The Give and Take of Critiques
**Submitting Work
Before you share that chapter with a critique partner or group, give it a last look over. Make sure to
add a little note about things you need help with. Like if you don't think your hero is fleshed out
enough, or if you feel your heroine over reacts to something, or if you think your dialogue doesn't fit
the time setting or location, ect..
Don't give others a chapter that is half ready, a rough first draft, hoping someone else will catch all
of your grammar mistakes and plotting short falls. You don't want it to look like you put little effort
into your writing. The work you share "should be your best" not a hurried rough draft. You do the
best you can, then when a critiquer finds problems, if should be the stuff you really needed someone
else to catch or to work with you on.
When someone points out problems, don't keep repeating the same mistakes in the other chapters.
Go through and fix those problems in the next chapter before you share it. That way your critiquer
doesn't get tired of telling you the same thing each time, and can instead put her effort into moving
on to other points.
**Receive Criticism Gracefully
Before you read over any critique someone has given you, take out your tough skin suit and slip it
on. Now brace yourself. I know our work is our baby, but you've asked for the opinions of others,
so you're getting them, good and bad. It's not going to be any easier when it's from a contest judge,
an editor or agent, or a reader or reviewer, so you might as well learn to shrug off what you don't
like or agree with now. It'll save you some time later and you'll be much happier in the long run. If
you think another writer can be harsh, wait to you see what agents, editors and reviewers -- and later
even readers -- can do. (Smile) Writing is not a career choice for the faint at heart of those who can't
take some hard blows and move on.
Do remember that we all have different likes and dislikes, and since a critique is only an opinion, you
don't have to agree with it. Look through the whole critique and take what you find helpful and don't
worry over the rest. Sometimes you can pick out something useful even from the worst critique. If
you don't agree with something, before you just toss it, put it aside for a few days and then look at it
again after you have time to get over the sting. You might find that the critique was at least a little
right. Also, if more than one person points out the same thing, even if you don't agree, you might
owe it to yourself, and your work, to take another look at it.
In the end, the wonderful thing is, it's your work, your call, so you get to change what you want and
toss what you don't agree with. Never let someone write your story for you. But never write thinking
your words are gold and you're the only one right. If so, then you don't need any critiques.
**A Couple of Hints on Doing a Good Critique
Don't even start a critique if you are ticked off about something, or in a big hurry and know you
won't be giving the writer the best critique you can. You should put as much effort into a critique as
you hope others will use when your chapter is the one being critiqued. That means you should
always give detailed critiques, pointing out everything that works for you and everything that doesn't.
It helps to explain why something that doesn't work, doesn't. Sometimes it helps to explain why
something that does work, does. It's also a good idea to expand on some things. Like if you point out
that you don't buy it that she couldn't get a loan to pay off that debt, then explain why you aren't
buying it. Also, if you have expert knowledge, say you are a nurse and you know a medical test
wouldn't be given a certain way, then point out that you are a nurse, that the test wouldn't be given
that way, and then explain how it should be done.
As you are doing that detailed critique, trying your best to be helpful, remember that any critique is
really just one person's opinion, but that opinion can be a powerful thing, so think before you make
your word choices and add comments. Also remember that with the written word, others can't hear
your teasing tone or see your smile, so watch the way you put things. A critique should encourage
the writer to do better, not encourage her to give up. You can tell someone that a scene didn't work
for you, explain why, explain how you think it would have worked for you, and do it all without
being rude or using words that belittle or hurt. As a writer, you should know what it feels like to have
your work laid open to someone else, and you should be skilled enough with word choices to get
your point across without being a -- insert bad word here. (Smile)
**Getting Started On That Critique
First, if the writer has mentioned anything that she or he really needs help with or feedback on, make
sure you comment on those areas plenty.
Second, what things did you like most about the chapter? Reading things someone didn't like is a
little easier if the person takes a moment first to point out at least one thing that she did like, or was
done really well. It doesn't hurt to remind them that your critique is only your opinion, to use what
they want and delete the rest, or something along those lines.
After you are done with your critique, go back to the start of the chapter and write an overview of it.
What worked well for you, what you found to be some of the problem areas, just a kind of wrap up
of what the author will find in even more detail in line edits throughout the text of the chapter.
**Picking the Right Words is a Must
Don't Write ~ I hate your hero. I'd dump him in a heartbeat.
Do Write ~ I'm having trouble liking your hero because....
Don't Write ~ I feel as much sexual tension between this couple as I would between two male
grizzle bears.
Do Write ~ I'm not really feeling much sexual tension between this couple. Maybe you could....
Don't Write ~ My second grader is better at grammar than you are. Take a class!
Do Write ~ I found too many grammar mistakes in this chapter. My corrections are in the text.
