My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE BLOG
"The Bard's Hall Blog Entries June 2023," shares the author's reflections on life and life's little things.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked how observant the author was. Lots of good description.
ENGAGING
The blog invites the reader to engage. I posted several times on topics.
VARIETY
There was a nice variety of posts. I liked the posts about the Butter Tarts and what it's like to learn a foreign language.
EXPRESSIVE
If anything, I might suggest spacing between paragraphs to make it easier on the eyes to read.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes, but then when it comes to reviewing blogs, I'm a bit more liberal.
PARTING THOUGHTS
The introduction was very succinct. I might also suggest posting a graphic, using WDC ML, or posting a video to set the tone or mood or the Blog. I enjoyed visiting your blog for the Bard's Hall contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE BLOG
"The Bard's Hall Blog Entries for June 2023" shares the author's reflections faith, health challenges and everyday issues.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked heartfelt honesty of the blog.
ENGAGING
The blog invites the reader to engage. I posted several times on topics.
VARIETY
There was a nice variety of posts.
EXPRESSIVE
The blog was easy to read. Good use of WDC ML to make it easy on the eyes.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes, but then when it comes to reviewing blogs, I'm a bit more liberal.
PARTING THOUGHTS
The introduction is short, yet concise. If anything, I might suggest using a graphic to catch attention and set a theme or mood for the blog. I enjoyed visiting your blog for the Bard's Hall contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE BLOG
Bibimbap takes inspiration from the Thai -- a bowl of rice and leftovers on the top. Sprinkled in with the rice (author's daily reflections) are responses to comments and heartfelt reflections of the day's issues.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked creativity taken with the blog.
ENGAGING
The blog invites the reader to engage. I posted several times on topics.
VARIETY
There was a nice variety of posts. Some discussed the "hot topics" of today, others were personal reflections.
EXPRESSIVE
The blog was easy to read, and many of the posts had a heartfelt honesty that resonated with this reader.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes, but then when it comes to reviewing blogs, I'm a bit more liberal. Good use of WDC ML to make reflections, comments, and mussings distinctive and set apart.
PARTING THOUGHTS
The introduction caught my attention with it's short, yet concise approach. I enjoyed visiting your blog for the Bard's Hall contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE POEM
A fantasy conversation with a bulldog clip trying to talk to an egg cup.
WHAT I LIKED
I thought this was very imaginative.
STRUCTURE
There are 4 rhymed couplets.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling mistakes. The poem is easy to read.
PHOTOGRAPH
The photo uses bulldog clips and a child's egg cup to stir the imagination.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
It's not easy being an egg cup with a spoon inside it's head. The picture is cute, but I felt sad for the egg cup. And maybe that's the takeaway - something that looks ok or cute, or normal, may not be under the surface, but the only way you'll know is if you ask.
Note: This was entered in the Bard's Hall Forum for May, but is not eligible for the official contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE POEM
A poem about circular cycles of nature.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked how the poem captured the nature of life that the photograph depicts.
STRUCTURE
This is haiku. A traditional haiku is a poem with 3 lines, and a 5/7/5 syllable scheme.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling mistakes. The poem is easy to read.
PHOTOGRAPH
The photo is one of geese or ducks walking across a path.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The accompanying haiku drew inspiration from the photograph. The circle of life always endures despite the changing seasons of nature. Very poignant and honest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE POEM
A poem about the distracting power of nature.
WHAT I LIKED
I can see where the photo would inspire one to get lost daydreaming.
STRUCTURE
This is haiku. A traditional haiku is a poem with 3 lines, and a 5/7/5 syllable scheme.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling mistakes. The poem is easy to read.
PHOTOGRAPH
The photo is one of flowers against a blue sky.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The accompanying haiku captures the "losing track of time" inspiration of the photograph well. My only suggestion would be to be mindful of the syllable count. The first line has 3 syllables instead of 5.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE POEM
A poem about a cat, while undeterred, is thinking of other things.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked the word play; it captured the essence of the cat.
STRUCTURE
This is haiku. A traditional haiku is a poem with 3 lines, and a 5/75 syllable scheme.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling mistakes. The poem is easy to read.
PHOTOGRAPH
The photo is one of a cat in a box looking at something across the room.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The accompanying haiku drew inspiration well from the photograph. The cat seems happy too have conquered the box but is ready to move on. I have no suggestions for improvement.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE POEM
A hanging flower photograph provides inspiration for lingering melancholy.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked the word play; it deepened the emotional pull of the poem.
STRUCTURE
This is haiku. A traditional haiku is a poem with 3 lines, and a 5/75 syllable scheme.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling mistakes. The poem is easy to read.
PHOTOGRAPH
The photo is one of a hanging flower against a green leaf background that hints at recent rain.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The accompanying haiku drew inspiration well from the photograph. I liked how the haiku tapped into the sadness one can feel losing a loved one. The title, poem, and photograph made a perfect circle of expression. I have no suggestions for improvement.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
Charlie the Bunny wants to explore but rain is on the way.
