Hi, I am new here and spending a bit of time reading and commenting before uploading. Great site, different from the others I am on, which is good, but it also means I have already upset a writer by not knowing the etiquette.

So now, a bit late, but there we go, I am asking what is the level detail our comments should go into? I followed the approach I use on other sites, and gave quite a lot of detailed comments on each chapter (I read the first seven), but quite rightly the writer was a little annoyed that my chapter by chapter comments had given away some of the plot (I am only used to the first three chapters.) How general should my comments be? Is it bad form to make detailed comments beyond the opening i.e. first 10,000 words? Can anyone point me to a reviewer who has got it right and would be good model for me to follow?

All advice gratefully received, ju-ju


Posted: 20/09/2008 17:20:04

As much or as little as you like. I generally find the more detailed comments are the most useful. Just don't mention your handle round my wife; juju is serious where she comes from.

Posted: 20/09/2008 17:31:37

As much or as little as you like. I generally find the more detailed comments are the most useful. Just don't mention your handle round my wife; juju is serious where she comes from.

Hi, I am new here and spending a bit of time reading and commenting before uploading. Great site, different from the others I am on, which is good, but it also means I have already upset a writer by not knowing the etiquette.

So now, a bit late, but there we go, I am asking what is the level detail our comments should go into? I followed the approach I use on other sites, and gave quite a lot of detailed comments on each chapter (I read the first seven), but quite rightly the writer was a little annoyed that my chapter by chapter comments had given away some of the plot (I am only used to the first three chapters.) How general should my comments be? Is it bad form to make detailed comments beyond the opening i.e. first 10,000 words? Can anyone point me to a reviewer who has got it right and would be good model for me to follow?

All advice gratefully received, ju-ju

Yeah, the guy's an ingrate, ju-ju. He should be pleased that you bothered to read so far, and comment at such length.

Now, if you want to look at my 'Catch a Falling Star' I would be appreciative, whatever your verdict.

Posted: 20/09/2008 17:43:37

Yeah, the guy's an ingrate, ju-ju. He should be pleased that you bothered to read so far, and comment at such length.

Now, if you want to look at my 'Catch a Falling Star' I would be appreciative, whatever your verdict.

There is no site etiquette.

Posted: 20/09/2008 17:52:23

There is no site etiquette.

thanks Lexi and Hallyally, but i do think i need to be careful about spoilers - it would annoy me, and just hadn't thought about it, until his reply. I definitely do not want to start a thread that slags off another member - i was truly worried that i had overstepped things in my review. All of you have reassured me that my comments are OK. I'd love to take a look at both of your books - will add them to my watchlist - and get back to you in the next (realistically) week or maybe two. there is a real danger, since joining a mere 24hours ago, that i will do so much reading on here, i'll never get round to getting any of my stuff finished.

Posted: 20/09/2008 17:57:10

thanks Lexi and Hallyally, but i do think i need to be careful about spoilers - it would annoy me, and just hadn't thought about it, until his reply. I definitely do not want to start a thread that slags off another member - i was truly worried that i had overstepped things in my review. All of you have reassured me that my comments are OK. I'd love to take a look at both of your books - will add them to my watchlist - and get back to you in the next (realistically) week or maybe two. there is a real danger, since joining a mere 24hours ago, that i will do so much reading on here, i'll never get round to getting any of my stuff finished.