Things to Keep in Mind

 

From Holly Lisle's website (www.hollylisle.com)


Giving A Crit

Critique the writing, never the writer.

Never say, "You are..." or "You should..."

Instead say, "The writing is..." or "The story should..."

Find what is right in each piece as well as what is wrong.

Critique the story as it is, not the way you would write it.

Remember that subject matter is personal. You don't have to like a project to give it a fair critique.

Remember what your biases are and critique around them.

Remember that real people wrote this stuff, and real people have real feelings.

Things you may not say while critiquing.

"That's awful."

"That's stupid."

"You couldn't write your way out of a paper bag."

Receiving A Crit

Read your critiques carefully. The person who has written them has taken the time to study your project, and wants to help you find ways to make it better.

Explain only if necessary. Don't rebut.

Be willing to make changes. (It's great practice for working with editors). Conversely, don't change anything you feel must remain in order to make the story yours.

If you are here, I assume and your fellow students assume that you serious about learning to improve your work, whether you want to be published or not. Don't join if you are not interested in participating.

Things you may not say when being critiqued.

"You're wrong."

"You're an idiot."

"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries."

Note: Okay, maybe that last one. ;) -Lori