Retreat Information

When you’re ready to upload your day’s work for critique, you’ll need to turn it into a Google Doc. Follow these instructions:

1. Copy the selected text from your word processor to your computer’s clipboard (CTRL+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac).
   Note: if you are working in Scrivener, you might want to Compile to a Word document or RTF first, then Copy your work out of that file.
2. Go to this link, then choose the appropriate sub-folder based on the day of the critique (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday).
   Note: If you do not have a Google Account, you will need to create one in order to upload your work. If you don’t know how, ask one of the MiFi Editors for help.
3. Click the blue “New” button, and choose “Google Doc” from the list of options.
   
4. Click “Create And Share” at the message that pops up.
   
5. Put your cursor in the blank page of the Google Doc, and Paste your work (CTRL+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac).
6. Click into the box that says “Untitled Document” and give your file a meaningful name (i.e., “The Hobbit – Chapter 4 (Tolkien)”).
7. Address any formatting problems (i.e., non-indented paragraphs, line-spacing, etc.).
   Note: sometimes it is easier to fix these in the native program where you write your story than in Google Docs; if you have trouble getting the uploaded product to format correctly, engage with one of the MiFi Editors and we’ll work with you.

When it comes time to read, we’ll announce which piece we will be turning to next. Follow these instructions:

1. Find the directory of files by starting at this link, then choosing the appropriate sub-folder based on the day of the critique (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday).
2. Double-click on the next story to be read/critiqued.
   Note: If your work is up for critique, consider reading from your native writing program (i.e., Word, Scrivener, Evernote, etc.). With other people in the Google Doc version making comments, the environment can get a little distracting and make delivering a smooth reading that much more difficult.
3. In the upper right portion of the screen, find the dropdown that says “Editing” and change it to “Suggesting”.
   
4. You may make alterations in the text, but for the most part, try to make your comments in a Comment Box. To insert a Comment Box, place your cursor at the point in the story where you want your comment to appear (you can make a selection of text as the basis for the comment), then choose INSERT > COMMENT from the menu bar at the top of the document (or press CTRL+ALT+M on Windows).
   
5. Alternatively, if you select text in the story that you wish to comment on, you will see a small icon appear at the right edge of the document. The icon resembles a comic book dialog box. You can click this to enter a comment.
   
6. Be sure your comment saves into the document by hitting the “Comment” button when you finish.
   

Once your piece has been critiqued, it will likely have quite a few comments, suggestions, or edits waiting for you to take a look at. If you don’t know how to see or review these, follow these steps:

1. 1. Find the directory of files by starting at this link, then choosing the appropriate sub-folder based on the day of the critique (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday).
   2. Double-click on your story to open it.
   3. Comments and Suggested Edits will both appear in the right hand margin of the document.
   4. Clicking on a Comment will highlight the portion of the text that the maker of the Comment was referencing. You might need to click on “Show More” to see all of the verbiage in the Comment.
      
   5. Clicking on an Edit or Deletion will highlight the change in the text.
   6. Process each Comment as you see fit, utilizing whatever portion of the Suggestion (some, all, or none) into your working file (where you do your writing).