Analyzing Reviews

(Note: This entry does NOT deal with flames.)

Chao- We are pretty happy when we receive reviews for our stories, aren't we? We like reading that people have enjoyed what we wrote, saying they cannot wait for the next section to be up. It's nice to have such encouragement, right? But what if we get reviews that are the opposite? What about the people who wrote that they were unhappy with the plot, characters, or a part of the story?

YChao- You get their address and burn their place to the ground!

Agent Daisy- (prepares torches)

Chao- .... Or instead the writers can evaluate what has been written...

Ask yourself these questions:

• Is there any truth behind their words?
• Do those who are giving me advice credible?
• What is their tone?
• "Respect the reviewers. Not all reviews will strictly praise the work. If someone rightfully criticizes a portion of the writing, take it as a compliment that the reviewer has opted to spend his/her valuable time to help improve your writing." (FF.net)

Chao- Sometimes we just want to hear things that are good. But we can't just read reviews that praise our work. The people who write reviews may not want to hurt our feelings as well. Many of them even say they're offering constructive criticism, something we all need.

Remember!: Your story can't and won't please everyone. Your story is written for at least one person: Yourself. But if you place up your story that allows comments, be prepared for both praise and criticism.

Chao- Even some great authors and stories, like Harry Potter and Dragon Ball Z, aren't liked by everyone, ignoring political and religious reasons for the former. If you are interested in improving your work, examine the advice your reviewers gave to you. You should also consider the voice of a majority of what you're receiving. If you need help handling all this, here are some websites you may want to consider reading.

Tips for Handling Criticism

Handling Criticism and Praise

Deal Criticism

What to Do When You Get Panned Handling a Negative Review

Chao- This is just a suggestion. You are always free to write your story however you want. But if you place your work in the open for people to read, don't expect all reviews to be sunshine and glitter.

Revisions

Chao- After spending a lot of time working on a chapter or a one shot, you are prepared to hit submit. And after you do, you get a few reviews. Some say they liked it, but some point out a few errors, like spelling, misusing words, or forgotten punctuation marks. Others say they got lost in long paragraphs or are confused between dialogue and narration. What happened?

Readers for this blog who write- We dunno! We placed in our hearts like any other writer would! Don't the reviewers know that we took time to write this out?!

Chao- Well, did you go over your work before submitting?

Readers- (procrastinate answering questions)

Chao- No? There are different ways to correcting your own work: Reading your work sentence by sentence, word by word; printing out your work since your eyes will see it differently on paper as oppose to a screen; or even ask for someone to look at it. Here are a few articles you can look at for other ideas.

Revise, Revise Again: Seven Steps to Flawless Work

How To Self Edit

Word Count

Chao- Have you turned in an essay for school and when you go it back there were markings for misspelled words or forgotten punctuations? Sometimes the computer does not have everything that you have typed registered. Other times it's because we think at a faster rate from what we type, and we believe the paper will resemble exactly what we thought.

Chao- Revisions are an important step in the writing process like brainstorming and first drafts. But they must be taken in separate times. If you rush your work, you can easily overlook some mistakes. You will know what your story is saying, but someone reading the story for the first time will not.

Try a New Writing Genre

Chao- So a lot of us are already familiar with fiction and fan fiction, using characters from an existing program, like cartoons, books, movies, and writing these characters in situations that do not relate to the program. But a lot of us have giant textbooks or take mandatory classes were we read original works in different genres, plays, auto/biographies, poetry, etc. So why not try and branch out for something different? Why not give writing in a new writing genre a try? They can be used for fan fics or original work. They may also spark something new.


Write A Script (wikiHow)

How to Write Creative Non-fiction (Yahoo!)

Writing Creative Nonfiction

How to Write Creative Nonfiction (eHow)

How to Write a Non-fiction Story (eHow)

Write A Poem (wikiHow)


Chao- Note the rules for a place in which you are thinking about publishing a story before you do it. For example, FF.net and FP.com don't allow scripts in their websites, probably because so many users were uploading stories that were just chat speak rather than a creative play script or screenwriting. But you can always try literacy magazines, deviantART.com, public library magazines, and even your own blog or private diaries. You may just find a new genre to enjoy.

