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What I Think! - Creative Writing Review Services - Request a Fic Review! [NEW: RVW3: Puella Magi Takara Magica]

Synchronized

By Synchronized
in Creative Writing

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Synchronized Newbie

Synchronized

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As someone who has long since enjoyed the Creative Writing (and previously Fan-Fiction) section in my seven-year tenure here on YCM, it's sad to see that the activity has seriously started to decline until very recently.  Some of the best writers to ever grace the site (I'm looking at you, Vector, Matt, etc.) have returned with brand-new stories and from what I've seen, newer members have begun to try their hand at the tedious (though rewarding) task of managing and completing a story.
 
Since I find myself having a significant amount of free time lately, I decided I might as well put some of it to good use and start a Fan-Fiction review service, similar to Foe Fiction but not really similar to Foe Fiction at all other than the fact that both were review series.  Every other day, starting today and continuing in an every-other-day pattern (which should really be self-explanatory), I will choose and review a Fan-Fiction on the site.  I will also take personal requests, all you have to do is comment here with a link to your thread and I'll automatically add it to the list in a first come, first serve order.  Individual chapters and/or stories themselves, both are applicable.
 
Note: When starting a review series, I will only review the first chapter.  From there, if it's good, I may review further chapters; if it's bad, that doesn't necessarily mean I won't read it further, but perhaps I'll offer suggestions and the like and then give it another go.  As someone who has done a lot of Creative Writing and other writing based work in College currently, I do have a somewhat vast idea of what makes a decent story, but due to low self-esteem, I tend to be rather harsh on my own work.
 
With that out of the way, there are a lot of fantastic writers and stories that people aren't noticing, so here's hoping that this will get them some notoriety! 
 


86ByksX.png

 

Request and Review Board

 

January 31, 2014: Episode 1: A Sequel Worth Checking Out? Finally! [Yu-Gi-Oh! Armageddon: Birth of the Ice Queen]
February 2, 2014: Episode 2: Oh Joy...Back to Duel Academy... [Yu-Gi-Oh! SCG: Spirit Caller Genesis]

February 4, 2014: Episode 3: Magic What Now? [Puella Magi Takara Magica]

 

Stories Worth Reading - Give Em' A Look

 

Yu-Gi-Oh! Armageddon: Birth of the Ice Queen

Currently on Chapter 3

Yu-Gi-Oh! Spirit Caller Genesis

Currently on Chapter 3

 

The fourth review will be added on February 6, 2014.  Requests are open for further reviews, but the next review will be the 2nd Chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh! Armageddon: Birth of the Ice Queen, and this time things will be a bit more critical.  Post or PM for requests!
 
Anyway, anyone interested in requests just post a link here, if not I'll get started with it manually and hope the popularity will build over time!~

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Admiral_Stalfos19 Newbie

Admiral_Stalfos19

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Hey. I've been wondering if you could make this your next review

 

http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/310469-puella-magi-takara-magica/

 

There's only two chapters so far 'cause lackoffeedbackstuffsupmotivation, but I've been trying to make myself a third chapter for quite some time. Perhaps a review could give me a little more spark, even if it means I manage to get this third chapter in before the review.

 

Thanks in advance.

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Synchronized Newbie

Synchronized

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Do not bump with in 24 hours, you should know better.

 

Figured the two would auto-merge, they usually do.  Although technically it was the next day regardless.

 

Hey. I've been wondering if you could make this your next review

 

http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/310469-puella-magi-takara-magica/

 

There's only two chapters so far 'cause lackoffeedbackstuffsupmotivation, but I've been trying to make myself a third chapter for quite some time. Perhaps a review could give me a little more spark, even if it means I manage to get this third chapter in before the review.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Can't definitively say it will be the next review, but I've added it to the list and will definitely do something with it in the near future.

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Bahamut - Envoy of the End Newbie

Bahamut - Envoy of the End

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Oh I'm seeing a problem with this already. I suspected this would happen, because it's not only indicative of this section but also the card creation sections and everywhere else (and people's nature in general), especially prominent on communal threads where people are given reign to add their own cards to a set, or suggestions on what they want to see on member based cards. Problem being everyone just jumps up and down going "Do me! Do me! Do me!"... and doesn't give any feedback on the other cards that the OP has already made. Or in this case ignores any other recommendations the reviewer makes and just insists on him doing their own <_<

 

Inb4 'Matt's bitter that he hasn't gained any commenting readers in the day since his fic was already reviewed'.

 

I'm aware of about a dozen members I can name as a reader base I've got so far, I hope anyway, and given the section and it's current state I'm quite happy with that and aware most people here would kill for a dozen regular readers/commentors. But for this to really work as intended then it needs more than people advertising their own stuff. Yes the review and suggestions on your own work Neo is offering is brilliant and there's stuff I've picked up from the indepth analysis, but... I dunno. I know the highlighting and recommeding of fics that hopefully increases their readerbase is a secondary product of this service, but I still hope its part of what is trying to be achieved here and people keep that in mind and appreciate Neo's reviews and give them a read so they can learn stuff from other people's work being critically examined and also hopefully find something good to read, rather than just post in the thread with a link to their work and a quick "Mine! Mine!" comment, then otherwise ignore everything else. I've already had a look at SCG and intend to look at VR when I get chance, most likely my holiday in a weeks time (didn't realise Felix was Mugen's alt =/) I hope people can keep this rant in mind and you can see what I'm getting at with my awful explanation. :mellow:

 

Just a worry.

