and chose to forego the final, actually celebrating, cheering and screaming for joy down the hall and into the outside common area because she didn't get an F. The look of disgust on the professor's face was priceless. It's really sad that so many people are willing to accept mediocrity (or worse) and be happy with it.
It gets even worse when you add in the disposable consumer culture. Not only do people have a disproportionate sense of entitlement, but they have the opinion that if something doesn't work like they think it should or just isn't in the right colors, they can throw it away and demand a new one. Is it bad that I think a global armageddon would actually be a good thing?
Shaun wrote: "It gets even worse when you add in the disposable consumer culture. Not only do people have a disproportionate sense of entitlement, but they have the opinion that if something doesn't work like th..."
I'm not going to touch the last sentence, but I basically agree with the first part of what you've said. The strange thing about entitlement is that the people who have done the least to deserve something are actually the loudest to complain when they aren't handed things on a golden platter ("silver is not good enough!" *throws silver platter away, demands gold*).
I'm not going to touch the last sentence, but I basically agree with the first part of what you've said. The strange thing about entitlement is that the people who have done the least to deserve something are actually the loudest to complain when they aren't handed things on a golden platter ("silver is not good enough!" *throws silver platter away, demands gold*).
To be fair, loyalty in the workplace isn't rewarded anymore. At least, in the car business it isn't. I worked as a claims administrator at a large local dealership handling 100,000 in claims per month for 10 years. The owner sold it and I was out.I went and worked for the owner's brother's dealership for 7 years, he sold it. I tried to hang in with the new owners, but when they made it into a 12 hour workday 6 days a week, I found something else.
So my 17 years of loyalty didn't mean shit.
That does sometimes happen, Charlene, unfortunately. But when companies are sold I guess the new owners want their own people in there or want to make changes that the oldtimers aren't used to. Trust me, even though I've been working at the same institution for decades, that doesn't mean that there haven't been major regime changes or new rules people don't like.
Charlene wrote: "To be fair, loyalty in the workplace isn't rewarded anymore. At least, in the car business, it isn't. I worked as a claims administrator at a large local dealership handling 100,000 in claims per m..."
Charlene, "loyalty" is going to mean different things to different people. To some, it means staying with an employer for most of their career, to others it may just mean not spilling trade secrets or betraying confidentiality.
I speak as part of the millennial generation (not FOR them, but as part) and as someone who has experience in HR and management, job hopping among my generation is the norm. Gen Y is constantly looking to move forward and work "smarter, not harder". This view is changing the landscape of traditional workplaces where the employees who have the skills and the personality are the ones who are calling the shots because they know they can just find something better if their wants and needs aren't being met.
I've consulted quite a few small businesses who are having a problem finding and keeping good workers. The biggest problem is them wanting to pay just above minimum wage while expecting the employee to have a 4 year degree and 2+ years of experience and giving them a long list of duties. This causes enormous turnover and wastes time and hiring costs. If you want your employees to be "loyal" to you as an owner or manager, you have to consider their needs as well.
Not to derail this thread, but just my two cents about the current workplace climate.
Charlene, "loyalty" is going to mean different things to different people. To some, it means staying with an employer for most of their career, to others it may just mean not spilling trade secrets or betraying confidentiality.
I speak as part of the millennial generation (not FOR them, but as part) and as someone who has experience in HR and management, job hopping among my generation is the norm. Gen Y is constantly looking to move forward and work "smarter, not harder". This view is changing the landscape of traditional workplaces where the employees who have the skills and the personality are the ones who are calling the shots because they know they can just find something better if their wants and needs aren't being met.
I've consulted quite a few small businesses who are having a problem finding and keeping good workers. The biggest problem is them wanting to pay just above minimum wage while expecting the employee to have a 4 year degree and 2+ years of experience and giving them a long list of duties. This causes enormous turnover and wastes time and hiring costs. If you want your employees to be "loyal" to you as an owner or manager, you have to consider their needs as well.
Not to derail this thread, but just my two cents about the current workplace climate.
My husband's best friend is a printer. He does the flyers for the local newspapers, that kind of thing. He's been there since high school, he's about to turn 50. His company has been sold and the new owner's have taken over. The new owners have a nicer plant only 50 miles away from this one.So all his time at this one job, his attendance, his willingness to work overtime all counts for nothing.
And at 50 years old it's hard to start something new, you know?
