WRITERS NOVEL WORKSHOP 2.0
<![CDATA[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ySojyJNeZbY&loop=1&hd=1&playlist=ySojyJNeZbY" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/ySojyJNeZbY&loop=1&hd=1&playlist=ySojyJNeZbY</a>]]> With the end of a chapter, a new one arises. Welcome to the Writers Novel Workshop 2.0, a new iteration of the previous Writers Novel Marathon Workshop! A newborn Phoenix, arising from the ashes of its old self, the Writers Novel Workshop will continue where its predecessor has left off, a greater force than before!
Unlike the previous workshop, there will be a much greater emphasis on free-form and self-improvement. What you choose to contribute to this workshop is what you choose to improve and dedicate to yourself. You yourself hold the power to give life to the story you wish, and the will to make that story flourish. The question is...
Will You?
The setup will follow a much looser format: anyone is free to join and leave at anytime, and it is up to the participants themselves to update and review stories. Every Sunday, a Community Vote will be held every week for those who wishes to post their stories. However, to prevent people from spontaneously posting stories and abruptly leaving, you are required to review
At Least One story before you will be included in the vote. The Workshop Directors will oversee that you are following these rules accordingly.
When reviewing, we will still be using the same format from the original workshop, as provided below:
To re-iterate the points...
1. Give good feedback.
Take notes on what you liked and didn't like. Don't just write down a list, explain why you liked or disliked such-and-such. "I like this character. They work hard to... and I really like to see where they go from there." "I didn't like this character. He seems petty and self-centered." That is good feedback.
2. Be specific
It goes without saying, if you don't say what's good or bad about something, the author won't know what needs to be done. Try to work details in your review.
3. Be descriptive, not proscriptive!
Everything having been said, remember you are giving feedback. You are not telling them how to write their stories. You should not be saying "You should be doing this!" "This is how you... etc." It is the author's own job to see if the reaction you give is the reaction they want out of their writing. Saying "I was bored in this part" is actually more useful than telling them "You should make this more exciting." Sometimes the author wants you to be bored there!
Telling them how something should be written destroys the message the author is attempting to convey, and instead panders to what you would write in their place. Try to understand what the author is getting at, and see whether the writing is doing the job it's supposed to.
Just no dictating.
4. Ignore the small stuff
If the first thing in your review is something along the lines of "You misspelled 'such-and-such'" or "You use 'such-and-such' too much," that's not very helpful. You should be leading with the big things. Plot, characters, setting. Talk about those in details, and perhaps at the end of the review you can mention it, but always lead with the big things first. Only talk about prose if it becomes a big issue, as in it's so atrocious you have a hard time understanding what in the world the author's saying. I assume we all know how to speak decent English, so hopefully that won't be too much of an issue
Remember, most of the writing in the Workshop will be
ROUGH. That's fine. It'll be revised and edited down the line, so focus on the more pressing issues at hand.
As for keeping track of your own stories, I suggest drafting a portfolio for yourself. Again, that too will be dragged from the old workshop.
Operative13 Portfolio
Story:
The Coming StormGenre:
Steampunk Historical Military FantasySynopsis: Seven years ago, a terrible war was waged in the Geioic Seas that left the once-prosperous island nation of Mariana in ruins. Although they left the war as victors against their Elsian invaders, the scars of battle has yet to heal the people's hearts and minds. Now, invigorated by a charismatic and staunch leader, Mariana has turned from a quiet, isolated republic, into an authoritarian military-state. With war brewing in the air once again, it seems the peaceful life that Allen Touler knew will come crashing down on him once more.
Generally follow the format above when posting your portfolio in the workshop and if you do it right, you'll see yourself in the OP with a link to your portfolio and your story included in the weekly Community Vote on Sunday. If not, do PM me or one of the Directors about the issue. You can review either the example story above or one of the other members' stories.
Remember, this is open format. The workshop only lives so long as its members contribute regularly to it. I will not be around to keep things going on my own, so it is up to you, the MangaRaiders Community, to breathe life into it. Special Events will be planned and announced accordingly by my Directors.
Well? What are you waiting for? Sign up today, and let your story shine to the world!
Overseer
Operative13
Directors
GreenBeverage - Communications Director
Krurisuchristina - General Director
shishi02 - Information Director
Brandon Sanderson 2012
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 1
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 2
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 3
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 4
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 5
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 6
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 7
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 8
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 9
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 10
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 11
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 12
Brandon Sanderson Lecture 13
Workshop Participant Portfolio Links
Poll
Topic: Writers Novel Workshop 2.0 (Read 6106 times)
