New Blog Feature?

[Renee Stevens]

So, here's the deal. I'm always trying to come up with new ideas for the blog, and I was reading through some of my old stories, trying to get some inspiration, and one of the comments led me back to an old forum thread titled "Improve and Encourage" that was originally started by Dark in 2011. The idea is for an author to read a story by a fellow author and provide detailed feedback, both positive and negative (constructive criticism). This is also a great way to find new authors that you haven't read before.

 

The way it would work, is you would read a story/poem (of your choice) by the author who's post is above yours. Then you would write out a critique following a set of guidelines and send it to me via PM or email (renee@gayauthors.org). I'm going to use the same guidelines that Dark used in the original thread:

 

1. Title & Author (be sure to include a link)

2. Short summary (5 sentences max)

3. Strengths of the story/poem

4. Weaknesses of the story/poem

5. How could the story/poem be improved

6. What was your favorite part? (scene/sentence/etc)

 

Now, since I'm the one starting this thread, that means the first person to comment will be reading and critiquing one of my stories. Since I don't have anyone above me to critique, this thread will continue until interest wanes (hopefully not for a long time) and when that time comes, I will critique a story by whoever posted last and close the thread. At this point, if there's enough interest, I would plan to post one critique a month starting when I have at least 3 critiques.

 

So, who would like to participate? Please note, by commenting you are agreeing to the following (so only comment if you want to participate):

 

1. You are committed to choose and read one story/poem by the author who posts above you and write a critique using the above guidelines and send it to me via PM or email
2. You understand that by commenting, one of your stories will be read and critiqued in the same manner

 

If you are interested, just leave a comment. (At this time, only one critique per author)

 

I'll be updating this post with a list of who is critiquing who. The first name is the author to be critiqued, the second is the author doing the critiquing:

 

Renee Stevens - Valkyrie

Dark - Valkyrie

Valkyrie - William King

William King - Mann Ramblings

Mann Ramblings - Timothy M

Timothy M - Aditus

Aditus - Hudson Bartholomew

Hudson Bartholomew - Wicked Witch

Wicked Witch - comicfan

Comicfan - JayT

JayT - jkwsquirrel

jkwsquirrel - Cole Matthews

Cole Matthews - Dodger

Dodger - Sam Wyer

Sam Wyer - Carlos Hazday

Carlos Hazday - Parker Owens

Parker Owens  - CassieQ

CassieQ -

 

Update 5/9/2017: These critiques will be posted in the order received. I have received the first critique and am waiting to get a couple more sent to me to start posting this feature. I'd like to start posting the end of this month, so if you've signed up, please get me your critiques sent as soon as possible!

 

@Dark @Valkyrie @William King @Mann Ramblings @Timothy M. @aditus @Hudson Bartholomew @Wicked Witch @comicfan @JayT @jkwsquirrel @Cole Matthews @Dodger @Sam Wyer @Carlos Hazday @Parker Owens @CassieQ

 

 

 

 

[Dark]

OMG, I had forgotten all about this!  What luck I get to comment first   Count me in, Renee!

[Valkyrie]

I'll participate.  

[William King]

I'm in. I would like a story critiqued and am happy to read and do the same for someone else.

[Mann Ramblings]

I'll jump in on this. It'll give me a chance to read someone's work I haven't seen before. 

[Timothy M.]

I'll participate. Hmm, now I have to go and rummage around Mann's stories. Can I find something to criticize?  

Edited April 27, 2017 by Timothy M.

[Aditus]

Couldn't resist Tim! I'm in.

[Hudson Bartholomew]

This sounds amazing. Count me in, as well!

[Wicked Witch]

I'd definitely like to participate, if that is okay.  

[comicfan]

I'm happy to give this a whirl. Sign me up.

[William King]

A point of clarification before I start reading: does the reviewed story have to be complete or can it be a story in process? 

[Renee Stevens]

57 minutes ago, William King said:

A point of clarification before I start reading: does the reviewed story have to be complete or can it be a story in process? 

 

I would prefer a complete story, partly because if it's not, you have no idea if the author already plans to address your criticisms. 

[JayT]

Sounds like fun, sign me up.

[Timothy M.]

On 4/23/2017 at 5:32 AM, Renee Stevens said:

The idea is for an author to read a story by a fellow author and provide detailed feedback, both positive and negative (constructive criticism).

 

How detailed is this supposed to be? Are we talking about a comment on each chapter, and how many words do you expect? Any limits?

In addition, I've run into a problem on Mann's story, since if I go into specific details, I'll probably spoil the story for people who haven't read it. But I suppose I could include spoiler boxes.

[jkwsquirrel]

I'd be wiling to participate in this.  I enjoyed the first one.

 

-Jeff

[JayT]

@Renee Stevens did you see that Jeff @jkwsquirrel wants to play with us???

[Renee Stevens]

On 6/19/2017 at 10:35 PM, JayT said:

@Renee Stevens did you see that Jeff @jkwsquirrel whttps://www.gayauthors.org/profile/29726-jkwsquirrel/ants to play with us???

Thank you, JayT! I'm a bit discombobulated lately.  Next person to comment will critique @jkwsquirrel

[Cole Matthews]

How could I not see this? Of course I'll come out and play. This is a great idea. So, I need to pick a story of @jkwsquirrel to review, correct? 

 

Let me me if I'm too late to the party. 

[Renee Stevens]

@Cole Matthews Not too late at all! Yes, pick a story by @jkwsquirrel and the next person to sign up will do a story of yours

[Dodger]

I would like to write a critique for @Cole Matthews please.

 

Anyone who wants to try their luck with a story of mine though will have to hold off for a while until I have a few more completed. Don't let that deter you though because I've checked with Renee and I'm allowed to play.

 

Looking at the line up in front of me, it may be a while before I'm called to the stand. 

[Sam Wyer]

Yeah - I'd like to do this.  I guess that means (assuming I'm allowed) I get you @Dodger  

[Renee Stevens]

2 hours ago, Sam Wyer said:

Yeah - I'd like to do this.  I guess that means (assuming I'm allowed) I get you @Dodger  

As long as you have a completed story on site, you are eligible

[Sam Wyer]

1 hour ago, Renee Stevens said:

As long as you have a completed story on site, you are eligible

Great, I do (as of today at least)  

[Renee Stevens]

@Valkyrie @Mann Ramblings @comicfan @jkwsquirrel @Dodger @Sam Wyer

 

Hey all!  I need an "Improve and Encourage" for December... Anyone got one nearly ready?

 

If you've already sent me yours, PM me and remind me, please.

[Valkyrie]

2 minutes ago, Renee Stevens said:

@Valkyrie @Mann Ramblings @comicfan @jkwsquirrel @Dodger @Sam Wyer

 

Hey all!  I need an "Improve and Encourage" for December... Anyone got one nearly ready?

 

If you've already sent me yours, PM me and remind me, please.

How soon would you need it?