Comments on: Critique Groups & Question Marks

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:12:56 +0000

I am a part of Christian writing group. We meet once a week. We critique during our meetings and also by emailing each other. The email gets more in-depth critiques b/c there just isn’t enough time in meetings. I recommend you set critique ground rules up front so everyone gives helpful advice, but not hurtful comments. Email me if you would like the email of our leader. She would be glad to talk with you about starting/leading.

By: Faith

Faith — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:06:13 +0000

Thanks for all the tips, everyone! I’m taking this all into account, and will keep some of you (ie. the ones who volunteered their info) in mind if and when any issues arise in the new group!

By: Su

Su — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:09:28 +0000

I don’t have any advice, unfortunately, but good for you for starting a group! Good luck!

By: Becka (StickyNoteStory)

Becka (StickyNoteStory) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:36:47 +0000

I have a post here about all my different types of Critters: http://asiagoans.com/?p=755

And since I started our local group I can tell you that if you start it you are in charge. Forever. Unless by some miracle your critters are more responsible and go-getters than mine. You’ll be the one sending out reminder emails and setting up times/places to meet, and making sure everyone’s on track with getting critiques back to their group members.

We’ve gone through a few different versions in our group. At first we did one scene every other week, but that was too slow and too much time meeting. Then we tried one chapter a month, but it’s still too slow. Then we tried 15k words a month (3-5 chapters), and still too slow. Now we do half-books. Everyone was assigned a month and they have to turn in the first half of their WIP at the beginning of the month. Everyone else has the month to read the half-WIP and write up their critiques, and then we get together at the end of the month and discuss. We’ve got six members, so everyone has their entire book critiqued in a year. We’ve just started this process this year, but it seems to be working much better.

Hope that helped, and if you have any other questions about forming a Crit Group feel free to ask me

By: Arlee Bird

Arlee Bird — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 02:42:24 +0000

I would love to be part of a face-to-face critique group. I doubt whether there is any near me. I’ve thought about posting something in the library to see if anyone else would be interested. Maybe after the A to Z Challenge in April.

Lee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge

By: Carrie

Carrie — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:21:06 +0000

I’ve only had CPs online so I can’t offer much advice, but I hope it goes well for you!

By: Lauri

Lauri — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:16:31 +0000

I’ve been in lovely critique groups and awful ones. I would suggesting being clear about rules, how much you can submit, when you expect to have a critique back. I visited several groups – some emailed things, some read them out loud for instant feedback, some passed papers around the table. Good luck!

By: Sierra Gardner

Sierra Gardner — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:42:35 +0000

I actually started writing consistently when I joined a local critique group started by a friend of a friend. Turns out it was one of the best decisions of my life and I *seriously* bless my friend every day for starting it. We meet once a month, face-to-face. My best suggestion is to be selective about the permanent group members. The group dynamic can be such a major factor in whether the group is amazing or a complete disaster.

By: Trisha

Trisha — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:58:25 +0000

I’m in an online critique group but we aren’t nitpicky and “you should change this so you can get published”. we’re more nitpicky about author voice, character voice, continuity of plot, etc.

By: Julie Hedlund

Julie Hedlund — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:36:03 +0000

It’s a toughie because I think a lot of what makes a successful critique group is luck – the right people coming together at the right time with the same objectives. I have been part of an online group for over a year now which has been very effective. I tried others that were a complete disaster. A lot of it depends on where the writers are in their journey and how committed they are. I would love to have a face-to-face group and have tried to put one together, but it just didn’t pan out.

Having said all that, kudos to you for trying. You have to keep at it until you find the right group/system that works. When you do, it’s worth its weight in gold! Good luck!