How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 4 "Macro-Critting (The Wrap)"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
91 total reviews
Comment from kiwigirl2821
What I will say is you definitely have an in depth way of breaking it down and confidence. Lots and lots of confidence. I think I might read the whole thing however as much of what you've written is what I've come to understand over the years. good stuff to say the least and please I do so know this is not only a padded response but full of those icky spags... xoxo Kiwi
reply by the author on 07-May-2015
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What I will say is you definitely have an in depth way of breaking it down and confidence. Lots and lots of confidence. I think I might read the whole thing however as much of what you've written is what I've come to understand over the years. good stuff to say the least and please I do so know this is not only a padded response but full of those icky spags... xoxo Kiwi
Comment Written 07-May-2015
reply by the author on 07-May-2015
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Much obliged, Kiwi. I appreciate your close read and kind words.
Comment from BJ_Barnes
Great advice and it was great to hear some of your own personal stories. I must admit that I used to be one of those write what you know about types and it didn't always turn out so well. Thank you so much for a fun read.
reply by the author on 07-May-2015
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Great advice and it was great to hear some of your own personal stories. I must admit that I used to be one of those write what you know about types and it didn't always turn out so well. Thank you so much for a fun read.
Comment Written 07-May-2015
reply by the author on 07-May-2015
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If we wrote only about what we knew, no male writer would be writing about females and the reverse. No one, male or female, would be writing about animals, going to the moon, or straddling the back of a dragon. Thanks for reading, BJ, for your kind words and rating.
Comment from bob cullen
First comment. Our life stories are so similar. We dream, but we persist. And in your case, a very deep thinker. We're both nearing ten years on fanstory, you a year longer than me. I'm not sure what a decade here implies.
You really are a good writer. And in my eyes, a brilliant reviewer.
One day I hope I get the chance to sit down with you and discuss your philosophy on writing, I have no doubt it would be a learning experience for me. Jeanette and I are hoping to visit friends in Texas next year.
Bob
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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First comment. Our life stories are so similar. We dream, but we persist. And in your case, a very deep thinker. We're both nearing ten years on fanstory, you a year longer than me. I'm not sure what a decade here implies.
You really are a good writer. And in my eyes, a brilliant reviewer.
One day I hope I get the chance to sit down with you and discuss your philosophy on writing, I have no doubt it would be a learning experience for me. Jeanette and I are hoping to visit friends in Texas next year.
Bob
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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Kind words from you, Bob. Thanks. I had no idea you'd been on FS for that long. That means you've been here longer. I had a several year hiatus from FS when I worked at building a presence on Twitter, and to a much lesser extent on Face Book.
Like many writers, I'd imagine, I am quite comfortable on my computer keyboard, with a veil of anonymity between my "audience" and myself. While, in theory, it would be a blast sitting across from another writer, beer in hand, and waxing eloquent on all kinds of philosophy, fact is, face-to-face, I'd be hard-pressed to do anything but stammer.
This is just between you and me and all those who read the crits beforehand to see what the post was about.
By the way, I have yours downloaded and will read it this evening.
Thanks again for the kind words and rating.
Comment from Drew Delaney
Jay, you have so much to say on the topic. I wish I had a six star left. I know what you are saying. It's the story really. If it's not worth reading, I try to avoid it. Especially if it has a bunch of vernacular that takes me half an hour to figure out what the writer is trying to say. The reason we review or crit is basically so that we can learn to crit our own work. I think, some have it and some don't. Maybe we all believe we have it. And so we are all stuck reading those of us who think we are going to make it. We are a sad group of losers in a way. But, we have to dream big or forget it. Right? Drew
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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Jay, you have so much to say on the topic. I wish I had a six star left. I know what you are saying. It's the story really. If it's not worth reading, I try to avoid it. Especially if it has a bunch of vernacular that takes me half an hour to figure out what the writer is trying to say. The reason we review or crit is basically so that we can learn to crit our own work. I think, some have it and some don't. Maybe we all believe we have it. And so we are all stuck reading those of us who think we are going to make it. We are a sad group of losers in a way. But, we have to dream big or forget it. Right? Drew
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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You made me laugh with your, "We are a sad group of losers in a way." And there's probably more than a little truth in it. But never give up the dream ... and lovely people like you who offer encouragement. Thanks so much for your kindness and rating.
Comment from Writingfundimension
'It was the spring of 1960 and I was hell-bent on capturing the Pulitzer, or even the Nobel Prize for literature. Better yet, I would win the Pulitzer Prize the first year and the Nobel Peace Prize the next.'
Wonderful opening with your trade-mark dry wit, Jay.
An excellent read, as always.
