
Beta Reading TutorialBeta Reading Tutorial3 years ago in Writing More Like This
What is a Beta Reader?Apart from being a writer's best friend, beta readers provide a cross between edits and a critique. A beta reader does not edit a manuscript, but will note the errors for the author to fix. Advice and critiques are other services a beta may perform.
Establishing a RelationshipYou've just partnered with an author; what do you do first? Establish with your author what each of you expects from the relationship. A solid understanding of expectations starts the partnership on a productive path and avoids misunderstandings.Time Expectations
Is the author expecting a 24 hour turn around, while you're thinking a week? If not

Beta Reading for AuthorsBeta Reading for Authors3 years ago in Writing More Like This
What is a Beta Reader?Apart from being a writer's best friend, beta readers provide a cross between edits and a critique. A beta reader does not edit a manuscript, but will note the errors for the author to fix. Advice and critiques are other services a beta may perform.
Establishing a RelationshipYou've just partnered with a beta reader; what do you do first? Establish with your beta what each of you expects from the relationship. A solid understanding of expectations starts the partnership on a productive path and avoids misunderstandings.
Time Expectations
Are you expecting a 24 hour turn around, while your beta is thinking a week? If

Minotaur 1.1Death's acrid stench clung to the air around Varan. The sickly rot of infection bubbled up, oozing from his shoulder. There was nothing he could do chained to the stone wall with a guard at the door. Arrow splinters trapped in his flesh were killing him slowly.Minotaur 1.11 year ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
His death should have been swift on the battlefield, but instead he was ambushed while he bathed. He'd cut down seven men before the poisoned arrow made him too weak to lift his ax. The poison wasn't lethal, unfortunately. Its purpose was to render him unconscious for interrogation.
His sire, the famous Conqueror of Brundan, must be laughing from the afterlife. Even shame failed to g
Chat Tour ScheduleWord Wars Chat Tour | Word Wars | Chat Tour ScheduleChat Tour Schedule2 years ago in Happenings More Like This
You're Invited!
Join us in our next game which can be found here:
DetailsDate: Sunday, August 19th, 2012
Time: 3:00 PM EST (USA)
[What time is that for me?]#theWrittenRevolution's Chatroom: http://chat.deviantart.com/chat/thewrittenrevolution
Next Stop, #theWrittenRevolution!
Due to an overfull schedule, we're returning to a wonderful group on our solo stop this August.September will return to our usual crazy two stops per month schedule!
:iconthewrittenrevolution:
The Host Group
As written for the 11th stop: #theWrittenRevolution, run by another awesome staff team and headed by :devstarboyd
Complaint Challenge Contest - Extended!Update: Deadline ExtensionComplaint Challenge Contest - Extended!1 year ago in Contests More Like This
New deadline: February 10th at 11:59 PM EST!
I could use an extra week before judging, and my poll suggested people could use a little more time than that. I've decided to extend the deadline by 10 days.
Don't forget you must note me your entry to be eligible for prizes. I know I saw some floating around. I do need an official entry note! You may find these other reminders helpful: http://fav.me/d4mk8a6
If your entry is not in this folder, you are not confirmed and should contact me: http://thorns.deviantart.com/favourites/47897505
If you have questions, or needed help, and I haven't fully helped yet, NOTE ME ASAP. If I haven't responded I misplaced your messages. (I know there is definitely one I cannot find.) I apologize and would be appreciate a reminder.
`thorns
We got our complaints out in 2011. Now, 2012 is about doing something productive with them. I am not going to sit and grumble a

