Max's Review Tool

In case anyone is interested, here's the current formatting code for reviews from "Crosstimbers Review Forum" 

In the REMARKS section of the review, I insert short quotes from the item I'm reviewing and make comments. To format these, I use the following code:

///////////////START OF REMARK CODE///////////////////

{b}{c:blue}{e:cut} ###quoted material here ##### {e:cut}{/c}{/b}{b}{c:red}{e:exclaim}My Comment: ## Remark here #### {e:exclaim}{/c}{/b}

///////////////END OF REMARK CODE///////////////////



//////////////START OF REVIEW TEMPLATE//////////////////////

{image:2249779}

{b}Item Reviewed:{/b} {litem:###}
{b}Chapter: {/b} {fentry:####}
{b}Author{/b} {user:####}
{b}Reviewer:{/b} {user:mathguy}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{b}{c:grape}As always, these are just one person's opinions. Always remember Only you know what is best for your story. I've read and commented on your work as I would try to read my own. I hope you find something here useful {e:smile}, and that you will discard the rest with good cheer. {e:heart} {/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}What I liked best{/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Opening{/c}{/b}
Openings are critical in any work of fiction. Some editors and agents will decide whether or not to read your submission based only on your first sentence.

Your opening is your best opportunity to draw readers into your fictional world, to induce a dream-like state in which your words guide their imaginations. The readers become the author's active partners in imagining the fictional world, in a state of suspended disbelief. In crafting the opening of any story, it's the author's primary task to launch this fictional dream.

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Plot{/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Hook{/c}{/b}
The strongest hooks are {i}{b}disaster{/b}{/i}, {i}{b}dilemma{/b}{/i}, and {i}{b}decision{/b}{/i}. Ending a chapter with {i}goal{/i}, {i}conflict{/i}, or {i}reaction {/i}are weaker choices, but can still be effective with the right plot situation.

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Style and Voice{/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Referencing{/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Scene/Setting{/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Characters{/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Grammar{/c}{/b}
{e:exclaim} {b}Comma Splices.{/b}{e:exclaim}
A comma splice occurs when you have two complete sentences joined by a comma where a period or semicolon should be used. I've marked one or more of these in the line-by-line comments below.

{e:exclaim} {b}Commas.{/b}{e:exclaim}
I thought I saw some comma errors. I'm terrible with commas, so I won't try to point them out. Instead, here's a great reference:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_comma.html
I've read it, and they're still a mystery to me. I hope it helps!

{e:exclaim} {b}Adverbs.{/b}{e:exclaim} You don't overuse adverbs, but they show up enough to be worth a comment. You know what Stephen King says about {popnote:"adverbs"}The road to hell is paved with adverbs.{/popnote}. I think he is correct. Adverbs are often a shorthand in which the author falls into "telling" rather than "showing." I try to use zero adverbs, since otherwise I'd sprinkle them all over the place like fairy dust. {e:rolleyes} I've marked one or more places in the line-by-line comments below where I think you might consider a more precise verb or a touch more description rather than an adverb.

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Just my personal opinion{/c}{/b}
One way to think of telling a story is that it is a {b}{i}guided dream{/i}{/b} in which the author leads the readers through the events. In doing this, the author needs to engage the readers as active participants in the story, so that they become the author's partner in imagining the story. Elements of craft that engage the readers and immerse them in the story enhance this fictive dream. On the other hand, authors should avoid things that interrupt the dream and pull readers out of the story.

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}
{e:flagB}{b}{c:teal}Line-by-line remarks{/c}{/b}
{e:bullet}Your text is in {b}{c:blue}BLUE.{/c}{/b}
{e:bullet}My comments are in {b}{c:green}GREEN.{/c}{/b}
{e:bullet}If I suggest a re-wording, it's in {b}{c:grape}GRAPE.{/c}{/b}
{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31} {/u}{/b}{/c}

{b}{c:blue}{e:cut} ###quoted material here ##### {e:cut}{/c}{/b}{b}{c:red}{e:exclaim}My Comment: ## Remark here #### {e:exclaim}{/c}{/b}

{c:lgrey}{b}{u} {s:31}{/u} {/b} {/c}
{c:green}
I only review things I like, and I really liked this story. I'm a professor by day, and find awarding grades the least satisfying part of my job. {e:frown} Since I'm reviewing in part for my own edification, I decided long ago to give a rating of "4" to everything I review, thus avoiding the necessity of "grading" things on WDC. So please don't assign any weight to my "grade" -- but know that I selected this story for review because I liked it and thought I could learn from studying it. {e:smile}{/c}

{b}{c:grape}Again, these are just one person's opinions. Only you know what is best for your story! The surest path to success is to keep writing and to be true to your muse!