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The Warden Enthusiast

The Warden

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Okay, I really have to be the guy, don't I? While you are correct about the "Do me! Do me!" thing Matt, the issue is that he's going about it wrong. See, a review is about deconstruction and critical analysis, and all he's doing it pointing out things that should be obvious. Things anyone could realistically pick up on without someone else pointing it out. And then, the final comments was literally just an overly long proposal to your ass. You have to remain neutral in a review and not let your own personal feelings reflect on what you're saying, something he failed to do due to obvious fanboyism.

 

In reality, the result you were afraid is the actual aim here; it's not a review session, he's just getting people to ask him to read their stories and then make a few easy-to-make comments.

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Synchronized Newbie

Synchronized

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^

 

I agree and disagree with you at the same time, Broke.

 

On the one hand, critical analysis is important and pointing out flaws are definitely one of the key components to an effective review.  When I do it, I break it down piece by piece and read it, then choose sections in which to insert commentary.  Of course, that's something you have to do because you're taking the time to review it but when you're also trying to get other people to read these reviews and promote activity as far as getting members to read the fics, you have to make it at least a little bit interesting.

 

At the same time, I believe that I've done a relatively effective job pointing out plenty of critiques within the first review.  While there was a lot to like, I believe it's possible to be effective despite enjoying the story.  With every compliment I threw out, there were plenty of things I mentioned that I would like to see improved.  Questions about the story, grammatical issues, spelling, logistical inconsistencies, even a bit of overwhelming description and things like that.  To stay completely 100% neutral and not really get into the story (assuming it's something you CAN get into) doesn't really help the writer as much.  Of course that's just my personal opinion and if we differ in that area, then so be it.

 

I'll take what you said into consideration and attempt to be a little more hard-hitting with upcoming ones.  The main goal is to take those writers who are trying to get their work noticed and offer them some insight on what worked and what didn't.  As someone who has been writing for a while, I know that even someone taking the time to break down things and say "Hey, I liked this" and "Hey, this kinda sucked" is helpful especially because criticism sticks out.

 

As for Matt's points, I want to figure out a way to somehow incorporate that idea and promote the writers to take a look at other Fan-Fictions on the site as well.  As a community, we've got some really good writers here and it would be pretty cool to think of a way to figure that out.  It's gonna take some time but I'm planning on dedicating myself to it so I think we'll kinda learn as we go as far as what the most effective way to do it is.

 

Will have the next review up tonight.

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Mugendramon Newbie

Mugendramon

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To be honest I was reserving judgment because this is only the first review, but the reason I made no actual comments was that my mindset regarding it is pretty much the same as Broken's.

 

You literally made 3 critical points. I counted them. That's not plenty. The rest was praise. It didn't feel like a very balanced, let alone neutral read.

 

And let's face it, being neutral in your review helps the author more than dropping on their feet and going "it's all great please write more".

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Synchronized Newbie

Synchronized

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To be honest I was reserving judgment because this is only the first review, but the reason I made no actual comments was that my mindset regarding it is pretty much the same as Broken's.

You literally made 3 critical points. I counted them. That's not plenty. The rest was praise. It didn't feel like a very balanced, let alone neutral read.

And let's face it, being neutral in your review helps the author more than dropping on their feet and going "it's all great please write more".


Like I said. It's obviously flawed and I have to do a lot of work to get it to be as effective as possible. I'm going to keep working at it and seeing what works and what doesn't. That's the cool part is that it'll get better with time.

I definitely have a lot of work to do.
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Bahamut - Envoy of the End Newbie

Bahamut - Envoy of the End

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...all he's doing it pointing out things that should be obvious. Things anyone could realistically pick up on without someone else pointing it out. And then, the final comments was literally just an overly long proposal to your ass. You have to remain neutral in a review and not let your own personal feelings reflect on what you're saying, something he failed to do due to obvious fanboyism.

 

If your critisism is that 'he's only pointing out things that are really obvious' (in your opinion) well... not everything that is obvious to you or anyone else will be obvious to someone else, especially when he comes to reviewing stuff by newer and more inexperienced members. Obviously if there had been really obvious errors that I was able to spot... then wouldn't I have spotted them and got rid of therm myself? :mellow:

 

We're all agreed the final analysis was a little overwhelming, but if hios overall feeling for the story is largely positive then it's largely positive.

 

And let's face it, being neutral in your review helps the author more than dropping on their feet and going "it's all great please write more".

 

Agreed, although I would hope people will be able to relax and enjoy stuff rather need to study it to the nth insane degree of criticalness :) (although I suppose that's what Neo has volunteered to do and part of what's signed up for)

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The Warden Enthusiast

The Warden

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Obviously if there had been really obvious errors that I was able to spot... then wouldn't I have spotted them and got rid of therm myself? :mellow:

 

See, this right here? Obviousness differs between people. You wouldn't notice and eradicate them because it's your own work. Much of the time a writer can look over their work and go 'This is okay', when it may not be. It's because much of the time people really can't be critical about their own work, especially when they're dead set on that what they've done is 'good'. This is why you have proof readers look things over; so that they act as a seperate force who may not think it's a good idea and point that out. Errors can be obvious, but you can be blinded to them as well.

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