Dear fellow Fictioneers,
In light of some comment-conversations a couple of weeks ago, I have approached Rochelle about the possibility of creating a group-within-a-group for those wishing to bring back the critiquing element to Friday Fiction. I address this to you with Rochelle’s approval, but if you have comments, questions or concerns, please come to me first so we don’t add to her workload.
I want to first say that it is not my intention to take anything away from the group as it stands, or Rochelle’s incredible leadership of it. For those of you who like things just as they are, you need read no further, nothing will change for you.
If you would appreciate honest and constructive feedback on your stories, I’m proposing a way to indicate a willingness to be part of the critiquing group for that week. Signing up would mean you commit to reading and leaving constructive criticism on at least 3 other stories from the subgroup. And to graciously receive any constructive criticism left on your story.
Some FAQs follow. I look forward to critiquing with many of you in the future!
Jennifer Pendergast
How do I join in?
Put a capital “C” in before your name on the linky widget. Eg “C Jennifer Pendergast”. Then check the list and choose 3 other “C” stories to critique over the course of the week until the next prompt goes up. Read the story, start your comment with “C…”, and leave something constructive and helpful for the author (see more below about that!)
But I want to read more than 3 stories!
Great! You can of course read (with or without critique) as many other stories as you like, whether they have a “C” or not, and leave all your usual fantastic comments when you do. You can also critique more than 3 of the “C” stories if you want to, 3 is just the minimum.
I don’t have time / don’t want constructive criticism every week!
No problem. You can choose on a weekly basis whether to put the “C” before your name.
I don’t want to join in, can I still read the “C” stories?
Definitely. You can still read and leave whatever type of comment you would normally. Even those of us who love critique enjoy shorter comments too.
How does this differ from the Friday Fiction group I know and love?
It doesn’t really – we’ll still use Rochelle’s excellent prompts, linky and leadership. The only change is for those who want to focus a bit more on constructive criticism.
Sounds great, but I don’t know how to give constructive criticism / I’m not confident in my own language skills
I will try to add some “How to’s” to my blog over the next little while, but there’s really not much to it.
You don’t need to be an English teacher to give constructive criticism – all you need to be is a reader! If you’re not sure where to begin, focus on how you reacted to the writing: Where did you stumble over the wording? Which parts did you need to read twice to understand (or still not understand even then)? Did you have a clear idea of the character / place / story (depending on which elements are important to you/the story)? Was there anything that surprised or frustrated you?
Not all concrit is negative; it is just as useful to praise parts of the story that resonated, struck you as interesting or unusual, or created a really clear picture in your mind. The important thing is to be specific – not just “great story” or “well-written,” but instead, point out the phrase or words that gave you that impression.
If it’s still tough, try finding one thing you liked and one you thought could be improved. You can also give suggestions on how it could be improved, but that’s less important.
I worry it will be taken the wrong way if I give honest feedback.
Try to remember that the criticism is of the writing, not the writer. Critique is not a way of saying “You’re a terrible writer,”; it’s a way of saying “this piece could be better,” and of helping each other achieve our full potential as writers. And let’s face it, even the best writing could be improved.
By signing up to the sub-group in a given week, we are committing not just to give, but to graciously receive feedback. That means thanking the person who took the time to read, digest and comment on your story, and it means agreeing not to take offense or get upset if someone doesn’t like some or all of what you wrote. Even if you don’t agree with them.
Ultimately, the final decision rests with the author. S/he is totally within their rights to disagree with the criticism, or to agree but prefer to leave the story as it is. Critique is just one person’s opinion and that’s valuable, in showing you where to focus, but it doesn’t mean what you did is necessarily wrong for everyone. You can make a change, open a debate or just say “thanks but no thanks”. Either way, you are graciously acknowledging the time and effort the commenter put into commenting.
The organization is brilliant. Thank you and Rochelle so much for that. If some people are a bit confused at first, it can always be explained.
Thanks, gah! Let’s see how it goes!
Very good idea Jennifer. As much as I like positive feedback – who doesn’t? – I often find that when readers praise a particular phrase they liked, it’s one I was very pleased with. But I would rather hear about what *didn’t* work so well.
