the craft. critiquing others' work

As I’m soon to embark on creating another writing feedback group specific to screenwriting, it got me thinking about the approach to giving feedback on other people’s work. We’ve talked before about how to receive feedback, but what's the reverse side of that? How can we ensure we’re giving constructive insight on someone else’s work?

The most important thing I’ve learned about editing is that I should be approaching the work as a reader and not a writer. We think about this for our self-editing, but this applies when we’re looking at other people’s work as well. Our job, when giving feedback, is to assist the writer in what they’re trying to say. Making sure we’re not thinking so much about how we would say it. In the book writing process, my editor felt like a little guide on my shoulder working to point me in the right direction, but not imposing on the thoughts or themes I was attempting to convey.

It’s also helpful to start with the positives. Not the sandwich method that has proven ineffective but there is some psychology involved here. We’re more receptive to criticism after we’ve heard something great about ourselves. It’s just facts. So when organizing your thoughts, what are the things you enjoyed? After the gushing reviews, you can ask the hard questions or highlight the areas you think could use improvement. It can be easy at times to only focus on what needs fixing and skip the things that were great about someone’s work.

Being specific helps the writer know exactly where to focus their energy. It can be frustrating to the writer to get ominous feedback. Offer solutions or suggestions when you think something particular should be changed or further examined. For example, in my debut, my editor felt like we needed a more compelling B storyline. She offered that and also offered suggestions of possible storylines. Ultimately, I didn’t use those particular ideas but it helped me conjure up other ideas that I thought would be more suitable to the story.

I also appreciated this sentiment I read about critiquing others which was “critique the writing, not the writer.” In my opinion, this lends itself to being specific. It’s not about what the writer can’t do, it’s about what the work needs. When we are specific and detailed about the writing, hopefully our feedback isn’t deflating in a way that makes the writer pack it all up. Of course, asking for feedback means that it’s still a work in progress, so it will not yet be perfect.

Lastly, make the big points first. The smaller issues should come later because if the writer doesn’t get to them, you want to ensure the most important issues are addressed. Even when you receive a big edit letter, the big picture items are summarized and then the smaller items are included in the manuscript document. This makes it easier for the writer to approach their revision.

At the end of the day, we’re all artists that are sensitive about our ish, to quote the incomparable Erykah Badu. There’s no way around receiving feedback as a writer. We’re only better because of the experts that take the time to read, consider, and give insight on how we can improve. Knowing that all of our time will come, it should make us careful about how we approach other people’s work. Be kind, be constructive, and offer quality suggestions over quantity.

Writing/Job Opportunities

Jacob Kleinman is looking for pitches for April and beyond on the topics of science, health, space, innovation, movies, TV & video games. Looking for narrative features, exciting profiles, oral histories, and more. Can pay $1000 for a great story. Email pitches to jacob@inverse.com.

Opening up my inbox for pitches on all things solo travel for

Astrid Taran is looking for thought-provoking stories of solo voyages, interesting trend pieces, & more. Rates begin at $250. Please send by EOD Monday, 3/21: ataran@tripsavvy.com

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