How This Critter Crits
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "Macro/Micro Critting -- Continued"GROWTH? ADULATION? HURRY -- CHOOSE!
104 total reviews
Comment from petalangela
I am reading this series with avid interest . It's a learning curve for me. I have never reviewed before but I do it on the assumption that
A I find it readable
B it has something o f value in som way
C that my review is my opinion of what I have read and may or may not agree with others
Including the author
D that I am fair and balanced and that I remember at all times that the words are someone's
Creation that they are proud of
And finally I feel the need to tell them the effects and feelings in invoked with in me
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2015
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I am reading this series with avid interest . It's a learning curve for me. I have never reviewed before but I do it on the assumption that
A I find it readable
B it has something o f value in som way
C that my review is my opinion of what I have read and may or may not agree with others
Including the author
D that I am fair and balanced and that I remember at all times that the words are someone's
Creation that they are proud of
And finally I feel the need to tell them the effects and feelings in invoked with in me
Comment Written 29-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2015
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How could you want to do more than that? Well done, Angela. Thanks for reading and your kind words.
Comment from Sis Cat
Excellent use of humor, wit, and insight which informed me and mirrored my experience. Yes, critting a chapter of novel in progress can be difficult if the writer did not provide a synopsis of the previous chapter. It is also hard to grasp the full scope and narrative of a novel one chapter at a time. Writers can become very defensive if you had not read the previous chapter.
The part of your essay I enjoyed most was the review that a non-writer gave you. He did not have an MFA and training. He intuitively felt his way through your work. His experience reminds me of my own is that I do not have the training, workshops, and MFA's of other experienced writers. I feel my way through my writing and others and I do quite fine.
Only spag is that you omitted the quotation mark at the end of ". . .
please feel free to pass it by." Also, a comma and not a period is needed in "And then there's me, who is ecstatic over . . ."
I found this to be a most informative and entertaining read. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2015
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Excellent use of humor, wit, and insight which informed me and mirrored my experience. Yes, critting a chapter of novel in progress can be difficult if the writer did not provide a synopsis of the previous chapter. It is also hard to grasp the full scope and narrative of a novel one chapter at a time. Writers can become very defensive if you had not read the previous chapter.
The part of your essay I enjoyed most was the review that a non-writer gave you. He did not have an MFA and training. He intuitively felt his way through your work. His experience reminds me of my own is that I do not have the training, workshops, and MFA's of other experienced writers. I feel my way through my writing and others and I do quite fine.
Only spag is that you omitted the quotation mark at the end of ". . .
please feel free to pass it by." Also, a comma and not a period is needed in "And then there's me, who is ecstatic over . . ."
I found this to be a most informative and entertaining read. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 29-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2015
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You are so kind, Andre. Thanks for the wonderful crit and the eagle eye. Took care of the nits. I appreciate your pointing them out to me.
Comment from Tomes Johnston
This is yet another interesting addition to the series from the author. I wish my other half was as comfortable with my needs to be alone sometimes. She hates my solitary hobbies. I am studying for a degree and writing on this website. That means many hours spine are needed. At least she tries to understand.
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2015
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This is yet another interesting addition to the series from the author. I wish my other half was as comfortable with my needs to be alone sometimes. She hates my solitary hobbies. I am studying for a degree and writing on this website. That means many hours spine are needed. At least she tries to understand.
Comment Written 29-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 29-Apr-2015
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I fully understand, Tomes. Writing, unlike any other "art" has to be solitary. With painting and composing, while you need solitariness another can stand by and watch or listen while admiring. With writing there can be no interaction until the piece is completed. But she is trying. That's more than a lot of writers can say.
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I know she is trying and I am glad of that.
Comment from RenieReader
Well, it looks like you've answered my questions about how to crit or be critted successfully on a chapter in a novel. Good job. I find if a crit really upsets me, it's probably the best advice I'm going to get. I have to calm down and analyze. Then analyze again what the crit is really saying. At that point, I can take it in or throw it out and quit thinking about it. I'm still with you, Jay. Thanks.
