Comments on: Critique Group, Anyone? http://elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/2010/06/10/critique-group-anyone/ Mystery Author Mon, 21 May 2012 16:59:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Nikki http://elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/2010/06/10/critique-group-anyone/#comment-5695 Nikki Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:10:20 +0000 http://elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/?p=1120#comment-5695 Great topic-- I never really had an urge to join a group with people I didn't know; I think part was a cynical protective reason---not to have my words out in 'public'. But just recently I was asked to join two other writers in a weekly critique group. We are in our second month, and I am really enjoying it. One writer is published and working on her third book, and the other is unpublished but from what I can tell more experienced in writing than I am--so I am definitely the rookie and hope I am pulling my weight. I am learning tons by both the feedback I get and the feedback I give. We upload every Sunday (ideally) either a chapter or whatever our personal wordcount goal is, which ranges from 1000-2500 words. Since they are in Houston and I am in upstate NY, we are doing it through Google Wave, which is pretty cool. It let's us upload a word file, which we can do track changes on , but also have a 3-way text message going. And the gentle harassment and threats of not getting it done is also very motivating :) I missed my deadline on Sunday and it was very important to me on Monday night to go to B&N, sit down and get it done before I went home. That being said, it is still helpful to get a few other thoughts from a few friends outside the group, and kind of take what feels right from each critique and make it my own. Great topic–
I never really had an urge to join a group with people I didn’t know; I think part was a cynical protective reason—not to have my words out in ‘public’.
But just recently I was asked to join two other writers in a weekly critique group. We are in our second month, and I am really enjoying it. One writer is published and working on her third book, and the other is unpublished but from what I can tell more experienced in writing than I am–so I am definitely the rookie and hope I am pulling my weight.
I am learning tons by both the feedback I get and the feedback I give. We upload every Sunday (ideally) either a chapter or whatever our personal wordcount goal is, which ranges from 1000-2500 words.
Since they are in Houston and I am in upstate NY, we are doing it through Google Wave, which is pretty cool. It let’s us upload a word file, which we can do track changes on , but also have a 3-way text message going.
And the gentle harassment and threats of not getting it done is also very motivating :) I missed my deadline on Sunday and it was very important to me on Monday night to go to B&N, sit down and get it done before I went home.
That being said, it is still helpful to get a few other thoughts from a few friends outside the group, and kind of take what feels right from each critique and make it my own.

]]> By: Lynn http://elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/2010/06/10/critique-group-anyone/#comment-5694 Lynn Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:53:20 +0000 http://elizabethlynncasey.com/blog/?p=1120#comment-5694 Dru - if I can add to Elizabeth's response. I've been in a workshop setting (think critique group you pay hundreds of dollars to attend), an online group, and now a critique group sponsored by the local RWA group. My results have been hit and miss. In the online group, I'd get good thoughtful responses from most of the members. But one member, just didn't get it. And her work showed. I found I was saying the same thing over and over so I left the group. And I wasn't sure I was getting honest feedback - most of it was too positive. My current group is very structured and as a reader, I probably won't get more than two turns at bat each year. BUT the quality of the critiques from the rest of the table is worth the three hours devoted each month, even if I'm listening and critiquing someone elses work. Even if it is after working a full day. As Elizabeth said, you just have to give groups a try and like Cinderalla, see if the fit works for you. I'd like to be in a weekly group, but with my drive time and work schedule, I'd never find time to write. Or edit. Dru – if I can add to Elizabeth’s response.

I’ve been in a workshop setting (think critique group you pay hundreds of dollars to attend), an online group, and now a critique group sponsored by the local RWA group.

My results have been hit and miss. In the online group, I’d get good thoughtful responses from most of the members. But one member, just didn’t get it. And her work showed. I found I was saying the same thing over and over so I left the group. And I wasn’t sure I was getting honest feedback – most of it was too positive.

My current group is very structured and as a reader, I probably won’t get more than two turns at bat each year. BUT the quality of the critiques from the rest of the table is worth the three hours devoted each month, even if I’m listening and critiquing someone elses work. Even if it is after working a full day.

As Elizabeth said, you just have to give groups a try and like Cinderalla, see if the fit works for you.

I’d like to be in a weekly group, but with my drive time and work schedule, I’d never find time to write. Or edit.

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