Critiquing
- Reads 595
- Votes 51
- Parts 6
This is where I'll try to offer my best advice on giving good critiques of writing. I always try to be thorough -- not holding back from mentioning even the biggest weakness of a piece -- while also presenting the criticism in a constructive way that the writer of the piece might appreciate and even possibly be a little inspired by. It's a huge challenge to maintain such a delicate balance, particularly in a review, which is also meant to recommend (or not recommend) the book to outside readers. I don't think I always do this perfectly, either, but I do think that I've learned a lot throughout my experiences and that I have some good advice that I can offer.
Originally written as a collection of suggestions, the GRA decided to adopt this as a guideline for members to follow in writing good reviews.
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Les Misérables: A Short & Slightly Sarcastic Summary
Let's be blunt: Les Misérables is 1460 pages long. It drags on about subjects that are, for the most part, irrelevant to the story for chapters at a time. The physical book is actually the size of a brick. Have you been roped into reading this monster of a book for a class? Do you wish you could read the brick, but don't have the time or mental capacity or perseverance to do so? Do you want to read only the interesting parts but don't want to bother going through the whole thing to find them? Are you a fan of the musical/movie and am interested in seeing just how long they could have made it? Well, you're in luck, because I'm going to do all of that for you! I am spending my entire summer reading all of Les Misérables for both personal satisfaction and a class, so why not help others while I do so? As I battle my way through the brick, I will be writing short and, most likely, slightly sarcastic summaries of each chapter. I will try my best to include the important and interesting parts while hopefully adding a bit of humor that SparkNotes won't give you. I will update regularly, as I calculated it out and have to read about 20 pages a day to be done by the end of the summer, and also am going to use this as an easy way to skim back over chapters once I actually need this for my class. Enjoy! Edit: It turns out that Wattpad has a limit on how long your stories can be, so this is not all of Les Mis. I have a second and third book that contain the rest.Complete
Guardian (mxm)
Book 2 in Stray Series. I know I'm not worthy of a second chance. I've taken away so many others' second chances. I took their lives in my hands and each time chose mine over theirs. It didn't matter who they were, if they had family, how old they were. I had a job to do. If I heard even a whisper, it was over. I had to. I didn't want to, but I had to. It didn't even matter in the end. She's gone now. I'm all alone. Somehow, for some reason, a second chance was bestowed on me. But I don't want it. I can't have it. And he knows it too. -This story has depictions of violence, SA, depression, panic attacks, gore. Please read at your own discretion- Highest rankings thanks to all of you wonderful readers! : #16 in "Shifter" #18 in "Loss" #24 in "Werewolf" #26 in "BoyxBoy"Complete
🥊 Hate or Fate 💕 {Enemies to Lovers}
One day you're happy, and the next, a freak accident exposes your boyfriend's dirty little secrets in the worst possible way. I lost the man I loved, my trust in people, and my home in less than one afternoon. At least I know that I've pushed past unimaginable pain before, and I can do it again. Elijah didn't break me, just my heart. 💔🔨 So, the LAST thing I needed was to run into my ex's best friend, Gray on the street. Who cares if he's hotter than lava? Gray's a cocky jerk who seems to get a misguided kick out of making my blood boil. And did I mention the guy's got a chip on his tattooed shoulder even bigger than his inflated ego? Unfortunately, I just found out that I accidentally hired him to work on the BIGGEST campaign of my career!💀 But when Gray's prismatic eyes fill with heartfelt apologies, I don't know how to feel. It's messing with my mind, my career, my new friendships, and worst of all, it's hurting what's left of my ruined heart. I thought Gray hated me, but I was wrong...There is something much, much stronger that binds our fate. 🥊💕 This book contains adult themes (aka sexy stuff and trigger content) as well as Oxford commas and the occasional grammatical error. 🥊💕 **This is a complete story that I am currently in the process of editing, so feedback, notes, and helpful comments are always welcome. Bullying and harassing others for their comments as well as shameless self-promotion of things not related to the content will be deleted.** Highest Ranks: 🥊💕 #6 in #mature 😍😆🙏 🥊💕 #15 in #adultromance 😍🥰 🥊💕 #69 in #unrequited 😋😛😝 🥊💕 #92 in #tattoos 🥊💕 #18 in #badboylovestory 🥊💕 #1 & #2 in #adultthemes liComplete
The Art of Writing: How to Write Bestselling Novels
