JX Valentine
Ever-Discordant
Er, to clarify, the basis for all of the changes we've made to the recent rules were actually clarifications of rules that've been around since pretty much the opening of this thread. (The second paragraph in particular is actually pretty much lifted from the original. The only reason why it's there, besides the fact that the first line had to be changed to make way for the paragraph before it, is because this is the rule in its entirety.) We just felt that they needed to be further clarified because we've been seeing a lot of issues regarding the first paragraph, which was originally just a single sentence at the start of this rule.
That having been said, the main issue is whether or not your request comes off as accusatory to the rest of the community. If you do it persistently (as in, more than a few times—and it's clear you haven't just copypasta'd it) or if you do it in a tone that sounds as if you're accusing the community of being dead or asking why no one's reviewed you, then it does require a talking-to because that kind of stuff can get pretty toxic, pretty fast, so yep, it's actually actionable on the basis of making things hella awkward around the forum (as are the other rules in the first post).
As for the second, well, keeping in mind that it's kinda been around since the outset, that too is an actionable offense because what it means under the "writers must respect reviewers" bit is "don't argue with your reviewers." Like, you don't have to take anyone's advice around the forum, but you also shouldn't be outright blowing someone off or telling them off for giving you advice, you know?
Point is, all of that rule goes back to the header: writers must respect readers. At the risk of sounding a little dictatorial, as I've mentioned a couple paragraphs ago, it's all about maintaining a community that's somewhat free of awkwardness, where folks feel somewhat safe to not only post but also review ... or, well, not review, whichever the case may be. If a writer's behavior gets to be excessive (as in, if it threatens to disrupt the community by stirring up drama or whatnot), then yes, mods will have to step in for the sake of keeping the peace, as that's more or less why we're here. Same goes with reviewers or pretty much anyone else.
That having been said, the main issue is whether or not your request comes off as accusatory to the rest of the community. If you do it persistently (as in, more than a few times—and it's clear you haven't just copypasta'd it) or if you do it in a tone that sounds as if you're accusing the community of being dead or asking why no one's reviewed you, then it does require a talking-to because that kind of stuff can get pretty toxic, pretty fast, so yep, it's actually actionable on the basis of making things hella awkward around the forum (as are the other rules in the first post).
As for the second, well, keeping in mind that it's kinda been around since the outset, that too is an actionable offense because what it means under the "writers must respect reviewers" bit is "don't argue with your reviewers." Like, you don't have to take anyone's advice around the forum, but you also shouldn't be outright blowing someone off or telling them off for giving you advice, you know?
Point is, all of that rule goes back to the header: writers must respect readers. At the risk of sounding a little dictatorial, as I've mentioned a couple paragraphs ago, it's all about maintaining a community that's somewhat free of awkwardness, where folks feel somewhat safe to not only post but also review ... or, well, not review, whichever the case may be. If a writer's behavior gets to be excessive (as in, if it threatens to disrupt the community by stirring up drama or whatnot), then yes, mods will have to step in for the sake of keeping the peace, as that's more or less why we're here. Same goes with reviewers or pretty much anyone else.