Wonderful critics, wonderful writers #3

The wonders of critique

Great critique and great writing go very closely together. All of us feature great writing— whether it's through fav'ing them, commenting on them or telling others about them. Critiques, however, are under-appreciated. Have we really featured them? Here are some wonderful critics. I will be showcasing one amazing critique and one wonderful piece of writing from each of them. 

More attention should be given to critiques. Read them well and they are likely to be even more useful that guides; guides are oftentimes generalized so that they are useful to the majority. Referring to examples is one of the best ways to improve your own writing. No two pieces of writing are entirely different. Your horror masterpiece and that love poem critiqued may actually have the same area for improvement— word choice? clarity? A critique is always useful.

Don't be afraid to critique, especially here. From experience, critique is appreciated and almost treasured, even if the writer doesn't state explicitly that he wants critique. As long as you are polite and helpful, the bad experiences will be few and far between. Even a little help is appreciated, especially if writer asks specifically about that area. If you find the writing perfect, you still can suggest some experimentation— "have you tried second-person with this?" "a fixed form?" "flash fiction?"

The features

Critique on Azure Glass: Prologue by AlecWolfe: apocathary.deviantart.com/crit…
"...get him moving. Tighten the narrative until there's a tension that you can feel..." read more



Critique on luhv --verb by LiliWrites: aelogan.deviantart.com/critiqu…
"... the story would feel a touch more complete and intentional if that facet was clarified..." read more



Critique on small talk by justlittlemusings bowie-loon123.deviantart.com/c…
"...There's too many commas and this could easily be chopped down for the purpose of flow.." read more
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Critique on Labyrinth Children by AzizrianDaoXrak carmalain7.deviantart.com/crit…
"...an extremely difficult connection for you to make as a writer when you're deviating from the original morals of the already so well established myth to try and make a different point..." read more


These aren't the only amazing ones out there. Do send suggestions my way and look for more in the next article! And remember to take a look at the other critiques from the deviants as well. 

Bonus: Resources & To Critique

Resources:
A Revision RevolutionOur Critical Friends have been working hard for one another, almost to the neglect of their own writing, and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for their efforts.  We promise it won't be in vain!  It's also important to note that this process slows or quickens based on how many questions there are left to ask and how well the writer wants to answer them.  
And it's the writer's role we'd like to begin with today.
Is this a Revolution?
When receiving critique, especially on the internet, the rules change from site to site.  However, the unfortunate and common consensus seems to be thus: the critic critiques the piece, the writer thanks the critic, and revision is assumed to occur at a later date.  It's rare to see a conversation with the critic and the writer beyond the traditional "Thank you" unless it's the writer making points and the critic accusing the writer of getting defensive and being ungrateful.  Sentence Structure for FICTION
On Basic Sentence Structure for Fiction
(Grammar Nazis BEWARE!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everything I ever learned about writing Fiction DIDN'T come from school; not even college. In fact, the way one writes fiction is almost the complete opposite of everything I learned in school about writing.
In order to make my stories crystal clear in my readers' imaginations, I write in precise Chronological Order, in the order events actually happen, PLUS in the order that the eye sees it.
Case in point, when describing a character, I describe them from top to bottom, in the order that the eye notices them. Face, hair, upper body, arms, hands, then lower body, legs, feet, then over all impression. Critiquing Themes in LitCRITIQUING THEMES AND MEANING IN LITERATURE
By M. Alice Chown
If you were a caveperson gazing up at the night sky, you'd search the stars and the blackness between for a meaning.  The constellations, which are based on myths handed down by the ancient Greeks, stand as examples of our innate desire to find a message in a medium.
It's human nature to seek meaning.  Our brains naturally fill in missing information to perceive order and sense even where none may exist.  Likewise, during the act of reading, our brains try to find meaning beyond that which is expressed by the individual words.  It's difficult to read the following without mentally imbuing the neologisms with meaning:   
"'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe."
--First stanza of the nonsense poem, "Jabberwocky", from "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There", 1872, by Le
more here

To critique:
ScornHer restless heart cries, Love! I am here to be found,
Everywhere - here - following voices of all in Greece,
Yet from her mouth, there is no sound.
A fair nymph's merry voice once rung from sky to ground,
Until the cerulean-eyed Queen gave it cruel release –
Her restless heart cries, Love! I am here to be found.
And vainly she, swift of wind, silent of voice, follows round
Her beloved, who scorns her with lips of cerise – 
Yet from her mouth there is no sound.
The wind carries her silent lament, for he himself is bound
To one who wears his scornful azure eyes and vain fleece;
Her restless heart cries, Love! I am here to be found.
Surely she knows Eros has struck her beloved's heart deftly around
with passion for a brook whose laugh slays a heart's peace.
Yet from her mouth there is no sound -
The fair flower, who holds Echo's heart, pines as a lover drowned
in longing, for the murmur of his river lover will not cease.
Her restless heart cries, Love! I am here to be The Kin--WIP--ch 1Chapter 1

"Rowena de Toledo de la Guardia was born only ten years before the black plague swept through the city of Toledo, Spain. Though her and her family lived on the outskirts, at least ten miles from the town itself, their small castle was hit by the plague with devastating force. This was perhaps because of her parent's penchant for bringing in beggars and thieves. Her parents were far older than any of the Kin; they were a couple who had walked the earth during the age of ice. The loss of their knowledge of the beginning and the use of the Kin's Powers has been a devastating blow still felt today.
They'd finally settled down and had their first child, Rowena, after years of traveling the world. She'd contracted the black plague before they had and they were able to help her heal from the terrible boils and fevers that racked her small frame. However, by the time she was well enough to take care of her ailing parents, she was the only one left in the home. Th:thumb254301420:

Furthermore,

Write good critique as much as you can. Most of us can write critique, whether they're two-liners or what looks like an essay— a critique is simply a comment that states both positive and negative things. However, good critique is much more useful and helps the writer on a greater level. It's often more detailed and discusses different aspects of the writing. Good critique is rare to see, but it's not very hard to write. The above featured are great to refer to. What makes a critique great?

As mentioned, the bare bones of a critique are the negatives and positives of the writing. Don't just stay there— elaborate by talking about why it worked well or why it didn't. Include many suggestions for improvement— show how it can be done. Include links for further information, eg. an article about punctuation. These will not only allow greater understanding but also increase your credibility as a critic. People are more likely to take your critique seriously if you back up what you say.

This doesn't only apply to writers. You should try very much to comment on any form of art— or anything at all that can be improved, really—  and watch everyone get better.

Go forth and critique. I hope that this article has encouraged you and I'll be seeing more critique in future. 




<sub>Past articles:
Wonderful critics, wonderful writers #1
Wonderful critics, wonderful writers #2

Thank you everyone for your support— it will always push me to get these done! Special thanks to those who have commented with great ideas. I really need suggestions right now, or there may be a hiatus— please send them to me. I'll certainly credit you.</sub>