Writing is Hard Work

         Writing is hard work. I am amazed at people who say they just threw words on paper, and suddenly there was the great American or English or Macedonian novel. It's not like that for me. I have to work at it. Rewrite, proof, edit and, then, rewrite. One of the things that helps me is reading and reviewing.
         It is difficult to over-rate the value of reading and reviewing. When you read someone else's work, you see things that work and things that don't. That alone is educational. When you are moved by a piece, analyze what the author did that made you laugh or cry. Is it something you need to adopt?
         When you are reading reviews of your own work, ask yourself if this is valid, true, beneficial or complimentary. What is the reviewer telling you?

Points to consider when reviewing:

         When you read an item, rate and review it. Many, maybe most, people are glad to get feedback.
         When reviewing younger writers who are not sophisticated enough to separate themselves from their work, be careful. Do not hurt or insult the individual when pointing out errors. Reviewing the port and the bio can give clues to age and skill.
         Point out the things you like. Encourage and support your fellow writers.
         All this has been said before and probably better.

Points to remember when being reviewed:

         On Writing.com you can eliminate the opportunity for rating your item. If you retain that option, it is very poor etiquette to complain because you don't like the results. Ratings and reviews are the opinion of the reader. That is all they are. I don't say anything to hurt or insult anyone, but I will be as honest as I can. Get a grip and grow up.
         Grammar and punctuation are relatively standard in the English language. The rules are easy to obtain. Most people who can use a computer have been exposed to them. If you want to be read by others or be published, take this seriously. Learn the rules! If you choose to ignore them for the sake of dialect or dialog, be sure that your text is understandable. Otherwise, follow the rules.
         There are people who defend their violation of standards by citing successful authors who were mavericks. Make sure you have the quality and depth to compensate for the lack of adherence to the rules.
         Spelling is important. Everyone has typos that get missed, but the computer has a spell check, Writing.com has spell check, and dictionaries are cheap and available. Use the resources.
         I wrote this column because I get mad when I get a request from someone who wants me to edit their item. Sorry! Moderator pay is not that good. I don't think professional editors will take on a job that a high school freshman should be able to do.
         These are items that will give you help in the area of grammatical skill:"Invalid Item" ,"Invalid Item" , "Invalid Item" ,"Invalid Item" 



Picks of the week:

Good dramma comes in many forms. These pieces are examples of varied techniques that produced dramatic quality. Please read, rate and review.

The following pieces use snapshots to build to a powerful climax.

ID: 653543 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 659812 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 669881 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

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The next piece describes intense feeling to produce drama.

ID: 665726 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

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The next two items are poems. Both describe sad, poingnant and painful relationships. One is true, the other isn't. Can you tell which is which?

ID: 311623 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 629681   (Rated: 13+) My Daddy Killed A Child Tonight  "My Daddy killed a child tonight, but did not take a life..." by Sarah Rae

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In the next two pieces there is a contrast. One is almost all conversation. The other is all narration. Which works best for you? Which is easier to write? To make dramatic?

ID: 160870   (Rated: ASR) The Promising Dinner  They met for dinner on a Friday evening. by gailey

ID: 645438   (Rated: 13+) Bombs Bursting In Air  Two brotherly soldiers stuck in a foxhole by W.D.Wilcox © ¿ Φ

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This piece is an example of character development using stream of consciousness. How did you like it?

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This one keeps the tension mounting.

ID: 647414 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

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This one is good, too. See what you think.

ID: 646081   (Rated: 18+) Utah, Texas  I never had a friend till I met Frank. by james lee