It's been a while since the "Guess the Author Challenge" has been active, but it is a very long-standing tradition here in AARLand. I wanted to let you all know it is running, the new authors' contributions have been posted (here), and are awaiting readers to provide feedback if you don't mind.
The GTA Challenge is a great place for authors (experienced and novice) to challenge themselves to write short pieces of fiction on a topic chosen for them, and then they receive feedback from readers who don't know who the authors are. The Paradox Forums are already a great place for this sort of "writers' workshop", but GTA takes it to a new level by allowing anonymous submissions (until I post the names later) which promote more honest feedback. This is very helpful for the development of authors' skills.
The Rules:
1) Everybody will have 2 weeks to read and leave comments. What did you think about the piece? What did it make you think about (which is different than the first)? How did it affect you? Were you surprised? Emotional? Did something in the story distract from your enjoyment? Something stick out to you or impress you? Etc...
2) Please be polite, but feel free to be frank -- constructive criticism is okay, as is praise, of course. This is a more valuable writers' forum than almost any other out there, and real writers can learn/earn real skills here, but only if they get credible, heartfelt feedback.
3) Feel free to offer a guess as to who the writer is. This was easier back when there were fewer writers, but if you wish you can try. It's okay to identify a favorite piece, but no ranking of the 4 entries is necessary (or probably desired).
4) On May 15 (or so) I will post who wrote each piece (Surprise!) and list some of their AAR works so you can go check them out.
5) Have fun!
This can be as educational for the readers and commenters as for the writers, so go for it!
Please come by to see what's there, and to have your say!
Rensslaer
The GTA Challenge is a great place for authors (experienced and novice) to challenge themselves to write short pieces of fiction on a topic chosen for them, and then they receive feedback from readers who don't know who the authors are. The Paradox Forums are already a great place for this sort of "writers' workshop", but GTA takes it to a new level by allowing anonymous submissions (until I post the names later) which promote more honest feedback. This is very helpful for the development of authors' skills.
The Rules:
1) Everybody will have 2 weeks to read and leave comments. What did you think about the piece? What did it make you think about (which is different than the first)? How did it affect you? Were you surprised? Emotional? Did something in the story distract from your enjoyment? Something stick out to you or impress you? Etc...
2) Please be polite, but feel free to be frank -- constructive criticism is okay, as is praise, of course. This is a more valuable writers' forum than almost any other out there, and real writers can learn/earn real skills here, but only if they get credible, heartfelt feedback.
3) Feel free to offer a guess as to who the writer is. This was easier back when there were fewer writers, but if you wish you can try. It's okay to identify a favorite piece, but no ranking of the 4 entries is necessary (or probably desired).
4) On May 15 (or so) I will post who wrote each piece (Surprise!) and list some of their AAR works so you can go check them out.
5) Have fun!
This can be as educational for the readers and commenters as for the writers, so go for it!Please come by to see what's there, and to have your say!
Rensslaer