Does your age make you a less better critic?

[Youniquee]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

[Elgaisma]

My first novel is young adult fantasy - I love getting the opinion of teenagers, for me it invaluable to be told when I sound like a middle aged lady pretending to be a teenage boy - you can give insight into my stories an adult or a more accomplished writer cannot. His thoughts are colloquial and not meant to be perfect because he is seventeen.

Thanks to my teen readers and their feedback I knew my fight scenes sounded like a middle aged woman with a handbag - I was able to get help. I knew when I was using a stupid cliche/stereotype or one that was pretty accurate.

Also it is a way to improve your own work.

[Jonalexher]

Not necessarily. You can still review story-wise :]
"I think this should happen.." "You could make him do this"
If you feel you could do a little better grammar wise, maybe stay out of that for now, but you can still give your opinion on some stories !

Read a lot, to increase your vocabulary, punctuation, and grammar. And pay attention in your english classes! haha

[HeinleinFan]

It's not age that matters, Youniquee. It's experience.

Adults don't always want to admit this, but it's the truth. A teenager who reads more often is going to have a better sense of when a story works well, compared to already-published stories, than an adult in their fifties who doesn't read much.

And it's okay to critique a piece of work when your own work isn't yet that good. Film critics do it all the time -- most critics, after all, have neither worked in the film industry nor written a book, but they write reviews anyway. Because the purpose of a review is to tell potential readers what the storyteller did right, what they did wrong, and whether the story is ultimately worth their time.

Here on the WritingForums, a review has a slightly different purpose. Our job as reviewers here is to applaud writers the things they're doing well, bring their attention to parts of the story that don't work or which are still very rough, and give them a few ideas as to how they might improve their writing overall.

You don't need to be a Faulkner or a Shakespeare to tell an aspiring writer that their characters seem flat or that the setting changed suddenly for no good reason. We're mostly a lot of hobbyist writers, here, with a few published folks in the mix to spice things up. We're not about to jump on you for your age -- particularly when we can't know your age just by looking at what you've written.

In particular, your post's grammar and spelling were fine. That already tells the rest of us that you have a pretty good handle on what you're doing. So I wouldn't worry about it, at least not much.

Good luck with your writing.

[Noya Desherbanté]

The minute I saw the title of this post I got all het up a bit hehe :p Age matters in next to nothing, as HeinleinFan pointed out, it's all down to experience. You're still a writer, whether you've had time to practise a lot or just a little, and (assuming you read, which, being a writer, I'm kind of guessing you do?) moreover, you're a consumer. The writer in you tells us what we can do technically - even if you point out something obvious, it might not have been obvious to us - and the reader in you tells us what you like to read. I think a wide range of feedback is great, and I'd be just as excited to have constructive criticism from you than a Pulitzer-winning uberwriter!

(Oh - and thanks for making me feel old! ;))

[Agreen]

If you can have an opinion about a piece, particularly with regard to what worked and what can be improved, and you can communicate that opinion, you can provide a constructive critique.

[Whizp]

I think it's fine to comment on the story or point out something that you don't understand in the text - but beware of giving advice unless you are very sure what you say is correct ;)

[Masroefa]

When I saw this question, I was instantly drawn to see what peoples answers were, mostly because I had the exact same question when I joined but never bothered to ask.

Because we HAVE to do reviews before we can post our own work, I just got reading and learned mostly from how other more experienced members do reviews. I also learned a great deal from other peoples writing. I'm a much better critic than I was when I first started some 3 weeks ago, and the more I read peoples work, the better I become :) its something I'm happy about because ultimately, it makes a better writer.

Learning from my mistakes and others helps a great deal. I finally consider myself a writer. Before, I didn't think I was worth the title at all, but WritingForums helped me develope and just like I did, u will too. You will get better at it, you'll see.

Good luck

[smilez]

I felt the same way. Well still feel the same way, not necessary because of my age but because i feel that people on this forum are good at what they do, and I'm not as good. Reading the responses you received helped though. Thank you for posting this question Youniquee. :)

[Newfable]

It's not age that matters, Youniquee. It's experience.

Adults don't always want to admit this, but it's the truth. A teenager who reads more often is going to have a better sense of when a story works well, compared to already-published stories, than an adult in their fifties who doesn't read much.^This.

If you write a critique, and earnestly mean to help the other person out, while taking a serious look at their work for strengths and weaknesses, then any critique is a good critique. Hell, even if the author looks it over and sees that what you said doesn't help them at all, they at least walk away knowing that people took time out of their day to look it over, taking more time to sit down and re-read it thoroughly.

[juliow]

As long as you stay true to your opinion, I don't think your age matters a big. And as far as not being able to write as well as those you review, writing reviews is an excellent way to improve your own work.

[DisFanJen]

I'm not sure there's anything to say that hasn't already been said.

As long as you give your honest opinion then any review is worthwhile. And it's experience that counts and by doing the reviews you'll get that experience.

I've only been a member for a week or so and if you'd asked my to post my work a week ago I would have run to the hills.

But after a week worth of reviewing the biggest thing I learned is that the best way to move forward is to give it a go, so putting my neurosis aside I posed my first piece today.

