Critiquing — part three
Feb 2nd, 2006 by Sandra
I’m out for the day, but Screwtape has graciously agreed to take over the third installment of critiquing.
If you want to thoroughly critique a friend’s manuscript, there are several techniques to use when approaching the text.
First and most importantly, you must remember that the critique is all about you. No, it is not about the text. This is a common error in new writers. Critiquing is all about showing how smart, how witty, and how insightful you are. So if you can make a joke at the expense of the work, do so! Demonstrate your clever turns of phrase. Sarcasm is, I have found, a splendid method of making a point and also serves the ultimate purpose of critique: Informing your critique partner that you are a far better writer than she.
Second, focus on the mundane. Here is where you can let your pet peeves shine! Be sure to mark every instance of your favorite error in big red letters on the page, and then mention every one of them in your face-to-face meeting. Scowling each time you mention the exact same problem is a great nonverbal way of getting your point across. Do not forget: The focus here is on wearing down morale.
Many writers make the mistake of thinking the critique meeting is the place to discuss plot structure and character development. How such a strange idea every came into being, I shall never know. It is clear that the critique meeting is the place where I rack up more “problem points” on your work than you do on mine. The bigger picture? It pales in significance to the mundane, pedestrian issues.
Thirdly, blame the writer. This is one of my favorite techniques. Let us say your critique partner’s chapter has a slow portion where little is happening to further the plot. How do you address the issue?
Let us examine how not to do it:
- “These paragraphs don’t seem to add to the overall thrust of the chapter.”
What is wrong with that comment? Too pansy. Let us give it some punch:
- “Your paragraphs just wander all over the place. What’s the point?”
Much better. Here, you are managing to assign blame without appearing to do so by identifying the paragraphs as belonging to the writer. If you always refer to “your paragraph” or “your writing,” you cannot go wrong. The writer will eventually sag beneath the accusation of incompetence — and never suspect the reason why she dreads attending critique group.
Another great touch is the ending, “What’s the point?” There is nothing like making the writer feel as though she has wasted her time.
Or, if you have critiqued with this partner for some time, we can pull off the gloves:
- “I don’t know what you’re doing in this part.”
Ah, we are approaching critiquing Nirvana! Notice the disdain, the arrogance, the implication that I’m a much better writer than you. Yes, yes, the comment is nominally about the text. But the metamessage, if you will, is about the pecking order. Notice how I scream to the top of the hill with a single sentence! You might as well throw down your pen now and go back to your miserable day job.
In Conclusion
Remember, the point of critique is not to improve a work, but to improve one’s own standing in the writing community! The very best critiquers need not work hard on their own craft, except to gain the knowledge and experience with which to pummel the unwitting critique partner. With these tried and true tips, your critique partner will be tempted never to type another word again!
I do hope I’m invited back to share my pearls of wisdom on dealing with editors.
Insincerely,
Screwtape
With sincere apologies to C.S. Lewis
Good to know. Now I know, I’ve been doing it all wrong. LOL