How I rate and review.

Update (Oct 20,2021) Imagery is my new rating guide. Show me don't just tell me. Create the image in my mind.
My system of reviewing is not a guideline nor is it what you can expect from other reviewers. It is just my way of trying to reduce the flames I may recieve.

Unless you have your writing tagged as non-rateable you can expect at sometime I will review your works. If you think the following guidelines are tough I would be willing to bet editors are tougher within the first two lines of your work.

Writers write paid writers submit to paid editors. Readers read and with any luck review.


Show your support for your fellow writers review honestly not because you are afraid of hurting someones feelings. There will always be some, who will not be able to take critiques but then they will also hate being a writer because it is full of criticisms.

I want your input. I want fair ratings. I will continue to sit in editors' slush piles otherwise. In return I will try to be fair. If I give a low score I will include a review. With a 4.5 or better score my review will just be "write me for more info."

1.0
- characters and plot have no life. poetry has no rhyme/reason/theme.

The piece held no interest for me. ie. I am not a fan of romance but if it is well written it will get a much higher score. My dislike of a genre is no reason to fault it. Very rarely given out except for obvious trash.

1.5
-Not obvious trash but still needs much work.

2.0
-the plot or theme makes some sense but either the characters/plot/theme/emotion or all of them are in need some work.

At this point I feel a writer is trying but either lacks the skills/experience and/or motivation to make it a complete work. Most of the work from my early years fits here.


2.5
-As with 2.0 but with improvements. ie. good character/compelling opening/good plot/unique point of view any of these will do


3.0
-An average piece of work most of my prose and poetry will fit here.

An author has put some work and thought into it. It makes sense there has been some development of plot/characters/conflict/theme/emotion you get the idea. Even if it moves me will it make it out of the slush pile probably not.


3.5
-Something is still missing. I will include that in my review.
An incomplete resolution of the conflict/underdeveloped characters etc. amy be some of the reasons. At this point I will limit my review because it is probably a good piece of work but not great.
Will it make it out of the slush pile probably not.
Worth a try probably. You may get an editor who is willing to work with you on it because he saw the makings of greatness.


4.0
-Start submitting. Editors at this point will want to make their own changes.
I will have found the characters believable the plot carried me and/or it touched an emotional response etc.

4.5
-have you met Steven King.
Send it in. Wait for the editors to send the changes they will require of your work. I have not heard of an editor that did not require changes to a piece of work.
Sometimes the reasons are unfair but you want to get paid don't you. Make changes make them quickly.


5.0
-You are Steven King

Some of my reviews before today (Oct29/21) have been somewhat high. All I can say is I'm sorry. For those of you who don't agree with my opinions or don't like me so be it. Just remember when I review I am your reader.
I will always read the same piece at least two or three times before reviewing even if I hate it (very rare that I will hate it ,,, you wrote that's the most important part of all).
I will always reread until I think I feel I have an idea of what is missing so I can give constructive comments.
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Don't forget to read my email to Storymaster below.
My thanks to storymaster and storymistress for a wonderful site. Hopefully we can all work together to keep it great.

The following is reprinted from my email to Storymaster.
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I agree that the rating system is sufficient and I also would like to see more
two's or three's. I want constructive criticism.
I want to be a paid writer my writing is sitting on slush piles all over.
Some on here just want to rant and hear their rants heard so be it. Then make your writing (especially poems)non rateable. I rate and review as often as I can. I have had favourable responses and had flames.

You have done an amazing job with this site. It's christmas/02 so as yet I am a free member. As soon as I can I will become a premium member. Aug2021 Someone new rewoke my writing bug. I am now a premium member,
I have been cursed by a friend she woke up the writing bug in me. Now I can't sleep because
the muse won't let go.

I have to encourage some to submit. Research must do more research first "groan".
LOL

Please feel free to post this anywhere as my support for your work.

Jim (bearbit)
My two cents worth... one cent after tax
My rating system.
http://www.stories.com/main/view_item.php?item_id=582323