Hope they help.
Don't Write ~ There was so much narrative and back story in this chapter that I couldn't even stay
awake to finish it.
Do Write ~ I felt the back story and long sections of narrative in this chapter slowed the pace down
too much to keep the story moving forward. If you were to break up....
If you were getting a critique from someone, which comments would you rather find in it? The
comments from the Don't Write section, or those from the Do Write section? They both really say
the same things. Just one is done with thought and the other is done by someone who didn't think, or
didn't care if another writer was crushed by the blow. Also, one offers help and suggestions, the
other offers nothing.
**A Few Things to Watch for and Comment on When Doing a Critique
Here are just a few of the things you should be watching for and commenting on when you
do a critique for another writer. If these things aren't done well, point it out and maybe give
hints on how to improve it. If they are done well, then why not point that out too. (Smile)
Basics:
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Correct Research & Details
Characters:
Are they three dimensional?
Are the hero and heroine likable, the kind of people we want to see get the best?
Are other important characters well-drawn?
What about the bad guy, or girl?
Are the characters' motivations clear and strong?
Does each character have a distinct voice?
What about eye color and hair color? Are his eyes blue near the start of the chapter, and then green
near the end of it?
Story:
Is there enough conflict?
Is that conflict believable or something a good long talk could fix?
Is the story premise contrived or been over used?
Is passive writing a problem?
Is there an opening hook if it's chapter one?
If it's later chapters, does the story make you want to keep reading? If not, where did it lose you?
Are there problems with the setting? Does it seem real to you?
Does the sexual tension between the hero and heroin simmer?
Is there a believable spark when they are on the page together?
Does the writer use all five senses?
Writing Style:
Does the writer have a good handle on point of view, or does he or she head hop and lose you? If
multiple points of view are used, are the switches handled skillfully?
If written in more than one point of view, is each scene written in the point of view that is the best
for that scene?
Is there enough dialogue in the chapter?
Does the dialogue sound natural?
Does the dialogue move the story forward, or are the characters talking about the weather?
Is the there too much narrative?
Does the writer have a habit of over using one, or even some, words?
Too much back story?
Too much of either dropped in one place?
Does the wording of some sentences confuse you, or could have been written better another way?
Before you share that chapter with a critique partner or group, give it a last look over. Make sure to
add a little note about things you need help with. Like if you don't think your hero is fleshed out
enough, or if you feel your heroine over reacts to something, or if you think your dialogue doesn't fit
the time setting or location, ect..
Don't give others a chapter that is half ready, a rough first draft, hoping someone else will catch all
of your grammar mistakes and plotting short falls. You don't want it to look like you put little effort
into your writing. The work you share "should be your best" not a hurried rough draft. You do the
best you can, then when a critiquer finds problems, if should be the stuff you really needed someone
else to catch or to work with you on.
When someone points out problems, don't keep repeating the same mistakes in the other chapters.
Go through and fix those problems in the next chapter before you share it. That way your critiquer
doesn't get tired of telling you the same thing each time, and can instead put her effort into moving
on to other points.
**Receive Criticism Gracefully
Before you read over any critique someone has given you, take out your tough skin suit and slip it
on. Now brace yourself. I know our work is our baby, but you've asked for the opinions of others,
so you're getting them, good and bad. It's not going to be any easier when it's from a contest judge,
an editor or agent, or a reader or reviewer, so you might as well learn to shrug off what you don't
like or agree with now. It'll save you some time later and you'll be much happier in the long run. If
you think another writer can be harsh, wait to you see what agents, editors and reviewers -- and later
even readers -- can do. (Smile) Writing is not a career choice for the faint at heart of those who can't
take some hard blows and move on.
Do remember that we all have different likes and dislikes, and since a critique is only an opinion, you
don't have to agree with it. Look through the whole critique and take what you find helpful and don't
worry over the rest. Sometimes you can pick out something useful even from the worst critique. If
you don't agree with something, before you just toss it, put it aside for a few days and then look at it
again after you have time to get over the sting. You might find that the critique was at least a little
right. Also, if more than one person points out the same thing, even if you don't agree, you might
owe it to yourself, and your work, to take another look at it.
In the end, the wonderful thing is, it's your work, your call, so you get to change what you want and
toss what you don't agree with. Never let someone write your story for you. But never write thinking
your words are gold and you're the only one right. If so, then you don't need any critiques.
**A Couple of Hints on Doing a Good Critique
Don't even start a critique if you are ticked off about something, or in a big hurry and know you
won't be giving the writer the best critique you can. You should put as much effort into a critique as
you hope others will use when your chapter is the one being critiqued. That means you should
always give detailed critiques, pointing out everything that works for you and everything that doesn't.
