- A Reader's Read Through - Is a simple "I liked this" enough? 'Reader' Review Guidelines. There have been a few requests for a 'how to review' guideline, so I made one. This is a basic guideline for members who feel they don't have enough knowledge to review other writers. All you have to do is give your thoughts on the piece as a reader. Many writers actually prefer reader's comments because it lets them know if the write is com... [More]

Asking For Reviews What to Give Them You have decided you want someone to read and review your writing. What should you give them? Unless you already have a working relationship with a group or review partner, please consider the following three suggestions: 1. Start with a chapter. Unless you are paying someone to read thousands of your words, then don’t begin by saying, “Could you give me a critique of my 80,000-word novel?” Instead, ask a review... [More]

Membership Types: Premium, Upgraded, etc. These questions and answers were found on and I could have written a full letter on the value of a premium membership, but I thought it best to let others do it. You see, I am biased. I've been fortunate to have been able to continue my premium since the day I first bought it six years ago. This year though, I couldn't purchase the full year so took the six month option. I will keep it and I will add to the length as I ca... [More]

First Step, Learn the Basics Reading How-To write books is good exercise, and I suggest that aspiring writers do it. Just be aware that although helpful, they are simply documenting a particular path one writer took to achieve success. Unfortunately, that same path may not work for another writer. Writing in differing genres will always require more specific information than a general fiction manual can give. For example, a writer reading a How-To book on romantic fiction, is n... [More]

Don't Hesitate to Toot Your Own Horn! (by Me) Miscellaneous Tidbits Shameless Plug I've always been curious where this phrase came from; just think about it. It's a common phrase, seen all over the web. What's shameful of being proud of your writing? Shameless sounds like we should hide our writing except when we're given special permission in special forums. Are you ashamed of your cooking skills, or your singing voice? Okay, these may not be... [More]

The Cluttered Path Fiction is a most difficult form of writing. It's born of pure imagination, unlike articles or technical writing where facts can be researched or experienced and placed on paper to be read by others. Non-fiction requires knowledge of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and expert knowledge of the subject in the case of articles. I'm not taking anything away from the importance of non-fiction, because it leaves no room for error, even the creative kind. But... [More]

Can I Make Changes To My Port? Seen Around the Site. Stop bugging me to update my Blog! Why doesn't my Blog show on the Blog list like the others? Why do I keep getting notices in my private e-mail box with every review? I don't like this new site look! How come my item isn't on the public list? I have an upgraded membership; why do I see ads? Don't get irritated - get to know your My Account page, specifically the Edit Preferences area. Stop! ... [More]

Take the Time to Rewrite Didn't Cubby write a great newsletter last week on writing first drafts? I'm going to write about the next step. Don't immediately post a new first draft for reviews. It was written from the heart with the emotions and errors flying free. It's not ready for prime time. Revising/rewriting. This is where your good idea takes shape and becomes a good story. Remember, you've written the story while it was in your i... [More]

Q&A Question: Subject: Review Tools? I've read about them, but I cannot locate them. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Great question! Answer: Review Tool is a pre-prepared review template that "you" create and store in your Review Tool area. Prepare a template for separate group sigs, review forums, etc. and add them to your new template, save. You can make as many as you need. When you review you'll choose which template to use by the... [More]

Writing is my passion, Punctuation is not. Where do people post works for constructive criticism? Gaining Exposure Within Writing.Com. Questions From Members. I wish I knew how to get more reviews. Hard core reviews are not easy to come by. I am desperate, repeat desperate for constructive feedback. I've been getting on every other day only to find 0 mails. I've been hoping for some reviews on my items. ... [More]

“It ain’t a good review unless I throw a tantrum and CRY.” And, really, I believe that – if a review doesn’t get me thinking, it ain’t harsh enough. Hang on to your sense of humor, you're going to need it! If you don't read the edit and think that you should kick the editor in the tush, they aren't doing their job. "Thank you for the honest, biting review. Writing Help Needed Have A Question? ... [More]

Alice: `Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?' Cheshire Cat: 'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to' Alice: `I don't much care where--' Cheshire Cat:`Then it doesn't matter which way you go' Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll Useful Tips on Procrastination Newsletter editors write newsletters for the love of passing on what they know. They give you the advice they’ve le... [More]

Have You Thought About Screenwriting? I was thinking the other day that, what with movies, TV, cable, direct to DVD, there are now crazy amounts of opportunities for writers for the screen. Have you ever tried to write a screenplay? I don't know a thing about it, but the info is out there and it might pay you to think about it. Speaking of pay, I hear it's much greater than books. Less time waiting, too. Format is very important, and the link below explains prope... [More]

