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This week: Edited by: darkin
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"The secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or to say a new thing in an old way." -Richard Harding Davis
My name is Darkin and I'll be your guest host for this issue of For Authors.
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| ASIN: B01MQP5740 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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Reviewing- Or How to Help Without Being Mean
Something I hear a lot from new writers is they do not feel qualified to give a review. For some reason they think that because they are new to the writing world, or have never been published, they are unable to offer any useful help to another writer. They worry about offending the author with their suggestions or being too negative to a piece they feel needs a lot of work.
It is normal to worry about these things when you are new to reviewing. You want to let the author know, without being insulting, what did and didn't work in their story for you.
But what is considered a good review?
A good review is one that helps the writer see things in their piece they might not have noticed. It touches not only on the things that need to be fixed, but the parts that work too. It gives the writer something to think about when he does his next rewrite.
Although praise is something every writer loves to hear, it is not what a writer needs to hear when trying to polish their work to perfection. What a writer needs is a good review of their writing. If you want to be helpful to a writer think about the following things while reading their work.
But please remember. Reviewing is not a contest. You are not trying to "one-up" the writer. You are reviewing to help the writer improve their work. Do not review if you cannot treat the writer with respect.
What did you think of the story?
Think about how the story made you feel. Did it make you want to keep reading long after the story was over? Or did you just wish it would end? Let the author know your impression of the tale, from beginning to end.
What did you think of the opening?
Did the opening grab your attention and make you want to keep reading until you reached the end? Or did the opening fizzle into nothing? The writer needs to know when a story's opening is good, and when it needs to be revised.
What did you think of the plot?
Did the plot flow well, moving from beginning to end without any hitches? Or were there rough patches that made you stop reading? Let the author know what parts, if any, caused you to want to stop reading.
What did you think of the ending?
Did the ending make sense, based on the rest of the story? Or did it seem rushed and unresolved? Writing a story is more than a beginning and middle; the ending must make sense and tie up the loose ends to be satisfying to the reader.
What did you think of the characters?
Could you identify with the characters in the story and were they believable? Or did they seem like stereotypical characters with no depth? Caring about the characters in a short story is important to the reader. If they don't care about a character, they aren't going to finish reading the story.
Was the dialogue natural and realistic?
When you read the story, did they dialogue sound natural and real? Or did it drag and sound phony? Let the author know if their dialogue isn't realistic or they have too many, or not enough, descriptive tags.
What did you think of the story setting?
Could you see the story's events in your mind while you read it? Or was the descriptions lacking in depth and clarity? The writer should include enough details so you can get a mental picture in your mind while reading the story, without overwhelming you with useless information.
How was the story's flow and pacing?
Did you get carried away in the story, moved alone without realizing you were reading? Or did you trudge through the story and feel there would never be an ending? Let the writer know if the story pulled you through, or slowed you down.
Was the Point of View consistent?
Did the story stay in the correct character's POV? Or did the author "head hop" around? While it's not necessary to be in one POV throughout a story, letting the reader know who is speaking is important. And having a story told by all the characters can be very confusing to a reader. Let the author know how their POV choices affected your enjoyment of the story.
What are your final impressions?
Were there spelling errors, grammar problems, or punctuation issues? Did the author use too many flashbacks, or not enough, to tell the story? Did the main characters spend too much time thinking about what they were going to do, instead of doing it? These are things the author needs to know so they can tighten their work.
Readers react to what they read. Sometimes the gut reaction to the story is more important than anything mentioned above--especially when the writer is more experienced. Gut reaction can negate nearly anything, with the exception of flaming another writer.
Helping a fellow writer improve their work takes a firm, but gentle hand. And it guarantees you'll receive the kind of help you want in return.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!
darkin
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Here are some items I've found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com that give insight as to how other members rate and review!
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And just for fun
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B000FC0SIM |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 12.99
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Yeah, I came back and can use some of the wonderful feedback I received the last time I was a guest editor for the For Author's Newsletter So, here are the answers to your questions and comments
Thank you for all your comments and questions!!!
darkin
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Submitted By: Mojo 
Submitted Comment:
Hi Darkin,
This was very informative and so true. I especially thought that I was the only one who thinks about writing more words in special places. I had a new year's resolution but forgot to write it down and wish for it at midnight..ha Which means this year I would have another excuse not to follow through. ;)
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I had never heard of having to write your resolution down
and wishing for it at midnight. Is this a family tradition?
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Submitted By: writeone
Submitted Comment:
Thanks so much for a great newsletter. It is inspiring as the new year begins. I did not make resolutions this year. I'm simply tired of not doing them ... I did, however, set goals. Most of them had to do with writing, some had to do with my guitar and one had to do with living life with less fear. Your newsletter reminded me of why I set those goals. Thanks! and Happy Writing Year!
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I have always felt that goals are better than resolutions.
They are easier to complete, since they aren't set in stone.
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Submitted By: monty31802
Submitted Comment:
Oh Yes, Just one great selling book. Great Newsletter Darkin.
Wishing you the best a new year can offer.
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Good luck with that quest, Monty!!!
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Submitted By: AXiLeA
Submitted Comment:
Thank you, I loved the subject of your newsletter. It's original and useful. I know you are a guest editor and can't display feedback, but I just wanted you to know.
Best regards.
Axilea
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Thank you Axilea! I'm glad you enjoyed the newsletter!
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Submitted By: Puditat
Submitted Comment:
An inspiring editorial, Darkin. My writing goal for this year is to have my novel ready for submission to publishers by the end of March. It's very scary - will I get there? Will it be ready? Can I do it? After March, I don't know...maybe write a sequel.
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A wonderful goal, Puditat! And one I'm sure you'll meet!!!
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Submitted By: *Barbara Maria*
Submitted Comment:
Awsome newsletter! I really enjoyed it very much.
It was exactly what I needed to hear about becoming a better writer.
It makes it easier to work on those goals, when you have some sort of encouragement and your letter has done just that.
Thank you very much!
I look forward to reading more in the future.
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked the newsletter
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Submitted By: Bernie Thomas
Submitted Comment:
Hi Darkin.
Thank you for hosting the newsletter.
Quick question: According to your bio, are you really 541 years old?
Bernie
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Actually, I just turned 542
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Submitted By: Daizy May 
Submitted Comment:
Hey, good newsletter. It reinforces my goal of 'from the heart, worthwhile writing'
Nancy
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Glad you liked it. Writing from the heart is a wonderful way to write!!
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| ASIN: B00KN0JEYA |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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For Authors: January 31, 2007 Issue [#1518]
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