This is week three for my new feature and I have to say everyone who has participated thus far has been awesome and really helped me define more about what this feature will be like and really it comes down to the title - What's Your Take. There are so many topics out there that all of you know about concerning the blogging network, publishing world, writing world, reading world. I love getting people's "takes," and so far I am learning a lot. Make sure to stop by every Thursday to see each week's feature and feel free to contact me to do a post!
Week three of What's Your Take is one that I learned a ton from. Steph from
Word by Word did a huge post on critique groups. I have never been part of one, but a friend told me recently about a group of writers who get together at a local library. Her perspective has been super beneficial to me because I have an idea of what to expect when I walk in there and also I have some expectations. Thanks Steph!
Without further adieu, I give you steph!
I walked into the classroom on pins and needles. I had on my
lucky writer gloves and a copy of my short story clutched to
my chest. I was about to watch my
baby being slaughtered, and I was so not prepared. I wanted to be.
Yes I wanted to get a few pats on the head, but I also wanted to know
what I was doing wrong, so I could be a better writer.
So the critique started, and I sat in my chair and tried to
affect an expression of bland distance, nodding and looking critically at each
person as they discussed my story.
Scribbling down notes, crossing out or circling parts of my story. It took a few minutes for me to realize
that I was being critiqued, and it really didn’t hurt that much. Even better, I learned a ton that day
about my writing style.
As a caveat, the critiques I received that day were very
gentle. The story I submitted had
little description, little character development and a plot that was more
suited to a B-grade action movie script.
I’m not sure why they were so easy on me. It was a college class, and we
were all at different levels, but perhaps they sensed that I was really
inexperienced.
I’ve since gotten critiques that were the slap in the face
I’d been told to expect. When
you’re in the game, you will be dressed down at some point. But I survived those to, and so will
you.
If you ever have any hope of getting your work out and
selling it, you will need to show it to someone you trust to be honest with
you. You will likely find that
someone in a critique group, and I’m here to tell you how to go about finding a
group that suits you.
These days, especially if you live in a moderately well
populated area, finding a critique group is not difficult. You can use websites like meetup.com,
or talk to owners of local bookstores (yes they still exist) to find already
established groups. You can also
start a group of your own, or use one of the many online critique groups
available to you.
Let’s start with face to face groups. If you find established groups that are
accepting members, you’ll have to determine if the group works for you. The group should understand that, allow
you to observe at least one meeting, and be respectful of the fact that you are
still on the fence. If they’re
not, move on.
Things to look for:
-What gets critiqued?
What genres are accepted, and what length of submission? This is big. If you write historical romance, don’t settle for the
fantasy and science fiction critique group because it’s the only one you could
find. Talk to the group members
and see if enough of them are fans of your genre that they would be able to
help you. And make sure you’re
comfortable with what they write, so you can help them in turn. There’s usually a limit to length, which
will be stated to you. There may
also be a rule about whether novels are allowed (chapter by chapter) or if the
group only does short stories.
-When do they meet and how often? Anywhere from once a week, to once a month is pretty
normal. You probably won’t find a
group that’s perfect, but there will hopefully be one that fits your
schedule. They should also be
flexible about missing a meeting.
Everyone gets sick, or has to work late, and you shouldn’t get booted
because you missed one meeting.
How are the critiques scheduled: Mileage may vary on this one, but I like a group with a set
schedule. Meaning, each person
knows when they need to deliver a story and when that story will be
critiqued. Otherwise, one or two
prolific group members will constantly be getting critiqued, and the shyer
members will allow themselves to fade into the background. A deadline is always a good thing, in
my opinion.
-What is the tone of the group? How does the group interact? Do one or two members monopolize the discussion? Or does everybody chatter at once, so
you can’t understand what’s going on?
There should be agreed upon rules to help guide the discussion, and give
every member a chance to speak.
How are the critiques given?
Is it a free for all, where everyone openly states whatever ugly
feelings they have about the writer’s work? I hate that sort of thing, but some writers thrive on
it. Or are opinions stated as
politely as possible? Again, I
prefer not to feel like I’m being attacked, but some writers get frustrated by
the polite approach.
Avoid any group that:
- Appears to be engaging in hero worship of one or two
particular members, to the detriment of everyone else’s writing: I.e. Everything Joe Blow and Susie
Smith write is considered pure gold, and everyone else’s writing must be like
theirs, or it stinks.
- Flat out states that only negative or only positive
opinions be given: Yes, there are
groups that do this, and they are usually up front about it. Only negative remarks gives you ego a
solid beating, and few writers can take that week after week. Meanwhile, only positives is like being
showered with candy every week.
The sugar will rot your ego.
If I had to choose one over the other, I would go with only
negative. At least it will
help you improve your writing.
- Doesn’t actually do any critiquing. No brainer, right. This is a case where a group is good
when you join, but flounders over time.
You are always free to leave.
There is no contract that states you will remain with the group for
life.
Of course, if you can’t find a group that suits you, try to
start one. We live in the
glorified days of internet, and getting in touch with people is easier than
ever before.
Which brings us to online critique groups. These are a slightly different animal
than face to face, but very useful if you can’t find a group to join in your
area, or afford the time to start one up.
There are many online critique groups, but I can only
comment on the three I’ve used.
Shop around at the others, test out trial periods and see what their
members say.
- Critters.org:
This group used to be sci-fi, fantasy and horror only, but they have
since branched out to every other genre.
You’ll get something like 5 to 30 critiques for any one story. Longer stories, and later chapters of
novels get fewer critiques, for obvious reasons. There is also a really good system for getting full novels
critiqued, so I highly recommend this one to novel authors. Few online groups have a good option
for getting novels critiqued. Most
of the critiques you receive will be good quality, little fluff, or
deconstructive negativity. You
only have to critique one story a week to keep your membership active, and it
remains to this day, a free site.
Scribophile.com:
This is both a free and pay site.
Membership costs about $65 for a year, or $9 for monthly access, and you
get all the bells and whistles, unlimited story postings, unlimited mailbox
space and free contest entry. Free
membership means you can only post two stories at a time, you have limited
mailbox space and you’ll be charged points for entering their monthly
contests. You earn points by
critiquing posted stories, which allows you to post your own stories. You’ll get more critiques the longer
you’re a member because you will build relationships with other members, and
trade critiques with them. The
point system is susceptible to abuse, with some critiques consisting of lots of
fluff, but you can easily report that sort of thing. There’s also a very active forum.
Online Writing Workshop for sf, fantasy and horror: Not the most inventive title, but it
gets the point across. This is a
full pay site. You get first month
free, then, to remain a member, you have to pay $49 a year or $6 for monthly
access. I didn’t particularly care
for this site. You get very few
critiques, and only about half of them were useful, in my experience. There are a lot of stories posted, and
generally the new or short ones get all the attention. New stories offer extra points and
critiques past a certain length offer nothing extra. A lot of members will say they critique in return for
critiques, but that’s hit or miss.
I found myself critiquing five people who claimed this, and maybe one
would actually critique in return.
Please feel free to ask any other questions you might
have. Being part of a critique
group is a fun and rewarding experience if you go into it with an open mind,
and find a group that fits you.
I just want to thank Steph for this awesome post and giving me a ton to think about.
Hey bloggers, if you want to participate in What's Your Take, shoot me an email at mf060784 at gmail. I would love to hear your points of view on blogging, writing, trends, reading, YA, any topic goes.
Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
