This is our first-ever blog post and I wanted to talk about critiquing and honesty. Why so few blog posts? Well, we’re writing books and it takes a lot of creative energy and that’s our primary focus. However, in September 2023 Sheila and I hosted two critique intensives. People had valid questions and concerns so, in hopes of helping others who are scared to give critique, are scared to get critique, don’t feel they know how to critique, and are scared to be honest, here goes.
You’ve read someone’s work and it makes no sense. Gently tell them. Or their character is unlikable? Gently tell them.
Be honest and kind.
On Receiving Critique:
First rule of critique: Are you really ready for critique? Do you need a “this is great” or are you actually willing to revise your work? If you don’t want to revise your work, DO NOT ASK FOR CRITIQUE.
Second rule of critique: The writer needs to ask a few (definitely less than five) questions. What do they want to know about their work? You cannot hand your work to someone and then ask, “What do you think?” It’s too vague, and the responses won’t be useful. You know what to ask. You know what’s bothering you. Figure out how to phrase it… For me, I recently sent out a draft of a Christmas Screenplay and my questions were, “Is the romance believable? Can you see them falling in love? Does this feel like a fit for a Hallmark Christmas Movie?”
- More examples: Are the motivations of the main character clear and believable?
- Do you feel connected to the main character?
- Is the setting descriptive enough to get a sense of where they are?
Third rule of critique: Remember, critique is that person’s opinion based on everything they’ve learned about writing, everything they’ve read, how well they understand your genre and the publishing industry, and how good their day is going. If you’re in a group where everyone critiques your work and one of the critique partners doesn’t read your genre, doesn’t like your subject, doesn’t like you…don’t feel the need to read their critique. Only ask opinions from people whose advice you would take.
Fourth rule of critique: Let it sit for a few days before explaining your author’s choices and why the critique is wrong. Read the critique once, maybe not sober. Let it marinate before reading it again. I’m not going to lie, Rebecca Barray is my friend and an amazing editor and I know she’s always right, but I still need a few days to process it. Usually, during that time, I work through why the character’s motivations/goals/conflicts aren’t coming across the way I wanted, or how to revise my work with her critique in mind. I regularly say, “I know you’re right but I need a few days.” And she understands. Later, we brainstorm solutions. It’s incredibly helpful and useful. But even after ten years, I still need a few days.
Fifth rule of critique: You don’t have to use everything suggested. Use what works for your story and genre. But if everyone says you’re starting your story in the wrong place…you’re starting your story in the wrong place.
On Giving Critique
First rule of critiquing: BE HONEST AND KIND. Yes, shouty capitals are required. This is not the time to show how brilliant you are or pick out grammatical errors. Focus on the story questions and the story itself. If the story has a prologue and you hate prologues, tell the author that you hate prologues. (I am a unapologetic prologue hater.)
Second rule of critiquing: Let the author know how familiar you are with the genre. I usually state, “I don’t read Fantasy, so I don’t know if you’re hitting the genre and reader expectations.” I continue the critique based on what I do know, but at least the author knows that I’m talking about general story, and not fantasy-specific story. By the way, if you have not read a recently published book in that genre in the last year, consider yourself unfamiliar with the genre.
Third rule of critiquing: Answer the questions posed by the writer and only the questions posed by the writer. This is a bit squishy, because if the story has issues and they haven’t asked, then definitely leave a note at the end, just a few sentences. Often authors don’t start the story in the right place. It’s okay, even if they didn’t ask, to suggest that the pacing feels off, and starting at chapter two feels like the best opening for the story. Be honest and kind.
Fourth rule of critiquing: Don’t offer suggestions on how to fix it. That’s for brainstorming later. Do point out where you were pulled out of the story.
Fifth rule of critiquing: Absolutely point out what worked, and what made you smile or laugh. Always include some positive feedback. It could be the title, the characters’ names, the setting, the prose, the premise, but point out positive aspects of the story as well.
Intensive Genre Workshops 