Renie
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2007
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Well, it looks like you've answered my questions about how to crit or be critted successfully on a chapter in a novel. Good job. I find if a crit really upsets me, it's probably the best advice I'm going to get. I have to calm down and analyze. Then analyze again what the crit is really saying. At that point, I can take it in or throw it out and quit thinking about it. I'm still with you, Jay. Thanks.
Renie
Comment Written 09-Jun-2007
reply by the author on 10-Jun-2007
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Hi Renie --
Just got back from a weekend out of town to find four crits waiting for me. I have taken a hiatus from the series for a couple of months to do some fiction writing, so when I see people getting enthusiastic over my pieces I find it thrilling. Thank you for your interest.
Comment from cjvaughn
Hey Jay,
A lot of what you say makes sense. I am looking forward to checking out Simon Morris and Concentric Circles.
This was a good chapter, with sound advice and information.
CJ
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2007
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Hey Jay,
A lot of what you say makes sense. I am looking forward to checking out Simon Morris and Concentric Circles.
This was a good chapter, with sound advice and information.
CJ
Comment Written 14-Apr-2007
reply by the author on 14-Apr-2007
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Hi CJ. Thank you for taking the time to get into the whole series. I hope you continue to find it interesting and helpful.
Jay
Comment from suda
Hi Jay,
Good point on the summary before the chapter. It is tough to crit Chapter 17 if I haven't been introduced to the protagonist and have no idea who or if there is a villain.
Good point on using an avid reader to give an opinion on the highs and lows of what he/she read.
I believe I'm ready to move on to the next chapter. This is great!
Susan
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2007
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Hi Jay,
Good point on the summary before the chapter. It is tough to crit Chapter 17 if I haven't been introduced to the protagonist and have no idea who or if there is a villain.
Good point on using an avid reader to give an opinion on the highs and lows of what he/she read.
I believe I'm ready to move on to the next chapter. This is great!
Susan
Comment Written 24-Jan-2007
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2007
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This should just about be the last one, right my friend? Your attention to this is much appreciated, Susan. Thank you...
Jay
Comment from mamaboots
Okay Jay,
Another amusing chapter. The part about joining in to the middle of novel... excellent. I often skip over book chapters for that very reason. However, I have noticed that many (myself included) use books as a way to organize related writings, but chapters are stand alone rather than sequential. I think if that were noted, I would be more likely to read book chapters.
I'm off to the next chapter - no errors noted here.
Have a good day,
mamaboots
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2007
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Okay Jay,
Another amusing chapter. The part about joining in to the middle of novel... excellent. I often skip over book chapters for that very reason. However, I have noticed that many (myself included) use books as a way to organize related writings, but chapters are stand alone rather than sequential. I think if that were noted, I would be more likely to read book chapters.
I'm off to the next chapter - no errors noted here.
Have a good day,
mamaboots
Comment Written 21-Jan-2007
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2007
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This is the chapter that seemed to polarize a lot of Fanstorians. I'm glad that you found something of interest in it. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your feedback on these back chapters.
Jay
Comment from nor84
I agree with you about writing summaries of what happened before the present chapter. Since I've read a couple of Simon Morris's pieces, I will look up Concentric Circles. Thanks for the tip.
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2006
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I agree with you about writing summaries of what happened before the present chapter. Since I've read a couple of Simon Morris's pieces, I will look up Concentric Circles. Thanks for the tip.
Comment Written 14-Dec-2006
reply by the author on 14-Dec-2006
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And thank you for reading a back posting, Ridgecrest. Appreciated.
Jay
Comment from butchiesmom
Your sense of humor certainly show through your writing, lol. I find myself more amused with each chapter. Once again, you entertain while educating. I don't think I've enjoyed reading information as much as I have this, lol.
