http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ Web Fiction Guide Forums » Forum: Review Discussion - Recent Topics en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:55:42 +0000 http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/thanks-to-joseph-kranak-for-the-review-of-haventon#post-7757 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:24:00 +0000 Shutsumon 7757@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Thanks for the review. It's pretty fair. And I see I've been caught on the not describing enough again. *Facepalms* I thought I'd got better at that.</p> <p>As a note the Underworld movies are actually some of the few Vampire movies I've never seen. It is one of my favourite genres, however, so that may explain the sense of similarity.</p> <p>Thanks again!<br /> Becka </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/the-points-between-review-question#post-7581 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:22:50 +0000 ubersoft 7581@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>OK, this is awkward and at least 40% of me is saying "leave well enough alone!" but the other 80% of me really needs to know. (The 20% of me that is over 100% in the example above is sighing and wishing I'd paid more attention to mathematics in college.)</p> <p>So <em>The Points Between</em> finally got listed on WFG, and obviously Chris' review is not the one I would have preferred to get. But it was neither malicious nor nasty, so as far as I'm concerned, fair's fair. When you throw your work out there for all to see, you accept the risks that go with that. A lack of enthusiasm is one of those risks.</p> <p>(So of course the next step was to obsessively read and re-read the review while drinking coffee and thinking black thoughts about life and the futility of putting words to page. That's what I did Sunday. Well, that and I played Skyrim. Check! Moving on.)</p> <p>The step after that is to take a fresh look at it and see if I can see what the reviewer sees. Not necessarily to agree, but to at least comprehend. So that's where I am now, and I need a definition from the crowd at large.</p> <p>The review describes much of what's posted so far as a "self-conscious narrative," which means something pretty specific to me -- I've always understood it to be as a kind of meta-story where the narrator is aware that he or she is telling a story and makes the reader aware that it's a story, and then spends time talking about the story *as* a story. That was a very surprising comment since it's not even close to anything I was going for (though some literary critics will claim that's pretty common for authors, as illustrated in <a href="https://www.ubersoft.net/comic/hd/2007/04/deconstructing-chapter-five">Deconstructing Chapter Five</a>). So I spent a few hours trying to see it, then I got tired, and then I figured I could post here in the hopes either Chris or someone else could explain.</p> <p>The other alternative is that "self conscious" is used in the way that you could describe a person as feeling very self-conscious, i.e., awkward and halting and bashful, though that doesn't quite fit with some of the other comments (there's no complaint that reads "author is obviously intimidated by the act of putting words to paper.")</p> <p>Anyway, was hoping for some clarification. I promise not to argue though I may ask more specific questions to try and understand. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/fascinating-reviews-for-rosary#post-7122 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:45:39 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 7122@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I wanted to thank everyone who's been reviewing Rosary--yes, Gavin, you and Robert too--for such thoughtful responses. It's such a pleasure to see such well-thought out reviews, whether they like or dislike the art in question. :) </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/gavinto-see-the-stars-as-god#post-7386 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:09:01 +0000 ubersoft 7386@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Gavin, I just saw your review for To See The Stars As God and I'm not seeing the problem you are. When you click the "start reading now" link on the webfictionguide story page you go here:</p> <p><a href="http://ayami.rain.org/?p=112" rel="nofollow">http://ayami.rain.org/?p=112</a></p> <p>Which is the first chapter of the story. It might have been a connection problem on your end. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/desparate-for-feedback-from-this-enlightened-community#post-7344 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 18:36:49 +0000 SamNye 7344@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I am a little concerned that Chris is the only person who has reviewed my online novel, Small Town Ravaging (www.smalltownravaging.weebly.com). I am just wondering, if anyone has been there and been turned off by something in particular that kept you from coming back, could you please let me know? I am having trouble securing feedback, and so I have almost no sense of whether or not my story is just rubbish, or if there is something about the setup of my site that sends people away. (One thing I know for sure is that the chapters are long, as I wrote them long before deciding to make my story available online, thus they tend to run a little too long for just casual weekly reading.)<br /> Just a polite enquiry. If I am jumping the gun after only a month, feel free to tell me that as well :)<br /> Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read/reply to this post. