General Chat

Just laughing to myself, it may take me more time in editing whatever I write than actually writing it . I have just had to go back and edit my post below lol ;)

xx

TW I was just going to send you a PM lol, but you have seen it anyway :))

xx

ok then Jill

whatever you decide suits me

just let me know..

:o))

Constructive is the operative word Rose!

Feedback (from page 1 of this thread - but I have this on a Word doc as well if it's easier:

Feedback:
A. Members to interpret. Is it comprehensible? Ambiguous? Obscure? Does the structure work?
B. Members should not ask questions but make statements or observations. (Try not to ask questions - an editor won’t do this.) Be honest and objective. Be as specific as possible. Be concise.
C. Be honest, but kind/tactful/careful in critiquing the work of other members.
D. Identify your biases. Balance your critique. Try to end on a positive note - be tactful.
E. Once author has received feedback author can then offer explanation, response etc. Author could evaluate critiques – which is useful for other members and will improve their critiquing skills.
F. In a finished piece about to be sent off the group should keep an eye out for spelling mistakes, typos, grammar etc. Check layout etc. Aim for perfection at this point!


It can be difficult sometimes to find positive things to say about a piece of writing ... I find this usually happens when I don't really like the subject matter, that's why I try really hard to separate the writing itself - style and ease of reading etc, from the subject matter.

Trick is to be kind, to be positive. Do not stress the negative. By all means mention the bits that don't make sense, or that jar, but do your level best to find the positive aspects as well. That way the author won't be too discouraged.

Receiving feedback can be hard as well - but other members are there to help you improve your writing ... So even if you are a really good writer they will help you get even better. If your writing is a bit weak or flabby round the edges they will help you tighten and strengthen it.

It will all make perfect sense after the first few attempts!!

Jill

i'd better join too, or I will be told off by Hayley and BC.

Only just seen this as I haven't had internet since last night. Damn weather.

I'm not published at all so far, holding back while I'm unemployed. I am taking a Creative Writing course, and have written a couple of articles, a few short stories, and made inroads into a novel, though that is faltering at the moment. I'll read back and catch up on all the posts in a while.

Re feedback... I don't mind how that's done.

I had two paperbacks bought for me by my son at Christmas...Christmassy stories that I thought would be 'easy comfort reading' for a cold winters night lol.

Both I would very briefly classify as "Rubbish"...lol so I think a few pointers on what to say and how to say it in a 'constructive critique' might be good . I've not been to any writers groups so maybe some of the guidelines given to those of you who have would be good to know.

I could say re one of the books for example , that the characters were well developed, but the plot was rushed and simplistic, and the use of flashbacks very distracting .

Incidently it was a 'best seller' so someone enjoyed it :)

Bearing in mind the number of publishers who turned down Harry Potter , no one should get 'put off'!

xx

Am I too late to go on your List Mrs G? XX BC

I think two weeks... for 2 poems or 1 piece of prose would suit me personally...and bearing in mind some of the people writing might be working also.

Sounds about right Jill

2 weeks for prose, 1 week for poetry? or 2 poems in 2 weeks?

I would like to write but can never think of ideas so would prefer to be given 'something' to lead me in. Maybe twofold then Jill, a choice, either free choice or give a subject for those of us who need it. Maybe if the deadline is too long people will go off the boil but as Rose says, prose takes longer than poetry so it needs a middle way somehow.

How about two weeks? And maybe max of 500 words - to start with? It can be a bit rough round the edges as well ...

Hmmm - like the idea of Roots - especially as we are all doing our roots (well, my hairdresser does mine ...) but that could be interesting and might spur me to sort out my gr gr grandma piece!

How's everyone on that idea?

Jill

i think maybe.. free choice or

you give us a starting line for a short piece or

an idea for a poem

personally i would like a week deadline for entries

just my personal thoughts

:o))

Hi Jill,

I think possibly a longer deadline? especially if it is going to be either poetry or prose... a poem might 'say it all' in a few verses as opposed to a prose piece which may take a few weeks... ( or years in my case lol)

Regarding topic, perhaps the old truism 'write about what you know' might be good for everyone to start with ?...we all 'know' different things, but all have in common family, roots, friendship, love, loss ... so maybe something along those lines? or not lol.

OK,

Next steps.

I was hoping that a couple of our non-writing subscribers would have come up with a few topic ideas - but not heard from them yet. So, thinking caps on - any ideas for the first one?

I'm about to list all the e-mail addresses on a Word doc and send it round to all of you so you can add everyone to a buddy list in your e-mail system. The list will show who is a non-writer as well as the writers.

Suggest that you e-mail your first piece(s) to everyone on the list so we can all read each others work. Shall we have a deadline for the writing and feedback. Or maybe, initially a deadline for the writing? What about next Sunday? What do you all think?

Then feedback. Will it be easier to feedback to individuals who can then collate that feedback themselves. Or shall we do one feedback to all members - so you can see what everyone is saying about everyone else's work? I think the latter might be easier to do and it mirrors how it works in a writing group when you all hear the feedback to everyone. But again, let me know what you think.

I will put this in the first group e-mail in case not everyone is signed on right now.

Suggestions back to this thread so we can bounce ideas around as a group?

Jill

Hi Rose and Stella ~~~~~~~~~

aww thanks Rose, that is so kind..lol

Maggie

Maggie

Send me a personal message with your e-mail address so I can add you to the circulation list. That way you get to see all of the work and can join in when you're ready!

Jill

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to Maggie

:o))

Hi Maggie, I disagree with you ! lol you ARE a writer :)

xx

Hi, I am not a writer as such, but I love reading and writing poetry, and belong to a few Poetry forums. I write poems in my own style, not at all structured (apart from Haiku, no choice there ! ) Look forward to reading this and thanks for thinking about it Jill.

Maggie