Post by domynoe on Aug 20, 2018 21:20:44 GMT -7
The first rule of novel critiquing is to always start at chapter 1. Why?
Chapter 1 introduces the characters and circumstances. If you dive in even one chapter later rather than starting at chapter 1, you may end up asking questions that are answered in chapter 1, especially when it comes to the basics.
Your critiques on future chapters will have less to go on.
Critiques from someone who hasn't read/commented on chapter 1 are less useful for the author. They will have to disregard some of your comments just because they're addressed in chapter 1 and others because there's no sense of continuity—you have no idea where the book has been so questions regarding the future have less foundation.
Think of it this way: do you buy a book and choose NOT to read chapter 1? Probably not. Even though they're broken up in the crit boards, and you may have to hunt for chapter 1, treat the novel you're critting as a book you'd buy. Read chapter 1.
Related but not the first rule: Don't skip around and crit chapter 2, 5, 6, 8, etc. Again, most of us buy books and read from chapter 1 continuously through the novel. Do the same for novels you're interested in critiquing.
Chapter 1 introduces the characters and circumstances. If you dive in even one chapter later rather than starting at chapter 1, you may end up asking questions that are answered in chapter 1, especially when it comes to the basics.
Your critiques on future chapters will have less to go on.
Critiques from someone who hasn't read/commented on chapter 1 are less useful for the author. They will have to disregard some of your comments just because they're addressed in chapter 1 and others because there's no sense of continuity—you have no idea where the book has been so questions regarding the future have less foundation.
Think of it this way: do you buy a book and choose NOT to read chapter 1? Probably not. Even though they're broken up in the crit boards, and you may have to hunt for chapter 1, treat the novel you're critting as a book you'd buy. Read chapter 1.
Related but not the first rule: Don't skip around and crit chapter 2, 5, 6, 8, etc. Again, most of us buy books and read from chapter 1 continuously through the novel. Do the same for novels you're interested in critiquing.