posted
This group has a loose organization for critiquing. Currently we are looking, as a group, at one chapter at a time from each member in the group. Depending on the specific draft we are working with each week will delineate the critique procedure we use. For example: The first three or so chapters were initial or early drafts. Those would be looked at with more highlighting of the story content, the character development, and reader interest. While a later draft may receive similar critiquing, we would expect those things to have been addressed; therefore would be practicing more editorial critiquing methods.
Authors here may present their first through final drafts for critiquing. Also, this group should provide a place to discuss issues and resolutions to various chapters, scenes, characters, and plots. These prospective dialogs should give to a much more creativity minded writing environment. As we solidify what we, as a group, want here I will amend this, or create a new group topic outlining our expectations.
Members in current chapter exchange rotation:
MartinV MikeL LDWriter2 Smiley axeminister History enigmatiuser bobbyshane
posted
If we are going to break into pairs or small groups then we should probably understand what the other person is writing about. If we share chapters and ideas with the whole group then all the more important to understand each others work.
Let me start by including my genre and a basic background to my storyline:
Science Fiction ~ My story has it's beginning in the year 2933 where advanced technology is suffering from malnourishment and psychic abilities, some powerful, are seen as a dangerous disease that needs to be quarantined or cured.
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I have a very typical fantasy setting, a city with lots of races and subspecies. I will include magic, necromancy and all the usual stuff. Doesn't sound very interesting, does it? That's because I took a typical setting and try to make it interesting with the characters and the story. Of course I've tweaked every detail I can think of and gave it my own touch.
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Is this the same function as the Novel Support Group (NSG)? Or does the NSG provide more than I've been using it for?
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I believe the purpose of this group is to function as a chapter exchange similar to the way the WoTF critique groups run by WriterDan.
The novel I'd like to use for this group is Symbiosis and is hard science fiction. It follows a combat surgeon- turned-cruise ship doctor whose cruise ship has been invaded by sentient symbiotic aliens. When he becomes host to one of them, he is given a choice that will shape the genetic future of mankind.
[This message has been edited by Osiris (edited December 24, 2010).]
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I think I've explained my novel a couple of times on a couple of threads but it's a Urban Fantasy with a half fey(all of the fairy critters) half human young woman who has a lot of emotional baggage but who in spite of it becomes a hero. She has pointed ears which she has to hide from the humans, can do some light magic, works with other half fey and is just trying to live her life when she is thrust into the lime light and Heroism. She experiences a romance even though she wasn't looking for such. This one is around 56 to 58 thousand words now but still growing.
Or there is a SF novel that is finished and still needs work even though I have revised at least two and a quarter times. This one might be YA or something close to YA. Is there another step before adult? Anyway, it takes place on another planet, one colonize mostly by refugees from a Star Nation ruled by a Dictator. The MC is searching for clues to the original landing when she accidently discovers someone else is searching for Nukes hidden on the planet and is planning on testing a couple of them on two cities for revenge. So it becomes a race to see if she and her helpers can stop the guy before he sets off the Nukes. This one is somewhere between 74 to 78 words long.
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited December 24, 2010).]
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PB&Jenny you would be welcome to crit only if that is what you would like to do. I wanted to start this group to help those of us just starting, or in my case - rewriting, a novel. We would work on chapters, characters, plots, and anything else that can make getting the work off the ground hard.
In a way this is like the WSG, but it differs by letting us start from ground zero. I know I am nearly there.
Here I would like to be able to collaberate whenever we want to, about any possible novel idea we have. Hopefully by doing all of this and working with each other closely, we will get the feedback we need and have the creative juices flowing as we put pen to paper.
This is my idea of this group, call us the CEBN, the BNSG, or some other cool acronym.
As the holidays can take our attention, I don't expect us to jump in right away. For the next week or so, let's solidify all of those ready to participate.
On monday 12/27/2010, I plan to email everyone listed up top, and anyone else that want's to join us. We can get a general idea of how and when we all want to start sending parts or ideas of our works.
[This message has been edited by MikeL (edited December 24, 2010).]
posted
I'd like to take part in this as well. The novel I'd like to use is Elements of Rebellion. I've always considered it fantasy, but I've been told by one reader that the market is more in the romance genre. The relationship is very significant to the story, though I don't feel that the story is a romance. One of the aspects I am looking for input on is how to push it back more towards the fantasy end of the spectrum. There's magic, a rebellion plot, significant violence, adult situations (though nothing graphic) and world specific swearing. Currently 65k words, though I'm contemplating adding two more chapters.
