Man, I've only been here one day and I'm already breaking stuff and running around in circles.
I'ved looked at some of the critiques done here and note that most use the "marginal notes" method, and a few use the "inserted colored comments" method. Is there a prefered standard you guys like? 'Cause personally, I'm use to the "inserted comment" method as I like to be very detailed and explanatory with my feedback.
Soon as I get this question nipped in the bud I've got my sights on a couple stories I'm eager to read and critique.
(I promise I'll never make fun of another newbie ever again....maybe.)
Max... Do what's best for you... Or what ever your program allows. Personally, I like the 'inserted colored comment'. You callin me a racist? Haha! Just kiddin'
Anyway, do whatever feels natural to you, and whatever your program can handle. Got MS Word, then do 'marginal notes'. Got Open Office (which I use) then do 'inserted colored comments'. Ain't no one on here gonna complain. So long as you give them a good review. And, if you're new to reviews, check out Chuck's essay on giving reviews.
Good luck man... Looking forward to reviewing your work... and vice versa...
~Rian
Thank you! I'm not new to giving reviews. In fact, I'm use to giving detailed reviews which is why the "comments" method would work better for me.
I did read some of the Resources and Review Tips on this site. I'm not sure how well appreciated my critique style will be here, but in the past I've had lots of compliments....so we'll see.
Like Nike... Just Do It... What you have to say can't hurt, only help... That's why we're here. You'll find that all of us here are here to help. Do the same. Give constructive criticism and you'll be fine. All of us here, we understand... And, you'll be rewarded (points wise). Give it a shot, what's the worst that can happen. Test it out on of my stories... Okay, a little self promotion there, but hey... You know... LOL!
I like my reviews typeset in gothic format, 12 pt font and delivered in a sub-parallel document that is electronically folded over the first one.
Or margin comments works fine.
Alien jokes... I think, I hope... And really, he's from Washington... That means Seattle Seahawks, who we, (the one and only, 6 time Super Bowl Champs, beat in Super Bowl 40) are, well, I don't know, but that's the best I've ot at 6:30 in morning... LOL!
But, I'll give WA grunge... Although Kurt, well... I'll leave my comments about him to myself...
I've been really busy lately so I've just been calling people and leaving the critique on their voicemail.
For me it all depends on the piece. Sometimes I do marginal notes, sometimes inserted colored comments, and sometimes a combination of the two. Sometimes I don't do a LBL at all. Just do whatever you think is most helpful.
I like my reviews typeset in gothic format, 12 pt font and delivered in a sub-parallel document that is electronically folded over the first one.
Or margin comments works fine.
OR
How 'bout I program my review into a nanobot and upload directly into your brain via the Litreactor server?
alien jokes...
I don't joke. Nevah.
Also, if you'll buy that, I have a geniune pair of Elvis's underwear--never been washed--on eBay.
I've been really busy lately so I've just been calling people and leaving the critique on their voicemail.
Oh, yes, I'm quite busy too. Say, would any ladies like to be reviewed?
Anyway, I'm off to review something now.
I prefer the margin comments, it makes it easier to read the comment with the context intact, and it makes it less confusing when I sit down to rewrite and want to go over the LBLs I received. And, for me, they are so much easier to DO when I review something.
@Brandon Calling me at 2 in the morning and screaming obscenities about my grandmother is not critiquing.
It is, on the other hand, the reason we put Gramma in a rehab center. I don't know what that lady did to you, but the whole family apologizes.
margin comments are sexy.
I like when people put funny comments there just randomly like "peek a boo" or "made ya look".
I'm out of town for a few weeks now. Not sure when I can get back to critting. I did give my first critique though and just went free-form insert-comments.
I apologize to that person if things got a little confusing and messy, but hope my comments offered some helpful perspectives--and that's the main purpose anyhow, right?
Just making an observation here: I feel the 15Pt cost and the max of 3-ery Helpful is a tad discouraging for LBL crits especially with works exceeding 4-6k words. That's like nearly 15 hours of critting per post if you do detailed crits for each work.
