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Wednesday, August 10, 2016

August Secret Agent: Critique Guidelines

Guidelines for Critique on MSFV:
  • Please leave your critique for each entry in the comment box for that entry.
  • Please choose a screen name to sign your comments. The screen name DOES NOT have to be your real name; however, it needs to be an identifiable name.  ("Anonymous" is not a name.)
  • Critiques should be honest but kind, helpful but sensitive.
  • Critiques that attack the writer or are couched in unkind words will be deleted.*
  • Cheerleading IS NOT THE SAME as critiquing.  Please don't cheerlead.
  • Having said that, it is perfectly acceptable to say positive things about an entry that you feel is strong.  To make these positive comments more helpful, say why it's a strong entry.
  • ENTRANTS: As your way of "giving back", please critique a minimum of 5 other entries.

*I can't possibly read every comment.  If you ever see a comment that is truly snarky, please email me.  I count on your help.

9 comments:

  1. How long does the critique round last? What next? First timer here. :D

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  2. Welcome! Your screen name has definitely been making itself known in my inbox. :)

    Winners will be announced Monday, so you can keep critting right up until then if you'd like.

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  3. I will definitely do my best to be helpful and positive.

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  4. Is it appropriate to comment on comments of our piece? Or wait until it's all over and then comment and give our thank yous?

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    1. Anon, I always encourage writers to simply sit on their hands and never comment. There's no reason to explain or justify; the critters aren't asking questions for their sake, but for yours, to get you thinking about your writing. And trust me--you don't want to come off as a writer who feels the need to justify his writing!

      Of course you can say thank you -- many do -- but, truly, most folks will never see that, because it's doubtful folks are marking these posts for notifications. Critters tend to crit and move on. It's never wrong to express thankfulness, though, regardless of who sees it. (I'll see it, at any rate -- lol!)

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  5. I've been learning by just reading the comments on all the entries.

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  6. I must say, this has been a wonderfully useful experience thus far. And I am so glad that someone asked what we do and what happens next. As a first timer myself, I was rather unsure, and somewhat embarrassed to ask.

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