The Art of Critiquing Part 1: The Author

Hey everyone! Things have been pretty chaotic around here, thus the slowing down of my posts. I’ve had some life changes which have resulted in some schedule changes, so I’m still trying to get into a new swing here.

Anyway, today’s post is going to be on critiquing. You know, that tricky activity where you, as the reader, are providing your insights on a certain written work back to the author–or where you, as the author, are receiving said insights from readers.

As someone who has been a beta reader, ARC reviewer, and a writer myself, I’ve been on all sides of this activity. As a writer, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to critique my work, and recognize their points of view are valid and legit, even if I disagree with them. If I feel they are confused about something, I attempt to clarify, while again thanking them and understanding where they come from.

Unfortunately, I have not always received the same amount of understanding. Most people I have read for are super sweet, however, a few people attempted to argue with me over my critiques, and one person indirectly criticized me once by saying they wished critiquers would be less harsh by considering where the author was coming from rather than trying to superimpose their own style and what they would do instead.

This really tripped me up for several months, and it bothered me since plenty of times before I had warned I could be what some called a “harsh” (really just honest, both about things I enjoyed and disliked) critiquer, and if they didn’t want my honesty, they could have said so up front. I stopped critiquing their work after that, but I did wonder–is that the “right” way to critique? Was I doing it wrong and being “mean”?

Having read an essay by C.S. Lewis on this topic, and hearing a professional editor speak on it, I finally felt I had some slight clarity on the subject of critiquing, and ways both authors and beta readers can help each other out in the process! Today’s post will be focusing on authors, and part two will focus on the beta readers/critiquers.

Part 1: The Author

I figured the best way to frame this topic was using a simple story!

Once there was an author who finished a chapter of their manuscript, and was super excited about it. They polished it up, thought it looked good, and sent it off to three people–the first, their grandma, the second, their best friend, and the third, their writing buddy.

And they waited. Of course, they hoped for some encouraging feedback, but also for some light critiques. After all, nobody just writes a perfect chapter, they think. And finally, the emails roll in.

Grandma’s email comes first. Great job! she writes. I love it! Can’t wait for the next chapter!

Well, that’s encouraging, thinks the author. But she didn’t provide any critiques.

Best Friend’s email comes next. OOOh dude, you can’t leave me hanging for chapter two like this! This is great! Although I will say the middle felt a teensy bit rushed. And the love interest is kinda grating on my nerves. But like—the MC, the plot, everything else is awesome! Can’t wait for more!

Okay, the author thinks, they clearly liked the cliffhanger and the MC. But what about the middle felt rushed? The fight scene? The argument? Maybe when they went downtown? And what about the love interest annoyed them? What might I need to change?

The writing buddy’s email comes last, and it’s full of in-depth critiques on what they thought both worked and didn’t work. …I felt the fight scene went too fast. Maybe describe what was going through the MC’s head as he is challenged by this man–maybe something similar to “My nails dug into my fists as I took a deep breath. Why was this man attacking me? Did he recognize me? If he did, why didn’t he wait to attack until night?” That way, you’re also foreshadowing the fact that the MC has a past he’s running from–based off of what you told me about him…

Well, they said they liked it at the beginning and complimented the MC’s sass and the cliffhanger, thinks the author. But they also thought the fight scene went too fast and was critical of several other points in the chapter, and also told me how they would do it differently. Do they think I’m not a good writer?

How should the author respond to each of these emails?

#1: Thank Them

Unless you’re paying them, nobody is obligated to read your work. Even if they promised. Even if they have always read your work. Even if you exchanged work to critique. People often have good motives and “mean” to read your work, but often life gets in the way and/or they just forget in the midst of everything. Disappointing to us authors, but a fact of life one must accept.

Thus why it’s so vital to thank those who do read it and get back with you–even if it’s with something as simple as Grandma’s “it’s great” reply. They took the time to read it. That’s more than many people can or will do. And showing your appreciation will make them feel needed and more apt to help you again.

#2: Ask Clarifying Questions

After you thank them, if you feel the need to ask for more critiques or for clarity on their critiques, go ahead. Hopefully if your goal in sending out the chapter was to receive critiques, you asked for them when you sent the chapter.

The author in our little story might reply like this to Grandma’s email.

Grandma — Thank you so much for reading it! I really appreciate it! Was there anything you saw in the chapter you think may need improved?

Grandma may say no. Maybe she really didn’t. But Grandma may take a second look and think, well, I didn’t actually understand what the MC meant by “this”, and let you know.

The author also may respond like this to Best Friend’s email.

Best Friend–Thanks so much for your thoughts! I really appreciate it! May I ask what exactly felt rushed about the middle section?

Hopefully, the Best Friend will be able to enlighten them on what exactly they felt was rushed about the scene.

#3: Clarify Confusion

Next, you can clarify any confusion the critiquer may have in the chapter, if you’d like. As writers, we have to be careful here, as we cannot argue with the critiquer. Something may be super clear to us, but it isn’t to them, and as the author, that’s usually our failing, not theirs.

Let’s say the Best Friend got back with the Author and told them why they didn’t like the love interest. She was cold, stuck to herself, and came across as someone who could care less for the hero. Well, the Author does not want her seen like that. In fact, the character is really just super shy due to some tragic backstory event, which is revealed in a few chapters, and will probably change the Best Friend’s view of her.

The author can choose to respond in one of two ways:

1: Yeah, but didn’t you see [chapter scene]? She’s not cold, she’s just shy. This [info dump backstory] happened and so she’s just shy and scared, not cold or stuck up. If you just read on you’ll see she’s not stuck up.

2: She definitely can come across as cold! And yup, I can see where you’d think she didn’t care for the MC. She’s actually just really shy because [of backstory event] but I can see where she comes across as stuck up. Do you think if I [changed scene slightly] it would make her more sympathetic and less cold appearing?

