I received an email that I'd like to post here (I have the sender's permission) and see if we can get some discussion going about questions writers can ask critiquers that may help in the rewrite, plus any other things that might be good to consider in asking for, giving, and receiving critiques.
Here's the email:
"Just went into Hatrack.com forum on critiquing you set up last year and read the four posts. They're good lists, but I have the feeling something's missing.
"The lists are great as starting points for nit-picking. But I also ask for an overview. A one sentence recap of the reader's overall perceptions works wonders in letting me know what the reader got from the submission. After all, if we're going to be submitting the work to editors and publishers, wouldn't you like to have a reader's perception to help you polish it so you have a chance of putting your message across to the editor/publisher accurately? Nit-picking is fine for detailed problems, but isn't the overall message important as well?
"Maybe others aren't interested, but you might consider adding another list on how accurately the intended message got through, and I know no better way that asking the following open-ended question:
`What are your impressions of the characters and their behavior(s) from reading this?'
"It's helped me clear up a lot of misimpressions I'd have inadvertently left in other's minds."
So, any other suggestions or questions that could be helpful?
Posted by Marianne (Member # 1546) on :
I like it when the reader tells me at what point they became interested in the story...then I know my beginning might need work. I also ask them to tell me if at any point in the story they become confused or their mind wanders...this helps me know when I lose the thread of the plot and when I start thinking the reader can read my mind Posted by Rahl22 (Member # 1411) on :
Yeah, I ask similar things of my readers.
General thoughts, then more specific concerns, and lastly the nitpicks. I ask them what they thought the purpose might have been, if there was a spot where they got bored, or anything that they found particularly interesting.
Posted by Janna (Member # 1580) on :
I think, when you critique a person who doen's know your interests well enough, it is important to declare them. I mean, some people critic literary fiction as if it were genre; they need faster pace, etc. We all need to decide on what requirements are basic for every piece of literature (like clarity) and which are specific. And we might spend quite some time coming to a set of shared understandings.
Posted by Nick (Member # 1586) on :
I'm just starting writing on my own. I've been writing expository writing for years but I want to write fiction. Anybody have some good tips to get me started? Thinking of the ideas is the hardest part(or so I'm told). I can find ideas usually but I'm having trouble with the writing. My readers say I'm unclear. I would like it if some of you could critique it maybe? If not I understand.
[This message has been edited by Nick (edited February 11, 2003).]
Posted by srhowen (Member # 462) on :
Nick go to the fragments and feedback forum----they can help you there.
Shawn
Posted by Nick (Member # 1586) on :
thanks
Posted by Kolona (Member # 1438) on :
Insofar as reading/writing tastes vary, anyone requesting critiques should specify ahead of time not only the type of story they want critiqued, but also if their work involves "adult" themes, excessive strong language, over-the-top violence, etc. Different critiquers may draw the line on some or some degree of these things.
Posted by chefchil (Member # 1606) on :
Excellent idea
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
I would also add the kind of reader it's directed to (middle aged, teens?). It makes a difference.
