On Reviewing Our Peers Editor: Lilli ☕ 
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“I hate writing, I love having written.”
~ Dorothy Parker
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”
~ Stephen King
“Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.”
~ Larry L. King
“Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes,
a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry.”
~ Jane Yolen
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
~ Jodi Picoult |
Providing a review for fellow members can be a delicate balancing act. We are stepping into the role of a “trusted reader”, someone who offers the perspective of an editor while maintaining the encouragement of a peer.
To provide a professional, transformative review, consider these feedback options:
1. Identify the Author’s Intent
Before diving into the prose, clarify what the author is trying to achieve. A technical manual, a lyrical poem, and a gritty thriller all require different “lenses.”
The Goal: Ask yourself if the writing style matches the genre’s expectations.
The Tone: Is the voice consistent, or does it fluctuate in a way that pulls the reader out of the experience?
2. Balanced Feedback
It is easy to get bogged down in typos, punctuation, and grammar, but a high-level review should prioritize the piece's structural integrity.
Focus on pacing, character motivations, thematic depth, and logical flow. If the foundation of a story is shaky, fixing the grammar won’t save it.
Once the structure is sound, look for word choice, sentence variety, and clarity.
3. Avoid This Pitfall
One of the most common pitfalls in reviewing is trying to rewrite the story in your own image.
This: “I felt confused by the transition between paragraph two and three.”
Not so much this: “You should move paragraph three to the beginning and change the protagonist’s name.”
Note: Describe your reaction as a reader. This allows the author to find their own solution to the problem you’ve identified.
4. The “Sandwich” Method
Critique is most effective when it is digestible. Aim for a balanced delivery:
Strengths: Start with what is working. Is the imagery particularly vivid? Is the dialogue snappy?
Constructive Gaps: Be specific about where the piece loses momentum or clarity.
Encouragement: End with a summary of the work’s potential.
5. A Reviewer's Checklist
Clarity: Are there “speed bumps” where you had to re-read a sentence?
Pacing: Does the middle section drag, or is the ending rushed?
POV: Is the Point of View consistent throughout the scene?
Impact: Did the emotional beats land as intended? |
| | | Guardian Dogs (ASR) A young livestock guardian dog, faces enemies for the first time. |
| | | The Deffenders (E) The story of a true divine intervention in human experience. |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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For Authors: May 06, 2026 Issue [#13723]
