For each Write the World Competition, we rely on you to not only submit your best work, but to help other writers reach their full potential through the peer review process. For the Fantasy Writing Competition, Ava Harrington did a fabulous job of helping twilightowl take their work to the next level with, as Guest Judge Alexandra Sheppard put it, “her keen eye and strong attention to detail.” Read on to learn more about Ava’s detail-oriented approach and her advice to writers who are new to peer reviewing.
Tell us about your process for reviewing this piece.
I started by reading through the piece without making any edits. I wanted to get a sense of the overall tone and mood of the piece, as well as ideas for potential plot expansion. I noted which parts of the piece I enjoyed, and what I felt could be strengthened, and then I returned to the piece again. This time I tried to deeply consider the author’s word choice—examining how each phrase affected the overall tone, the reader’s perception of the characters, and the overall world-building. The author’s word choice was really excellent in terms of the tone, and I made sure to highlight that in my feedback. Their characters were well thought out, and I tried to highlight some places where the author could expand on the attitudes and personalities of the characters—especially given their tumultuous past lives—in this unique and beautifully constructed world of the story. I finished up with some words of encouragement and some general feedback.
What advice do you have for your fellow writers who are new to peer reviewing?
If you are new to peer reviewing, I would say focus on the details! Every word, action, and detail affects the reader’s understanding of the piece, and paying close attention to those details can really improve the piece. Think back on the advice that has been most helpful for you, and try to channel that in your own feedback. I would also say to leave a healthy mix of positive and constructive feedback. I think encouragement is incredibly important, not only because it motivates the writer, but it also allows the writer to better understand their strengths.
What’s your favorite fantasy book?
I absolutely love any fantasy book by Neal Shusterman, including the Arc of the Scythe series. It follows a world in which natural death is almost non-existent, so in order to control the population a select few “Scythes” are appointed to choose who lives and who dies. It’s such a cool premise and Shusterman does an amazing job of intertwining the strange duties of a Scythe with the hardships of being a not-so-normal teenager. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks that they don’t like fantasy books, because I didn’t think I did either!
Do you have any writing goals you’re currently working toward?
As for my own writing goals, I’m hoping to complete some short stories by the end of the summer. I’ve also been editing some of my old poetry.
