Moderator
Posts: 255
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 2:48 am
Location: On this 18th floor balcony, we're both flying away...
Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:42 am
The Group!
So, you've decided to join in on the fun. Congratulations! We're always happy to have you. Feedback is one of the most important things to a writer, and constructive criticism is always welcomed.
That being said, there are a few things you should know about what we've got going on here, with some questions you may be thinking.
How did this start?
It started as an idea in the wonderful LLK's mind. She approached the moderators over at Talk CSI in October of 2007 about it, and was able to start the group. Since then, it has gained steam, and grown into its own website and board.
What can I look forward to here?
Regular featured fanfictions, in just about any fandom you can imagine. Every 8 weeks, there is a challenge proposed, and special projects come into play as well every once in a while. Participation is voluntary with one exception- if you write a challenge story, you MUST critique a challenge story. Anyone who doesn't comply with this rule will be banned for six weeks.
Does something happen if I don't critique a normal week?
The only thing is that the following week, your story cannot be featured. We understand that life happens, and there are times when you can't critique every week. It's fine. However, you must critique at least twice every eight weeks.
I want to be featured! How do I do it?
It's great that you want to be featured. What you need to do is go to the "I'd like to submit my story for Critique" thread, found in the Featured Fanfictions forum. Once there, post the title, a link of the story, the rating, the length (number of chapters and words), AOB (fandom setting, pairs, timeframe, etc), and anything personal you want the critiquers to focus on. Don't expect to be featured every week, and also remember that you must critique in order to be featured. Additionally, you have to critique the week before you're featured.
Back to challenges. What happens if I don't know anything about the fandom of the story I'm assigned to critique?
Check out the Research and Resources forum. In it, you can find sites that might help. Youtube is your friend, when it comes to TV shows and movies. Also, Wikipedia can be helpful, when taken with a grain of salt. Writers will sometimes post links to specific videos of the scene that inspired the story and other resources that could help you out. Check things out.
How do I critique?
Focus on the elements of the story- characterization, plot, formatting, spelling, grammar, etc. Also, look at themes, what the story's saying, and how the author is saying it. Focus on the good points and the bad points, as all stories have both. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and highlighting these are always good. You may see something that the author didn't, in both good and bad ways.
Most importantly, be respectful. These are people who are willing to put themselves out there for judging with pieces they've worked hard on. If it doesn't sound nice to you (or you wouldn't want someone to phrase it like that to you), there's a good chance someone else will read it the same way. Be constructive and polite in your criticisms.
What else can I expect to find here?
There are forums dedicated to chatting with the other members, such as General Discussion. Also, there is a forum for playing games, such as Word Association, one for fan art, and news. There are also places you can go to ask questions, find a beta, offer your services as a beta, and look at resources that others found helpful. There is a forum to introduce yourself to the other members, and also let us know if you're going to be away for a while. If there's something else you'd like, PM one of the mods and ask for it.
Who are the mods? What do they do?
lostladyknight and Adorelo are the forum administrators, who oversee the entire board. kazalene, Speed_Cochrane, Amanda_Ruth, and racefh853629 are the moderators, and each has their own specific part of the board that they oversee.
The staff of the board are here to ensure that there is a general peace, watch for profane posts, and make sure that everyone is happy.
What if I have more questions than what I see here?
You are always welcome to post your questions in the "Questions and Suggestions" forum. You can also PM one of the mods, and they will answer your question for you.
That being said, there are a few things you should know about what we've got going on here, with some questions you may be thinking.
How did this start?
It started as an idea in the wonderful LLK's mind. She approached the moderators over at Talk CSI in October of 2007 about it, and was able to start the group. Since then, it has gained steam, and grown into its own website and board.
What can I look forward to here?
Regular featured fanfictions, in just about any fandom you can imagine. Every 8 weeks, there is a challenge proposed, and special projects come into play as well every once in a while. Participation is voluntary with one exception- if you write a challenge story, you MUST critique a challenge story. Anyone who doesn't comply with this rule will be banned for six weeks.
Does something happen if I don't critique a normal week?
The only thing is that the following week, your story cannot be featured. We understand that life happens, and there are times when you can't critique every week. It's fine. However, you must critique at least twice every eight weeks.
I want to be featured! How do I do it?
It's great that you want to be featured. What you need to do is go to the "I'd like to submit my story for Critique" thread, found in the Featured Fanfictions forum. Once there, post the title, a link of the story, the rating, the length (number of chapters and words), AOB (fandom setting, pairs, timeframe, etc), and anything personal you want the critiquers to focus on. Don't expect to be featured every week, and also remember that you must critique in order to be featured. Additionally, you have to critique the week before you're featured.
Back to challenges. What happens if I don't know anything about the fandom of the story I'm assigned to critique?
Check out the Research and Resources forum. In it, you can find sites that might help. Youtube is your friend, when it comes to TV shows and movies. Also, Wikipedia can be helpful, when taken with a grain of salt. Writers will sometimes post links to specific videos of the scene that inspired the story and other resources that could help you out. Check things out.
How do I critique?
Focus on the elements of the story- characterization, plot, formatting, spelling, grammar, etc. Also, look at themes, what the story's saying, and how the author is saying it. Focus on the good points and the bad points, as all stories have both. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and highlighting these are always good. You may see something that the author didn't, in both good and bad ways.
Most importantly, be respectful. These are people who are willing to put themselves out there for judging with pieces they've worked hard on. If it doesn't sound nice to you (or you wouldn't want someone to phrase it like that to you), there's a good chance someone else will read it the same way. Be constructive and polite in your criticisms.
What else can I expect to find here?
There are forums dedicated to chatting with the other members, such as General Discussion. Also, there is a forum for playing games, such as Word Association, one for fan art, and news. There are also places you can go to ask questions, find a beta, offer your services as a beta, and look at resources that others found helpful. There is a forum to introduce yourself to the other members, and also let us know if you're going to be away for a while. If there's something else you'd like, PM one of the mods and ask for it.
Who are the mods? What do they do?
lostladyknight and Adorelo are the forum administrators, who oversee the entire board. kazalene, Speed_Cochrane, Amanda_Ruth, and racefh853629 are the moderators, and each has their own specific part of the board that they oversee.
The staff of the board are here to ensure that there is a general peace, watch for profane posts, and make sure that everyone is happy.
What if I have more questions than what I see here?
You are always welcome to post your questions in the "Questions and Suggestions" forum. You can also PM one of the mods, and they will answer your question for you.
Last edited by racefh853629 on Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
Dean: Talking to a messenger of God on a cell phone. It's kind of like watching a Hell's Angel riding a moped.
Castiel: This isn't funny, Dean. The voice says I'm almost out of minutes.
Castiel: This isn't funny, Dean. The voice says I'm almost out of minutes.
