t to turn you down.

Fluff Reviews

Some writing groups won’t tell you the truth because they don’t want to hurt a tender ego and discourage you from writing. These are needed in the first stages of learning. But, eventually you’re going to grow beyond this type of review, and need more. If the group sits around saying only nice things and throwing praise at each other, what are you learning? More importantly, what are you going to do about it? Maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and ask for constructive in-depth reviews.

In-depth Reviews

Serious writers, especially those that have bee

Warning: In-depth critiques should be given to beginning writers only if asked for specifically. They can be harmful and discouraging and should always be given with great care and sensibility.

Sympathy Reviews

A taboo for me is a request for a review saying; “This piece is so sweet and special to my heart. I wrote it when I was five the day my puppy died. It still makes my mother cry. Please read and please be honest.” No, I will pass. Thank you for asking. In-depth reviewers already get a bad rap when they cause grown men to cry, and I’m not a sadist.

Setting Up Reviews

There are millions of books and articles written on the craft of writing. Most of them go over the same subjects because the basic elements of writing are actually few, and there are rules beginning writers need to learn. The way to use these elements are constantly changing though. Where we used to have to describe settings and characters to a ‘T’, in modern fiction we don’t. We now have television and the net to help us out. Readers know what places look like and only need a hint to see it clearly. These articles are there to help beginning writers learn from the experience of others, and most of them have wonderful, helpful tips. Maybe you read a ‘break the rules’ article, and you liked that idea so much, you didn’t bother with the others, right? Breaking the rules won’t work until you know which rule you’re breaking and why you’re breaking it. Until you do know, and do it on purpose, it’s only a glaring mistake and it shows. Take it easy on description.

But It’s My Style Reviews

Beginning writers can get defensive and touchy about style. When offered constructive (or maybe destructive) criticism, they might excuse themselves with, “Well, that's just my style." implying that the reader must like whatever style the writer chooses to use. But, it’s up to the writer to please the reader, not the other way around. You don’t even have to please every reader, but you do have to please your intended audience. Unless you were born with a natural talent for writing, you won’t have a style until you’ve learned to write. It’s developed over time. Think of style as a six-year old wearing her mother’s high heels, or a boy playing with his fathers shaving cream. You will eventually grow into them. It’s okay - it’s natural.

By the way, you certainly have the right to write your own way, but if you intend to submit unedited work to a publisher, he has the right to turn you down.

Fluff Reviews

Some writing groups won’t tell you the truth because they don’t want to hurt a tender ego and discourage you from writing. These are needed in the first stages of learning. But, eventually you’re going to grow beyond this type of review, and need more. If the group sits around saying only nice things and throwing praise at each other, what are you learning? More importantly, what are you going to do about it? Maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and ask for constructive in-depth reviews.

In-depth Reviews

Serious writers, especially those that have been

re millions of books and articles written on the craft of writing. Most of them go over the same subjects because the basic elements of writing are actually few, and there are rules beginning writers need to learn. The way to use these elements are constantly changing though. Where we used to have to describe settings and characters to a ‘T’, in modern fiction we don’t. We now have television and the net to help us out. Readers know what places look like and only need a hint to see it clearly. These articles are there to help beginning writers learn from the experience of others, and most of them have wonderful, helpful tips. Maybe you read a ‘break the rules’ article, and you liked that idea so much, you didn’t bother with the others, right? Breaking the rules won’t work until you know which rule you’re breaking and why you’re breaking it. Until you do know, and do it on purpose, it’s only a glaring mistake and it shows. Take it easy on description.

But It’s My Style Reviews

Beginning writers can get defensive and touchy about style. When offered constructive (or maybe destructive) criticism, they might excuse themselves with, “Well, that's just my style." implying that the reader must like whatever style the writer chooses to use. But, it’s up to the writer to please the reader, not the other way around. You don’t even have to please every reader, but you do have to please your intended audience. Unless you were born with a natural talent for writing, you won’t have a style until you’ve learned to write. It’s developed over time. Think of style as a six-year old wearing her mother’s high heels, or a boy playing with his fathers shaving cream. You will eventually grow into them. It’s okay - it’s natural.

