I think there are huge parallels between working with
critique groups, editing and leading creative writing workshops in a Higher Education
setting. However, they are not all exactly the same.
An editor has to help the writer get the text exactly right
for their reader, the publishing house and the market (yes, I’m afraid that
exists). Most importantly the writing must also be right for the writer and an
editing process must involve some confirmation of voice.
In the workshop and the critique group we are looking at
improving the text generally. The
critique group has the aim of making the work publishable at some point in the
future though as yet has not identified the exact publisher. The university
workshop attempts to bring the writing up to a standard that matches the mark descriptors
for the particular module.
My workshop comments at the university are often more
rigorous than the ones offered in most critique groups. Yet even here, and
indeed in editing, I like to include encouragement.
The “sandwich” method –a variation
The sandwich method involves saying something positive,
something critical and then something positive again.
Here I offer you my take on this. I start off with everything
that is good about the text. There will always be something. The main idea may
be interesting, a particular character may be well drawn or certain sections
may be well written.
I then point out what is not working so well. If I’ve
noticed a lot, I may only mention what makes the most impact.
I then make a suggestion about what the writer might do next
with the text. I try to identify one or two strategies that will make the
greatest impact on improving the text.
Focussing the feedback- getting the vocabulary right
Try to avoid the word “like”, though this is very difficult.
It’s better to say “This character comes across really clearly”, “Your dialogue
is very strong here” or “I can really feel the tension in this piece.” If you must
use “like” say why.
Annotating the text
If you have time it is good to do this. Here you pick up everything
you notice: the missing apostrophe, the character who seems wooden, the hole in
the plot. It’s important here also to make positive comments. I’m pretty strict
with myself on this: at least ten comments per submission with a 50:50 balance
between positive and negative. The “sandwich” comments summarise the main points.
The two together provide really valuable feedback.
Some valuable feedback
It’s always important for the writer to know whether the
readers have understood the text. So it might be very effective first of all
for critiquers to say what they have understood form the text. This might be
followed by any specific questions a writer has about their offering.
Happy critiquing!
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