Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 20, 2012 - 5:08pm

Hello.

My name is Liam, and I’m a writeaholic.

It all began so innocently. “Come on,” they said. “You’ll like it. Try it just this once...” It seemed harmless enough. One little taste couldn’t hurt, right? Wrong. I was hooked. I saw the warning signs, but I ignored them. I started buying paraphernalia. I thought I could be a casual user. You know, the “only on the weekends” kind? That didn’t last. Pretty soon, I was doing it every day—often more than once. I started to neglect things like school and work. My wife and cats sat by, helpless, as I sank deeper and deeper into my addiction.

I needed help.

After an intervention, I got into a  program in the hopes that the doctors could help me control my habit. They failed. So, here I am… looking for a fix...

 

TL:DR -- I’m an unpublished optimist with delusions of grandeur… in other words, an MFA student. Nice to meet you. 

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like June 20, 2012 - 6:34pm

Cue "Canon in D"

I thought someone was getting married.

Hi.

See any of that new Tarantino stuff down there in NO,LA?

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 20, 2012 - 9:51pm

No such luck. The city has been crawling with film crews for a while now. For the most part, their presence manifests as traffic from randomly closed streets.

misskokamon's picture
misskokamon from San Francisco is reading The Moonlit Mind June 20, 2012 - 10:31pm

Man, the Canon in D is in EVERYTHING. Every show, every song, everything. Now it's polluting our forums!

Anyway, welcome. I don't typically care about introductions and ignore you new people until you say something in other threads that tickles my interest, but I like you. It feels like I know you. Which is, of course, the effect of CANON IN D.

underpurplemoon's picture
underpurplemoon from PDX June 21, 2012 - 12:28am

Welcome!

I played a simple version of Canon in D for a piano recital a few times. I was supposed to play it for my sister's wedding twelve years ago, but they didn't need me or didn't have time for me. I have a love/hate relationship with that music piece. Grrr....

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 4:07am

Welcome! Blah. 

Here is your picture. You're approved. 

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated June 21, 2012 - 6:06am

We are the Dwayne. We welcome you.

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 6:07am

Oh yeah! I forgot! Hold on

 

That is your picture. We am Matt. We decided you're approved. We have offered our picture. 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 21, 2012 - 6:20am

But Kyle, we're so cute and loveable!!

Also, to whoever it is I'm welcoming....WELCOME!

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 21, 2012 - 8:19am

Resistance to Dwanye is futile. They will assimilate you ... or stalk you.

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 8:36am

We will do both. Your culture will adapt to service  us. 

Chris Davis's picture
Chris Davis from Indiana is reading A Feast of Snakes by Harry Crews June 21, 2012 - 11:24am

Welcome to litreactor.

Matt has given you a picture.  This approval is worth a 1000 words, now post those thousand words in the writers workshop so we can judge you.

At this point I would usually let you know that Avery, Dave or a combination would give you the official welcome but it would appear the time for that has come and gone. I would suggest that in the absence of this time honored tradition every welcome thread be graced by Howie making a comment about his genitalia.  This of course is just an suggestion.

Now decide on a task and see it through until completion,

Chris Davis

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 11:25am

I would suggest that in the absence of this time honored tradition every welcome thread be graced by Howie making a comment about his genitalia.  This of course is just an suggestion"

Concur. 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 21, 2012 - 11:38am

OMG!  FUCK!

HERE!

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 11:41am

That's the angriest welcome ever. 

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 21, 2012 - 12:01pm

It's okay, Avery's in anger meme management. 

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 21, 2012 - 12:10pm

Thank you for all the warm, humorous, ribald, and/or vaguely menacing welcomes. I’ll treasure them always—or something to that effect.

I was very much in “workshop GO!” mode when I signed up two days go. So, I jumped right into things before pausing to check out the forums. On the bright side, I already have enough points to submit a second story. Here’s a question, I know it tells you when an author found your review helpful. Does it also notify you if they find it unhelpful?
 

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 12:15pm

It does and it does happen sometimes. The intro thread has a review guide in it. 

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 21, 2012 - 12:25pm

It does and it does happen sometimes. The intro thread has a review guide in it.

Look for answers in the obvious places? Read instructions? P'shaw! I'm in the middle of midterms, man! I haven't got time to think clearly. 

In other words, thank you for humoring the noob.

 

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 12:24pm

No worries. LBLs aren't in style now, but I like them. Try to put effort into it and no one will fault you. 