A History of PurgatoryFor more than a millennium purgatory's souls wallowed in despair while chaos and confusion ruled the realm. As a dark and barren pit, no sun lit the gray sky and no water gave life to the dry ground.A History of Purgatory2 years ago in Flash Fiction & Vignettes More Like This
Souls appeared one by one as they died on Earth. They lingered in purgatory, weeping and cowering, until demon underlings dragged them to the pits of hell. The souls wasted their limited days huddled together for fear of the demons' frequent visits.
One soul broke apart. A soldier. Broad and standing tall in his gleaming armor, he held his spear at the ready and stood watch over the souls. He knew no other course of action.
As always the demon
Operation TYP [Contest Event!]Grim Face (`GrimFace242) and I decided running our own separate contests in January weren’t enough. We put together a joint event contest too.Operation TYP [Contest Event!]1 year ago in Contests More Like This
What is Operation TYP?
It’s 24 hours of fun, and a dash of mischief, for the literature community. At the start date you will be given a simple task that can be done in as little as 2 minutes. It will be up to you to make it fun and creative though.
What is this task? It’s so super secret we can’t tell you until the start date!
What we can tell you is this: It will be quick and easy. It will be fun. You will have 24 hours to complete the task. You can participate multiple times. There will be prizes for random participants and a little something extra for three creative deviants!
Start Date:Date: Saturday, February 4th, 2012
Time: 12:00 AM EST*
Check back at that time for your Operation TYP task

Mother Nature's WrathThe supposed deity, Mother Nature, was always present on the backwater planet. The bitter cold wind, stinging Bosch's face and ruffling his fur, was a constant reminder of her wrath. At least the sun was shining as he trudged through the deep snow.Mother Nature's Wrath3 years ago in Short Stories More Like This
"Machu's hungry." Shelly, his small human mate, lagged behind him. The snow was knee deep for her, but she struggled through without complaint.
He did not speak her language, but the translator implanted in his ear understood most human words.
"Soon." In the distance, he still saw the human structure they had escaped. He had killed the humans, but now they were in a race against time. Rescue was
DD Suggestion GuidelinesLiterature Community VolunteersDD Suggestion Guidelines1 year ago in Personal More Like This
^Beccalicious | `thorns
Why Suggest?
Part of being a Community Volunteer is featuring wonderful deviations as Daily Deviations, but the keyword is community. I need you guys, the community, to tell me what you like to read. Share your favorite stories and scribbles with the rest of the community by suggesting it for a feature. If you adored it, share it with us!
Instructions
Send your suggestion link/thumbnail to me in a note with the subject "DD Suggestion" please! I encourage you to send multiple suggestions, but be sure to only send one per note. That way I won't get confused and can organize them.
It would be marvelous if you could tell me why you think the deviation should be featured. I want to feel your enthusiasm to I can get excited about the piece too!
Please note, I will thank you for the suggestion, but won't tell you if it will be featured beforehand. It's more fun wh
Word Wars Chat TourThe Word Wars Chat Tour has moved to its new home at #WordWars!Word Wars Chat Tour2 years ago in Journal Scraps More Like This
:iconwordwars:
Word Wars Chat Tour | Word Wars | Chat Tour Schedule
What is the Word War Chat Tour?
It's two things really. First, it's a writing game that you play in a chatroom with other writers. Second, it's a tour and we visit other chatrooms. Essentially we are touring the literature community bringing our fun game with us.
Word Wars – The Game
It's a friendly competition to see who can write out the most in a set period of time. In a chatroom setting the game is fast paced fun with the timer set to a few minutes and participants compete in several rounds. Speed writing is key!
Read the Word Wars blog with game instructions, tips and a F.A.Q.!
The Tour
Each month we find a different literature group to host our ga

