I belong to a critique group of
nine writers, some of us are published authors and some of us would like to be,
but we all bring to the group different degrees of expertise. Some of us have a good sense of story, some
of us have a good eye for mechanics and grammar, some of us have a good command
of human dynamics. We have been together
for several years, so we keep each other focused on critiques of our work and
not on criticisms. If that should happen,
we delve deeper into what caused the emotion.
Only then can we offer suggestions to the writer.
“This chapter went nowhere.”
“Your lack of commas confused me.”
“I didn’t like the character.”
A criticism is a judgment, a disapproval,
based on an emotion. Stated in such a vague
or negative manner, it comes across as a personal attack of the writer instead
of focusing on what the person has written. It faults the person and zooms in on flaws and
weaknesses. It condemns what is lacking
on the page and it is a painful censure of the person’s skill. Its
offensiveness puts the writer on the defensive, and both parties gain nothing
from the “critique,” other than ill will.
How does one turn a criticism
into a critique?
First of all, neither is
painless.
A good critique is an evaluation,
an analysis, based on evidence. Stated
in thoughtful and detailed concrete examples, it looks at things the author has
done well and at those that might need to be clarified or revised. A good
critique looks at structure, trends, patterns, strengths. It focuses on the
written page and how the author crafted it. It is not all sugar and sweetness; it is
specific and helpful. If something is awry
with the story or the structure or the semantics, then a good critique partner
can help the author to find a solution and allow for improvement.
Secondly, it takes practice. Learn how to turn a criticism into a
critique.
“This
chapter went nowhere.”
Ask for clarification. “What were you trying to do with this
chapter? Is this chapter or scene
necessary? What other way could you say
that? Does it help to look at the scene
before this or the scene that comes after?”
“Your
lack of commas confused me.”
“I helped you here with a few
examples but you need to double check a good manual and learn their use.” Recommend
a good grammar manual. “From now on, double
check your commas before handing out critique pages.” No one likes to work with someone who
continues to do the same proofreading mistakes over and over again, and depends
on the critique partner or group to edit and proofread for them every
week. After one or two reminders, I stop
proofreading mistakes that the person has refused to fix or learn to fix.
“I didn’t
like the character.”
Question the author about this
character. “Is this character integral
to your story? I didn’t like this
character; is that how you wanted me to feel? If not, then what was I supposed
to feel for him or her? How could you delve
into their character more to soften/change/depict them differently?”
There is no
mystique about critiquing well. It takes
practice and a dose of kindness.
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