Story Discussion Circle Board

[dr_mabeuse]

Does anyone know what's going on over at the Story Discussion Circle board? Aside from the Snippetsville group, there's been no activity over there in like a month or two. I submitted a piece about 3 weeks ago in the Workshop thread and aside from a review by RumpleForeskin (thank you, Rumple) and a huffy snit by HiddenSelf for posting it the wrong way (get bent, HS), nothing's happened.

The Discussion board and the workshop are probably the most useful writers' resources on the entire site. It's a shame to see it all going to waste.

---dr.M.

 

[angela146]

I'm scared shitless of posting one of my stories for review in the circle.

It's not that people are unkind, it's just that I don't think I could handle the criticism *because* it would be fair and honest.

 

[Guest]

No idea, Mab. Send Laurel a PM (once a day til you get an answer).

P.

 

[Raging Whoremoans]

I'm confused as to how it all works

R w

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I agree. I visited when I first thought of posting and found the method of getting the ball rolling to be quite confusing.

Being a little bit lazy about inquiring, I simply turned to friends for comment, but would love to toss something to the wolves sometimes and see if there's anything left at the end.

If anyone can explain how it works and what is required of the author (reading stories, feedback on other works, etc...) I'd be willing to throw my next work in there for critique/feedback.

~lucky

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Isn't KM away? I think she is the one who handles it. I miss it too, it was where I really started to get to know people and the help I got there with cold reception was invaluable.

-Colly

 

[angela146]

Isn't KM away? I think she is the one who handles it. I miss it too, it was where I really started to get to know people and the help I got there with cold reception was invaluable. -Colly

Edited to post some better info:

Apparently she's back. See the following post:

https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=7908645#post7908645

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I'm confused as to how it all works

R w

It ain't hard.

You have a story you want to submit for review, you either PM KillerMuffin, or you can just cut & paste it there or (if it's already published on Lit) post a link in a new thread (just keep it to a reasonable/readable size). People drop by and will read your story and give you a pretty in-depth critique, at least a few hundred words. If you have specific things you want to know about your story (Was this character believable? Did the dialogue suck? Is it hot enough? Why does it stink so?), you can pose the questions in an intro.

It's also nice when the author responds to the critics and tells what he was trying to do or what he thinks. Some good discussions of tricks and techniques have began that way.

The critics who do the reviews are very good and pretty damned thorough. Critiques can be as good if not better than anything you'd get in a creative writing class at a university. A lot of people seem to feel that an in depth critigue is like taking a bath with a steel brush, but it's not meant to be personal, and you can learn a tremendous amount about your writing, your strengths and weaknesses.

There's also a Story Workshop thread, and that seems to be what's not working now. The Story Workshop is for works in progress, and people might bring a story there when they're not sure whether it's worth finishing, or they're having a problem with something, or they're just plain stuck.

As a matter of courtesy, you're expected to repay people for taking the time to critique your work by critiquing at least two others in return, but this isn't really a hanging offense. Being a critic takes a different set of skills than being a writer, and not everyone is cut out for it.

---dr.M.

 

[flawed_ethics]

Would one be encouraged to offer up their story to the SDC even if they know it's a peice of crap? I'd do that with mine, but like angela146 posted, I'm somewhat timid about it being ripped to shreds. Verb tense errors and overused plot devices abound!

I fear that if they were, the SDC would be reduced to a lower profile than it currently is. Worse for me: I'd be leading the way!

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I'm glad to hear KM is okay and has shown back up. Hope she'll be able to find the time needed to revive the SDC. I've always been amazed at how much she's got on her plate.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Pure]

The absence of action at the Circle is unfortunate. I'd like to see it change and would do my part, as before.

At the same time, what prevents the posting of a story and its discussion?

One of the drawbacks of good strong leadership, like Killer M's, is that it --unintentionally-- encourages people to a habit of lying back: If that leader disappears, otherwise capable people (in other venues) act aimless, and wonder 'where is the leader?' 'what shall we do?' instead of just doing something.

 

[KarenAM]

Which way did they go?
How fast were they going?
I must hurry and catch up with the others, for...

I AM THEIR LEADER!

I've put up a story for feedback over there, so let's see what happens. As the character on "Are You Being Served" always put it: "I shall have to SAC-RI-FICE myself!"

