Comments on: How does your critique group work?

By: Carol J. Garvin

Carol J. Garvin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:03:44 +0000

I’ve been involved in two online groups that critiqued short stories or novel chapters. In both cases the requirements meant I spent more time critiquing others’ work than I did writing my own. I finally found an “in person” writer’s group and have been a member for six years. The members have varying levels of expertise and it is a very compatible group. Some meetings are instructional, and others are set aside for critiquing. The problem is that there are now too many members to be able to do effective critiquing of larger mss. Each reading is limited to no more than 500 words which is no help with a novel ms.

The most effective group I’ve seen is one I attended while visiting out of town. There are 5-6 members. They are all novelists and they each email one chapter (or portion, as they wish) to the other members at least a week before the meeting. Then the actual meeting time isn’t wasted on reading but is spent in profitable discussion of the critiques (and yes, lots of tea and visiting). I would dearly like to find or create a local group like that!

By: joylene

joylene — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:19:04 +0000

I joined my first group in 1994 and stayed for several years. I switched to another group that gain a good reputation fast. I’m one of those types who sticks it out for the long haul. Sometimes that’s not a good idea. Suffice to say, if the dynamics of the group are such that the “owner” calls the shots and you end up feeling as if you have to adapt to flourish, then you should stick it out until that little voice inside says, “Time to go.”

Today, I belong to 2 groups, a mixture of new and experienced, and a small intimate group of established writers. The first reminds me how far I’ve come and that helping new writers is a good feeling. While I like working with new writers, I feel most comfortable with the smaller group. I trust them. They’re not interested in rewriting my work or changing my voice to echo theirs. And there are no strict rules. We each sub a chapter and the others crit it when they can, as honestly and helpful as they can. It seems to be working well.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:35:41 +0000

Some groups do just read in the meeting. I came across the first one searching Yahoo Groups, actually. The second one, I met someone through a writing conference attendee mailing list who was starting a new critique group.

By: Jami G.

Jami G. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:03:55 +0000

Jordan,

Ohhh, the critique ahead of time, then get together and socialize. I get it.

So, how did you hear/find out about your online group? Did you have to be invited to even send a chapter in?

Jami G.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:37:10 +0000

@Jami—they’re online. They’re actually all romance writers, so it is pretty genre-specific.

In-person critique groups don’t have to be “superficial,” I know some in-person critique groups email chapters in advance, so people come with notes prepared. They may read the chapters aloud there and take further notes, or just exchange hard or soft copies of the critiques and socialize. (Ooh, actually, that sounds wonderful!)