Writing.Com General Discussion

Let's imagine we have a novice writer, who has just recently decided they wish to write short stories and flash fiction.

In reviewing this author's work, I could easily pour cold water on them by highlighting every error they make. This probably serves no purpose other than encouraging the author to turn away from writing. Instead, isn't it better to deal with fundamental and big-picture errors (such as 2-D cliched characters, all plot and no story, no structure or hooks in replacement, loss of focus etc.)

In fact, I'd go further and pick just one or two of the big-picture flaws, explain why they are flaws and why they need fixing. Telling them everything that's wrong is just too much, and in any case pretty useless, because as they fix one thing another changes. There is little point in picking them up on their grammar if the piece is going to be rewritten (if they follow your advice). Deal with the big stuff, the small, nitty-gritty stuff can come later when they're ready for it.