How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 7 "Micro-Critting The Illusion Crashers"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
91 total reviews
Comment from happykat4
Another point pick up from your writing. As a beginner, we do use speaker tags. I think someone led us to believe that the reader is to stupid to figure out which person is talking. Yes sometimes they are needed, but many times it is added junk. I am just finishing a short story and making corrections as I read your work. Thank you again.
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015
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Another point pick up from your writing. As a beginner, we do use speaker tags. I think someone led us to believe that the reader is to stupid to figure out which person is talking. Yes sometimes they are needed, but many times it is added junk. I am just finishing a short story and making corrections as I read your work. Thank you again.
Comment Written 31-May-2015
reply by the author on 02-Jun-2015
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Oh, Happykat4, you have no idea how gratified I am that you are using my post to help you with your writing. That means so much.
Comment from alf collier
Hi Jay. Once again, you have taken me on a journey that I had never really considered. I am at the point where I have decided I am really a very selfish writer, and not really sharing my story as much as filling the page!!! Still, I am learning, and somewhere at the back of mind lurks this feeling I should have read all this before I ever started writing!!! (lol). But the point is, ia m learning. Loved this, alf
reply by the author on 29-May-2015
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Hi Jay. Once again, you have taken me on a journey that I had never really considered. I am at the point where I have decided I am really a very selfish writer, and not really sharing my story as much as filling the page!!! Still, I am learning, and somewhere at the back of mind lurks this feeling I should have read all this before I ever started writing!!! (lol). But the point is, ia m learning. Loved this, alf
Comment Written 28-May-2015
reply by the author on 29-May-2015
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I'm convinced these are all things a writer (who writes a lot and studies what he/she writes) will pick up on his/her own. I hate what English Grammar forces us to do.
Comment from write hand blue
Some thanks are in order to you Jay for this informative lesson to writers; written in a language that can be easily understood (even by me).
It is most heart warming that a writer of your caliber has taken his time to help the less well endowed (those with the smaller pens. LOL.)
I must confess that I have on occasion been enraptured by a book and lost track of time. Isn't that the goal of a writer to produce a good story?
I'm sure some of your advice will stick to me, and be of help to a lost soul in his battle with microsoft word, ever aware of the need to keep the reader interested.
:) Mel.
reply by the author on 28-May-2015
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Some thanks are in order to you Jay for this informative lesson to writers; written in a language that can be easily understood (even by me).
It is most heart warming that a writer of your caliber has taken his time to help the less well endowed (those with the smaller pens. LOL.)
I must confess that I have on occasion been enraptured by a book and lost track of time. Isn't that the goal of a writer to produce a good story?
I'm sure some of your advice will stick to me, and be of help to a lost soul in his battle with microsoft word, ever aware of the need to keep the reader interested.
:) Mel.
Comment Written 28-May-2015
reply by the author on 28-May-2015
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Mel, you are, as always, so encouraging! Thanks. I get more response on my "getting lost in a book" remark. Actually, it was meant more tongue in cheek although I am sure I'm less able than most to lose myself. I think it's the critter in me.
Comment from Dean Kuch
I have, in fact, been so enrapt by something I was reading that I lost track of time, Jay. And, I'm also being completely honest. Of course, I may be far easier to entertain than you are, so...there is that. I'm sorry to hear you haven't had the pleasure of that experience yet. Of course, I only purchase and read books in the genres in which I prefer to write, or How-To books on becoming a better writer. Author Stephen King's work has captivated me and had my undivided attention on several occasions. The Stand, 1963, Cell, Under The Dome, Salem's Lot, Needful Things, Rage...I could go on, and on -- but I won't.
I especially enjoyed this installment, particularly the "An Illusion Crasher" portion. It's quite easy to see that you've taken your own good advice and written your succinct and informative essay on writing and critiquing here.
You're absolutely right, we who write, and do so frequently, can crash our own carefully crafted illusion (at least we feel and thought it was carefully crafted at the time...until the reviews come trickling in.)in the blinking of an eye. I simply try to "live" in the story rather than just write it. In other words, I immerse myself in what they do, feel and experience as I'm writing. The dialogue, the situations they may or may not find themselves in, all play an important part in the overall "cog" of the whole.