Charlene wrote: "My husband's best friend is a printer. He does the flyers for the local newspapers, that kind of thing. He's been there since high school, he's about to turn 50. His company has been sold and the n..."
I understand the frustration felt on this. There are many of these types of workers who find themselves in similar positions, where loyalty and good track records mean next to nothing compared to the bottom line. The employers expect loyalty of their employees and don't (or can't) reciprocate.
Seeing how companies reward this type of loyalty, can you blame anyone for constantly job hopping for something with better pay or benefits? These examples support why my generation is deemed "not loyal", because we are looking out for ourselves rather than blindly following any promises (perceived or assumed) by the employers.
I've been on interviews where I was promised better hours and pay raises at certain set monthly points. When I didn't get them and inquired about them, I was told to check back at a later time. After months of this and coming up with quantifiable data proving why I was working hard and the results it garnered, they questioned why I left for something better. One time I was up for a promotion but was told that I was "overqualified" and that my department needed me because I was such a hard worker. Gave my notice the next day.
When employees feel led on and/or a disparity in the amount they do versus what they gain, you're going to create a problem.
I understand the frustration felt on this. There are many of these types of workers who find themselves in similar positions, where loyalty and good track records mean next to nothing compared to the bottom line. The employers expect loyalty of their employees and don't (or can't) reciprocate.
Seeing how companies reward this type of loyalty, can you blame anyone for constantly job hopping for something with better pay or benefits? These examples support why my generation is deemed "not loyal", because we are looking out for ourselves rather than blindly following any promises (perceived or assumed) by the employers.
I've been on interviews where I was promised better hours and pay raises at certain set monthly points. When I didn't get them and inquired about them, I was told to check back at a later time. After months of this and coming up with quantifiable data proving why I was working hard and the results it garnered, they questioned why I left for something better. One time I was up for a promotion but was told that I was "overqualified" and that my department needed me because I was such a hard worker. Gave my notice the next day.
When employees feel led on and/or a disparity in the amount they do versus what they gain, you're going to create a problem.
Last job I had was minimum wage, no raises, full-time hours, and I only managed benefits after a year because I went to the HR department and inquired about when I would qualify. (Turned out I qualified after the first three months, but my boss lied and told me they only went to people after a year.) After almost two years working there, I was laid off in favor of the "temporary summer help" because he happened to have a source to get good concert tickets for the boss. Another job I had brought in new management, and after three years in a position that I MADE a permanent position, (I was hired as seasonal and through dint of hard work, learning new tasks and staying busy was kept on in that position for almost three years). I was laid off for "lack of work", only to have the new management's son brought in to my position less than a week later for more than I had been paid.
That is the kind of workplace loyalty I've come to expect.
It also aggravates me to no end when jobs are listed as "entry level" and yet they want the 4-year degree and 2+ or more years of experience.
Makes some good motivation to get to work on my writing though.
Shaun wrote: "It also aggravates me to no end when jobs are listed as "entry level" and yet they want the 4-year degree and 2+ or more years of experience. ..."Isn't this just because so many more college grads are in desperate need of jobs, that employers have their pick? Why not hire the more educated and get more bang for you buck. Not saying college is for everyone or that college grads are better workers than non-college grads, but if the opportunity is there...
I would still hardly call those "entry level" positions, especially when they're asking for experience. "Entry level" to me is the receptionist at the front door, not the assistant to the CEO.
Shaun wrote: "Last job I had was minimum wage, no raises, full-time hours, and I only managed benefits after a year because I went to the HR department and inquired about when I would qualify. (Turned out I qual..."
Don't feel bad about the job postings with unrealistic expectations, after years and years of having to refill the position the managers eventually get why they are asking for the moon and paying peanuts isn't worth it. I've had this conversation with too many managers and owners that I've consulted who still don't get why paying just above minimum wage while demanding diamonds isn't working out for them in the long term. Eventually they see that the caliber of the employee they hire (and retain!) stands to the success of the business and should be seen as an asset, not just an expense.
"That is the kind of workplace loyalty I've come to expect." < That type of mentality is the reason why there are so many job hoppers. The management created this climate, now they complain about it.
Don't feel bad about the job postings with unrealistic expectations, after years and years of having to refill the position the managers eventually get why they are asking for the moon and paying peanuts isn't worth it. I've had this conversation with too many managers and owners that I've consulted who still don't get why paying just above minimum wage while demanding diamonds isn't working out for them in the long term. Eventually they see that the caliber of the employee they hire (and retain!) stands to the success of the business and should be seen as an asset, not just an expense.
