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how many reviews before a re-write?
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draig
 26 Aug 2010, 19:42 #97409 Reply To Post
Generally, how many reviews should I receive before I get an average score and decide it's time for a re-write?
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KJPlayer
 26 Aug 2010, 20:16 #97413 Reply To Post
I know it's not standard advice but after I read every review, I leave it and think about what the reviewer has said for a day. The next day, I make the decision over whether or not their ideas are valid and, therefore, whether I should make changes to what they have seen as "problems". By doing this, I have found that my writing as improved leaps and bounds!
MLT
 26 Aug 2010, 21:49 #97420 Reply To Post
Quote: draig, Thursday, 26 Aug 2010 19:42
Generally, how many reviews should I receive before I get an average score and decide it's time for a re-write?


Forget about the score.

Correct spelling, punctuation and grammer as soon as these mistakes are pointed out. After that concentrate on what is said.

If your reviews are short and full of generalisations, don't rush to make changes.

If you are lucky enough to get a series of detailed reviews, read what they say carefully. If you see a pattern emerging; ie several people commenting on the same things, such as poorly defined characters, stilted dialogue, erratic changes of voice, consider how you can best solve these problems.

How many reviews you need before you consider a rewrite depends on how good they are and how quickly a pattern emerges. It might be 10 or it might be 30.

The important thing is not to rush into changing things after each review.

Hope this helps
RobertB
 26 Aug 2010, 23:49 #97428 Reply To Post
I look through my chapters after every bit of what I consider to be sensible criticism. Usually, I change something, hopefully for the better. The main thing is to distinguish helpful criticism from nonsense. You get everything here, from extremely helpful reviews to illiterate rubbish. It's the ones in the middle where you have to use your judgement.
draig
 27 Aug 2010, 21:37 #97476 Reply To Post
Quote: RobertB, Thursday, 26 Aug 2010 23:49
I look through my chapters after every bit of what I consider to be sensible criticism. Usually, I change something, hopefully for the better. The main thing is to distinguish helpful criticism from nonsense. You get everything here, from extremely helpful reviews to illiterate rubbish. It's the ones in the middle where you have to use your judgement.


Yep. Judgement and experience. I have found it useful to check the reviewers works, too.

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Athene
 28 Aug 2010, 08:18 #97491 Reply To Post
As soon as they're pointed out, change typos, and errors in punctuation, spelling and grammar (grammer, Marjorie? )

Leave everything else until you've had at least five reviews, and then look for points of agreement between reviewers. If everyone's sayng it, they may well be right - but not necessarily, especially if it's a novel opening. After all, only you know how it ends. If you find lots of people are niggling over something that is going to be explained/resolved later, you might find it worthwhile to put a note about it at the top of your extract, so that reviewers will stop wasting time on it and concentrate on some other aspect of your writing.
This post was last edited by Athene, 28 Aug 2010, 08:21


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RobertB
 28 Aug 2010, 09:56 #97495 Reply To Post
Don't expect much consistency. One person praises you, the next criticises you for the same thing. One gives you fives, the next twos and threes. Ignore scoring, there's a large random element, and when all's said and done the top ten are a popularity contest. Concentrate on improving your writing.

Stephen King says something important in 'On Writing'. He relies on beta readers, and it seems they often disagree with each other as well. When opinions are divided, the tie goes to the writer. Don't rewrite unless there's a degree of consistency. If a series of people criticise the same thing, look at it again. Otherwise, see what they say, and follow your instinct.
MLT
 28 Aug 2010, 17:09 #97521 Reply To Post
Quote: Athene, Saturday, 28 Aug 2010 08:18
As soon as they're pointed out, change typos, and errors in punctuation, spelling and grammar (grammer, Marjorie? )

.


Whoops!! Should have gone to a certain well known optician.

This post was last edited by MLT, 28 Aug 2010, 17:14
SIODAI
 28 Aug 2010, 23:24 #97540 Reply To Post
If you agree with what the reviewer has said, change what you have written! If you don't then leave it as it is! I've corrected/tweaked my WIP after most reviews and have just uploaded a rewrite. I HOPE it's better than my original.
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
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