When This Person Isn’t a Useful Critiquer

(Every once in a while, I get into a critique situation where one person is just not there for the right reasons or is genuinely not a good match for the rest of the group. In these cases, I think it’s wise to ignore the criticism of this person. Hopefully, you have a critique leader who can gently suggest that this person should stop monopolizing the critique session.)

Does this person admit they’ve never read (or liked) the genre of your book before?

Do they mock parts of your book that you think are the best part of it?

Do they ask you questions about your book that make no sense to you?

Do they criticize everyone for reasons that seem crazy?

Do they pick on tiny details that really make no difference to the bigger picture?

Do they have a hobby horse that comes up no matter what?

Does one person in the group get a pass because they’re a friend?

Are their favorite books all ones that were published a generation ago?

Do they hate everything new that has been published?

Do they want characters to do things that are offensive?