I don't think I need to do anything but pass it on so here goes:
1) Jules at Trying to Get Over the Rainbow
2) Patrick Tillett and Talli Roland- I don't know if you two accept awards but you can at least get the recognition
3) Tossing it Out!
4) Amanda at All That Good Jazz
5) Doralynn at Coffee Time Romance
6) Carol at Under the Tiki Hut
Alex J. Cavanaugh has awarded me the special Friday the 13th Award! I have no idea why it's called that.
1) Lenny at Lenny's World
2) Theresa Milstein at Substitute Teacher's Saga
3) Helen at Straight From Hel
4) keishua at The Curious World of L
5) Boonsong
If I forgot any one and you want any of these awards to grace your blog sidebar, please take it.
Now, on to the SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! I've been thinking of doing something for my blog readers for a long time. I belong to an online group of writers that give reviews and support to writers of poetry, short stories and novels. They are invaluable to me. They have helped my writing improve dramatically in the two years I've been with them. I thought I would do something similar for you.
THIS IS NOT A CONTEST! THIS WILL BE A NEW FEATURE ON MY BLOG SO DON'T FEEL YOU HAVE TO RUSH TO SUBMIT A CHAPTER.
Also, I understand that some of you are nervous about having your work read by those you know in the blogging community, if you would like, send me an email and we can post your work as anonymous. Email: clarissadraper at gmail dot com
I will be offering weekly free chapter reviews on this blog. If you're writing your first story or if you're writing your fifth and you want some opinions, this will interest you. All you have to do is (1) be a follower of my blog (most of you are) and (2) write your name (or blog title) and link to your blog below. I will visit your blog (if I'm not following it, I will follow you - so make sure you have a follower gadget) and give you information as to how to send me your chapter. I will post three chapter reviews every week (unless I'm on holiday) in order of the names received.
What will I review?
Any fiction/non-fiction chapter or short story under 2000 words. What will I NOT review?
- Poetry
- Sex scenes (I will post my reviews on the site and I know there are teenagers who read my blog)
- Any chapter with extreme violence or swearing.
- Any work that degrades a certain race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation.
What will the review touch on?
I will say this, if you're sending me your chapter because all you want is a pat on the back and you think your chapter is perfect and doesn't need any more revision - DON'T SEND ME YOUR CHAPTER!However, if you want an HONEST and HELPFUL review, feel free to fill out the form below. I will never be too harsh but I will always be honest.
- I'll mention the things I liked about the chapter first. What I found funny or touching or thought-provoking. There is always something good about a chapter.
- I will mention what I think you need to work on in general. For example, you need to fix your POV or grammar.
- The main character - is he/she/it easy to relate to? do we sympathize with them? are they boring?
- Does the chapter capture the readers attention and keep it throughout the chapter?
- Does the chapter end in a way that we want to keep turning the page?
- Does your POV (Point of View) switch in a way that the reader is confused?
- How is your dialogue? Realistic?
- How is your voice?
- Too much backstory?
- Description: Too much, too little, too difficult to understand?
- Cliche?
- Too much telling and not enough showing?
When I contact you, please send me a short paragraph briefly explaining the plot.
What about me? I'm not an author? I just read your blog. What can I do?
You can do two things: (1) you can tell your friends about it. I will make a button and you can put it on your sidebar if you like.---> Button on sidebar(2) you can give your opinions as well. When I post the three chapters, you can take the template above and leave comments below. I'm sure the writers would love more opinions. You may disagree with my critique and that's allowed.
HOWEVER, I will NOT tolerate attacks on the writer. You can critique the writing but you CAN NOT make comments against the writer. Any such comments will be deleted immediately.
Any more questions? Please ask in your comments below.
27 comments:
Clarissa - First, congratulations on your awards! Extremely well-deserved! That's just wonderful.
And thank you for your most generous and exciting offer to do chapter reviews. I'm sure your input will be very, very helpful, as thoughtful readers' input always is. I'm definitely tempted to toss my name "in the ring." Intriguing...
Margot! This is new writers, not professional ones like yourself! However, if you want me to read one of your chapters or use the review as a way to promote your books, I would be honored!
CD
Clarissa - We can all use input, feedback and edits. Even the biggest "names" in the business get their work edited...But thanks for the compliment : ).