So get reviewing. And when you feel up to it post some work and I'll happily read it. :)

[Pythonforger]

Age doesn't matter in reviewing, or even writing. Personally I'm a tween, and yet nobody has complained so far that I made a stupid point.

[Xeniyah]

The only 'problem' you might have with age is that you do not always understand all themes but that is about it.

Personally, I love opinions from old, young, new and experienced writers - it gives me a much broader perspective on what I am doing.

[Spacer]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

Well, The Hobbit was given to the acquisition editor's young son for review. For work aimed at that age group, it is very good indeed.

[Spacer]

Oh, I also remember having a reprint of an old copy of Astounding (now Analog) that featured a letter to the editor by one Isaac Asimov, a 9-year-old kid.

From his autobiography, I recall he wrote feedback about the stories he read, and was then surprised to find that eventually his criticisms were well regarded and appreciated by the writers, and he had several mail conversations with authors.

It is why John Campbell met with him personally when he visited the offices, since he was already well known as a reader. And Campbell knew he could talk shop with this "kids" work.

[alter-ego]

Easy solution. Just re sign up to the forum, but put that you are 70 years old in your profile. You'll instantly have the respect of your peers from having a lifetime of experience. No one will question that you wrote anything stupid, although they may question if you are suffering from senility. Sometimes you just can't win.

[Manav]

Some of the best and most helpful reviews I have received on my works posted here are from people who are under twenty.

[NathanaelWorks]

Of course not.

[Reggie]

I really don't see why age matters. I mean, as long as you can still see the pen and paper, and know how to write, age, to me, doesn't matter to become a qualifying reviewer. Until you become blind, you can no longer review verbally on pen, paper, or computer unless someone assists you on reviewing, or you still feel that you are capable of writing while being blind.

[Dandroid]

there are a few categories where age may serve to refine an existing position...but age will only add to experience...keep in mind, however, that physiologically there is still some brain deveopment that is still in process in younger folk...

[guamyankee]

Yes, assuming you've been using your noggin over the years and actually building up experience, I tend to think you just learn more as you get older. Until you get to that point where the body and mind starts to break down, and you start to regress.

[Dandroid]

more angles, filters, lenses, and, sadly, prejudices...

[guamyankee]

I'm not sure the prejudices part is true in all cases, that might be a stereotype.

[Dandroid]

maybe...i wasn't speaking of racism..but every time i meet up with a person on break from their first year of undergrad, and they tell me they are now a marxist...i don't tend to hear much more....

[FantasyorDeath]

I'm 14 going on 15, too. I find it kind of hard to critique styles of writing that I never read and/or have no interest in (wow, that's kinda blunt) but I think that if you feel strongly about a point in someone else's story or really feel like you could help them improve it, then go right ahead...? In other words (after a lot of ado that I will skip) it's perfectly alright. (In the opinion of a fellow teenager...that isn't too reliable.)

[Paris_Love]

No! Not at all! I'm working on a young adult mystery and would greatly value the input of people close to the protagonist's age. You would know if I'm way off base about youth culture and the like. My 16 year old stepson is helpful, but he could really care less, to be honest. ;)

[digitig]

I'm 14 going on 15, too. I find it kind of hard to critique styles of writing that I never read and/or have no interest in (wow, that's kinda blunt)
Not really. Hardly anybody enjoys all sorts of writing. Chick lit has never appealed to me, and I don't think that's an age thing. :D

Whatever, all any of us can do is say why something works or doesn't work for us. It's up to the author to decide what to do with that. Ian Rankin might be interested that a piece of writing doesn't work for a teenage girl, but unless it's because of a general problem with the passage he's unlikely to act on it. Jacqueline Wilson might be interested that a piece of writing doesn't work for a middle-aged man, but unless it's because of a general problem with the passage she's unlikely to act on it. But that's their choice, not yours, and unless you give your feedback [1] they can't make that choice, can they?

[1] I don't think either of those writers is actually posting here. But who knows, maybe under a pseudonym... :)

[Halcyon]

Yes and no.

I think that it's unfair to question the validity of someone's critique purely because of their age, but speaking personally, I do feel much better qualified to offer a critique at my age (without giving it away ;)), than I was as a teenager, because of the experience of living, and because of the amount of reading, writing and learning I've accumulated.

[Elgaisma]

Yes and no.

I think that it's unfair to question the validity of someone's critique purely because of their age, but speaking personally, I do feel much better qualified to offer a critique at my age (without giving it away ;)), than I was as a teenager, because of the experience of living, and because of the amount of reading, writing and learning I've accumulated.

However if you were critiquing my first book which is from the POV of a teenaged boy I'd have taken the teen review over the current one. As the book is aimed at teens their opinion is actually more valuable to me for that book. Now for my current work where I am writing pensioners your not old enough lol :)

[evelon]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

It's not your age that would put me off, but the title of your thread. Can you actually be 'less better'? You are either better, or you are not. There's no degree.

I don't think we're meant to critique thread titles, but in this case it's relevant.
If you want people to respect your opinions as far as grammar is concerned, you have to be pretty sure of what you're saying.

If you are looking to review and comment on storylines, plots etc., then it doesn't matter so much. In fact, in that case, I think your opinion would be as valuable in most cases, particularly in something aimed for the younger market, as anyone's.

[Halcyon]

However if you were critiquing my first book which is from the POV of a teenaged boy I'd have taken the teen review over the current one. As the book is aimed at teens their opinion is actually more valuable to me for that book. Now for my current work where I am writing pensioners your not old enough lol :)


That's a specific situation, Charlotte. The original question was more general, so that's what my answer was based upon.

[Elgaisma]

That's a specific situation, Charlotte. The original question was more general, so that's what my answer was based upon.

I know was just kind of teasing you - but it does depend on the book. Some situations a teen is a better reviewer. And their opinion valuable.

I personally have found teenagers to be the most honest hardest critics I have dealt with - they find things an adult wouldn't and comment on things I would never have considered.

[Halcyon]

I know was just kind of teasing you - but it does depend on the book. Some situations a teen is a better reviewer. And their opinion valuable.

I personally have found teenagers to be the most honest hardest critics I have dealt with - they find things an adult wouldn't and comment on things I would never have considered.


Ahhh....so you're a tease, huh?

I learn something new every day around here. ;)

[Elgaisma]

Ahhh....so you're a tease, huh?

I learn something new every day around here. ;)

Always dear ;)

[Youniquee]

This thread never dies ^^;...
Thanks for your responses. After 2-3 months of being on here, I kind of realised age doesn't matter..so yeah...

[Mallory]

Anyone who would think/say something to the effect of "Your input is not valid because you're only a kid" is a pretentious bigot who needs an excuse to discredit the critiquer because he/she doesn't want to admit his/her work sucks.

[Dandroid]

lol!

[Mallory]

It's true. ;)

[Dandroid]

seems like a pretty rare exchange...maybe a 17yo to a 13 yo...

[Mxxpower]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

The saying is, opinions are like assholes, everyone has them.

Just because you are younger doesn't mean you don't have an opinion. Harry Potter was basically written for you, and it is the most successful written series to date.

Personally, I would relish the idea of you critiquing my young adult stories, but not so much by Sci-Fi fantasy, or my contemporary, situation based stuff without knowing your in junior high.

I am good with critiques as long as I understand where they are coming from.
Everyone writes (publishes) to an audience whether they admit it or not, that audience may or may not be as accessible to you as a younger reader.

In short I guess yes, your opinion counts in the genres you have life experience with.

[evelon]

Anyone who would think/say something to the effect of "Your input is not valid because you're only a kid" is a pretentious bigot who needs an excuse to discredit the critiquer because he/she doesn't want to admit his/her work sucks.

Too true. But too often we don't give kids credit because of their age. They have their own knowledge base. Things we've forgotten in the melee of life are still fresh to them. They have a different perspective on so many things.

I am amazed at what I'm learning from my grandchildren.

[Elgaisma]

Anyone who would think/say something to the effect of "Your input is not valid because you're only a kid" is a pretentious bigot who needs an excuse to discredit the critiquer because he/she doesn't want to admit his/her work sucks.

I agree with you Mallory and actually you have a good point. I value teen and younger opinion of my work because it isn't clouded by the expectation and rules of what makes a good piece of literature or work. By the age of twelve/thirteen I had read more books than a lot of adults read in a lifetime.

As an adult I don't read anywhere near as much as I did as a child, I am not currently studying English in school that was a long time ago and is out of practice etc Ultimately if one of my teen readers likes something I can be pretty sure it's good because I would have had it back with 'this is crap, he sounds like a middle aged woman having a shower why don't you just wax his bikini line while he is in there.' Or something similar.

[Boxter9]

Age, to me, is less about experience than about perspective. There are 10-year-olds who have been through greater ordeals than 70-year-olds, and since we are not a telepathic species and tend to value privacy, it's very risky business judging somebody's qualifications based entirely on their numerical value.

Don't feel bad about critiquing older people. If they reject your criticism without a thorough and reasonable explanation for it, who's loss is it really?

[Dandroid]

come to think of it...i would be more inclined to say that....being a little older, having a little more experience...especially with writing...i am a more well-rounded critic now in my early 30's than i was at 17...

[Untold]

I have a 13 year old daughter who, at the age of 11 had better sentence and paragraph structure than most adults I know. So I don't think age makes a difference. I think has also has a lot to do with how you look at a story. All writing is a form of art and everyone has different tastes.

[webbo_5]

It all depends on what is being reviewed. Someone young may have a better view at times and an older reader could be prefered on a different topic.

When I post my first work here, I'm hoping for a wide variety.

[Thanshin]

When I was two, my reviewing skills were certainly what I'd call sub-par.

I had a tendency to splurt various kinds of foods all over the piece on review, I bit the paper and I have to admit having slept over the least thrilling non-fiction submissions.

Add that to my difficulties to adequately express the results of my careful analysis and you could say it was a not entirely satisfactory reviewing experience, in all.

[Bay K.]

LOL @ Thanshin!

It's not the age that counts, but the experience and understanding.

When you read a piece and don't know what to say about it --don't!

Do you understand the SPAG requirements in writing?
Do you understand (or at least have a feel) for the ideas / themes conveyed in the piece?
If you do --for both criteria, on some level-- then by all means cast in your two cents.
But if you don't --at all-- please, move on. (You'd be saving both our time and effort).




------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be good, wise and strong --or don't be at all

[jelinekjava415]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

I would say any critic would be good no matter how it is written. It is hard to critic other people's work but urselfs. I am with you on that, but I say hey....got to learn sometime, even if it is from a 15 yr old or a 50 yr old. Don't matter to me as long as it helps with my writing. :)

[Siberith]

I'm right there with you(I'm 15). I see all these big critques, and I want to try to make something very professional like but I'm afraid I'll just end up making myself look stupid. Probably because I been on other forums where people like to bash you hard for little mistakes.

[alter-ego]

Wow, won't this thread ever die! If some of you put even half the effort into actually writing a critique, as you do debating if you are good enough to write a one, then you'd be expert at it by now. Regardless of your age. :D

[AltonReed]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

Us Teen writers need to stick together! :p

I think it all comes down to experience. But either way, we can still say what we like and dislike!

[Cthulhu]

what do you think?
I think the best way to avoid being judged by your age is not to tell anyone what it is.

[popsicledeath]

Relevant threads continue a discussion. It's a good thing.

I don't think age is a barrier, but is often an indicator. I don't mean that to be rude, it's just a reality. More experience with the language and interacting and reading, etc, will lead to better reviewing, and older people have simply had more opportunity.

It's like when I started college at the ancient age of 27. I realized had I been 18, I would have been lost in most of my classes. But just from sheer aspect of life experience and exposure to general knowledge, lower division classes were a cake walk, because I was often not learning new things, just reinforcing things I'd learned in the course of living life.

Nobody should be discouraged by their age, nor hide it. I think it's acceptable and even preferable to mention your age and/or experience, as long as it's coming from a place of humility. Mentioning one is young and doesn't have a lot of experience, but hopes to learn from their own review and the writer's work, and hopes the writer might learn something too, and I don't think anyone will have any problems.

[Jayyy1014]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Youniquee
I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

Don't worry about it, I'll be 15 in about two months, I feel as if I cant Critique Worth a crap. lol, And my work isn't much better but the difference is you have to practice in order to get better, First off i'd suggest reviewing stuff you already know Or should know at least what and how to do such as grammar and spelling, then you'll begin to catch on to other things, (: Good luck and if you have any questions or want to talk feel free to message me.

[cheesysalsa]

A certain level of maturity does come along with giving criticism (as some people are too immature to handle criticism) in my opinion, although its merely just your own experienced opinion/suggestions. People really shouldn't be judged on their criticism just as they shouldn't be judged based on their works.

[Cthulhu]

Nobody should be discouraged by their age, nor hide it. I think it's acceptable and even preferable to mention your age and/or experience, as long as it's coming from a place of humility. Mentioning one is young and doesn't have a lot of experience, but hopes to learn from their own review and the writer's work, and hopes the writer might learn something too, and I don't think anyone will have any problems
I agree that people should not be discouraged by their age, but I disagree that it's 'preferable' to mention your age for two reasons, Firstly I have seen people in forums be condescending and rude to anyone who admitted being younger then them,
And secondly at age 16 I had read more [adult] books as many adults
Finally I wish to point out that a 17 year old writes something for the first time and a 26 year old who writes something for the first time have the same amount of writing experience [None].

[popsicledeath]

I disagree that it's 'preferable' to mention your age



I think it's acceptable and even preferable to mention your age and/or experience


I agree, there are sometimes jerks out there. But I'd never advice making decisions based on extremes. And trust me, people aren't just condescending in response to one's age. Such people will be condescending either way, usually, regardless of mentioning age or not. In most circumstances, though, giving your age and/or experience will let someone better understand your perspective and where you're coming from, which will lesson misscommunication and I believe lesson negative responses, as most (not all, but most) people will then understand and appreciate that perspective instead of just getting pissed off they didn't get professional editing from someone who may not have the experience to offer that level of a response.

[Cthulhu]

In most circumstances, though, giving your age and/or experience will let someone better understand your perspective
I see your point on experience, I however think that a review should stand on it's own, [I.E. When I see a review I don't care who's writing it, I only care about the content]

About age I don't see age as an important factor, only maturity level of the person and that can be judged by the way they act/what they post [in my experience]

[Steerpike]

In most circumstances, though, giving your age and/or experience will let someone better understand your perspective and where you're coming from....

I endorse this statement :)

[sadiemaddie]

I wouldn't worry about putting something stupid, just because you don't have experance in critiquing others work. By doing that you will learn just as much as they will. Age doesn't make the difference

[JimFlagg]

It depends on the story. If you are writing about some one that is a teenager in today's day and age (not the 70s or 80s) then age might hurt you. I am 39 and would not presume to say that some one who is 17 is no worse than me at critiquing stories written for that audience. As I say to every one, keep an open mind to your audience.

[Leatherworth Featherfist]

keep an open mind to your audience.


I agree with this statement immensely. If everyone has this attitude, then age will not be an issue, nor will gender, race, sexual preference, or anything else for that matter. I don't believe that being young makes you a lesser critic, it just makes you a younger critic.

[katnip]

i think so :/ i feel like i have nothing really new/relvant to say compared to the older/more educated reviewers here

[digitig]

i think so :/ i feel like i have nothing really new/relvant to say compared to the older/more educated reviewers here

You can say a lot more useful stuff about things aimed at your age group than we old fogeys can.