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 12:25pm

Also! YOU SPEAK WHEN SPOKEN TO NOOB! 

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 21, 2012 - 12:31pm

...bitch when I don't post it....bitch when I do post it...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

whatever

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 21, 2012 - 12:33pm

@Matt -- The first five reviews I posted didn’t’ have a LBL attached. After poking around the threads a bit, I discovered that they were preferred. So, I posted my first review with one last night. I’ll probably do them uniformly from now on.

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 21, 2012 - 12:39pm

You don't have to. Some people don't even read them. I just feel better doing them and getting them. 

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 21, 2012 - 12:57pm

@Matt -- I don’t think LBLs are absolutely necessary. My story has gotten four reviews. None have had an LBL, but they’ve all been useful. Regardless, I’m going to try to include them from now on. Even if the author is apathetic, I’m not—and I think the practice has merits in its own right.

It feels like a good habit to have.

Dwayne's picture
Dwayne from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updated June 22, 2012 - 4:46am

I'm pretty much of the mind set that LBL are a must. If I don't have time I won't do any review rather then do one without a LBL.

GaryP's picture
GaryP from Denver is reading a bit of this and that June 22, 2012 - 5:28am

I'm with Dwayne. Nothing serious. Yet. But I also agree about the LBL. I'd imagine, however, that it's different for everyone. As I'm reading I find specific things to discuss within the text, so it's more natural for me to just start making notes in the story. I have a more difficult time giving broad comments.

Chris Davis's picture
Chris Davis from Indiana is reading A Feast of Snakes by Harry Crews June 22, 2012 - 6:40am

@Goods - As an American I assumed we wouldn't have to take away your intro thread but you would simply retreat from it as soon as we approached. 

Dave's picture
Dave from a city near you is reading constantly June 23, 2012 - 3:07pm

Welcome. I'm late, I know. 

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 24, 2012 - 10:38am

@Dave--Better late than never. Thanks for the welcome.

@ Dwayne & Gary--I haven’t posted a critique without an LBL since learning that people preferred them. If I haven’t had time, I’ve put off posting one until I did. It has slowed me down a good bit. I’m trying to post something for every story Matt Attack lists in the whoring thread.

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life June 24, 2012 - 12:59pm

Hello Sid. I am reviewing one of your workshop items now. 

 

And for the record, reviews without LBLs are pointless wastes of the writer's time, and indicates laziness and perfidy on the part of the reviewer.

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 24, 2012 - 1:19pm

Thanks for checking out my work.

And for the record, reviews without LBLs are pointless wastes of the writer's time, and indicates laziness and perfidy on the part of the reviewer.

I include them in every review now. That being said, I have to respectfully, but emphatically, disagree with you. Useful insights are just as valid in a text block as they are in a bubble along the right margin. I am grateful for anything that helps me improve. 

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life June 24, 2012 - 1:40pm

Oh really? Give me an example of some solid, actionable advice that improved your writing that you got from a non-LBL review. Maybe your disagreement with my thesis stems from my unshakeable conviction that nothing helpful comes from positive comments, or from leading questions. Examples, from your own subs:

Did you notice when his number mantra shifts? Well, now you've polluted the question. Unless you ignore the synopsis and agenda, you've told the reader something they may not have noticed--thereby invalidating the result.

Would you have continued reading? This is a pointless question, and does nothing to improve your writing. We, as readers, assume that you believe your writing to be compelling; otherwise, why write it at all? If the answer is no, you'll see why in the LBL. If the answer is yes, what is the context? Without an LBL, how do you know they gave it their full attention? I can read with music playing, the TV on, and my kids throwing lego pieces at me. But I certainly wouldn't be able to take notes on what I am reading. Think about school--did you take notes, or did you just listen to what the teacher said and say 'Ok, got it!'

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 24, 2012 - 2:04pm

Oh really? Give me an example of some solid, actionable advice that improved your writing that you got from a non-LBL review.

 

I believe I said anything that helps “me” improve. For example, consider Strange Photon’s commentary about Simon’s reaction. It’s given me cause to consider a major change in revision, potentially improving the story. Yes, it could have been in a bubble. It’s no less thought provoking outside of one.

 

Did you notice when...? Well, now you've polluted the question. Unless you ignore the synopsis and agenda, you've told the reader something they may not have noticed--thereby invalidating the result.

 

Well, my agenda does say: **Please read the story before my agenda**. As an aside, you've done me something of a disservice by posting the question here.