The Purpose-Driven PlotThe Purpose-Driven Plot2 years ago in Reviews & Guides More Like This
The Purpose-Driven Plot
This set of articles is intended as a guide to folks who are having trouble plotting out longer works, such as novellas, novels, and sets of novels. To do this, I have broken down the material into smaller sections for ease of use. We will begin with an overview of the four main types of plot, followed by a section on drawing up outlines, a note on subplots, a formal analysis in reverse, and then a collection of exercises that will incorporate the information presented here. It may sound dry, but please bear with me! I will try to make it as fun and informational as possible.
Shall we?
You know me; I love definition
PE: Literature Critique TipsAs part of Project Educate Critique week, the Community Volunteers would like to share more art specific elements to consider whilst giving good critique.PE: Literature Critique Tips1 year ago in Projects More Like This
Today we are looking at the Literature gallery, with our Top Tips.
Before you startREAD the piece all the way through.
Read it again, making notes of what you would like to point out in your critique.
Stay Objective- you are critiquing the piece not the person.
The Tips!
These tips are areas which aren't just necessary in critiquing others' work, but also when self-critiquing your own writing. This is one person's suggestions and I welcome any further tips in addition.A good opening. The opening to any form of writing doesn't necessarily need to involve a physical explosion, but it needs to have an initial hook; something to entice the reader in. It needs to be clear, something that
Critique Contest: ALL Mediums!AboutCritique Contest: ALL Mediums!1 year ago in Contests More Like This
In my opinion, critique is commentary on art or literature aimed at giving direction for improvement, encouraging artistic growth, and promoting education. These three elements are vitally important to any artist, in any medium because they provide a cornerstone for advancement.
On deviantART, we see entire communities dedicated exclusively to giving and receiving critique because artists of all levels understand the benefits of critique. February's Solutions Sanctuary project is focused on critique because many, many people complain that there just is not enough of it on dA. Well, time to put your keyboards where your mouths are, my fellow deviants!
For this contest, I challenge you to give at least one other deviant a critique. You may use the critique feature or leave critiques in comments. You may critique work from a group, from your watchlist, from the
OMG It's MAY 1st!!!Alright Members...it's May 1st and that means *duh da da dun* CONTEST TIMEOMG It's MAY 1st!!!1 year ago in Personal More Like This
First some Group Stuff!
ADMIN NEWS
:icongrimnights: and :iconfluffy-sama:
These are the two newest admins to help us out. They will both be helping with admin duties!
For new Membe
Write In Chat Events This Week!We're hosting two chat events at CRLiterature this week! They will be write ins so come ready to write.Write In Chat Events This Week!3 months ago in Happenings More Like This
For those who need a refresher, `GrimFace242 say, "A write in is when we're all in the chat, but working on our own writing at the same time. Like word wars, but without the timer or need for a word count. It's mellow and laid back. But if you need an assist, there are peoples in the chat to help you out." It encourages socializing, and writing progress. There are no rules and it's a friendly atmosphere, which makes it a great opportunity to work and get to know other writers. :
Event DetailsWednesday Feb. 13th at 6PM EST (USA)
Sunday, Feb. 17th at 3PM EST (USA)
(What time is that for me?)Chatroom link: http://chat.deviantart.com/chat/c
Hiveship CONTEST Reminder! - Deadline extended!10 Days left until we hit the deadline, so please keep submitting!Hiveship CONTEST Reminder! - Deadline extended!11 months ago in Personal More Like This![]()
(Deadline is, as always, negotiable and can be extended if necessary)
Deadline has been extended to August, 11th
to give you more room to create contest entries!
Visual Art
topic picked by previous contest's winner *sleepyowlet
Wraith Pets and Spirit Animals
What if Wraith had pets (other than the human variety)? Show us your fav Wraith with his/her kitty, dog, bird, turtle, iratus bug, ... whatever! Cute and fuzzy or slimy and scaly? What pet would your Wraith keep?
The other alternative: If your Wraith had a spirit animal, what would it be? Show us!
Fanfiction and other Written Contributions
topic picked by previous contest's winner ~ladymoonscar9828
Wraith Kids
Here's your prompt: What if Todd, Steve or whoever is suddenly a kid, or what if they had kids? Tell us all about Wra
Update + PimpingI hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!Update + Pimping1 year ago in Personal More Like ThisI received a ton of dA cards, and loved every single one of them. I also had way too much fun sending them out to other people. (That's the best part of any holiday, imo.) Thank you all!
Interviewed!I was also interviewed by `megturney for the Ticked Off interview series! Read it here: http://fav.me/d4pnccx
General Updates
Real life has been a bit sketchy the last 10 days or so. We've run into a few major issues hiccups with our home purchase. It's looking okay, but it'll be many more weeks before it finally goes through.
That also means we're making arrangements for a place to stay, and been hopping from place to place while we find something we can rent for a month or two at a reasonable price.
I've been a little slow on the results for the Complaint Challenge Contest as a result of the moving fiascoes (yeah, that's plural). More than that, I'm also having trouble deciding
Face Your Fears Contest UpdateEDIT:Face Your Fears Contest Update1 year ago in Personal More Like This
Hi everyone!!
Just a quick reminder to include at least the group's name and the name of the contest in your artists comments. I would like an explanation of your fear also, to help me interpret your piece correctly.
I just went through the folder in the gallery checking all the pieces (because I hate the thought of having to disqualify someone when they have put so much effort into their piece) and if I hadn't have checked them then and commented I would have had to disqualify at least three people come judging time. It was clearly stated in the rules guys! Please read ALL the rules before submitting and TAKE NOTE OF THEM. Please!!!
Thanks!!
Hey guys!!! I'm really happy about our contest right now!!
Oh. My. God.I CANNOT believe it!! I was doing a bit of stuff around the group and decided to have a peek in the Face Your Fears Contest Entries folder and my eyes literally popped out of my head!
(hehe, cute emoticon) I truly was no
Operation WFP is coming! [Started!]Find the start article here: http://nicswaner.deviantart.com/journal/Operation-WFP-Start-344101940Operation WFP is coming! [Started!]5 months ago in Contests More Like This
You have around 12 hours remaining to submit your feedback comment and wishlists to win a prize! We've only had a few entries thus far so your chances of winning are good.
It's been nearly a year since Operation TYP. `GrimFace242 and I have plotted some terrible shenanigans, but this time it's even worse! We've flung poop at ^NicSwaner andbrainwashedconvinced him to join the dark side with us! Why? To remind you guys that giving is important.
What is Operation WFP?
It's 48 hours of fun for the entire community. At the start date you will be given a short list of simple tasks that can be done in as little as half an hour.
What is this task? It's so super secret we can't tell you until the start date!

