A Favorite Learning Tool: Critiquing

No matter what kind of writer you are, or how experienced, one of the most profitable things you can do for yourself is to critique the work of other writers.

I know. It's time consuming, and scary. What if you hurt someone's feelings? What if you make a suggestion to a writer and your advice was all wrong? What if you get a bad reputation? What if your're not good enough? Well, everything we do is time consuming. But think of it this way: critiquing the works of others is like taking a mini-writing course while networking in the writing world.

If you're a writer, you know a lot more than you think. All writers are readers. It just comes with the territory. And if you've been reading for a good portion of your life, you know what good writing looks like. You don't have to know bonehead English to know when a sentence sounds right or wrong. You don't have to be a published author to know what you like.

Start by meeting someone, online or otherwise, who writes in a genre you like to read. If you're new at critiquing, don't try critiquing the middle chapter of a book. Instead, start with chapter one, or a prologue if there is one. Begin by looking at the first page. Is it pleasing to look at? Is there a one inch margin all around? Does it look neet and clean? Are your eyes drawn to a group of sentences that all start with the same word?

Now, read a little. Does the first sentence make you want to read the second one? Does the first page make you want to read the next? Are all the nouns and verbs in the right place? Are the characters interesting? Are their actions consistent with their words? Does the dialogue sound natural? Watch for spelling errors and misuse of punctuation.

When you've read the chapter through, think about it for a moment. You should be left with some unanswered questions. If not, the writer hasn't done his or her job correctly. You should be eager to read the next chapter. If not, why not? Look over the chapter again. Does it have a good balance of dialogue and narrative? Does it have some action? Is it enough? When you think you've said all there is to say about the chapter, you still have one more job to do. Look over it again. What is right about it? Did something make you laugh? Cry? Cringe? What parts did you enjoy? Put a happy face there, or an encouraging word. Never critique anyone's work unless you're willing to dig out the gems and polish them before handing them back. Remember, this writer has handed over his or her baby, and entrusted you with its care. How would you like it if someone said to you, 'That's one ugly baby. Not one redeeming value. You might want to kill that one and try again.'

Now after critiquing, what did you learn? Was the story about a subject you always wanted to know about but didn't research? Did the author do something consistently that you see as an error that you don't want to make? Did the author do something you'd never thought of? Something you could use?

When you give it back to the author, do it with grace. Always offer to clarify if your comments are not clear. Always remind the author that your comments are your opinion only. And always remind the author to maintain his or her voice, no mater what else they may change.

When this process is over, you'll look at your own work with a fresh eye. And every time you critique, you'll see something different. Make sure to keep in touch with the author. Write down his or her name and email addy or phone number, so when your book is published you can send a note or make a phone call to share the good news.

And when someone critiques your work, bear in mind that he or she may not have the skills you have developed. Don't be hurt by a tough critique. Use what you can. Ignore the rest. Thank the critter. And keep in touch so when your book is published you can make send an email or make a call and thank that wonderful critter for helping make your work something worth reading.