[New chapter posted every Friday] Would you like to learn how to draw your readers in with your blurb and your opening lines so that they feel they have to keep reading to find out what happens next? Would you like to learn how to craft characters who are so interesting and real that your readers would love to be them and can't help but go through the story with them? Would you like to learn how to craft sentences, paragraphs, and chapters that keep your readers enthralled? Would you like to learn how to prevent writer's block? The Art of Writing will teach you all of these skills and more--everything you need to write a bestseller. You've probably noticed that your first and second chapters have lots of reads, but the chapters after that have very few reads or votes. You can partially blame that on people clicking on the first chapter just to take a quick glance at it and maybe add it to their reading list. But that explanation only goes so far for most Wattpadders. The real reason is more likely that your story isn't written in such a way that really draws a readers in, almost forcing them to keep reading. But you can give your story that edge it needs to become great just by following a few easy guidelines and learning some key techniques for success. In fact, if you haven't already noticed, some of those techniques are being used in this description to give you just enough information about something you want in order to get you hooked. And your stories should do the same. Wattpad is full of writers who have great story ideas but very little training in the skills required to craft an amazing story that really sucks a person in. Which means we end up with endless stories that promise amazing plots but can't deliver on that promise. Not to worry, though. We're about to change all of that. So get ready to learn the skills you need to write a binge-worthy bestseller. ***NOTE: If there's a skill you'd like me to write a chapter about, just let me know***Complete
The Lycan's Origin Series: The 1st Lycan Alpha
KNOWN PREVIOUSLY AS HE RAPED ME...BECAUSE OF MATE PREVIEW: It's all but silent when it's over. I'm left alone in the woods. I don't have the strength to get up. So I curl into a ball, hugging my knees to my chest, sobbing, and yowling as I've never done before. Red hot blood seeps from between my thighs unto the leaves beneath me, taking my virtue along with it. A fowl reminder of the atrocious act just done to my once untouched body. In the very far distance, I hear a wolf howl into the night, the sound is haunting, sounding in as much agony as I am in. *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.* Rape, Blood, Secrets, a Cult, Rituals, Sacrifice, Betrayal, Death, and a Tragic Love Triangle is the recipe for a new species yet to be discovered. Will one girl be able to handle all thrown her way? Or will she let the darkness consume her into the monster she is foretold to become? *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.* WARNING: This book is Rated R for a reason, there are explicit sexual scenes, mature themes, and provocative language. There are also some difficult subjects I tackle in my book, so if you are not comfortable with these sorts of topics, I suggest you go no further than here. For all my past readers, welcome back!! To the new and improved version! Boy, do I have a rollercoaster of a journey for you to tag along on. Some names have been changed and the plot thickened, so get ready.Complete
Going Undercover With a Yikver
I need that promotion. So what if I have to pretend to be a whore? So what if I have to prance around in little clothing, go around flirting, and deal with dangerous men? It's all to take the Raven's down and get that damn promotion. Only problem is my partner... he's a Yeikver, an alien whose ancestors came to earth years ago seeking refuge and caused mayhem once they landed. If my parents knew, they'd chain me to their house to prevent me from going on with my assignment. It's a good thing I didn't tell them, then. Now I'm dancing in clubs, pretending to be a Yikver's whore, and coming closer to one than I have ever before in my entire life. And the crazy thing is... maybe Yeikver's aren't as bad as I was raised to believe. Maybe there really are two sides to every story. Well, here's mine... *Mature content* ... very mature.. Like, descriptive, omgggggg, ahhhhhh, mature... Enjoy! hehehe P.S I know the cover sucks, listen I tried. There's descriptions in the book, I hope you do a better job of picturing it than I did editing it lol Also, please keep in mind I wrote the first chunk of the story in one go and then edited it once before uploading. Then finished the rest in another go and once again, edited it once before uploading it. Take this story for what it is; a romance with alien smut lol. I feel like I tried to make it realistic and avoid silly grammar errors but its definitely no Nobel Prize haha. I thought adding the whole undercover spy aspect to the story would make it more interesting but surprise surprise... I'm not actually a spy! And I don't have a brain like one either lol. Unfortunately. But yeah, I tried and many readers seemed to enjoy the story so I'll tell myself it was decently written hahaComplete
The Standouts - A Critique Contest by PAULAPDX (Summer 2019 Edition)
🛑 - CLOSED until 2021. ***If you're interested in my critiques, you might want to check out my weekly newsletter for opportunities to get a personalized critique. https://paula.substack.com/p/coming-soon Does your work stand out in an overly-crowded landscape? Does your story & writing shine as far as: ★ - Concept ★ - Voice ★ - Storytelling The Standouts is a fun, but hopefully helpful contest that can give you a sense of whether your story resonates with someone who's got some experience under her belt. Great! But who are you to judge? Fair question. This is not to humble-brag, but I've been critiquing and have worked with story development for quite some time, and I've picked up a lot along the way. ☙ - As an Ambassador, I work on content projects. ☙ - If you look at my profile, you'll see everything I've published so far has managed to standout in one way or another, whether by leading me to become a Wattpad Star; or by winning a Watty (twice!); or by being picked as a Top 10 in major Wattpad contests (twice!); or being featured. All I'm saying is I'm no slouch. I'm not brilliant either. But I've got some experience around what can catch an agent, editor, or judge's eye, and I'd like to share that with the community. ☙ - In another lifetime, I used to work for HBO in Development and at ICM (the talent agency) in their writers' department which means I understand how professionals quickly gauge whether or not they'll take a closer look at a work and/or make an offer. This kind of insight can be helpful if you're planning to submit your work or even just want to stand out more here on Wattpad. ☙ - I used to provide critiques for three writers, all of them traditionally published. They seemed to value my insight. Read the RULES, LOGISTICS & PRIZES chapter for guidelines. All entries get a brief assessment of their first chapter, with winners getting more extensive critiques. Sound interesting? Give it a go! 😊Complete