Monday Ch 1, part 3Vincent stared at the blue slip in his hand. The words, "Rape Department" were neatly printed on the sheet of paper. He flipped it over hoping for something else written on the back, something that would make sense.Monday Ch 1, part 32 years ago in Scraps More Like This
It was blank.
"I got murder." The soldier held up his blue sheet. "What'd you get?"
"Rape." Vincent read the front again and every instinct he possessed told him to find a way out. It was a bad assignment.
"Really?"
"It must be a mistake." Vincent returned to the receptionist. "Excuse me, Ma'am, there's some mistake. I don't know what to do with this."
The receptionist continued handing out assignments from behind her massiv

Never Too Late Scene 1Never Too Late Scene 12 years ago in Introductions & Chapters More Like This
Mickey hopped out of her Jeep and pulled the keyring from the inside pocket of her thigh length black leather jacket. Smiling, she climbed the three steps up to the front door, twirling the keyring in her hand. It had been nearly seventy years since she'd been to the house and now she'd be living there again.
Turning the old skeleton key, she heard the click of the door unlocking. Walking into one of the many places she considered home in her long life, memories of the house quickly came back to her. She'd missed it more than she'd realized.
There wasn't much time to get the house ready before her brothers a
Face Your Fears ContestDates for contest: Start - 30 March 2012.Face Your Fears Contest1 year ago in Personal More Like This
Finish - 31 May 2012, midnight Australian time.
Duration: 2 months (An extension may be made by the founder if circumstances warrant it.)
Place of Submission: The Face Your Fears Contest Entries folder in the group gallery.
Contestants: Members of We-Write-To-Escape only. Feel free to join if you would like to participate. You will be automatically accepted.
Number of submissions allowed: Only one (1) submission per person is allowed.
Hi everyone!
We-Write-To-Escape's first EVER contest is now up and running!!Are you all

Core City - PromptProtagonist: Jack RamseyCore City - Prompt3 years ago in Flash Fiction & Vignettes More Like This
Jack settled back on his sofa and shook his head. "Fences are independent here. It's better for you and better for us that way."
Pat, his very distant cousin from New York, scoffed at him. "But we're family, Jack. Come on. You can't help us out?"
"I can help you out, but I don't take orders from nobody. I run my business how I run my business." He wasn't going to give in, not even for his mother's family.
"All right, so you run it how you want. We don't care what you do, not really, but help us out with this." Pat sipped his coffee.
Jack leaned forward. "What do you want me to do, exactly?"
"Not much, just don