Just a short note on leaving comments.

[Madhatterat60]

FIRST: If your skin is thin and any negative comments made about your writing also feels like sacrificing your first born, this may not be the place for you. As a professional author, I understand what that can be like for those just starting out. I've passed that phase and need TRUE and HONEST OBJECTIVE opinions.

SECOND: If you weren't a better-than-average reader, you wouldn't be here. SO...keeping that in mind, when you read a piece here, please note those places that you stopped reading, for whatever reason. Those generally indicate problems the author needs to address.

THIRD: Don't be afraid to pass on a piece. I rarely comment on poetry (though I've been known to write some.) NOTHING in literature comes closer to the heart than a person's poems. I don't comment on mystery because I don't understand the mechanics and formulea of the genre. SO, don't be afraid to pass.

COMMENTS and FEEDBACK: The only way we can improve what we write is for others to speak to us about what they liked...and didn't like.
1) Keep your comments FOCUSED. Talk about the writing...not about the author.
2) Tell the author what worked for you, what you enjoyed reading most in the piece.
3) Don't be afraid to tell the author what didn't work. And you can start it out just that way...
"John killing Abe on page two didn't work for me because....."
4) As writers, we're prone (on occasion) to omit the obvious. Or to include something that really destroys the piece. POINT THOSE OUT. "Where did the smoking gun come from all of the sudden?" "On page 2, his name was Bill....now, on page 7, his name is Hank...which is it?"

FINALLY...ENJOY!

[Faye Greener]

Thanks for the tips. It's nice to have guidance.