If you are in a writer's circle or plan to start one, here is some basic etiquette for critiquing each other's fiction:
- The author stays “cloaked” until all
comments are finished. Obviously, readers can only respond to what has
made it to the page. The writer’s intentions, explanations and defenses
are irrelevant to the power of the written piece.
- Be positive and constructive and
friendly.
- You don’t need to
tell the writer how to fix it. (“Maybe cut out some of the longer dialogue
and throw in some sex with aliens.”). Let the author handle the improving.
In other words, report your symptoms of reading the story—your head
and gut reaction—not a diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Least of all, offer
literary criticism. (“The theme suggests, but perhaps falls short of, a
recapitulation of the birth crisis.”)
- Tell (in
detail) how it felt to read the story—a record of what the story did to you. For example:
- Did you like the
main character(s)? Did you care about what happened to her? Did she hold
your emotional interest? Did you feel like you knew her?
- Where the
character’s actions and reactions believable?
- Could you
understand the antagonist (the “villain”), sympathize with his motives,
at least somewhat? Was he credible?
- Did any of the
characters seem overly stereotyped?
- Plot cliches? Did
you know what the outcome would be from the start?
- Notice any
bloopers? (f.g., You can’t shoot the werewolf seven times with a
six-shooter.)
- Was there anything
you didn’t believe? A point where you said, “Aw come on!”
- Were you bored at
any points? If so, exactly where did you lose interest?
- Was there
something you didn’t understand? A part you had to read twice?
- What do you think
will happen next, beyond the end of the story? Are there loose ends that
seem to be dangling? Any tensions or questions that haven’t been
resolved?
- Anything you
really wished had happened in the story that didn’t happen?
- Anything that did happen that you wish hadn’t happened?
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