I just figured out that I sent out an incomplete chapter one. Anyone want to crit the rest of it? The new section is 1850 words long. My mistake so I will understand if you are all busy.
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited January 27, 2011).]
quote:I just figured out that I sent out an incomplete chapter one.
It felt whole to me.
No offense, LDWriter2, but it seems to me like you need some serious improvement in management. I saw at least two similar 'oopses' last week. If you sent your queries or partials the same way, no agent or editor will take you seriously. Just trying to help.
[This message has been edited by MartinV (edited January 27, 2011).]
Not sure if this is still the place for this but yeah, I do at times forget things I want to include but in this case there's a reason. I did this novel with NaNoWrMo. I worked on it at work and at home. So I had to transfer the stuff done at work to my main computer. I ended up with a bunch of chapter parts... chapter one A, chapter one B, chapter three A and so on. I have twenty plus parts. At the end I put all the parts together and evidently skipped one for chapter one. I found that out when I started on redoing chapter two. Good thing I saved the parts.
Someone said something about doing more than one chapter, so are we going to do the next chapters..two, three so on? Or is that another version of the one we sent in.
And I assume that is after everyone is done with their first chapter.
posted
Well, I figured that we could send whatever part we needed help on next. I don't sugges jumping to the final chapter before allowing us to read the rest, but if you need the first or other chapters re-evaluated then by all means send it again.
Posts: 154 | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
When my turn is up again, I was planning to send the second chapter of my upcoming novel, then the third and so on.
Posts: 1271 | Registered: May 2007
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May I suggest something I learned from Forum Member Matt Leo?
Matt instructed me on the way he critiques a manuscript, and I have found this very enlightening:
"I look at manuscripts on three scales: the micro (basic high school composition: word choices, grammar, usage, paragraph flow); the macro (plot, characterization and theme, world); and finally the meso-scale (atmosphere and mood; setting; pacing; story flow; rhythm)."
I find that these need be mastered sequentially; that is, unless the "micro" is near perfect, the reader/editor will not be able to appreciate or as effectively critique the "macro" or the "meso."
I would not presume to send anyone a chapter I have not spell-checked or re-read for grammatical errors and poorly worded sentences, etc.
I very much would welcome suggestions in improving the structure of a sentence; however, my hope would be that the majority of my manuscript would be free of "micro"-errors, and you could focus on story flow and characterization improvements.
I'm only on my second of two critiques for our WCE Group, but would it be inappropriate to suggest that the participating authors perform a first revision of their chapter for "micro" errors (spelling, etc.) before submitting it for critique? This will allow more time to focus on the substantive aspects of the story and story flow.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
[This message has been edited by History (edited January 30, 2011).]
I believe my texts have few spelling errors since I am rather perfectionist. What I lack is experience with English grammar. A sentence might sound sane to me but given to an English-speaking person they would find it completely ridiculous. This considered, I am not above being told what grammar mistakes I'm making. I imagine that in this particular piece my primary mistakes are tense and clause. I am still experimenting with English, trying things out, using the old trial and error way of learning. So if you find a mistake that is constantly appearing, do mark it and tell what I'm doing wrong.
I am just sharing Matt Leo's method of manuscript critique for WCE participants to consider.
My suggestion regarding doing the best each of us can on the "micro" (spelling, etc.) before we forward a chapter for critique will permit a more efficient and effective use of each reviewer's time--allow us to get to the macro/meso meat of the manuscript.
Respectfully, Dr. Bob
P.S. I just finished your chapter and sent it back to you. Thank you for the opportunity to read and comment upon it.
posted
I apologize for not getting your critique back to you Coral, I had a major computer issue and had to restore my hard drive from back up. It took two days to restore 1.5 TB and I ended up losing the critique I had for you - it was done after the back up processed. I will try to get it done again and back to you soon.
[This message has been edited by MikeL (edited February 01, 2011).]
posted
My chapter went out last week, but I'd be happy to sent it out to you individually, Dr. Bob. Let me know if you want to see it. We haven't got this week's chapter yet...
