Breaking News: We recently learned that TKZ is listed on Writer’s Digest Magazine’s list of “101 Best Websites for Writers“. We’re totally thrilled to make that list, and we pledge to do our best to live up to that honor going forward!
Today, TKZ’ers, we have a question for you about critiques and how they’re delivered.In years past, we’ve done critiques of reader submissions once a year. We normally accept a limited number of one-page submissions, and then we post our critiques over a span of several weeks. (For an example of how the critiques work, click here.)
This year we’re thinking about changing things up a bit. We’re considering making the critiques a regular feature of the blog. If we adopt this change, we would post a first-page critique every other week, instead of posting them all at once over a span of several weeks.
Is that a change you’d like to see? And while you’re at it, do you have any other thoughts about critiques? Bouquets, brickbats? Let us know!
I think it’s a great idea. I love to read TKZ critiques. I also like to see what others have for first pages. Do it!
I have two critique groups and both are very different, one having 7 members, the other 3. I get a mixture of feedback from each group and I think having the TKZ critique regularly would be helpful as well.
You can never get enough feedback from other writers.
Thanks, Diane! I love my critique group, too–my writing is always better for it.
Wonderful idea! When do we start?
Thanks, Amanda! Stay tuned!
I like this new idea a lot. Go for it.
Thanks, Catfriend!
As a recent subscriber to TKZ and to writing in the mystery genre (but an avid mystery reader for years), I like the idea of receiving first-page feedback from seasoned writers. I’m in a critique group of 3, each writing different genres and each bringing valuable insight into our work.
I’ll keep an eye out for updates on TKZ’s reader critique.
Glad to have you here at the Zone, Jeannie! Thanks for your feedback!
I like the idea. Fridays may be a perfect spot for this…
We’re noodling with the possibilities, and you’re right about Fridays!
I like the idea. Everybody needs a little encouragement or sometimes some help. Plus everyone may get to know some writer’s that they’ve never heard of.
We hope to see you here often, Lorne! True words about the value of feedback, for all of us!
I love the critiques and hope you roll with the new format. And, by the way, congrats on the shout-out for the blog.
I am last moderator standing in an online writing group and I often send the noobs here. This site rocks.
Terri
I think it’s a great idea. I submitted one on the previous go-round and found the feedback informative, helpful and, to my delight, encouraging. And I was thinking my submission might be thoroughly trashed, as in throw your paper and pencils in the garbage and go back to plumbing.
I’m so glad it was helpful, Jim. And no one should ever throw in the towel. We are all at different points along a continuum that begins with “paper scrap writers” and ends with Shakespeare. Wherever we are on that continuum, we’ll find someone less experienced behind us, and someone more experienced ahead of us.
I’ve followed the blog for years, including the one page critiques from years past. I’m sure you authors/bloggers are aware but the way you critique the work submitted reflects on you more than on the submitter. The submitter remains anonymous. In the past I have been occasionally put off by how rude some of the critique’s have been. It does make a difference when I hover over the Buy Now with 1-click button. That’s not a threat or anything. Just saying. Be constructive and polite so that we, who don’t actually know you, don’t think you’re jerks.
The most useful critique I ever got included the word “sucks.” Rude is in the eye of the beholder. I’d rather hear it here than in a reply to a query letter or on a review.
Having been on the receiving end of some rough critiques myself, Matching Socks, I think I know how you feel! We’ll try to avoid being jerky this year, lol.
I’ve always enjoyed the reviews time of year…so springish.
If it were monthly it’d be even better.
I’m with Terri…harsh criticism from friends is better than reader reviews on Amazon that turn people away.
Basil, I do appreciate it when I get honest feedback, even if it hurts. One year the TKZ bloggers submitted our own work anonymously, and we were just as rough with each other as we were on anyone else!
I love the critiques. I learn so much from them. I think it would be great if they were spread out over the year, rather than all in one month. That way we get a “stop, drop, and roll” check regularly. I know when you post the critiques, the first thing I do is go back to my current WIP and say – did I do that? Can I make that tighter? Did I start in the right spot? I think it would be great to have that kind of check up more regularly.
On critiques – there is helpful and there is garbage. The authors here put a lot of thought into the critiques – even if you don’t totally agree with everything they say, it is a 100% score of goodness. For the most part – especially with the “regulars” the additional comments are also good and thought provoking. There is always some troll having a bad day on the odd occasion, but I people generally comport themselves as professionals and colleges here and you can usually spot a troll comment for what it is – garbage.
I love you guys for putting up with us and doing us such a great favor – thanks for wanting to continue the tradition.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Chaco! We enjoy doing the critiques, as well.
I think it would be awesome if TKZ authors opened up their work for comment critiques by fans. I love the idea! 😀
I’m not thinking of published work, but maybe a few pages of a current WIP.
I think it would be awesome to be ripped apart by professionals, and I as well would tend to lean toward the work in progress critique.
We definitely do WIPs. Too late to critique published work, although I’m sure I’m not the only person who has wished for an occasional do-over once it hit the shelves! 🙂
Well, I had written a long response, but it erased it when I hit publish…so I’ll just say, I would love to see the critiquing brought back as a regular part of the blog, I think it’s a great idea.
Sorry for the previous wipeout, David, and thanks for the feedback!
For me, the best criticism comes by way of the books I read. The trick is to read a great book in the category in which I’m writing. If I read that book with care, like a writer and not a reader, that’s how I confirm what I’ve done right, and uncover what I’ve done oh so wrong.