How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 4 "Macro-Critting (The Wrap)"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
91 total reviews
Comment from JeffreyStone
This is a great piece of writing. If you can match your inspiration, plots, and dialogue with your great command of the written word, you are one hell of a writer. This instructive "essay" (which is the second I have read in your series) makes me all the more appreciative of your reviews of my work. By your standards, I have a long way to go. JS
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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This is a great piece of writing. If you can match your inspiration, plots, and dialogue with your great command of the written word, you are one hell of a writer. This instructive "essay" (which is the second I have read in your series) makes me all the more appreciative of your reviews of my work. By your standards, I have a long way to go. JS
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Whoa, Jeffrey, a sixer! My first on this one. It makes up for the 4 I got earlier. Jeffrey, you've already arrived, in my estimation. That's why I became your fan. I only choose those I feel I can learn from. This humble critter is humbled to hear such kind words from some I admire so much.
Jay
Comment from hithereeveryone
I felt a little dirty reading this. I kept on looking over my shoulder to see if my wife was going to walk in and catch me playing with my scroll bar.
There needs to be more pieces like this to examine the forms of short story, novel, etc. that we all so loosely throw around here. My personal bug a boo would be to categorize the personal essays away from the people writing short stories, but I digress into fantasy land. There are very few people who actually dig into a story's guts the way an editor would.
This installment could have easily been called "Don't be an arrogant idiot" or "Things you already know" Still, it's amazing how people write and cover it up by saying that it's their "Style." Bad grammar isn't a style and neither is being unclear. Both of those just suck.
This is well written and persuasive. You supported what you were saying with examples and though you wandered a bit, the piece generally held to it's focus. The one thing that got me was the tone. The narrators voice is much too jokey and it is distracting to this reader. I like jokes, even geeky ones about scrollbars and such, but when you are crunching down on a concept, I'd try harder to just be clear. Let the funny parts be funny but leave the funny out of the serious stuff.
Hope this helps.
Peace.
-HI
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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I felt a little dirty reading this. I kept on looking over my shoulder to see if my wife was going to walk in and catch me playing with my scroll bar.
There needs to be more pieces like this to examine the forms of short story, novel, etc. that we all so loosely throw around here. My personal bug a boo would be to categorize the personal essays away from the people writing short stories, but I digress into fantasy land. There are very few people who actually dig into a story's guts the way an editor would.
This installment could have easily been called "Don't be an arrogant idiot" or "Things you already know" Still, it's amazing how people write and cover it up by saying that it's their "Style." Bad grammar isn't a style and neither is being unclear. Both of those just suck.
This is well written and persuasive. You supported what you were saying with examples and though you wandered a bit, the piece generally held to it's focus. The one thing that got me was the tone. The narrators voice is much too jokey and it is distracting to this reader. I like jokes, even geeky ones about scrollbars and such, but when you are crunching down on a concept, I'd try harder to just be clear. Let the funny parts be funny but leave the funny out of the serious stuff.
Hope this helps.
Peace.
-HI
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Hey, Hi, thanks for your candid views on this chapter. I've go to agree with you. There is a lot of goofiness in it. Some people seem to like it, but some don't; and when my own intuition sides with you, I need to sit up and take notice.
Thanks again.
Jay
Comment from AK
Hey Jay,
Where have you been hiding? I really enjoyed your new chapter and you know I liked the ones that came before!!
You have written with great eloquence and humor about a subject all of us are intimately familiar with!
I love the analogy with the present and nothing in it! Made the point crystal clear.
Terrific work- do keep those fingeres tapping away, creating more gems.
Best regards,
Ami
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Hey Jay,
Where have you been hiding? I really enjoyed your new chapter and you know I liked the ones that came before!!
You have written with great eloquence and humor about a subject all of us are intimately familiar with!
I love the analogy with the present and nothing in it! Made the point crystal clear.
Terrific work- do keep those fingeres tapping away, creating more gems.
Best regards,
Ami
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Hi Ami - Thanks for your continued kind words and support. I do plan on getting more of these chapters out. Next will be the micro-critting and the nitty-gritty. Stay on board.
Jay
Comment from Lady & Louis
Ho, look at that - less than a five! I actually found spags!
