Short post today. Half because I can't think of anything to write and half because I love hearing everyone's responses. I was just wondering who has crit groups and how they met them. I'm in desperate need of one.
SO, did you meet at an RWA meeting or on-line? Have you had a bad experience with a crit group? Or is it the best thing since sliced bread? Thanks!
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6 comments:
I have had very experiences with critique groups; and I've had really good experiences with crit groups.
One of my face to face crit groups always made me feel like I was on trial with my novel. I knew they didn't like it from the get-go; and yet I seemed intent on punishing them with it. Many of them in the group were very professional and intent on making my book better; but there are always 1 or 2 who stick out in your mind, you know?--and I was glad to quit. I eventually finished my novel, horrible though it may be--and the one I left because of still hasn't finished her novel.
This is where I'm mature and go: Nanny-nanny-boo-boo. But there you go.
Later, I got another face to face group, half it's size and better, more manageable. Best experience of my life. Highly recommend.
I've done the online gig, and that can get weird. Too many people and not enough participates and it gets weird; also a big group usually has some "power trippers" who will drive you nuts if you get on the wrong side of them. Which is easy to do. (Or maybe I just like to pick fights?) If you do the online thing, I would do a smaller group to keep it manageable (say 8 people?)--and try not to have too many alphas in the group. Or at least an elected leader for a certain amount of time.
Critique groups are like true love. When you're in the right one, you'll know.
Thanks for all the great advice hellion:). I'll definitely take all of that into consideration.
Wow, Hellion had really great advice! Personally, I've never truly had a crit group; some friends and I tried to form a small online one about a year ago, but everyone was at different writing stages and participation levels, so it really didn't pan out.
However, I do have a crit partner and she has really become essential to my writing process. It's great just to bounce things off of another person and have early opinions of your work. And, okay, my CP was ready made in my best friend, but now that we're in different cities, Steph and I do most of the writing discussion and critiquing online. Which I love, as you can get answers back quickly, don't have to wait for a weekly meeting, and there are no time constraints.
I'm glad to see you back Kelly! Let me know how the crit group search goes or if I can help!
Hey Mary! It's REALLY great to be back. And thanks for the offer of help. You guys are such good 'friends'.
I should have responded earlier. This is a great question, and I think mshellion covered it well! My group is made up of Fanlit friends; there are 5 of us, and we are very much a support group as much as a crit group. It might not work for everyone, but it does work for us. You need to know what kind of support or advice you're looking for; and there's nothing wrong with belonging to more than one. Just don't let the critiquing part keep you from moving forward. :)
That's the Mom in me talking. I can't help it.
Thanks gillian! And I'm so happy your group works so well for you.
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