Category: critique

  • IWSG February 2026

    February 4 question – Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience like for you? Most of my experience has been “put the patient on the donor list, but we’re burning most of it.” Even now, as I…

  • IWSG September 2024

    – Since it’s back to school time, let’s talk English class. What’s a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer? Confession time: I was in Advanced Placement English for my Junior and Senior years of high school, across 2 different schools. I had to “test-in” for my Senior year…

  • The Next Generation of Writer

    My son has started writing and publishing mash-up fan fiction. He’s having fun, and he says he’s getting a lot of views. He asks how I think Character X would react to Situation 34. He tells me about the chapters he’s just published. He recently asked if I would like to read his work. I…

  • Help Me Out…

    Can you beta read this for me? Can you edit this manuscript for me for spelling and grammar? Can you help me with the art? In the past, I asked a lot of people these questions, reasoning that one person cannot do everything well, and a second pair of eyes can’t hurt. Sure, they say.…

  • Sometimes Hope Springs Like An Irritating Weed

    I did it again. After I’d sworn off beta readers for multiple issues, I found another person whose interest was piqued and expressed that she’d like to read my work sometime. Selena often complains that as a voracious reader, it can be difficult to find books that are both good and cheap (or free). Well,…

  • Inserting Real Details

    A lot of authors do it. Some are sneaky about it because they don’t want to be sued by a conglomerate like, say, those who might be thought of as wearing mouse ears, or perhaps others who are associated with the golden arches.  Many companies are very touchy about how their products are represented. And…