Truly Ruthless Critiques

Gloves-come-off, not-for-the-weak-hearted-or-easily-offended. Critiques for writers who want to become GREAT writers.

This project is for anyone who's looking for more than superficial praise and platitudes. Critiques here will be hard hitting, to the point, and utterly focused on turning your draft into an evokative (and more importantly), publishable story or poem.

All genres, ages, races, ethnicities, religions and political sympathies welcome. Don't come here looking for some TLC. The only rule in this project: Tear out the weak muscles of a piece to make it stronger, faster, better.

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shahw

8/15/2009 11:06 AM PDT

http://www.webook.com/project/My-Best-Three-Poems-WEBook-2009

Please look at my three for the VOTE. To see them and maybe to vote, click the link. ;-)

Many thanks

Shah. XX

senoritaburrito

7/17/2009 1:55 AM PDT

You spelled evocative wrong.

BStyles

7/16/2009 6:48 PM PDT

Ack. Thanks for this.

A2Kdavis

7/16/2009 4:25 PM PDT

OK...good stuff anowalk :)

gonzodave

7/15/2009 11:23 PM PDT

Simpatico. Well said ~anowalk.

anowalk

7/15/2009 11:06 PM PDT

Greetings all,

While this project is still in its infancy, I thought I'd take the opportunity to encourage people who have submitted and been critiqued to post revisions in addition to addressing specific problems/points of concern within their own piece. Especially if its a point of concern that I've highlighted in critique which you don't agree with or don't understand because of my rushed explanations. I'm far more comfortable with verbal critiques. Handing out written ones usually leaves me with a feeling of having not thoroughly explained why I prefer the things I do.

Its critical that critiques be taken at face value. While I consider myself experienced in the realm of poetry, that's far from considering myself an expert. If you don't agree with something, please, stand your ground and call me out. If my reasoning is faulty, or my mood simply has me grumpy and nay-saying when I give a critique, I'm more than willing to address counter points or follow up issues. Many times seeming "flaws" in a poem are left in by the writer for the sake of the overall success of the piece. In the end, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU WRITE. Regardless of whether you respect my opinion, you must decide what's best for your piece and critiques, mine or otherwise, can only be used as guidance, not as authority.

The truly terrible thing about writing, poetry I feel in particular, is that no one can tell you how to do it right, but many people can tell you how you're doing it wrong.

gonzodave

7/11/2009 11:06 AM PDT

This is quite remarkable and a demanding investment from the originator of this project. I appreciate your abilities, Anowalk, and commend your generosity. Cool!

BStyles

7/1/2009 9:54 PM PDT

I'll be your huckleberry.