How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 2 "Macro/Micro Critting"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
127 total reviews
Comment from RenieReader
Most enjoyable piece with great comparisons and suggestions to use while critting. The one you've suggested that gives me the most pause--both as a writer and a crit--is the chapter in a novel. As you've pointed out, can you do it justice, for both the chapter and the writer? I don't know how many times I get a crit that starts out, "I haven't read the rest of your book, but ... " The author can't possibly cover everything in the Previous Chapters segment. I just do the best I can with what is in that chapter. Off to the next chapter, Jay.
Renie
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2007
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Most enjoyable piece with great comparisons and suggestions to use while critting. The one you've suggested that gives me the most pause--both as a writer and a crit--is the chapter in a novel. As you've pointed out, can you do it justice, for both the chapter and the writer? I don't know how many times I get a crit that starts out, "I haven't read the rest of your book, but ... " The author can't possibly cover everything in the Previous Chapters segment. I just do the best I can with what is in that chapter. Off to the next chapter, Jay.
Renie
Comment Written 09-Jun-2007
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2007
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Thank you Renie for taking the time to read the series and using it to imrove your critting. It is a wonderful tribute.
Jay
Comment from suda
Hello Jay,
Great analogy...I thought we lost you there for a minute. Just when I got to thinking 'what happened?' to Jay the "crit", you're back in front of your computer. Whew! And then it all comes flooding in, I get where you were going. I mean it kind of slapped me in the face, and then it made me smile. Plus, it made me want to turn to the next installment.
I like how this is falling all together...this 'crit' stuff is turning out to be quite the 'crit' lesson.
Susan
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2007
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Hello Jay,
Great analogy...I thought we lost you there for a minute. Just when I got to thinking 'what happened?' to Jay the "crit", you're back in front of your computer. Whew! And then it all comes flooding in, I get where you were going. I mean it kind of slapped me in the face, and then it made me smile. Plus, it made me want to turn to the next installment.
I like how this is falling all together...this 'crit' stuff is turning out to be quite the 'crit' lesson.
Susan
Comment Written 23-Jan-2007
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2007
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Thank you, Susan, for your kind words. Fact is, I am an incredibly slow writer. But thanks for your patience and for coming back for more. I hope to see you again, next time.
Jay
Comment from mamaboots
Hello Jay,
I can see that I am a few chapters behind on reading this book :) This was an enjoyable chapter. I have to agree about being in the right mood - I often skip over the romance stuff and horror/thriller because it is not my cup of tea. I did not see any errors here and look forward to the next chapter.
Thanks for sharing and have a great day,
mamaboots
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2007
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Hello Jay,
I can see that I am a few chapters behind on reading this book :) This was an enjoyable chapter. I have to agree about being in the right mood - I often skip over the romance stuff and horror/thriller because it is not my cup of tea. I did not see any errors here and look forward to the next chapter.
Thanks for sharing and have a great day,
mamaboots
Comment Written 21-Jan-2007
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2007
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Once again... you are so kind to read the back chapters. I'm glad this one was up to your expectations. Thank you so much!
Jay
Comment from Signaler
Hi Jay, I'm still here, reading, learning and at times laughing at the dry humor that pops up from time to time. All in all the article has been worth my time and effort. Lunch did jump in there a few paragraphs ago. I was still anxious to get back to reading when I finished. Another informative read. Thanks so much.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2007
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Hi Jay, I'm still here, reading, learning and at times laughing at the dry humor that pops up from time to time. All in all the article has been worth my time and effort. Lunch did jump in there a few paragraphs ago. I was still anxious to get back to reading when I finished. Another informative read. Thanks so much.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2007
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2007
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I so much appreciate your readership, Signaler. It's one thing to have someone stop by, say hello after reading the current piece. It's quite another to have that person return to read the chapters that went before. I am humbled but inspired to keep you coming back.
Jay
Comment from nor84
Okay, I'm ready for the next chapter but I have to type all these words to escape to it. Good writing, Jay. And now its on to the next one.
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2006
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Okay, I'm ready for the next chapter but I have to type all these words to escape to it. Good writing, Jay. And now its on to the next one.
Comment Written 14-Dec-2006
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2006
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Ain't it a pain? Thankfully, I don't have a limit on my notes of appreciation.
Jay
Comment from butchiesmom
Funny! I don't think I've ever been so amused by something this informative, lol.
I liked the analogy (?) you used with going to open houses and critiquing. Great way to explain it and makes a lot of sense. You weave humor and information together to make an entertaining, yet educational story. I'm impressed, lol.
Anyway. I'm getting a kick out of reading this book and learning a little something along the way.
As always, the suggestions I make below are, just that, suggestions.
Also(,) it attempted to lay the groundwork for the remaining three-quarters of the year.
"Behold, my love, the Bakersfield hillbillies before striking the bubbling crude." I am thinking out loud.