Another excellent chapter, Jay. You do everyone a great service, I feel, by providing this advice. But remember, tact is also important as it pertains to reviewing. We don't want to discourage those who are passionate about writing by giving them a pointed, poor review with no suggestions for improvements.
That happens all too often here.
~Dean
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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I have, in fact, been so enrapt by something I was reading that I lost track of time, Jay. And, I'm also being completely honest. Of course, I may be far easier to entertain than you are, so...there is that. I'm sorry to hear you haven't had the pleasure of that experience yet. Of course, I only purchase and read books in the genres in which I prefer to write, or How-To books on becoming a better writer. Author Stephen King's work has captivated me and had my undivided attention on several occasions. The Stand, 1963, Cell, Under The Dome, Salem's Lot, Needful Things, Rage...I could go on, and on -- but I won't.
I especially enjoyed this installment, particularly the "An Illusion Crasher" portion. It's quite easy to see that you've taken your own good advice and written your succinct and informative essay on writing and critiquing here.
You're absolutely right, we who write, and do so frequently, can crash our own carefully crafted illusion (at least we feel and thought it was carefully crafted at the time...until the reviews come trickling in.)in the blinking of an eye. I simply try to "live" in the story rather than just write it. In other words, I immerse myself in what they do, feel and experience as I'm writing. The dialogue, the situations they may or may not find themselves in, all play an important part in the overall "cog" of the whole.
Another excellent chapter, Jay. You do everyone a great service, I feel, by providing this advice. But remember, tact is also important as it pertains to reviewing. We don't want to discourage those who are passionate about writing by giving them a pointed, poor review with no suggestions for improvements.
That happens all too often here.
~Dean
Comment Written 25-May-2015
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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I'm honored to have you visit, Dean. You're an icon here. To have you offer such an in-depth perusal of this chapter is encouraging. Your comments, especially about tact, are noteworthy. That might be a part of a future chapter; it belongs here, that's for sure. I appreciate the insights into your personal experiences, Dean. They help to bring my thought scrabbling down from the abstract to the personal, and hopefully from the personal to collective applicability.
Again, thanks for your interest, and taking the time to respond.
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It's always a pleasure, Jay. You're the icon here, my friend. Me, I'm just an old horror hack with a dream.
Take care...~Dean
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Don't sell yourself short. Your dreams have ignited more imaginations (and spawned more wannabes) than anyone here I can think of. Who else has been the subject of a horror-writing contest, for Pete's sake. And it's because your love-of-subject can't be subtracted from the content. You da bomb!
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You're far too kind, Jay, but I appreciate the fact that you think so. That is good enough for me, mate. :)
~Dean
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
Well that made me do the hamster happy dance as a "mystical connection" was certainly made and I sort of lost track of time. This was an amazing experience as so much of what you wrote I believe to be true in my own writing. I especially appreciated the focus on dialogue tags as I find using them a pain the the tush from a SPAG perspective (I am not a savvy grammarian LOL). Wonderfully done and I thank you so much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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Well that made me do the hamster happy dance as a "mystical connection" was certainly made and I sort of lost track of time. This was an amazing experience as so much of what you wrote I believe to be true in my own writing. I especially appreciated the focus on dialogue tags as I find using them a pain the the tush from a SPAG perspective (I am not a savvy grammarian LOL). Wonderfully done and I thank you so much for sharing it.
Comment Written 25-May-2015
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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Bless you, Mystic Angel, for your kind regards. I have grappled with grammar for many years and gained a foothold on most aspects ... except that damned comma. I'm afraid I will die a comma agnostic.
Comment from giraffmang
Hi Jay,
I found this to be incredibly useful.
Dialogue is one of the things I feel I struggle with the most and have been experimenting along the way, trying to find my feet with it.
I will be keeping an eye out for more of these posts, as I am sure everyone on the site will find them invaluable.
Many thanks
GMG
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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Hi Jay,
I found this to be incredibly useful.
Dialogue is one of the things I feel I struggle with the most and have been experimenting along the way, trying to find my feet with it.
I will be keeping an eye out for more of these posts, as I am sure everyone on the site will find them invaluable.
