Writers need to be critiquers. It's just part of the package deal...says so in the fine print. But how, exactly does one critique someone else's work other than to say "Nice work" or "This stinks?"

When I sit down to critique one of my writing buddy's WIP's, here are the things I look for.

• The obvious: spelling and grammar
• Purple Prose
• Pet Words
• Plot flow - does the story logically make sense?
• Point of view glitches
• Cliffhangers - is there a reason to keep reading at the end of each scene?
• Overkill on description - the action must keep moving forward
• Overkill on backstory - too much at once is a deal breaker

There you have it...your own handy dandy checklist of items to look for next time you comb through a manuscript.