As writers, we inevitably meet other writers who ask if we can read their manuscript and give them some feedback. If this happens, you need to first establish if they want a critique as a fellow writer, feedback as a beta reader, or proofreading. They are three very different approaches, and you need to know which type of feedback to give. If the person wants a beta reader or proofreader, I’ll give tips for those types of feedback in the next couple of weeks. If the author wants your critique of the manuscript as a writer, below are tips to help you give the most beneficial feedback that can help the author improve the story.
Critiques For Manuscripts
It can be hard to give honest feedback, but you need to do it so the author can identify any problems and correct them before publishing. If you are too afraid of hurting someone’s feelings to be honest, it’s better to not agree to give a critique to the writer. Critiques are all about pointing out possible issues so the story can be its best version. Pointing out ways to improve is the goal. Granted it should be done in a loving way, but, if a writer wants professional feedback, he or she is looking for tough love to help improve the story. So, if you see a problem in one of the areas listed below, make sure to mention that in the critique.
Beginning:
The start of a book is very important. This is where the author will either hook their readers or lose them. When you are starting the book, keep an eye out for the following things.
- Hook-When did the story grab your attention and make you want to read more?
- Genre-Is there a clue in the first several pages for the book’s genre?
- Protagonist-Did the main character capture your attention at the start? Why or why not?
- Plot-Did the inciting incident occur soon enough to make the plot arc clear?
- Image-Can you picture the characters and setting?
I usually mark all of these things as I read the manuscript. That way the author knows when I felt pulled into the story and when things appeared to take a direction. There have been times when I didn’t feel compelled to read further or I felt the plot was listless, and I stated that in my notes. Just make sure to be respectful with your comments.
Characters:
You’ll need to analyze each major character to see if they are fully developed and necessary to the story. Here are some things to ask about each big character.
- Goal-Is the character’s goal or desire clear at the beginning and met by the end?
- Fears-What fear or character wound is holding back the character from the goal?
- Stakes-What is at risk if the character does not reach the goal?
- Characterization-Is the character well developed? Does he or she ever act out of character?
- Character arc-Does the character change in some way from the start to the finish?
It can be helpful to explain at the end what characters were the most compelling and why, and then do the same for the least compelling ones. This way the author can tell who needs more development.
Plot:
Plot should include the external plot line (the internal plot line will be the character arc mentioned above). You’ll need to check it as well as any subplots you can identify. Here are a few things to analyze.
- Plot Arc-Is there a clear arc in the overall story? In chapters? In scenes?
- Questions-Does the plot ask questions and then answer some in every scene?
- Obstacles-Are there new or growing obstacles in every scene?
- Plot holes-Does anything not logically make sense or never get wrapped up?
- Genre-Does every scene meet genre expectations and payoffs?
That last one may seem silly, but if you are reading a horror book and never get anxious, the writer will need to know. Also, make sure you mark any places where you were confused or couldn’t follow the scene. The author may need to rewrite that section to make it clearer.
Excess:
As writers, it’s easy to think everything we write is important and needs to be in the story. It usually takes an objective outsider to tell us when we have fluff we can remove. While you read through the manuscript, check each of these areas for things that can be removed.
- Scenes-Do any scenes not advance the plot or character arc?
- Characters-Is any character goalless? Do any characters serve the same purpose?
- Subplots-Does every subplot exist to enhance the main plot?
- Descriptions-Are there any sections full of descriptions and no story?
- Backstory-Are there any chunks of backstory that aren’t necessary for the plot?
It’s hard to realize what can be cut without losing the story. If you are unsure, don’t suggest that something get cut. You don’t want to change the story, just make it more concise. On the flip side, if you get a critique back that suggests some cuts, take the advice to heart. You don’t have to follow it, but the advice is given to help you write a better story. Remember that as you try to look at the comments objectively and decide what to do.
Ending:
The last area to look at in a manuscript is the ending. If the end doesn’t work, the whole book won’t succeed. Ask yourself these questions after you finish the book.
- Goal: Is it clear if the protagonist achieved the goal or not?
- Transformation: Did the protagonist change in a way that was shown at the end?
- Arcs: Were all the character and plot arcs completed?
- Questions: Were all your questions answered? If this book is in a series, did it answer any questions introduced in the beginning and leave the ones introduced in the middle or end for another book?
- Catharsis: Did the book ending feel satisfying to you? Why or why not?
Endings are really hard to write but extremely rewarding when done well. Make sure you spend some time letting the story set with you once you’re done reading. Does it stick with you? Do plot holes pop up in your head the next day? Give yourself some time to process the story before you complete your critique and send it back to the author.
Final Thoughts
Doing critiques for other writers is like putting on a developmental or content editor hat. You want to be a story doctor and examine it for any hints of weakness. However, it’s also important to let the author know what was done well. Write a paragraph about what the strengths of the book are and why. Authors need to know what they do well so they can keep doing it. Plus, after seeing your book shredded by another writer, it’s nice to end with a little positive feedback.
Thanks for reading!
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