Activity

If you’ve ever been part of any type of writing community before, you’ve probably seen a page of critique guidelines that looks something like this:

Be nice
Be constructive
Be honest

So, I want to be clear that THOSE THREE THINGS APPLY HERE TOO.  Be nice, or we’ll kick you out. Be constructive or you’re wasting your time.  Be honest, or you’ll be sending the recipient of your critique down the wrong road.

But maybe most importantly, be active.

I know some people really don’t like having their stories critiqued.  I know that some people really don’t feel that they know enough to give a critique.

But giving and receiving critiques is, I believe, the #1 way to become a better writer.  Did you read that?  #1.

More than writing.  More than reading.  More that going to writer’s conferences.

The BEST way to grow as a writer is to give and get feedback.  So be active.

Beyond that, keep in mind that all the people here on SE are people.  They have their own lives and stuff, which means that they probably don’t have time to critique your 100,000 word masterpiece.  Instead, you’re much more likely to find critiquers if you post a single chapter or, better yet, a single scene.  I usually look for scenes between four and ten double-spaced pages when I’m critiquing, and I don’t think in a minority there.  Pick a scene that you’re struggling with, not one that you love.  Get help where it hurts; that’s how you grow.

So with that, here you go.

Be nice
Be constructive
Be honest
Be active

If you want feedback on something other than a novel (poetry, flash fiction, artwork etc) just include the media type in the title “My really cool thing – poetry”.