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SHARING THE WEALTH
How to give -- and receive -- writing critiques
by Lain Chroust Ehmann

One of the hardest parts about writing is sharing your work with others. In some ways, it's even more terrifying than speaking in public. It can feel like you've bared your soul for others to look at and comment upon - truly a terrifying thought!

Equally difficult, though not as scary, is providing honest, constructive criticism on another's work. The line between truth and kindness can be hard to walk. You may think that as a new writer you might not have anything to offer a more experienced author. Think again: Honest, direct, SUPPORTIVE criticism is exceedingly difficult to come by. Critiquing others' work brings many rewards. First, by giving a writer your feedback, you help them become better. Second, I've found that the more I critique others, the better writer *I* become, as it makes it easier to identify muddy places in my own writing. Third, think of reading and commenting on a piece of work as a public service of sorts; it's a way of volunteering your time to the greater good.

Here are some guidelines to help you give - and receive - compassionate criticism.

WHEN CRITIQUING:
§ Be concrete. Don't make vague statements like, "I liked it," "It was nice," or "It didn't work for me." Say what you liked about the piece - the tone, the description, the vocabulary. Say what didn't work for you - the character wasn't believable, the pace was too slow, the transitions were choppy.

§ Be truthful. Just as there is something worth praising about every piece of work, there is also something that can be improved upon. You are doing no one any favors by skipping the constructive criticism, or by focusing only on the negative aspects of the work.

§ Be brief. Keep each point to a single sentence and a single example. For instance, "I liked how you made use of the dream sequence, especially on page two." Or, "You lost me when you changed points of view at the bottom of the third paragraph."

§ Be sensitive. Think about how you would like someone to provide criticism to you. Point out something that did work for you. Remember that you are holding a great power in your hands, and that each word you speak can be used to build up - or tear down - a fellow writer.

§ Be direct. Don't shroud your comments in disclaimers, or preface your opinion with, "Well, from my point of view, maybe it might be a little too long." The author knows it's your opinion, and you lose the impact of your words if you apologize for them.

WHEN RECEIVING FEEDBACK:
§ Be quiet. Don't interrupt the critiquer, or provide narrative. You won't be able to dialogue with every reader, so listen without speaking or getting defensive.

§ Be open. Remember that this is just one piece of feedback, which you can take or leave as you wish. The critique you are getting may be helpful - and it may not. The person who read your piece may just hate the name of your main character, or might dislike short stories altogether. Not every critiquer will be your target audience. YOU get to judge what to use and what to ignore. Take a hint from AA - "Take the best, and leave the rest."

§ Be proud. You are brave to submit your writing to the eyes of the public! Be confident and positive. You do not need to apologize for your piece, for your writing, or for yourself.

(Copyright)1999 Lain Chroust Ehmann

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