How do you critique a friend’s writing? Should you even try?
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And, if you do, do you hold back? Should you be careful of their feelings?
I guess it all depends on how much you care for your friend. Would you rather mind their feelings, or help them with their craft? (This of course assumes you have the ability to critique rationally.)
I’ve battled with this, myself.
Back in the WEbook days it was common for aspiring writers to “trade compliments” rather than seek real support and advice. Not everyone, mind you, but many participants in that site were by far more interested in getting good reviews than growing their abilities with words and stories.
I had a twinge of this yesterday as I critiqued a part of a chapter of a friend’s work. The chapter had a lot of good stuff in it, but it also had some issues that needed to be worked out. For a brief time I debated softening my remarks in order to support this person’s ego. Then I remembered why I do Uphill Writing, and just told the truth.
Despite my wording my advice carefully, I fear my friend may not like what I had to say.
We do not go about critique with blood in our eye. We don’t do it to put down an aspiring writer… at least I hope we don’t.
The goal of critiquing someone’s work is to help them find the tools and skills to be the best writer than can be.
How do you go about it when someone asks you to read (and review) their work?
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There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio... and isn't it time you experienced some of them?
Funny, I can’t make a ‘connect’….
So it did that time. Funny. But you are always good a critique: always technical, and professional. Wouldn’t mind if you stopped by at Chapter l Section l, – I think hopefully that you’ll finding I am learning a few more tricks of the trade. Just if you can spare a ‘dime’ of ‘time’. Won’t be sad if you are too busy. The best.
You are my favorite critiquer: always pro; always technical. Can you spare a dime of your time, for Section l Chapter l, at some later date.
Would love your critique, to see if I’m learning the tricks of the trade I think I am. All the best. But if you can’t that’s OK too.
I’d be happy to, Loreen. But, just now, when I looked in on your account, I was confused as to which place to start. Would you please post the direct link? Thanks!
That’s because I have posted all l0 chapters of Book Two. It’s all there though, in a strange order. It’s a bit of conveniene but if you scroll down the Projects page you should be able to find Voices: Chapter One Portals of Paradox. I’ve added about three paragraphs which I think ‘set off the rest of the segment’. Thanks. Sorry about the extra work of ‘scrolling down’ There’s a lot posted, yes.
I’m having trouble again. Will wait to see if my reply goes through. If this one does, and other doesn’t – just scroll down Profile page.
Ah, Loreen! It turns out that it isn’t so much my inability to scroll that was the problem, but rather my assumptive reading skills. I somehow missed your exact directions. I’m glad to have found the piece, proper. …and am enjoying the reading. I will be back as time permits. ))
I use the Oreo method also called the hamburger method. Give good support telling why you liked it inbetween the critical stuff. sandwich the crit in support. See my posts on this subject at my blog.
Thanks Richard. I am happy enough to find that you indeed get the ‘Godel’ Paradox: self-referential theme of the book. There were only about 400 words in the first part of book two. But I am satisfied with what you have done here. I feel confident that I’m learning, slowly and surely, and that the paradoxes will work themselves out. Great ‘review’.