Search options (Page 4 of 7)

Just posted reviews of next two chapters of Matthews Book 1.

Hi all, Stephanie's story was next on my list for a review, but I can't find it. Anyone know what's happened?

Do we need to worry about these rules? I thought the idea of this group was that we would post the most substantive and thoughtful reviews we could manage for the seven (now eight) books, following the order Jube set out. We also made a commitment to stick with the books from beginning to the end. Matthew has suggested that we should try to review two or three (or more?) chapters of a book at a time. This makes a lot of sense (especially for books with short chapters) and I think we all agree this is a good idea. I have been setting three points as my target for these multiple reviews, but I don't think the number is important, just that we all agree to go with whatever version is comfortable for each of us.
The problem I see with this whole process is that with eight books in the 100000 word length, it will take approximately three years to get through them submitting reviews once a week. Is this time for getting through the books, and the pace of reviewing reasonable?
Add to that requests, like the one we recently had from Cobber (a reasonable request in my opinion), and we have an even greater demand on our times.
Bottom line is each of us can only do what we can. If we all try, rules shouldn't matter.

Posted today a review of chapter 10 of Jube's story.

Hello Cobber, i agree with CJ and njc. I can't make sense of this if I jump in at a later chapter, so I will continues from where I currently am, speeding up my review process as much as I can, unless you tell me that won't work.  If so, I can read chapters up to 41 without review and go from there. Post a message that tells us which you want.

Just completed reviews of chapters 2 and 3 of Randy's drug cartel story.  Experts often tell new writers they should write about what they know. I hope Randy isn't following that advice.

During August when I was out of town for more than half the month, I received four chapter reviews and the two messages posted above. They were all stressing the same point. I need to make the story more about the people and less about the science. And to do this I need to animate my characters more and bring out their thoughts. I don't want to lose the science story in the process, but I do agree, I need to make the story about the people more compelling and use it to carry the science message. Bit difficult for someone trained to supress the emotional and focus on the facts, but I am trying and any help you can all offer me is really appreciated.
The other point that seems to work its way through these reviews and comments is conflict.  Maybe (probably) I'm being naive but I don't see need for conflict at every turn. Jacinta and Tony fight about religion. I don't see why I should add a sexual conflict to the situation. Tony knows Jacinta is not available and accepts it. I have conflict between Tony and Jacinta over religion, between Tony and Steve over science philosophy, Between Tony and the department over pure vs applied research. In addition there is uncertainty about Jacinta, about the meaning of the dolphins, about what Maria Consuela is up to. I plan to go ahead without adding more conflict at every turn until I get to my (hopefully) dramatic conclusion. My second version of this story (one I didn't share with others) was full of trumped up conflict, but after trying it for a while, I couldn't keep going with it.
So I am now relying on Tony and Beth's story to carry this. I hope all of the people in this little review group will continue to help me this part of the story more compelling. I think I can handle the science part, and if not, Don Chambers will undoubtedly point out my errors.
Thanks once again for all the help everyone has been giving me. I hope the reviews I provide are half as useful.

Hello, I just completed reviews of chapters 9 and 10 of Stephanie's book.  When I came onto this forum to post that message I noticed the string of comments about process. I'll go to them next and offer my thoughts.

okay, Randy says I should move on to A cartel's revenge. I've posted a review of chapter 1

Hello all, I just posted a review of a chapter of Matthew's 'The girl who lost the earth'. I apologize to all for the my long absence. My real life got in the way and I couldn't focus on my fantasy life as a writer.  I hope all is back to normal and I can once again review with better regularity.

just submitted reviews of chapters 12 and 13 of cobber's story (12 was very short).