There were so many points which had me laughing, but the best ones were:
For those of you who were with me last time, and are now waiting to join me once again with my wife ... I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I must leave Roseana on the sidewalk, in mid-stride between our car and the front door of the open house we were to visit. (Brave man! She's really going to be ticked, lol.)
One critter was more direct, bless him. He simply suggested I quit with my similes, metaphors, and analogies and get with the program. (So funny!)
And, how I admire the scriptwriter, who can do so much with the dramatic power of the spoken word. (You use the word 'and' quite a bit at the beginning of a sentence. You might want to try substituting 'and' with something else.)
They ended with, "So, jaysquires, if you come across anything else I've posted here, please feel free to pass it by. (Again, hilarious!)
present chapter: His responsibility (my punctuation skill bites, but I think the colon might not be the right punctuation)
The other, who was not me, thought it suffered through excess saggage.
(I think every one of us, even if we wouldn't admit it in public, have had that 'gem'; the first novel, story, poem, whatever, which should've been buried in the back yard and forgotten, lol.)
Again, very entertaining and informative. I'm headed for the next chapter.
Good job, jaysquires.
Gail
reply by the author on 11-Dec-2006
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Your sense of humor certainly show through your writing, lol. I find myself more amused with each chapter. Once again, you entertain while educating. I don't think I've enjoyed reading information as much as I have this, lol.
There were so many points which had me laughing, but the best ones were:
For those of you who were with me last time, and are now waiting to join me once again with my wife ... I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I must leave Roseana on the sidewalk, in mid-stride between our car and the front door of the open house we were to visit. (Brave man! She's really going to be ticked, lol.)
One critter was more direct, bless him. He simply suggested I quit with my similes, metaphors, and analogies and get with the program. (So funny!)
And, how I admire the scriptwriter, who can do so much with the dramatic power of the spoken word. (You use the word 'and' quite a bit at the beginning of a sentence. You might want to try substituting 'and' with something else.)
They ended with, "So, jaysquires, if you come across anything else I've posted here, please feel free to pass it by. (Again, hilarious!)
present chapter: His responsibility (my punctuation skill bites, but I think the colon might not be the right punctuation)
The other, who was not me, thought it suffered through excess saggage.
(I think every one of us, even if we wouldn't admit it in public, have had that 'gem'; the first novel, story, poem, whatever, which should've been buried in the back yard and forgotten, lol.)
Again, very entertaining and informative. I'm headed for the next chapter.
Good job, jaysquires.
Gail
Comment Written 11-Dec-2006
reply by the author on 11-Dec-2006
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You are such a wonderful person to be reading all the back chapters, virtually for free. Or, are you independently wealthy with member bucks? I'm seeing a trend here, though .... Methinks Ms. Gail doesn't like sentences that begin with "and." I have to evaluate each usage on its own merit. I think there are times when it can be used with good effect (though, admittedly, I tend to overuse them).
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There's just something about 3 or 4 sentences starting with "And," which was distracting. That would go for any word. I have to be careful when I write because I tend to use I quite a bit, lol.
Nope, not wealthy, I just believe I can review a chapter better if I know what has been going on before.
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Well... you are appreciated. Know that!
Jay
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Blushing. Thank you.
Comment from sandramarie
Again, I give you five stars. I find your meanderings interesting and
entertaining. I'm going to check out 'Concentric Circles' to see what you
mean about chapter summarizing. I have had a heck of a time trying
to summarize the plot in my book. Hopefully, I will learn something.
Take care,
Sandy
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2006
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Again, I give you five stars. I find your meanderings interesting and
entertaining. I'm going to check out 'Concentric Circles' to see what you
mean about chapter summarizing. I have had a heck of a time trying
to summarize the plot in my book. Hopefully, I will learn something.
Take care,
Sandy
Comment Written 11-Nov-2006
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2006
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You'll learn a lot from it, Sandy. Milt (his real name) is a gifted writer and he knows how to summarize the past and presell the present. Meanwhile, thanks for your thoughtfulness.
Jay