It helps to explain why something that doesn't work, doesn't. Sometimes it helps to explain why
something that does work, does. It's also a good idea to expand on some things. Like if you point out
that you don't buy it that she couldn't get a loan to pay off that debt, then explain why you aren't
buying it. Also, if you have expert knowledge, say you are a nurse and you know a medical test
wouldn't be given a certain way, then point out that you are a nurse, that the test wouldn't be given
that way, and then explain how it should be done.
As you are doing that detailed critique, trying your best to be helpful, remember that any critique is
really just one person's opinion, but that opinion can be a powerful thing, so think before you make
your word choices and add comments. Also remember that with the written word, others can't hear
your teasing tone or see your smile, so watch the way you put things. A critique should encourage
the writer to do better, not encourage her to give up. You can tell someone that a scene didn't work
for you, explain why, explain how you think it would have worked for you, and do it all without
being rude or using words that belittle or hurt. As a writer, you should know what it feels like to have
your work laid open to someone else, and you should be skilled enough with word choices to get
your point across without being a -- insert bad word here. (Smile)
**Getting Started On That Critique
First, if the writer has mentioned anything that she or he really needs help with or feedback on, make
sure you comment on those areas plenty.
Second, what things did you like most about the chapter? Reading things someone didn't like is a
little easier if the person takes a moment first to point out at least one thing that she did like, or was
done really well. It doesn't hurt to remind them that your critique is only your opinion, to use what
they want and delete the rest, or something along those lines.
After you are done with your critique, go back to the start of the chapter and write an overview of it.
What worked well for you, what you found to be some of the problem areas, just a kind of wrap up
of what the author will find in even more detail in line edits throughout the text of the chapter.
**Picking the Right Words is a Must
Don't Write ~ I hate your hero. I'd dump him in a heartbeat.
Do Write ~ I'm having trouble liking your hero because....
Don't Write ~ I feel as much sexual tension between this couple as I would between two male
grizzle bears.
Do Write ~ I'm not really feeling much sexual tension between this couple. Maybe you could....
Don't Write ~ My second grader is better at grammar than you are. Take a class!
Do Write ~ I found too many grammar mistakes in this chapter. My corrections are in the text.
Hope they help.
Don't Write ~ There was so much narrative and back story in this chapter that I couldn't even stay
awake to finish it.
Do Write ~ I felt the back story and long sections of narrative in this chapter slowed the pace down
too much to keep the story moving forward. If you were to break up....
If you were getting a critique from someone, which comments would you rather find in it? The
comments from the Don't Write section, or those from the Do Write section? They both really say
the same things. Just one is done with thought and the other is done by someone who didn't think, or
didn't care if another writer was crushed by the blow. Also, one offers help and suggestions, the
other offers nothing.
**A Few Things to Watch for and Comment on When Doing a Critique
Here are just a few of the things you should be watching for and commenting on when you
do a critique for another writer. If these things aren't done well, point it out and maybe give
hints on how to improve it. If they are done well, then why not point that out too. (Smile)
Basics:
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Correct Research & Details
Characters:
Are they three dimensional?
Are the hero and heroine likable, the kind of people we want to see get the best?
Are other important characters well-drawn?
What about the bad guy, or girl?
Are the characters' motivations clear and strong?
Does each character have a distinct voice?
What about eye color and hair color? Are his eyes blue near the start of the chapter, and then green
near the end of it?
Story:
Is there enough conflict?
Is that conflict believable or something a good long talk could fix?
Is the story premise contrived or been over used?
Is passive writing a problem?
Is there an opening hook if it's chapter one?
If it's later chapters, does the story make you want to keep reading? If not, where did it lose you?
Are there problems with the setting? Does it seem real to you?
Does the sexual tension between the hero and heroin simmer?
Is there a believable spark when they are on the page together?
Does the writer use all five senses?
Writing Style:
Does the writer have a good handle on point of view, or does he or she head hop and lose you? If
multiple points of view are used, are the switches handled skillfully?
If written in more than one point of view, is each scene written in the point of view that is the best
for that scene?
Is there enough dialogue in the chapter?
Does the dialogue sound natural?
Does the dialogue move the story forward, or are the characters talking about the weather?
Is the there too much narrative?
Does the writer have a habit of over using one, or even some, words?
Too much back story?
Too much of either dropped in one place?
Does the wording of some sentences confuse you, or could have been written better another way?
Charlotte Dillon *~~* www.charlottedillon.com
This article may be used in a newsletter or on a website freely, as long
as my name and a link to my homepage is placed with it. Thanks!
as my name and a link to my homepage is placed with it. Thanks!
Copyrighted 2003 by Charlotte Dillon
 |  |  |