Dark's Writing Tips - The Critique Files

How to give a critique and have

writers listen.

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Its bad manners to critique on a writer's work unless you are invited to do so. There are a few writers who just can't handle feedback, and often these are the ones who won't ask for it.

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Chances are, they're just going to defend their work to the bitter end, so your feedback will be little more than a waste of time. So just go in your head: "Arrrg Typos! Fix them dang it!" and move on. Doing anything else makes you look like a jerk.

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If you're giving a critique, you should take the time to really read a piece before you construct your feedback. Read it slowly.

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Read every line carefully and make notes, and then jot down your thoughts when you've finished reading. If you have the time read it a second time as this is when things really click or stick out.

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There's nothing worse than receiving half-baked feedback I've had this happen and it was awful.

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It's plainly obvious when someone hasn't put sincere effort into a critique, and it renders the critique less then helpful as the writer has so many unanswered questions about what you said. Keep in mind they may be so green they won't always know what any writing terms mean.

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Focus on asking questions that center on story elements rather than spending time tinkering with the writers sentence structure. When you do this you could become a voice-killer. If you don't know what sentence structure is, stop now. Don't give a critique until you learn it.

For the most part, fix small typos without a second thought, but unless a sentence is really awkward, leave it alone.

Critiquing and copy editing are two different things. Don't lose focus. Writers trust the critic but listen to your instincts. If 5 + cridics love your writing and number six says it's flawed, they might not have enough awareness to realize that the real problem is they dislike your writing style.

Just to be safe, have 2-3 harsh cridics come in and see if they say the same thing.

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For this to work without bias any critiques that are done before this must be sent as a message. (Or if you are done with any posted critiques delete them. I know they worked hard on them so wait a while before doing so. As long as you used what they pointed out then their critique isn't wasted.) Why? I've learned that some cridics tend to look at the other critiques in the chapter and so you pretty much get a copycat critique. Watch out for this, just be polite and thank them. (This happens on Wattpad all the time.)

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Now writers!

Trust me, never argue with a critic even if you sure they are wrong it's bad manners. also, cridics tend to be super defensive the backlash isn't worth it. I seen this happen.

Once you see this behavior once it it's easier to spot next time. 😥 Get a different critic and cross your fingers.

One more thing, I'm not a fan of Google docks because it's like trying to pull a hair off a broze statue to copy anything you write in it, omg.

So here's a simple solution for those with limited options on mobile:

Make a draft in your story when you're done working on it delete all the text save as a period for next time. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQM0hE02R6

You could also post your critique as a book chapter. The writer might not want this so ask first. I personally like in book comments or if there are too many comments in a chapter then as a message. Email is also okay.1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaL6cTZS5T

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When a critic makes comments or suggestions for improvement that show they really didn't understand the story, that can be frustrating to the writer.

There's a difference between not understanding a part of the story and skimming it. Because if you miss something critical then make a stupid comment like: 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyhj7lGfVv

"I don't understand why she's in such a hurry." (HUM.... lets see now she's bleeding to death and an evil god is over taking her body?) Doy'! 😆1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQVe1fQiGv

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This can end up making you look foolish and that you don't care about their book. Word gets around and too many instances like this and nobody will ask for your "help."

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It is perfectly fine if you are confused about something. Just let the writer know where and why you were confused.

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Whatever you say during the critique, your feedback should be directed at the writing, not the writer. Don't start your comments with the word "you." Refer to the piece, the sentence, the paragraph, the prose, or the narrative. Judging the work, not the individual who produced it. There's a slight but important difference between pointing out errors in the piece versus the person who created it.

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It's not sugar coating pointing out when a writer has done something correct or well. By telling them it prevents the unfortunate deletion of what was good with the bad. If you want them to improve and absorb what you're trying to teach them this is critical.

Think of it this way would you only tell your child negative things and never the positive? How do you think he would turn out? 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz6v9zc1pz

It's easier for a writer to hear where they have messed up after they hear where they've did it right. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIT1DZc8MP

A cridics job is not to find fault above all else your job is to teach! So teach damn it! You can't teach other writers if you don't understand and know the difference in all the pov types. Read them, learn these write in them. If you won't then refuse to critique any but the one/s you do know well. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq4yyKq072

Otherwise you have no right giving a critique. It's like this Jane only writes in First person but Lary asks her for a critique, but he writes in third person. These two are very different from the other.

These are the knowen Point of View Types:

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Third Person Omniscient1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPzeaiHpri

Third Person Multiple1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwLhQEoyrd

Third Person Objective 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt8CWC9cVQ

Third Person Limited 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx2iQKfI1e

Third Person (nothing else with)

Close Third (Google: Deep pov)

Second Person

First Person

First Person Peripheral POV 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK6S3MMy5R

Google these, learn the ones you like, learn to recognize the diffrence between a pov type and a new writer mistake. I've seen many green writers give a crapy critique to a poor writer that uses Omini and the critics are telling them to show don't tell. Get a clue. 😑 Gah, talk about the blind leading the blind down a open sewer hole ... everyone's gona' stink.

Don't be biased on pov narration styles. Just because you hate Omniscient or say third person that doesn't make a work written in this kind bad; it just means it's not your taste. Just because you read someting in an article for example about why Omniscient is awful doesn't make it the word from up high and to be followed blindly! That pov is best done by a master. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpGL8G9fvT

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Now, what if you ended up getting a writer to stop using that pov and they are amazing at it? But you didn't have the know how to spot this? Also, know the rules of every pov style you can to more accurately sift the errors from good prose.

