Critiquing

There are various types of critique partners and groups. I have two very nice long-distance cps with whom I critique via email. I also have a face-to-face group which is helpful.

Critiquing requires honesty and committment. If I only want a pat on the head and a "well done," I have a mother for that. You telling me that the chapter is great is nice, but NOT helpful. For a critiquer, I need a person or persons who read the genre I write, who are well-informed in industry standards and trends, and who will be honest without being mean. It's all right to say my writing needs such and such, but NEVER all right to launch a personal attack against me. I may dress funny and need to lose a few pounds, but that doesn't have anything to do with my writing. Nope. I need constructive comments such as "the pace lags here" and "what's the heroine thinking here" or "there's too much back story in this scene" and so forth. And I need specific comments such as "your plot needs more conflict" instead of "you write lousy stories." You see the difference, I'm sure. I can add more conflict. What can I do to combat the other comment? Nothing.

So, if called upon to critique another writer's work, please read carefully and make specific, constructive comments. He or she will thank you for it. Then, when you need comments, you'll have someone to ask.