tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post7510884691238145227..comments2023-08-14T10:44:59.007-04:00Comments on Novel Spaces: Who's Critiquing the Critiquers?KeVin K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14792797517571690942noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-16672259156929624292014-05-19T00:18:31.324-04:002014-05-19T00:18:31.324-04:00I've been a part of many critique groups. Some...I've been a part of many critique groups. Some good, some not so good. I attend two groups now. One irregularly only so I can hear me read my selection aloud. I don't expect quality critique from this group. Most of the time it's "Oh, it's so good." No it's not. I know it needs work, but I have a chance to catch my mistakes. There is one member who became upset when I pointed out the errors in the way she was writing. She hasn't read since whenever I attend. Others haven't written or read in months.<br />The other group is very good with everybody writing and most reading every week. We dig into the craft of writing, narrative,POV, the ups and down rhythm of chapters. We're even doing a collaborative project. This group has helped me focus on being a better writer.Stephen L. Braytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14575880529198211433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-55549760706991844632014-05-17T19:15:29.889-04:002014-05-17T19:15:29.889-04:00Reading this post makes me to never want to join a...Reading this post makes me to never want to join a group.<br /><br />Instead, I'll deal with random strangers with no axe to grind and writer friends also with no axe to grind for advice, tips and suggestions (which I've both used and discarded over the years).<br /><br /><a href="http://gbmjrflashy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Father Nature's Corner</a>G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-55565225225551642872014-05-15T22:15:27.558-04:002014-05-15T22:15:27.558-04:00My critique group just celebrated its 10th anniver...My critique group just celebrated its 10th anniversary. At the time none of us were published but all were fairly accomplished except for the newbie - me. We are all mystery writers and although our styles differ we've learned how to critique each other without trying to change the tone or style of each other's writing. I wouldn't think of publishing anything without their input. Their suggestions may vary from one another but it's my job to listen and make my own decisions.Cindy Samplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00332764051705819027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-88859769104905833042014-05-15T17:27:12.154-04:002014-05-15T17:27:12.154-04:00Totally agree, Sunny. A book of mine was recently ...Totally agree, Sunny. A book of mine was recently turned down. It was suggested that I show it to my "critique" group. Of course I don't have one. I hired an editor who did my last book. Did I expect her to say anything good? Of course not. If it were good, it would have been taken. Most of the problems lay with describing the thoughts of a young woman, which I am NOT. Even if she did say, "cheesy" over and over, she gave me a thorough going over and was worth every cent. When you get a massage, you don't want the masseuse to tickle yours toes. You want "deep tissue" work.Lou Allinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17127025416577827253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-73883882590402117632014-05-15T15:42:49.706-04:002014-05-15T15:42:49.706-04:00Some critique groups are really helpful. Some aren...Some critique groups are really helpful. Some aren't. Avoid them. I've received some good criticism, and, of course, just ignore most of it.Dachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004321696572753739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-49950573675873550982014-05-15T13:31:32.265-04:002014-05-15T13:31:32.265-04:00Hi, Sunny,
I have found a critique group that work...Hi, Sunny,<br />I have found a critique group that works well for me, and I count myself among the lucky ones. The members of my group are helpful because they are removed from the story and can react to it the way any other reader would. They can see the big-picture things that I can lose track of while I'm writing. I'm sorry you've not had good experiences, but you've obviously had great success without a critique group. Looking forward to your next post! Amy M. Readehttp://www.amymreade.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-47131482395587560212014-05-15T13:22:06.482-04:002014-05-15T13:22:06.482-04:00It's unfortunate that you've never found a...It's unfortunate that you've never found a critique group that could inspire you, help you see the little fixes that make your work better and still give you the writing help you need to improve your manuscript. Critique groups can be helpful or worthless. However, I can't remember ever reading a book that mentioned their critique group without giving them their thanks for making their work better. My group is a great support system and through them I found my greatest teacher and mentor. Probably everyone has a different experience, but for me, I'll give a critique group the credit it deserves. If there is no benefit to you, find another group.Elaine Faberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12202993182914607445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-18051079008053362582014-05-14T17:23:51.190-04:002014-05-14T17:23:51.190-04:00It took a long time to get a group that 'worke...It took a long time to get a group that 'worked' together.<br /><br />Still, my group usually only sees the first couple of chapters. <br /><br />The rest is up to my editor [who does a great job at this] and me.<br /><br />I realized the most important element is the audience. What do they want? That's the outside voice that influences me most... after my editor.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-63047171418356268262014-05-14T09:52:28.072-04:002014-05-14T09:52:28.072-04:00Sunny, most astute, your comment about people usin...Sunny, most astute, your comment about people using a critique group as a therapy session. I find that some people try to use the writing classes I teach as such. They aren't really interested in becoming writers. They instead want someone to listen to them, like a therapist would.<br />Yes, writing is damn hard work. Some days, it doesn't seem like work, and those are the days we live for.Melodie Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07870938103759179132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5594341074652821017.post-75859901877667987902014-05-14T09:17:51.044-04:002014-05-14T09:17:51.044-04:00Sunny: Critique groups really are hit-or-miss. You...Sunny: Critique groups really are hit-or-miss. Your observations are spot on in many cases. <br /><br />I stumbled onto a group of three accomplished writers (published, too) and their session last week. The discussion was quite interesting, sometimes raw, always honest and never threatened any of them (I kept taking notes...LOL!)<br /><br />It was amazing to witness. And I've been on the other end and seen a group implode due to lack of respect and maybe desire to improve.<br /><br />CQ's are not the cure all to become published (as some believe) and at certain stages they can be a great asset. Time and place, each of us reacts differently. Dean K Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02585231102949370872noreply@blogger.com