Critiquing Others Leads to Self-Improvement
Objective Editing in Critique Groups Develops a Writer's Skills
May 27, 2009
In effective critique groups the writers improve their writing craft. Part of this comes from listening to the constructive words and teachings of others and following good advice. But it also comes as a person edits the work of other people, discovers problems in manuscripts, and applies those lessons to his or her own work.
Builds Objectivity
It’s much easier to be objective about someone else’s work. Problems tend to stand out because the material is unfamiliar. Editing the work of other’s and finding weaknesses provides practice in the ability to look at writing from an editor’s outside perspective.
Develops Clarity
When a piece to be critiqued is missing information that would clarify the work it leaves the reader confused. In writing the piece the author is so familiar with the material or story he or she can forget the audience only knows what they read. A perspective of this problem is gained through critiquing the work of others. This increases an author's ability to step back and view their work from an outsider’s standpoint.
Gains Insight Into a Reader’s Perspective
For any piece in the group each member becomes a perspective reader. Critiquing helps an author see the flip side of writing and how each piece needs to offer value for the reader. In questioning content in a manuscript it brings authors understanding of how others might view their work and how the words must be clear and precise to convey the correct meaning. That helps develop focus.
Hones Ability to Recognize Weaknesses
Many writers fall into familiar patterns, especially bad habits. One may use passive voice too often or tell instead of show, another may overuse a few words, and still another may continually have problems with structure. As a writer spots those weaknesses in others it helps that author develop a checklist to keep from falling into the same problems. It also makes it easier to accept and understand when someone else points out weaknesses in your writing.
Discovers What Sings
Proofreading polished manuscripts that just need a final touch lets writers discover what makes writing sing and what works well. Those examples can be a guiding tool.
Inspires Creativity
Reading various writing styles helps a writer understand slants and styles. This can be applied in submitting to a magazine with the need to have a manuscript fit that magazine’s style. It can also give a writer fresh ideas of how to approach an article idea.
Practices Tightening Skills
In reading a piece for critique it’s easier to cut what is not essential and trim the excess verbiage. As a writer see an article improve with tightening it’s becomes easier to eliminate words in his or her own manuscript. After a while a writers may even become ruthless in weeding out the unnecessary of their own words.
Encourages and Teaches
In observing an article or book become more polished and then accepted for publication a writer understands how editing improved the writing. This encourages a writer to value the editorial process, persist, and see publication as a real possibility.
Creates an Understanding of Marketing
In reviewing the work of someone else an author can see how it might sell or not sell and what it needs to make it saleable. This builds an understanding of the marketing side of writing.
Join a critique group ready to take a good look at the writing of the other members and learn while helping one another improve. Be ready to improve analytical skills while developing an eye for finding errors and spotting good, tight, focused writing that leaves readers feeling satisfied. Then, apply lessons learned to your own manuscripts.
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