I know that when I posted my first chapter on my other review site, I was terrified. I felt like I was stepping naked on stage for everyone to gawk at. Hmm, maybe that's not the best illustration. However, when I started receiving the help, and I listened to it, I started to improve.
CD
What an awesome idea, Clarissa. You are really generous- I hope you know that.
I haven't been writing at all for a very long time, but there is something I have been thinking of for a longish time, and I may well throw my hat into the ring soon.
And can you shoot me a blank mail at nuts246 (at) gmail dot com?
Rayna, if you would love a chapter or idea review, I'd be happy to let you know what you think. I think other readers of this blog would feel the same. I hoping people will find this an encouraging and helpful experience.
Congratulations and thanks Clarissa!
I do accept awards, but I'm not very good at abiding by the terms of them. Coming from a writer of your caliber, this makes me very happy. To be mentioned in the same sentence as Talli, makes me even happier! I'm aware of some of the other blogs you mentioned, I'll check out the others for sure. Thanks again!
Wow Clarissa - that is a fantastic gesture! I might send you a short sotyr of mine, but at the same time it's a bit scary:) I'll steal your button anyway, and probably get you to review something. Can't hurt, right?
Thank you so much for the award! I really appreciate it! :)
I'd enter your contest but I really don't have anything ready at the moment. I think it's a great idea, though!
I'll make mention of your offer in my sidebar!
Pat, glad you liked it.
Alexandra Crocodile, please send away! I would be glad to read it and give you my thoughts.
Talli, thank you for even considering it. It's not a contest though. I want to do this as a feature.
Alex, thank you!
Clarissa, thanks for the award. If I ever get anything written, I would love to enter your contest. I will pass the info on to some people who may be interested, though.
hi miss clarissa! wow you got some nice awards and now you gave me a star one! that just made me feel so happy. :) i already got it put up on my blog and it says its from you. im sending you a zillion thanks. maybe some time you could look at one of my stories. my brother helps me lots but it could be nice for someone else to say something.
...bunches of thanks and hugs from lenny
Congrats on the awards and VERY cool new feature... It isn't the right timing for me at the mo, but I will be happy to add your button is ready (I should add Chimera, too, now that I think on it...)
Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog. Reviewing chapters is a wonderful and helpful thing to do. No wonder you have so many blog awards. Cheers~
Congratulations on your awards, Clarissa. And thanks for passing one on to me. Nice thing you're doing for writers :)
Thanks for the award. It’s very kind of you.
Thanks for an enjoyable blog too.
All the best, Boonsong
I admire you for posting a list of what you WON'T review!
Interesting indeed. I am going to look at some of my chapters and see where I think I am having the most trouble and perhaps take you up on the offer. I am still trying to put back together what I lost so it's been a trying time. It's funny how it's so easy to submit stuff to members of an in person critique group, but honestly it's terrifying to think of it being posted online. Will probably give it a shot though.
Googlover/keishua, sure, anyone can add their name to the list. I would love to help everyone.
Lenny, it's always great to have lots of opinions. Sign up and when you're ready, I can have a look at it.
Hart, sure, take my button. Pass on the news.
Nancy, thanks, I love checking out new blogs. Hope you like mine.
Carol, you're welcome and thanks for the compliment.
Boonsong, glad you liked it.
L. Diane, yeah, I have too. And for the commenters because I don't want any of those who lay their work out for us to read to go away dejected.
Robin, if you're nervous about people knowing you wrote it, you can put anonymous down.
CD
This is lovely of you Clarissa. I'm sure to want your input on something but I'll be worried that you'll be overrun!!
Congratulations on your award, and good luck on the new feature. That is a great thing to give your readers :)
Hello, thought I'd stop by to thank you for becoming a follower of Pen and Paper. You have three interesting blogs which I have enjoyed visiting. Nice to have met you and well done on those awards.
Wow, for me? Thank you so much for the award, Clarissa! I love it!
And I think I'm gonna love this new addition to your blog. :D
Hi Clarissa - I've just signed up for you to review something for me. It's a short story I wrote in March, and it's 2300 words. I know you said 2000 words max, but can you perhaps make an exception? It's a classic whodunnit and I only had 2000 words to spend, so that was an interesting project in itself:)
I look forward to seeing some great new pieces on here! Great idea, and very generous.
Wagging Tales - Blog for Writers
Post a Comment