Review 1:

Compelling hook?

Fresh?

Strong characters?

Entertaining?

Attention to mechanics

• The grammar, typography, sentence structure and punctuation would benefit from a further round of editing to avoid distracting from the quality of the story.

Narration and dialogue: Authentic voice

• Your characters’ voices were convincing and authentic.

Characterization

• Make sure your characters are multidimensional. Do they have strengths and weaknesses? Mere mortals make the most interesting stories because they are like you and me and we are able to empathize with their journey. That’s how the connection with a character is formed.

Main character

• Connect us to your main protagonist with a deeper characterization. Could your protagonist have a few more distinguishing character traits?

Character conflict

• The reader’s experience of the story is heightened when the characters’ goals, conflicts and purpose are clear. Perhaps giving this aspect of the story further attention could be worthwhile.

Plot and pace

• Maintaining the right pace and sustaining the reader’s interest is a difficult balancing act. Are you sure all the material is relevant to the plot, setting and atmosphere? Make sure each sentence makes sense to the reader, and each paragraph moves their experience forward.

Suspense and conflict

• The joy of reading often lies in the element of suspense prompted by internal or external conflicts. Think about the conflict and tension in your story. How effectively has it been introduced?

Technique and tight writing

• When writing is tight, economical and each word has purpose, it enables the plot to unravel clearly. Try and make each individual word count.

Point of view

• Point of view helps the reader identify whose perspective we are engaging with, i.e. who is narrating the story. It can sometimes be helpful to double check that the point of view in the story is successfully handled. Ensure you consistently use the same point of view and tense throughout.

Style and originality

• I loved your fresh approach. Creating a unique writing style while maintaining quality of prose requires both skill and practice.

Atmosphere and description

• Your story was a feast for the senses. The atmosphere wrapped itself around me and transported me onto the page alongside your characters.

Authentic and vivid setting

• The scene needs to be vivid and realistic in order to hold the reader’s attention. Being concise and plausible at the same time is tricky. Giving this further attention could perhaps be worthwhile.

Opening line, paragraph and hook

• Your strong opening was a promise of wonderful things to come!

General comments from your fellow writer 1:

Review 2:

Compelling hook?

Fresh?

Strong characters?

Entertaining?

Attention to mechanics

• You demonstrate a professional quality of writing throughout the story.

Narration and dialogue: Balance

• Your story struck a good balance between narration and authentic dialogue.

Narration and dialogue: Authentic voice

• Your characters’ voices were convincing and authentic.

Characterization

• Make sure your characters are multidimensional. Do they have strengths and weaknesses? Mere mortals make the most interesting stories because they are like you and me and we are able to empathize with their journey. That’s how the connection with a character is formed.

Main character

• Your protagonist exhibited a unique voice and had original characteristics. Their actions and dialogue were convincing.

Character conflict

• Your characters drew me into their world from the very beginning. Their goals and conflicts were clearly conveyed.

Plot and pace

• Maintaining the right pace and sustaining the reader’s interest is a challenging balancing act. The story had a clear and coherent progression with a structured plot.

Suspense and conflict

• The joy of reading often lies in the element of suspense prompted by internal or external conflicts. The build-up was intriguing and I felt the tension mounting with each word.

Technique and tight writing

• The writing was tight and economical and each word had purpose. This enabled the plot to unravel clearly. Your writing exhibits technical proficiency.

Point of view

• The story successfully solicited the reader’s empathy through the clever use of the narrator's point of view. You show great deftness in handling point of view.

Style and originality

• I loved your fresh approach. Creating a unique writing style while maintaining quality of prose requires both skill and practice.

Atmosphere and description

• Your story was a feast for the senses. The atmosphere wrapped itself around me and transported me onto the page alongside your characters.

Authentic and vivid setting

• The setting was realistic and vivid. The characters’ mood and emotions were conveyed successfully through the believable setting.

Opening line, paragraph and hook

• Your strong opening was a promise of wonderful things to come!

General comments from your fellow writer 2: