Giving Comments and Critiques

Leaving insightful comments is an important part of this club. We are all aiming to grow as writers and reader comments are crucial to allow this to happen. Sometimes a simple inline comment of 'love this' or 'I would do the same' can be useful and are welcome in the club, but they must be accompanied by an overall comment with the tag #amazonlily at the end of the chapter with more detailed notes.

Here is my advice for useful comments.

First of all, think about what your personal strengths are as a writer and/or reader. What can you confidently comment on because you know what you're talking about? What are you passionate about in your own writing and want to help others to improve?

For me, this is plot, characterisation, and worldbuilding.

For you, it might be grammar, writing style, flow, pacing, originality, etc.

I tend to focus on these elements as I read so I can comment on them at the end of a chapter. Sometimes I'll even jot down a few notes in a notebook to prompt me when the time comes to write a final comment.

Alternatively, sometimes I make brief comments inline in the story, for example: 'I love the detail of the carnivorous plant', so by the time I write my final comment, I can look through my previous inline comments and elaborate on them. 

'To build upon the previous example, I might write in my overall comment: 'It's the little details that help build the world. Adding the carnivorous plant creates the atmosphere that the planet is dangerous and deadly without specifically writing "it is dangerous to walk in the forest". A great example of showing not telling!'

For each overall comment, I tend to focus on three elements of writing/storytelling and write two or three sentences minimum for each. This makes sure that a broader critique is available and that there is enough detail for the authors to understand what you are trying to say.

So, I might break down my comment into 1) plot, 2) characterisation, 3) worldbuilding. If I find it hard to write about one of these areas as there is little to discuss from the chapter, I might find another area to talk about.

Similarly, if I fancy switching it up a bit, or there is another element that is more relevant to the chapter, I might change this format. One chapter I comment on might follow the format above, but another might look like 1) plot, 2) grammar, 3) writing style.

Some areas to look at when reading a chapter are:

~ Plot: Is the pacing good? Is there tension or suspense in the writing? Is it following a cliché or trope? How does it break a cliché or trope? What are my predictions for what comes next? Is it realistic/believable? Was the plot twist expected or was it a surprise? Am I driven to continue reading?

~ Characterisation: Are the characters realistic/believable? Do I relate to them? Are their interactions and relationships realistic/believable? Are they well-rounded? How do you predict their dreams or ambitions will affect the plot? Do you care about them when they are experiencing their lowest points? Do you celebrate with them at their highest moments?

~ Worldbuilding/Setting: Is the world realistic/believable? Is the author thorough in abiding by its rules or lore? What details interested you the most? How does the setting affect the plot and/or characterisation?

~ Grammar: Is it correct? Are there only a few typos that could be easily caught by proofreading? If there is a continuous error, what can the author do to fix it?

~ Writing Style: Is it descriptive? Is it action-driven? Is it dialogue-driven? Is there a nice balance between description and dialogue? Are the descriptions too long or too short? Are there instances of infodumping? Are there varied sentence lengths and structures? Are there varied paragraph lengths and structures? How does the writing style add to tension or suspense? What were your favourite sentences from the chapter and why?

These are just starting questions. Basically, the more questions you ask about a text, the more you can comment on. Similarly, there may be other areas you wish to comment on that aren't included above. Go for it! These are just examples and starting points.

When writing critiquing comments, it is important to keep in mind a balance between praise and constructive criticism. There are always positives amongst the negatives.

Some people use a sandwich approach to writing balanced critiques: one positive, one constructive, one positive. Others use a two stars and a wish approach: two positive, one constructive. And then I've also seen a partnership approach: for every positive, there is also a constructive.

I personally believe you should go with what feels natural. Sometimes you do have more constructive feedback to give than praise, but as long as it doesn't feel too negative, it should be okay. 

The key word which I've used multiple times throughout is constructive. You can't simply say 'I don't like the long descriptions'. 

Yes, you might not like the long descriptions, but add why. 

'I don't like the long descriptions because they slow the pace of the story down.' 

It's getting better, but offer a suggestion for improvement. The only time when a suggestion should be replaced by a true correction should be for hard rules, such as grammar.

'I don't like the long descriptions because they slow the pace of the story down. Why not try dividing them up between dialogue or putting them between short bits of action?'

Getting there still. This time, explain why you have suggested that improvement.

