.:*Under MY Sea*:.

Style
It’s a lisdesign template, with what I assume to be some pop singer on the top. It’s the perfect color (aqua, duh) though I’d love to see some water-themed picture instead (I don’t know if lisdesigns would mind your replacing it). Excellent link list on the left, with the bio page I so desire readily available (though it’s a damn short bio). I can see why past reviewers gave you shit for the dating oddities, but I liked it—iconoclasm doesn’t bother me, as long as you explain it.

Substance
Anyway, I think you’ve let other reviews worry you too much. Your diary is yours- yes, it’s for others to read, but it represents you as an individual. Of course, none of this applies to this review, which you should take extremely seriously (haha).

Your entries are…short. Brief. Abridged. Concise. And, unfortunately, you don’t tell me very much. I have to wonder if you actually like keeping a diary. You have exquisite grammar for a 13yo (!!!) but your diary simply needs more content. A slightly longer entry like thisproves that when you write more, you write better. I’d be fascinated to hear about the world of a smart girl entering adolescence in 2003—you have a unique perspective and huge potential audience…if you write something for us to read!

Suggestions
OK, as Wise Ms. Lovejoy I take great pride in my ability to really teach people, and hopefully help them improve their work. So I gave great thought to what you should do, and had a brainstorm. Since your main complaint is not having anything/knowing what to talk about, you should start doing all those collaborative things like the Friday five, this-or-that Tuesdays or Monday Madness. Your entry from the If project is a perfect example, as probably my favorite entry. Writing prompts work well for you—you do have talent, and just need to write about something. Every entry should have a subject, a reason for being—answer a question you’ve thought of, tell a funny story from the day, tell a story from your childhood, whatever. Also, I’d change the image if possible, or at least explain whom the picture is of and why you like her music(?). Ooo, and one more thing—if you’re going to write short entries (which is a refreshing change, believe me) maybe you should consider switching to blog style? Just an idea.

B-
Good, and you can do better. Start by doing more and soon you’ll have the rousing success you so rightly deserve.

Jessica Lovejoy