Many authors welcome criticism, providing it is constructive, but... What is constructive criticism? The definition can vary from person to person, so rather than just one author giving their definition, I thought it would be a good idea to get multiple perspectives. I put the question out to all authors site wide and got eleven great responses. With so many great responses, I've decided to do a part 1 and a part 2. Here's part 1, enjoy!

For constructive criticism to be effective and helpful, it needs two things; specifics and descriptions. For example, if a passage of dialogue seems too unnatural, a reviewer could tell a writer the exchange reads too choppy. The main character and antagonist don't feel like they are responding to each other's sentences.

 

A more general example would be, the main character isn't coming across as an individual. In this sentence, she sounds like her best friend. Maybe a quirk would help differentiate them.

 

Constructive criticism doesn't need to have a suggestion. Sometimes an example alone helps nudge the writer towards their own solution.

If it's edifying and illuminates a mistake (of any kind) that I continue to make, I find that constructive criticism.

I feel that constructive criticism should help the author and provide useful information about how to improve their story. For instance grammatical/spelling errors, misused words, flaws in story structure or elements in the story that can be expanded or that don't make sense. It should be delivered in a way that is encouraging to the author, and not denigrating.

Inconsistencies in character actions with prior chapters
Continuity issues
Description of excessive detail or not enough detail in descriptions
Highlighting unrealistic actions by characters. (I can think of a couple by other authors that have basically turned me off so much that I stopped reading their story.)
Question why I have a character act a certain way or why I allow certain things to happen. (Based on personal experience. An editor keeps trying to get me to calm down a character's reaction to someone else and I have done so the first couple of times but now trying to explain why I think it's necessary for the story as a whole)

I came across the following a couple of years ago and copied it to a sticky note on my computer to keep it handy.

 

The Difference between Critique and Criticism

• Criticism finds fault/Critique looks at structure
• Criticism looks for what's lacking/Critique finds what's working
• Criticism condemns what it doesn't understand/Critique asks for clarification
• Criticism is spoken with a cruel wit and sarcastic tongue/Critique's voice is kind, honest, and objective
• Criticism is negative/Critique is positive (even about what isn't working)
• Criticism is vague and general/Critique is concrete and specific
• Criticism has no sense of humor/Critique insists on laughter, too
• Criticism looks for flaws in the writer as well as the writing/Critique addresses only what is on the page
  

Taken from Writing Alone, Writing Together; A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups by Judy Reeves

 

Constructive criticism is intended to improve the quality of the work, and does so without demeaning what has already been done. It focuses on the totality of the work, identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement, both. It should respect and acknowledge the effort that has gone into the work, and the courage to present the work to an audience.

 

If constructive criticism is successful, the recipient should feel warmed by the attention, the courtesy, and the thoughtfulness of the critic. Also, inspired to do better work, and possessing additional insight and/or tools to do so.

So there's the first 6, next week you'll get the other 5!