By Janice Coy

Learning how to give and receive critiques is an important skill for any level of writer. It’s natural to initially reject any critique of a writing piece. After all, a written piece can be very personal. Writers, like other creatives, take a risk when they’re vulnerable with their work and ask for input. I would love to hear nothing but accolades about my work. However, I know my writing won’t improve without the valuable input of those who are interested in helping me.

A critique is different than a criticism. A criticism can be a remark or comment that expresses disapproval. It can also refer to “literary criticism” or the activity of making judgments about the quality of a written piece. A critique typically refers to a careful judgment in which someone gives an opinion about something.

For example, a writing workshop instructor critiquing an attendee’s work could mean that the written sample is excellent but that the teacher is giving pointers to make the writing even better. If a reviewer criticizes the writing, it means the reviewer regarded the writing unfavorably.

Sometimes, a critique when first received can feel like a criticism. This is when the writer needs to use his or her judgment to discern whether the input is meant to be helpful. This discernment usually comes with practice.

Writers who are objective about critiques can learn to recognize which suggestions will improve their work and which will not. Sometimes, a critique can be well-intentioned but miss the mark by encouraging a writer in a different direction than he or she wants to go.

Last year, I received a critique about the main character in my novel. The reader said the character came across as mean. I was surprised as that wasn’t my intent, and I was tempted to reject the comment. However, a careful review of my descriptive word choices revealed that the reader was right.

A helpful critique will often contain some positive feedback about the writing. Every writing piece has some good in it. Remember, the goal of a requested critique is to encourage writers to make good writing better.

When asked, comment on a well-written description, make note of an original character or unique turn of phrase. Be specific about where a character’s choice is confusing or where a scene skims the surface.

I first learned how to receive and give helpful critiques in a novel writing class at UCSD Extension. Later, I was a member of a writing critique group. I’ve also experienced expert critiques from editors at the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference and the Southern California Writers’ Conference.

SDWEG offers a wonderful critique service to its members for the first twenty pages of a manuscript. I’ve benefitted from this service as well as from the critiques I’ve received with my SDWEG anthology submissions.

It’s not easy to receive a critique. It can also be difficult to give one if the recipient isn’t truly open to suggestions. This can happen even when a critique is requested.

Like any other part of the writing process, giving and receiving helpful critiques takes practice and sometimes, lots of deep breathing.

Janice Coy is the author of six novels. Her work has appeared in several anthologies including the SDWEG anthologies and the upcoming San Diego Decameron Project anthology.