Scoring/Rating

Please note that this blog is an extension of my mind. I write this posts without much thought only to go back over them at a later date to fix/change that which needs it.

Also, please note that I do tend to be harsh when rating/scoring books. As a writer myself, I hope to give aspiring writers, and perhaps the writers themselves a place with a critical analytical eye besides a “oh my god this was amazing”. Here I will give you the why and what I think could be better. It is only in this way that we can improve and our writing fuller develop.

Scoring Rubric

In reviewing, I try to look at the different aspects of the writing and respond in an analytical sense – much like in a writing workshop. As such, I created a rubric I felt held the major aspects needed in creative writing. Each category is worth 10 points. I do give 1 or 2 bonus points if a writer goes above and beyond some category.

Plot

The first aspect I look at is plot. To me, the plot is what makes the story (even though at times it can be character-driven). If there is no plot, the story is just rambling. There has to be a beginning, middle, and end (though perhaps not in that order). It also has to have a exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. I do judge on the amount of climaxes and the pace towards the main climax.

Characters

I look at characters as being people created. To me, they are not just names. In writing, you are in essence creating a different world with people just like who are in this world, only in this world we are the God. In this category I look at the development of the characters and their relationship with their creator. Static characters versus Dynamic characters are a major focus here as well as the connection between their creator, the reader, and the story as well as if they are relatable/actions realistic in their respective stories.

Writing

I try to finish all books, but sometimes I need to put a DNF on the book in order to progress and stay on track with the amount of books I read. In this category I also look at whether the copy being read needs work or if it is acceptable (as if I am grading a student’s work). I tend to think in terms of drafts (to me there is no thing as final – all works can be improved). If the work seems to be the first draft as in look I wrote this – I didn’t go over it and fix things – I just put it out there (much like what I do with this blog) I take points off. If I am paying for something or recommending someone else to pay for it, I am going to look at everything to do with writing including, but not limited to the pace, syntax, theme, message, form, format, connotation, diction, etc.

I stand by my claim that anyone can write – just that not everyone can write well. I fully understand having a first draft, a second, a third – as many as needed – but I fully expect the end product be as polished as possible at that given moment.

Editor

In writing, I tend to put a lot of weight on the editor. To me their job is to look at both the aspects of editing as well as to judge whether the writing is good enough for publication. The literary world is harsh. Here I am honest. Good writing can have bad editors. I cannot stand reading a book with constant misspellings, missing punctuation, or misused punctuation. Bad writing can have no good editors. If they did, I wouldn’t be reading it.