But first things first: I enjoyed your intriguing take on macro-critting. I do something of the sort myself - I don't look at the scroll bar but I do zoom down the page to see how long the story is. I certainly agree with you about the fonts - I wish more people would use the advanced editor and put their work in serif font! Sans serif is just characterless.
I wonder, though, if everyone here is looking at publication? I know I wasn't before I started here, and it's only now that I'm toying with the idea. I had no idea whether my work was remotely publishable before that. However, that doesn't affect the point that the work should be presentable here.
Now for those spags:
Us Air force - US Air Force
So, you will forgive the sexual imagery, I used above - delete comma after "imagery"
feeling of barrenness , with lines lying - delete space before comma
with lines lying across the screen like limbs of trees, whose fruit has been stripped from it. - shouldn't that be "stripped from them"?
beyond "rights." - full stop after closing quotation marks.
Well done, and on to the next chapter!
La Ma
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Ho, look at that - less than a five! I actually found spags!
But first things first: I enjoyed your intriguing take on macro-critting. I do something of the sort myself - I don't look at the scroll bar but I do zoom down the page to see how long the story is. I certainly agree with you about the fonts - I wish more people would use the advanced editor and put their work in serif font! Sans serif is just characterless.
I wonder, though, if everyone here is looking at publication? I know I wasn't before I started here, and it's only now that I'm toying with the idea. I had no idea whether my work was remotely publishable before that. However, that doesn't affect the point that the work should be presentable here.
Now for those spags:
Us Air force - US Air Force
So, you will forgive the sexual imagery, I used above - delete comma after "imagery"
feeling of barrenness , with lines lying - delete space before comma
with lines lying across the screen like limbs of trees, whose fruit has been stripped from it. - shouldn't that be "stripped from them"?
beyond "rights." - full stop after closing quotation marks.
Well done, and on to the next chapter!
La Ma
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Thanks for your eagle eye, Louise (Isn't that it?) You have no idea how many times I went over that. I'll get them cleared up. Thanks again.
Jay
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That's it, all right. Yes, my spags hide until someone else can find them, too... they do it deliberately you know...
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You are too funny!
Jay
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All thanks to the Goons and Monty Python if I am...
Comment from Mastery
Good for you, jay. Nice, very nice writing. I can see your real talent in t's writing, even with the subject matter at hand..You are obviously an interested, studied man who has seen life and therefore can relate to what strategy in reviewing and writing as a whole...Thanks for sharing this .. . Bob/Mastery
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Good for you, jay. Nice, very nice writing. I can see your real talent in t's writing, even with the subject matter at hand..You are obviously an interested, studied man who has seen life and therefore can relate to what strategy in reviewing and writing as a whole...Thanks for sharing this .. . Bob/Mastery
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Hey Bob, thanks for your take on this piece. I enjoy your writing so much so it's gratifying to hear such kind words from such a talent.
Jay
Comment from ooo JO ooo
Agree, agree, agree, Jay...I agree! (With most of what you say.) I like both the Courier New and Arial fonts. I like them both. I feel like Dr. Seuss. What's with that?!
You forgot to say something about those lowercase titles. If a writer doesn't know to capitalize significant words in the title, what do they know? Lowercase titles scream, Amateur! Amateur! Step right up, ladies and gents, and meet the amateur!. A title I saw recently was [bracketed.] Has The Paris Review heard about this trend?
I was blocked by a user today because I sent "negative energy" her way. Lol. In that case I should try to package it. I could use the profit from my sales to purchase certificates, and skip the review process entirely.
Sometimes, in respect to reviewing, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
I enjoyed this, and I look forward to the next installment.
Ciao!
:) Jo
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Agree, agree, agree, Jay...I agree! (With most of what you say.) I like both the Courier New and Arial fonts. I like them both. I feel like Dr. Seuss. What's with that?!
You forgot to say something about those lowercase titles. If a writer doesn't know to capitalize significant words in the title, what do they know? Lowercase titles scream, Amateur! Amateur! Step right up, ladies and gents, and meet the amateur!. A title I saw recently was [bracketed.] Has The Paris Review heard about this trend?
I was blocked by a user today because I sent "negative energy" her way. Lol. In that case I should try to package it. I could use the profit from my sales to purchase certificates, and skip the review process entirely.
Sometimes, in respect to reviewing, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
I enjoyed this, and I look forward to the next installment.
