How to request great critique

[big soft moose]

This is the flipside of the coin from https://writingforum.org/threads/how-to-give-great-critique.28/#post-98 as authors we all want to know what our readers are thinking, but often we don't make it easy for people to give us the help we need, so this thread is intended to help y'all help yourselves

First and foremost its very easy to be offended or upset by constructive critique, percieving it like someone is saying our baby is ugly. We've been working on this manuscript for months we've been bleeding at the keyboard and crying into our beer , how dare they suggest that it isn't perfect. The thing is though it likely isnt, it was Hemingway who said that the first draft of anything was shit. So we need to hear the constructive truth even if we don't necessarily love the experience.

Secondly ask for the help you want. If you don't care about the spelling and grammar at this stage but really need help with the character development say so, critics arent mind readers. If you want people from a particular demographic say that too

Related to that, give the critics the information they need... don't make them guess. Its often worth starting with a quick precis "this is an except from the 6th chapter my protagonists are stuck in an ice station in antarctic surrounded by carnivorous penguins. Bob has unrequited feelings for sue, but sue doesnt return them because she's in love with Henry, who is a talking seal , I'm particularly interested in advice on deepening the relationship between the points of this triangle"

Thirdly while there is no limit on length in the rules the sweet spot is about 2000 words, expecting people to critique 10k plus is unrealistic, very short pieces on the other hand are hard to critique because of the lack of context.

Fourth you can't write your book by committee , critics can only tell you what they think, so don't try and take it allon board without thinking about whether you agree. If lots of people are saying the same thing its more likely to be something you should listen to, assuming of course that those people are in your target audience.

And lastly give as you'd like to receive - if you regularly spend time helping other people they are more likely to want to help you.

 

[typree]

I've gotta say, these rules are alot more concise and to-the-point compared to the old site. They've essentially put everything that was scattered about on there in one place. Thanks!

 

[Rath Darkblade]

I've gotta say, these rules are alot more concise and to-the-point compared to the old site. They've essentially put everything that was scattered about on there in one place. Thanks!

True. I have to say, I agree especially with Moose's first point: I've seen writers get annoyed or upset at their first draft not being received with rapturous applause. Having a thick skin is essential.

For anyone who still doesn't see why, it's simple: if someone takes the time and trouble to create a constructive review, and you respond by being upset ... no-one will want to help you next time. So, take a step back and a deep breath, remember that not everyone thinks as you do (or might have misread or misunderstood your post), and start again.

Of course, if the review consists of something like "Haha U Suck" etc... well ... firstly, I'm sure our wonderful mod team would nip that in the bud. And secondly? Don't feed the trolls.

 

[Allan Writer]

First and foremost its very easy to be offended or upset by constructive critique, percieving it like someone is saying our baby is ugly.

What we all have to remember is our writing is not us!

I am happy to have someone tear my work to shreds - as long as they tell me why they have that opinion.

"The dialogue sucks," is useless to me.
"The dialogue sucks, because you don't use contractions and the sentences are long winded," is something I can work with.
"The dialogue could be improved, if you use contractions more, and cut the sentence length," is gold!