 

Would you have continued reading? This is a pointless question, and does nothing to improve your writing.

 

Once again, I disagree. The agenda is for asking things that you specifically want an answer to. I want to know if/precisley where my story loses a reader. Unless there’s a note that says “You lost me here”, I will not have that data. By comparing multiple reviews, I can look for patterns and then reevaluate the text accordingly. For example, if I lose five out of six on page three, I know I need a better hook before then or that my pacing is too slow.  

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 24, 2012 - 2:07pm

Hey Jeff, quit being a douche.  You don't get to decide what other people find helpful.

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig June 24, 2012 - 2:29pm

Oh, snap!

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 24, 2012 - 3:14pm

quit being a douche"

Species84's picture
Species84 from Fluidic space is reading UNIX a standard operating system (1985) by Austen & Thomassen June 24, 2012 - 3:27pm

Respect dude!    "The canon" , where it all begun.... :)

But sorry to ask but what means 'cue' ?   Like 'on hold' or something?    

Then i dont get it: for me there is always time for the canon! 

Thanx and have fun around here....

But first canon-time :)

 

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life June 24, 2012 - 4:34pm

I wouldn't worry about the disservice done to you--none of the people on the forums review anything anyway. 

Hey avery... ok. 

ReneeAPickup's picture
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck Wendig June 24, 2012 - 4:37pm

Says the guy on the forums...

avery of the dead's picture
avery of the dead from Kentucky is reading Cipher Sisters June 24, 2012 - 5:33pm

Last I checked, I'm still ahead of you in points on the leader board, so I wouldn't say no one here reviews. 

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 24, 2012 - 7:17pm

@Jeff

I explored the forums here with some trepidation. I’m pretty introverted. To be honest, only the lack reviews coaxed me out of the workshop and craft essay sections. Even then, it was only because a topic caught my eye. I’d just reviewed a story and glanced at the author’s profile. He’d recently posted in thread about getting reviews. So, that’s where I started. There was some good advice there, such as just saying hello so that people knew I existed. There was also an exasperated post complaining about the declining quality of reviews. That post prompted me to open word and teach myself how to do line-by-lines. I think I am the better for it.

You wrote that post.

Good advice doesn’t need to be in a bubble.

I’m looking forward to your review. I hope you finished the story before reading the agenda.

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 24, 2012 - 7:39pm

@Species84

Cue (in this context) means to prompt something.

Thanks for the welcome and the link. I spent several minutes YouTube hopping around dubstep remixes. It was a welcome break from an essay-mandated dose of Henry James.

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life June 24, 2012 - 8:46pm

I never read anything the author posts or anything other reviewers post. It seems antithetical to read the author's interpretation of their own work before it's truly finished, and many of the reviews are subliterate at best. 

However, in the interest of full disclosure, I should add that some of my best reviews have been non-LBL, and my statements should be taken as the blithering idiocy they were meant to be. I was just talking shit while BBQing lunch. Everyone needs a hobby, and mine is being a douche. Nothing personal, enjoy your Litreacting!

Matt Attack's picture
Matt Attack from Richmond, Va. is reading As I Lay Dying, William Faulkner June 25, 2012 - 2:45am

I’m pretty introverted."

Most of us are. Why do you think we're in the forums to begin with? 

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 25, 2012 - 2:12pm

@Jeff

We can has kumbaya?

 

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life June 25, 2012 - 2:31pm

haha of course, monsieur meilleur. I respect and admire everyone on this site*, and especially those who can actually write--really enjoyed your sub. So when I start acting the buffoon, feel free to tell me to fuck off, it helps a lot. TIA.

 

 

* Some restrictions apply

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 25, 2012 - 2:41pm

@Jeff

I'd love you have your take on my short story - Playing to Win. It's much shorter (word wise) and a totally different animal. 

I have to admit, your LBL was brutally excellent. 

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life June 25, 2012 - 2:49pm

Oh, thanks! I'll review 'Playing to Win' this evening. 

Liam Meilleur's picture
Liam Meilleur from New Orleans is reading The Fall of Kings by Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman June 25, 2012 - 3:04pm

@Jeff

Are you stilll working on Late Night Double Feature

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life June 25, 2012 - 3:27pm

@S. Meilleur: yes, I'm almost through my revisions based on the feedback I got from the workshop. I am the worlds slowest writer. The benefit is that by the time I post the next draft, the LitHate will be at a fever pitch, and I'll be practically guaranteed brutal feedback.