By: McKay Mertz.
Writing and helping others write can be as rewarding as a
chocolate chip cookie. But what are the steps to a successful critique
partnership? Similar to baking an excellent cookie, we will use the same basic recipe
to create a successful critique partnership. Obviously, everyone has their own
tried and true cookie recipes, but here are some suggestions to help you
critique others' writing.
Flour: Every cookie needs flour (or some gluten-free substitute if
you're like my wife). Like flour, authors need your gut reactions. Let the
author know the emotions or questions you get while you're reading. CritiqueMatch.com is perfect for this because
you can highlight exact passages to back up what it is you're thinking. This is
what authors need the most. Your reactions. Your emotions.
If
stories are like cookies, flour is the emotion.
Chocolate Chips: What's the best thing about a chocolate chip cookie? Most
people might say the chocolate, right? What is the BEST thing about the
author's work? Compliment the author on what they're doing well. What is their
greatest strength? Honest, sincere admiration for what an author is doing well
helps them know how to play to their strengths.
Salt:
A little bit of salt can go a long way when you're baking a treat. Constantly
sharing nothing but "constructive criticism" with the author is kind
of like adding too much salt to cookie dough. Authors need honest feedback on
what they can and should improve, but too much negative feedback can discourage
the writer. While it's necessary, most of the time, try to go easy on the salt.
Sugar: There are all kinds of sweeteners you can use to bake
cookies. White sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or even agave. Avoid
offering just one type of positive critique. What's working with their POV?
What's great about their character development? How is their world-building? Provide
a range of feedback to help authors round out their stories.
(Like
sugar and salt, positive AND constructive criticism are both needed—always.
However, too much of either is terrible and tastes gross).
Eggs:
You don't really taste them in the end, but to make a cookie, eggs are key.
Grammar and syntax are like eggs. Helping an author with their grammar allows them
to focus more on what's really important—their story. Always, always, always check
for basic grammatical issues and different word choices when the meaning is
unclear. This will help authors polish their work and make their stories flow
much better. Don't forget the eggs!
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About the Author: McKay Mertz
I'm working on publishing my first novel, a science
fiction thriller, through a hybrid publisher Mascot Books. This is the extent of my professional experience as a
writer, but I can't wait to see where it takes me. I'm a junior at Utah Valley
University, and I'm studying personal finance. Learning about finance is great,
but reading and writing have been my lifelong passion. Creating and living in
other worlds is an absolute joy. I've recently discovered, through
critiquematch.com, that I deeply enjoy reading and critiquing other writers'
work too. It's a tough, but rewarding process all around. My first book, Reincarnate,
is available for pre-orders through Kickstarter.
Follow me on Instagram for news and updates
@mertzmckay. Or check out my website.
