To the readers and writers here on ABCtales.

Fantastic. I love that this site is full of people like you, scratch, sooz and all the rest.
Like you, I'm not overly confident in critiquing work yet. But it's good to know that others can and do, and especially when it helps us all out.

Shep

Larkin, to think that I played a part is reward enough. I am so glad that I could help in a very small way.

I couldn't agree more about what you have said about this fabulous community.

It takes serious guts to criticise another writer's work. I tried to do it on another site, and on one occasion I almost had my hand bitten off and, I'm pretty sure, very nearly caused the object of my very gentle criticism to jump off a high building - some folk are very touchy about their babies.
You mention 'obvious weaknesses,' Larkin, but in my experience I check things a million times and nearly always miss some weaknesses and a few glaring typos - it takes someone else's coldly critical eye to point them out.
I haven't been a member of ABC for long, but so far the folks here are pure, diamond studded 24 carat gold. I'm particularly indebted to Sooz, who can be counted on to spot my blunders and suggest better ways of putting things. I correct most of my 'obvious' errors straight away, change things I agree need changing and, perhaps stubbornly, let the rest lie - but that's human nature. I'm learning a lot about presentation, that's the important thing.

Thank you for the kind words Larkin, and Shep.

I'd like to address what you've both said. There seems to be a misconception that you have to know what you're talking about to leave comments.

We all love getting feedback, so even if you only give a general impression of the piece it's a worthy comment. 'I like this because...' or 'This didn't work for me because...'

If you read through and find a single typo, the writer can go straight to the error when they come to edit. It's helpful.

As a reader your opinion is just as valid as that of a university professor.

I'm writing a story about dementia and another about autism at the moment, and on both of them I've had people saying, oh, my mother, brother, aunty, family friend, has that and they do such and such. Just having somebody tell me that I've got the voice right, is so helpful.

I think we're all so damned frightened of causing offence, or seeming critical, but as long as crit is given with respect I think it is 'usually' well received.

I know that I've come a long way in the twelve years that I've been writing and hopefully will again in the next twelve. A lot of that is through commenting on other people's work. When we read our own stuff back, we read it as we think it should be, not as it is. Reading other people's stuff can highlight problems in our own writing.

When I started commenting I could barely structure a sentence, but my strength was that I knew people and could point out that so and so would never say that, he'd be more likely to say.... in such a situation.
People were very good they knew that my own sp/punc and grammar was pants, but not once did somebody tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. We all have an opinion and this site is all about sharing it.

I think...

Always be honest, never lie. don't say that something is fantastic, if it isn't to your taste.
Never be cruel
Always be respectful
try and give reasons if you say that something didn't hit the spot
If you don't understand something, ask and let the writer explain.
Give as much information as you can on that piece.

On the writer side....
Accept all comments, take what you can from them and disregard anything that you don't agree with.

Don't be frightened to ask what a comment means.

Don't be worried about disregarding anything that you don't agree with, it's your work.

I know this sounds preachy, but everybody can comment, you don't need any qualifications and if Tony's handing out certificates for it, I haven't had mine yet.

Most of all sites like this thrive on people commenting on each other's work, so come on, jump in, the water's lovely.

Glad the comments helped and inspired you to have another shot at it, Larkin, it was a great story.

Very sensible and helpful advice, Sooz, keep 'em coming.

Thanks David, I appreciate you comments, too.

Hi Larkin :) Firstly I am glad you didnt delete the story, I have many times felt the urge to do that to my stories and poems not yet put on ABC but in the end, I thought no matter if they were finished or not, or good or bad, they are mine and how I felt at the time so I have kept them, but still so many not finished and some are a lot better than I have put up so far, but its easier to write when relaxed and not at the computer desk i find :) due to health I cannot sit long or type long and often take a while to write a paragraph e.t.c.

But back to you I agree there are so many talented and really nice people on Abc that's why despite my lack of real talent compared to many on here :) I still follow ABC and recommend the site to all I know. However how I look at critiquing is this, I prefer not to point out the spelling mistakes, grammar or anything else on another writers work unless they ask, because I do not see wrong or right just passionate writers that enjoy writing and entertaining or educating readers and making them smile when reading their work. I like to compare it with being at school where we are all in the same class just some at different stages but still equal and still have feelings, so I personally get uncomfortable with critiquing to the point it comes across arrogant or cruel, I just prefer to focus on positive points. I do believe its good to have feedback, which I always welcome on my work, lets face it I need it lol, as long as it is for the right reason!

I agree a lot with Sooze006 about what he said on the writers side....... 'I think we're all so damned frightened of causing offense, or seeming critical, but as long as crit is given with respect I think it is 'usually' well received' and Don't be worried about disregarding anything that you don't agree with, it's your work.

well done :)

keep writing
keep smiling :))))

Prettyrose, never, EVER delete anything that you have written. Never. Even if you think it's rubbish at the time. It's all important, it's all crucial little pieces of you immortalised in binary code (or on a typed or handwritten page, whatever), and you never know when it might come in handy. You might consider yourself a literary toddler now, but if you work hard and stick at it one day you'll be a runner and you'll need your early memories more than you think.

I still have a vast novel and a sizeable but never completed prequel, and though those pieces were composed when I was learning the craft and falling over myself every other sentence and they're pretty crappily written one day, I keep telling myself, I'll find the courage (and time) to salvage them from the deep and somehow make them shine. They're full of little gems, they're peppered with half decent imagery that can feasibly become good imagery with a sufficient polish, and they're crammed with spiffing ideas despite the fact that they need a major re-haul.

I dug up what I consider to be a major treasure the other day from my old computer's hard drive and transferred it via my removable disk. I wrote it when the first series of The Mighty Boosh came out and it's presented as a TV script, but I intend to turn it into a rather long short story or maybe a novella. It's very dependant on Mighty Boosh humour rather than my own, but I can easily change that. I can re-spray it, change the number plates and make something better and more personal out of it. I know I can, because I was brought up to be frugal, to make and mend rather than discard.
In fact I'm going to start that project later today, so bugger the other tedious jobs I had planned.

new Hi Prettyrose,
I agree with all you say too!We are all different
kinds of loving,natured people,write so many ways!
But if one doesn't get or can do something harder!
When I first started I would never ask,or comment!
Just put few had on. I don't grasp all ways,things said. But wouldn't do be all the same I suppose.
Like a ladder,one climbs steps one by one.
If judgemental comment hit peoples nervous system some. Cos where all made different temperaments think! Respect for all and writers works.
Just try have a go! Me.
cavalcaderl No-one is better anyone else,way we read others work,and help given in right way!
But some can't always grasp that me!
But know how people feel life's experiences.
Hope your soon well.
julie x

I agree with Sooz 100% - this site is about honesty but not in my view about negativity.