This page has last been updated on: 01/08/2013

A bit about me

Well hello there! Since you're here, I assume you want to know more either about me or about my writing.

I'm a 20-something girl, who writes in her spare time, which amounts to only a handful of hours every week. Age is relative, but for all intents and purposes, I'm closer to 50 than I am to 20. Keep that in mind before approaching me with a juvenile attitude. This is a writing site, let's treat it as such, shall we?

Regarding feedback

I love feedback. I consider alerts and favs a form of feedback too (duh, right?), but I'd much prefer detailed reviews, whenever possible. Feedback helps me improve and also write more.

Knowing there are people out there who enjoy my stories and want me to write more gives me immense joy and motivates me greatly. However, don't assume I'll be holding stories/chapters hostage if I don't get any feedback. I'll chalk it up to writing experience and aim to produce something more worthy of my readers' time for the next time plot bunnies start bugging me to write.

I like to give feedback too

If I'm reading your story, I will review it. I always do so. I try to be as detailed as possible, knowing big reviews are somewhat rare and hoping mine will help and cheer up the author (who isn't excited about a review?).

My favorites

The authors under my favorites tab are people whom I consider to be my friends. We often talk and I have learned a great deal from them. They're very skilled people who put a lot of thought into their stories and who love writing in general. Should you tire of my stories, I encourage you to give them a try. You will not be disappointed. I LOVE their work and I know you will too.

Three Rules for Constructive Criticism

1. Put yourself in the writer's shoes. What would you find offensive? What would you find helpful? Think about how you might give feedback so that it's useful, without making the author feel bad.

2. If you are the one giving feedback, choose one aspect of the scene on which to focus your suggestions. It can be devastating for the author to have someone recite a long list of things that are wrong with the scene. Remember that the whole idea is to help the writer grow. Too much information can be overwhelming.

3. If you are the one receiving feedback, listen carefully to all comments. If several people mention the same problem, then it probably needs attention. If everyone mentions something different and they are all minor matters, then it could be just personal preference. Try to listen to WHAT is being said rather than HOW it is said. Sometimes, others have really useful insights into what needs attention, but aren't very skilled at how they put it.

(Of course, if the reviewer uses foul language, he or she doesn't deserve your attention. Badly worded vs intentionally insulting. BIG difference.)

Unsure of what to say in a review? No worries, we've all been there. Here's a little review plan for you:

1. What did you like? A scene, a paragraph, a phrase, a new OC?

2. What did you NOT like and why (personal preference or author's mistake/bad writing)?

3. What could the author have done differently or better? Did you find any mistakes? Do you have any rephrasing suggestions?

4. Any questions, anything unclear (that was not unclear on purpose, of course - let's not kill the foreshadowing)?