Comments on: Critique Etiquette http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/2009/07/critique-etiquette/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:44:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Bonnie T. http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/2009/07/critique-etiquette/#comment-1514 Bonnie T. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:32:10 +0000 http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/?p=230#comment-1514 I have belong to a critiquing group for years and joined this because with so many member in my guild, it takes a while to have a turn submitting. This is a great opportunity to get responses to short pieces of work. I want to know what's WRONG with my work before I waste time and energy fruitlessly submitting it to publishers. However, I have noticed a pattern. If someone does not score well in the review, they tend to score the review low in return. I can see this developing into a situation where reviewers may hesitate to be honest as a result. As well, the reviewer should not be required to explain "why" for every comment, such as - There is no conflict threaded through the story. Are we supposed to be teaching the elements of a short story? In addition, I have been focussing on the inline comments since the site said they were the most valuable, but submitters tend to focus on the scores. Any tips? Any way I/you can help the young/new writers to accept a low score without getting defensive? Thanks. Bonnie T. I have belong to a critiquing group for years and joined this because with so many member in my guild, it takes a while to have a turn submitting. This is a great opportunity to get responses to short pieces of work. I want to know what’s WRONG with my work before I waste time and energy fruitlessly submitting it to publishers.

However, I have noticed a pattern. If someone does not score well in the review, they tend to score the review low in return. I can see this developing into a situation where reviewers may hesitate to be honest as a result.

As well, the reviewer should not be required to explain “why” for every comment, such as - There is no conflict threaded through the story. Are we supposed to be teaching the elements of a short story?

In addition, I have been focussing on the inline comments since the site said they were the most valuable, but submitters tend to focus on the scores.

Any tips?

Any way I/you can help the young/new writers to accept a low score without getting defensive?

Thanks.

Bonnie T.

]]> By: Patricia H. Minor http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/2009/07/critique-etiquette/#comment-1209 Patricia H. Minor Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:57:32 +0000 http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/?p=230#comment-1209 Well written, helpful. Reviewing well is an art, a skill, and a responsibility if you are going to take your time. It is tempting, as the author above refers to -to simply deliver the 'drive-by critique'. We've all received those, and hopefully we've all gotten some really thoughtful, helpful critiques that has helped our writing immensely. Well written, helpful.
Reviewing well is an art, a skill, and a responsibility if you are going to take your time. It is tempting, as the author above refers to -to simply deliver the ‘drive-by critique’. We’ve all received those, and hopefully we’ve all gotten some really thoughtful, helpful critiques that has helped our writing immensely.

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