I’m also tempted to work on a FriFic ConCrit badge to put on my page so people know they can be critical. I’m no designer but I’ll give it a go!
The scalpel image was supposed to achieve that, so you’re welcome to steal that if you want (if you click on it, you’ll find a post about that), but also go ahead and create something more fancy!
ah yes, if i’d read the note below the scalpel I’d have realised that! sorry!
Dear Jennifer,
Very well organized. I appreciate your taking this on and will add the link to this page on my post this week.
Thank you for your support. Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank YOU! Please feel free to pass any issues my way. Not that there will be any issues – when are there ever?!
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Oh this is such a good idea. It is lovely to get all the comments about people liking my work, and of course leaving them for others, but so much better to know how a piece of writing can be improved. A fantastic idea Jennifer (and Rochelle). I’ll definitely be joining in.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Claire. Enjoy!
Great idea. I’ll join after November – NaNoWriMo means I’ll struggle to read many stories (although I plan to still write a story for these weeks).
I’m not doing nano this year, but (because) I know how it eats time. Good luck and see you in December
Great idea. I think I could read at least 3 stories 🙂 I might not this week, since I’m traveling, but I’d like to join this in the future.
3 is deliberately low to encourage readers to give those stories due attention. You can of course do more, whenever you join us!
Yeah, that’s a good place to start. I think you did a good job setting up the sub-group. Hope it all goes well.
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Good idea… I still feel a lot less comfortable giving criticism than receiving….
Give it a go, you might find it comes more easily with practice
Great Idea Jennifer and thanks for taking the time to think through and write this set of rules that can be easily followed.
I would fall under the category of “…I’m not such a great writer to provide feedback..” but can bring my subjective view as a reader to the table.
Looking forward to part of this sub-group.
Great, ansumani, your reader’s perspective is totally valuable even if you don’t feel your writer’s one is!.
I missed this before I put my link up, have no idea how I can add C now. Well, there is always the next time.
Hmm… I’m not sure either, but it’s week by week, so go ahead and join in next week.
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Thank you for suggesting this and developing the scheme. Like KT and Gah, I’m in the throws of NaNo but I’m looking forward to joining the sub group. I have a lot to learn.
Tracey
Good luck with NaNo, and see you in December
Great idea, Jennifer. I agree with Björn – I’m always happier to receive than give constructive criticism. However, as with writing, practise will improve our skills.
I’ll join in on the subgroup but having only just read this it is too late for this week. I will make a start next week.
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This is a great idea. I appreciate feedback. I’m not worthy to critique anyone’s writing. I enjoy lively exchanges with those who care to leave a comment, but this sounds like homework, and God knows I’ve got plenty of that right now. So, since I cannot commit to regular participation, I will wish you all the best and hope to have some visits from you on the weeks I can join in for the Friday Fictioneer fun. Kind Regards – Stephanie
Sorry for the late reply. I think everyone is worthy to give feedback, but I totally get it if you prefer not to. Especially if it feels like homework! You can still go ahead and ask for feedback on the post without joining in the group, just as before though.
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This is a great idea. Is it possible to create a tag for this? I always read off the WordPress app on my phone so I always read all the stories tagged with Friday Fictioneers but those who don’t tag I probably don’t get to see them.
Sorry for the late reply. I don’t see any reason why not. Do we just pick one? If so, feel free to suggest something and I can add it into the’rules’.
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I have a question about how I’m doing this. I added “C-” before my entries for two weeks in a row but not received any constructive criticism. Am I entering in the Conctrit subgroup flag incorrectly or am I just being passed over/having bad luck?
I’ll take a look when I’m not on my phone, but if you’re putting the C before your link name, it’s probably just bad luck. Unfortunately a lot of people read from the links available when they post(ie people who posted before them, so if you post later in the week you tend to get fewer reads too. Keep at it though.
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I’m still trying to find out where I can post my Window story for you… Jz
Just put it on the normal link list (through Rochelle’s page) but with “C – ” before your name
I am sure I am going to enjoy this. Great idea.
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This sounds outstanding! I’m quite interested. I finally decided to put chapters of a book I’m working on (one of my first) up, one chapter each Saturday, and I really want as much criticism as possible, I know it has a lot of flaws.
I wasn’t quite understanding if this was only based off prompts or not though.
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