Workshop Critiques:
Four Ways To Convey Constructive Criticism
By Michele R. Bardsley
Writers who seek out critique workshops want to improve their writing. They
must. Why else would they allow their works to be judged by other writers?
While writers who offer their manuscripts to the group must be mentally prepared
to accept criticism, it is the group's responsibility to make sure opinions are
conveyed in a positive and encouraging manner. Yet is that always possible? Some
manuscripts need a little fine-tuning, but others need a match and some
kerosene. How can you, as a critique group member, impart constructive criticism
to another writer?
START WITH POSITIVE COMMENTS. No matter how badly written a manuscript is,
there is always a little nugget of goodness nestled in it. Even if it's only a
word or phrase, point it out before expounding on the manuscript's problems.
"Writers should convey criticism honestly, but with tact," says Judy
Snavely, an award-winning writer who recently finished her first novel. "I
have experienced something very close to ridicule a time or two from my fellow
writers. It's unnecessary and unprofessional."
Your choice of words can help or hinder a fellow writer. Blurting out,
"This is awful," is not helpful. In one classroom workshop I
participated, a beginning writer turned in 40 pages of his mainstream novel. I
disliked the protagonist, the love scene offended me, and the writing was, well,
awful. I found one beautifully written sentence that I complimented him on and
then I picked one or two aspects--out of the hundreds I wanted to say--to
tactfully criticize.
Positive comments cushion the forthcoming criticisms and the writer will
probably be more receptive to your ideas. If you can't find a single good thing
about the work, do as your mother told you, "If you can't say anything
nice, don't say anything at all."
USE THE PHRASE, "IT'S YOUR STORY." THEN BELIEVE IT. End your
commentary with, "This is my opinion, but it's your story."
Using this phrase will reassure the writer that you're trying to help him or
her and it also reminds you not to try and change the story to fit your ideals.
Always remember that you are trying to help the author first. As writers, we
automatically think of additions or plots or twists, but we can't impose our
ideas. Unless a writer wants a brainstorming session, focus comments on your
initial reactions to the work. Offer suggestions for changes--but only go into
detail if asked.
OFFER YOUR EAR, NOT YOUR PEN. Unless you're getting paid, be careful about
offering editing services to group members. A writer can easily become dependent
upon someone willing to line edit and critique a manuscript. For example, a
writer in one of my critique groups relied heavily on members to fix her
manuscript's problems. We happily helped her by taking chapters home and
spending hours on them instead of our own writing. Finally, we had to stop
"helping" her and suggested she rewrite the chapters before bringing
them to critique.
The purpose of a critique group is to help the writer
improve. Critique members should learn from each other. If a writer is taking
advantage of the group's skills without infusing the knowledge into his or her
writing, then the group's effort is wasted.
A WRITER DOESN'T HAVE TO LISTEN. No matter how right you believe your comments
are or how well you think you can help, the writer doesn't have to listen to
you. Writers should choose the information they feel will best help them.
However, there are some members who refuse to listen to anyone. Just as
the writer has the right not to listen, you have the right not to comment. If
you feel your input is always ignored, then pass when your turn comes to
critique.
A few years ago, I took a Novel I class. We were all novices, except for one
gentleman who had completed two novels. He submitted his chapters for our
approval, but we all had difficulty with his plot. He didn't want to listen to
our reactions, he only wanted to hear about his wonderful writing. No
matter how we put our comments, he had an answer, a jibe or a blithe quip.
Eventually, we gave up trying to help him. While giving critiques is sometimes a
difficult task, it is usually worth the effort.
Think of a critique group as a flower bed. Seeds are planted, fertilizer is
added (we are writers after all), and after a lot of sunshine and pruning, the
writer grows. Nurturing a blossom is not the same as holding a wilting plant up
with wires. Encourage growth, but if it doesn't happen, concentrate on the
writers who are blooming.
© Copyright by Michele R. Bardsley
Award-winning author MICHELE R. BARDSLEY is published in electronic and print
publications. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and two children. Visit
her website at http://www.michelebardsley.com
or e-mail her at michele@michelebardsley.com.
