I'd like to know how critique groups work and your opinion of their value. I live pretty far away from the nearest RWA chapter, so I've just been typing in the wilderness. I'm not ready to have my babies butchered by strangers, and my friends are not romance readers (plus, they're my friends. And I want to keep it that way). How many of you depend on critique partners? Who goes it alone?
As a former English teacher, I know I'm pretty quick with the red pen. As an avid reader, my eyes glaze over at the first sign of clichés, even though I know there's no new plot under the sun. I wouldn't want me for a critique partner! Any advice?
Pat Rice speaks:
My immediate answer is--does she critique for free and can I send her my drafts? <G>
My more considered answer--I don't belong to a critique group. It's extremely difficult to find partners who possess the same level of knowledge and who relate well enough to your ideas to make the story better instead of nitpick. That said, I did form an online group with other novelists where we read each other's material and attempt to give feedback on whether the material works. There are online sites like http://www.critiquecircle.com/ where this kind of exchange happens for those who don't belong to a circle of published writers.
Good luck!
Cara Elliott is a "go-it-alone' writer. She said:
I've never been a member of a critique group-they just don't fit my personality or my creative process. I prefer to wrestle with my story and characters on my own, for in the end, the final book has to feel right to me, and not a committee. That said, a fellow author, whose work and voice is similar to mine, and I occasionally read each other's WIPs and brainstorm certain scenes. But it's mostly for small things.
The thing to keep in mind is that writing is such a subjective process and each of us does it in a different way. What works for one person won't for another. So you have to do what makes you feel comfortable. The key is to choose things that encourage and motivate you to write-so if you do try a critique group, don't be afraid to drop out if it isn't a positive experience. You have to trust your instincts. If your book isn't written from your own heart, it likely won't resonate in the hearts your readers.
Mary Jo agrees:
As with so much of life, the answer is "it depends." Critique partners can be really useful at giving feedback and helping us develop as writers. But the wrong critiquers can make you insane and be very destructive to one's creativity. So it's good to know what you want from a critique partner: overall feedback as to how the story is working? Technical writing skill? Proofreading? Marketing feedback? (You may not always want the same kind of critique.
These days, most aspiring writers are online, and RWA has online and specialty chapters that can help a writer find a hospitable critique partner or group. One would need to take the time to get acquainted with the potential partner, chatting back and forth about tastes. preferences, and goals. Even this is no guarantee that it's a good match, but it is worth a try.
I've never been a part of a critique group, but I've always had early readers, and now I have one writer friend in particular who reads my stuff, and I read hers. We've both been in the business for a long time and basically like each other's work, so we can often come up with useful feedback. Sometimes, a writer just needs to know that the story is working. Good luck at finding the kind of feedback that will benefit you!
Nicola tried it once.
"I go it alone, without a critique group or critique partner. I did belong to a critique group about 10 years ago but some people were reluctant to offer any kind of constructive criticism in case they hurt anybody's feelings and others were so tactless that various members left in a huff! I think there's a real art to offering positive and helpful feedback and a good crit group or a good critique partner could potentially be very useful. I do critique manuscripts for the RNA's New Writers' Scheme and always try to be constructive. What I do have is a writer friend with whom I exchange ideas. Although we don't read each other's work in draft we will run everything past each other from plot glitches to character motivation. We meet every month or so at this hotel on the River Thames so it's also a treat as well as a working meeting!"
Anne says be careful what you wish for.
As for me (Anne) I've done it both ways. When I first started writing romance I joined a critique group. The people who ran it were madly enthusiastic and very opinionated about the "right way" to write. When I handed around my first piece I was given back a list of 20 things I was doing wrong -- there were none right. The only reason I wasn't crushed was that I had a letter from an editor about the same piece, saying she "liked my first three chapters very much”, that I wrote ” with verve and emotion” and that “the main characters came to life beautifully.” She'd requested the full manuscript.
I did learn some technical aspects from the critiques, but after four meetings I was the only one in the group still writing (apart from the organizers.) I probably would have given up, too, except for that letter from the editor.
I later met with two of the people from that group and they started writing again. We met and critiqued for a couple of years, and it was brilliant -- we loved each other's writing and respected our different voices and gave honest, encouraging and constructive feedback. Alas, those two turned to other pursuits, and now we're just friends, not critique partners.
These days I get support when I need it from other published authors -- two in particular. I swap scenes with one of them on a regular basis, and the other sometimes gives a final read through and feedback before I send off the final manuscript. I do the same for her. I also will brainstorm a plot or a talk over a knotty problem with writer friends.
So be very careful of critique groups and who you're handing your babies over to. I think if you show your work too soon, it can destroy your fledgling writer's voice. Writing techniques and conventions are easily come by, but your writer's voice is precious. If you can find a good critique partner, however, it's magic. Writing can be a lonely job, and it's good to to talk over the nitty gritty stuff with someone who really understands. But always remember, it's your book, your vision and your voice.
Anyone else here been in a critique group? Have critique partners? A good or bad experience with critique? Tell us about it.