Zyn's Crit Tips - Part I - Reviewing Long Drafts / Discussion

This is the discussion related to the wiki page Zyn's Crit Tips - Part I - Reviewing Long Drafts.

Zyn 14 Dec 2018 05:55

Thanks to taylor_itkin does not match any existing user name, fieldstone, and Captain Kirby for reading through this during the editing stage!

General disclaimer: feel free to revamp and remix these tips for your own critique style! I just wrote this up since I often read a lot of longer drafts that not a lot of people might want to review, and the way I stay sane approach that is by giving myself a few things to focus on for each draft, whether I'm really invested in reading something I like or quick skimming something that doesn't totally grab me. It works for me, might not work for everyone.

This is Part I of a… idk how many part series of forum Crit Tips from me. Given the recent holiday inundation of new writers and the upcoming contest, the forums are going to be busier than ever. I hope this page will be helpful to those just starting to try reviewing, and to authors receiving reviews written using this page as a reference! Feel free to let me know if anything here needs improving or clarifying!

I hope to have Part II out tomorrow. It will cover reviewing drafts that need lots of fixes.

Last edited on 14 Dec 2018 15:17 by Zyn Show more

7ballcraze 14 Dec 2018 13:49

I read it just now. Does that count?

Zyn 14 Dec 2018 15:19

Does that count?

For a mention in the earlier post? Nope! :P

Last edited on 14 Dec 2018 17:24 by Zyn Show more

Reverend Fox 14 Dec 2018 21:07

I have a couple of long drafts that I've put aside indefinitely. If you would like examples of long drafts, I'd gladly hand them over.

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"Sometimes you can approach feedback with a scalpel, sometimes only the sledgehammer approach will make your point clear."
~ Zyn - Forum Crit Team Captain @ The SCP Foundation

Zyn 15 Dec 2018 08:55

I'll consider it! For awhile I've been wanting to do a sort of play-by-play on how I write a standard forum crit.

One of the hardest parts of writing this page was generating those example critiques, since I didn't actually have a piece to critique and I had to make up the errors I was "commenting" on. :P

Reverend Fox 15 Dec 2018 09:03

I completely understand. It's a little difficult pulling something out of the aether just to pick apart.

If you decide to use them, they're over here.

… I had to make up the errors I was "commenting" on.

Always sucks knowing exactly what's around the corner. It's like DMing a pre-written module. You read the module to prep your session, but then all the surprises are gone.

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"Sometimes you can approach feedback with a scalpel, sometimes only the sledgehammer approach will make your point clear."
~ Zyn - Forum Crit Team Captain @ The SCP Foundation

Mikaelious 01 Nov 2020 21:23

Not only was this really helpful to me (I like reviewing people's ideas sometimes), but now I also want to see MC&D's customized rubber ducks.

All hail Duck of Immense Darkduckness.

Zyn 02 Nov 2020 07:18

I'm glad that the page was helpful and that you enjoyed the little example critiques!