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€ Is it possible to give an honest, objective critique and remain friends
with the author?  

Yes, it is; if both the reviewer and the author assume the responsibility for a successful critique.  Success does not belong to the author or the reviewer alone.

Too often, those in the know say, "Just ignore negative criticism," and they may be right.  However, this concept negates the idea of a critique designed to help the author improve his or her writing.

"She/he obviously can't take a tough critique."  In fact, the critique can be quite brutal as long as the reviewer is not.

Both, reviewer and author, have a responsibility to make a critique work.  If the reviewer tries to rewrite the story or if the author stops listening, nothing positive occurs and both are at fault.  The essence of an honest, yet positive, constructive critique is in the 'how' given not in the 'what'.

Reviewer: 1.) Ask questions of the author before the critique is started-what do they think-what concerns do they have-do they want to focus on the overall aspects of the piece, does it get its point across, is it a good read-or do they want a basic edit of the story or article? Not knowing what the author wants is a waste of time for the reviewer and results in an upset for both.

2.) Write comments in any other color but red. The color red denotes aggressiveness and, for many, is a negative. Sound silly? Maybe, but will it hurt to use another color?

3.) When doing the critique, use the Macro* technique first. This technique focuses on the larger picture. What is happening in the piece, clarity, maintaining interest, conflicts or crises, strength of characters, the most effective and least effective elements are the important points of this technique. Non-fiction pieces?-is the topic too narrow or too broad, be sure the piece is organized in its thoughts and transitions from one point to the next, and check that the end of the article comes back to the focus of the topic.

4.) Focus on true positives. This is the essence of any article or story. Find a negative: when sharing with the author, find a positive to use in contrast. In pointing out negatives, use the 'I' word, "This is a problem I have in my writing." It removes the sting from the suggestion and reminds the author that we are all working toward the same thing.

5.) Never forget that this is the author's piece, not the reviewers to rewrite. Don't become upset if the author questions why your suggested changes would be better. Be prepared to answer the question. If they decide not to accept the suggestion, go on with the review in a positive mode. Best scenario is to analyze the piece from the viewpoint the author is not going to accept all suggestions.

6.) Look to the Micro* aspects of the piece. This technique exposes aspects that are more technical. Focus on the "intention" of the characters, economy of words, effectiveness of POV (point of view), dialogue and the tags, descriptions and scene development, and showing rather than telling.

7.) If you suggest more showing, use one or two sentences of the author's material for examples. If a grammatical or sentence structure error (such as passive voice) is a reoccurring factor, address it. Otherwise, a simple comment about the need to polish it before submitting is enough. Don't try a major overhaul.

Now it is time to discuss the critique with the author.  It makes no difference whether this is a live group, one-to-one, on the computer, or in person; the key to staying friends is -listen to one another.  In today's world, probably the most common way for critiques to occur is over the internet.  Therefore, as the written word carries subtexts, (a context that may be other than the literal word) think before putting it up there on the screen.

The basic of the net critique is the same-positive, positive, positive.  Use the 'I' word when giving suggestions, listen and respond to questions and comments of the author, be prepared to give examples of suggestions. Always speak and/or write from the position that the piece is neither good nor bad, only elements of the piece are correct or not correct.

Keep in mind, even in a group a dialogue needs to take place between the reviewer and the author.  In a group, work with a moderator, someone capable of stepping in if things become heated and has the ability to smooth things over.  The moderator should rotate and should not analyze that piece.

Above all, helping the author is the idea of a critique.  If both the reviewer and the author show the other respect and speak in a positive constructive manner, the accomplishment of an honest, positive and helpful critique will occur and friends remain friends.

* Link to the critique method of Macro and Micro

Thoughts From My Desk

Fiction & Nonfiction Articles