I’m going to share something with you. For all the years that I have been writing, I’ve never before belonged to a crit group. I’ve had beta readers for years, people I trust to help me make my writing better. And for a long time, that was enough. But I’ve been lucky enough recently to find a home with an online crit group. When I was asked to join, I was just so blown away.
And more than a tad bit worried. I’d never done formal critiques before, am not an English major, and, well, doubted my ability to bring anything worthwhile to the table. And I really didn’t know what to expect or how things worked. I’m happy to say my group members have been incredible. And I’ve learned a lot already just from my time with time.
Write it Sideways has a great post here about the joys and benefits of an online crit group. Check it out and tell me: Do you belong to a crit group? On line or in person? How did you find your group? Is it everything you hoped/wanted it to be?
nope never. but I's seriously thinking about it :)
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of critique partners, but no formal group. I'm so glad you like yours :)
ReplyDeleteI have a few readers and a couple of betas, but I've never been in a crit group before.
ReplyDeleteI'm part of a critique group, there are four of us total and we have a lot of fun. It's an online group and we actually just asked one another to be a part of it. We were all around the same stage at the beginning and now we are slowly getting into our own. It isn't anything formal, we just read each other's work. Give our thoughts, and answer questions if asked!
ReplyDeleteIt's great, you'll have a good time! I was nervous at first but I realized there really was nothing to be afraid of!
SJS, you REALLY underestimate yourself and your talent. You are gifted and quite brilliant.
ReplyDeleteTruth.
You're critiques are excellent, valuable, thoughtful, honest....just like you. :)
Happy Thursday, SJS!
Love,
Lola
I'm ashamed to say I actually queried a ms. that had been critiqued only in draft by a bunch of reader friends. I now belong to TWO in-person groups--one I co-founded with Simon of Constant Revision and another I found through SCBWI.
ReplyDeleteMy work has become exponentially stronger from the crits. The in-person dynamic has been awesome--folks often bounce ideas around and help me resolve plot headaches.
SJS - Girl! Are you kidding me? You thought you were unable to bring anything worthwhile? Sugar - you definitely underestimate yourself! To throw a coin in the pool - talk about someone terrified of saying a thing about someone else's writing = ME! We will work through our fears together ;o)
ReplyDeleteVisit My Kingdom Anytime
I am not serious enough about my writing to seek out critiques yet. I am so glad it worked out for you!
ReplyDeleteI dunno where I would be without my crit group. We met on The Word Cloud- which is a writer's social network and I put out a call for critic group members. We formed a small group with five members and closed off a private 'forum' room where we all post our critiques for the emailed pieces under the same heading and can debate or have an exchange of ideas. Its just awesome.
ReplyDeleteyes and no. I think it's becoming less of a group and more of a pair, but we'll see.
ReplyDeletebut having a crit group is amazing!
I have a couple of wonderful ladies that help me get my writing in shape over emails. We also started a short fiction blog together and it's going great! I'd say it's been a very positive experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy and proud for you about this critique group! Way to go! :-)
ReplyDeleteNow for some well-deserved frown: don't doubt yourself, you have no reason to. *insert frown*
The same qualities - talent, generosity and honesty - that make you a great writer, are the same qualities that will help you in this new...adventure. I know it.
Nymeria is dead on in her assessment of you and I know you have always been a great help to me personally. I think a good teacher is a good teacher; English majors aren't necessarily the best option. Nor are creative writing majors for that matter. Really I think crit takes a good eye and ear. You have both.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found a group. I found and still find it very valuable to work with people I trust will give me truth, good or bad.
I belong to a writers' group where we meet once weekly and critique each others' work. It's great fun and we meet at a pub - what could be better?
ReplyDeleteI'm part of an online crit group, too. We all met through blogging. I was a little nervous at first sharing my work, but it's been a great experience for me.
ReplyDeleteI've preferred betareaders, but I've toyed with the idea of having a group. I joined on in January, but after a few months, I realized it wasn't for me. It went to slow and I shouldn't have joined a group that had too many people outside of my genre. It's also a lot more work than one on one.
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side, you get many different perspectives on the same chapters at once. Maybe I'll try it again. It would be easier online than in person.
I have someone who gives me honest feedback and good criticism. I have vastly improved from that blatant honesty--I hope ;). Have fun and take it in. It's nice to not be flattered if it improves your work.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who checks my writing now and again when the need arises. Learning and taking small steps:)
ReplyDeleteYou need to stop underestimating yourself. Your crits are not only good, but thoughtful and helpful. And I'm so thankful :)
ReplyDeleteMy writer's group is my link to sanity and my favorite people on the PLANET. I never would have gotten through my first few books without them. I am sort of ahead of the group in terms of trying to publish, so I think there is something to be said for an established group that includes some old blood, but we all started this journey together, and THAT TOO means a lot.
ReplyDeleteI like that in a group you learn the strengths of different members and what kind of reader you need for each kind of problem. I have people I go to first--is this plot working, next--are there holes--third--is it clean--and last... judge the pacing, the flow... (oddly that last can't really be judged until it is clean, I think)--so my group includes each, and I know who to ask when. Best of luck with yours!