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/no-man-an-island-review#post-7192 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:58:54 +0000 Gavin Williams 7192@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I'd like to thank Robert Rodgers for his initial review of "No Man an Island." I've already thanked Robert by email, as I'm already a fan of his "Last Skull" and his work on Jim Zoetewey's "Legion of Nothing," and the three of us have been working with other writers on collaborative work that is slow going but someday might end up epic. </p> <p>But I wanted to publically thank him as well, in the spirit of continuing to encourage the community in its efforts. The more we all get involved and review, the more we get out of the experience. I was glad he took a look at my completed work, because completed stories often don't have the same momentum as ongoing series and it's nice to have new feedback.</p> <p>I would like to point out, however, that his review is a "work in progress," and based on chapter 14, which is close to five percent of the completed novel. I look forward to his thoughts towards the end of the book. With ongoing series, it is obviously necessary to do a "work in progress" review because ongoing series are unfinished, and some serials may never finish but go on for years.</p> <p>With a completed novel, the whole can be assessed, and so I'm here stating officially my own intent to look through my past reviews and finish all the completed novels with a more comprehensive review, in case I left any with "work in progress" summations.</p> <p>And I would encourage anyone who reads "No Man an Island" to read the whole thing. Unlike my other project, "The Surprising Life and Death of Diggory Franklin," it was never meant for online consumption originally. I learned in the process of posting it that "the medium is the message" as Marshall McLuhan famously said. Written for traditional publication, "NMAI" starts slow as Robert rightfully points out because in the old paradigm of paper fiction, one could sit all afternoon with a book and slowly become immersed in its world. Online, people sometimes read one post a day, and so each post needs energy and a hook. I wrote it so the pieces came together in a rich, textured tapestry over time -- leisurely. </p> <p>"Diggory" is faster paced and lighter. "NMAI" is much more literary, despite action scenes, and was meant to be digested differently. To fully grasp its content, the whole meal needs to be eaten -- no individual part was designed with brevity in mind. However, for anyone who enjoys deeper content, it is full of characterization, symbolism, and rich plot.</p> <p>To use an analogy, most online fiction is in quick, small bites and each one is meant to be tasty -- but you can grab it on the run like a sandwich or fast food. "NMAI" isn't just a sit-down dinner, it's a banquet --- it might take longer but I hope that you will be enriched by the experience.</p> <p>I've worked hard to format it so people enjoy it online -- and many do -- but I recommend that anyone who wants a fast-paced story should check out Diggory or one of the highly rated stories on WFG -- because "No Man an Island" requires a time investment. It pays off, but it's worth warning you about and I thank Robert for pointing that out. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/nasty-reviews#post-5190 Fri, 07 May 2010 00:46:47 +0000 Robert Rodgers 5190@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I just wanted to take a moment and ask if I'm stepping over the line--or to ask that, if and when I do step over the line, that I be told I've done so (not to imply that anyone would be hesitant to make that clear to me!). Specifically, after writing this review: </p> <p><a href="http://webfictionguide.com/listings/the-westwich-writers-club/review-by-devorn/" rel="nofollow">http://webfictionguide.com/listings/the-westwich-writers-club/review-by-devorn/</a></p> <p>I'm worried that I've been a little too nasty.</p> <p>(By the way, if the author happens to see this, let me offer some apologies in advance--like the vast majority of the internet's misanthropic denizens, I tend to be opinionated, and have a certain talent for gathering those opinions up and firing them out of a cannon)</p> <p>I'm trying to cut a balance between being harshly realistic about what I see and believe, while simultaneously trying not to become downright insulting. I'm also concerned about the effects of what I say--not to imply that people here are thin-skinned, but I'm worried people might assume I actually know what I'm talking about instead of realizing I'm just a very loud, outspoken hobbyist with no editorial or publishing experience whatsoever.</p> <p>Anyway, what I also want to know is this: How far is too far? How do you balance your desire for brutal honesty (if you have one!) with a desire to avoid insult and injury to your fellow writers--hobbyists and professionals alike? I understand it's a pretty old, ongoing question, and one with no clear answers--but I'd like to hear some other people's opinions on the subject, if only to get the perspective of someone who *isn't* naturally antagonistic (like myself).</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/another-place-and-time#post-6708 Mon, 02 May 2011 20:54:01 +0000 JAYJAY1979 6708@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>After reading the very hurtful review left for my website/story a long time ago, I kind of tabled my soap until I could<br /> get perspective. After looking through the early installments, I just cringe! I've been trying to improve and eliminate the over reliance on head-hopping but I still do seem to write from a 3rd person perspective.<br /> Reviews like that make me sad, but it is part of the process of writing. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-theatrica#post-6446 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:40:02 +0000 copenlar-jim 6446@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hello there,</p> <p>I have to admit I'm horribly new and inexperienced, but am absolutely delighted to be apart of this community. I have written my first novel and am desperate for people's views and opinions of it. The site is found at <a href="http://www.theatrica.moonfruit.