Writing Critique: Being An A+ Critique Partner
Being an A+ writing critique partner, something that is normal to want and possible to achieve.
Hello, and welcome to another thought™.
Contrary to the joke reference in the title, I am indeed having thoughts about giving feedback as a super terrific writing critique partner, and how it is, in fact, possible. I just thought the reference was funny (and hey, I’m writing about writing craft and random stuff that pops into my head, not How To Be Funny). (Although if you do find a substack that teaches that, please send it to me. Thank you.)
I’m always using feedback to improve my writing skills, whether I’m giving or getting it. There are several things I believe we can do to be super-duper feedback troopers, and they do require a little work, but if you’re anything like me, you love the process of reading, writing, workshopping, and giving feedback anyway!
Personally, my goals when giving feedback are:
Be honest. (Otherwise, what’s the point?)
Be respectful. (Nobody likes a meanie who makes them feel discouraged)
Be as clear as possible & minimise the need for discussion about said feedback. (Try not to cause confusion or misunderstandings, or give feedback that requires the writer to ask for clarification.)
Adjust myself and my feedback to the writing as best I can.
Try to avoid empty statements.
Sharing something you created can be a very vulnerable thing. Some of these points might feel obvious, but you’d be surprised. This list has been built through hundreds of writing workshops, and the epic highs and lows of high school football critique groups.
Obligatory “these are just thoughts and opinions” and “there are no writing rules, only writing suggestions”. I’m just here to take you on a voyage through my personal brain-thoughts, in the same way a hero might go on a journey.
A (forced metaphor of a) Hero’s Journey, you might say…
Call To Adventure: The “shit sandwich”
What you might want to do is deliver feedback in what is beautifully called the “shit sandwich”. This is the art of padding feedback with nice things all around it so it’s clear it’s coming from a kind, encouraging, and non-judgemental place.
Positive/encouragement + constructive criticism + Positive/encouragement = Shit Sandwich.
When I was a timid new writer, I really appreciated it when people took this approach with me, and there’s nothing wrong with needing it! Whether you want to do this is completely up to you, and whether you need to do or receive this style of writing critique is something you can talk about with your critique partner.
Supernatural Aid: Positive feedback can be constructive!
This is where you can go above and beyond with your feedback. It’s always nice to hear “good” feedback, but it’s even more valuable if your positive feedback is followed by an explanation or exploration that makes it constructive. Exploring the “why” and getting specific with it is my favourite kind of feedback. This helps me learn and actively employ “good” techniques, in the same way I might when someone gives me actionable writing critique that asks me to make changes.
To quote the Backstreet Boys, “Tell me why!”
The Abyss: Death & Rebirth: Avoid shallow statements.
Comments like “This is confusing” are, unfortunately, not good feedback. All they do is tell the writer your reaction to a part of the writing.
I don’t know what exactly is confusing you. Is it that I said something earlier and this part contradicts that? Is it that the words you specifically highlighted read like word soup and make no sense? There’s too much ambiguity in feedback like this, and it only makes me need to ask more questions.
That is why I always retrace my steps and try to identify the source or reason for my confusion (or if we’re sticking to the Hero’s Journey metaphor, this is where I died of confusion and then climbed back up the story cliff with answers to explain what happened.)
In my opinion, the best feedback is the kind that includes an explanation. Firstly, it’s efficient and reduces the need for me to ask clarifying questions. Secondly, sometimes in trying to go back and explain my confusion, I actually find and uproot the “real” problem, or discover that my confusion was entirely my bad. I’ve definitely left comments saying “I misread xyz part, so ignore my confusion here! It makes total sense!”
Transformation: Adapting to the work.
Reading other people’s work sometimes (or arguably, always) demands that you adapt yourself to different projects and writing styles. Not considering the purpose and intention of the writer and the story can lead to giving feedback that isn’t helpful. Different genres and styles come with different expectations and conventions, so bringing a Y/A contemporary mind to an Adult Literary SFF story may not be useful or effective.
It may be that you’re not well-versed enough in the style, form, or genre to feel confident offering feedback. I sometimes feel terrible when giving feedback on poetry because it’s not a medium I understand enough to feel confident critiquing.
You might say I feel a little rusty, but that was before I tried Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment, new rear-end formula! (Cars, 2006)
A-tone-ment: Avoid empty value-judgement statements.
This point is simple: avoid empty value judgements like “this is bad”. Just like shallow statements, they provide very little to no useful information or feedback. Also, what even is “bad”?
What is “bad” about it? What even is “bad” to you? How is it “bad”? Why? From what part were you unhappy? Was it the language I used, or the idea I’m trying to get across that’s not working?
These statements raise more questions than they answer, and they don’t help the writer make any needed amendments to their work. Plus, it can make you sound like a meanie.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Try to be clear and specific. Your critique partner will give you that A+ you’ve always wanted. I will personally sign, seal, and deliver a fake and intangible kiss on your forehead for being so thoughtful.
And that concludes my thoughts™ on things we can do to be fantastic writing critique partners (aka, heroes). Your mileage may vary. This is a personal manifesto of sorts, not meant to be taken as a list of rules—in fact, I encourage you to think about your own wants and needs and develop your own list! And of course, discuss your wants and needs with the person/people you’re sharing work with.
As newer writers, it can be hard to know or have the confidence to discern what feedback is valuable to you and should be taken on-board, and which feedback you can/should discard. But that’s another substack entirely… 👀
Already have some thoughts on feedback that you’d like to share?
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