How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 7 "Micro-Critting The Illusion Crashers"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
91 total reviews
Comment from Sis Cat
An excellent crit on the importance of dialogue in fiction. You point out reality crashers such as name tags and superficial conversation. You provided vivid examples of what not to do, and you explain the reasons why. Reading this series of crit essays informs and entertains me. I imagine this series published in a "Why We Write" book Stephen King would enjoy. I thrilled to read your essay and I look forward to the next installment.
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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An excellent crit on the importance of dialogue in fiction. You point out reality crashers such as name tags and superficial conversation. You provided vivid examples of what not to do, and you explain the reasons why. Reading this series of crit essays informs and entertains me. I imagine this series published in a "Why We Write" book Stephen King would enjoy. I thrilled to read your essay and I look forward to the next installment.
Comment Written 23-May-2015
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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Well, that's quite a compliment, Andre. I appreciate it. It's funny how this series which seriously began as an aide to critiquing, turned into a tutorial on writing. I guess they go hand in hand. I appreciate you, my friend.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
When I went for the Quality Seal on one of my novels, FS told me not to use he or she as often as I do, that I should use names. I have also had and editor tell me that. I normal use their names unless it's in the same paragraph.
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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When I went for the Quality Seal on one of my novels, FS told me not to use he or she as often as I do, that I should use names. I have also had and editor tell me that. I normal use their names unless it's in the same paragraph.
Comment Written 23-May-2015
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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That is odd, and warns me not to submit for a Quality Seal through FanStory. Why should the writer use the character's name if the reader knows the name of the person he/she is referring to? Read the popular published writers' dialogue.
Comment from Fridayauthor
Most enjoyable and to the point. I find in critiquing a new writer, glaring problems most usually arise in dialog. While too many adverbs and messy descriptions jump out, nothing irks me more than untrue dialog. It can pull you away from the story quicker than anything else.
Busy week before we're off to Cambria!
Very good job, Jay!
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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Most enjoyable and to the point. I find in critiquing a new writer, glaring problems most usually arise in dialog. While too many adverbs and messy descriptions jump out, nothing irks me more than untrue dialog. It can pull you away from the story quicker than anything else.
Busy week before we're off to Cambria!
Very good job, Jay!
Comment Written 23-May-2015
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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Thank you, Ray. As usual, right on the mark!
Comment from krprice
Delete unnecessary 'that's'.
Check for commas (or lack thereof), particularly after opening phrases and clauses.
In Chapter 2. . . These have. . . mid frame . . . Delete and.
This was another excellent essay.
Karlene
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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Delete unnecessary 'that's'.
Check for commas (or lack thereof), particularly after opening phrases and clauses.
In Chapter 2. . . These have. . . mid frame . . . Delete and.
This was another excellent essay.
Karlene
Comment Written 23-May-2015
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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Thank you, Karlene. Please point out any misuse of "That". I run them through the find/replace grinder before I post, along with a lot of other things. When you tell me I need to delete more of them it makes me wonder which ones you are referring to. Some are necessary. Sometimes they can be removed but at the risk of an awkward-sounding sentence. So please point them out to me so we can have a dialogue.
Comment from Walu Feral
G'day Jay. This is another very well penned and informative yarn mate. Sometimes when I am reading a story or book chapter and the charcters are talking I get that darn confused about who is talking at which time that I just click next, it does my head in. Great stuff here again Sir, cheers Fez
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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G'day Jay. This is another very well penned and informative yarn mate. Sometimes when I am reading a story or book chapter and the charcters are talking I get that darn confused about who is talking at which time that I just click next, it does my head in. Great stuff here again Sir, cheers Fez
Comment Written 23-May-2015
reply by the author on 23-May-2015
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Thanks, Fez. Glad you found it informative.
Comment from janalma
I just read this for the first time. I've been seeing it and as I don't usually read novels here, had avoided getting into it. I'm really glad I did. I, as many of us here, need all the help I can get. And this isn't what I thought it was. Not a novel, it's a helpful book. I'll have to go back now and start from the beginning. Thanks for the info in this.
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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I just read this for the first time. I've been seeing it and as I don't usually read novels here, had avoided getting into it. I'm really glad I did. I, as many of us here, need all the help I can get. And this isn't what I thought it was. Not a novel, it's a helpful book. I'll have to go back now and start from the beginning. Thanks for the info in this.