WHAT I LIKED
I loved how curious Charlie was. I think kids can definitely connect with Charlie's curiosity.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person omniscient. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's no dialogue.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes, but this is something that could be expanded on. What did the tulips smell like? You don't need much, just tap into the five senses, smell especially and put me in the moment with Charlie.
SETTING
TIME: modern da
PLACE: a meadow
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Charlie
I love how Charlie was willing to explore and thought of Henry. That's the heart of friendship.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes. I might suggest spacing between paragraphs to make it easier to read on WDC.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
Suggestions as mentioned above. The opening engages the reader. Word prompts were listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
The rain threatens to derail the Easter Bunny's egg hunt.
WHAT I LIKED
I loved the message of friendship that the story offers. It's one that young kids can connect with.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person omniscient. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. Dialogue tags are used appropriately.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes. If anything, maybe share the scents of the magical forest.
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: forest
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Bunny and Penny Piglet
I love how motivated Bunny and Piglet are to save Easter for the kids.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The opening engages the reader. A nice story for kids with a heartwarming theme of friendship. Word prompts were listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
The rain makes Sammy a mopey piglet.
WHAT I LIKED
I know what it's like to have a mope on like Sammy. What I find heartwarming, is that when Sammy gets some hope, he gets off the mope. It's a good message for little ones.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person omniscient. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. Dialogue tags are used appropriately.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes. I could definitely picture Sammy staring out the window and moping.
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: a house and a yard
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Sammy
There's enough here to understand to how Sammy goes from mopey to excited.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The opening engages the reader. Good character voice. Word prompts were listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
A teacher is telling the children's story about a little piglet called Peter.
WHAT I LIKED
I love how the kids interrupt the storytelling. It's very natural and I could easily picture this happening.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the first person by the teacher. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
It's all dialogue.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scene.
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: classroom setting
This is something that is be clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Teacher & kids
The interruptions by the kids are very endearing.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The opening engages the reader. Great character voice to suck the reader in. A warm hearted children's story. Good use of the word prompts in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
A Rougarou captures John. Can he escape?
WHAT I LIKED
I liked how the author weaved in the legend of the Rougarou from the Cajon culture.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person limited from John's perspective. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. Dialogue tags are used appropriately.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes. I especially liked: "cypress trees grew everywhere, their bulbous claw(s) like trunks partially out of water."
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: bayou
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
John
There's enough here to understand his motivations. He makes the Rougarou a promise.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes. In literary writing, spell out the word "okay." OK is good for journalistic writing. Good use of WDC ML.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The opening engages the reader. Word count was listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the Bard's Hall contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
Karen is taking a student, Jill, to be "ascended."
WHAT I LIKED
I liked the premise of the story. There's a nice light sci-fi touch. The quotation inspiration was weaved into the story in such a way to support the ascension.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person limited by Karen. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. Good use of dialogue tags.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes, but this is something that could be expanded on. I might suggest using the five senses. What did the summer camp smell like, for example?
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: rural setting.
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Karen and Jill
There's enough here to understand Karen's motivations, but Jill is a very important character as well, and I'm curious as to her motivations.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
Suggestions as mentioned above. The opening engages the reader and the ending leaves the story on an intriguing note. My big suggestion is maybe to clarify Jill's motivations a bit. I enjoyed reading the story. Word count was listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
A determined nurse tries to help an artist in a catatonic state.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked how Tracey brought Shannon out of her shell, so to speak. The quotation inspiration fits the story.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person omniscient. Narration shifts between Shannon and Tracey without line breaks which is a tad confusing. I might suggest using line breaks when shifting point of view narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. Dialogue tags are used appropriately.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes.
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: hospital setting
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Shannon and Tracey
There's enough here to understand Tracey's motivations. As a nurse, she wants to help people.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling mistakes. I might suggest a minor edit for punctuation.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
Suggestions as mentioned above. The opening engages the reader. While sad, the ending does leave the reader with a hopeful message. Word count was listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
Taking a philosophical angle, Karen, a scientist, struggles with faith.
WHAT I LIKED
I thought this was a good character study in regards to faith. The quotation inspiration fit the story.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person limited by Karen. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. Dialogue tags are used appropriately.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes.
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: clinical setting
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Karen
There's enough here to understand her motivations. She is torn between believing in God or not.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes. Good use of WDC ML to tell the story.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The opening intrigues the reader. The ending is hopeful. A solid psychological study. Word count was listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
Reg is a deadbeat, but he's a likeable deadbeat, which ultimately gets him in trouble.
WHAT I LIKED
I loved the setting and felt like I was there. The story fit the quotation inspiration prompt, but the prompt itself (the actual words) was not worked into the story.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person limited by Reg. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration. Good use of dialogue tags.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes.
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: The Australian outback
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Reg
There's enough here to understand his motivations. He's a drifter due to his personality. He's likable, but ultimately, his greed gets the better of him.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling mistakes. I might suggest a minor edit for punctuation.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
The opening engages the reader. A solid character driven story. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
Middle Schooler Kimberly Morrison has become blind, a challenge that invites her to explore inward the type of person she wants to be.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked how the author fit in the quotation inspiration quote into the story. The title was appropriate to the story.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person limited from Kimberly's perspective. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes.