[Cthulhu]

i think so :/ i feel like i have nothing really new/relvant to say compared to the older/more educated reviewers here
If someone reads a story mine they have something useful to tell me, even if it's just 'I liked/didn't like it'

[Sydrak]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

Oh, honey...! I asked myself this when I started entering forums and writing communities, and I actually asked a published writer about this after trying to critique some of his writing. And he claimed some of his best feedback actually came from the unpublished ones simply because they were still so "out of it" that they wold notice completely different things than an experienced writer:P

Well, that's what he told me at least. Besides, critique does not necessarily have to point out what is bad, it can also point out what is good. Telling someone what you like about a particular piece of writing might change how the writer look at that particular part of his/her writing. Something I wrote stuck to a friends brain and she flipped when I sent her the new edited version where that particular part had been altered:P Of all the things I could expect her to remember, that definitely wasn't one of them!

So I don't think you should use your age against you, or let someone else use it against you for that matter:)

[mootz]

Experience helps with everything but there is only one way to get that experience.

[JPGriffin]

There's age, and then there's experience. While I can't possibly compare the two (I refuse to believe age brings experience- only actions and their results do), the age of the critic may influence what the public sees of him/her, but overall the age difference and reading level will influence the review itself. (I can't possibly see someone 40 years old going through a children's book, taking notes on basically everything, and then writing a review that will make it sell.) I personally believe that the critic should be at the most a decade older than the intended audience (10 years, maybe), but that's just an opinion.

[wolfi]

So can we agree that Age and Exsprince do not equal the same thing?
one can have age buit have no exsprince with being a critic then what?
I'd imagein if you take away natural talent it would be the same as if a teen did it
the only time when age will afect is

A. when you cant speak yet 0-3 or so
B when your not in "tune" with said age group a 40 year old thinks "Teens like cute poneeys and vive versa

C there are alwasy exceptions to both

[J.P.Clyde]

B when your not in "tune" with said age group a 40 year old thinks "Teens like cute poneeys and vive versa

I loveee ponieess, they are so funny. [sorry the opportunity arisen and I couldn't resist the temptation]

Not talking to wolfi:

Since the thread has gone on for 8 pages. I don't have much to say. However, I do think age plays a part in it. All though there is age and experience. I know for a fact people do judge upon age.

You can say they don't or not everyone. And sure there are exceptions to the rule. However, for most people 14 or 15 is a kid. I know at that age people still treated me like a child even though I felt I wasn't.

People won't take young critics seriously. So yes, sometimes age does play a part in the critique.

[JPGriffin]

People won't take young critics seriously. So yes, sometimes age does play a part in the critique.
I swear if a teenager had as much respect as a collage graduate, I'd already be reviewing for the New York Times. I mean, seriously, getting paid
to read and write about it? One of my dream jobs there.

[Mallory]

I think it's about your level of professionalism and maturity that makes one credible, not age. If I'm in my 20s but write a rambling, unclear review full of typos, spelling atrocities and words like "lolz," but my 10-year-old cousin can write with minimal typos, decent composure and organized thoughts, she'll look way more credible than me. And rightly so.

[Boriol]

Just a fair warning: there are people out there who WILL judge you based on your age before they even look at whatever you wrote. That's not fair, but it's a fact of life. For example:

In 7th grade, I took a test to get into a college writing class. I was ranked among the top 5% of technical English writers in my state at college entry level. When I was a sophomore in high school, I took another test and skipped over three advanced college English classes.

I always use that example, not to be selfish, but because it's ample proof that children aren't as . . . well, childish as many people think (and because it's the only good example I know of). I only passed those tests because I had more experience in it than most people my age. As has been said many times, it's not age that determines one's ability, but experience.

Still, as people have already said, young writers are taken about as seriously as checkout aisle tabloids. The only difference is that young writers can actually be good.

[Seye]

Every age bracket has wealth to share.

[DBock]

I'm a YA fiction writer. You're the perfect audience to critique my work. :) So don't let your age get in the way. Read a ton of stuff beyond what school has to offer you! I know plenty of people twice your age that couldn't critique the back of cereal box. Just offer your honest opinion and go for it! :)

[Liza]

Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough to even write yet, I'm barely thirteen. But anyway, I have experience, I've been writing since I was nine and reading like a crazy person since I was, heck, whatever age I was. Nobody read as much as me, and I must have flipped through forty books a month.

But even with this said, I feel like I'm an amateur still. It's quite depressing, actually, because I love writing. My critique comes out awkward, and frankly, I don't think it's very good. Anyway, anybody have any tips to improve such a critic? Perhaps my age is the cause, though. Hmm.

[DBock]

Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough to even write yet, I'm barely thirteen. But anyway, I have experience, I've been writing since I was nine and reading like a crazy person since I was, heck, whatever age I was. Nobody read as much as me, and I must have flipped through forty books a month.

But even with this said, I feel like I'm an amateur still. It's quite depressing, actually, because I love writing. My critique comes out awkward, and frankly, I don't think it's very good. Anyway, anybody have any tips to improve such a critic? Perhaps my age is the cause, though. Hmm.

