A Subtle Brush?

Think you’re getting marvelous reviews? Are they completely above what you expected? Are you almost suspicious? Perhaps you should be.

So, you’re getting reviewed, but it’s not what you expected. Your readers continuously remark about how well you’re writing. In fact, they never offer a single correction or suggestion.

Take a closer look at your situation. Are you being brushed off in the guise of flattery? Can your readers give you specific information on what they enjoyed or why they enjoyed it? Isn’t there a single word that could be improved?

Your work can be discussed without any technical reviewing whatsoever. This completely contradicts the reviewing process.

This is a look into what is and what is not reviewing. To conserve space and the reader’s eyes, we will use one to two sentence length examples. You should consider what your reviewer (s) say and apply it to the most relative section. You can have a paragraph of praise for your work, but it isn’t a review.

First, we'll look at the overly positive. These comments are blank. Period. A comment can compliment, but never encourages or corrects. Comments include:

While always appreciated, these simply do nothing to improve your ability. In a setting that revolves around a review, they are static. They don’t point out flaws, how to improve, or what is actually liked so much. They are empty of description, detail, or real meaning. So, did they like your use of symbolism? Your choice of words? What exactly did they like? The twist of phonics in paragraph four?

Compliments are lovely. They are great and marvelous and rapturous in themselves. However they will also assure you that there is no reason to seek change or development. They keep you at a, "comfort level," and don’t inspire you in the least to improve. Blank statements feel good, but so does comfort food. Doesn’t mean it’s healthy or will help you live better. Comfort words will never help you write better. The shallow confidence they bring will not give you the drive to become what you have the potential to.

There is also an opposite end of the spectrum. The negative reviews. What is NOT a constructive review?

First, you notice the lack of interest? Most likely these statements came from someone who never so much as glanced at your work. The discussion revolves, not around writing or creating, but the day’s events.

So what makes a review? These statements below will show examples of true reviews. First, we will look at positive reviews:

This is the reviews you are looking for. They don’t brush you off with flattery. Someone has actually taken the time and attention to go over your work and are not only complimenting you, they think you can be even better.

The reader is clearly participating in the work and is offering suggestions. Even though they didn’t like a part, they read on. They didn’t just discard it and brush you off.

One of the sad facts in writing is that these three statements, as constructive as they try to be, can be construed as hateful "bashing," to some writers. That is a rut you never want to be stuck in. Once you pass the juvenile notion that works are perfect in first draft, you are free to expand and develop. When you reach the point you can take criticism without flinching, or seeking revenge, you have reached a wonderful pinnacle and should be proud of yourself.

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	The Subtle Brush?
	Think you’re getting marvelous reviews? Are they completely above what you expected? Are you almost suspicious? Perhaps you should be. So, you’re getting reviewed, but it’s not what you expected. Your readers continuously remark about how well you’re writing. In fact, they never offer a single correction or suggestion. Are they reading your work at all? Do you believe it’s just because there aren’t any problems? Take a closer look at your situation. Are you being brushed off in the guise of flattery? Can your readers give you specific information on what they enjoyed or why they enjoyed it? Isn’t there a single word that could be improved? Your work can be discussed without any technical reviewing whatsoever. This completely contradicts the reviewing process. This is a look into what is and what is not reviewing. To conserve space and the reader’s eyes, we will use one to two sentence length examples. You should consider what your reviewer (s) say and apply it to the most relative section. You can have a paragraph of praise for your work, but it isn’t a review. What Is Not A Review? Accentuate The Positives First, we'll look at the overly positive. These comments are blank. Period. A comment can compliment, but never encourages or corrects. Comments include: "I’d love to write like you." "How do you do it?" "You are so poetic." "I love to read your work." While always appreciated, these simply do nothing to improve your ability. In a setting that revolves around a review, they are static. They don’t point out flaws, how to improve, or what is actually liked so much. They are empty of description, detail, or real meaning. So, did they like your use of symbolism? Your choice of words? What exactly did they like? The twist of phonics in paragraph four? Compliments are lovely. They are great and marvelous and rapturous in themselves. However they will also assure you that there is no reason to seek change or development. They keep you at a, "comfort level," and don’t inspire you in the least to improve. Blank statements feel good, but so does comfort food. Doesn’t mean it’s healthy or will help you live better. Comfort words will never help you write better. The shallow confidence they bring will not give you the drive to become what you have the potential to. If someone doesn’t feel you have potential, they will say it. They will NOT waste their time and energy spotting simple mistakes you may have missed. Ignore The Negatives: There is also an opposite end of the spectrum. The negative reviews. What is NOT a constructive review? "You’re stupid." "Your work sucks." "I read a sentence or two, but couldn’t continue. That stinks." "I can't help. No one can help. Don't quit your day job." Don’t mistake these asinine statements for reviews. They are called, "flames." Immediately put them out of your mind and, if possible, delete them. What About A Brush With Flattery? These statements occur often in amateur writing groups and circles alike. Attention is quickly brushed from the presented work onto other topics. Beware when you start hearing: "Your work is wonderful. I don‘t see how you do it. Let me tell you about my day!" "You should publish a book. Now, let‘s discuss my writing!" "That’s great. You‘ll never guess what happened to me today!" First, you notice the lack of interest? Most likely these statements came from someone who never so much as glanced at your work. The discussion revolves, not around writing or creating, but the day’s events. So what makes a review? These statements below will show examples of true reviews. First, we will look at positive reviews: "I really enjoyed reading your work. Did you notice there is a misspelling on this page? Also, the sentence about this character needs some polishing." "This was really good, but I think it could be better if the drama happened later.." "I like this! Maybe it would be even better if the main character were more aggressive.." This is the reviews you are looking for. They don’t brush you off with flattery. Someone has actually taken the time and attention to go over your work and are not only complimenting you, they think you can be even better. Here are examples of constructive negative reviews: "I didn’t like that part. I think it needed more action.." "Maybe you should try placing your dialogue here instead of there.." "The piece has great potential, you should be proud of it. Maybe you could add even more suspense to this chapter. " The reader is clearly participating in the work and is offering suggestions. Even though they didn’t like a part, they read on. They didn’t just discard it and brush you off. One of the sad facts in writing is that these three statements, as constructive as they try to be, can be construed as hateful "bashing," to some writers. That is a rut you never want to be stuck in. Once you pass the juvenile notion that works are perfect in first draft, you are free to expand and develop. When you reach the point you can take criticism without flinching, or seeking revenge, you have reached a wonderful pinnacle and should be proud of yourself. Return to Top ©2005, Laurawrites.net. All rights reserved. The work or any part thereof may not be copied, transmitted, or used in any other form or medium.