The Writers' Lounge

It is easier to get critiques from people you know. The problem is that if you don't already know people who've learned to critique, you're out of luck. (And they have to have enough time to do it, etc. etc. This is why places like Critters are so useful! You can meet people, and get critiques even if your BFF who's an awesome editor is busy.)

I think that praise, praise, "oh, here's an idea" critiques are lovely. The challenge does become time vs. content. In general, I have so much time to devote to a critique. And, often I wonder whether scrambling to find something nice to say is worth it vs. just saying what I think and might be helpful to the writer. *shrugs* This feels especially true in the case where the author hasn't done anything for me. (I get a fair number of people who say, "Please critique this!" and throw a 10,000 word story or even 100,000 word manuscript at me, despite that they've never read my stuff/commented on my stuff/done anything for me at all. Usually I say no, but pretend I'm feeling generous...do I make the critique take 2xs as long as it otherwise would to spare their feelings, or move into the next one?)

These are all issues...complicated by the fact that critiquers aren't paid for their time. If someone wants to give me, say, $20/hr. to read their stuff and write "OMG, this was amazing!" I'll do it. But for free? *shrugs* You get what you get...and I think that smart writers realizes this to a certain extent and both 1) trade critiques, and 2) learn how to make even the ones that "hurt" feel useful.

I do agree that it's difficult to crit certain things that are way out of your comfort zone! But I do think that most stories can be critiqued on mechanics, even if you're like, "um, YKINMK". It does help to be the intended audience, though. ;)