Sindari is a slave embroiled in a scheme to free her people from the empire that subjugated her culture, relying on cunning and a newly discovered ability to control elemental energy.
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Okay, I think I'll go back to the Time Hunter idea. I sort of hit a wall with that one. I would really like to get that one rolling. I'm toying with the idea of making it Steampunk. *help* Or not.
quote:Time Hunter Nick Stone is a tracker for hire. He is brought on board by the only authorized time travel agency in the world because, before regulation, it caused too many rifts and paradox problems. Nick brings in unregulated users - criminals, and collects a healthy reward for each. He learns too late that other forces are manipulating events throughout time and more and more 'criminals' are disappearing from their lock-down cells.
He and his friends, Doctor Matisse, who perfected time travel, and the beautiful double agent, Precious McCorison, are being hunted themselves by the very criminals they put behind bars. Running out of time and options to return everything back to 'their' normal, or as close to it as possible, they have to choose between giving up entirely or joining the very people causing the problems in the first place, before their very existence is forever erased.
without reading the novel or any parts of it yet you might try removing a couple of the "they looked dreamingly into each other's eyes" type of scenes.
The novel I am submitting for this chapter exchange has romance, most UF seems to have some romance even though mine was not planned, but I'm pretty sure it's not the main emphasis so the novel would not be considered Romance UF even though I may need a second opinion on that now that you mentioned your problem and I may not to cut something out if that is the case.
Outside of the paragraph long sentence I had thought about saying it's your book you decide what it is but there's the question of what an agent and/or editor would think it is. That I may not be able to say even if I read the whole book even though I could give it a try.
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I think it's a case of a plot thread that got away from me and I'd like to get it back where I always thought it should be. I didn't even really notice it until the reader pointed it out to me. When I went back through the revision I said to myself, "Ya, that's not where I wanted it to be." I have removed a lot of what was too much, but specifically I'd like advice on what else could be stripped.
The relationship is very important to the overall plot, there's no getting away from that and I wouldn't want it to. I'd just rather have it be a fantasy with romantic elements than a romance with fantasy elements, ya know?
posted
I wonder if anyone would be willing to do a partial exchange with me? I'm thinking 25 - 50 pages only.
I'm not sure if the intention is to find a partner for their entire book or not. It may be a while before I finish and I'd love to just do a few chapter's swap.
This is for my crime/psychological thriller novel.
Axe
[This message has been edited by axeminister (edited December 27, 2010).]
posted
It is called chapter exchange. I am here under the impression that we will be exchanging chapters.
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posted
Yeah I think that was the original idea but a couple of us started talking about the whole book anyway. But some of that will be ironed out in single chapters I think.
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coralm If you have removed some of it than it could be okay. Some romance isn't bad after all. That happens in the best of books by top writers. Posts: 5289 | Registered: Jun 2010
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My father is a huge sci-fi fan and he is always telling me I should put more romance in my stories lol.
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posted
Speaking of chapter exchange, I have the first chapter of my fantasy story prepared. Not the final version, of course, just something that I'm not completely ashamed to show people.
It's seven pages (20 if I use Standard Manuscript Format). Let me know if Times New Roman is OK or if you want me to use SMF.
Also, I posted the query for this story in the query challenge if you want to know the basic layout.
[This message has been edited by MartinV (edited December 28, 2010).]
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I have no problem with times new roman, I prefer the font myself. I usually use the doc format as well, if anyone can't use it or convert to read please let us know.
[This message has been edited by MikeL (edited December 30, 2010).]
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Martin you will be receiving mine later tonight, maybe tomorrow. We're taking down Christmas Decorations and that's eating into my writing time. This is the second time some of you will see this. Posts: 5289 | Registered: Jun 2010
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I think we are all the same here and in the emails, unless I am completely blind...
LOL PB&Jenny, I hope it delivers. Your comment really made me smile and get all excited. I feel like the kid ready to show off for his friends. I don't know if I was able to pull all the emotion I intended in one short prologue without going too far, so please let me know.
[This message has been edited by MikeL (edited January 10, 2011).]
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Just so you guys know, I'm changing my username to Smiley. You'll be seeing me use that name shortly. Posts: 365 | Registered: Aug 2010
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Okay, I'm officially on as Smiley. Got a change in my work schedule so I have more time than I thought this week. Yay!