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Be sure it stays a critique and not a listing of why you think that narration is bad, try to keep this separate in your critiques.

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Avoid overly harsh wording, by that I mean anything that can be taken as an insult. Nobody wants to listen to some one who is being a jerk you're better than that.

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Don't repeatedly say things like:

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"This is boring."

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"You'd have to ..."

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"You must ..."

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"Those are the wrong words."

This one is difficult, be sure to say something like:

"I feel a better word for this is ..." Then they're more likely to listen. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU2YPmi3OM

"This doesn't fit into what my narrow minded perceptions of how a woman should act."

That one was a joke, but sad thing is I've actually gotten a critique that felt like that's what the critic meant in the subtext. I could be wrong, but the way it was worded ... so watch out for this too. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTcmww0yOJ

Do you want the female or male pov to act in the way that is the norm in your society? Or is it because their reactions don't ring true? Think hard on that. Be objective, not biased.

If a woman finds a stranger in her room she's going to grab a knife not want to fuck him; or in my case grab a Winchester.

A male pov "gasp" doesn't automatically have to fall in love with the girl. The writer might decide he loves his best male friend instead.

And, guess what? If you can't handle that then shut your yap and leave. You have no place dictating how, what, where the character do, go, act, or have relationships with. The writer decides not you your job as a critic is to point out technical flaws nothing else. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYDpWwVqSf

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Grammar rules like good prose ebb and flow with the times they aren't static. This stuff is an editors job stray too far in to pointing these out and you're not giving a critique nor do the writer any favors. Fixing that stuff is easy, giving a real indebth crittique is not.

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"And," is now acceptable as are other conjunctions at the start of a sentence; I just wouldn't use them often as of yet.

Phrase your comments in a positive way so the writer will hear you out.

Try instead:

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This paragraph is vague. A stronger wording could be...

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This could be more suspenseful if you ...

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To avoid passive wording take out these ...

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Paragraphs are more then a space they ...

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Be respectful and have the compassion to see that it takes moxy for a writer to have the courage to show it to you and others and invite feedback, then it's probably something in which they are emotionally invested. Try to treat them and their work with dignity, honor, and with respect.

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Take notes as you go it will make sure you don't miss anything and you can't forget your comments. Your critique will be of a higher quality because of this.

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Don't be ultra nice. Trying to spare feelings and giving no real feedback will be of no help. Give praise for the things you liked, the parts that engaged you emotionally, if the story looks good, plot stuff like that.

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An essential part of critiques is missing in some cridics critiques. You can't effect change if you don't explain why you are saying something should be done another way. Clarity is needed in writing and in critiques. Don't be lazy and give a half assed critique. Explain why something is wrong and give examples.

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The writer can't read your mind tell them why and how if you want them to learn. If your are for example, unable to explain the difference of show verses tell then you need to go write 👓 study more and critique less.

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Clarity again; point put things in such a way the writer can understand and fix it.

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Such as:

"I don't get this sentence why is she/he ..."

"This character's actions weren't realistic compared to urgency because..." (Too little emotion or too much.)

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"In my opinion, this sentence is learning towards purple prose. It was a bit long and convoluted consider simplifying it."

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Truly candid feedback is the only way to ensure excellence. When giving notes, be sure to include:

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What is Wrong

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What is Missing

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What Isn't Clear

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What Doesn't Make Sense

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One more thing, don't ask for backstory in the first chapter, thats not where it should go (A critic asking this screams newbie!) unless the writer wants help with the prolong.

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However, be wary of scenes that open to "set the scene" in a bad way. Prologues that explain the world, or a moment from the protagonist's past that explains why she's the way she is, are often just backstory and infodumps readers don't need to know first—and they don't rarely care about at this point. Start with action holds true no matter who is the focus of the opening scene.

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The first chapters main job is to hook and get readers to want to go to the next chapter. Most cridics know this but some don't so am putting this in here. Nothing is set in stone mind you. I'm sure someone out there can make this work brilliantly, not me though.

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It needs to be said, I greatly appreciate everyone who's ever helped me.

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Some of what is in here has actually happened. Critics deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy. This is just my desire to help reduce frustrations on both sides. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8N6Gm7eFN

The flip side on this is while yes, you may have spent hours on that critique, but if it was worded so poorly and dripping with disdain then it shouldn't have been made at all.

A good critic is mature enough to be able to take feedback that doesn't agree with what you wrote. The great cridics are able to spot what most miss. It's a joy to find a critic like this. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmho6AQrX9j

(☆^ー^☆)

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I for one will thank you and show my appreciation but I will not hold my tongue if I know that you are wrong or have over stepped your bounds. I can be your silly goofy best friend or the worst bitch you ever tangled with, it all depends on how you react. Don't judge me, ever. The book judge that, thank you.

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I hope these tips help you dear and much needed critic do what you set out to do; improve writing, grammar and story's because you love them too much to see them in anything less then great.

Any books that became this was in a big part because of your dedication. Feel proud. Or if not then highly pleased. The critic and the writer working together create better storys, one word at a time. 1170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMqGheEija

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＼(^0^)人(^0^)／

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Later on there will be an issue on how to gracefully take criticism as some writers react with hostility.

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