WF 2021 Revamp: New Workshop Rules

Roger, wilco (yeah, I know they don't really say that).

 

As a lot of newer writers or newer members (not always the same thing) often struggle to know how to do a 'satisfactory' critique or know what to include are the Mods going to look at a basic crib list that might help?

 

If you don't know how to give a critique, look at the FAQ for constructive critiques. We encourage all writers to make a best effort to critique as they want to get critiqued.

 

Double post, moose

 

It's also helpful to read a bunch of critiques other people have done. Just go into the workshop and read a few at random.

 

That's honestly how I learned.

 

I've taken to giving a critique of sorts in the competitions. I was jotting down notes to help me remember all the stories anyway and what I liked and didn't, so it was little extra effort to convert that into a critique sealed behind a spoiler tag.

I'm still a bit torn over whether it's a good thing or not. Authors are submitting their stories to compete. They may not appreciate a critique there as that's not the ostensible function of the competition.

On the other hand, as an author, I'm always after critique on my work and I don't care if it comes from a non-critique thread. I'm always grateful when I receive a critique. It's how I grow as an author.

I haven't had much feedback from authors in the competitions regarding my critiques one way or the other. That's not surprising as authors aren't allowed to divulge their identities during voting, so I basically get the silent treatment.

There was a protest a while back when I only critiqued my top 3 picks instead of every single story, but that wasn't a complaint about critiquing generally. Rather, it was addressed to the issue that not every story got the critiquing treatment. More recently, @Selbbin posted an encouraging reply, which I appreciated, thanks.

Given there are currently no howls of protest, I'll keep doing it as it's not really taking much extra effort from what I'd do anyway. That said, it's probably something that might generate a heated debate in the future. I'm happy to keep doing it when I'm able or stop if the winds change.

 

Authors who want critiques are supposed to post their entries into the Workshop after the competition finishes.

 

From the Contest Entry Rules:

There had been some issues so the mod team (when I was still a member) decided to make it formal.

 

Now that we've been outed, I can say I was happy for your comments, which added some bit of energy to the waiting game. The comments were fair and positive, in my opinion. I always read them (usually after casting my vote) even when I wasn't an entrant, often disagreeing with your choices but that's what makes it interesting.

 

So I'm new here and still trying to get a grip on how things work, so I certainly have no right to tell you what you should be doing differently. But (you knew there would be a "but", right) I must say I found the separation of "workshop" and "contests" a bit difficult to understand and struggle even more when I hear "not all posters necessarily want critique". I guess people join for a variety of reasons that I don't know but for me, I'd like to improve my writing game a little and if possible have some fun and camaraderie while doing so. Which, for me, would mean that if I did submit something in a contest* I would (1) be totally ok for this to not be anonymous; (2) hope or even expect feedback from others, at the very least those who also participated; (3) not care if such feedback was given before, during, or after voting. I would hope for the contests to be more of a social thing than one where someone gets to show off and the others wouldn't even discuss the piece. I would hope for discussions along the lines of "ha, ha, you got the same idea as me there, but I liked this thing much better about your execution", and so on. It would feel funny to me to re-post a contest entry to the workshop in order to get feedback.
But hey, as I said, I'm new to the party and there might be good reasons for why things are how they are.

(*) whether or not I have, is of course confidential

 

Preparing to submit a screenplay. It is adapted from a critically acclaimed novel, and one of my favorites. Since I have not, and may never, approach the authors estate for what is at this point just fan fiction, what it the policy for posting this kind of Semi-Original content?

Vonnegut's Jailbird, which I read for the first time in the eighties.

 

How does that work in terms of fanfiction?
Fanfiction (typically) includes original plots not seen in the canon content.
I guess the Workshop has a fanfiction section for a reason, still kind of curious though.

 

Good changes in my opinion. I'd also like to add the importance of calling attention to what a writer has done well, not just what s/he has done not so well.