Posts: 195 | Registered: Jan 2011
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BTW I think I am going to make it a part of another chapter early in the book. I have talked with a few people and based on one of the critiques I have already recieved, I see it needful.
My prologue, nightmare, doesn't flow quite right with the rest of the story. It is also extremely rough; I knew it needed a lot of work. Keep in mind, this is my first novel, and with it comes a huge learning curve for me to tackle. Right now I don't know what I don't know, but I know that I don't know a lot.
[This message has been edited by MikeL (edited January 16, 2011).]
quote: Right now I don't know what I don't know, but I know that I don't know a lot
That is precisely why it is hard for newbies to revise their own stories.
And it's a lesson I am still learning. I keep thinking I have learned enough to know something, to recognize what I need to know. But so far that hasn't worked out.
But that's one reason for these writing circle sites and why we read books written by pros and why we practice, practice, and practice and of course practice.
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No, I don't think you're too late at all. You'll just be at the end of the queue. Uhm... right, MikeL? I think you'll even us out. Posts: 195 | Registered: Jan 2011
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Nope, not too late. You just missed the first three chapters since we started. I will send your email out to everyone in the group so that you get the next chapter to critique. Posts: 154 | Registered: Jun 2010
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I have not participated to date because of the criteria stated in the Original Post for "those of us just starting or in the beginning stages of a novel."
As some of you are aware, I completed my first novel last August during my convalescence after cornoary stenting, and I appreciate the critique by Forum Members of the first 13 lines. I believe the first chapter(s) is (are) the weakest and would benefit from critique, if permissible in this Chapter Exchange Group or, if not, by anyone with interest.
posted
Things here seem to be going okay, got three crits for my chapter and this week's chapter. Not that all of the crits came today. The next one sounds awfully familiar even though I have never read it. But that's what I get for reading the first 13 lines of some novels and the query for others. Not that I have been reading the first 13 lines in the last two to four weeks I'm afraid.
Now I have five crits.
But History, since no one has responded I would say it seems like you can hook up at the tail end, someone just did that.
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited January 24, 2011).]
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited January 24, 2011).]
posted
Thank you, Mike. Tell me what I need do to participate?
I do not find exact criteria of conduct in the proceding posts. What sort of critique is desired? 1) Proofreading only 2) Personal feedback on story flow and if the author maintains my interest; identifying any points of confusion. 3) Editorial critique (word/sentence/paragraph structure). Etc.
Thread members who wish me to critique their chapter(s) [is there a page limit?] can email me. I have some time next week to do so. Tell me what sort of critique you desire.
If anyone wishes to read and critique a chapter(s) of mine, just let me know. Here's a forschbise (appetizer):
The Kabblist: The Foundation of the Kingdom is an urban fantasy novel set in the narrow streets, alley bars, mansions, and subway tunnels of Boston and incorporates the mystical traditions and folklore of Judaism, Christianity, and Germanic paganism. It is also a Kabbalistic mystery, and liberally seasoned with Judaic themes, aphorisms, and angst.
There is a demon loose in Boston, and Rabbi Cane has to stop him. As the body count rises, his friends, his enemies, and the police are saying it's his fault.
posted
I've had the flu for nearly a week... Now I've got strep throat. I'm pretty miserable. I'll get your crit over to you LD, it's just gonna be a little late. =(
posted
This group has a loose organization for critiquing. Currently we are looking, as a group, at one chapter at a time from each member in the group. Depending on the specific draft we are working with each week will delineate the critique procedure we use. For example: The first three or so chapters were initial or early drafts. Those would be looked at with more highlighting of the story content, the character development, and reader interest. While a later draft may receive similar critiquing, we would expect those things to have been addressed; therefore would be practicing more editorial critiquing methods.
Authors here may present their first through final drafts for critiquing. Also, this group should provide a place to discuss issues and resolutions to various chapters, scenes, characters, and plots. These prospective dialogs should give to a much more creativity minded writing environment. As we solidify what we, as a group, want here I will amend this, or create a new group topic outlining our expectations.
Currently there is no limit imposed restricting chapter length. I would suggest that if a chapter is over 25 pages long it may need divided into separate chapters.
P.S. I like the term Writers Chapter Exchange or W.C.E for this group. Would any be opposed to renaming?
[This message has been edited by MikeL (edited January 25, 2011).]
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That's because I took a typical setting and try to make it interesting with the characters and the story. Of course I've tweaked every detail I can think of and gave it my own touch.
