Critiquing Work: How I do it

I have found receiving and giving feedback to be one of the most helpful ways in advancing my writing. I have been blessed to have some very thoughtful and kind critique partners.

The reason I like to critique is because it gives me insight into how other people would see my work and makes me more conscious of my own writing. Moreover, if I am comprehensive in my critiques than my critique partners are likely to do the same for me.

This is my critique process: 

1. I read through the manuscript once to understand the plot, the tone and the message. Every manuscript and author’s style is so different and it takes time to process and be invested in the story.

 

1. Once I understand the overall story and message, I read again to see if writer has communicated well and suggest feedback to help the plot move ahead. Is the character strong? Is the story robust and compete? Can I give any specific and detailed feedback to help tie the story together more effectively?

 

1. During the second reading, I also check for grammatical, spelling and sentence level corrections. Also, for picture books, every word matters so it is important to help the writer see what can be removed, things that aren’t really moving the story ahead. 

 

1. I read a third time to ensure that I haven’t missed anything and at this point may suggest overall feedback. If it is a humorous picture book- can it be funnier? Can I make any specific suggestions on how to make readers laugh? Is it heavy and topical? In that case, does the story feel meaningful, but yet is it subtle and child friendly? 

 

1. I always try and end on a genuine positive note. 

My role as a critique-r is to help advance the story and make it a better version of itself. Some challenges I have faced and how I have resolved them: 

• Not finding ANY ways to improve the story - This has happened to me and luckily the person has been my critique partner several times so when I said I have no comments she knew I wasn’t taking the easy way out, but that I genuinely loved the story as it was. 
  
• Being out of my comfort zone (e.g. lyrical/ rhyming stories)- I would mention at the outset that is not my forte and try and give valuable feedback on other elements 
• Being fully invested in someone’s critique and not getting the same kind of feedback - its okay- you win some, you lose some. I believe I’ve learned as much from critiquing as I have from receiving critiques!
• Not having time to critique someone’s work - trying to communicate this as early as possible and trying to return the favor at a later stage.​

Happy critiquing!