[This message has been edited by coralm (edited February 03, 2011).]
posted
Considering that this week in nearly over, I propose this week a chance to catch up our reading and continue with the next in line as originally intended. I'm sure Smiley has his reasons but it would be pointless to haggle about that.
Posts: 1271 | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Okay after axeminister, there should be two more, Then do we start over or end it? I won't mind continuing.
But This, and the other groups and/ or challenges will be all I will be doing on hatrack for the next one to four weeks. I need to sacrifice something to get the chapters revised I want redone and the story for Q2 of WotF done... not to mention the inhuman challenge.
posted
I'm cool with continuing if Mike wants to keep his watchful eye over us.
10 - 15 pages a week to crit is good. Actually, it's really good because it keeps the crit muscles going at all times. Along with a deadline. (Practice for later on )
Besides, I want to see where these stories are going.
The only thing I'd like to request of the group is to please include your original chapter when you send chapter two. After a two month loop, I'd like to scan the previous before reading on.
And if you've edited the original based on feedback - even better.
Are there any late comers who didn't get my first chapter and would want to read it (Arena)? Because when it's my turn I will send chapter 2 and it won't make much sense if you havent' read chapter 1.
[This message has been edited by MartinV (edited February 06, 2011).]
posted
What do you think about including the previous chapter(s) and maybe put a blank page or something where the old one stopped and the new one takes over?
This way we can get reminded and check out any changes that may have been done.
posted
I would be okay with the previous chapter being included again but I don't think we need a a whole blank page. Just make sure there's like a quarter to half a page skip and the new chapter says Chapter two.
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posted
I didn't improve my first chapter. I read all the critiques but I'm continuing editing the rest of the novel. I will return to revise chapter 1 when the rest are done.
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posted
I'm interested in joining the group... would that be possible?
Also have you guys thought about maybe using google docs and sharing documents instead of emailing back and forth... that would probably help with needing to go back and look at old chapters, etc. Plus you can edit on there... I'm not sure if you can add notes but you might be able to.
posted
Well, if I can join that's exactly what I was going to send considering it's my only novel, it's not like I have a lot of choice, hehe.
And Google docs does have the typical "Insert->Comment" and it actually put's the person's name of who's commenting with the comment and etc. It seems like it would be pretty sweet for exchanging work and etc. Only thing is you have to have a google account though. But its free and very useful. Here's a list of the features available in google docs: http://www.google.com/google-d-s/whatsnew.html
I am sorry, but I won't be able to critique anything for a bit. I will still keep this forum up to date and keep an eye on the emails, but I can't participate as much for a few weeks. I have some family issues including serious illness, which must take precedence for the next few weeks.
Again, I will still keep the forum up to date with any changes in membership etc...
Pardon me for putting this here but for all those who read my First chapter for Bright Lights. I am thinking of changing the first name of my MC. Now it's Kerry Bedrosian. but I have thought about giving it some type of uniqueness. So I thought of Sierra like the mountains or Mauve like the color. I choose the color because it's close to her mother's real name.
I not only like the uniqueness of either name but the Character I sort of, kinda, in a way based her on is called October Daye. So the new name would kinda of go along with that type of name and it would sort of, kinda of, in a way be a tribute to the Daye.
posted
Maude is a name. There was a sitcom with that name a while back.
But Mauve is a color. If Seanan McGuire can name her character after a month I can name mine after a color. Of course to really adopt the same type of name I would need a different last name. Something that goes with the color. But that would be true for Sierra too but the last name would have to do with mountains. Sierra Lake maybe or Trail or something with an old fashion spelling.
But I still haven't made up my mind. I do want something more unique than I have though.
posted
Have you thought of the name Sienna? I have a friend who named her daughter that. I thought it was a cool name.
Posts: 195 | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
I could see it going either way, though I've not had a chance to read your work yet, but women's names often (fittingly so) have feminine quality which is usually linked to ideas like grace, beauty, etc...and often to subcatagories like color. So I don't see why Mauve would be too unusual. I mean Jade is a name. Lily. Rose. Summer? Honeysuckle =)
Mauve sounds good to me. I think of a person with a sobriety about them, it feels a bit weightier than Sierra which sounds slightly flighty to me (which is odd because the Sierra mountains are not flighty).