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Critiques and reviews are an important part of every writer's success. There are many helpful responses readers, writers, editors and agents will give you but along with these you'll often find much of the feedback you receive will be of no use to you. Some suggestions, if followed, could actually prove problematic for your writing's success. This occurs for many reasons, so what should you look for when you critique your critics?

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1. Accuracy - Firstly of course it's important to make sure your critic is accurate in his or her comments.

When it comes to suggestions on alternate spellings and grammar, various dialects and locations can differ in opinion. For example, some words when read by an English audience should be spelt differently then they would be if written for American readers. This is important to remember when you are writing for a specific audience but the real rule in this case is to be consistent. You are not incorrect if you use one spelling over the other since both are correct but it is important to maintain the same regional choices throughout your piece.

Some corrections and suggestions readers may make will simply be incorrect. If you're not sure, always double check in a reliable dictionary or grammar guide. Check your resources and confirm your facts and your source. It's better to be sure than to be mistaken.

2. Style and Voice Some critics will comment on points that are purely personal choice.

Style and Voice are two things that are uniquely you. It's important when revising the comments of your reviewers that anything relating to areas where opinions will differ greatly should remain true to your own opinion, or the opinion of your primary audience. There is nothing worse than a writer adhering to suggestions in bits and parts of a piece that alter his personal voice. A fluid line of language will quickly become a jumble of multiple personalities that confuse and frustrate readers.

It's also important to remember that the you' factor is what makes your writing your own. There is no point listening to the comments of an acclaimed author if your story begins to sound more like their story than your own. Maintain your personal integrity and make changes with your own voice and not the authority of someone else.

3. Story, Plot and Character It is important that any suggestions maintain the whole rather than destroy it.

You know your story, plot and characters better than any reader. If you've done your job you'll have given

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