How to be a Good Critique Group Partner
by Ellen Buikema
Initially, I found it difficult to sit and listen to other people discuss my work—my book-baby—without immediately defending myself. There were times when I’d sit on my hands to remind myself to be patient and wait my turn. I also needed to develop a thicker skin. I’m much better about all this now but I occasionally still feel the need to interrupt someone’s critique of my work. The struggle is real.
Experience is the best teacher.
Think about how you can best contribute to the growth of others.
Be kind.
“As for literary criticism in general: I have long felt that any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel or a play or a poem is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae or a banana split.”
—Kurt Vonnegut
Few things bruise a writer faster than a harsh critique. Brutality and honesty are not the same thing. Critique partners must be able to hand out hard truths without being too soft and without being mean.
People who tend to be on the rude side can be good writers with valuable insights. However, when those folks express helpful insights in a snarky manner, the person on the receiving end won’t listen. For people to take in what you say, they must feel that the critique partner has their best interest in mind. A harsh critique doesn’t help, and can actually stunt a writer’s growth. Be kind.
Be honest and constructive.
Attend the critique with the goal of helping your fellow writers improve. Always criticize with good intentions. This does not mean being so nice that you don’t remark on anything, smile, and say it’s all great. Give your best suggestions, but don’t browbeat.
Refusing to give usable criticism does the writer a disservice. Be honest. It can be difficult to hear truths delivered by critique partners. But, the suggestions of those who hone their criticism with an interest in helping you write your best work are golden.
Always go at the task of criticism with a desire to be helpful. That way, your suggestions will be constructive regardless of your experience critiquing other’s work.
Be Brave.
Every writer likes to be to know what they’ve done well, especially by those who are not friends or family. But heaps of praise don’t help the writer in the long run. Writers need commentary on the work. For instance:
- “The chapter was great, but I’d like to see more dialogue sprinkled in with the prose.”
- “I really like the way you introduce your characters. I can see them clearly, but I don’t know what the scene looks like. Can you give some more visuals?”
Some critics may worry that their criticism might be too hard to take, but it’s all in the delivery. Listening to constructive criticism is the way writers develop a thicker “emotional” skin.
Writing is art.
When we critique, we need to remember that writing is an artform. Everyone is going to see different things in a work of art. Not all those opinions are going to be positive. A good critique group is a safe environment for discovering problem areas in our work.
Even highly acclaimed writers need critique. None of those books lining library shelves were perfect to start. Writing is a personal act for public consumption. Before it’s ready for that public it needs polishing, which takes many, many eyes-on.
Constructive criticism is honest criticism. If a work is so clean and crisp that there’s only a few grammatical issues, tell the writer that. Let them know how awesome the work is. Most of us need to hear when we’ve done well. Point out the positive first, that way the writer you are critiquing will be more receptive to your other suggestions. And remember to state that those are suggestions. No one must agree to all the critiques that are offered. Not all advice given in critique is useful.
A few helpful points to critique.
Passive voice. If the object of a sentence is used as the subject of the sentence, that’s passive voice. “The goal was made by Alice.” Instead, use an active sentence. “Alice made the goal.”
The following are suggestions you can offer a writer when you notice too much passive writing.
- Will active or passive voice make the sentence more engaging?
- Is the sentence clear?
- Suggest rewriting with as few "to be" verbs as possible and use active verbs.
Overly used words. In some cases, words are repetitive and a good thesaurus can be your friend. Other times, there are too many instances of words like “it,” “here,” and “there.”
The word “it” was once one of my favorites until it (OOPS) was nearly drummed out of my writing habits. The question I frequently received from a fellow critique group partner was, “What are you talking about? What is it?”
Example:
- Me: “It makes me mad.”
- Partner: “What makes you mad?”
- Me: “Willful ignorance.”
- Partner: “Substitute those words for it and see how much clearer the sentence is.”
- Me: “Willful ignorance makes me mad.”
For more information. Lori Freeland has a fantastic list of things to look for when critiquing other people’s work. The list is also helpful for editing your own work!
Final thoughts.
Keep in mind that we are all in this together. It takes a village to raise a book-baby.
The first time I walked into a room and sat down with a group of people I didn’t know to share the very first chapter of my first manuscript, I was terrified. Thankfully, they were thoughtful and kind. That first draft was terrible. However, the takeaway from my first critique group experience was positive, so I kept attending.
Be constructive, brave, kind, and that will come back to you more often than not. Happy writing!
Do you have a critique partner or belong to a critique group? How did you find your partner/group? What are your experiences with critique?
* * * * * *
About Ellen
Author, speaker, and former teacher, Ellen L. Buikema has written non-fiction for parents, and The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon chapter book series with stories encouraging the development of empathy—sprinkling humor wherever possible. Her Works in Progress are The Hobo Code, YA historical fiction and The Crystal Key, MG Magical Realism/ Sci-Fi, a glaze of time travel.
Find her at https://ellenbuikema.com or on Amazon.
