Aphelion

As Dan and I have noted earlier, sometimes you can comment on every other piece in an issue, and still get only a few (if any) comments on your own work ...<br><br>To address another burning issue:<br><br>"So what's the speed of dark?"<br><br>If it's 'dark energy', one might speculate that it is the same as the speed of light. Anyway, we do know that it is slightly slower than Muhammad Ali in his prime (who could 'turn out the light and be in bed before it gets dark').<br><br>Robert M.

From time to time I see requests from writers for feedback on their stories. Occasionally, there’s a complaint from contributors that they get little or no feedback on their work.

Personally, I’ve found that there’s a sure way to get feedback, and that’s by giving feedback! Every writer published in Aphelion, whether that writer is new or has been contributing to Aphelion for years, likes to see feedback on his/her stories.

If a writer sees that you've taken the time and effort to comment on his story, he'll probably comment on yours.

<br>I dunno. I've commented on almost every story in the past nine months (I finally missed a few last month), but I certainly don't get as many back. Usually I get 4-5 reviews (which is better than some), and then things go off on a tangent like who is more evil, Catbert or Dogbert, or a debate on morality. <br><br>The die hard Usual Suspects post, and then after that, you get a few writers who have a story that month or in the upcoming month.<br><br>Nobody else says much.<br><br>[shameless plug] But if Robert really does put one or more of my stories in next month, you're all invited to give it back to me! If you've "fried in my wide pan", as I believe Kate put it, I'd love to hear from you.<br><br>Nate

I wasn't trying to put down Nate's method of critiquing, and I hope no one took it that way. I, too have benefited from Nate's comments and suggestions, as well as from comments and suggestions by others on Lettercol...

...I certainly don't think Nate intentionally sets out to fry anyone, and certainly he doesn't intend to hurt anyone. It's just his style to critique the way he does. As I said before, he "calls em like he sees em."

<br>As Popeye said, "I yam what I yam."<br><br>I can, however, explain exactly the method I use when critiquing a story. I examine each story for Professionalism, Setting, Character Development, Plot Credibility, & Dialogue. Lest anyone think me smarter than I am, I did not come up with that myself. It is straight out of the OWW Online Writing Workshop pages on "how to review". Specifically, I use sections 1.4.1-1.4.5, which I printed out & keep next to my keyboard when reviewing. Sometimes I think I skip sections if I think the author is advanced in skill level (or just won't listen to me), but generally, I follow down the list:<br>http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/ho ... br>Perhaps this may help someone who does not know how to review to find their "voice" here, and join the conversation.<br><br>Nate

IMO, simply studying those guidelines won't help everybody because much of what they tell us in the guidelines is subjective. For example, Does the story sound believable and ring true? Subjective. Is the dialog stiff or boring? Subjective. And on and on.

<br>There are few things in life (or death, if you're into the Vampire/Angel thing) that aren't subjective and based on your personal perspective.<br><br>I'm not saying that anyone should be required to use them, but if folks choose to use those guidelines, each one of them will still post a different review because each of them will interpret the story their own way. I'm only offering them as a suggested starting point.<br><br>The more voices writers can hear, the better (and not just in their own heads. :))<br><br>Nate

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the letter column is not only about providing trenchant critique but also about expressing a basic opinion. Those who lurk but never comment should know they can log on contribute without feeling obligated to deliver a Natean ass chewing...

<br>"Natean."<br><br>Oh, that's going straight to my head. :)<br><br><br>I'll second your next point, though. Just a verbal thumbs up or down is just fine, too, if one is uncomfortable giving more than that.<br><br>Nate

Where has everybody gone?<br><br>I think that, deep down, that might have been Donald's real question when he started this thread, asking lurkers to post. Things are so slow you wonder if your voice is going to echo, like in a big, empty space.<br><br>I suppose I'm partially to blame since my own posting is a lot slower lately (push did come to shove, and I had to put my family first and spend more time with them), but the question remains, where is everyone?<br><br>I know Kate has two broken wrists and can't type... Jaimie just got married, and I remember what that can do to your free time... Robert has managed to post a lot more lately, even though he's doing his editing thing and the Nightwatch thing, so I can't blame him... Dan's consumed by his own Nightwatch...<br><br>But a check of the top 15 posters list yields some names I haven't seen much in a while: neoadorable, TaoPhoenix, Therio, Greg_Guerin... And there are more where that came from. <br><br>Nothing against the folks who are posting. I'm glad to know you're there. But...<br><br>Hello? Is there anybody out there? There are a lot of stories here that need feedback... Hello?<br><br>Nate

...and I just got back from a week in Florida. My mother just passed away after a long illness in a nursing home down there. She was 93.

Donald

<br>I’m very sorry to hear it. My condolences on your loss.<br><br>Nate

My life is starting to get back to normal. I planned on returning to the critiques with the June issue. *cough*

::)

<br>If you think that now that you're married, life is going to ever go back to normal... you're in for a big surprise! :)<br><br>[Chortle. Giggle.] <br><br>Nate<br>(Still being surprised by married life and parenthood, over 11 years and counting.)

Well, we've lived in sin before we got married. I've been a husband-in-training for a while now.  ;D

<br><br>Your wife probably tells her friends that she didn't find you 'fetching' at first, but you learned. (Now she's going to work on getting you to Sit and Stay on command ...)<br><br>Robert M.

Well, we've lived in sin before we got married. I've been a husband-in-training for a while now.  ;D

<br>When the newlywed things wears off, I think you'll find the frequency of "sinning" drops dramatically... Especially if suddenly "blessed" with child... (precautions or not).<br><br>Just be happy if she doesn't want to to stop that noisy typin' and come sit with her to watch those dang blammed award shows. [Shudder.]<br><br>Nate