Start reading the classics. Start reading Jane Austen, Jack London, etc. Read other books by people you've never read --- Dave Eggers, Abrahm Verghese, etc. Expand your reading knowledge. :) That will help out a lot. And don't exaggerate. Just say that you read a lot and let people ask and figure it out for themselves. :) There's no way you can read 40 books a month. :D I read about a book every 3 - 4 days because running my own business gives me the freedom to do so. And if you really are reading that many books a month then I'd start reading longer ones. ;) Slow down while you are reading. Don't flip through. Take notes. Analyze syntax. Highlight the things you love. Read the books like you listen to classical music. Take a moment after each chapter to digest what you read and let it sink in.

Be the ball so to speak.

[digitig]

There's no way you can read 40 books a month.
I did at that age, at least during school vacations. Admittedly it was all light reading (lots of space opera and whodunnits), books tended to be shorter than they are now, and I wasn't reading critically.


Slow down while you are reading. Don't flip through. Take notes. Analyze syntax. Highlight the things you love. Read the books like you listen to classical music. Take a moment after each chapter to digest what you read and let it sink in.

Be the ball so to speak.
Good advice, but remember to still read for fun sometimes too.

[Liza]

I do read classics, and I read some back then. And the books were mostly paperbacks, but some long novels, but hey, I was eight. That was before, I don't read as much now but I still read a lot when I can find a book.

[Lightman]

Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough to even write yet, I'm barely thirteen. But anyway, I have experience, I've been writing since I was nine and reading like a crazy person since I was, heck, whatever age I was. Nobody read as much as me, and I must have flipped through forty books a month.

But even with this said, I feel like I'm an amateur still. It's quite depressing, actually, because I love writing. My critique comes out awkward, and frankly, I don't think it's very good. Anyway, anybody have any tips to improve such a critic? Perhaps my age is the cause, though. Hmm.
Well, in one sense, you are too young to be the great writer that you want to be. There's a reason that you'll find a lot of math prodigies but almost no writing prodigies - good writing requires some life experience.

Yeah, you are an amateur. Most of us are. You almost certainly have a lot of room to improve. Lucky for you, writing is one field where you really can substantially improve. Write as often you can, and as has been said, read. Read the classics, but don't discount more contemporary works. Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay is the novel that really got me writing.

I'm eighteen right now - by no means do I think I've reached the peak of my abilities. But when I look back at how I wrote even a year ago, I'm astounded by how much I've improved.

[DBock]

I did at that age, at least during school vacations. Admittedly it was all light reading (lots of space opera and whodunnits), books tended to be shorter than they are now, and I wasn't reading critically.

Good advice, but remember to still read for fun sometimes too.

I guess for me the analyzing can be fun. :) You discover WHY you love a book which really can add to it.

And I guess I wasn't counting novella's or short books as '40 novels'. I used to read Animorphs like CRAZY when I was a kid, lol, and I'd read a Goosebumps book or two in one day. I read treasure island when I was 8 in 4 days. And Moby Dick right after. It's important to have variety! It's the spice and what not. :)

[dizzyspell]

Analysing is fun, and for the past six months, I didn't read anything without doing a comprehensive analysis :)

But then, the other day, I read a book for fun, and it was amazing! It was surprisingly invigorating, which I guess was in part because I hadn't done it for so long.

So yeah, I agree with what the others have said. Read lots, for both fun and learning purposes.

[Gryphonboy]

My understanding is that the whole point of the workshop and reviews on this forum is to improve yourself. Both as a writer and a critic. You may be inexperienced at both but the only way to improve is to practice. Write your story, write your critique and don't worry about whether or not either is any good. You will get better, the more you do of both.

[suhailp]

"Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
We all have useful insight just be genuine in your critique I suppose, that's all that can really be asked.

[Xyphon]

Age is nothing but a number. I know plenty of adults who are incapable of creating a proper sentence. In fact, there are writers out there who have barely hit puberty(although this is a rarity, of course). It all depends on experience and ability, which has nothing to do with age.

[Islander]

I can't believe this thread is still alive. Every time I see the topic on the main page, the grammar nazi in me cringes...

[Youniquee]

I can't believe this thread is still alive. Every time I see the topic on the main page, the grammar nazi in me cringes...

*rubs back of neck and looks away as she is OP of thread*
Well...about that...

Anyway, I think this thread is still useful because there's young members joining all the time and probably think the same thing at one point~

[Islander]

lol, sorry, didn't mean to put anyone down.

Yeah, the thread is probably useful to many people, as so many write in it.

[JackElliott]

Age is nothing but a number. I know plenty of adults who are incapable of creating a proper sentence. In fact, there are writers out there who have barely hit puberty(although this is a rarity, of course). It all depends on experience and ability, which has nothing to do with age.Sounds nice on a bumper sticker, but not entirely accurate.

[Sr. Flora, OSB]

I was a little older than you when I was paid to edit my first novel. My high school English teacher approached me while I was in college and asked if I could give her feedback on her novel. I asked what credibility I had. She asked if I liked reading. I said, "Well, of course!" Her response has stuck with me all these years: "Flora, good readers are good writers."

