Hi, is there anybody there?

by Pen Cooper
9th August 2012

Just wondering if anybody's commenting on posted work at the mo' ? Or are we all glued to the Olympics?

I'd really appreciate some constructive comments - anyhing - good, bad or even ugly - bit worried that my new first chap' is a bit long winded - so if anyone's got a spare five minutes I'd really appreciate it:):):)

cheers

Penny Cooper

Replies

Hi Dorry

Of course I will take a look at your shared work.

I must admit I was a bit sad when I realised Penny had taken down her work.

I also removed mine own as it was never my intention for people to feel obliged to comment on my work.

My point all along has been to encourage subscribers to comment on work that has not had any comments.

The Duck eggs as I call them. I can see you have had 4 people in reading and commenting on your work (including Penny) so you should be very happy with that. When I publish a piece and watch that Zero/Duck Egg stay that way for days and then suddenly I see a "1 comment".

Its like winning a medal at the Olympics. It means someone who is not a my wife/son/brother/uncle/family has taken the time to read something I have spent time working on. It is a great feeling. No matter what the comment is. It just means you feel like you have not been wasting your time.

I have been amazed at the quality of some of these Duck Eggs and the response back when I say "yes this has legs" has been

quite rewarding. Suddenly someone who was having doubts knows they are on the right track. Even the poorest submission deserves a response. I do try and emphasize it is just my opinion as a complete amateur.

I stick my stuff up on my blog http://franksonderborg.blogspot.co.uk if you are interested have a read and leave a comment.

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Frank
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Frank Sonderborg
12/08/2012

Frank, I went to take a look at your work but see that you haven't shared any to date. Maybe you would like to take a look at mine and give me some feedback. Good or bad, I am up for any feedback and as you say you are a very straight talking person then I am hoping that you will be very honest in your opinion of my work.

Thanks, look forward to anything you have to say and will keep my eyes open for work you may share in the near future.

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Dorry
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Dorry Lawlor-Hudson
12/08/2012

To think that Cressida Downing, Julia Weber and Joanna Whiteley and Madeleine Milburn have to do this for a living. Good luck to them.

Handling sensitive ego's is not easy, but firm critiques are necessary. Agents and publishers readers are not sadists. They are not here to beat us over the head. They serve to improve an authors work.

It is what the community try to do with our limited knowledge. I believe those that bother to comment, mean well.

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11/08/2012