neglet
01-20-2006, 08:53 AM
Not that I want to be that formal, but I did think I should mention a few guidelines for writers using this forum, especially if it's going to be a place to solicit feedback on pieces you have written.
1. For writers: No one is "entitled" to receive feedback on a piece offered up for critique. This forum is not intended to substitute for a critique group (something I recommend for any aspiring writer), so if you don't get a response to a piece, don't fly off the handle, nag or reproach other members of the forum, or otherwise flame people. Similarly, if someone offers constructive criticism of a piece, don't flame them for giving an honest opinion. If you haven't developed a thick enough skin to take criticism and use it to improve your writing, you're in the wrong business.
2. For critiquers: Constructive criticism only. This doesn't mean you can't say something is wrong with a piece; it means if you critique something, explain why you didn't like it or didn't think it worked. Example of how not to offer a critique: This story sucked so bad it made me puke. A better example: This story didn't really work for me. The dialogue didn't sound real, and I didn't understand why the characters behaved the way they did.
3. Writers are all about language, so I have no problem with profanity if it is part of your story and you know how to work around the fancy new censor. (Alternatively, you can type sh*t instead of shit.) Within general discourse, be nice; profanity used in personal attacks is not permitted.
4. Story subject matter: if your story might be offensive to some readers, please post a warning in the title; a more detailed warning in the beginning of your post would also be good. If the mods get complaints about story content, we might ask you to remove it from the board and post a link instead.
5. Absolutely no copying of other people's material and posting it anywhere else without their permission. If we get any complaints on this subject we will immediately ban the offender from this forum.
6. Violations of other matters will be dealt with via PM; if anyone repeatedly violates these rules, we will have to consider banning them from this forum.
Any questions or discussion, post below or PM me. Happy writing!
1. For writers: No one is "entitled" to receive feedback on a piece offered up for critique. This forum is not intended to substitute for a critique group (something I recommend for any aspiring writer), so if you don't get a response to a piece, don't fly off the handle, nag or reproach other members of the forum, or otherwise flame people. Similarly, if someone offers constructive criticism of a piece, don't flame them for giving an honest opinion. If you haven't developed a thick enough skin to take criticism and use it to improve your writing, you're in the wrong business.
2. For critiquers: Constructive criticism only. This doesn't mean you can't say something is wrong with a piece; it means if you critique something, explain why you didn't like it or didn't think it worked. Example of how not to offer a critique: This story sucked so bad it made me puke. A better example: This story didn't really work for me. The dialogue didn't sound real, and I didn't understand why the characters behaved the way they did.
3. Writers are all about language, so I have no problem with profanity if it is part of your story and you know how to work around the fancy new censor. (Alternatively, you can type sh*t instead of shit.) Within general discourse, be nice; profanity used in personal attacks is not permitted.
4. Story subject matter: if your story might be offensive to some readers, please post a warning in the title; a more detailed warning in the beginning of your post would also be good. If the mods get complaints about story content, we might ask you to remove it from the board and post a link instead.
5. Absolutely no copying of other people's material and posting it anywhere else without their permission. If we get any complaints on this subject we will immediately ban the offender from this forum.
6. Violations of other matters will be dealt with via PM; if anyone repeatedly violates these rules, we will have to consider banning them from this forum.
Any questions or discussion, post below or PM me. Happy writing!