Antonyms for: review Definition: criticize, scrutinize Antonyms: approve, praise Definition: go over again Antonyms: ignore, neglect Definition of Antonym: a word of opposite meaning -the usual antonym of good is bad- Honest Opinions I can see why editors and agents send out form rejection letters; it’s hard to suggest changes without sounding patronizing or without discouraging what might be a budding talent. And new writers, flush with the thril... [More]

As heard on WDC. Can anyone help me with characters? Can anyone help me with em dashes? Can anyone help me with descriptions? Can anyone help me with passive voice? Can anyone help me with -(insert your keyword here) WDC Power Search vs WWW Google In the interest of promoting the wealth of knowledge found on WDC, I like to point new and older members to our own search engine. Google has its uses, but WDC has the answers. If you want to know, ask th... [More]

News We can Use Amazon and BookSurge This change could affect those authors who now use Amazon as their book seller. Amazon.com, the online bookselling giant, {popnote:"announced"}http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-printondemand on March 31, 2008, that it would be requiring all print-on-demand books it sells to be printed by BookSurge, the print-on-demand service it owns. Publishers that don't want to use BookSurge may still sell th... [More]

the real point is that we need to be critical of our writing - at least some of the time. If we thought that what we did was always brilliant, we'd lose objectivity and we wouldn't want to improve, wouldn't know how to improve even. Being hard on our writing sometimes is what makes us better writers. But at those other, special times, loving what we do is what keeps us doing it! Keep writing! Rob@easywaytowrite.com Creating Better Writers 1. http://easywaytow... [More]

The first critique is more stressful than a first date. Earning "Community Recognitions" There has been interest in how Community Recognition numbers are earned. The full process is explained in the items linked below, but sometimes we just don't have time to search out and read for ourselves. These excerpts will show you what is answered in the items. If adding to your Community Number is important to you, read the entire items so you will know ... [More]

Want to Know How To Rate? Question: As we all know, reviewing is a huge part of the writing.com community, and It can be as daunting as it is enjoyable.The "rating" seems to be an ongoing issue. What exactly is the protocol. And how do we remain fair and encouraging if we rate a story 2.5 as opposed to 4.5 And if you liked it enough to give it a 4.5 then why not just a 5? The rating system is a bit controversial, and it strikes an emotional chord. There is a lot o... [More]

FAQuestion From Can you use gift points on items other than memberships and acknowledgements, IE; the WDC store? Yes, when you check out of our shop after choosing your purchase, simply choose to pay by Gift Points. Remember that 10,000 GPs = $1.00 in the shop. ~~SM one day i'll get a 3.5 star review off of you :) Further thoughts on rates. Stars Shine on the Obstacles So They Can be Removed There is an ab... [More]

Random FAQ Question of the Month - Site Recognition Number Could you explain how the number beside my name is calculated and what increases it? I'm curious. Thank you. Greetings! It's as simple as clicking on the number itself. When you click on that number, a narrow window will pop up, and you'll see "Community Recognition Details -?-" at the top. The following text is from the pop-up accessed from the "?": Community Recognitions are an... [More]

An idea for a novel has been wandering through your mind for days, weeks, or even years, with no time to write it. Now that time is available, you're anxious to use it, right? The story has been gestating long enough and is ready. But when you try to write the first sentence your mind goes blank and you don't know where to start. Frustrated, you begin to think you're not destined to become a writer after all. Where did the ideas go? Stop, back up, and start over. Most... [More]

I've been absent from the site for a couple of months, so was unable to write my scheduled editions. I greatly appreciate the Moderators who stepped in to assure those editions went out on time. They did a terrific job with them, didn't they? ~~Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.~~ unknown "For Sale By Owner - As Is" If you watch Home and Garden TV (HGTV) for any length of time, you will eventuall... [More]

"Sit down and put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it." Sidonie Gabrielle You Have to Practice! How can you practice writing if you don’t know what to write about? You don’t have to depend on someone else giving you a first line or a prompt; inspiration is all around you. When someone advises you to ‘just write, wr... [More]

How Do I...? In honor of new members I wanted to go back over some of the questions I see posted in the Help Forums. At the top left of every page there is a menu called Site Navigation. This menu holds almost everything you’ll ever do on the site. Click the links and explore it extensively, especially the MY PLACES link. If you posted on a forum and now can’t find it, go to MY POSTS to find the message you posted, click it and it will take you to the forum. I... [More]