Top Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay
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18 comments on “How to be a Good Critique Group Partner”
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Hi Ellen
Came across your details from X/Twitter. Thank you for this very informative blog post. Love this line - It takes a village to raise a book-baby.
I once attended a 'Writers' Development Group' and all participants had to critique other people's work, where I learnt about a 'sandwich' method - start with the positive, fill the middle with constructive criticism/feedback, and close with another positive. Such a valuable method not only for writing but also in every other aspect of life.
Going to browse through and read your other posts, and can't wait to read your future ones!
Thank you, Maria, and welcome to WITS! There are many wonderful writers within the site. I've learned, and am still learning, a lot from them.
When I was still in the classroom and had parent-teacher conferences, I learned quickly to begin with the positive. Makes a big difference!
I belong to a wonderful critique group. We've been meeting for 87 meetings (bi-weekly, with the summers off, so how many years is that?).
We write different genres -- from literary, to sci fic, murder mystery, and YA, and range in ages from late 20s to late 60s.
We first do a critique from two members (submission provided before the meeting), and follow, as time permits, with a general discussion of a writing-related topic.
I love how we come from different writing and life experiences -- there's not a meeting that goes by that I don't come back with something new (and useful).
Hi Bonny,
I am a big fan of in-person critiques whenever possible.
How wonderful that you have found your people! A good critique group is truly golden.
You all have come upon an interesting way to conduct your meetings! Sometimes I think it would be good to have a non-critique meeting to go over specific writing topics. Thank you for giving me something to ponder further.
Dear Ellen,
Thank you for this outstanding blog--full of wisdom and practical advice. I especially love Kurt Vonnegut's quote.
I've been a member of at least seven critique groups and can relate to many of your early experiences. I found my way to the same critique group for my first experience. My first manuscript was a mess, yet the individuals treated me with warmth and encouragement. As a result, I'm still writing.
Hi Louise,
I'm glad you enjoyed the blog! Kurt Vonnegut tells it well.
You have me beat. Seven critique groups, wow! I count myself very fortunate to have fallen into the groups I have. Online as well as in-person.
I look at critique groups as part writing help and occasionally part therapy. Cheers!
This is such a helpful reminder. When I went through the Stanford Continuing Studies Online Writing Certificate program this was stressed repeatedly. As authors, we're putting ourselves out there to our fellow authors to get constructive feedback. No one is ever perfect on a first, second or even third draft. But we all want to be as "perfect" as possible. We had a couple of people in our cohort who just didn't get that, and ultimately, no one wanted to hear what they had to say. It was always negative.
In the writer's group I'm currently part of (formed from that Stanford cohort), we constantly strive to start any critique with, as an example: "I love the way this scene ultimately plays out. Have you thought about maybe making X happen a bit earlier so that the characters have more time to react?" Or "This is so intriguing. And I would really like to know more about where the character is coming from."
I have found that it truly opens up a conversation where ideas can flow freely. I know I find it extremely helpful and always try to do the same for others.
Hi Lorin,
I love your examples for comments in critique. Brilliant!
Opening up a calm dialogue is freeing. I think, eventually you get to a point when you can actually "feel" the anxiety flowing from members of the group and learn when to back off if necessary. Developing that thick skin takes time.
We absolutely cannot see our own work clearly, IMHO. I will think I put some details in, and then my group reads it and asks, "what about [insert the thing I put in only in my mind]?"
Critique is vital!
Jenny, that is so true! We are too close to our own work and need lots of eyes-on. Much insight to be gained.
Hi Ellen,
This is a very useful post. The examples of how to work in constructive criticism are very helpful. (I chuckled at your conversation about using the word "it", btw. Perhaps I can relate to that one too!)Lori's list of things to look for is a great resource too.
Thanks for providing this and for reminding me that critique groups are the secret sauce of getting many eyes on our "private acts for public consumption."
Hi Kris,
I was often called on the "it" word. So much so that later, as I typed the word, I heard a particular voice from critique group saying, "What is it?" LOL
The phrase you mentioned popped into my head as I wrote this piece I love it when that happens!
I have one or two people to bounce ideas off of, but not a true critique group.
Hi Denise,
If you have good people to bounce ideas off that's awesome! You know what works best.
The critique groups have helped me look at scenes from different perspectives, which I always appreciate.
What an excellent and helpful article!
The author’s perspective is exactly on point. I am fortunate to be a member of a writing group that embodies these approaches. I’ve witnessed how supportive and insightful feedback elevate one’s work.
Thank you for sharing these key factors of a successful writer’s critique group. Well done!
Thank you, Dianne!
I'm happy that you've found a great group of writers to share your work with. That makes all the difference in the world. So encouraging!
I used to be in a great online critique group that was very supportive. Sadly, time and life took a toll. I think one of the hardest things to understand is that "this is good" is NOT what people need from a critique partner. It may seem like it is being kind, but it has always left me thinking... did they even read it?
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