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writer's review group  

post #1 of 18
9/21/07 at 7:47pm
Thread Starter 
it's always the same with me, i get an idea for a novel and start to write it out then i ask DH or a close friend to read it and all i get is fluff reviews. so i get frustrated and throw it all out and the cycle starts all over again...

i don't want fluff reviews! i want honest and helpful reviews and constructive criticisms.

i'm a lurker on this board but i had a thought- why not start a writer's review group via email where we can submit our writings to one another and get feedback?

maybe it's a nutty idea but i'm not comfortable with posting my work on the web in a blog or on a forum. i'd rather have more of a controlled and intimate environment.
post #2 of 18
9/26/07 at 3:02am
Oh this is something I would be interested in. I was in a critique group/ class and I stopped going because it was bogus. I also find if I have someone to critique me in an honest manner I am much more creative and held a lot more accountable to what and how much I write.
post #3 of 18
9/27/07 at 4:37pm
I've done reviewing in this group and if you put up a chapter, I'll be happy to do yours.

Here's a sample of one of my reviews.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...19&postcount=6

If it's the kind of review that can help you, post something on this site.
post #4 of 18
9/27/07 at 5:32pm
I'd be interested in doing this. Count me in!
post #5 of 18
9/27/07 at 5:40pm
Thread Starter 
awesome! so should one of us just get everyones emails and we make a list and send our work out to eachother? does that sound ok?
post #6 of 18
9/27/07 at 5:43pm
I think that we can just post them to this thread. Since we all post here under pseudonyms, there isn't much risk and I think that this sort of thing is helpful to more than just the writers themselves.
post #7 of 18
9/27/07 at 6:07pm
I would honestly rather do it via email. I feel very uncomfortable posting my work on public forums, for a whole host of reasons (with which I won't bore you).
post #8 of 18
9/27/07 at 6:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCVeg View Post
I would honestly rather do it via email. I feel very uncomfortable posting my work on public forums, for a whole host of reasons (with which I won't bore you).
i agree.
post #9 of 18
9/27/07 at 6:39pm
I'm interested in this, but I don't have anything to share at the moment. I do have a suggestion for streamlined sharing, though.

It might make sense to set up a shared blog for the critique group, make each member of the group an admin or "author", and make the blog private, so that only the registered contributors can view the blog. This is easy to do on a blogger.com blog, and I think you can also do it on wordpress.com.

This would keep anyone from outside of the group from reading the posts, and also makes it so that everyone can post in one spot. At the end of the group, the entire blog can be deleted.
post #10 of 18
9/28/07 at 8:31am
Good idea. But I get the impression that people don't want anyone but the reviewer to read their stuff.

I remember that when I first started putting out stuff for strangers to review it was pretty hard. So may I suggest that for the first time we just send pieces by email. If the writer wants to post her or his reviewed piece, either here or on such a blog, they can then do it.

Might be better for people to get their feet a bit wet, first...
post #11 of 18
9/28/07 at 8:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unagidon View Post
Good idea. But I get the impression that people don't want anyone but the reviewer to read their stuff.

I remember that when I first started putting out stuff for strangers to review it was pretty hard. So may I suggest that for the first time we just send pieces by email. If the writer wants to post her or his reviewed piece, either here or on such a blog, they can then do it.

Might be better for people to get their feet a bit wet, first...
But the blog would be private, right? So that the only people who would have access to it are the people in the review group? Am I understanding correctly? If that's so, it would be much easier than using email, and I think the reviewers (i.e., the people on this thread) would be able to read each other's comments, not repeat, and respond to what others are saying--more like a critique group.

I am technologically challenged, though, so maybe I'm not understanding how the blog would work?
post #12 of 18
9/28/07 at 8:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCVeg View Post
But the blog would be private, right? So that the only people who would have access to it are the people in the review group? Am I understanding correctly? If that's so, it would be much easier than using email, and I think the reviewers (i.e., the people on this thread) would be able to read each other's comments, not repeat, and respond to what others are saying--more like a critique group.

I am technologically challenged, though, so maybe I'm not understanding how the blog would work?
That's true. It would be as you have said.

We could do it that way. I just think that people should be comfortable. Whatever people want to do, I'll go along.

I don't know if I could do the blog thing either. But my wife could (she's a big poster on Mothering). I'll ask her if she would set it up. Once it is set up, I'll PM you and enyone else who has posted on this thread to see if you want to be part of the blog.
post #13 of 18
9/28/07 at 12:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by NYCVeg View Post
But the blog would be private, right? So that the only people who would have access to it are the people in the review group? Am I understanding correctly? If that's so, it would be much easier than using email, and I think the reviewers (i.e., the people on this thread) would be able to read each other's comments, not repeat, and respond to what others are saying--more like a critique group.

I am technologically challenged, though, so maybe I'm not understanding how the blog would work?
Yep, that's exactly how it would work It's a piece of cake to set up through blogger.com, which is free. The person who creates the blog just needs to go to the "permissions" tab in the settings area and press the "add authors" button in the "blog authors" section. From there, you send email invitations to everyone else who will be an author on the blog.

To make the blog private, select "Only blog authors" in the "Blog readers" section. This keeps search engines out, and anyone who happens to stumble upon the blog will see a message that it's a private blog and won't be able to read any posts. HTH!
post #14 of 18
10/11/07 at 11:37am
Oh I am totally interested in this! I too have a horrible time finding people to give me "honest" advice and reviews and also dont want to post tons of stuff online
I post poems on writerscafe but dont really do long stories, people usually dont read them so its hard to get feedback
I'm on board with this group though!
post #15 of 18
10/12/07 at 4:39pm
I'd like to do this, though I don't know how often I'll post. I haven't been writing much, but I hope to change that.
post #16 of 18
10/13/07 at 1:18pm
Thread Starter 
woah!! i hadn't realized how much this blew up! sorry i have been neglecting it.

i think the blog is a great idea. i'll set it up. brb....
post #17 of 18
10/13/07 at 1:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by magstphil View Post
woah!! i hadn't realized how much this blew up! sorry i have been neglecting it.

i think the blog is a great idea. i'll set it up. brb....
ok i can't do this right now but i will or someone else can.
post #18 of 18
10/15/07 at 9:12pm
Thread Starter 
sorry for the delay. i have created the blog. send me your email and i'll send out an invite.
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