It’s NaNoWriMo time once again! I’ve written before about how to conquer National Novel Writing Month—writing 50,000 words in just 30 days. But this is also the perfect time to connect with other writers and find a critique partner. All of us are looking for a brilliant, excited person to read our writing. One of the best ways to find this person is to offer critique before you ask for it, and knowing how to give feedback will help you build relationships rather than destroying them.
Let’s be honest: receiving feedback can feel like a punch to the gut. Writers pour our souls into our work. We all know our writing needs changes, but we’re also secretly hoping to hear that our book is flawless and ready to publish right off the bat. This has never been true of any first draft. Ever. But even so, every writer deserves constructive feedback that’s motivating rather than brutally harsh.
So let’s talk about how to give feedback on a manuscript. Here are nine rules that will help you critique other writers in a way that will generate excitement rather than tears.
Rule #1: Ask What Type of Feedback They Want
Super basic, right? If you’re wondering how to give feedback that will actually help someone, start by asking the big questions:
- What genre is your book?
- What tone are you going for?
- Are you looking for feedback at all or do you just want cheerleading?
- Do you want big picture feedback or proofreading or both?
- Do you have a writing weakness you’d like me to watch for?
Assuming you know what kind of critique someone wants is the easiest way to miss the mark. So over-communicate! Don’t ask for spoilers necessarily, but do find out what expectations your friend has. If all they want is a friendly reader to fangirl over their book, be sure to respect that boundary and read with pom-poms in hand.
Rule #2: Help the Writer Tell the Story THEY Want to Tell
Right from the beginning of your critique, it’s important to remember that this is not your book. It can be really difficult for writers to rein in their own creativity while critiquing someone else’s story. Rather than turning this book into something YOU would write, the goal is to help your friend create the best version of their book possible. Here are some ways to do this:
- Ask lots of questions to understand the writer’s intent.
- Keep an open mind. Any story idea can become fantastic with the right tweaks.
- Realize that your suggestions aren’t the only way to improve the story.
- Be mindful of your own biases and taste in books, characters, preferences, etc.
- Remember: just because something is a pet peeve of yours doesn’t make it bad.
- Be graceful when the author guides your critique in a different direction than you planned.
Rule #3: Always Take Notes
Taking notes as you read can be annoying, but your critique will be far more powerful if you flag the manuscript as you go. It sure beats trying to remember everything at the very end. I like to make comments directly in the manuscript, which works great in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a PDF. If the manuscript is a physical copy or in a format that doesn’t allow commenting, I take notes in an email to send to the author later. No matter which method you choose, it’s incredibly helpful to write down your impressions as you go along and then add big-picture suggestions after you finish the book.
Rule #4: Never Withhold Positive Critique
This rule of how to give feedback is absolutely vital, especially if you’re critiquing someone for the first time. Positivity matters! You’ll build trust right from the very beginning by pointing out every tiny good thing that you see, no matter how insignificant. Complimenting something as small as a stylish word choice can build up a writer in ways you can’t even imagine.
I often follow the 50-50 rule as I critique: give the same amount of positive feedback as negative feedback. Granted, this can be extremely difficult when you’re reading a messy first draft, but it’s still a good goal. And hey, it’s a worthy exercise to train yourself to look for the good. Never withhold a positive impression you get while critiquing someone’s book.
Rule #5: Get Specific
There’s nothing more frustrating than a vague, wordy critique that doesn’t make sense. As you’re reading, try to pick out specific details of the story to engage with. Big-picture feedback can be good too, but if you can’t give a specific example of something you’re seeing, it’s going to be much harder for the writer to understand what you mean.
Rule #6: Share Lots of Reader’s Reactions
When I say “reader’s reactions,” I’m talking about your first gut impression when you read something. Instead of calling something good or bad, share how certain elements of the story made you feel. What parts delighted you instantly? Which parts were confusing? Was there a scene that felt ominous? Was there a conversation that made your heart burst? These types of knee-jerk reactions give an author SO MUCH information while also being free of judgment. That’s a win-win of how to give feedback.
Rule #7: If You Hate Something, Explain Why
Hate might sound like a strong word, but if you encounter something you truly despise in a book, that’s important for an author to know! However, if you’re going to use the words “I hated this,” you’d better be able to explain why. Examine the character, scene, or aspect you hated until you can articulate why you’re reacting so strongly. Sometimes a strong aversion to something in a story says way more about you than the book. Food for thought.
Rule #8: Don’t Hesitate to Make Predictions
Some of the most helpful and exciting feedback an author can receive is what readers imagine is coming next. If you’re reading along and you see foreshadowing, say so! Highlight the paragraph where you predicted who the murderer was. It’s helpful beyond belief for authors to know where your mind is wandering, and it’s a great way to learn if their story is working the way they want it to.
Personally, I also enjoy hearing what my readers hope will happen in the story. Who will kiss whom, the ironic twist they long for, or a punishment they think the villain deserves is golden information from readers.
Rule #9: Chat with the Author Face to Face
After you’ve taken the time to read a book, hopping on a video chat or going out to lunch with the author can be a really gratifying conclusion to your critique. Give your friend your notes beforehand so they can ask any questions. And of course this is your chance to fangirl about the book and ramble about your favorite parts, the character you fell in love with, the twist you didn’t see coming, etc.
Authors feed on the energy of their readers, so give your friend a chance to savor your attention! The number one goal of any critique is to leave your fellow writer feeling supported, seen, and motivated to write. If your friend walks away from this chat with their fingers burning to type, then you’ve done your job. ❧
