Critiques – How to Get Them, How to Receive Them
by Diana Stout, MFA, PhD
Have you ever asked for a beta read or critique and got back so many comments on the manuscript that you wanted to quit writing? Or maybe you cried, or became angry at the critiquer, then vented to anyone who would listen?
As hard as they are to receive, critiques are a necessary element to your growth as a writer.
Finding great critique partners is like looking for a marriage partner. Not everyone is going to be a good fit. Nor do they have the same level of expertise.
What is your intent in asking someone to read your work?
When you're ready to have someone read your work, which by the way should never be a first draft, ask yourself: What is my intent? What is my end goal?
- Do I just want someone to like it?
- Do I want to become published?
- Am I entering a contest, wanting to place or win?
Other questions to ask yourself:
- Am I ready to receive criticism?
- Do I internalize criticism as personal?
- Do I view criticism as constructive?
If your sole goal is to have someone like your book and your feelings are easily hurt, then let a relative or best friend read it. They'll love anything you write, provided their jobs weren't as an English teacher or editor.
If your intent is to become published or to enter a contest, then you want an honest, direct critique where your writing flaws are highlighted.
Who should be reading your work, then?
Ideally, you want someone with experience in your genre. They could be:
- a reader who reads a lot of books in your genre.
- a writer who is published in your genre
- an editor who edits in your genre
- an agent who has clients in your genre
- a publisher who publishes in your genre
- a teacher of writing in that field and who ideally is published
Are you seeing a pattern here? The secret to finding a good critiquer is choosing someone who works or reads heavily in your genre.
Be wise about who you ask. For example: having a poet critique a psychological thriller isn't a good fit, not on that merit of writing experience alone. Each genre has it owns must-have elements that you want your critiquer to be familiar with—having experience in that genre is even better.
Another consideration: Are your writing styles comparable rather than contrasting?
Where can you find critique partners/beta readers?
- Join social media groups of your genre. Become involved. Ask questions, comment on others' posts.
- Ask other writers if they'd read a chapter of your book. If they like the chapter, maybe they'll ask to read the entire book.
- Join a national or regional writing group.
- Do a Google search.
- Ask your local librarian if they know of any local writers or avid readers of your genre who might be interested in reading your manuscript.
- Check Meetup.com and do a search there.
- If you live in a college town, contact the professors of writing classes.
- In those college towns, visit coffee shops and bookstores and look for groups of writers who will meet there frequently. Approach them.
- Form your own critique group.
Another way to get feedback is by entering contests and pay the added fee for the judges' feedback.
How should critiques be received and viewed?
Criticism always accompanies a critique. Criticism isn't negative; it's helpful. And, if two or more are saying the same thing, pay attention!
A harsh critique is one where the critiquer is attacking the writer, providing mean, nasty, comments. A harsh critique will be destructive throughout, offering little-to-no positive feedback. Don't give them a second thought; trash them.
A constructive critique is one that offers direct language when pointing out flaws and areas that need work. A constructive critique will tell you why it doesn't work and offer an alternative. A constructive critique addresses only the writing, never the writer. They give you a critique sandwich: the bread is the positive, the filling is the negative—the listing of flaws. They start with the positive, discuss the negative, and end with the positive. These critiquers are treasurers; keep them!
A helpful critiquer will answer questions and wants to see you succeed, by not getting scammed, or going down a path that could be troublesome.
When you receive the critique...
- Read it.
- Step away from it for several days. No venting or talking about it. Just think about it.
- Return and read it again. Only this time, evaluate it as you were an editor with a mind to purchase. Would you buy it as is?
- Try to remember that the critiquer's intentions were good. They were trying to help you.
- Never defend what you have written. Critiquers can only judge what's on the page. They can't see what's not on the page.
Do know that you don't have to accept every suggestion made. Keeping in mind the critiquers' expertise, you get to determine what to accept and what to reject.
Can you have several critique partners?
Yes! I have several and rarely do they comment on the same things. Why? Because they have different backgrounds and specialties.
What is the proper post-critique etiquette?
- Always send the critiquer a thank you.
- If they are critiquing without a fee, send them a signed copy of the book.
- Never allow a third-party to talk to the critiquer on your behalf.
What reactions do editors, agents, and publishers want to see?
They want to see you accepting critiques with gratitude, not attitude. Having an attitude is viewed as unprofessional, and the writer with an attitude probably won't be working with that editor, agent, or publisher for long.
Conclusion
The first critique I received was the hardest. Yes, I cried, but when I went back to it, this wonderful mentor was correct in her advice. Later, we became critique partners.
Over time, receiving criticism got easier. Today, I welcome critiques, knowing these experienced people will only make my writing stronger, and I celebrate those times when the comments are few, revealing that I have gotten better.
Do you have a critique experience or a something you learned about yourself as a result of a critique that you'd like to share?
About Diana
Dr. Diana Stout is an award-winning writer in multiple genres, a screenwriter, author, blogger, writing coach, presenter, and former English professor. She recently published her screenplay, Charlie's Christmas Carole, as a book and is publishing, Tangled Passions: A Laurel Ridge Novella (Book #5), a romance. Her short story, "Bread Pudding" is a semi-finalist, one of the top ten in the Adult category in the Write Michigan Short Story Contest, with winners to be announced early February.
