Critique Partners/Writing Groups

Larry K. & Lorna Collins

Is Writing a Hobby or a Business?

• It’s a Hobby if– You write only for pleasure– You only want to be appreciated– You never intend to be published

• It’s a Business if– Your intent is to be published– You are willing to set writing goals– You are willing to follow through with

submission and promotion

Groups offer, at their best,mutual encouragement,amicable competition,stimulating discussion,practice in criticism,and support in difficulty.These are great things,and if you’re able toand want to join a group, do so!

Ursula K. Le Guin – Steering the Craft

Why a Critique?

• We miss our own mistakes• Constructive criticism• Improve chances of being published• Help with problem areas• Suggestions for improvements /

enhancements• Affirmation of your project

– If this is your ONLY objective, don’t join a group

Advantages

• Honest feedback and evaluation of your work

• Suggestions for solving problems• Encouragement • Discipline • Sharing information

– Agents, Editors & Publishers– Contests– Reviews– Websites

Potential Disadvantages

• Expenditure of time• Receiving harsh criticism • Your ego may suffer• Stolen ideas• “Know-it-all” member• Dominating or needy member

What Do You Expect?

• Analysis– Characterization– Plot– Structure

• Line editing– Spell checking– Grammar correction– Word choices (repetition, nuance, etc.)

• Make sure your group meets your needs

How Should You Respond?

• Read or listen objectively to the comments• Clarify your plot intentions or character

motivations if appropriate• Analyze each suggestion as objectively as

possible• Incorporate only those suggestions which

are true to your characters and consistent with your storyline

Can You Critique Effectively?

• Can you read a manuscript objectively?– Do you recognize the writer’s voice– Are you tempted to rewrite in your own voice?

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?– Are you willing to reveal them to others?

• Are you comfortable with all genres, or do you only feel comfortable with certain ones?

• Do you expect your suggestions to be followed?– Will you be angry if they aren’t?

• Can you give honest feedback?– Always find something to praise– Don’t be too harsh– Assist the novice writer

• Is your plotting skill adequate to offer suggestions?

• Does critiquing make you feel superior or powerful?

Format

• In person• Email

– Sections– Discussion– Whole manuscript

• Fax• Newsgroups

Considerations

• How many members?• How much time will it take?• When will you meet or communicate?

– How often?– For how long?

• How much material is expected?• What type of writers?• What is the critique process?• What is the group’s goal?

Group Size• Pair

– More individual attention / commitment– More schedule flexibility– Fewer resources / limited input– Hurt feelings– Abandonment

• Group– Less individual time– Requires more discipline– Broader range of opinions and suggestions

Limits

• Amount of work presented• Length of critique time

– Individually– Overall

• Genre• Language usage

Schedule

• Keep it consistent– Weekly, monthly, bi-weekly, etc.– Same time and place

• Limit overall timeframe– Limit individual time

• Agree upon when you will meet– Discuss holidays, vacations, etc.– Is most of the group available?– Do most members have material to share?

Moderator – Or Not

• Coordinates schedules, location, etc.• Moderator facilitates critique process

– Maintains discipline– Maintains timeframe

• Can be a writer or not• Allows group to concentrate on the work

itself• May or may not host the group

Genres

• Genre choices– Fiction / Nonfiction– Historical / Contemporary– Screenplay / Books– Poetry / Prose

• Restrict to a specific genre• Include some• Exclude some• Include all

What Might You Critique?

• Characters– Goals– Motivations– Conflicts– Characteristics– Arc– Protagonist / antagonist

• Mechanics– Grammar, spelling, sentence structure

• Beginning– Hook? Opening event?– Where does it start?

• Middle (“muddle in the middle” – Terry Brooks)– Does the story move?– Do the characters change or grow?– Does each scene and chapter have a

beginning, middle and end?• Ending

– Are all plot lines completed?– Is there a solid ending?– Has the goal been accomplished?

The Rules

• THE AUTHOR OWNS THE MATERIAL

• Work must be treated with respect• People must be treated with respect

– No personal attacks• Opinions are only personal opinions• Make suggestions only• Offer help, but don’t take over

Our Process

• We meet weekly– Same time and place

• Everyone brings a chapter, but no more than ten pages– Double spaced, 12-point– Enough printed copies for everyone

• Someone other than the author reads aloud– Able to hear pacing and rhythm – Identify difficult or awkward word structure

• Comments are written in red on the manuscript– Positive and negative

• Comments are shared aloud– Everyone participates

• Moderator facilitates– Determines reading order– Monitors time– Can comment

• Marked manuscripts are returned to the author

• Share fellowship time

How Do I Find A Group

• Ask other authors• Join a writing class• Put a note on a blog, website or

newsgroup• Create your own• Convey your intention verbally• Be persistent

Why Does Writing Matter?Anne LaMott – Bird By Bird

Because of the spirit, I say. Because of the heart. Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life; they feed the soul.