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This week: Revising with the Reader in Mind Edited by: Crys-not really here  
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Hello! My name is Crys-not really here and it's my pleasure to be your guest editor for the Noticing Newbies Newsletter this week. I love writing for the newsletter because it allows me to discuss so many great topics with fellow writers. This week's topic, as usual, is meant for everyone, not just newbies.  |
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Revising with the Reader in Mind
When I was a teenager just starting my writing career, I hated to revise my poetry. I figured poetry should be my feelings as they come out onto the paper, so they couldn’t be “wrong” and therefore shouldn’t be changed. Much like in my real life, I only wanted to express myself and be heard. I had no plans to publish, and no concept of whether or not my poetry was suitable for others to read.
My bad habit continued into college. I did not revise unless I was forced to for an end of the year portfolio or project. After many years of not caring whether or not my poetry went anywhere in the world, I was slapped in the face as I entered an MFA program at twenty-two.
Suddenly, I was being told that some of my poetry was clearly written for me, not for “the reader.” I quickly learned that, although writing poetry is a great way to express yourself, if you want to get published you must make sure a reader will come along for the ride as well.
That is where revising comes into play. If you want to be read, and to be taken seriously a writer, you must revise! Initial revisions can correct things like poor grammar and spelling errors. Some reviewers on WDC are experts on spelling, grammar, or picking out clichés, and it’s always worth it to listen to their advice. However, you should take a more in-depth look at your work if you want to successfully engage your reader and/or get your work published.
Here are some things to consider while revising:
 Am I so emotionally attached to this piece that no one but me will understand it? Try taking a step back and reading it through new eyes. Do you get emotional when you read the piece because you've experienced it, or do you really portray events in a way that allows any reader to experience it as if they were there? Your goal should be to hook the reader. Unfortunately, that may mean that the poem about your cat dying might not be the most well-written piece in your portfolio.
Do spelling and grammar errors prevent the reader from getting the most out of this piece? As an English major and grammar snob, I get distracted by the misuse of semi-colons, deliberate misspellings, chat speak, and run-on sentences. I don’t expect anyone to have perfect spelling and grammar, but understanding the basic rules will gain yor readers.
Does the format of my piece distract the reader, or does it make sense? Poems should be neat on the page and use white space well. Stories should use indentations and line spacing when necessarily, so the words don’t look crowded on the page.
Does my story and all the details make logical sense? If you’re writing a realistic story, do all events fall in a logical order? Are your characters believable? Nothing bothers readers more than a plot with a huge hole in it, or a scene that doesn't make sense for the storyline.
When writing about strong emotions, it's easy for the story to be clouded in a list of feelings. However, if you revise with the reader in mind, you can successfully achieve both expressing yourself and reaching the reader. |
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Thank you to the overwhelming response I received about my last Noticing Newbies Newsletter with the topic of "Six Common Errors Reviewers Make." I loved hearing about your reviewing pet peeves!
I have to admit that after reading a piece that just leaves me cold, I will sneak away without a rating or review. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news or spoil someone's enthusiasm about writing. Besides, my main justification for not reviewing is that just because I didn't like it doesn't mean it has no merit. Am I wrong with this approach?- {user: kencor04}
No, I think it’s perfectly fine to back away from a piece that you don’t enjoy.
I enjoyed your editorial on common reviewing errors and I also have some of the same pet peeves. I am curious, recently I received a question as to why I gave a rating of 3.5 and when I explained that I rated this piece in the grand scheme of things against all other things that I have read not exclusive to wdc, this writer was not satisfied with that answer. Should I hold everything I read on this site in a different regard than I hold say Nobel Prize Winning Laureates or can I look at everything on a grand scale and review that way? Great job with this. I look forward to your next one.
I hope this finds you well and in good spirits.
-robert.atwood
Great question! Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. Everyone has their own reviewing philosophies, and different writers expect different kinds of comments about their work. Sadly, there’s no easy way to match up compatible reviewers and authors. 
I think it may be more realistic to uphold members of WDC to a slightly lower set of standards. I highly doubt that there are any Nobel Prize Winning Laureates on this site, but there is a broad range of skill levels, from beginning writers to those who have been published. That being said, I tend to rate based on other pieces I’ve seen on the site, not on everything out there in the world. 5 stars should be saved for those pieces that are technically “perfect”- no glaring errors that you can find, and essentially publishable. 3 stars is “average”- which to me means it’s at least as good as most things on the site. You’ll eventually develop your own reviewing style and rating system that you’re comfortable with. You’ll probably always run into the occasional complaint no matter what kind of personal system you use, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a reasonable system.
