When writers ask me for advice, the first thing I emphasize is the importance of finding a critique group or partners. These support systems are invaluable for adding the objectivity we lack and helping us see where our work needs work. They also provide an opportunity to share our knowledge with others—though many writers may struggle with this, especially when reading or hearing a more experienced author’s work.
From time to time, I have this problem—not so much with the technical stuff like grammar and typos and such, but with the big picture items. When a really talented author reads an excerpt at my face-to-face group, I might think that it’s wonderful. Astonishingly brilliant. Then someone else mentions a problem they noticed and I think, Wow, that’s totally true. How’d I miss that?
Out of a desire to a) help my fellow writers, and b) not sit there feeling like a twit, I started a list of observations that I frequently hear at critique group. Then I turned the observations into questions. Now, when I’m hearing a piece that’s so good I can’t pick out any problems, I consult my checklist. Many times, I’m able to identify a weak area from among these possibilities:
Overall Story Issues:
- Is the story problem clear?
- Is the voice realistic and consistent?
- Does the voice sound right for the author’s target audience? (Too young? Too old?)
- Does the chosen point of view (first, close third, omniscient, etc.) create the right level of intimacy or distance for the story?
- Are there tantalizing questions, or is everything being explained along the way?
- Has the story started in the right place?
- Does the character’s situation continue to worsen, or is the author letting him off the hook and breaking tension?
Scene Issues:
- What does the character want in this scene?
- What’s the conflict?
- Does the character’s emotion change or remain the same throughout the scene? Are the descriptions multi-sensory, or primarily visual?
- Is too much information being shared? Can some of it be revealed later?
- Does the scene move the story forward? (Is it necessary?)
- Does the scene go on too long? Should it end earlier? Be split in two?
Pacing Issues:
- Is the pace dragging anywhere?
- Does a given section feel like it’s gone on for too long and should be condensed?
- Is there too much narrative?
- Too much telling?
- Too much backstory?
Character Issues:
- Is there enough character emotion?
- Is the character well-rounded? Flawed?
- Is the dialogue realistic?
- Is the character consistent in his speech, actions, and responses to stimuli?
- Does the character evoke reader empathy in some way?
The beauty of a list like this is that while it works well for critiquing others, it also works on my own writing. When critiquers admit that their attention is drifting, I look at the Scene Issues to see if any of them are to blame. If someone isn’t connecting with my character, I edit with the Character Issues in mind. And when I’m reading my own work and I get that niggly feeling that something is off, I can usually find the problem on this list.
If you think something like this might be beneficial for you, take note of the suggestions being made at your critique group or by your individual partners and jot them down. Better yet, print out this list and add to it. And please share your knowledge in the comments section by adding any of the questions that you like to ask when critiquing; I’d love to flesh out my list.
What other problems do you frequently find, in your own writing or in the pieces you critique?
Image: Workingham Libraries @ Pixabay
Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Andrea Mack says
I love this list! It’s going to be so helpful with my revision-in-progress!
Joanne R. Fritz says
Fantastic list! Thank you. I’ve needed this without ever realizing it until now. 🙂
In a workshop on scene structure at NJ SCBWI earlier in June, Laurie Calkhoven reminded us that every scene should have an arc, just like the book. There should be dialogue/action, conflict, a climax, resolution, and an exit line. Comparing the first and last line of a scene helps you realize if the scene works.
Amanda Stephan says
Excellent! Thank you 🙂 I’m an escapist reader and I have a difficult time picking anything apart in anyone else’s writing, so this is going to be invaluable!
Teresa Robeson says
I’m so behind in reading blogs…but this is a wonderful list that I’m going to be referring to over and over again. Thank you!!
Laura Murray says
This is SO helpful, not only for critique groups, but also my own writing! I love your blog – thanks! Becca – hope all is well with you – I have recommended the Emotional Thesaurus to so many writer friends after getting it at the last Miami SCBWI conference!
Ilnara Hesken says
I guess this sort of fits with the voice being consistent but I notice some authors I’ve critted switching the tenses of their sentences. It’s a bit annoying to read a few paragraphs in past tense then read in present and then go back to past.
So I think I would expand a bit on the voice being consistent question just for my own reference.
Sherry Ellis says
Very helpful advise!
creativewritingintheblackberrypatch says
Great list! I’m going to put it to good use on my own manuscripts. Hope you don’t mind, I just linked to it from a post on my blog.
Jemi Fraser says
That’s an awesome checklist! Thanks 🙂
healingbywriting says
Another great tip from The Bookshelf Muse. Thanks, Becca!
Marcia says
Very helpful checklist!
Kelly Polark says
Wow! This is an awesome checklist!!! Thank you for sharing. I will definitely use this when I’m critiquing (actually I’m finishing critting a manuscript this weekend.)
Romelle Broas says
Thanks for this list. I will definitely use it so I don’t feel like a twit too.
Susanne Drazic says
Great checklist. Thanks for sharing it.
Becca Puglisi says
I’m so glad you’re all finding this useful, both for critiquing other peoples’ writing and your own. 🙂
Rosi says
Thanks, Becca. This is terrific.
Martha Ramirez says
This is excellent! Thank you!!
Alex says
I love the first point under “scene issues” — desire is really what drives a scene/story/novel. Too often, I find critiques (self or group) get lost in a little detail when it is the big stuff (like character desire/motive) that really matters.
Deborah McKnight says
Will be applying these questions to my own writing… Thanks!
One Latina's Pen says
This is great for self-editing/revisions. I made a copy for my critique group-the info is so useful.
Stéphanie Noël says
This is amazing! Thanks a lot for this!
Susan Vaughan says
Extremely helpful list, and not just for critique groups. We need to ask ourselves all these questions as we write. Thanks for this post.
Jae Holt says
You always have wonderful insights! I seem to always miss the pacing issues because I focus on the character and scene development, so your list is very helpful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Stina Lindenblatt says
Love the list!!!!
JeffO says
Great list. My biggest issue, when I crit (whether it’s my own work or someone else’s) is with getting too caught up the details, and not being able to see the bigger stuff.
Becca Puglisi says
M Pax, I’ve been there. The good news is that once you master that one, your crit group will be on about something else ;).
ROFL, Theresa!
Theresa Milstein says
Excellent list.
New book idea: The Critiquing Thesaurus.
You’re welcome.
Robyn Lucas says
Great list. Lots to think about
Robyn Lucas says
Great list. Lots to think about
Jacqueline Howett says
A wonderful list I will find useful! Thanks for sharing!
M Pax says
Great list. I see a lot of authors using simultaneous events – is / while / things happening at the same time that shouldn’t. I’ve been guilty of this, too. My crit group is hating on me for this one lately…
Crystal Collier says
Whew! Now that’s a great list. I find objectivity is a little skewed on my own work when analyzing these things, but then I suppose that’s what CP’s are for. Thanks for posting this. =)
Angela Ackerman says
Great checklist, Becca! I agree, this is a good thing when doing critiques, and for our own revisions!
Julie Musil says
How not to look like a twit! Now THAT’S advice I need 🙂
Thanks for this great list!
Matthew MacNish says
Very useful.
Jai says
Totally amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Carol Riggs says
Great stuff! I have to copy this into a Word doc and keep it forever. 🙂 Some of these things I notice right away, and some I don’t. Great to have a concise list, thanks!
Krystal Marquis says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Krystal Marquis says
This is amazing! Thanks!
Beth says
I can see how a list like this would be helpful.