15?
 

Technically I'm not new here, but it's been so long I practically am. But 15 critiques before I can post a draft? How about 5 or 6?

I have no authority whatsoever, but look at all them stars! I think you're good-to-go, and I'm glad to see your name here again.

Rose, I’m a true newcomer here and was initially frustrated by some of the rules, but if I were a Spherean archon I’d put Jedi masters like you on the fast track for threadstarter rank. Speaking of stars, I’ve been trying to figure out what they mean. I just earned my first, but have no idea what I did to deserve it.

Carl

Carl, people will tell you all kinds of things just to tease you, but the truth is, the stars are based on the number of posts you make.

I don't know, Rose. Sounds a little suspicious to me.

Welcome back.

Thanks for not teasing the newbies, Gail. That’s one of the theories I’ve been testing, but there’s no simple correlation between the number of stars and the number of posts. But I shouldn’t be questioning the wisdom of the Stargivers. “Don’t let’s ask for the moon. We have the stars.”

Welcome back, Rose! This rule shouldn't apply to you. If there's an automatic restriction in place for some reason, drop Jayne Osborn a PM and she'll get it sorted out right away.

What a delight to hear your voice again, Rose.

Nemo

Absolutely delighted to hear that you're writing poetry again, Rose, and eager to see what you have to say. I don't think anyone will object to your posting new material after 5 or 6 recent crits, and I don't think the system will prevent you from doing so.

(For those curious about things, the usual mathematical star-generating formula does get overridden for people in special roles, such as former moderators or former hosts of Sonnet Bake-offs. That's why people with more posts sometimes have fewer stars than those VIPs. Rose Kelleher is definitely a VIP around here.)

Hello again, Rose. It's a little early yet in my time zone, but this is going to call for some cork popping. Can we hope that Bundle o' Tinder will soon have a companion volume?