Many thanks
GMG
Comment Written 25-May-2015
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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GMG! That's it. I remembered another of your crits you signed without the tongue-twisting giraffmang. I'm so honored by your kindness and the wonderful 6 stars. I'm grateful. Dialogue is just one of those things you just have to work with. There's no shortcuts. It does help, I've found, to "eavesdrop" on others' conversations. If you can't, for whatever reason, do it in realtime, then watch a TV talk show. Watch for the expressions and gestures that attend a given piece of dialogue. Listen that people don't often speak in full sentences. Listen for the "can'ts" "don'ts" instead of the "can not's" and the "do not's". If you can record shows, do it. That way you can play back and pause it to make notes. Make copious notes and review them often. I really believe these exercises blend in and become an integral part of your dialogue practice.
Once again, GMG, thanks for your encouraging response.
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Many thanks for this response, Jay. I shall definitely take this advice on board. Much appreciated.
Comment from michaelcahill
This whole series is just fantastic. Wow. What a wealth of valuable information. I'm sorry I haven't been around to review properly. I've snuck in and read though. (when did "sneaked" become the word of choice?) You need to be offering classes here. This isn't just me saying it. There are quite a few people who are on board. I guarantee your classes would fill up in no time. Even I would pay for them and I love cheating to get a free education here!! Give it some thought. mikey
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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This whole series is just fantastic. Wow. What a wealth of valuable information. I'm sorry I haven't been around to review properly. I've snuck in and read though. (when did "sneaked" become the word of choice?) You need to be offering classes here. This isn't just me saying it. There are quite a few people who are on board. I guarantee your classes would fill up in no time. Even I would pay for them and I love cheating to get a free education here!! Give it some thought. mikey
Comment Written 25-May-2015
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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First of all, thank you for the high praise, Mikey. The courses offered here are taught by FanStory staff. A person can't simply initiate a course. At least that's my understanding of it. But I will always remember your kind encouragement. I'll be sleeping well tonight.
Comment from chasennov
When you don't want to get out of the writer's bed How This Critter Crits Micro-Critting The Illusion Crashers.' I'm quite sure I've reviewed this piece before, but this box indicates I have not. I suspect there is something amiss with my PC. Could you please let me know, Jay? Kind regrads.
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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When you don't want to get out of the writer's bed How This Critter Crits Micro-Critting The Illusion Crashers.' I'm quite sure I've reviewed this piece before, but this box indicates I have not. I suspect there is something amiss with my PC. Could you please let me know, Jay? Kind regrads.
Comment Written 25-May-2015
reply by the author on 25-May-2015
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Chas, unfortunately when I go to reviews shown for this post, it only shows the person's name above a blank box. If you did crit it there won't be evidence of it. Sorry.
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Okay, no worries, Jay. Thank you much. Kind regards. Chas.
Comment from Bill Schott
Once again, Jay, you take a basic writing idea and turn it into and interesting and entertaining learning moment from which anyone would read and benefit.
reply by the author on 24-May-2015
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Once again, Jay, you take a basic writing idea and turn it into and interesting and entertaining learning moment from which anyone would read and benefit.
Comment Written 24-May-2015
reply by the author on 24-May-2015
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I'm glad you found it helpful, Bill. Sometimes it just takes a different way of saying the obvious.
Comment from Green Lake Girl
I really enjoyed this particular chapter of "The Crit".
I finished a new writer's book the other day, (a non-FS writer), and it was littered with unnecessary speech tags. I know he hired an editor. Why oh why oh why oh why did someone not catch these problems? Probably goes without saying that I had to slog my way through the book.
"...they are extravagant in their evasiveness." Loved this line. Describes some people I know to a tee.
I've learned this statement is undeniably true:
"Every word should be carefully chosen to play its part in moving the storyline forward."
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jay.
reply by the author on 24-May-2015
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I really enjoyed this particular chapter of "The Crit".
I finished a new writer's book the other day, (a non-FS writer), and it was littered with unnecessary speech tags. I know he hired an editor. Why oh why oh why oh why did someone not catch these problems? Probably goes without saying that I had to slog my way through the book.
"...they are extravagant in their evasiveness." Loved this line. Describes some people I know to a tee.
I've learned this statement is undeniably true:
"Every word should be carefully chosen to play its part in moving the storyline forward."
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jay.
Comment Written 24-May-2015
reply by the author on 24-May-2015
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I really appreciate your loyalty to this series, Marietta. I'm glad you're finding it helpful.