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Uncle Drunkie's Writer/Critic Dating Service

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Greetings! Welcome to...well, you read the title, you know where you are. How does this work, you ask?

CAUTION READ THIS BEFORE POSTING.

Writers looking for critics, post a synopsis of your work here. At the bottom you will find a handy-dandy list of suggestions to use for this. Keep the actual synopsis short (two mid-size paragraphs max. Someone will be along to help you...if you hook their interest, that is. Also, be sure to include a blurb about you, the writer; personal info is neither required nor recommended. Instead, speak on your goals as a writer and how serious you are about this. By "serious" I mean, are you just a fan fic hobbyist looking for some pointers, or are you seriously considering a career as an author?

Critics; your job is even easier. All you have to do is read through the synopses until you find one that interests you. If and when you have, PM the author and tell them "I want to be your critic!" Further details (how to exchange works, what the writer wants, what the critic wants, etc. etc. etc.) I leave to individual pairings to figure out.

The point here is to help join authors and the editors who might love them in the bonds of unholy geekery, for the betterment of all our nascent works...and to cut down on the plethora of "hey, critique my work!" micro-threads Writer's Block was inundated with. Furthermore, posting large chunks of a potentially publishable work in the public domain can be unwise.

Da Roolz: Writers

  • 1: Don't spam the thread. So far this has not been a problem as the Dating Service moves rather slowly. Let us continue this. Make your post and be patient; someone will be along to help you - and if nobody comes along, edit your post to make it more interesting.
  • 2: Writers are not to PM critics unless a prior arrangement has been made. Critics decide whether or not they wish to read a writer's materal.
  • 3: No posts other than synopses; I will be asking the mods to thump any post that doesn't conform to this criterium. Questions? PM me. If I'm not too wasted, I'll answer.
  • 4: Keep your synopsis short; two midsize paragraphs at most. The goal here is to interest someone in your work, not tell them all about it.
  • 5: Before put your work up for critiquing, run it through spell-check and give it a basic proofread. I've had two people complain to me about works where people did not do this, and that's a valid complaint. Yes, you are looking for help, but spell-check is a click away and it is not beyond the wit of writers to do a basic grammar scan. *
  • 6: Don't expect gushing. Expect to hear about weaknesses in your work as well as strengths. If you are not ready for that emotionally, don't post here.
  • 7: I would request that authors not delete their posts after they've gotten their help...just edit the post to say you've got all the help you need currently, and if that changes you can edit it back. People have asked me lots of questions about exactly what to put in their post...examples are good, particularly where the example can be seen as a successful one.

Da Roolz: Critics

  • 1: Don't be a dick. If you cannot be direct and honest without being rude, don't volunteer as a critic. If somebody's work sucks, then it sucks...but by taking on the job of a critic you are volunteering to help the writer make their work not suck.
  • 2: Don't overcommit. If you don't have the time, don't get a writer's hopes up by P Ming them and then never getting back to them. If your life situation changes and the free time you thought you had up and vanishes, be sure to let the writer know.
  • 3: Don't post here (unless you have a synopsis, then by all means...you can swing both ways here, it's all right). Just lurk until something pops up that you like, and PM the author to let them know.
  • 4: If it isn't working out, be sure to let the writer know you are going your separate ways - don't just drop off the planet.
  • 5: Keep checking old posts! Writers who previously had all the help they needed might need help again.

It really is that easy.

Things to put in your synopsis

Make sure you give us:

  • A basic idea of the genre.
  • What it is (book, script, etc.).
  • What kind of help you're looking for (technical, story-based, world-building, factual consultation, etc).
  • How far along the work is. This is important. Some critics don't want to teach kindergarten.
  • How serious you are - is this for fun, or something you hope to make money off of someday?

Also, include a nice little summary that both informs and titillates, somewhere between splash text and explanation.

Okay everyone, you know what to do. Start doin' it.

edited 22nd Sep '13 1:01:56 PM by drunkscriblerian

Fireblood from Denver, CO Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Singularity
#176: Mar 4th 2019 at 8:45:39 PM

My story is called Woman of Flame. I'm hoping someday I'll be able to sell this, or if not another work, and make it a career.

Synopsis: As the result of a prophecy, Queen Terina of Senaris grows convinced one of her subjects will soon overthrow her. To forestall this, she orders her royal mage, Pel Thurinamin, to kill the woman identified as her future usurper, Feliralusa Orsinal. In spite of his reluctance, he sends an assassin. Felira, a mage herself, must fend off the attempts against her life, and by extension her unborn child's.

So far it's 76,000 words, nine chapters. This is my first draft.

Help wanted:

Characterization: I'm not sure how much with this, but in some cases at least it seems like my characters may need to be fleshed out more/distinguished from each other.

Description: It seems probably a bit sparse on this, and that is definitely not my strong suit, I admit.