Comment Written 22-May-2015
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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Thank you, Jan, for giving it a look-see. I hope you gain something from the entire series.
Comment from Debbie Noland
In the six months that I have been writing and reviewing on the this site, I have run across your name mentioned in a highly complimentary manner by others many times. But this may be my first opportunity to read a piece of yours and to digest your views and advice for fiction writing.
I am a relatively new and inexperienced fiction writer, but my interest in contemporary fiction has grown as I have read and contemplated the techniques of those who post here.
Your advice on writing dialogue has the tone of a friendly, interested teacher or mentor. It is practical, concrete, and down-to-earth as opposed to stodgy, didactic, and academic. I like that, and look forward to reading more.
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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In the six months that I have been writing and reviewing on the this site, I have run across your name mentioned in a highly complimentary manner by others many times. But this may be my first opportunity to read a piece of yours and to digest your views and advice for fiction writing.
I am a relatively new and inexperienced fiction writer, but my interest in contemporary fiction has grown as I have read and contemplated the techniques of those who post here.
Your advice on writing dialogue has the tone of a friendly, interested teacher or mentor. It is practical, concrete, and down-to-earth as opposed to stodgy, didactic, and academic. I like that, and look forward to reading more.
Comment Written 22-May-2015
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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Well, Debbie, welcome aboard. I've been keeping a seat warm for you. I'm glad you enjoyed this. I hope I have some other stuff of interest for you as I progress. Again. Thanks.
Comment from justafan
Jay, have you made this into a book like, Writing 101 for Dummies? Seriously, I need that book...I am going to bookcase all of these and read them over and over before adding publishing here my story Bayou Bound. You are so very gifted but also a little frightening, to be honest. I was told with my first review to look you up and to listen to your advice. This is me listening :)
Thank you...
Always justafan,
Missy
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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Jay, have you made this into a book like, Writing 101 for Dummies? Seriously, I need that book...I am going to bookcase all of these and read them over and over before adding publishing here my story Bayou Bound. You are so very gifted but also a little frightening, to be honest. I was told with my first review to look you up and to listen to your advice. This is me listening :)
Thank you...
Always justafan,
Missy
Comment Written 22-May-2015
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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What an honor, Missy, both to receive your accolades and to hear that someone recommended you to look me up. I am both humbled and proud, and that's hard to keep in one head at the same time. Thanks, dear Missy.
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I have used your work or name in a couple of my pieces Jay :)...Best Neighborhood Ever...and Crit...like I said...I am your biggest fan.
Missy
Comment from Selina Stambi
Here's to you, Master Critter!
Particularly loved the part about speech tags. Wonderful examples.
Great write, Jay.
Sonali
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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Here's to you, Master Critter!
Particularly loved the part about speech tags. Wonderful examples.
Great write, Jay.
Sonali
Comment Written 22-May-2015
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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Thank you, Sonali. Glad you enjoyed it.
Comment from Spitfire
To be honest, I'd delete the first paragraph. Your essay grabs my interest with:Have you ever been so enrapt by a piece of fiction ...
psycho-synergism -- love that word and I get what you mean.
my spirit moving across his landscape along with my dependency on its unimpeded movement --- yes, that's exactly how exceptional literature grabs me.
Very good tips on avoiding character tags.
As a script writer, I have learned how to cut to the chase.
All good advice and examples to learn from.
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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To be honest, I'd delete the first paragraph. Your essay grabs my interest with:Have you ever been so enrapt by a piece of fiction ...
psycho-synergism -- love that word and I get what you mean.
my spirit moving across his landscape along with my dependency on its unimpeded movement --- yes, that's exactly how exceptional literature grabs me.
Very good tips on avoiding character tags.
As a script writer, I have learned how to cut to the chase.
All good advice and examples to learn from.
Comment Written 21-May-2015
reply by the author on 22-May-2015
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Well, Shari, I know I answered this before, but apparently it didn't take. Frustration! Thanks though for your response and your advice. I refer to that first paragraph a few times in the chapter, so I really don't want to remove it. I'm happy you liked the remainder of it though. You're important to me! Thanks for your input.