New Rules, Critics Needed and Group Promotions

New Rules

As of March 2014 we have instated the following rule.
All pieces submitted for a critique must include at least one question in the artist's comments as to how you want the critic to look at your work. We will check submissions, and remind you if you have forgotten, but save everyone the trouble of reminding and reminding again.

We will only be accepting ONE chapter of a story at a time. Please don't submit your entire novel at once, and please put a brief summary of what has happened in each passing chapter alongside your questions in the comments section. This way, our critics will give you feedback without having to read the whole thing. Sorry, but we're a group that tries to be fair to everyone, and it's not fair to critique 50,000 words by one writer and then 2000 by another.

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Critics Needed

Due to what can be called "life" the critics sometimes have to step back for a month or two. It is in this time that we need critics more than ever. And this means you, your DA - or blood - relatives, your watchers.
POETRY critics specifically as that folder is very full...PROSE critics won't be turned away as we have lost many and that folder is filling too.
Critics can submit their own work for critique.
Minimum critiques are 2 per month. (If you have a problem with this and you know you won't meet this minimum then note MagicalJoey who will be more than happy to put you on hiatus for a month or so while you sort out your RL problems.
If you want to be a critic, or know of someone who does, please note me (MagicalJoey) with a note titled GNC Critic.
If there is someone who has critiqued your work who you think would make a good critique link me [MagicalJoey ] to their critique and I will contact them.

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Group Promotion

This group was opened a while back and currently stands mostly inactive. It aims to answer the question "Is my book a page-turner" by accepting submissions of the first chapter, blurb or synopsis of your book. You will receive a comment, at least one, but nothing is free. To receive your comment and have your work in our group we ask that you leave a comment on at least two works that are in the group. Come and join us, and let us help you. Bring your novel or novella or short or anthology writing friends and let them see if their book is a page turner. (Don't forget to comment on two works currently in the folder)


This group is back in action. Head on over and become a mentor, a mentee or a buddy! Mentors are strongly needed! There are many mentees who have been waiting what feels to them as since the group was re-birthed. Remember this group is for pairing writers with writers who can help them better themselves and in the process perhaps form friendships that will help and benefit the whole literature community.


This group is a support group of sorts where you are allowed to submit mainly literature, though there is a folder for artworks, that speaks of problems such as depression, bullying, suicide, loss, self harm, eating disorders, etc. (If you think we need a new folder don't hesitate to note us. It's here for you to learn a bit of what goes on in the minds of your fellow sufferers and perhaps be able to help them a bit with the knowledge you have from your life. Don't be afraid to comment on their pieces - even a hug can bring about some feelings of acceptance.

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General Conversation

I hope that all is well with you.

On our main page is a list of the critics and what they critique. This is to let you, the members, know who is who. Hopefully you will visit their pages and browse their works, as many of them put in so much effort here and desperately need comments on their own work. You don't have to be a critic to leave a positive comment, so go make their day.

On that note, if you ever feel that a critic has been unduly negative in their critique, or if they are critiquing you in person and not your work, please note MagicalJoey (with a note appropriately titled so I know what it's about) and I will try to solve the problem. Remember though, that a good critique sometimes has to be harsh, and you posted your work for critique. If the work is especially meaningful to you, and you know that you can't accept anything possibly 'negative' in a comment, then don't submit it here. Remember: we critique everything that is submitted --> except for pieces that flout the rules. (Rules can be found further down in this journal.)

Please also note, that as we are a critique group, we don't promote your works. If you are looking for more exposure, please don't submit to us and waste both our time and yours.

I also want to ask you, as members, to try and bring new members in to the group. I am sure that you have many watchers and friends who would like constructive comments/critiques on some of their work - invite them to join us. If you can't physically invite them, then get them to come to our page and click 'join'. Requests to join are automatically accepted (I think) and if they aren't I accept all join requests.

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Rules

We critique EVERYTHING you place in the folder. If you don't want a critique, don't submit.
We are not a group here to promote your work.
We try to not take school/university essays, as it is not really our job to critique and proofread them for you. This rule can be bent on occasion.
We appeal to you to please place something (like questions) in your artist's comments that tell us anything you specifically want us to focus on when we critique. It makes things easier for us when we have a guideline.
We accept only original writing - if you post something that is not yours you will be reported as an art thief.
We DO NOT accept any Fan Fiction.
We have no word limit on prose entries, however, bear in mind that the longer the entry the longer you will have to wait for a critique.
We only accept one chapter of a story at any given time. Please ensure a summary of previous chapters within your comments for critique purpose.
We do not accept epic descriptions of violence, sex (erotica, smut), religious views. Please apply mature filters where appropriate.

Critiquing Philosophy

Borrowed from

When we critique a piece, we aren't arguing against it - you don't have to defend your piece.
When we critique a piece, we aren't saying that it is awful or terrible - we are simply saying that there is room for improvement.
When we critique a piece, we are giving our opinions, not a mandate or law.
When we critique a piece, we try to critique those that can be improved upon. Those with work still to be done.
When we critique a piece, we research what we are saying.
When we critique a piece, we put a lot of effort into what we are saying, sometimes taking hours to write the critique.
When we critique a piece, we don't expect you to change everything we suggest. If you do, good, if you don't, the main point is that you learn for next time.
When we critique a piece, we are as respectful as we know how to be.
When we critique a piece, we try to keep in mind that we are fallible, and no matter how much research we may have done we may be wrong.
When we critique a piece, we are aware that our own work may need just as much critique as yours.