Recently I was a guest on Alvina Ling and Grace Lin’s Book Friends Forever podcast to talk about freelance editing along with fellow freelance editor Sangeeta Mehta. Toward the end, Grace asked about giving manuscript critiques to friends, and Sangeeta mentioned the three point method for sharing feedback:
- Identify a problem
- Explain why it’s a problem
- Share a potential solution
Of course, as a freelance children’s book editor, giving feedback is literally my job. And while I’ve shared multiple posts about feedback, those posts primarily focus on receiving and interpreting feedback. Today, let’s talk about the other side of the coin: giving feedback.
Whether you’re joining a writing group or looking for a critique partner, learning how to give a good critique is an invaluable skill to develop. The three steps outlined above are a fantastic place to start, though I’d add one more: Remember that a critique is not the same as a review.
While people often confuse critiques with reviews, the two serve very different purposes. Reviews tend to center the reviewer’s personal preferences, feelings, experiences, biases, and beliefs; for examples, look no further than the countless one-star reviews of any bestselling, award-winning, or beloved book, like this review of Charlotte’s Web: “Who cares if the pig is standing under the web?” In contrast, a good critique prioritizes the author’s intended readership and the story the author is striving to tell. So, while a reviewer is welcome to say, “I always thought Charlotte was the one who should have gotten the attention” (again, a direct quote!), this type of statement doesn’t make for a helpful critique.
So, how can readers separate their individual preferences from valid feedback?
First, examine your initial reactions. If a character or scene makes you confused, angry, or annoyed, try to determine why. Is it because of a concrete issue within the story that other readers are likely to notice? Or are you bringing your own baggage on someone else’s journey? For example: do the characters or plot of Charlotte’s Web truly need more development in order to allow readers to suspend their disbelief, or do you feel Wilbur is unfairly stealing Charlotte’s spotlight because you’ve felt that way in your own life?
Second, do your suggestions support the story that the author is trying to tell? In other words, are you suggesting ideas that could make the author’s story better, or merely different? The reviewer above is welcome to write a story featuring a wise spider who receives attention for her beautiful webs and goes on to become a celebrity; however, that’s clearly not the story E.B. White wants to tell. While a critique can ask questions that help authors clarify their creative vision, ultimately the author’s goals for the story are paramount—not those of the person providing a critique.
Lastly, consider the tone of your critique. Are your suggestions phrased in a way that presumes you already know all the answers (“Who cares if the pig is standing under the web?” or “The spider should get more attention.”), or does your phrasing allow room for other perspectives (“Would any humans notice Charlotte or consider who made the web? Or might Charlotte clarify that this is intentional?”)? If something in the manuscript seems confusing or illogical, try applying the most generous interpretation—could this be a deliberate choice that may not be coming through as the author intended, rather than a mistake or omission?
While the above tips don’t guarantee that an author will implement or even agree with all of your suggestions, de-centering yourself and approaching a manuscript in good faith can go a long way to ensuring that your critiques are helpful and supportive.
Do you have any questions about critiques or tips for giving feedback? Have you had a chance to listen to Book Friends Forever? I’d love to hear what you think!
Your Editor Friend,
Julie