"That is the kind of workplace loyalty I've come to expect." < That type of mentality is the reason why there are so many job hoppers. The management created this climate, now they complain about it.
Tressa wrote: "Shaun wrote: "It also aggravates me to no end when jobs are listed as "entry level" and yet they want the 4-year degree and 2+ or more years of experience. ..."
Isn't this just because so many mor..."
What you wrote is the current hiring mentality, which doesn't translate well to solving the problem of retaining employees and keeping positions filled. Because there is a huge market of skilled workers, many hiring managers think they can low ball workers and get them to do MUCH more for MUCH less. It's an obvious trap that managers think that people will be happy to have ANY job for ANY pay that they don't foresee that the employee will move on to greener pastures as soon as they can.
I did recruitment for a medium-large corporation and I constantly had this conversation with the vice president. All he saw was the bottom-line of wages and not employees as investments. The number one reason people left was because they were underpaid and often went to work for the competition. He was angry at the HR costs it ensued but he kept the mindset that people should be happy to have a job. This is such an outmoded way of thinking and doesn't translate well to the current mindset of young workers.
Isn't this just because so many mor..."
What you wrote is the current hiring mentality, which doesn't translate well to solving the problem of retaining employees and keeping positions filled. Because there is a huge market of skilled workers, many hiring managers think they can low ball workers and get them to do MUCH more for MUCH less. It's an obvious trap that managers think that people will be happy to have ANY job for ANY pay that they don't foresee that the employee will move on to greener pastures as soon as they can.
I did recruitment for a medium-large corporation and I constantly had this conversation with the vice president. All he saw was the bottom-line of wages and not employees as investments. The number one reason people left was because they were underpaid and often went to work for the competition. He was angry at the HR costs it ensued but he kept the mindset that people should be happy to have a job. This is such an outmoded way of thinking and doesn't translate well to the current mindset of young workers.
I've worked in a student position for about five years. I graduated this spring, so I have to leave the company by the end of July. They have no open non-student positions I can currently apply for. So, graduating from college is actually costing me my job...
Mod
Jon Recluse wrote: "I'm tired of paying my union my hard earned money just to help them help my bosses screw me over."
That's nearly every union I've ever dealt with. A lot of HR departments sit down with union reps about once a year, hear their pitch, then decline. It's one way of saying that they did meet with union reps and "consider" their proposal. Unions are supposed to protect workers, but more often than not they usually just keep poorly performing employees in their jobs (often as managers or supervisors of some sort). HR departments don't like unions, and Unions don't like HR departments as a general rule (though not always the case, there are always exceptions). Honestly though, from my experience, jobs with union backing are better than if they didn't have them at all. You would be in a worse position without them, I'm afraid because those are the types of jobs where higher ups really want to "cut costs".
That's nearly every union I've ever dealt with. A lot of HR departments sit down with union reps about once a year, hear their pitch, then decline. It's one way of saying that they did meet with union reps and "consider" their proposal. Unions are supposed to protect workers, but more often than not they usually just keep poorly performing employees in their jobs (often as managers or supervisors of some sort). HR departments don't like unions, and Unions don't like HR departments as a general rule (though not always the case, there are always exceptions). Honestly though, from my experience, jobs with union backing are better than if they didn't have them at all. You would be in a worse position without them, I'm afraid because those are the types of jobs where higher ups really want to "cut costs".
Wow, this thread is blowing my mind! As a European , this stuff doesn't happen in the same way! Our unions are stronger and more client orientated , they don't let companies away with shit like letting someone go and then replacing them with a relative, that you can sue for! Unfair dismissal! But that whole mediocrity will do stuff goes on here too! Much as you try to instill in your offspring not to partake, they get sucked in! It burns me when I think how my daughter is in for a rude awakening! We have tried to warn and teach her but she floats with her pals. And hand on heart , she ain't the worst!
