“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.” - Jack Handey


Working online unfortunately provides an easy venue to criticize from miles away with virtually no repercussion. It is easy to tear someone down without providing encouragement or justification.

Fortunately, Review Fuse members tend to give detailed critiques that point out weaknesses in the writing while also providing encouragement. Thank you.

I hope everyone who critiques on Review Fuse can use the brief critique sessions to leave positive impressions. None of us will truly understand the extent of our influence as we interact. Every critique we write exerts influence that can either lift and inspire or depress and destroy an author.

We receive messages every week from authors thanking us for the positive and educational experiences they have using Review Fuse. These thank you notes really belong to the members who give critiques that both build up and show how to improve.

We also, unfortunately, receive occasional emails from members telling us we helped them discover that they have no business trying to write. Every one of these authors has been the unfortunate recipient of critiques that tear down without building up.

I am not saying you should shower someone with endless praise during a critique. That would be a useless critique. I am asking that you please start each critique by telling the author what they did well and then point out ways they can improve. Starting with something positive helps builds rapport and trust. Trust enables your peers to learn from your critiques. If this sounds like too much work take a moment to think about what you expect from the critiques receive. Do you really want someone to run away with your shoes?

Jacob