 

[Boxlicker101]

I would have some misgivings about submitting stories to this group. Most of what I write is just stroke and not intended to be anything else. It would seem really strange to read things like "What is their motivation?" "There doesn't seem to be much of a plot." "The characters seem to be rather one-dimensional." Well, the motivation is that they like to fuck and suck; the plot is that they are fucking and sucking and the characters are one-dimensional because the story is about them fucking and sucking.


I have also written some longer stories that might have something to critique. Maybe I will submit some of these sometime; I really would be curious.

 

[Lord Naraku]

Yeah I need to find some time and get over and review a couple of story's. Since whenever the Vol. editor gets done with my story, I'm going to post it to the site then put it up for review by the pros. Really the only reason I want my story reviewed is to see what the pros think of some of the things I did. I tried to "think outside the box."

 

[Pure]

There aren't real 'pro's' by and large, in the circle (thoug some writers are turning that way), but there are some creative and educated people who've participated with their feedback and critiques. "Pro" editorial advice is a scarce commodity.

 

[champagne1982]

A few of you have expressed concerns about how your story would be handled over at the SDC. Those of us who offer critique are not actually editors and if you provide unedited work, you will first get the suggestion, at least from me, to use your grammar check and spell check programs to eliminate any obvious inconsistencies and errors. There are also a number of online resources available, all you have to do is carry out a "google search" on those terms.
The SDC workshop is an excellent resource and you'll find that you won't be subject to name calling or destructive criticism. That isn't allowed and KillerMuffin will moderate and take care of any rabble that gets roused over there.
My best advice though, is to go and offer critique to a couple of stories already posted there. We will do the same for you when it's your story's turn on the podium. The quality of what you give to another's work, will be returned in kind, and hopefully surpassed, by the other participants.

 

[Lying Eyes]

How the hell did I miss seeing the story discussion circle board? This is exactly what I needed for my first story. I just posted a link to that story on that board.

 

[angela146]

...The SDC workshop is an excellent resource and you'll find that you won't be subject to name calling or destructive criticism...

Ah, but that is precisely the problem. Destructive criticism, name calling and other rabble rousing is much easier to deal with than an accurate, honest and fair assesment.

It is the same reason that women tend to like candle light opposed to florescent light when dining romantically.

However, having said that, I am working up the courage to post one of my stories for review. Just give me a few days to finish the brick wall around my ego.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Angela,

Fear not, for we will be with thee.

One thing you might want to do is tell folks what type of feedback you're looking for. As Champagne said, most critiquers will automatically check out the grammar and spelling. However, you could be pulling a Wm. Faulkner in Sound and Fury by using someone who's mentally challenged, or maybe under-educated, as your narrator.

As others have mentioned, with critiques, it's just as blessed (and helpful) to give as it is to recieve. Writing crits forces you to read like a writer, then decide what you do or don't like, and explain why. IMHO giving crits is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve your writing.

Hunt up some of the past crits Doc, Pure, Champagne, and Colly (among others) have given for ideas about what to expect.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I would have some misgivings about submitting stories to this group. Most of what I write is just stroke and not intended to be anything else. It would seem really strange to read things like "What is their motivation?" "There doesn't seem to be much of a plot." "The characters seem to be rather one-dimensional." Well, the motivation is that they like to fuck and suck; the plot is that they are fucking and sucking and the characters are one-dimensional because the story is about them fucking and sucking.


I have also written some longer stories that might have something to critique. Maybe I will submit some of these sometime; I really would be curious.

Box,

A critique isn't supposed to be a criticism. This ain't high school English. There is no right or wrong in writing fiction--just effective and ineffective. When giving a critique, I look for things the writer might want to consider changing. But I just make suggestion. You, as the writer, make the final decisions.

If you want all your characters to be one-dimensional and lack motivation, it's your story, go for it. But as I told Angela, you want might to let the critique writers know what type of help you're looking for.

There's no guarantee you won't get a nasty, personal assault. But that's why God (or was it Bill Gates--he and I keep getting the two mixed up sometimes)) invented the delete key.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Pure]

As a stop gap measure, pending KM's return, a story has been posted for discussion in Story Disc Circle. It's by Karen AM.

J.