"Now, Mr. Drysdale ... aren't you being a bit of a snob?" (laughing at this, lol)
Okay, this is a gal house. No poker night here. No Monday Night Football. I don't voice this prejudice, though. I dare not voice it. In fact, I don't say anything at all. I just glance at Roseana, then away -- but not until I see her grin start.
"You could always ask her if she'll let her husband come over and watch the game with you." It's uncanny how she follows my thought processes.
"I don't know what you mean," I say. But, then I have to smile.(This was sooo funny I read it several times, lol.)
Roseana and I choose weekends to house hunt, so we'll be relaxed. And, we wouldn't think of beginning at 4:30 in the afternoon, when the signs start coming down at 5:00. And, why would we go hunting at all if we weren't in the mood for it?
(Using 'and' at the beginning of a sentence doesn't work, to me. I'd consider either deleting 'And' entirely or using something else such as, "Also")
I bring back to mind the Clampet(t)s' hovel and Barbie's precious domicile. (Also,?) And, I ask myself, do I have similar (s)piritual prejudices, as well, on the surface, or lurking beneath it?
And, (consider replacing ) more basically, still, do I have the skills to adequately crit poetry, particularly the more formalized, rhymed and metered variety?
And,(ditto above suggestion) simply by reading them, I'll even get better at understanding. I'll learn, and while I learn, I'll be generous with my crits
And,(ditto to the above ditto) of course I'll do it again and again, as long as I'm being honest with myself, as long
Or, this: am I prejudiced against a particular short story which warns me that my ears are about to be scorched by the language the writer promises to use, and that he will provide, free of charge, a bevy of sweaty, naked bodies writhing on the floor emitting animal sounds? (very, very long sentence. Had to take a mental breath, lol) I may even have to admit to an unseen judge that I am over eighteen. Oh, my! (Kinky!)
And,(ditto to above dittos) if I'm not comfortable here - yet choose to stay here -- am I liable to treat my neighbors unfairly?"
measure it, check out it's <---(tch, tch) thickness -
I am, so, looking forward to the next chapter, lol.
Great job, jaysquires.
Gail
reply by the author on 11-Dec-2006
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Funny! I don't think I've ever been so amused by something this informative, lol.
I liked the analogy (?) you used with going to open houses and critiquing. Great way to explain it and makes a lot of sense. You weave humor and information together to make an entertaining, yet educational story. I'm impressed, lol.
Anyway. I'm getting a kick out of reading this book and learning a little something along the way.
As always, the suggestions I make below are, just that, suggestions.
Also(,) it attempted to lay the groundwork for the remaining three-quarters of the year.
"Behold, my love, the Bakersfield hillbillies before striking the bubbling crude." I am thinking out loud.
"Now, Mr. Drysdale ... aren't you being a bit of a snob?" (laughing at this, lol)
Okay, this is a gal house. No poker night here. No Monday Night Football. I don't voice this prejudice, though. I dare not voice it. In fact, I don't say anything at all. I just glance at Roseana, then away -- but not until I see her grin start.
"You could always ask her if she'll let her husband come over and watch the game with you." It's uncanny how she follows my thought processes.
"I don't know what you mean," I say. But, then I have to smile.(This was sooo funny I read it several times, lol.)
Roseana and I choose weekends to house hunt, so we'll be relaxed. And, we wouldn't think of beginning at 4:30 in the afternoon, when the signs start coming down at 5:00. And, why would we go hunting at all if we weren't in the mood for it?
(Using 'and' at the beginning of a sentence doesn't work, to me. I'd consider either deleting 'And' entirely or using something else such as, "Also")
I bring back to mind the Clampet(t)s' hovel and Barbie's precious domicile. (Also,?) And, I ask myself, do I have similar (s)piritual prejudices, as well, on the surface, or lurking beneath it?
And, (consider replacing ) more basically, still, do I have the skills to adequately crit poetry, particularly the more formalized, rhymed and metered variety?
And,(ditto above suggestion) simply by reading them, I'll even get better at understanding. I'll learn, and while I learn, I'll be generous with my crits
And,(ditto to the above ditto) of course I'll do it again and again, as long as I'm being honest with myself, as long
Or, this: am I prejudiced against a particular short story which warns me that my ears are about to be scorched by the language the writer promises to use, and that he will provide, free of charge, a bevy of sweaty, naked bodies writhing on the floor emitting animal sounds? (very, very long sentence. Had to take a mental breath, lol) I may even have to admit to an unseen judge that I am over eighteen. Oh, my! (Kinky!)
And,(ditto to above dittos) if I'm not comfortable here - yet choose to stay here -- am I liable to treat my neighbors unfairly?"
measure it, check out it's <---(tch, tch) thickness -
I am, so, looking forward to the next chapter, lol.
