Critique Guidelines
We are an open group, not too rule-driven, but we do offer a few critique guidelines.
For the most part, the key is to be Courteous & Respectful.
Additionally, there are numerous internet sites that provide detailed suggestions that may help authors, both in terms of giving and receiving critique. Here are a few we have perused that may be of interest to you:
How to Critique Fiction by Victory Crayne
Critique Group Workshop
San Joseé Critique Group
The San Joseé is for visual artists, but it is interesting to apply their criteria to writing.
GIVING CRITIQUE
Take care in stating what worked in your opinion and what did not. While trust and rapport is being established, you may want to offer an equal amount of positives and negatives.
Explain why you liked or did not like something, without attacking. For instance, if you notice unusual grammar or spelling, you might say, "Your experimental grammar doesn't work for me; I find it a bit jarring. It takes me out of the story, rather than putting me in the scene."
If you have a suggestion, it might be good to ask if can offer a suggestion. Telling someone about Strunk and White could be construed as you being a self-appointed authority.
Be honest and direct. If you believe in brutal honesty, it may be wise to leave out the brutal part. For instance asking why a writer has chosen a subject matter you perceive as trite and overdone, and you decide to so state, this would likely be offensive. Our business here is to take what is written and offer our best to each other.
Also if someone in the group does not want to offer a critique, it would be acceptable to pass. Sometimes a subject matter may be more disturbing for a particular listener. For instance what if we have one member who writes erotica and another who deems himself or herself a Christian writer. One would think, each would need to require more of themselves to respond in a respectful manner. It would be understandable if they made the choice to pass rather than offer a personal attack.
Additionally, it is important to respect the author's voice. Edits should be offered with a light touch. Anyone can take Tolstoy through Toni Morrison and rework literature in a slash and burn style and in the end render it to pablum. What your high school English teacher offered was likely rule driven. Excellent writing is a delicate balance of rule-breaking and adherence.
RECEIVING CRITIQUE
Choose not to argue with someone's critique of your work. Whether you like what your fellow group member has to say or not, a simply 'thank you' is often best. After all, they are offering you the gift of their experience of your words. What they say is all about that experience. It is this valuable gift they offer to you. Your job is to learn from it, not to personalize it.
Choose to ask questions that will clarify the speaker's viewpoint. Sometimes this will prove very helpful.
In the end, you as the author have the final word, so to speak. It is your story, your syntax, and your baby to launch or bury in the bottom drawer, if you choose. It is sometimes wise to keep notes on these suggestions and critiques. In time, they may make more sense to you, and become more relevant. You need not rush to change something to please someone else or bristle with rejection because you cannot yet see what the other does far more objectively. We are emotionally attached to our stories, and the point is to hone them to a place where the reader becomes also attached.
Of course, if everyone in the group has the same difficulty with your work, chances are they are all on the right track. You may still reject this, as is your choice. We all know examples of breakout writers who kept to their vision.
Bear in mind, it may feel good to hear many positive remarks, but constructive criticism is the process we most require to grow as authors.
Additionally, we ask you to hand out printed copies of your reading, one for each member. In this way, others can notate the copies, thus saving discussion time to the larger issues rather than typos and that experimental grammar.
Graphic Arts by Soizick Meister
©2008 Southshire Roundtable
All Rights Reserved
Southshire Roundtable
Post Office Box 322
North Bennington, VT 05257-0322
Tele: 802-753-1485
|