On Critique

As many of you have probably seen, Vocal has announced four new communities, including the new Critique community, which I believe will be an incredibly beneficial asset to this website.

Vocal is a website that brings writers from all backgrounds and skill levels together to share in their love of creating. As creators, we're very supportive of each other, and that shows in the outpouring of positive comments left on many people's work.

However, before this community, there was not much room for critique. Most of the comments left on people's work consist of other creators telling the authors what they like about the piece before moving on, which is fine, as that seems to be the etiquette that has formed as the website has evolved. That being said, I believe that this Critique community will foster collaborative engagement and creative growth for all creators who choose to participate.

As previously stated, this website is a safe place for writers of varying skill levels. It occurred to me that perhaps some of you might feel intimidated by the idea of critique. I'm here to let you know that critique is for everybody who is willing and able to participate. Don't feel as though you don't have enough experience as a writer to give feedback.

Consumption is what's important, and if as a consumer you can recognize a problem with the ways in which a piece is communicated, you can address that issue with the author. Critique is meant to help people improve in their craft, and you can be a catalyst for that. Don't be intimidated because I'm here to help with an overview of how to properly give and receive feedback.

Giving Feedback

1. Read the piece thoroughly

If you want to give feedback, make sure you have a good understanding of what the author is trying to convey. Think about all the elements of a story and question their effectiveness as you read. Maybe even read it twice.

Some things to consider include: Is the plot cohesive? Are the characters believable? Are there sentences that stick out as feeling jumbled/confusing? What just isn't working?

Keep in mind, you don't have to use these specific examples. Depending on the piece, you will probably come up with appropriate questions to consider as you read. Perhaps the author themself has specific things they're looking for in the critique. Just keep an open mind and go in with the intention of helping the writer improve upon their work.

2. Start off with a compliment

Nobody likes to be hit right off the bat with the things they are doing poorly (from a subject perspective, more on that later). Make sure you also consider the things that are going well while you read.

Some things to consider include: Are there any stellar sentences, metaphors, or themes that stick out? Are the characters complex and entertaining? Is the prose engaging? Is the vocabulary out of this world?

Again, these questions are just examples. As each piece is different, it will bring up different sentiments in the reader. Just make sure you're keeping score of the things you enjoyed so you can highlight them at the beginning of your feedback.

3. Be specific

No, seriously. Point out the sentences and paragraphs that need help. Keeping it vague can still be beneficial, but if the writer knows exactly what's going right or wrong, they have a place to jump off of when they go in for edits.

Additionally, saying things along the line of "this doesn't work" or "this is great" isn't super helpful. Point out exactly what doesn't work or what is great about it so the author knows exactly what they need to do in order to improve.

4. Focus on the content

There is nothing wrong with pointing out spelling and grammatical mistakes, but the main point of critique is to aid the author in creating a great story. Those other things can come later. Make sure to keep the big ideas in mind (theme, tropes, character development, conflict, etc).

Additionally, be aware of the organizational aspect of the piece. Is the structure working? Do things need to be moved around to read more cohesively? Try to aid the writer in creating a better piece instead of pointing out spelling and grammatical errors.

5. Be respectful!!!

This is probably the most important aspect of giving any kind of feedback. Please be nice about it. It's a very vulnerable moment to put your work out there for dozens of eyes to then tear it apart. That's why it's so essential to begin with some compliments.

When addressing things that aren't working, maybe start with sentences such as "I see what you're trying to do, and it's a great idea, but..." or "It might be beneficial to..." Don't just say "This isn't good" and walk away. That's not nice, and it's not going to motivate an author to get better, in fact, it might well discourage them.

6. End on a positive note

Just like you started the critique, this is how you want to end it. Think of critique as a feedback sandwich. Throw in some compliments in the beginning and the end to make that middle more palatable.

You can reiterate what you already stated, or perhaps while you're giving constructive advice, you find other positive aspects you'd like to highlight. Just make sure to leave your comments on a high note so as to encourage the author to improve.

Receiving Feedback

1. Don't take it personally

This is not a personal attack. This is other writers and readers who want to aid you in your craft. Do try not to let it hurt your feelings, and sit on it for a little while.

You might find out some hard truths about your writing you hadn't realized, and that's okay. It's here to help you not hurt you, but if you feel it is hurtful, absolutely feel free to ignore the comment and don't engage.

2. Be open-minded

As I said, you might read some things you necessarily didn't want to hear. Hopefully, those things are coming from a positive place. Be open to receiving criticism because it will help you become better at what you do.

Trust me, I get it, it's hard. During my first writer's workshop, I nearly cried. There was a lump in my throat as my very vulnerable piece was being picked apart by people who didn't know me. It can sting, but it will help if you can get past the negative feelings associated with it.

3. Take it or leave it

Listen, everyone likes different things. Maybe your work is a hit with one person but a flop with someone else. Keep in mind your audience and what you are trying to get across with your writing.

If there's feedback that you feel you don't want to incorporate, then don't. No one's forcing you. It can be good to hear from a variety of perspectives but keep in mind you don't have to listen to all of them.

4. Identify Patterns

This can be a very good place to start when considering edits. If multiple people are saying the same things, you know for a fact that's something you should probably work on instead of ignoring it.

5. Ask questions

If you're unsure about the comments someone is giving, don't be afraid to follow up. "Could you expand on that point?" "What exactly do you mean?" "Do you have any specific suggestions?" Make sure to add a disclaimer, such as "If you have the time..." and be mindful.

6. Show your appreciation

People aren't required to give you feedback and it's a blessing when they do, so make sure you let them know you're appreciative of their efforts. Thank them for their time, their attention, and their detail if a person goes out of their way to give you an absolutely stellar response. Appreciation goes a long way and can help you build a network of people who are willing to help you with your writing moving forward.

Other Things To Consider

1. Only give feedback when it's asked for.

2. If an author has specific questions, prioritize those in your critique.

3. I can't emphasize enough the need to be kind. Seriously. Be nice, people.

4. Remember, this is to help writers improve their work, not tear them down.

5. Did I tell y'all to be nice? Yeah? Do that.

Thank you for reading. Are you excited about this community? Anxious? Hopeful? Leave your thoughts below in the comments, and let me know if you have any further questions!