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Kate replied to the topic Mid grade 1st chapter in the forum Critiques 6 years, 3 months ago
I had a sticky scene that wasn’t working Squidge, and after some time away from it I reread and thought D’oh, of course she wouldn’t react like that. She’d be angry. It’s funny how the characters become real people in our heads.
Thanks for the heads up about Kingstone. I shall go take a look.
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Kate replied to the topic Mid grade 1st chapter in the forum Critiques 6 years, 3 months ago
I did a bit of googling and everybody says something different. Apparently in 2014 there were more first person than third, so I guess it just varies.
I shall attempt to find more subtle ways of placing my characters, as you suggested. Thanks for all the help. I’ll keep it all in mind as I go in for the next round of edits.
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Kate replied to the topic Mid grade 1st chapter in the forum Critiques 6 years, 3 months ago
That’s a really good point Sea. I took a look at my MG books and they’re all third person! Thanks for the Jess Butterworth one – I shall take a look. I’ll also try and do some investigating into first/third. (And possibly have a cry over my keyboard at the thought of rewriting into third. :D)
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Kate replied to the topic Mid grade 1st chapter in the forum Critiques 6 years, 3 months ago
Thanks @seagreen, this is all great. I’ll have a think about the save the cat moment and ramp up the fear a bit as a few people have mentioned that. I’ll weed out some of the description as well.
Re the being in the character’s head, and the explanations like ‘standing next to me’, I think you’ve cut to the heart of my question re YA vs MG…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Lost my group! in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 3 months agoYep, it’s vanished again. When I list “My Groups” the caption says 1 to 10 of 10 groups, but it only actually lists 8, i.e. the DIY MA and my Testing Text groups are hidden from me too.
The workaround seems to be to for the group admin to unhide the group – change its setting to a private group.
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Clicking on the link in the ‘replied to’ bit of the above does bring it back.
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And there’s another slightly awkward feature of WordPress/BBPress/BuddyPress whichever. I posted as a reply to a topic but you were able to reply to my post when it was shown as “Activity” rather than in the context of the Topic. So your reply isn’t included in replies to the Topic.
Confused of Worthing.
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But I’m now replying via the Topic. (Remember when they used to be chocolate bars, with nuts and caramel?)
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And your post of 11.22 isn’t here either.
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All good fun, isn’t it?
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Allegedly …
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And yes, you’re right. If you follow the link to the Topic then you’re taken back into the Group Forum. But this relies on having a post handy with a link in it. All it takes is for the group to go quiet for a few days and for the last thread to sink a bit down the Activities and it starts to get trickier.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Lost my group! in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 3 months agoI searched through activity in my limited admin dashboard (top left where there’s a dial thing) and found some test posts on my hidden forum. When I un-hid it (using “manage”) it popped back into existence and is listed under my groups. I’m just going to try hiding it again to see if it disappears for me as well.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Lost my group! in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 3 months agoYep – me too.
Also, I had a private hidden group to mess about with text formatting that seems to have disappeared.
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Kate replied to the topic Mid grade 1st chapter in the forum Critiques 6 years, 3 months ago
Thanks @bella – it was fun to write.
Perfect @squidge, that’s great to know it’s about right. I was worrying it was a bit densely packed but maybe I just have to be careful of too heavy descriptions. I shall tweak as suggested.
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Kate started the topic Mid grade 1st chapter in the forum Critiques 6 years, 3 months ago
I’ve got a draft of what is meant to be an upper mid grade novel, but I have concerns I’ve written it in a too Young Adult style. I’m specifically looking for feedback from experienced MG writers on whether I need to adjust the language/structure, and how I might go about it.
All other comments also welcome.
Many thanks.(As usual the…[Read more]
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Kate posted an update 6 years, 3 months ago
Are there any mid grade writers on the Den that would be willing to take a look at the first chapter of my MG book? Someone suggested I was using a YA style that might not be appropriate and I can see what they mean. I’d like thoughts on language and structure relating to MG books before embarking on the next edit.
I’ll post it up in crit for…[Read more]-
Hi Kate,
Just noticed this. If you post it, I’m read it but not sure how much help I’ll be.-
*I’ll*
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Thanks @seagreen. I’ll post it up tomorrow.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
I spent a day in Seville. I recommend a) don’t drive; it’s considerably more insane than Paris and that’s bad enough b) wear a surgical mask or take oxygen; the air reminded me of London circa 1973 only much, much, worse c) we liked the Plaza de España and the Cathedral, but honestly there’s so much. We were almost persuaded to visit the site of…[Read more]
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Thank Ath. Going to the cathedral and the palaces tomorrow and spent the day wandering around including seeing students doing Flamenco at Plaza Espana. Fabulous. It is all fabulous for folks like us who live in a little breton coastal backwater although you are right about the air. Did you see my post last week about failing to get enouh done in…[Read more]
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Ps posting this at the airport. Has anyone been to Seville? Any recommendations as to things to do?
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Just noticed that I forgot to take the numbers off my comments. They mean nothing. I got my OH to print the stories off with nothing to identify them and number them so I would judge them blind. Except for Ath who posted so late he missed the process.
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John S Alty replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Well done Libby, excellent. Good job, Jane.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Great entry, Libby and a very well deserved win.
Jane – another great competition. Thanks. -
JaneShuff replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Thank you everyone. And sorry for the delay. We’re away for a few days from tomorrow and I had quite a few things that had to be done before we went.
A cracking bunch of entries. I hope you enjoyed writing these as much as I enjoyed reading them. As usual I was struck by the many different ways they all responded to the theme.
1) @johnalty. I…[Read more]
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JaneShuff replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
Thank you all! I am looking forward to readying them. I am out most of today so results will be posted this evening.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly competition – January 2020 in the forum Monthly Competition 6 years, 3 months ago
‘You don’t have a future, not really,’ said Gregor. He shifted his bones on the stone floor making his chains rattle.
‘Ah,’ said the philosopher, at length, ‘you’re one of those Zenonians. A Stoic I suppose. You imagine that because we can never sufficiently divide the instant we call the present, then it must be an illusion, as is the future. A…[Read more]
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John S Alty posted an update 6 years, 3 months ago
The activity thread is rather strange since the DIY MA programme got underway – it’s like overhearing half a conversation. Intriguing.
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Unfortunately, WordPress with its plugins that give us groups etc. has a fair few bugs. For some unknown reason, the DIY MA group, in spite of being set as private, spills its conversations if you select Activity whether you’re a member or not.
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You should join us, John. It’s very relaxed!
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Yeah, soz about that. I and the admins have both (all) tried to sort it and it just isn’t playing. Frustrating, but if it lures you into joining in, then maybe that’s a win!
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Kate replied to the topic Class 3 Writing Exercise "I Don't Remember" – KazG in the forum
Andrew Wille's DIY MA course 6 years, 4 months agoThis is so clever, Kaz. And I didn’t expect it to go in that direction either. Wow. Excellent stuff.
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