So you got a critique.

You got a critique. Now what? I have no idea at all how to start this article. So I think I’ll start it with the word funicular.

Funicular.

Know why you want a critique. If you just want praise, go ask your mother to read it. You get a critique to improve your writing. If you aren’t prepared to be told, in detail, exactly where you fail, don’t ask for a critique.

Definitely do not take a critique personally. They aren’t insulting you, they’re trying to help you. It’s a compliment that they even gave you the critique!

But do ask for clarification. If you don’t understand what they mean, ask them. Don’t be afraid of seeming defensive. The only people you will offend are the ones who’s critiques won’t help you.

And don’t be defensive. No one will critique you if you attack them.

Never challenge a critique. You don’t have to take their advice, it’s not an argument, winner take all. If you don’t agree, the best thing you can do is nothing.

But do consider every piece of advice. Don’t ignore someone just because you don’t like them, or think they are stupid. Even a fool can have an insight.

Just remember that a lone critique is worthless. If one person says something is wrong, one person doesn’t like it. If ten people say something is wrong, something is wrong. Look for patterns in your critiques first, and specifics second.

Always fix your mistakes before you ask for a critique. No matter how many times you say “I know about X”, someone will come along and say “X.” If you know about it, fix it before you ask!

And finally, write for yourself first. Write to be understood second. Write to be read third. Write for critics last. If you have time.

So what do I do with a critique? I go through a few simple steps in my head. First, I ask myself “Why does he think that?” A good critiquer won’t just tell me what, he’ll tell me why too. Next I ask myself “What if?” What if I took his advice? What if I made those changes? If I like the result, if I think it’s better, I’ll make changes. If I don’t, I won’t.

Getting a critique is an analytical process. Approach it with logic and reasoning, not emotion, and you’ll be able to pump every bit of self improvement out of the process.