Which reply is kinder and shows the author values their friend’s thoughts and time spent on their chapter more? Personally, I’d say the second.

#4: Engage

If you wish to continue the conversation, sometimes engaging the reader about things they liked/didn’t like can help them to get even more invested and hooked onto the story. Maybe talking with them about a spoiler scene in their favorite character’s childhood that was hinted at in this chapter, or laughing with them about something funny in the chapter and explaining how you got the idea can carry on the conversation. Sometimes, like in the above second example, you can carry on the conversation by asking someone what they think about potential edits. Everyone likes to give their opinions and feel like they’re being helpful, and this can sometimes encourage them to continue beta reading and critiquing for you.

However, sometimes a critiquer will just give the critiques and go–which is perfectly fine as well. What matters most is that you thank them for their critiques and make sure you understand what they’re saying–whether or not they understand you or continue talking with you about it or not.

#5: Thank Again

Finally, you’ll want to close with once more thanking them. It’s perfectly fine to skip steps two through four if you like and just reply with a thank you as well.

But what if none of the critiques really helped? What if all the information they gave you, you decided you didn’t want to do, therefore it wasn’t helpful?

You don’t need to tell them that. That’s like shooting yourself in the foot. If they think they’re just wasting their time, they aren’t going to return to help you later, when their critiques may be valuable.

You’re ultimately the one who chooses what to change in your story–just because you get critiques does not mean you must do what the critiquer says. But it’s their job to be honest with you, and it’s your job to decide if the information given would improve or worsen your story. So if they’re doing their job–just thank them. Don’t argue with them about how they’re mistaken about this and wrong about that or how they’re just reading it wrong.

Just thank them, dispose of the unwanted critiques, and move on.

Here are two ways how the Author might respond to the Writing Buddy about the scene the Writing Buddy thought they could improve upon:

1: Thank you so much for all your in depth critiques. I really appreciate them and they’ve given me a lot to think about!

2: I know you think the scene went too fast, but like, I’m trying to portray how quick everything is going. I want the scene to be quick because my word count is already way too long and besides, I don’t want to give away that the MC has a past yet. My style is different from yours and that’s okay, that’s the beauty of writing. Thanks for your thoughts though.

Which reply shows the author values their Writing Buddy’s time and thoughts more? Which one is kinder? I’d say the first.

Looking Back

Now that the Author has sent their replies, it’s time to look back on each critiquer and how they critiqued from the author’s perspective.

Question 1: Were any of these critiquers trying to “force their style” on the author?

One could argue the Writing Buddy was. They told the Author what they would do differently and how they would do it, right?

Well, lets look back at what the Writing Buddy said: Maybe describe what was going through the MC’s head as he is challenged by this man–maybe something similar to…

The Writing Buddy was not telling them “you should do this”. They were suggesting a solution (“maybe”) to the problem they saw. They were not trying to change the author’s entire style and book. They merely thought the scene felt rushed and here’s a possible way to fix it. An example of what they meant.

In fact, they were probably the most helpful in my opinion of the three. They didn’t just say “the fight scene felt rushed”, they pointed out how it felt rushed through their example (there was no internal monologue, just action, therefore maybe some type of internal monologue might slow the scene down).

Question 2: Were these critiquers trying to tell the author how to write the book?

The Best Friend said she didn’t like the love interest (hinting that maybe someone else should be the love interest or there should be no love interest in the book) and again, the Writing Buddy might’ve come across as trying to tell the author how to write the book.

But the author asked for their opinions on the story. Their critiques. Which presumably include things they disliked and would like changed.

It doesn’t mean they’re trying to tell the author how to write. They’re only being honest.

Question 3: Were they trying to be helpful or rude?

One could argue the Grandma wasn’t very helpful–she didn’t provide any critiques–but she was clearly trying to be helpful and encouraging. What about the other two? Were they being rude (or “harsh”) by giving their opinions when asked?

Question 4: Did the critiquers “understand where the Author was coming from”?

Honestly, this question makes no sense. Unless the author communicates clearly where they’re coming from in the chapter (in which case there would be no critiques on the subject) then they’re not going to be able to understand where the author was coming from.

It’s not like any of the critiquers went and said “oh, I think you should do this and change this adventure story into a romance!” Nor is it like any of the critiquers, including the Writing Buddy wanted to completely change something that was there (eg, remove the fight scene completely). Sometimes you may receive a critique which does suggest one completely change a scene. But again, that doesn’t always mean the person wants to rewrite the book or can’t see where the author is coming from. They may truly think the scene is unnecessary–would be better with a change. And they may be right. But they also may be wrong.

---

In all, as authors we may run into some difficult critiquers every now and then. Some may be too bluntly honest–some may be overly positive, all will probably share critiques we don’t agree with and don’t use. But most critiquers are doing their work with good motives–to be helpful.

If, as an author, you find yourself getting discouraged with critiques or wanting to argue or being annoyed with your critiquers, maybe it’s time to step back. Sometimes, it’s just not the right time for an author to get critiques. Maybe just ask people to read it as “Encouragement Readers”, those who can cheer you on until you’re ready for the harder critiques.

Maybe even start critiquing other people’s work. Not only does it help you gain valuable editing skills you can put towards your own writing, but you can also see that you’re not the only one who has to improve–every writer must improve, and each is special in their own ways.

The important thing is, before you send your work off to readers, discover what sort of critiques you want, and state that up front (even if you just want Encouragement Readers!). It’s better to do that than to get hurt, start hating your writing, and chasing away a lot of valuable readers.

Do you enjoy reading, critiquing, or writing more? What sort of critiques do you like to receive–and what sort do you usually give? Answer in the comments below! God bless! ~ Kay Adelin