Thanks again for sharing this item. Keep on writing!{/c}{/b}

{b}{user:mathguy}{/b}
http://MaxGriffin.net/
http://MaxGriffin.net/blog/
Check out my {x-link:http://maxgriffin.net/LongMusings.shtml}
//////////////END OF REVIEW TEMPLATE//////////////////////



This produces the following formatted document

//////////////FORMATTED TEMPLATE STARTS HERE //////////////////////




Item Reviewed: "Invalid Item"   by A Guest Visitor
Chapter: {fentry:####}
Author {user:####}
Reviewer: Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈

                                                             
As always, these are just one person's opinions. Always remember Only you know what is best for your story. I've read and commented on your work as I would try to read my own. I hope you find something here useful , and that you will discard the rest with good cheer.

                                                             
What I liked best

                                                             
Opening
Openings are critical in any work of fiction. Some editors and agents will decide whether or not to read your submission based only on your first sentence.

Your opening is your best opportunity to draw readers into your fictional world, to induce a dream-like state in which your words guide their imaginations. The readers become the author's active partners in imagining the fictional world, in a state of suspended disbelief. In crafting the opening of any story, it's the author's primary task to launch this fictional dream.

                                                             
Plot

                                                             
Hook
The strongest hooks are disaster, dilemma, and decision. Ending a chapter with goal, conflict, or reaction are weaker choices, but can still be effective with the right plot situation.

                                                             
Style and Voice

                                                             
Referencing

                                                             
Scene/Setting

                                                             
Characters

                                                             
Grammar
Comma Splices.
A comma splice occurs when you have two complete sentences joined by a comma where a period or semicolon should be used. I've marked one or more of these in the line-by-line comments below.

Commas.
I thought I saw some comma errors. I'm terrible with commas, so I won't try to point them out. Instead, here's a great reference:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_comma.html
I've read it, and they're still a mystery to me. I hope it helps!

Adverbs. You don't overuse adverbs, but they show up enough to be worth a comment. You know what Stephen King says about adverbs

The road to hell is paved with adverbs.

. I think he is correct. Adverbs are often a shorthand in which the author falls into "telling" rather than "showing." I try to use zero adverbs, since otherwise I'd sprinkle them all over the place like fairy dust. I've marked one or more places in the line-by-line comments below where I think you might consider a more precise verb or a touch more description rather than an adverb.

                                                             
Just my personal opinion
One way to think of telling a story is that it is a guided dream in which the author leads the readers through the events. In doing this, the author needs to engage the readers as active participants in the story, so that they become the author's partner in imagining the story. Elements of craft that engage the readers and immerse them in the story enhance this fictive dream. On the other hand, authors should avoid things that interrupt the dream and pull readers out of the story.

                                                             
Line-by-line remarks
Your text is in BLUE.
My comments are in GREEN.
If I suggest a re-wording, it's in GRAPE.
                                                             

###quoted material here ##### My Comment: ## Remark here ####

                                                             

I only review things I like, and I really liked this story. I'm a professor by day, and find awarding grades the least satisfying part of my job. Since I'm reviewing in part for my own edification, I decided long ago to give a rating of "4" to everything I review, thus avoiding the necessity of "grading" things on WDC. So please don't assign any weight to my "grade" -- but know that I selected this story for review because I liked it and thought I could learn from studying it.

Again, these are just one person's opinions. Only you know what is best for your story! The surest path to success is to keep writing and to be true to your muse!

Thanks again for sharing this item. Keep on writing!

Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈
http://MaxGriffin.net/
http://MaxGriffin.net/blog/
Check out my {x-link:http://maxgriffin.net/LongMusings.shtml}