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 Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:09 pm
~*Table of Contents*~
Guide to Effective Critiquing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Post
Subforums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Second Post
Commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Third Post
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:16 pm
~*Guide to Effective Critiquing*~
What is this guide for? Well, because it's required to post three critiques before posting a work of your own, we feel it's necessary to give some guidelines of our expectations for those who may need a little nudge to get them on their way to making meaningful critiques, or those who just don't know what to say.
So, please read on.
What is a Critique?
The first order of business is to define what a critique is, and what it isn't for that matter.
In the simplest of terms, a critique is a comment on a piece of writing meant to help the writer develop. Comments such as "I like it!" "This is really good." or "This sucks!" do not qualify as critiques, simply because they do nothing to help the writer. A pat on the back is good, but we are asking for a little more.
~*How to Make an Effective Critique*~
By now, you're likely asking what I'm on about, and what you're supposed to say since saying whether you like or dislike a piece isn't a critique. The following are suggestions for topics to cover in your comments to the author.
1. What has the author done well?
If you enjoyed the piece, tell us why! Perhaps you liked the way the poem flowed, or the way the characters interact in a story. Maybe you found something comical, or very moving. Comments on these sorts of things let the author know what has worked well for their audience, and what has proved effective.
2. What can the author do to improve?
Found the piece lacking a certain something? Tell us! Perhaps you found the wording awkward, or you have a suggestion on how to move along what you feel to be a very slow moving plot. You don't know the writer's intentions with the piece, but pointing out flaws may very well help them as they may have been unintentional mistakes.
3. Style and Technique
Anyone who's been writing for a while, or who has been studying knows that there are different styles and techniques for both poetry and prose. Whether it's simply you've found the rhyme scheme effective/ineffective, or you want to identify a plot device you've recognized and want to comment further on its use, fo ahead! It's helpful, especially when people are working on an experimental piece and help from someone more experienced is always an asset.
4. Ask Questions!
Something unclear about what you're reading? Ask for clarification, and tell the writer why you're confused.
5. Personal Relation
Some pieces are meant for readers to be able to relate a personal experience. If you can relate, do it. If not, don't feel it necessary to try. This, like all of the others, is simply an option to try and get a dialogue going to help the writer.
6. Grammar and Punctuation
When all else fails, nit pick. Sometimes, the writer fails to notice minor problems in the piece. If you see some that haven't already been pointed out, fill your boots! If the piece is absolutely atrocious, rather than pull your hair out trying to do a complete edit, suggest that the writer use spell check and repost. That counts as a critique for you, and ensures a better chance of feedback for the writer.
Now, all of these have simply been suggestions for things to get you started. You don't have to cover all of them, or any of them if you don't want to. Simply remember that your critique does need to be helpful in order to be considered a critique. If you have any questions, please ask.
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:29 pm
Wondering which subforum to post your work in? Look no further
Works in Progress: Novels, stories with parts (in other words, things you aren't finished writing yet)
Poetry: Poems (naturally ^^)
Prose: Short stories, essays . . . Prose is defined as the ordinary form of spoken or written language, without metrical structure, as distinguished from poetry or verse.
Colaberative works: Anything being wrtten by more than one author (exclusing games)
General Chatter: Polls, games, thoughts on life, things not pertaining to the guild, book/writing discussions
Main Forum: Completed short stories
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Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:32 pm
Sometimes a special occasion pops up, and you find yourself needing something to commemorate it. Something like a poem, perhaps, or maybe you just really enjoy a user's writing style.
This being the case, I’m creating a list of people who want commissioned works, and people who write them. If you fall in to either category please pm me and I’ll add you to the proper list.
~*Rules for Comissions*~
1. Only Gaia items and gold are permitted to be exchanged for works. Any users found asking for money or offering money will be banned and reported to the Gaia Admin.
2. Commissioned works are still the property of the original author; please do not steal the work!
3. Prices are to be set by the writers; if they say it's non-negotiable, move on.
Authors
I 27 04 (Base price of 200 gold. Price may change depending on what sort of commission is needed.)
Buyers
(none yet)
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