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Post by
Monokeras
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A brief note:
Upon reflection, I realize that some of my reviews this time have been pretty harsh or negative, and as an author, I realize this kind of feedback is sometimes difficult to deal with. I want to pair my criticisms with the other half of the picture: Every story I read this round I felt confident was written by a serious, competent author. This hasn't always been the case - sometimes it's clear that the writer is someone just starting out, or in a learning phase, or writing for their own fun rather than for a broader audience.
That wasn't the case here. All the stories - and perhaps most of all the stories that I came down hard on - demonstrated real promise. Often my complaints come in direct relation to that promise. There's nothing quite as disappointing as a story that's on the verge of being really strong, but fails in one or two fundamental ways, or as an author who clearly has the skills but makes character or plot decisions that go against my own sensibilities. Story problems are the nature of a competition that requires works to be written in the span of a few days. I know for a fact that every story I have written here has also possessed notable confusions, omissions, and outright flaws, each of which that people rightly noted in their reviews.
At this point, and given my impressions of the authors and the community here, I find it most valuable to give direct, undiluted feedback. Sometimes this is more helpful than other times - in particular, I don't always 'get' the story in the manner it's meant to be received. Monokeras and Blazzing's stories, for instance, both function much better in a fuller context than as a standalone writeoff story. So, I wish to sincerely express the hope that my comments have not been discouraging, and further remark on the overall high level of quality of authors that we have here. Thank you all for your stories - I would gladly read further works from any of you.
Upon reflection, I realize that some of my reviews this time have been pretty harsh or negative, and as an author, I realize this kind of feedback is sometimes difficult to deal with. I want to pair my criticisms with the other half of the picture: Every story I read this round I felt confident was written by a serious, competent author. This hasn't always been the case - sometimes it's clear that the writer is someone just starting out, or in a learning phase, or writing for their own fun rather than for a broader audience.
That wasn't the case here. All the stories - and perhaps most of all the stories that I came down hard on - demonstrated real promise. Often my complaints come in direct relation to that promise. There's nothing quite as disappointing as a story that's on the verge of being really strong, but fails in one or two fundamental ways, or as an author who clearly has the skills but makes character or plot decisions that go against my own sensibilities. Story problems are the nature of a competition that requires works to be written in the span of a few days. I know for a fact that every story I have written here has also possessed notable confusions, omissions, and outright flaws, each of which that people rightly noted in their reviews.
At this point, and given my impressions of the authors and the community here, I find it most valuable to give direct, undiluted feedback. Sometimes this is more helpful than other times - in particular, I don't always 'get' the story in the manner it's meant to be received. Monokeras and Blazzing's stories, for instance, both function much better in a fuller context than as a standalone writeoff story. So, I wish to sincerely express the hope that my comments have not been discouraging, and further remark on the overall high level of quality of authors that we have here. Thank you all for your stories - I would gladly read further works from any of you.
>>Ferd Threstle
For me and my story, your comments were spot on. I was aware of some of my entry's limitations from the start, and you highlighted some others to boot. Honest, constructive feedback is important. Sometimes it's hard to hear, but improving as a writer requires getting used to hearing it and developing a knack for giving it. I thank you for your feedback!
For me and my story, your comments were spot on. I was aware of some of my entry's limitations from the start, and you highlighted some others to boot. Honest, constructive feedback is important. Sometimes it's hard to hear, but improving as a writer requires getting used to hearing it and developing a knack for giving it. I thank you for your feedback!
My apologies for not posting any more reviews. Kids wracked with ear infections, extraordinarily busy work week, blah blah. If anyone else wants my input on their work, feel free to send me a PM. There's some great stuff in this writeoff!
Figures that the one story I didn't read and vote on in the finals would be the one that won. Oh well.
On a more serious note, there were quite a few good stories this round. Even though not all of them were my usual cup of tea, they were at least definitely entertaining to read and fairly well put together. If this is the amount of talent in here, I'm going to have a tough time writing anything close to making the finals.
And while I'm here, I'll just admit now that I was the one who suggested the prompt title, "That Winter Feeling". Wasn't sure if it was a rule that you couldn't say if you made the prompt, so I was waiting until the write-off was over. It was just something I thought of with the approaching season-end festivities and the gradual chill that's been creeping up. I didn't think it'd even be accepted, as I thought it was a bit too broad. But apparently a lot of you voted for it, so here we are. And I'm glad you did; these were actually some very creative stories.
Good job everyone, and I look forward for the next round of MLP short stories.
(Edit: Don't mind those deleted posts. The website goofed for a second and I accidentally submitted this post more than once.)
On a more serious note, there were quite a few good stories this round. Even though not all of them were my usual cup of tea, they were at least definitely entertaining to read and fairly well put together. If this is the amount of talent in here, I'm going to have a tough time writing anything close to making the finals.
And while I'm here, I'll just admit now that I was the one who suggested the prompt title, "That Winter Feeling". Wasn't sure if it was a rule that you couldn't say if you made the prompt, so I was waiting until the write-off was over. It was just something I thought of with the approaching season-end festivities and the gradual chill that's been creeping up. I didn't think it'd even be accepted, as I thought it was a bit too broad. But apparently a lot of you voted for it, so here we are. And I'm glad you did; these were actually some very creative stories.
Good job everyone, and I look forward for the next round of MLP short stories.
(Edit: Don't mind those deleted posts. The website goofed for a second and I accidentally submitted this post more than once.)
Post by
libertydude
, deleted
Post by
libertydude
, deleted
Post by
libertydude
, deleted
Happy Solstice, everyone! The sun has turned, the light has risen, and for those of us in the nothern hemisphere, the days will start to lengthen as we claw our way back out of the arschkalt of winter.
More importantly, congratulations to Ferd for their first Writeoff medal, and to CiG for his first OF gold! :D Apparently, not even the jinx of me predicting a win could keep this one from its well-deserved top spot.
I honestly wasn't expecting to be within spitting distance of the top this round, but I'm not going to turn down another shiny object for my hoard.
More importantly, congratulations to Ferd for their first Writeoff medal, and to CiG for his first OF gold! :D Apparently, not even the jinx of me predicting a win could keep this one from its well-deserved top spot.
I honestly wasn't expecting to be within spitting distance of the top this round, but I'm not going to turn down another shiny object for my hoard.
>>libertydude
As far as I know there's no rule against saying you wrote the prompt. It used to be revealed automatically, though it seems that changed. Still, I can see little reason why that knowledge would pose a problem.
As far as I know there's no rule against saying you wrote the prompt. It used to be revealed automatically, though it seems that changed. Still, I can see little reason why that knowledge would pose a problem.
I'm about to un-publish The Job as I mentioned before. This is in no way some sort of sour grapes move; the feedback this round was great, and I'm glad I was able to participate. I just have loftier plans for this concept that might not jive with this version being available here.