The Confabulator Cafe

Tag: critique

  • Step Four, Sigh More

    I have never had the opportunity to critique a completed story outside of a classroom setting. Maybe if I did, I’d have a better opinion about my ability to critique, I don’t know. What I do know, is that my experiences with critiquing other people’s writing have been absolutely miserable.

    I read, almost exclusively, genre fiction. Somehow, when you’re sitting in a classroom of twenty-nine other students you suddenly realize that not a single damn one of them write anything that I’d ever pick up for myself. Great. I could already tell that was going to be a great experience. Still, I was being graded based on my ability to give them honest feedback. So there goes nothing.

    I’m assuming that problem I’m facing right there is precisely why editors will only accept certain genres. It’s difficult to give something a chance if the subject doesn’t inspire you. And in my undergraduate degree, I only ever read a couple of short stories that captivated me. (more…)

  • Getting Your Critique On

    I only know one way to critique a manuscript, and that’s with a nervous heart.

    Critiquing is a serious, sometimes tricky, business and shouldn’t be taken lightly. If someone trusts you enough to show you their work, consider it a privilege. Give the task the same level of respect you afford your own writing, and embrace the idea that you might be unsure of the feedback you’re giving even as you give it.

    The important thing to understand is that what an author really wants is an alternate perspective. They’ve probably spent a long time with this story in their head, and now they need to put it in someone else’s hands for a while. Respect their efforts, and do your best to give them an honest assessment of their work.

    At the same, though, you need to remember that no two critiques are the same. Each should be tailored to the author of the work you’re reading, and you’ll have to consider both what the writer wants and what they are able to process.

    (more…)

  • The Art of the Critique

    There is nothing more necessary, or more dangerous, in writing than critiquing. You will learn more by critiquing other people’s work than by just writing. You are removed from the piece. You can see it with virgin eyes and see all the cracks in the surface. Then you start seeing them in your own writing. With a little luck, you’ll be able to patch the ones that would bring the whole thing crumbling down.

    In addition, if you are a good critic, then people will want you to critique their work. That usually means that they will critique yours, as well. At the very least you will develop a support network of writers. While writers do compete with each other for work, there is always a market, anthology, or other project that someone might think is right for you. Small presses are generally run by writers. Anthologies are usually edited by writers. It’s always good to know people, in any business.

    If you are a bad critic, no one will want to deal with you. They will avoid you, if humanly possible, curse your name when they see it in the slush pile, and kill you in their horror novel. It is very important that you don’t suck at this. (more…)

  • The Art of the Red Pen (Week of February 17)

    Your book was ... interesting.Writing is — as they say — re-writing. It’s a difficult process that begins with the author, but usually includes one or more outsiders who act as critique partners. A critique partner can offer valuable feedback, because he or she is removed from the written work and acts as a first audience for the author.

    What worked? What didn’t? Were the motives of the characters clear or is there a gaping plot hole in the center of it all? As writers, we learn to accept certain amounts of criticism, but it inevitably falls on us to give it as well.

    This week, we’re asking the writers to give us the inside scoop on critiquing a work. How do they approach a critique? What kind — and how much — feedback is most valuable? We know our contributors are at various stages of their writing lives, so the responses are likely to be varied and interesting.

    We hope you enjoy reading their responses. And, as always, please leave us your feedback, too.

    Until Next Week,

    The Cafe Management