Dialogue: I feel like this has some problems, with too little talking back and forth at times absent context, but I'm not sure what to do about it.

I think my plot and world-building are okay, but let me know of any problems there too if you see them.

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.-Philip K. Dick
SiliconProphet Since: Apr, 2020
#177: Apr 25th 2020 at 3:10:44 PM

I am writing a mythopoetic Web Serial Novel Epic Poem and I am looking for critics. Is anyone interested?

DeMarquis Who Am I? from Hell, USA Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Buried in snow, waiting for spring
Who Am I?
#178: May 5th 2020 at 10:30:20 AM

Sorry, I don't do poetry.

"We learn from history that we do not learn from history."
ShiningEmmy Very Sparkly from Shiningemmelopolis or something Since: Jun, 2020 Relationship Status: A teenager in love
Very Sparkly
#179: Jun 15th 2020 at 1:41:21 PM

Hello fellow tropers! Since the tender age of 10 (With very many improvements since the age of 10. To the point you wouldn't even recognize it if you met 10 year old me.) i've been working on a script that i plan to pitch to an animation company or something, idk i haven't been focusing on pitches yet. It's a Fantasy kids show (pretty dark kids show tbh) for kids ages 10-13. If anybody wants to help give it a revision please PM me. And then on the off chance (I'm optimistic though, so let's just assume it's definitely gonna happen) my show is actually made i'll definitely put you in the credits as a reviser. :D it's only 20 pages long too!

Things that need revised:

  • Dialogue - Does not flow nearly as well as it could be.
  • Pacing - The pacing is so bad! Too many things are explained in a short period of time.
  • Story - As far as the story goes, it's fine but has some weak plot points i think. Can't quite tell where they are though.
  • Characters - all but the Protagonist and her "Sidekick" are very one sided. I don't expect them to be fully fleshed out by episode one, but they could be more than just blank slates. I've been trying to fix this to the best of my ability.
  • Grammar - sucks. please revise.

And anything else you want to revise. If you want more information before you start revising it PM me.

(and please please please do NOT take credit for MY script. :C It's a gross mean thing to do.)

Hi i'm Emmy! I'm happy to be here! Uhh... what else should i put here.
AdeptGaderius Otaku from the Anime World Since: Nov, 2018 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Otaku
#180: Sep 16th 2021 at 6:53:26 AM

This thread is inactive for months, I don't know if it's still usable.


The work I am offering is Prodigious Paragons. It's basically a script I wrote for fun as well learning screenwriting skills.

Synopsis A young boy named Orlando awakens in another world and finds himself building a friendship with a boy named Tom.

Status The first draft of the script is complete, but currently undergoing revisions.

Help Needed

  • Characterization: It's perhaps the weakest part of the script because I noted it was difficult to distinguish the two central characters.
  • Exposition: It's very difficult to explain character motivations and the setting because it is quite contrived and convoluted.
  • Miscellaneous: The script requires a proofreader to check for inconsistencies and other problems that can emerge.

The Terror from Paradise: A Collaborative Story
Discar Since: Jun, 2009
#181: Sep 26th 2021 at 5:44:20 PM

I feel like this thread would be used more if we didn't have that rule about "don't respond to posts." It looks like a bunch of idiots shouting into the void, but I've gotten good responses from here before. Anyway.


My book is called Dark Lord's Daughter, fantasy/adventure. Full-length, completed novel, looking for critics, beta readers, just anyone who will read the damn thing. My friends are unreliable.

Synopsis: Tiamat, fifth princess of the Kingdom of the Valley, was never expected to do anything useful. With no one left to marry her off to, the king left her at the dungeon of the Dark Lord and spread word that she had been kidnapped. The idea was that a hero would find her, kill the Dark Lord, and earn the hand of the princess in the process. Ten years later, someone finally showed up.

Status: Completed, gone through a few drafts. Just finished the first draft of the sequel.

Help needed: Characterization, and maybe inter-party conflict. Also pretty sure I've got too much exposition in a few places.

AwSamWeston Fantasy writer turned Filmmaker. from Minnesota Nice Since: May, 2013 Relationship Status: Married to the job
Fantasy writer turned Filmmaker.
#182: Nov 27th 2022 at 1:35:10 PM

Title: The Broken Fellowship (feature screenplay)

Genre: Coming-of-age drama with some fantasy / genre elements.

Synopsis: In their final days before college, three best friends clash in their Live Action Role Play game and confront their unspoken regrets. Kingdoms will burn and hearts will shatter.

Status: Draft 2 complete. Currently pitching to film industry people.

Help Needed: Characterization and character dynamics. It might need a stronger ending.

Goal: I want to direct this in the near future.

Award-winning screenwriter. Directed some movies. Trying to earn a Creator page. I do feedback here.
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