Critique: Walking the line between useful and negative

Recently I was asked to be a judge for the Manchester regional Flash Fiction Slam held by the New Hampshire Writers' Project. More important than scoring was giving useful critique to the writers as a tool to improve their stories.

At the heart of providing useful critique is your intention:  are you sure you want to help make what you're reviewing better. If so, even if you're not completely in love with all the details, you'll be sensitive to the creator(s) and also ask tough questions.

Even with the best intentions, framing the critique can be tough. Here are some tips to help you stay on track.

Be specific
Whether it's something you like or dislike, be specific. Saying I don't like this "story/idea/concept/etc" does not help anyone. Saying I really like your use of the word "x" or what your did with the design of "y" will help to identify the parts that may need adjustment

Start on a positive note
Asking for critique can make creator(s) feel vulnerable. Try starting on a positive note with something you like first to help ease the conversation.

Don't assume you're right
Before pointing out areas you think could be improved, don't automatically assume you know its true purpose. Ask the creator(s) questions to find out more information. An example: I'm not sure why you placed this here, are you trying to accomplish "x"? Your questions can also help the creator(s) think about the project in ways they hadn't before.



Curious about the Flash Fiction Slam? Listen to NHPR's Audio Postcard and join them for the finals in Manchester on March 6. 

Open Night at Imago Dei Cafe

"There's nothing happening in Manchester." 

Anyone who knows me, knows that phrase infuriates me. There are all kinds of projects, meetings and events that are happening in this city. It's not some secret, underground scene; it's obvious, but you have to look a little bit. Imago Dei is one of them.

I first heard about the Imago Dei Cafe open mic night, when I was walking in downtown Manchester on a Saturday morning and saw a sign in a window on Hanover Street. Yes, people really do walk around downtown outside of Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm or during bar time at night. Don't be shocked.

Anywho, that was back in December and unfortunately Mother Nature got in the way. I made doubly sure that I could attend the January event. The open mic drew a young crowd - high school and college-age folks and friends were excited to play. The night started with open mic and ended with a handful of featured guests.

The venue isn't a full-time restaurant or bar, so refreshments were coffee, tea, soda and some limited snack options. I know, sometimes it's inconvenient to not have an alcoholic beverage option, but sometime it's just nice. I was warned that the venue is normally some sort of Christian community outreach, but there was no proselytizing to be had, outside of some display books on the walls. 

All in all, it did remember me of the times in New York in college, sitting in a coffeehouse listening to artists, but I don't think there's anything wrong with that. When I was in the city, there was a greater range in the age of the artists and I think if this event sticks around for a bit, that will come too. I'll be back to check it out and more importantly, to show my support for events like this. 

Remember, we can't complain that there's nothing cool to do, if we don't show support for the people trying to create things we like. Well, you can complain, but I won't be listening. 

Women in tech for the win!

Something amazing happened December.

Fresh from the excitement of BarCamp Manchester, I met with two lovely ladies, Kelley Muir and Bethany Ross, for coffee at Cafe la Reine to discuss how we can support current and future women in tech right here in Manchester. 

Bethany had already kicked off a group, Future Tech Women, that is mentoring college women at UNH. Kelley and I chatted at BarCamp, as she was interested in fostering interest in younger students and I was hopeful to get a regular meeting for women currently working in technology. 

We decided to join forces (and resources) to work on making it all happen. 

Our working mission statement is that we're aimed at creating and supporting an inclusive community that encourages women and girls in STEM-related fields. Boo-ya! Well, all but that last bit. 

I'm happy to report that the Women in Tech Hangout had its inaugural meeting on Tuesday December 10. Dyn was gracious enough to provide space as approximately 12-15 of us chatted about what technology means to us. 

So, it's official! The Women in Tech Hangout now meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8pm at Dyn in Manchester, NH. Hope to see you there!


Join us for the January meeting on Tuesday January 29th at 6:30pm. 

They're here!

Wednesday night, I came home late from day 1 of a two-day off-site work meeting.

I can home with my masterpiece from a fun bonding activity at Muse Paintbar

and this is what I found waiting for me

added bonus from my husband!

A Tech Conference in Manchester? Of course!

• 9:30 am - the board was full of ideas
• 1 pm - the great airplane challenge had found a winner 
• 4 pm - we were full of ideas, a bit tired but wished everyday could be Barcamp 

On Saturday November 9, Barcamp Manchester hosted its 7th annual conference. The folks at Dyn HQ were gracious enough to let the conference use its beatiful space so local technology folks could come and share ideas, unconference-style. 

It was my second Barcamp and feeling more comfortable I chatted with lots of folks: developers, makers, product owners, designers, gamers, etc. I attended sessions on Arduino/Raspberry Pi (for my upcoming Makers in Manchester project), Easter Eggs, Women in Tech (local edition) and Sketchnote. Not surprisingly, I've come away excited about potential projects.

Thanks so much to the Barcamp volunteers, sponsors and attendees for a great conference.

Dive Out of Your Comfort Zone

Every once in awhile, I push my own boundaries. This time round, I decided to try my hand at writing flash fiction. Oh and read it in front of strangers at the Manchester regional event held by the NH Writer’s Project.

Manchester regional winner Robin Small

I’m not a writer. I’d never written flash fiction. That is unless you count the myriad of tweets I send out into the social media world. Yes, yes, I know, tweets would be micro fiction. 

Reading my piece aloud. At a standing microphone. In front of 30 or so people. Terrifying.

As in hands shaking holding my story in front of me to read.

As in so nervous I didn’t look up from my paper until at least halfway through.

But I survived. 


I did sneak a peek at the audience’s reacting to the details in my story where I wanted them to react. I met wonderful people, writers and first-timers like myself. I got to support a fabulous event in my own backyard. 

For inquiring minds, I may not have won, but I was the runner up.

Manchester is full of stretch-your-comfort zone events, like learning how to fire spin, aerial yoga, creating games hackathon, reading slam poetry and more.

Get out there and dive.  

A $24 chicken (a local economy love story)

I bought a $24 chicken.  Wow, that’s a lot of money, you say? Why yes, yes it is. When I was a struggling single mom, I would wait patiently for whole chickens to go on sale and get marked with dollars-off coupons.  A whole chicken could easily make 3-4 meals since I made soup stock and gravy with the bones and bits.  Although I’m more financially stable today, that thriftiness holds true and I still stop by the marked down veggie cart at the supermarket on a regular basis. So why on earth would I pay $24 for a chicken?

The long and the short of it is this: I want to support my local farmers and my local economy. And I am lucky enough to be in a position that I can.

This chicken comes from a local NH farm that employs NH workers. It also sells farm goods to NH restaurants and NH markets. When I hear about how we need to boost the economy by spending, I want my boost to the economy to count in my community. I want my hard-earned dollars to help employ my neighbors and support things I believe in, like local organic foods.  

I believe that voting with your dollars is just as powerful as voting in the voting booth (which I have at every possible election since I turned 18).  I’ve never thought of it as “I’m only one person what difference can I make?” I’ve always thought “What if one day, everyone did it at once?”