Experiment
Not mature for the younger audiences. -------------------------------- I don't like explaining my books because when I do I tend to write out everything that happens, so I am just going to say that I come up with these horribly dark ideas and put them into books, of course these books may be sad, they may be horrible, and maybe even a bit sadistic, but in my mind they are badass, and I feel as if I should write them out. Of course they don't come out as I want them to but oh well you'll get the idea. I honestly think that they could be better but I had been told by my best friend that they are 'sadistically amazing' and that I should post them once they are finished, so meh. Yes, I know I happen to say this in each of my story descriptions but I truly do end up ruining the story if I write about it and I rather not go and spoil a book when I don't like it being done to me. There will be foul language, sexual content, some gay people, some stupidity, also some possible triggers, and most likely some grammar errors. So I'm just forewarning anyone that reads it. I also try to make each chapter 2000 words or more, I suppose if that isn't enough someone will eventually tell me so here you go. I get all of my pics from Google, so.... Hm hm Yeh. Also if by some chance someone does like my books and is inspired, at least message me before you steal the idea. Otherwise have fun and don't hate.Complete
RotG/GoC Fanfiction Writing Tips
If you've been looking for some writing advice specific to the RotG/GoC fandom and/or fanfiction in general, you're in luck! I rewrote my Wattpad guide from years ago to make it better. This guide includes information about things like centers, fandom-specific clichés, and titles and descriptions. *** All follows, votes, and comments are greatly appreciated. :) Critiques, constructive criticism, and reviews are also welcome and encouraged, as long as they aren't something purely hateful like "u suck". Take note of the word "constructive". I also posted this guide on DeviantArt and Quotev under accounts of the same username as the one I have on this website. Disclaimer: I don't own "Rise of the Guardians" (© DreamWorks Animation) or the Guardians of Childhood series (© William Joyce) that it was based off of.Complete
ɖɛċɛɨʋɛɖ
Not mature for the younger audiences. -------------------------------- I don't like explaining my books because when I do I tend to write everything that happens, so I am just going to say that I come up with these horribly dark ideas and put them into books, of course these books may be sad, and maybe even a bit sadistic, and in my mind they are badass, but when I write them down I don't feel as if I can show what I am truly imagining. I feel as if they suck, but my best friend tells me that they are amazing and that I better publish them when I finish so I did. Obviously. So eh. Yes, I know I happen to say this in each of my story descriptions but I truly do end up ruining the story if I write about it. There is foul language, sexual content, stupidity, and most likely some grammar errors, so I'm just forewarning anyone that reads it. I also try to make each chapter 2000 words or more, I suppose if that isn't enough someone will eventually tell me so here you go. ><><><><><><><><><><> Book 1- Deceived Book 2- Different Book 3- Ruthless There is another series that ties to this one, of course I don't name my series so I will just give the names of the books in order, but they should be read first, although it doesn't honestly matter as long as Ruthless is read last. Book 1- Broken Book 2- Forsaken Book 3- FallenComplete
Let's be blunt: Les Misérables is 1460 pages long. It drags on about subjects that are, for the most part, irrelevant to the story for chapters at a time. The physical book is actually the size of a brick. Have you been roped into reading this monster of a book for a class? Do you wish you could read the brick, but don't have the time or mental capacity or perseverance to do so? Do you want to read only the interesting parts but don't want to bother going through the whole thing to find them? Are you a fan of the musical/movie and am interested in seeing just how long they could have made it? Well, you're in luck, because I'm going to do all of that for you! I am spending my entire summer reading all of Les Misérables for both personal satisfaction and a class, so why not help others while I do so? As I battle my way through the brick, I will be writing short and, most likely, slightly sarcastic summaries of each chapter. I will try my best to include the important and interesting parts while hopefully adding a bit of humor that SparkNotes won't give you. I will update regularly, as I calculated it out and have to read about 20 pages a day to be done by the end of the summer, and also am going to use this as an easy way to skim back over chapters once I actually need this for my class. Enjoy! Edit: It turns out that Wattpad has a limit on how long your stories can be, so this is not all of Les Mis. I have a second and third book that contain the rest.
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