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Working with a Critique Group
Not all of us are objective about our work. In fact, if you asked even top authors if they are the best voice of reason over what works and doesn’t work in a given story, they’d probably say no.
Why? We are too close to our writing to see the flaws. And to be quite honest, a piece of writing is a lot like a child–even if your kid is ugly in the eyes of other people, you see the beautiful creation of your genes. You don’t see the missing plot lines, the stilted dialogue, the flowering descriptions. You see art.
The best option is to find a critique partner or a critique group with some experience in the writing world, but also a good knowledge of the publishing industry and how it works. The opinions of those outside your work can often serve as a great beginning for revision. A few cautions, however, before you hitch yourself to a homegrown editorial service. A good critique partner/group should do the following:
Understand Where You Are Going. A mystery writer might not be the best partner to evaluate your book on plant life in Antarctica. Someone who has no idea what is selling in the humor market today also might not be the best authority on your Dave Barry-type work. Search for people who are at least familiar with your market.
Keep Your Voice In The Material. The last thing you need is a critique partner who will impose his or her ideas, voice and style on your work. That’s not to say that a good critiquer shouldn’t offer suggestions, rather that they should leave the door open for you to make your own decisions.
Let You Learn From Your Mistakes. Showing you how to craft a good lead for an article or suggesting a strong hook for the end of a chapter is one thing, continually rewriting your work is another. You are there to learn. A good critique group helps you do that by pointing out areas of weakness and giving you options for fixing it. The true rewrite, however, should be done by you.
Point Out Your Weaknesses. This should be done honestly, and without malice. You don’t need a critique partner who says, “This is terrible.” You need someone who can say, “Your opening is a little weak. Why not try starting with this scene instead?”
Do Not Forget To Mention Your Strengths. You also need feedback on what you are doing right. This helps you understand your areas of best writing and then capitalize on them in your work.
Be Kind: This doesn’t mean every comment should stroke the writer’s ego, but rather, be put in a way that doesn’t purposely hurt the author’s feelings or disparage his/her skills. We’re all trying to succeed at this writing game-let’s be a help to each other, not a hindrance.
Be a Reciprocator. Some critique groups take and take, by bringing in first drafts and unformed pieces. They expect the group to help them write the entire piece. In exchange, they give nothing. Be prepared when you go to your critique meetings, and offer as much as you receive.
If you aren’t getting all that you need to from your critique group, don’t be afraid to say something. This is your work, after all, and if you don’t stand up for it, who will?
Remember, a good critique group is there to help you with your writing, not harm. While criticism is never easy to take, as long as it is constructive and paired with honest compliments, your writing will benefit. So search for a group that gives you all you need, and then be prepared to see your writing skills grow.
AGENTS & EDITORS
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- Literary Agents List
- Preditors and Editors
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Tips for a Successful Editor Appointment
- Want More? Here’s How to Get It
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Windup for the (Story) Pitch
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
CHARACTERIZATION
- 24 Jobs for Fantasy Characters
- 5 Tips for Writing Conflict into Your Book
- 60 Ways to Create and Heighten Conflict
- Craft True-to-Life Nonfiction Characters
- Crafting Romantic Suspense
- Dynamic Characters
- Fiction vs Nonfiction
- How to Write Effective Dialogue in 6 Steps
- Knowing and Finding Your Voice
- Painting With A Character’s Brush
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- The Sticky Story
- What is Characterization?
- Why Your Story Conflict Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)
- Working with a Critique Group
CONFLICT
DIALOGUE
FORMATTING & GRAMMAR
- Achieving 250 Words / 25 Lines Per Page
- And Sammy, too? Oh, No!
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Edit Easier
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Misused Words
- Navigating In Your Novel
- Proofreaders Marks
- Research Links
- Rules for Writers
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- Tightening Your Manuscript and Trimming the Word Count
MARKETS
- 35 Online Work Ideas to Earn Good Money Whilst Studying
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- An Interview with Holly Ambrose
- Copyright Primer, Know Your Rights
- EBooks-Fears to Possibilities
- Finding Markets Fiction and Nonfiction
- Freelance Writing 101
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How To Be a (Shiver) Reporter
- How To Market Your Book After You’ve Written It
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- How To Write Your Own Press Releases
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- Magazine Links
- Making Money As a Corporate Freelancer
- Market News–All Genres
- Need a Clip? Open a Newspaper
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Selling to Children’s Markets
- Submission Tracking
- Submitting to UK Markets
- Syndication 101
- To Specialize, or Not to Specialize?
- Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelancer 2023 Update
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Why E-Books?
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
- Write Your Way to $1000 a Month
- Writing Groups List
- Youth Writing Markets
PLOTTING
- 3 Ways to Know When to End Your Chapters
- 7 Excellent Plotting Tips from Agatha Christie
- 7 Ways to Add Great Subplots to Your Novel
- 8 Best Writing Tips to Become a Best Storyteller
- Does Your Plot Need a Subplot?
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- The All Purpose Plot
- Turning Points and Plot Points in Storytelling
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Writing the Novel by the Numbers
POINT OF VIEW
PUBLISHING
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Copyright Primer, Know Your Rights
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How To Market Your Book After You’ve Written It
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- Making Money As a Corporate Freelancer
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publisher’s Websites
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Submission Tracking
- Syndication 101
- The Great Limbo Mystery Question
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Why E-Books?
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
QUERIES & PROPOSALS
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- Landing An Agent Elements Of A Winning Query
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Submission Tracking
- Surviving a Book Proposal
- Windup for the (Story) Pitch
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
- Writing a Synopsis & Query Letter
SUBMISSIONS
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- An Interview with Jack Fisher
- EBooks-Fears to Possibilities
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- Literary Agents List
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Selling to Children’s Markets
- Submission Tracking
- Surviving a Book Proposal
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Write Your Way to $1000 a Month
- Writing a Synopsis & Query Letter
SYNOPSIS
TIP SHEETS & GUIDELINES
WRITING TOOLS & APPS
- And Sammy, too? Oh, No!
- Beyond the Basics
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work
- Finding Your Writing Compass: A Guide to Freelance Adventures
- Free AI Tools That Can Be Used In Business Writing
- Helpful Books
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Ideas Escape Me
- Knowing Your Target Audience
- Magazine Links
- Misused Words
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Reconsider Hand Writing
- Research Links
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
- Unblocking Your Muze
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Word Processors Through Time: Before MS Word & Google Docs
- Working with a Critique Group
- Writing Groups List
- You Can Write A Short Story Part 1 The Story Idea
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 2 The Meat of the Story
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 3 The Climax
WRITING CONTESTS
WRITING CONTESTS
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- 2024 JAN Writing Contests
- 2023 DEC Contests, Workshops, Webinars
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