Do not ever let anybody tell you that you are too young to be useful, dear. Where you might be lacking in grammar and experience outside of your high school, you make up for elsewhere. One of my students once asked me how I could critique a short story of hers that was more-or-less a romance novella. I've read countless romance novels (and written a few short stories.) Have I experienced anything in the novels? Not exactly, but I feel that I can still write and offer advice in the genre.

As a teacher, I give you credit for taking enough initiative to join this sort of writing community at your age. That is a sign of your maturity.

All the best,

Sister Flora

PS: In response to your post, JackElliott, experiences does, of course, come with age. There are adults, however, who cannot form proper sentences without help. I know this all too well (some of them have been in my classes.)

[JackElliott]

Noun + verb.

Simple.

I think most adults have a handle on that concept.

[LostInFiction]

If you have an opinion to offer, why shouldn't you? Your advice doesn't have to followed, it may not relate to all aspects of the writing and it will, of course, be limited to your experience and views, (just like the rest of us regardless of age) but if someone is posting work for others to feedback on then why not you? Age can give the benefit of wisdom, varied life experiences and perhaps even enhanced education but these are not the only things that qualify an opinion as useful.
An extreme example perhaps but if I were writing for a four year old, who would the best reviewer be? Probably a four year old! They usually have minimal reading skills and most probably can't read but read them the story and they would have opinions on it :)
Back to the point, you may have been writing longer than someone twice your age, you may have read three times as many books and you may even have more of an education.... if you didn't mention your age would people even know how old you were? You go get 'em. All the best.

[CULLEN DORN]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

When I was young no one could tell me anything. Because I knew it all.
But with the passing of years and the acceleration of experiences, now
at my present stage, I realize I know nothing at all.
So in my opinion, age is relative.

[Lankin]

Actually, the worst critique you can get as a writer is none at all. I'd say, every critique is valuable. Yours is especially valuable if you think of writers aiming exactly at your age group.

[jimr]

You know what I think? HAPPY BIRTHDAY! That's what I think. Maybe you'd be more comfortable letting people know you are inexperienced when you critic. But actually criticizing other people's work can help you to write better. It gives you a better ability to see you own work from a broader perspective.

[JC Emery]

At 14 (almost 15! :D), you might not have the vocabulary of a college-educated adult; but that doesn't mean your thoughts and feelings on a work are any less important or valuable than your older peers.

Right now, being in the midst of your adolensence, you actually can provide a unique and invaluable perspective on the world. You're at an age that many of us are far removed from. So when we go to write teen characters, we can only get so far bouncing our work off one another. The young adult market is huge and it's growing every day. YOU, as a teen, can give fantastic feedback.

As far as your ability to write goes, part of that skill comes from life experiences. You learn by reading and growing and maturing. It's a never-ending journey and you shouldn't downplay your capabilities just because you're at the beginning of that journey. I have read works that were beautifully written but boring as heck because the author lacked their own voice, their own way of telling their story (and sometimes the story itself is lacking); and because of that the book fell flat.

Something to keep in mind as well is that one of the best ways for you to develop critical thinking skills (which will be very important as you further your education) is to critique another's work. As Jonalexher said, the critique could be very straightforward. It doesn't have to look or sound fancy-- just get your point across. And as with anything, the more you do it, the more comfortable you'll get with it. :)

[Gracia Bee]

No age shouldn't matter. The writer is writing this book because they want YOU to read it. They want real readers who read that type of story and is genuine. I'm younger than you and I review the stories on here. They want your opinion. Go for it.

[skeloboy_97]

Personally, I do not believe age has anything to do with it as such, more though the more reading and writing you have done. It's about knowledge, not age in my opinion.

[akexodia]

Theoretically, no!
Practically, yes!

[twopounder]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

Without reading what other's think, I can say that every demographic counts. That means that writers write for every reader. If we only hit a certain audience, we want to know. A book for kids might miss its mark, the same with any other target. For a kid to tell us that our material is boring may be conformation as much as anything else. Speak your mind. If anyone says something against you, they don't deserve to be a writer.

[Chivalrous Tart]

From a physiological standpoint, age does matter. The frontal cortex doesn't mature until the ancient age of 25, so you won't have all of your reasoning capacity until then.

The only way of measuring the value of a critique is the information in it. Like other posts on this thread, a fifteen year old can easily have better writing/critiques than someone who is 58. The only thing that matters is content. If you are good at critiquing at the age of fifteen, you have the benefit of knowing you haven't peaked yet and you can only get better, whereas the elderly, like myself, can only look forward to avoiding an early onset of Alzheimers. Write/read young and don't down yourself for your youth.

---------- Post added at 02:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 PM ----------

From a physiological standpoint, age does matter. The frontal cortex doesn't mature until the ancient age of 25, so you won't have all of your reasoning capacity until then.

The only way of measuring the value of a critique is the information in it. Like other posts on this thread, a fifteen year old can easily have better writing/critiques than someone who is 58. The only thing that matters is content. If you are good at critiquing at the age of fifteen, you have the benefit of knowing you haven't peaked yet and you can only get better, whereas the elderly, like myself, can only look forward to avoiding an early onset of Alzheimers. Write/read young and don't down yourself for your youth.

[W.Locke]

Write/read young and don't down yourself for your youth.

