Announcements: To those who were looking forward to a BoC, we're so sorry, there isn't one this upcoming month :'(. Instead, do prepare for announcements on future rounds! We're reaching our 100th one soon!

Commenting time frame (CST): Aug 12 - Aug 21 (since the round was published late this week. We're so sorry about that!)

Comment Topic: Comment on the way the authors brought their story to life. In other words, how well did they do on describing the scene?

Moderator: swiftiegirl1010

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Author #1: Tegan1311 [NBR Triple Crowner]

Book Title: Deep in the Shadows

Specified Chapter: Ch. 1~ Freedom Beckons

Summary Thus Far in Book: N/A

Author's Note: Author's Note: Woo, in the Spotlight. *cue throwing confetti then nervously waiting for criticism, lol!* This is the 4th novel NBR has graciously let me Spotlight. A HUGE thank you to DawnStarling and the moderators for keeping this group going. I'm so glad to be a part of it.

Deep in the Shadows is a Fantasy novel, and it's the first time I'm trying my hand at 3rd person Omniscient. That means the narrator knows thoughts of side characters as well as mcs. So, my questions are:

1- When the narrator jumps from the mind of one character to the other, is it ever confusing or does it take away from the general flow of the story? I try to make it seem natural, so I need to know how close I've come to it.

2. I'd like to know what you think of Nera. I'm still fleshing her out, as this story is still in the beginning stages, so I'd be grateful for any insight you might have about her past and personality from you've read here. Is she likeable? Too mysterious? Does she seem too violent and strange to be likable? If she were a male character, I wouldn't be so worried, but as she's a girl, I'm worried some readers might think she's too much, too dark or jaded to be likable. (Just FYI, I like her very much).

3. As this is the first chapter, is it interesting enough to make you want to read on? Why or why not?

In-line Comment Preference: ♡ them!!

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG-13 for mild violence and talk of a sensitive subject (nothing specific, but Nera mentions that prisoners and slaves worry about 'being taken advantage of' by the guards)

Winning comment: Congrats on the spotlight! I'm sorry for this being so late, I had a long and busy week. 

CT: I thought your descriptions were nice and very realistic. You set the scene of the cell quite graphically, and it was nice to see the brutal side of the prison! I would have liked to know more about the prison itself, even though it isn't necessary. I did think it went rather slow, but that was obviously intentional because you set the ending up nicely.

Q1: Switching between the point of views never bothered me, but I felt like I didn't get to know your characters very well. For about 75% of your chapter was switching between Nera and the guard, and I felt like I got to know them both equally, instead of your main character. You added more about her towards the end but that is question two and I will answer it there. Switching between them allowed for more interesting monologues and while it worked very well, some people may not like it. I was split even. I liked it at some parts, but I also wanted to see more of Nera.

Q2: I don't think we got too much of her. She seems to be highly trained and skilled, while being somewhat inquisitive and skeptical. Nera knows what she is doing -- even though we don't -- and isn't afraid. She seems like a warrior or assassin to me. About her personality, though, is something I didn't really see. She is fearless, and that's about all I got. Maybe add a little more about her and that will make me more compelled to like her.

Q3: I do want to continue, but I'm also a little hesitant. I really like your setting and plot, and the ending of the first chapter hooked me very well, but I don't know too much about Nera and that somewhat shakes my answer. Why is she there? Why did she steal cloths and get herself arrested? Why does she have to escape? These questions drive me to keep reading but they also somewhat turn me away because that is something I want to know almost instantly. If you keep up with the action and character development, I would read to the end. For now, let's say I would probably read the next chapter.  

Network with this winner: GarrettMock

1st runner up: angelapoppe

2nd runner up: ZonderZorg

Final Authors Note: I want to thank everyone for giving me such great, thorough feedback. I expected nothing less from this amazing group. All of your comments and suggestions were insightful and have given me a lot to go on as I edit.

I chose @GarrettMock as the winning comment because it gave me good insight as to why my character didn't quite hook him enough. He needed more from/about her to care. He also gave me a reason this might've happened. Spending less time on the guard means more time spent on developing Nera. His inline comments were good and one in particular pointed out something I'd missed. HUGE thank you for that.@angelapoppe gave nice suggestions, especially when it came to my target audience, pov, and inner thoughts. She gave me a sense of pace, letting me know my chapter was split. First half slow, second fast, which is a perspective I needed to know. Thanks everyone!

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Author #2: GarrettMock

Book Title: Flux

Specified Chapter: Chapter 1

Summary Thus Far in Book: N/A

Author's Note: Wow, I'm excited and scared silly about this week. I can't believe it is my turn. I would like to thank everyone in advance for their reviews and shutout to for this amazing opportunity!

Question 1) Do you find the radio broadcast more supportive to the story or more irrelevant, and why?Question 2) What are you initial thoughts of the main character? I won't want to reveal his name just yet.Question 3) Would you continue to read the book? Explain and elaborate on your choice.

In-line Comment Preference: Welcome.

Genre: Horror & Action

Rating: M for profanity, gore and violence.

Winning comment: Will announce winner soon

Network with this winner:

1st runner up:

2nd runner up:

Final Authors Note:

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Author #3: wordsmithwriting88

Book Title: Loud Noises

Specified Chapter: Chapter Seven

Summary Thus Far in Book: Just as Thea Garrity thought her summer was unceremoniously slipping away, an unexpected change in plans has forced her to go and stay with her mom for the summer--or until she can came come up with her next plan. As a former straight-A student set to continue on to an ivy league school in the fall, her Mom's particularly concerned about her drastic change in plans. This--along with the deep-rooted abandonment issues set when her mother left in the past--is why Thea's reluctant about going to the Cape to stay with her. Even though her parents' both attribute a school shooting that occurred in October to Thea's decision to take a year off, she's doing her best to move forward to prove to everyone in her life that she's OK.

Author's Note: *nervously panic-eats an entire row of thin mints* Hello, fellow NBR's, I haven't mentally yet accepted my time for the NBR spotlight is approaching. It's been such a pleasure reading all of your work & getting to chat with such talented authors. My questions for ya:

Q1: What do you think of the writing style? Was the chapter easy to follow and did you feel any kind of attachment to the characters?

Q2: Thea is a teenager--meaning she's sarcastic, pessimistic, and although she doesn't realize quite yet--incredibly lonely. She immediately puts guards up & sometimes that makes her come across as cold: Is it ever to the point of dislike-ability? And in contrast, what did you like about my narrator?

In-line Comment Preference: Welcome.

Genre: Teen Fiction

Rating: PG 

Winning comment: Will announce this winner soon

Network with this winner:

1st runner up:

2nd runner up:

Final Authors Note:

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Directions:

1. Go to EACH of the Author's Profile Page and Find the Book specified by the Author.

2. Write one Comment per Author but DO NOT write it here. Write it in the Author's own Comment Section. Be sure to Answer the COMMENT TOPIC and pay attention to the Author's Note.

- (Do not Comment on here. Only comment on this page if you have questions or comments pertaining to the directions)

3. All comments must include the #NBR. If you do NOT include #NBR in your comment then your comment is DISQUALIFIED. Do this: #NBR then Comment. If you forget to hashtag, simply post another comment   mentioning #NBR.

4. Comments must be 6 sentences or more - remember the Quality Comment thing? Refer to new scoring system on the contest rules page for more info.

Remember: DIPLOMACY is defined as: the art of dealing with people in a sensitive and effective way

Remember: Never judge a book by its cover.

Remember: #NBR then write the comment.

Remember: Do not give up on the chapter. The Author chose it for a reason.

Remember: To say something positive too!