Great job, jaysquires.
Gail
Comment Written 11-Dec-2006
reply by the author on 11-Dec-2006
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If there were any more chapters, I'd have to start resorting to "ditto," I've run out of so many accolades. To think I used a possessive. I used to use "it's" and "its" almost interchangeably before coming to FS. It was pointed out to me so many times by Sissy that I find it a rarity any more not to stop in the middle of the creative process and ask myself should it be "it's" or "its"? I hope to keep you aboard for the rest of the series. You are up to date, aren't you?
Bless you,
Jay
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From prologue to chapter 5. Reviewed every one of them.
Comment from Donaya Haymond
I've put this on my bookcase so I can better understand your critting psychology, jay dear. (Which sounds like "jade ear".) If you labored over making this sound smooth and chatty, you have done well without a single seam.
reply by the author on 09-Dec-2006
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I've put this on my bookcase so I can better understand your critting psychology, jay dear. (Which sounds like "jade ear".) If you labored over making this sound smooth and chatty, you have done well without a single seam.
Comment Written 09-Dec-2006
reply by the author on 09-Dec-2006
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Thank you, Raven. Your comments mean a great deal to me. I thought I was keeping it a secret about my jade ear. Oh, and it is a labor. I'm so afraid the one I'll be posting next week fails miserably in that catagory. I've read it through so many times and it seems like I'm just trying to be cutesy. Well, I'm sure the crits will show. Bless you, girl.
Jay
Comment from sandramarie
I can't seem to help it. I feel the need to give you five stars. I thoroughly enjoy your style of writing. It's funny, yet you manage to get some important points across.
Double friggin click on "Next." ...This truly had me laughing out loud!
Sandy
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2006
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I can't seem to help it. I feel the need to give you five stars. I thoroughly enjoy your style of writing. It's funny, yet you manage to get some important points across.
Double friggin click on "Next." ...This truly had me laughing out loud!
Sandy
Comment Written 11-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2006
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You just keep on laughing to the member poorhouse, Sandy. You've got me cheering you on, as long as you're staying poor reading my fare. Double dang bless you, my dear. I so much appreciate your comments.
Jay
Comment from tecate
Now I've lost track of which ones I've already read. Can't be this one because of that tinge of guilt I felt while practicing the build up dollar and pump syndrome. Guilty as charged, with one exception...I do not pretend to evaluate someone's work with a lot of phony tips. I just lay on the star and move on. (you excluded of course, and I'm sure you spotted my honesty right from the start.) I've slowed down, backed off from trying to critique, when I know I don't have the skills. Thank you for taking away my feelings of guilt. Tecate
PS, Notice there are less ... this time...I think!
reply by the author on 10-Nov-2006
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Now I've lost track of which ones I've already read. Can't be this one because of that tinge of guilt I felt while practicing the build up dollar and pump syndrome. Guilty as charged, with one exception...I do not pretend to evaluate someone's work with a lot of phony tips. I just lay on the star and move on. (you excluded of course, and I'm sure you spotted my honesty right from the start.) I've slowed down, backed off from trying to critique, when I know I don't have the skills. Thank you for taking away my feelings of guilt. Tecate
PS, Notice there are less ... this time...I think!
Comment Written 10-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 10-Nov-2006
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Thank you, tecate (why do I think of Mexico and beer when I see your name?) for your close read and kind comments. Also, for the input on your critting methods. Much appreciated.
Jay
Comment from Frech54
Another good addition to this analogy you're writing. One of the issues you bring up has been a sore spot for me. I do find that a good 'critter' can go into a middle of the book chapter and write a constructive review based solely on the merit of that chapter without having read all previous chapters. Yes, there will be unanswered questions, but the critter must assume they have been answered, or will be, and judge only what is there before them. If the writing is good enough, most of us will go back and start from the beginning, two cents or not. Of course, there aren't that many of us who'll do that, but hey, that's the way it goes. Good writing.
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2006
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Another good addition to this analogy you're writing. One of the issues you bring up has been a sore spot for me. I do find that a good 'critter' can go into a middle of the book chapter and write a constructive review based solely on the merit of that chapter without having read all previous chapters. Yes, there will be unanswered questions, but the critter must assume they have been answered, or will be, and judge only what is there before them. If the writing is good enough, most of us will go back and start from the beginning, two cents or not. Of course, there aren't that many of us who'll do that, but hey, that's the way it goes. Good writing.
Comment Written 22-Oct-2006
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2006
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Thank you so much for your kind words and your detailed comments. I hope you plan to continue on with the series. Jump aboard BTW, If you do plan on continuing with the series, you might want to bookmark it. I won't be able to promote the other segments like I did the first three. There just isn't enough time to crit writings, accrue member $$ and use them to promote ? not and do a creditable job on the pieces I'm critting.
Again, thanks,
Jay