'I don't like the long descriptions because they slow the pace of the story down. Why not try dividing them up between the dialogue or putting them between short bits of action? By doing this, you keep the vivid impression of the world whilst retaining the pace to keep the reader hooked into the plot.'

And one final thing. You've formed all of this in your opinion. Now, there are many differing opinions in writing and what you personally think or feel might not be the same as someone else. Therefore, state what the author has done and then how it has impacted the story for you.

'You use long descriptions throughout which I feel detracts from the pacing in your story. Why not try dividing them up between the dialogue or putting them between short bits of action? By doing this, you keep the vivid impression of the world whilst retaining the pace to keep the reader hooked into the plot.'

Yes, this is incredibly stilted and formulaic, but you get the idea. If I were to write it out how I would normally write a comment, it would look like this:

'Your plot is very action-driven which is great for hooking the reader. However, there are long paragraphs of setting descriptions throughout which I feel detracts from the pacing you had built up. I don't think you should lose these descriptions, but if you divided them up between bits of dialogue or put them between short bits of action, then you keep the vivid impression of the world whilst retaining the pace. 

'An example is: "We need to run!" Melissa screamed as she tore through the thorn bushes. The thin spines like needles scratched her arms, but she paid little attention to the pain.'

(You don't always have to include an example, but sometimes this is helpful to get your point across.)

Can you see how my own three-sentence minimum has easily been reached? Next, I might want to talk about the plot in more detail or move onto the characterisation. Then my overall comment has been built up considerably.

You might notice that commenting in this style takes time. Good. It shows you have taken great care in providing helpful advice for the author. Similarly, you may have even thought about your own writing! I know if someone has wonderful descriptions that I may need to work on mine. Taking time over something like this is what this club is all about. We all want to improve and useful comments are the way forward.

Please note that everything I have written above is simply a suggestion. We all have our own styles and formats when it comes to writing comments. However, if you are unsure about where to start with commenting or critiquing, this should be useful. Similarly, you get an understanding about the sort of level we are dealing with when it comes to comments.

Finally, don't be alarmed if you can't find anything to correct or offer constructive criticism for. Although it's rare to find books like that, they do sometimes come around. Instead, simply offer what you can. Comment on why it works so well for you and the author will know to continue doing it in their future projects or revisions.

Receiving Comments and Critiques

If your book was the one featured for the two weeks, then you've received useful comments. You may find some people have left more constructive criticism than others, and that's fine. The important thing to remember is that everyone is just trying to help.

I've said this before, but it's worth repeating: everyone has different opinions on everything. Apart from grammar rules, all suggestions are just that - suggestions.

If someone has said 'Your pacing is very slow for an opening chapter. I think adding some more action would keep the reader interested', and you disagree, don't comment back saying 'You're wrong, I'm not changing it'. 

Instead, maybe explain why you won't be changing it.

'My aim for this opening chapter was to show the world. There is little going on so the reader understands the setting and who the main character is before the action begins.'

Better still, ask questions.

'My aim for this opening chapter was to show the world. There is little going on so the reader understands the setting and who the main character is before the action begins, but I would be interested to know at which point you thought "I wish there was something going on?". 

'What sort of action were you expecting? Maybe in revisions I could add a detail of foreshadowing, but I don't want to go too action-heavy as that would detract from the atmosphere I'm trying to create.'

The only way I'd change this again is by adding a 'Thank you' somewhere. If there's praise, I tend to thank the commenter. Might just be the British-ness in me coming out, but I always find it's polite.

Of course, you might not even want to respond to comments. That's absolutely fine. I know some people don't particularly want to cause lengthy discussions and everyone is completely within their right not to respond. However, I personally believe it's a missed opportunity to learn more about what readers and fellow writers think about your work and how you could potentially improve. 

If a comment is particularly attacking (i.e. criticism is not constructive in anyway), breaks club rules or Wattpad guidelines, please message your admin as the first point of call. Admins will then deal with the issue accordingly.

Thank you for reading this part. I appreciate that for a book club introduction book, it's a very lengthy chapter, but commenting is crucial within this club. I felt I needed to spend a long time on this.

I hope you take on board any advice - as little or as much as you wish to take on board - and let me know if there's anything you wish still to ask. Either leave a comment on this chapter or send me a PM (lionobsession) and I will be happy to discuss.