Another Amazon quality control issue! Nine misspellings in this book description!"A STORY THAT BEGAIN TWO HUNDRED YEARS EARLIER. A ANTROPOLIGEST MOVES TO CANADA WITH HIS WIFE AND STARTS A FAMILY IN A NEW COUNTRY. BUT HIS DREAMS ARE MEET WITH THE TRAGIC DISAPEARANCE OF HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER AND HIS GREIF CAUSING HIM TO END HIS OWN LIFE. TWO HUNDRED YEARS LATER RELITIVES OF HIS HAPPEN TO MOVE INTO THE SAME RESIDENCE AND DURING ONE OF THE NATIONS LARGERST MANHUNTS FOR A DERANGED KILLER, FIND THEMSELFS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF BOTH SPIRITS LOOKING TO BE RELEASED TO JOIN THEIR LOVED ONES, AND A GREIVING MOTHER LOOKING TO FIND THE ANSWER AS TO WHY SHE WAS TARGETED BY THE KILLER. THE UNLIKELY DUET WHO HOLD THE ANSWER TO EVERYONES QUESTIONS IS A SET OF EIGHT YEAR OLD TWINS. A STORY THAT WILL KEEP YOU ON EDGE MAKING YOU AT TIMES SMILE AND THE NEXT MOMENT WANT TO CRY. NOT AT ALL WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR AVERAGE GHOST STORY"
http://www.amazon.com/A-HEART-FROM-WI...
Ugh. If you can write a story and post it online you can either a) use spell check, or b) google the word for the correct spelling. My spelling can be pretty bad but I check questionable words.
Also:'A ANTROPOLIGEST' - AN not A!
'DREAMS ARE MEET' - Met!!!
'UNLIKELY DUET' - what, were they singing??????
It's just such a bad reflection on so many serious self-pubs who work hard at their craft and take the time to edit their work to make it as perfect as they can. No one's infalable of course, but this sort of thing is just so bad. Publishers started all this by being so restrictive in who they print (with the exception of mass markets but that's a whole different discussion!). So many good writers tried for years to get published the traditional way (myself included) with no success so self-pub was a welcome alternative. But the only downside to this is that we lose the man in the middle who acts as the quality control. Maybe Amazon (and others) should look into some way they could manage this...not to judge the story itself but just to make sure the writing isn't filled with errors like the previous examples. Unfortunately self-pub allowed all those without a clue to get themselves published, giving the rest of us a bad name as illiterate numpties who can't string a sentence together! :(
Ken wrote: "Another Amazon quality control issue! Nine misspellings in this book description!"A STORY THAT BEGAIN TWO HUNDRED YEARS EARLIER. A ANTROPOLIGEST MOVES TO CANADA WITH HIS WIFE AND STARTS A FAMILY ..."
I've just read through all these posts and I have to say that this kind of BS ticks me off! I'm self-published and I bust my ass to make sure everything...and I mean EVERYTHING, from print to book cover to description, is spelled properly and, more importantly, MAKES SENSE! And I agree with those saying that these authors (I hardly call a ten page work a book, but whatever)are mucking up the self-publishing industry. I myself am looking for a publication house for my next book. Self-publishing is a mess.
And don't forget: "But his dreams are MEET with the..."No apostrophe in "...one of the NATIONS largerest manhunts..."
Shouldn't that be "unlikely DUO" and not "duet"?
No apostrophe in "answer to EVERYONES questions..."
No dashes in "eight year old twins."
What's really horrible is the fact that books DO get checked for possible spelling errors when you upload the files. They still allow people to hit the button to publish it though. This is really a problem with people who just want to see their name in print and don't care about the quality they put out. Or they're an even worse ilk, as some people I've seen here on Goodreads seem to have the opinion that they can't afford an editor, so they'll just upload the work and wait for poor sap who paid for it to kindly point out their mistakes for them to correct it and upload again.
I'm surprised nobody commented that the whole book description is written in caps. Also, check this out, from the author's biography.
"I don't use any programs other than spell check lets face it I still type with two fingers. I don't let anyone edit my stories because I believe it is important to not let some program create a style or input any content. when you read my stories you can be certain they came from my heart not some program or editor .so the mistakes are mine and I may not write in a predesigned format but you will be able to appreciate the story you read is my story."
I was more concerned about his claims to be a master criminal. I posted a bad review! I may have to ask for federal protection!
Shaun wrote: "Or they're an even worse ilk, as some people I've seen here on Goodreads seem to have the opinion that they can't afford an editor, so they'll just upload the work and wait for poor sap who paid for it to kindly point out their mistakes for them to correct it and upload again...."
Hell, I never thought about this.
That type of mentality is not just changing the writing landscape, it is changing the workplace too. In not wanting to hurt the feelings of children years ago, we have set up a world where these [now] adults expect to be treated with the same accolades and recognition for doing the bare minimum.