By the way, you certainly have the right to write your own way, but if you intend to submit unedited work to a publisher, he has the right to turn you down.

Fluff Reviews

Some writing groups won’t tell you the truth because they don’t want to hurt a tender ego and discourage you from writing. These are needed in the first stages of learning. But, eventually you’re going to grow beyond this type of review, and need more. If the group sits around saying only nice things and throwing praise at each other, what are you learning? More importantly, what are you going to do about it? Maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and ask for constructive in-depth reviews.

In-depth Reviews

Serious writers, especially those that have bee

Maybe you read a ‘break the rules’ article, and you liked that idea so much, you didn’t bother with the others, right? Breaking the rules won’t work until you know which rule you’re breaking and why you’re breaking it. Until you do know, and do it on purpose, it’s only a glaring mistake and it shows. Take it easy on description.

But It’s My Style Reviews

Beginning writers can get defensive and touchy about style. When offered constructive (or maybe destructive) criticism, they might excuse themselves with, “Well, that's just my style." implying that the reader must like whatever style the writer chooses to use. But, it’s up to the writer to please the reader, not the other way around. You don’t even have to please every reader, but you do have to please your intended audience. Unless you were born with a natural talent for writing, you won’t have a style until you’ve learned to write. It’s developed over time. Think of style as a six-year old wearing her mother’s high heels, or a boy playing with his fathers shaving cream. You will eventually grow into them. It’s okay - it’s natural.

By the way, you certainly have the right to write your own way, but if you intend to submit unedited work to a publisher, he has the right to turn you down.

Fluff Reviews

Some writing groups won’t tell you the truth because they don’t want to hurt a tender ego and discourage you from writing. These are needed in the first stages of learning. But, eventually you’re going to grow beyond this type of review, and need more. If the group sits around saying only nice things and throwing praise at each other, what are you learning? More importantly, what are you going to do about it? Maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and ask for constructive in-depth reviews.

In-depth Reviews

Serious writers, especially those that have bee

se. But, it’s up to the writer to please the reader, not the other way around. You don’t even have to please every reader, but you do have to please your intended audience. Unless you were born with a natural talent for writing, you won’t have a style until you’ve learned to write. It’s developed over time. Think of style as a six-year old wearing her mother’s high heels, or a boy playing with his fathers shaving cream. You will eventually grow into them. It’s okay - it’s natural.

By the way, you certainly have the right to write your own way, but if you intend to submit unedited work to a publisher, he has the right to turn you down.

Fluff Reviews

Some writing groups won’t tell you the truth because they don’t want to hurt a tender ego and discourage you from writing. These are needed in the first stages of learning. But, eventually you’re going to grow beyond this type of review, and need more. If the group sits around saying only nice things and throwing praise at each other, what are you learning? More importantly, what are you going to do about it? Maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and ask for constructive in-depth reviews.

In-depth Reviews

Serious writers, especially those that have bee

t to turn you down.

Fluff Reviews

Some writing groups won’t tell you the truth because they don’t want to hurt a tender ego and discourage you from writing. These are needed in the first stages of learning. But, eventually you’re going to grow beyond this type of review, and need more. If the group sits around saying only nice things and throwing praise at each other, what are you learning? More importantly, what are you going to do about it? Maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and ask for constructive in-depth reviews.

In-depth Reviews

Serious writers, especially those that have been writing long enough to learn the basics place a high value on negative feedback. They know that positive comments are nice, but negative is essential. If the flaws aren’t pointed out and suggestions made, how is the beginning writer ever to learn? Suggestions are just that, suggestions. The point is, there may need to be a change in a particular area. The precise change is always up to the writer. The reviewer doesn’t attempt to change the story, and they work with your own words as much as possible. Sometimes changes are necessary to pull out the best in your work. Fresh eyes are the best way to find bumps; at least until you know writing upside down and sideways.