More about Critique Groups

Last time out, I stressed the importance of critique groups and warned of certain personality types. The group I work with now is made up of six authors who are writing long works of prose. We’ve limited ourselves to this number, which allows time for each one to present about four pages and get input on the writing and not go over the two hours set aside for critiques.

With any luck at all, you won’t run into the types I warned you about. If you do, the group is faced with a decision. Do you allow someone to disrupt or waste the group’s time? If the answer is no, the only alternative is to ask the person to leave the group. Harsh? Yes, but better than later altercations or recriminations.

Protocols: On the giving end, be positive; point out the good parts as well as criticisms. When it’s your time in the barrel, don’t be defensive, and don’t defend your work. Make note of the criticisms, and how many in the group agree with the comment. One only — may well ignore it. A majority — best pay heed. However, in the end, it is author’s choice — you must decide whether to change the prose or not.

There are wide variations on how to run critique groups. Rather than an attempt to cover them here, I’ll recommend: How to start and run a writers’ Critique Group, by Carol J. Amato.

BeeJaySez