Story critiquing

What clients say:

I write blogs for my own website and, at first, I had no idea how to put the information I had in my head on the page in a coherent way. Mariëlle really helped me with finding my own style, and structuring and putting together a story, whether it was personal or informative. In the meantime, I have started to write articles for magazines, so you could say I found my voice!

Denise de With


A critique is

a critical report regarding, for fiction:

  • Does the story immediately grab the reader’s attention?
  • Does the story include believable and well-developed characters?
  • Does the dialogue serve the story and does it come across as natural?
  • Is the plot well developed and well-structured? Does the pace serve the story?
  • Does the story take place in a setting that makes sense and serves the overall story?
  • Does the ending have the impact it needs?
  • Any particular aspects you would like me to comment on.

For nonfiction, a critique looks at:

  • Does the text immediately grab the reader’s attention?
  • Is the content well developed and well-structured? Does the pace serve the text? 
  • Do the chosen examples do what they need to do? 
  • Does the ending have the impact it needs?
  • Any particular aspects you would like me to comment on.

My critiquing service includes the pointing out of any obvious spelling or grammar mistakes, but it does not compare to copy/line editing or proofreading.

A critique will get you

two separate documents. The first document will contain my overall assessment and advice on the aspects mentioned above, including strengths and weaknesses. The second document will contain your work including comments, suggestions, and track changes. You can find an example of the latter here.

A critique never

merely points out that something has not been done well. In my critiquing, I always use constructive criticism that will help you move forward. It also never just states where you need to improve; I will point out what you are doing right and why.

Rates

€20.00 per 1000 words

This service is for short stories and nonfiction articles only. I do not critique poetry or scripts. If you are looking for a book critique, please click here. If you are an academic researcher, please click here.

If you would like to work with me

  1. Please send me an email at marielle@mswordsmith.nl with your name, the title and genre of your work, the word count, and when you prefer the work to be completed. Please include any relevant information such as specific areas in which you would like feedback. It is preferable that you also include the work itself as an attachment (Word or PDF; I prefer Word) so that I can make sure I am able to help you.
  2. After I receive your email and take a peek at your work, I will reply with a price quote and an estimate of how long the project will take me.
  3. If you are happy with my offer, please send your work if you have not already done so and let me know how you would prefer to pay.
  4. I will send you a PayPal invoice or an invoice with details on how to make a direct deposit into my bank account. Once payment has cleared, I will begin working on the project.

Please note: by agreeing to the quote and paying the invoice, you are agreeing to the terms & conditions.