:) Bev
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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'It was the spring of 1960 and I was hell-bent on capturing the Pulitzer, or even the Nobel Prize for literature. Better yet, I would win the Pulitzer Prize the first year and the Nobel Peace Prize the next.'
Wonderful opening with your trade-mark dry wit, Jay.
An excellent read, as always.
:) Bev
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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Bless you, Bev. I'm happy you enjoyed it. There's so much more to go. Aren't you glad I splatter only a little bit on the page a week?
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:)
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At least you keep things current unlike this procrastinator.
Comment from Ric Myworld
I must admit that I kept peeking over my shoulder the whole time I was reading this post, sure that someone was watching, or able to read my mind. Agreeing with most, and feeling some degree of guilt, myself. Every one of us go through periods where we "Write what we know," which has been preached to us over and over, and for ourselves without taking the reader into consideration. It's an easy mistake to make, and even the best writers are guilty at times. Thanks for another fine read. :-)
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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I must admit that I kept peeking over my shoulder the whole time I was reading this post, sure that someone was watching, or able to read my mind. Agreeing with most, and feeling some degree of guilt, myself. Every one of us go through periods where we "Write what we know," which has been preached to us over and over, and for ourselves without taking the reader into consideration. It's an easy mistake to make, and even the best writers are guilty at times. Thanks for another fine read. :-)
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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Wonderful words, Ric, and a generous rating. Thank you for both.
Comment from Donya Quijote
Once again this was a pleasant ride from beginning to end. Good advice and examples throughout meshed with personal tidbits and real life experience. I especially approve of that bit about font size. My own students think they meet requirement of a page in length if they change the font size, as if I wouldn't notice. Font 12 is the preferred font size for most if not all formal writing. Engaging and very well done...
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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Once again this was a pleasant ride from beginning to end. Good advice and examples throughout meshed with personal tidbits and real life experience. I especially approve of that bit about font size. My own students think they meet requirement of a page in length if they change the font size, as if I wouldn't notice. Font 12 is the preferred font size for most if not all formal writing. Engaging and very well done...
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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I'm pleased you took something away from this, Donya. So you are a teacher? What grade? I'm sure each student feels the art of padding to be his own invention. I know I was sure of it.
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I teach middle school. Philosophy of the kids is just to get it done. Quality does not matter. To them a paragraph should contain no more than five sentences and cohesion is not necessary. Randomness is okay...
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Ah! Times haven't changed that much, then.
Comment from chasennov
I can only find one sock. And where's my belt? How This Critter Crits Macro-Critting (The Wrap) Well, is this the ned of this series on critting, or do you plan to continue with this great stuff? Well done.
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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I can only find one sock. And where's my belt? How This Critter Crits Macro-Critting (The Wrap) Well, is this the ned of this series on critting, or do you plan to continue with this great stuff? Well done.
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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I believe there are eleven segments in all, Chas. I'm glad you're aboard.
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You are most welcome, Jay.
Comment from Walu Feral
G'day Jay. You write such wonderful pieces of work mate, they are always clear of mistakes (at least I can never spot any) and beautifully presented with lots of humour. This is no exception and I look forward to the next phase of the journey. Cheers Fez
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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G'day Jay. You write such wonderful pieces of work mate, they are always clear of mistakes (at least I can never spot any) and beautifully presented with lots of humour. This is no exception and I look forward to the next phase of the journey. Cheers Fez
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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Thank you, Fez. A bunch more to come. Glad to have you along.
Comment from Bill Schott
This was an interesting autobiographical accounting of your post-Air Force sojourn through the literature of the world and its apparent impregnable density and unscalable height. The comparison of stories to empty gifts was funny, as I note my own feelings after following a story to a an unsatisfying end. I think this macro-critting piece is woven together with your acerbic and sometimes self-effacing humor, which is sometimes thicker than other times, but always in play. It's enjoyable reading.
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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This was an interesting autobiographical accounting of your post-Air Force sojourn through the literature of the world and its apparent impregnable density and unscalable height. The comparison of stories to empty gifts was funny, as I note my own feelings after following a story to a an unsatisfying end. I think this macro-critting piece is woven together with your acerbic and sometimes self-effacing humor, which is sometimes thicker than other times, but always in play. It's enjoyable reading.
Comment Written 06-May-2015
reply by the author on 06-May-2015
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I'm so glad you're enjoying it and are evidencing more than just a superficial reading of the text. Take away the attempts at self-flagellating humor, and considerable slapstick, I could of condensed this into one paragraph ... and received probably 5 or 6 crits. LOL, my wife always said, "My God, if someone wants directions to the bathroom, do you have to take them on a tour of the entire house?" As usual, thank you, Bill.