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.theatrica.moonfruit.com</a> and it has only recently been inducted into this directory. </p> <p>The level of work here is astoundingly high, and I find myself surprised that the publishing world doesn't venture here to get a good view of what talent there is! </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-angry-remembrance#post-6538 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:56:04 +0000 Katherine 6538@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hey everybody! Looking for reviews for my... new-ish web serial, Angry Remembrance:</p> <p><a href="http://www.angryremembrance.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.angryremembrance.com</a> </p> <p><em>Brian grew up believing his father walked out on his family. Little did he know that he was a casualty to a war between powerful shapeshifters--a war that Brian is about to be drafted into himself.</em></p> <p>Much appreciated. :-) Feel free to plug your own web serial on here for me to read and review. I don't like horror, dystopia, or post-apocalyptic stuff, but other than that I'm pretty open-minded. My favored genre is fantasy, but I've been known to read many other things too! </p> <p>Just a fair warning I'm pretty darn slow. I'm still working through "Castle Terribel" (great stuff!) and I'd like to get caught up with that before reviewing anyone else. But you will go in my bookmarks and be reviewed eventually, I promise! X) </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/2-years-101-chapters-and-enough-grammar-errors-to-blind-an-english-major#post-6155 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:09:02 +0000 Al Bruno III 6155@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Just had to stop by and say that my serial novel IN THE SHADOW OF HIS NEMESIS ( <a href="http://albruno3.blogspot.com/p/in-shadow-of-his-nemesis-book-one.html" rel="nofollow">http://albruno3.blogspot.com/p/in-shadow-of-his-nemesis-book-one.html</a> ) has reached its conclusion. If you have been avoiding reading it because it seemed like a never ending story, well not you can dive right in.</p> <p>Also I am a little shocked to find myself at the end... </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/trolls-for-reviews#post-6078 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 13:37:00 +0000 joel wyatt 6078@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Coffee nearly shot out my nose when I read Al Bruno III's topic... always a delicate thing to do, in a community of folks who'd all like eyeballs on their work.</p> <p>Anyhoo - my Slackers &amp; Superheroes blog novel FLYOVER CITY! is done at long last - <a href="http://www.flyovercity.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.flyovercity.blogspot.com</a>. So, uh, yeah... i'll let the rest of this topic write itself.</p> <p>Oh, and, good luck ABIII!!!! ;) </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/in-which-our-dashing-not-so-young-author-trolls-for-reviews#post-6070 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:56:48 +0000 Al Bruno III 6070@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hello one and all.</p> <p>I was wondering if I might request some reviews for my material. I have weird tales of all kinds with with TALES FROM THE ODDSIDE, THE LOCAL HEROES, THE NIGHT OF TIME and IN THIS TWILIGHT. I have my life story as on ongoing serial story with PRICE BREAKS AND HEARTACHES. I also have two complete serial novels (IN THE MIDNIGHT OF HIS HEART and LOVE AND TREASON ON THE VERGE) as well as a serial novel in progress called IN THE SHADOW OF HIS NEMESIS.</p> <p>Thank you for your time. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-a-frequent-travellers-guide-to-jovan#post-6101 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:06:39 +0000 Ellipsis 6101@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hi everyone!</p> <p>I started a little webserial last year, mostly out of sheer mortification at my NaNoWriMo or Nothing approach to writing. I figured, with a couple of fun characters and a posting schedule (I hate missing deadlines!) I would at least be able to force myself to write on a more regular basis. </p> <p>In that respect, it has been really successful; I am writing heaps more and I hope my writing is getting better in the process. However, no woman is an island, and I am now turning my thoughts towards perhaps convincing people OTHER THAN me to read it. ;)</p> <p>Unfortunately, the last time I ran a website, it was during that halcyon time in the early noughties when .nu domains were cool, and we were all making shrines to our favourite anime characters. So. I am slightly bewildered by the entire process. I gather from other posts in this form that it would not be entirely out of line for me to request that some kind souls with a bit of spare time and a penchant for slightly silly fantasy adventure webserials might check my humble piece out and perhaps consider reviewing it?</p> <p><a href="http://webfictionguide.com/adventure/guide-to-jovan/" rel="nofollow">http://webfictionguide.com/adventure/guide-to-jovan/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.to-jovan.net/" rel="nofollow">http://www.to-jovan.net/</a></p> <p>Thank you in advance! </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/thanks-to-reviewers#post-6039 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:54:10 +0000 Letitia Coyne 6039@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I would like to take a moment to thank the editors and reviewers here at WFG for their efforts.</p> <p>Coming from a history of writers' groups and critique circles, I have long had a dislike of peer review as a form. But I love reading the reviews here. They are thoughtful and balanced and there is no evidence, ever, of professional rivalry or snotty jibing.</p> <p>Thanks folks.</p> <p>And thanks to the team who keep the site running and the words coming every day. Have a great 2011 everyone.</p> <p>Lxx </p>