There are three steps to critiques in this group:

Step 1 optional: Please choose one or both of the following stories and give a minimum 1000 character critique FOR EACH CHAPTER. That means 3000 characters in total. You can lump that all into one critique of all three chapters, or critique each chapter with a minimum 1000 characters each.

Please follow the instructions of the author whether they prefer comments on their work, or private messages. There might also be special instructions in the descriptions below, so please read carefully!

Step 1 Participations Points: 15 PP per 3000 characters critique.

Step 2 mandatory: IF you give a critique, then you must come back here and tell us who you critiqued to earn your points. We need to know so that if someone isn't receiving any critiques then we will close down one story to let the other story get some time in the limelight.

Step 3 optional: Beyond telling us who you critiqued, please also share your main findings. Observations, not judgements PLEASE! And please feel free to share a portion of your critique here. Make sure you tag the author in your responses here. Also please read and respond to the comments of other members on the same piece, whether you agree or disagree with their observations.

Step 3 Participation Points: 10 PP per observation report.

Total participation points possible July 1-15: 50 PP (2 critiques + 2 observation reports)

Featured Stories up for Critique

jeshi99 - Space Chronicles The Beginning - Chapters 1 and 2, PLUS the Forward

John is okay with critiques as comments left on his writing. His goal is to publish this novel and he feels he "could write many sequels to it."

His non-fiction piece The Theory of Nothing has been extremely popular and has received 61K reads. His writing is of a high caliber, and yet this story Space Chronicles has only received 4.2K views. Can you spot the reasons why, perhaps? Perhaps we can help John find a way to improve the beginning of this piece so that it can get more attention, both on Wattpad and by publishers?

zc4555 - Beyond Earth - Chapters 1-3

J A has not participated in a critique group before, so perhaps it's best to be moderate in your critiques. Be careful how you word things. He's open to critiques as comments on his writing, but if your criticism is particularly negative then he would prefer a private message.

J A is struggling with removing extraneous words and has been told that his MC sounds robotic. If these issues are somehow involved in the critiquing he would be very grateful.

Critiquing Reminder

No judgements, only observations. We are all here to help each other succeed in our writing. What isn't your cup of tea will be somebody's feast!

Describe: What's going on? What are you experiencing as you read?

Interpret: What do you think the author was intending? Where do you think it's headed?

Evaluate: Is it working? WHY? (don't forget the 'because' in your criticism. "It's not working because dada-dada-dada." YOU MUST SAY WHY something is or is not working.

Consider: Setting, Plot, Characterisation, Pace, Writing Quality, Dialogue, Theme, etc.

Accepting Criticism Reminder

Listen. Be quiet and listen.

Don't defend your writing! Don't respond to negative criticism if you feel upset about it. Take a break and come back to it later. We all have bad days. Don't look at criticism when you're having a bad day.

Appreciate and be grateful to your critics -- they have taken their time to read your writing and give you their thoughts! Remember, they aren't trying to hurt you or take you down. We are all here to help each other succeed in our writing.

IF you feel capable of responding to criticism, then focus on what you've learned from the critique. If you feel comfortable you may try to explain why you did something, and ask for ideas on how you might do it better in the next draft, from their perspective. But again, don't get defensive and start explaining why it's great the way it is. Accept the person didn't see or understand what you were trying to do.

Take what works for you and leave the rest behind.

Have fun!