Things to Keep in Mind

 

From Holly Lisle's website (www.hollylisle.com)


Giving A Crit

Critique the writing, never the writer.

Never say, "You are..." or "You should..."

Instead say, "The writing is..." or "The story should..."

Find what is right in each piece as well as what is wrong.

Critique the story as it is, not the way you would write it.

Remember that subject matter is personal. You don't have to like a project to give it a fair critique.

Remember what your biases are and critique around them.

Remember that real people wrote this stuff, and real people have real feelings.

Things you may not say while critiquing.

"That's awful."

"That's stupid."

"You couldn't write your way out of a paper bag."

Receiving A Crit

Read your critiques carefully. The person who has written them has taken the time to study your project, and wants to help you find ways to make it better.

Explain only if necessary. Don't rebut.

Be willing to make changes. (It's great practice for working with editors). Conversely, don't change anything you feel must remain in order to make the story yours.

If you are here, I assume and your fellow students assume that you serious about learning to improve your work, whether you want to be published or not. Don't join if you are not interested in participating.

Things you may not say when being critiqued.

"You're wrong."

"You're an idiot."

"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries."

Note: Okay, maybe that last one. ;) -Lori

 

Edit Demon Format

 

*We will critique two submissions per meeting. These submissions will be sent to CapeCodNaNo@yahoogroups.com as an rtf file attachment, at least five days before the next meeting.

*Submitters will be chosen either at the close of the meeting or online, via the Edit Demon Google+ group.

*Submissions should be around 10 pages or less, but we would prefer an entire chapter to a partial offering due to length requirements.

*During critique time, authors are asked to nod and smile unless asked a question or clarifying something in their submission. This will be a time and sanity saver. Take what you want from the critiques and toss the rest. In the end of the day, it's your story.

*We will take turns critiquing a submission. When someone has the floor, please do not interrupt but rather make a note to share when it's your turn. If your turn has passed, we will allow for final thoughts at the end of the submission. Please come prepared to share quickly and concisely and always include the praise as well as the criticism. Once again, see the key word.

*Every meeting will have a leader. If Lori is not able to be there, she will ask another to lead the meeting. Please be respectful to that leadership. She/he is there to keep people on task and on time. Play nice.

*Have fun! This is a great opportunity for our group of writing friends to help each other as we all grow in our skills. NaNo has brought us together based on our love of writing. This is a natural extension of that love and should be a (wait for it) ENCOURAGEMENT to us all.

Note: I reserve the right to make changes and adjustments as needed, 'cause I'm bossy like that. -Lori

 

Edit Demon Guidelines

*Encouragement is our key word. We must be committed to improvement in the art and craft of writing, while always encouraging the love of writing.

*We ask for a commitment to either check in online or attend the meeting, whether or not your submission is being reviewed. If we become back logged, priority will be given to regular attendees over drop ins (although all are welcome).

*We are all expected to give and receive honest, constructive feedback in a respectful and supportive manner. When in doubt, remember the key word. Or refer to Will Wheaton's Law. That works too.

*We recognize that we are a diverse group and will critique the work rather than the author, style, or genre. We all have our own preferences and biases and should keep those in mind as we critique. As we are all at different experience levels, we will critique based on the experience of the author submitting while remembering the key word.

*Some members may be under 18 or prefer not to read certain genres. If you are submitting something that may not be appropriate for all (erotica, horror, etc.), please identify this clearly. No one will be asked to read or critique something with which they are uncomfortable and we will refrain from commenting on others personal preferences in this matter.

*Non-submitting members are welcome to attend and/or participate but will be expected to abide by these guidelines as well. Remember that key word I keep mentioning? Yeah, that applies to all. ;)