Crimson Ink is about positive, constructive feedback for yaoi/slash/homoerotic fiction writers.
We expect you to know, and use, basic Netiquette.
We expect you to have some previous experience with writing, and with mailing lists. Preferably we are looking for those with college level writing ability - but this is flexible. We do expect you to know, and demonstrate that you know, the basic rules of English grammar and spelling. At the very least, know how to use the spellchecker and grammar checker in your word-processing software, and be aware of their limitations.
If English is not your native language, but you are committed to improving your fiction writing abilities in English, you are still welcome to join CI. All we ask is that you tell the admins, and that you be prepared to receive more grammar crits than commentary at first.
If all you're looking for is gushing praise, CI is not the list to join. We are committed to giving honest, constructive feedback. This will always be phrased in as positive a manner as possible, but it will not necessarily contain praise of your writing. Be aware of this before you post.
We can all learn from each other, from our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Encourage your listsibs, but be honest. If you feel a fic has major problems, it is perfectly alright to point this out in a tactful manner. Remember, constructive criticism includes constructive suggestions for improvement.
To get crits - give crits. We encourage authors to post a crit for every fic they post. This keeps the balance of participation fair, and encourages everyone to communicate not just about their own writing, but about others'.
Authors
- you are the final authority on your fic(s). While listsibs and admins are here to offer their advice and opinions, they are not teachers, not grading your work, not requiring you to change your writing in order to make or keep friends. In the end, it is up to you to decide what to do with your creation.
- when you receive a crit, post a thank you to the critiquer to the list. People like to know their effort has been read and appreciated. Even if you disagree with the critiquer's comments, you can still say "thank you for offering a different view."
- if you are using words in a foreign language (ie other than English) in your fic, please consider using the "Notes" section of the Posting Template to provide a basic glossary for your readers. If you prefer, you can put Notes at the end of the fic.
Authors and Critiquers
- don't be afraid to dialogue about a fic on list. Authors, if someone responds with a crit and has questions, we encourage you to reply to them. If this leads into a discussion, or the exchange of several posts regarding ideas on the fic - this is OK! It's not spamming or cluttering up the list. Discussion is a vital part of the creative process.
Critiquers
- give the kind of crit you would want to receive - constructive and encouraging. Yes, you may come across fics that make you groan at first, but remember how much effort the writer will have put into that fic, and make an honest effort to treat it fairly.
- Most writers have at least one apparent strength in any given fic - look for it and comment on it. Build your comments around helping them improve the rest of the fic, not on cutting the author down.
- keep the focus on the fic - not the author. Yes, that fic may very well be somebody's "baby," but it is not them.
Attempts at "pulling rank" will not be tolerated. Everyone on list comes from a different background and has a different level of writing experience. Just because you may have a BA doesn't give you the right to flaunt that on list. The "rules" of grammar are still flexible. Modern English usage allows for a lot more than we are taught in school. Keep that in mind when you post. It is perfectly alright to say: "in my experience, I have found x to be true, or have been taught that x is the way to do it." Post a link to a resource, if you have one, such as Strunk and White's Elements of Style or Grammar. (Check out the Links/Resources section for more links.) But remember that no one, including you, is an absolute authority on writing.
List members who are interested in making a deeper commitment to CI should contact an Admin regarding becoming a "Big Sib." If we notice that you're doing an exceptionally good job of participating on CI, don't be surprised if we approach you first. ^_^
