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Discussion: Discuss This Side of Normal
I'm so glad you contribute to this site, Cloister. I think the advice you give in your reviews is right on. I just read your comments on This Side of Normal. It's so great of you to take the time to give such thorough reviews and to encourage promising and talented writers.
Jan's active submissions:
STALKING YOLANDA (revised),
How to Get a Life
Edevine,
If I could go back and change my review, I would award you higher points. Lesson learned and here by passed on to the Long Tale community: Never read an excerpt and review it late in the day when you're tired and bleary-eyed. It's not fair to the author!
When I read it again the following day, I had an entirely different experience. (I just wanted you to know.) You are extremely talented. I expect in the next few years, you'll be quitting your day job; although I'll bet you're a topnotch teacher; and it would be a great loss. I suppose though that you would touch just as many young people through your writing. Even if it should take some time for This Side of Normal to become published, don't stop writing. Start a second novel immediately and then a third if necessary. Just don't stop writing! Show spoiler
Jan's active submissions:
STALKING YOLANDA (revised),
How to Get a Life
I would, too. Give it more points, I mean. I just plum forgot to fill in that box, and just about kicked myself when I remembered about it a millisecond after I clicked the "submit" button.
D'oh!
Admins: is there any way you can take 10 of my points and give them to This Side of Normal post-facto? It really deserves them.
Sign up for National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org starting October 1!
Cloister's active submissions:
The Fallen
Folks, if you haven't read this submission yet, drop whatever you are doing, put on your reading glasses, and take a look. When you do your review, don't forget top give it a few extra points. What? you don't have extra points? Go review Daphne's Footprints first. That will give you two points, then give 'em to This Side of Normal.
Frank
Fhoyt's active submissions:
Daphne's Footprints
Cloister: sorry, no can do. The way our database is set up, you can't go back and edit a review once it has been submitted. You'll just have to do like Fhoyt and encourage others to review it too!
Ok So I too completely forgot to give this points in my reivew - sorry first timer. I would give all my points possible to it I thought it was just fantastic and have passed it along for others to review - so I hope to make up for my flakeyness in that regard.
Sigh. I guess we'll all try to do better in the future.
But I take heart in noticing that This Side of Normal has gotten like 30 more points anyway in the past couple of days, so it seems to be doing fine even in the face of my own inability to fully fill out a form...
Sign up for National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org starting October 1!
Cloister's active submissions:
The Fallen
I noticed a lot of people who came to the site and reviewed This Side of Normal. I like to check people's profiles when I read their reviews and saw a number who were in the medical field, counselors, and involved some way with diabetes. It's fantastic that people have come to the community apparently to just review your book. It shows how much credibility you have with the people who know.
But like Fhoyt, I'm thinking that we could all take a lesson from this. If you have people who will give your book high marks and join the community to review it, have them review a couple of other books first so they'll have extra points to award to yours! I know that when Fhoyt's book, my book, Cloister's books went up, no one had extra points to award. I personally stacked a bunch on this book, now that I've reviewed several and have points I can award.
Wayzgoose
To all: Thank you for the support. I will certainly push those who are logging in to read my work to spend some time and read others. I am sorry that I haven't posted sooner or rated anyone else's work. This is just new to me and I'm busy with my four jobs. Seriously, I have four jobs. I'll see if I can get my colleagues and writing group members to chime in as well. Again, thank you all. From one struggling writer to the rest, you know how difficult and wonderful this is.
"There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein."
Dude, four jobs? I've only got two plus a family which amounts to 3, I suppose, and I can barely cope. Much as I'd love for you to review my submission, it sounds like it would be selfish of me to ask. Go get some sleep; I'm sure you need it!
Sign up for National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org starting October 1!
Cloister's active submissions:
The Fallen
Cloister, if we're adding family responsibility, then make that five jobs. I enjoy most of the work, though, so it's not as horrendous as it may seem. Anyway, I just read the first few pages of your work and will see if I can write a decent review today. In all honesty, I would like to have my students sign up and review the work here as well. I teach literature and creative writing, so I might be able to pitch it to my superior. We'll see.
"There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein."
Hey, I'd love more reviews. My excerpt is probably best targetted at an older teen audience. As long as they're honest and constructive criticisms, I welcome them.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you teach creative writing. Your students are lucky to have a teacher who clearly knows his stuff. Where do you teach?
Sign up for National Novel Writing Month at www.nanowrimo.org; novel writing starts November 1st!
Cloister's active submissions:
The Fallen
I'd love to hear what a creative writing teacher would have to say about some of the excerpts on this site. I think we could all learn from your reviews.
But I see how full your schedule is, so no pressure. Suggestion: How about incorporating the excerpts into your classroom lessons?--critique them as a class. Your students could see what serious writers are doing or trying to do right now.
Jan's active submissions:
STALKING YOLANDA (revised),
How to Get a Life
Eric made it to 100 points last night. Congratulations! I am looking forward to reading the complete book.
Frank
Fhoyt's active submissions:
Daphne's Footprints
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Use this thread to discuss the excerpt This Side of Normal by Edevine.
Others may not have read this excerpt yet, so please use [spoiler][/spoiler] tags where appropriate.