07-12-2016, 10:08 AM
Hi Lizzie,
I don't have great or lots of answers, but I do have a friend who publishes a blog and she always wants me to read it first for suggestions etc. She's a dear friend and I am always terrified I'm going to offend her. Mainly my rule for keeping a friendship while tearing apart her work is to follow a few rules: 1. Always, always find all the things you love about the piece and say why you like those parts. Even if it's just something like "this made me smile." I wouldn't do that for people I don't know, but it helps a friend remember that you really are reading with love, and that you are looking for both the good and the bad. 2. Then if you do find things that need to change, always explain why you feel the change would make the piece better, like clarity for the reader, etc. Never just say, "take this out" unless you know she can handle it. 3. End again on a positive note and say what you like about the piece as a whole, what you think the reader will get from it, and how the changes you suggested will make this piece shine, fulfill it's purpose etc. Basically, bookend gentle but honest crit with lots of affirmation. It's time consuming, but it usually keeps the friend from going on the defensive or from taking your changes as a personal attack. If she really is serious about publishing, then she probably does want honest crit and not just praise.
I hope this helps at least a little. Good luck, I hope it goes well!
-Quix
I don't have great or lots of answers, but I do have a friend who publishes a blog and she always wants me to read it first for suggestions etc. She's a dear friend and I am always terrified I'm going to offend her. Mainly my rule for keeping a friendship while tearing apart her work is to follow a few rules: 1. Always, always find all the things you love about the piece and say why you like those parts. Even if it's just something like "this made me smile." I wouldn't do that for people I don't know, but it helps a friend remember that you really are reading with love, and that you are looking for both the good and the bad. 2. Then if you do find things that need to change, always explain why you feel the change would make the piece better, like clarity for the reader, etc. Never just say, "take this out" unless you know she can handle it. 3. End again on a positive note and say what you like about the piece as a whole, what you think the reader will get from it, and how the changes you suggested will make this piece shine, fulfill it's purpose etc. Basically, bookend gentle but honest crit with lots of affirmation. It's time consuming, but it usually keeps the friend from going on the defensive or from taking your changes as a personal attack. If she really is serious about publishing, then she probably does want honest crit and not just praise.
I hope this helps at least a little. Good luck, I hope it goes well! -Quix
The Soufflé isn’t the soufflé; the soufflé is the recipe. --Clara