I like this, and also don't. Working my way towards 30, frontal cortex formed up and I feel like everything I write is absolute hackneyed tripe and just can't seem to come up with anything new and different, hahahaha.

Either way, age generally equals experience and as mentioned often higher levels of reasoning, but if you've got a good point or a point, mention it. If it really is "overly stupid" then you learn something new if it's explained to you, at any age. To be proven wrong or feel foolish means you have learned something new which is valuable and eventually you won't feel foolish at all, just be happy you learned something new.

[sparta]

Hmm...I think it's about how often you do it rather than age. If some 14 year old has been reviewing ever since he was 7 and another 30 year old posting his first one give critique, I think the 14 year old will have better advice. Experience>age, for me (Maybe bias as well because I'm 14!)

[Chad J Sanderson]

Hmm...I think it's about how often you do it rather than age. If some 14 year old has been reviewing ever since he was 7 and another 30 year old posting his first one give critique, I think the 14 year old will have better advice. Experience>age, for me (Maybe bias as well because I'm 14!)

Well, maybe and maybe not. A 30 year old may not be able to give you a strong critique as a writer (If that's what he/she is beginning) but they may be able to give you a 20+ years of experience critique in the form of a READER.

To answer the question, in my opinion, age does matter. Not because older people are intrinsically better writers and reviewers (although they typically are) they also have experienced opinions on reading, society, and life in general. That's not to say that younger people can't give reviews, that's silly. They often bring up valid points. But you'll get different types of reviews depending on age. At least in theory.

[TheSilverBeetle]

I believe age only matters if it stops you from understanding something that you're reviewing.

[digitig]

I believe age only matters if it stops you from understanding something that you're reviewing.
Which works both ways. I was sent review copies of some teen chicklit, and declined to review them.

[funkybassmannick]

I'm only 14..[15 really soon] I just don't feel good enough to go and critic other people's when I can't even write half as good xD What if I make a point that's just overly stupid?
what do you think?

Younger writers on here should absolutely critique in the writing workshop! Critiquing is one of the greatest ways to get better at writing. You'll also (more obviously) get better at critiquing! You won't go anywhere if you don't get started.

Others have already said that you will be able to look at a story in a unique way that is very helpful to the writer. You'll be able to point out areas to improve that others have missed. And even if you do give absolutely crap advice (which you won't), it's up to the writer to determine whether or not to follow it.

Young writers: There is NO harm in critiquing, only gain.

[indiraadams]

Part of the reason I registered and decided to become a part of this forum was this particular thread. I'm 16, I critique manuscripts, and my age makes me feel so self-conscious. I was overwhelmed by the kind responses! I know that I write good, helpful critiques, but I'm always nervous that writers won't take me serious because of my age. I love to read, write, and critique. Authors are fond of the work I do for them and many are surprised that, despite my age, my critiques are not horrible or immature, but actually helpful.

It's so nice to know that we're all just readers and writers, and judged by that criteria only. After all, age is just a number ;)

[jazzabel]

You can always give feedback, talk about which parts you liked and which parts didn't work well for you. It's always useful to the writer to hear whether the reader had to re-read any sentences or paragraphs, because those might need to be re-written. Were you confused by anything? Did any parts make you react emotionally (laugh, feel sad, worried, angry)? Could you relate to the character? Did you care about what happened to the character? Stuff like that, it's all really useful without having to tell the writer how to fix things :)

[Jowettc]

The beauty of a site like this is the anonymity available.

Non-one has any idea whether the person critiquing their work has any experience or not, what age they are or where on the social / artistic ladder they are. We can only take the critique on the face value of it's delivery - and in that there are lessons.

If you are worried about critiquing - start basic and work up to the finer details. At the end of the day, you might represent the intended audience for the book, age or not. There is a very good reason why toy company's have their latets toys 'critiqued' by children and infants. The reviewers might have basic opinions e.g. I don't like it cos it smells funny! - but that is feedback they desperately need to know.

[Dan Kirkalnd]

Depends, if you read alot, you'll be a better critic, if you don't anything, then you should be criticizing something you know nothing about. I've met 5 year olds who are more honest than some adults. totally depends on the person

[Cassiopeia Phoenix]

Oh... Boy, how much I hate when people dismiss my opinions/ critiques because I'm only a teenager girl so I must be over reacting or I'm biased or anything like that. I believe that age and experience change the way people understand a novel, BUT if I disagree with someone I rather pin point parts of their opinions that I disagree instead of making less of their opinion just because of their age.

I sense that the OP is concerned that people will make less of his/her opinion because of the age, and I assure you, that if someone ever do that, they are doing it wrong. Besides, everyone ages differently so age shouldn't be a concern at all.

[Pythonforger]

Oh... Boy, how much I hate when people dismiss my opinions/ critiques because I'm only a teenager girl so I must be over reacting or I'm biased or anything like that. I believe that age and experience change the way people understand a novel, BUT if I disagree with someone I rather pin point parts of their opinions that I disagree instead of making less of their opinion just because of their age.

I sense that the OP is concerned that people will make less of his/her opinion because of the age, and I assure you, that if someone ever do that, they are doing it wrong. Besides, everyone ages differently so age shouldn't be a concern at all.
Ageism is fun to exploit. Do something that the ageist himself can't do and humiliate him in public.