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. 

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.

NH Game Jam

Back in May, I decided to make a brand-new game with 2 strangers in 36 hours. Crazy, you say? Just a tad. The inaugural NH Game Jam sounded like a good idea and if not, at least a lot of fun. Even WMUR stopped by for a visit.

I work in software but not a start-up. That means some late nights or early mornings, but I have yet needed to work an all-nighter. And for that, I am very grateful. But even someone who loves sleep can get a bit jealous over tales of Hackathons or a least a bit curious.


So I signed up. 

The first night we were informed of the theme, the number 13. The video game designers can prepared with teams, but the board game folks draw names from a hat to determine with who we would be spending our next 36 hours. That's when I met Tony and Charles and got to work.

Through the night and day and the next night, we crafted what we thought was a quick, fun monster mash-up game. There are several kinds of monsters such as Bogzilla, Giant Ants, Werewolves and Dragons. It was important to us that it be playable by all ages. 

In the end, we wished we had more time and possibly a little more sleep. None of the folks on my team had ever designed a game before and I have to say I'm proud at what we were able to pull off. Also, a sweet touch was that all three of us hand drew the cards for our play-test deck. 

Although it had it's quirks, I think the first NH Game Jam was great. There are a few logistical tweaks, such as a more formal time for everyone to play test each other's games, to work through, but that's just first time event detail work. 

As for me, I'm hoping another one's somewhere on the horizon, now that I've had a chance to catch up on my rest. 

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.