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This week: Learn to Self-Edit Edited by: esprit  
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Welcome to the Action/Adventure Newsletter. I was lucky enough to draw two guest issues of the Newsletter this month. |
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Learn to Self-Edit
At some point every writer must evaluate his or her work and make a realistic appraisal of its worth.
1. What do you expect from reviews?
2. Why do you review?
3. The purpose of a review.
Writers expect too much from their reviewers.
A writer who makes errors in his own writings will continue to make errors when he types a review. He doesn't suddenly turn into an expert typist or speller just because he dons the review cap, nor do a few spelling errors negate the truth of the feedback. Everyone makes typos.
A writer who is new to writing won't be able to give technical advice, suggest how to structure a line, or how to 'show-not tell'. Most importantly--he shouldn't be expected to. He will do what he can as well as he can.
If "Invalid Item" , shouldn't it be okay to be an amateur reviewer, too? Each member is a reviewer one day and a writer the next; they are two sides of the same coin. Why encourage his writer side while scorning his lack of reviewing skills? Isn't that a tiny bit hypocritical? Everyone has to stumble through those first steps, and all need encouragement. Even on reviewing days.
Reviewing is a writing exercise.
"Guidelines To Great Reviewing" Writing a detailed review is time well spent.
Reviewing is a writing exercise. Creating detailed feedback for a fellow writer is one of the best tools available for improving your own writing.
How many have read this section without fully understanding what it is saying?
Reviewing is a tool for practicing your self-editing skill-Writing and receiving reviews are lessons for learning to self-edit. Each time you read an item in preparation for reviewing it, you should learn something new about what works and what doesn't. Pay attention to how easy or difficult it is to know what is happening. Can you see the characters, hear their voices?
While you're writing this review think about how to word it so the writer will know exactly what you mean; think about how you came to this conclusion and take in the lesson to use in your own writing. If you concentrate it will come back to you as you write, and you will improve. If it was yours, would you rather know how the content came across--or about that typo in line six? You are learning the craft of writing a little at a time.
A review for a particular item will give advice and suggestions for that item, but the advice is reusable forever.
What a review should do.
The purpose of reviews is to point out where the writer needs to study and practice. The writer is expected to take responsibility for learning all he can and use the help not just on this item, but on his writing skill in general. If bad habits are pointed out in one piece, chances are strong they will be a problem in all items this writer writes. The review is saying that here are areas where study is needed, and here are some areas where you were successful. Take notice and you'll be able to self-edit your own work eventually.
Otherwise, what are you planning to do, bring each new item to the review forums only to have the same issues pointed out time after time? You'll count on reviewers to correct work that you should be doing yourself. Don't become too dependent on reviewers or your path to success will be extra long and bumpy. It will also appear as if you either can't learn, or choose not to. Dependency is a bad habit.
If you fear to be honest in your reviewing and rating because you've seen some of the comments ranting against reviewers, just remember that giving only praise when work is obviously needed won't help anyone to improve their writing, especially you. And you should be your main concern in this game.
I repeat--again and again so it will be remembered: Giving and receiving a review is practice for self-editing--for both the reviewer and author.
Once you've learned the craft of writing and the craft of editing your work, you can expect to get the reviews that sparkle and tell you how great a writer you are.
Thanks for reading, and keep on writing and reviewing, it's good practice.
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Submitted By: Acme
Submitted Comment: No need to feel nervous, esprit. I enjoyed this edition of the Action/Adventure newsletter. For a while I felt a little uncomfortable that there wasn't a novel waiting to pour out of me; when I admitted to my self that I didn't want to write one anyway, it took a real weight of my shoulders! Who knows what the future will bring? It's ace being a human being--I can change my mind as often as my socks Also, while I agree with the majority of what you say about reading well as an important part of appreciating your craft, I do think that those writers wanting to go into film/tv should watch shows to learn what works for them. I'm sure most writers read books with the writer on their shoulder, and that it is the same for script writers watching a film.
Thanks, Acme. you're absolutely right. Photographers and film makers study lighting and shadows, photos and films, and compare their work to others. Whatever we desire to improve, we will study. Thanks for contributing!
Submitted By: alfred booth, wanbli ska
Submitted Comment: Congratulations for a very interesting first NewsLetter. I found your point of view interesting and innovative. You write with a definite sense of community spirit and your idea of learning to do the best we can regardless of the reasons we post our items is a good one.
Thank you very much! I love WDC and its members, and want to see everyone reach their goal--whatever that may be. 
Submitted By: faithjourney
Submitted Comment: Thanks for this wisdom. I think the most important thing is whether it's fun. If you don't enjoy it, there's no point doing it for yourself or anybody else. You have to have it in your heart.
Oh my, yes. When it becomes drudge work--I'm outta here!
Submitted By: sarahreed
Submitted Comment: Just like O Henry, I worry most about not being able to write when I finally become a professional writer. I want to become one and not have to go to work every day, but what if my creativity stops when my passion for writing becomes work? I fear it the most and it's part of what has held me back. I'm starting to realize what I should be focusing on. I should focus on writing. Not think about why or who its for, or that I need to make money doing it because I don't. I do have a job and it pays well and I enjoy it for the most part. Though I wish I had more time to write, I utilize what time I have to make the most out of it. If I become a professional writer, it will happen because I wrote. Not because I spent all my time focusing on becoming one. I hope this makes some sense, and maybe help some others in re-aligning their thinking caps. The most important thing is to keep on writing!
I think most successful writers still worry about 'what-ifs'. Can they do it again, and so on. And it is work--hard work, you'd better love it.
Submitted By: sarahreed
Submitted Comment: Good advice about not responding rashly to reviews. I'd also recommend that if a writer is really connected to their work that they should wait some time before even posting it on the site. The time spent doing other things will help distance the writer from the writing and allow more clarity and calmness when receiving reviews.
It will depend on the writer & writing, but I suggest at least two days to up to a couple of weeks, maybe even more for emotional pieces. I once waited 7 years before showing a very personal, emotional piece to anyone for review.
Good advice, Sara! Seven years is a long time though. Sometimes, we could use only the emotion to write a fiction, leaving enough space to be comfortable. Thanks for contributing to the newsletter!
We always appreciate the feedback, thanks!
Editors:
billwilcox
NanoWriMo2018 Into the Earth 
Your guest host this week is esprit
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Action/Adventure: September 02, 2009 Issue [#3221]
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