Professional Critiques

Writing Forward offers professional critiques for writers who want honest, objective feedback on their work from a well read, savvy, fellow writer.

The professional critiques I offer look at every aspect of your writing and are designed to help you build on your strengths while diffusing your weaknesses. By offering suggestions and detailed descriptions that explain why particular elements in your written work are not working, I can help you improve your writing.

Through the critique process, you’ll gain new writing skills and learn techniques for making your work more compelling and readable. You’ll also get feedback that explains problems in detail along with suggestions and recommendations for healing those problems.

Critiques include proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation as well as editing for language, syntax, and readability. In addition, you’ll receive feedback on the content of your work, including concerns about plot, pacing, subtext, themes, characterization, emotion, conflict, consistency, and more.

Critiques are ideal for fiction writers, but bloggers and business, technical, and marketing writers, including copywriters, can also benefit from professional critiques. Below is a look at how these different types of writing are approached and treated throughout the critique process.

Fiction Writers

• Does your plot have holes or inconsistencies?
• Are your characters appealing and believable?
• Are the themes and subtext subtle or are they patronizing and overbearing?
• Does the writing and progression of actions flow smoothly?
• Does the voice (narrative) work with the content and is it consistent in tone?

Business, Marketing, Technical Writers

• Is the message clear?
• Is the language professional and concise?
• Does the writing reflect the brand or company image?

Nonfiction Writers (and Bloggers)

• Is the information presented in a clear, understandable manner?
• Are the facts accurate?
• Is the tone compelling? Does it keep the reader engaged?

Professional Critiques by Melissa Donovan

I love working with other writers and helping people produce writing that shines. In my own work, I have found that critiques are the most valuable way to find out how a piece of writing resonates with readers.

You’ll get a marked-up draft that is copyedited along with a written critique, which addresses and explains problematic elements in the written material. There will be a special focus on consistencies (or lack thereof). All of my writing services are handled in a professional, friendly, and supportive way.

Please visit the professional critiques page to learn more and to find out what the rates are. If you’re interested, please contact me. I welcome comments, questions, and any other feedback.