Great edition, Crys. You pretty much covered my list of reviewing peeves as well. One I'd like to add is people that have lists of groups and disclaimers that are longer than the actual review itself. I think it's unnecessary and some I've seen almost border on "cheating" the system. That said, I don't agree with "having" to find something the author can improve on. There are pieces here that are both published and perfect as is. Granted, it's a rarity but it does happen, and I think that comment could be confusing and frustrating to new reviewers. If there's honestly nothing wrong or lacking with an item, it's okay to say so and rate it accordingly.- Adriana Noir 
Good point. It is a rarity, but it can happen. In cases where a piece has already been published, I suggest that a member either add a note saying where it has been published or turn off the option to receive reviews. That prevents reviewers from reviewing something that has already been “perfected,” and therefore freeing up their time to offer advice on pieces that need it.
Thanks for the great insight into reviewing. As a realative newbie, I haven't accomplished all six items, fortunately. I have been collecting items I come across by various authors on this, and your tips and list really help. This NL needs to get linked on the FAQ for Reviewing and Rating.
Thanks
WS- Wordsmitty ✍️ 
Thanks for the compliments!
I think I am most guilty of #2. When a writer is very good at expressly emotion I feel that it has to be something they have lived through. As for #1, sometimes a piece has many misspellings and it would take a lot of work to go through the piece and point out each one and do you do it by line, or what? Also, I allow for some of them to not be spelling errors by typos that were not caught and even spell check will not fix them if there is a real word spelled that way. It does not recognize how the word is being used. –Christine Cassello
When a piece has very frequent spelling errors, point out a few, say that you saw many more, suggest that the writer use spell check, and move on.
As for the errors not caught my spell check—those are often the hardest errors for a writer to see. If you point them out, they’ll be forever grateful!
Great story. I just loved it. All it needs is a little editing and it will be perfect.
What? I spent three days editing. I did the best I could. You took the time to review, why not give me a hint at how to fix it? This is probably my biggest pet peeve.
Form reviews kind of turn me off. I realize they could be a bit of a time saver for those doing a lot of reviews but most times receiving one of these seems like getting a form letter.
I think you cover most of my pet peeves.
Wally-Wally Setter
I agree on both issues. Form reviews can definitely be a time saver, but a reviewer should try to add a personal touch or note that shows you they have really read your piece.
Great newsletter, Crys! One of my biggest pet peeves with reviews is when the reviewer says he or she loved the story, gives no indication that anything needs improvement, and then rates the item a 4.0 or lower. I'm okay with 4.5 (I believe in + or - 0.5 for "subjective opinion/overall like or dislike"), but if someone says he or she loved something and has no suggestions, it shouldn't get a rating that indicates it does, in fact, need work to make it better. -Jeff 
Agreed!
I suggest a seventh rule for reviewing. "Do not state dogmatic rules unless you are sure you are correct." I frequently see in reviews "rules" or grammar, syntax, or other writing "rules" which are incorrect. Standard disclaimers like "This is just my opinion. You are the author" do little to dilute the reviewer's assertion that, for example, "you may not use the past tense when writing in the POV of the first person."- Doug Rainbow
Oh, I’m so glad someone brought this one up! Disclaimers such as the one you mentioned really downplay the role of the reviewer. It’s like saying “I took the time to do this review, but if you don’t like it, then I’m probably wrong, so just do whatever you want anyway.” The reviewer needs to be confident in their review and proud of their advice! If you state a “rule,” you should be sure you know what you’re talking about. There are many members who are counting on you to help them make their piece better, and such “rules” sometimes lead to confusion.
Great newsletter! You've highlighted some really valid points here- especially the vagueness of some reviews and the rating issue. Another thing that annoys me is people using reviews purely to spread their own work- I don't mind if someone gives a review and then leaves a story or request for reviews at the end. I find good stories that way- good reviewers are often good writers. However, those reviews that only say 'Liked this piece, read this *insert story here*' annoy me. Requests are not reviews. Thanks a bunch for the awesome newsletter!- Free_Rip
I agree, Free_Rip ! |
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Noticing Newbies: May 26, 2010 Issue [#3758]
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