Ciao!
:) Jo
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Thank you so much, Jo! Your comments are always insightful and much appreciated.
Jay
Comment from Janilou
"What is the point to all this (besides the fact that you were lucky you got away with nothing more than cardboard cuts on your face)? The point is this: Beautiful packaging doesn't make up for having nothing inside - whether you're a wife or a reader."
One of your best points right here! Although, I can relate to the solid blocks of text and those teeny tiny font sizes! LOL.
Some very valid points made here.
Couldn't see any errors, except for that teeny tiny font in one section. LOL
Just kidding!
I can't recall if you've ever reviewed any of my work or not. But I sure enjoyed reviewing yours. (grin)
Jan
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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"What is the point to all this (besides the fact that you were lucky you got away with nothing more than cardboard cuts on your face)? The point is this: Beautiful packaging doesn't make up for having nothing inside - whether you're a wife or a reader."
One of your best points right here! Although, I can relate to the solid blocks of text and those teeny tiny font sizes! LOL.
Some very valid points made here.
Couldn't see any errors, except for that teeny tiny font in one section. LOL
Just kidding!
I can't recall if you've ever reviewed any of my work or not. But I sure enjoyed reviewing yours. (grin)
Jan
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Jan, I thank you from the bottom (of my heart) for all the nice and kind things you say. You are much appreciated. I'm sure I've critted somthing of yours, perhaps a contest piece. I'll sure be on the lookout. And thanks again, girl.
Jay
Comment from IndianaIrish
You've made this series so enjoyable to read with your humor, examples, and writing style, Jay. I liked the macro side - bring on the mirco! One thing I found: should force in Air force be capitalized? Oh, and another thing: if this is your "highest level of sexual content" I'd hate to see if you really get down and dirty lol Great job you're doing, Jay. Indy :>)
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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You've made this series so enjoyable to read with your humor, examples, and writing style, Jay. I liked the macro side - bring on the mirco! One thing I found: should force in Air force be capitalized? Oh, and another thing: if this is your "highest level of sexual content" I'd hate to see if you really get down and dirty lol Great job you're doing, Jay. Indy :>)
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Thank you Indy for the heads up on "force" (It wasn't with me)! I'll go back and correct it tonight.
Thanks again.
Jay
Comment from Cairn Destop
If nothing else, this explains why I haven't seen your name on any of my works. That scroll bar was way too small. Of course, if you look at the estimated reading time, you get the same affect. (Be honest, which do you click on first, a book chapter running seven minutes or a short of two minutes? No contest!)
Thing is, the scroll bar gives you a fast overview, such as your "human" quote indicates. It does not tell you anything about character, drama or dialogue development. What you describe is a screening process that allows you to edit the maximum number of items in the shortest time. Too bad some of the longer works that are as good or better will get a failing grade from this scan.
Forgot to note the SPAG.
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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If nothing else, this explains why I haven't seen your name on any of my works. That scroll bar was way too small. Of course, if you look at the estimated reading time, you get the same affect. (Be honest, which do you click on first, a book chapter running seven minutes or a short of two minutes? No contest!)
Thing is, the scroll bar gives you a fast overview, such as your "human" quote indicates. It does not tell you anything about character, drama or dialogue development. What you describe is a screening process that allows you to edit the maximum number of items in the shortest time. Too bad some of the longer works that are as good or better will get a failing grade from this scan.
Forgot to note the SPAG.
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Hi Cairn Destop. Thanks for the comments. And, thanks doubly for forgetting to SPAG. Character, drama, dialogue development, etc. will be covered fully in micro critting. Thanks, though, for your input, and please stay tuned.
Jay
Comment from Pseudoname
J,
I enjoyed this very much. It's always fun to peek inside a writer/critter's mind... I always defend Stephen King for including so many writer characters in his work. What else could he write about with such authority?
Your methodology was interesting, and apt. More importantly, your voice was engaging.
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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J,
I enjoyed this very much. It's always fun to peek inside a writer/critter's mind... I always defend Stephen King for including so many writer characters in his work. What else could he write about with such authority?
Your methodology was interesting, and apt. More importantly, your voice was engaging.
Comment Written 02-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2006
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Thank you so very much Pseudoname for your kind comments. It's really appreciated. I hope you hang around for the micro parts.
Jay