Hey guys! We'd like to officially introduce Litter Critters, Inc. This particular project is for Literature Submissions Only!!We will be hosting this event in #Literazzi on Sundays, following the =Writers-Slam broadcast, which will also be hosted in that room.

Litter Critters, Inc (LCI for short) is a mini-crit spotlight event that will give the participants 15 minutes of time to accept comments and questions about their work. During this time, other members of the room will read the work, comment, question and otherwise analyze.

If you are interested in participating and sharing your art, please Note *AGMeade the link to your piece. Make sure you do so before 12:00 AM (GMT -7:00) Sunday mornings. The requests will be posted in a journal on *AGMeade's journal so that they can be pre-read. All in depth critiques will be posted on the deviations themselves, rather than in the chat. The chat will be used strictly for clarifications and general comments.

Some General Guidelines When Submitting Your Work for Critique:

Make sure to include a link to the deviation you need feedback on.

When submitting your work, please let us know what type of critique you are looking for in the note. We will be posting the critique definitions and guidelines below in this news article and on *AGMeade's journal as well.

When you submit your note, please tell us what time you are able to show up for your critique. It would be helpful if you could also include what your GMT is (England is GMT 0, I'm in -7:00 GMT) so that we are able to slot you correctly.

Please make an effort to be in the room at your slotted time. We are flexible and if you absolutely cannot make it at the time you slotted, please feel free to shoot us a note. There will be a 5 minute grace period, then we will go on to the next person in the queue.

If you are unable to accept constructive criticism with grace, please do not submit your work for LCI. The critics are taking time out of their to help you and while you are by no means expected to agree with them, we do expect you to thank them for their effort. If it becomes a problem, we will no longer be able to allow you to submit your work to the workshop.

Because the time slots are only 15 minutes per deviant, we ask at this time that you confine your piece to less than 1500 words. This number is subject to change. Remember, the more time the critic has to spend reading, the less time they may have to comment.

Some General Guidelines For Being A Critic:

We will not tolerate bashing of any type. We expect our critics to be polite at all times.

Anyone can be a critic! All types of comments are welcome and everyone has something to offer. You don't need to have an English Degree to help.

Please make sure you adhere to the type of critique the artist has asked for. We anticipate having both beginning and advanced writers as well as all the levels in between. If they are a beginner, please tailor your comments to that.

Don't feel compelled to critique every peice. If you are better with poetry than prose then stick with the poetry. Do what's in your comfort level, but make sure it's helpful.

Don't be afraid to ask questions or clarify statements. Be sure to comment that you required clarification in the critique you leave on the piece.

Do not give in depth critiques in the chatroom. Do give in-depth critiques in the comments on the piece. We are all here to learn and grow as writers and we'd like to foster that feeling.

Remember: Telling the artist what you like about a piece and what works is just as important as pointing out what doesn't. The positive reinforcement will help them continue to develop their strengths.

Types of Critique:

No Fluff: This type of critique gets down into the nitty-gritty. This level of critique is for folks who are very comfortable and solid in their writing and are able to understand what's being said without any explanation. Example: <SpokenAubade> So I could just say "Your meter is off and an iamb might work better here. PoV shift feels off." without getting a blank stare.

Advanced: This, again, is for folks who are very solid in their writing and know most literary terms. This will dig down deep with some explanation. It will be courteous, but it will not spare your feelings. Be sure, if you request this level, that you really want an advanced critique.

Moderate: This will still be a fairly complete critique. However, more explanation will be given by the critic as to why they are suggesting certain changes. People would like the critic's reasoning explained and the critique may focus on the "big picture" issues as well as on grammar, style and form.

Mild: This type of critique will be very gentle. The reader will point out what they think doesn't really work in the piece and then explain why. This type of critique is especially important for beginners and for people trying out a new form of writing for the first time. If you're looking for some laid-back comments with a critical edge, this is for you.

No Critique: This form is for those of us who have written something incredibly personal or something they feel very close to. This is perfect if you are not planning on revising. It is asking for general feelings and thoughts about the piece, but no suggestions for improvement.


Some Links of Interest:

How To Revise or Critique
A Guide To Good Critique
Critique Specifically, the section on how to respond to criticism.
Resource Central For a huge amount of information on writing, critique and revision.


Stay tuned for more information on some of the other exciting things we've got planned for you!

Many thanks to *SpokenAubade for helping to define the levels of critique and wording throughout the article.