You can find Dr. Stout at her website, Sharpened Pencils Productions.
14 comments on “Critiques – How to Get Them, How to Receive Them”
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I won a free first chapter critique back in 2014 that changed my writing life. Although it was a proper critique that addressed the writing itself, between the lines (and red ink) was the brutal reality. I needed to make changes. I went into a six-month funk and emerged all the stronger. I devoted myself to craft from that day forward, overhauled my worldbuilding (I write fantasy), and switched to writing in Deep 3rd POV.
I had a critique partner for awhile whom I loved. It was as if we could read each others minds. During the time we worked together we both learned so much. I learned as much from helping her as I did when she helped me. It was amazing. Sadly, she stepped away from novel writing for family reasons and to switch to writing scripts for children.
Then again, I exchanged critiques with a writer/editor who said she was on a deadline with her story (we'd been acquaintances on Twitter for two years). No problem. I dropped much of what I was doing and sent her a detailed critique of her work. She ignored it, published, and the book disappeared into a black hole. I've no idea what other advice she received. As for my story, I received an email six months later saying she really didn't have much time so she kinda sorta just skimmed it.
Be careful who you choose.
Thanks for sharing your first experience, which is so common among writers receiving their first critique--the realization of how much rewriting/revision work still needs to be done.
How wonderful that you had a great experience with a critique partner. How sad that you were ignored with your third shared experience. Sadly, that kind of experience happens far too often.
Thank you for serving others and seeing the benefits of a critique, and for sharing all of these experiences. Your last sentence of advice is spot on. As much as we'd love to help everyone, it's not always possible.
Wishing you much success as you move forward in your writing journey and for always finding great critique partners!
I have acted as a critiquer for other writers.
Good for you, Denise! Hopefully, you've had more great experiences than not-so-good experiences.
Thanks for being a part of those who are trying to help other writers.
In teaching a writing class I used the style of feedback that you describe. It was well received.
I miss those writing workshops/classes I used to teach!!! Glad to her that the process is working well for you, Ken. Thanks for commenting!
Hi Diana,
I agree that critiques are sometimes tough to digest, but so worth the value of growth. Great tips on how to get the most from a critique partner.
Kris
Thank you so much for your comment, Kris. You and I are in agreement about the value of a critique!
I love posts like this, Diana! My early critique groups did so much to shape my writing and my ability to take feedback. We did the line edit method with Track Changes and it made a huge difference to get those notes throughout the story to see where things didn't work or could be tightened or amplified.
I have learned the hard way to find out EXACTLY what people want before I spend my time. Often, they just want a read-through to hear "is it working or not."
One time I had someone ask whether a story flowed and it...didn't. I took the time to go through and find where she got off track - it was a simple matter of clarifying a few characters and more clearly introducing a dream sequence so the reader knew it was a dream and could follow.
My suggestions were NOT appreciated.
I get it. It sucks to be told that a story you thought was ready needs more work. We get tired. We get lost inside the story in our heads and don't always realize we're not as clear on the page as we meant to be. But getting the feedback or critique is vitally important. I always hope everyone finds a critique partner who is invested in their story and is kind enough to help make it better.
The story I referenced above had the makings of a fantastic story and I liked where it was going. I've always wondered if other readers/editors suggested the same changes because I'd love to see it get to print.
Thanks, Jenny! It's tough when a writer doesn't receive our feedback well, but I certainly understand the journey they are about to undertake. Equally tough when that new writer vents out of frustration and not reporting the entire conversation, and then we suddenly become the bad guy.
You're probably like me where you'll still help writers despite those few who were unappreciative. It's what we do and who we are. Thanks so much for your contribution to this post! You are appreciated!
Great—and extremely helpful—article, Diana! I've stepped back from beta-reading except for a few select writer friends, but it's always a thrill, and so rewarding, to see something you've helped critique be out in the world. If you're a writer who beta-reads, I think it helps you become a better writer, too.
Thanks, Linda! Most definitely being a beta reader helps a writer improve their writing skills, as does all reading. As writers, we can't help but analyze as we read, especially when we notice a great sentence, dialogue, description, etc. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
I'm way late to the party but catching up on the blogs I've saved because I didn't want to miss them. So thankful I saved this one. This advice is spot on. My struggle has been with finding critique partners that write in my genre, although they are pretty avid readers of the genre so it seems to work, especially since they make great "critique sandwiches" when they need to share something I might not want to hear.
If I can add anything to the conversation it is to say that critique partners are worth their weight in gold when you find the right fit, therefore, it is worth your time to search until you do.
Of course, that means sometimes you'll have to step away from critique partners, a hard thing to do when they don't feel the same about ending the relationship. There is a fine line in being true to your writing and serving your fellow authors, and only you can know where to draw that line.
Thanks, Lori! I do that too during my busy times. I'm glad you were able to circle back to a post that had value for you. 🙂