There is a thin line between constructively criticizing someone’s work and ripping it to shreds, this line is mainly defined by your approach to feedback.
This skill is so important to foster as constructive criticism fosters a thriving writing community where writers are encouraged and motivated to contribute to modern literature without fear of critique.
That’s why it’s so terrifying for new writers to share their writing because they know it’s not expert level and it WILL be critiqued but if we can understand how to give feedback that’s ACTUALLY useful we can avoid that pain.
The Role of Constructive Criticism
Constructive criticism is best defined as a form of feedback that focuses on delivering critique and negative feedback constructively and positively to aid the writer in bettering their writing.
The type of critique is THE MOST valuable thing you can give an author as a reader.
If you tell them what worked for you and what didn’t you are giving them pieces of information that they can identify a trend if one appears.
The key difference between criticism and constructive criticism is the intent of the advice giver.
Constructive criticism comes from a well-meaning person who actually wants to help the writer whereas regular criticism is intended to point out everything that’s wrong with someone’s story without care for improvement.
Benefits of Constructive Criticism
Ultimately, your constructive criticism aims to show the author their strengths and weaknesses in a productive and useful environment.
The well-placed critique will make the writer reflect on their approach and change their actions moving forward.
The more constructive criticism there is the better the writing becomes.
That’s a utopia I want to be a part of.
Giving Effective Feedback
There’s a quote I want you to keep in mind when giving a writer feedback;
When people tell you something is wrong, they’re usually right. When they tell you how to fix it, they’re usually wrong.
-Bill Hader
Our goal in giving helpful feedback is not to tell the writer how to fix their story but merely what you found didn’t work FOR YOU.
Ultimately, the fact is you can’t change a person’s mind about their work.
If you’re telling someone who loves their book that it’s terrible they won’t believe you and that’s fine.
You just have to understand that all you can do is give your feedback in a way that tells your experience and it’s up to the writer to take that feedback on.
Focus on Specifics
There’s a massive difference between specificity and broadness in your feedback.
For exmaple,
The character was terrible– Broad
vs
I didn’t find the characters very believable in their actions- Specific
It’s easy to fall into the trap of broad feedback but the broader your feedback is the harder it is to fix the problem.
When given the feedback that your central character was terrible you could go about fixing it in so many ways.
For instance;
Problem: The character is terrible
Solutions: Character backstory, voice, image, personality, relationships, motives, actions, or ways of thinking.
This is not ideal because so many options to choose from that impact one another set you up for failure.
Whereas,
Problem: Characters actions weren’t believable
Solutions: Motives, thought processes or reactions.
A specific problem elicits a specific solution, this is what we want.
Receiving and Utilising Feedback
Another skill you need as a writer yourself is being able to take and apply feedback.
You want to approach feedback with an open mind and a growth-oriented mindset.
Believe that the other person has your best intentions at heart even if they don’t.
The best way to adopt this mind frame is to separate yourself from your writing. You need to separate your personal attachment to your work to maximize the learning potential.
What I’ve noticed about the highest-performing individuals in every field is that they are relentlessly receiving feedback and constantly working on themselves.
Follow these high achievers and be relentless with your development.
In Conclusion . . .
We’ve delved into the heart of constructive criticism, uncovering its transformative power within the writing community.
From defining its purpose to exploring the benefits it brings, we’ve laid the foundation for a deeper understanding of how critique can elevate our craft.
Constructive criticism isn’t just a tool for refining prose; it’s the cornerstone of a robust and resilient writing community.
It’s the force that forges bonds among writers, promoting an environment where collective growth becomes the heartbeat of our shared passion.
In celebrating each other’s strengths and supporting areas that need nurturing, we lay the groundwork for a community that stands united, bound by the common goal of becoming better storytellers.
So, fellow scribes, let’s carry the torch of constructive criticism forward.
Seek feedback with an open heart, offer it with a generous spirit, and watch as our community transforms into a sanctuary of growth and inspiration.
Together, let’s elevate not just our individual narratives but the very fabric of the writing world we collectively weave.
Happy critiquing, and may your pens flourish in the nurturing soil of constructive feedback!
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