Updates for May

Chao- It's kinda interesting that a year from now Chao will hopefully be graduating with a degree in English and a Writing Certificate. But until then, Chao will be working on fan fics. Let's us review what may be coming and what has been already been promised.

Yu-Gi-Oh!: "Offspring of Heroes" and "Where I Belong" have a few rough drafts of future chapters.

Chao- The promised chapter stories are the sequel to "Present with You Always" while completing "Offspring of Heroes" and "Where I Belong". The promised one shots are "The Vow", a sequel to "Social Obligations", and another somewhat spin-off to "Comfort Objects".

Phineas and Ferb: No current new at this time.

Chao- The promised chapter stories include "The Mysterious Book" and "The Value of a Smile". Perhaps a few ideas for one shots can be morphed into chapters for "The Mysterious Book". This author/blogger would also like to make time to write another chapter fic written in first person.

Cats Don't Dance: No current new at this time.

Chao- The promised chapter story is one that will hopefully be about 10 chapters. There are two or three one shots that can hopefully be submitted.

xxx

Chao- Hmm... This is going to be a challenge. Fan fics have been like drugs, and one way to get off of them is to slowly pull back on them. Chao would like to work on other fics, but it's important to get these ones done before graduation. These ones are on the priority list, and maybe there will be time to publish other ideas. Time to get started now that summer is here!

Editing -- More Than Just Reading -- A Personal Story

Chao- Finding time to read so much Work in Progress (WIP) sure is a big job. Chao always tries to leave good reviews in the writing club while coming up with good arguments about whether or not we want to accept a piece for the literacy magazine class. And for fan fics, Chao has always tried to leave a good review of something positive and constructive criticism. And that's why sometimes when Chao reads a story it will take time to leave a good review; Chao wants to make sure all thoughts and ideas are included since FF.net hadn't placed in an editing review feature.

YChao- It may come around. They used to expose people's emails when people left a guest review. Now they placed an icon for a reply realizing that people's emails were exposed to the Internet world.

Chao- Anyway, Chao is gonna try and get the same class for the literacy magazine next semester since it's good experience for editing. If so, then Chao could get a title of Senior Editor for this campus magazine! Yay!

Agent Daisy- (blows a party noisemaker) (shakes a party rattle)

Chao- Spending even just this semester in a literacy magazine class and a writing club sure has taught Chao a lot about writing and editing. It's good to hear other people's opinions on a single piece of work. There's so many debates between what works and what could use improvements in addition to people's preferences from the author's perspective.

YChao- I can understand debates for a magazine, but what is this "people's preferences"?

Chao- Some editors or members of writing clubs try and gear a story more in their direction rather than the original author. Editors must be careful not to take away the author's voice; it's kinda disrespectful.

Agent Daisy- (points to published stories for magazine)

Chao- Yeah, it was fun working on the stories we finally accepted. What was interesting was that one of the authors gave the OK to make any changes we wanted for his work due to him having medical reasons.

YChao- And?

Chao- And... it was a little shocking. Chao doesn't want to change an entire work! All authors deserve to have their voice (literacy term)!

YChao- Is this really how you're gonna act while being a professional editor?

Agent Daisy- (goes online to make an appointment with psychiatrist)

Chao- Well...

YChao- See if you get hired anywhere.

Chao- Ok, ok. Chao is still in school, learning and stuff, both for academic credit and personal growth. That's one semester down, and hopefully two left to go.

Agent Daisy- (places on party hat)

Chao- Oh, yeah, there was an awesome party for the celebration of the end of the semester for the literacy magazine! Chao even got a certificate! It said Chao was an editor! Chao is so happy!

Agent Daisy- (blows a party noisemaker) (shakes a party rattle)

YChao- I guess I'll have to wait and see what new mistakes you'll make.

Chao- Best to make 'em now and learn from them! And there's always that expression of if you do something you love then you'll never work a day in your life. Yep, some people change majors as they move along their college career, but editing is something Chao can see in the future.