SETTING
TIME: modern day
PLACE: urban setting
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Kimberly
The story is a psychological examination of Kimberly's psyche, though I'm still not certain, as a reader, as to how or why temporary blindness overcame Kimberly, and perhaps that could be made a bit clearer to the reader. I thought Patrick was a good friend to Kimberly.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes. Good use of WDC ML to present the story.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
For me, I thought this was a pretty heavy topic for a 12 year old in middle school, and I wasn't sure about the how the onset of the temporary blindness occurred. The opening engages the reader. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
Galahad lives on the street and sticks his nose in business that isn't his.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked the friendship between Glad and Alberto. The title was appropriate to the story. The story takes inspiration from the quotation inspiration but the quote isn't used in the story.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person limited by Galahad. Good job with narration. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
There's a good blend of dialogue and narration.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes.
SETTING
TIME: modern day?
PLACE: the streets
This is something that is not defined but could be clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Galahad
Galahad really does have a good heart, but he doesn't have a good track record of making good choices.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
Suggestions as mentioned above. The opening engages the reader. A realistic look at life on the streets. Word count was listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE STORY
Mareana longs for Uranus.
WHAT I LIKED
I liked how the author built in a "longing" sensation into the story.
POV NARRATION/TENSE
This is told in the third person. Past tense is used appropriately.
DIALOGUE
Narration drives the story.
DESCRIPTIONS
There's enough to set the scenes.
SETTING
TIME: 2000
PLACE: Mississippi
This is something that is clarified for the reader.
CHARACTERS
Mareana
For me, as a reader, it was hard to determine Mareana's goals or motivations. I understood the story is meant to be a tad nonsensical and lighthearted, but it was hard for me to follow.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
Suggestion as mentioned above. The opening needs to be reworked. I might use the first person for Mareana to perhaps capture a quirky kinda of character voice and sell the premise of the story that way. (Perhaps Mareana can channel her inner "Phoebe Buffay"). Word count was listed in accordance with the rules. Good luck in the contest.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
Thank you for entering the Bard's Hall Cupid Slam Contest for FEB 2023. Since this is a unique contest, here is what I'm looking for:
Must slam that beastly little arrow-flinger, CUPID! Cupid must not rythme with Stupid. Must be Poetry Only, any form or free verse -- doesn't matter so long as it's just plain AWFUL! Line Count up to 60 or fewer. Place line count at the bottom of the poem. This poetry entry MUST be written for this contest, February 2023! If it's a leftover slam from another time and place it will be disqualified. Remember that "bad poetry" doesn't mean just misspellings. We are looking for the really creative kind of "bad" that makes us cringe and groan over its terribleness!
A ONE-STAR RATING is the ultimate goal, here. We will award the "best" one-starred poems as the winners.
And now... onto the review....
THE POEM
Love should last a year yet it's thwarted every season.
WHAT I LIKED/AKA CUPID SLAM aka GOOD, BAD, or UGLY:
SLAM: OKAY. On the outer fringe of the . Cupid is a "cruel joke."
STRUCTURE
This is a free form poem that has no rythme scheme.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes. Good use of WDC ML.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
Cupid's slam seems kinda tame.
Cupid was not rythmed with stupid.
Reviewed by StephB for the Bard's Hall FEB 2023 Contest. Line count was listed in accordance with the contest rules.
My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
Thank you for entering the Bard's Hall Cupid Slam Contest for FEB 2023. Since this is a unique contest, here is what I'm looking for:
Must slam that beastly little arrow-flinger, CUPID! Cupid must not rythme with Stupid. Must be Poetry Only, any form or free verse -- doesn't matter so long as it's just plain AWFUL! Line Count up to 60 or fewer. Place line count at the bottom of the poem. This poetry entry MUST be written for this contest, February 2023! If it's a leftover slam from another time and place it will be disqualified. Remember that "bad poetry" doesn't mean just misspellings. We are looking for the really creative kind of "bad" that makes us cringe and groan over its terribleness!
A ONE-STAR RATING is the ultimate goal, here. We will award the "best" one-starred poems as the winners.
And now... onto the review....
THE POEM
Love is not for the poet, so Cupid should find someone else to target.
WHAT I LIKED/AKA CUPID SLAM aka GOOD, BAD, or UGLY:
SLAM: GOOD. On the outer fringe of the . Cupid could be a unicorn in utopia for all the media hype he gets.
STRUCTURE
This is an acrostic poem set to "Cupid Outbid." I liked the creativity of using an acrostic poem.
MECHANICS
I did not spot any spelling/punctuation mistakes. Good use of WDC ML.
PARTING THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS
ALmost nice, Cupid's slam seems to come off a bit easy.
Cupid was not rythmed with stupid.
Reviewed by StephB for the Bard's Hall FEB 2023 Contest. Line count was listed in accordance with the contest rules.
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My review is based on professional editing points. It is meant to be honest, encouraging, and respectful in accordance with WDC guidelines.
THE BLOG
WHAT I LIKED
WHAT I LIKED
Must slam that beastly little arrow-flinger, CUPID!
. Cupid is a "cruel joke." 
Cupid was not rythmed with stupid.